bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en la población adulto joven con obesidad del C.S. Pachacamac 2019
Authors:   , Ramón Vitteri de Morales Patricia
Published: March 2023

La diabetes es un problema de salud de plazo indeterminado que se origina por deficiente generación de insulina o cuando el organismo no la regula pese a que lo produce, es considerada por la OMS un problema de salud pública con evolución creciente, desde 1980 al 2017 habiendo aumentado de 110 millones en el mundo, en el transcurso de los años referidos, siendo su aumento mayor en los países de ingresos medianos y bajos. El registro de muertes en todo el mundo como consecuencia de la diabetes en año 2019 fue alrededor de cuatro millones doscientos mil habitantes, que representa un incremento mínimo con respecto al año 2017. Asimismo, el ranking mundial referido a los países que tienen la mayor cantidad de personas que padecen la enfermedad de la diabetes pudo identificar a China como el país que encabeza la lista con un número aproximado de 117 millones, seguido por India con aproximadamente 77 millones, finalmente estados unidos con 31 millones de personas afectadas en el año 2019. En los países afectados, la consecuencia generada por la diabetes es la disminución recursos de la economía familiar, y debido a que deben destinar parte de sus recursos al tratamiento de esta enfermedad. También, resultan afectados los sistemas de salud, pues hay que prestarle notable atención a las personas internadas, asimismo en la atención primaria.
El endomarketing como concepto en la literatura académica y no académica en el Perú en el 2018
Authors:   , Luján Salguero José Diego
Published: March 2023

La presente investigación pretende determinar el estatus y la definición del concepto endomarketing en la literatura académica y no académica en Perú en el 2018, así como elaborar un análisis de contenido de dicho concepto y establecer una clasificación entre ambas literaturas. Por ello, se diseñó una matriz con criterios diferenciadores entre la literatura académica y no académica para segmentar las definiciones halladas. A partir de este análisis, se clasificó en 12 publicaciones de literatura académica y 10 de literatura no académica que han sido publicadas por autores peruanos desde el inicio del uso de este concepto en el país hasta el 2018. El estudio permitió identificar a detalle la definición del concepto endomarketing que propone cada autor e identificar la relación entre ellas en base al año de publicación, tipo de fuente, fuente y definición, lo que permitió identificar la existencia o no existencia de variables similares en las definiciones citadas. En base a dicho análisis, se concluyó que el concepto endomarketing aún no representa un estatus importante en el campo académico y no académico del Perú hasta el 2018.
Frecuencia de canes con anticuerpos contra Ehrlichia canis, mediante una prueba diagnóstica rápida en un consultorio veterinario de Lima entre los meses de enero a marzo del 2019
Authors:   , Galarreta Bezancon Jocelyne Nicole
Published: March 2023

La ehrlichiosis canina es conocida como una enfermedad infecciosa importante de distribución mundial; en el Perú fue reportada en el año 1982, teniendo una prevalencia de 16.5% en la ciudad de Lima. Es potencialmente mortal para los caninos debido a que presentan signos clínicos inespecíficos y además genera daños severos en los animales infectados. Es generada por la bacteria intracelular Ehrlichia canis, esta enfermedad es transmitida por la garrapata marrón del perro, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar un estudio retrospectivo para determinar la frecuencia de canes con anticuerpos contra Ehrlichia canis atendidos en una clínica veterinaria de Lima. Con este fin se utilizaron datos de historias clínicas entre los meses de enero a marzo del 2019, los cuales fueron agrupados según raza, sexo, edad, historial de garrapatas, tipo de pelaje, uso de antiparasitario externo y analizados mediante la prueba de Chi cuadrado, Shapiro- Wilk y Kolgomorov-Smirnov para determinar la asociación entre las variables. Se determinó que la frecuencia de canes con anticuerpos contra Ehrlichia canis fue de 15.57% (33/212). Los factores de riesgo asociados con la enfermedad fueron historial de garrapatas con un 69.79% (23/33) y uso de antiparasitario externo 63.64% (21/33) los caninos que recibieron antiparasitario de 30 a 90 días, 24.24% (8/33) antiparasitario de 90 días a más y 12.12% (4/33) antiparasitario mensual. El sexo de los canes, edad y tipo de pelaje no presentaron relación con el diagnóstico de anticuerpos de Ehrlichia canis.
Análisis del contenido de cafeína, teobromina y teofilina por HPLC-DAD en bebidas comúnmente comercializadas en Lima
Authors:   , Gonzales Yépez Karolinhe Alicia
Published: March 2023

