bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life and its determinants among South Indian type 2 diabetes patients with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Puneem Usha Sree , Nagasubramanian Vanitha Rani , Sindgi Vasudeva Murthy , Ramakrishnan Subburaya Mudaliyar Rajendran , Pelluri Ranakishor
Published: October 2023

Background and aims

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease in type-2 diabetics. The quality of life among those patients was not explored well. Hence, the present study aimed to correlate the determinants with the quality of life (QoL) among the study subjects.

Methods

A hospital-based case–control study was conducted at Bhargavi Gastro and Surgical Hospital, Warangal, Telangana, with 358 subjects, from 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2021 (24 months). A 358 of cohort type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects were recruited with 1:1 of NAFLD and without NAFLD. QoL was determined with the SF-36 questionnaire, which comprises eight domains. Statistical analysis included t test, chi-square, and Spearman correlation performed with SPSSV.25 software.

Results

Out of 358 subjects, 200 (55.8%) were males and 158 (44.1%) were females. Glycemic parameters (FBS and HbA1c), lipid profile, liver transaminases (SGPT and SGOT), and serum uric acid levels were significantly high in NAFLD subjects (p < 0.05). The SF-36 score, four domains (physical, energy, mental health, and pain) are significantly reduced in NAFLD subjects p < 0.05). A significant correlation between blood urea and impaired physical, emotional mental, and general health was observed in NAFLD subjects. In the NAFLD subjects, elevated FBS levels lead to impairment of physical and emotional status. Social functioning, general health, and pain were impaired with BMI and TG levels in NAFLD subjects. The mean, SD of SF-36 scores showed no significant difference in contrast to HbA1c among both groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The decreased QoL was observed in subjects of T2DM with NAFLD. The QoL is significantly influenced by elevated FBS, SGPT, SGOT, and TG levels. Hence, clinicians need to be vigilant and implement strategies to improve the quality of life in type 2 diabetics with NAFLD.
Reference intervals for hematology, plasma biochemistry, and bone mineral density in captive Ceratophrys cranwelli (Anura: Ceratophryidae)
Authors: Long Siyu , Qiao Yujing , Zhou Siyu , Muhammad-Farooq Tareen , Shen Yaoqin
Published: October 2023

Hematology, plasma biochemistry, body composition, and bone mineral density (BMD) were analyzed for 30 captive Ceratophrys cranwelli (C. cranwelli) to establish the reference intervals. There was no significant difference between males and females in all blood routine tests. Blood biochemistry included 17 analytes, and only total bile acid (TBA), calcium (CA), and phosphorus (PHOS) showed significant differences. Male TBA levels were higher than females, while female CA and PHOS levels were higher than males. The body composition and BMD of males and females were similar, except for bone area, which showed a significant gender difference, with females having higher values than males. The data obtained in this study can help with the medical management of diseased individuals and serve as a reference for health assessments of future populations.
Expanding Cervical Cancer Screening in Mozambique: Challenges Associated With Diagnosing and Treating Cervical Cancer
Authors: Batman Samantha , Rangeiro Ricardina , Monteiro Eliane , Changule Dercia , Daud Siro , Ribeiro Magda , Tsambe Edgar , Bila Celso , Osman Nafissa , Carrilho Carla , Neves Andrea , Atif Hira , De Jesus Celda , Mariano Arlete , Moretti-Marques Renato , Vieira Marcelo , Fontes-Cintra Georgia , Lopes Andre , Batware Jean Claude , Luis Elvira , Grover Surbhi , Baker Ellen , Fellman Bryan , Montealegre Jane , Castle Philip E. , Jeronimo Jose , Chiao Elizabeth , Lorenzoni Cesaltina , Schmeler Kathleen , Salcedo Mila P.
Published: October 2023

PURPOSE

Mozambique has one of the highest burdens of cervical cancer globally. Treatment options are few as most women present with advanced disease, and there are limited trained health professionals and health care resources. The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of women diagnosed with invasive cancer as part of the Mozambican women undergoing cervical cancer screening with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in conjunction with family planning services (MULHER) study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Women age 30-49 years were prospectively enrolled in the MULHER study and offered screening with primary HPV testing followed by treatment of screen-positive women with thermal ablation or excision as appropriate. Women with cervical examination findings suspicious for cancer were referred to one of the three gynecologic oncologists in the country.

