bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Male Partners’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavior Control towards Their Involvement in Maternal Health Services in Rural Settings, Tanzania: A Baseline Community-Based Analytical Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Moshi Fabiola V. , Moshi Fabiola
Published: January 2023

Background: Men are not only heads and decision makers in most families but, also the key determinant of health of the female partners and/or children. However, male involvement in the uptake of maternal services has been a public concern in national, regional and global levels respectively. The constructs of theory of planned behaviour bold that the right attitude, perceived subjective norms and perceived behavior control help to determine individual’s behaviour. The study on hand assessed male partners' attitudes, perceived subjective norms, and perceived behavior control towards their involvement in maternal services utilization.
Methods: A community-based analytical cross-sectional study in a quantitative research approach was adopted to study 546 randomly selected male partners from June to October 2017. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire developed by the principal investigator was the main data collection tool to quantify the variables under study. Given a statistical product for social sciences computer software program, participants’ social demographic characteristics profiles were analysed descriptively and regression analysis established the association the relationship between variables at a 95% confidence interval and a 5% significance level.
Results: Mean age was 31±7.726 with 71.8% of the male partners being married. Findings revealed that 41%, 43% and 43% of male partners had positive attitude, positive perceived subjective norms and positive perceived behavior control towards being involved in maternal services utilization for their female partners respectively. Mambwe ethnicity, having the intention to accompany a female partner, ever heard about birth preparedness and <1kilometer walking distance were the positive predictor of male involvement in maternal services utilization (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Male partners’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control perspectives on being involved in the uptake of maternal services was found to be negative. However, some participants’ socio-demographic characteristics profiles (Mambwe ethnicity, ever heard about birth preparedness, and living less than one kilometer from a nearby health facility) were associated with the outcome variables significantly. Intervention studies are recommended to come up with cost-effective strategies to improve male partners' involvement in maternal services utilization.
Between defects and inclusions: the fate of tellurium in pyrite
Authors: Börner Frederik , Keith Manuel , Fougerouse Denis , Macauley Chandra , Felfer Peter , Yokosawa Tadahiro , Zubiri Benjamin , Spiecker Erdmann
Published: January 2023

Tellurium (Te) is a critical commodity, essential for renewable energies and high-tech applications. Most Te is currently recovered from copper smelters, but rising demand requires sourcing from alternative supplies. However, the mineralogy of Te-rich ores is poorly understood and hinders their economic potential. Here, we investigate the distribution of Te in pyrite from a high-grade Au-Ag-Te epithermal-type ore to inform metallurgical extraction methods, and secure future Te supply. We identified three distinct modes of Te incorporation in this pyrite, which challenge previous solubility models. (1) Te solid-solution, at concentrations (up to 285 ppma) that significantly exceed previous solubility limits. (2) Nano-telluride inclusions along cracks that formed by intra-grain remobilization. (3) Crystal defects, enriched in Te through pipe diffusion hosting up to 0.5 at.% Te. Our results therefore provide new fundamental insights into the chemical and structural coordination of Te in pyrite, which may guide future efforts for its direct recovery.
A New Framework to Spatial and Temporal Drought Analysis for 1990–2020 Period with Mann–Kendall and Innovative Trend Analysis Methods in Turkey
Authors: Ozocak Murat , Akay Anil Orhan , Esin Abdullah İlker , Yurtseven Huseyin , Akgul Mustafa
Published: January 2023

As a result of globally intensifying climate change effects, drought is becoming more prevalent and poses a threat to many areas, especially in water supply, agriculture, transportation, energy, and public health. Therefore, drought should be observed and analyzed regularly and effectively. A new approach has been put forward to make a temporal and spatial drought analysis based on provinces and regions in Turkey within the scope of the present study. In this context, 12-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) values ​​were calculated according to precipitation data from 1990–2020 in Turkey and processed spatially in the Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. After the areal sizes of the annual SPI data based on provinces were calculated, drought trends were revealed by applying both Mann–Kendall and innovative trend analysis tests on percentile areas. In the trend analysis of drought areas, five different drought classes were taken into account, and a separate trend analysis was performed for each drought class. Significance levels of 1%, 5%, and 10% were applied in both trend tests. Drought trends at the scale of provinces and regions were evaluated after province-based areal trend maps were produced. According to the results, a decreasing trend was observed in humid categories in the Black Sea and Mediterranean Regions' coastal areas and the provinces located in the inner parts of the Eastern Anatolia Region. An areal change was also detected from relatively more humid or drier classes to near-normal classes. This study's results will positively contribute to long-term drought evaluation and monitoring studies on national and regional scales.
“Focal liver lesions in a child with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: An unusual finding ”.
Authors: Sherwani Poonam , Singhal Shailvi , sharma Vishakha , Verma Prashant Kumar
Published: January 2023

