bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of patient satisfaction on pharmacy services at Felege Hiwot comprehensive specialized hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Authors: Yehualaw Adane , Tafere Chernet , Demsie Desalegn Getnet , Feyisa Kebede , Bahiru Bereket , Kefale Belayneh , Berihun Malede , Yilma Zewdu , Bantie Abere Tilahun , Gezahagne Samuel , Anteneh Tigist , Asrat Etifwork
Published: November 2022

Background:Patients have explicit desires for quality services when they visit health institutions. Patient satisfaction is a primary means of measuring the effectiveness of healthcare delivery. However, inadequate discovery of their needs may result in patient dissatisfaction. Patients who are satisfied with pharmaceutical care are likely to adherence, seeking for medical attentions and take medications properly. Providing better access to quality pharmacies is a way to improve patient satisfaction with healthcare services.
Study Objective:The study was aimed to assess patient satisfaction on pharmacy services at Felege Hiwot comprehensive specialized hospital.
Methods:An institution-based cross sectional study design was conducted at FelegeHiwot comprehensive specialized hospital from May 1, 2021 to October 30, 2021. Data was collected by interview with structured questionnaires. Then data was coded, entered and then analyzed by SPSS version 23. The association between predictors and outcome was measured using bivariate logistic regression.
Result:In this study 384 study participants were included. Majority of the participants were males (55.37%, N=227). The over-all satisfaction score of participants of this study was65.37%. In our study clients showed greater satisfaction towards pharmacists’ commitment to correct myths (92%), pharmacists availability (88.78) and cleanliness (87.8%). Multivariate analysis indicted physical restriction[AOR=6:95%; CI95%(2.98, 25.9)] and rural residence[AOR=2.43;95%CI(1.71,9.6)] had significant association with pharmacy service dissatisfaction. Among the quality pharmacy service indicators, counseling on how medications work [AOR=9; 95%CI(1.48,8.85)], keeping to dosage regimen [AOR=7.3; 95CI% 5.49,11.06)], and advice on the current medical condition had greater odds of client dissatisfaction.
Conclusion: The findings of the current study showed that patients’ satisfaction towards outpatient pharmacy services provided by FelegeHiwot comprehensive specialized hospital is very low as it is indicated in their perceptions towards revealed written information about medication use, medication availability, medication storage, and instruction about medication side effects.
A Novel Natural Scaffold Layer Improving Efficiency, Stability and Reproducibility of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: KUS MAHMUT , Yenel Esma
Published: November 2022

In this study, our hypothesis was to demonstrate the usability of a natural clay structure as scaffold layer in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Sepiolite, which is a natural and environmentally friendly clay structure, has a very high active surface area and can easily be dispersed in solvents. In addition we predicted that crystallization could easily occur on their surfaces due to their surface chemistry. In the study, we firstly used a natural clay as scaffold layer in PSCs. It is observed that, efficiency, reproducibility and stability of PSCs have been significantly improved. Improvements in efficiency have been observed to be between 30–50% depending on the type of perovskite solvent used. In addition, the surface chemistry of the sepiolite resulted in better crystallization as well as stability. Due to its high-water adsorption capability, sepiolite makes the perovskite crystal more stable by trapping the residual water molecules as well as penetrated water molecules from environment. Consequently, we demonstrated that, a natural, low-cost and environmentally friendly clay may be an alternative material which may contribute to the commercialization of PSCs.
Adhered macrophages as an additional marker of cardiomyocyte injury in biopsies of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Reichman-Warmusz Edyta , Badziński Arkadiusz , Dudek Damian , Wojnicz Romuald
Published: November 2022

Background. As shown recently, macrophages have proved most suitable for the chronic stage of myocarditis (MCI).
The study aim. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the number of CD68(+) macrophages adhered to injured cardiac myocytes in biopsy of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and clinical suspicion of MCI.
Patients and Methods. The study group consisted of 181 patients with DCM (159M, 22F, mean duration of symptoms was 1.8 years) and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (< 40%). Immunohistochemistry on cryostat sections was performed using a Leica Bond Max autostainer and murine monoclonal antihuman antibodies anti-CD68(+) macrophages (cloneEBM11) from DAKO, Denmark. The total number of CD68(+) macrophages and the number of CD68 macrophages attached to injured cardiomyocytes were counted in at least 10 high power fields under 400x magnification and converted into the number of cells/mm2.
Results. Two expression patterns of CD68(+) macrophages were observed: those localized freely in the interstitial space only, and cells attached to injured cardiomyocytes. The mean number of total CD68(+) macrophages and the number of those adhered to injured cardiomyocytes were 8.92 ± 4.29 and 0.89 ± 1.57, respectively. As far as CD68(+) macrophages adhered to injured cardiac myocytes are concerned, 72 out of 181 (39.8%) samples presented these cells. Importantly, in 7 positive cases for the presence of adhered macrophages, the average of total CD68(+) cells was < 14cells/mm2 (7 out of 81, 8.64%). Spearman’s rank coefficient showed a significant correlation between the count of the total number of CD68(+) macrophages and CD68(+) cells directly adhered to injured cardiac myocytes (r = 0.53, P < 0.001). Both the total number of CD68(+) macrophages and the number of CD68(+) cells directly adhered correlated negatively with cTnT in the serum of DCM patients (Spearman’s rho, r = -0.45, P < 0.001 and r = - 0.31, P = 0.009, respectively).
Conclusion. The use of the count of CD68(+) macrophages by immunohistochemistry which are attached to injured cardiomyocytes may be useful for the diagnosis of chronic inflammation in endomyocardial biopsy in patients with DCM, especially in those who did not meet the criteria for MCI.
Changes in resource perception throughout the foraging visit contribute to task specialization in the honeybee Apis mellifera
Authors: Moreno Emilia , Arenas Andrés
Published: November 2022

