bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FindZebra online search delving into rare disease case reports using natural language processing
Authors: Liévin Valentin , Hansen Jonas Meinertz , Lund Allan , Elstein Deborah , Matthiesen Mads Emil , Elomaa Kaisa , Zarakowska Kaja , Himmelhan Iris , Botha Jaco , Borgeskov Hanne , Winther Ole
Published: June 2023

Early diagnosis is crucial for well-being and life quality of the rare disease patient. Access to the most complete knowledge about diseases through intelligent user interfaces can play an important role in supporting the physician reaching the correct diagnosis. Case reports may offer information about heterogeneous phenotypes which often further complicate rare disease diagnosis. The rare disease search engine FindZebra.com is extended to also access case report abstracts extracted from PubMed for several diseases. A search index for each disease is built in Apache Solr adding age, sex and clinical features extracted using text segmentation to enhance the specificity of search. Clinical experts performed retrospective validation of the search engine, utilising real-world Outcomes Survey data on Gaucher and Fabry patients. Medical experts evaluated the search results as being clinically relevant for the Fabry patients and less clinically relevant for the Gaucher patients. The shortcomings for Gaucher patients mainly reflect a mismatch between the current understanding and treatment of the disease and how it is reported in PubMed, notably in the older case reports. In response to this observation, a filter for the publication date was added in the final version of the tool available from deep.findzebra.com/ with  = gaucher, fabry, hae (Hereditary angioedema).
Care-seeking practices for non-communicable chronic conditions in a low-income neighborhood in Southern India
Authors: Bhor Nilanjan
Published: June 2023

Background

Given that access to healthcare is less challenging in urban India, evidence shows that affordable government healthcare services are underutilized by the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. There are emerging studies on healthcare seeking behavior in the context of short-term morbidities and communicable diseases that attempted to understand this gap of underutilization of government healthcare services, but similar studies are rare in the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and associated chronic conditions. Given the urban health system is ill- prepared and ill-equipped to deliver NCD services, it is important to understand how the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups seek healthcare for chronic conditions. This article investigates the care-seeking practices of these individuals living in a low-income neighborhood and care-seeking pathways for chronic conditions.

Methods

The study is conducted at Kadugondanahalli—a low-income neighborhood with the presence of a recognized slum, in Bengaluru city. A total of twenty in-depth interviews are conducted with individuals diagnosed with non-communicable chronic conditions. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling method. The data is collected between January 2020 to June 2021.

Results

The study participants practice a wide range of care-seeking practices based on the management of comorbidity and multimorbidity, recognizing the symptoms and severity, experiences of family members, belief, and purchase and consumption of medicines. These practices clearly highlighted not only the nuances of non-adherence to the long-term treatment and medications, but it also strongly influences the care-seeking behavior, which in turn make the care-seeking continuum very complex. The care-seeking continuum attempted each of the components (i.e. the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and control) of NCD care cascade but participants often failed to do screening on time, delayed diagnosis, and did not meet the treatment goals, leading to their conditions becoming further uncontrolled due to the care-seeking practices they practice. These practices delayed not only the diagnosis but also the completion of each component of the care cascade.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes strengthening of the health system in addressing the individual and community level practices, that significantly affect the entire care-seeking continuum, in the sustained monitoring and adherence to the treatment of chronic conditions.
Global health and the elite capture of decolonization: On reformism and the possibilities of alternate paths
Authors: Krugman Daniel W.
Published: June 2023

Global Health is experiencing a moment of reckoning over the field’s legacy and current structuring in a world facing multiple, intersecting challenges to health. While “decolonization” has emerged as the dominant frame to imagine change in the field, what the concept refers to and entails has become increasingly unclear. Despite warnings, the concept is now being used by elite Global North institutions and organization to imagine their reformation. In this article, I attempt to provide clarity to the issue of conceptualizing change in Global Health. By first outlining a brief history of decolonial thought and then exploring the current state of the decolonizing global health literature, I show a profound disjuncture between popularized calls for decolonization in Global Health and other theorizations of the term. I then argue that the diluting of “decolonization” into a depoliticized vision of reforming the inherently colonial and capitalistic institutions and organizations of Global Health is an example of “elite capture”—the coopting and reconfiguration of radical, liberatory theories and concepts then used by elites for their own gain. Showing how this elite capture has facilitated harm within the field and beyond, I conclude by calling for resistance to elite capture in all its forms.
Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey
Authors: Ritvo Alexis D. , Foster D. E. , Huff Christy , Finlayson A. J. Reid , Silvernail Bernard , Martin Peter R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal has been described, but literature regarding the benzodiazepine-induced neurological injury that may result in enduring symptoms and life consequences is scant.

