bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology and biology of Noorda blitealis (Lepidoptera : Crambidae) immature instar for a biological control perspective
Authors: KABRE SALIFOU , EBOU DAO MADJELIA CANGRE , FOUSSENI TRAORE , WAONGO ANTOINE , GNANKINE OLIVIER
Published: May 2024

Noorda blitealis is a phytophagous insect that causes major losses to Moringa growers worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the bio-ecology of its larvae. A mass rearing was carried out in Central Agricultural Entomology Laboratory located in Kamboinsin, Ouagadougou from July to December 2021. Parameters such as eggs incubation period, number of larval instars and their duration, body length and color, number of Moringa folioles attacked and survival rate were collected. Results showed that Noorda blitealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) passed into 5 larval instars before pupating. First instar larva averaged 2.4 ± 0.8 mm in length and were light green. At the 5th instar, these larvae reach 10.8 ± 0.4 mm and their bodies take on a reddish appearance. The average egg incubation was 3.00 ± 0.35 days. Larvae and chrysalis duration phases were respectively, 10.61 ± 2.28 days and 9.78 ± 0.42 days. The larval survival rate reaches 100% for 3rd to 5th instar. A statistically significant difference was found between leaf attacked rates and larval instars (p = 0.001). Larvae in their 6th and 7th days attacked the greatest number of folioles. These data could be used to develop effective biological control methods against this insect pest.
Learning spatiotemporal dynamics with a pretrained generative model
Authors: Yang Lijun , Li Zeyu , Han Wang , Zhang Yue , Fu Qingfei , Li Jingxuan , Qin Lizi , Dong Ruoyu , Sun Hao , Deng Yue
Published: May 2024

Reconstructing spatiotemporal dynamics with sparse sensor measurement is an outstanding problem, commonly encountered in a wide spectrum of scientific and engineering applications. Such a problem is particularly challenging when the number and/or types of sensors (e.g., randomly placed) are extremely insufficient. Existing end-to-end learning models ordinarily suffer from the generalization issue for full-field reconstruction of spatiotemporal dynamics, especially in sparse data regimes typically seen in real-world applications. To this end, we propose a sparse-sensor-assisted score-based generative model (S3GM) to reconstruct and predict full-field spatiotemporal dynamics based on sparse measurements. Instead of learning directly the mapping between input and output pairs, an unconditioned generative model is firstly pretrained capturing the joint distribution of a vast group of pretraining data in a self-supervised manner, followed then by a sampling process conditioned on unseen sparse measurement. The efficacy of S3GM has been verified on multiple dynamical systems with various synthetic, real-world, and lab-test datasets (ranging from turbulent flow modeling to weather/climate forecasting). The results demonstrate the excellent performance of S3GM in zero-shot reconstruction and prediction of spatiotemporal dynamics even with high levels of data sparsity and noise. We find that S3GM exhibits high accuracy, generalizability, and robustness when handling different reconstruction tasks.
An interpretable latent linear model for nonlinear coupled oscillators on graphs
Authors: Goyal Agam , Wu Zhaoxing , Yim Richard P. , Chen Binhao , Xu Zihong , Lyu Hanbaek
Published: May 2024

A system of coupled oscillators on an arbitrary graph is locally driven by the tendency to mutual synchronization between nearby oscillators, but can and often exhibit nonlinear behavior on the whole graph. Understanding such nonlinear behavior has been a key challenge in predicting whether all oscillators in such a system will eventually synchronize. In this paper, we demonstrate that, surprisingly, such nonlinear behavior of coupled oscillators can be effectively linearized in certain latent dynamic spaces. The key insight is that there is a small number of ‘latent dynamics filters’, each with a specific association with synchronizing and non-synchronizing dynamics on subgraphs so that any observed dynamics on subgraphs can be approximated by a suitable linear combination of such elementary dynamic patterns. Taking an ensemble of subgraph-level predictions provides an interpretable predictor for whether the system on the whole graph reaches global synchronization. We propose algorithms based on supervised matrix factorization to learn such latent dynamics filters. We demonstrate that our method performs competitively in synchronization prediction tasks against baselines and black-box classification algorithms, despite its simple and interpretable architecture.
Impact of health education intervention on the patients’ adherence to malaria Artemisinin- based combination therapy in Kamuli District, Uganda
Authors: Bawate Charles , Guyah Bernard , Callender-Carter Sylvia , Ouma Collins
Published: May 2024

