bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural exposure to Chikungunya virus in golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas, Kuhl, 1820) from non-protected areas in southern Bahia, Brazil: Implications and significance
Authors: Bernal-Valle Sofía , Monteiro de Mello Mares-Guia María Angélica , Vieira Santos de Abreu Filipe , Souza Campos Fabrício , de Oliveira Cirilo Henrique , Veloso Ramos Antônio Victor , Pereira Lordelo Reizane , De Vleeschouwer Kristel , de Carvalho Oliveira Leonardo , Ferraz Fehlberg Hllytchaikra , Bispo Filippis Ana Maria , Morais Ribeiro Bergmann , Roehe Paulo Michel , da Paixão Sevá Anaiá , Simonini-Teixeira Danilo , Rego Albuquerque George
Published: January 2025

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is primarily associated with non-human-primates (NHPs) in Africa, which also infect humans. Since its introduction to Brazil in 2014, CHIKV has predominantly thrived in urban cycles, involving Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Limited knowledge exists regarding CHIKV occurrence and implications in rural and sylvatic cycles where neotropical NHPs are potential hosts, from which we highlight Leontopithecus chrysomelas (Kuhl, 1820), the golden-headed lion tamarin (GHLT), an endangered species endemic to the Atlantic Forest (AF) in Southern Bahia State, Brazil. The present study investigated wild GHLT groups across two municipalities, Ilhéus and Una, Bahia. Surveys were conducted in three groups within cocoa agroforests (cabrucas) in Ilhéus, and four groups in anthropized forest and agroforestry fragments in Una, between 2021 and 2022. Thirty-two GHLT specimens were captured and chemically immobilized, examined and submitted to blood sample collection; nine specimens were later recaptured in 2022, totaling 41 samples. CHIKV viremia was not detected in any specimens (as assayed by RT-qPCR). Plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) detected CHIKV antibodies in two (6.3%) GHLTs, with 10–20 antibody titers. Seroprevalence in 2021 was 5.6% and in 2022 was 8.7% with an incidence of 4.5%, whereas, a male adult tested seropositive in both years, suggesting either natural re-exposure and antibody maintenance over time. All samples tested seronegative for Mayaro Virus. Eight mosquito species from the Culicidae family were collected, identified and assayed for CHIKV genomes, showing negative results. This study provides the first evidence of natural CHIKV exposure among free-living GHLTs in Brazil, emphasizing their susceptibility and potential role as reservoirs. These findings underscore the possible consequences of anthropic disturbances in the Brazilian AF, without a seroprevalence difference between non-protected forest formations, agroforest fragments and various mosaic farming landscapes in South Bahia, and highlight the importance of conservation efforts for this endemic and endangered primate species.
Myelin ensheathment and drug responses of oligodendrocytes are modulated by stiffness of artificial axons
Authors: Yang Mingyu , Martin Calliope J. L. , Kowsari Kavin , Jagielska Anna , Van Vliet Krystyn J.
Published: January 2025

Myelination is a key biological process wherein glial cells such as oligodendrocytes wrap myelin around neuronal axons, forming an insulative sheath that accelerates signal propagation down the axon. A major obstacle to understanding myelination is the challenge of visualizing and reproducibly quantifying this inherently three-dimensional process in vitro. To this end, we previously developed artificial axons (AAs), a biocompatible platform consisting of 3D-printed hydrogel-based axon mimics designed to more closely recapitulate the micrometer-scale diameter and sub-kilopascal mechanical stiffness of biological axons. First, we present our platform for fabricating AAs with tunable axon diameter, stiffness, and inter-axonal spacing. Second, we demonstrate that increasing the Young’s modulus E or stiffness of polymer comprising the AAs increases the extent of myelin ensheathment by rat oligodendrocytes. Third, we demonstrate that the responses of oligodendrocytes to pro-myelinating compounds are also dependent on axon stiffness, which can affect compounds efficacy and the relative ranking. These results reinforce the importance of studying myelination in mechanically representative environments, and highlight the importance of considering biophysical cues when conducting drug screening studies.
Mathematical and computational modeling for organic and insect frass fertilizer production: A systematic review
Authors: Katchali Malontema , Richard Edward , Tonnang Henri E. Z. , Tanga Chrysantus M. , Beesigamukama Dennis , Senagi Kennedy
Published: January 2025

Organic fertilizers have been identified as a sustainable agricultural practice that can enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact. Recently, the European Union defined and accepted insect frass as an innovative and emerging organic fertilizer. In the wider domain of organic fertilizers, mathematical and computational models have been developed to optimize their production and application conditions. However, with the advancement in policies and regulations, modelling has shifted towards efficiencies in the deployment of these technologies. Therefore, this paper reviews and critically analyzes the recent developments in the mathematical and computation modeling that have promoted various organic fertilizer products including insect frass. We reviewed a total of 35 studies and discussed the methodologies, benefits, and challenges associated with the use of these models. The results show that mathematical and computational modeling can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organic fertilizer production, leading to improved agricultural productivity and reduced environmental impact. Mathematical models such as simulation, regression, dynamics, and kinetics have been applied while computational data driven machine learning models such as random forest, support vector machines, gradient boosting, and artificial neural networks have also been applied as well. These models have been used in quantifying nutrients concentration/release, effects of nutrients in agro-production, and fertilizer treatment. This paper also discusses prospects for the use of these models, including the development of more comprehensive and accurate models and integration with emerging technologies such as Internet of Things.
‘‘Mitigating cancer pain: What else matters?”—A qualitative study into the needs and concerns of cancer patients in Sri Lanka
Authors: Edirisinghe N. P. , Makuloluwa P. T. R. , Amarasekara A. A. T. D. , Goonewardena C. S. E.
Published: January 2025