RESULTS

Between January 2020 and January 2023, 9,014 women underwent cervical cancer screening and 30 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer. In this cohort, four patients (13.3%) had early-stage disease, 18 (60.0%) had locally advanced disease, one (3.3%) had distant metastatic disease, and seven (23.3%) did not have staging information available. Five patients (16.6%) died without receiving oncologic treatment, and seven patients (23.3%) are still awaiting treatment. Of the remaining 18 patients, three (17.6%) underwent surgery and four (23.5%) received radiotherapy. Eleven (36.7%) patients received only chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

As cervical screening programs are implemented in low-resource settings, there will likely be an increase in the number of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. Our results in Mozambique demonstrate the need to increase access to advanced surgery, radiation, and palliative care services.
Donor-Derived Follicular Lymphoma After Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report
Authors: Singhal Kartik , Watkins Marcus P. , Fehniger Todd A. , Griffith Malachi , Griffith Obi L. , Kahl Brad S. , Russler-Germain David A.
Published: October 2023

Donor-derived follicular lymphoma after kidney transplant revealed by genomic profiling.
Pattern reconstruction through generalized eigenvectors on defective networks
Authors: Dorchain Marie , Muolo Riccardo , Carletti Timoteo
Published: October 2023

Self-organization in natural and engineered systems causes the emergence of ordered spatio-temporal motifs. In the presence of diffusive species, Turing theory has been widely used to understand the formation of such patterns on continuous domains obtained from a diffusion-driven instability mechanism. The theory was later extended to networked systems, where the reaction processes occur locally (in the nodes), while diffusion takes place through the networks links. The condition for the instability onset relies on the spectral property of the Laplace matrix, i.e., the diffusive operator, and in particular on the existence of an eigenbasis. In this work, we make one step forward and we prove the validity of Turing idea also in the case of a network with a defective Laplace matrix. Moreover, by using both eigenvectors and generalized eigenvectors we show that we can reconstruct the asymptotic pattern with a relatively small discrepancy. Because a large majority of empirical networks is non-normal and often defective, our results pave the way for a thorough understanding of self-organization in real-world systems.
Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Metabolic/Inflammatory Profile in Adolescents: Cellular Studies and Predictive Biomarkers
Authors: Augimeri Giuseppina , Fiorillo Marco , Caparello Giovanna , Ceraudo Fabrizio , Avolio Ennio , Morelli Catia , Barone Ines , Catalano Stefania , Andò Sebastiano , Giordano Cinzia , Sisci Diego , Vivacqua Adele , Bonofiglio Daniela
Published: October 2023

Context

The COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdown restrictions changed people's lifestyles with potential negative impact on health.

Objective

This longitudinal study aimed to assess the COVID-19 lockdown influence on the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) pattern and its effects on the metabolic inflammatory profile in a cohort of healthy adolescents.

Methods

We analyzed anthropometric measurements, body composition, and MD adherence along with serum metabolic and inflammatory profile in 77 healthy adolescents from southern Italy before and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Additionally, we evaluated the biological properties of prelockdown and postlockdown serum on human HepG2 and HuH-7 hepatic cells.

Results

We did not observe any significant differences in anthropometric and body composition parameters as well as MD adherence score in adolescents between prelockdown and postlockdown COVID-19. Intriguingly, although the metabolic profile of adolescents postlockdown was within the normal range, we evidenced increased levels of fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) along with a reduction in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in postlockdown compared with prelockdown adolescent serum. In addition, elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-1β, and ferritin were found in postlockdown adolescents compared with their prelockdown counterparts. Consistent with the biochemical parameters, we observed enhanced lipid accumulation with altered mitochondrial functions and increased reactive oxygen species production in HepG2 and HuH-7 cells treated with pooled serum from postlockdown with respect to prelockdown period. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis identified total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TNF-α, and ferritin to be predictive serum markers for metabolic and inflammatory profiling after the lockdown period.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight that the COVID-19 lockdown, forcing sedentary behavior, had a negative impact on adolescents’ metabolic and inflammatory profile which may result in long-term poor health outcomes.
Synergistic Combinations of Gut- and Pancreas-Hormone-Based Therapies: Advancements in Treatments for Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Lyons Sulayman Aslan , Beaudry Jacqueline Leah
Published: October 2023

Metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, and liver disease, have become increasingly prevalent around the world. As an alternative to bariatric surgery, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been at the forefront of weight loss medication to combat these metabolic complications. Recently, there has been an exciting rapid emergence of new weight loss medications that combine GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists with other gut- and pancreatic-derived hormones, such as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon (GCG) receptor agonists. Dual-agonist (GLP-1/GIP and GLP-1/GCG) and tri-agonist (GLP-1/GIP/GCG) administration generally result in greater weight loss, reduction of blood sugar and lipid levels, restoration of tissue function, and improvement in whole-body substrate metabolism compared to when GLP-1R agonists are used alone. The aim of this review is to summarize the recent literature of both preclinical and clinical studies on how these emerging gut-peptide therapies further improve weight loss and metabolic health outcomes for various metabolic diseases.
Ghrelin Action in the PVH of Male Mice: Accessibility, Neuronal Targets, and CRH Neurons Activation
Authors: Fernandez Gimena , De Francesco Pablo N , Cornejo María P , Cabral Agustina , Aguggia Julieta P , Duque Victor J , Sayar Nilufer , Cantel Sonia , Burgos Juan I , Fehrentz Jean-Alain , Rorato Rodrigo , Atasoy Deniz , Mecawi André S , Perello Mario
Published: October 2023

