bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM INFORMASI AKADEMIK BIMBINGAN BELAJAR MENGGUNANAKAN MODEL PROTOTYPING
Authors: Purwanto Hari Lugis
Published: December 2022

Dalam era digital saat ini, pengelola bimbel (bimbingan belajar) di tuntut untuk bisa memberikan pelayanan melalui media digital yang menawarkan kemudahan dan kecepatan. Di balik manajemen bimbel selama ini yang masih konvensional, berbagai permasalahan muncul dan semakin menumpuk mulai dari pencatatan pembayaran, pencatatan dalam laporan harian Siswa serta monitoring kegiatan Siswa. Perkembangan jumlah Siswa tidak diikuti dengan perbaikan system pengelolaan akademik yang masih konvensional sehingga permasalahan semakin menumpuk setiap harinya. Dalam pembangungan system informasi akademik bukanlah persoalan mudah karena biaya yang diperlukan cukup besar dan tidak memakan waktu yang tidak sedikit. Ketidakmampuan user dalam mengidentifikasi kebutuhannya adalah factor pendorong tidak sesuainya system digital yang terbentuk. Prototyping merupakan model pengembangan system yang tepat untuk menyelesaikan masalah tersebut. Dengan terbentuknya system informasi akadmik bimbingan belajar, bimbel menjadi mampu meningkatkan kualitas pelayanan terhadap seluruh pelanggannya. Berkat penerapan prototyping, dalam proses pembangunan system akademik bimbel mampu meminimalisir kesalahan atau ketidak tepatan analisa kebutuhan system karena segala kekurangan dalam system yang akan di bangun akan terdeteksi pada setiap uji coba prototype program untuk kemudian di revisi dan prototype di uji kembali.
PERENCANAAN STRATEGIS SI/TI PADA UNIVERSITAS MA CHUNG
Authors: Khairunnisa Azha Satirah , Kurniawan Yudhi
Published: December 2022

Universitas Ma Chung merupakan sebuah Universitas swasta Pengembangan teknologi SI/TI pada Unversitas Ma Chung terus dilakukan tetapi tata kelola terhadap Sistem Informasi/Teknologi Informasi masih belum terlaksana secara optimal dan juga petunjuk penggunaan Sistem Informasi/Aplikasi masih belum terlaksana secara baik. Selama ini pengelolaan SI/TI masih tidak terstruktur sehingga evaluasi pencapaian dan kinerja pengelolaan SI/TI tidak dapat diukur. Oleh karena itu diperlukannya dokumen Perencanaan Strategi SI/TI. Masalah yang dapat diidentifikasi pada penelitian yaitu, belum adanya dokumen perencanaan strategis SI/TI sehingga mengakibatkan evaluasi pencapaian terhadap kinerja pengelolaan SI/TI tidak dapat diukur dan tidak dapat dievaluasi atau di monitor. Dalam penelitian ini hanya Menggali kebutuhan pembuatan dokumen perencanaan strategis SI/TI dalam lingkup hanya di Universitas Ma Chung. Dalam pelaksanaan penelitian ini dilakukan dengan melihat lingkungan bisnis serta SI/TI secara internal dan eksternal sesuai kondisi saat ini. Penelitian menggunakan metode Ward and Peppard. Dari hasil analisis strategis SI/TI yang telah dilakukan didapatkan hasil kesimpulan bahwa strategi bisnis yang ada di Universitas Ma Chung dapat sejalan dan dibantu dengan strategi SI/TI yang ada. Jadi, diharapkan kedepannya perencanaan strategi SI/TI ini dapat terus dilakukan.
SISTEM INFORMASI MANAJEMEN RENCANA PEMBANGUNAN JANGKA MENENGAH DESA
Authors: Susilowati Meme , Anggara Samuel Ari Yudha
Published: December 2022

Penulisan ini merupakan penulisan dari topik perancangan sistem informasi perencanaan desa yang dilakukan di Desa Sumbersekar. Penulisan ini bertujuan untuk membuat dan mengimplementasikan perencanaan desa secara digital sehingga memudahkan dalam mengolah, menyimpan, dan mengelola data perencaan desa. Sistem perencanaan desa yang diimplementasi dalam Desa Sumbersekar berbentuk website dengan menggunakan bahasa pemograman PHP versi 5. Metode yang digunakan dalam meracang dan membangun sistem informasi perencanaan desa ini yaitu berdasar pada teori yang digagas oleh Kendall dalam bukunya yaitu Three Major Phases. Dalam teori tersebut terdapat tiga proses utama dalam merancangan dan membangun sistem yaitu tahapan Analsis yang di mana tahapan ini adalah tahapan tentang pengumpulan dan penggambaran data-data perencanaan, kemudian tahapan Design yang bertujuan menggambarkan data-data yang dibutuhkan, dan kemudian pada tahapan Implementasi akan mulai proses coding dan testing. Hasil dari Sistem Informasi Perencanaan Desa ini adalah penginputan dan penyimpanan data perencanaan yang nantinya akan diolah menjadi sebuah dokumen RPJM dan RKP Desa yang dibutuhkan desa sesuai dengan periode yang berlaku.
Approximation on Modular Spaces via P-Statistical Relative A-Summation Process
Authors: DEMİRCİ Kamil , YILDIZ Sevda
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we first present the notions of statistical relative modular and F-norm convergence concerning the power series method. Then, we also present theorems of Korovkin-type via statistical relative A-summation process via power series method on modular spaces, including as particular cases weighted spaces, certain interpolation spaces, Orlicz and Musielak-Orlicz spaces, Lp spaces and many others. Later, we consider some application to Kantorovich-type operators in Orlicz spaces. Moreover, we present some estimates of rates of convergence via modulus of continuity. We end the paper with giving some concluding remarks.
Plasmapheresis for Neuromyelitis Optica: A Review from the Transfusion Medicine Specialist’s Perspective
Authors: Batra Batra , Periyavan Sunder , Bajpai Vijeta
Published: December 2022

