bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A target prediction method to inhibit the replication process of SARS-CoV-2 via metabolic differential analysis
Authors: Zheng Haoran , Qi Yupeng , Zhao Yanlong
Published: April 2023

The emergence and rapid spread of COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on people's lives, and it is therefore necessary to study how to treat COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 invades and reprograms human cells, altering the host cell metabolic system to favor its survival and replication, ultimately leading to disease onset. However, few studies have focused on inhibiting the replication process of SARS-CoV-2. In this paper, we present a novel method to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our method reconstructs network models of the host cell metabolic systems altered by virus invasion and predicts candidate antiviral targets via metabolic differential analysis. We separately analyzed gene expression data from lung and non-lung host cells to perform target prediction. The results indicate that D-alanine is a key metabolite affecting SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our approach is general and applicable to existing viruses, offering new ideas for dealing with viral diseases.
The electron modulation effect on metal nanoclusters of Fe-N-C based bifunctional electrocatalysts
Authors: Chen Guanyu , Liu Yihao , Xue Shuyan , Liu Jiwei , You Wenbin , Zhang Jincang , Che Renchao , Wu Limin
Published: April 2023

With the development of the single-atom catalysts in electrocatalysis, the existence of metal nanoclusters in metal-N-C based materials have been proved. However, the effect of metal nanoclusters on electrocatalysis is hard to be confirmed. Herein, a novel framework of NCNTs with Fe nanoclusters and Fe-N-C sites (Fe3C-NCNTs 90min/CC) have been synthesized as the platform confirmed by Cs-corrected TEM and HADDF-STEM. Compared the samples immersed in HCl to remove Fe nanoclusters (HCl-Fe3C-NCNTs 90min/CC), the composite exhibits strong polarization and electron modulation effect onside the surface of NCNTs confirmed by holography. The electrocatalytic performance of Fe3C-NCNTs 90min/CC reduced significantly after the acid-treatment with a half-wave potential of 0.88 to 0.78V for ORR and an overpotential of 380mV to 510mV at 10mA cm− 2 for OER in alkaline solution. Furthermore, such a bifunctional catalyst endows the homemade ZAB with high power density and long-term stability, outperforming commercial Pt/C-RuO2 catalysts. The density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the multiatom Fe-N-C sites significantly accelerate the desorption of OH* intermediates and thus promote the ORR process. This work paves a facile route to design the cluster-modulated interactions towards electrocatalysts and reveals the roles and effects on the metal nanoclusters for ORR/OER performance.
Improving assessment and escalation of threatened haemodialysis access: Results of a nursing-led program
Authors: Forcey Dana , Tran Dan , Connor Jenny , Ayudhya Piriya Kusuma Na , Ocampo Christian , Nelson Craig , Crikis Sandra
Published: April 2023

Background
Optimal vascular access is critical to successful haemodialysis. Acute thrombosis of haemodialysis access often leads to unplanned hospital admissions and interventions to restore patency.
Western Health is a large health service in Victoria, Australia. During the period February 2019 to January 2020, the rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and graft (AVG) at Western Health satellite dialysis units was 0.33 episodes per 1000 patient-days, higher than the reported rate in the literature of 0.24 events per 1000 patient-days, and was associated with a cumulative total of 139 days of inpatient stay (2.2 per 1000 patient-days).
Methods
The above results prompted creation of an education and escalation pathway for threatened haemodialysis access, based upon clinical markers of vascular access stenosis or imminent thrombosis assess by nursing staff in satellite haemodialysis centres.
In the period February 2020 to January 2021, an education and escalation pathway was implemented. We then assessed numbers of referrals via the pathway and rates of AVF/AVG thrombosis in the following 12-month period (February 2021 to January 2022).
Results
Following introduction of the pathway, rates of AVF/AVG thrombosis declined to 0.15 per 1000 patient-days (p=0.02), associated with a decline in attributable cumulative inpatient stay to 55 days (0.69 per 1000 patient-days).
Conclusions
Our program demonstrates that the majority of thrombosed vascular access can be predicted and potentially averted with vigilant and well-practiced routine clinical assessment by trained nursing staff. Our nursing-led education and escalation program successfully identified vascular access at risk of imminent thrombosis, reduced rates of acute thrombosis and associated healthcare costs.
Despite these improvements, there are still disparities in outcomes for patients with thrombosed vascular access, with regards to length of stay and requirement for insertion of a temporary CVC for urgent dialysis whilst awaiting intervention, and these are areas for further investigation and improvement.
Recovery of idiopathic macular hole at different stages after surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Liao YanYing , Shen Yu , Li Xiaoxia , Wu Miaoqin
Published: April 2023

Background

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the visual function and microstructure recovery of idiopathic macular hole (IMH) at different stages after surgery and its relationship.

Methods

We systematically searched electronic database from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library before June 2022. The primary outcome parameter was the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at different time periods after surgery, while the secondary outcome parameter was the percentage or length of recovery of external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) at different periods.