Introduction
Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) is characterized by the triad of peripheral blood eosinophilia (>1500 cells/μl) for more than 6 months, without any other discernible cause of eosinophilia in association with signs and symptoms of organ infiltration related to eosinophili. IHES is usually seen in the middle age group of 20-50 years and is uncommon in the pediatric population. Various organ systems can be involved and about 30% of patients have hepatic involvement which can manifest as chronic active hepatitis, eosinophilic cholangitis, focal hepatic lesions, or Budd Chiari syndrome. Hepatic involvement is infrequent in IHES, which can manifest as either hepatitis, focal parenchymal lesions, or Budd Chiari syndromeFocal lesions in the liver are often misinterpreted as infective lesions,however, correlation with chest findings can help in making the diagnosis
Case presentation
Herein, we report a case of a 12-year-old male child with IHES who had multisystem involvement (hepatic, pulmonary, and cardiac). The child showed symptomatic, biochemical as well as radiological improvement with steroid therapy on follow-up.
Conclusion
Focal liver lesions mimic infective or benign lesions. It is essential to diagnose these lesions to obviate unnecessary biopsies, especially in children. The mainstay of treatment in these patients is corticosteroids in contrast to infective lesions where antibiotics are given.The response can be assessed by resolution of liver and pulmonary lesions and reduced eosinophil counts.
Abnormal response to chronic social defeat stress and fear extinction in a mouse model of cholinergic dysregulation
Authors: Anderson Kristin R. , Rogu Peter J. , Palumbo Talulla B. , Miwa Julie M.
Published: January 2023

Cholinergic signaling is critical for an individual to react appropriately and adaptably to salient stimuli while navigating a complex environment. The cholinergic neurotransmitter system drives attention to salient stimuli, such as stressors, and aids in orchestrating the proper neural and behavioral response. Fine-tuned regulation of the cholinergic system has been linked to appropriate stress responses and subsequent mood regulation while dysregulation has been implicated in mood disorders. Among the multiple layers of regulation are cholinergic protein modulators. Here, we use validated models of experiential-based affective disorders to investigate differences in responses to stress in a genetic mouse model of cholinergic dysregulation based on the loss of protein modulator.
The lynx2 nicotinic receptor modulatory protein provides negative cholinergic regulation within the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and other brain regions. We discovered here that lynx2 knockout (KO) mice demonstrate an inability to update behavior with an inability to extinguish learned fear during a fear extinction test. We also observed, under an increased stress load following exposure to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm, there was a unified resilience phenotype in lynx2KO mice, as opposed to the wild-type cohort which was split between resilience and susceptible phenotypes. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the functional role of α7 nicotinic receptor subtypes by phenotypic rescue with MLA or crossing with an α7 null mutant mouse (e.g. lynx2/α7 double KO mice). We demonstrate a direct physical interaction between lynx2 and α7 nAChR by co-immunoprecipitation of complexes from mouse BLA extracts. The genetic predisposition to heightened basal anxiety-like behavior and altered cholinergic signaling impairs individual behavior responses stressors. Together, these data indicate that the effects of social stress can be influenced by baseline genetic factors involved in anxiety regulation.
Real-life experiences with CAR T-cell therapy with idecabtagene vicleucel (ide- cel) for triple-class exposed relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Sanoyan Dilara Akhoundova , Seipel Katja , Bacher Ulrike , Kronig Marie-Noelle , Porret Naomi , Wiedemann Gertrud , Daskalakis Michael , Pabst Thomas
Published: January 2023

Background
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), leading to unprecedented responses in this patient population. Idecabtagenum vicleucelum (ide-cel) has been recently approved for treatment of triple-class exposed RRMM. We report real-life experiences with the commercial use of ide-cel in RRMM patients.
Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of the first 16 triple-class exposed RRMM patients treated with ide-cel at a single academic center. We assessed toxicities, response to treatment, CAR-T expansion and soluble BCMA (sBCMA) levels.
Results
We identified 16 consecutive RRMM patients treated with ide-cel between 06–10/2022. Median age was 69 years, 6 (38%) patients had high-risk cytogenetics, 3 (19%) R-ISS stage III, and 5 (31%) extramedullary disease. Median number of previous treatment lines was 6 (3–12). Manufacturing success rate was 88% (6% required second lymphapheresis, 6% received an out-of-specification product). At 3 months, the overall response rate (ORR) was 69% (44% sCR, 6% CR, 19% VGPR). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 15 (94%) patients (88% G1, 6% G2), immune effector-cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in 1 (6% G1), febrile neutropenia in 11 (69%), and infections in 5 (31%). Prolonged hematotoxicity occurred in 6 (38%) patients. Other non-hematological toxicities were elevated hepatic enzymes (38%), colitis (6%, G3) and DIC (6%, G2). Responses were more frequent in patients with higher CAR T expansion (100% vs 38%), and lack of decrease or plateau of sBCMA levels was typically observed in non-responders.
Conclusions
We report one of the first cohorts of RRMM treated with commercial ide-cel. The ORR was 69% and safety profile was manageable, but prolonged hematologic toxicity still represents a major challenge. Responses correlated with in vivo CAR T cell expansion, underlining the need of further research to optimize CAR T expansion.
Colloidal stability of graphene in aqueous medium: A theoretical approach through Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Montes-Zavala Isidro , Castrejón-González Edgar Omar , González-Calderón José Amir , Rico-Ramírez Vicente
Published: January 2023

