bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Serum Levels of Anti-Heat Shock Protein-27 Antibody and Liver Cell Injury in Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Yousefli Zahra , Meshkat Zahra , Mobarhan Majid Ghayour , Hosseini Seyed Mousalreza , Tavalaie Shima , Kazemianfar Ehsan , Soltanian Hossein , Aminzadeh Afarin , Ghasemi Amirhosein , Kashmari Maryam , Nasiraee Mohammadreza , Meshkat Mojtaba , Jarrahi Lida , Gholoobi Aida
Published: December 2022

Background
Heat Shock Protein 27 (HSP27), an anti-HBV factor, exists in the intracellular and extracellular spaces. Serum HSP27 (sHSP27) is an inflammatory modulator and is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and with a higher likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma. SHSP27 results in natural antibody production (anti-HSP27-Ab) that is more stable and easily detectable compared to sHSP27. We aimed to investigate any potential association between anti-HSP27-Ab level and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) progression and inflammation indicated by liver cell injury and HBV replication.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 91 patients with CHB and 92 individuals without CHB. Following demographic data collection, anti-HSP27-Ab, serum lipids including total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C, and aminotransferase levels were measured using enzymatic assays in participants’ serum samples. HBV DNA was also measured by quantitative PCR in CHB patients.
Results
Bivariate and multivariate analyses showed a significantly higher mean level of anti-HSP27-Ab in CHB than in healthy individuals (0.304 vs. 0.256AU/ml, P-value = 0.015). These levels held significant differences in the CHB subgroups of male patients, at the age of 50 years and above, non-smokers, patients with elevated aminotransferase levels, and hypotriglyceridemia (P-value < 0.05). However, no difference was found between the antibody levels and HBV DNA copies (P-value > 0.05).
Conclusion
This study provides evidence that anti-HSP27 antibody levels can reflect the degree of liver necrosis indicated by aminotransferase levels. Regarding the higher incidence rate of HBV-associated complications in 50 to 60-year-old men, monitoring the antibody can be beneficial in managing this group of CHB patients, which deserves further investigation.
Urgent care-seeking and injury severity for intimate partner violence during COVID-19: a Canadian retrospective chart review
Authors: Ross Alison N. , Duchesne Emma , Lewis Jane , Norman Patrick A. , Bartels Susan A. , Walker Melanie , Rocca Nicole
Published: December 2022

Background Early reports raised alarms that intimate partner violence (IPV) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but initial studies showed that visits to emergency departments (EDs) decreased. This study assessed the impact of the prolonged pandemic and its associated restrictions on both rates of urgent care-seeking and injury severity for IPV. Methods Data from the Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s (KHSC) ED were utilized to compare IPV presentations during ‘Pre-COVID’ (December 17, 2018 – March 16, 2020) and ‘COVID’ (March 17, 2020 – June 16, 2021), as well as three periods of heightened local restrictions: ‘Lockdown-1’ (March 17 – June 12, 2020), ‘Lockdown-2’ (December 26, 2020 – February 10, 2021) and ‘Lockdown-3’ (April 8 – June 2, 2021). The primary outcomes were incidence rate of IPV visits and injury severity, which was assessed using theClinical Injury Extent Score (CIES)andInjury Severity Score (ISS).Results A total of 128 individuals were included. This sample had mean age of 34 years, was comprised of mostly women (97%), and represented a variety of intimate relationship types. Some individuals presented multiple times, resulting in a total of 139 acute IPV presentations. The frequency of IPV visits during COVID was similar to the Pre-COVID time period (67 vs. 72; p = 0.67). Incidence rate was 13% higher during COVID, though this difference was non-significant (6.66 vs. 5.90; p = 0.47). IPV visit frequency varied across lockdown periods (11 in Lockdown-1, 12 in Lockdown-2 and 6 in Lockdown-3), with the highest incidence rate during Lockdown-2 (12.71). There were more moderate and severe injuries during COVID compared to Pre-COVID, but mean CIES was not statistically significantly different (1.91 vs. 1.69; p = 0.29), nor was mean ISS (11.88 vs. 12.52; p = 0.73). Conclusions During the 15-months following the start of COVID-19, there were small, but non-significant increases in both incidence rate and severity of IPV presentations to the KHSC ED. This may reflect escalation of violence as pandemic restrictions persisted and requires further investigation.
Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of Global Prevalence of Blindness and Vision Loss: Findings From The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Guo Chengyao , Li Yuancun , Huang Yingzi , Jing Liu , Qiu Kunliang , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: December 2022

