bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A real-world pharmacovigilance study of FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) events forpaxlovid and molnupiravir
Authors: Yuan Chao , Yin Guisen , Song Guiling , Guan Ying
Published: May 2023

Questions have been raised about the safety of paxlovid and molnupiravir as antiviral drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 since the pandemic. We applied t he FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to assess the safety by performing a disproportionality analysis to identify potential risks of paxlovid and molnupiravir. The number of paxlovid signals was approximately 11 times higher than that of molnupiravir, with most signals of these two drugs overlapped. General disorders and administration site conditions (ROR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.58- 2.18), infections and infestations (ROR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.23-6.64), nervous system disorders (ROR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.79-1.58) were the top 3 signals for paxlovid, with gastrointestinal disorders (ROR: 4.13, 95% CI: 0.27-4.54), skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (ROR: 11.51, 95% CI: 0.10-12.92), nervous system disorders (ROR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.79-1.58) for molnupiravir. Paxlovid-induced infections, skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, and molnupiravir-induced musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, as well as potential safety signals on the heart, eyes and ears needlong-term observation, especially for signals not included in the instructions. The adverse events on this study confirms most of the instructional information for paxlovid and molnupiravir, both drugs need to be monitored for risk signals such as acute respiratory failure, hematologic and lymphatic system.
Optimisation of Warfarin-Dosing Algorithms for Han Chinese Patients with CYP2C9*13 Variants
Authors: Wang Dongxu , Wu Hualan , Zhang Qing , Zhou Xiaoyue , An Yang , Zhao Anxu , Chong Jia , Wang Shuanghu , Wang Fang , Yang Jiefu , Dai Dapeng , Chen Hao
Published: May 2023

Background Existing pharmacogenetic algorithms cannot fully explain warfarin dose variability in patients. CYP2C9*13 is an important allelic variant in the Han Chinese population. However, adjustment of warfarin dosing in CYP2C9*13 variant carriers remains unclear. To the bets of our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the effects of adjusting warfarin dosages in Han Chinese patients harbouring CYP2C9*13 variants.Methods In total, 971 warfarin-treated Han Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation were enrolled in this study. Clinical data were collected, and CYP2C9*2, *3, *13 and VKORC1-1639 G > A variants were genotyped. We quantitatively analysed the effect of CYP2C9*13 on warfarin maintenance dose and provided multiplicative adjustments for CYP2C9*13 using validated pharmacogenetic algorithms.Results Approximately 0.6% of the Han Chinese population carried CYP2C9*13 variant, and the genotype frequency was between those of CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3. The warfarin maintenance doses were significantly reduced in CYP2C9*13 carriers. When CYP2C9*13 variants were not considered, the pharmacogenetic algorithms overestimated warfarin maintenance doses by 1.03–1.16 mg/d on average. The actual warfarin dose in CYP2C9*13 variant carriers was approximately 40% lower than the algorithm-predicted dose. Adjusting the warfarin-dosing algorithm according to the CYP2C9*13 allele could reduce the dose prediction error.Conclusion Our study showed that the algorithm predicted doses should be lowered for CYP2C9*13 carriers. Inclusion of the CYP2C9*13 variant in the warfarin-dosing algorithm tends to predict the warfarin maintenance dose more accurately and improves the efficacy and safety of warfarin administration in Han Chinese patients.
CST6 promotes the aggressive phenotype of thyroid cancer through maintaining autophagy
Authors: Ren Hao , Zhang Qi , Bao Lisha , Lu Xixuan , Zhu Chaozhuang , Li Ying , Che Yulu , Huang Ping , Ge Jingyan , Ge Minghua
Published: May 2023

Thyroid Cancer (TC) is the most common malignant tumor of the endocrine system. Cystatin M/E (CST6) has been demonstrated to have a multifaceted role in several types of cancers. However, its potential mechanisms in the progression of TC have not been fully identified. Our results revealed that CST6 expressions were upregulated in TC tissues and cells compared with normal thyroid tissues and cells. High expression of CST6 was negatively correlated with poor prognosis of thyroid cancer patients. Functional assays showed that CST6 promoted TC cells malignant phenotype, including proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion. Inhibition of CST6 remarkably alleviated tumor growth and metastasis of ATC xenografts in nude mouse and zebrafish model. CST6 showed interaction with cathepsin B (CTSB). CTSB knockdown profoundly inhibited the aggressive behavior of TC cells. Of note, loss of CST6 attenuated the activity of CTSB, which led to the decrease of autophagy progress. Collectively, our findings demonstrated an essential role of CST6 in the development of TC through CTSB-mediated autophagy.
Assessment of Rainfall-runoff Relation/mechanisms Under Different Land Uses and Landscape Position in North Western Ethiopia
Authors: Tamer Mulugeta , Adego Enyew , Tsegaye Derege , Haregewoyen Nigussie , Abiyu Abrham
Published: May 2023