Results

This meta-analysis included 328 eyes from 10 studies. The pooled BCVA significantly improved at every stage (P < 0.05). At the same time, ELM and EZ defects repaired significantly in 1–3 months and 3–6 months after surgery (P < 0.05), which confirmed that 1–6 months were the key time for the rearrangement of the outer layer of the retina. Moreover, EZ layer continued to recover (P < 0.05) during six months after operation. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between ELM and EZ (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Recovery of visual function was significantly correlated with ELM layer and EZ layer. The repair of ELM is always prior to that of EZ, and the rearrangement of layers often occurs in 1–6 months. Patients’ vision continued to improved after operation.
Multi-elemental consumer-driven nutrient cycling when predators feed on different prey
Authors: Herzog Colton , Reeves Jacob , Ipek Yetkin , Jilling Andrea , Hawlena Dror , Wilder Shawn
Published: April 2023

Predators play a fundamental role in cycling nutrients through ecosystems, by altering the amount and compositions of waste products and uneaten prey parts available to decomposers. Different prey can vary in their elemental content and the deposition of elements in predator waste can vary depending on which elements are preferentially retained versus eliminated as waste products. We tested how feeding on different prey (caterpillars, cockroaches, crickets, and flies) affected the concentrations of 23 elements in excreta deposited by wolf spider across two seasons (spring versus fall). Spider excreta had lower concentrations of carbon and higher concentrations of many other elements (Al, B, Ba, K, P, S, Si, Sr, and V)compared to prey remains, and whole prey carcasses. Additionally, elemental concentrations in unconsumed whole prey carcasses and prey remains varied between prey species, while spider excreta had the lowest variation among prey species. Finally, the concentrations of elements deposited differed between seasons, with wolf spiders excreting greater concentrations of Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, S, & V in the fall. However, in the spring spiders excreted higher concentrations of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, K, P, Na, Si, Sr, and Zn. These results highlight that prey identity and environmental variation can determine the role that predators play in regulating the cycling of many elements. A better understanding of these convoluted nutritional interactions is critical to disentangle specific consumer-driven effects on ecosystem function.
Integrative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis in the female goat hypothalamus to study the onset of puberty
Authors: Ye Jing , Yan Xu , Zhang Wei , Lu Juntai , Xu Shuangshuang , Li Xiaoqian , Qin Ping , Gong Xinbao , Liu Ya , Ling Yinghui , Li Yunsheng , Zhang Yunhai , Fang Fugui
Published: April 2023

Background: Puberty marks the end of childhood and achieve sexual maturation and fertility. The role of hypothalamic proteins in regulating puberty onset is unclear. We performed a comprehensive differential proteomics and phosphoproteomics analysis in prepubertal and pubertal goatsto determine the roles of hypothalamic proteins and phosphoproteins during the onset of puberty.
Results: We used peptide and posttranslational modifications peptide quantification and statistical analyses, and identified 67 differentially expressed proteins from 5,057 proteins and 576 differentially expressed phosphopeptides from 1574 phosphorylated proteins. Combined proteomic and phosphoproteomics, 759 correlated proteins were identified, of which 5 were differentially expressed only at the protein level, and 201 were only differentially expressed at the phosphoprotein level. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the majority of correlated proteins were associated with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, focal adhesion, GABAergic synapse, and Rap1 signaling pathway. These pathways are related to cell proliferation, neurocyte migration, and promoting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus. CTNNB1 occupied important locations in the protein-protein interaction network and is involved in focal adhesion.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the proteins differentially expression only at the protein level or only differentially expressed at the phosphoprotein level and their related signalling pathways are crucial in regulating puberty in goats. These differentially expressed proteins and phosphorylated proteins may constitute the proteomic backgrounds between the two different stages.
Characteristics and orientation of elderly patients in the largest French psychiatric emergency centre : a prospective cohort study
Authors: PHAM-SCOTTEZ Alexandra , GALLARDA Thierry , CALVEZ Mathilde , SILVA Jérôme , David BARRUEL , MASSON DAURIAC-LE MASSON , LAHAYE Justine , PERQUIER Florence , SARAZIN Marie , GOUREVITCH Raphael
Published: April 2023

Background
Although there is an increasing number of adults older than 60 years old (>60) suffering from psychiatric disorders, there are only few studies about elderly patients in psychiatric emergencies, and no European data. The goal of our study is to describe the population of patients > 60 consulting in the most important French emergency psychiatric centre, and to identify predictive factors of psychiatric hospitalisation.
Methods
Our study was monocentric and prospective, including 300 consecutive patients > 60.
Results
Patients > 60 consulting in psychiatric emergencies were more often females and autonomous. More than 40% had a history of at least one psychiatric hospitalisation, and 44% had consulted a psychiatrist in the 6 preceding months. 75% were taking at least 1 psychotropic drug, and 50% at least 2. The most frequent reasons for consultation were depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and suicidal thoughts. Psychiatric disorders were mainly mood disorders, neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders, and schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders. Organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders were diagnosed in only 10% of the total sample. 39% of elderly patients were hospitalised in psychiatry. Factors predicting hospitalisation were a history of psychiatric hospitalisation, suicidal thoughts, and a diagnosis of mood disorder or schizophrenia / schizotypal / delusional disorder.
Conclusion
Only psychiatric factors intervene in the decision of psychiatric hospitalisation for elderly people consulting in psychiatric emergencies. Socio-demographic characteristics, level of autonomy at home and MMSE score have no influence on the hospitalisation decision. We need more data to better understand the current and future needs of this population.
Optimal emissivity Control of N Population system Based on Individual Size-Distribution
Authors: Ba Zhenggang , Wang Ye
Published: April 2023