Neuromyelitis optica is characterised by severe visual impairment and neurologic dysfunction, and aggressive plasmapheresis treatment is often recommended. Medication and therapeutic interventions for acute and chronic treatment have been the subject of retrospective studies and case reports; however, the clinical improvement that follows plasmapheresis cannot be explained merely by the removal of the pathogenic antibodies. The guidelines regarding plasma volume in plasmapheresis are often not adhered to; however, treatment of lesser volume reduces complications and the cost incurred, without affecting clinical outcome. The goal of this review is to understand the biologic and clinical data supporting plasmapheresis, examine the possible role of low-volume plasma treatment, and highlight advanced apheresis techniques that may be applied as therapeutic modalities.
Taking the Risk of Welcoming
Authors: Fourtou Xavier , Valendinova Kristina
Published: December 2022

Bubble and Speak was founded in 2016 as a small charity organization, inspired by the example of the Maisons vertes set up by Françoise Dolto in France, with the aim of welcoming children up to four years of age and their parents or carers, using a psychoanalytic approach. The ‘Bubble’ in our name indicates an emphasis on playing and the universe of childhood, while the verb ‘speak’ stands for our intention to focus on free expression, speaking and listening. This article presents the project's origins and its core concept, as well as two of our main challenges: the question of the families’ financial contribution and the principle of anonymity in our work.
The Truthfulness of a ‘Sympathetic Ear’: Working with Psychosis in the Community
Authors: Bonnigal-Katz Dorothée
Published: December 2022

This article is a reflection on experiences of a psychoanalyst in the context of the Psychosis Therapy Project (PTP), which is a psychoanalytic clinic of psychosis that delivers talking and art therapy services in deprived communities across inner-city London. The author argues in favour of the analyst's truthful relation to the analysand's experiences by discussing Freud's notion of truthfulness and by offering a clinical vignette.
The Declaration of Arbroath, the Newbattle Assembly and the Community of the Realm
Authors: Hammond Matthew
Published: December 2022

This article reassesses Archie Duncan’s seminal reconstruction of the events surrounding the writing of the Declaration of Arbroath and argues that the letter’s date of 6 April 1320 represents the day on which a major political assembly at Newbattle abbey agreed the document’s wording. This event was a continuation of an important royal gathering held around Easter. Abbot Bernard, the chancellor, probably spent the rest of April in Berwick, before returning to his home abbey of Arbroath in May, when he completed business enacted at Newbattle, including the letters to the pope. There is a good chance that the three-week royal assembly at Newbattle was a parliament. This article discusses attendance at this potential parliament. While most sealers of the Declaration were probably present, the number of earls was probably inflated for political reasons. This was vital to the letter’s argument, which implied that there was little point in the pope opposing Robert’s claim to kingship, since the community of the realm, led by the earls, would merely replace him with another figure. Thus events in the spring of 1320 reflect both the hard-nosed power for which the Bruce party was known, as well as an organic action by a large portion of the political community in an attempt to create a framework for Scottish independence.
Fire-Resistant Cables- Heat Release Measurements
Authors: Arunjothi R. , . Thirumurthy , Meena K. P.
Published: December 2022

Fire Resistant cables are designed to maintain the circuit integrity of the cable even during fire conditions. In general, the fire-resistant cables are made up of flame retardant zero halogen materials, so that the fire hazard such as flame propagation and smoke release of these cables are controlled. However, one more fire hazard of these fire-resistant cables is nothing but the heat released from these cables during a fire. Heat release of these cables depends upon the fuel loading of the cables and the energy available in the materials of these Fire Resistant or Fire Survival (FS) cables. In this paper, the heat release of FS cables is measured for various construction of the FS cables.
Short Circuit Testing of Cables: HPL Experience
Authors: Sreeram V. , Rajkumar M. , Reddy S. Sudhakara , Gurudev T. , . Maroti
Published: December 2022

Cables form the backbone of modern power transmission and distribution systems. Even though, short circuit faults are more common with overhead transmission lines than with underground cables, the thermal and dynamic stress associated with short circuit make it a mandatory withstand requirement. High Power Laboratory has been regularly carrying out short circuit tests on LT and HT cables. This paper presents an overview of the tests carried out and their results.
Condition Monitoring and Fault Detection in Cables using Line Impedance Resonance Analysis
Authors: Korde Aditya , Sonerud Björn
Published: December 2022

