bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remote monitoring of cancer patients with suspected Covid-19 using wearable sensors and regular mobile data networks; results of the RECAP feasibility study (NCT04397705)
Authors: Tivey Ann , Shotton Rohan , Taylor Sally , Oakley Rachel , Summerton Sara , Huddar Prerana , King Michael , Gibson Jane , Eastwood Charlotte , Cooksley Tim , Wong David , Radford John
Published: May 2023

Background: Cancer patients with Covid-19 causing less severe illness have been safely managed in an outpatient setting but they remain at risk of clinical deterioration. In this pilot study we assessed the feasibility of using wearable biosensors to monitor key physiological data in ambulatory, home based, cancer patients with Covid-19 infection. Two key components of feasibility were assessed: patient acceptability of the devices, and the reliability of transmitting the data in real-time to the treating hospital.
Methods: Ambulatory cancer patients with Covid-19 consented to wearing sensors monitoring heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, along with twice daily pulse oximetry measurements for up to three weeks. All physiologic data were transmitted from home to the treating hospital via a secure cellular data pathway. Data other than oxygen saturations was analysed retrospectively. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were completed by patients and thematic qualitative analysis performed.
Results: 8 patients (6 female, 2 male) with a median age of 62 years (range 40-73) were recruited. 2 patients completed 21 days on study. 2 patients were admitted to hospital due to decreased oxygen levels. 4 patients discontinued monitoring during the study period. Most participants liked the concept of active monitoring and felt confident about connecting the device and changing the sensors. Others found using the system more challenging. Data transmission was considered good or satisfactory in 5 participants.
Conclusions: This is the first study demonstrating the use of wearable sensors to monitor cancer patients at home with real-time transmission of data to the treating hospital. Participants were generally supportive of remote monitoring and most found the technology easy to use but some issues with usability were highlighted.
Registration:, The study was registered with Clinical Trials.gov on 21/05/2020, registration number: NCT04397705, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04397705
Rhizosphere processes and nickel mobilization by the nickel hyperaccumulator Odontarrhena chalcidica
Authors: Risse Sören B.L. , Puschenreiter Markus , Tognacchini Alice
Published: May 2023

Background and aims Plant Ni uptake in aboveground biomass exceeding concentrations of 1000 µg g− 1 in dry weight is defined as Ni hyperaccumulation. Whether hyperaccumulators are capable of mobilizing larger Ni pools than non-accumulators is still debated and rhizosphere processes are still largely unknown. Aim of this study was to investigate rhizosphere processes and possible Ni mobilization by the Ni hyperaccumulator Odontarrhena chalcidica and to test Ni uptake in relation to a soil Ni gradient.Methods The Ni hyperaccumulator O. chalcidica was grown in a pot experiment on six soils showing a pseudo-total Ni and labile (DTPA-extractable) Ni gradient and on an additional soil showing high pseudo-total but low labile Ni. Soil pore water was sampled to monitor changes in soil solution ionome, pH, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) along the experiment.Results Results showed that Ni and Fe concentrations, pH as well as DOC concentrations in pore water were significantly increased by O. chalcidica compared to unplanted soils. A positive correlation between Ni in shoots and pseudo-total concentrations and pH in soil was observed, although plant Ni concentrations did not clearly show the same linear pattern with soil available Ni.Conclusions This study shows a clear root-induced Ni and Fe mobilization in the rhizosphere of O. chalcidica and suggests a rhizosphere mechanism based on soil alkalinization and exudation of organic ligands. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that soil pH and pseudo-total Ni are better predictors of Ni plant uptake in O. chalcidica than labile soil Ni.
Reduced-order model of geometrically nonlinear flexible structures for fluid-structure interaction applications
Authors: Flament Theo , Placzek Antoine , Balmaseda Mikel , Tran Duc-Minh , Deü Jean-François
Published: May 2023

This paper deals with the numerical computation, via a reduced order models (ROM), of the vibrations of geometrically nonlinear structures triggered by the aeroelastic coupling with a fluid flow. The formulation of the ROM proposed in this paper is based on the projection on a basis of reduced dimension enhanced with dual modes. An explicit expression of the projected nonlinear forces is computed in a non-intrusive way based on the Implicit Condensation method. The resulting ROM is an improvement of the classical ICE method since the effects of membrane stretching are taken into account in the resolution of the dynamic equation of motion. Such a ROM aims to be adapted to follower aerodynamic unsteady loads. In this paper, the construction of the ROM is first detailed and validated under several load cases on a Euler-Bernoulli beam with von Kármán hypothesis. Then a fluid-structure partitioned coupling on a two-dimensional example involving vortex-induced vibrations is considered to demonstrate the capability of such ROM to replace a nonlinear FE solver. In this paper, the limitations of the ICE method are highlighted in the examples treated, while the ROM proposed overcomes such limitations and captures accurately the dynamics.
Comparison of Cradle Breastfeeding Position With Cross Cradle Breastfeeding Position in Term Newborns on Their Weight Pattern
Authors: Patel Shaily , Gaur Ajay
Published: May 2023