Molecular Dynamics is used to determine the sedimentation velocity of aqueous solutions of graphene sheets functionalized with i) carboxylic groups, ii) 3-amino-propyl tri-ethoxy silane (silanes), iii) grapheneoxide, and iv) pristine graphene. The COMPASS Force Field was used for the graphene systems and theTIP3P for the water molecules. Results show that the lower sedimentation velocity corresponds to the graphene functionalized with carboxylic groups, which represents the higher colloidal stability. However, the best interaction energy is found in the silane system.
Natural history of long-COVID in a nationwide, population cohort study
Authors: Pell Jill , Hastie Claire , Lowe David , McAuley Andrew , Mills Nicholas , Winter Andrew , Black Corri , Scott Janet , O'Donnell Catherine , Blane David , Browne Susan , Ibbotson Tracy
Published: January 2023

Previous studies on the natural history of long-COVID have been few and selective. Without comparison groups, disease progression cannot be differentiated from symptoms originating from other causes. The Long-COVID in Scotland Study (Long-CISS) is a Scotland-wide, general population cohort of adults who had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection matched to adults never infected. Serial, self-completed, online questionnaires collected information on pre-existing health conditions and current health: 26 symptoms and health-related quality of life, six, 12 and 18 months after the index test. Those previously infected also self-reported current recovery status (fully, partially or not recovered). Here we show that, of those with previous symptomatic infection, 35% reported persistent incomplete/no recovery, 12% improvement and 12% deterioration. At six and 12 months, one or more symptom was reported by 71.5% and 70.7% respectively of those previously infected, compared with 53.5% and 56.5% of those never infected. Altered taste, smell and confusion improved over time compared to the never infected group and adjusted for confounders. Conversely, late onset dry and productive cough, and hearing problems were more likely following SARS-CoV-2 infection than among those never infected. Whilst resolution of some symptoms of long-COVID (altered taste/smell and confusion) is reassuring, late onset cough and hearing problems in some individuals merits further investigation.
IRAK-M ablation promotes status epilepticus-induced neuroinflammation via activating M1 microglia and impairing excitatory synaptic function
Authors: Liang Xiao-Shan , Qian Ting-Lin , Xiong Yi-Fan , Liang Xiao-Tao , Ding Yue-Wen , Zhu Xiao-Yu , Li Yun-Lv , Zhou Jie-Li , Tan Le-Yi , Li Wei-Peng , Xie Wei
Published: January 2023

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. The proepileptic and antiepileptic roles of microglia have recently garnered significant attention. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-M, an important kinases in the innate immune response, is mainly expressed in microglia and acts as a negative regulator of the TLR4 signaling pathway that mediates the anti-inflammatory effect. However, whether IRAK-M exerts a protective role in epileptogenesis as well as the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these processes are yet to be elucidated.
Methods: An epilepsy mouse model induced by pilocarpine was used in this study. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to analyze mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were employed to evaluate the glutamatergic synaptic transmission in hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence was utilized to show the glial cell activation and neuronal loss. Furthermore, the proportion of microglia was analyzed using flow cytometry.
Results: Seizure dynamics influenced the expression of IRAK-M. Its knockout dramatically exacerbated the seizures and the pathology in epilepsy and increased the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) expression, thereby enhancing glutamatergic synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in mice. Furthermore, IRAK-M deficiency augmented hippocampal neuronal loss via a possible mechanism of NMDAR-mediated excitotoxicity. IRAK-M deletion promotes microglia toward the M1 phenotype, which resulted in high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and was accompanied by a visible increase in the expressions of key microglial polarization-related proteins, including p-STAT1, TRAF6, and SOCS1.
Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that IRAK-M dysfunction contributes to the progression of epilepsy by increasing M1 microglial polarization and glutamatergic synaptic transmission. This is possibly related to NMDARs, particularly Grin2A and Grin2B, which suggests that IRAK-M could serve as a novel therapeutic target for epilepsy.
Prescribed Convergence Time Control of Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics with Parametric Uncertainty
Authors: Xiao Bing , Zhao Shijie , Chen Zhaoyue , Cao Lu
Published: January 2023

The prescribed convergence time control issue of spacecraft with parametric uncertainty in inertia and disturbance is investigated in this paper. It is solved by presenting an adaptive sliding mode control framework. As a stepping stone, a new practical predefined-time stability theorem is presented for a class of nonlinear systems. Its maximum convergence time is independent of initial states and is explicitly prescribed via a gain determined by designers. Based on this theorem, an adaptive predefined-time sliding-mode manifold is developed. Then, a chattering-free and nonsingular predefined-time controller is designed. The spacecraft attitude dynamics’ states are governed into a tiny neighborhood with arbitrary small radius after the prescribed time. The performance of this control frame[1]work is validated through two simulation examples.
Information sharing promotes bacterial diversity in oligotrophic environment with low-dose X-ray radiation based on CA modeling and simulation
Authors: Zhang Xiaojun , Li Baohuan
Published: January 2023