This paper generalizes a class of controllability problems based on the scale structure population system model. Based on the comparison principle of linear systems, the solution of the nonlinear system model is obtained by referring to the fixed point theorem. The non-negative, boundedness, existence, and uniqueness of the solution of the system model are established. The optimality condition is described in detail by means of a normal cone and conjugate system under the condition of proving the continuous dependence of the state environment on the solution to control variables.
In vitro storage of functional sperm at room temperature in zebrafish and medaka
Authors: Takemoto Kazumasa , Nishimura Toshiya , Kawasaki Toshihiro , Imai Yukiko , Tanaka Minoru , Sakai Noriyoshi
Published: April 2023

The longevity of sperm in teleost is short when isolated even in saline-balanced solution at a physiological temperature. In contrast, some internal fertilizers exhibit the long-term storage of sperm in the female reproductive tract. This evidence raises the question of whether sperm even from the external fertilizer possesses the ability to survive for a long time under appropriate conditions. Here, we show that the sperm of the external fertilizer, zebrafish, can survive and maintain fertility in L-15-based storage medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin, foetal bovine serum, glucose and lactic acid for 28 days at room temperature. The fertilized embryos developed to normal fertile adults. This storage medium was effective in another external fertilizer medaka sperm stored for 7 days at room temperature. These results reveal that sperm from external fertilizer teleost has the ability to survive in vitro for a long time. This sperm storage method allows to ship sperm in important lines by low-cost methods and to investigatekey factors for motility and fertile ability in teleost sperm.
Viral and immunologic evaluation of smokers with severe COVID-19
Authors: Vecchio Joseph , Regan James , Jiang Yuting , Li Roy , Romain Hannah , Yousuf Fizah , Adel Thomas , Hall Kevin , DaCosta Jeffrey M. , Yu Xu , Li Jonathan Z. , Fofana Ismael Ben
Published: April 2023

Smoking negatively affects B cell function and immunoglobulin levels, but it is unclear if this immune dysfunction contributes to the risk of severe COVID-19 in smokers. We evaluated binding IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies to spike and receptor binding domain antigens, and used a pseudovirus assay quantify neutralization titers in a set of 27 patients with severe COVID-19. We found no significant differences between binding and neutralization antibody responses for people with a smoking history and people who never smoked. High plasma viral load, but not antibody titers, was linked to an increased risk of death. Humoral immune dysfunction was not a major driver of severe COVID-19 in smokers.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis and increased plasma trimethylamine N-oxide in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Zou Wenli , Liu Yueming , Zhang Wei , Shen Wei , Lin Bo
Published: April 2023