Objectives- Common breastfeeding (BF) positions are side-lying, cradle hold, cross cradle hold, football, laid-back. The literature to compare different BF positions in terms of maternal comfort is scarce. This study was conducted to see the effect of two BF positions, cradle and cross cradle, on weight pattern and urine frequency along with maternal comfort and latch score.Study Design- Randomised controlled trial is performed in 200 mother newborn dyads of gestational age between 36–40 weeks and weight loss pattern, maternal comfort and latch score compared between the two groups.Results- Study observed that the mean distribution of urinary flow was statistically highly significant (p value < 0.001) in cross cradle group. Cross cradle breastfeeding position showed higher maternal comfort score and latch score than cradle breastfeeding position.Conclusion- This study explores that cross cradle breastfeeding position is better in terms of maternal comfort and latch score than cradle breastfeeding position.
Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Ultrasound-Guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy
Authors: Sadeghi-Goughari Moslem , Rajabzadeh Hossein , Han Jeong-woo , Kwon Hyock-Ju
Published: May 2023

Focused ultrasound (FUS) therapy has emerged as a promising non-invasive solution for tumor ablation. Accurate monitoring and guidance of ultrasound energy is crucial for effective FUS treatment. Although ultrasound (US) imaging is a well-suited modality for FUS monitoring, US-guided FUS (USgFUS) faces challenges in achieving precise monitoring, leading to unpredictable ablation shapes and a lack of quantitative measurement. To address these challenges, we propose an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted USgFUS framework that integrates an AI segmentation framework with ultrasound B-mode imaging for quantitative and real-time monitoring of FUS treatment. The AI framework can accurately identify and label ablated areas in the B-mode images captured during and after each FUS sonication procedure in real-time. To assess the feasibility of our proposed method, we developed an AI segmentation framework based on the Swin-Unet architecture and conducted an in vitro experimental study using a USgFUS setup and chicken breast tissue. The results indicated that the developed AI segmentation framework could immediately label the ablated tissue areas with \(93\%\) accuracy. These findings suggest that AI-assisted ultrasound monitoring can significantly improve the precision and accuracy of FUS treatments, suggesting a crucial advancement towards the development of more effective FUS treatment strategies.
Advancements in data extraction from natural history collections: automatic label extraction from specimen images using OCR and NER
Authors: Takano Atsuko , Cole Theodor C. H. , Konagai Hajime
Published: May 2023

Digital extraction of label data from natural history specimens along with more efficient procedures of data entry will become essential for documentation and global information availability in the near future. Herbarium collections have made great advances in this direction lately. In this study, using optical character recognition (OCR) and named entity recognition (NER) techniques, we have been able to almost automatically extract label data from herbarium specimen images. This system can be developed and run on a PC with standard specifications, and can also be applied to extracting label data from diverse kinds of natural history specimens, such as those in entomological collections. This system can facilitate the digitization and publication of natural history museum specimens around the world.
Effects of acute normovolemic hemodilution and allogeneic blood transfusion on postoperative complications of oral and maxillofacial flap reconstruction：a retrospective study
Authors: Li Wenhao , Li Xueer , Chen Yanhong , Li Yanling , Huang Zhiquan , Zhao Yili
Published: May 2023

Objective: Patients with oral and maxillofacial flap reconstruction often need clinical blood transfusion treatment due to massive blood loss. With the increasing limitations of allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is being considered by doctors because of its advantages. By comparing the differences in blood index changes and postoperative complications of patients receiving ABT or ANH during reconstruction and repair of oral and maxillofacial tumor flaps, the purpose is to provide a reference for the clinical application of ANH.
Methods: The clinical data of 276 patients who received oral and maxillofacial flap reconstruction from September 25, 2017, to October 11, 2021, in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. According to the mode of intraoperative blood transfusion, the patients were divided into the ABT group and the ANH group. The differences in blood indexes change and the incidence of postoperative complications between two groups were statistically analyzed.
Results: Of the 276 patients with ANH (124/276) and ABT (152/276), there were no differences in Δ Hb, Δ PT, Δ FIB (P>0.05), while Δ WBC, Δ PLT, Δ APTT and Δ D-dimer were significantly different (P<0.05). The data analysis showed that blood transfusion method wasn’t an independent factor of flap crisis (P>0.05), post-PT (OR=1.953, 95% CI: 1.232~3.095, P=0.004) was an independent factor of wound infection, BMI (OR=0.089, 95% CI: 0.017~0.462) and ASA grade (OR=6.373, 95% CI: 1.681~24.163) were independent factors of lung infection (P<0.05), and blood transfusion mode (B=0.310, β=0.360, P<0.001, ANH: ln hospital stay=2.20±0.37, ABT: ln hospital stay=2.54±0.42) was an independent factor affecting the length of hospital stay.
Conclusion: Both preoperative and postoperative blood transfusion Δ Hb, Δ PT, and Δ FIB were not different, and Δ WBC, Δ PLT, Δ APTT, and Δ D-dimer were different. There was no difference in the effects of the two blood transfusion methods on flap crisis, incision infection and lung infection after flap reconstruction, but ANH resulted in shortening by an average of 3.65 days of hospital stay compared to ABT.
Mediating Effect of Emotional and Behaviors Symptoms on the Relationship Between Parenting Behaviors and Sleep problems in Preschool Children
Authors: Ding Peng , Geng Menglong , Wu Xiaoyan , Tao Shuman , Tao Fangbiao
Published: May 2023