It remains unclear why bacterial diversity was formed and maintained in oligotrophic environment (OE) with low-dose X-ray radiation (LDXR) due to violation of the competitive exclusion principle in ecology. Based on microbial ecology, bioinformatics, cybernetics, experimental phenomena and data, a new hypothesis was proposed to elucidate information sharing mechanisms causingformation and maintenance of bacterial diversity in OE with LDXR. According to hypothesis, a valid cellular automata (CA) model was developed, the CA simulation sufficiently proved that as the bacterial individuals conduct cooperation to share information of substrate positions with each other selflessly, it can effectively increase the survival probabilities of all bacterial species, alleviate interspecific competition, and prevent any bacterial species from being dominant to be beneficial to the coexistence of most species, promoting bacterial diversity during spatiotemporal community succession in OE with LDXR. The results of CA simulation sufficiently confirm the proposed hypothesis andare highly similar to the observed phenomena and data in the experiments.
This study could not only lay the theoretical foundation for understanding of the key role of information sharing plays in formation and maintenance of bacterial diversity but also offer effective guidance for bacterial prevention and control as well as other ecological engineering applications.
Master Regulator Candidates in Bipolar Disorder: An in silico Transcriptome Analysis in Psychiatry
Authors: Ziani Paola Rampelotto , de Bastiani Marco Antônio , Scotton Ellen , Hizo Gabriel Henrique , de Carvalho Quênia , Rosa Adriane R
Published: January 2023

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder characterized by episodes of mood disturbance. Literature has already used systems-biology approaches based on transcriptomic analysis to unravel the complexity of this multifactorial disorder. Thus, our study aims to identify the peripheral master regulators (MRs) involved in distinct mood states of BD compared to healthy controls, their pattern of activity, and the biological processes associated with the disorder. Five microarray transcriptomics datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus repository. We used master regulator analysis and functional enrichment analysis to find regulators associated with BD and their biological processes. There were 51 MRs candidates identified in BD, and two main MRs (DNMT1 and DMTF1) were present in the three mood states compared to the control. The primary biological process in the three phases of the disorder was related to the inflammatory or immune system. DNMT1 is a mammalian methyltransferase responsible for the catalysis and maintenance of DNA methylation - one of the essential epigenetic changes. The DMTF1 encodes a transcription factor that contains a cyclin D-binding domain - related to the cell cycle. Finally, many biological processes, including RNA metabolism, cellular respiration, and ribosome biogenesis, were found in BD. However, the function most important in BD was the inflammatory or immune system corroborating the role of inflammation as a therapeutic target in the field of Psychiatry. The search for biomarkers with clinical application in psychiatry is hugely relevant, and our study complements the data on the pathophysiology of BD.
Incidence and predictors of elevated postpartum alanine aminotransferase in chronic hepatitis B mothers
Authors: OuYang Shi , Chen Ziren , Peng Tingting , Geng Yawen , Qiu Junchao , Xiao Zhirong , Pan Calvin Q.
Published: January 2023

Background

The majority of HBeAg-positive mothers with chronic hepatitis B have high levels of viremia and inactive disease with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) during pregnancy. In addition, postpartum disease activation and ALT flare have been reported in the range of 15% − 35%. However, the current International Association Guidelines have not provided clear recommendations and a risk-stratified monitoring schedule. Furthermore, data are lacking on the definition of normal ALT in the postpartum period in mothers with chronic hepatitis B. The clinical features and ALT flare patterns in HBeAg-positive mothers versus HBeAg-negative mothers are not fully explored. Thus, we design a cohort study to investigate the aforementioned area and generate data to assist healthcare providers in the better management of mothers with hepatitis B.

Method

This study is a single-center and prospective cohort study (n = 360) that consists of two groups of patients including HBsAg-positive mothers (n = 120) and healthy mothers without HBV infections (n = 240). In HBeAg-positive mothers, antiviral therapy during late pregnancy is permitted for the prevention of MTCT but discontinued at delivery if no further indication for the treatment. Mothers are enrolled at the gestational weeks of 12–24. After delivery, both mothers and their infants will be followed up until postpartum week 24. Clinical and laboratory data are collected every 4 weeks during the study except there are no follow-up visits at the postpartum weeks 16 and 20. The primary assessment is the proportion of patients with postpartum ALT flares. The secondary assessments are independent risk factors during pregnancy for predicting postpartum ALT flares and the normal range of postpartum ALT levels in healthy mothers.

