bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryoablation for nonmetastatic castration resistant prostate cancer: feasibility, safety, quality of life and oncological outcomes
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Zhu Yinjie , Xia Binbin , Du Xinxing , Wu Fan , Xu Fan , Pan Jiahua , Dong Baijun , Xue Wei
Published: February 2023

Background: Cryoablation is an effective local therapy for prostate cancer for its local tumor killing and activation of systemic immune response. We sought to investigate the feasibility, safety, quality of life (QOL) and oncological outcomes of cryoablation for nonmetastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Methods: The clinical data of 16 patients at our center treated with cryoablation for nonmetastatic CRPC between Jun 2014 and Aug 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The progression-free survival (PFS) distribution was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analyses and compared by a log-rank test.
Results: Median follow-up duration was 32.0months (interquartile range, IQR, 19.6-57.4). There was a Clavien II complication in 1 patient after cryoablation. 5 patients had a clinically significant increase and 2 patients had a clinically significant decrease in Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite urinary function QOL score at 3 months postoperation. 14 patients had a decline in prostate-specific antigen(PSA) within 3 months postoperation. PSA progression was occurred in all the patients, and the median PSA PFS time was 3.1months (IQR, 1.9-22.9). The patients with obvious lesion in the prostate of preoperative MRI or PSA < 5.33 ng/ml prior to cryoablation had a better survival (P < 0.05). The immune activation was occurred in 13 patients at 1 day postoperation.
Conclusions: Cryoablation has advantages of safety, elevated urinary function QOL, promising oncological outcome and is an appropriate option for patients with nonmetastatic CRPC, especially for those with obvious lesion in the prostate of preoperative MRI or PSA < 5.33 ng/ml prior to cryoablation.
Implementation Difficulties and Solutions of a Smart-Cloth assisted Home Nursing Care Program for disabled older persons
Authors: Lin Chung-Chih , Yang Ching-Tzu , Su Pei-Ling , Hsu Jung-Ling , Shyu Yea-Ing , Hsu Wen-Chuin
Published: February 2023

Background:Wearable devices have the advantage of always being with individuals, enabling easy detection of their movements. In this study, we developed and implemented a smart-care system using smart clothing for persons with dementia and with hip fracture.
Objective:This paper reports conducted a preliminary study to understand family caregivers’ and care receivers’ experiences of receiving a smart technology-assisted (STA) home-nursing care program.
Methods: The STA model of a home-nursing care program for older persons with dementia or hip fracture included a remote-monitoring system with a smart-vest to facilitate family caregivers’ detection of the care receivers’ movements. These movements included getting up at night, staying in the bathroom time, not moving time during the day, leaving the house, and daily activity level. Participants included 12 families with five patients with hip fracture and seven with dementia. A description of the process of setting up the individual STA in-home systems, measures that were monitored and the difficulties encountered.
Results: Difficulties encountered were due to multiple problems. They were comprised of three categories: incompatibility of the home environment, interruptions in data transmissions and inaccuracies in data transmissions.
Conclusions: Three main difficulties impeded implementation of the STA home care for persons with dementia or hip fracture. Each of these difficulties had their own unique problems and strategies to resolve them. Our findings can provide a reference for futureimplementation of similar smart-home systems.
On Zagreb coindices and Mostar index of TiO2 nanotubes
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Malik Mehar Ali , Aslam Gul I Hina , Ali Amjad , Aqib Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Topological indices have played an important role in predicting physico-chemical properties of chemical compounds. Degree-based topological indices have been proved to have good correlation with boiling points, strain energy, entropy and a number of other properties of compounds.In this paper, we calculate some degree-based indices and conindices of titania nanotubes TiO2.
Psoralidin inhibits osteosarcoma function by downregulating ITGB1 expression via the FAK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways
Authors: Cheng Shengwen , Liu Senrui , Chen Bowen , Du Chengcheng , Xiao Pengcheng , Luo Xuefeng , Wei Li , Lei Yiting , Zhao Chen , Huang Wei
Published: February 2023

Background
Psoralea corylifolia is a medicinal leguminous plant that has long been used to treat various diseases. Psoralidin (PSO) is the main extract compound of P. corylifolia and exhibits antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological activities. PSO has demonstrated inhibitory effects in several cancers; however, its inhibitory effect on osteosarcoma has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of PSO on osteosarcoma and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Methods
Crystal violet, CCK8, and EdU staining assays were used to assess the inhibitory effect of PSO on the proliferation of 143B and MG63 osteosarcoma cells. Wound healing and Transwell assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of PSO on osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion. The cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. To determine the possible molecular mechanisms, RNA-sequencing was performed and protein expression was analyzed by western blotting. The inhibitory effect of PSO on osteosarcoma in vivo was analyzed using a mouse model of orthotopic osteosarcoma and immunohistochemistry.
Results
PSO inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, inhibited cell migration and invasion, and induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistically, PSO treatment significantly inhibited the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways by downregulating ITGB1 expression in both MG63 and 143B cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PSO restrained osteosarcoma growth in vivo.
Conclusion
PSO may suppresses osteosarcoma via the FAK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways by downregulating ITGB1 expression.
Association between grip strength and depression in Chinese older adults: A cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Wang huan , Shi Guangqing , Zhenliang Xiao , Zhou Jin
Published: February 2023