Background
The gut microbiota has been identified as a source of pathogenic mediators in chronic kidney disease (CKD). A gut microbiota-dependent metabolite, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), has been reported to be closely related to CKD complications. This study aimed to investigate the changes in intestinal microbiota and circulating levels of TMAO in Chinese patients with CKD.
Methods
The study comprised 50 paticipants including 30 patients with CKD and a control group of 20 healthy controls. Plasma TMAO levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and gut microbiota was analysed using High-throughput sequencing.
Results
Compared to the healthy control group, the CKD patients had relatively lower albumin and hemoglobin levels and showed obviously impaired renal function and abnormal urine test results. Additionally, CKD patients showed increased plasma TMAO levels, especially those with a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Among the biochemical indices of the CKD patients, impaired renal function was the main contributor of the increased TMAO levels. High-throughput sequencing revealed obvious gut dysbiosis in CKD patients with biased community constitutions. Based on the Pearson correlation analysis, many bacteria positively or negatively correlated with TMAO production at the phylum and genus levels.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrated that gut microbiota dysbiosis and decreased GFR were the main causes of plasma TMAO level. Elevation, and inhibition of intestinal metabolite TMAO production may be the key to preventing CKD progression.
Morpho-Agronomic Characterization of Ethiopian Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Genotypes
Authors: Gebremedin Basazinew Degu , Asfaw Bizuayehu Tesfaye , Mengesha Wendawek Abebe , Abebe Kebebew Assefa
Published: April 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the variability of Ethiopian black cumin genotypes by using morpho-agronomic traits. Sixty-four genotypes were tested at Debre Zeit and Kulumsa Agricultural Research center in 2021 using an 8 × 8 simple lattice design with two replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant (p ≤ 0.001 or p ≤ 0.01) differences among the genotypes for all traits studied except the number of primary branches per plant. The effect of location was significant (p ≤ 0.001 or p ≤ 0.05) for all traits except the number of primary branches per plant. It is expected to improve all phenological traits as well as seed yield and yield-related qualitative traits by 4 to 41% over improved varieties by the selection of the top 5% landraces. Thus, through selection, it would also be possible to shorten the flowering and maturity periods of the genotypes. High broad sense heritability values coupled with high to moderate genetic advance as a percentage of mean values were shown by the number of capsules per plant, seed yield per plot, and plant height which indicates possibilities for improvement of these traits through selection. Plant height and seed yield per plot had moderate to strong positive and significant (p ≤ 0.01) phenotypic and genotypic association (r = 0.53 to 0.99) with seed yield per hectare. Plant height, number of primary branches per plant, and seed yield per plot had a positive direct effect on seed yield per hectare phenotypically and genotypically. This would be a direct selection criterion for further improvement of the genotypes. The principal component analysis of 13 quantitative traits exhibited 81.7% of the total variance captured by the first four principal components (PCs). Days to flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to full blooming, days to maturity, number of seeds per plant, and seed yield per plant were the main contributor traits for the variation in the first and second PCs. The genotypes were grouped into three different clusters (C-I = 39.06%, C-II = 9.38%, and C-III = 51.56%) based on 13 quantitative traits with significant intra- and inter-cluster distances. This clearly showed that there was sufficient diversity among the genotypes which can be exploited for the future black cumin improvement program.
Sex-specific-evaluation of metabolic syndrome prevalence in Algeria: insights from the 2016–2017 non-communicable diseases risk factors survey
Authors: Ngwasiri Calypse , Kinoré Mikaila , Samadoulougou Sekou , Kirakoya-Samadoulougou Fati
Published: April 2023

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a core driver of cardiovascular diseases (CVD); however, to date, gender differences in MetS prevalence and its components have not been assessed in the Algerian adult general population. This study aimed to determine the gender differences in MetS prevalence and its components, in the general population of Algeria. Secondary analysis was performed on data from the 2016–2017 Algerian non-communicable disease risk factor survey. MetS was determined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. A modified Poisson regression model was used to identify the associated factors. Overall, MetS prevalence according to the ATP III and IDF criteria was 34.0% (95%CI 32.4–35.6) and 31.5% (95%CI 30.0–33.1), respectively. MetS prevalence in women and men was 39.1% (95%CI 37.0–41.3) and 29.1% (95%CI 27.2–31.2) according to the ATP III and 38.3% (95%CI 36.2–40.5) and 25.1% (95%CI [23.2–27.0]) to the IDF criteria, respectively. The most frequent triad was the clustering of abdominal obesity with low HDL cholesterol and high blood pressure among women (8.9%; 95%CI [8.0–10.0]) and low HDL cholesterol with high blood pressure and hyperglycaemia among men (5.2%; 95%CI [4.3–6.3]). Increasing age (aPR; 3.47 [2.86–4.22]), cohabitation (1.14 [1.05–1.24]), women residing in urban areas (1.13 [1.01–1.26]), men with higher educational levels (1.39 [1.14–1.70]), and men with insufficient physical activity (1.21 [1.07–1.37]) were associated with higher risk of MetS. In this population-based study, one in three Algerian adults had MetS, with comparable variation between the ATP III and IDF criteria. Key components including abdominal obesity, low HDL cholesterol, and high blood pressure, are very common, especially in women. Reinforcing interventions for weight management targeting married women living in urban areas and improving sufficient physical activity in men with higher socioeconomic status could provide maximal health gains and stem the CVD epidemic in Algeria.
Impact of Marine Debris on Coral Reef Ecosystem and Effectiveness of Removal of Debris on Ecosystem Health – Baseline Data From Palk Bay, Indian Ocean
Authors: Pillai Ranith Rajamohanan , Lakshmanan Senthilnathan , Mayakrishnan Machendiranathan , George Grinson , N Nandini Menon
Published: April 2023