Discussion

We will assess the incidence of postpartum ALT flares in mothers with chronic hepatitis B with subgroup analysis based on HBeAg status, and evaluate the normal range of postpartum ALT in healthy mothers without hepatitis B. In mothers with hepatitis B, the independent risk factors for predicting postpartum ALT flares are also investigated.
Trial Registration Number at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200061130
Genetic analysis for multiple fruit yield and its attributing traits in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) used as wild species Solanum gilo as male parent under tarai conditions of Uttarakhand
Authors: Bhatt Leela , Nautiyal M. K. , Choudhary Desh Raj
Published: January 2023

The identification of heterotic combinations may provide a significant benefit in hybrid eggplant / brinjal (Solanum melongenaL.) breeding. This two year study evaluated the gene action and combining effects that governs yield and yield contributing characters in brinjal. A set of 28 F1hybrids were generated by crossing eight parents, the crosses PB-6 x PB-101, BARI x Pusa Upkar, Pant Rituraj x Pusa Upkar, SMB-115 x Pant Rituraj, Pant Rituraj x PB-101, Pusa Upkar x PB-101 exhibited high sca effect for majority of the characters under study. On the basis of these ranking best parents and best specific combination could be identified for further breeding programme for brinjal improvement. The magnitudes of specific combining ability variance were higher than general combining ability variance for all characters in both years 2018 & 2019. This indicated that the physiological and vegetable characters were predominantly under the non-additive control whereas, additive genetic control was observed to be predominant for yield per hectare. Further it was also observed that the degree of dominance was found to be more than unity for all characters in both years, indicating over dominance types of gene action for these characters. Predominance of non-additive genetic variance indicated the suitability of heterosis breeding for improvement of this trait in eggplant. These crosses could be utilized and the prospect of extracting transgressive segregants in the segregating generations.
Proposal of a Deep Learning Method for the Classification of EEG Motor Imagery Signals: Applications to Brain-Computer Interfaces
Authors: Mallat souheyl , malaouh ayoub , echtioui amira , hamam habib
Published: January 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
21 cases of laparoscopic central pancreatectomy
Authors: Xiang Jianqiang , Zhu Jie , Wang Haibiao , Zhou Xinhua , Li Hong
Published: January 2023

Objective: To investigate the experience of laparoscopic central pancreatectomy.
Methods: The perioperative data of 21 patients who underwent laparoscopiccentral pancreatectomy were retrospectively analyzed from September 2017 to November 2022 in Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital (Xingning Branch and Eastern Branch). According to these data, we summarized the treatment experience of laparoscopic central pancreatectomy.
Results: All the operations were successfully completed without intraoperative conversion to open surgery. In these operations, intraoperative blood transfusion was in 1 case, intraoperative cholangiography was performed in 2 cases, and intraoperative fluoroscopic laparoscopic assistance was performed in 4 cases. The operative time ranged from 140-560 min (average 221.5min), and the estimated intraoperative bleeding volume ranged from 50-800 ml (average 180.9 ml). Postoperative pathology confirmed that 5 cases were intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, 6 cases were serous cystic neoplasms, 3 cases were mucinous cystic neoplasms, 3 cases weresolid pseudopapillary neoplasms, 3 cases were neuroendocrine tumors and 1 case was pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The maximum tumor diameter ranged from 1.0-8.5 cm (average 2.9 cm).There was no one case of postoperative common bile duct stenosis and biliaryleakage. Among them, there were 4 cases of biochemical leakage, 15 cases of grade B pancreatic fistula, and 2 cases of grade C pancreatic fistula.
Conclusion: As a procedure for preserving pancreatic function, laparoscopic central pancreatectomy had certain surgical risks and a high probability of postoperative pancreatic fistula whichshould be performed by experienced surgeons.
Ethical approval number: KY2022SL213-01
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Sintilimab Combined with Targeted Drug Therapy as Second-Line or Above Treatment for Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer
Authors: Gao Loulu , Tang Lin , Peng Jieqiong , Hu ZiXuan , Liu Bo
Published: January 2023

As a monoclonal antibody of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), sintilimab shows good therapeutic effect in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer (GC). However, there is a lack of data on combined targeted drugs in the treatment of advanced or metastatic GC. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of sintilimab combined with targeted drugs in the treatment of advanced or metastatic GC. This study retrospectively analyzed 30 patients with advanced or metastatic GC who received sintilimab in combination with targeted drugs as second-line or above treatment. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Of the 30 patients, no patients achieved complete response (CR), 2 patients (6.7%) achieved partial response (PR), 22 patients (73.3%) had stable disease (SD), 6 patients (20.0%) had progressive disease (PD). The ORR and DCR were 6.7% and 80.0%, respectively. The median PFS was 3.7months (95%CI:2.5-5.0), and the median OS was 13.6 months (95%CI:9.7 -17.6). Subgroup analysis showed that the location of the primary tumor location, liver metastasis, previous gastrectomy, and previous immunotherapy had no significant difference in PFS. Common adverse events (AEs) during treatment included anemia (53.3%), fatigue (50.0%), leukopenia (26.7%), hypothyroidism (26.7%), nausea and vomiting (23.3%), thrombocytopenia (20.0%), and neutropenia (20.0%), most of which were grade 1 and 2 AEs. There were no deaths due to AEs. The combination of sintilimab and targeted drugs has a good clinical therapeutic effect for patients with advanced or metastatic GC, and AEs are basically controllable, which can be used as a treatment option for patients with disease progression after previous treatment or patients who do not tolerate previous treatment methods.
Effectiveness of web-based psychological capital intervention on the mental well-being of tourism workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Sumalrot Thanayot , Pimthong Saran , Suwanwong Charin , Surakarn Amaraporn , Chiangkhong Araya , Khunakorncharatphong Anon
Published: January 2023