Purpose:
This research aimed to develop rainfall-runoff relations for different land use types, to establish a relationship between runoff and soil loss under different land use and soil moisture conditions, and to evaluate the variation of soil water content in different depths of soil and land use types.
Methods:
An automatic and manual rain gauge that was installed in the watershed at the nearby testing plots was used to record the rainfall data. Three separate plots with various land uses and slope positions were used to gather runoff and sediment loss. Every morning -at 6:30 a.m., runoff and sediment data were collected from the runoff plots following each rainstorm occurrence.
Result:
The rainfall-runoff relations on all land use types were significant at (P<0.001). The infiltration rate and rainfall intensity analysis show that the dominant runoff generation mechanism of the watershed was saturation excess. The ECH2O Ec-5 soil moisture sensor probes show that the volumetric soil moisture content increased with increasing soil depth on grazing land, while the reverse happened on the cultivated land. The volumetric moisture content on both land use types had very high statistical significance among the 5 depths of the soil (P<0.001).
Conclusion:
Steep slope areas should be closed and there should be some afforestation program in the area. Free grazing grasslands should be changed to closed grazing land use systems.
The Role of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) in Telehealth: A New Frontier of Smart Healthcare Delivery in India
Authors: Paliwal Sushila , Parveen Suraiya , Singh Ompal , Alam M. Afshar , Ahmed Jawed
Published: May 2023

This paper draws attention to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), which constitutes a pivotal element of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) implemented in India. The ABHA database functions as a centralised repository of health-related information, offering a platform for IEC initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, encouraging healthy behaviours, and disseminating public health messaging. The integration of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has the potential to augment patient education and engagement, streamline disease prevention initiatives, and enhance health literacy. Centralized health data can help in promoting telehealth by providing health care providers with access to patient medical records, enabling them to provide remote consultations and treatments. Exploring the function of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) in telehealth for sustainable development necessitates an interdisciplinary view of healthcare delivery in India. Telehealth, which is the use of technology to provide remote healthcare services, can increase the reach and efficacy of ABHA. The adoption and success of ABHA and telehealth in India are influenced by numerous social, economic, technological, and policy-related factors, which can be identified through an interdisciplinary research approach. Such research can inform the development of a sustainable healthcare system that capitalizes on the strengths of ABHA and telehealth to enhance the population's health and well-being in India. This paper proposes the implementation of ABHA, IEC, AI, and telehealth in India, which have the potential to transform healthcare delivery by augmenting patient care, strengthening disease prevention efforts, and encouraging healthy lifestyles. This approach can potentially save lives and reduce healthcare costs in the long run. However, the implementation of such a system may raise concerns over privacy and data security, especially in a country with a large population and limited resources for enforcing regulations and protecting sensitive information.
Nutritional status of children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A cross-sectional study at the tertiary level hospital in northern Bangladesh
Authors: Khatun Rabeya , Siddique Md. Kaoser Bin , Khatun Mst. Reshma , Benzir Maskura , Islam Md. Rafiqul , Ahmed Sohel
Published: May 2023

Background
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are a significant global public health issue. It was often thought that such children's malnutrition was a sign of illness, but it is now obvious how crucial their nutrition is.
Objectives
This study's objective was to assess the sociodemographic profile and nutritional status of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Methods
157 NDD-affected children who attended the pediatric clinics of the TMSS Medical College and Rafatullah Community Hospital in Bogura between December 2020 and April 2022 took part in a cross-sectional study using a purposive sample strategy. Using metrics such z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and body mass index-for-age percentile, the nutritional condition of children with neurodevelopmental disorders was evaluated (BAZ). Using the SPSS version 25, descriptive statistics (number and percentage) and analytical statistics (chi-square or Fisher's exact test, if appropriate) were both employed.
Results
A total of 157 children, whose ages ranged from 6 to 144 months, were taken part in this study. Around 58.6% of children with NDDs had malnutrition, 47.8% had under-nutrition, and 10.8% had over-nutrition. There was a significant correlation between malnutrition and parental education level, fathers' employment, residency, and monthly family income (P 0.05).
Conclusions
More over half of the NDD youngsters were found to be malnourished, according to the research, which offers us a peek of their nutritional health. The socioeconomic position of the parents has a significant impact on the nutritional status of these kids.
The frequency of colon lesions in the first-degree relatives of patients with adenomatous polyp or premalignant/ malignant colon lesions referring to the PERSIAN Guilan Elderly Cohort Study (PGECS)
Authors: Matin Somaieh , Joukar Farahnaz , Maroufizadeh Saman , Asgharnezhad Mehrnaz , Karimian Paridokht , Mansour-Ghanaei Fariborz
Published: May 2023