El propósito de este estudio fue determinar el contenido de cafeína, teobromina y teofilina por HPLC-DAD en las bebidas que se consumen comúnmente en Lima. Las muestras se dividieron en 6 grupos (bebidas a base de té, café en polvo, leches chocolatadas, gaseosas, bebidas rehidratantes y bebidas energéticas); cada uno con las cinco bebidas más consumidas. Analizadas por un método de cromografía líquida de alto rendimiento, rápido y selectivo (HPLC-DAD). Se pudo observar que entre los grupos gaseosas y bebidas energizantes se identificó principalmente la cafeína, siendo las bebidas energéticas el segundo grupo de mayor nivel de cafeína (10.38± 0.01 a 95.50±3.48 mg/L). En las bebidas a base de té, el contenido más alto identificado fue el de cafeína (0.47±0.01 a 4.91±0,05mg/L), a pesar de que la teofilina es un compuesto característico de la hoja de té. En las bebidas rehidratantes se obtuvo un nivel muy bajo de cafeína (0.03±0.01 a 0.05±0.01mg/L) y de teobromina (0.48±0.01 a 6.00±0.02mg/L). En las cinco marcas comerciales de leche con chocolate evaluadas se encontró cafeína (4.09±0.01 a 5.70±0.01mg/L) y teobromina (1.70±0.01 a 12.24±0.01mg/L), siendo esta última la de mayor concentración. Por último, en el grupo de bebidas de café en polvo se encontró el nivel más alto de contenido de cafeína (492.5±0.24 a 9644.0±4.93mg/L). Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio proporcionan información fiable sobre la composición y cuantificación de metilxantinas en las bebidas más consumidas en Lima. También, un impacto en el conocimiento de los consumidores.
Asociación entre morbilidad materna extrema y sepsis en neonatos atendidos en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal, Lima 2016 - 2019
Authors:   , De La Cruz Dávila Jean Pierre Eduardo
Published: March 2023

INTRODUCCIÓN. Entre 2012 al 2018 la prevalencia de Morbilidad Materna Extrema (MME) en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal (INMP) fue 14.1 por 1000 nacidos vivos aumentando con los años, pudiendo ocasionar repercusiones en el recién nacido (RN) como natimuertos, prematuridad, bajo peso al nacer, entre otros. OBJETIVO. Determinar la asociación entre la MME y sepsis neonatal e identificar características del RN de madres con y sin MME y sus morbilidades. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio longitudinal retrospectivo, en madres expuestas a MME (n=378) y no expuestas (n=378), se realizó el seguimiento del desenlace en su RN en sepsis neonatal, de casos atendidos en el INMP entre el 2016 a 2019. Utilizamos el programa Stat considerando significativos con valores p<0,05. RESULTADOS. El 33% de recién nacidos de hijos de madre con MME presentaron sepsis neonatal (p<0.001), mostrando RR= 7.44 (IC95% 4.63-11.93) y RA= 1.59 (IC95% 0.88-2.84). La edad gestacional (p<0.001), cesárea (p<0.001), hipertensión previa al embarazo (p <0.001) y líquido amniótico meconial o fétido (p<0.001) se asociaron a sepsis neonatal. En hijos de madre con MME, el 50.8% (p<0.001) presentaron peso al nacer <2500 g, 23% (p<0.001) requirieron reanimación al nacer, 12.4% (p<0.001), presentaron hipoglicemia, 49.7% (p<0.001) tuvieron una estancia hospitalaria >7 días y 7.1% (p<0.001) fallecieron. Respecto a las causas de MME, se identificó que el 57.67% de madres de este grupo presentaron trastornos hipertensivos durante la gestación, de los cuales 33.94% de sus hijos presentaron sepsis neonatal. CONCLUSIONES. Al realizar un análisis multivariado no se evidencia asociación entre ser hijo de madre con morbilidad materna extrema y sepsis neonatal.
4D Seismic Used Effectively in Subsurface CO2 Plume Monitoring
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: March 2023

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This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 206162, “4D Seismic in Subsurface CO2 Plume Monitoring: Why It Matters,” by Pankaj K. Tiwari, SPE, Debasis P. Das, and Parimal A. Patil, SPE, Petronas, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

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Carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in depleted carbonate reservoirs requires the incorporation of comprehensive and innovative monitoring technologies. 4D time-lapse seismic is necessary for monitoring, measurement, and verification (MMV) planning to demonstrate the migration of CO2 plumes within geological storage. An adaptive, site-specific MMV plan for monitoring CO2 plumes is critical to minimize possible subsurface and project-integrity risks. In the complete paper, the authors explore the migration of CO2 plumes within depleted carbonate reservoirs and the expected effects of CO2 saturation and pressure buildups during injection on time-lapse 4D seismic for conformance monitoring.

