bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urine concentrating ability in cats with hyperthyroidism: Influence of radioiodine treatment, masked azotemia, and iatrogenic hypothyroidism
Authors: Peterson Mark E. , Rishniw Mark
Published: September 2023

Background

Hyperthyroid cats often have urine specific gravity (USG) values <1.035. It remains unclear how USG changes after treatment, if USG can be used to predict azotemia after treatment, or how iatrogenic hypothyroidism influences USG values.

Objectives

To determine the proportion of hyperthyroid cats with USG <1.035 vs ≥1.035; if USG changes after treatment; and whether USG <1.035 correlated with unmasking of azotemia or hypothyroidism.

Animals

Six hundred fifty‐five hyperthyroid cats treated with radioiodine; 190 clinically normal cats.

Methods

Prospective, before‐and‐after study. Hyperthyroid cats had serum thyroxine, thyroid‐stimulating hormone, and creatinine concentrations, and USG measured before and 6 months after successful treatment with radioiodine.

Results

Of untreated hyperthyroid cats, USG was ≥1.035 in 346 (52.8%) and <1.035 in 309 (47.2%). After treatment, 279/346 (80.6%) maintained USG ≥1.035, whereas 67/346 (19.4%) became <1.035; 272/309 (88%) maintained USG <1.035, whereas 37/309 (12%) became ≥1.035. Only 22/346 (6.4%) with USG ≥1.035 developed azotemia after treatment, compared with 136/309 (44%) with <1.035 (P < .001). Of cats remaining nonazotemic, 38% had USG <1.035, compared with 20% of normal cats (P < .001). The 137 cats with iatrogenic hypothyroidism had lower USG after treatment than did 508 euthyroid cats (1.024 vs 1.035), but USGs did not change after levothyroxine supplementation. USG <1.035 had high sensitivity (86.1%) but moderate specificity (65.2%) in predicting azotemia after treatment.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Hyperthyroidism appears not to affect USG in cats. However, cats with evidence of sub‐optimal concentrating ability before radioiodine treatment (USG < 1.035) are more likely to develop azotemia and unmask previously occult chronic kidney disease. Iatrogenic hypothyroidism itself did not appear to affect USG values.
Commercial milk formula marketing following increased restrictions in Singapore: A qualitative study
Authors: Topothai Chompoonut , Tan Grace Ping Ping , van der Eijk Yvette
Published: September 2023

The promotion of commercial milk formula (CMF) negatively impacts breastfeeding outcomes. In 2019, Singapore updated its 1979 Code of Ethics of the Sale of Infant Foods Ethics Committee Singapore (SIFECS) to increase marketing restrictions on CMF for infants 0–12 months. However, little is known about industry tactics to undermine these restrictions. This qualitative study explores health workers' and mothers' experiences with CMF marketing in Singapore following the 2019 restrictions. We conducted a qualitative study, using semistructured interviews with 14 mothers of infants aged less than 5 months and 20 health workers with expertise in antenatal, maternity, or paediatric care. We analysed data thematically using inductive coding. Five themes were identified. Mothers and health workers reported digital marketing, product line extensions with toddlers' milk and milk for mothers, and CMF sponsorships in the healthcare setting. Expert endorsement, competitive price, nutritional claims, and brand reputation influenced mothers' infant formula choices, yet both mothers and health workers appeared to be unaware of the impact of CMF marketing tactics on their own perceptions. The restriction of CMF marketing and infant feeding practices varied widely between hospitals, with private hospitals and practices having less strict controls on CMF marketing. Despite the updated SIFECS restrictions, CMF companies continue to target mothers and health workers in Singapore. SIFECS restrictions should be tightened to align with international guidelines, by increasing their scope to include toddlers' milk and prohibiting cross‐promotion, digital marketing, and any sponsorships of events targeting health workers that may create a conflict of interest.
Resurrecting urban sunflowers: Phenotypic and molecular changes between antecedent and modern populations separated by 36 years
Authors: Spear Marissa M. , Levi Sophie J. , Etterson Julie R. , Gross Briana L.
Published: September 2023

Resurrection experiments provide a unique opportunity to evaluate phenotypic and molecular evolution in response to environmental challenges. To understand the evolution of urban populations of Helianthus annuus, we compared plants from 36‐year‐old antecedent seed collections to modern seed collections from the same area using molecular and quantitative genetic approaches. We found 200 differentially expressed transcripts between antecedent and modern groups, and transcript expression was generally higher in modern samples as compared to antecedent samples. Admixture analysis indicated gene flow from domesticated to modern populations over time. After a greenhouse refresher generation, one antecedent–modern population pair was grown under two water availability (well‐watered and drought) and temperature (ambient and elevated by 2.8°C) conditions reflecting historical and contemporary climates. Overall, 78% (7 out of 9) of traits differed between the antecedent and modern populations, with modern individuals displaying some trait changes that are coherent with climate changes expectations and some trait changes in the direction of crop varieties. Phenotypic selection analysis showed that modern trait values were often favoured by selection, especially in environmental treatments resembling modern conditions. Trait heritability in the antecedent population was five times as high as in the modern population, on average. In addition, phenotypic plasticity for some traits, such as flowering phenology, was present in the antecedent population but absent in the modern population. The combination of phenotypic and molecular information suggests that evolution has been influenced by crop‐wild introgression, adaptive processes and drift. We discuss these results in the context of continued evolution in response to anthropogenic factors.
Finite Element Parametric Design of Hallux Valgus Orthosis Based on Orthogonal Analysis
Authors: Tang Zhi , Wu Yifei , Bao Wenlan , Chen Xiaoyan , Zhang Die , Korotkov Alexander Nikolaevich , Zheng Weiming , Gu Song
Published: September 2023