Objective
To quantify age, period, and cohort effect on the global secular trend of prevalence of blindness and vision impairment (BVI) based on the age-period-cohort (APC) model.
Methods
Data on global BVI were extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 database. Annual percentage change of age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of BVI was estimated by assuming a linear relationship between natural logarithm of ASPR of disease with time. The prevalence of BVI was evaluated from age, period, and cohort effects based on the APC model with intrinsic estimator.
Results
Global prevalence number of BVI was 353.2 million in 1990 and increased to 713.9 million in 2019, but with an ASPR declined at a speed of -0.14% (95% CI: -7.49–7.8%) per year from 1990 to 2019. The APC model showed that the prevalence of BVI increased with age and period but decreased with cohorts. Changes in each cause (age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, refractive disorders, near-vision loss, and other vision loss) are consistent in the overall upward or downward trend of the age, period, and cohort effects.
Conclusions
Global prevalence of BVI has significant age, period and cohort effects. The risk of vision impairment increases with age and period, however, it decreases with the cohort. Cost-effective prevention and control should be implemented more in the older population at high risk.
WITHDRAWN: In-silico discovery of novel microtubule inhibitors targeting colchicine binding site; A combined Group-based QSAR approach
Authors: Sahu Sumanta Kumar , Ojha Krishna Kumar
Published: December 2022

Microtubules are a potential target for the design and development of novel anti-mitotic drugs for cancer therapy Focusing on their mechanisms of action, Microtubuletargeting agents are classified into stabilizers and destabilizers, among them destabilizers binding to colchicine binding site domain is an important source of research in recent years. A number of molecules containing indole scaffold have been described as tubulin polymerization inhibitors with the potential to interact with the colchicine binding site. The research is focused on the search for new indole-based colchicine binding site inhibitors, for that fragment-based QSAR utilized for the important interacting site for potent fragment attachment and the designed fragment library screened for the finding of the potent molecule and finally, three molecules screened and validated for their reactivity using DFT and stability using Molecular dynamics simulation, among them m16 showing the potential result with high interaction energy, high molecular reactivity and confirms high stability as compared to others.
A Novel Anoikis-revelant Gene Signature for Prognosis Prediction and Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Lung Adenocarncinoma
Authors: Ma Yong , Li Zhilong , Xue Yanfeng , Zheng Baozhen , Hu Nan , Li Dongbing , Wang Dongliang
Published: December 2022

Background: Anoikis is an apoptotic cell death, which is resulting from the loss of interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix, and has served a prominent role in metastasis. The aim of the present study was to identify an anoikis-revelant genes (ARGs) signature for Lung Adenocarncinoma (LUAD) patients’ prognosis and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Methods: In the training cohort, LUAD patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohort GSE72094 was used for validation. A total of 508 anoikis-revelant genes downloaded from the GeneCards. Univariate Cox analysis was applied for preliminary screening of anoikis-revelant genes with potential prognostic capacity in the training cohort. These genes were then applied into an overall survival-based LASSO regression model, building a gene signature. The discovered gene signature was then evaluated via Kaplan–Meier (KM), Cox, and ROC analyses in both cohorts. To better explore the functional annotation of the gene signature and the character of tumor microenvironment, the GSEA enrichment and CIBERSORT algorithm were performed.
Results: A thirteen-gene signature was built in the TCGA-LUAD cohort and further validated in GSE72094 cohort, revealing its independent prognosis value in LUAD. Next, the signature's predictive ability for LUAD prognosis was confirmed through ROC analysis. Moreover, analyses of gene enrichment and immune infiltrating detailed exhibited cell adhesion and VEGF pathways related with the thirteen-gene signature, also showing that M0 macrophages, mast cells, dendritic cells and CD4+ memory T cells involved in the prognosis of the thirteen-gene signature.
Conclusions: An inventive anoikis-revelant thirteen-gene signature (ABHD4, CDCP1, CDK1, CENPF, EIF2AK3, FADD, FYN, HGF, OGT, PIK3CG, PPP2CA, RAC1, and XRCC5) was generated through this study. It could accurately predict LUAD prognosis and was related to M0 macrophages, mast cells, dendritic cells, and CD4+ memory T cells.
Knowledge and Practices of the Fourth Year Degree Nursing Students Regarding Tuberculosis Management at a University in Khomas Region, Namibia
Authors: Ntinda Lydia , Kadhila Joseph Galukeni
Published: December 2022

Background: Namibia has one of the highest incidence rates in the world reporting nearly 10 000 cases in 2015, with multi-drug resistants’ TB prevalence of between 3.9 percent for new cases 8.7 percent for previously treated cases. Regardless of Namibia being among the countries that are worst affected by TB, significant improvements have been made in the country in terms of TB diagnosis, treatment and care. Intensified screening, introduction of WHO-recommended rapid molecular testing for TB, Directly Observed Treatment (DOT, Tuberculosis Preventative Therapy (TPT) eligible for PLHIV and others have been adapted to deal with increasing TB incidence.
Methods: The researcher applied a quantitative descriptive research design carried out among fourth year nursing students at the University of Namibia, main campus. Data was collected using self- developed and self-handed printed questionnaires. A simple random sampling method was used to obtain a sample from the population. The population size of the study was 74, however only 69 responses were attainable.
Results: The overall perceived knowledge regarding TB management was generally satisfactory. The findings of this study also revealed that nursing students had fair practices towards the management of TB as some students still practiced bad and unethical practices regarding TB management.
Conclusion: The University of Namibia should also introduce a specific module, preferably from 1st year specifically on basic TB management. Future researches also recommended on topics such as Experiences of nursing students working in TB wards/clinics and the knowledge, attitude and practices of nursing students when caring for TB positive patients.
Retroperitoneal urothelial carcinoma arising after bladder diverticulectomy: a case report
Authors: Ohtsu Akira , Arai Seiji , Fujizuka Yuji , Fukuda Reon , Hori Keisuke , Morimura Yuki , Kawahara Rintaro , Shiraishi Takuya , Ogawa Hiroomi , Miyazawa Yoshiyuki , Nomura Masashi , Sekine Yoshitaka , Koike Hidekazu , Matsui Hiroshi , Suzuki Kazuhiro
Published: December 2022