Objectives

In Sri Lanka, cancer is a significant contributor to both morbidity and mortality rates. In 2022, 33,243 new cancer cases were reported, resulting in an age- standardized incidence rate of 106.9 per 100,000 individuals. The overall experience of cancer pain reflects patients’ needs and concerns. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the patient’s needs and concerns is crucial to implementing satisfactory pain outcomes. This study aims to explore the needs and concerns of patients with cancer pain in Sri Lanka.

Methods

This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach among purposively selected patients with cancer and registered at the pain management unit. Participants recruited were 18 years or older with cancer-related pain. Noncancerous pain and those with psychological disorders, and brain metastases were excluded. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation using a semi-structured interview guide, each lasting 30–60 minutes. Data were analyzed by Graneheim and Lundman’s content analysis method.

Results

The study primarily involved participants aged 51–60 Sinhalese Buddhists. It highlighted two main themes: ’Changes in normal lifestyle’ and ’Needs and expectations’. The ’Changes in normal lifestyle’ theme included subthemes like ’Functional limitations’, ’Emotional reactions’, ’altered interpersonal relationships’, and ’Socio-financial problems’. The ’Needs and expectations’ theme covered desires for a ’Pain-free life’, a return to a ’Normal lifestyle’, and the ’Need for a caregiver’. The findings emphasize that the most significant issue for cancer patients is the disruption to their normal lifestyle due to various challenges, while their primary need is to live without pain.

Conclusions

‘Life without pain’ is a cancer sufferer’s greatest need while ’changes in normal lifestyle’ owing to bio-psycho-social-spiritual problems is their primary concern.
Asymptotic BLSCP models in uncertain and asymmetric environments—Take the charging station location problem
Authors: Muren  , Li Yihao , Xu Zhiqiang
Published: January 2025

The rapid development of the field of vehicles exposes many problems of charging station, the most common is the uncertainty and asymmetry of its task volume, so the flexibility of location and scale design is crucial. This paper proposes the asymptotic BLSCP model, suitable for uncertain and asymmetric environments, which balances facility workload and minimizes cost through the forward or backward asymptotic methods of candidate center locations and flexible allocation of jurisdictions. Additionally, the findings suggest these methods possess considerable potential for application and generalization.
Measuring trade costs and analyzing the determinants of trade growth between Cambodia and major trading partners: 1993–2019
Authors: Keo Borin , Li Bin , Younis Waqas
Published: January 2025

High trade costs pose substantial barriers to the process of trade liberalization. This study aims to measure trade costs and explore the driving forces behind the growth of bilateral trade between Cambodia and its top 30 trading partners from 1993 to 2019. Using a micro-founded measure of trade costs derived from the gravity model, we find that Cambodia’s average trade costs decreased by 35.43 percent between 1993 and 2019. Fluctuations in average trade costs persisted until 2014, despite Cambodia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2004. Since then, these costs have declined more rapidly. Cambodia’s bilateral trade costs are lower with its major trading partners in Southeast Asia and East Asia than with those in South Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Cambodia’s average trade costs with developing and emerging economies are lower than those with developed economies. Between 2014 and 2019, Cambodia experienced a notable decline in average trade costs with trading partners along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) corridors by 34.78 percent, twice as fast as with non-BRI trading partners. Regarding the decomposition of trade growth, we find that the expansion of Cambodian trade over the period from 1993 to 2019 was driven by three factors: the rise in income (59.65 percent), the decline in trade costs (56.69 percent), and the decline in multilateral resistance (–16.34 percent). The findings of this study have significant implications for a better understanding of Cambodia’s development process toward global trade integration over the past two decades. Our results suggest that Cambodia can optimize its trade expansion potential by focusing on its relations with trading partners exhibiting high economic growth potential and those showing substantial reductions in trade costs.
Key barriers and decision supports in revitalizing heritage buildings from investors’ perspective in China: A case study in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Fang Kailun , Wu Yifei
Published: January 2025