Background Sleep plays an important role in the growth and development of children, and are affected by many factors. There are few studies on parenting behaviors on preschool children's sleep problems. Understanding the influence of parents on children's sleep and potential factors are helpful to correct rearing strategies in time and better promote children's sleep health.Methods A population-based survey was conducted in 109 kindergartens in 11 cities in China. The social security consumption of children was evaluated through a questionnaire filled out by caregivers. Children's sleep problems were assessed by Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Parent Behavior Inventory (PBI) to evaluate the parenting behavior of preschool children, emotional and behaviors symptoms were assessed by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).Result Approximately 15.3% of the preschoolers reported sleep problems. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of having elevated total difficulties for sleep problems across the maternal hostile/coercive were 1.00, 1.38 (1.23, 1.54) and 1.86 (1.64, 2.10), respectively (P for trend < 0.001); The paternal hostile/coercive were 1.00, 1.17 (1.05, 1.30) and 1.59 (1.42, 1.79), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). The mediation analysis further revealed partial mediation effects of emotional and behavioral symptoms on the association between parenting behaviors and children sleep.Conclusions Parents' hostile/coercive parenting styles increase the risk of children's sleep problems, in which emotional and behavioral problems play a mediating role.
Instruments on symptom clusters in adult patients with hematological malignancies: A scoping review
Authors: Cheng Yin , Yan Jiali , Cheng Qiong , Jin Aiyun , Zhou Xiaoyu , Ding Shuyi
Published: May 2023

Background Patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies usually experience multiple symptoms. Assessment is the key point of symptom management. Therefore, an applicable and feasible instrument is vital.Methods A search was performed in these databases: PubMed, CINAHL complete, Web of Science, China HowNet Periodical Databank, WanFang Data. All identified citations were uploaded into EndNote X9 software and duplicates removed. Data extracted from the included studies were mapped. Results were reported in consistent with PRISMA-ScR guidelines.Results Of the 410 articles searched through, 58 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 13 instruments of symptom clusters-related hematological malignancy were identified, including seven generic instruments and six specific-disease instruments. Majority instruments did not have theoretical framework. Besides, emotional and cognitive components were absent from several instruments. There was a lack of the large-scale psychometric tests on most instruments.Conclusions It is vital to select an available instrument to measure symptom clusters. However, a paucity of the large-scale psychometric tests and theoretical framework create the challenges in choosing amongst the tools available.
Evaluation of the Ghana Heart Initiative - Design and Rationale of a Pragmatic Mixed-Methods Study from Diverse Perspectives: A Study Protocol
Authors: Singh Kavita , Otchi Elom , Shah-Rohlfs Rupal , Udofia Emilia , Louis Valérie R. , Adomako Isaac , Hagan-Seneadza Nana Ayegua , Herzhauser Nikias , Owusu Afua Boatemaa , Tetteh John , DeGraft-Amoah Daniel , Kallson Eugene , Winkler Volker Franz , Yawson Alfred Edwin , De Allegri Manuela
Published: May 2023

Background: Rigorous evaluations of health system interventions to strengthen hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) care remain scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to evaluate the reach, effectiveness, adoption / acceptability, implementation fidelity, cost, and sustainability of the Ghana Heart Initiative (GHI), a multicomponent supply-side intervention to improve cardiovascular health in Ghana.
Methods: This study adopts a mixed- and multi-methods design comparing the effects of the GHI in 42 intervention health facilities (i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary) in the Greater Accra Region versus 56 control health facilities in the Central and Western Regions. The evaluation design is guided by the RE-AIM framework underpinned by the WHO health systems building blocks framework, integrated by the Institute of Medicine’s six dimensions of health care quality: safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, equitable. The assessment tools include: (i) a health facility survey, (ii) a healthcare provider survey assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on hypertension and CVD management, (iii) a patient exit survey, (iv) an outpatient and in-patient medical record review and (v) qualitative interviews with patients and various health system stakeholders to understand the barriers and facilitators around the implementation of the GHI. In addition to primary data collection, the study also relies on secondary routine health system data, i.e., the District Health Information Management System to conduct an interrupted time series analysis using monthly counts for relevant hypertension and CVD specific indicators as outcomes. The primary outcome measures are performance of health service delivery indicators, input, process and outcome of care indicators (including screening of hypertension, newly diagnosed hypertension, prescription of guideline directed medical therapy, and satisfaction with service received and acceptability) between the intervention and control facilities. Lastly, an economic evaluation and budget impact analysis is planned to inform the nationwide scale-up of the GHI.
Discussion: This study will generate policy-relevant data on the reach, effectiveness, implementation fidelity, adoption / acceptability, and sustainability of the GHI, and provide insights on the costs and budget-impacts to inform nation-wide scale-up to expand the GHI to other regions across Ghana and offer lessons to other low- and middle-income countries settings as well.
RIDIE Registration Number: RIDIE-STUDY-ID-6375e5614fd49 (https://ridie.3ieimpact.org/index.php).
Preterm birth, low birth weight, and medical comorbidities are risk factors for severe laryngomalacia in children
Authors: Chen Lu , Su Shuping , Ding Ling , Xiao Ling
Published: May 2023