Objective

To design appropriate orthosis for hallux valgus, a difficult foot condition that affects a quarter of the body's bones, we need to clarify the numerical biomechanical features, which have not been established in previous biomechanical studies. Therefore, we constructed a finite element model of the bunion foot to investigate the orthopaedic force compensation mechanism.

Methods

A patient with moderate hallux valgus was recruited. CT imaging data in DICOM format were extracted for three‐dimensional foot model reconstruction. In conjunction with the need for rapid design of bunion orthosis, a metatarsal force application sizing method based on an orthogonal test design was investigated. The orthogonal test design was used to obtain the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the inter metatarsal angle (IMA) data for different force combinations. Based on the extreme difference analysis and analysis of variance of the test results, the influence of different force combinations on the bunion angle was quickly determined.

Results

The results showed that the stress concentration occurred mainly in the first metatarsal bone. The distribution trend was in the medial and lateral middle of the bone and gradually decreased to the dorsal base of the bone body. The greatest stress occurs in the cartilage between the phalanges and metatarsals. In 25 groups of simulation experiments, HVA was reduced from 27.7° to 13°, and IMA was reduced from 12.5° to 7.3°.

Conclusion

Applying detailed orthopaedic force collocation to the first metatarsal column can effectively restore the mechanics and kinematics of hallux valgus, and provide a reference for the treatment of bunion valgus and the design of orthopaedic devices.
S‐nitrosylation of RABG3E positively regulates vesicle trafficking to promote salt tolerance
Authors: Lin Wei , Wang Yuehua , Li Xiaoying , Huang Xiahe , Wang Yingchun , Shang Jian‐Xiu , Zhao Liqun
Published: September 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signaling molecule affecting the response of plants to salt stress; however, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a phenotype analysis and found that the small GTPase RABG3E (RAB7) promotes salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. NO promotes the S‐nitrosylation of RAB7 at Cys‐171, which in turn helps maintain the ion balance in salt‐stressed plants. Furthermore, the S‐nitrosylation of RAB7 at Cys‐171 enhances the enzyme's GTPase activity, thereby promoting vesicle trafficking and increasing its interaction with phosphatidylinositol phosphates—especially phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate (PI4P). Exogenously applied PI4P increases vesicle trafficking and promotes salt tolerance depending on the S‐nitrosylation of RAB7 at Cys‐171. These findings illustrate a unique mechanism in salt tolerance, by which NO regulates vesicle trafficking and ion homeostasis through the S‐nitrosylation of RAB7 and its interaction with PI4P.
The distribution of industry payments among pediatric dermatologists from 2015 to 2021
Authors: Ravipati Advaitaa , Pradeep Tejus , Elman Scott A.
Published: September 2023

Background/Objectives

To understand the landscape of industry payments to pediatric dermatologists to foster transparency and identify potential disparities in funding.

Methods

Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments database, a national cross‐sectional study was performed examining payments to pediatric dermatologists from 2015 to 2021.

Results

Of the 147 pediatric dermatologists who received industry funding, 35 were male and 112 were female. $9 million in payments was amassed, with 10% of pediatric dermatologists accounting for 94% of total industry payments. Consulting was the most common service, with Pfizer Inc., Amgen Inc., and Regeneron Healthcare Solutions Inc. representing the top three companies. Mean payment was $143,836 for males and $35,943 for females (p < .001). Eight female and seven male pediatric dermatologists received payments in the top 10th percentile, with different average payment in this subgroup (females $447,588 vs. males $698,746, p = .03). 11 states did not have a pediatric dermatologist receiving industry payments, while California (19) and Texas (12) had the most.

Conclusions

There are approximately 400 board‐certified pediatric dermatologists in the United States and fewer than 40% are receiving monetary compensation from private industry. A fraction of physicians accounted for a majority of total industry payments and industry payments to male pediatric dermatologists were higher despite nearly triple the number of female pediatric dermatologists. With the rise of valuable partnerships between healthcare and industry in modern medicine, the implications of geographic, gender, and financial disparity of industry payments in pediatric dermatology are worthy of further study.
Attitudes of healthcare workers toward the COVID‐19 vaccine and related factors: A systematic review
Authors: Tunç Aylin Meşe , Çevirme Ayşe
Published: September 2023

Aim and Objectives

This systematic review aims to examine healthcare professionals' attitudes toward the COVID‐19 vaccine and related factors.

Background

Healthcare workers have priority among risky groups accepted as candidates for early vaccination. Therefore, it is important to consider health professionals' attitudes toward COVID‐19 vaccination to better address barriers to widespread vaccination.