Background
Urothelial carcinoma arises from the inner urothelial membrane of the renal pelvis, ureter, and bladder and often causes macrohematuria. Here, we report a rare case in which the patient developed non-symptomatic urothelial carcinoma anatomically outside the bladder wall 17 years after bladder diverticulectomy.
Case presentation
An 82-year-old male patient underwent gastrectomy for stomach cancer and hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Follow-up computed tomography revealed a tumor in the retroperitoneal space, where a bladder diverticulum was removed 17 years earlier. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging suggested that the tumor was malignant with rectal invasion. Subsequent computed tomography-guided percutaneous biopsy revealed that the tumor was urothelial carcinoma. The patient underwent two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by pelvic exenteration with pelvic lymph node dissection. He is currently receiving adjuvant therapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor and has had no recurrence for 3 months.
Conclusions
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging is a helpful tool for predicting both tumor malignancy and invasion before a pathologically confirmed diagnosis. Although this case is rare, urologists should be aware of the occurrence of urothelial carcinoma after bladder diverticulectomy in cases of incomplete resection of the diverticulum.
Ecological risk assessment of trace elements pollution and human health risk exposure in agricultural soils used for Saffron cultivation
Authors: Taghavi Mahmoud , Darvishiyan Mostafa , Momeni Maryam , Eslami Hadi , Fallahzadeh Reza Ali , Zarei Ahmad
Published: December 2022

Contamination of farmland soils by trace elements has become an international issue concerning food safety and human health risks. In the present research, the concentrations of trace elements including cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in soils of 16 farmlands was determined in Gonabad, Iran. In addition, the human health risks due to exposure to the trace elements from the soils were assessed. Moreover, the soil contamination likelihood was evaluated based on various contamination indices including contamination factor \((\text{C}\text{F}\)), enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and pollution load index (PLI) calculations. The soil mean concentrations for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe ranges as 0.102, 6.968, 22.550, 29.263, 475.281, 34.234, 13.617, 54.482 and 19683.6 mg/kg in farmland soils. The mean concentrations of the trace elements decreased in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Co > As > Cd. Levels of all metals in this study were within the FAO/WHO and Iranian soil standards. The HQ values from investigated elements for adults and children in the studies farms was less than the limit of 1, indicating no health risks for the studied subpopulations. The results of the present research indicated no significant carcinogenic health hazards for both adults and children through ingestion, skin contact and inhalation exposure routes. \(\text{C}\text{F}\) values of for Ni and Zn in 100 % an 6.25 % offarmlands were above 1, showing moderate contamination conditions. EF values of metals in farmlands were recorded as “no enrichment”, “minimal enrichment” and “moderate enrichment” classes. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the all farms were uncontaminated except Ni (moderately contaminated) based on Igeo. PLI showed no contaminated conditions in the entire area. This is an indication that the selected trace elements in the agricultural soils have no appreciable threat to human health.
RETRACTED: Fabrication and characterization of a biodegradable simple, inexpensive cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based filter for antibiotic removal from wastewater
Authors: Alam M. M. , Islam Md. Johurul , Naher Sumsun , Grattan Ken , Heffernan Claire
Published: December 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Breaking the hard-sphere model with fluorite and antifluorite solid solutions
Authors: Vauchy Romain , Hirooka Shun , Watanabe Masashi , Kato Masato
Published: December 2022

Using the hard-sphere model with the existing tabulated values of ionic radii to calculate the lattice parameters of minerals does not always match experimental data. An adaptation of this crystallographic model is proposed by considering the cations and anions as hard and soft spheres, respectively. We demonstrate the relevance of this “hybrid model” with fluorite and antifluorite-structured systems.
Scheme Selection based on Clusters' Quality in Multi-Clustering M-CCF Recommender System
Authors: Kużelewska Urszula
Published: December 2022

