bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ISLAMIC BANK CUSTOMERS’ ADOPTION OF DIGITAL BANKING SERVICES: EXTENDING DIFFUSION THEORY OF INNOVATION
Authors: Shaikh Imran Mehboob , Amin Hanudin , Noordin Kamaruzaman , Shaikh Junaid Mehboob
Published: February 2023

This paper examines the factors that drive non-users of digital banking services rendered by Pakistani Islamic banks to adopt digital banking using the Diffusion theory of Innovation (DOI). We gather data from 208 Islamic bank customers who do not use digital banking services. Findings of the study reveal that adoption of digital services offered by Islamic banks are largely decided by relative advantage, technology self-efficacy and complexity. All the factors above are influential in determining the digital banking adoption by non-users. The finding serves as an essential input to banks and policy makers in expanding the adoption of digital banking services of Islamic banks.
THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN EFFECTS ON MENTAL WELL-BEING AND RELIGIOSITY: EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIA
Authors: Andariesta Dinda Thalia , Ridhwan Masagus M. , Rezki Jahen Fachrul , Indira Mutiara Helga
Published: February 2023

We investigate the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on frequency of online search on mental well-being and religiosity-related terms in Indonesia using high-frequency data from Google Trends and Bank Indonesia Consumer Survey from January 1st, 2018, to February 28th, 2021. Monthly search terms and consumer survey data are merged at the provincial level, which results in a total of 131,300 individual observations. Using event analysis and instrumental variable approaches, our study suggests that lockdown policy is significantly associated with higher search intensity of mental well-being and religiosity-related terms compared to the pre-lockdown period. Our findings suggest that mentally disturbed people tend to lean on religion to cope with stressful events during a crisis. Our study has substantial policy implications on ensuring appropriate government interventions that minimize the detrimental effect of COVID-19 on mental well-being.
Theoretical framework and methods for the analysis of the adoption-diffusion of innovations in agriculture: a bibliometric review
Authors: Mesa Manzano Rafael , Esparcia Pérez Javier
Published: February 2023

The adoption and diffusion of innovations are essential for both the development of production processes and the improvement of agricultural environmental sustainability, at any stage of the value chain. In recent years, social scientists have studied the diffusion and adoption of agricultural innovations from different approaches, such as innovation diffusion theory, behavioral models, econometric models, social capital and social network analysis, among others. In this study we analyze the scientific literature through a bibliometric analysis based on co-citation networks, to explore the theoretical pillars and bibliographic coupling, with which we explore the current methodological research trends of the last 50 years. The conclusions drawn from this analysis are that in recent years agricultural researchers on adoption and diffusion have designed multivariate methods that combine diverse study approaches. This review contributes to a better understanding of theory and practice in the study of the adoption and diffusion of agricultural innovations.
3D printed dual holder system for simultaneous rat PET scanning: design and influence on quantification
Authors: BOUILLOT Caroline , DALIGAULT Sébastien , BOLBOS Radu , COSTES Nicolas , ZIMMER Luc
Published: February 2023

Background: The low throughout of small animal positron emission tomography (PET) images acquisitions represents a substantial limitation. The aims of this study were (i) to design an low-cost support for whole-body PET scanning of two lying rats, and (ii) to study its impact on brain image quantification.
Methods: A dual holder system compatible with the Siemens INVEON PET scanner was conceived and produced using a 3D printer. The developed system allows to overlap the two INVEON beds, 5 cm apart. Two cone masks can deliver gas anesthesia through the scanner’s head side, and the tail veins of both rats are freely accessible on the back side of the scanner, allowing the radiotracer injection before or during the scans. Ear and tooth bars immobilize the rats’ head on a stereotactic position. Six experiments of two cylindrical phantoms per session (50 ml tubes filled with different 18F activity) were scanned solo, on upper or lower bed and duo, on both beds. Four experiments were performed on 8 Sprague Dawley male rats (330 ± 66 g). For each experiment, two rats fasted for 4 hours, received a [18F]FDG dose (34.5 ± 5.5 kBq) and underwent 4 imaging conditions, starting 20 minutes after radiotracer injection: (1) One rat only for a solo test scan (2) repeated for a solo retest, (3) two rats simultaneously for a duo test, (4) repeated for a duo retest.
Results: Accuracy of concentration measurement was 5.09% for one phantom in the FOV, and 4.35% for two phantoms measured simultaneously. Ratio concentration between phantoms reached an accuracy of 6.59% for separated measures, and 5.77% for simultaneous measures.
In vivo distribution profiles showed no difference between solo and duo uptakes. ROI quantification in the whole brain showed same test-retest variability for solo and duo measurement (both at 3%). The quantified test-retest bias was 8% in solo and 4% in duo, and the ICC were comparable in solo and duo (0.984 versus 0.982).
Conclusions: Our results showed that simultaneous scans of two rats in INVEON does not affect quantification. The dual support system will allow us to reduce protocol costs and duration.
Accurate Solar Radiation Forecasting using an Effective Time Series with Feature Selection
Authors: Hasna Hissou , Said Benkirane , azidine Guezzaz , Abderrahim Beni Hssane
Published: February 2023