Background
Family history of colon cancer or adenomatous polyp is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of colonic lesions in the first-degree relatives of patients with adenomatous polyp or premalignant/ malignant colon lesions referring to the geriatric cohort of Guilan.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 162 subjects who were the first-degree relatives of 52 patients with adenomatous polyp were investigated and underwent total colonoscopy based on the guidelines proposed for screening colorectal cancer. Moreover, the subjects’ demographic information, colonoscopy results, and pathological findings were recorded using a checklist Logistic regression with backward elimination (p-value for removal > 0.1) was used to identify factors associated with presence of colon polyps. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.
Results
In total, 86 colon polyps (52 neoplastic and 34 non-neoplastic polyps) were observed in 56 (34.6%) individuals. Being older, higher BMI, cigarette smoking, and diabetes were significantly associated with a greater risk of having colon polyps. In contrast, higher consumption of vegetables as well as fruits were significantly associated with a less risk of having colon polyps.
Conclusions
Considering the high prevalence of neoplastic colon polyps among the first-degree relatives of the patients with adenomatous polyp, early screening is recommended for the people with family history of this disease in the same way that people with family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) are screened.
Invertebrate diversity in peri-urban community gardens and possible mechanisms of community assemblage
Authors: Ploessl Savanna , Willden Samantha , Ingwell Laura
Published: May 2023

Urban farming is becoming increasingly popular to address food insecurity in the U.S., especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a major challenge on urban farms is pest identification and management. In addition, urban farms are diverse and occur in nonmetro and metropolitan areas alike, therefore tailored recommendations for pest management are needed to reflect this diversity. The primary objective of this study was to describe invertebrate community composition at 10 urban community gardens across two counties in Indiana. We also aimed to identify possible mechanisms that determine community assemblages, such as garden size, surrounding land use, ground cover management, and crop diversity. Using pitfall traps, sticky cards, and visual assessments, we determined that herbivores represent the dominant feeding guild at community gardens, and herbivore counts were highest on zucchini and tomato. However, sentinel prey releases determined that predators and parasitoids are important regulators of pest populations. Overall, the assemblage of feeding guilds was similar across sites, suggesting a common metapopulation present in the surrounding landscape. On-farm practices that had the greatest influence on insect diversity were crop diversity, the presence of floral resources, and ground cover management. Insect diversity was positively correlated with crop diversity, and pollination activity was associated with flowering crops, namely dill. Parasitoid counts on sticky cards were often associated with sites that had additional ground cover. This study provides useful insights on the dominant invertebrate groups present at urban community gardens in Indiana and accessible on-farm practices to improve farm biodiversity.
Disseminating Evidence in Medical Education: Journal Club as a Virtual Community of Practice
Authors: Gold Jonathan , Forbes Karen L. , Pahwa Amit
Published: May 2023

Background
This study explores the impacts of the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) Journal Club, a unique means of providing monthly professional development for a large community of pediatric undergraduate medical educators. In particular, we sought to establish member engagement with the Journal Club, identify factors impacting member contributions to the Journal Club, and determine perceived benefits of and barriers to participation as a Journal Club reviewer.
Methods
Using an established Annual Survey as a study instrument, six survey questions were distributed to members of COMSEP. Items were pilot tested prior to inclusion. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results
Of 125 respondents who completed the survey, 38% reported reading the Journal Club most months or always. Level of engagement varied. Reasons for reading included a topic of interest, keeping up to date on medical education literature, gaining practical tips for teaching and implementing new curricula. Motivators for writing a review included keeping up to date, contributing to a professional organization, and developing skill in analyzing medical education literature, with a minority citing reasons of enhancing their educational portfolio or academic promotion. The most commonly cited barriers were lack of time and lack of confidence or training in ability to analyze medical education literature.
Conclusion
As a strategy to disseminate the latest evidence in medical education to its membership, the COMSEP Journal Club is effective. Its format is ideally suited for busy educators and may help in members’ professional development and in the development of a community of practice.
Linking assessment to real life practice - comparing work based assessments and objective structured clinical examinations using mystery shopping
Authors: Lim Angelina , Krishnan Sunanthiny , Singh Harjit , Furtletti Simon , Sarkar Mahbub , Stewart Derek , Malone Daniel
Published: May 2023

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and Work Based Assessments (WBAs) are the mainstays of assessing clinical competency in health professions’ education. Underpinned by the extrapolation inference in Kane Validity’s Framework, the purpose of this study is to determine whether OSCEs translate to real life performance by comparing students’ OSCE performance to their performance in real-life (as a WBA) using the same clinical scenario, and to understand factors that affect students’ performance. A sequential explanatory mixed methods approach where a grade comparison between students’ performance in their OSCE and WBA (conducted as a mystery shopper visit at the workplace) was performed, students were then followed up with semi-structured interviews to discuss the students’ experiences in both settings. Students were third year pharmacy undergraduates in 2022. Overall, 92 mystery shopper (WBA) visits with students were conducted and 36 follow-up interviews were completed. The median WBA score was 39.2% lower compared to the OSCE score (p < 0.001). Interviews revealed students knew they did not perform as well in the WBA compared to their OSCE, but reflected that they still need OSCEs to prepare them to manage a real-life patient. Many students related their performance to how they perceived their role in OSCEs versus WBAs, and that OSCEs allowed them more autonomy to manage the patient as oppose to an unfamiliar workplace. As suggested by the activity theory, the performance of the student can be driven by their motivation which differed in the two contexts.
Computational analysis of Epstein-Barr virus microRNA regulation on long non-coding RNAs in nasopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Jawai Daphne Olivia , Sim Edmund Ui Hang
Published: May 2023