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and the risk factors associated with severe laryngomalacia in children.Methods In this study, the clinical data of children (0–18 years), including gender, age at presentation, preterm delivery, low birth weight, delivery mode, feeding mode, fetal delivery, medical comorbidities, maternal gestational age at presentation, and calcium supplementation during pregnancy, diagnosed with laryngomalacia between January 2013 and January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The children were divided into mild-moderate and severe groups. Several risk factors were compared and analyzed between the two groups. The statistically significant risk factors were included in the logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 224 children with severe laryngomalacia were enrolled in this study. The ratio of male to female patients was 1.55: 1. All patients had severe laryngomalacia manifested by inspiratory laryngeal stridor. The average age of patients at symptom presentation was 2.7 (1.5–5.2) months. There were significant differences between the two groups in the age at presentation, premature delivery, low birth weight, medical comorbidities, and calcium supplementation during pregnancy (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that premature delivery (OR = 3.177, 95% CI:2.329–4.334), low birth weight (OR = 3.188, 95%CI:2.325–4.370), and medical comorbidities (OR = 1.434, 95% CI:1.076–1.909) were independent risk factors for severe laryngomalacia (P < 0.05).Conclusion Children with severe laryngomalacia exhibited persistent stridor at an earlier age at presentation. Premature delivery, low birth weight, and medical comorbidities were potential risk factors for severe laryngomalacia in children.
Chemical Features and Machine Learning Assisted Predictions of Protein-Ligand Short Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Zhou Shengmin , Liu Yuanhao , Wang Sijian , Wang Lu
Published: May 2023

There are continuous efforts to elucidate the structure and biological functions of short hydrogen bonds (SHBs), whose donor and acceptor heteroatoms reside more than 0.3 A closer than the sum of their van der Waals radii. In this work, we evaluate 1070 atomic-resolution protein structures and characterize the common chemical features of SHBs formed between the side chains of amino acids and small molecule ligands. We then develop a machine learning assisted prediction of protein-ligand SHBs (MAPSHB-Ligand) model and reveal that the types of amino acids and ligand functional groups as well as the sequence of neighboring residues are essential factors that determine the class of protein-ligand hydrogen bonds. The MAPSHB-Ligand model and its implementation on our web server enable the effective identification of protein-ligand SHBs in proteins, which will facilitate the design of biomolecules and ligands that exploit these close contacts for enhanced functions.
A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Coaxial Percutaneous Iodine-125 Seed Implantation in Combination with Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Yao HongXiang , ZhuGe Ying , Jin ShiXiang , Chen ShuiBin , Zhang Dong , ZhangHeng YiTing , Chen Zhigang
Published: May 2023

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of coaxial percutaneous Iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation in combination with arterial infusion chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer through a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

101 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were randomized into two groups: a control group treated with systemic intravenous chemotherapy, and an experimental group of 125I seed implantation in combination with arterial infusion chemotherapy. Outcomes including tumor control, abdominal pain relief, and survival time were compared in these two groups.Result

Pretreatment abdominal pain scores were comparable in both groups, whereas the abdominal pain scores at 1 and 3 months post-treatment were significantly lower in the control group than in the experimental group (1 month 3.74±1.54 vs 4.48±1.46,p=0.015; 3 months: 3.64 ±2.21 vs 5.40±1.56, p<0.001). At 3 months post-treatment, computed tomography scans (CT) revealed a significantly higher objective remission rate in the experimental group than in the control group (82% vs. 38%,p<0.001). The median survival interval in the experimental group was significantly longer than that in the control group (15 months vs 9 months, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The combination of coaxial percutaneous 125I seed implantation and arterial infusion chemotherapy can satisfactorily alleviate abdominal pain, improve tumor control rates, and prolong survival as compared to control treatment in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Future studies should include a larger sample size to confirm these findings.
Globally enhanced calcification across the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa complex during the Mid-Brunhes interval
Authors: González-Lanchas Alba , Rickaby Rosalind E.M. , Sierro Francisco J. , Rigual-Hernández Andrés S. , Alonso-García Montserrat , Flores José-Abel
Published: May 2023

Evolutionary or adaptative changes in Noelaerhabdaceae coccolithophores occurred in parallel with major changes in carbonate export and burial during scenarios of low orbital eccentricity, with a ~ 400 kyr recurrence, during the Pleistocene. Coeval with these conditions of enhanced proliferation, here we report a globally enhanced calcification intensity of specimens across multiple species or morphotypes within the Gephyrocapsa complex during the Mid-Brunhes (MB) interval, 400 ka. Seawater alkalinity is proposed as the environmental trigger for the increased production of both the inorganic and organic carbon, possibly implemented by a coupled increase in nutrient delivery. The strong biological pump triggered by the enhanced proliferation of highly calcified Gephyrocapsa, together with respiration dissolution, would have contributed to the associated deep sea dissolution event at the ~ 400 kyr scale, limiting the removal of alkalinity by burial, and maintaining constant levels at this scale. This new perspective highlights, first, the role of orbital forcing in phytoplankton evolution or adaptation through changes in the seawater carbon chemistry. Second, the capacity of the Noelaerhabdaceae acmes to modify the typical behavior of carbonate compensation in the ocean. Our findings suggests that changes in coccolith calcification intensity may indicate changes in past ocean carbonate chemistry and the operation of the global carbon cycle under contrasting background conditions during the Cenozoic.
The role of Aeromonas genotyping in virulence for Dicentrarchus labrax
Authors: Aboyadak Ibrahim Mohamed , Soliman Magdy Khalil , Nageeb Hadeer Mohamed , Ali Nadia Gabr
Published: May 2023