The hormone ghrelin displays several well-characterized functions, including some with pharmaceutical interest. The receptor for ghrelin, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), is expressed in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVH), a critical hub for the integration of metabolic, neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral functions. Here, we performed a neuroanatomical and functional characterization of the neuronal types mediating ghrelin actions in the PVH of male mice. We found that fluorescent ghrelin mainly labels PVH neurons immunoreactive for nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1), which catalyze the production of nitric oxide [NO]). Centrally injected ghrelin increases c-Fos in NOS1 PVH neurons and NOS1 phosphorylation in the PVH. We also found that a high dose of systemically injected ghrelin increases the ghrelin level in the cerebrospinal fluid and in the periventricular PVH, and induces c-Fos in NOS1 PVH neurons. Such a high dose of systemically injected ghrelin activates a subset of NOS1 PVH neurons, which do not express oxytocin, via an arcuate nucleus–independent mechanism. Finally, we found that pharmacological inhibition of NO production fully abrogates ghrelin-induced increase of calcium concentration in corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons of the PVH whereas it partially impairs ghrelin-induced increase of plasma glucocorticoid levels. Thus, plasma ghrelin can directly target a subset of NO-producing neurons of the PVH that is involved in ghrelin-induced activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal neuroendocrine axis.
Stromal netrin 1 coordinates renal arteriogenesis and mural cell differentiation
Authors: Luo Peter M. , Gu Xiaowu , Chaney Christopher , Carroll Thomas , Cleaver Ondine
Published: October 2023

The kidney vasculature has a complex architecture that is essential for renal function. The molecular mechanisms that direct development of kidney blood vessels are poorly characterized. We identified a regionally restricted, stroma-derived signaling molecule, netrin 1 (Ntn1), as a regulator of renal vascular patterning in mice. Stromal progenitor (SP)-specific ablation of Ntn1 (Ntn1SPKO) resulted in smaller kidneys with fewer glomeruli, as well as profound defects of the renal artery and transient blood flow disruption. Notably, Ntn1 ablation resulted in loss of arterial vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) coverage and in ectopic SMC deposition at the kidney surface. This was accompanied by dramatic reduction of arterial tree branching that perdured postnatally. Transcriptomic analysis of Ntn1SPKO kidneys revealed dysregulation of vSMC differentiation, including downregulation of Klf4, which we find expressed in a subset of SPs. Stromal Klf4 deletion similarly resulted in decreased smooth muscle coverage and arterial branching without, however, the disruption of renal artery patterning and perfusion seen in Ntn1SPKO. These data suggest a stromal Ntn1-Klf4 axis that regulates stromal differentiation and reinforces stromal-derived smooth muscle as a key regulator of renal blood vessel formation.
Calcium signals tune AMPK activity and mitochondrial homeostasis in dendrites of developing neurons
Authors: Hatsuda Akane , Kurisu Junko , Fujishima Kazuto , Kawaguchi Ayano , Ohno Nobuhiko , Kengaku Mineko
Published: October 2023

Dendritic outgrowth in immature neurons is enhanced by neuronal activity and is considered one of the mechanisms of neural circuit optimization. It is known that calcium signals affect transcriptional regulation and cytoskeletal remodeling necessary for dendritic outgrowth. Here, we demonstrate that activity-dependent calcium signaling also controls mitochondrial homeostasis via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in growing dendrites of differentiating mouse hippocampal neurons. We found that the inhibition of neuronal activity induced dendritic hypotrophy with abnormally elongated mitochondria. In growing dendrites, AMPK is activated by neuronal activity and dynamically oscillates in synchrony with calcium spikes, and this AMPK oscillation was inhibited by CaMKK2 knockdown. AMPK activation led to phosphorylation of MFF and ULK1, which initiate mitochondrial fission and mitophagy, respectively. Dendritic mitochondria in AMPK-depleted neurons exhibited impaired fission and mitophagy and displayed multiple signs of dysfunction. Genetic inhibition of fission led to dendritic hypoplasia that was reminiscent of AMPK-deficient neurons. Thus, AMPK activity is finely tuned by the calcium-CaMKK2 pathway and regulates mitochondrial homeostasis by facilitating removal of damaged components of mitochondria in growing neurons during normal brain development.
Gibberellin and miRNA156-targeted SlSBP genes synergistically regulate tomato floral meristem determinacy and ovary patterning
Authors: Ferigolo Leticia F. , Vicente Mateus H. , Correa Joao P. O. , Barrera-Rojas Carlos H. , Silva Eder M. , Silva Geraldo F. F. , Carvalho Airton , Peres Lazaro E. P. , Ambrosano Guilherme B. , Margarido Gabriel R. A. , Sablowski Robert , Nogueira Fabio T. S.
Published: October 2023