The interaction of marine debris with the structurally intricate coral reef communities of the Indian subcontinent has not been investigated in detail. Here, we examined the distribution and density of marine debris in the coral reef areas of Palk Bay and their interactions with coral reefs from five locations along two depth zones (T1 and T2) during 2018 to 2020 period. Derelict Fishing Gears (DFG), with ropes (51 ± 2%) and fishing lines (43 ± 2.5%) were the dominant debris forms recorded. Among the reef-forming corals, Acropora sp. colonies experienced the maximum physical injury and mortality due to DFG entanglement. While there was no evident mortality, plastic materials and anchors caused considerable physical harm and tissue loss in Porites sp. In addition, an impact assessment study was conducted by routinely removing the accumulated debris from the five locations of the test site (T1), whereas the locations of control site (T2) were left undisturbed. The study revealed noticeable variability in the benthic conditions of the test site and control site. In comparison to control sites (T2) where the debris was not removed, test sites (T1) showed a significant increase in live coral cover and coral recruit density in 2020, against that in 2018. As there was no significant variability in the water and sediment quality between the test and control sites, the significant reduction in the live coral cover and coral recruit density at control sites can be attributed to the accumulation and interaction of marine debris with the coral reef ecosystem. This study throws light on the impact of unsustainable fishing activities and other anthropogenic pressures such as tourism and waste disposal on coral reef ecosystems like Palk Bay. The livelihood of fishermen and coastal communities depends on essential fish habitats like coral reefs; hence, it is important to tackle the marine debris issue through regular debris removal mechanisms as well as through strict legal and management measures.
Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infection in Adult Patients Following Cardiac Surgery: Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors
Authors: ren jianwei , Duan Shengchen , wu yuanxing , Wen Mingxiu , Zhang Jianye , Liu Yulei , Zhu Guangfa
Published: April 2023

Background The emergence and prevalence of infections with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose great challenges for clinical anti-infective therapy. Cardiac surgery is characterized by high surgical difficulty, strict aseptic operation requirements, and long operation time. Previous research data on postoperative MDR bacterial infection are limited. Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to understand the clinical characteristics of adult patients with MDRO infection after cardiac surgery and the risk predictors of infection.
Methods The complete medical records of adult patients with MDR bacterial infection after cardiac surgery from January 2018 to October 2021 were collected to understand the clinical characteristics of MDR bacterial infection in a specific environment and to evaluate the risk predictors of MDR bacterial infection after surgery.
Results From January 2018 to October 2021, a total of 176 adult patients suffered from MDR bacterial infection after cardiac surgery. A total of 306 strains of MDR bacteria were detected in clinical samples, and 97 patients (55.1%) suffered from multiple bacterial infections. The most common bacterial distribution was Acinetobacter baumannii (114/306, 37.3%). The main clinical manifestations were lower respiratory tract infection (51/176, 29.0%), followed by bloodstream infection (12/176, 6.8%), mediastinal infection (2/176, 1.1%), urinary tract infections (2/176, 1.1%) and skin soft tissue infections (1/176, 0.6%). Preinfection exposure to vancomycin (P<0.001), combined antibiotic administration (P<0.001), and glucocorticoid administration (P=0.029) were associated with prolonged hospital stay (P=0.003) and ICU stay (P < 0.001). The presence of preoperativehypoalbuminemia (P=0.003) was a risk factor for MDR bacterial infection after cardiac surgery. Undergoing a second surgery during hospitalization (OR=1.91, 95% CI=1.131-3.425, P=0.015) and preoperative exposure to linezolid (OR=3.70, 95% CI=1.291-10.629, P=0.015) were independent risk factors for developing MDR bacterial infections.
Conclusion The incidence of MDR bacterial infection is high in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and these organisms are highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, it is of great importance to strengthen perioperative management of inpatients in cardiac surgery, achieve early identification of risk factors for postoperative MDR bacterial infection, and ensure containment of the occurrence and spread of drug-resistant bacterial infection.
Women’s neuroplasticity during gestation, childbirth, and postpartum
Authors: Paternina-Die María , Martínez-García Magdalena , de Blas Daniel Martín , Noguero Inés , Servin-Servet Camila , Pretus Clara , Soler Anna , López-Montoya Gonzalo , Desco Manuel , Carmona Susanna
Published: April 2023

Pregnancy is a transformative life event that causes profound changes in almost every system of the mother's body. Recent research has recognized that pregnancy is also a unique neuroplastic period in adult life. This longitudinal study tracked the cortical brain adaptations taking place during the unexplored period of the peripartum and examined whether the type of childbirth influences these brain adaptations.
We collected neuroanatomic, obstetric, and neuropsychological data from 110 first-time mothers at two sessions: late pregnancy and early postpartum. We also collected data from a control group of 34 nulliparous women evaluated at a similar time interval. At late pregnancy, first-time mothers showed pronounced cortical volume and thickness reductions, mainly in somatomotor, attentional, and default mode networks. These reductions attenuated at the early postpartum session, especially in somatomotor and attentional networks, suggesting that reductions affecting the default mode network may persist longer. The more postpartum time between sessions, the greater the cortical volume, thickness, and surface area increases.
These neuroanatomic findings were replicated in an independent longitudinal sample of 29 first-time mothers and 24 nulliparous women. Results also suggest that labor entails additional neuroplasticity in the maternal brain, with different cortical changes before and after childbirth in mothers who delivered via scheduled cesarean section. This work provides evidence of a dynamic trajectory of cortical decreases during pregnancy that valley around parturition and attenuate as postpartum progresses. Our findings position childbirth as a key physiological event for comprehending the plasticity of the maternal brain.
Insights on mercury and energy consumption from in-situ measurements of artisanal gold mining in Brazilian Amazon rainforest
Authors: Fritz Benjamin , Peregovich Bernhard , Tenório Lorena da Silva , Alves Adria da Silva , Schmidt Mario
Published: April 2023