Aeromonas septicemia still represents a serious challenge facing the global aquaculture sector. In the present study, Aeromonas caviae and Aeromonas veronii were isolated from four diseased European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farms with a high mortality rate. Diseased fish showed haemorrhages on the external body surface with exophthalmia, cataract, scale desquamation, skin ulcers and fin erosions. The most common post-mortem findings were congested internal organs, particularly the liver and posterior kidney. Twenty-eight A. Veronii and 11 A. caviae isolates were identified biochemically by the Vitek 2 system and then confirmed by PCR and phylogenetic analysis. Hemolysin (hlyA) and aerolysin (aer) were the most abundant virulence genes in the recovered isolates followed by cytotoxic enterotoxin (act) and heat-stable enterotoxin (ast). A. caviae was more virulent than A. veronii for D. labrax fingerlings as LD50 ranging between (> 1 × 108 - 6.2 × 107) for A. veronii and (2.9 × 107 - 8.3 × 107) for A. caviae. Norfloxacin, doxycycline, and oxytetracycline are the most effective antibacterial drugs against the tested isolates. Serum cortisol significantly increased in the infected groups, while catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities significantly decreased at 2-day post-infection (DPI) and then increased at 6 DPI. Plasma cortisol level was affected by the virulence genes profile of challenging isolates meanwhile, liver catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were not.
Amplifying the heat shock response ameliorates ALS and FTD pathology in mouse and human models.
Authors: Ahmed Mhoriam , Spicer Charlotte , Harley Jasmine , Taylor J Paul , Hanna Michael , Patani Rickie , Greensmith Linda
Published: May 2023

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are now known as parts of a disease spectrum with common pathological features and genetic causes. However, as both conditions are clinically heterogeneous, patient groups may be phenotypically similar but pathogenically and genetically variable. Despite numerous clinical trials, there remains no effective therapy for these conditions, which in part, may be due to challenges of therapy development in a heterogeneous patient population. Disruption to protein homeostasis is a key feature of different forms of ALS and FTD. Targeting the endogenous protein chaperone system, the heat shock response (HSR), may therefore be a potential therapeutic approach. We conducted a pre-clinical study of a known pharmacological amplifier of the HSR called arimoclomol, in mice with a mutation in valosin containing protein (VCP) which causes both ALS and FTD in patients. We demonstrate that amplification of the HSR ameliorates the ALS/FTD-like phenotype in the spinal cord and brain of mutant VCP mice and prevents neuronal loss, replicating our earlier findings in the SOD1 mouse model of ALS. Moreover, in human cell models, we demonstrate improvements in pathology upon arimoclomol treatment in mutant VCP patient fibroblasts and iPSC-derived motor neurons. Our findings suggest that targeting of the heat shock response may have therapeutic potential, not only in non-SOD1 ALS, but also for the treatment of FTD. Arimoclomol has recently been tested in a Phase 3 clinical trial for ALS for which we await post hoc analysis of the effects of this drug on patient sub-populations.
Comparative analysis on the multi-agent co-payment financing mechanism of four doses of children's PCV13 in Weifang city, China
Authors: Wang Chunping , Sun Wenxue , Qiao Xiaowei , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Yi , Wang Yujue , Deng Kai , Xu Ruoyu , Feng Luzhao , Wang Zongshuai , Zhang Ting , Yang Weizhong
Published: May 2023

Background Pneumococcal diseases cause severe burden in Chinese children, and vaccination is the most cost-effective intervention. However, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is not included in the national immunization program in China, which is paid out-of-pocketand expensive, leading to low vaccination coverage. Weifang City in Shandong Province has implemented a new vaccination strategy that provides free vaccination of any one dose of domestic PCV13 for registered children aged 6 months-2 years, providing an opportunity to develop a reasonable financing mechanism and improve the vaccination rate.
Methods We collected data on the population of children and PCV13 vaccination rates in each vaccination clinic of Weifang in 2021 using the immunization planning system. Information on the sharing ratio of each funding channel and the procurement price of PCV13 was determined through government documents, questionnaires on parents' willingness and ability to pay, and expert interviews. The study calculated financing costs under different scenarios and the cost borne by each financing channel.
ResultsThree financing strategies are proposed for the four doses of PCV13: "individual - commercial insurance - central and local finance co-payment ", "commercial insurance - central and local finance co-payment " and "commercial insurance and local finance co-payment". We calculated and compared the share amount of the total financing cost in each financing channel for each strategy. The Weifang government could bear the local financial expenses under strategies I and II when the domestic PCV13 purchase price is CNY652. To improve the vaccine coverage, out-of-pocket payments should be included in the financing channel, and the purchase price could be reduced. Individuals will not need to pay out-of-pocket when the purchase price is CNY465.4.
Conclusions The cost of four doses of PCV13 inoculation for children in Weifang is high. We suggest focusing on individual, medical insurance, and commercial insurance aspects to optimize the multi-agent co-payment financing mechanism. Centralizing the purchasing process can reduce the purchase price of PCV13, aiming to increase vaccination coverage. Our findings provide insights for policymakers seeking to improve PCV coverage while reducing the cost of vaccination.
General gel-sol method to synthesize various highly fluorescent nanoclusters and assay of nuclease with the near infrared-emitting gold nanoclusters
Authors: Xia Xiaodong , Luo Zidan
Published: May 2023