In the decision-making process for investing in heritage buildings (HBs), various factors such as costs, interests, and tenancy terms influence investors decisions. Understanding the motivations of these investors can facilitate the involvement of social forces with diverse interests in adaptive reuse projects. This paper examines the primary barriers to revitalizing heritage buildings through adaptive reuse decision-making. The specific objectives of this study are as follows: i) To explore the barriers faced by investors in the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. ii) To provide a comprehensive review of the factors influencing the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, with a particular focus on developing countries. Through structured interviews with 19 investors and field research, three typical categories in the adaptive reuse decision-making process were identified: i) tenancy terms, ii) function, and iii) fire control problems. These findings indicate that vacancy is detrimental to the protection of heritage buildings, while rent plays a significant role in safeguarding them, as revealed by a correlation analysis using quantitative methods. Policymakers should better understand the expectations and needs of the public investors better to enhance support for optimal adaptive reuse decisions.
Prevalence and associated factors of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery in public hospitals of Awi zone, North West Ethiopia, 2023; a cross-sectional study
Authors: Habtamu Gebretsadek , Talie Asmare , Kassa Tinsae , Belay Dawit Misganaw
Published: January 2025

Background

Anemia is a serious global public health problem, especially in developing nations. Anemia during pregnancy is appropriately recognized, whereas postpartum anemia especially after cesarean delivery in Ethiopia has received very little attention. Due to this it leads to poor quality of life, palpitations, an increase in maternal infections, exhaustion, diminished cognitive function and postpartum depression. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery in public hospitals of Awi zone, North West Ethiopia, 2023.

Method

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 395 mothers who gave birth by cesarean delivery from May 1–30, 2023. Data were collected using a pretested checklist. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Then the data were entered into EPI-data version 4.6 and exported to the SPSS version 25 for analysis. A logistic regression model was fitted to assess the association between outcome and explanatory variables. Variables with a p-value of 0.25 or less in bivariable analysis were candidates for multivariable analysis and P-value < 0.05 in multivariable analysis was considered to declare a result as statistically significant in this study.

Result

The prevalence of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery was 18.9% (95% CI (15.1, 23.1)) with a response rate of 97.97%. Being primipara (AOR = 0.47,95%CI = 0.24,0.92), indication for current C/S (malpresentation) (AOR = 0.29,95%CI = 0.09,0.90), having pre-operation hemoglobin level <11g/dl (AOR = 14.5;95% CI = 4.11,51.16) and having medical complication during current pregnancy (AOR = 5.95,95%CI = 1.88,18.83) were significantly associated with postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery.

Conclusion

The findings of the study show that the prevalence of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery is a mild public health problem. Therefore, promoting the benefits of early detection and management of pregnancy complications such as predelivery anemia and medical complications is crucial.
Combating trade in illegal wood and forest products with machine learning
Authors: Datta Debanjan , Simeone John C. , Meadows Amelia , Outhwaite Willow , Keong Chen Hin , Self Nathan , Walker Linda , Ramakrishnan Naren
Published: January 2025

Trade in wood and forest products spans the global supply chain. Illegal logging and associated trade in forest products present a persistent threat to vulnerable ecosystems and communities. Illegal timber trade has been linked to violations of tax and conservation laws, as well as broader transnational crimes. The United States is the largest importer globally of wood and forest products, such as pulp, paper, flooring, and furniture—importing $78 billion in 2021. Transaction-level data such as shipping container manifests and bills of lading provide a comprehensive data source that can be used to detect and disrupt trade that may be suspected of containing illegally harvested or traded forest products. Owing to the volume, velocity, and complexity of shipment data, an automated decision support system is required for the purposes of detecting suspicious forest product shipments. We present a proof of concept framework using machine learning and big data approaches—combining domain expertise with automation—to achieve this objective. We formulated the underlying machine learning problem as an anomaly detection problem and collected and collated forest sector-specific domain knowledge to filter and target shipments of interest. In this work, we provide the overview of our framework, with the details of domain knowledge extraction and machine learning models, and discuss initial results and analysis of flagged anomalous and potentially suspicious records to demonstrate the efficacy of this approach. The proof of concept work presented here provides the groundwork for an actionable and feasible approach to assisting enforcement agencies with the detection of suspicious shipments that may contain illegally harvested or traded wood.
Level of tuberculosis-related stigma and associated factors in Ugandan communities
Authors: Kimuli Derrick , Nakaggwa Florence , Namuwenge Norah , Kamara Vincent , Nakawooya Mabel , Amanya Geofrey , Tumwesigye Philip , Mwehire Daniel , Lukoye Deus , Murungi Miriam , Dejene Seyoum , Byawaka Jaffer , Mubiru Norbert , Turyahabwe Stavia , Amuron Barbara , Bukenya Daraus
Published: January 2025

Tuberculosis (TB) stigma remains a significant barrier to TB control efforts globally, especially in countries with a high TB burden. Studies about TB stigma done in Uganda so far have been limited in scope and focused on data collected health facilities. In this study we report TB related stigma at community level for the period 2021/2022. We used the 2021/22 Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) data from a sample of 33,349 participants across 77 districts, to measure TB stigma determine factors associated. We included demographic characteristics, knowledge and participant perspectives as our study variables. Univariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TB stigma. TB stigma was assessed as a categorical variable (below or above the median) due to the skewness of the data when fitting the scores. The data set had equal proportions of males and females. The largest age group was 20–29 years old (38.47%). Most participants were married (62.94%) and had primary level education (65.80%). The TB stigma scores were assigned on a scale from 0 to 30, with an average score of 21.67 (±8.22) and a median score of 24 (19–28). Overall, 45.48% of participants had TB stigma scores above the median. Variations in TB stigma levels were observed across different districts. Factors associated with higher TB stigma included older age, higher education levels, urban residence, and TB knowledge. To reduce TB stigma and misinformation that can make an impact on TB response, community interventions should balance increasing awareness with minimizing fear. These interventions should be well-rounded and context-specific to address disparities within communities and bolster TB control efforts in the country.
Identification of hypertension gene expression biomarkers based on the DeepGCFS algorithm
Authors: Li Zongjin , Tian Liqin , Bai Libing , Jia Zeyu , Wu Xiaoming , Song Changxin
Published: January 2025