Division of labor is central to the ecological success of social insects. Among foragers of the honeybee specialization for collecting nectar or pollen correlates with their sensitivity to sucrose. So far, differences in gustatory perception have been mostly studied in bees returning to the hive, but not during foraging. Here, we showed that the phase of the foraging visit (i.e. beginning or end) interacts with foraging specialization (i.e. predisposition to collect pollen or nectar) to modulate sucrose and pollen sensitivity in foragers. In concordance with previous studies, pollen foragers presented higher sucrose responsiveness than nectar foragers at the end of the foraging visit. On the contrary, pollen foragers were less responsive than nectar foragers at the beginning of the visit. Consistently, free-flying foragers accepted less concentrated sucrose solution during pollen gathering than immediately after entering the hive. Pollen perception also changes throughout foraging, as pollen foragers captured at the beginning of the visit learned and retained memories better when they were conditioned with pollen + sucrose as reward than when we used sucrose alone. Altogether, our results support the idea that changes in foragers' perception throughout the foraging visit contributes to task specialization.
Emergency department contribution to HIV and HCV control in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Buti Maria , Pinto Inês Vaz , Pereira Vítor Magno , Casado Marta , Llaneras Jordi , Barreira Ana , RN Catarina Esteves , Guimarães Mafalda , Gorgulho Ana , Mourão Tomás , Xavier Elisa , Jasmins Luís , Reis Ana Paula , Faria Nancy , Freitas Bruno , Andrade Graça , Camelo-Castillo Anny , Rodríguez-Maresca Manuel Ángel , Carrodeguas Alba , Medina Diogo , Esteban Rafael
Published: November 2022

Background: Undiagnosed cases of transmissible blood-borne viruses (HCV and HIV) result in significant morbidity and mortality, further spread of epidemics, and increased public health costs. Testing in emergency departments (EDs) is an opportunity for expanding HIV and HCV screening. The goal of this project was to increase the proportion of eligible patients screened for HIV and HCV in urban areas.
Methods: An opportunistic automated screening program for HIV and HCV was implemented in the EDs of 4 public hospitals in Spain and Portugal at different periods between 2018 and 2022. HIV and HCV prevalence was prospectively evaluated. In case of anti-HCV or anti-HIV reactive test results, reflex testing was done for confirmation.
Results: More than 90% of the population eligible for testing were screened in the participating centers. We found a seroprevalence rate of 0.7% for HIV and seroprevalence rates ranging from 0.6% to 3.9% for hepatitis C. Between 19% and 53% of individuals who tested positive for HCV antibodies were viremic.
Conclusions: Opportunistic HIV and HCV screening in EDs is feasible, does not disrupt ED activities, is highly effective in increasing diagnosis, and contributes to WHO goals for the elimination of HIV and hepatitis C.
Sitagliptin via the activation of AMPK/eNOS signaling improves vascular endothelial function by suppressing Creb5/lncRNA ENSMUST00000213271 axis in obese mice
Authors: Zong Yi , Wang Xiaorui , Zhang Yi , Tan Na , Zhang Yan , Li Li , Liu Limei
Published: November 2022

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate whether sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, improved endothelial function by modulating lncRNAs in obese mice and clarify the underlying molecular mechanism.
Methods
Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat diet for four months to induce obesity and some obese mice were treated with sitagliptin for the last one month. Levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in plasma were detected by ELISA. LncRNA expression profile was analyzed via microarray. Aortic relaxations were examined by myograph. Protein expressions and phosphorylations were determined by Western blot. The differentially expressed lncRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR.
Results
Levels of TC and LDL were increased, concentrations of HDL and GLP-1 were decreased, and aortic endothelium-dependent relaxations were impaired in obese mice; sitagliptin reversed all above effects. Moreover, the altered expression profile of lncRNAs in the obese mouse aortae could be modulated by sitagliptin. qRT-PCR showed that lncRNA ENSMUST00000213271 was up-regulated in obese mouse aortae and endothelial cells but could be down-regulated by sitagliptin, which was consistent with microarray analysis. Importantly, we first revealed the regulatory effect of Creb5 on lncRNA ENSMUST00000213271. Furthermore, knockdown of either Creb5 or lncRNA ENSMUST00000213271 restored the activation of AMPK/eNOS in obese mouse aortic endothelial cells.
Conclusion:
Our results elucidate that sitagliptin ameliorated endothelial dysfunction by suppressing Creb5/lncRNA ENSMUST00000213271 and subsequently restoring AMPK/eNOS activation in obese mice. This study will provide the new evidence for the benefits of GLP-1 against vasculopathy in obesity.
Thioxanthone-containing blue thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitter
Authors: Kanno Natsuko , Ren Yongxia , Kusakabe Yu , Suzuki Katsuaki , Shizu Katsuyuki , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Wada Yoshimasa , Nakagawa Hiromichi , Geldsetzer Jan , Kaji Hironori
Published: November 2022

