bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Técnicas de distracción utilizadas en Odontopediatría para la atención de niños de 5 a 10 años. Revisión de la literatura
Authors: Cuya Garcia Raysa Alejandrina , Campos Campos Katherine Jeanette
Published: August 2023

Objetivo: Revisar información relacionada a las técnicas de distracción utilizadas en odontopediatría para la atención de niños de 5 a 10 años. Materiales y Métodos: La estrategia de búsqueda de literatura se realizó en las bases de datos electrónicas de Scielo, Pubmed, Scopus y LILACS. Se utilizaron los descriptores "métodos", "distracción", "niño", "comportamiento infantil", "ansiedad dental" y "odontología pediátrica". Los criterios de selección incluyeron artículos publicados entre enero de 2017 y diciembre de 2021 en los idiomas español e inglés. Se incluyeron estudios observacionales y ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que reportaron técnicas de distracción utilizadas en odontopediatría para el manejo de niños entre 5 y 10 años. Resultados: Los distractores más usados en niños de 5 a 10 años fueron los lentes audiovisuales 3D, la música, la aromaterapia y la distracción lúdica. Estos métodos ayudaron a controlar la ansiedad y el miedo; y a mejorar o mantener una conducta positiva en los niños durante la atención odontológica. Conclusión: Las técnicas de distracción activa como los lentes 3D (juegos o dibujos animados) y la musicoterapia (sonidos alegres o relajantes), y las técnicas de distracción pasiva como la aromaterapia, la distracción lúdica y la hipnosis son métodos distractores utilizados para el manejo de conducta de niños de 5 a 10 años durante el tratamiento odontológico. Tanto las técnicas pasivas como las activas son igualmente eficaces en términos de distracción y pueden reducir el estrés, el miedo, el dolor y la ansiedad en los niños.
CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN WORKERS TO THE FAMILY ECONOMY
Authors: Hartarini Yovita Mumpuni , Khayatun Siti , Selviana Tika
Published: August 2023

Women's participation in the world of work has made a major contribution to family welfare. In general, women are encouraged to make a living by the demands of the household economy, this is due to the ever-increasing family needs, while real income does not always increase.. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of worker motivation, work pressure and income satisfaction of women cleaning swallow's nests as a family economic contribution in East Ungaran. The population in this study were 30 female swallow nest cleaning workers. The sample in this study amounted to 30 samples. This sample was obtained by using saturated sampling technique. This research data analysis tool uses multiple linear regression. The results showed that motivation (p value 0.000), work pressure (p value 0.000), and income satisfaction (p value 0.000) of female swiftlet nest cleaning workers had a positive effect on the economic contribution of families in East Ungaran. Suggestions for women's work to increase the role of women in the family economy by increasing the economic contribution through being more self-motivated at work, making work pressure a passion for work and trying to work well so as to create income satisfaction. Keep prioritizing the family, and the duties of women in the family even though they have to look for additional income.
DETERMINAN NILAI PERUSAHAAN TERHADAP SEKTOR CONSUMER NON CYCLICALS
Authors: Fauziyanti Wachidah , Sarbullah Sarbullah , F Lia Anisatul
Published: August 2023

Nilai perusahaan merupakan kondisi tertentu yang telah dicapai oleh suatu perusahaan sebagai gambaran dari kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap perusahaan setelah melalui satu proses kegiatan selama beberapa tahun, Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh struktur modal, pertumbuhan perusahaan dan profitabilitas terhadap nilai perusahaan pada perusahaan sektor consumer non-cyclicals yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia tahun 2019-2021. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahaan sektor consumer non-cyclicals indeks papan utama yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia berjumlah 57 perusahaan. Sampel dalam penelitian ini menggunakan purposive sampling sehingga diperoleh sampel sebanyak 30 perusahaan. Metode analisis data menggunakan analisis regresi linier berganda.

Berdasarkan hasil analisis data disimpulkan bahwa Struktur modal berpengaruh signifikan terhadap nilai perusahaan, pertumbuhan perusahaan tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap nilai perusahaan, Profitabilitas tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap nilai perusahaan. Saran dan kesimpulan untuk peneliti selanjutnya disarankan untuk menguji faktor-faktor lain yang diduga dapat mempengaruhi terjadinya nilai perusahaan
PENERAPAN PENERAPAN LAPORAN KEUANGAN BERDASARKAN STANDAR AKUNTANSI KEUANGAN ENTITAS MIKRO, KECIL DAN MENENGAH (SAK EMKM)
Authors: Fandil Fandil , Sarbullah Sarbullah
Published: August 2023

Abstraksi.