Many developmental processes associated with fruit development occur at the floral meristem (FM). Age-regulated microRNA156 (miR156) and gibberellins (GAs) interact to control flowering time, but their interplay in subsequent stages of reproductive development is poorly understood. Here, in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), we show that GA and miR156-targeted SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL or SBP) genes interact in the tomato FM and ovary patterning. High GA responses or overexpression of miR156 (156OE), which leads to low expression levels of miR156-silenced SBP genes, resulted in enlarged FMs, ovary indeterminacy and fruits with increased locule number. Conversely, low GA responses reduced indeterminacy and locule number, and overexpression of a S. lycopersicum (Sl)SBP15 allele that is miR156 resistant (rSBP15) reduced FM size and locule number. GA responses were partially required for the defects observed in 156OE and rSBP15 fruits. Transcriptome analysis and genetic interactions revealed shared and divergent functions of miR156-targeted SlSBP genes, PROCERA/DELLA and the classical WUSCHEL/CLAVATA pathway, which has been previously associated with meristem size and determinacy. Our findings reveal that the miR156/SlSBP/GA regulatory module is deployed differently depending on developmental stage and create novel opportunities to fine-tune aspects of fruit development that have been important for tomato domestication.
Clearing the slate: RNA turnover to enable cell state switching?
Authors: Westbrook Elizabeth R. , Ford Hugh Z. , Antolović Vlatka , Chubb Jonathan R.
Published: October 2023

The distribution of mRNA in tissue is determined by the balance between transcription and decay. Understanding the control of RNA decay during development has been somewhat neglected compared with transcriptional control. Here, we explore the potential for mRNA decay to trigger rapid cell state transitions during development, comparing a bistable switch model of cell state conversion with experimental evidence from different developmental systems. We also consider another potential role for large-scale RNA decay that has emerged from studies of stress-induced cell state transitions, in which removal of mRNA unblocks the translation machinery to prioritise the synthesis of proteins that establish the new cell state.
Acute restraint stress rapidly impacts reproductive neuroendocrinology and downstream gonad function in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)
Authors: Alonge Mattina M. , Greville Lucas J. S. , Ma Xuehao , Faure Paul A. , Bentley George E.
Published: October 2023

Animals face unpredictable challenges that require rapid, facultative physiological reactions to support survival but may compromise reproduction. Bats have a long-standing reputation for being highly sensitive to stressors, with sensitivity and resilience varying both within and among species, yet little is known about how stress affects the signaling that regulates reproductive physiology. Here, we provide the first description of the molecular response of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis of male big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in response to short-term stress using a standardized restraint manipulation. This acute stressor was sufficient to upregulate plasma corticosterone and resulted in a rapid decrease in circulating testosterone. While we did not find differences in the mRNA expression of key steroidogenic enzymes (StAR, aromatase, 5-alpha reductase), seminiferous tubule diameter was reduced in stressed bats coupled with a 5-fold increase in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA expression in the testes. These changes, in part, may be mediated by RFamide-related peptide (RFRP) because fewer immunoreactive cell bodies were detected in the brains of stressed bats compared with controls – suggesting a possible increase in secretion – and increased RFRP expression locally in the gonads. The rapid sensitivity of the bat testes to stress may be connected to deleterious impacts on tissue health and function as supported by significant transcriptional upregulation of key pro-apoptotic signaling molecules (Bax, cytochrome c). Experiments like this broadly contribute to our understanding of the stronger ecological predictions regarding physiological responses of bats within the context of stress, which may impact decisions surrounding animal handling and conservation approaches.
Physiological characteristics of IRR 400 series rubber clones (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) under drought stress
Authors: Pasaribu Syarifah Aini , Basyuni Mohammad , Purba Edison , Hasanah Yaya
Published: October 2023

Background: Drought stress is one of the main causes of plant death. Strategies for plants survival are morphological adaptations, specific signaling pathways, and tolerance mechanisms. Rubber plantations have many uses, such as foreign exchange sources, job sources, forest revitalization, and a source of alternative wood for building materials and furniture. The rubber plant’s response to drought stress is a complex biological process. A tolerant rubber clone in a dry area is the right approach. The present study aimed to determine the mechanism of drought-tolerant clones, based on physiological characteristics, to obtain character selection and drought-tolerant clones early. Methods: The first factor examined for this work was clones (IRR 425, IRR 428, IRR 429, IRR 434, IRR 440, RRIC 100, and BPM 24) and the second factor was water content (30%, 60%, and 90%). The study was arranged on a factorial randomized block design and repeated three times. Characteristics observed were total sugar (µM), proline (mg/L), chlorophyll a, b, total (µg/mL), hydrogen peroxidase (µmol/g), ascorbate peroxidase (unit/mg), superoxide dismutase (unit/mg), and peroxide dismutase (unit/mg). Results: The tolerance ability of the IRR 400 series rubber clones to drought stress was determined by observing the characteristics of sugar total and proline. The concentration of total sugar and proline were higher when the plant was treated with a lower water content. The selected clones tolerant to drought stress are RR 425 and IR 434 with high total sugar content and proline. Other characteristics, namely chlorophyll a, b, and total, as well as hydrogen peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, super oxide dismutase, peroxide dismutase, cannot be used as selection characteristics for this study. Conclusions: This drought study of IRR 400 clones with varying water content percentages illustrated that the total sugar and proline characteristics could be used to distinguish tolerance levels from other observed characteristics.
Case Report: Care Report: Primary malignant melanoma of the breast
Authors: Meghe Juee , Lamture Yeshwant , Gajhbhiye Varsha , Gharde Pankaj , Inamdar Akash
Published: October 2023

Primary malignant melanoma of the breast (P.M.M.B.) is rare. Clinical features of P.M.M.B. are variable, and early complete excision precedes all treatment modalities. We present the case of a man with a P.M.M.B. of the left breast parenchyma with skeletal metastasis. There was evidence of involvement of the skin. Axillary lymph nodes were affected. An excisional biopsy of the breast mass suggested malignant melanoma. Unfortunately, the patient was not willing for treatment. Three months later, the patient died, possibly due to metastases.