To date, the regulatory framework mediated by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BART microRNAs (miRNAs) via their interaction with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the context of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) pathogenesis remains partially understood. To derive a more complete insight into this phenomenon, we embarked on a computational study to identify BART miRNAs, lncRNAs, and all associate factors relevant to NPC tumourigenesis, and to characterise their interactions. In silico integration of multi-level RNA expression and construction of regulatory networks were performed. We found six EBV BART miRNAs (ebv- miR-BART21-3p, ebv-miR-BART19-3p, ebv-miR-BART15, ebv-miR-BART2-5p, ebv-miR-BART20-3p and ebv-miR-BART11-5p) that can interact with four messenger RNAs (mRNAs) (EYA4, EYA1, EBF1 and MACROD2) associated with NPC pathogenesis. These mRNAs can interact with six non-EBV miRNAs (hsa-miR-1246, hsa-miR-93-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-135b-5p, hsa-miR-211-5p and hsa-miR-1305), which in turn, could interact with three lncRNAs (CASC2, TPTE2P1 and ARHGEF26- AS1). These findings could shed light on the roles of dysregulated competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network in NPC oncogenesis. In addition, we have also predicted the oncogenic and tumour suppressive functions of BART miRNAs and lncRNAs, and more precisely the involvement of BART miRNAs in DNA repair regulation and apoptosis.
Association of mitochondrial DNA copy number with chronic kidney disease in older adults
Authors: Liu Yang , Pan Ying , Tian Zijian , Wang Jing , Chen Fei , Geng Zhaoxu , Li Qian , Liu Ziqing , Zhou Xiaozhou , Zhou Kaixin
Published: May 2023

Background
Mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Estimation of mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) is considered a convenient method for representing mitochondrial function in large samples. However, no study has investigated the association between mtDNA-CN and CKD in older adults with the highest prevalence. The objective is to examine cross-sectional and prospective associations between mtDNA-CN values and CKD risk in older adults to determine whether mtDNA-CN represents a novel potential biomarker for the recognition of CKD risk.
Patients and Methods:
In a Chinese community-based cohort of over 65-year-olds, we included 14467 participants (52.6% females). CKD was defined by eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or ICD-10 codes (patients = 3831 (26.5%)). Participants had peripheral blood levels of mtDNA-CN calculated from probe intensities of the Axiom CAS Array.
Results
The risk of CKD prevalence decreased with mtDNA-CN per 1-SD increment, independent of established risk factors for older CKD (odds ratio [OR] per SD 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86, 0.93, P < 0.001), and has comparable strength of association with these established risk factors. Furthermore, the progression of kidney function was stratified according to the worsening of eGFR categories. The risk of kidney function progression to a more severe stage gradually decreased as the mtDNA-CN increased (P trend < 0.001). Non-CKD participants in the highest quartile of mtDNA-CN had a lower risk of developing CKD compared to the lowest quartile within 2 years of follow-up, reducing the risk of CKD by 34% (95% CI 0.42, 0.97; P = 0.037).
Conclusions
Based on the analysis of the largest sample to date investigating the association between mtDNA-CN and CKD in older adults, higher levels of mtDNA-CN were found to be associated with a lower risk of CKD, suggesting that a reduced level of mtDNA-CN is a potential risk factor for CKD.
FACEmemory®, an innovative online platform for episodic memory pre-screening: findings from the first 3,000 participants
Authors: Alegret Montserrat , García-Gutiérrez Fernando , Muñoz Nathalia , Espinosa Ana , Ortega Gemma , Lleonart Núria , Rodríguez Isabel , Rosende-Roca Maitee , Pytel Vanesa , Cantero-Fortiz Yahveth , Rentz Dorene M. , Marquié Marta , Valero Sergi , Ruiz Agustin , Butler Christopher , Boada Mercè
Published: May 2023

Background: The FACEmemory® online platform comprises a novel, self-administered memory test with embedded voice recognition technology and a questionnaire with relevant sociodemographic and medical/family history data. This is the first study about a completely self-administered memory test with voice recognition, pre-tested in a memory clinic, offered freely worldwide on a website platform. The aims of this study are to investigate the demographic and clinical variables associated with FACEmemory total score, and to identify differentiable patterns of memory performance among the first 3,000 individuals who completed the FACEmemory.
Methods: A marketing campaign was carried out to make FACEmemory accessible worldwide to individuals whose native language was Spanish or Catalan. Data from the first 3,000 subjects over 18 years old who completed the FACEmemory were analysed. Descriptive analyses were applied to demographic, FACEmemory scores, and medical/family history variables reported in a questionnaire; t-test and chi-square analyses were used to compare participants with preserved (>31 points) versus impaired performance (<32) on total FACEmemory; and multiple linear regression was used to identify variables that modulate FACEmemory performance. Finally, Machine Learning techniques were applied to identify differentiable patterns of memory performance.
Results: The study sample had a mean age of 50.57 years and 13.65 years of schooling. 64.1% were women and most (82.1%) participants reported memory complaints that worried them. The group with impaired FACEmemory performance (20.4%) was older, had fewer years of formal education and a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and family history of a neurodegenerative disease compared with the group with preserved FACEmemory performance. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, schooling, sex, country and completion of the questionnaire were statistically associated with FACEmemory total score. Finally, Machine Learning techniques identified 4 patterns of FACEmemory performance: normal, dysexecutive, storage and completely impaired.
Conclusions: FACEmemory is a promising tool for the pre-screening of people with subjective memory complaints in the community in order to identify those with objective memory deficits and raise awareness about cognitive decline. The FACEmemory website platform is an opportunity to facilitate a free, online and self-administered episodic memory assessment to Spanish or Catalan speaking individuals worldwide, and potentially extensible to other languages.
Modelling Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Seed Yield and Evapotranspiration under Water, Salt and Combined Water-Salt Stress
Authors: Hoşgören Çiğdem , Semiz Gülüzar Duygu , Ünlü Mustafa , Suarez Donald L.
Published: May 2023