Background
An increasing evidence exists of an association between grip strength and depressive symptoms. Grip strength and depression are associated with hospitalization rates in the older adults. Our primary goal is to ascertain the relationship between grip strength and depression among adults aged 60 years and above. The following data are quoted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS).
Method
The quoted data were from wave 3 (2015) of the CHARLS, which included 4,689 older adults (aged ≥ 60 years). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-term Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Grip strength was measured in kilograms using a handheld dynamometer (WCS-100; Nantong, China). Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between hand grip strength and depression in the four models.
Results
Participants were community-dwelling older adults (N = 4,689; 79.0% females, 21.0% males) aged ≥ 60 years. Handgrip strength was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (P = 0.000) after adjusting for covariates. However, no significant correlation was noted between BMI, smoking, drinking, and depressive symptoms (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
Grip strength was negatively associated with depressive symptoms in a large sample of older adults in China. Future research is required to further explore the causal relationship between grip strength and depression and determine effective grip strength and depression interventions to improve the quality of life in older people.
Psychometric Research in Creating a Decision Support Tool to Prevent Community Acquired Pressure Injuries for Use in the Spinal Cord Injury Clinic
Authors: Burkhart Lisa , Siddiqui Sameer , Smith Autumn , Richardson Michael , Zachow Karin , Chua Walter , Weaver Frances , Skemp Lisa , Kiefer Amy , LaVela Sherri , Bates-Jensen Barbara
Published: February 2023

Study Design:
Psychometric; Concept Mapping, Delphi Technique
Objectives
Describe the development and validation of a decision support tool to prevent community-acquired pressure injuries (CAPrIs) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) for use in SCI clinics, called the Community-Acquired Pressure Injury Prevention-Field Implementation Tool (CAPP-FIT).
Setting:
Veteran Health Administration Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Methods
Concept mapping of current pressure injury (PrI) guidelines and qualitative research describing risks, actions, and resources needed to prevent CAPrIs associated with SCI were used to develop 14 veteran checklist items (Items) along with 11 associated provider actions (Actions) for the tool. The Delphi technique was used to validate Items and Actions with a panel of interprofessional SCI providers (n = 15), veterans with SCI (n = 4), and caregivers (n = 3) to determine consensus on a 4-point Likert scale (strongly agree–strongly disagree) for each Item and Action. A 75% agreement was set for responses rated as strongly agree or agree.
Results
Panelists were 60% female, 65% Black, 30% wound care certified with a mean age of 59 years. Two survey rounds were required for consensus. Response rate was 95% for both rounds. Delphi round 1 showed all Items and Actions affirmed agreement above 75% with comments requiring a second round reaching 83% agreement. The CAPP-FIT includes a 14-item computerized Veteran survey and generates a Provider report of veteran responses with recommended actions to guide provider decision-making.
Conclusions
The CAPP-FIT achieved face and content validity for accuracy, usability and acceptability by veterans living with SCI, caregivers, and SCI providers.
An analysis of the distribution of cancer centers in Brazil
Authors: Borrelli Guilherme Querido de Queiroz Ferreira , Bonometto Juliana Vieira Biason , Cubero Daniel de Iracema Gomes , Giglio Auro del
Published: February 2023

Background
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are complex and necessitate quaternary centers, which require technology and investment. To better serve the population, such centers should be distributed equitably among the states and according to demand. Even with public policy favoring an increase in the number of oncology centers in Brazil, it is necessary to verify the distribution of these centers, as they have a key role in the population’s access to cancer treatment. However, there are few studies evaluating this distribution in the literature.
Objective
To verify whether the distribution of the oncology network in Brazil meets the needs of each state.
Method
This is a descriptive study with data from official federal sources made available by the National Cancer Institute (Instituto Nacional do Câncer-INCA), Department of Informatics of the SUS, Ministry of Health, National Commission of Nuclear Energy (CNEN) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). New cancer cases projected for 2020 were compared with data on the number and distribution of radiotherapy centers and highly complex oncology centers (CACON/UNACON) in each state. The Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) was used to estimate the population’s access to health care in the states, along with gross domestic product (GDP), which was used to calculate the wealth of each state.
Results
In 2020, there were 386 CACON/UNACONs and 267 radiotherapy centers in Brazil, and 65.5% of the CACON/UNACONs and 66.7% of the radiotherapy centers were concentrated in five states (SP, RJ, MG, PR, RS). Of the cancer cases projected for 2020, 59.6% are concentrated in these five states. Among the states with lower GDP and lower education, there are three with a high number of anticipated cases for each CACON/UNACON (PB, SE and PI) and three with a high number of such cases for radiotherapy centers in PI, PB, RN); RR and AP do not have radiotherapy centers.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the distribution of oncology centers is not equitable among the states because among the poorest states, there is a smaller number of centers for a greater number of cases.
A comparative study of locking plate combined with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and intramedullary nail fixation in the treatment of Neer classification of 2-part and 3-part fractures of the proximal humerus
Authors: Ding Chen , Zhu Ya , Lu Yifeng , Zheng Miaomiao , Nian Shengshen , Tang Hao
Published: February 2023