A general egg white gel-sol strategy for fabrication of highly fluorescent Au, Ag, Cu and Pt nanoclusters (NCs) and the first example of using Au NCs for assay of nuclease activity and inhibition were described. The Au NCs enabled bright red fluorescence, and the other Ag, Cu and Pt NCs have highly blue emission. The red-emitting Au NCs were further applied in assay of S1 nuclease activity and inhibition. Free hemin efficiently quenches the emission of Au NCs by photoinduced electron transfer due to formation of Au NCs-hemin conjugates. However, G-quadruplex/hemin exerts negligible effect on its fluorescence due to no Au NCs-hemin conjugate formed. There are stronger electrostatic repulsion effects between both negatively charged G-quadruplex and Au NCs. Therefore, a novel G-quadruplex/hemin-based Au NCs fluorescent sensor for S1 nuclease was designed. A known G-rich oligonucleotide (ODN) serves as not only substrate for S1 nuclease but also for the construction of G-quadruplex/hemin. The G-rich ODN is hydrolyzed into fragments by S1 nuclease resulting in no G-quadruplex/hemin formation. Therefore, the free hemin quenches Au NCs fluorescence remarkably and the assay of S1 nuclease activity and inhibition has accomplished. Both the fluorescent NCs syntheses and the detection of S1 nuclease are facile and efficient.
Hindcasting of Compound Pluvial, Fluvial, and Coastal Flooding during Hurricane Harvey (2017) using Delft3D-FM
Authors: Lee Wonhyun , Sun Alexander Y. , Scanlon Bridget R. , Dawson Clint
Published: May 2023

Hurricane Harvey (2017) resulted in unprecedented damage from storm surge, and rainfall (pluvial) and riverine (fluvial) flooding in the Houston-Galveston area of the U.S. Gulf Coast. The objective of this study was to better quantify the impacts of compound flooding and to assess the relative contributions of storm surge, pluvial and fluvial flooding in a complex coastal environment using Hurricane Harvey as a case study. Although significant work has been done on Hurricane Harvey hindcasting, large-scale coupled modeling incorporating a multitude of land and ocean flood generation mechanisms is still at its early stage. Here we developed a comprehensive numerical modeling framework to simulate flood exents and levels during Hurricane Harvey using the open-source Delft3D Flexible Mesh, and validated results against observed water levels, waves, winds, hydrographs and high water marks. A nested mesh was developed to represent ocean and inland areas, enabling higher resolution for land regions of interest while balancing overall computational load. Results show that pluvial flooding dominated during Harvey, accounting for ~ 60–65% of flooding in the Houston/Galveston areas, attributed to widespread heavy rainfall being the dominant driving force. Widespread rainfall caused extensive pluvial flooding in watersheds and floodplains in West and South Bays ( ≤ ~ 1.5 m), upper Galveston Bay (Trinity River Basin, 2 ~ 3 m), and Harris County ( ≤ ~ 2.5 m). River runoff led the local flooding of ~ 1 to 2 m in the river basins. Significant surge levels were simulated northwest of main Bay (2 ~ 2.5 m) and Galveston Bay (1 ~ 2 m) areas and in several watersheds in West/East of Galveston Bay. Maximum flooding extent developed around August 29, 2017, which compared well to the flood depth data released by FEMA. Additional sensitivity studies suggest that increased compound flooding (e.g., 15% increase in combined pluvial and fluvial flooding) can lead to significantly more increase (0.3 ~ 0.5 m) in flood depths in low-lying regions. Nonlinear effects of compound flooding greater than individual components summed up. Results from this large-scale modeling analysis contribute to understanding of compound flooding risks in coastal urban areas, providing a useful basis for coastal risk management and hazard mitigation amid climate change. Our integrated framework is general and can be readily applied to other coastal compound flooding analyses.
Serum uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes among mothers with pre- eclampsia in Tanzania
Authors: Ulomi Calvin E. , Ngarashe Davis , Ngarina Matilda , Dionis Ikunda , Byamungu Daniel , Ulomi Goodluck J. , Kilonzi Manase
Published: May 2023