Permasalahan yang umumnya dialami para pelaku UMKM adalah keterbatasan pemahaman akuntansi yang memiliki kemampuan dalam akuntansi. Hal ini menyebabkan UMKM menggunakan pencatatan sederhana yaitu dengan mencatat penerimaan dan pengeluaran kas. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk menganalisis penerapan laporan keuangan berdasarkan Standar Akuntansi Keuangan Entitas Mikro, Kecil dan Menengah (SEK-EMKM) Pada UMKM UD. Andalan jaya. Jenis penelitian menggunakan penelitian kualitatif. Desain penelitian menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada UMKM UD. Andalan Jaya di Kabupaten Tegal. Jenis data yang digunakan data primer. Data primer dari penelitian ini berasal dari jawaban responden seperti jawaban atas interview pelaku usaha. Data diperoleh dengan melakukan wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi langsung. Data tersebut dianalisis menggunakan akuntansi pokok dalam penyusunan laporan keuangan pada UD Andalan Jaya berdasarkan literatur Standar Akuntansi Keuangan Entitas Mikro, Kecil dan Menengah (SAK EMKM) tahun 2018. Hasil penelitian bahwa UD Andalan Jaya tidak memiliki laporan keuangan dan hanya memiliki catatan atas transaksi penjualan dan pembelian, sehingga hal ini tidak sesuai dengan pedoman Standar Akuntansi Keuangan Entitas Mikro Kecil dan Menengah. Penelitian ini menghasilkan posisi keuangan UD Andalan Jaya periode 31 Desember 2020 sebagai berikut Aset Rp. 1.795.099.224, Kewajiban Rp. 750.000.000, Modal Rp. 1.045.099.224, dan Laba bersih Rp. 240.099.224.
Pengaruh Bias Perilaku Investor Terhadap Keputusan Investasi Di Pasar Saham
Authors: Fitra Yopi Adhimas
Published: August 2023

The goal of this study was to analyze and collect data on the variables that affect a person's ability to make informed investing decisions. 158 respondents made up the study's sample population. The information utilized this research were primary data collected using survey methods, and the sample was gathered through the distribution of research questionnaires. The The findings of this study demonstrate that herding behavior positively affects investment choices, Heuristic Behavior has no effect on Investment Decisions, Disposition Effect has a positive effect on Investment Decisions, and Attitudes on Risk have a negative and significant effect on Investment Decisions. And recommendations for more study are anticipated to be a reference in making decisions and adjusting the variables used with each other's psychology before making investment making choices so they can reduce risk and increase the revenue obtained and also before making decisions for novice investors are expected to try to learn the concept invest or ask friends or individuals who have experience in investing before making a decision because it is important to reduce the risk of loss and encourage success in investing in securities, especially stocks.
Green for the Right reasons? How government ideology shapes preferences over climate change negotiations in the Global South
Authors: Yamin Patricio
Published: August 2023

Research on the drivers of foreign policy regarding climate change negotiations has extensively delved into the effects of risks and mitigation costs, as well as the relevance of interest groups such as civil society organizations or carbon-intensive industries. However, the role of governments’ ideological orientation has been neglected in most quantitative studies. Building upon an original dataset consisting of statements at the Conference of the Parties within multilateral climate change negotiations between 2010 and 2018, this paper addresses the impact of government ideology on the negotiating position of developing countries. Despite previous academic work that assert that left-wing governments are more likely to adopt pro-environment stances, I argue that this is only the case in developed countries. Results suggest that the effect of ideology is different in the Global South, where right-wing pluralist governments are more likely to adopt ambitious positions in climate change negotiations than left-wing or populist executives.
Predictors and impact on disability of delirium in Covid-19: an observational study on 2288 consecutive hospitalized patients
Authors: Cristillo Viviana , Pilotto Andrea , Locatelli Martina , Gipponi Stefano , Cottini Elisabetta , Rossi Camillo , Castelli Francesco , Metra Marco , Padovani Alessandro
Published: August 2023

Backgrounds Delirium is a common event among Covid-19 hospitalized patients. In this work, we aim at evaluate the predictors of delirium and its impact on mortality and disability in Covid-19 patients. Methods Two thousand two hundred eighty-eight Covid-19 patients were admitted to Brescia hospital from 2020 to 2022. Clinical and laboratory features were extracted from digital medical records. Statistical analysis was implemented to evaluate predictive factors of delirium, mortality and disability at discharge. Results Out of 2288 patients, 223 (9.7%) experienced delirium (Del+). Compared to patients without delirium (Del-), Del+ subjects were older, exhibited worse premorbid conditions and disease severity, higher mortality rates and discharge outcomes. Age, premorbid disability and Covid-19 severity were the strongest predictors of both delirium and poor outcomes. Conclusion Older and frail Covid-19 patients are at higher risk of delirium, which is an important predictor of in hospital mortality and poor outcomes, independently from disease severity.
Impactos da extensão universitária na formação em enfermagem e transformação social: percepções de docentes e discentes extensionistas
Authors: Migotto Watanabe Roselâine Terezinha , Rahmeier Fietz Vivian
Published: August 2023