The current COVID-19situation has forced many tourism businesses to close. Tourism workers have suffered chronic stress, discouragement, despair, and failure to find solutions for their businesses, resulting in deteriorating mental health. A psychological capital intervention (PCI) is therefore deemed necessary as it promotes the mental well-being of tourism workers. This article reports the development of a web-based PCI for the mental well-being of tourism workers and an investigation of its effectiveness using a mixed-methods intervention design. A qualitative approach was used to develop the intervention by conducting in-depth interviews with 20 tourism entrepreneurs. A content analysis was carried out. The intervention was tested through an experimental research design. The sample comprised 600 tourism workers who undertook a web-based PCI. Data on their mental well-being were collected before the intervention and 1 month afterward and analyzed using ANCOVA. The research revealed that 4 themes are needed for the intervention: having a goal, tolerance of difficulties, inspiration from a role model, and the appropriate way of thinking. An effectiveness examination showed that the web-based PCI improves mental well-being. In conclusion, this web-based PCI, which focuses on developing strengths, effectively improves the mental well-being of tourism workers facing difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maximum Lyapunov Exponent-based Multiple Chaotic Slime Mold Algorithm for Real-world Optimization
Authors: Yang Jiaru , Zhang Yu , Jin Ting , Lei Zhenyu , Todo Yuki , Gao Shangce
Published: January 2023

Slime mold algorithm (SMA) is a nature-inspired algorithm that simulates the biological optimization mechanisms and has achieved great results in various complex stochastic optimization problems. Owing to the simulated biological search principle of slime mold, SMA has a unique advantage in global optimization problem. However, it still suffers from issues of missing the optimal solution or collapsing to local optimum when facing complicated problems. To conquer these drawbacks, we consider adding a novel multi-chaotic local operator to the bio-shock feedback mechanism of SMA to compensate for the lack of exploration of the local solution space with the help of the perturbation nature of the chaotic operator. Based on this, we propose an improved algorithm, namely MCSMA, by investigating how to improve the probabilistic selection of chaotic operators based on the maximum Lyapunov exponent (MLE), an inherent property of chaotic maps. We implement the comparison between MCSMA with other state-of-the-art methods on IEEE Congress on Evolution Computation (CEC) i.e., CEC2017 benchmark test suits and CEC2011 practical problems to demonstrate its potency and perform dendritic neuron model training to test the robustness of MCSMA on classification problems. Finally, the parameters' sensitivities of MCSMA, the utilization of the solution space, and the effectiveness of the MLE are adequately discussed.
Human-cattle interactions in PPNB and Early- Middle Bronze Age Cyprus: Integrating zooarchaeological and stable isotope data
Authors: Spyrou Anna , Roberts Patrick , Bleasdale Maddy , Lucas Mary , Crewe Lindy , Simmons Alan , Webb Jennifer
Published: January 2023

Cattle domestication and subsequent spread caused unprecedented biological, economic, ecological and social transformations in human history. Cyprus was one of the first places domestic taurine cattle were transported to outside of their core domestication region, making it a “hotspot” in which to investigate cattle acclimatisation and management practices. Accumulated archaeological, iconographic and zooarchaeological evidence has shed much light on the economic and socio-ideological significance of cattle in prehistoric Cypriot society, particularly from the Early Bronze Age onwards. However, little information exists on the mechanisms through which prehistoric cattle breeders experimented with this new, large, multifunctional and symbolically potent animal. Here, we use an integrated approach that combines zooarchaeological and stable isotopic data to reconstruct human-cattle interactions and cattle management in an island context. Stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes were applied to a small sample (n = 16) of cattle and caprine teeth from three key sites, including the Pre Pottery Neolithic B, when cattle were first introduced on the island, and the Early-Middle Cypriot Bronze Age, when cattle re-appeared on the island after three millennia of absence. We identified differences in patterns of isotopic variation between Bronze Age caprine and cattle, likely reflecting differences in mobility and the more intensive management of cattle (i.e. foddering). Additionally, we observe differences in the isotope values of cattle through time (Neolithic vs. Bronze Age) and therefore provide new data on animal management during key periods in Cypriot prehistory.
Busulfan target exposure attainment in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: a single day versus a multiday therapeutic drug monitoring regimen.
Authors: Bognàr T. (Tim) , Kingma J. S. (Jurjen) , Smeijsters E. H. (Erin) , Elst K. C. M. (Kim) van der , de Kanter C. T. M. (Klaartje) , Lindemans Caroline , Egberts A. C. G. (Toine) , Bartelink I. H. (Imke) , Lalmohammed Arief
Published: January 2023