Solar rays on earth surface are essential for water resources, environmental and agricultural issues. They severely impact plant growth, global temperatures, mean sea levels, and climatic extremes. The most critical challenge in renewable energy applications is accurate solar radiation (Rs) forecasting. It has become increasingly important in directing solar energy conversion systems, selecting appropriate regions, and even making decision in future investment strategies. The most significant disadvantage of this energy is that it is nonlinear and works only when the load requires it. Since measurement tools are expensive, difficult to install, and not available in all regions of the world, as well as other concerns like equipment failure or water and dirt building up in the sensors, which might cause data to be missing or out of the expected range. Rs is seldom recorded at weather stations. As a result, several methodologies, including empirical, statistical, satellite, time series-based models, and others, have been employed to estimate it using other environmental parameters. Many approaches and preprocessing models based on machine learning (ML) are validated for Rs forecasting and complexity reduction to reduce these concerns. In this paper, we present a model that shows the impact of feature selection (FS) on time series for accurate Rs forecasting. The proposed model use recursive feature elimination (RFE) with random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), logistic regression (LR), classification and regression tree (CART), person (Pr) and gradient boosting models (GBM). The obtained results show that the models based on CART, LR, and GBM provide high accuracies of 0.894, 0.884, and 0.882, respectively. These three accurate methods have same standard deviation (std) of 0.033. In terms of the negative mean absolute error (nMAE) (std), the methods provide 0.892 (0.029), 0.885 (0.034), and 0.885 (0.035) respectively. Compared with other models, the RFE model provides significant impacts features and good performances.
Refining the Measurement of Factors Predicting Faculty Research Publications
Authors: Bahammam Laila , Eldeek Basem , Lineberry Matthew
Published: February 2023

Background: Research plays a large role in the professional expectations of faculty in all disciplines. In the health professions, faculty are expected to conduct research while caring for patients, educating learners, and carrying out major administrative roles. Given the difficulty in balancing these many responsibilities, it is sensible for academic institutional officers to seek to understand the factors that strongly relate to faculty research productivity, and to measure faculty members’ standing on those factors. The purpose of the study was to investigate the validity of the research productivity items from Bland and colleagues’ scale as predictors of publication counts among junior and mid-career faculty at the King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD).
Methods: This is an observational study that was conducted at KAUFD. A questionnaire modified from the Bland model was emailed to all full time assistant and associate professors. Two main sets of statistical analyses were run: exploratory factor analysis to investigate the internal structure of the scale and regression analysis to relate scale factors to counts of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Results: Out of 106 faculty, 98 participated (92.5%). Faculty publication count in ISI-indexed journals from January 2013 to the survey time showed a Poisson distribution, with a mode of zero publications (44 participants) and a maximum of 14 publications. The exploratory factor analysis showed that factors 1-4 accounted for 46% of the variance (first factor alone explained 26% of the variance).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a different factor structure between faculty input gathered via Bland and colleagues’ (2005) questionnaire and what the authors originally proposed. Institution- or department-specific validation of this measure is warranted to make reliable conclusions of any comparisons or intervention.
Systematic Review using a Spiral approach with Machine Learning
Authors: Saeidmehr Amirhossein , Steel Piers , Samavati Faramarz
Published: February 2023

With the accelerating growth of the academic corpus, doubling every nine years, machine learning is a promising avenue to make systematic review manageable. Though several notable advancements have already been made, the incorporation of machine learning is less than optimal, still relying on a sequential, staged process designed to accommodate a purely human approach, exemplified by PRISMA. Here, we test a spiral, alternating or oscillating approach, where full-text screening is done intermittently with title/abstract screening, which we examine in three datasets by simulation under 360 conditions comprised of different algorithmic classifiers, feature extractions, prioritization rules, data types, and information provided (e.g., title/abstract, full-text included). Overwhelmingly, the results favored a spiral processing approach with Logistic Regression, TF-IDF for vectorization, and Maximum Probability for prioritization. Results demonstrate up to a 90\% improvement over traditional machine learning methodologies, especially for databases with fewer eligible articles. With these advancements, the screening component of most systematic reviews should remain functionally achievable for another one to two decades.
Improved Long-term In Vivo Lentiviral Gene Therapy for Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Authors: Yuan Haokun , Yang Rui , Gong Jie , Wu Xiaomei , Liu Hongwei , Liu Yuchen , Chang Lung-Ji
Published: February 2023