O objetivo é analisar as percepções de docentes e discentes extensionistas do curso de enfermagem da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS) sobre os impactos da extensão universitária no âmbito da formação e transformação social. Realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva e exploratória com abordagem qualitativa. Os participantes foram docentes e acadêmicos extensionistas do curso de enfermagem da UEMS. A amostra foi do tipo intencional, sendo empregada a saturação das informações, com um total de 15 participantes. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de questionário semiestruturado, contendo questões discursivas que abordaram sobre as percepções a respeito das práticas extensionistas junto à comunidade, as potencialidades da extensão no âmbito da formação e transformação social. As questões discursivas foram transcritas na íntegra e em seguida analisadas conforme o referencial metodológico de análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2016). As respostas desvelaram que a extensão universitária representa um espaço para desenvolver um processo formativo pautado nas necessidades da comunidade. Notou-se que os participantes desta pesquisa valorizaram o estabelecimento de vínculo com a coletividade, o qual deve acontecer a partir de um diálogo que possa proporcionar o senso crítico-reflexivo ao público-alvo das ações extensionistas. O presente estudo pôde mostrar que os participantes compreendem que o ponto de partida para construção de projetos de extensão parte do olhar para as necessidades da comunidade e ainda para uma formação cidadã. As respostas do questionário apontaram que os docentes e discentes do curso de enfermagem da UEMS entendem que as temáticas e os objetivos dos projetos de extensão devem ser encontrados nos anseios da comunidade.
COMMENT Mariya Ya. Belikovа, Timofey L. Gorshenin, Irina K. Borovik, Yuriy A. Sizov Crohn's disease penetrating form. Difficulties of diagnostics and preoperative planning (clinical case)
Authors: Editorial Article
Published: August 2023

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Capra cartilage-derived peptide delivery via carbon nano-dots for cartilage regeneration
Authors: Maity Priti Prasanna , Kapat Kausik , Poddar Puja , Bora Hema , Das Chandan Kanta , Das Poushali , Ganguly Sayan , Das Narayan Chandra , Dhara Dibakar , Mandal Mahitosh , Roy Chowdhury Amit , Mukherjee Sumanta , Dhara Santanu
Published: August 2023

Targeted delivery of site-specific therapeutic agents is an effective strategy for osteoarthritis treatment. The lack of blood vessels in cartilage makes it difficult to deliver therapeutic agents like peptides to the defect area. Therefore, nucleus-targeting zwitterionic carbon nano-dots (CDs) have immense potential as a delivery vehicle for effective peptide delivery to the cytoplasm as well as nucleus. In the present study, nucleus-targeting zwitterionic CDs have been synthesized as delivery vehicle for peptides while also working as nano-agents towards optical monitoring of cartilage healing. The functional groups of zwitterion CDs were introduced by a single-step microwave assisted oxidation procedure followed by COL II peptide conjugation derived from Capra auricular cartilage through NHS/EDC coupling. The peptide-conjugated CDs (PCDs) allows cytoplasmic uptake within a short period of time (∼30 m) followed by translocation to nucleus after ∼24 h. Moreover, multicolor fluorescence of PCDs improves (blue, green, and read channel) its sensitivity as an optical code providing a compelling solution towards enhanced non-invasive tracking system with multifunctional properties. The PCDs-based delivery system developed in this study has exhibited superior ability to induce ex-vivo chondrogenic differentiation of ADMSCs as compared to bare CDs. For assessment of cartilage regeneration potential, pluronic F-127 based PCDs hydrogel was injected to rabbit auricular cartilage defects and potential healing was observed after 60 days. Therefore, the results confirm that PCDs could be an ideal alternate for multimodal therapeutic agents.
Bridging the extracellular vesicle knowledge gap: insights from non-mammalian vertebrates, invertebrates, and early-diverging metazoans
Authors: Liegertová Michaela , Janoušková Olga
Published: August 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-enclosed structures that facilitate intercellular communication by transferring cargo between cells. Although predominantly studied in mammals, extracellular vesicles are ubiquitous across metazoans, and thus research in non-mammalian models is critical for fully elucidating extracellular vesicles biology. Recent advances demonstrate that extracellular vesicles mediate diverse physiological processes in non-mammalian vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Piscine extracellular vesicles promote fin regeneration in zebrafish and carry heat shock proteins regulated by stress. Frog extracellular vesicles containing microRNAs modulate angiogenesis, while turtle extracellular vesicles coordinate reproductive functions. Venom from snakes contains extracellular vesicles that mirror the whole venom composition and interact with mammalian cells. Invertebrates also possess extracellular vesicles involved in immunity, development, and pathogenesis. Molluscan extracellular vesicles participate in shell formation and host interactions. Arthropod models, including Drosophila, genetically dissect conserved pathways controlling extracellular vesicles biogenesis and signalling. Nematode extracellular vesicles regulate larval development, animal communication, and ageing via conserved extracellular vesicles proteins. Ancient metazoan lineages utilise extracellular vesicles as well, with cnidarian extracellular vesicles regulating immunity and regeneration. Ultimately, expanding extracellular vesicles research beyond typical biomedical models to encompass phylogenetic diversity provides an unparalleled perspective on the conserved versus specialised aspects of metazoan extracellular vesicles roles over ∼500 million years. With a primary focus on the literature from the past 5 years, this review aims to reveal fundamental insights into EV-mediated intercellular communication mechanisms shaping animal physiology.
Changes of ubiquitylated proteins in atrial fibrillation associated with heart valve disease: proteomics in human left atrial appendage tissue
Authors: Wu Chen-Kai , Teng Shuai , Bai Fan , Liao Xiao-Bo , Zhou Xin-Min , Liu Qi-Ming , Xiao Yi-Chao , Zhou Sheng-Hua
Published: August 2023

Background

Correlations between posttranslational modifications and atrial fibrillation (AF) have been demonstrated in recent studies. However, it is still unclear whether and how ubiquitylated proteins relate to AF in the left atrial appendage of patients with AF and valvular heart disease.