Busulfan exposure has previously been linked to clinical outcomes, hence the need for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Study objective was to evaluate the effect of day 1 TDM-guided dosing (regimen d1) versus days 1 + 2 TDM-guided dosing (regimen d1 + 2) on attaining adequate busulfan exposure. In this observational study, we included all children receiving busulfan based allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Primary outcome was the percentage of patients achieving busulfan target attainment in both TDM regimens. Secondary outcomes were the variance in busulfan exposure and day-4 clearance (Clday4) estimates between both TDM regimens and dosing day 1 and 2. In regimen d1, 84.3% (n = 91/108) attained a therapeutic busulfan exposure, while in regimen d1 + 2 a proportion of 90.9% was found (n = 30/33, not-significant). Variance of Clday4 estimate based on busulfan day 2 concentrations was significantly smaller than the variance of Clday4 estimates based on day 1 concentrations (p < 0.001). Therefore, day 1-guided TDM (pharmacometric-model based) of busulfan may be sufficient for attaining optimal target exposure, provided that subsequent TDM is carried out if required. However, performing TDM on subsequent days may be beneficial, as measurements on day 2 seemed to reduce the variance in the estimated clearance as compared to day 1 sampling.
N-Net: A Convolutional Neural Network for Medical Image Segmentation
Authors: Dumitru Razvan-Gabriel , Peteleaza Darius , Craciun Catalin
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a novel supervised convolutional neural network architecture, "N-Net", capable of effectively learning and generalizing from small amounts of medical images to perform accurate segmentation tasks. Our model utilizes an encoder-decoder structure with a residual downsampling mechanism and a custom convolutional block to capture and process image information at multiple resolutions in the encoder segment. We employ data augmentation techniques to enrich the training set, thus increasing our model's performance. While our architecture is versatile and applicable to various segmentation tasks, in this study, we demonstrate its capabilities specifically for polyp segmentation in colonoscopy images. We evaluate the performance of our method on several popular benchmark datasets for polyp segmentation, Kvasir-SEG, CVC-ClinicDB, CVC-ColonDB, and ETIS-LARIBPOLYPDB showing that it achieves state-of-the-art results in terms of mean Dice coefficient, Jaccard index, Precision, Recall, and Accuracy. Our approach demonstrates strong generalization capabilities, achieving excellent performance even with limited training data.
Machine learning techniques to identify patterns in gynecologic information
Authors: Chacaguasay Marco , Reátegui Ruth , Valdiviezo Priscila , Chicaiza Janneth
Published: January 2023

Medical records constitute an important source knowledge. Millions of data records can be processed looking for patterns using artificial intelligence and machine learning. Thus, the present research aims to identify patterns in gynecologic data. The dataset used includes 1251 records related to women's diseases, it contains aspects such as age, sicknesses, the contraceptive method used, and pathologic history, among others. The methodology applied in this work allowed the management of key aspects such as data understanding, preprocessing, modeling, and evaluation. Three unsupervised algorithms have been applied: k-means, DBSCAN, and Hierarchical Clustering. Silhouette metric has been used to evaluate the quality of each cluster. Results show that the best silhouette value was 0.73 and 9 clusters, obtained with DBSCAN. The outcomes obtained constitute an important contribution to identifying the most common genital infectious diseases that influence the identification of pattern in each cluster.
Advantages and Robustness of Partial VMAT with Prone Position for Neoadjuvant Rectal Cancer Evaluated by CBCT-based Offline Adaptive Radiotherapy
Authors: Zhe Zhang , Yu Shuo , Peng Feng , Tan Zhibo , Zhang Lei , Li Daming , Yang Pengfei , Peng Zhaoming , Li Xin , Fang Chunfeng , Wang Yuenan , Liu Yajie
Published: January 2023