Materials and Methods

Six databases were searched for articles published between January 01, 2020, and February 31, 2022, and 1161 studies were reached. As a result of the evaluations, 10 studies were included in the systematic review. Nine studies are cross‐sectional, and one is a descriptive study. A 9‐item Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies from the Joanna Briggs Institute MAStARI Critical Assessment Tools (JBI‐MAStARI) was used for quality assessment. High‐quality studies with an average or higher methodological quality score were included in the systematic review. The PRISMA guideline was followed while selecting studies.

Results

Positive attitudes of healthcare professionals toward the COVID‐19 vaccine ranged from 10% to 93.7%, and negative attitudes varied between 6.3% and 41.0%. Factors such as the male gender, being a physician, advanced age, previous influenza vaccination history, and presence of chronic disease were found to be associated with vaccine acceptance. Factors such as doubt about the efficacy of the COVID‐19 vaccine, safety concerns, and fear of unknown side effects of the vaccine were associated with COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusion

There is a need for confidence‐building interventions and tailored communication strategies, including personalized training to change the ambiguous attitudes of healthcare professionals, increase vaccine uptake, and cope with the multifaceted impact of infection.

PROSPERO Registration Number

CRD42021290482.
Understanding patterns of stakeholder participation in public commenting on bureaucratic policymaking: Evidence from the European Union
Authors: Bunea Adriana , Lipcean Sergiu
Published: September 2023

What explains the levels and diversity of stakeholder participation in public commenting on bureaucratic policymaking? We examine a novel dataset on a stakeholder engagement mechanism recently introduced by the European Commission containing information about 1258 events organized between 2016 and 2019. We highlight the importance of administrative acts' characteristics and acknowledge the role of policy area type. Acts corresponding to early policy stages, broader in scope, less technical, and more explicit about feedback loop rules, that is, roadmaps, inception impact assessments and delegated acts, generate significantly more comments, from more diverse stakeholders, relative to legislative proposals, and draft implementing acts. Regulatory and distributive policies generate significantly more comments than interior and foreign policies. Diversity is significantly higher in distributive policies but only relative to foreign policies. We contribute by showing the power of administrative acts in influencing stakeholder participation and diversity across decision stages and policy areas and shaping bias in interest representation.
Information asymmetry and vertical collective action dilemma: The case of targeted poverty alleviation in China
Authors: Liu Lili , Xin Ge , Yi Hongtao
Published: September 2023

Information asymmetry is prevalent in the vertical bureaucratic structures of unitary systems. Drawing upon the institutional collective action (ICA) framework and the literature on information politics, this paper investigates the formation of the vertical ICA dilemma and the motivations underlying the collaborative mechanisms to address information asymmetry within the hierarchical bureaucratic structures of the Chinese government. Taking the Targeted Poverty Alleviation campaign as a case, we find a mixture of collective solutions, including informal networks, intergovernmental contracts, delegation, and imposed authority, as alternatives to alleviate the information asymmetry between vertical governments. Our case studies contribute to the literature on central–local relations, information politics, and the development of the vertical ICA framework, which notably incorporates the extent of lower level government autonomy into the determinants of integration mechanisms. In the conclusion, we connect this research to the broader ICA research agenda and studies of the cross‐level policy process, with implications for multi‐level governance in unitary systems like China.
Erythrophagocytosis in autoimmune immunoglobulin A‐mediated hemolysis
Authors: Gollamudi Jahnavi , Dasgupta Swapan Kumar , Thiagarajan Perumal
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Warm antibody‐mediated autoimmune hemolysis (WAIHA) is most often due to immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and is detected by direct antiglobulin test (DAT). However, about 10% cases of hemolytic anemia are DAT negative. Herein, we describe a patient with DAT‐negative hemolytic anemia due to an anti‐IgA antibody. We investigate if isolated IgA can promote erythrophagocytosis.

Methods

We isolated patient and control IgA on Jacalin agarose. Isolated IgA was used to sensitize healthy ABO/Rh‐matched donor red blood cells (RBC). Antibody binding was examined by flowcytometry. The effect of IgA on erythrophagocytosis was evaluated using Macrophage colony stimulating factor 1 (M‐CSF)‐differentiated autologous macrophages by Giemsa staining and immunofluorescence microscopy.

Results

We show that isolated IgA from the serum can bind to red cells. In addition, RBCs were phagocytosed efficiently by autologous macrophages in the presence of patient IgA.