Objective

We conducted an internet survey of current and former benzodiazepine users and asked about their symptoms and adverse life events attributed to benzodiazepine use.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of the largest survey ever conducted with 1,207 benzodiazepine users from benzodiazepine support groups and health/wellness sites who completed the survey. Respondents included those still taking benzodiazepines (n = 136), tapering (n = 294), or fully discontinued (n = 763).

Results

The survey asked about 23 specific symptoms and more than half of the respondents who experienced low energy, distractedness, memory loss, nervousness, anxiety, and other symptoms stated that these symptoms lasted a year or longer. These symptoms were often reported as de novo and distinct from the symptoms for which the benzodiazepines were originally prescribed. A subset of respondents stated that symptoms persisted even after benzodiazepines had been discontinued for a year or more. Adverse life consequences were reported by many respondents as well.

Limitations

This was a self-selected internet survey with no control group. No independent psychiatric diagnoses could be made in participants.

Conclusions

Many prolonged symptoms subsequent to benzodiazepine use and discontinuation (benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction) have been shown in a large survey of benzodiazepine users. Benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) has been proposed as a term to describe symptoms and associated adverse life consequences that may emerge during benzodiazepine use, tapering, and continue after benzodiazepine discontinuation. Not all people who take benzodiazepines will develop BIND and risk factors for BIND remain to be elucidated. Further pathogenic and clinical study of BIND is needed.
The ribosome-inactivating proteins MAP30 and Momordin inhibit SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Watts Norman R. , Eren Elif , Palmer Ira , Huang Paul L. , Huang Philip Lin , Shoemaker Robert H. , Lee-Huang Sylvia , Wingfield Paul T.
Published: June 2023

The continuing emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has highlighted the need to identify additional points for viral inhibition. Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs), such as MAP30 and Momordin which are derived from bitter melon (Momordica charantia), have been found to inhibit a broad range of viruses. MAP30 has been shown to potently inhibit HIV-1 with minimal cytotoxicity. Here we show that MAP30 and Momordin potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in A549 human lung cells (IC50 ~ 0.2 μM) with little concomitant cytotoxicity (CC50 ~ 2 μM). Both viral inhibition and cytotoxicity remain unaltered by appending a C-terminal Tat cell-penetration peptide to either protein. Mutation of tyrosine 70, a key residue in the active site of MAP30, to alanine completely abrogates both viral inhibition and cytotoxicity, indicating the involvement of its RNA N-glycosylase activity. Mutation of lysine 171 and lysine 215, residues corresponding to those in Ricin which when mutated prevented ribosome binding and inactivation, to alanine in MAP30 decreased cytotoxicity (CC50 ~ 10 μM) but also the viral inhibition (IC50 ~ 1 μM). Unlike with HIV-1, neither Dexamethasone nor Indomethacin exhibited synergy with MAP30 in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. From a structural comparison of the two proteins, one can explain their similar activities despite differences in both their active-sites and ribosome-binding regions. We also note points on the viral genome for potential inhibition by these proteins.
Generalized measurement error: Intrinsic and incidental measurement error
Authors: Kroc Edward
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we generalize the notion of measurement error on deterministic sample datasets to accommodate sample data that are random-variable-valued. This leads to the formulation of two distinct kinds of measurement error:intrinsicmeasurement error, andincidentalmeasurement error. Incidental measurement error will be recognized as the traditional kind that arises from a set of deterministic sample measurements, and upon which the traditional measurement error modelling literature is based, while intrinsic measurement error reflects some subjective quality of either the measurement tool or the measurand itself. We define calibrating conditions that generalize common and classical types of measurement error models to this broader measurement domain, and explain how the notion of generalized Berkson error in particular mathematicizes what it means to be anexpertassessor or rater for a measurement process. We then explore how classical point estimation, inference, and likelihood theory can be generalized to accommodate sample data composed of generic random-variable-valued measurements.
Aesthetic dental treatment, orofacial appearance, and life satisfaction of Finnish and Brazilian adults
Authors: Campos Lucas Arrais , Campos Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini , Marôco João , Peltomäki Timo
Published: June 2023

Aims

To study the probability of seeking/undergoing aesthetic dental treatment (ADT) and compare self-perception of orofacial appearance (OA) based on sex, age, and monthly income; and to estimate the impact of OA on life satisfaction (LS) among Finnish and Brazilian adults, considering the indirect effect of receiving ADT and the moderating effects of those sociodemographic variables.

Methods

This was an online cross-sectional study. Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES), Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used. Probability of seeking/receiving ADT was calculated using logistic regression and odds ratio (OR). OA scores were compared according to sociodemographic characteristics (ANOVA, α = 5%). Structural equations models estimated the impact of OA on LS.