Methods

Through LC–MS/MS analyses, we performed a study on tissues from eighteen subjects (9 with sinus rhythm and 9 with AF) who underwent cardiac valvular surgery. Specifically, we explored the ubiquitination profiles of left atrial appendage samples.

Results

In summary, after the quantification ratios for the upregulated and downregulated ubiquitination cutoff values were set at >1.5 and <1:1.5, respectively, a total of 271 sites in 162 proteins exhibiting upregulated ubiquitination and 467 sites in 156 proteins exhibiting downregulated ubiquitination were identified. The ubiquitylated proteins in the AF samples were enriched in proteins associated with ribosomes, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), glycolysis, and endocytosis.

Conclusions

Our findings can be used to clarify differences in the ubiquitination levels of ribosome-related and HCM-related proteins, especially titin (TTN) and myosin heavy chain 6 (MYH6), in patients with AF, and therefore, regulating ubiquitination may be a feasible strategy for AF.
Robust intra-model teleconnection patterns for extreme heatwaves
Authors: Miloshevich George , Rouby-Poizat Philippine , Ragone Francesco , Bouchet Freddy
Published: August 2023

Introduction: The goal of this study is to provide analysis of statistics and dynamics of extreme heatwaves over two areas of Europe, France and Scandinavia, while comparing and contrasting the representation in climate models and reanalysis.

Methods: The 1000 year long datasets are generated using respectively two climate models of different complexity. The composite maps of the heatwaves found in these datasets are compared to the ones observed in reanalysis by estimating significance of such patterns. We also employ time series analysis, in particular compare return time plots and use Gaussian stochastic processes to model the temporal correlations for rare events.

Results: Our investigation reveals that recurrent wavenumber three teleconnection patterns distinctly underpin heatwaves in France and Scandinavia. These patterns manifest in both surface temperature and mid-tropospheric geopotential height. For heatwaves of return times of 4 years such patterns are robustly represented across diverse models of complexity and reanalysis data. For longer return times, reanalysis records are too short to give statistically significant results, while models confirm the relevance of these large scale patterns for the most extreme heatwaves. Moreover, A time series analysis shows that heatwave indices defined at synoptic scale are fairly well described by Gaussian stochastic processes, and that these Gaussian processes reproduce well return time plots even for very rare events.

Discussion: These results suggest that extreme heatwaves over different areas of Europe show recurrent typical behaviours in terms of long-range spatial correlations and subseasonal-scale temporal correlations. These properties are consistently represented among models of different complexity and observations, thus suggesting their relevance for a better understanding of the drivers and causes of the occurrence of extreme midlatitude heatwaves and their predictability.
Nongenomic roles of thyroid hormones and their derivatives in adult brain: are these compounds putative neurotransmitters?
Authors: Martin Joseph V. , Sarkar Pradip K.
Published: August 2023

We review the evidence regarding the nongenomic (or non-canonical) actions of thyroid hormones (thyronines) and their derivatives (including thyronamines and thyroacetic acids) in the adult brain. The paper seeks to evaluate these compounds for consideration as candidate neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are defined by their (a) presence in the neural tissue, (b) release from neural tissue or cell, (c) binding to high-affinity and saturable recognition sites, (d) triggering of a specific effector mechanism and (e) inactivation mechanism. Thyronines and thyronamines are concentrated in brain tissue and show distinctive patterns of distribution within the brain. Nerve terminals accumulate a large amount of thyroid hormones in mature brain, suggesting a synaptic function. However, surprisingly little is known about the potential release of thyroid hormones at synapses. There are specific binding sites for thyroid hormones in nerve-terminal fractions (synaptosomes). A notable cell-membrane binding site for thyroid hormones is integrin αvβ3. Furthermore, thyronines bind specifically to other defined neurotransmitter receptors, including GABAergic, catecholaminergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic and cholinergic systems. Here, the thyronines tend to bind to sites other than the primary sites and have allosteric effects. Thyronamines also bind to specific membrane receptors, including the trace amine associated receptors (TAARs), especially TAAR1. The thyronines and thyronamines activate specific effector mechanisms that are short in latency and often occur in subcellular fractions lacking nuclei, suggesting nongenomic actions. Some of the effector mechanisms for thyronines include effects on protein phosphorylation, Na+/K+ ATPase, and behavioral measures such as sleep regulation and measures of memory retention. Thyronamines promptly regulate body temperature. Lastly, there are numerous inactivation mechanisms for the hormones, including decarboxylation, deiodination, oxidative deamination, glucuronidation, sulfation and acetylation. Therefore, at the current state of the research field, thyroid hormones and their derivatives satisfy most, but not all, of the criteria for definition as neurotransmitters.
Oxidative stress, hormones, and effects of natural antioxidants on intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Sahoo Dipak Kumar , Heilmann Romy M. , Paital Biswaranjan , Patel Ashish , Yadav Virendra Kumar , Wong David , Jergens Albert E.
Published: August 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by intestinal inflammation. The etiology of IBD is multifactorial and results from a complex interplay between mucosal immunity, environmental factors, and host genetics. Future therapeutics for GI disorders, including IBD, that are driven by oxidative stress require a greater understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the GI tract, oxidative stressors include infections and pro-inflammatory responses, which boost ROS generation by promoting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) represent two important signaling pathways in intestinal immune cells that regulate numerous physiological processes, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Natural antioxidant compounds exhibit ROS scavenging and increase antioxidant defense capacity to inhibit pro-oxidative enzymes, which may be useful in IBD treatment. In this review, we discuss various polyphenolic substances (such as resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, green tea flavonoids, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, luteolin, xanthohumol, genistein, alpinetin, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, silymarin), phenolic compounds including thymol, alkaloids such as berberine, storage polysaccharides such as tamarind xyloglucan, and other phytochemicals represented by isothiocyanate sulforaphane and food/spices (such as ginger, flaxseed oil), as well as antioxidant hormones like melatonin that target cellular signaling pathways to reduce intestinal inflammation occurring with IBD.
Large electrocaloric effects induced by multidomain-to-monodomain transition in ferroelectrics with electrical inclusions
Authors: Huang Cheng , Wang Xiaojun , Zhao Jinbo
Published: August 2023