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a congenital immunodeficiency characterized by lack of reactive oxygen species in phagocytes. We developed an in vivo gene therapy strategy based on intravenous (iv) injection of lentiviral vectors (LVs) in X-CGD mice. A non-myeloablative chemo-conditioning regimen using busulfan, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone was developed to improve iv LV gene delivery efficiency. The X-CGD mice received two LVs injections. After the second injection, antibody response to LV particle-associated p24-protein was examined by Western blot. We detected increased gene transfer without anti-p24 antibody response. However, the blood vector copy number (VCN) was gradually reduced after 3–12 months. To improve gene delivery into hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the mice were treated with AMD3100 to mobilize HSCs before LV injection. To confirm HSCs gene transfer, we transplanted the HSCs from the LV-CYBB-treated CGD mice into untreated CGD mice. The result showed successful passage of LV-CYBB HSCs to recipient mice. Thus, by combining chemo-conditioning and AMD3100 mobilization prior to the iv LV injection, improved in vivo long-term LV gene transfer into HSCs could be established. This improved iv LV gene delivery strategy could reduce both the risk and the cost of CGD gene therapy with great potential in translational applications.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes according to timing of planned elective cesarean section in non-complicated singleton pregnancies
Authors: Hong Sir-yeon , Kim Yejin , Choi Yun-Sun , Jang Il-Yeo , Kim Minji , Sung Ji-Hee , Choi Suk-Joo , Oh Soo-young , Roh Cheong-Rae
Published: February 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with non-complicated singleton pregnancies according to timing of planned elective cesarean section (CS).
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 2,365 women with singleton pregnancies who were planned for elective CS at term pregnancy in a single institution between 2010 and 2021. Pregnant women with preterm delivery, multiple gestation, vaginal delivery, complicated pregnancy, or non-scheduled emergency CS were excluded. Subjects were categorized into three groups according to planneddate of CS: 37 (37+0‒37+6) weeks (n = 147), 38 (38+0‒38+6) weeks (n = 1,486), and 39 (39+0‒39+6) weeks (n = 732) of gestation. Primary outcomes of this study were emergency CS rate and maternal and neonatal composite morbidity.
Results: The rate of emergency CS significantly increased with an increase in planned week of CS. After controlling for confounding factors, the rate of emergency CS significantly higher in the 38-week group (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.71‒12.95) and the 39-week group (aOR: 8.78, 95% CI: 3.16‒24.37) than in the 37-week group. The rate of maternal composite morbidity (aOR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.65‒6.32) was significantly higher in the 37-week group, but not in the 38-week group, than in the 39-week group. Rates of neonatal ventilator use and respiratory distress syndrome significantly decreased, whereas neonatal meconium staining significantly increased with an increase in planned week of CS. The rate of neonatal composite morbidity (aOR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.22‒5.96) was significantly higher in the 37-week group, but not in the 38-week group, than in the 39-week group.
Conclusion: In non-complicated singleton pregnancy, planning elective CS at 37 weeks of gestation was associated with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. However, planning elective CS at 38 weeks of gestation showed no worse pregnancy outcome than that at 39 weeks of gestation.
Primary dysmenorrhea among University students in Northern Uganda: symptoms manifestation, and management
Authors: Beja Humphrey , Opii Jacob Didan , Apilli Felista , Udho Samson
Published: February 2023

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is menstrual pain not associated with any pelvic pathology. It is one of the most common gynecologic complaints in young women. In Uganda, there is scarcity of literature on the PD-associated symptoms and management strategies used by women of reproductive age. This study aimed to describe primary dysmenorrhea-associated symptoms and management strategies used by undergraduate students in northern Uganda.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among female undergraduate students of Lira University in northern Uganda. Systematic sampling was used to select study participants who met the inclusion criteria until the total of 232 study participants were recruited. The data was collected using a self‑administered questionnaire. Data analysis was aided by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 23) and descriptive statistics were used.
Results: The prevalence of PD was 211/232(90.9%). The most commonly experienced dysmenorrhea-associated symptoms were change in appetite 79/211(36.0%), breast engorgement 84/211(39.8%), and depressed mood 107/211(51.4%). Pain relievers were the most commonly used management strategy 160/211(77%) with Paracetamol being the most commonly used pain reliever 62/211 (29.8%). The most commonly used non-pharmacological management strategies were; exercise 100/211(47.6%), resting 94/211(44.5 %) and relaxation 93/211(44.1%).
Conclusion: A broad range of primary dysmenorrhea-associated symptoms are experienced by undergraduate university females but they do not use the appropriate management strategies. All University authorities should prioritize menstrual health and design programs to educate the female students on the management of dysmenorrhea associated symptoms using both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies and make the drugs available and accessible.
Deborah number-dependent transition from homogeneity to heterogeneity
Authors: Dan Xu , Yang Yang , Emmerich Lukas , Wang Yong , Zhang Kai
Published: February 2023