Results

3,614 Finns [75.1% female, 32.0 (SD = 11.6) years] and 3,979 Brazilians [69.9% female, 33.0 (SD = 11.3) years] participated in the study. Women were more likely to receive ADT than men in both countries (OR>1.3). However, no statistically or practical significant differences were observed in OA between sexes (p>0.05 or p<0.05, ηp2= 0.00–0.02). In Finland, demand for ADT (OR = 0.9–1.0) and OA scores (p>0.05) were the same among different ages and monthly income. In Brazil, younger individuals (OR>1.6) and those with higher monthly income (OR>2.7) were more likely to receive ADT, while those with lower income had a greater psychosocial impact of OA (p<0.05; ηp2>0.07). Individuals who were more satisfied with their own OA and had less psychosocial impact from OA had higher levels of LS (β = 0.31–0.34; p<0.01; explained variance: 9.8–13.1%).

Conclusion

Demand for ADT is influenced by sociodemographic and cultural factors. Greater societal pressure on physical appearance is observed among women in Western countries. In countries with high socioeconomic inequalities, consumerism and social prestige are involved in this demand. Self-perception of orofacial appearance plays a significant role in individuals’ subjective well-being. Therefore, the planning of aesthetic treatments in the orofacial region should consider the patient’s perceptions and social context.
Exosome-delivered circRPS5 inhibits the progression of melanoma via regulating the miR-151a/NPTX1 axis
Authors: Zhu Haijun , Zhang Pan , Shi Jia , Kou Deqiang , Bai Xinping
Published: June 2023

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to exert critical functions in tumorigenesis and development. However, the underlying mechanism by which circRNAs regulate melanoma progression remain to be elucidated.

Methods

The differentially expressed circRNAs were first identified by circRNA-seq, and circRNAs were validated via qRT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Then, the impact of circRPS5, miR-151a and NPTX1 expression on the progression of melanoma cell were determined by gain- and loss-of-function assays. The relationship between circRPS5, miR-151a, and NPTX1 was predicted by StarBase website and authenticated by luciferase reporter assay. The melanoma cells-derived exosomes were characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blot.

Results

CircRPS5 was significantly downregulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines. Functionally, circRPS5 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro. Mechanistically, circRPS5 harbor miR-151a, acting as miRNA sponge, and then miR-151a targeted the 3’-UTR of NPTX1. Finally, circRPS5 was mainly incorporated into exosomes to inhibit the progression of melanoma cells.

Conclusions

This finding reveal circRPS5 suppressed the progression of melanoma through miR-151a/NPTX1 pathway, and may provide a promising therapeutic strategies for melanoma.
Symmetric cross-entropy multi-threshold color image segmentation based on improved pelican optimization algorithm
Authors: Zhang Chuang , Pei Yue-Han , Wang Xiao-Xue , Hou Hong-Yu , Fu Li-Hua
Published: June 2023

To address the problems of low accuracy and slow convergence of traditional multilevel image segmentation methods, a symmetric cross-entropy multilevel thresholding image segmentation method (MSIPOA) with multi-strategy improved pelican optimization algorithm is proposed for global optimization and image segmentation tasks. First, Sine chaotic mapping is used to improve the quality and distribution uniformity of the initial population. A spiral search mechanism incorporating a sine cosine optimization algorithm improves the algorithm’s search diversity, local pioneering ability, and convergence accuracy. A levy flight strategy further improves the algorithm’s ability to jump out of local minima. In this paper, 12 benchmark test functions and 8 other newer swarm intelligence algorithms are compared in terms of convergence speed and convergence accuracy to evaluate the performance of the MSIPOA algorithm. By non-parametric statistical analysis, MSIPOA shows a greater superiority over other optimization algorithms. The MSIPOA algorithm is then experimented with symmetric cross-entropy multilevel threshold image segmentation, and eight images from BSDS300 are selected as the test set to evaluate MSIPOA. According to different performance metrics and Fridman test, MSIPOA algorithm outperforms similar algorithms in global optimization and image segmentation, and the symmetric cross entropy of MSIPOA algorithm for multilevel thresholding image segmentation method can be effectively applied to multilevel thresholding image segmentation tasks.
Molecular and morphological characterization of Xylaria karsticola (Ascomycota) isolated from the fruiting body of Macrolepiota procera (Basidiomycota) from Bulgaria
Authors: Angelova Galena , Stefanova Petya , Brazkova Mariya , Krastanov Albert
Published: June 2023