Background
Global malaria control programmes such as approaches to community engagements to deliver malaria control interventions have been successful in controlling malaria. Malaria remains a disease of public health importance especially in African region and Uganda in particular. Strategies aimed at accelerating patients’ adherence to prescribed Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) treatment are needed in the fight to control and eradicate malaria. Previous studies have shown the power of health education in improving patients’ adherence to ACT. The objective of this study was to establish the impact of a community health education intervention on the patients’ adherence to malaria ACT treatment in Kamuli District, Uganda.
Methods
A pre-post-test intervention study without a control group was used to understand the impact of community health education training in improving patients’ adherence to ACT. Equal number of 1266 patients were enrolled and assigned into any of the three arms equally (422) – no follow up, follow-up on day 2 and day 4 arm at pre-test and post-test phases. Mann-Whiteny U test was used to establish the impact of the community health education on patients’ adherence to ACT. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05.
Results
A total of 1688 patients were analyzed. At pre-test, the median age was 20 years with majority (64.3%) being females while patients’ adherence was reported to be 588/844 (69.7%). At post-test, the median age was 21 years, majority (62.6%) females, and patients’ adherence 700/844 (82.9%). A Mann-Whitney test showed a statistically significant difference in the patients’ adherence to ACT of pre-test and post-test after the intervention (U = 308904, Z = -6.409, p < 0.0001), with higher adherence at post-test (mean = 900.5) than pre-test (mean = 788.5) and small effect (0.156).
Conclusion
Community health education as an intervention was effective in improving patient’s adherence to ACT in Kamuli Division, Uganda. Although this approach could contribute to the effort of national malaria control and elimination strategy in Uganda, there is need to continuously educate communities about adherence to medicines as prescribed by health care workers since health behavior change takes time.
Exploring osteosarcoma based on the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Wu Ao , Kong Peng , Yu Peng , Yang Zhi-Kai , Li You-Tong , Xu Jia-Le , Teng Jia-Wen , Bian Si-Shan
Published: May 2024

Osteosarcoma is a cancerous bone tumor that develops from mesenchymal cells and is characterized by early metastasis, easy drug resistance, high disability, and mortality. Immunological characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has attracted attention for the prognosis and treatment of osteosarcoma, and there is a need to explore a signature with high sensitivity for prognosis. In the present study, a total of 84 samples of osteosarcoma were acquired from the UCSC Xena database, analyzed for immune infiltration and classified into two categories depending on their immune properties, and then screened for DEGs between the two groups and analyzed for enrichment, with the majority of DEGs enriched in the immune domain. To further analyze their immune characteristics,the immune related genes were obtained from the TIMER database, and we performed an intersection analysis to identify immune-related differentially expressed genes (IR-DEGs), which were analyzed using a univariate COX regression and LASSO analysis was used to obtain the ideal genes to constructing the risk model, and to uncover the prognostic distinctions between high-risk scoring group and low-risk scoring group, a survival analysis was conducted. The risk assessment model developed in this study revealed a notable variation in survival analysis outcomes between the high-risk and low-risk scoring groups, and the conclusions reached by the model are consistent with the findings of previous scholars and also yield meaningful results when analyzing immune checkpoints. The risk assessment model developed in this study is precise and dependable for forecasting outcomes and analyzing characteristics of osteosarcoma.
Reduction of the natural enemy population by deltamethrin and imidacloprid leads to the resurgence of brown plant hoppers (Nilaparvata lugens) in rice
Authors: H Netra , Hurali Sujay , Barkeer Srikanth , A Prabhuraj , R Badariprasad P. , Gowder S. B.
Published: May 2024

Brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) is a monophagous and most devastating pest of rice. Application of insecticides is inevitable to control the infestation of BPH on rice crops. However, the indiscriminate use of various insecticides in rice is leading to pest resurgence. Several factors have been connected to the resurgence of brown planthoppers, especially the reduction in natural enemies and changes in plant nutrition after insecticide application. Hence, in the present study, we studied the resurgence of BPH post application of different insecticides in rice and assessed the impact of insecticides on natural enemies population during Rabi 2022-23. Among nine insecticides tested, two insecticides viz., deltamethrin 11 EC @ 15 g a.i/ha (44.70%) and imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 25 g a.i/ha (23.01%) significantly increased the population of N. lugens over untreated check and consequently resulted in higher BPH resurgence. A greater reduction in predatory mirid bugs and spiders was observed in the deltamethrin and imidacloprid treated groups compared to the untreated check. In conclusion, we found that deltamethrin and imidacloprid induce the BPH resurgence in rice compared to other tested insecticides and the observed resurgence was partly due to the reduction of natural enemies.
Choice of Anesthetic Management Can Reduce the Use of Rescue Antiemetics After Bariatric Surgery but Effects Are Short-lived
Authors: Sprung Juraj , Warner David O. , Ghanem Omar M. , Lu Lauren Y. , Salame Marita , Schroeder Darrell R. , Weingarten Toby N.
Published: May 2024