Line Impedance Resonance Analysis is a powerful technique to determine the location of water trees and physical damage in all cables, from LV to EHV. The technique, which uses the concept of frequency-domain reflectometry, was originally developed for nuclear plants and has now been commercialized for practical applications in the field of condition monitoring as well as fault location.
DOES RUSSIA NEED A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW?
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, MAGOMEDOV  ABDULKADYR
Published: December 2022

In Russia, there has been a long-standing effort to develop a special law against domestic violence, as well as a debate on the need for such a law. In 2016, such a bill was sent to the State Duma but received negative feedback and was withdrawn. In 2019, work on the adoption of such a law resumed and a draft was developed and posted on the official website of the Federation Council. However, this draft also received a lot of criticism. In this context, the author considered it important to address the issue and conduct an analysis. Objective: Analysis of the draft laws "On prevention of domestic violence in the Russian Federation" 2016 and 2019 in the context of the current legal regulation, international and foreign experience. Results: the author concluded that the existing legal regulation does not adequately address the issue of prevention of domestic violence and does not protect victims of such violence. A large number of measures which could help to solve this problem are absent in the Russian legal system.
Bibliometric analysis of the inflammation in diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zhu Ning , Huang Bingwu , Zhu Liuyan
Published: December 2022

Background

Maladaptive inflammation is implicated in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). This study aimed to visually analyze the global scientific output over the past two decades regarding research on inflammation associated with DCM.

Methods

All relevant articles and reviews were retrieved in the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection (limited to SCIE) using “inflammation” and “diabetic cardiomyopathy” as search terms. Articles and reviews published from 1 January 2001 to 28 February 2021 were collected. Visualization analysis and statistical analysis were conducted by Microsoft 365 Excel and VOSviewer 1.6.18.

Results

A total of 578 documents were finally selected for further analysis. The publications regarding inflammation and DCM increased gradually over approximately 20 years. The most prolific country was China, with 296 documents and the most citations (9,366). The most influential author groups were Lu Cai and Yihui Tan who were from the United States. The bibliometric analysis of co-occurrence keywords showed that inflammation in DCM is composed of numerous molecules (NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, Nrf-2, TNF-α, protein kinase C, PPARα, TLR4, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, TGF-β, Sirt1, and AKT), a variety of cardiac cell types (stem cell, fibroblast, and cardiomyocyte), physiological processes (apoptosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, hypertrophy, mitochondrion dysfunction, and proliferation), and drugs (sulforaphane, metformin, empagliflozin, and rosuvastatin).

Conclusion

Our bibliometric analysis presents the characteristics and trends of inflammation in DCM and shows that research on inflammation in DCM will continue to be a hotspot.
Contactless multiscale measurement of cardiac motion using biomedical radar sensor
Authors: Qiao Jia-hao , Qi Fu-gui , Liang Fu-lai , Ma Jin , Lv Hao , Yu Xiao , Xue Hui-jun , An Qiang , Yan Ke-ding , Shi Ding , Qiao Yong-hui , Wang Jian-qi , Zhang Yang
Published: December 2022

Introduction

A contactless multiscale cardiac motion measurement method is proposed using impulse radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) radar at a center frequency of 7.29 GHz.

Motivation

Electrocardiograph (ECG), heart sound, and ultrasound are traditional state-of-the-art heartbeat signal measurement methods. These methods suffer from defects in contact and the existence of a blind information segment during the cardiogram measurement.

Methods

Experiments and analyses were conducted using coarse-to-fine scale. Anteroposterior and along-the-arc measurements were taken from five healthy male subjects (aged 25–43) when lying down or prone. In every measurement, 10 seconds of breath-holding data were recorded with a radar 55 cm away from the body surface, while the ECG was monitored simultaneously as a reference.

Results

Cardiac motion detection from the front was superior to that from the back in amplitude. In terms of radar detection angles, the best cardiac motion information was observed at a detection angle of 120°. Finally, in terms of cardiac motion cycles, all the ECG information, as well as short segments of cardiac motion details named blind ECGs segments, were detected.

Significance

A contactless and multiscale cardiac motion detection method is proposed with no blind detection of segments during the entire cardiac cycle. This paves the way for a potentially significant method of fast and accurate cardiac disease assessment and diagnosis that exhibits promising application prospects in contactless online cardiac monitoring and in-home healthcare.
Unraveling the taxonomy of the South African mosasaurids
Authors: Woolley Megan Rose , Chinsamy Anusuya , Caldwell Michael Wayne
Published: December 2022