Identification of a neighbourhood that is based on multi-clusters was successfully applied to recommender systems, increasing recommendation accuracy and eliminating divergence related to differences in clustering schemes generated by traditional methods. Multi-Clustering Collaborative Filtering algorithm was developed for this purpose that was described in the author's previous papers. However, the solutions involving many clusters face substantial challenges around memory consumption and scalability. Differently, they do not equally take advantage of all the partitionings. Selection of the clusters to forward to the recommender system's input, without deterioration in recommendation accuracy, can be used as a precaution to address these problems. The article describes a solution of a clustering schemes' selection based on internal indices evaluation, that can be applied for input data preparation in collaborative filtering recommender systems. The results reported in this paper confirmed its positive impact on the system's overall recommendation performance, which usually increases after the selection of schemes. Additionally, a smaller number of clustering schemes on an input of a recommender system improves its scalability including memory consumption. The obtained values were compared with baseline recommenders' outcomes.
A blood-based panel of DNA methylation markers improves diagnosis accuracy of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Acha Blanca , Corroza Jon , de Gordoa Javier Sánchez-Ruiz , Zueco Sara , Robles Maitane , Méndez-López Iván , Conde Mónica Macías , Cabello Carolina , Roldan Miren , Urdánoz-Casado Amaya , Jericó Ivonne , Erro María Elena , Alcolea Daniel , LLeó Alberto , Blanco-Luquin Idoia , Mendioroz Maite
Published: December 2022

Background: This work investigated the diagnostic accuracy of a blood-based DNA methylation marker panel as a non-invasive tool to identify Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.Methods: Blood DNA methylation levels at 46 CpG sites (21 genes selected after a comprehensive literature search) were measured in 80 patients with probable AD dementia and 100 age- and sex-matched controls by bisulfite pyrosequencing. Plasma pTau181 levels were determined by Simoa technology. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the optimal model to discriminate AD patients from controls.Results:A panel including DNA methylation levels atNXN(>0.81),TREML2(<0.27) andHOXA3(>0.91) genes and plasma pTau181 (>1.82 pg/mL) significantly improved (AUC=0.94;Pvalue < 0.01) the diagnostic performance of a single pTau181-based model, adjusted for age, sex andAPOEɛ4 genotype. After sex-stratified analysis,HOXA3DNA methylation levels showed consistently associated to AD.Conclusions:These results highlight the potential translational value of blood-based DNA methylation biomarkers for the diagnosis of AD.
NGS-defined measurable residual disease (MRD) after initial chemotherapy as a prognostic biomarker for acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Li Yonghong , Solis-Ruiz Jose , Yang Fei , Long Nicola , Tong Carmen , Lacbawan Felicitas , Racke Frederick , Press Richard
Published: December 2022

Treated AML patients often have measurable residual disease (MRD) due to persisting low-level clones. This study assessed whether residual post-treatment somatic mutations, detected by NGS, were significantly prognostic for subsequent clinical outcomes. AML patients (n = 128) underwent both pre-and post-treatment testing with the same 42-gene MRD-validated NGS assay. After induction, 59 (46%) patients were mutation-negative (0.0024 VAF detection limit) and 69 (54%) had ≥ 1 persisting NGS-detectable mutation. Compared with NGS-negative patients, NGS-positive patients had shorter overall survival (17 months versus median not reached; P = 0.004; hazard ratio = 2.2 [95% CI: 1.3–3.7]) and a shorter time to relapse (14 months versus median not reached; P = 0.014; HR = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1–3.1]). Among 95 patients with a complete morphologic remission (CR), 43 (45%) were MRD-positive by NGS and 52 (55%) were MRD-negative. These MRD-positive CR patients had a shorter overall survival (16.8 months versus median not reached; P = 0.013; HR = 2.1 [95% CI: 1.2–3.9]) than did the MRD-negative CR patients. Post-treatment persisting MRD positivity, defined by the same NGS-based test used at diagnosis, is thus a more sensitive biomarker for low-level leukemic clones compared to traditional non-molecular methods and is prognostic of subsequent relapse and death.
A study on the impact of cultural diversity on biodiversity gradient changes in heritage sites – a case study of Hubei Province
Authors: Wang Zichen , Liu Wenping , Wang Le
Published: December 2022

Context
Under territorial spatial planning, reasonable formulation of cultural heritage protection limits and control zoning is a crucial factor in constructing a security pattern for the cultural heritage system. However, the absence of consistent criteria for the method of conserving cultural assets jeopardizes the conservation of cultural heritage and its surroundings. Under territorial spatial planning, reasonable formulation of cultural heritage protection limits and control zoning is a crucial factor in constructing a security pattern for the cultural heritage system. However, the absence of consistent criteria for the method of conserving cultural assets jeopardizes the conservation of cultural heritage and its surroundings.
Objectives
The study of biocultural diversity investigates the mechanism of action between biodiversity and cultural diversity from an integrated perspective, analyzes the areas of biodiversity that change under the influence of various types of culture, and offers suggestions for the development of cultural heritage conservation zoning.
Methods
In the province of Hubei, biodiversity was represented by habitat quality and overlaid with a buffer zone within 15 kilometers of five distinct types of cultural heritage in order to determine individual and average biodiversity values for distinct types of cultural heritage under distinct buffer layers. The data were finally displayed using the R package and visualization software in order to determine the gradient and peak and valley values of the influence of various forms of cultural assets on biodiversity.
Results
The gradient changes of biodiversity in heritage sites were measured through the habitat quality of different cultural types of heritage sites in Hubei province, and it was discovered that: (1) there is a synergistic relationship between traditional villages, scenic spots, and temples and regional biodiversity, and there are peaks and valleys in the influence gradient; (2) the overall influence of cultural diversity on the gradient changes of biodiversity in heritage sites demonstrates peaks and valleys; and (3) the overall influence of cultural diversity on the gradient changes of biodiversity in heritage sites demonstrates
Conclusions
To promote the synergistic development of biocultural diversity in cultural heritage sites, different types should account for their unique influencing factors in the process of future cultural heritage protection and formulate their protection boundaries and control zoning in conjunction with the changing characteristics of biocultural diversity gradients.
Chinese TikTok (Douyin) Challenges and Body Image Concerns: A Pilot Study
Authors: Hu Shuchen , Gan Jasmine , Shi Victoria , Krug Isabel
Published: December 2022