Background
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is frequent after bariatric surgery. We hypothesized that when compared with a volatile-based technique incorporating propofol infusions, the need for rescue antiemetics would be reduced by the use of two strategies: 1) the addition of dexmedetomidine infusions, and 2) the avoidance of opioid and volatile anesthetics, and that this reduction would be observed in the PACU following PACU discharge.
Methods
In this retrospective observational study we included patients undergoing bariatric surgery from 2018–2022 who received one of three anesthetic strategies: 1) volatile anesthetic and propofol infusion (VOL + PROP), 2) VOL + PROP with the addition of dexmedetomidine (DEX), or 3) opioid-sparing total intravenous anesthesia (PROP + DEX). Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis determined the association between the need for rescue-antiemetics in the PACU following PACU discharge.
Results
332 patients received VOL + PROP, 354 VOL + PROP + DEX, and 166 PROP + DEX. PROP + DEX received fewer rescue antiemetics in PACU compared to VOL + PROP (11% vs 24%, P = 0.002), and VOL + PROP + DEX fewer compared to VOL + PROP (16% vs 24%, P = 0.023). This differential effect was limited to PACU stay; antiemetic use increased across all groups following PACU discharge until midnight (ranging from 38–46% across groups, P = 0.71) and through the first postoperative day (ranging from 47–57%, P = 0.20).
Conclusions
The benefit associated with two PONV prevention strategies, the addition of dexmedetomidine infusion or avoidance of opioid and volatile anesthetics, did not persist after PACU discharge. These findings highlight the challenge of PONV on postoperative wards, and the need for a novel multimodal team approach to mitigate this complication.
Effects of stress on burnout among infection control nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating effects of social support and self-efficacy
Authors: Lee Su-jin , Park Ju-Young , Kim Seo-Hyeon
Published: May 2024

Background
This study investigated the mediating effects of self-efficacy and social support on the relationship between stress and burnout among infection control nurses (ICNs) during an emerging infectious disease pandemic.
Methods
The study participants encompassed 210 ICNs with at least six months’ experience in an infection control unit at a general hospital in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), while descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS/WIN 26.0 software. Hayes’s PROCESS macro 4.2 software was used to verify the significance of the indirect effects of the mediators.
Results
Stress had a significant positive effect on burnout (β = .80, p < .001), accounting for 73% of the variance. Self-efficacy (β = − .26, p < .001) and social support (β = − .11, p = .034) had a significant negative effect on burnout, accounting for 78% of the variance. Stress was lower when self-efficacy and social support were entered into the model (β = .80 → .59), indicating that self-efficacy and social support mediated the relationship between stress and burnout.
Conclusion
This study is significant in that it confirms the effects of self-efficacy and social support on the relationship between stress and burnout among ICNs. The results highlight the importance of establishing organizational support systems and developing and implementing programs for enhancing self-efficacy in order to reduce burnout among ICNs.
Solar-Assisted Photodegradation of Paracetamol Using ZnO-Coated Brass Plates in a Rotating Photoreactor
Authors: Simões Thiago B. , Silva Émerson F.M. da , Oliveira Evelle D.C. , Araújo Ivana Cecília Ferreira , Garcia Ramón R. P. , Filho José Geraldo A.P. , Almeida Luciano
Published: May 2024

Rotating structured photoreactor with brass sheets covered with ZnO for the degradation of paracetamol (PAR) was used. The brass plates were calcined and coated with a zinc oxide suspension. The BZnO photocatalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The photodegradation experiments of the PAR were performed under UVA/UVB radiation for 6 h based on a 2² factorial experimental design with the central point in triplicate, in which the influence of pH (5, 7, and 9) and the mass ratio of the catalyst per substrate area (1; 1.5 and 2 mg.cm-²) was studied. The best result was obtained at pH 5 and a ratio of 2 mg.cm-2 with a degradation of 95.0%. The influence of the type of radiation (solar, visible, and UVC) was studied, obtaining a degradation of the drug of approximately 78% with solar radiation. The photocatalyst reuse experiments showed good stability of the ZnO on the brass plates, presenting an efficiency of 88.3% after five reaction cycles. The kinetic study was conducted using the pseudo-first-order model in two stages. Toxicity tests using seeds indicated the absence of toxic compounds after photodegradation.
Integrating Healthcare Analytics to Improve Diabetes Management and Prevent Heart Attacks: A Data-Driven Approach
Authors: Bhattacharya Naboshree , Kumar Purushottam
Published: May 2024

Heart disease is a significant global health concern characterized by the heart's inability to adequately pump blood, leading to symptoms like weakness, difficulty breathing, and swollen feet. Detecting heart disease early is crucial, often relying on factors such as age, gender, and pulse rate analysis, as well as electrocardiogram screenings for irregular heartbeats. Risk factors include obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and unhealthy diets, with diabetic individuals facing elevated risks due to accelerated atherosclerosis and high blood sugar levels. Managing heart disease involves lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and regular medical check-ups. Healthcare systems utilize data mining, machine learning, and clinical decision support systems to analyze extensive databases and predict conditions like heart disease, employing techniques such as supervised and unsupervised learning. Big data applications in healthcare, incorporating genomics data and electronic health records, provide insights into treatment effectiveness and real-time patient data analysis, facilitating personalized medicine and potentially saving lives. This research paper assesses the various components found in diabetes patients’ data to accurately forecast heart disease. It is identified by employing the Correlation-based Feature Subset Selection Technique with Best First Search, which is the most important characteristic for heart disease prediction. It has been discovered that age, gender, blood pressure diastolic, diabetes, smoking, obesity, diet, physical activity, stress, kind of chest pain, history of chest pain, troponin, ECG, and target are the most important factors for detecting heart disease. A variety of artificial intelligence methods are used and contrasted for cardiac disease, including logistic regression, K-nearest neighbor (K-NN), decision trees, random forests, and multilayer perceptrons (MLPs). Compared to using all the input features, K-NN with a subset of the features has the highest accuracy rate (80%).
A mixed-methods process evaluation of a combined physical activity and psychological therapy intervention for socially disadvantaged young people.
Authors: Thomas Jennifer , Crone Diane , Bowes Nicola , Thirlaway Katie , Mackintosh Kelly A.
Published: May 2024