Accelerating reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) without sacrificing fast radiative decay is effective in suppressing efficiency roll‐off (eRO) in thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF)‐based organic light‐emitting diodes. We here report a TADF emitter, CC‐TXO‐I, combining a bicarbazole donor (CC) and a sulfur‐containing acceptor (TXO). The CC is used to accelerate radiative decay via moderate donor‐acceptor torsion angle, and the TXO is expected to provide fast RISC by the heavy atom effect of sulfur. We successfully realized very large rate constants for RISC (kRISC) of ~107 s−1, and eROs were improved by increasing both kRISC and rate constants of radiative decays.
Evaluation of the flow information using WHVG-TE, in epilepsy
Authors: Isfahani Parastoo Poursaeid , Kharajinezhadian Farzam , Songhorzadeh Maryam
Published: November 2022

One way to better understand brain function and its disorders, such as epilepsy, is to analyze the effective brain connectivity networks. A criterion is needed to identify effective brain connectivity in order to be able to estimate any effective relationships between the brain areas using the recorded functional events of the brain such as the EEG signals. After identifying the effective brain connectivity using an appropriate solution, it is possible to determine the meaningful connectivity, form an effective brain connectivity network graph, and evaluate its parameters, which are based on the graph theory. This article introduces a new way to estimate the flow of information between brain channels. For this purpose, after preprocessing the brain signals, the transfer entropy is measured between the sequence of the weighted horizontal visibility graph (WHVG) generated by the main time series, by calculating the delay parameters and then the required substitutions using the nearest neighbor error. Moreover, this method provides more valuable information for entropy compared to the horizontal visibility graph, since weighing the horizontal visibility graph makes the sudden changes more valuable that usually occur in epileptic seizures. The initial length of the intended signals is 40 seconds and the evaluation of the results based on the entropy calculation is on the sliding windows with a length of 2, 5, and 10 seconds. The entropy values are calculated on the windows and then compared with normal brain signals to better understand the results. In this article, the weighted horizontal visibility graph is compared with the horizontal visibility graph and it is found that the weighted visibility graph showed the changes better than the horizontal graph and provides more valuable information to the entropy.
Treatments and whole exon sequencing of a case with multiple primary lung cancer
Authors: Bai Guangyu , Li Yuan , Ji Ying , Peng Yue , Yang Zhenlin , Zhao Liang
Published: November 2022

Background: The number of patients with synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (sMPLC) has increased recently. However, diagnosing and selecting the appropriate therapeutic strategy for this type of disease is not simple.
Case presentation: This report presented a case of sMPLC with lymph node metastasis. With no smoking and cancer history, this patient had seven nodules in the right lung and underwent single-portal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). In addition, she received four cycles of chemotherapy after the operation. Whole exon sequencing (WES) was performed in five resected tissue samples (four tumors and one lymph node). We conducted genomic profiling and clone evolution analysis of the five samples. Gene detection helped to confirm that the metastasis lymph node was transferred from one nodule. There was apparent heterogeneity of gene mutations among the five samples of the patient, with only one shared “neurofilament heavy polypeptide” (NEFH) mutation. A dominant substitution of C>T/G>A was found in all the samples. Pyclone model was used to calculate all tissues' cellular prevalence (CP) values, and NEFH mutations were thought to be the ancestral clones. During the follow-up period, residual lesions showed no apparent changes and limited response to chemotherapy.
Conclusions: This report showed an essential role in genomic detection and selecting the appropriate treatment of sMPLC. Surgery remains the primary treatment strategy for this type of disease, and the occurrence and development of sMPLC need more in-depth research.
Challenges, rewards and lessons learned from family and community caregivers of individuals with serious mental illness and cancer
Authors: Murphy Kerri A. , Corveleyn Amy E. , Park Elyse R. , Irwin Kelly E.
Published: November 2022