Background: Social media content on Western platforms promoting thinness, or thinspiration, has been found to negatively affect body image perception of users. Less is known about non-Western social media use and its effects on body image concerns. Chinese TikTok, known as Douyin, is a popular short video platform with 600 million daily active users. Recent trends on Douyin encourage users to demonstrate thinness through participation in ‘body challenges’. This paper argues that such content is comparable to thinspiration, however, to date hardly any research has been undertaken on these challenges. Thus, this pilot study aimed to analyse the content of three viral challenges and investigate their impact on Douyin users.
Methods: Thirty most viewed videos were collected for three challenges (N=90): the Coin challenge, the A4 Waist challenge, and the Spider Leg challenge. Videos were coded for variables relating to thin idealisation, including thin praise, sexualisation and objectification, and analysed through content analytic methods. Video comments (N≈5500) were analysed through thematic analysis, and main themes were identified.
Results: Preliminary findings showed that participants who objectified their bodies to a greater extent expressed more negative body image concerns. In addition, comments on the videos had themes of thin praise, self-comparison, and promotion of dieting behaviours. In particular, videos of the A4 Waist challenge was found to incite more negative self-comparison in viewers.
Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest all three challenges promote the thin ideal and encourage body image concerns. Further research about the broader impact of body challenges is needed.
Nursing Students' Perceptions of Job Adaptation: A qualitative Study
Authors: Xu Limin , Qian Zhigang
Published: December 2022

Aims
The objective of this study was to explore the perspectives of nursing students on clinical job adaptation to identify and understand their professional development needs.
Background
The process of job adaptation is a major challenge for nursing students. While clinical experience can stimulate their work stamina, they may also lose confidence in solving problems and overcoming obstacles in the workplace. Although they have received relevant training from the hospital, it is still worth exploring how to enhance job adaptation and make significant progress in their profession.
Design:
A qualitative research design was used.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted from February to May 2022 to understand their views on job adaptation. The manuscript was transcribed verbatim and imported into NVivo12.0plus software for encoding analysis and topic extraction. All methods were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Helsinki Declaration and Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ).
Results
This study extracted two themes regarding job adaptation for nursing students (a) personality difference, psychological distress, and competence are internal requirements for job adaptation; (b) the departmental atmosphere, interpersonal relationships, and management style are external manifestations of job adaptation.
Conclusions
In the absence of effective strategies and under great pressure, nursing students can easily switch careers. Admittedly, job adaptation is an indicator for assessing career development. This study discusses factors affecting job adaptation from an individual and environmental perspective. Based on this, nursing students should actively seek feedback to improve their coping and clinical communication skills. Managers should focus on coaching nursing students to face changes in the work environment. Additionally, clinical instructors should serve as role models and provide support to nursing students.
Consistent social context improves ensemble perception of facial expressions
Authors: Zhao Mengfei , Wang Jun
Published: December 2022

Observers could rapidly and automatically summarize statistical information from groups of similar objects with remarkable precisions through a specific ability, known as ensemble coding. Although previous studies demonstrated that matched physical backgrounds, such as oriented lines, between the encoding and retrieving phases of working memory improved the precisions of ongoing ensemble tasks, few studies have examined whether this facilitation effect still occurs when high-level social contexts utilized. In two experiments, participants performed an emotional judgment task about mean facial expressions that were paired with task-irrelevant movement trajectories of three dots. The information conveyed by the movement trajectories were either social (i.e., two white dots cooperatively chased a black dot) or non-social (i.e., reversed social movement trajectories). In Experiment 1, we manipulated the movement trajectories to be either consistent by presenting an identical social movement trajectory, or inconsistent by presenting one social and one non-social movement trajectories, in encoding and response phases. Participants showed a higher ensemble precision and better discrimination sensitivity when the movement trajectories were consistent than when they were inconsistent. In Experiment 2, similar manipulations were employed with one exception that two different movement trajectories but carrying a same type of social information were used in the consistent condition. The results of Experiment 2 revealed a similar and comparable effect as in Experiment 1. The present study extends the context matching facilitation effect on ensemble perception to social contexts, and suggests that the abstract social contexts in working memory exert a unique and obligatory influence on perceptual averaging.
Cancer Associated Macrophage-Like Cells in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Predicts for Poor Prognosis and Tracks Treatment Response in Real Time
Authors: Ali Amama , Adams Daniel L. , Kasabwala Dimpal M. , Tang Cha-Mei , Ho Thai H.
Published: December 2022