Heterogeneous structures are ubiquitous in natural organisms. Native heterogeneous structures inspire many artificial structures that are playing important roles in modern society, while it is challenging to identify the relevant factors in forming these structures due to the complexity of living systems. Here, hybrid hydrogels consisting of flexible polymer networks with embedded stiff cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are considered as an open system to simulate the generalized formation of heterogeneous core-sheath structures, which are formed as the dynamic response to external environment. As the result of environmental adaption during modified air drying processes of hybrid hydrogels, the formation of heterogeneous core-sheath structure was found to be correlated to the relative evaporation speed. The formation of such heterogeneity in xerogel fibers was found to be correlated with Deborah number (De). During the transition of De from large to small values with accompanying morphologies, the turning point was around De = 1. The mechanism can be considered a relative humidity-dependent glass transition behavior. These unique heterogeneous structures play a key role in tuning water permeation and water sorption capacity. Insights into these aspects can prospectively contribute to a better understanding of the native heterogeneous structures for bionics design.
Long time interval from surgery to pregnancy is associated with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in the post-operative women with intrauterine adhesion (IUA)
Authors: Xiang Lan , Sun Duoxiang , Zhuang Yali
Published: February 2023

Purpose
Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), including placenta increta, placenta percreta, and placenta accreta, is known as morbidly adherent placenta. It is supposed that defective wound healing of endometrium, existing in the short interval pregnancy, will result in the prevalence of PAS. However, the impact of time interval from hysteroscopic surgery to pregnancy on PAS was unknown in the women with intrauterine adhesion (IUA).
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study in which patients diagnosed with IUA and underwent hysteroscopic adhesion lysis and wishing further fertility simultaneously. Clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records and telephone interviews.
Results
A total of 102 patients with IUA achieved successful pregnancy. 55 (53.9%) women were diagnosed with PAS and 47 (46.1%) without. 8 (7.8%) women with PAS were miscarriage. Both the severity of adhesions (p = 0.000) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) (p = 0.003) were demonstrated as risk factors for PAS. Patients with PAS were significantly more likely to suffer from oligohydramnion (p = 0.035), preterm labor (p = 0.001), larger volume of postpartum hemorrhage (p = 0.000), lower birth weight of newborns (p = 0.005). The average time from surgery to pregnancy in the PAS group was significantly longer than that in the non-PAS group (p = 0.000). Interval time between 12 and 24 months was closely related to the higher rate of PAS (OR = 6.8, 95%CI 2.7–17.0, p = 0.000). A Kaplan–Meier analysis also confirmed the significant association between time interval and the prevalence of PAS (p = 0.000).
Conclusion
The current study demonstrates the severity of IUA and pregnancy achieved by IVF are worse prognoses for the prevalence of PAS. The pregnancies complicated by PAS often get a higher risk of oligohydramnios, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm labor and lower birth weight. Women diagnosed with IUA should achieve pregnancy as soon as possible if treated by hysteroscopic interference.
Collateral Effects of COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders on Violence Against Women in the United States, January 2019 to December 2020
Authors: Lewis Patricia C. , Cheong Yuk Fai , Kaslow Nadine J. , Yount Kathryn M.
Published: February 2023

Background: The necessary execution of non-pharmaceutical risk-mitigation (NPRM) strategies to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 has created an unprecedented natural experiment to ascertain whether pandemic-induced social-policy interventions may elevate collateral health risks. Here, we assess the effects on violence against women (VAW) of the duration of NPRM measures that were executed through jurisdictional-level orders in the United States. We expect that stay-at-home orders, by reducing mobility and disrupting non-coresident social ties, are associated with higher incident reporting of VAW.
Methods: We used aggregate data from the Murder Accountability Project from January 2019 through December 2020, to estimate count models examining the effects of the duration of jurisdictional-level (N=51) stay-at-home orders on femicide. Additionally, we used data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System to estimate a series of count models that examined the effects of the duration of jurisdictional-level (N=26) stay-at-home orders on non-lethal violence against women, including five separate measures of intimate partner violence (IPV) and a measure of non-partner sexual violence.
Results: Results from the count models indicated that femicide was not associated with COVID-19 mitigation strategies when adjusted for seasonal effects. However, we found certain measures of non-lethal VAW to be significantly associated in adjusted models. Specifically, reported physical and economic IPV were positively associated with stay-at-home orders while psychological IPV and non-partner sexual violence were negatively associated with stay-at-home orders. The combination measure of all forms of IPV was positively associated with the duration of stay-at-home orders, indicating a net increase in risk of IPV during lockdowns.
Conclusions: The benefits of risk-mitigation strategies to reduce the health impacts directly associated with a pandemic should be weighed against their costs with respect to women’s heightened exposure to certain forms of violence and the potentially cascading impacts of such exposure on health. The effects of COVID-19 NPRM strategies on IPV risk nationally, and its immediate and long-term health sequelae should be studied, with stressors like ongoing pandemic-related economic hardship and substance misuse still unfolding. Findings should inform the development of social policies to mitigate the collateral impacts of crisis-response efforts on the risk of VAW and its cascading sequelae.
Bumetanide Exposure Association with Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
Authors: Graber-Naidich Anna , Lee Justin , Younes Kyan , Greicius Michael D. , Guen Yann Le , He Zihuai
Published: February 2023