Conclusion

Our results show that IgA antibodies are capable of inducing erythrophagocytosis like IgG antibodies in the absence of complement fixation.
How to Derive the Other 37 Valid Modal Syllogisms from the Syllogism ◇A£I◇I-1
Authors: Wei Long
Published: September 2023

Syllogistic reasoning plays an important role in natural language information processing. In order to provide a consistent interpretation for Aristotelian modal syllogistic, this paper firstly proves the validity of the syllogism ◇A£I◇I-1, and then takes it as the basic axiom to derive the other 37 valid modal syllogisms on the basis of some reasoning rules in classical propositional logic, the transformation between any one of Aristotelian quantifiers and its three negative quantifiers, the symmetry of the Aristotelian quantifier some and no, and some relevant definitions and facts. In other words, there are reducibility between the modal syllogism ◇A£I◇I-1 and the other 37 valid modal syllogisms. There are infinitely many modal syllogism instances in natural language corresponding to every valid modal syllogism, thus this study has important practical significance and theoretical value for natural language information processing in computer science.
Method for improving dry etching end point detection based on change in time accumulation correlation of plasma emitting wavelengths
Authors: Oh Se-Jin , Son Chang-Gil , Sohn Min-kyu , Sung Doug-Yong , Kim Min-Sung , Im Ji-Soo , Nam Sang Ki
Published: September 2023

This study proposes an optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analysis methodology to improve the ability to detect etching endpoints during high-level semiconductor plasma etching processes. Representative etching endpoint detection methods using single wavelength intensity or multiple wavelength intensity ratio changes include a low signal-to-noise ratio, high plasma instability, a small etching open area, and weak by-product emission signal problems due to deep etching under high-level process conditions such as high aspect ratio contact etching (HARC). As a result, it is difficult to detect the etching endpoint due to the very small or noisy change in the intensity over time due to the process progress of the wavelength selected by OES to detect the etching endpoint. In this study, a method of deriving an accumulative time correlation value according to process progress between selected wavelengths was developed by selecting all wavelengths observed in a specific wavelength region such as ultraviolet region in a spectrum emitted from plasma during a plasma etching process. After classifying the entire correlation signal groups derived as a pair of two intensity peak wavelengths into a dynamic time wrapping algorithm, the intensity change rate of the signal according to the process time was observed by selecting the signal with the most sensitive time change rate during the process. During the vertical nand flash memory manufacturing process, a test wafer for the purpose of detecting the etching endpoint was manufactured and evaluated under the conditions of the cell metal contact etching process, which is a high-level HARC etching process. As a result, it was confirmed that the signal selected by deriving the time accumulative correlation method had a high intensity change rate and a signal-to-noise ratio over time compared to a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelength ratio signals. The method proposed in this study is expected to contribute to process optimization by contributing to improving the ability to detect etching endpoints in high-level plasma etching processes in the future.
Effect of annealing on focused ion beam induced surface damages in silicon analyzed by micro-Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Goshima Yoshiharu , Kashiwagi Shinsuke , Namazu Takahiro
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we describe Raman spectroscopic study for evaluating the influence of vacuum annealing on the surface modification of the focused ion beam (FIB) induced damaged layer on a single crystalline Si (c-Si) substrate. The damaged layer consisting of amorphous silicon (a-Si) with implanted Ga ions is formed after irradiating FIB onto the c-Si surface. After vacuum annealing at 700 °C for 10 s, the Raman spectrum peak of poly crystalline Si (p-Si) appears. With increasing annealing time, the spectral parameters, peak shift, peak intensity, and full width at half maximum (FWHM), for p-Si and c-Si change. Through the comparison between the phase fraction of a-Si, p-Si, and c-Si in the FIB damaged layer and the mechanical properties of the FIB-processed Si nanowires obtained in the quasistatic tensile testing, a recovery of the damaged layer by annealing is discussed.
Polycystin goes with the flow
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: September 2023

Asymmetric movement of a polycystin subunit may underlie the initial break in left-right asymmetry in mouse embryos.
Whole genome-based genetic insights of
bla
NDM
producing clinical
E. coli
isolates in hospital settings of Pakistant
Authors: Abdullah Sabahat , Almusallam Abdulrahman , Li Mei , Mahmood Muhammad Shahid , Mushtaq Muhammad Ahmad , Eltai Nahla O. , Toleman Mark A. , Mohsin Mashkoor
Published: September 2023

Carbapenem resistance among Enterobacterales has become a global health concern. Clinical
Escherichia coli
isolates producing the metallo β-lactamase NDM have been isolated from two hospitals in Faisalabad, Pakistan. These
E. coli
strains were characterized by MALDI-TOF, PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, XbaI and S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), conjugation assay, DNA hybridization, whole genome sequencing, bioinformatic analysis, and
Galleria mellonella
experiments. Thirty-four
bla
NDM
producing
E. coli
strains were identified among 52 nonduplicate carbapenem-resistant strains. More than 90% of the isolates were found to be multidrug resistant by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. S1 PFGE confirmed the presence of
bla
NDM
gene on plasmids ranging from 40 kbps to 250 kbps, and conjugation assays demonstrated transfer frequencies of
bla
NDM
harboring plasmids ranging from 1.59 × 10
−1
to 6.46 × 10
−8
per donor. Whole genome sequencing analysis revealed
bla
NDM-5
as the prominent NDM subtype with the highest prevalence of
bla
OXA-1
,
bla
CTX-M-15
,
aadA2
,
aac(6')-Ib-cr
, and
tet(A
) associated resistant determinants.
E. coli
sequence types: ST405, ST361, and ST167 were prominent, and plasmid Inc types: FII, FIA, FIB, FIC, X3, R, and Y, were observed among all isolates. The genetic environment of
bla
NDM
region on IncF plasmids included partial IS
Aba125
, the bleomycin
ble
gene, and a class I integron. The virulence genes
terC, traT, gad, fyuA, irp2, capU,
and
sitA
were frequently observed, and
G. mellonella
experiments showed that virulence correlated with the number of virulence determinants. A strong infection control management in the hospital is necessary to check the emergence of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