Purpose: The caregiving experience for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and cancer has not been explored in previous cancer caregiver research. This study assessed the challenges, rewards, and lessons learned from this unique population of caregivers.
Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 13 caregivers: (9 family caregivers, 4 community caregivers) of patients recently diagnosed with head and neck, breast, lung or gastrointestinal cancer and SMI who participated in a single-arm pilot of person-centered collaborative care. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches. Investigators developed a coding scheme based on the interview guide. Interviews were double-coded and themes were identified via an iterative consensus process consistent with a Content Analysis framework. Comparisons between community and family caregiver experiences were explored.
Results: Caregiving challenges included the impact of mental health symptoms on timely diagnosis, treatment and coordination of care and lack of resources specific to SMI and cancer caregiving. Family caregivers valued increased closeness and meaningfulness in their relationships. Family and community caregivers found it rewarding to be part of a person-centered care model that was effective for the patient. Lessons learned included tending to their own needs too, and the importance of advocacy and a team approach to decrease mental health stigma and coordinate care.
Conclusions: This study highlights the complex challenges and rewards experienced by family and community caregivers for individuals with cancer and SMI. Tailored approaches to support caregivers as individuals are needed. Additional research on community caregiver-patient dyads and non-spousal family caregiver-patient dyads are needed to inform intervention development.
Enhancing the parameters of ZnO/CdZnS thin film photodetector by thermal annealing
Authors: Mohammed Kahtan A. , Alshamarti Hussein. A. , Jameel Hadeel. A.
Published: November 2022

This work aims to manufacture photodetectors from semiconducting bilayer materials of zinc oxide Nanorods (ZnO NRs) and coated with a thin layer of CdZnS by chemical bath deposition method (CBD). The effect of annealing time on the optical and electrical properties of the prepared devices and on the parameters of the devices was also studied. The prepared films were thermally treated by annealing at a temperature of 200 ° C for several times for the purpose of comparison. The annealing times were 15 30 35 60 minutes, respectively, by means of a vacuum furnace. The effect of the annealing time was noticeable and obvious on the optical and electrical properties of the manufactured photodetectors.
Formation and Degradability of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in River Soils around a Fluoropolymer Manufacturing Plant in Osaka, Japan
Authors: Thepaksorn Phayong , Lee Pureum , Shiwaku Yoko , Zheng Bo , Koizumi Akio , Harada Kouji
Published: November 2022

Our previous studies reported that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination has decreased in well, tap and surface water around a fluoropolymer plant in Osaka, Japan between 2003 and 2016. In this study, we evaluated the degradability of PFOA and perfluorohexanoic acid in river soils to identify the influence of the degradation on the perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the Yodo River Basin. We also investigated the influence of abiotic oxidation on the formation of PFCAs in soils and measured the fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) as precursors of PFCAs in the soil and air samples collected at Osaka and Kyoto, respectively. No major changes were observed in soils contaminated with PFCA during the 24-week experimental period, while the PFOA levels increased only in the control group. The PFCA levels significantly increased after oxidation in this group. The dominant FTOH in soils was 10:2 FTOH, whereas 6:2 FTOH was dominant in the air samples. These findings suggest that PFOA was rapidly removed from water system but persist in soils. Moreover, the results indicate the need to evaluate not only the PFCAs, but also the FTOHs and other precursors for the accurate prediction of PFCA accumulation and fates in the environment.
Chronicity of high and low level Mupirocin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus from 30 Indian hospitals
Authors: Prakash Rajni , Garg Amar , Arya Riteshkumar
Published: November 2022

Mupirocin is one of the most effective topically used antibiotic for the treatment of dermatitis, nasal carriage, decolonization of methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and eradication of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Extensive use of this antibiotic has resulted in mupirocin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus which is a matter of concern. This study was conducted to evaluate the high and low level of mupirocin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus collected from various Indian hospitals. A total of 600 samples, of which 436 were pus specimens and 164 wound site swabs were collected from 30 Indian hospitals. Disc diffusion and agar dilution methods were used to test mupirocin susceptibility in methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus. Out of 600 non-duplicate Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 176 isolates (29.33%) were found to be methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Out of 176 non-duplicate MRSA strains,138 isolates were found to be mupirocin sensitive, 21 isolates had high level resistance whereas 17 isolates had low level resistance to mupirocin, which contributed 78.41%, 11.93 % and 9.66% respectively. Overall, high rate of mupirocin resistance was found in the studied samples which might be a result of in discriminated use of mupirocin in the population of studied region. This data emphasizes the urgent need for formulation of a well-defined and regulated guidelines for mupirocin use. Moreover, continuous surveillance is needed for the use of mupirocin and routine test should be performed to detect MRSA in patients and health care personnel to prevent MRSA infections.
Development of machine learning models for predicting unfavorable functional outcomes in patients with chronic subdural hematomas
Authors: Fuse Yutaro , Nagashima Yoshitaka , Nishiwaki Hiroshi , Ohka Fumiharu , Muramatsu Yusuke , Araki Yoshio , Nishimura Yusuke , Ienaga Junpei , Nagatani Tetsuya , Seki Yukio , Watanabe Kazuhiko , Ohno Kinji , Saito Ryuta
Published: November 2022