An extensive literature search previously found only six patients with P.M.M.B. from the parenchyma of the breast. This case might be the seventh case to be reported in literature arising from breast parenchyma. It is our humble attempt to increase awareness of this rare tumor. Prompt identification, timely appropriate surgical treatment, chemotherapy combined with judicious use of monoclonal antibodies, and other modalities may improve a patient's prognosis.
Search engine optimization: methods and techniques
Authors: AMAN Serge Stephane , N'GUESSAN Behou Gerard , AGBO Djama Djoman Alfred , KONE Tiemoman
Published: October 2023

Background:  With the rapid advancement of information technology, search engine optimisation (SEO) has become crucial for enhancing the visibility and relevance of online content. In this context, the use of cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure is being explored to bolster SEO capabilities.

Methods: This scientific article offers an in-depth study of search engine optimisation. It explores the different methods and techniques used to improve the performance and efficiency of a search engine, focusing on key aspects such as result relevance, search speed and user experience. The article also presents case studies and concrete examples to illustrate the practical application of optimisation techniques.

Results: The results demonstrate the importance of optimisation in delivering high quality search results and meeting the increasing demands of users.

Conclusions: The article addresses the enhancement of search engines through the Microsoft Azure infrastructure and its associated components. It highlights methods such as indexing, semantic analysis, parallel searches, and caching to strengthen the relevance of results, speed up searches, and optimise the user experience. Following the application of these methods, a marked improvement was observed in these areas, thereby showcasing the capability of Microsoft Azure in enhancing search engines. The study sheds light on the implementation and analysis of these Azure-focused techniques, introduces a methodology for assessing their efficacy, and details the specific benefits of each method. Looking forward, the article suggests integrating artificial intelligence to elevate the relevance of results, venturing into other cloud infrastructures to boost performance, and evaluating these methods in specific scenarios, such as multimedia information search. In summary, with Microsoft Azure, the enhancement of search engines appears promising, with increased relevance and a heightened user experience in a rapidly evolving sector.
Enteric-coating film effect on the delayed drug release of pantoprazole gastro-resistant generic tablets
Authors: Arafat Mosab , Sakkal Molham , Bostanudin Mohammad F. , Alhanbali Othman Abdulrahim , Yuvaraju Priya , Beiram Rami , Sadek Bassem , Akour Amal , AbuRuz Salahdein
Published: October 2023

Background: Enteric coating films in acidic labile tablets protect the drug molecule from the acidic environment of the stomach. However, variations in the excipients used in the coating formulation may affect their ability to provide adequate protection. This study is the first to investigate the potential effects of coating materials on the protective functionality of enteric coating films for pantoprazole (PNZ) generic tablets after their recall from the market.

Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted between generic and branded PNZ products, using pure drug powder for identification. The in vitro release of the drug was evaluated in different pH media. The study also utilized various analytical and thermal techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and confocal Raman microscopy.

Results: The in vitro assessment results revealed significant variations in the release profile for the generic product in acidic media at 120 min. DSC and TGA thermal profile analyses showed slight variation between the two products. XRD analysis exhibited a noticeable difference in peak intensity for the generic sample, while SEM revealed smaller particle sizes in the generic product. The obtained spectra profile for the generic product displayed significant variation in peaks and band intensity, possibly due to impurities. These findings suggest that the excipients used in the enteric coating film of the generic product may have affected its protective functionality, leading to premature drug release in acidic media. Additionally, the presence of polysorbate 80 (P-80) in the brand product might improve the properties of the enteric coating film due to its multi-functionality.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the excipients used in the brand product demonstrated superior functionality in effectively protecting the drug molecule from acidic media through the enteric coating film, as compared to the generic version.
Acrylamide in starchy foods subjected to deep-frying, 20 years after its discovery (2002-2022): a patent review
Authors: Díaz-Ávila William Yesid , Villarreal-Archila Sylvia María , Castellanos-Galeano Francisco Javier
Published: October 2023