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive locking plate technique (Philos plate) and interlocking intramedullary nailing technique (TRIGEN intramedullary nail) in the treatment of Neer two-part and three-part proximal humeral fractures.
Methods and materials:The clinical data of 60 patients with Neer two-part and three-part proximal humerus fractures admitted to Hospital from April 2017 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. 32 cases were treated with minimally invasive locking plate technique (minimally invasive plate group) and 28 cases were treated with interlocking intramedullary nailing technique (intramedullary nail group). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, fracture healing time, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. ASES score and Constant-Murley score were used to evaluate the shoulder joint function of the two groups one year after surgery.
Results:All 60 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months, with an average of 16 months. There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length and fracture healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the intramedullary nail group was significantly lower than that in the minimally invasive steel plate group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ASES score and Constant-Murley score between the two groups one year after surgery (P>0.05).
Conclusion:The use of minimally invasive locking plate technique and interlocking intramedullary nailing technique in the treatment of Neer two-part and three-part proximal humerus fractures has the advantages of small incision, less blood loss, and high fracture healing rate, and both can achieve satisfactory clinical effects. The internal nail technique is more convenient than the minimally invasive locking plate technique in controlling postoperative complications.
Assessment of the impact of reopening strategies on the spatial transmission risk of COVID-19: A data-driven transmission model
Authors: Wang Jing , Huang YuHui , Dong Ying , Wu BingYing
Published: February 2023

COVID-19 has dramatically changed people’s mobility behavior patterns and affected the operations of different functional sites. In the context of the successive reopening of countries around the world since 2022, it is crucial to understand whether the reopening of different types of locations poses a risk of widespread epidemic transmission. In this paper, by establishing an epidemiological model based on mobile network data, combining the mobile network data provided by Safegraph website, and taking into account the crowd flow characteristics and the changes of susceptible and latent populations, we simulated the trends of the number of crowd visits and the number of epidemic infections at different functional points of interest after the implementation of reopening strategies. Accordingly, the impact of crowd flow changes under different reopening strategies on the risk of epidemic transmission was judged. The model was also validated with daily new cases in ten metropolitan areas in the United States from March to May 2020, and the results showed that the model fitted the evolutionary trend of realistic data more accurately. Further, the points of interest were classified into risk levels, and the corresponding reopening minimum standard prevention and control measures were proposed to be implemented according to different risk levels. The results showed that restaurants and gyms became high-risk points of interest after the implementation of the reopening strategy, especially the general dine-in restaurants were at higher risk. Religious activity centers were the points of interest with the highest average infection rates after the implementation of the reopening strategy. Points of interest such as convenience stores, large shopping malls and pharmacies were at a lower risk for outbreak impact after the reopening strategy was implemented. Based on this, reopening prevention and control strategies for different functional points of interest are proposed to provide decision support for the development of precise prevention and control measures for different sites.
Investigating Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction among Patients with Post- Covid Condition and Prolonged Cardiovascular Symptoms
Authors: Silva Fernanda Stábile da , Bonifácio Lívia Pimenta , Bellissimo-Rodrigues Fernando , Joaquim Luiz Fernando , Dias Daniel Penteado Martins , Romano Minna Moreira Dias , Schmidt André , Crescêncio Júlio César , Buzinari Tereza Cristina , Fazan Rubens , Salgado Helio César
Published: February 2023

The variability of heart rate (HR) and arterial pressure (AP), and their responses to head-up tilt test (HUTT) was investigated in post-Covid-19 syndrome (PCS) patients, reporting tachycardia and/or postural hypotension. PCS patients were tachycardic and showed attenuation of the following parameters: RMSSD; power of RR spectra at HF; occurrence of 2UV pattern of RR (symbolic analysis); and sample entropy. Basal AP and LF power of systolic AP were similar between PCS patients and control subjects; while 0V patterns of AP were exacerbated in PCS patients. Despite tachycardia and decrease in RMSSD, no parameter changed during HUTT in PCS patients. PCS patients reassessed after 6 months showed higher HF power of RR spectra and higher percentage of 2UV pattern of RR. Moreover, the reassessed PCS patients showed a lower occurrence of 0V patterns of AP, while the HUTT elicited HR and AP responses identical to control subjects. The HR and AP variability suggest an autonomic dysfunction with sympathetic predominance in PCS patients; while the lack of responses of HR and BP variability indices during HUTT indicates a marked impairment of autonomic control. However, the reassessment of PCS patients showed that the noxious effect of the PCS tended to fade over time.
Symptom screening with Targeted Early Palliative care (STEP) versus usual care for patients with advanced cancer: A mixed methods study
Authors: Zimmermann Camilla , Pope Ashley , Hannon Breffni , Bedard Philippe L. , Rodin Gary , Dhani Neesha , Li Madeline , Herx Leonie , Krzyzanowska Monika K. , Howell Doris , Knox Jennifer J. , Leighl Natasha B. , Srid Srikala , Oza Amit M. , Lheureux Stephanie , Booth Christopher M. , Liu Geoffrey , Castro Jacqueline Alcalde , Swami Nadia , Sue-A-Quan Rachel , Rydall Anne , Le Lisa W.
Published: February 2023