Background: There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that interventions combining physical activity with psychological therapy can improve engagement, retention, and psychological outcomes of young people experiencing homelessness (YPEH). However, the challenges associated with implementing such interventions remain poorly understood. To address this lack of understanding, the aim of this study was to evaluate the barriers and facilitators to implementation of a community-based intervention comprising physical activity and psychotherapy for YPEH.
Methods: A retrospective mixed-methods process evaluation was undertaken to explore recruitment and retention, fidelity, dose delivered, and dose received, of the intervention. Quantitative data sources included attendance registers, which were analysed using descriptive statistics, with qualitative data obtained from interviews with implementers, and focus groups with participants, which were analysed using a predominantly deductive thematic approach. This data was subsequently triangulated with intervention-fidelity monitoring forms, and non-participant observations to support interpretation of the findings.
Results: Six participants initially enrolled into the study, with three achieving >75% attendance. Challenges to recruitment and retention were multi-factorial, however, a lack of organisational resources (staff support and transportation) appeared to have the greatest influence. Implementer interviews and monitoring forms evidenced that fidelity and dose delivered of both intervention components (physical activity and psychotherapy) were good. Moreover, triangulated data suggested that adaptations did not adversely impact on effectiveness. Dose received by participants was indicative of their engagement with sessions rather than attendance, including perceived quality of the intervention received. Contextual barriers and facilitators to implementation outcomes were identified across individual, organisational, and intervention-level domains.
Conclusions: Implementation-related factors across multiple levels contributed to challenges encountered, rather than a lack of feasibility or acceptability of a combined physical activity and psychotherapy intervention. Allowing flexibility for necessary adaptations was identified as a key facilitator to intervention delivery and contributed to positive experiences reported by participants. Working with stakeholders from project inception may be necessary for overcoming identified barriers, could help facilitate scale-up of the intervention, and facilitate the translation from research into routine practice.
Clinical predictors and correlates of viral suppression among people living with HIV accessing care at the Federal Medical Center HIV clinic in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Salawu Mobolaji Modinat , Olasunkanmi Yusuff Akinkunmi , Okedare Omowumi Omolola , Imhonopi Gloria Bosede
Published: May 2024

Background
Globally, Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be one of the world’s most significant public health issues. At the end of 2022, 39.0 million people were living with HIV (PLHIV) worldwide with 9% resident in Nigeria. Viral suppression is associated with a reduction in HIV disease progression. However, Nigeria is yet to achieve the 95-95-95 declaration of UNAIDS 2020 to eliminate the global HIV epidemic. This study assessed the clinical predictors and correlates of viral suppression among people living with HIV accessing care at Antiretroviral Therapy clinic in Federal Medical Center Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Methods
The study design was a facility-based retrospective cohort study that was conducted among patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at HIV clinic from May 2016 to October 22, 2021, Federal Medical Center of Abeokuta (FMCA), Ogun State Nigeria. Secondary data was exported from Microsoft Excel into Stata MP 17 for data cleaning and recoding, and analysis. Stepwise model selection was done for factors associated with viral suppression and binary logistic regression was used to investigate the predictors of viral suppression among participants at p-value < 0.05.
Results
Majority of the patients were females 1116(73.4%) and 241(15.9%) were aged 25–34 years. One thousand three hundred and eighty-six (90%) of the clients achieved viral suppression. Predictors of viral suppression were older age group of 25–34 years (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.19–5.78, p < 0.017) and > 45 years (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.11–5.28, p < 0.026), and active on ART (OR: 6.05, 95% CI: 4.10–8.91, p < 0.000).
Conclusion
Viral suppression was significant among patients who were older and ART active. Improving drug adherence is a significant factor to enhance viral suppression among PLHIV. It is important to promote clinic attendance and strengthen support groups so as to encourage drug adherence among PLHIV.
Identification of Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy Biomarkers Through Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Approaches
Authors: Lei Jingchao , Zhai Jia , Qi Jing , Sun Chuanzheng
Published: May 2024