We describe a detailed analysis of highly resistant clinical
E. coli
isolates from two tertiary care centers in Pakistan including carbapenem resistance as well as common co-resistance mechanisms. South Asia has a huge problem with highly resistant
E. coli
. However, we find that though these isolates are very difficult to treat they are of low virulence. Thus the Western world has an increasing problem with virulent
E. coli
that are mostly of low antibiotic resistance, whereas, South Asia has an increasing problem with highly resistant
E. coli
that are of low virulence potential. These observations allow us to start to devise methodologies to limit both virulence and resistance and combat problems in developing nations as well as the Western world.
Development and characterization of phage display-derived anti-toxin antibodies neutralizing TcdA and TcdB of
Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Raeisi Hamideh , Azimirad Masoumeh , Asadzadeh Aghdaei Hamid , Zarnani Amir-Hassan , Abdolalizadeh Jalal , Yadegar Abbas , Zali Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2023

TcdA and TcdB are known as the major virulence attributes of
Clostridioides difficile
. Hence, neutralizing the TcdA and TcdB activities can be considered as an efficient therapeutic approach against
C. difficile
infection (CDI). In this work, we utilized phage display technique to select single-chain fragment variable (scFv) fragments as recombinant antibodies displayed on the surface of phages, which specifically target native TcdA, or TcdB (nTcdA and nTcdB), and their recombinant C-terminal combined repetitive oligopeptide (CROP) domains (rTcdA and rTcdB). After three rounds of biopanning, abundance of phage clones displaying high reactivity with TcdA or TcdB was quantified through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, selected scFvs were characterized by cell viability and neutralization assays. The gene expression of immunological markers, IL-8 and TNF-α, was examined in treated Caco-2 cells by RT-qPCR. The epitopes of neutralizing scFvs were also identified by molecular docking. Totally, 18 scFv antibodies (seven for TcdA and 11 for TcdB) were identified by ELISA. Among selected scFvs, two clones for TcdA (rA-C2, A-C9) and three clones for TcdB (rB-B4, B-F5, B-F11) exhibited the highest neutralizing activity in Caco-2 and Vero cells. Moreover, the cocktail of anti-TcdA and anti-TcdB antibodies notably decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-8 in Caco-2 cells. Molecular docking revealed that the interaction between scFv and toxin was mostly restricted to CROP domain of TcdA or TcdB. Our results collectively provided more insights for the development of neutralizing scFvs against
C. difficile
toxins using phage display. Further research is needed to meticulously evaluate the potential of scFvs as an alternative treatment for CDI using animal models and clinical trials.

IMPORTANCE

Targeting the major toxins of
Clostridioides difficile
by neutralizing antibodies is a novel therapeutic approach for CDI. Here, we report a panel of new anti-TcdA (rA-C2, A-C9) and anti-TcdB (rB-B4, B-F5, and B-F11) recombinant antibody fragments (scFvs) isolated from Tomlinson I and J libraries using phage display technique. These scFv antibodies were capable of neutralizing their respective toxin and showed promise as potential therapeutics against TcdA and TcdB of
C. difficile
in different
in vitro
models. In addition,
in silico
analysis showed that at least two neutralization mechanisms, including inhibiting cell surface binding of toxins and inhibiting toxin internalization can be proposed for the isolated scFvs in this work. These findings provide more insights for the applicability of specific scFvs toward
C. difficile
toxins at
in vitro
level. However, further research is required to evaluate the potential application of these scFvs as therapeutic agents for CDI treatment in clinical setting.
A case study on Amyand hernia: The uncommon form of hernia
Authors: Khurshid Fatima , Hussain Muzzamal , Chaudhry Shahzeb , Malik Khadija , Touseef Sabahat
Published: September 2023

An Amyand hernia is a rare type of inguinal hernia, accounting for less than 1% of all inguinal hernias, in which the appendix is found within the hernia sac, and is more common in males. The treatment of Amyand hernias is surgical, and the type of surgery depends on the extent of the hernia and the condition of the appendix. In this report, we will discuss the case of a 65-year-old male patient who presented with a reducible right inguinal swelling. During surgery, the hernia was found to contain an inflamed appendix, which was removed. The patient was treated with appendectomy along with mesh repair with postoperative antibiotic course. We discuss the diagnosis and management of Amyand hernias, also highlight the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious complications. We conclude that although Amyand hernias are rare, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of inguinal hernias, especially in male patients.
An introduction to the Triassic and Jurassic of the Junggar Basin, China: advances in palaeontology and environments
Authors: Sha Jingeng , Slater Sam M. , Olsen Paul E. , Vajda Vivi , Zhang Haichun
Published: September 2023