Purpose: Although early palliative care is recommended, resource limitations prevent its routine implementation. We report on the preliminary findings of a mixed methods study involving a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Symptom screening with Targeted Early Palliative care (STEP) and qualitative interviews.
Methods: Adults with advanced solid tumors and an oncologist-estimated prognosis of 6-36 months were randomized to STEP or symptom screening alone. STEP involved symptom screening at each outpatient oncology visit; moderate to severe scores triggered an email to a palliative care nurse, who offered referral to in-person outpatient palliative care. Patient-reported outcomes of quality of life (FACT-G7), depression (PHQ-9), symptom control (ESAS-r-CS), and satisfaction with care (FAMCARE P-16) were measured at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of participants.
Results: From Aug/2019 to Mar/2020 (trial halted due to COVID-19 pandemic), 69 participants were randomized to STEP (n=33) or usual care (n=36). At 6 months, 45% of STEP arm patients and 17% of screening alone participants had received palliative care (p=0.009). Nonsignificant trends for all outcomes favored STEP: difference in change scores for FACT-G7=1.67 (95% CI: -1.43,4.77); ESAS-r-CS=-5.51(-14.29,3.27); FAMCARE P-16=4.10(-0.31,8.51); PHQ-9=-2.41 (-5.02,0.20). Sixteen patients completed qualitative interviews, describing symptom screening as helpful to initiate communication; triggered referral as initially jarring but ultimately beneficial; and referral to palliative care as timely.
Conclusion: STEP improves access to palliative care. Despite lack of power, preliminary results are encouraging and qualitative results demonstrate acceptability. Findings will inform an RCT of combined in-person and virtual STEP.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03987906
Effects of new hypoglycemic drugs on cardiac remodeling: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Yi-lin , Xu Xiao-zhuo , Liu Jing , Wang Pin-yao , Wang Xue-li , Feng Hong-lin , Liu Cheng-jiang , Han Xu
Published: February 2023

Background In recent years, the incidence of diabetes mellitus has been increasing annually and cardiovascular complications secondary to diabetes mellitus have become the main cause of death in diabetic patients. Although some novel glucose-lowering drugs have been shown to be cardioprotective, it is unclear which glucose-lowering drugs are effective in improving cardiac remodeling and fundamentally delay the progression of heart failure. The purpose of this network meta-analysis was to compare the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i), glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) on ventricular remodeling in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Methods Articles published prior to 24 August 2022 were retrieved in four electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and a small cohort study in this meta-analysis. The differences of mean changes of left ventricular ultrasonic parameters between the treatment group and the control group were compared.
Results A total of 31 RCTs and 4 cohort studies involving 4322 patients were analyzed. SGLT-2i had significantly reduced left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) [MD=-0.72ml, 95% CI (-1.30, -0.14)] and LV mass index (LVMI) [MD=-0.28g/m2, 95% CI (-0.43, -0.12)]. GLP-1RA had significantly reduced LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD) [MD=-0.38mm, 95% CI (-0.66, -0.10)], LVMI [MD=-1.07g/m2, 95% CI (-1.71, -0.42)], and e' [MD=-0.43cm/s 95% CI (-0.81, -0.04)]. DPP-4i significantly improved e' [MD=3.82cm/s, 95%CI (2.92,4.7)] and E/e' [MD = -5.97 95% CI (-10.35, -1.59)], but decreased LV ejection fraction (LVEF) [MD = -0.89% 95% CI (-1.76, -0.03)].
Conculusion GLP-1RA were more significantly associated with improvement in LVESD and LVMI, but significantly decreased e'. DPP-4i were more strongly associated with improvement in e' and E/e', but significantly inhibited LVEF. SGLT-2i significantly improved LVMI and LVEDD in the overall population, as well as E/e' and SBP in T2DM patients combined with CVD, without showing any negative effect on left ventricular function. Therefore, we recommend SGLT-2i as the most effective drug for reversing ventricular remodeling.
Remineralization of teeth with Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate - Analysis of salivary pH and the rate of salivary flow
Authors: Dashash Mayssoon , Karad Lubna , Alkhouli Muaaz
Published: February 2023

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP) in remineralization of teeth of Syrian children aged 6–8 years enrolled in orphanage of the city of Damascus.