Hypertension is a critical risk factor and cause of mortality in cardiovascular diseases, and it remains a global public health issue. Therefore, understanding its mechanisms is essential for treating and preventing hypertension. Gene expression data is an important source for obtaining hypertension biomarkers. However, this data has a small sample size and high feature dimensionality, posing challenges to biomarker identification. We propose a novel deep graph clustering feature selection (DeepGCFS) algorithm to identify hypertension gene biomarkers with more biological significance. This algorithm utilizes a graph network to represent the interaction information between genes, builds a GNN model, designs a loss function based on link prediction and self-supervised learning ideas for training, and allows each gene node to obtain a feature vector representing global information. The algorithm then uses hybrid clustering methods for gene module detection. Finally, it combines integrated feature selection methods to determine the gene biomarkers. The experiment revealed that all the ten identified hypertension biomarkers were significantly differentiated, and it was found that the classification performance of AUC can reach 97.50%, which is better than other literature methods. Six genes (PTGS2, TBXA2R, ZNF101, KCNJ2, MSRA, and CMTM5) have been reported to be associated with hypertension. By using GSE113439 as the validation dataset, the AUC value of classification performance was to be 95.45%, and seven of the genes (LYSMD3, TBXA2R, KLC3, GPR171, PTGS2, MSRA, and CMTM5) were to be significantly different. In addition, this algorithm’s performance of gene feature vector clustering was better than other comparative methods. Therefore, the proposed algorithm has significant advantages in selecting potential hypertension biomarkers.
The impact of a commercial lower extremity exoskeleton on metabolic load, perceived exertion, and physiological response to a challenging military relevant task: A randomized cross-over design pilot study
Authors: Sefton JoEllen M. , Neal Frances K. , Agostinelli Philip J. , Bordonie Nicholas C. , Whitley Phillip E. , Pickle Nathan T. , Roos Paulien E.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To assess physiological metrics during the use of a commercially available bilateral active ankle exoskeleton during a challenging military-relevant task and if use of the exoskeleton during this task influences: metabolic load, physiological measures or rate of perceived exertion.

Methods

Nine healthy volunteers (5M, 4F) completed this randomized cross-over design trial, with a baseline visit and two randomized test sessions (with/without the exoskeleton). Variables included impact on time to exhaustion during walking on a treadmill at varying speeds and gradients (0–15%) at 26.7°C, 50% humidity with a loaded rucksack (30% body weight). The primary outcome measure was change in metabolic cost with/without the exoskeleton (O2 consumption, metabolic equivalents); secondary outcomes were change in heart rate and perceived exertion between conditions.

Results

Participants averaged 22.4 ± 4.5 years old, 173.7 ± 7.4 cm tall, weighed 80.9 ± 13.9 kg, and VO2max of 43.8 ± 10.6 mL/kg/min. Total kcals did not differ between conditions (with/without exoskeleton; t = 0.98; p = 0.357). Kcals/min were significantly lower (1.06 kcals/min) with the exoskeleton (t = 3.94; p = 0.004). Average oxygen consumption (VO2) was significantly lower (2.36 mL/kg/min) with the exoskeleton (t = 2.81; p = 0.023), and peak VO2 was 3.33 mL/kg/min lower with the exoskeleton (t = 2.37; p = 0.045). Peak and Average METS were also lower with the exoskeleton by 0.98 (t = 2.61; p = 0.031) and 1.23 (t = 2.39; p = 0.044) respectively.

Conclusions

Results suggest a powered ankle exoskeleton may decrease energy consumption during military relevant tasks when conducted in a laboratory environment. There may also be physiological benefits such as reduced core temperate and heart rate. Replication of this work in the field environment is warranted.
Development and nutritional evaluation of pomegranate peel enriched bars
Authors: Abbas Rameeza , Aamir Muhammad , Saeed Farhan , Shankar Amar , Kaur Jaspreet , Nadeem Rutaba , Chauhan Ashish Singh , Imran Ali , Afzaal Muhammad , Kinki Abdela Befa
Published: January 2025