Background: To investigate whether exposure history to two common loop diuretics affects the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) after accounting for socioeconomic status and congestive heart failure.
Methods: Individuals exposed to bumetanide or furosemide were identified in the Stanford University electronic health record using the deidentified Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership platform. We matched the AD case cohort to a control cohort (1:20 case:control) on gender, race, ethnicity, hypertension and controlled for variables that could potentially be collinear with bumetanide exposure and/or AD diagnosis. Among individuals older than 65 years, 5,839 AD cases and 116,103 matched controls were included. A total of 1,759 patients (54 cases, 1,705 controls) were exposed to bumetanide.
Results: After adjusting for socioeconomic status and other confounders, bumetanide exposure was significantly associated with reduced AD risk (odds ratio = 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.68; p = 9.9×10-6), while the most common loop diuretics, furosemide, was not associated with AD risk.
Conclusion: Our study replicates in an independent sample that history of bumetanide exposure is associated with reduced risk of AD and emphasizes that this association is not confounded by difference in socioeconomic status, which was an important caveat given the cost difference between bumetanide and furosemide.
Functional analysis of differentially expressed circular RNAs in sheep subcutaneous fat
Authors: Liu Tianyi , Feng Hui , Yousuf Salsabeel , Xie Lingli , Miao Xiangyang
Published: February 2023

Background
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), as important non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are involed in many biological activities. However, the exact chemical mechanism behind fat accumulation is unknown. In this paper, we obtained the expression profiles of circRNAs using high-throughput sequencing and investigated their differential expression in subcutaneous fat tissue of Duolang and Small Tail Han sheep.
Results
From the transcriptomic analysis, 141 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified, comprising 61 up-regulated circRNAs and 80 down-regulated circRNAs. These host genes were primarily enriched in the MAPK and AMPK signaling pathway which is closely associated with fat deposition regulation. We identified circRNA812, circRNA91, and circRNA388 as vital genes in fat deposition by miRNA-circRNA target gene prediction. The functional annotation results of target genes of key circRNAs showed that the signaling pathways mainly included PI3K-Akt and AMPK. We constructed the ceRNA regulatory network to study the role of circRNAs in sheep lipid deposition, and circRNA812, circRNA91, and circRNA388 can adsorb more miRNAs. NC_040253.1_5757, as the source of miRNA response element (MRE) among the three, may play an important role during the process of sheep fat deposition.
Conclusions
Our study gives a systematic examination of the circRNA profles expressed in sheep subcutaneous fat. These results from this study provide some new basis for understanding circRNA function and sheep fat metabolism.
How often do medical students change career preferences over the course of medical school?
Authors: Rachoin Jean-Sebastien , Vilceanu M. Olguta , Franzblau Natali , Gordon Sabrina , Cerceo Elizabeth
Published: February 2023

Introduction

During the preclinical years, students typically do not have extensive exposure to clinical medicine. When they begin their clinical rotations, usually in the third year, the majority of the time is spent on core rotations with limited experience in other fields of medicine. Students then have to decide on their future careers early in their fourth year. We hypothesized that limited exposure to certain fields may prompt students to switch career preferences.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, cohort study using the American Association of Medical Colleges Year 2 Questionnaire (Y2Q) and Graduating Questionnaire (GQ) from 2016–2020.

Results

20,408 students answered both surveys, but 2,165 had missing values on the career choice question and were excluded. Of the remaining students, 10,233 (56%) changed their career choice between the Y2 and GQ surveys. Fields into which students preferentially switched by the GQ survey included anesthesia, dermatology, ENT, family medicine, OB/GYN, pathology, PM&R, psychiatry, radiology, urology, and vascular surgery. Many characteristics, including future salary, the competitiveness of the field, and the importance of work-life balance, we significantly associated with a higher likelihood of changing career choice. On the other hand, having a mentor and the specialty content were associated with a lower likelihood of change.

Conclusion

A majority of students switched their career preference from the Y2Q to the GQ. Curricula focused on early integration of a variety of specialties should be designed with a goal of aligning with student interests and needs.
A novel bronchoscopic guided non-invasive treatment for lung nodule
Authors: Kim June-Hong , Shah Izaz Ali , Seol Hee Yun , Cho Youngdae , Ji Wonjun , Seo Jaeyoung , Lee Cheolmin , Chon Min-ku , Shin Dong Hoon , Kim Justin H. , Choo Ki-seok , Park Junhui , Yoo Hyoungsuk
Published: February 2023