Background Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is prevalent in septic patients and presents as a combination of extracranial infection and clinical manifestations of neurological dysfunction. Typical symptoms of the disease include acute cognitive impairment and long-term cognitive decline. It is associated with increased mortality in sepsis. The aim of this study was to identify SAE-related genes and explore their diagnostic value in SAE.
Methods We analyzed the existing sepsis-associated encephalopathy datasets GSE198862 and GSE167610, subsequently merged them after batch correction, and reanalyzed the combined dataset. Using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), we identified the most crucial gene module. This module was then subjected to various machine learning methods to identify feature genes, and finally, in vitro experiments were conducted to validate the expression of these genes in sepsis-associated encephalopathy.
Results In the analysis of the combined GSE198862 and GSE167610 datasets, we identified 138 differentially expressed genes, with 84 genes showing significant upregulation in the non-merged datasets. Notably, the "Coral" module, discovered through WGCNA, contained 728 genes, exhibiting a remarkable overlap with the previously identified differentially expressed genes. Machine learning approaches, including Elastic Net regression, LASSO, random forest, and XGBoost, yielded 5 and 11 marker genes, respectively. These markers, including Lcn2, Atp10d, Rps21, Anax2, Gabarap, S100a11, Pglyrp1, Labm3, and Fkbp4, displayed conspicuous upregulation in a concentration-dependent neurodegenerative disease model.
Conclusion This study reveals significant upregulated biomarkers in septic encephalopathy, indicating the core mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of the condition, which could serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Large eddy simulations of Zinc ions transfer to turbulent flows from hyporheic zone
Authors: Jin Yiming , Chen Jinfeng , Zhang Jinlong , Zhao Zehao , Fan Dongliang , Dong Yuhong
Published: May 2024

Metal contaminants from surface water pollution events often enter hyporheic zones, under certain conditions, they may be released back into streams, causing secondary pollution to the water quality. The present study investigated the effects of adsorption, permeability, and anisotropy of sediment beds on the release of zinc ions (Zn2+) from the hyporheic zone into overlying turbulent flows using large-eddy simulations (LES). The volume-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and advection-diffusion equation with adsorption term were used to describe the sediment in-flow, adsorption, and convective diffusion of Zn2+ within the sediment layer. The effects of sediment permeability on the Zn2+ concentration distribution and mass transfer processes were investigated by time-averaged statistics of flow and concentration fields. The results show that adsorption becomes stronger as the pH value increases, leading to a slow increase in Zn2+ concentration in the overlying water layer and reaching a lower steady-state concentration. Higher overall permeability of the sediment layer can enhance mass and momentum exchange near the sediment-water interface (SWI), and intensify the release of Zn2+ from the sediment layer into the overlying water. As the wall-normal permeability of the sediment layer increases, the normal turbulent intensity strengthens, momentum transport enhances the wall-normal Zn2+ concentration flux increases, the effective diffusion coefficient increases, and the concentration in the overlying water increases.
The relationship between components of the biosafety incident response competence for clinical nursing staff: a network analysis
Authors: Wu Chao , Wang Wenwen , He Jing , Zhang Linyuan , Fu Mimi , Zhang Xinyan , Lang Hongjuan
Published: May 2024

Background
Nowadays, the threat to biosafety is widespread and persistent, which poses a serious threat to the life of all mankind. One crucial step in addressing the biosafety issue is defining the clinical nursing staff’s competence in biosafety incident response. However, network analysis studies of the relationship between components of the biosafety incident response competence for clinical nurses are lacking.
Purpose
In order to better and more precisely assist clinical nurses in improving their biosafety incident response ability and countering biosafety threats, the present study investigated the network structure of components of the biosafety incident response competence.
Methods
A total of 4338 clinical nurses were enrolled in our study from September to November 2023. Biosafety coping skills in nursing staff were evaluated with the biosafety incident response competence scale designed by research team. Network analyses were used for the statistical analysis.
Results
P4 “Master the correct collection methods of blood culture samples and nasopharyngeal swabs from patients with biological infection”, M3 “Possess the ability to assess the harm of pathogenic microorganisms”, D5 “Master the key points of medical record management and record of patients with biological infection” and K5 “Be familiar with the concept of antimicrobial resistance and the use of antimicrobials” have the highest expected influences in the present network. In the community of biosafety infection protection abilities, P4 “Master the correct collection methods of blood culture samples and nasopharyngeal swabs from patients with biological infection” has the highest bridge expected influence. In the community of biosafety event monitoring and warning abilities, M4 “Understand the main points and requirements of detection and screening of pathogenic microorganisms and drug-resistant bacteria” has the highest bridge expected influence. And in the community of biosafety knowledge preparedness, D8 “Possess the ability to properly transport and evacuate bio-infected patients”, K1 “Be familiar with biosafety incidents involving paramedics that require paramedic involvement” has the highest bridge expected influence.
Conclusion
Complex patterns of associations existed in the relationship between components of the biosafety incident response competence for clinical nursing staff. From the perspective of network analysis, P4, M3, D5 and K5 have the highest expected influence, indicating their highest importance in the network. P4, M4, D8 and K1 have the highest bridge expected influence, indicating they have the strongest connections with the other 3 communities. These results have important implications for clinical practice, which provided potential targets for interventions to improve the ability of nursing staff to deal with biosafety events.
THE EFFECT OF THE TRAINING BASED ON THE TEACH-BACK METHOD PROVIDED TO WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE FOR THE PROTECTION FROM SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES ON THEIR BEHAVIORS
Authors: Kılavuz Mustafa , Yiğit Feride
Published: May 2024