Pomegranate peel powder is used as a functional ingredient in the development of nutritional bars. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is well known fruit belongs to punicaceae family having multiple health benefits, not only limited to its edible parts but also in its non-edible parts mostly the peel. Fruit wastes are rich source of nutrients, and can be used for the development of functional food products. Pomegranate peel is considered to be beneficial due to its functional and therapeutic properties as it is a source of many biological active components like polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids. Nutrient rich and ready-made foods are the demand of everyone due to their easy availability and cost effectiveness. Among the confectionary products, bars are liked by individuals of different age groups. Hence, nutritional properties of bars can be enhanced by using pomegranate peel powder. The current study was designed to develop bars enriched with pomegranate peel powder as a basic ingredient. Pomegranate peel powder is prepared and analyzed for proximate, mineral, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and anti-oxidant potential (DPPH). By using pomegranate peel powder, oats and jaggery, bars were prepared. In this research, five treatments T0 (0% pomegranate peel powder and 100% oats). T1 (5% pomegranate peel powder and 95% oats), T2 (10% pomegranate peel powder and 90% oats), T3 (15% pomegranate peel powder and 85% oats) and T4 (20% pomegranate peel powder and 80% oats) were used. The developed product is analyzed for proximate, mineral, total flavonoid contents, total phenolic content and anti-oxidant potential (DPPH). Proximate analysis of bars revealed that moisture, protein, fat, fiber, ash and nitrogen free extract ranges from T0 to T4 (13.38±1.21 to 11.32±1.15, 9.56±0.92 to 8.32±1.14, 9.05±1.21 to 7.93±1.08, 5.23±0.82 to 16.89±0.64, 2.05±0.87 to 2.92±1.25 and 62.51±0.85 to 52.62±0.93 respectively. Phytochemical analysis of bars enriched with pomegranate peel powder revealed that total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant potential of bars ranges from T0 to T4 (142.74±0.65 to 211.79±0.63 mg GAE/100g, 129.16±0.64 to 192±0.53 mg QE/100g and 41.35±0.82 to 64.57±0.69%) respectively. Mineral analysis of bars enriched with pomegranate peel powder revealed that calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium content ranged from T0 to T4 (25.42±0.63 to 31.06±0.58, 51.00±1.01 to 45.05±1.09, 59.46±1.13 to 79.15±0.28, 1.32±1.20 to 1.95±0.83 and 54.17±0.88±0.58 to 57.36±0.68 mg/100g respectively). Sensory evaluation is done for color, aroma, taste, texture overall acceptability. T3 got maximum score. Then, the data obtained were evaluated by CRD design. On the basis of results revealed that treatment T3 with 15% pomegranate peel powder was overall highly acceptable.
Exploring shifts in values among urban Senegalese: The impact of global crises on social and cultural norms
Authors: Tobita Yachiyo , Diagne Mandiaye , Bassama Joseph , Ndong Moussa , Gueye Mor , Ujiie Kiyokazu
Published: January 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered social and economic stagnation worldwide, significantly impacting people’s lives. In addition, the Russia-Ukraine war that began in 2022 resulted in rising food prices globally, severely affecting low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to examine the impact of these unprecedented crises on individual values, focusing on Senegal’s urban population. This study is the first to quantitatively assess changes in the values of urban Senegalese during this global crisis. Surveys were conducted in Saint-Louis, Senegal, in August-September 2018 and June-July 2022. The timing of these studies coincides with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. The findings revealed a 19.9% decrease in the average monthly cost of living per capita between 2018 and 2022, attributed to the combined effects of rising food prices and unemployment. Furthermore, the proportion of households spending less than $3.50 per person per day—below the lower-middle-income class poverty line—increased by 11.05%. Our analysis indicates a decline in values such as benevolence, universalism, hedonism, and self-direction. In contrast, values related to power and achievement significantly increased following the pandemic. These results suggest that individual values are flexible and may change in response to external factors such as global crises.
Surgical Site Infection after Craniotomy in Neuro-Oncology (SINO): A protocol for an international prospective multicentre service evaluation across the United Kingdom and Ireland
Authors: Lee Keng Siang , Borbas Balint , Chaudhry Daoud , Kuri Ashvin , Best Lawrence , Gillespie Conor S. , Dehbi Hakim-Moulay , Aquilina Kristian , Brennan Paul , Plaha Puneet , Ashkan Keyoumars , Jenkinson Michael D. , Price Stephen J. ,   British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative (BNTRC),   Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS),   Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group (NANSIG)
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Given its proximity to the central nervous system, surgical site infections (SSIs) after craniotomy (SSI-CRAN) represent a serious adverse event. SSI-CRAN are associated with substantial patient morbidity and mortality. Despite the recognition of SSI in other surgical fields, there is a paucity of evidence in the neurosurgical literature devoted to skin closure, specifically in patients with brain tumors. The primary objective of this service evaluation is to ascertain the incidence and the risk factors associated with SSI-CRAN. The secondary objectives would be a) to ascertain the incidence of SSI-CRAN in sutured versus stapled wounds, after accounting for patient, surgical and hospital confounders of SSI-CRAN and b) to determine the percentage of patients with gliomas that begin adjuvant oncological treatment in patients with infection versus those without infection.