Until recently, only one mosasaur was identified in South Africa based on disarticulated skull bones including two dentary fragments and a frontal with articulated elements. These were discovered in 1901 in Pondoland, Eastern Cape and were initially described by Broom in 1912 when he assigned them to Tylosaurus capensis. Aside from this specimen, two other mosasaur remains are known but have remained undescribed and include an isolated muzzle unit and an isolated vertebra. The current study provides a morphological description and taxonomic interpretation of all the mosasaur remains discovered in South Africa. It is suggested that the specimen originally assigned to Tylosaurus is a mosaic of two taxa: A dentary fragment and frontoparietal show affinities with Prognathodon, while a second dentary fragment shows features similar to those of Taniwhasaurus. The muzzle unit presents Prognathodon-like features, and a more recently discovered incomplete vertebra is referred to as an indeterminate Plioplatecarpine. We therefore recognize at least three mosasaur taxa from the Late Cretaceous deposits of South Africa, which we tentatively refer to cf. Prognathodon, cf. Taniwhasaurus, and cf. Plioplatecarpinae. A shark tooth that was embedded in the matrix around the Prognathodon muzzle unit was identified as a Squalicorax pristodontus (Late Campanian to Late Maastrichtian). Strontium analysis of the mosasaur tooth enamel from the same muzzle unit of the cf. Prognathodon material was dated to Late Maastrichtian (87Sr/86Sr = 0.707817; age = 66.85Ma).
The effect of metformin usage on survival outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after curative therapy
Authors: Yuan Bo , Ma Jichun , Wang Jing , Hao Jinyong
Published: December 2022

Objective

Metformin has attracted more attention from researchers for its newly discovered antitumor effects. A meta-analysis was performed to reveal the efficacy of metformin on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) for HCC patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after curative treatment.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wangfang, and Weipu Database up until 31 May 2022 were searched for relevant studies. STATA 13.0 was used to perform the meta-analysis.

Results

A total of six studies involving 5,936 patients were included in our study. The results from the current study revealed that metformin usage can significantly prolong the 3-year [odds ratio (OR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–1.83, p = 0.000] and 5-year (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.47–2.41, p = 0.000) OS and decrease the 1-year (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.08–1.59, p = 0.007), 3-year (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.48–2.37, p = 0.000), and 5-year (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.40–2.40, p = 0.000) recurrence rates.

Conclusion

Metformin treatment significantly prolongs the OS and decreases the recurrence rate for HCC patients with T2DM after curative HCC therapy.
High-resolution 3D mapping of cold-water coral reefs using machine learning
Authors: de Oliveira Larissa Macedo Cruz , Lim Aaron , Conti Luis A. , Wheeler Andrew J.
Published: December 2022

Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry is a time and cost-effective method for high-resolution 3D mapping of cold-water corals (CWC) reefs and deep-water environments. The accurate classification and analysis of marine habitats in 3D provide valuable information for the development of management strategies for large areas at various spatial and temporal scales. Given the amount of data derived from SfM data sources such as Remotely-Operated Vehicles (ROV), there is an increasing need to advance towards automatic and semiautomatic classification approaches. However, the lack of training data, benchmark datasets for CWC environments and processing resources are a bottleneck for the development of classification frameworks. In this study, machine learning (ML) methods and SfM-derived 3D data were combined to develop a novel multiclass classification workflow for CWC reefs in deep-water environments. The Piddington Mound area, southwest of Ireland, was selected for 3D reconstruction from high-definition video data acquired with an ROV. Six ML algorithms, namely: Support Vector Machines, Random Forests, Gradient Boosting Trees, k-Nearest Neighbours, Logistic Regression and Multilayer Perceptron, were trained in two datasets of different sizes (1,000 samples and 10,000 samples) in order to evaluate accuracy variation between approaches in relation to the number of samples. The Piddington Mound was classified into four classes: live coral framework, dead coral framework, coral rubble and sediment and dropstones. Parameter optimisation was performed with grid search and cross-validation. Run times were measured to evaluate the trade-off between processing time and accuracy. In total, eighteen variations of ML algorithms were created and tested. The results show that four algorithms yielded f1-scores >90% and were able to discern between the four classes, especially those with usually similar characteristics, e.g., coral rubble and dead coral. The accuracy variation among them was 3.6% which suggests that they can be used interchangeably depending on the classification task. Furthermore, results on sample size variations show that certain algorithms benefit more from larger datasets whilst others showed discrete accuracy variations (<5%) when trained in datasets of different sizes.
ESG performance and corporate value: Analysis from the stakeholders’ perspective
Authors: Zheng Yuhua , Wang Baosheng , Sun Xiaoyang , Li Xuelian
Published: December 2022

Based on the panel data of China’s A-share non-financial listed enterprises from 2011 to 2020, we empirically explore whether EGS performance can significantly promote corporate value and how to promote it, from the stakeholders’ perspective. We find that: 1) ESG performance significantly improves corporate value. 2) Both media attention and analyst coverage play an intermediary role in the impact of ESG performance on corporate value. 3) Further analysis of the single dimension of ESG illustrates that Environmental (E) and Social (S) have a positive impact on corporate value, but the effect size of Social (S) is smaller, and there is no evidence for a significant relationship between Governance (G) and corporate value. 4) The heterogeneity analysis shows that ESG performance of non-heavily polluting enterprises has a significant positive effect on corporate value, but not on heavily polluting enterprises. Meanwhile, ESG performance of enterprises with a low percentage of institutional investor ownership has a significant positive effect on corporate value, but not with a high percentage. Overall, our study shows that high-quality ESG performance triggers the attention of media and analysts, which in turn promotes corporate value by raising stakeholder pressure. We also analyze the possible causes of heterogeneous results from the perspective of stakeholders, and put forward reasonable suggestions to promote ESG performance and corporate value, as well as protect the interests of stakeholders.
Perinatal manifestations of congenital disorders of glycosylation—A clue to early diagnosis
Authors: Greczan Milena , Rokicki Dariusz , Wesół-Kucharska Dorota , Kaczor Magdalena , Rawiak Agata , Jezela-Stanek Aleksandra
Published: December 2022