The electrocaloric effect (ECE) depends on the sudden change of the polarization field during ferroelectric phase transition near the Curie temperature. Similarly, giant ECE can be found enormously during the domain structure transition from multidomain to monodomain process in ferroelectrics. To reveal the mechanism with the effects of the electric inclusions, the ECE of PbTiO3 (PTO) ferroelectric solids under electric loads is investigated by phase-field simulation. The giant ECEs of ferroelectric materials containing three kinds of electric inclusions, namely, air, silicone oil, and water, are discussed in detail under applied electric fields. The results suggest that an unusual ultrahigh negative ECE (−9.30 K) and a large EC strength (∆T/∆E=0.237 KmMV−1 are achieved near room temperature (about 50°C) in ferroelectrics containing water inclusion. The results indicate that electric inclusions generate high electrostatic energy under electric loads to break through the energy barrier and play an importation role in the ECE. In summary, the works may provide a better way to obtain the giant ECE and large EC strength close to room temperature by effectively regulating the dielectric constant of the electric inclusion and the increment of the applied electric field.
The irrigation efficiency trap: rational farm-scale decisions can lead to poor hydrologic outcomes at the basin scale
Authors: Morrisett Christina N. , Van Kirk Robert W. , Bernier London O. , Holt Andrea L. , Perel Chloe B. , Null Sarah E.
Published: August 2023

Agricultural irrigation practices have changed through time as technology has enabled more efficient conveyance and application. In some agricultural regions, irrigation can contribute to incidental aquifer recharge important for groundwater return flows to streams. The Henrys Fork Snake River, Idaho (United States) overlies a portion of the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, where irrigated agriculture has occurred for over a century. Using irrigator interviews, aerial and satellite imagery, and statistical streamflow analysis, we document the impact of farm-scale decisions on basin-scale hydrology. Motivated to improve economic efficiency, irrigators began converting from surface to center-pivot sprinkler irrigation in the 1950s, with rapid adoption of center-pivot sprinklers through 2000. Between 1978–2000 and 2001–2022, annual surface-water diversion decreased by 311 Mm3 (23%) and annual return flow to the river decreased by 299 Mm3 over the same period. Some reaches that gained water during 1978–2000 lost water to the aquifer during the later period. We use an interdisciplinary approach to demonstrate how individual farm-scale improvements in irrigation efficiency can cumulatively affect hydrology at the landscape scale and alter groundwater-surface water relationships. Return flows are an important part of basin hydrology in irrigated landscapes and we discuss how managed and incidental aquifer recharge can be implemented to recover return flows to rivers.
Can digital technology reduce carbon emissions? Evidence from Chinese cities
Authors: Liu Hui , Wang Lili , Shen Yang
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Global warming presents significant challenges to the sustainable development of human society. Accelerating the achievement of carbon peak and neutrality is the vision for creating a global ecological community with a shared future. The development of digital technology provides us with the direction of action.

Methods

Based on panel data from 276 cities in China from 2011 to 2020, principal component analysis was used to measure the basic state of digital technology at the city level, and the twoway fixed effects model and instrumental variable method to verify the impact of digital technology on carbon emissions from the perspective of technology diffusion.

Results

The results show that the deep diffusion of digital technology in the real economy sector is helpful to improve productivity and carbon efficiency, thus significantly reducing carbon emissions. The role of digital technologies in reducing carbon emissions is heterogeneous. The results of the sub-sample test show that digital technology has a stronger emission reduction effect in large-scale cities, resource-based cities, smart cities and emission trading policy pilot areas. Digital technology can reduce carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency, promoting green technology innovation, and promoting virtual agglomeration.