Methods

Surgical Site Infection after Craniotomy in Neuro-Oncology (SINO) is a international prospective multicentre service evaluation that will include patients with an intracranial neoplasm, both primary and secondary neoplasms, treated with cranial surgery (including biopsy). Consecutive paediatric (<18 years) and adult (≥18 years) patients diagnosed with a brain tumour, undergoing cranial surgery between 1st October 2024 and 1st December 2024 will be included. Prospective data will be collected with a follow-up of 90 days.
Decoding the aroma of Rosa canina L.: Chemical composition and gene expression
Authors: Jariani Parisa , Shahnejat-Bushehri Ali-Akbar , Naderi Roohangiz , Zargar Meisam , Naghavi Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2025

Objective

The aromatic profile of Rosa canina L. petals hold immense potential for the fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. This study aims to investigate the chemical composition and gene expression patterns across different floral development stages to uncover the biosynthetic pathways of floral scent.

Methods

Essential oils (EOs) were extracted from petals at five developmental stages (S1-S5) and analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying 20 distinct compounds. RNA isolation and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis were performed to assess gene expression.

Results

Stage S3, notable for its enhanced aromatic profile, was dominated by terpenoid compounds such as β-Citronellol (1.18%), Caryophyllene (8.59%), β-Selinene (1.50%), and Caryophyllene oxide (0.50%), indicating significant upregulation of terpenoid biosynthesis genes. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that CCD1 had the highest expression in S4 (9.51-fold), while DXR and DXS peaked at S3 with fold changes of 29058.38 and 73.35, respectively. Other genes like AAT1, LIS, and GPS also showed peak expressions at S3 with fold changes of 1.33, 10.70, and 1.18, respectively. PAR exhibited the highest expression in S1, while GGPPS peaked in S4 (2.01-fold). Clustering analysis indicated distinct groupings of developmental stages and gene expression patterns, with strong correlations between specific genes and compounds, such as CCD1 with GGPPS (0.78) and β-Citronellol with Caryophyllene (0.92). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted significant contributions of AAT1, GPS, and nonadecane compounds to the overall variance.

Conclusion

These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the chemical and genetic factors shaping the aromatic profile of R. canina, with promising applications for both the fragrance and pharmaceutical sectors. The study’s innovation lies in the detailed correlation between EO composition and gene expression, presenting new insights into the biosynthetic pathways of floral scent.
Investigating the functional and structural effect of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 gene: An in-silico study
Authors: Kamal Md. Mostafa , Shantanu Kazi Fahmida Haque , Teeya Shamiha Tabassum , Rahman Md. Motiar , Hasan A. K. M. Munzurul , Chivers Douglas P. , Wani Tanveer A. , Alshammari Atekah Hazzaa , Rachamalla Mahesh , da Silva Junior Francisco Carlos , Hossen Md. Munnaf
Published: January 2025

The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4) is essential in controlling T cell activity within the immune system. Thus, uncovering the molecular dynamics of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the CTLA4 gene is critical. We identified the non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs), examined their impact on protein stability, and identified the protein sequences associated with them in the human CTLA4 gene. There were 3134 SNPs (rsIDs) in our study. Out of these, 186 missense variants (5.93%), 1491 intron variants (47.57%), and 91 synonymous variants (2.90%), while the remaining SNPs were unspecified. We utilized SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, and SNAP for identifying deleterious nsSNPs, and SNPs&GO, PhD SNP, and PANTHER for verifying risk nsSNPs in the CTLA4 gene. Following SIFT analysis, six nsSNPs were identified as deleterious and reporting second and third nsSNPs as probably damaging and one as benign, respectively. From upstream analysis, rs138279736, rs201778935, rs369567630, and rs376038796 were found to be deleterious, probably damaging, and disease associated. ConSurf predicted conservation scores for four nsSNPs, and Project Hope suggested that all mutations could disrupt protein interactions. Furthermore, mCSM and DynaMut2 analyses indicated a decrease in ΔΔG stability for the mutants. GeneMANIA and STRING networks highlighted correlations with CD86 and CD80 genes. Finally, MD simulation revealed consistent fluctuation in RMSD and RMSF, consequently Rg, hydrogen bonds, and PCA in the mutant proteins compared with wild-type, which might alter the functional and structural stability of CTLA4 protein. The current comprehensive study shows how various nsSNPs in the CTLA4 gene can modify the structural and functional characteristics of the protein, potentially influencing the pathogenesis of diseases in humans. Further, experimental studies are needed to analyze the effect of these nsSNPs on the susceptibility of pathological phenotype populations.
AI-assisted radiologists vs. standard double reading for rib fracture detection on CT images: A real-world clinical study
Authors: Sun Li , Fan Yangyang , Shi Shan , Sun Minghong , Ma Yunyao , Zhang Kuo , Zhang Feng , Liu Huan , Yu Tong , Tong Haibin , Yang Xuedong
Published: January 2025