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) often causes neurological deterioration and is treated with hematoma evacuation. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of various machine learning models to preoperatively predict the functional outcome of patients with CSDH. Data were retrospectively collected from patients who underwent CSDH surgery at two institutions: one for internal validation and the other for external validation. The poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale score of 3–6 upon hospital discharge. The unfavorable outcome was predicted using four machine learning algorithms on an internal held-out cohort (n = 188): logistic regression, support vector machine (SVM), random forest, and light gradient boosting machine. The prediction performance of these models was also validated in an external cohort (n = 99). The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) of each machine learning-based model was found to be high in both validations (internal: 0.906–0.925, external: 0.833–0.860). In external validation, the SVM model demonstrated the highest ROC-AUC of 0.860 and accuracy of 0.919. This study revealed the potential of machine learning algorithms in predicting unfavorable outcomes at discharge among patients with CSDH undergoing burr hole surgery.
Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating of Teaching Scholarship in Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board
Authors: Khoshgoftar Zohreh , Sodeifian Fatemeh , Allameh Farzad
Published: November 2022

Background
Cancer management has become increasingly challenging due to the emergence of personalized approach which requires careful assessment, multidisciplinary efforts, and experienced physicians.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on executing all medical meetings as well as multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTB) we decided to design, perform and evaluate a teaching scholarship in virtual MTB for urologic cancer patients.
Methods
In this prospective study from December 2020 to July 2022, the authors evaluated designing, implementation, and learning efficacy of a virtual tumor board in the urology department of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU). All the faculty members (N=25) and urology residents (N=35) were included in this investigation. To make the sessions, multidisciplinary, other related departments including pathology, radio-oncology, medical oncology, radiology, and nuclear medicine were also included. Virtual tumor boards were implanted monthly in twenty sessions.
Results
A short interview was conducted for the needs assessment. The faculty members and residents’ statements were divided of high, intermediate, and low importance. After implementation satisfaction questionnaire based on the first level of Kirkpatrick model was recorded and the means were 76% and 71% in faculty members and residents respectively for virtual execution. Results of evaluating the intervention according to the second level of Kirkpatrick model and through the tests before and after tumor boards were recorded and the mean differences evaluated by paired t-test were statistically significant. In the last step for external evaluation, the satisfaction rate of 5 arbitrators was 75% for executing a proper virtual MTB.
Conclusion
A virtual board is an effective learning method for medical education of urology residents. It could help practitioner to coordinate and discuss with different specialties and leads to the best decision for urologic cancer patients.
Methionine mitigates protein deficiency by regulating the expression of translation initiation factors, even with sufficient sulfur, in rats fed a protein-deprived diet
Authors: Yamada Fumiyo , Mori Erika , Yamaoka Ippei
Published: November 2022

Dietary supplementation with methionine and threonine mitigates protein deficiency in rats fed a protein-deprived diet, an effect that is not observed for other essential amino acids. However, the precise mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore whether the activation of translation initiation factors in the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in skeletal muscle contributes to protein retention by supplementation with methionine and/or threonine. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were freely fed 0% protein diets for 2 weeks, and furthermore fed for 12 days 14.5 g of a restricted diet containing 12% soy protein supplemented with methionine and threonine (MT), methionine (M), threonine (T), or neither (NA) (n = 8), while two additional groups were fed 0% protein or 20% casein protein diets as controls (n = 6). Body weight and gastrocnemius muscle weight were higher, and blood urea nitrogen and urinary nitrogen excretion were lower, in the M and MT groups than in the T and NA groups, respectively. p70 S6 kinase 1 abundance and protein expression levels were higher, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 abundance and mRNA levels were lower, in the skeletal muscles of rats fed with methionine (M and MT groups). These results suggest that methionine regulates the mass of protein via translation initiation machinery in the skeletal muscle, retaining whole-body protein in protein-deprived rats.
Optimization of experimental design techniques for modeling volumetric shrinkage in injection molding experiment using artificial intelligence
Authors: Raimi Oluwole Abiodun
Published: November 2022

The study examined two types of design of experiments (DoE) methods for injection molding of a molded part. It evaluated them using an artificial neural network (ANN) and a support vector machine (SVM) via cross-validation and holdout validation. The innovative goal is to identify the most efficient and successful ways for modeling varied DoE. The influence of four processing parameters on the volumetric shrinkage of a thin polystyrene plate sample is simulated using factorial design and orthogonal Taguchi arrays design. As measured by root mean square error (RMSE), the prediction performance revealed that DoE with eight experimental points as in \({2}^{4-1}\) for fractional factorial design and L8 for orthogonal Taguchi design is particularly efficient for this modeling simulation problem. Both design methods are beneficial and efficient because orthogonal Taguchi arrays play an essential role when the accuracy of fractional factorial designs is insufficient.
COVID-19 progression and convalescence in common variable immunodeficiency patients shows incomplete adaptive responses and persistent inflammasome activation
Authors: Rodríguez-Ubreva Javier , Handfield Louis-Francois , Keller Baerbel , Ciudad Laura , Calle-Fabregat Carlos de la , Godoy-Tena Gerard , Calafell-Segura Josep , Andrés-León Eduardo , Hoo Regina , Porter Tarryn , Prigmore Elena , Hofmann Maike , Decker Annegrit , Martín Javier , Warnatz Klaus , Vento-Tormo Roser , Ballestar Esteban
Published: November 2022

Patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the most prevalent symptomatic primary immunodeficiency, are characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, poorly protective vaccine titers and increased susceptibility to infections. New pathogens such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), might constitute a particular threat to these immunocompromised patients since many of them experience a slower recovery and do not achieve full response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. To define the molecular basis of the altered immune responses caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection in CVID patients, we generated longitudinal single-cell datasets of peripheral blood immune cells along viral infection and recovery. We sampled the same individuals before, during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection to model their specific immune response dynamics while removing donor variability. We observed that COVID-19 CVID patients show defective canonical NF-κB pathway activation and dysregulated expression of BCR-related genes in naïve B cells, as well as enhanced cytotoxic activity but incomplete cytokine response in NK and T cells. Moreover, monocytes from COVID-19 CVID patients show persistent activation of several inflammasome-related genes, including the pyrin and NLRC4 inflammasomes. Our results shed light on the molecular basis of the prolonged clinical manifestations observed in these immunodeficient patients upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, which might illuminate the development of tailored treatments for COVID-19 CVID patients.
Impact of dysautonomic symptom burden on the quality of life in Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients
Authors: Yang Lili , Li Wenjing , Xie Yan , Ma Shuai , Zhou Xiaobo , Huang Xinyue , Tan Song
Published: November 2022

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical risk factors of dysautonomic symptom burden in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and its impact on patients’ quality of life.
Methods
A total of 63 NMOSD patients and healthy controls were enrolled. All participants completed the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (COMPASS-31) to screen for symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. A comprehensive clinical evaluation was performed in NMOSD patients, including disease characteristics and composite evaluations of life status, including quality of life, anxiety/depression, sleep, and fatigue. Correlated factors of dysautonomic symptoms and quality of life were analyzed.
Results
The score of COMPASS-31 in the NMOSD group was 17.2 ± 10.3, significantly higher than that in healthy controls (P = 0.002). In NMOSD patients, the higher COMPASS-31 score was correlated with more attacks (r = 0.49, P < 0.001), longer disease duration (r = 0.52, P < 0.001), severer disability (r = 0.50, P < 0.001), more thoracic cord lesions (r = 0.29, P = 0.02), more total spinal cord lesions (r = 0.35, P = 0.005), severer anxiety (r = 0.55, P < 0.001), severer depression (r = 0.48, P < 0.001), severer sleep disturbances (r = 0.59, P < 0.001), and severer fatigue (r = 0.56, P < 0.001). The disability, total spinal cord lesions and fatigue were revealed to be independently associated factors. Further analysis revealed that the COMPASS-31 score was the independently correlated with score of all the domains of patients’ quality of life scale (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Dysautonomic symptom burden is correlated with decreased quality of life and certain clinical characteristics such as disability, spinal cord lesions and fatigue in NMOSD patients. Investigation and proper management of autonomic dysfunction may help to improve the quality of life in patients with NMOSD.
An Adaptive k-nearest neighbor Classifier using Differential Evolution with Auto-Enhanced Population Diversity for Intrusion Detection
Authors: Karimi Zohre , Torabi Zeinab
Published: November 2022

Machine learning methods have attracted increasing interest in recent studies on intrusion detection. A classifier is applied to discriminate attacks from normal connections in these methods. 𝒌-nearest neighbor (𝒌NN) has been widely used in intrusion detection due to its simplicity and effectiveness. The classical 𝒌NN exploits Euclidean distance for identifying nearest neighbors, whereas how to compute the distance of data points is highly application-specific and plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of this classifier. In this paper, a novel 𝒌NN classifier is proposed that employs p-norm distance metric, the generalization of Euclidean distance, by learning p from data. The value of p in the proposed data-dependent metric is learned by the differential evolution algorithm exploiting auto-enhanced population diversity. The experimental results showed significant improvements in terms of F1 score and error rate compared to conventional kNN and Naive Bayesian classifiers on Kyoto2006+ and NSL-KDD. Furthermore, they verify the superiority of kNN classifier using the proposed data-dependent metric in terms of receiver operating characteristic curve and the corresponding area under the curve.
Longitudinal telomere dynamics within natural lifespans of a wild bird
Authors: Pepke Michael Le , Kvalnes Thomas , Wright Jonathan , Araya-Ajoy Yimen G. , Ranke Peter Sjolte , Boner Winnie , Monaghan Pat , Sæther Bernt-Erik , Jensen Henrik , Ringsby Thor Harald
Published: November 2022