Aim
The aim of the research is to examine the effect of training based on the teach-back method provided to women of reproductive age for protection from sexually transmitted diseases on their behaviors.
Background
Sexually transmitted diseases cause significant health problems for many women every year. The transmission of sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented through health education, which is among the preventive health services. Nurses are the leading health educators. Nurses should learn new education systems and models and use them in their practice.
Design
This study has a randomized controlled design.
Method
The teach-back method and face-to-face training were provided to women of reproductive age experimentally for protection from sexually transmitted diseases. In this research, the teach-back method in which there were 42 participants in each group, an identifying information form for women in three groups who were provided face-to-face training and not trained, the Behavioral Scale for Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases were applied pre-training, fifteen days and three months after the training.
Results
The mean score of the Behavioral Scale for Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases was found to be 75.57 ± 12.78 pre-training, 82.54 ± 9.59 fifteen days after the training and 81.85 ± 9.28 three months after the training in women who were trained with the teach-back method; 76.92 ± 10.03 pre-training, 80.78 ± 8.72 fifteen days after the training and 80.21 ± 8.77 three months after the training in women who received face-to-face training, while it was found in women who did not receive face-to-face training to be 75.73 ± 6.14 pre-training, 75.61 ± 6.01 fifteen days after the training and 75.54 ± 6.09 three months after the training and there was a statistically significant relationship between them (F = 6.736; p < 0.001).
Conclusion
As a result of the research, it was found that the training provided to women with the teach-back method had a positive effect on women's behaviors and was more effective than face-to-face training.
Adjunctive treatment of sepsis with mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles: a systemic review and meta-analysis of pre-clinical studies
Authors: Charoensappakit Awirut , Sae‑khow Kritsanawan , Rattanaliam Pongpera , Vutthikraivit Nuntanuj , Maneesow Patinya , Sripras Thitiwat , Pecheenbuvan Monvasi , Leelahavanichkul Asada
Published: May 2024

Background: Multiple preclinical studies have reported a beneficial effect of extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs (MSC-EVs), in the treatment of sepsis. However, the therapeutic effect of MSC-EVs is still unclear. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis by summarizing data from all published studies that met the criteria for a systematic review on the association between EV treatment and mortality in animal models of sepsis.
Methods: Systematic retrieval of all studies in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science that reported the effects of EVs on sepsis models up to December 2023 was performed. The targeted outcome was animal mortality. After screening the eligible articles according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, the inverse variance method of the fixed effect model was used to calculate the joint odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: A total of 53 studies met the inclusion criteria, indicating that EVs treatment was associated with reduced mortality in animal models of sepsis, with a RR of 0.53 and a 95%CI of 0.46 to 0.60 (p < 0.001) and RD of -0.35 and 95%CI of -0.41 to -0.30 (p < 0.001). Subsequent subgroup analysis revealed that several factors,such as sepsis models and EV administration (source, dose, time to injection, and route of administion), may significantly affect the therapeutic efficacy of EVs.
Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that MSC-EVs treatment may be associated with lower mortality in animal models of sepsis. Subsequent preclinical studies will need to address the standardization of dose, source, and timing of EVs to provide comparable data. In addition, the effectiveness of EVs in treating sepsis must be studied in large animal studies to provide important clues for human clinical trials.
Lake toxin concentrations increase when phosphorus is reduced
Authors: Schampera Charlotte , Niemeyer Thomas , Pries Julia , Hellweger Ferdi L.
Published: May 2024

Harmful algal blooms are an urgent global societal problem threatening safe use of lakes for drinking and recreation, whereas the management solutions are hotly debated. Reducing phosphorous loading can be successful in decreasing cyanobacterial biomass but the effect on toxin concentration is unclear. The underlying mechanisms, laboratory data, limited circumstantial evidence from field observations and models suggest toxin concentrations may actually increase. What has been missing is field data to support or refute this. We analyzed timeseries data from hundreds of lakes (US National Lakes Assessment) and show that when phosphorus only is reduced, microcystin (the toxin produced by the cyanobacteria Microcystis) concentration increases. However, when nitrogen is reduced together with phosphorus, microcystin concentration decreases along with biomass.
Hybrid Quantum Repeaters with Ensemble-based Quantum Memories and Single-spin Photon Transducers
Authors: Borregaard Johannes , Borregaard Johannes , Gu Fenglei , Gu Fenglei , Menon Shankar , Menon Shankar , Maier David , Maier David , Das Antariksha , Das Antariksha , Chakraborty Tanmoy , Chakraborty Tanmoy , Tittel Wolfgang , Tittel Wolfgang , Bernien Hannes , Bernien Hannes
Published: May 2024