Radiofrequencyablation (RFA) is one of the treatment options for lung nodules; however, the need for exact delivery of the rigid metal electrode into the center of the target mass often leads to complications or suboptimal results. To overcome these limitations, we report a novel bronchoscopy-guided atraumatic no-touch RFA procedure that uses a specially designed radiofrequency (RF) conductor balloon catheter (CAROL catheter) and an injectable bronchial electrode based on a medical grade liquid metal (E-GaIn) in porcine lungs. The bronchial electrode injected from the CAROL catheter was able to turn the target-site bronchial air pipe into a temporally multi-tined RF electrode. The mean volume of E-GaIn (bronchial electrode) for each effective CAROL was 0.46 ± 0.47 ml. The ablation results showed highly efficacious and consistent results especially in the peripheral lung. Most bronchial electrodes were also retrieved by either bronchoscopic suction immediately after the procedure or by natural expectoration thereafter. The residual bronchial electrode did not cause any significant safety issues. Our computer simulation model also supported preclinical data.
Exploring the use of cluster analysis to assess antibiotic stewardship in critically-ill neonates in a low resource setting
Authors: Benoni Roberto , Balestri Eleonora , Endrias Tariqua , Tolera Jiksa , Borellini Martina , Calia Margherita , Biasci Filippo , Pisani Luigi
Published: February 2023

Background: Sepsis is the third leading cause of neonatal death in low and middle-income countries, accounting for one third of all deaths in Ethiopia. A concerning issue is the increasing number of multidrug-resistant microorganisms facilitated by suboptimal antibiotic stewardship. The study aims to identify clusters of newborns switching antibiotic lines for sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Ethiopia, and to explore their potential association with sepsis outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including all newborns discharged with a diagnosis of probable neonatal sepsis from the St. Luke Catholic Hospital NICU between April and July 2021. The antibiotic management protocol included two lines according to WHO guidelines and a third line based on internal hospital guidelines. In the cluster analysis, the Gower distance was estimated based on the antibiotics employed in the different lines and the duration of each line. Mortality and respiratory distress (RD) were the response variables.
Results: In the study period, 456 newborns were admitted to the NICU and 196 (42.8%) had probable neonatal sepsis. Four antibiotic management clusters were identified. Cluster 1 (n=145, 74.4%) had no antibiotic switches, using only the first line. Cluster 2 (n=26, 13.3%) had one switch from the first to the second line. Cluster 4 (n=9, 4.6%) had two switches: from first to second and then to third line. In cluster 3 (n=15, 7.7%), newborns were switched from ceftriaxone/cloxacillin as second line to off-protocol antibiotics. There were no differences in sex, age, weight on admission or crude mortality between clusters. Cluster 3 included a higher frequency of infants who did not breathe at birth (53.3%, p=0.011) and that necessitated bag ventilation (46.7%, p=0.039) compared to the other clusters. The RD odds ratio (OR) was higher in cluster 3 than in clusters 1 (OR=0.09[0.01-0.36] p=0.003) and 2 (OR=0.13[0.02-0.64] p=0.022).
Conclusions: The first antibiotic line failed one out of four newborns with sepsis while third-generation cephalosporins were insufficient in 12.3% of patients. Cluster analysis can be a useful tool for identifying patients who need antibiotic switches and their characteristics.
Food Amyloid Fibrils as Safe Nutrition Ingredients: In-vitro and In-vivo Assessment
Authors: Xu Dan , Zhou Jiangtao , Soon Wei Long , Kutzli Ines , Molière Adrian , Radiom Milad , Handschin Stephan , Li Bing , Li Lin , Ewald Collin , Mezzenga Raffaele
Published: February 2023

If safety concerns could be conclusively disproven, food protein amyloid fibrils would constitute superior ingredients compared to native monomers from a technological, nutritional, sensorial, and physical perspective. Here, we show, by combining SDS-PAGE, ELISA, fluorescence, AFM, TEM, MALDI-MS, CD, microfluidics, and SAXS techniques on β-lactoglobulin and lysozyme amyloid fibrils subjected to in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion, that either no noticeable differences exist between amyloid aggregates and their monomer counterparts after the gastrointestinal digestion process (as in β-lactoglobulin), or that amyloid fibrils are even digested significantly better than monomers (as in lysozyme). Both amyloid protein sources are digested down to unfolded oligopeptides well-below amyloid nuclei size and deprived of the β-sheet amyloids hallmark signature. We further conclude via in-vivo studies on both C. elegans and mice animal models that the digested fibrils present no observable toxicity to the investigated animal models. These results suggest that final peptides digested from food amyloids fibrils are at least equally safe than those obtained from the digested corresponding native monomers and feature no detectable toxicity in-vivo, pointing to food amyloid fibrils as potential ingredients for human nutrition.
The Influence of Nrf2 gene promoter methylation on gene expression and oxidative stress parameters in preeclampsia
Authors: Zakeri Saba , Rahimi Zohreh , Rezvani Nayebali , Vaisi-Raygani Asad , Alibakhshi Reza , Yari Kheirolah
Published: February 2023