Background
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is a fatal urological cancer, with one third of patients diagnosed with metastasis, resulting in a 5-year survival of only 12%. Recent advancements in therapies have increased survival in mRCC, but lack efficacy in subtypes, due to treatment resistance and toxic side effects. Currently, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets are limitedly used as blood based biomarkers to help determine RCC prognosis. Cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) area potential mRCC biomarker which have been identified in peripheral blood of patients with malignant tumors and have been shown to predict poor clinical patient outcomes based on their number and size.
Methods
In this study, blood samples from 40 RCC patients were obtained to evaluate the clinical utility of CAMLs. CAML changes were monitored during treatment regimens to evaluate their ability to predict treatment efficacy.
Results
It was observed that patients with smaller CAMLs had better progression free survival (HR=2.84, 95%CI 1.22-6.60, p=0.0273) and overall survival (HR=3.95, 95%CI 1.45-10.78, p=0.0154) versus patients with larger CAMLs.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that CAMLs can be used as a diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker for patients with RCC which may help improve management of advanced RCC.
Using the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework to inform integrated regional planning: a case study in Tasmania, Australia.
Authors: Gossip Kate , Pagliaro Claudia , Comben Charlotte , Fjeldsoe Kevin , Whiteford Harvey , Diminic Sandra
Published: December 2022

Background
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the application of a needs-based mental health service planning model in Tasmania, Australia to identify indicative directions for future service development that ensure the equitable provision of mental health services across the State.
Methods
The activity and capacity of Tasmania’s 2018–19 mental health services were compared to estimates of required care by: (1) generating estimates of required care using the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF); (2) collating administrative mental health services data; (3) aligning administrative data to the NMHSPF; and (4) comparing aligned administrative data and NMHSPF estimates to identify priority areas for service development. Findings were contextualised using information about service location, population demographics, and upcoming service development.
Results
Bed-based services capacity reached 85% of the NMHSPF estimate. However, access to certain bed types was inequitable across regional areas. Access to jurisdictional clinical ambulatory team-based services was lowest in the South, while overall full-time equivalent staff capacity reached 58% of the NMHSPF estimate. Access to Primary Health Tasmania (PHT) primary care services was highest in the North West; access to Medicare services was highest in the South. Collectively, activity across primary care (PHT, headspace and Medicare) reached 43% of the NMHSPF estimate. Over half of Community Managed Mental Health Support Services were state-wide services.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates the application of a needs-based planning model for mental health services. Findings revealed service priority areas across Tasmania and highlight considerations for needs-based planning.
Subpopulation analysis of Sca-1, Nanog, and Islet-1 positive cells in myocardial tissue
Authors: Liu Xinyi , Guo Wenjing , Dou Jintao , Xu Yaping , Guo Zhikun
Published: December 2022

To investigate the co-expression between different stem-cell or embryonic markers in myocardial tissue, which has rarely been discussed in previous studies, we selected three typical molecular markers, namely Sca-1, Nanog and Islet-1. In our study, we focused on the age-related changes of Sca-1, Nanog and Islet-1 expression and the co-localization levels between pin-two marker proteins to explore the heterogeneity and relevance between these three cell subpopulations. We found that Sca-1, Nanog, and Islet-1 positive cells were present in the cardiac tissue from newborn to adult mice, and their expression was negatively correlated with age. Co-localization existed between each two markers, and there were differences in co-localization levels at different stages of cardiac development. We thus hypothesize that these three positive cells are likely to be a group of cells, so that cardiac cells with myocardial differentiation potential should not be subclassified by a single cell marker, and their phenotypic changes at different stages may determine their unique roles in heart development.
Crystal plasticity based finite element modeling and experimental study for high strain rate microscale laser shock clinching of copper foil
Authors: Hou Yaxuan , Wang Jianfeng , Ji Zhong , Zhang Haiming , Lu Guoxin , Zhang Cunsheng
Published: December 2022

The microscale laser shock clinching (LSC) is a promising micro-forming technology that enables the deformation-based joining of ultra-thin sheets. In this research, a numerical crystal plasticity model of the LSC process at ultra-high strain rates is established to incorporate the actual grain size of the material and the anisotropic characteristics caused by different initial grain orientations. The simulations are in good agreement with the experiments, indicating that the crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) can be used to study plastic deformation and predict the joint geometry during the LSC process. The results show that different zones of the joint exhibit different material flow behaviors, which are accordingly divided into three zones, namely the material inflow zone, the interlock forming zone, and the material stacking zone. The material at the neck and underside experiences the most severe thinning and is prone to failure as being located at the junction, where the material flows in opposite directions on both sides. It is also found that the holes with different diameter-to-depth ratios in the perforated steel sheets greatly affect the neck thickness, a key mechanical strength factor in formed joints.
Optimization of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets for resistance management: a modeling study and user-friendly app
Authors: Madgwick Philip , Kanitz Ricardo , Wubs Matthias
Published: December 2022