We studied the responses of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld.) to single and combined effects of four different irrigation water salinity (electrical conductivity) levels (S1: 0.25, S2: 5, S3:10 and S4: 20 dS m− 1), and four water application rates (W1:120%, W2:100%, W3:70% and W4:50% of depleted water from field capacity), in a fully randomized factorial design with total of 48 weighted lysimeters. Seed yield was 30% higher when water requirement was fully met (W1 and W2) as compared to treatments where water requirement was partially met (W3 and W4). Crop water response coefficients were found sensitive (Ky= 1.55) to drought induced water stress but tolerant to salinity induced water stress (Ky=0.47). We found that quinoa had a salinity threshold value of ~ 4 dS m− 1(in soil extract) with a slope of 3.4%, (yield loss per dS m− 1increase in salinity) which is classified as moderately salt tolerant crop. We evaluated the combined effects of salinity and water levels on seed yield, concluding that if there is more than one stress factor, the crop will respond to the stress factor having the highest impact (either salinity or water stress). Seed yield under combined salt and water stress for all treatments was well predicted from the separate responses to water and salt stress using the dominant stress response model. Our results indicate that over the range of conditions studied, quinoa water productivity was more dependent on applied water rate than on salinity.
Intrapulmonary Lymph Nodes Positive for Metastasis, in a Typical Multifocal Neuroendocrine Tumor: Case Report.
Authors: Gaviria Habib Jussef Mantilla , Ruiz Willfredy Castaño
Published: May 2023

Background
Multifocal neuroendocrine tumors of the lung are rare, usually having low nodal involvement in early stages. We bring to the literature a case of a typical multifocal carcinoid associated to tumors with intrapulmonary lymph node (IPLN) involvement.
Case presentation:
59-year-old female asymptomatic patient with multiple nodules in the right lower lobe, PET-CT with hypermetabolic nodule, adequate pulmonary function, for which a right lower lobectomy was performed plus intrapulmonary lymph nodes dissection in the fresh surgical specimen. The lymph nodes of stations 11, 12, 13 and 14 were sent to pathology. The pathology laboratory report showed that stations 10, 11, 12 and 13 were negative, but station 14 was positive. Thus, changing the stage from Ia2 to IIb.
Conclusion
This patient had an upstaging because of IPLN were positive for metastasis. The search for a more accurate oncologic staging through intrapulmonary lymph node may allow a more accurate staging and therefore a better treatment for the patient regardless type histology.
Changes in the incidence of community-acquired upper urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Japanese children, 2016-2022
Authors: Horie Akiyoshi , Sasaki Mayu , Nakamura Miku , Harano Shinichi , Moritou Yuuji , Hasegawa Yuki , Fujiwaki Takehisa , Mochizuki Misato , Nariai Akiyoshi
Published: May 2023

Background
Urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria are increasing worldwide. At our hospital, the number of children hospitalized with upper urinary tract infections (UUTI) caused by ESBL-producing Escherichia coli had been a major problem since 2016.
However, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the proportion of ESBL-producing E. coli has changed. This study reviewed the trends in admissions of children to the hospital with UUTI caused by E. coli.
Methods
This retrospective study included patients who were hospitalized in the pediatric department of Matsue Red Cross Hospital with UUTI caused by E. coli. Medical and hospital records were reviewed to assess patient characteristics, antimicrobial use density, and days of antibiotic therapy at the hospital from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2022.
Results
Over the study period, 80 children were admitted to the hospital with their first episode of bacterial UUTI. The total number of children hospitalized in the pediatric department decreased. However, the proportion of children with UUTI per total number of hospitalized children remained stable over the study period. Urine sample analyses showed that the proportion of ESBL-producing E. coli decreased significantly in 2020 to 2022. Antimicrobial use density and days of therapy of oral third-generation cephems was significantly correlated with the proportion of UUTI caused by ESBL-producing E. coli in pediatric patients.
Conclusion
Effective hygiene measures and appropriate use of antibiotics especially, oral third-generation cephems, are effective for reducing the incidence of ESBL-producing bacterial infections.
A Case Study of Slope Instability Caused by Weathering Process of Phyllite, Meta-Arenite and Granite on the Pergau and Kenyir Slopes
Authors: Taher Taherah M. , Omar R. C , Wahab W. A. , Baharuddin I.N.Z. , Roslan R. , Khalid N.H.N , Isa A.A.M. , Ahmad Fahruzzaman
Published: May 2023