The present study is the first to reportXylaria karsticolaisolated from the basidiocarp ofMacrolepiota procera(Basidiomycota), from Stara Planina Mountain, Bulgaria and second report for such species found in Europe. The fungal isolate wasin vitrocultivated and the morphology was observed. It was primarily determined as a xylariaceous morphotype at the intragenus level, based on the evaluation of colony growth rate, color, and stromatic structure formation and was confirmed by unique conidiophores and conidia. The molecular identification of the isolate was performed by amplification of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and the strain was identified asXylaria karsticolawith 97.57% of confidence. The obtained sequence was deposited in the GenBank database under the accession number MW996752 and in the National Bank of Industrial Microorganisms and Cell Cultures of Bulgaria under accession number NBIMCC 9097. The phylogenetic analysis of the isolate was also conducted by including 26 sequences obtained from differentXylariaisolates. Considering the phylogenetic data,X.karsticolaNBIMCC 9097 was grouped along with otherX.karsticolaisolates, although the DNA sequence of the novelX.karsticolawas rather distantly related to the otherX.karsticolasequence data. The results were supported by the bootstrap analysis (100%) and indicated the different origin of the examinedX.karsticolaNBIMCC 9097.
Changes in the supply chain outcomes of food regionalization, 2007–2017: Broccoli in the eastern United States
Authors: Dai Bingyan , Gómez Miguel I. , Atallah Shady S. , Björkman Thomas
Published: June 2023

Local and regional food supply chains are gaining increasing support from public and private sectors for their contributions to economic development and promoting sustainability. However, the impacts of regionalization are not well understood. We employ a spatial-temporal model of production and transportation to evaluate the supply chain outcomes of a decade-long process of food regionalization for fresh broccoli in the eastern United States (US). Our results indicate that eastern broccoli supply chains displaced products sourced from the western US and met over 15% of the annual demand in eastern markets in 2017. We find that total broccoli supply chain costs and food miles increased in the period 2007–2017. Nevertheless, eastern-grown broccoli has contributed to reducing regional food miles in the eastern region (from 365 miles in 2007 to 255 miles in 2017) and experienced only modest increases in supply chains costs (a 3.4% increase, compared to a 16.5% increase for broccoli shipped from western US) during the same period. Our results provide valuable information for policymakers and the fresh produce industry interested in promoting regional food supply chains.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of sedentary behaviour interventions in offices to reduce sitting time in Australian desk-based workers: A modelling study
Authors: Nguyen Phuong , Ananthapavan Jaithri , Gao Lan , Dunstan David W. , Moodie Marj
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Sedentary behaviour (SB) is associated with increased incidence of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease, cancers, and premature mortality. SB interventions in workplaces are effective in reducing sitting time. Previous economic evaluations have not specifically used changes in sitting time to estimate the long-term impact of SB on chronic disease-related health and cost outcomes. This research evaluated the cost-effectiveness of three hypothetical SB interventions: behavioural (BI), environmental (EI) and multi-component intervention (MI), implemented in the Australian context, using a newly developed epidemiological model that estimates the impact of SB as a risk factor on long-term population health and associated cost outcomes.

Method

Pathway analysis was used to identify the resource items associated with implementing each of the three interventions using a limited societal perspective (included costs: health sector, individuals and industry; excluded costs: productivity). The effectiveness of the modelled interventions in reducing daily sitting time (informed by published meta-analyses) was modelled for the Australian working population aged 20–65 years. A multi-cohort Markov model was developed to simulate the 2019 Australian population and estimate the incidence, prevalence and mortality of five diseases causally related to excessive sitting time, over the life course. Monte-Carlo simulations were used to calculate each intervention’s mean incremental costs and benefits (quantified as health adjusted life years HALYs) compared to a do-nothing comparator.

Results

When implemented at the national level, the interventions were estimated to reach 1,018 organisations with 1,619,239 employees. The estimated incremental cost of SB interventions was A$159M (BI), A$688M (EI) and A$438M (MI) over a year. Incremental health-adjusted life years (HALYs) gained by BI, EI and MI were 604, 919 and 349, respectively. The mean ICER for BI was A$251,863 per HALY gained, A$737,307 for EI and A$1,250,426 for MI. Only BI had any probability (2%) of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of A$50,000 per HALY gained from a societal perspective.

Conclusion

SB interventions are not cost-effective when a reduction in sitting time is the outcome measure of interest. The cost-effectiveness results are heavily driven by the cost of the sit-stand desks and the small HALYs gained from reducing sitting time. Future research should focus on capturing non-health-benefits of these interventions, such as productivity, work satisfaction, and other health benefits: metabolic, physical, and musculoskeletal outcomes. Importantly, the health benefits of simultaneously reducing sitting time and increasing standing time for such interventions should be captured with the joint effects of these risk factors appropriately considered.
The labor market outcomes of bilinguals in the United States: Accumulation and returns effects
Authors: Churkina Olga , Nazareno Luísa , Zullo Matteo
Published: June 2023

At least half of the world population is bilingual, but lifetime financial gains from early exposure to multiple languages are largely unknown. In this study, we analyze individual earnings of bilinguals in the US using 15 years of Census data and an augmented wage model, accounting for cognitive, manual, and interpersonal skills derived from O*NET job task descriptors via sparse principal component method. Using unconditional quantile regression, we find evidence that language skills mostly benefit individuals at the lower end of the earnings distribution. While our analysis does not establish causality, it underscores the potential of early language acquisition to mitigate income inequality by enhancing the employment prospects of low-income individuals. We also highlight the favorable cost-benefit ratio of language acquisition in childhood, when learners face no monetary opportunity costs and can achieve greater levels of fluency.
Association between decreases in serum uric acid levels and unfavorable outcomes after ischemic stroke: A multicenter hospital-based observational study
Authors: Nakamura Kuniyuki , Ueki Kana , Matsuo Ryu , Kiyohara Takuya , Irie Fumi , Wakisaka Yoshinobu , Ago Tetsuro , Kamouchi Masahiro , Kitazono Takanari ,   on behalf of the Fukuoka Stroke Registry Investigators
Published: June 2023