N-glycosylation defects—isolated or mixed with other glycosylation defects—are the most frequent congenital disorders of glycosylation and present mostly in childhood, with a specific combination of non-specific phenotypic features. The diagnosis, however, is often delayed. The aim of this study is to describe the perinatal phenotype of congenital disorders of N-glycosylation. We present an analysis of perinatal symptoms in a group of 24 one-center Polish patients with N-glycosylation defects—isolated or mixed. The paper expands the perinatal phenotype of CDGs and shows that some distinctive combinations of symptoms present in the perinatal period should raise a suspicion of CDGs in a differential diagnosis.
Maintenance therapy of low-dose nivolumab, S-1, and leucovorin in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with a germline mutation of MSH6: A case report
Authors: Peng Shang-Hsuan , Chen Bang-Bin , Kuo Ting-Chun , Lee Jen-Chieh , Yang Shih-Hung
Published: December 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) provide substantial benefits to a small subset of patients with advanced cancer with mismatch repair deficiency (MMRD) or microsatellite instability (MSI), including patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the long duration of ICI treatment presents a considerable financial burden. We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with metastatic PDAC refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Genetic analyses identified an MSH6 germline mutation and a high tumor mutation burden (TMB). Complete response (CR) was achieved after a short course of low-dose nivolumab (20 mg once every 2 weeks) with chemotherapy. CR was maintained for over 1 year with low-dose nivolumab and de-escalated chemotherapy without any immune-related adverse events. This case supports the further exploration of low-dose, affordable ICI-containing regimens in patients with advanced MSI-high/TMB-high cancer.
Species diversity and distribution of genus Pampus (Pelagiaria: Stromateidae) based on global mitochondrial data
Authors: Wei Jiehong , Wu Renxie , Jawad Laith A. , Xiao Yongshuang , Loh Kar-Hoe , Herrera-Ulloa Angel , Wang Yajun , Liu Jing , Xu Kuidong
Published: December 2022

Due to the highly similar external morphology of the Pampus species, misidentifications frequently occur and hinder the understanding of the taxonomy and species distributions of the genus. In this study, we generated 271 mitochondrial sequences and obtained 1,226 sequences from the public databases to understand the species diversity and distributions of the genus Pampus. Most phylogenetic analyses and species delimitations congruently concluded seven valid species within the genus Pampus (i.e., P. argenteus, P. candidus, P. chinensis, P. cinereus, P. liuorum, P. minor, and P. punctatissimus). Sequences of P. argenteus are reported through the northern South China Sea to the Japan Archipelago, which covered the type locality of P. echinogaster. Sequences of P. echinogaster in the public databases are all identified as P. argenteus, suggesting that the species should be synonymized with P. argenteus. Furthermore, sequences of P. griseus were identical to our P. cinereus data and, therefore, should be treated as a synonym of the latter. Inference on divergence time and ancestral distribution implied that the genus Pampus originated in the central Indo-Pacific region around 8.35–11.33 million years ago (the late Miocene), associated with the rise of the Indonesian–Australian Archipelago biodiversity hotspot. The divergence between P. cinereus and P. liuorum dated back to 1.20–1.72 million years ago, which might be related to glacial isolation during the Mid-Pleistocene transition.
Evaluation value of subjective visual quality examination on surgical indications of the early cataracts based on objective scatter index values
Authors: Li Yuzhi , Jin Ling , Wu Mingfeng , Huang YuKan
Published: December 2022

Aim

To evaluate the subjective visual functions of early cataracts patients and assess their surgical indications.

Methods

Eyes were separated into a control group (Group A without cataract) and two early cataracts groups (Group B with 2.0 ≤ OSI < 3.0 and Group C with 3.0 ≤ OSI < 4.0). The objective scatter index (OSI), modulation transfer function cut-off frequency (MTF cut-off), and Strehl ratio (SR) values were applied to measure objective visual functions. The contrast sensitivity (CS) and scores of the questionnaires (QOL and VF-14) characterized subjective visual functions. Above visual functions were compared among three groups. Postoperative visual functions in Group B and C were analyzed to assess the outcome of surgery.