The Tapajós River basin in Brazil is one of the worlds most affected regions by artisanal gold mining (ASGM). Its environmental problems include the release of mercury, deforestation and energy consumption. However, measures to recover mercury with the help of so-called retorts have now become standard. Although most mines are not open to outsiders, in a comprehensive survey we determined mercury use in 47 sites. Our survey shows that 1.7 kg of mercury are used per kg of gold extracted, whereas with the use of retorts only about 0.19 kg of mercury are lost. Nevertheless, this means an annual release of at least ≈2.5 tonnes of mercury for the region. ASGM also contributes to climate change through energy consumption. ASGM releases about 16,000 kg of CO2 equivalent per kg of gold. ASGM is thus in a similar range as industrial gold mining but performs significantly worse than recycling gold.
Varying sex and identity of faces affects face categorization differently in humans and computational models
Authors: Bülthoff Isabelle , Manno Laura , Zhao Mintao
Published: April 2023

Our faces display socially important sex and identity information. How perceptually independent are these facial characteristics? Here, we used a sex categorization task to investigate how changing faces either in terms of their sex or their identity affects sex categorization of those faces, whether these manipulations affect sex categorization similarly when the original faces were personally familiar or unknown, and, whether computational models trained for sex classification respond similarly to human observers. Our results show that varying faces along either sex or identity dimension affects their sex categorization. When the sex was swapped (e.g., female faces became male looking, Experiment 1), sex categorization performance was different from that with the original unchanged faces, and significantly more so for people who were familiar with the original faces than those who were not. When the identity of the faces was manipulated by caricaturing or anti-caricaturing them (these manipulations either augment or diminish idiosyncratic facial information, Experiment 2), sex categorization performance to caricatured, original, and anti-caricatured faces increased in that order, independently of face familiarity. Moreover, our face manipulations showed different effects on computational models trained for sex classification and elicited different patterns of responses in humans and computational models. These results not only support the notion that the sex and identity of faces are processed integratively by human observers but also demonstrate that computational models of face categorization may not capture key characteristics of human face categorization.
Knowledge and awareness of obstructive sleep apnea among patients’ families in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Nufaiei Ziyad F. Al , Alluhibi Reem H , Alsabti Mshael B , Onaybisi Haya S , Alahmadi Lama M , Jabal Shatha A , Zhranei Raid M. Al
Published: April 2023

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea is considered one of the most undiagnosed disorders among adults. The reason behind this phenomenon is due to uncertainty of its symptoms. Therefore, this phenomenological-oriented study is designed to explore the knowledge and awareness of patients’ families toward obstructive sleep apnea.
Methods : A phenomenological-oriented study was utilized as a qualitative research method. A total of 28 participants who met our inclusion criteria and were selected to participate. They agreed to participate via signed a consent form. A one-on-one semi-structured interview process using the Zoom platform. Transcripts were obtained and analyzed via two independent researchers utilizing an inductive approach.
Results: Seven themes emerged from the interviews: lifestyle habits, accompanying symptoms, debilitating conditions, difficulties with CPAP, suffering & fear, coping techniques, knowledge, and awareness among the society
Conclusion: The level of awareness and knowledge among participants was low. The lifestyle of the participants who were exposed to close relatives with OSA is dramatically changed due to many factors such as the patient’s mood, afraid to leave them alone, and fear of losing their loved ones. In addition, participants are afraid of difficulties that may exist if their patients avoid using CPAP or complications of the device itself. Finally, coping techniques were recommended by all the participants to help their loved ones to overcome this disorder.
Combined large-scale tropical and subtropical forcing on severe soil desiccation in South America
Authors: Geirinhas João Lucas , Russo Ana , Libonati Renata , Miralles Diego , Ramos Alexandre , Gimeno Luis , Trigo Ricardo
Published: April 2023

Changes in the frequency and magnitude of dry spells have been recorded over the past few decades due to an intensification of the global water cycle. A long-term soil drying trend resulting from a joint contribution of natural decadal variability in precipitation levels and increasing temperatures, predisposed southeast South America (SESA) to experience during the 2019–2021 period outstanding soil desiccation. Flash droughts led to large areas (~100.000 ) in SESA covered by record-breaking soil dryness. April 2020 witnessed the most severe conditions when over 30% of the region experienced negative soil moisture anomalies larger than two standard deviations. Internal variability, particularly El Niño–Southern Oscillation, explained the dynamical forcing of this extreme drought. Large precipitation deficits and enhanced evaporation in SESA resulted from a coupled tropical and subtropical forcing associated to pronounced changes in the normal Walker and Hadley Cells' circulation and to the establishment of a Rossby wave extending from west south Pacific towards South America. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between different processes in the occurrence of climate extremes, stressing the need for an adequate representation of the dynamical processes associated with daily-to-multiyear timescales in climate models.
GFAP-A and Overlapping syndrome of MOG‑IgG‑associated disease and autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy: case reports
Authors: Yang Xu , Liu Shu , Zheng Yong-Ling , Cai Zhi-You
Published: April 2023