Methods

This study is part of a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. It included 50 children randomly divided into two treatment groups to receive either CPP-ACP GC Tooth Mousse™ (Group A) or placebo (Group B) with 25 participants per group. After the application of the product in the mouth for 3 minutes, saliva samples were collected four times (T0, T1, T2, and T3) to measure salivary pH and the rate of salivary flow.

Results

There was no significant difference between group A and B in the mean value of salivary flow rate and salivary pH. However, there was a significant difference between different time points in the mean value of salivary pH and salivary flow rate.

Conclusion

The application of the GC Tooth Mouse (CPP-ACP) may not be effective for the remineralization of teeth of children as it was similar to placebo in increasing the salivary pH and salivary flow rate. Other alternatives should be considered.
Trial registration: ISRCTN17509082, Registration date 22/11/2022
Emerging Role of MicroRNA-Based Theranostics in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Toro Abdulhakim Umar , Kurya Abdulaziz Umar , Shukla Sudheesh K. , Bansal Parveen
Published: February 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with its high mortality and short survival rate, continues to be one of the deadliest malignancies despite relentless efforts and several technological advances. The poor prognosis of HCC and the few available treatments are to blame for the low survival rate, which emphasizes the importance of creating new, effective diagnostic markers and innovative therapy strategies. In-depth research is being done on the potent biomarker miRNAs, a special class of non-coding RNA and has shown encouraging results in the early identification and treatment of HCC in order to find more viable and successful therapeutics for the disease. It is beyond dispute that miRNAs control cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival and, depending on the genes they target, can either promote tumorigenesis or suppress it. Given the vital role miRNAs play in the biological system and their potential to serve as ground-breaking treatments for HCC, more study is required to fully examine their theranostic potential.
Reading of Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy After Frame Reduction Using an Artificial Intelligence Algorithm
Authors: Oh Dong Jun , Hwang Youngbae , Kim Sang Hoon , Jung Min Kyu , Lim Yun Jeong
Published: February 2023

Objectives
Poor visualization images during small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) reading can confuse interpretation of small bowel lesions and increase the physician’s workload. Using a validated artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that can evaluate the mucosal visualization, we decided to determine whether the SBCE reading after removing poor visualization images could affect the diagnosis.
Methods
A study was conducted to analyze 90 SBCE cases in which small bowel examination was completed. Two experienced endoscopists performed the frame reduction reading after removing poor visualization images with the AI algorithm (AI user group) and the whole frame reading (AI non-user group). A poor visualization image was defined as image with mucosal visualization < 50%. Outcomes were diagnostic concordance and reading time between the two groups. SBCE diagnosis was classified into Crohn's disease, bleeding, polyp, angiodysplasia, and nonspecific finding.
Results
The final SBCE diagnosis between the two groups was significantly consistent (k = 0.954, p < 0.001). The mean number of lesion images was 3008.5 ± 9965.0 in the AI non-user group and 1401.7 ± 4811.4 in the AI user group. There were no cases in which lesions were totally removed. Compared to the AI non-user group (120.9 mins), reading time was reduced by 35.6% in the AI-user group (77.9 mins).
Conclusions
Reading of SBCE after reducing poor visualization frames with AI algorithm did not have a negative effect for final diagnosis. As a reading method integrated with automated lesion detection, frame reduction and mucosal visualization measurement will also be available for comprehensive AI-assisted SBCE interpretation.
CardiacField: Computational Echocardiography for Universal Screening
Authors: Ma Zhan , Shen Chengkang , Zhu Hao , Zhou You , Liu Yu , Yi Si , Dong Lili , Zhao Weipeng , Brady David , Cao Xun , Lin Yi
Published: February 2023

Cardiovascular diseases, the worldwide leading cause of death, are preventable and treatable. Early diagnosis and monitoring using ultrasound, x-ray or MRI are crucial clinical tools. Routine imaging is, however, currently cost prohibitive. Here we show that computational imaging enables a 3 order of magnitude reduction in the cost of tomographic echocardiography while also radically improving image quality and diagnostic utility. This advance relies on decompressive inference using artificial neural networks. Our system, CardiacField, generates 3D images of the heart from 2D echocardiograms using commodity clinical instruments. CardiacField automatically segments and quantifies the volume of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) without manual calibration. CardiacField estimates the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with 33% higher accuracy than state-of-the-art video-based methods, and the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) with a similar accuracy, which is not available in existing 2DE methods. This technology will enable routine world-wide tomographic heart screening, such that patients will get instant feedback on lifestyle changes that improve heart health. CardiacField also illustrates the value of a conceptual shift in diagnostic imaging from direct physical model inversion to Bayesian inference. While clinicians tend to prefer linear inference algorithms for their conceptual simplicity, as discussed in this paper, neural inference will save lives.
Identification and verification of Hub Biomarkers and Immune-Related Pathways Participating in the Trabecular Meshwork after using Corticosteroid
Authors: Wang liwen , Song Di
Published: February 2023