Discussions

The contribution of this paper is that it not only reveals that digital technology can reduce carbon emissions but also analyzes the emission reduction path of digital technology from a new perspective. The conclusion of this paper has implications for accelerating the diffusion of digital technology in the real economy sector to accelerate the realization of green production and cope with climate change.
SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody bebtelovimab – a systematic scoping review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liew Mabel Nyit Yi , Kua Kok Pim , Lee Shaun Wen Huey , Wong Kon Ken
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major global public health crisis. More than 2 years into the pandemic, effective therapeutic options remain limited due to rapid viral evolution. Stemming from the emergence of multiple variants, several monoclonal antibodies are no longer suitable for clinical use. This scoping review aimed to summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence for bebtelovimab in treating newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Methods

We systematically searched five electronic databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, Global Health, and PsycINFO) from date of inception to September 30, 2022, for studies reporting on the effect of bebtelovimab in SARS-CoV-2 infection, using a combination of search terms around ―bebtelovimab‖, ―LY-CoV1404‖, ―LY3853113‖, and ―coronavirus infection‖. All citations were screened independently by two researchers. Data were extracted and thematically analyzed based on study design by adhering to the stipulated scoping review approaches.

Results

Thirty-nine studies were included, thirty-four non-clinical studies were narratively synthesized, and five clinical studies were meta-analyzed. The non-clinical studies revealed bebtelovimab not only potently neutralized wide-type SARS-CoV-2 and existing variants of concern such as B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), and B.1.617.2 (Delta), but also retained appreciable activity against Omicron lineages, including BA.2.75, BA.4, BA.4.6, and BA.5. Unlike other monoclonal antibodies, bebtelovimab was able to bind to epitope of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein by exploiting loop mobility or by minimizing side-chain interactions. Pooled analysis from clinical studies depicted that the rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death were similar between bebtelovimab and other COVID-19 therapies. Bebtelovimab was associated with a low incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events.

Conclusion

Preclinical evidence suggests bebtelovimab be a potential treatment for COVID-19 amidst viral evolution. Bebtelovimab has comparable efficacy to other COVID-19 therapies without evident safety concerns.
Mechanism and clinical application of thymosin in the treatment of lung cancer
Authors: Liu Yafeng , Lu Jibin
Published: August 2023

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The burden of cancer on public health is becoming more widely acknowledged. Lung cancer has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates of all cancers. The prevalence of early screening, the emergence of targeted therapy, and the development of immunotherapy have all significantly improved the overall prognosis of lung cancer patients. The current state of affairs, however, is not encouraging, and there are issues like poor treatment outcomes for some patients and extremely poor prognoses for those with advanced lung cancer. Because of their potent immunomodulatory capabilities, thymosin drugs are frequently used in the treatment of tumors. The effectiveness of thymosin drugs in the treatment of lung cancer has been demonstrated in numerous studies, which amply demonstrates the potential and future of thymosin drugs for the treatment of lung cancer. The clinical research on thymosin peptide drugs in lung cancer and the basic research on the mechanism of thymosin drugs in anti-lung cancer are both systematically summarized and analyzed in this paper, along with future research directions.
Retinopathy as an initial sign of hereditary immunological diseases: report of six families and challenges in eye clinic
Authors: Wang Yingwei , Jiang Yi , Wang Junwen , Li Shiqiang , Jia Xiaoyun , Xiao Xueshan , Sun Wenmin , Wang Panfeng , Zhang Qingjiong
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Retinal degenerative or inflammatory changes may occur with hereditary immunological disorders (HID) due to variants in approximately 20 genes. This study aimed to investigate if such retinopathy may present as an initial sign of immunological disorders in eye clinic.

Methods

The variants in the 20 genes were selected from in-house exome sequencing data from 10,530 individuals with different eye conditions. Potential pathogenic variants were assessed by multistep bioinformatic analysis. Pathogenic variants were defined according to the ACMG/AMP criteria and confirmed by Sanger sequencing, co-segregation analysis, and consistency with related phenotypes. Ocular clinical data were thoroughly reviewed, especially fundus changes.

Results

A total of seven pathogenic variants in four of the 20 genes were detected in six probands from six families, including three with hemizygous nonsense variants p.(Q308*), p.(Q416*), and p.(R550*) in MSN, one with homozygous nonsense variants p.(R257*) in AIRE, one with compound heterozygous nonsense variants p.(R176*) and p.(T902*) in LAMB2, and one with a known c.1222T>C (p.W408R) heterozygous variant in CBL. Ocular presentation, as the initial signs of the diseases, was mainly retinopathy mimicking other forms of hereditary retinal degeneration, including exudative vitreoretinopathy in the three patients with MSN variants or tapetoretinal degeneration in the other three patients. Neither extraocular symptoms nor extraocular manifestations were recorded at the time of visit to our eye clinic. However, of the 19 families in the literature with retinopathy caused by variants in these four genes, only one family with an AIRE homozygous variant had retinopathy as an initial symptom, while the other 18 families had systemic abnormalities that preceded retinopathy.