Results

Ninety two subjects (126 eyes) were included in the study. All objective visual function in Group B were significantly better than Group C (all P < 0.01), but worse than Group A (all P < 0.01). Except for 1.5 c/d CS, subjective visual function in Group A were significantly better than Group B and C (all P < 0.05), but there was no significant differences between Group B and C. As for eyes that underwent surgery in Group B and C, all visual functions significantly improved after surgery (P < 0.05), except for 1.5 c/d CS in Group C. There were no significant differences among the three groups after surgery.

Conclusion

The subjective visual function can be impaired in early cataracts patients with OSI < 3.0, whose objective visual functions were statistically better than patients with OSI ≥ 3.0. These patients can benefit equally from surgery as patients with OSI ≥ 3.0. Subjective visual functions can be used as surgical indications for these patients.
Unblinding at disease progression in double-blinded randomized controlled cancer drug clinical trials: A controversy requires more attention
Authors: Dawei Wu , Shuangman Miao , Huiyao Huang , Dandan Cui , Yu Tang , Ning Li
Published: December 2022

Unblinding at disease progression in double-blinded randomized controlled cancer drug clinical trials is ethical to the patient by ensuring optimal subsequent treatment, but the effect of study treatment on overall survival may be confounded. The views of science and ethics in this issue are controversial and the unblinding procedures should be well-designed. In real world settings, a lack of use of this unblinding process in protocol was observed in the analysis of 134 double-blind randomized controlled anticancer drug clinical trials conducted in China from 2018 to 2021. Unblinding at disease progression was allowed in only 26 (18.2%) trials. Among them, Only 9 (34.6%) trials involved patient-level unblinding. None of the 134 included trials accounted for the risk of blind-maintenance after disease progression. Based on the analysis and case studies, we believe that unblinding at disease progression should be stated in the protocol when the treatment assignment directly affected the choice of subsequent regimen, in which the drug category, control group design, standard of care of further-line therapy and primary endpoint together play a role. When unblinding at disease progression is adopted, the sensitivity analytics are recommended to understand the true effect of study drug on overall survival. The notification of treatment allocation after unblinding and the informed consent also require attention. A decision-making framework is established to help understand this controversy, which should be carefully discussed by the investigator and the sponsor.
Synthesis and characterization of semisynthetic analogs of the antifungal occidiofungin
Authors: Geng Mengxin , Hansanant Nopakorn , Lu Shi-En , Lockless Steve W. , Shin Ronald , Orugunty Ravi , Smith Leif
Published: December 2022

Occidiofungin is a broad-spectrum antifungal compound produced by Burkholderia contaminans MS14. It is a cyclic glycol-lipopeptide with a novel beta-amino acid (NAA2) containing a hydroxylated C18 fatty acid chain with a xylose sugar. This study reports a strategy to produce semisynthetic analogs of occidiofungin to further explore the structure activity relationships of this class of compounds. Oxidative cleavage of the diol present on carbons five C(5) and six C(6) removes the xylose and twelve carbons of the fatty acid chain. The resulting cyclic peptide product, occidiofungin aldehyde, is devoid of antifungal activity. However, the free aldehyde group on this product can be subjected to reductive amination reactions to provide interesting semisynthetic analogs. This chemistry allows the quick generation of analogs to study the structure activity relationships of this class of compounds. Despite restoring the length of the aliphatic side chain by reductive amination addition with undecylamine or dodecylamine to the free aldehyde group, the obtained analogs did not demonstrate any antifungal activity. The antifungal activity was partially restored by the addition of a DL-dihydrosphingosine. The dodecylamine analog was demonstrated to still bind to the cellular target actin, suggesting that the diol on the side chain of native occidiofungin is important for entry into the cell enabling access to cellular target F-actin. These results show that the alkyl side chain on NAA2 along with the diol present on this side chain is important for occidiofungin’s antifungal activity.
Cancer organoid applications to investigate chemotherapy resistance
Authors: Harada Kenji , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: December 2022

In clinical practice, a large proportion of cancer patients receive chemotherapy, yet tumors persist or acquire resistance; removing this obstacle could help to lower the number of cancer-related fatalities. All areas of cancer research are increasingly using organoid technology, a culture technique that simulates the in vivo environment in vitro, especially in the quickly developing fields of anticancer drug resistance, drug-tolerant persisters, and drug screening. This review provides an overview of organoid technology, the use of organoids in the field of anticancer drug resistance research, their relevance to clinical information and clinical trials, and approaches to automation and high throughput.
Benefits of dietary polyphenols in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: El Gaamouch Farida , Chen Fiona , Ho Lap , Lin Hsiao-Yun , Yuan Chongzhen , Wong Jean , Wang Jun
Published: December 2022

Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is an irreversible progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. It is estimated to reach 152 million by the year 2050. AD is the fifth leading cause of death among Americans age 65 and older. In spite of the significant burden the disease imposes upon patients, their families, our society, and our healthcare system, there is currently no cure for AD. The existing approved therapies only temporarily alleviate some of the disease’s symptoms, but are unable to modulate the onset and/or progression of the disease. Our failure in developing a cure for AD is attributable, in part, to the multifactorial complexity underlying AD pathophysiology. Nonetheless, the lack of successful pharmacological approaches has led to the consideration of alternative strategies that may help delay the onset and progression of AD. There is increasing recognition that certain dietary and nutrition factors may play important roles in protecting against select key AD pathologies. Consistent with this, select nutraceuticals and phytochemical compounds have demonstrated anti-amyloidogenic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neurotrophic properties and as such, could serve as lead candidates for further novel AD therapeutic developments. Here we summarize some of the more promising dietary phytochemicals, particularly polyphenols that have been shown to positively modulate some of the important AD pathogenesis aspects, such as reducing β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles formation, AD-induced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and synapse loss. We also discuss the recent development of potential contribution of gut microbiome in dietary polyphenol function.
The potential diagnostic accuracy of urine formaldehyde levels in Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Fan , Wang Na , Tian Xinyan , Qin Yan , Su Juan , He Rongqiao , He Xiaping
Published: December 2022

Background

Formaldehyde (FA), a toxic aldehyde, has been shown to be associated with a variety of cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is increasing evidence that FA levels are significantly increased in AD patients and may be involved in the pathological process of AD. The aim of this study was to assess the potential diagnostic value of urine FA levels in AD using meta-analysis techniques.

Methods

Original reports of morning urine FA levels in AD patients and healthy controls (HCs) were included in the meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated using a random-effects model, heterogeneity was explored using methodological, age, sex difference and sensitivity analyses, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the diagnostic value of urine FA levels in AD.

Results

A total of 12 studies were included, and the urine FA levels of 874 AD patients and 577 HCs were reviewed. Compared with those in HCs, the FA levels were significantly increased in AD patients. The heterogeneity of the results did not affect their robustness, and results of the area under the curve (AUC) suggested that urine FA levels had good potential diagnostic value.

Conclusion

Urine FA levels are involved in AD disease progression and are likely to be useful as a potential biomarker for clinical auxiliary diagnosis. However, further studies are needed to validate the results of this study.
High-frequency rTMS modulates emotional behaviors and structural plasticity in layers II/III and V of the mPFC
Authors: Cambiaghi Marco , Infortuna Carmenrita , Gualano Francesca , Elsamadisi Amir , Malik Wasib , Buffelli Mario , Han Zhiyong , Solhkhah Ramon , P. Thomas Florian , Battaglia Fortunato
Published: December 2022

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique, and it has been increasingly used as a nonpharmacological intervention for the treatment of various neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, including depression. In humans, rTMS over the prefrontal cortex is used to induce modulation of the neural circuitry that regulates emotions, cognition, and depressive symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of a short (5-day) treatment with high-frequency (HF) rTMS (15 Hz) on emotional behavior and prefrontal cortex morphological plasticity in mice. Mice that had undergone HF-rTMS showed an anti-depressant-like activity as evidenced by decreased immobility time in both the Tail Suspension Test and the Forced Swim Test along with increased spine density in both layer II/III and layer V apical and basal dendrites. Furthermore, dendritic complexity assessed by Sholl analysis revealed increased arborization in the apical portions of both layers, but no modifications in the basal dendrites branching. Overall, these results indicate that the antidepressant-like activity of HF-rTMS is paralleled by structural remodeling in the medial prefrontal cortex.
The 3D characteristics of nystagmus in posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Liu Yao , Zhang Xueqing , Deng Qiaomei , Liu Qiang , Wen Chao , Wang Wei , Chen Taisheng
Published: December 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to observe the 3-dimensional (3D; horizontal, vertical, and torsional) characteristics of nystagmus in patients with posterior semicircular canal canalithiasis (PSC-can)–related benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and investigate its correlation with Ewald’s.

Methods

In all, 84 patients with PSC-can were enrolled. The latency, duration, direction, and slow-phase velocity induced by the Dix-Hallpike test in the head-hanging and sitting positions were recorded using 3D video nystagmography (3D-VNG). The characteristics of the horizontal, vertical, and torsional components of nystagmus were quantitatively analyzed.

Results

3D-VNG showed that the fast phase of the vertical components and torsional components of left and right ear PSC-can as induced by the head-hanging position of the Dix-Hallpike test were upward, clockwise and counterclockwise, and horizontal components were mainly contralateral. The median slow-phase velocity of each of the three components for consecutive 5 s was 26.3°/s (12.3–45.8), 25.0°/s (15.7–38.9), and 9.2°/s (4.9–13.7). When patients were returned to the sitting position, the fast phase of the vertical and torsional components of nystagmus was reversed. Only 54 patients had horizontal components of nystagmus, and 32 of them remained in the same direction. The median slow-phase velocity of the three components for consecutive 5 s was 9.4°/s (6.0–11.7), 6.8°/s (4.5–11.8), and 4.9°/s (2.8–8.0). The ratios of the slow-phase velocity of the horizontal, vertical, and torsional components of the head-hanging position to the sitting position were close to 1.85 (1.0–6.6), 3.7 (1.9–6.6), and 5.1 (2.6–11.3). The ratios of the slow-phase velocity of the vertical to horizontal component, the torsional to horizontal component, and the vertical to torsional component of the head-hanging position were close to 3.3 (1.7–7.6), 3.9 (1.8–7.6), and 1.0 (0.5–1.8). The ratios of the slow-phase velocity of the vertical to horizontal component, the torsional to horizontal component, and the vertical to torsional component of the sitting position were close to 2.1 (1.1–6.8), 1.5 (1.0–3.8), and 1.2 (0.8–2.8).