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the discovery of acrylamide in food, an analysis of patents related to the mitigation of this compound in food products obtained through immersion frying was carried out. For this purpose, a comprehensive search, compilation, and information analysis were conducted using free online databases such as Google Patents, Patenscope, and Lens. The search yielded a total of 79 patents within the considered time period (2002-2022). The countries with the highest number of granted patents were the United States, the European Union, and South Korea. The patents were classified into four main approaches: raw material modification (49%), application of pre-treatments (27%), process modification (16%), and measurement techniques (8%). Among the results, Frito-Lay, an American company, stands out as the food industry company with the highest number of granted patents, totaling 15. Based on this review, it is concluded that while a significant number of patents have been granted in recent years, there is still a lag in developing countries. Furthermore, more studies are needed to determine acrylamide in starchy food matrices subjected to immersion frying different from potatoes.
Protocol for the development and validation of a patient reported measure (PRM) of treatment burden in stroke
Authors: Gallacher Katie I , Taylor-Rowan Martin , Eton David T , McLeod Hamish , Kidd Lisa , Wood Karen , Sardar Aleema , Quinn Terry J , Mair Frances S
Published: October 2023

Background Treatment burden is the workload of healthcare for people with long-term conditions and the impact on wellbeing. A validated measure of treatment burden after stroke is needed. We aim to adapt a patient-reported measure (PRM) of treatment burden in multimorbidity, PETS (Patient Experience with Treatment and Self-Management version 2.0), to create a stroke-specific measure, PETS-stroke. We aim to examine content validity, construct validity, reliability and feasibility in a stroke survivor population. Methods 1) Adaptation of 60-item PETS to PETS-stroke using a taxonomy of treatment burden. 2) Content validity testing through cognitive interviews that will explore the importance, relevance and clarity of each item. 3) Evaluation of scale psychometric properties through analysis of data from stroke survivors recruited via postal survey (n=340). Factor structure will be tested with confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha will be used to index internal consistency. Construct validity will be tested against: The Stroke Southampton Self-Management Questionnaire; The Satisfaction with Stroke Care Measure; and The Shortened Stroke Impact Scale. We will explore known-groups validity by exploring the association between treatment burden, socioeconomic deprivation and multimorbidity. Test-retest reliability will be examined via re-administration after 2 weeks. Acceptability and feasibility of use will be explored via missing data rates and telephone interviews with 30 participants. Conclusions We aim to create a validated PRM of treatment burden after stroke. PETS-stroke is designed for use as an outcome measure in clinical trials of stroke treatments and complex interventions to ascertain if treatments are workable for patients in the context of their everyday lives.
Practical tips to improve bedside teaching using learning theories and critical reasoning
Authors: Rotthoff Thomas
Published: October 2023

Bedside teaching offers the opportunity to integrate the different professional roles and competencies of doctors and medical students with one another. It should not be delivered uniformly to all students but must be adapted to the level of experience of the students. Students at an early stage of their studies need a greater degree of structure and scaffolding than advanced students, as they may still feel insecure regarding a variety of factors. It therefore seems useful to take a closer look at the cognitive theories behind bedside teaching while bearing in mind that, in comparison to other teaching and learning formats, findings about emotion, epistemic beliefs, visual thinking strategies, theories of cognitive load, experiential learning and scripting, critical reasoning, structured briefing and debriefing can improve bedside teaching. This paper provides practical tips to reveal the processes of clinical reasoning and decision-making in a more rational, structured, analytical and critical manner.
The science behind soft skills: Doâs and Donâts for early career researchers and beyond. A review paper from the EU-CardioRNA COST Action CA17129
Authors: Acharya Shubhra , Preda Mihai Bogdan , Papatheodorou Ioanna , Palioura Dimitra , Giardoglou Panagiota , Tsata Vasiliki , Erceg Sanja , Barbalata Teodora , Ben-Aicha Soumaya , Martino Fabiana , Nicastro Laura , Lazou Antigone , Beis Dimitris , Martelli Fabio , Sopic Miron , Emanueli Costanza , Kardassis Dimitris , Devaux Yvan ,   EU-CardioRNA COST Action CA17129.
Published: October 2023

Soft skills are the elementary management, personal, and interpersonal abilities that are vital for an individual to be efficient at workplace or in their personal life. Each work place requires different set of soft skills. Thus, in addition to scientific/technical skills that are easier to access within a short time frame, several key soft skills are essential for the success of a researcher in today’s international work environment. In this paper, the trainees and trainers of the EU-CardioRNA COST Action CA17129 training school on soft skills present basic and advanced soft skills for early career researchers. Here, we particularly emphasize on the importance of transferable and presentation skills, ethics, literature reading and reviewing, research protocol and grant writing, networking, and career opportunities for researchers. All these skills are vital but are often overlooked by some scholars. We also provide tips to ace in aforementioned skills that are crucial in a day-to-day life of early and late career researchers in academia and industry.
From the lab to the field: acceptability of using electroencephalography with Indian preschool children
Authors: Lockwood Estrin Georgia , Bhavnani Supriya , Goodwin Amy , Arora Rashi , Divan Gauri , Haartsen Rianne , Mason Luke , Patel Vikram , Johnson Mark H. , Jones Emily J.H.
Published: October 2023