Background

The association between clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients and decreases in serum uric acid levels, which often occur during the acute phase, remains unknown. Herein, we aimed to investigate the association using a large-scale, multicenter stroke registry.

Methods

We analyzed 4,621 acute ischemic stroke patients enrolled in the Fukuoka Stroke Registry between June 2007 and September 2019 whose uric acid levels were measured at least twice during hospitalization (including on admission). The study outcomes were poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) and functional dependence (modified Rankin Scale score 3–5) at 3 months after stroke onset. Changes in uric acid levels after admission were evaluated using a decrease rate that was classified into 4 sex-specific grades ranging from G1 (no change/increase after admission) to G4 (most decreased). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between decreases in uric acid levels and the outcomes.

Results

The frequencies of the poor functional outcome and functional dependence were lowest in G1 and highest in G4. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of G4 were significantly higher for poor functional outcome (2.66 [2.05–3.44]) and functional dependence (2.61 [2.00–3.42]) when compared with G1 after adjusting for confounding factors. We observed no heterogeneity in results for subgroups categorized according to age, sex, stroke subtype, neurological severity, chronic kidney disease, or uric acid level on admission.

Conclusions

Decreases in serum uric acid levels were independently associated with unfavorable outcomes after acute ischemic stroke.
Perceptions of food environments in the school and at home during Covid-19: An online cross-sectional study of parents, teachers and experts from Latin America
Authors: Galván Marcos , Hernández-Cabrera Jhazmín , López-Rodríguez Guadalupe , Bustos Nelly , García-Cruz Rubén , Guzmán-Saldaña Rebeca , Alzate-Yepes Teresita , Galván-Valencia Oscar
Published: June 2023

Background

The high prevalence of overweight and obesity in children from Latin America (LA) have been related to obesogenic food environments. Besides, the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic should also be considered. The objective of this research was to describe and compare the perceptions of parents, teachers, and experts in LA of food environments at home and school that favor healthy habits in schoolchildren in pre Covid-19 stage and during the pandemic.

Methods

This study used a survey self-reporting regarding conditions at home and the school favoring healthy habits, for three profiles: parents, primary school teachers, and experts. A fisher exact test was used to establish the difference between the response categories between countries and profiles. Logistic regression models were used to determine the probability of response in the levels of importance adjusted for sex and nationality.

Results

Information from 954 questionnaires was reported: 48.4% experts, 32.0% teachers, and 19.6% parents. There were differences in the perception of food environments at school between profiles (p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression models, experts and teachers were 20% more likely to give greater importance to elements of the food environment at school compared to parents (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings showed that parents were less likely to perceive important elements of the school food environment compared to experts and teachers. Interventions are required to improve healthy eating environments that consider children’s interpersonal mediators.
Impact of overweight and obesity on disease activity and remission in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Medeiros Marília Cristina Santos de , Souza Karla Simone Costa de , Galdino Ony Araújo , Cobucci Ricardo Ney , de Rezende Adriana Augusto
Published: June 2023

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that requires treatment with hydroxychloroquine and glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are responsible for adverse effects such as increased weight, which can modify the severity and chronicity of autoimmune pathologies.

Aim

To summarize scientific evidence regarding the impact of overweight and obesity on disease activity and remission in SLE.

Methods

The protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol (PRISMA-P) and published in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (PROSPERO—CRD42021268217). PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar will be searched for observational studies including adult patients with SLE who were overweight and obese or not, that included disease activity or remission as outcomes. The search is planned for May 2023. Three independent authors will select the eligible articles and extract their data. Subsequently, three authors will independently extract data from each included study using an extraction form created by the researchers. Methodological quality analyses will be performed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The results will be presented as a narrative synthesis according to the synthesis without a meta-analysis reporting guideline (SWiM). Meta-analysis will be conducted where appropriate using random-effects models.