Background The corticosteroids is associated with increased Intraocular pressure (IOP), especially in the way of topical application. However, there is no clear explanation for the cause and possible molecular mechanism. It was reported that immune cells may impact on matrix metalloproteinase pathway and IOP. This study aimed to identify the key biomarkers and immunological pathways involved in corticosteriod-induced changes in trabecular meshwork (TM).
Methods The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to retrieve the expression profile for GSE124114 and GSE37474. Based on differential expression analysis (DEGs), hub markers for the possible molecular pathways in the TM following the use of corticosteroids were mined. The hub gene modules linked to higher IOP were found using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and the immune cells' presence of the TM was assessed using CIBERSORT. R (version 3.6.1) was used to carry out enrichment analysis on DEGs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of DEGs were generated by the STRING database. An analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves was conducted with the combined datasets GSE6298 and GSE65240 to verify the expression of hub genes.
Results A total of 30 DEGs were recognized. Based on gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses, these DEGs were primarily involved in positive regulation of cytokine production and phenylalanine metabolism. Two hub modules were enriched on rheumatoid arthritis pathway and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications The PPI network found the two most closely connected hub genes (TSC22D3 and FKBP5) among 24 overlapping hub genes. The most significant link shown by the immune infiltration data was Macrophages M0. TSC22D3 was strongly related with Macrophages M0 (R = 0.75, p = 0.018). ROC curve analysis demonstrated FKBP5 gene was important in TM treated with steroid hormone. FKBP5 gene was verified through the consolidated GSE6298, GSE65240 database.
Conclusions Two essential genes (TSC22D3 and FKBP5) contribute to the understanding of the molecular pathways behind corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension. TSC22D3 was strongly related to macrophages, which was associated with the pathogenesis of TM. FKBP5 may serve as an unique diagnostic marker in plasma samples of individuals with elevated IOP.
Change of perspective through quality assurance measures on microplastic particle counts in surface waters of the Rhine River - Importance of LOD and LOQ
Authors: Jander Juri , Loritz Jonas , Beyer Birte , Stürmer Sophie , Schary Weronika , Monteleone Adrian , Dümichen Erik , Knoll Martin , Primpke Sebastian , Gerdts Gunnar , Fath Andreas
Published: February 2023

The issues surrounding micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs) are gaining importance as the knowledge about their distribution and impacts on the environment and human health grows. In order to gain a better understanding about the occurrence of those plastic particles and the pollution of different freshwater systems, the project, “Rheines Wasser” were conducted. This project investigated the entire 1,232.7 km-length of Europe’s Rhine River, which serves an important function for both transportation and water supply for several million people. Surface water samples of the river were filtered and the microplastic (MP) particles were detected by Fourier transform infrared microscopy. At several sample stations, different concentrations of MP-particles were found, ranging from 5 to 5326 particles/m3.
Effects of harvest intensity and shifting cultivation on soil carbon and nutrients: a case study in Sitapahar forest reserve, Bangladesh
Authors: Baul Tarit Kumar , Chowdhury Anwarul Islam , Uddin Md. Jamal , Hasan Mohammad Kamrul , Kilpeläinen Antti , Nandi Rajasree , Karmakar Shyamal , Akhter Jarin
Published: February 2023

Background and aims: Changes in primary forests into agriculture and pasture significantly affect soil carbon (C) and nutrient stocks, but these effects are poorly understood in tropical forests. We i) compared concentrations and stocks of soil C and nutrients among intact, fragmented, and shifting cultivation sites in Sitapahar forest reserve of Bangladesh and ii) investigated whether there exist significant correlations between nutrient stocks with tree species diversity or soil C stock.
Methods: We sampled 30 main plots (20 m × 20 m), 10 in each of three sites, and identified and measured the trees in them. The determination of soil physical and chemical properties was done in 4 subplots (1 m × 1 m) in 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths.
Results: Soil C stock was 50% lower, but soil P stock was 26% higher under the shifting cultivation compared to the intact sites. Under the shifting cultivation, soil N and K stock was 57% and 27% higher, respectively, compared to the other two sites. Soil Mg stock in intact site was up to 155% higher compared to the other two sites. Soil C stock was positively correlated with N stock, but negatively correlated with the P stock in all sites. Tree species diversity was positively correlated with K stock, but negatively correlated to N stock in the shifting cultivation site.
Conclusion: Sustainable management of the sites should focus on the understanding of soil-plant interactions and protection of soil C, nutrients, and species diversity.
Biomimetic hypoxia-triggered RNAi nanomedicine for synergistically mediating chemo/radiotherapy of glioblastoma
Authors: Wang Zhen , Tang Xianglong , Zhao Mengjie , Zhang Yiding , Xiao Yong , Liu Yuyang , Qian Chunfa , Xie Yandong , Liu Yong , Zou Yuanjie , Yang Kun , Liu Hongyi
Published: February 2023