Background: Measurement of social and cognitive brain development using electroencephalography (EEG) offers the potential for early identification of children with elevated risk of developmental delay. However, there have been no published reports of how acceptable EEG technology is to parents and children within communities, especially in low-resource contexts such as in low and middle income countries (LMICs), which is an important question for the potential scalability of these assessments. We use a mixed-methods approach to examine whether EEG assessments are acceptable to children and their caregivers in a low resource community setting in India. Methods: We assessed the acceptability of neurophysiology research and Braintools (a novel neurodevelopmental assessment toolkit using concurrent EEG and eye-tracking technology) using: 1) a child engagement measure, 2) interviews with caregivers (n=8); 3) survey about caregiver’s experience (n=36). Framework analysis was used to analyse interview data. Results: A high level of child engagement in EEG tasks was demonstrated, with children’s gaze at the screen during the task averaging at 85.4% (±12.06%) of the task time. External distractions and noise during the tasks were measured, but not found to significantly effect child’s attention to the screen during EEG tasks. Key topics were examined using the framework analysis: 1) parental experience of the assessment; and 2) the acceptability of research. From topic 1, four sub-themes were identified: i) caregivers’ experience of the assessment, ii) caregivers’ perception of child's experience of assessment, iii) logistical barriers and facilitators to participation, and iv) recommendations for improvement. Results from interviews and the survey indicated acceptability for gaze-controlled EEG research for parents and children. From topic 2, three themes were identified: i) caregivers' understanding of the research, ii) barriers to participation, and iii) facilitators to participation. Barriers to participation mainly included logistical challenges, such as geographic location and time, whereas involvement of the wider family in decision making was highlighted as an important facilitator to partake in the research. Conclusions: We demonstrate for the first time the acceptability of conducting neurodevelopmental assessments using concurrent EEG and eye-tracking in preschool children in uncontrolled community LMIC settings. This kind of research appears to be acceptable to the community and we identify potential barriers and facilitators of this research, thus allowing for future large scale research projects to be conducted investigating neurodevelopment and risk factors for suboptimal development in LMICs.
Patterns and determinants of antibiotic prescription among children admitted to public hospitals in Kenya: A cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Otuko Rachel , Maina Michuki , Mwaniki Paul , Mweu Marshal , Akech Samuel
Published: October 2023

Background: Sick children frequently have antibiotics prescribed as part of their treatment. Inappropriate use of antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics, can result in the development of antibiotic resistance and the consequences of antibiotic resistance. In this study, we use routinely collected data to describe the patterns and identify factors influencing antibiotic prescription among admitted children.

Methods: Routine data collected from medical records of children aged 2 months or older admitted between 2014 and 2020 to paediatric wards of 12 hospitals which are part of a Clinical Information Network (CIN) are used. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression is used to assess determinants of antibiotic prescription with a random slope and intercept for hospital level. 

Results: A total of  127,984 antibiotic prescriptions were made in 107,500 participants included in the study where 81.1% (87,183/107,500) had one or more antibiotic prescriptions. The commonly prescribed antibiotics were a combination of benzylpenicillin and gentamicin (37,939/127,984 - 29.6%), ceftriaxone (31,172/127,984 - 24.6%) and oral amoxicillin (12,593 /127,984 - 9.8%). Factors associated with antibiotic prescription were history of cough (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), = 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.966 - 2.152), bloody diarrhoea (aOR=5.6, CI:4.453 - 7.036), diagnoses of pneumonia (aOR=27.66, CI:21.768 - 35.154), malnutrition (aOR=6.3, CI:4.558 - 8.701) and meningitis (aOR=11.85, CI:9.502 - 14.779).  Antibiotic prescription was less likely in children diagnosed only with severe anaemia (aOR=0.8, CI:0.742 - 0.870), malaria (aOR:0.22, CI:0.201 - 0.231), diarrhoea (aOR:0.36, CI:0.331 - 0.398), and dehydration (aOR=0.4, CI:0.347 - 0.464).

Conclusion: Antibiotics are prescribed in approximately four of every five children admitted to paediatric wards of Kenyan hospitals. Prescriptions are mainly in patients who fulfil syndromic clinical criteria where antibiotics are indicated. Without the introduction of reliable pathogen diagnostics, it will be difficult to reduce antibiotic prescriptions among admitted children.
A Review: Cybersecurity Challenges and their Solutions in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs)
Authors: Saeed Zubair , Masood Mubashir , Khan Misha Urooj
Published: October 2023

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) are a crucial breakthrough in the automotive industry and a magnificent step toward a safe, secure, and intelligent transportation system (ITS). CAVs offer tremendous benefits to our society and environment, such as mitigation of traffic accidents, reduction in traffic congestion, fewer emissions of harmful gases, etc. However, emerging automotive technology also has some serious safety concerns. One of them is cyber security. Conventional vehicles are less prone to cyber-attacks, but CAVs are more susceptible to such events as they communicate with the surrounding infrastructure and other vehicles. To gather data for a better perception of their surroundings, CAVs are outfitted with state-of-the-art sensors and modules like LiDAR, GPS, RADAR, onboard computers, cameras, etc. Hackers, terrorist organizations, and vandals can manipulate this sensor data or may access the primary control by cyber-attack, which may result in enormous fatalities. The automotive industry must put up a rigid framework against cyber invasions to make CAVs a more reliable and secure means of transportation. This paper provides an overview of cybersecurity challenges in CAVs at the module and software levels. The sources of active and passive threats are analyzed. Finally, a feasible solution is recommended to cope with such threats
EUV telescope for a Cubesat nanosatellite
Authors: Kuzin Sergey , Bogachev Sergey , Pertsov Andrey , Loboda Ivan , Chervinsky Viktor , Chkhalo Nikolay , Lopatin Alexey , Malyshev Ilya , Pestov Alexey , Pleshkov Roman , Polkovnikov Vladimir , Toropov Michael , Tsybin Nikolay , Zuev Sergey
Published: October 2023