The Junggar Basin, NW China, hosts continuous and well-exposed Late Triassic and Jurassic continental strata. Extensive coal, oil and gas deposits occur within the basin and, together with the high-palaeolatitude locality and continental records of several Mesozoic geological events, make the sedimentary successions globally important. This special publication focuses on these successions, presenting recent advances in palaeontology, geology and palaeoenvironments. The contents span various topics, including studies of fauna, flora, stratigraphy, geochemistry, palaeogeography, palaeoclimate, petroleum reservoir quality, the end-Triassic mass extinction, the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, Triassic–Jurassic seasonal freezing and true polar wander. To provide continuity throughout the various papers, where possible, bed numbers for all stratigraphic units are provided, enabling findings to be compared among studies and tested in the future. This special publication highlights that the sediments of the Junggar Basin provide important long-term records of continental life and environmental changes through the Triassic and Jurassic.
Cloth Interactive Transformer for Virtual Try-On
Authors: Ren Bin , Tang Hao , Meng Fanyang , Runwei Ding , Torr Philip H. S. , Sebe Nicu
Published: September 2023

The 2D image-based virtual try-on has aroused increased interest from the multimedia and computer vision fields due to its enormous commercial value. Nevertheless, most existing image-based virtual try-on approaches directly combine the person-identity representation and the in-shop clothing items without taking their mutual correlations into consideration. Moreover, these methods are commonly established on pure convolutional neural networks (CNNs) architectures which are not simple to capture the long-range correlations among the input pixels. As a result, it generally results in inconsistent results. To alleviate these issues, in this article, we propose a novel two-stage cloth interactive transformer (CIT) method for the virtual try-on task. During the first stage, we design a CIT matching block, aiming at precisely capturing the long-range correlations between the cloth-agnostic person information and the in-shop cloth information. Consequently, it makes the warped in-shop clothing items look more natural in appearance. In the second stage, we put forth a CIT reasoning block for establishing global mutual interactive dependencies among person representation, the warped clothing item, and the corresponding warped cloth mask. The empirical results, based on mutual dependencies, demonstrate that the final try-on results are more realistic. Substantial empirical results on a public fashion dataset illustrate that the suggested CIT attains competitive virtual try-on performance.
Mediator subunit MED1 deficiency prevents carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice
Authors: Gao Jie , Bao Miaoye , Xing Yuanming , Ding Yiming , Han Tuo , Wen Ergang , Liu Jun , Yue Shaoyun , Wang Rong , Wang Ling , Liu Junhui , Zhao Sihai , Huang Jiansheng , Liu Enqi , Bai Liang
Published: September 2023

In this study, we present the first evidence that liver mediator 1 (MED1) deficiency attenuated carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in mouse. The underlying mechanism is that MED1 deficiency reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in hepatocytes, thus restricts the activation of TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway and fibrogenic genes expression in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). These data suggest that MED1 is an essential regulator for hepatic fibrogenesis, and MED1 may be considered as a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
Indications, Measurements, and Complications of Ten Essential Neonatal Procedures
Authors: Zubi Zainab Bubakr Hamad , Abdullah Ahmad Fadzil Bin , Helmi Muhd Alwi Bin Muhd , Hasan Taufiq Hidayat , Ramli Noraida , Ali Adam Al-Anas Bin Mat , Mohamed Mossad Abdelhak Shaban
Published: September 2023

About 10% of newborns require some degree of assistance to begin their breathing, and 1% necessitates extensive resuscitation. Sick neonates are exposed to a number of invasive life-saving procedures as part of their management, either for investigation or for treatment. In order to support the neonates with the maximum possible benefits and reduce iatrogenic morbidity, health-care providers performing these procedures must be familiar with their indications, measurements, and potential complications. Hence, the aim of this review is to summarise ten of the main neonatal intensive care procedures with highlighting of their indications, measurements, and complications. They include the umbilical venous and arterial catheterizations and the intraosseous line which represent the principal postnatal emergency vascular accesses; the peripherally inserted central catheter for long-term venous access; the endotracheal tube and laryngeal mask airway for airway control and ventilation; chest tube for drainage of air and fluid from the thorax; and the nasogastric/orogastric tube for enteral feeding. Furthermore, lumber puncture and heel stick were included in this review as very important and frequently performed diagnostic procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Dual-Channel Decisions under Blockchain and Returns
Authors: Liu Guangdong , Li Ziyang , Chen Jinggui
Published: September 2023

Blockchain is currently used in a wide range of industries to improve the efficiency of the circulation of goods and effectively reduce counterfeiting in supply chains. In order to improve consumer trust in their purchases and reduce returns, the paper develops four models of consumers return based on blockchain technology from a consumer utility perspective. We conducted a Stackelberg game to analyze the impact of return modes and blockchain technology on optimal decisions and consumers, where consumers can return goods through the original channel, all through the online channel, and all through the offline channel. The major results of our study show that when blockchain technology is not used, the costs of return hassles in one channel can have an impact on other channels, and the adoption of online returns is advantageous to both consumers and the retailer. When blockchain technology is used, the manufacturer offers the retailer a lower wholesale price as a subsidy for the unit validation fee, which is always advantageous to the retailer. In most situations, implementing blockchain technology can boost consumer surplus. Only if the fixed cost of blockchain technology is low would the manufacturer adopt it.
The Influence of Satisfaction with E‐Learning on the Psychological State of Nursing Students
Authors: Innab Adnan , Aldawood Fatima , Abdali Naif Omar , Arishi Osama Kallas , Alomary Abdullah Mansi
Published: September 2023