Conclusion

There were three components of nystagmus induced by the Dix-Hallpike test in patients with PSC-can. The vertical component was the strongest and the horizontal component was the weakest. The 3D characteristics of nystagmus were consistent with those of physiological nystagmus associated with the same PSC with a single-factor stimulus, in accordance with Ewald’s law.
Intermediate role of gut microbiota in vitamin B nutrition and its influences on human health
Authors: Wan Zhijie , Zheng Jianheng , Zhu Zhigang , Sang Lan , Zhu Jinwei , Luo Shizheng , Zhao Yixin , Wang Ruirui , Zhang Yicui , Hao Kun , Chen Liang , Du Jun , Kan Juntao , He Hua
Published: December 2022

Vitamin B consists of a group of water-soluble micronutrients that are mainly derived from the daily diet. They serve as cofactors, mediating multiple metabolic pathways in humans. As an integrated part of human health, gut microbiota could produce, consume, and even compete for vitamin B with the host. The interplay between gut microbiota and the host might be a crucial factor affecting the absorbing processes of vitamin B. On the other hand, vitamin B supplementation or deficiency might impact the growth of specific bacteria, resulting in changes in the composition and function of gut microbiota. Together, the interplay between vitamin B and gut microbiota might systemically contribute to human health. In this review, we summarized the interactions between vitamin B and gut microbiota and tried to reveal the underlying mechanism so that we can have a better understanding of its role in human health.
Prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in predicting outcome of distal cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand
Authors: Intarawichian Piyapharom , Sangpaibool Sirada , Prajumwongs Piya , Sa-Ngiamwibool Prakasit , Sangkhamanon Sakkarn , Kunprom Waritta , Thanee Malinee , Loilome Watcharin , Khuntikeo Narong , Titapun Attapol , Jareanrat Apiwat , Thanasukarn Vasin , Srisuk Tharatip , Luvira Vor , Eurboonyanun Kulyada , Promsorn Julaluck , Koonmee Supinda , Wee Aileen , Aphivatanasiri Chaiwat
Published: December 2022

Patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) generally have poor outcomes because of late presentation and diagnosis. Therefore, prognostic factors for predicting outcomes are essential to improve therapeutic strategies and quality of life. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been reported as a prognostic predictor in several cancers. However, their role in dCCA is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association of TILs with outcome in patients with dCCA. Fifty-two patients were evaluated for the percentage rate of TILs in their cancers, and a median TIL level was used to divide the patients into two groups. Survival, multivariate, and correlation analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors. Results showed that a low TIL level was associated with poor survival. Multivariate analysis revealed TILs as an independent factor for poor outcome. Moreover, TILs were markedly correlated with growth patterns, and both were applied to classify patients with dCCA. Subgroups of TILs with growth pattern incorporation improved stratification performance in separating good from poor patient outcomes. This study suggested that TILs could be a prognostic factor for predicting survival and for clustering patients with dCCA to improve prognostication capability. This finding may be incorporated into a new staging system for stratifying dCCA in Thailand.
Patient perceptions of virtual reality for pain relief in labor: A qualitative study
Authors: Wong Melissa S. , Gregory Kimberly D. , Spiegel Brennan M. R. , Khalil Carine
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Labor represents the most common reason for hospitalization, and most patients will use some form of pain management during their labor. While some studies have suggested that virtual reality (VR) may be an effective option for managing pain, more study is necessary to understand the patient experience of VR. The aim of this study is to characterize the effect of VR on patient perceptions of coping in labor and their descriptions of the VR experience.

Methodology

A nested prospective, descriptive study within a randomized controlled trial of VR in laboring patients. We included nulliparous, term patients, having contractions at least every 5 min, a pain score on the Wong-Baker pain scale of 4–7, and who had been randomized to receive the 30 min virtual reality intervention in the trial. Subjects completed a childbirth self-efficacy inventory prior to the intervention. After the intervention, they completed a modified childbirth self-efficacy inventory related to VR and underwent a structured interview. Self-efficacy scores were compared using t-tests and qualitative, thematic analysis was performed using Dedoose.

Results

Twenty-one subjects received the VR intervention. Twenty subjects completed the post-intervention survey and structured interview; one declined due to discomfort. Subjects noted a significant increase in perceived degree to which VR could improve their self-efficacy in managing pain during labor. Thematic analysis revealed that subjects described the VR experience as allowing them to connect with their breathing, feeling more relaxed, and being distracted from pain. In total, 70% believed VR reduced their pain, 60% felt it reduced their anxiety, and 100% would recommend VR availability for laboring patients.

Conclusion

VR can improve patient self-efficacy for managing pain in labor. Future studies should focus on the content of the visualizations, optimized user experience and design, and effectiveness with ongoing exposure to VR content in labor.