This paper describes in detail a compact (2U format) telescope operating in the extreme ultraviolet range for studying the solar corona at a wavelength of 17.14 nm. The telescope objective has been built according to the Ritchey–Chrétien scheme with the following parameters: effective focal length of 381.3 mm, field of view of 2×2∘, and angular resolution of 11 in. Reflective multilayer Al/Be coatings were used, having 55% reflectance and a 0.4 nm spectral bandwidth. The wavefront rms error is 30 nm. An interferometric technique for controlling the shapes of the substrates and for adjusting the optical system and detector of the telescope assembly is described in detail.
Aperture division multispectral camera for the Earth's reflected solar radiation observation based on the Lagrange L1 point of the Earth-Moon system
Authors: Zhang Hanyuan , Ye Xin , Wang Yuwei , Wu Duo , Yang Dongjun , Fang Wei
Published: October 2023

We propose an aperture division multispectral camera for Earth observation (EAMC) based on the Lagrange L1 point of the Earth-Moon system to measure the Earth's reflected solar radiation (RSR), quantify the effective radiative forcing (ERF) and establish the pixel-scale multispectral angular distribution model (ADM) of the Earth's radiance. The EAMC adopts the snapshot technique to provide multispectral images in the 360-920 nm wavelength, employing nine subsystems sharing a primary system. The camera can capture the entire Earth's two-dimensional morphology and spectral fingerprints at a 10 km spatial resolution, with all spectral images acquired concurrently on a single detector. The camera's optical system is designed and simulated, and the stray light is analyzed and suppressed. Simulation and analysis results show that the camera can obtain high-quality images of the Earth's disk with a 2.5° field of view (FOV). The stray light is suppressed to less than 0.05% of the observed multispectral Earth radiation. The novel EAMC provides a new way to generate climate-relevant knowledge from the perspective of global Earth observation and has great potential for other applications in space-based remote sensing spectral imaging.
Data augmentation using continuous conditional generative adversarial networks for regression and its application to improved spectral sensing
Authors: Zhu Yuhao , Su Haoyu , Xu Pengsheng , Xu Yuxin , Wang Yujie , Dong Chun-Hua , Lu Jin , Le Zichun , Yang Xiaoniu , Xuan Qi , Zou Chang-Ling , Ren Hongliang
Published: October 2023

Machine learning-assisted spectroscopy analysis faces a prominent constraint in the form of insufficient spectral samples, which hinders its effectiveness. Meanwhile, there is a lack of effective algorithms to simulate synthetic spectra from limited samples of real spectra for regression models in continuous scenarios. In this study, we introduced a continuous conditional generative adversarial network (CcGAN) to autonomously generate synthetic spectra. The labels employed for generating the spectral data can be arbitrarily selected from within the range of labels associated with the real spectral data. Our approach effectively produced spectra using a small spectral dataset obtained from a self-interference microring resonator (SIMRR)-based sensor. The generated synthetic spectra were subjected to evaluation using principal component analysis, revealing an inability to discern them from the real spectra. Finally, to enhance the DNN regression model, these synthetic spectra are incorporated into the original training dataset as an augmentation technique. The results demonstrate that the synthetic spectra generated by CcGAN exhibit exceptional quality and significantly enhance the predictive performance of the DNN model. In conclusion, CcGAN exhibits promising potential in generating high-quality synthetic spectra and delivers a superior data augmentation effect for regression tasks.
Generalized inverse matrix-graphic deep learning algorithm for multispectral pyrometer temperature inversion
Authors: Zhang Nannan , Xing Jian , Cui Shuanglong
Published: October 2023

The multispectral radiometric temperature measurement technique is affected by the unknown emissivity, and there is no multispectral radiometric temperature inversion algorithm applicable to any scene or target. To address the above problems, this paper converts the multispectral radiometric temperature inversion problem into an image recognition problem containing the temperature information to be measured, and proposes a graphical multispectral radiometric temperature adaptive inversion algorithm. In this paper, we use the difference between spectral channels to convert the one-dimensional radiation data into a two-dimensional radiation map; use the generalized inverse to obtain the spectral emissivity distribution features, fuse them with the two-dimensional radiation map, and use an improved deep learning network to achieve adaptive temperature inversion. It is experimentally verified that the algorithm proposed in this paper can achieve simultaneous inversion of temperature and emissivity for any scene or target with sufficient data set.