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) assisted radiologists and standard double-reading in real-world clinical settings for rib fractures (RFs) detection on CT images. This study included 243 consecutive chest trauma patients (mean age, 58.1 years; female, 166) with rib CT scans. All CT scans were interpreted by two radiologists. The CT images were re-evaluated by primary readers with AI assistance in a blinded manner. Reference standards were established by two musculoskeletal radiologists. The re-evaluation results were then compared with those from the initial double-reading. The primary analysis focused on demonstrate superiority of AI-assisted sensitivity and the noninferiority of specificity at patient level, compared to standard double-reading. Secondary endpoints were at the rib and lesion levels. Stand-alone AI performance was also assessed. The influence of patient characteristics, report time, and RF features on the performance of AI and radiologists was investigated. At patient level, AI-assisted radiologists significantly improved sensitivity by 25.0% (95% CI: 10.5, 39.5; P < 0.001 for superiority), compared to double-reading, from 69.2% to 94.2%. And, the specificity of AI-assisted diagnosis (100%) was noninferior to double-reading (98.2%) with a difference of 1.8% (95% CI: -3.8, 7.4; P = 0.999 for noninferiority). The diagnostic accuracy of both radiologists and AI was influenced by patient gender, rib number, fracture location, and fracture type. Radiologist performance was affected by report time, whereas AI’s diagnostic accuracy was influenced by patient age and the side of the rib involved. AI-assisted additional-reader workflow might be a feasible strategy to instead of traditional double-reading, potentially offering higher sensitivity and specificity compared to standard double-reading in real-word clinical practice.
High-flow nasal cannula for pre- and apneic oxygenation during rapid sequence induction intubation in emergency surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Hong , Yang Yanyan , Li Hong
Published: January 2025

Background

Rapid sequence induction intubation (RSII) is commonly used in emergency surgeries for patients at high risk of aspiration. However, these patients are more susceptible to hypoxemia during the RSII process. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy has emerged as a potential alternative to traditional face mask (FM) ventilation pre- and apneic oxygenation. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of HFNC compared to FM during RSII in emergency surgeries.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE-OVID, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to July 20, 2024. Randomized controlled trials comparing HFNC with FM during RSII for emergency surgery patients were included. The primary outcomes were post-intubation arterial partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2). Secondary outcomes included post-intubation end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtCO2), incidence of desaturation, apnea time, lowest peripheral oxygen saturation (Lowest SpO2), and occurrence of regurgitant aspiration. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence and the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool to evaluate risk of bias.

Findings

This meta-analysis encompassed six studies, involving a total of 703 patients. HFNC oxygen therapy demonstrated a significant increase in post-intubation arterial PaO2 compared to FM (mean difference = 63.02 mmHg, 95% CI: 8.99 to 117.05, p = 0.02), while no significant difference was observed in arterial PaCO2. Moreover, HFNC substantially prolonged apnea time (mean difference = 19.25 seconds, 95% CI: 1.69 to 36.82, p = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were found between HFNC and FM regarding EtCO2, incidence of desaturation, Lowest SpO2, or regurgitant aspiration.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that HFNC may be superior to FM for pre-oxygenation and apneic oxygenation during RSII in emergency surgeries, particularly in improving oxygenation. While these findings are promising, further high-quality research is necessary to establish definitive guidelines for HFNC use in this context.
Mathematical and statistical approaches in epidemiological investigation of hospital infection: A case study of the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in Korea
Authors: Ko Youngsuk , Jung Eunok
Published: January 2025

Mathematical and statistical methods are invaluable in epidemiological investigations, enhancing our understanding of disease transmission dynamics and informing effective control measures. In this study, we presented a method to estimate transmissibility using patient-level data, with application to the 2015 MERS outbreak at Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital, the Republic of Korea. We developed a stochastic model based on individual case data to derive a likelihood function for disease transmission. Through scenario-based analysis, we explored transmission dynamics, including the role of superspreaders, and investigated how mask-wearing impacted infection control within the hospital. Our findings indicated that the superspreader during the MERS outbreak had approximately 25 times higher transmissibility compared to other patients. Under scenarios of prolonged hospital transmission periods, the number of cases could potentially increase threefold. The impact of mask-wearing in the hospital was significant, with reductions in the epidemic scale ranging from 17% to 77%, depending on the type of mask and intervention intensity. This study quantifies key risk factors in hospital-based transmission, demonstrating the effectiveness of intervention measures. The methodology developed here can be readily adapted to other infectious diseases, providing valuable insights for future outbreak preparedness and response strategies.
Heart rate variability is more sensitive to stress than heart rate in specialist police undergoing selection
Authors: Tomes Colin , Schram Ben , Canetti Elisa , Orr Robin
Published: January 2025