Discussion

This study, for the first time, identified six unrelated patients with retinopathy as their initial and only presenting sign of HID, contrary to the previous reports where retinopathy was the accompanying sign of systemic HID. Recognizing such phenotype of HID may facilitate the clinical care of these patients. Follow-up visits to such patients and additional studies are expected to validate and confirm our findings.
Validation of the CALL score as a mortality prediction tool in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Chile
Authors: Sanhueza Matías , Barrera Manuel , Pedemonte Juan C. , Rojas Luis
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The CALL score is a predictive tool for respiratory failure progression in COVID-19. Whether the CALL score is useful to predict short- and medium-term mortality in an unvaccinated population is unknown.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective cohort study in unvaccinated inpatients with a COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis upon hospital admission. Patients were followed up for mortality at 28 days, 3, 6, and 12 months. Associations between CALL score and mortality were analyzed using logistic regression. The prediction performance was evaluated using the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

Results

A total of 592 patients were included. On average, the CALL score was 9.25 (±2). Higher CALL scores were associated with increased mortality at 28 days [univariate: odds ratio (OR) 1.58 (95% CI, 1.34–1.88), p < 0.001; multivariate: OR 1.54 (95% CI, 1.26–1.87), p < 0.001] and 12 months [univariate OR 1.63 (95% CI, 1.38–1.93), p < 0.001; multivariate OR 1.63 (95% CI, 1.35–1.97), p < 0.001]. The prediction performance was good for both univariate [AUROC 0.739 (0.687–0.791) at 28 days and 0.869 (0.828–0.91) at 12 months] and multivariate models [AUROC 0.752 (0.704–0.8) at 28 days and 0.862 (0.82–0.905) at 12 months].

Conclusion

The CALL score exhibits a good predictive capacity for short- and medium-term mortality in an unvaccinated population.
A panel of blood-based circulatory miRNAs with diagnostic potential in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Madaan Priyanka , Sharma Uttam , Tyagi Nipanshi , Brar Balvinder Kaur , Bansal Shivani , Kushwaha Hemant Rituraj , Kapoor Harmanpreet Singh , Jain Aklank , Jain Manju
Published: August 2023

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with keratinocyte hyperproliferation and T cells as key mediators of lesional and systemic inflammatory changes. To date, no suitable differential biomarkers are available for the disease diagnosis. More recently, microRNAs have been identified as critical regulators of lesional and systemic immune changes in psoriasis with diagnostic potential. We have performed expression profiling of T cell-specific miRNAs in 38 plasma samples from psoriasis vulgaris patients and an equal number of age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. Our findings have identified a panel of five blood-based circulatory miRNAs with a significant change in their expression levels, comprising miR-215, miR-148a, miR-125b-5p, miR-223, and miR-142-3p, which can differentiate psoriasis vulgaris patients from healthy individuals. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for all five miRNAs individually and in combination exhibited a significant disease discriminatory area under the curve with an AUC of 0.762 and a p < 0.0001 for all the miRNAs together. Statistically, all five miRNAs in combination depicted the best-fit model in relation to disease severity (PASI) compared with individual miRNAs, with the highest R2 value of 0.94 and the lowest AIC score of 131.8. Each of the miRNAs also exhibited a significant association with at least one of the other miRNAs in the panel. Importantly, the five miRNAs in the panel regulate one or more immune-inflammation pathways based on target prediction, pathway network analysis, and validated roles in the literature. The miRNA panel provides a rationalized combination of biomarkers that can be tested further on an expanded cohort of patients for their diagnostic value.
Burnout and motivation to study medicine among students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Metakides Clio , Pielemeier Lena , Lytras Theodore , Mytilinaios Dimitrios G. , Themistocleous Sophia C. , Pieridi Chryso , Tsioutis Constantinos , Johnson Elizabeth O. , Ntourakis Dimitrios , Nikas Ilias P.
Published: August 2023

Aim

To investigate medical students’ burnout and motivation levels in each of the six years of their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify independent predictors of burnout and motivation.

Methods

An anonymous cross-sectional survey was sent to the students of all six years within our school. Burnout was measured with the adapted Oldenburg Burnout Inventory questionnaire (OLBI-S) and motivation with the updated Strength of Motivation for Medical School (SMMS-R) questionnaire. Univariate analysis was performed with the Kruskal–Wallis test and Spearman’s correlation, while multivariable analysis with linear regression models.

Results

A total of 333 medical students (52% of student body) responded. Higher burnout levels correlated with lower motivation to study medicine (rho = −0.30, p < 0.001). Burnout levels differed between the six years of medical studies, peaking in years two and four whereas being the lowest in year one (p = 0.01). Motivation levels differed significantly as well, peaking in years one and four whereas being the lowest in years five and six (p = 0.012). In the multivariable linear regression models, being a female (b = 2.22, p = 0.016), studying in the fourth year vs. first year (b = 2.54, p = 0.049), having a perceived beginner/intermediate vs. advanced/expert technology level (b = 2.05, p = 0.032) and a perceived poor school support system (b = 6.35, p < 0.001) were independently associated with higher burnout levels. Furthermore, studying in the fifth year vs. first year (b = −5.17, p = 0.019) and a perceived poor school support system (b = −3.09, p = 0.01) were independently associated with a reduced motivation to study medicine.