Aim. The education system has transitioned from traditional learning to e‐learning. Earlier, researchers tested the feasibility of e‐learning for nursing students. However, whether satisfaction with e‐learning affects students’ mental health remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the influence of satisfaction with e‐learning on mental health (stress, anxiety, and depression) among undergraduate nursing students. Methods. This study design was cross‐sectional, correlational, and descriptive. Data were collected between April and December 2022 from local nursing colleges in 13 regions in Saudi Arabia. A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit undergraduate nursing students. One hundred forty‐four students responded to the online questionnaire. Results. Nursing students demonstrated moderate levels of anxiety (M = 9.89 (SD = 4.28)), stress (M = 10.40 (SD = 4.05)), and depression (M = 9.64 (SD = 4.38)). The average satisfaction with e‐learning score was 2.79 (SD = 0.85), indicating that students’ satisfaction was low. Strong and positive correlations existed between anxiety and stress (r = 0.787, p  < 0.001) and depression (r = 0.867, p  < 0.001). However, anxiety, stress, and depression were not correlated with satisfaction. Female participants demonstrated more significant anxiety (M = 11.0, SD = 3.55), stress (M = 11.3, SD = 3.5), and depressive symptoms (M = 10.9, SD = 3.6) than their male counterparts. Stress significantly and indirectly affected depression through anxiety (B = 0.580, p  < 0.001, 95% CI 0.449 to 0.719). The proportion of mediation (PM = 0 .697) indicated that 69.7% of the total stress effect on depression was because of the indirect impact of anxiety, acting as a partial mediation. Conclusions. This study emphasized providing mental health services for nursing students. Conducting qualitative research will help achieve knowledge of nursing students’ mental health status.
Sucrose, Lactose, Thermogravimetry, and Differential Thermal Analysis: The Estimation of the Moisture Bond Types in Lactose-Containing Ingredients for Confectionery Products with Reduced Glycemic Index
Authors: Melnikova Elena , Bogdanova Ekaterina , Paveleva Daria , Saranov Igor
Published: September 2023

This research is aimed at conducting a comparative analysis of the dehydration process of lactose-containing ingredients and sucrose. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) methods were used to investigate the moisture bond types and the process of thermal degradation in native whey, dried skimmed milk, dried whole milk, dried milk whey demineralized, purified lactose, and sucrose. There were several peaks on the DSC and TG curves for lactose-containing ingredients. They determine the loss of the physically absorbed water on surfaces, physically occluded water and hydrate-forming water (up to 180°C), anomerization of lactose (160–220°C), and melting followed by decomposition (above 230°C). The multiple peaks on the dDSC curves from 135 to 170°C indicate the course of the Maillard reaction in the mix with proteins. For the native whey, the amount of chemically bound water was

56.11
±
1

%; for the dried whole milk, it was

59.86
±
1

%; for the milk whey demineralized, it was

64.56
±
1

%; and for the dried skimmed milk, it was

67.17
±
1

%. The results are presented as

mean
 
values
±
SD

(

n
=
3

) and were considered statistically significant when

P
<
0.05

. The similar to some extent form of the DSC and TG curves to lactose-containing ingredients and granulated sugar confirms the possibility of using them as the component of bakery and confectionery product formulas to reduce the glycemic index and improve organoleptic properties of products as well as correct their mineral compositions. Considering the constant changing of technologies for obtaining various dairy ingredients as well as the occurrence of their new kinds, such studies contribute to the expansion of existing knowledge and reference data.
Key Prognostic Factors Create a Composite Risk Score to Stratify Patients into High- and Low-Treatment Benefit Groups: A Multicenter, Retrospective Data Analysis of 84 Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Regorafenib as Part of the CORRECT and CONSIGN Trials
Authors: Zöhrlaut Linda Katharina , Karthaus Meinolf , Vehling-Kaiser Ursula , von Kunhardt Lukas , Stintzing Sebastian , Heinemann Volker , von Einem Jobst C.
Published: September 2023