Background: Although RNA interference (RNAi) therapy has emerged as a potential tool in cancer therapeutics, the application of RNAi to glioblastoma (GBM) remains a hurdle. Herein, to improve the therapeutic effect of RNAi on GBM, a cancer cell membrane (CCM)-disguised hypoxia-triggered RNAi nanomedicine was developed for short interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery to sensitize cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our synthesized CCM-disguised RNAi nanomedicine showed prolonged blood circulation, high BBB transcytosis and specific accumulation in GBM sites via homotypic recognition. Disruption and effective anti-GBM agents were triggered in the hypoxic region, leading to efficient tumor suppression by using phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) silencing to enhance paclitaxel-induced chemotherapy and sensitize hypoxic GBM cells to ionizing radiation. In summary, a biomimetic intelligent RNAi nanomedicine has been developed for siRNA delivery to synergistically mediate a combined chemo/radiotherapy that presents immune-free and hypoxia-triggered properties with high survival rates for orthotopic GBM treatment.
Perceptions and practice of labor pain-relief methods and its perceived barriers among Obstetric Care Providers in Public Health Facilities of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Mixed Study, 2021
Authors: Foto Lakew Lafebo , Zenebe Wagaye Alemu , Ali Yigrem , Geltore Teketel Ermias
Published: February 2023

Background: It is obvious that most laboring mothers experience moderate-to-severe pain during child birth. In developing countries like Ethiopia, managing labor pain is regularly ignored. Health care professionals in Ethiopia recognize and agree that labor is painful. However, in practice, health care workers do not provide women with options for the management of pain during labor rather than support from families. The aim of this study was to Perceptions and practice of labor pain-relief methods and its perceived barriers among Obstetric Care Providers in Public Health Facilities of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Mixed Study, 2021.
Materials Methods: Explanatory sequential design was employed. 421 obstetric care givers from 16 health facilities were enrolled by a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by self-administered structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 25. Manual thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done for quantitative data. A P-value of < 0.05 was used as the criterion for statistical significance.
Results: The overall obstetric pain management practice in Gedeo Zone is 37%. Multivariable logistic regression showed profession (AOR=4.35, 95% CI =1.25-15), work experience (AOR=0.19, 95% CI=0.046-0.83), attitude (AOR=3, 95% CI= 1.33-6.9), availability of medicines (AOR=2.17, 95% CI=1.39-3.39) and place of storage of the medicines (AOR=0.3, 95% CI=0.09-0.9) were statistically significant with obstetric pain management practice. According to the interviewees, knowledge gap, being free of charge of medicine, negligence, and shortage of resources were the reasons for the low magnitude of obstetric pain management practice.
Conclusion: The practice of obstetric pain management practice is very low at Gedeo Zone. Profession, work experience, and attitude of the professionals, availability, and place of storage of medicines are significantly associated factors that affect the practice of obstetric pain management practice for mothers during child birth.
OCR-MRD: Performance Analysis of Different Optical Character Recognition Engines for Medical Report Digitization
Authors: Batra Pulkit , Phalnikar Nimish , Kurmi Deepesh , Tembhurne Jitendra , Sahare Parul , Diwan Tausif
Published: February 2023

In the modern era, the necessity of digitization is increasing in a rapid manner day-to-day. The healthcare industries are working towards operating in a paperless environment. Digitizing the medical lab records help the patients in hassle-free management of their medical data. It may also prove beneficial for insurance companies for designing various medical insurance policies which can be patient-centric rather than being generalized. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology is demonstrated its usefulness for such cases and thus, to know the best possible solution for digitizing the medical lab records, there is a need to perform an extensive comparative study on the different OCR techniques available for this purpose. It is observed that the current research is focused mainly on the pre-processing image techniques for OCR development, however, their effects on OCR performance specially for medical report digitization yet not been studied. Herein this work, three OCR Engines viz Tesseract, EasyOCR and DocTR, and 6 pre-processing techniques: image binarization, brightness transformations, gamma correction, sigmoid stretching, bilateral filtering and image sharpening are surveyed in detail. In addition, an extensive comparative study of the performance of the OCR Engines while applying the different combinations of the image pre-processing techniques, and their effect on the OCR accuracy is presented.
Trends in population-based incidence and mortality of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion
Authors: Soltanzadeh-Naderi Yasmin , Acosta Stefan
Published: February 2023