Background Preeclampsia is one of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with significantly high morbidity and mortality to both mother and fetus. Preeclampsia is associated with high Uric acid, yet its utility in predicting the perinatal outcome is still controversial. Therefore, this study was done to determine the utility of serum uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes among pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia in Tanzania.Methods A Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between April and July 2020 to assess the utility of uric acid as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes in Tanzania. A total of 268 mothers were recruited consecutively soon after delivery. A checklist was used to document the mothers' and neonates' demographic and clinical characteristics, uric acid levels, and adverse neonatal birth outcomes. Analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. Data were summarized using frequency and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with poor perinatal outcomes. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Out of 268 mothers, 211 (78.7%) had raised serum uric acid, whereas an overall mean (± SD) serum uric acid level was 0.42 ± 0.09mmol/L. The magnitude of adverse perinatal outcomes was 51 (19%) stillbirth, 184(68.7%) low birth weight, 33 (12.3%) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, 72 (26.9%) low Apgar score, and 190 (70.9%) for preterm delivery. Pre-eclamptic pregnant women with serum uric acid levels < 0.35 mmol/L were more likely to have good perinatal outcomes and the difference was statistically significant, OR (0.39 (0.18–0.80) 0.011)Conclusion Serum uric acid levels can predict perinatal outcomes among pre-eclamptic pregnant women. Further study is recommended to assess the sensitivity and specificity of uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes.
Evaluation of Dynamic Vapour Sorption Isotherms Characteristics of Small Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) using Empirical and Neural Network Models
Authors: Mishra Sushreesmita , Sahu Jatindra K , Sharma Nitya , Kumar Ankur
Published: May 2023

Moisture sorption isotherm (MSI) characteristics of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) capsules were determined over water activity (aw) ranging from 10 to 90% at 20, 30, and 40°C using dynamic vapour sorption method. Equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) were correlated by three empirical models and multilayer neural network approach. It was observed that the Caurie model fitted best among empirical models for predicting EMC values. However, artificial neural network (ANN) model having 15 hidden neurons optimized using Lavenberg-Marquardth training algorithm was superior to the empirical models with the highest coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.995 and 0.993 for adsorption and desorption respectively. Monolayer moisture content (Mm) determined by the Caurie model was found to be 2.167, 1.901, AND 1.828% dry basis (db) for adsorption, and 3.133, 3.061, and 2.744% (db) for desorption at 20, 30 and 40°C, respectively. Net isosteric heat of sorption (qst), sorption entropy and Gibb’s free energy (∆G) change were found to be inversely related to the EMC values. Glass transition temperature (Tg) was found to be 98.91°C. The critical moisture content (CMC) and critical water activity of cardamom from Tg-aw-EMC relationship was observed to be 1.989% (db) and 0.766, respectively at 30°C.
Does the addition of bioglass 45S5 to a bleaching gel influence enamel color, roughness, and mineral content?
Authors: Dascanio Rafael , Coelho Camila , Souza Marina , Zanotto Edgar , Cavalli Vanessa
Published: May 2023

Objective To evaluate color change, surface roughness, microhardness, and morphology of enamel submitted to bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) gels associated with different concentrations of bioglass 45S5 (BG).Methods Enamel blocks (n = 10) were submitted to a positive control (PC): 35% HP bleaching; HP_BG: HP associated with a gel containing BG at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 wt% and negative control (NC), no treatment in 3 sessions of 40 min each and 7 days apart. The blocks were kept in artificial saliva up to 14 days after bleaching. Color change (ΔE00), color parameters (ΔL, Δa, Δb), roughness average (ΔRa), and surface microhardness were evaluated at baseline (T0), after 24h (T1), and 14 days elapsed from bleaching treatment (T2). The percentage of surface hardness loss (%SHL) was calculated and the enamel was characterized at T2 by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey test (α = 0.05).Results No differences in ΔE00 and Δb were observed among HP-containing groups, regardless of the BG concentration (p > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were noted in ΔRa, ΔL, and Δa among the groups (p > 0.05). However, BG incorporation into the bleaching gels prevented enamel mineral loss in comparison to PC immediately after bleaching treatment (T1, p < 0.05). At T2, 10% BG was the only group to keep enamel mineral content (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The addition of BG did not affect the HP bleaching efficacy and the incorporation of 10% BG into the HP bleaching agent exhibited a positive remineralizing effect.Clinical Relevance: It was found with BG has the potential to reverse the harmful effects on the dental surface during the bleaching protocol.
Efficacy and complications of blocking screws fixation in the treatment of lower limb long bone fracture: a Meta-analysis
Authors: Jin Zhaoguo , Wang Ding
Published: May 2023