Background:
Up until the present, pyrethroid-treated bed nets have been a key tool for vector control in the fight against malaria. A global system that sets standards and facilitates procurement has successfully driven down the price of bed nets to enable more bed nets to be distributed. As a result of their mass rollout, malaria cases have been significantly reduced, but pyrethroid resistance is now widespread. Going forward, new insecticides have been and continue to be developed for use on bed nets, but it is unclear how to best deploy them for maximum impact.
Methods:
Here, an app for the optimization of bed nets based on their insecticide loading and deployment lifespan is presented. Underlying the app are simple models that incorporate the chemical and physical properties of bed nets, and the genetic and ecological properties of resistance evolution in mosquitoes. The app numerically searches across a massive number of these simple models with variable loading and lifespan to find their optima under different optimality criteria that place constraints on the options for vector control.
Results:
Optimization can lead to substantial gains in the average control of the mosquito population throughout the simulation, and these gains are comparatively greater with lower budgets for the purchasing of bed nets. Whilst optimizing a bed net with a new insecticide within the constraints of the incentives of the existing system of standards and procurement leads to substantially greater control than not optimizing the bed net, optimizing the bed net without constraints leads to yet substantially greater control. The most important factor in this optimization is coverage, which depends on the price per bed net. With this in mind, it is unsurprising that a pyrethroid is a preferred partner for a new insecticide because it is cost-effective in the balance of being less expensive than the new insecticide but also less effective due to pre-existing resistance. Surprisingly, a pyrethroid is shown to be an effective partner for a new insecticide because of its contribution to resistance management in delaying the onset of resistance to the new insecticide.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the importance of optimizing mixtures to maximize their impact in vector control. Further, it suggests that there are challenges in the roll-out of optimal bed nets because of the constraints imposed by the global system of standards and procurement, which currently fails to adequately incentivize important considerations in bed net design for new insecticides, like resistance management.
Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial assays of new N,N 1 -disubstituted 2,2’- dithiodianiline derivatives
Authors: Skrickus Karolis , Šiugždaitė Jūratė , Lelešius Raimundas , Anusevičius Kazimieras , Grybaitė Birutė , Vaickelionienė Rita , Mickevičius Vytautas
Published: December 2022

A series of novel 1,2-bissubstituted disulfanes bearing beta-amino acid, dihydropyrimidine-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione, hydrazide, hydrazone and azole moieties were synthesized. These disulphides were characterised by spectral and microanalysis data. On the antibacterial evaluation, they were found to have interesting antibacterial properties over a panel of the tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus subs. aureus (ATCC 9144) and zoonotic agent Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 35152), as well as Gram-negative ones, Escherichia coli (ATCC 13076) and zoonotic agent Salmonella enterica subs. enterica serovar Enteritidis (ATCC 8739). The antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining minimum inhibition (by broth microdilution) and minimum bactericidal (by growth on agar) concentrations. The assessment revealed that MIC values for L. monocytogenes varied between 3.9 and 62.5 µg/mL as well as for S. aureus ranged between 7.8 and 250 µg/mL, with the exception of one compound with much weaker MIC of 500 µg/mL. The MBC values for L. monocytogenes have been found to be of 7.8−250 µg/mL, while S. aureus demonstrated the higher resistance and MBCs varied in the range of 7.8\(\)500 µg/mL. The determined MBC/MIC ratios showed that eleven compounds were classified bactericidal agents for all tested bacteria.
Molar-incisor Hypomineralization: Prevalence and Etiology in Children Seen at the Children's Clinic of the University of Fortaleza
Authors: Lima Lucas Emmanuel Rodrigues , Ponte Marcela Bezerra de Menezes , Lima Luana Beatriz Ribeiro , Ribeiro Renata Roque , Veras Igor Cavalcante , Rocha Grace Sampaio Teles da , Ramalho Anastácia Leite Juca , Martins Maria da Glória Almeida , Arnez Ticiana Medeiros de Saboia
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and etiology of Molar-Inciscible Hypomineralization (MIH), (n = 178) children seen at the Children's Clinic of the University of Fortaleza, relating them to the degree of severity, patient gender and the group of teeth most affected. This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in children seen at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of the University of Fortaleza between February 08, 2022 and October 14, 2022, where patients were randomly included in the study. Parents scheduled appointments for their children regarding a routine dental checkup or dental treatment appointment. The anamnesis data obtained from the interview with the guardian or the parents of the patients were collected in the form of a questionnaire. The prevalence of MIH found was 21.9%. Regarding the association between the patient's medical history and the presence or absence of MIH, it was found that patients who used antibiotics had a higher percentage of positive diagnosis for MIH (69.2%). Most of the defects found (15.7%) had a mild degree of severity. There was no significant association between patient gender and prevalence of MIH. The most affected teeth were the upper first permanent molars, followed by the lower teeth and then the upper central incisors.
WITHDRAWN: The clinical characteristics and treatment response of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with low body mass index
Authors: Song Qing , Zhou Aiyuan , Li Xueshan , Cheng Wei , Liu Cong , Lin Ling , Peng Yating , Zeng Yuqin , Yi Rong , Liu Yi , Li Xin , Chen Yan , Cai Shan , Chen Ping
Published: December 2022