Telomeres, the nucleotide sequences that protect the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, shorten with each cell division and telomere loss may be increased by factors such as oxidative stress. Telomere length (TL) decreases with age in several species, and TL or the change in TL (∆TL) have emerged as biomarkers reflecting experienced stress. In this study, we tracked changes in TL throughout the natural lifespan (from a few months to almost 9 years) of free-living house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in two different island populations. TL was measured in nestlings and subsequently up to 4 times during their lifetime. TL generally decreased with age (senescence), but we also observed instances of telomere lengthening within individuals. We found some evidence for selective disappearance of individuals with shorter telomeres through life. Early-life TL positively predicted later-life TL, but the within-individual repeatability in TL was low (9.2%). Using genetic pedigrees, we found a moderate heritability of ∆TL (h2 = 0.21), which was higher than the heritabilities of early-life TL (h2 = 0.14) and later-life TL measurements (h2 = 0.15). Cohort effects explained considerable proportions of variation in early-life TL (60%), later-life TL (53%), and ∆TL (37%), which suggests persistent impacts of the early-life environment on lifelong telomere dynamics. Individual changes in TL were independent of early-life TL. Finally, there was weak evidence for population differences in ∆TL that may be linked to ecological differences in habitat types. Combined, our results show that individual telomere biology is highly dynamic and influenced by both genetic and environmental variation in natural conditions.
UFO procedure as a last resort surgery for massive aortic and mitral annular calcification involving left atrial and ventricular myocardium - a case report
Authors: Wert Leonhard , Pasic Miralem , Heck Roland , Praet Karel M. Van , Kempfert Jörg , Falk Volkmar
Published: November 2022

Background
The UFO procedure was initially developed as a surgical option to enlarge the aortic annulus in patients requiring valve replacement. This technique can be employed to treat extensive endocarditis located in the intervalvular fibrous body (IVFB). One of the indications for a UFO procedure is massive aortic and mitral valve calcification. It is a challenging surgical procedure with a high risk of intraoperative complications.
Case summary
We present a 76-year-old male patient with massive aortic and mitral valve calcification involving the left atrium, the left ventricle and the left ventricular outflow tract. Both valves exhibited severe stenosis and moderate to severe regurgitation. The left ventricle was hypertrophic and the left ventricular ejection fraction was > 55 %. The patient was prediagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation. The risk of death following heart surgery (EuroSCORE II) was calculated as 9.21 %. We successfully performed a so-called UFO procedure including replacement of both valves without annular decalcification to avoid atrioventricular dehiscence. We enlarged the IVFB and replaced the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva with doubled bovine pericardium. The left ventricular outflow tract was decalcified. The patient was transferred to a local hospital on the 13th postoperative day.
Conclusion
Successful surgical treatment to this extent was demonstrated for the first time. Due to the high perioperative mortality, the surgical treatment of patients with this constellation would be refused in most cases. In our patient, the preoperative imaging showed extreme calcification of both valves and the surrounding myocardium. Excellent preoperative planning and a highly experienced surgical team is necessary.
Machine learning in hypertension detection: a study on World Hypertension Day data
Authors: Montagna Sara , Pengo Martino Francesco , Ferretti Stefano , Borghi Claudio , Ferri Claudio , Grassi Guido , Muiesan Maria Lorenza , Parati Gianfranco
Published: November 2022

Background: Many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors have been associated with hypertension. However, current screening programs are still failing in identifying individuals at higher risk of hypertension. Given the major impact of high blood pressure on cardiovascular events and mortality, there is an urgent need to find new strategies to improve hypertension detection.
Aim: We aimed to explore whether a machine learning (ML) algorithm can help identifying individuals predictors of hypertension.
Methods: We analysed the data set generated by the questionnaires administered during the World Hypertension Day from 2015 to 2019. A total of 20206 individuals have been included for analysis. We tested five ML algorithms, exploiting different balancing techniques. Moreover, we computed the performance of the medical protocol currently adopted in the screening programs.
Results: Results show that a gain of sensitivity reflects in a loss of specificity, bringing to a scenario where there is not an algorithm and a configuration which properly outperforms against the others. However, Random Forest provides interesting performances (0.818 sensitivity - 0.629 specificity) compared with medical protocols (0.906 sensitivity - 0.230 specificity).
Conclusion: Detection of hypertension at a population level still remains challenging and a machine learning approach could help in making screening programs more precise and cost effective, when based on accurate data collection. More studies are needed to identify new features to be acquired and to further improve the performances of ML models.
The contribution of VNIR and SWIR hyperspectral imaging to rock art studies: example of the Otello schematic rock art site (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France)
Authors: Defrasne Claudia , Massé Marion , Giraud Manuel , Schmitt Bernard , Fligiel Damien , Mouélic Stéphane Le , Chalmin Emilie
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a methodological contribution to rock art archaeology by demonstrating the benefits of hyperspectral imaging, a relatively new method, for the understanding of rock art sites. It illustrates the complementarity of VNIR hyperspectral imaging, applied in rare cases to rock archaeology, and SWIR hyperspectral imaging, implemented here for the first time to a rock art panel. Applied to a schematic rock art site in southern France, the Otello rock shelter (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France), this method allowed the discovery of numerous new figures invisible to the naked eye or unsuspected after image enhancement with the DStretch plug-in of the Image J software, the individualisation of figures within complex superpositions as well as the discovery of figures covered by weathering products. Moreover, by conferring a spatial dimension to the analysis of pictorial matter, thus allowing a classification of pigments at the scale of the wall, hyperspectral imaging makes it possible to automatically isolate different paintings and to carry out objective groupings of figures on the basis of their composition. Finally, hyperspectral imaging allows us to precisely document, distinguish and characterise weathering products interacting with painted figures. For all of these reasons, this method appears essential to highlight the relative chronology and syntax of iconography, and consequently to understand its cognitive nature.
Experimental determination of concentration factors of Ni, Ru and Sb in the phytoplankton species Phaeodactylum Tricornutum
Authors: Ali Y. , Thomas R. , Holgersson S. , Isaksson M. , Björk Klara Insulander
Published: November 2022