Background: Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytic lesion （GFAP-A）is a new central nervous system autoimmune disease first described in humans at the Mayo Clinic in 2016. The diagnosis mainly depends on the IgG antibody of GFAP in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a kind of inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system in which MOG antibodies are found in serology or cerebrospinal fluid. Today, clinicians also have a certain understanding of demyelinating diseases, but the mechanism of these diseases is still not very clear, so clinical cases are still worthy of attention and summary.
Case presentation: We report a case of GFAP-A and a case of Overlapping syndrome of MOG‑IgG‑associated disease and autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. Our cases show that the severity of GFAP-A is no less severe than that of Overlapping syndrome of MOG‑IgG‑associated disease and autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy, but this is only a case-based guess.
Conclusions: Reading the literature, we found great heterogeneity in patients with these inflammatory demyelinating central nervous system diseases, which also brings difficulties to clinical diagnosis. Therefore, we believe that when clinically suspected demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, APQ4, MOG, GFAP, MBP, and other related antibodies should be detected at the same time to avoid missed diagnosis.
Periostin deficiency attenuates kidney fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy via improving pancreatic β-cell dysfunction
Authors: Cho Ara , Jin Wencheng , Lee Jeonghwan , Shin Nayeon , Lee Myoung Seok , Li Lilin , Yang Seung Hee , Park Kyong Soo , Yang Chul Woo , Kim Dong Ki , Oh Yun Kyu , Lim Chun Soo , Lee Jung Pyo
Published: April 2023

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is associated with kidney fibrosis. A previous study revealed that periostin (POSTN) contributes to kidney fibrosis. This study examined the role of POSTN in DN. The urinary concentrations of POSTN and TNC increased according to the severity of DN in human samples. Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered after unilateral nephrectomy (UNXSTZ) to induce DN in both wild-type and Postn-null mice. Four experimental groups were generated: wild-type sham (WT sham), wild-type UNXSTZ (WT STZ), Postn-null sham (KO sham), Postn-null UNXSTZ (KO STZ). After 20 weeks, the KO STZ group had lower urine albumin excretion, glomerular sclerosis, and interstitial fibrosis than the WT STZ group. Also, it had lower expression of fibrosis markers, including TNC. The KO STZ group showed better glucose regulation than the WT STZ model. Furthermore, the KO STZ group preserved pancreatic islet integrity and insulin expression significantly. We stimulated INS-1 cells with streptozotocin and evaluated the viability of these cells. The anti-POSTN antibody treatment of INS-1 cells with streptozotocin resulted in higher cell viability than treatment with streptozotocin alone. The absence of POSTN in DN contributes to renal fibrosis alleviation by improving pancreatic β-cell function. Additionally, there is an association between POSTN and TNC.
Economic evaluation of ruxolitinib versus best available therapy for treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease in Singapore
Authors: Ong Matthew , Than Hein , Tripathi Sandeep , Gkitzia Christina , Wang Nick
Published: April 2023

Background
Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) is a complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) that typically develops within 100 days of transplantation. Current treatments for steroid-refractory aGvHD (SR-aGvHD) are poorly tolerated and are often ineffective. In the REACH2 open label randomized controlled trial, ruxolitinib was found to lead to significantly higher overall response rates at 28 days than best available therapy (BAT). A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to determine the value of ruxolitinib compared with BAT for treatment of patients with SRaGvHD in Singapore.
Methods
A semi-Markov model was developed in Microsoft Excel® to capture all costs and outcomes associated with ruxolitinib compared with BAT for the treatment of patients with SRaGvHD. The model used the Singaporean healthcare system perspective with a time horizon of 15 years and 3% discount rate in the base case analysis. The efficacy and safety inputs in the model were based on the data from the REACH2 trial. The distribution of comparator treatments within the BAT and local costs were informed by inputs provided by local clinicians in Singapore. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA), one way sensitivity analysis (OWSA) and scenario analysis were conducted to determine the robustness of the model outcomes.
Results
In the base case analysis, over a 15-year time horizon, ruxolitinib was found to be more effective (0.18 more life years (LYs) gained, 0.15 more quality adjusted LYs (QALYs) gained) while costing less (SGD 31,079) than BAT. PSA found that ruxolitinib was less costly and more effective than BAT in 93.8% of iterations. OWSA found that ruxolitinib was less costly and less effective when the Weibull shape parameter used to extrapolate overall survival in non-responder (SGD 1,211,562/QALY) and overall survivors (SGD 896,543/QALY) were varied. In all scenarios explored ruxolitinib dominated BAT, in alignment with the base case.
Conclusion
Overall, this economic evaluation suggests that ruxolitinib is likely to be cost-effective for the treatment of SR-aGvHD in Singapore when compared against BAT.
Effects of virtual reality simulation on medical students’ learning and motivation in human parasitology instruction: A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Gao Fei , Qiu Jingfan , Chen Lin , Li Lan , Ji Minjun , Zhang Rong
Published: April 2023

Background Though research has suggested the effectiveness of simulation-based learning, the adoption of simulation in medical education is still limited, and its effects on motivation is rarely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate how simulation-based learning impacted student learning as well as students’ subjective task values, a key component of motivation, when used in a medical morphology-related course of Human Parasitology.
Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 113 undergraduate medical students in China who took a Human Parasitology course during April to May 2022. Students were assigned to one of two conditions: Simulation Group (n=55), where they played the online simulation; and Lecture Group (n=58), where they received an online lecture. All participants’ learning was measured prior to the intervention, immediately after the intervention and three weeks later to assess knowledge retention. The Subjective Task Values Questionnaire was used to measure students’ subjective task values both prior to and after the interventions. Data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVAs and MANOVAs.
Results Students in the Simulation Group gained significantly more knowledge than those in the Lecture Group [F (1,110) = 23.69, p < 0.01]. Moreover, students in the Simulation Group retained their knowledge significantly better than those in the Lecture Group [F (1,101) = 10.05, p < 0.005]. In the Simulation Group, student subjective task values significantly increased after the intervention [F (3, 52) = 3.57, p < 0.05, ηp2 =0.17], while in the Lecture Group, there was a significant decrease in student subjective task values [F (3, 55) = 2.96, p < 0.05, ηp2=0.14].
Conclusions Simulation-based learning leads to superior learning and enhanced subjective task values. The findings shed light on the design of simulation-based learning in medical education and have important practical implications for medical education.
Predictive meaning of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) in the diagnosis of asthma for epidemiological purposes – an 8-year follow-up study
Authors: Barański Kamil
Published: April 2023

Background:Asthma-like symptoms such as dyspnoea, wheezing, and chronic cough are common health problems. Chronic neglected symptoms at the early stages of the disease may herald serious respiratory diseases in the future. On the population level, the respiratory symptoms in children can be estimated via cross-sectional. However, such methods need objective support like the measurement of FeNO. The aim of the study was to analyze if the FeNO value measured at baseline can have predictive meaning for asthma-like symptoms after 8 years of measurement.
Methods: The follow-up included 128 (out of 447) children 70 girls and 58 boys. The FeNO was measured at baseline only. The prevalence of asthma-like symptoms was measured with the adopted version of the ISAAC questionnaire.
Results:After 8 years from FeNO measurement, 5 new cases of asthma have occurred, 2 cases of attacks of dyspnoea, 1 case of wheezy in the chest, and 18 cases of allergic rhinitis. The FeNO values, measured at the baseline of the study, for new cases of the above diseases, were 53.4±75.9 ppb, 11±1.5 ppb, 12.0 ppb, and 16.3±12.4 ppb, respectively. The best diagnostic accuracy parameters were found in the new cases of asthma where the sensitivity was 40.0%, the specificity was 98.6% and AUC was 66.6% and the diagnostic odds ratio was 46.9 when considering FeNO cut-off >35 ppb.;
Conclusions: The FeNO measurement is an objective method for asthma prognosis in early school-aged children with asthma-like symptoms measured on the population level and needs further confirmation on the clinical level with more accurate diagnostic tools.
Optimizing Colorectal Carcinoma Prediction Employing Convolutional Neural Networks with Multiple Features and Fusion Layers
Authors: Raju Akella S Narasimha , Jayavel Kayalvizhi , Rajalakshmi T.
Published: April 2023

The catastrophic impacts of the lethal illness known as intestinal cancer are felt by those who suffer from it. Colonoscopy is the most effective cancer screening procedure currently available. While several deep learning methods are already used by existing systems, little research has been conducted on feature extraction and testing in the context of cancer diagnosis. The suggested system is a more comprehensive implementation of CADx technology that relies on intelligent detection. Data from the CKHK-22 dataset was preprocessed and kept in the cloud before being utilized for the system's training and testing purposes. To create local binary pattern (LBP) features, we first grayscale the colour features included in the colonoscopy dataset images. Several convolutional neural networks (CNNs), including VGG-16, DenseNet-201, and ResNet-50, are trained on the CKHK-22 dataset after it has been transformed to three features. In a vital step, the CKHK-22's feature acquisitions are fused to produce new features that are then employed in the DV-22, RD-22, and RDV-22 fusion CNN models, respectively. The CADx system, transfer learning with LSTM, and DenseNet-201 all attained testing accuracy rates of 91.92%, 86.76%, and 68.56%, respectively, over the original, grayscale, and LBP image feature datasets. By initially collecting the combined features of the original, grey, and LBP features through transfer learning with LSTM, the RDV-22 model obtained the best testing accuracy (90.81%) while applying fusion CNN for feature acquisition. The CKHK-22 dataset was mined for its three most distinguishing features by this CADx system, which yielded sufficient accuracy with DenseNet-201 and merged features and optimal accuracy with RDV-22 fusion CNN in diagnosing cancer. Using feature extraction, cancer diagnoses may be predicted with high precision.