Background
This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment response of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with low body mass index (BMI).
Methods
This cross-sectional study enrolled stable COPD patients from database setup by Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. According to the BMI, the patients were classified into three groups: low BMI (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal BMI (18.5 ≤ BMI < 24.0 kg/m2) and high BMI (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2) groups. Clinically important deterioration (CID) was defined as attaining CAT scores increased ≥ 2, minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was defined as attaining CAT scores decreased ≥ 2 during six months of follow up. Exacerbation and mortality were recorded during one year of follow up.
Results
A total of 910 stable COPD patients were included and 144 (15.8%) patients in low BMI, 475 (52.2%) patients in normal BMI and 291 (32.0%) patients in high BMI groups. The patients with low BMI had a worse pulmonary function, higher symptoms score and exacerbations in the past year compared with normal and high BMI groups (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades 3 and 4, hospitalizations in the past year were the independent risk factors for low BMI (P < 0.05). After followed up for one year, the low BMI patients had higher mortality and number of hospitalizations. Patients with low BMI more likely to attain CID, while less likely to attain MCID compared with high BMI group (P < 0.05). In addition, the low BMI patients treated with long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) + long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and LABA + LAMA + inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) more likely attain MCID than treated with LABA + ICS and LAMA (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
COPD patients with low BMI had worse pulmonary function, higher symptoms scores, higher risk of future hospitalizations and mortality, as well as less likely to attain MCID and more likely to attained CID. It was worth noting that low BMI patients treated with LABA + LAMA and LABA + LAMA + ICS more likely attain MCID than treated with LABA + ICS and LAMA.
Optimization method for rough- finish milling allowance based on depth control of milling affected layer
Authors: Xin Hongmin , Dong Maiming , Xian Chao , Cheng Qingsi , Dai Hui , Yao Changfeng , Cui Minchao , Li Xingtong
Published: December 2022

The optimization of machining allowance has an important influence on the machining quality of workpieces. This paper determined an optimization method for rough-finish milling allowance based on depth control of milling affected layer. Firstly, the coupling influence of rough-finish milling cutting depth on milling affected layer depth is studied by experiment. Secondly, the influence rule of rough milling and finish milling on the affected layer depth is studied by experiment, and the prediction model of the milling affected layer depth based on the cutting depth of rough milling and finish milling is established, as well as the surface roughness prediction model of the finish milling cutting depth. Finally, the effectiveness of the optimization results was verified by experiments. The experimental results show the optimized machining parameters can increase the machining efficiency by 31.2%, and the milling affected layer is 91 µm, which indicates that the depth of milling affected layer is effectively controlled.
Primary Empty Sella and Acromegaly: Case Series and Systematic Review
Authors: Sharifi Guive , Ohadi Mohammad Amin Dabbagh , Azadi Masoumeh , Jahanbakhshi Amin , Dilmaghani Nader Akbari , Mohammadi Essmail , Tehrani Mohammadreza Mohajeri , Hatami Neda , Banihashemi Gelareh , Zenonos Georgios A. , Smith Timothy R.
Published: December 2022

Purpose: Investigating Primary empty sella (ES) in patients with acromegaly for possible etiology, complications, and treatment options.
Method: We searched for primary ES, among 220 acromegaly patients referred to our center from 2013 to 2020. Data were collected from hospital records and were completed through phone calls with patients. Finally, we conducted a systematic literature review of previous reports for patients with primary ES and acromegaly who underwent transsphenoidal surgery.
Result: We found 31 patients with primary ES. The mean age was 46 years with a male to female ratio of 12:11. Surgical data was available for 23 patients. Total ES was found in 18 patients. Six patients had adenoma invasion into the clivus or sphenoid sinus. The tumor extended into the cavernous sinus in 10 patients. CSF leak was observed in three patients during surgery. Hormonal laboratory data were available for 17 patients. GH/IGF1 was controlled without any replacement therapy in nine patients. The most common simultaneous hormonal disturbance was high prolactin levels. No pituitary hormonal abnormalities occurred after transsphenoidal surgery except for hypothyroidism in one patient.
Conclusion: Primary ES is not an unusual finding in acromegaly patients. Transsphenoidal surgery as a first-line treatment carries a reasonable complication rate.