Reliable quantum communication over hundreds of kilometers is a daunting yet necessary requirement for a quantum internet. To overcome photon loss, the deployment of quantum repeater stations between distant network nodes is necessary. A plethora of different quantum hardware is being developed for this purpose, each platform with its own opportunities and challenges. Here, we propose to combine two promising hardware platforms in a hybrid quantum repeater architecture to lower the cost and boost the performance of long-distance quantum communication. We outline how ensemble-based quantum memories combined with single-spin photon transducers, which can transfer quantum information between a photon and a single spin, can facilitate massive multiplexing, efficient photon generation, and quantum logic for amplifying communication rates. As a specific example, we describe how a single Rubidium (Rb) atom coupled to nanophotonic resonators can function as a high-rate, telecom-visible entangled photon source with the visible photon being compatible with storage in a Thulium-doped crystal memory (Tm-memory) and the telecom photon being compatible with low loss fiber propagation. We experimentally verify that Tm and Rb transitions are in resonance with each other. Our analysis shows that by employing up to 9 repeater stations, each equipped with two Tm-memories capable of holding up to 625 storage modes, along with four single Rb atoms, one can reach a quantum communication rate of about 10 secret bits per second across distances of up to 1000 km.
Cerebrospinal fluid-derived genomic alterations tracking glioma
Authors: Zhu Zhongyuan , Yu Yanjiao , Liu Fuzhong , Yang Xiaosong , Zhou Zijie , Zhu Zhengquan , Wang Zifeng , zhang ji
Published: May 2024

Background
Diffuse gliomas, characterized by significant heterogeneity, are aggressive brain tumors that commonly harbor oncogenic mutations. Examining the evolutionary changes of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provides a valuable approach for monitoring disease progression and informing treatment strategies.
Methods
To assess the genetic alterations profiling associated with glioma, we conducted targeted sequencing of ctDNA from CSF along with matched blood and tumor tissue, aiming to identify somatic alterations and DNA fragmentations. The ctDNA presents in CSF and genomic DNA obtained from the excised tumor were extracted and subsequently subjected to sequencing analysis. The identified glioma-associated mutations from ctDNA in CSF and genome DNA of the resected tumor were compared.
Results
The genomic profile of glioma in CSF exhibited a broad spectrum of genetic alterations and closely resembled the genomes of tumor samples. A minimum of one mutation specific to the tumor in 91.67% of cases (22/24) was identified. At least one tumor-specific mutation was detected in 91.67% of CSF ctDNA samples (11/12). The average mutation frequencies were similar in CSF and tumor tissue samples.
Conclusion
CSF ctDNA is a reliable candidate for detecting glioma-specific alterations for molecular profiling, complements the histopathological, molecular and imaging defect, and can be adopted into clinical practice.
Unveiling population dynamics and diversity in two European brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations through non-invasive SNP genotyping
Authors: Sastre Natalia , Francino Olga , Mercadé Anna , Cubero David , Palazón Santiago , Pinto Dani , Sanchez Armand , Casellas Joaquim
Published: May 2024

Non-invasive genetic analysis allows for monitoring and understanding population dynamics without disturbing wild animals. We present a non-invasive genetic method to identify and characterize the Cantabrian and Pyrenean (of Slovenian origin) brown bear populations. We selected an efficient panel of 61 SNPs to genotype more than 2,000 non-invasive samples from both populations. Results showed successful genotyping of 1,639 bear samples, revealing 400 different individuals. Genetic diversity was similar in both populations and differentiation between populations was highly significant. The Pyrenean population did not show genetic substructuring despite the influence of the breeding male “Pyros”. In contrast, two subpopulations are observed in the Cantabrian population. Moreover, analysis indicated a sex ratio bias in the Cantabrian population, potentially influenced by male dispersal and landscape features. Overall, the study demonstrates the utility of non-invasive genetic methods for monitoring and understanding bear populations, highlighting differences between the Pyrenean and Cantabrian populations, and providing insights into their genetic diversity, structure and demographic trends.
Comparative proteomics analysis of the egg, sparganum, and adult stages of Spirometra mansoni
Authors: Liu Wei , Gong Tengfang , Li Zhikang , Chen Songnan , Li Ningqian , Chen Shuyu , Abuzeid Asmaa M. I. , Wu Yong , Huang Cuiqin , Liu Yisong
Published: May 2024

Background
The plerocercoid larvae of Spirometra mansoni (S. mansoni) can invade the human body, causing a severe parasitic zoonotic disease known as sparganosis.
Methods
To gain insights into the developmental process of S. mansoni, it is crucial to comprehend the specific gene and protein expressions that allow the parasite to adapt to environmental changes between intermediate and definitive hosts. In this study, we employed tandem mass tag (TMT) analysis to compare proteomic changes among three developmental stages of S. mansoni: the egg, sparganum, and adult stages.
Results
We identified significant differential expression in a total of 1730 proteins in the sparganum compared to the egg groups and 1308 proteins in the adult compared to the sparganum groups. The functional annotation of these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) unveiled pronounced metabolic disparities among these developmental stages. The sparganum stage exhibited overexpression of proteins primarily linked to migration and immune evasion, which underpins its potent immune escape mechanism and robust invasion capabilities. In contrast, the adult stage displayed an upregulation of proteins associated with functions related to protein biosynthesis, including translation, peptide biosynthetic processes, amide biosynthetic processes, and peptide metabolic processes.
Conclusions
These findings highlight new insights into the proteomic changes across S. mansoni developmental stages, potentially offering valuable targets for diagnosis and therapy.
Survival of newborns and determinants of their mortality in Burundi: A prospective cohort study at Kamenge Teaching Hospital
Authors: Ndayishimiye Jean Claude , IRADUKUNDA Arnaud , MASIMBI Ornella , Ahishakiye Alain , ODJIDJA Emmanuel Nene
Published: May 2024