Expected results

This review will identify the impact of overweight and obesity on the clinical features of SLE, helping clinicians manage disease activity and remission, both important to optimize disease outcomes and patient quality of life.
Multi-modal medical image classification using deep residual network and genetic algorithm
Authors: Abid Muhammad Haris , Ashraf Rehan , Mahmood Toqeer , Faisal C. M. Nadeem
Published: June 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) development across the health sector has recently been the most crucial. Early medical information, identification, diagnosis, classification, then analysis, along with viable remedies, are always beneficial developments. Precise and consistent image classification has critical in diagnosing and tactical decisions for healthcare. The core issue with image classification has become the semantic gap. Conventional machine learning algorithms for classification rely mainly on low-level but rather high-level characteristics, employ some handmade features to close the gap, but force intense feature extraction as well as classification approaches. Deep learning is a powerful tool with considerable advances in recent years, with deep convolution neural networks (CNNs) succeeding in image classification. The main goal is to bridge the semantic gap and enhance the classification performance of multi-modal medical images based on the deep learning-based model ResNet50. The data set included 28378 multi-modal medical images to train and validate the model. Overall accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score evaluation parameters have been calculated. The proposed model classifies medical images more accurately than other state-of-the-art methods. The intended research experiment attained an accuracy level of 98.61%. The suggested study directly benefits the health service.
Lansoprazole protects hepatic cells against cisplatin-induced oxidative stress through the p38 MAPK/ARE/Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Yamagishi Naoko , Yamamoto Yuta , Nishi Toshio , Ito Takao , Kanai Yoshimitsu
Published: June 2023

Lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, can exert antioxidant effects through the induction of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, independently of the inhibition of acid secretion in the gastrointestinal tract. Lansoprazole has been reported to provide hepatoprotection in a drug-induced hepatitis animal model through the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO1) pathway. We sought to investigate the molecular mechanism of cytoprotection by lansoprazole. An in vitro experimental model was conducted using cultured rat hepatic cells treated with lansoprazole to analyze the expression levels of Nrf2 and its downstream genes, the activity of Nrf2 using luciferase reporter assays, cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity, and signaling pathways involved in Nrf2 activation. Lansoprazole treatment of rat liver epithelial RL34 cells induced transactivation of Nrf2 and the expression of the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant genes encoding HO1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1, and glutathione S-transferase A2. Furthermore, cycloheximide chase experiments revealed that lansoprazole prolongs the half-life of the Nrf2 protein. Notably, cell viability was significantly increased by lansoprazole treatment in a cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity model. Moreover, the siRNA knockdown of Nrf2 fully abolished the cytoprotective effect of lansoprazole, whereas the inhibition of HO1 by tin-mesoporphyrin only partially abolished this. Finally, lansoprazole promoted the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but not that of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase or the c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Using SB203580, a specific inhibitor for p38 MAPK, the lansoprazole-induced Nrf2/antioxidant response elements pathway activation and cytoprotective effects were shown to be exclusively p38 MAPK dependent. Lansoprazole was shown by these results to exert a cytoprotective effect on liver epithelial cells against the cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. This could have potential applications for the prevention and treatment of oxidative injury in the liver.
A high-throughput cigarette smoke-treated bronchosphere model for disease-relevant phenotypic compound screening
Authors: Beri Pranjali , Woo Young Jae , Schierenbeck Katie , Chen Kaisheng , Barnes S. Whitney , Ross Olivia , Krutil Douglas , Quackenbush Doug , Fang Bin , Walker John , Barnes William , Toyama Erin Quan
Published: June 2023

Cigarette smoking (CS) is the leading cause of COPD, and identifying the pathways that are driving pathogenesis in the airway due to CS exposure can aid in the discovery of novel therapies for COPD. An additional barrier to the identification of key pathways that are involved in the CS-induced pathogenesis is the difficulty in building relevant and high throughput models that can recapitulate the phenotypic and transcriptomic changes associated with CS exposure. To identify these drivers, we have developed a cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated bronchosphere assay in 384-well plate format that exhibits CSE-induced decreases in size and increase in luminal secretion of MUC5AC. Transcriptomic changes in CSE-treated bronchospheres resemble changes that occur in human smokers both with and without COPD compared to healthy groups, indicating that this model can capture human smoking signature. To identify new targets, we ran a small molecule compound deck screening with diversity in target mechanisms of action and identified hit compounds that attenuated CSE induced changes, either decreasing spheroid size or increasing secreted mucus. This work provides insight into the utility of this bronchopshere model to examine human respiratory disease impacted by CSE exposure and the ability to screen for therapeutics to reverse the pathogenic changes caused by CSE.
Readmission prediction after colorectal cancer surgery: A derivation and validation study
Authors: D’Souza Joel , Eglinton Timothy , Frizelle Frank
Published: June 2023

Background

Unplanned readmissions after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery are common, expensive, and result from failure to progress in postoperative recovery. The context of their preventability and extent of predictability remains undefined. This study aimed to define the 30-day unplanned readmission (UR) rate after CRC surgery, identify risk factors, and develop a prediction model with external validation.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent CRC surgery between 2012 and 2017 at Christchurch Hospital were retrospectively identified. The primary outcome was UR within 30 days after index discharge. Statistically significant risk factors were identified and incorporated into a predictive model. The model was then externally evaluated on a prospectively recruited dataset from 2018 to 2019.