Due to the disturbed rock mass and topographic conditions caused by earthworks, slopes are highly susceptible to weathering. During and just after the earthworks of a slope, the exposed rock material and mass may be subject to weathering and erosion. They may erode and alter the rock's engineering properties and the stability of the slope over the rock's engineering lifetime. This study examined the effects of weathering on the stability of two cut slopes in Phyllite, Meta-Arenite, and Granite from Pergau, Kelantan, and Kenyir, Terengganu. This study used a spatially integrated mapping framework to examine slope instability in remote tropical forests and natural hilly terrain using spatial data analysis that contributes to the development of landslide hazard map, slope aspect, slope angle, slope orientation, and shaded slopes (i.e., slopes of some orientations are more sheltered (shaded)) from sunlight than slopes of other orientations and elevation. This framework identified and validated slope instability utilizing a confirmatory site-specific analysis and laboratory tests, including uniaxial compressive strength and geophysics survey to examine weathering grade and groundwater level, including the saturated condition of the rocks. Field data show that the weathering occurs due to percolating groundwater and due to the slope, which is protected from the direct rays of the sun and can retain more moisture, causing a gradual degradation of the rock's engineering properties of the slope. Based on what has been seen in the field and the analysis, the safety factor for mass failure on the study slopes is usually the key determinant. Based on limit equilibrium analyses, both cut slopes likely fall apart in a plane with a low safety factor.
A comprehensive investigation of crosstalk between m5C writer NSUN2 and MYC in breast cancer microenvironment
Authors: Xi Yi-Qing , Chen Bao-Xiang , Zeng Yi-Fan , Wei Lei , Shao You-Cheng , Feng Mao-Hui , Zhang Jing-Wei
Published: May 2023

Background Aberrant post transcriptional modifications of RNA, such as 5-methylcytosine modifications, have been frequently observed in breast cancer (BC). The M5C core catalytic enzymeNSUN2gene was found to be co-amplified with the oncogenic transcription factorMYCin BC. However, the function of m5C modification in the immune response and metabolism to BC remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the crosstalk betweenNSUN2andMYCin BC microenvironment. Methods We investigated the function of NSUN2 in breast cancer using vivo and vitro assays. Next, the co-occurrence of NSUN2 and MYC in BC were tested by cBioPortal analysis. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry were performed to determine the interact between NSUN2 and MYC. Then, correlation between the expression of NSUN2 and BC microenvironment were explored by CAMOIP, PCR and western-blotting. Additionally, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to investigate the underlying mechanism of NSUN2 in BC. Results In the current study, increased expression ofNSUN2was observed in BC tissue compared to that in the adjacent normal tissue. ElevatedNSUN2levels were associated with poor prognosis in patients with BC.NSUN2knockout (KO) suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; induced apoptosis in vitro; and repressed tumor growth in vivo. Subsequently, we determined NSUN2 can interact with MYC protein, and found that immune infiltration and glycolysis were increased in theNSUN2KO BC cell line. In addition, RNA sequencing demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes in BC cells afterNSUN2KO were significantly enriched in the negative regulation of immune processes and metabolic processes. Conclusions Overall, NSUN2 overexpression drove immunosuppression and promoted BC progression. NSUN2 can interact with MYC protein, thereby being involved in the functional regulation of MYC target genes. Our findings suggest thatNSUN2may act as a potential therapeutic target for BC in the context ofMYCamplification.
Neuroanatomy of Cerebellar Mutism Syndrome: The Role of Lesion Location
Authors: Skye Jax , Bruss Joel , Toescu Sebastian , Aquilina Kristian , Grafft Amanda , Lola Gino Bardi , Boes Aaron D.
Published: May 2023

Approximately 25% of pediatric patients who undergo cerebellar tumor resection develop cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS). Our group recently showed that damage to the cerebellar deep nuclei and superior cerebellar peduncles, which we refer to as the cerebellar outflow pathway, is associated with increased risk of CMS. Here, we tested whether these findings replicate in an independent cohort. We evaluated the relationship between lesion location and the development of CMS in an observational study of 56 pediatric patients who underwent cerebellar tumor resection. We hypothesized that individuals that developed CMS after surgery (CMS+), relative to those that did not (CMS-) would have lesions that preferentially intersected with: 1) the cerebellar outflow pathway, and 2) a previously generated ‘lesion-symptom map’ of CMS. Analyses were conducted in accordance with pre-registered hypotheses and analytic methods (https://osf.io/r8yjv/). We found supporting evidence for both hypotheses. Compared with CMS- patients, CMS + patients (n = 10) had lesions with greater overlap with the cerebellar outflow pathway (Cohen’s d = .73, p = .05), and the CMS lesion-symptom map (Cohen’s d = 1.1, p = .004). These results strengthen the association of lesion location with risk of developing CMS and demonstrate generalizability across cohorts. These findings may help to inform the optimal surgical approach to pediatric cerebellar tumors.
Anaemia Prevalence and Socio-demographic Factors Among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA): A Geospatial Analysis of Empowered Action Groups (EAG) States in India
Authors: Barman Manabindra
Published: May 2023