Police tactical group (PTG) officers respond to the most demanding and high-risk police situations. As such, PTG personnel require exceptional physical fitness, and selection for employment often evaluates fitness both directly and indirectly. While heart rate (HR) is often used to measure physical effort, heart rate variability (HRV) may be a valuable tool for measuring stress holistically. The primary aim of this research was to investigate whether HRV was more sensitive than HR at monitoring workload during key PTG selection activities. As aerobic fitness is associated with workload during these tasks, a secondary aim was to investigate relationships between HRV, HR and aerobic fitness during the same tasks. The relationships between HRV (percentage of adjacent R-R intervals varying by 50% or more; pRR50%) and HR, as measured by ambulatory electrocardiograms obtained during a specialist police selection course, as well as aerobic fitness, as determined via total shuttles completed on the 20-meter multistage fitness test (MSFT; ‘beep test’), were investigated. This study included a cohort of six male PTG candidates (n = 6) undergoing selection. As illustrated by a time-series plot, HR values were generally unremarkable, but HRV values were potentially depressed, and tentatively indicated overstress when count data from consecutive short-term analyses were derived. The MSFT was significantly, positively, correlated with pRR50% (ρ (6) = 0.812, p = 0.050, Fisher’s z = 1.132). The MSFT and nonlinear HRV, frequency domain HRV, and HR were not significantly correlated. When assessed by linear regression, neither HRV nor HR were predicted by MSFT score. These findings indicate that HR alone is likely not sufficiently sensitive to provide detail on the stress response of candidates undertaking essential tactical tasks that combine physical stressors with cognitive load in adverse conditions. HRV analysis may provide additional insights regarding candidate suitability, particularly during dynamic and multifaceted assessments, though the causal direction of the relationship between HRV and aerobic fitness remains unclear.
The corneal biomechanical changes of phacoemulsification in cataract patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Xinru , Li Xiaofeng , Tan Lintong , Chen Hu , Lai Yuan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To evaluate the corneal biomechanical properties of phacoemulsification in the treatment of cataract patients.

Methods

Pertinent studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov., as of November 05, 2024. The reference lists of related published reviews were included as well. This meta-analysis was performed with Stata Software and Review Manager, we used mean difference (MD) to evaluate the statistical consequence, using I2 statistic to assess the heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis were performed under the occurrences of high heterogeneity. We used eleven items to describe the characteristics of included studies, publication bias was performed with Egger’s test. The quality assessment were evaluated with 3 items by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) items.

Results

Thirteen eligible studies were identified for data synthesis and assessment. According to the result of meta-analysis, the central corneal thickness(CCT) (MD = 10.50, 95% CI: [5.01, 15.98]; P<0.05) and intraocular pressure(IOPg)(MD = -0.73, 95% CI: [-1.26, -0.19]; P<0.05) of cataract patients after phacoemulsification was significantly higher than the control groups. The values of corneal hysteresis(CH) (MD = -0.43, 95% CI: [-0.62, -0.23]; P<0.05) and corneal resistance factor(CRF) (MD = -0.49, 95% CI: [-0.64, -0.33]; P<0.05) after phacoemulsification surgery were statistically lower than the control groups. While the values of IOPcc did not show statistically different (MD = -0.13, 95% CI: [-0.67, 0.41]; P = 0.64).

Conclusion

Included data analysis indicated that the values of CCT, CH, CRF and IOPg showed statistical change in cataract patients after phacoemulsification surgeries compared with control groups. There is a correlation between corneal biomechanics and phacoemulsification surgeries.
Phase angle in bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessing congestion in acute heart failure
Authors: Sohn Sangho , Jeon Jinsung , Lee Ji Eun , Park Soo Hyung , Kang Dong Oh , Park Eun Jin , Lee Dae-In , Choi Jah Yeon , Roh Seung Young , Na Jin Oh , Choi Cheol Ung , Kim Jin Won , Rha Seung Woon , Park Chang Gyu , Lee Sunki , Kim Eung Ju
Published: January 2025

Background

The phase angle (PhA) in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) reflects the cell membrane integrity or body fluid equilibrium. We examined how the PhA aligns with previously known markers of acute heart failure (HF) and assessed its value as a screening tool.

Methods

PhA was measured in 50 patients with HF and 20 non-HF controls along with the edema index (EI), another BIA parameter suggestive of edema. Chest computed tomography-measured lung fluid content (LFC) was used to assess pulmonary congestion. A correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationships between PhA and EI, NT-proBNP, and LFC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off values for PhA and EI for classifying patients with HF. The area under the curve (AUC) was compared using the DeLong test to evaluate the performance of PhA and EI compared to that of LFC in correctly classifying HF.

Results

The PhA levels were significantly lower in the HF group. Whole-body PhA was 4.49° in the HF group and 5.68° in the control group. Moderate and significant correlation was observed between PhA measured at 50-kHz and both NT-proBNP (-0.56 to -0.27, all p-values<0.05) and LFC (-0.52 to -0.41, all p-values <0.05). The AUC for whole-body PhA was 0.827 (confidence interval [CI] 0.724–0.931, p<0.01) and was 0.883 (CI 0.806–0.961, p<0.01) for EI, and the optimal cutoffs were estimated as 5° (sensitivity 0.84, specificity 0.80) and 0.394 (sensitivity 0.78, specificity 0.95), respectively. When both PhA and EI were included in the model, the AUC increased to 0.905, and this was comparable to that of LFC (AUC = 0.913, p = 0.857).

Conclusions

PhA exhibited a correlation with known markers of HF and demonstrated its potential as a non-invasive screening tool for the early detection of HF exacerbation. The combined use of PhA and EI can provide a robust alternative for routine self-monitoring in patients with HF, thereby enhancing early intervention.