Results

Of the 701 patients identified, 15.1% were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Stoma formation (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.59–3.81), any postoperative complications (PoCs) (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.48–3.52), high-grade PoCs (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.18–5.11), and rectal cancer (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.48–3.52) were statistically significant risk factors for UR. A clinical prediction model comprised of rectal cancer and high-grade PoCs predicted UR with an AUC of 0.64 and 0.62 on internal and external validation, respectively.

Conclusions

URs after CRC surgery are predictable and occur within 2 weeks of discharge. They are driven by PoCs, most of which are of low severity and develop after discharge. Atleast 16% of readmissions are preventable by management in an outpatient setting with appropriate surgical expertise. Targeted outpatient follow-up within two weeks of discharge is therefore the most effective transitional-care strategy for prevention.
How to promote the balanced development of urban and rural China? Evidences from reallocating idle rural residential land of Zhejiang province, China
Authors: Hu Zhenhua , Song Gaohui , Hu Ziyue , Zhang Bo , Lin Ting
Published: June 2023

As more attention is given to green and sustainable industries, an analysis of the industrial impacts on all aspects of life, including inclusive affluence, is gradually developing. Idle rural residential land is a valuable resource and an important factor in promoting sustainable development. Balanced urban and rural development contributes to inclusive prosperity, so understanding the relationship between industry and the balanced development of urban and rural can significantly impact social development. In China, achieving the balanced development requires narrowing the urban-rural income gap. This paper analyzed the impact of reallocating idle rural residential land on promoting the balanced development. The study found that industry development has a positive impact on the balanced development, with a regression coefficient of 1.478. Regions with higher industry indices in counties had better outcomes regarding the balanced development. When the development of rural industry derived from idle residential land was in good condition, the effect increased by 3.326 percentage. The results showed heterogeneity, with the regression coefficient of industry development on the balanced development in county-level cities being 0.498 larger than in urban areas. In summary, the reallocation of idle residential land can promote sustainable development, increase residents’ income, and improve overall regional economic development. The results are applicable to the comprehensive reallocation of rural land resources.
Does willpower mindset really moderate the ego-depletion effect? A preregistered replication of Job, Dweck, and Walton (2010)
Authors: Carruth Nicholas P. , Ramos Jairo A. , Miyake Akira
Published: June 2023

This article reports a preregistered study in which we attempted to replicate the results of an influential study on the ego-depletion effect reported by Job, Dweck, and Walton in 2010. The original Job et al. study (Study 1, N = 60) provided evidence that the ego-depletion effect—a performance decrease on a self-control task after performing another self-control task—occurs only for individuals who hold a belief that their willpower is limited. This moderation of the ego-depletion effect by one’s willpower mindset (limited vs. nonlimited) has been interpreted as evidence against a prevalent limited-resource account of self-control. Although this alternative account of the ego-depletion effect has become well-known, the statistical evidence of the original study was on shaky ground. We therefore conducted a preregistered replication of the original study with some methodological improvements. As in the original study, participants (N = 187) performed a self-control task (Stroop color-word interference task) after performing the control or depletion version of a letter cancelation task. Despite extensive analyses, we failed to replicate the original results: There was neither a significant main effect of ego depletion nor a significant moderation of this ego-depletion effect by individual differences in willpower mindset. Together with other recent failures to replicate the original moderation effect, our results cast doubts on the claim that an individual’s view of whether willpower is limited or not affects one’s susceptibility to the ego-depletion effect.
Prevalence of preeclampsia and algorithm of adverse foeto-maternal risk factors among pregnant women in the Central Region of Ghana: A multicentre prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Anto Enoch Odame , Boadu Wina Ivy Ofori , Ansah Ezekiel , Tawiah Augustine , Frimpong Joseph , Tamakloe Valentine Christian Kodzo Tsatsu , Korsah Emmanuel Ekow , Acheampong Emmanuel , Asamoah Evans Adu , Opoku Stephen , Adua Eric , Afrifa-Yamoah Ebenezer , Annani-Akollor Max Efui , Anto Agartha Odame , Obirikorang Christian
Published: June 2023

Background

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of foeto-maternal deaths especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the prevalence and risk factors of preeclampsia are scarce in the Central region of Ghana with previous study assessing individual independent risk factors. This study determined the prevalence and algorithm of adverse foeto-maternal risk factors of preeclampsia.

Methods

This multi-centre prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2022 at the Mercy Women’s Catholic Hospital and Fynba Health Centre in Central region, Ghana. A total of 1,259 pregnant women were randomly sampled and their sociodemographic, clinical history, obstetrics and labour outcomes were recorded. Logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 26 was performed to identify risk factors of preeclampsia.