Background and aims
Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious medical condition that usually causes high blood pressure and affects multiple organs. Considering the adverse effect of oxidative stress on the process of PE in pregnant women and regarding the role of the Nrf2 gene in placental oxidative pathways, this study was conducted to investigate the DNA methylation status of Nrf2 in PE and healthy pregnant women.
Materials and methods
The present case-control study consisted of 70 PE and 70 healthy pregnant women. Blood and placenta samples were taken from all subjects, and the percentage of the Nrf2 gene methylation in the samples was assessed by the Methyl Light PCR method. Also, the Nrf2 gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. The oxidative factors of total antioxidant capacity [1] and total oxidative status (TOS) were measured by the colorimetric method.
Results
In PE women, there was a significant increase in blood pressure, term of pregnancy, and BMI. In addition, there were enhanced Nrf2 DNA methylation percentages in placenta tissue and increased TOS levels in placenta tissue and blood compared to healthy pregnant women (P < 0.05). Also, in the PE group, there was a significant decrease in Nrf2 gene expression and TAC level in placenta tissue compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The Nrf2 gene undergoes epigenetic modifications of DNA hypermethylation in the PE placenta. Also, decreased expression of this gene and the changes in the level of oxidative parameters (TAC, TOS) confirm it. It also confirms reduced expression of this gene and alterations in the level of oxidative parameters.
Associations between exposure to metal mixtures and insufficient bone strength: a cross-sectional study among children aged 2-6 years
Authors: Liu Yanli , Wang Yan , Fu Ye , Liu Yang , Li Mingzhu , Zhang Yao , Li Chen , Ding Hongcheng , Li Xiaowen , Ji Hongxian , Wang Jing
Published: February 2023

Heavy metal exposure has been widely recognized as a risk factor for human health. However, epidemiological studies of associations between exposure to metal mixtures with bone strength among preschoolers are limited. We estimated the associations of 23 urinary metals with the risk of insufficient bone strength (IBS) among 1399 children aged 2–6 years in China. Urine concentrations of 23 metals were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and bone strength was measured using the quantitative ultrasound instrument. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) and bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were conducted to investigate the associations between exposure to metal mixtures and IBS. In the single metal exposure model, urine cobalt and zinc were identified to be negatively associated with IBS, whereas urine lead was positively associated with IBS. Furthermore, WQS regression and BKMR analyses consistently showed that exposure to metal mixtures was inversely related to IBS, and cobalt was the main contributor to the combined effects. Such associations were more evident in children aged 2–4 years. These findings indicated that exposure to metal mixtures was associated with bone strength among children. These findings need further validation in prospective studies.
Psychological stress, cortisol, ACTH, and cortisol/ACTH ratio associated with burning mouth syndrome
Authors: Lee Yeon-Hee , Suk Chon
Published: February 2023

Objective
Clinical characteristics of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) were compared in the presence or absence of psychological stress to investigate the clinical, psychological, and haematological indicators.
Methods
Among 141 BMS patients (117 females, 82.98%; 56.4 ± 12.89 years), inter- and intra-group statistical analyses were conducted according to the presence or absence of psychological stress; BMS patients were divided into psychological-stress (n = 68; 55 females, 56.39 ± 12.89 years) and non-psychological stress group (n = 73; 62 females, 56.03 ± 14.90 years).
Results
Prevalence of xerostomia was higher in the psychological-stress group than in the non-psychological-stress group (67.6% vs. 34.2%, p < 0.001), and the unstimulated salivary flow rate was respectively lower (1.97 ± 1.79 vs. 2.74 ± 1.59 mL/min, p < 0.01). The SCL-90R subscale values, including somatization, hostility, anxiety, and depression, were higher in the psychological- than in the non-psychological-stress group (all p < 0.05); the cortisol level, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level, cortisol/ACTH ratio, and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) level were respectively higher (all p < 0.05). Above-mean values of cortisol (AUC = 0.980, 95%CI: 0.959–1.000) and cortisol/DHEA ratio (AUC = 0.779, 95%CI: 0.701–0.856) were excellent predictors of psychological stress. The strongest correlation was obtained for cortisol (r = 0.831, p < 0.01), while cortisol/DHEA ratio (r = 0.482, p < 0.01) showed substantial correlation.
Conclusion
In BMS patients, xerostomia, decreased salivary flow rate, and increased cortisol and cortisol/DHEA ratios were associated with psychological stress, highlighting psycho-neuro-endocrinological features.
Threshold growth has a limited role in differentiating HCC from other focal hepatic lesions
Authors: Lyu Rong , Wang Di , Hu Weijuan , Gao Zhongsong , Yu Changlu , Wang Jiao , Li Mingge , Jia Kefeng
Published: February 2023