Background and purpose: This study aims to explore the advantages and robustness of the partial arc combined with prone position planning technique for radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients. Adaptive radiotherapy is recalculated and accumulated on the synthesis CT (sCT) obtained by deformable image registration (DIR) between planning CT and cone beam CT (CBCT). Full and partial volume modulation arc therapy (VMAT) with the prone position on gastrointestinal and urogenital toxicity, based on the probability of normal tissue complications (NTCP) model in rectal cancer patients were evaluated.
Materials and methods: Thirty-one patients were studied retrospectively. The contours of different structures were outlined in 155 CBCT images. First, full VMAT (F-VMAT) and partial VMAT (P-VMAT) planning techniques were processed and calculated using the same optimization constraints. The Acuros XB (AXB) algorithm was used in order to generate more realistic dose distributions and DVH, considering the air cavities. Second, the Velocity 4.0 software was used to fuse the planning CT and CBCT to obtain the sCT. Then, the AXB algorithm was used in the Eclipse 13.6 software to conduct re-calculation based on the sCT to obtain the corresponding dose. Furthermore, the LKB NTCP model was used to analyze its radiobiological side effects on the bladder and the bowel bag.
Results: With a CTV coverage of 98%, when compared with F-VMAT, P-VMAT with the prone position technique can effectively reduce the mean dose of the bladder and the bowel bag. The LKB NTCP model showed that the P-VMAT combined with the prone planning technique resulted in a significantly lower complication probability of the bladder (1.88±2.08vs1.62±1.41, P=0.041) and the bowel bag (1.77 ± 2.90vs1.57 ± 2.36, P<0.001) than the F-VMAT. In terms of robustness, the P-VMAT is more robust than the F-VMAT, considering the fact that fewer changes were observed in the dose of the CTV, the bladder and the bowel bag.
Conclusion: This study analyzed the advantages and robustness of the P-VMAT in the prone position from three aspects, based on the sCT fused by CBCT. Whether it is in regards to dosimetry, radiobiological effects or robustness, P-VMAT in the prone position has shown great advantages.
A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Facilitators for Health Behavior Change in Low-Income Men with Prostate Cancer
Authors: Siapno Allen E.D. , Quintanilla Nancy E. , Piqueiras Eduardo , Litwin Mark S.
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Low-income prostate cancer survivors, who typically have worse outcomes and greater all-cause mortality, often have poor health-promoting behaviors. Our objective was to assess perceived facilitators of and barriers to healthy behavior change by interviewing low-income men with prostate cancer who received no-cost treatment through a state-funded program.
Methods
Between September 2021 and April 2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 men (ages 60–75). Purposive sampling was utilized from participants of a cohort of men with prostate cancer from low-income backgrounds. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then coded by the authors to generate salient themes via thematic analysis.
Results
We found internal factors and structural factors that functioned independently and in concert to promote and/or hinder healthy behavior change. Internal factors such as motivations (prostate cancer diagnosis, self-perceptions, support system, and preferences) and determination, defined as level of motivation, drove behavior actualization. Structural factors that influenced behavior change included resources (access to food and opportunities for exercise) and social support.
Conclusions
These outcomes suggest that motivation and determination can serve as protective factors encouraging healthy behaviors despite structural barriers low-income prostate cancer survivors may face. However, motivations challenged by financial constraints were not sufficient to guide healthy behavior change. With this in mind, we recommend that interventions promoting healthy behavior change among this population should focus on identifying and strengthening internal assets such as motivations, self-perceptions, preferences, and support systems.
Electrochemical Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of some N-Phenyl α-Amino Acids
Authors: Singh Kishanpal , Singh Neetu , Goswami Asmita , Sohal Harvinder Singh , Singh Baljit
Published: January 2023

In the present report, authors described a new synthetic route for the generation of N-phenyl amino acid derivatives using CO2 by C-C coupling reaction in an undivided cell containing a combination of Mg-Pt electrodes. The reactions were completed in a short time without the formation of any other side product. The final products were purified by a simple recrystallization procedure. The structures of newly prepared compounds were established by advanced spectroscopic techniques like 1H, 13C NMR, IR, & ESI-MS. All the prepared derivatives have shown well to excellent resistance tested bacterial and fungal strains. Interestingly, it was observed that the presence of polar groups (capable of forming H-bonds) like -OH (4d) and -NO2 (4e) at the para position of the phenyl ring show activity equivalent to the standard drugs.
Stapled Versus Hand-Sewn Anastomoses After Bowel Resection in Patients With Crohn Disease
Authors: Lahes Saleh , Fischer Celine , Igna Dorian , Jacob Peter , Glanemann Matthias
Published: January 2023

Background:
Anastomosis configuration is an essential step in treatment to restore continuity of the gastrointestinal tract following bowel resection in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). However, the association between anastomotic type and surgical outcome remains controversial.
This retrospective study aimed to compare early postoperative complications and surgical outcome between stapler and handsewn anastomosis after bowel resection in Crohn’s disease.
Methods:
Between 2001 and 2018, a total of 339 CD patients underwent bowel resection with anastomosis. Patient characteristics, intraoperative data, early postoperative complications, and outcomes were analyzed and compared between two groups of patients. Group 1 consisted of patients with stapler anastomosis and group 2 with handsewn anastomosis.
Results:
No significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative surgical complications between the stapler and handsewn anastomosis groups (25% versus 24.4%, p =1.000). Reoperation for complications and postoperative hospital stay were similar between the two groups.
Conclusion:
Our analysis showed that there were no differences in anastomotic leak, nor postoperative complications, mortality, reoperation for operative complications, or postoperative hospital stay between the stapler anastomosis and handsewn anastomosis groups.
A Study on Subjective Evaluation of Users in Service Shared Community Built Environment - Based on the Kano model
Authors: Xue Zhijing , Pan Yingying
Published: January 2023

China's first-tier cities absorb a large number of youth groups to work and live in Zhengzhou every year. While economic development brings demographic dividends, housing tensions become more and more prominent. For youth groups with strong quality levels, their ideological fields are no longer restricted to renting, but pay more attention to quality of life. A standardized, youthful, standardized, well-served and interactive youth-sharing community meets the target market, using the Kano model and the Better-WOrse coefficient to analyze the rental needs and real tenancy intentions of youth groups, and to discover the improvement direction of youth-sharing community design. The design and construction of the shared community are presented in four aspects: internal shared space structure, architectural exterior landscape design, intelligent community and virtual community. Based on the research results, it provides a certain range of reference for the design strategy of youth sharing community, which can help enhance user experience, user satisfaction, and promote optimization and innovation of youth sharing community design.