Background: The incidence of long tubular bone fracture is high, accounting for about 4% of emergency trauma, especially the proportion of long tubular bone (mainly femoral shaft and tibiofibular shaft) in the lower limb is the highest.
Methods: To find controlled trials on the effectiveness and side effects of using blocking screws to fixate lengthy bone fractures in the lower leg, the computer searches eight repositories. The examination of the data was carried out utilizing RevMan 5.3 program following a thorough assessment of the overall quality of the research.
Results: This investigation eventually comprised 15 papers. Based on the investigation of 15 studies, the fracture healing time was substantially shorter in the test group than that of the control group (SMD: -2.18; 95% Cl: -3.17,-1.20; P<0.001). We revealed no statistically significant differences between the fracture healing rates of comparative groups (OR:1.09; 95% Cl: 0.98,1.20; P=0.098). The operation time of the experimental group was significantly greater than that of the control group (SMD:15.81; 95% Cl: 4.28,27.34; P=0.007). When compared to the control group, the intraoperative bleeding was much less in the experimental group (SMD: -75.60; 95% Cl: -127.93,-23.27; P=0.005). Our investigation showed that the complications of the experimental group were much fewer than those of the contrasted group (OR: 0.51; 95% Cl: 0.31, 0.84; P=0.008).
Conclusion: The findings of the present investigation imply that individuals with lower limb long bone fractures (LLLBF) may benefit from intramedullary nailing in conjunction with blocking screws, as evidenced by fracture healing time, fracture healing rate, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, complications, and the above conclusions need to be verified by more high-quality studies.
High Expression of RAB32 Predicts Adverse Outcomes: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Glioblastoma
Authors: Huang Liji , Chi Yue , Wang Xindi , Zhang Sinan , Su Xiangyue , Jiang Xudong , Cao Yanfei , Zhang Lina
Published: May 2023

RAB32 is a potential prognostic marker that is overexpressed in a variety of cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and function of RAB32 in glioblastoma (GBM).The expression data of RAB32 were obtained by accessing TCGA, CGGA and GEPIA databases, which were verified by western blot and immunohistochemistry. The prognostic value of RAB32 methylation was carefully examined using cBioPortal and MethSurv. GSEA was used to analyze cancer-related signaling pathways that may be activated by high RAB32 expression. The correlation between RAB32 and GBM immunoinfiltration was studied by accessing TISIDB database.The effects of RAB32 on proliferation, migration and invasion of GBM cells were predicted by Colony Formation Assay, CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay. In this study, RAB32 expression was up-regulated in GBM compared to normal brain tissue. Survival analysis showed that high expression of RAB32 was an independent risk factor for overall survival in glioma patients. RAB32 methylation was negatively correlated with RAB32 expression, and the overall survival rate of RAB32 hypomethylated patients was lower than that of RAB32 hypermethylated patients.Through functional enrichment analysis, we found that the RAB32 overexpression significantly activated multiple signaling pathways. Immunoassay results showed that RAB32 expression was correlated with immune infiltration of tumor microenvironment. Knocking down the expression of RAB32 gene significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells. Our results show that RAB32 is a key factor affecting the prognosis of patients with GBM, and its targeting may provide a new treatment for patients with GBM.
Conversion of Lignocellulosic Waste Into Cyclohexanol and 1-methyl-1,2- Cyclohexanediol Using New Hydrotalcite-based Catalysts
Authors: PEREZ WILLIAM , MARIN JAMES , ARNOLD ULRICH , RIOS LUIS
Published: May 2023

Cyclohexanol and 1-methyl-1,2-cyclohexanediol were produced via the hydrotreating of guaiacol, using new hydrotalcite-based nickel (HT-Ni-R) and cobalt (HT-Co-R) catalysts.. Guaiacol is the most representative model compound for lignin-derived bio-oils. Catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation of the metals (Mg-Al, Ni or Co) followed by direct reduction with H2 at high temperature (550°C). Active species are highly dispersed Ni0 and Co0 particles formed upon reduction of part of the Ni2+ and Co2+. The main effect of the new synthesis procedure is to remarkably increase the dispersion of these metal particles, compared to those on the supported catalysts. Cobalt catalyst is more efficient for oxygen removal than the nickel catalyst, but this latter is more efficient for aromatic´s hydrogenation. HT-Ni-R produced 1-methyl-1,2-cyclohexanediol as the main product (70%). The main reaction pathway with HT-Co-R was the formation of cyclohexanol (41%). The high metal dispersion induced by the proposed synthesis procedure is the most important advantage of the new catalysts allowing the obtention of products with added value from potential renewable resources as lignin.
Exploring Determinants of Early Marriage among Women in Bangladesh: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Rashid Md. Mamunur , Al-Amin Md. , Rahman Mostafizur , Roy Tapan Kumar , Rahman Mosiur
Published: May 2023

Background: Early marriage is considered a global problem both in developed and developing countries because it deprives women of their basic human rights. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants of early marriage among women in Bangladesh.
Methods: We used the most recent Bangladesh Demography and Health Survey 2017-18 data. This study analyzed a weighted sample of 20,127 reproductive-aged women. The significant factors related to early marriage were identified using the multilevel logistic regression method. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to explain the significant factors.
Results: Our findings showed that women’s age, education, place of residence, division, wealth index and religion had a substantial effect on early marriage. However, it can be concluded that women with higher educational status (OR= 0.07, 95% CI= 0.06-0.08) and rich household families (OR= 0.89, 95% CI= 0.80-0.99) had a lower chance of engaging in early marriage than women with no education and poor household families.
Conclusion: The prevalence of early marriage is still high in Bangladesh. The study recommended that attention to women’s education, place of residence, regions, wealth index and religion might help to reduce early marriage in Bangladesh.