Conclusion

Our study highlighted potential areas for intervention to decrease the rate of burnout and low motivation among medical students. However, further research is needed to unravel the full effect of the pandemic on medical students.
Development of an in-vitro model for extracorporeal blood pumps to study the effects of artificial pulsatility on human blood
Authors: Zieger Barbara , Schneider Denise , Brixius Sam Joé , Scherer Christian , Buchwald Armin , Trummer Georg , Czerny Martin , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Busch Hans-Jörg , Benk Christoph , Pooth Jan-Steffen
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The application of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) systems is known to be associated with several implications regarding hemolysis, inflammation, and coagulation. In the last years, systems with pulsatile blood flow are increasingly used with the intention to improve hemodynamics in reperfusion. However, their implications on the aforementioned aspects remain largely unknown. To investigate the effects of pulsatility, this ex-vivo study was initiated.

Methods

Test circuits (primed with human whole blood) were set up in accordance with the recommendations of international standards for in-vitro evaluation of new components and systems of ECC. Diagonal pumps were either set up with non-pulsatile (n = 5, NPG) or pulsatile (n = 5, PG) pump settings and evaluated for 6 h. All analyses were conducted with human whole blood. Blood samples were repeatedly drawn from the test circuits and analyzed regarding free hemoglobin, interleukin 8 (IL-8), platelet aggregation and acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS).

Results

After 1 h of circulation, a significant coagulation impairment (impaired platelet function and AVWS) was observed in both groups. After 6 h of circulation, increased IL-8 concentrations were measured in both groups (NPG: 0.05 ± 0.03 pg./mL, PG: 0.03 ± 0.01 pg./mL, p = 0.48). Pulsatile pump flow resulted in significantly increased hemolysis after 6 h of circulation (NPG: 37.3 ± 12.4 mg/100 L; PG: 59.6 ± 14.5 mg/100 L; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the coagulative impairment takes place in the early phase of ECC. Pulsatility did not affect the occurrence of AVWS ex-vivo. Prolonged durations of pulsatile pump flow led to increased hemolysis and therefore, its prolonged use should be employed cautiously in clinical practice with appropriate monitoring.
Differences in subthalamic oscillatory activity in the two hemispheres associated with severity of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Zhao Xuemin , Zhuang Ping , Hallett Mark , Zhang Yuqing , Li Jianyu , Wen Yi , Li Jiping , Wang Yunpeng , Hu Yongsheng , Li Yongjie
Published: August 2023

Background

It is well known that motor features of Parkinson’s disease (PD) commonly begin on one side of the body and extend to the other side with disease progression. The onset side generally remains more severely affected over the course of the disease. However, the pathophysiology underlying the asymmetry of motor manifestations remains unclear. The purpose of the present study is to examine whether alterations in neuronal activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) associate with PD severity.

Methods

Microelectrode recording was performed in the STN during targeting for 30 patients in the treatment of deep brain stimulation. The mean spontaneous firing rate (MSFR), power density spectral analysis, and correlations were calculated. Characteristics of subthalamic oscillatory activity were compared between two hemispheres. UPDRS III scores during “Off” and “On” states were obtained for the body side of initial symptoms (BSIS) and the body side of extended symptoms (BSES).

Results

There were significant differences of MSFR (41.3 ± 11.0 Hz vs 35.2 ± 10.0 Hz) and percentage of ß frequency oscillatory neurons (51.3% vs 34.9%) between BSIS and BSES. The percentage of ß frequency oscillatory neurons correlated with the bradykinesia/rigidity scores for both sides (p < 0.05). In contrast, the percentage of tremor frequency oscillatory neurons was significantly higher in the BSES than that in the BSIS. In particular, these neurons only correlated with the tremor scores of the BSES (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggest that increased neuronal firing rate and ß frequency oscillatory neurons in the STN are associated with contralateral side motor severity and its progression. Tremor frequency oscillatory neurons are less observed in the STN of the BSIS suggesting that ß oscillatory activity dominates and tremor frequency oscillatory activity reciprocally declines.
Time and frequency domain analysis of physiological features during autonomic dysreflexia after spinal cord injury
Authors: Kirby Ana Karina , Pancholi Sidharth , Anderson Zada , Chesler Caroline , Everett Thomas H. , Duerstock Bradley S.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) affects about 70% of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and can have severe consequences, including death if not promptly detected and managed. The current gold standard for AD detection involves continuous blood pressure monitoring, which can be inconvenient. Therefore, a non-invasive detection device would be valuable for rapid and continuous AD detection.

Methods

Implanted rodent models were used to analyze autonomic dysreflexia after spinal cord injury. Skin nerve activity (SKNA) features were extracted from ECG signals recorded non-invasively, using ECG electrodes. At the same time, blood pressure and ECG data sampled was collected using an implanted telemetry device. Heart rate variability (HRV) features were extracted from these ECG signals. SKNA and HRV parameters were analyzed in both the time and frequency domain.

Results

We found that SKNA features showed an increase approximately 18 seconds before the typical rise in systolic blood pressure, indicating the onset of AD in a rat model with upper thoracic SCI. Additionally, low-frequency components of SKNA in the frequency domain were dominant during AD, suggesting their potential inclusion in an AD detection system for improved accuracy.

Discussion

Utilizing SKNA measurements could enable early alerts to individuals with SCI, allowing timely intervention and mitigation of the adverse effects of AD, thereby enhancing their overall well-being and safety.