Introduction: In further-line mCRC treatment, median progression-free survival (PFS) is rather short, and many patients do not benefit from any antitumor treatment and should therefore be treated according to best-supportive care. A risk score based on standard laboratory values using markers of tumor inflammation aims to define a patient cohort with high treatment benefit and might offer insights into tumor biology. As regorafenib has been dropped off the German market due to an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio, patient selection is key for any further-line treatment option. Methods: We used Cox regression analysis to determine laboratory markers that are independent prognostic factors of OS and PFS outcome. The influence of these variables was weighted using an estimator, which was calculated using Cox regression analysis. The estimators were implemented as multiplication factors, resulting in a risk score. A cut-off value for the resulting risk values was then determined via Cox regression analysis resulting in a low- and high-risk subgroup. Results: Using data of 82 patients, a risk score identifying long-term survival in patients with last-line mCRC treatment could be calculated. The following parameters were associated with significantly longer survival in multivariate analysis: NLR ≤5 (p = <0.001), AP ≤200 U/L (p = 0.001), CRP ≤3.2 mg/dL (p = <0.001). The following estimator values were used to calculate a risk score: NLR: 0.132 (p = 0.046), AP: 0.004 (p = 0.014), and CRP: 0.032 (p = 0.039). Implementing the estimators as multiplication factors yielded the following risk score: 0.132*NLR + 0.004*AP + 0.032*CRP = Risk value. Cox regression resulted in low- and high-risk subgroups with risk values below and above 1.4, respectively. In the group with a low-risk score (<1.4), patients had a median OS of 10.5 months after initiating regorafenib. Patients with a high-risk score (>1.4) survived only 3.3 months after starting therapy with regorafenib (n = 43, p < 0.001, HR = 3.76). Conclusions: The presented composite risk score stratifies patients into two prognostic subgroups characterized by standard laboratory values. Patients with signs of systemic inflammation characterized by elevated NLR, AP, and CRP have a high composite risk score and a significant shorter overall survival. Although this score needs to be prospectively validated in larger cohorts, it may be used to stratify patients suitable for further-line treatment studies.
Tensiones en cotidianidad de jóvenes universitarios: estudio en tres universidades del Quindío
Authors: López-González Mónica María , Benavides-Ponce Magda Fernanda , Buitrago-Montoya Ruby Marcela
Published: September 2023

(analytical)Over time, the access of young people to the university has been greater; however, a series of factors can cause students to experience tensions during this transit that influence their overall health. Therefore, knowing what are the tensions that students experience in the university context constitutes a starting point for their well-being. A qualitative research with a phenomenological design was carried out, through focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The categorization was carried out with the IRaMuTeQ Software and its analysis using the content analysis technique. It was found that support networks can become agents of tension: family network, expectations regarding academicperformance; social network, need to fit in and establish relationships, and university network, methodologies of some professors and lack of knowledge of infrastructure.
Keywords: University students; tensions; family network; social network; university network.
Think Big Wiradjuri Youth Participatory Research Project – what happened?
Authors:   Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Wright Marcus , Sweeney Dominique
Published: September 2023

Wiradjuri are the largest Aboriginal Nation in New South Wales. Wagga Wagga, a Wiradjuri word meaning ‘dancing place’, or ‘place of many celebrations’ was the proposed site for a Think Big project, a multinational youth collaboration project. The Wagga Wagga based Think Big research never reached the stage where children carried out their research. We share that it is important to identify the factors that hindered the project so that with hindsight we can anticipate where future research pitfalls might be avoided.
Inteligencia Artificial: ¿Una amenaza para el cerebro infantojuvenil y el aprendizaje?
Authors:   Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez, Contreras Paredes Norton
Published: September 2023

Los avances tecnológicos han tenido un avance vertiginoso en las últimas décadas, impactando en variadas actividades de la vida cotidiana y, también, en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje. El cerebro es un órgano complejo, que no ha escapado a la influencia de la tecnología. De este modo han ido surgiendo una serie de cuestionamientos éticos sobre cómo se han estado utilizando diversas herramientas tecnológicas, muy especialmente en términos educativos y cómo éstas impactan en la manifestación de diversos procesos cognitivos vinculados al aprendizaje. El objetivo es discutir sobre el uso de la Inteligencia Artificial en la educación y cuáles serían sus eventuales proyecciones hacia el futuro, considerando diversos elementos provenientes de la neurociencia, la neuropsicología y la neuroeducación.
Fraude em alimentos de origem animal
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Campos Débora de , Fanalli Simara Larissa ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Pian Laura Voigt ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Gonçales Janaina Lustosa ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Biarzolo Natália Peccin ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Rocha Julia Helena ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Luchiari Filho Albino ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Cesar Aline Silva Mello ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz
Published: September 2023

Fraude em alimentos ou fraude alimentar é definida como atividade ou ato de enganar o consumidor para obtenção de ganhos econômicos sejam eles por meio da substituição, adição, diluição intencional de um alimento, matéria-prima ou a falsificação de um produto. Os principais tipos de fraudes praticadas em alimentos são adulteração, substituição e falsificação, sendo estas responsáveis por prejuízos financeiros na ordem de 10 % do total de alimentos produzidos e distribuídos mundialmente. Estes tipos de atividade ilícita causam ainda, prejuízos no âmbito de saúde pública uma vez que trazem riscos de ocorrência de alergias e agravamento de doenças metabólicas como diabetes, hipertensão, problemas renais e cardíacos. A fraude em produtos de origem animal preocupa o consumidor que apresenta escolhas alimentares baseadas em religião, comportamentos ou motivos de saúde. As ações governamentais voltadas para a segurança dos alimentos estão em contínua atualização de métodos de detecção e combate à fraude, em que novas tecnologias científicas são aplicadas. Assim, o presente livro tem como objetivo levar informações aos consumidores, de forma simples e com rápida leitura, sobre os principais tipos de fraude em alimentos, além de investir na educação e na ciência para que avanços tecnológicos permitam a maior produção de alimentos seguros e metodologias sustentáveis e eficientes de detecção de fraude em alimentos.