Anaemia remains a major nutritional-related health concern for women under reproductive age (WRA), in the developing nations like India as well the Indian EAG states. According to NFHS round-5, EAG states constitute 57% of WRA having any form of anaemia, which is higher than the many other states of India, also other developed and developing nations. This study aimed to assess the frequency of anaemia among the WRA in India's eight EAG states. Also, attempt to analyse the causes that are associated with anaemia by the women’s background characteristics with spatial correlation with its co variates across 291 districts of the EAG states. One of the most current Demographic and Health Survey's (DHS) cross-sectional data, NFHS-5th (2019-20) round taken, which is conducted by the IIPS, under the administration of MoFHW, India. This study only included 315069 women under reproductive age (WRA). The variables related to anaemia among women's (WRA) background socio-demographic characteristics were assessed using bivariate statistics and multinominal logistic regression analysis, in order to comprehend spatial correlation between women with their determinant factors. Among the EAG states, the overall prevalence of anaemia was 57%, varying from 42.6% in Uttarakhand to 65.3% in Jharkhand. Multiple logistic regression analyses reveal that the chances of anaemia are remarkably more prevalent in younger women (15-19 years of age), also the women living in rural areas, no educated and primary level educated women, women belonging to the middle to poorest wealth quintile, women no longer living together, women of the Christian religion, women who are not exposed to reading newspapers, underweight BMI women, and scheduled tribe women. Mostly the prevalence is observed in the North-eastern and southeastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, which is shown by the hotspot map. According to the findings of this study, numerous factors like family, socioeconomic, educational, awareness, and individual characteristics such as caste and domicile all lead to a high risk of anaemia. The WRA suffers from anaemia as a result of their socioeconomic background and awareness, which leads to a lack of nourishment, and they seek nutrient deficiencies. To overcome this anaemia, multiple discipline policies and initiatives need to take targeting women's wellness and nutritional status, by increasing women's education and socioeconomic status.
Two spectral Gegenbauer methods for solving linear and nonlinear time fractional Cable problems
Authors: Atta A.G.
Published: May 2023

This research aims to analyze and implement two numerical spectral schemes for solving linear and nonlinear time fractional Cable equations (TFCEs). Two modified sets of shifted Gegenbauer polynomials (SGPs) are used as basis functions. The approximation of the solution is written as a product of the two chosen basis function sets. For these methods, the principle idea is to convert the problem governed by the underlying conditions into a set of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations that can be solved using appropriate numerical techniques. The upper estimate of the truncation error for the proposed expansion is investigated. In the end, four examples are presented to illustrate the accuracy of the suggested schemes.
AMS Mathematics Subject Classification 2010: 35R11, 65N35, 40A05, 35R11
Using Machine Learning to early detection and classification of breast cancer masses based on medical image processing
Authors: Hamad Karzan , Ahmed Rizgar Maghded , Celik Bulent
Published: May 2023

In this paper, a link was made between one of the machine learning methods, which is Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and the analysis of Medical Images (mammography images) for the classification and early detection of breast cancer (the most prevalent among women in the world).
The idea of ​​the research depends on the Feature Extraction of some measurements (statistical and geometrics) of the shape of benign and malignant masses using the digital image processing program (ImageJ) and then using the method (Feed Forward Networks) to classify the process between them for the data of a sample of patients with (150) digital mammography images (75 benign and 75 malignant images) in breast cancer. The research reached a classification accuracy of (86.67%) Model Sensitivity equal to (91.67%) to distinguish between the two types masses, which is a high percentage based on a set of statistical criteria for evaluating the model (confusion matrix, ROC curve, Kappa statistics)
The variables (Perimeter, Minor, InDen, and Feret) were ranked first in importance and distinction between the two masses, and the program (R4.2.3) was used to analyze the data.
Ethical and legal dilemmas on termination of pregnancy: The Case of Ilu Aba Bora and Buno Bedelle Zones
Authors: Mitiku Gadisa , Amsalu Bedasa , Ejeta Samuel
Published: May 2023