This paper describes the experimental determination of concentration factors (CF) for nickel, ruthenium and antimony in phytoplankton. Better determinations of these CF are, according to sensitivity studies and a literature search, needed to improve the modelling of marine ecosystems at release points and predictions of radiation dose to humans. Nutrient-enriched water samples from Swedish coastal waters are used as a medium for growing of the diatom species P. Tricornutum and radiotracers are used for determination of CF in the laboratory. Conservative estimates of these CF based on the present data are 6 400 L/kg for nickel, 20 000 L/kg for ruthenium and 890 L/kg for antimony, with phytoplankton masses referring to dry weight.
Computer-Aided Multi-Epitope based Vaccine Design against Monkeypox Virus Surface Protein A30L: An Immunoinformatics Approach
Authors: SV Ramprasadh , Rajakumar Santhosh , S Srinivasan , D Susha , Sharma Sameer , Chourasiya Rajan
Published: November 2022

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic illness resembling smallpox. It was a national epidemic, primarily in Africa, but has lately spread around the world, and as a result, it could evolve into a global pandemic in a relatively short amount of time. So, a multi-epitope vaccine capable of eliciting an immune response against MPXV by exploiting cell envelope protein as a target was therefore designed and created to generate a novel vaccination that is both effective and nearly devoid of adverse effects. The constructed vaccine has T-cell and B-cell epitopes from A30L protein that are highly antigenic, non-allergenic, non-toxic, conserved, and non-homologous. Consequently, they should be able to offer robust protection against the virus. Protein-protein docking was used to foretell the most effective vaccine design by docking with Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8. In the end, the MD simulation and the immune simulation of the ideal vaccine construct both predicted positive outcomes. Ultimately, In Silico cloning will be employed to construct a vaccine in a large-scale production approach. Additionally, if in vivo and in vitro experiments yield positive results, our results provide an epitope-based peptide fragment that might be a promising entrant for the creation of a vaccine against the monkeypox virus.
Risk of atrial fibrillation in individuals with dysglycemia and diabetes
Authors: Rørth Rasmus , Kriegbaum Margit , Grand Mia Klinten , Jacobsen Peter Karl , Lind Bent Struer , Andersen Christen Lykkegaard , Persson Frederik
Published: November 2022

Background
Diabetes is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), and increases the risk of thromboembolic events in persons with AF. However, the link between the two conditions is not fully elucidated. Few studies have investigated the association of dysglycemia and incident AF. We investigated the risk of incident AF and prognosis according to diabetes status.
Methods
The Copenhagen Primary Care Laboratory Database was merged with data on medical prescriptions, in- and outpatient contacts and vital status. The risk of AF according to diabetes status was investigated by use of Cox regression models.
Results
Of 354.807 individuals with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurement, 28.541(8%) had known diabetes, 13.038(4%) had new onset diabetes and 27.754(8%) had prediabetes (HbA1c 42-47mmol/mol). Persons with dysglycemia (HbA1c > 42mmol/mol) and diabetes were older, more were men, they had lower level of education and were more likely to be living alone. We observed a gradual increase in risk of developing AF from HbA1c levels of 40 to 60 mmol/mol. In adjusted analyses we found a stepwise increase in hazard of AF from normoglycemia over prediabetes to persons with diabetes (No diabetes:1.00 [ref.]; Prediabetes:1.12[1.08–1.16]; New-onset diabetes:1.16[1.10–1.22]); Known diabetes:1.15[1.11–1.20]). Persons with known diabetes had a significant higher hazard of stroke, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
Conclusion
Increasing levels of HbA1c were associated with an increased hazard of developing AF. Persons with new onset of diabetes and those with known diabetes had similar hazard of developing AF, however persons with known diabetes had a significant higher hazard of stroke, cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality.