bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain Connectomics Markers for Response Prediction to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cocaine Use Disorder
Authors: Ghazi Nayereh , Garza-Villarreal Eduardo A. , Soltanian-Zadeh Hamid
Published: May 2024

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a worldwide health problem with limited effective treatment options. The therapeutic potential of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is gaining more attention following evidence of its role on craving reduction in CUD. However, the heterogeneity of results underscores a pressing need for biomarkers of treatment outcome. We asked whether brain connectomics together with clinical assessments can predict response to add-on rTMS therapy for CUD better than solely conventional clinical assessments.
A total of 36 patients with CUD underwent an open-label acute phase of receiving two daily sessions of 5-Hz rTMS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC). Subsequently, 19 and 14 patients continued to an open-label maintenance phase of two weekly rTMS sessions for 3 and 6 months, respectively. Pre and post treatment resting-state brain functional connectivity as well as two clinical scores related to craving were measured to predict the subsequent response to rTMS therapy. Two conventional clinical scores, namely Cocaine craving questionnaires (CCQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used as craving level assessments. We used a priori seed-driven connectivity of DLPFC and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) together with the connectivity from a whole-brain multi-voxel pattern analysis at each time point to predict the reduction in craving after rTMS.
The combination of connectivity changes and baseline craving severity measures improved the prediction of individual craving compared to the prediction with only initial craving severity. The predictive model from the combination of neuromarkers could explain 45 to 97 percent of variance in craving changes assessed by two different clinical scores. We used leave-one-subject-out cross-validation to support the generalizability of our findings. Our results indicate that employing neuromarkers from resting-state functional connectivity of pre and post condition of CUD patients receiving add-on rTMS therapy increases the power of predicting craving changes and support the idea that neuromarkers may offer improvements in precision medicine approaches.
Age- and Sex-Specific Reference Intervals for Renin and Aldosterone in Healthy Individuals in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Zhang Caiyan , Guo Zihong , Yi Chunxiu , Zhang Wen , Wang Han , Zhao Yajing
Published: May 2024

Background The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) is crucial involvement in both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for hypertension. However, the thresholds for detection vary depending on the characteristics of the examined population. Numerous factors can influence the quantification of the PRC and PAC, including instrumentation, methodology, geographical location, ethnicity, body posture, dietary habits, sex, and age. This study aimed to establish age- and sex-specific reference intervals for renin and aldosterone in Yunnan Province, China.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a comprehensive dataset including age, sex, medical and medication history, family history, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate), blood biochemical indices, plasma renin concentrations (PRC) and plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC). A rigorous statistical analysis was conducted to investigate variations in renin and aldosterone levels by sex and age, facilitating the redefinition of groups. Subsequently, reference intervals for renin and aldosterone were established in the defined groups.Results This study involved 5200 ostensibly healthy individuals. Renin and aldosterone levels differed significantly across sex and age groups. Specifically, PRC was significantly lower in women than men, while PAC was significantly higher in men than women. PRC decreased with age, while PAC levels were lowest in the18–24 age group and peaked in the 25–64 age group.Conclusions Our findings underscore the crucial role of sex and age when precisely evaluating renin and aldosterone levels. This groundbreaking study established for the first time age- and sex-specific reference intervals for renin and aldosterone in healthy individuals in Yunnan Province, China.
Safety and feasibility of early drinking water after general anesthesia recovery in patients undergoing daytime surgery
Authors: Lu Yixing , Liu Siyan , Jing Shunzhong , Zhao Xuefeng , Liang Jiamei , Sun Xiaoqiang , Lin Yunan
Published: May 2024

Background
Patients who are recovering from general anesthesia commonly exhibit symptoms such as dry lips, throat irritation, and thirst, prompting a desire to drink water in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects and any potential complications of administering varying quantities of water to such patients. The primary objectives are to assess the safety and feasibility of early water intake after general anesthesia, specifically in the context of daytime surgery.
Methods
A total of 200 nongastrointestinal patients who underwent outpatient surgery were randomly assigned to four groups: Group A (drinking < 1 ml/kg), Group B (drinking 1–2 ml/kg), Group C (drinking > 2 ml/kg), and Group D (no water intake). We monitored changes in the assessment parameters before and after water consumption, as well as the incidence of post-drinking nausea and vomiting, and compared these outcomes among the four groups.
Results
Water intake led to a significant reduction in thirst, oropharyngeal discomfort, and pain scores and a notable increase in the gastric antrum motility index (MI), exhibiting statistical significance compared to the values before drinking (p < 0.05). Remarkably, higher water consumption correlated with enhanced gastrointestinal peristalsis. There was a significant difference in the antral MI among groups B, C, and A (p < 0.05). The occurrence of nausea and vomiting did not significantly differ among groups A, B, C, and D (p > 0.05). Early water consumption enhanced patient satisfaction with medical care, significantly varying from Group D (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Non-gastrointestinal surgical patients who passed pre-drinking water assessments post GA(general anesthesia)recovery could safely ingest moderate amounts of water in the PACU. Early water intake is both safe and feasible, effectively fostering swift postoperative recovery.
Self-assembling solid cathode enables high-capacity, low-cost Ca-Sb battery
Authors: Kim Hojong , Im Sanghyeok , Asghari-Rad Peyman , Varnell Kelly , Vai Alex , Cui Jianyi , Howland Rachael , Bradwell David
Published: May 2024

For renewable energy technologies to decarbonize the power grid without compromising its reliability, low-cost grid-scale energy storage with resilient long-term performance is required. Here, we report a new type of high-temperature liquid metal battery (LMB) that achieves unprecedented capacity, low electrode costs, and strong cycling performance by replacing the traditional liquid LMB cathode with one based on solid particles. Through the combination of a liquid calcium (Ca) alloy anode, a cathode based on solid antimony (Sb) particles, and an all-chloride electrolyte, the Ca||Sb(s) system achieved 318% higher discharge capacity per unit mass of the cathode (715 mAh g-1 vs. 171 mAh g-1) and 76% lower electrode cost (15.5 $/kWh vs. 65 $/kWh) than the lowest cost LMB chemistry yet published. These Ca||Sb(s) batteries cycled with high Coulombic (>98.4%) and energy efficiencies (79–84%) at C-rates relevant for daily cycling applications. The remarkable increase in specific capacity is due to the self-assembly of Sb into a micro-structured, electronically connected cathode network, which enables nearly complete utilization of Sb. Despite using a solid cathode, the Ca||Sb(s) system retains the characteristic minimal capacity fade of LMBs, with no meaningful degradation observed over ~4000 full depth-of-discharge cycles. Additionally, the liquid Ca alloy anode mitigates the formation of solid Ca dendrites which would be detrimental to stable cycling performance.
Physical Studies and Hyperthermia Biomedical Modeling Application of Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoclusters Coated with Barbituric Acid
Authors: El-Kholany Ahmed , Gebreel Doaa Talha
Published: May 2024

From both technological and clinical perspectives, cancer statistics exhibit a decline in new diagnosis and treatment techniques. As a result, there is still a lot of potential for improvement in terms of therapeutic alternatives. In this study, emerging biomedical uses of a newer class of composite magnetic nanoparticles in hyperthermia with optimum size have cleared the way for multimodal imaging techniques including nanoparticle-based MRI and CT. A magnetic nano-cluster (Fe3O4) coated with barbituric acid and its complex were synthesized. The structure, mode of bonding, surface charge, physical size, and morphology of the prepared materials were studied. The mechanisms of the thermal decomposition for the naked Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle (MNP), Coated NP, and the prepared complex were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The activation energy for the prepared compounds was determined. The prepared materials ' thermal transitions and kinetic studies were determined by differential scanning calorimetry technique (DSC). A model was designed using the 3D Slicer software platform and imported to Computer Simulation Technology (CST studio). The model was simulated in the presence of prepared nanoparticles: barbituric acid@ Fe3O4 to calculate the specific absorption rate (SAR) and thermal simulation of the model. The results indicate that the prepared coated MNP with a 9–12 nm diameter range enhances microwave imaging and hyperthermia treatment at low frequencies. Therefore, localized heating (hyperthermia) using multifunctional nanoparticles is gaining popularity as a form of “multimodal nanothermal therapy and diagnoses.
If You Build It, Will They Come? A Mixed-Method Formative Evaluation of the Start-up of a Post-Discharge Clinic to Improve Care Transitions
Authors: Lee Seung-Yup , Eagleson Reid , Hearld Larry , Gibson Madeline , Hearld Kristine , Hall Allyson , Burkholder Greer , McMahon Jacob , Mahmood Shoaib , Spraberry Corey , Baker Thalia , Garretson Alison , Bradley Heather , Mugavero Michael
Published: May 2024

Background The transition from hospital care to post-discharge follow-up is pivotal for patient health and healthcare system efficiency. While Post Discharge Clinics (PDCs) are designed to facilitate this transition, these new ventures can face challenges, such as patient adherence to appointments. Formative evaluations can provide guidelines for their effective implementation.Methods A mixed-method formative evaluation was conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System (UABHS)'s PDC to evaluate the first 12 months of operation. The study combined quantitative analysis of patient characteristics, appointment status, and comorbidities with qualitative interviews of PDC staff to assess operational performance and identify areas for improvement.Results The quantitative analysis reported results on 2,168 PDC appointments during the study period. About half of the referred patients attended their appointment (52.1%), while the rest either cancelled (24.0%) or did not show up (23.3%). Statistically significant associations were found between patient demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors (e.g., marital status, insurance type, comorbidities) and adherence to appointments. The qualitative findings with PDC staff highlighted perceived benefits of the clinic, challenges in patient engagement, and the need for dedicated resources, such as social workers and specialists to optimize potential benefits.Conclusions The initial operation of the UAB PDC indicates the potential effectiveness of such clinics in improving transitional care. However, addressing barriers to patient adherence, particularly for socially vulnerable groups, and enhancing resource allocation based on stakeholder engagement are critical for the success and scalability of PDCs.
Exploring Eco-Anxiety and Eco-Coping in Young Adults in India
Authors: Jain Vartika , Jose Alphonsa , NJ Eldhose , John Daisy
Published: May 2024

Although research on eco-anxiety in young adults is increasing, the prevalence of eco-anxiety in young adults without generalised anxiety disorder and the coping mechanisms they use are scarce. This study aimed to address this research gap in young adults in India and to gain deeper knowledge of the phenomenon. The study used nonprobability purposive sampling for recruitment. A heterogeneous sample of young adults aged 18–24 was recruited for semistructured interviews after the screening process. The participants were also asked to complete an eco-anxiety scale to validate the data further. Seven major themes were found, including information about climate change, associated emotions, coping strategies, blame attribution, barriers to pro-environmental behavior, views about the future, and personal impacts of climate change. These implications may extend to the therapeutic realm, informing the development of coping strategies for long-term well-being. These findings will also aid in developing psychometric scales for coping strategies specific to eco-anxiety and policy development and for including young adults in the decision-making process.
Development and Validation of the eHealth Literacy and Use Scale (eHLUS) to Measure Medical App Literacy.
Authors: Stephan Johannes , Gehrmann Jan , Stullich Ananda , Dehner Jana , Richter Matthias
Published: May 2024

The digital transformation in healthcare has significantly driven the integration of medical apps into patient care. The proliferation of medical apps requires a comprehensive understanding and assessment of users' eHealth literacy. Traditional eHealth literacy assessment tools often overlook the direct access to evidence-based information that medical apps provide. To close this gap, we developed and validated the eHealth Literacy and Use Scale (eHLUS), a German-language instrument tailored to the specific requirements of medical app use, such as integration into everyday life and self-efficacy. The eHLUS exhibited robust psychometric properties when evaluated with 121 cases. The evaluation results of the scale, along with the eleven expert interviews conducted as part of the scale development, underscore both the necessity and feasibility of the scale. The eHLUS captures eHealth literacy and its associated determinants in the context of medical app use, thus contributing to optimizing patient care.
Eyes and Movement Differences in Unconscious State during Microscopic Procedures
Authors: Fujita Akiko , Oyama Shintaro , Tatebe Masahiro , Shimoda Shingo , Tokutake Katsuhiro , Yamamoto Michiro , Hirata Hitoshi
Published: May 2024

Microsurgery is one of the techniques that is increasingly being adopted in many surgical fields. However, the acquisition and transfer of microsurgical skills primarily depend on experience. Additionally, opportunities to improve microsurgical skills are limited and a uniform evaluation system is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand the physical characteristics of experienced and novice surgeons and to propose efficient training and evaluation methods from an educational perspective. In this study, nine hand surgeons and six orthopedic surgeons were included in expert group E and novice group N, respectively. An eye tracker and surface electromyography were used. They were asked to perform the suturing procedure under the same conditions. The viewpoint distribution area was larger in group N than in group E (p < 0.01). In group E, the pupil diameter increased only in a limited phase. The standard deviation of the distance between gaze and hand movements was smaller in group E, especially for gaze. Group E used the synergy of the same muscles to create movement. This study showed that there are differences in eye movements and unconscious body control during suturing techniques under the microscope between experienced users and novices.
Identification of novel gene signature predicting lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer via bioinformatics analysis and in vitro validation
Authors: li Hai , Sun Dongnan , Jin Kai , Wang Xudong
Published: May 2024

Background
Although with a good prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the patients in PTC experiencing lymph node metastasis (LNM) remained higher recurrence and mortality rate. It was still essential to explore novel biomarkers or methods to predict and evaluate the situation in the stages of PTC.
Method
In this study, mRNA sequence datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were utilized to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PTC tumor and normal specimens and DEGs related to lymph node metastasis were identified using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) according to the clinical information. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were applied to quest the biological functions and pathways. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING database and a prognosis model was established using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis based on the LNM-related DEGs. Finally, six hub genes were identified and verified in vitro experiments.
Results
LNM-related co-expression modules were identified using WGCNA analysis from samples of TCGA THCA and GSE60542. A novel six-gene signature model including COL8A2, MET, FN1, MPZL2, PDLIM4 and CLDN10 was established based on totally 52 DEGs from the intersection of those modules to predict the situation of lymph node metastasis in PTC. Those six hub genes were all higher expressed in PTC tumors and played potential biological functions on the development of PTC in vitro experiments, which had potential values as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Machine Learning for Leprosy Suspicion Questionnaire: A Low-Cost Tool for High Quality Leprosy New Case Screening
Authors: Simões Mateus Mendonça Ramos , Lima Filipe Rocha , Lugão Helena Barbosa , de Paula Natália Aparecida , Silva Cláudia Maria Lincoln , Ramos Alexandre , Frade Marco Andrey Cipriani
Published: May 2024

Leprosy is a dermatoneurological disease and can cause irreversible nerve damage. In addition to being able to mimic different rheumatological, neurological and dermatological diseases, leprosy is underdiagnosed because several professionals present lack of training. The World Health Organization instituted active search for new leprosy cases as one of the four pillars of the global leprosy strategy, which aims detecting cases early before visible disabilities occur. The Leprosy Suspicion Questionnaire (LSQ) was created aiming to be a screening tool to actively detect new cases; it is composed of 14 simple yes/no questions that can be answered with the help of a health professional or by the very patient themselves. During its development, it was noticed that combination of marked questions was related to new case detections. To better perform and being able to expand its use, we developed MaLeSQs, a Machine Learning tool whose output may be LSQ Positive when the subject is indicated for being further clinically evaluated or LSQ Negative when the subject does not present any evidence that justify being further evaluated for leprosy. To achieve an efficient product, we trained four classifiers with different learning paradigms, Support Vectors Machine, Logistic Regression, Random Forest and XGBoost. We compared them based on sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value, negative predicted value, and area under the ROC curve. After the training process, the Support Vectors Machine was the classifier with most balanced metrics, and it was chosen as the MaLeSQs. With Shapley values, we were able to evaluate variable importance and nerve symptoms were considered imported to differentiate between subject that potentially had leprosy of those who did not. The results highlight the possibility that machine learning algorithms are able to contribute improving health care coverage and strengthening leprosy control strategies.
Exploring perceptions of nursing identity construction in Pakistan: Qualitative study on self, public, and professional perspectives
Authors: Abbas Sidra , Zakar Rubeena , Fischer Florian
Published: May 2024

Background
Nursing identities are intricately woven with societal norms, organizational expectations, and individual self-perceptions, often entailing negative connotations and societal devaluation. This study aims to explore the intersectionality of nursing identities through the lenses of gender performativity and work identity theories. Specifically, it seeks to analyze nurses’ perceptions regarding the construction of their self, public, and professional identities, thereby shaping the nursing profession’s image in Pakistan.
Methods
Employing a qualitative exploratory research design and purposive sampling, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with nurses from three public hospitals in Lahore, Punjab. Thematic analysis was applied to elucidate the participants’ viewpoints, corroborated by real-life narratives. Utilizing NVIVO-14 qualitative data software for coding, nine codes, three common themes, and fifteen sub-themes were generated.
Results
The findings revealed three overarching themes concerning constructed nursing identities: (i) Self-identity: Female nurses, predominantly, perceive themselves as disempowered due to fluctuating self-perceptions and conflicting identities, facing hierarchical subordination within patriarchal organizational structures. (ii) Public identity: Nursing care is often relegated to menial work, extending the notion of domestic labor into the public sphere, thus reflecting societal recognition of nursing as a poverty-induced profession. (iii) Professional identity: Nurses are predominantly viewed as clinical task performers, akin to competent robots following physicians’ directives, lacking recognition as intellectual beings within the healthcare hierarchy.
Conclusion
The study underscores the complexity of nursing identities and their impact on the broader perception of the nursing profession in Pakistan. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive strategies to address the multifaceted challenges faced by nurses in constructing and asserting their identities. Efforts should be directed towards fostering a supportive organizational culture that acknowledges and respects the diverse contributions of nurses.
Experimental Investigation on Loads of Nets with Different Types under Current
Authors: Xu Lingyun , Miao Yuji , Wu Xiaofei , Li Peng , Qin Hongde
Published: May 2024

The drag of the net is the main component of the total hydrodynamic loads of the cage. Net drag is related to the safe use and reliability of the net cage. However, there is still a lack of tests about the influence of different parameters such as materials, mesh types, solidity ratios, and angles of attack on the hydrodynamic loads of nets. In this paper, a series of flume tests are used to investigate the drag on the nets and the relationships between the drag coefficient and the net material, net solidity ratio, mesh shape, current velocity, and current direction. The drag of six nets with different types under varying current velocities and current directions are calculated, and the curves between the drag coefficient and the current velocity or Reynolds number are further obtained. The test results show that the drag and drag coefficients of the net are not only related to the current velocity and the windward area but also to the mesh shape, net solidity ratio, material properties, etc. On this basis, the drag coefficients of these nets obtained from the prediction models and the tests are compared and analyzed, and the applicable conditions of different prediction models are further clarified. This paper can provide data support for the drag calculation of the cage.
Chiglitazar, the first pan-PPAR agonist approved globally, shows potential to treat metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Deng Sijun , Li Sijia , Zhang Qian , Mao Xuhua , Pan Desi , Yang Xiaoyan , Huang Shengjian
Published: May 2024

Chiglitazar was approved by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in 2021 to treat patients with type 2 diabetes and potentially benefit patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). To investigate its efficacy in MASH, we performed monocyte activation and migration assays and liver and stellate cell proliferation assays in vitro, as well as conducted three different animal model studies of MASH in vivo. Our results showed that Chiglitazar significantly reduced the number of migrated cells of MCP-1 activated THP-1 cells. Furthermore, Chiglitazar-treated THP-1 cells showed reduced gene expression of TNF-α and MCP-1. Furthermore, Chiglitazar dramatically reduced the cell proliferation of TGF-β induced human skin fibroblasts and liver stellate cells, as well as reduced the gene expression of α-SMA and CTGF. In animal studies, Chiglitazar alleviated liver steatosis and inflammation in the MCD model and ameliorated liver inflammation and fibrosis in both the CCL4 and HFD+CCL4 models. In conclusion, as the first approved peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist, Chiglitazar also shows potential to treat MASH by regulating steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. This potential could be translated into clinical studies in the future.
Increased biofilm-associated Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter- calcoaceticus-baumannii complex infections among the hospitalized patients in Kathmandu Model Hospital, Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Shova , Upreti Milan Kumar , Angbuhang Khadga Bikram , Shrestha Basudha , Shrestha Upendra Thapa
Published: May 2024

Background
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex (ACBC) has emerged as a global burden to various clinical infections. The increasing resistance to the majority of antibiotics adds a huge problem in empirical therapy and control of ACBC infections. In addition, the ability of ACBC to produce biofilm has not only contributed to its antimicrobial resistance but also helped its persistence and survival in the environment. Most tertiary care hospitals in Nepal are facing similar ACBC infections.
Methods
Hence, this hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out to associate the biofilm formation with carbapenem-resistant ACBC isolates detecting biofilm-forming genes Bap, csuE, and blaPER1 from February 2020 to August 2020 at Kathmandu Model Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. The clinical bacterial isolates were identified by standard Microbiological procedures including Gram staining, and cultural and biochemical characteristics. A modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was performed to assay the antibiotic susceptibility testing of ACBC isolates to various antibiotic classes. A quantitative adherence assay was used to determine the biofilm assay. A conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used to find the targeted biofilm-related genes using specific primers.
Results
Out of 665 different clinical samples, bacterial growth was observed in 281 (42.3%) clinical samples. Of these, 32 (11.4%) isolates were identified as ACBC. Out of 32 ACBC isolates, 29 (90.6%) of which were carbapenem-resistant. All carbapenem-resistant ACBC isolates were found to be sensitive to polymixin B and colistin. Out of 29 CR-ACBC, 17.2% of isolates were resistant to tigecycline. A total of 31 ACBC isolates were biofilm producers, out of which 2 were strong biofilm producers followed by 8 moderate, and 21 were weak biofilm producers. The occurrence of biofilm-forming genes; Bap, csuE, and blaPER1 genes were found to be 65.6%, 65.6%, and 56.3% respectively among ACBC clinical isolates. A significant association was observed between carbapenem resistance, biofilm formation, and biofilm-related genes.
Conclusion
Since ACBC isolates are ubiquitous including in the hospital environment and its infections are alarming to clinical settings, the effective sterilization of clinical equipment and hospital environment are utmost. In addition, a strong policy should be made to prescribe the proper antibiotic based on antibiogram profile to fight against an emerging threat of ACBC infections
Influence of Crab Shell Particles Reinforcement on the Mechanical Properties of Aluminium 6063
Authors: Owa Adebayo Felix , Olubambi Peter Apata
Published: May 2024

The utilization of natural resources in material science has gained prominence due to the quest for sustainable and innovative materials. This work explores the development and characterization of an aluminum matrix composite reinforced with crab shell particles (CSPs). The CSPs were produced via the milling process for 72 hours and the CSPs were incorporated in varying percentages (0–20 wt%) into the aluminum matrix using a stir casting technique, the mechanical properties (tensile strength, compressive strength, % elongation, and impact energy) of the composites were determined using an Instron universal testing machine (UTM) and a Charpy impact testing machine, respectively. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the microstructure of the composite fracture surfaces and Gywddion 2.65 software was used to view the SEM images of the fracture surfaces in three dimensions (3D). The results showed that tensile strength, compressive strength, % elongation, and impact energy were enhanced by adding varying percentages of CSPs on the aluminum 6063 composites.
WITHDRAWN: A Cross-sectional Study on Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Prevalence and Dietary Phosphorus using NHANES Data from 2015-2018
Authors: Mai Hui-Min , Zheng Ya-Fang , Chen Ze-Ru , Zha Yong-Ping , Jia Pan , Yan Chen , Luo Hong-Bin , Lao Jian-Wei , Guo Xu-Guang , Lin Li-Hong
Published: May 2024

Background
Phosphorus, an essential constituent of the human body, not only is present in human tissues but also actively participates in numerous metabolic processes. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition that is widely observed in women and is considered to be a common problem in the field of gynecology, involves inflammation of female pelvic reproductive organs such as the uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary, along with the surrounding connective tissue and peritoneum. The objective of this study was to examine how dietary phosphorus intake is related to the prevalence of PID.
Methods
The female participants included in our cross-sectional investigation were sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2015 to 2018. Various statistical methods, such as regression equations with multiple factors, analyses within subgroups, and smooth curve fitting were utilized to analyze the relationship between dietary phosphorus intake and PID incidence.
Results
A decrease in PID incidence is associated with increased dietary phosphorus intake. Model 1, adjusted for age and ethnicity, exhibited a strong connection between dietary phosphorus consumption and PID (OR = 0.9995, 95% CI = 0.9992-0.9998, p = 0.002655), a finding further supported by Model 2, which underwent full adjustments (OR = 0.9996, 95% CI = 0.9993-0.9999, p = 0.011260). Moreover, a notable pattern toward a negative correlation between phosphorus intake and PID was observed in the tertile subgroups (OR < 1, p < 0.05), indicating a robust association. Additionally, the smoothed curves revealed a consistent link between PID and dietary phosphorus consumption.
Conclusions
The incidence of PID was found to be negatively linked to dietary phosphorus intake in this cross-sectional study. Nonetheless, additional prospective studies are required to confirm a direct link between dietary phosphorus and PID, bearing in mind the limitations of the current study.
On the present and future changes in Indian summer monsoon precipitation characteristics under different SSP scenarios from CMIP6 models
Authors: Norgate Marc , Tiwari Pushp Raj , Das Sushant , Kumar Dhirendra
Published: May 2024

Monsoons are a vital part of the agriculture and economy of India which most of its population rely on for their livelihoods. It still is not clear how climate change will impact precipitation events over India due to the complexity of accurately modelling precipitation. Using 12 Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project 6 (CMIP6) models, we compared their performance to observed data taken from CRU as well as looking at the future changes in precipitation until the end of the 21st century for the 6 precipitation homogenous regions over India. The individual models showed varying degrees of wet and dry biases and the ensemble mean of these models showed relatively lesser bias and improved spatial correlation. Out of 12 models, NorESM and MIROC6 models outperform other models in terms of capturing the spatial variability of precipitation over the Indian region. It is also found that due to lesser moisture transport from the adjoining seas represented through vertically integrated moisture transport (VIMT) analysis, there is consistent dry bias across the models. Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) were used for future projections and a slight increase in JJAS precipitation until the end of the century with SSP5-8.5 showing the largest increase. We found an increase in precipitation of 0.49, 0.74 and 1.4mm/day under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 in the far future. The northeast region was shown to receive the largest increase in precipitation (2.9 mm/day) compared to other precipitation homogenous regions and northwest will experience largest shift in precipitation. Interestingly, the number of wet days is expected to increase in the northwest region implying more VIMT towards the region. Our results indicate that monsoon precipitation extremes across all the homogenous regions will increase into the future with a higher severity under fossil-fuelled development, although the models still show large biases lowering confidence in our results.
A Correlation Study between Drug Dose and Shock Severity in Adults with Amlodipine Poisoning
Authors: Li Hui , Zhang Hua , Fu Yuanwei , Guo Zhiguo , Ma Qingbian
Published: May 2024

Background:Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are increasingly implicated in cardiovascular drug poisoning. Among CCBs, amlodipine is associated with the highest rates of acute toxicity and fatalities. However, the dose-outcome relationship in amlodipine poisoning has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the ingested dose of amlodipine and the severity of shock in affected patients by analyzing clinical data from documented cases.
Methods:This study included adult patients treated for amlodipine poisoning-induced shock at the emergency department of Peking University Third Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022. Additionally, cases reported in the literature from January 1997 to December 2022 were also included. Patients were categorized into two groups: shock and refractory shock.
Results:This study included a total of 80 patients, with 37 experiencing shock and 43 presenting with refractory shock. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of sex distribution (p=0.037) and the ingested amlodipine dose (p=0.001). Through binary logistic regression analysis, the amlodipine dose was identified as an independent predictor of shock severity (p=0.005). A subgroup analysis was performed on patients who were poisoned by ingesting amlodipine alone, further confirming the significant dose difference (p=0.003) between the shock and refractory shock categories. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for predicting refractory shock in patients with amlodipine poisoning was 0.723 [95% CI: 0.613, 0.833]. The optimal cutoff dose for predicting refractory shock was 347.5 mg, with a sensitivity of 0.651 and a specificity of 0.784. Sensitivity analyses, excluding cases of mixed poisoning, yielded a higher AUC of 0.795 [95% CI: 0.634, 0.956], with a slightly adjusted cutoff dose of 350 mg, a sensitivity of 0.867, and a specificity of 0.737. Dose‒response relationship plots demonstrated that the incidence of refractory shock increased as the ingested amlodipine dose increased.
Conclusion:In adult patients with amlodipine poisoning, the severity of shock was correlated with the ingested dose of the drug. When the ingested amlodipine dose exceeds 347.5 mg, it is crucial to be cautious of the development of refractory shock.
Trial registration:Retrospectively registered.
Predictors for Persistent Hypogammaglobulinemia After Rituximab Therapy in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Höppener Susanna P.C. , Veldkamp Saskia R. , Groot Mark C.H. , Haitjema Saskia , Drylewicz Julia , Boelens Jaap Jan , Lindemans Caroline A. , Montfrans Joris van , Royen-Kerkhof Annet van , Jansen Marc H.A.
Published: May 2024

Hypogammaglobulinemia (HG) is a recognized consequence of rituximab (RTX) therapy, extensively studied in adults but minimally explored in children. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center to determine prevalence, predictors and clinical outcomes of HG in children after RTX therapy. Patients aged ≤ 18 years treated with RTX for various indications between 2000 and 2020 were included. Patients were classified as having HG when (1) IgG levels were <-2SD below reference for age, or (2) they received immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT). HG after the last RTX dose was observed in 100/141 patients (71%). Persistent HG (>6 months) was observed in 61/95 patients (64%), of whom 10 patients remained in HG for more than 5 years. Low baseline IgG levels and HSCT treatment were significantly associated with persistent HG. Median reconstitution time for CD19+ B cells was 11 months (IQR=[7.3-18.1]). Median reconstitution time for CD19+CD27+IgG+ switched memory B cells was 1.8 years (IQR=[0.87-2.8]) and for every additional 6 months of IgG+ memory B cell depletion, chances of recovering from HG fell by 11% (HR=0.89, 95% CI=[0.81-0.98], p=0.02). Four patients developed a class-switch recombination-deficiency. Recurrent infections, of which 2 fatal, were observed in 18 patients with HG. In conclusion, over 70% of children had low IgG levels and/or required IGRT following RTX therapy. Predictors for persistent HG were low pre-RTX IgG levels and/or patients post-HSCT. Children with HG were often IGRT-dependent, may suffer from (lethal) recurrent infections and can occasionally develop secondary Ig class-switch defects.
Modifiable lifestyle factors, genetic susceptibility, and incident ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Liu Ke , Lin Hao , Ying Jiacheng , Luo Peiyang , Wang Manli , Ye Ding , Wei James Cheng-Chung , Mao Yingying , He Zhixing
Published: May 2024

Background: Whether the lifestyle is associated with the risk of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the presence of different genetic risk levels remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate modifiable lifestyle-genetic susceptibility interaction with the risk of AS.
Methods: This study included 382,035 individuals free of AS at baseline in the UK Biobank. A lifestyle score based on a combination of body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, diet, sleep duration and physical activity, and a polygenic risk score (PRS) using 24 ASassociated genetic loci were constructed for each participant, and were further classified into three lifestyle and genetic risk categories, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to evaluate the associations of lifestyle, PRS with AS risk. Moreover, we estimated the percentage of total association between healthy lifestyle score and AS mediated by systemic inflammation markers.
Findings: During a median follow-up of 13.6 years, 694 patients with AS were diagnosed in the UK Biobank cohort. With unfavorable lifestyle as the reference group, intermediate lifestyle (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.80) and favorable lifestyle (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.46-0.74) were associated with a decreased risk of AS. For the combined effect of lifestyle and PRS, participants with unfavorable lifestyle and high genetic risk had the highest risk of AS (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.32-2.89) compared to those with favorable lifestyle and low genetic risk. However, no evidence of addictive and multiplicative interaction were observed. Furthermore, mediation analyses revealed that the inverse association between healthy lifestyle score and AS risk was in part mediated by systemic inflammation which ranged from 0.54% for neutrophil-to-HDL-c ratio to 13.79% for C-reactive protein.
Interpretation: Our study suggested that adherence to a favorable lifestyle significantly reduced the risk of AS by attenuating the systemic inflammatory response, which was independent of genetic susceptibility to AS.
Centromere protection requires strict mitotic inactivation of the Bloom syndrome helicase complex
Authors: Chan Kok-Lung , Fernández-Casañas María , Karanika Eleftheria , Olukoga Tomisin , Herbert Alex , Aliyaskarova Umit , Day Matthew
Published: May 2024

The BTRR (BLM/TOP3A/RMI1/RMI2) complex resolves various DNA replication and recombination intermediates to suppress genome instability. Alongside PICH, they target mitotic DNA intertwinements, known as ultrafine DNA bridges, facilitating chromosome segregation. Both BLM and PICH undergo transient mitotic hyper-phosphorylation, but the biological significance of this remains elusive. Here, we uncover that during early mitosis, multiple protein kinases act together to strictly constrain the BTRR complex for the protection of centromeres. Mechanistically, CDK1 destabilises the complex and suppresses its association with PICH at the chromatin underneath kinetochores. Inactivating the BLM and TOP3A interaction compromises the UFB-binding complex mitotic functions and can prevent centromere destruction. We further unravel how different clusters of mitotic phosphorylation on BLM affect its interaction with the TOP3A/RMI1/RMI2 subcomplex and illegitimate centromere unwinding. Furthermore, we identify specific phosphorylation sites targeted by the MPS1-PLK1 axis functioning to prevent BLM hyper-activation at centromeres. Notably, unleashing such activity after sister-chromatid cohesion loss facilitates separation of entangled chromosomes. Together, our study defines a centromere protection pathway in human mitotic cells, heavily reliant on a tight spatiotemporal control of the BTRR complex.
Probing Mechanism of Rhodamine B Decolorization under Homogeneous Conditions via pH-Controlled Photocatalysis with Anionic Porphyrin
Authors: Lesniewicz Aleksandra , Lewandowska-Andralojc Anna
Published: May 2024

Porphyrins are acknowledged for their efficacy as photosensitizers and show potential for the treatment of water contaminated with diverse dyes. This research emphasizes the use of meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) as a photosensitizer for purifying water contaminated with rhodamine B. Investigations were conducted under homogeneous conditions using visible light irradiation, revealing the efficacy of the porphyrin in the decolorization of rhodamine B strongly depends on pH of the solution. This study demonstrated that within 120 minutes, the decolorization process rapidly removed about 95% of RhB at an initial pH of 3.0, while at pH 6.0, the removal rate was significantly lower, at only 12%. An extensive photophysical study of the TPPS was carried out at pH 6.0 and pH 3.0 including absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet absorption spectra, triplet lifetimes, triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields in order to explain difference in the efficiency of RhB discoloration. A thorough investigation into mechanism revealed that neither reactive oxygen species nor singlet oxygen played a role in RhB decolorization within this system. Instead, the predominant route was found to be the electron transfer from photoexcited TPPS to RhB, followed by proton transfer at pH 3.0, leading to the generation of a colorless leuco form. Schematic illustration of RhB decolorization by TSPP at pH = 3.0.
Assessment of microalgae diversity in relation to hydrocarbon pollutants in port sediments: Case study of Sfax port-Tunisia
Authors: Feki Nesma , Keskes Fatma Abdmouleh , Chaabane Asma , Affouri Hassene
Published: May 2024

The present research has been particularly oriented to characterize the organic pollutants as phthalates, hydrocarbons and in Sfax port sediments. As the microalgae performed good results in their bioaccumulation and biodegradation, the microalgae species in both port sediments and column waters were counted and identified. Di-n-butyl phthalate, Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate as well as aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were identified through GC-MS chromatograms released on sediment extracts of three samples taken from the Sfax port basins located on the eastern Tunisian coast. Microalgae identification and cell counts of sediment samples as well as water columns were performed applying the sedimentation method of Utermöhl. The chromatograms revealed developed peaks of phthalates compared to those of aliphatic hydrocarbons with successive humps corresponding to an unresolved complex mixture, corroborating an advanced degree of biodegradation. The n-alkanes distribution and the development of the bb-epimers of C27 − 29 steranes proved the petrogenic hydrocarbons origin. This result was equally confirmed by the ratio of fluoranthene and pyrene PAHs concentrations. The hydrocarbons degradation was assigned to the relative abundance of certain microalgae species, already recognized to degrade hydrocarbons pollutants such as diatoms Skeletonema costatum and Nitzschia sp.. The proliferation of toxic dinoflagellates as Karenia selliformis enhanced the high pollution degree of port sediments. Whereas other microalgae species displaying high abundance in port sediments, revealed their capacities to degrade organic matter and PAHs. The microalgae-cyanobacteria consortium as Pinnularia sp.- Merismopedia sp. seemed to display a powerful tolerance to both trace metals and organic pollutants.
Genomic Insights into Gestational Weight Gain: Uncovering Tissue-Specific Mechanisms and Pathways
Authors: Jasper Elizabeth , Hellwege Jacklyn , Greene Catherine , Edwards Todd L , Edwards Digna Velez
Published: May 2024

Increasing gestational weight gain (GWG) is linked to adverse outcomes in pregnant persons and their children. The Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium identified previously genetic variants that could contribute to early, late, and total GWG from fetal and maternal genomes. However, the biologic mechanisms and tissue-specificity of these variants in GWG is unknown. We evaluated the association between genetically predicted gene expression in five relevant maternal (subcutaneous and visceral adipose, breast, uterus, and whole blood) from GTEx (v7) and fetal (placenta) tissues and early, late, and total GWG using S-PrediXcan. We tested enrichment of pre-defined biological pathways for nominally (P < 0.05) significant associations using the GENE2FUNC module from Functional Mapping and Annotation of Genome-Wide Association Studies. After multiple testing correction, we did not find significant associations between maternal and fetal gene expression and early, late, or total GWG. There was significant enrichment of several biological pathways, including metabolic processes, secretion, and intracellular transport, among nominally significant genes from the maternal analyses (false discovery rate p-values: 0.016 to 9.37x10⁻⁶). Enriched biological pathways varied across pregnancy. Though additional research is necessary, these results indicate that diverse biological pathways are likely to impact GWG, with their influence varying by tissue and weeks of gestation.