Results

Of the 1,259 pregnant women, 1174 were finally included in the study. The prevalence of preeclampsia was 8.8% (103/1174). Preeclampsia was common among 20–29 years age group, those who had completed basic education, had informal occupation, multigravida and multiparous. Being primigravida [aOR = 1.95, 95% CI (1.03–3.71), p = 0.042], having previous history of caesarean section [aOR = 4.48, 95% CI (2.89–6.93), p<0.001], foetal growth restriction [aOR = 3.42, 95% CI (1.72–6.77), p<0.001] and birth asphyxia [aOR = 27.14, 95% CI (1.80–409.83), p = 0.017] were the independent risk factors of preeclampsia. Pregnant women exhibiting a combination of primigravida, previous caesarean section and foetal growth restriction were the highest risk for preeclampsia [aOR = 39.42, 95% CI (8.88–175.07, p<0.001] compared to having either two or one of these factors.

Conclusion

Preeclampsia is increasing among pregnant women in the Central region of Ghana. Pregnant women being primigravida with foetal growth restriction and previous history of caesarean section are the highest risk population likely to develop preeclampsia with neonates more likely to suffer adverse birth outcome such as birth asphyxia. Targeted preventive measures of preeclampsia should be created for pregnant women co-existing with multiple risk factors.
The HPV Serology Laboratory leads an initiative to standardize and harmonize human papillomavirus serology assays
Authors: Park Isabel , Kemp Troy J. , Pinto Ligia A.
Published: June 2023

The HPV Serology Laboratory is leading a global partnership initiative aiming for standardization and harmonization of current serology assay platforms being used to assess immune responses to HPV vaccines. Serology standardization is particularly important given the increasing number of immunobridging trials relying on serology data for approval of new vaccine dosing schedules or vaccine formulations. The initiative was established in 2017 to enable comparisons of data between different vaccines and relevant studies as well as expedite the implementation of new vaccines and vaccine indications. The HPV Serology Laboratory has held or attended several meetings with partnering laboratories, including international meetings in 2017, 2018, and 2021.
CD1 and iNKT cells mediate immune responses against the GBS hemolytic lipid toxin induced by a non-toxic analog
Authors: Furuta Anna , Coleman Michelle , Casares Raquel , Seepersaud Ravin , Orvis Austyn , Brokaw Alyssa , Quach Phoenicia , Nguyen Shayla , Sweeney Erin , Sharma Kavita , Wallen Grace , Sanghavi Rhea , Mateos-Gil Jaime , Cuerva Juan Manuel , Millán Alba , Rajagopal Lakshmi
Published: June 2023

Although hemolytic lipids have been discovered from many human pathogens including Group B Streptococcus (GBS), strategies that neutralize their function are lacking. GBS is a leading cause of pregnancy-associated neonatal infections, and adult GBS infections are on the rise. The GBS hemolytic lipid toxin or granadaene, is cytotoxic to many immune cells including T and B cells. We previously showed that mice immunized with a synthetic nontoxic analog of granadaene known as R-P4 had reduced bacterial dissemination during systemic infection. However, mechanisms important for R-P4 mediated immune protection was not understood. Here, we show that immune serum from R-P4-immunized mice facilitate GBS opsonophagocytic killing and protect naïve mice from GBS infection. Further, CD4+ T cells isolated from R-P4-immunized mice proliferated in response to R-P4 stimulation in a CD1d- and iNKT cell-dependent manner. Consistent with these observations, R-P4 immunized mice lacking CD1d or CD1d-restricted iNKT cells exhibit elevated bacterial burden. Additionally, adoptive transfer of iNKT cells from R-P4 vaccinated mice significantly reduced GBS dissemination compared to adjuvant controls. Finally, maternal R-P4 vaccination provided protection against ascending GBS infection during pregnancy. These findings are relevant in the development of therapeutic strategies targeting lipid cytotoxins.
Observational study on the influence of noise pollution on the quality of sleep of Porto residents compared with that of rural communities
Authors: Cardoso Micaela , Quintas Mónica , Tavares Diana
Published: June 2023

Exposure to noise pollution has escalated to alarming levels and is causing a number of health problems. It leads to interrupted sleep, increasing stage 1 and awake and decreasing REM and deep sleep. We sought to find a correlation between exposure to high levels of noise pollution in industrialized districts and sleeping problems reported by their inhabitants compared with rural neighbourhoods, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). This study was composed of 65 people, 33 living in the district of Porto and 32 in rural villages. Each participant was asked to complete two questionnaires; one where they reported their sociodemographic data and the PSQI which indirectly evaluated their sleep quality in the last month. The results from each of the studied groups were compared and analysed using binomial, T and Chi-Square tests. The present study shows that noise has an implication, although limited, on people’s sleeping patterns in the city of Porto, as it affects their daytime life and productivity with a p-value of 0.046. Preventive measures should be taken that focus on reducing nocturnal noise. The responsible departments should enforce the regulations established by the government.