Background
Despite the free healthcare services policy for pregnant women and children under five since 2006, the neonatal mortality rate remains high in Burundi. In 2019, two newborns out of one hundred live births died. This study sought to determine the neonatal survival time and identify factors associated with neonatal mortality in Burundi.
Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study to collect data among newborns delivered in the maternity ward of Kamenge Teaching Hospital. Our cohort recruitment was opened over 3 months between October and December 2020 and then the last recruited followed up till January 27, 2021. Kaplan Meier curve and logistic regression were used to analyze data.
Results
Out of 885 live births followed up at Kamenge Teaching Hospital, 30 died. This resulted in a neonatal mortality rate of 34 per 1,000 live births. Nearly 40% of deaths occurred during the first 24 hours of life and 90% within the first week of life. The main causes of neonatal deaths were preterm complications (60%), birth asphyxia (13.33%), neonatal infections (13.33%), and congenital malformations (13.33%). Factors associated with neonatal mortality were preterm delivery (AOR: 9.01, 95%CI 2.05–39.52), less than four ANC (AOR: 6.64, 95%CI 1.46–30.21), Apgar score at five minutes below 6 (AOR: 10.83, 95%CI 2.61–44.93), and Caesarean delivery section (AOR: 2.47, 95%CI 1.00–6.07).
Conclusion
Neonatal mortality is relatively high while it is mostly due to preventable factors. The government of Burundi should prioritize comprehensive ANC services to improve maternal and neonatal health.
Application of novel nanomaterials with dual functions of antimicrobial and remineralization in mouthwashes
Authors: Chang Lin , Gan Ruihuan , Huang Xiaoyu , Zheng Dali , Su Chen , Lu Youguang , Feng Yan
Published: May 2024

Objective
The study aims to improve the antimicrobial and remineralization-promoting properties of mouthwash by synthesizing novel Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shells nanocomposites and evaluating their anti-caries properties and biosafety in vitro and in vivo.
Methods
The antimicrobial properties of the synthesized Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shells nanocomposites were examined by bacterial inhibition zone, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, fluorescence staining and scanning electron microscopy. The potential of the materials to promote remineralization of demineralized enamel was detected by scanning electron microscopy, surface microhardness and depth of hard tissue defects, and laser confocal electron microscopy analysis. The synthesized materials were then incorporated into mouthwash to prepare novel mouthwash and their effects on antimicrobial properties, remineralization-promoting properties were evaluated. Furthermore, an oral mucosal contact model was established to assess local irritation and systemic effects.
Results
The results showed that the novel Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shells nanocomposites possessed strong antimicrobial activity, remineralization-promoting ability and good biosafety, and the mouthwash containing Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shells possessed strong antimicrobial performance and remineralization-promoting ability, and showed no obvious abnormalities in local mucosal tissues, blood indices, and histopathology of the liver and kidneys in the oral exposure model of the SD rats.
Conclusions
These findings indicate that Ag/ZnO/Oyster shell incorporated into mouthwash has strong antimicrobial activity, good remineralization-promoting properties, and good biosafety in vivo experiments, and is therefore expected to be used in clinical applications.
Comparative short-term outcomes of double-kissing culotte and culotte techniques in acute coronary syndrome: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Barycki Mateusz , Włodarczak Adrian , Rola Piotr , Włodarczak Szymon , Pęcherzewski Maciej , Włodarczak Piotr , Jastrzębski Artur , Furtan Łukasz , Giniewicz Katarzyna , Doroszko Adrian , Lesiak Maciej
Published: May 2024

The double-kissing (DK) culotte technique, a modification of the traditional culotte stenting with additional kissing balloon inflation after first stent implantation, was compared to the conventional culotte technique in a multicenter, observational, retrospective study of 239 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Patients were treated at two high-volume centers, with 117 patients undergoing the DK culotte and 122 patients undergoing the traditional culotte technique. The primary endpoint, target lesion failure (TLF), occurred in 6.84% of the DK culotte group and 13.11% of the culotte group after a one-year period (p = 0.085). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were also lower in the DK culotte group (12.82% vs. 19.67%; p = 0.073), but the differences were not statistically significant. No significant differences were found in contrast medium use (220 mL vs. 230 mL; p = 0.214) or cumulative radiation dose (1868 mGy vs. 2114.5 mGy; p = 0.127). The results indicate a trend towards better clinical outcomes with the DK culotte technique without increased procedural risks. However, these findings need further validation in prospective studies. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06284057