Background
Abortion is one of the most controversial issues in legal and ethical debates. Abortion is legally debated in light of the principles of criminal law. This usually involves competing arguments in favor of the fetus's "right" (i.e., personality) to be revived or in favor of the mother's right to have an abortion based on her own interests.
Objectives
The aim of the study was to explore ethical and legal dilemmas around abortion in the case of I/A/Bor and Bunno Bedelle Zone, South west Ethiopia.
Methods
A qualitative study design was chosen. Buno Bedelle and Ilu Abba Bora zone were especially chosen because of their familiarity with the area and their place of work. Three out of five hospitals in the study area were specially selected, namely Bedelle Hospital, Mettu karl Hospital and Darimu Hospital. Twenty-five abortion service providers from selected hospitals participated in the study. We analyzed the qualitative data using thematic methods. The researchers triangulated primary data with secondary data obtained through key informant interviews and systematic observations to maximize the reliability and validity of their results. Finally, the categories were transformed into generalized descriptions of the most common dilemmas, judgments and considerations that emerged from the material.
Results
Data from the study areas indicate that societal views on abortion are heterogeneous, reflecting a range of attitudes ranging from outright anti-abortion to more pro-choice positions, with differences between rural and urban areas. In this regard, the majority of health care professionals recognize that unsafe abortion is a serious health problem. Health-care providers who practiced safe abortion were more likely to have positive attitudes toward safe abortion than those who did not. Similarly, providers who knew abortion laws were more likely to have such positive attitudes than those who lacked this knowledge, training is essential to reduce maternal mortality.
Conclusions
Data from the study area indicate that health professionals report conflicting concerns, burdensome responsibilities, and ambiguity related to the interpretation and enforcement of the law when working in situations where the law readily opens doors to women seeking abortion.
NAS: A Neural Attention-based SLAM for Autonomous Navigation in Unknown 3D Environments
Authors: Wu Yu , Chen Niansheng , Fan Guangyu , Yang Dingyu , Rao Lei , Cheng Songlin , Song Xiaoyong , Ma Yiping
Published: May 2023

Navigation in unknown 3D environments aims to progressively find an efficient path to a given target goal in unseen scenarios. A challenge is how to explore the navigation quickly and effectively. An end-to-end learning approach is proposed to extract geometric shapes from RGB images, but it is not suitable for large environments due to its exhaustive exploration with exponential search space. Active Neural SLAM (ANS) presents a semantic map to maximize exploration coverage to tackle the object goal navigation task, but ANS still visits the explored areas frequently since the unproper local target selection. In this paper, we propose a neural attention SLAM (NAS) model to explore unknown 3D environments. Spatial attention is provided to quickly identify colorful obstacles (such as tea table or floor). We also leverage the priority of unknown regions in the short-term goal decision to avoid frequently exploration with a channel attention. The experimental results show that our model can build a more accurate map than ANS and other baseline methods with less running time. In terms of relative coverage, NAS achieves a 0.5$\%$ improvement over ANS in overall and a 1.1$\%$ improvement over ANS in large environments.
End Stage Kidney Disease Outcomes in Children and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in the United States Renal Data System
Authors: Zahr Rima S. , Ataga Kenneth I. , Lebensburger Jeffrey D. , Winer Jeffrey C.
Published: May 2023

Background: Children and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) develop kidney disease early in childhood with some patients progressing to require dialysis and kidney transplantation. The prevalence and outcomes of children with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to SCD is not well described. This study aimed to assess the burden and outcomes of ESKD in children and young adults with SCD in a large national database.
Methods: Utilizing the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) we retrospectively examined ESKD outcomes in children and young adults with SCD from 1998 – 2019.
Results: We identified 97 patients with SCD that developed ESKD and identified 96 matched controls with median age of 19 years (IQR 17, 21) at time of ESKD diagnosis. SCD patients had significantly shorter survival (7.0 years vs. 12.4 years, p < 0.001) and had a longer waiting time to their first transplant when compared to matched non-SCD-ESKD patients (10.3 years vs. 5.6 years, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Children and young adults with SCD-ESKD have a significantly higher mortality when matched to non-SCD-ESKD children and experience a longer mean time to kidney transplant.
Incidence of macular displacement after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence
Authors: Sauveur Guy de Saint , Sayadi Sana , Lejoyeux Raphaël , Salviat Flore , Tadayoni Ramin , Bruneau Sébastien , Bonnin Sophie , Mer Yannick Le
Published: May 2023

Purpose
The incidence of retinal displacement after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery is variable and its clinical consequences are unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and clinical features of retinal displacement after RRD surgery by using ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging.
Methods
Retrospective observational study including all consecutive patients who underwent RRD surgery at the Rothschild Foundation Hospital. Postoperative data included the visual acuity and symptoms of visual impairment. Macular retinal displacement occurrence and its features were assessed and measured by using the autofluorescence images.
Results
A total of 123 eyes were included. UWF fundus autofluorescence revealed the presence of macular retinal displacement in 14 (11%) eyes. All displacements were inferior, with a mean angle of 3.8°. Patients with and without macular displacement did not differ in postoperative visual acuity. The retinal detachment extent and preoperative macular involvement were not significantly associated with the occurrence of retinal displacement.
Conclusion
In this representative cohort of eyes that underwent RRD surgery with systematic screening for postoperative retinal displacement by UWF fundus autofluorescence, 11% of eyes experienced an inferior retinal shift. As in other cohorts, the presence of metamorphopsia was not associated with the occurrence of retinal shift.