Background
The role of threshold growth, as one of the major features (MFs) of HCC in the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) is inconsistent. This study evaluated the LI-RADS diagnostic performance for HCC when threshold growth was removed or replaced by highly frequent ancillary features (AFs).
Methods
This was a retrospective institutional review board-approved study including patients with a high HCC risk with gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI findings consistent with pathologically proven focal hepatic observations. With pathological results used as the gold standard reference, the observations were divided into three groups: HCC, non-HCC malignancy and benign lesion. The sizes of the lesions with and without threshold growth were compared. The MFs and AFs of each observation were evaluated and compared among the three groups to select the most highly frequent AFs of HCC and was used to replace threshold growth. The LI-RADS categories of observations were categorized as follows: Scheme A, using all MFs and AFs according to LI-RADS v2018; scheme B, using all MFs except threshold growth, with threshold growth treated as an AF favouring malignancy; and scheme C, using the highly frequent AFs inplace of threshold growth as new MFs. The LR-5 (the category of definitely HCC) diagnostic performance for HCC among the 3 schemes was compared.
Results
A total of 379 patients and 426 observations were included. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of threshold growth between HCCs and non-HCC malignancies (p = 0.560). Whether HCCs, non-HCC malignancies, or benign lesions, the mean size with threshold growth was smaller than that without threshold growth (all p < 0.05). The nodule-in-nodule feature was a highly frequent AF (p < 0.05) and was used to replace threshold growth as a new MF in scheme C. The LR-5 diagnostic performance values for HCC with schemes A, B, and C were respectively as follows: a sensitivity of 74.4%, 74.0% and 75.6%; specificity of 88.6%, 88.6% and 88.6%; and accuracy of 80.3%, 80.0% and 81.0%. There was no statistically significant difference in diagnostic performance between schemes A and B or between schemes A and C (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion
The threshold growth is removed or replaced by the nodule-in-nodule feature
Portal vein tumor thrombus radiotherapy improves the outcomes of immunotherapy plus bevacizumab in hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter real-world research of southwest China
Authors: TANG Cuiping , HE Qin , FENG Jian , LIAO Ziyue , PENG Yunli , GAO Jian
Published: February 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in some immune-related indicators after radiotherapy for portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sequential immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus bevacizumab therapy after radiotherapy for PVTT, and to preliminarily explore the factors affecting the efficacy of patients.
Methods: Retrospective data were collected from three hospitals in southwestern China, patients of HCC complicated with PVTT were analyzed, patients were divided into the PVTT radiotherapy combined with ICIs plus bevacizumab group (PVTT radiotherapy group) and ICIs plus bevacizumab group (control group). The difference of progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of the two groups were analyzed, and the potential factors affecting PFS were analyzed. The adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups.
Results: A total of 113 patients were treated with ICIs plus bevacizumab as a first line treatment, of whom 55 patients had been treated with PVTT radiotherapy before first treatment. There were significant differences in some immune-related indicators before and after radiotherapy for PVTT. The patients in PVTT radiotherapy group had a longer PFS (median, 10.1 vs. 5.8 months, P < 0.05), and the PFS rates of 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months were 98.18% vs. 93.10%, 83.64% vs. 44.83%, 58.18% vs. 6.90% and 23.64% vs. 1.72%, respectively, with statistical differences (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference in ORR (41.82% vs.37.93%, P = 0.704) and DCR (87.27% vs.82.61%, P = 1.000) between the two groups, but the ORR and DCR of the PVTT radiotherapy group were showed a higher results, and no serious AEs were observed. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the expression of AFP, the gross classification of HCC, PVTT type, extrahepatic metastasis, and PVTT radiotherapy were independent influencing factors of PFS (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Sequential ICIs plus bevacizumab therapy after radiotherapy for PVTT of HCC patients is safe and feasible, which may further prolong the PFS of patients.
Urea Free Screen Printing of Cotton Fabric Via Newly Synthesized Reactive Dyes and Impact of Functional Group Chemistry on Printing Properties
Authors: Siddiqua Umme Habibah , Ali Shaukat
Published: February 2023

Urea free screen printing of cotton fabric using newly synthesized azo reactive dyes was carried out in the present study. Functional group chemistry and its effect on the printing properties of cotton fabric by varying the nature, number and position of reactive groups of synthesized azo reactive dyes (D1-D6) was studied. Different printing parameters (Temperature, alkali and urea) and their effect was explored on the physicochemical printing properties e.g., fixation, color yield, and penetration of the dyed cotton fabric. Data revealed that dyes with more reactive groups and having linear and planar structures (D-6) showed enhanced printing properties. Spectraflash spectrophotometer was used to evaluate the colorimetric properties of screen-printed cotton fabric and results showed superb color buildup. Printed cotton samples displayed excellent to very good ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Presence of sulphonate groups and excellent fastness properties may entitle these reactive dyes as commercially viable for urea free printing of cotton fabric.
Small-scale genetic structure of the bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini populations
Authors: Przesmycka Karolina , Radwan Jacek
Published: February 2023

Bulb mites are an economically significant pest of subterranean parts of plants and a versatile laboratory animal. However, genetic structure of their populations remains unknown. To fill this gap in our knowledge of their biology, we set-up field experiment in which we allowed mites to colonize onion bulbs, and then determined genetic structure of colonisers based on a panel of microsatellite loci. We found moderate but significant population structure among sites separated by ca. 20m (FST range 0.03–0.21), with 7% of genetic variance distributed among sites. Allelic richness within some bulbs was nearly as high as that in the total population, suggesting that colonisation of bulbs was not associated with strong population bottlenecks. The significant genetic structure we observed over small spatial scales seems to reflect limited dispersal of mites in soil.