Acute occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) results in lethal intestinal ischaemia. Results from two previous population-based studies in Malmö, Sweden, suggest a decreasing incidence of acute SMA occlusion. The study aim was to evaluate trends of the epidemiology of acute SMA occlusion in Malmö. The report was a retrospective population-based study during 2014–2019 on patients with acute SMA occlusion residing in Malmö municipality. Patients were retrieved from Skåne University Hospital and post-mortem examinations. Epidemiological data was compared to the 2000–2006 study. Sixteen patients with acute SMA occlusion resided in Malmö municipality. The incidence of acute SMA occlusion significantly decreased from 5.4/100,000 person-years to 0.8/100,000 person-years. The ratio of acute SMA occlusion to non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia (NOMI) decreased from 12.5:1 to 0.9:1 (p < 0.0001), the proportion of inhabitants aged 80 or above in the population decreased from 6.0–4.3% (p < 0.0001), and the autopsy rates decreased from 25–14% (p < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality decreased from 63–44% (p = 0.14). The incidence of acute SMA occlusion significantly decreased in Malmö probably due to high-resolution computed tomography angiographies around-the-clock distinguishing acute SMA occlusion from NOMI, lowered share of elderlies, improved medical risk factor control, and lowered autopsy rate.
The Flare-OA-16 questionnaire measuring flare in knee and hip osteoarthritis in the patient perspective: scale reduction and validation using a Rasch model
Authors: Queiroga Fabiana , Epstein Jonathan , Erpelding Marie-Line , Spitz Elisabeth , Maillefert Jean-Francis , Fautrel Bruno , Callahan Leigh F , Hunter David J. , Guillemin Francis
Published: February 2023

Background

The recent Flare-OA questionnaire measuring flare in knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) (19 items in 5 dimensions, numerical rating scale) showed good psychometric properties along with classical test theory. This study aimed to determine its scaling properties by Rasch analysis and to present evidence for a refined scalable version.

Methods

The participants were 398 subjects with mean age 64 years (SD = 8.1), 70.4% women, recruited from Australia, France, and the United States, with clinically and radiologically symptomatic knee or hip OA, who completed an online survey. The sample was split into derivation and validation subsamples, stratified by country and joint. Rasch analysis examined differential item functioning (DIF) for sex, age, country and joint. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a convergent validity were performed to document the psychometric properties of the short version.

Results

To fit the Rasch model, we reordered thresholds of answering modalities when necessary. Two items were removed. A local dependency between 2 items was solved by combining items modalities into a super-item. A uniform DIF (expected and non-removed) was identified for one item that was split by joint, and a non-uniform DIF for one item for age and country (removed in this case). The person-item threshold distribution showed a well focused scale; the CFA and convergent validity showed good fit indicators for the short version.

Conclusions

The Rasch analysis was helpful in guiding the decision to refine the measurement instrument. After analysis, the Flare-OA-16 questionnaire self-report questionnaire is available for use in clinical research.
The relationship between hematological parameters and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants
Authors: Jiang Junsheng , Zhou Qian , Wu Jiabo , Mao Yueyan
Published: February 2023

AIM
To evaluate the association between hematological parameters on the first day and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants and to help with early warning, identification, and intervention in the development of BPD.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study of all premature infants admitted to neonatal intensive care From January 2017 to June 2022, BPD was diagnosed as hypoxia exposure over 28 days, and levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio༈PLR༉, Platelet count༈PLT༉, Mean platelet volume༈MPV༉and Platelet mass index༈PMI༉ were determined in all groups. Multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate the independence of the association between the hematological parameters on the first day and the risk of BPD.
RESULTS
In our research 76 cases of non-BPD and 48 cases of BPD were used as controls. Compared with the non-BPD group, NLR levels were considerably higher in the BPD group, nevertheless, PLT and MPI were lower than those of non-BPD. Logistic regression analysis suggested that NLR、PLT and PMI were independent risk factors for BPD(OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.04–1.28; P < 0.05; OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47–0.89; P < 0.05; OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.81-1; P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that hematologic parameters on the first day are different who will develop BPD. A higher NLR and a lower PLT, PMI on the first day may increase the risk of BPD.
Risk Factors for Lymph Node Skip Metastasis in Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Han Huijun , Ruan Ying , Liu Renbin
Published: February 2023

Objective To perform a risk analysis for lymph node skip metastasis in thyroid papillary carcinoma and provide references for prognostic predictions and treatment decisions. Methods All surgical papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases with lateral lymph node metastasis at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun-Yat-Sen University were reviewed from July 1st, 2014, to July 1st, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups based on central lymph node metastasis. Analyzed factors included clinical and pathological characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to detect lateral lymph node skip metastasis risk factors. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that older age(>46.5 years, P = 0.001, OR = 1.064), tumor size less than 10mm༈mean ± SD ≤ 10mm/>10mm, P = 0.001, OR = 8.983), and BRAF gene mutations (P = 0.035, OR = 6.484) were associated with skip lymph node metastasis. However, skip metastasis was not associated with tumor location, multiplicity, bi-laterality, vascular invasion, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, or autoimmune thyroid disease. Conclusion Lateral lymph node detection should be given attention for all patients with PTC, especially for cases in older patients, tumor size smaller than 10mm, extrathyroidal extension, and BRAF gene mutations.