Integrated Reservoir Dynamic Simulation

In the current study, a depleted carbonate reservoir gas field was identified for near-future CO2 sequestration offshore Sarawak. The storage site has been studied thoroughly for both overburden and reservoir integrity by adopting work flows comprising integration of subsurface integrity analysis, pore-pressure analysis, and subsidence modeling, along with a health check of existing wells. All parameters were cross-correlated. Qualitative risk categorization was performed to determine the robustness of the reservoir for long-term CO2 storage.

Integrated reservoir dynamic simulation was performed by coupling compositional reservoir dynamic/geomechanics/geochemistry 3D models to assess the integrity of the field as a CO2 storage site and to demonstrate the periodic development of CO2 saturation and plumes within the gas-depleted carbonate reservoir. Computation of the cumulative effect of changes occurring in all three models was essential. Changes to reservoir rock properties caused by dissolution and precipitation, as well as compaction during injection, were interpreted by 3D coupled modeling simulation and integrated with seismic modeling.

Apart from storage capacity, results from the coupled modeling study showed that reservoir pressure at the end of the injection period was approximately 400 psia lower than the initial reservoir pressure. Modeling also showed that the entire incoming permeate stream rate could be injected with three injection wells. Fig. 1 shows the CO2 plume migration after 2, 10, and 20 years of injection from all three injectors. Because injection is planned from a predrill liner in the full reservoir column, the CO2 plume migrates upward in a funnel shape around the well first. In the initial years of injection, most of the CO2 migrates laterally in the shallower formation of the reservoir, then migrates downward once the shallower formation of the reservoir section is fully CO2-saturated.
Intrabiliary Ascariasis in a 12 year old child: a case report of an uncommon cause of acute abdomen and obstructive jaundice in children
Authors: abore kibruyisfaw Weldeab , Heye Tigist Bacha
Published: March 2023

Background: Intrabiliary ascariasis is an uncommon cause of biliary colic and obstructive jaundice among children due to the small size of the ampullary orifice. A high index of suspicion for patients living in an endemic area and radiologic examination are crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Case presentation: a 12 year old male Ethiopian child presented with colicky right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting of 3 days. Physical examination showed slightly icteric sclera and slightly tender hepatomegaly. Laboratory and ultrasound examinations were suggestive of obstructive jaundice secondary to intra-biliary ascariasis. The child was admitted and followed with conservative management including maintenance fluid, nil per mouth, and analgesics. The abdominal pain and icterus resolved on his second and third day of admission respectively. Follow-up ultrasound showed the worm had migrated out of the common bile duct. The patient was dewormed with a single dose of oral Albendazole 400mg and discharged home. Currently, the patient is well and attending school.
Conclusion: Although biliary ascariasis is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen and obstructive jaundice, it should be suspected among patients from endemic areas presenting with suggestive clinical and laboratory features. Conservative treatment is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated biliary ascariasis patients.
Quantification of Woody Biomass Available for Wood Harvesting and Sequestration in the Continental United States – a Top-Down Approach
Authors: Hausmann Henry , Zeng Ning , Qixiang Cai
Published: March 2023

Background: Wood Harvesting and Sequestration is a form of Carbon Removal and Storage (CRS) that utilizes a combined natural and engineered process to harvest woody biomass and put it into long term sequestration, most frequently in the form of subterranean burial. This paper aims to quantify the availability of woody biomass for the purposes of wood harvesting and sequestration in the continental United States using a top-down approach. Using a regional version of the VEGAS terrestrial carbon cycle model, this paper calculates the annual woody net primary production in the continental United States. It then applies a series of constraints to exclude woody biomass that is unavailable for wood harvesting and sequestration. These constraints include fine woody biomass, current land use, current wood utilization, land conservation, and topographical limitations. These results were then split into state by state and regional totals
Results: In total, the model projects the continental United States could produce 1,274 MtCO2e (CO2 equivalent of woody biomass) worth of coarse woody biomass annually in a scenario with no anthropogenic land use or constraints. In a scenario with anthropogenic land use and constraints on wood availability, the model projects that 415 MtCO2e of coarse woody biomass is available for wood harvesting and sequestration annually. This is enough to offset 8.5% of the United States’ 2020 greenhouse gas emissions. Of this potential, 20 MtCO2e is from the Pacific region, 77 MtCO2e is from the Western Interior, 91 MtCO2e is from the Northeast region, and 228 MtCO2e is from the Southeast region.
Conclusion: There is enough coarse woody biomass available in the continental United States to make wood harvesting and sequestration a viable form of carbon removal and storage in the country. There is coarse woody biomass available all across the continental United States, All four primary regions analyzed have enough coarse woody biomass available to justify investment in wood harvesting and sequestration projects.
Terahertz metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors based on aligned carbon nanotube arrays
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Zhou Jianshuo , Ding Li , Xu Lin , Cheng Xiaohan , Pan Zipeng , Li Haitao , Zhu Maguang , Liu Lijun , Shi Huiwen , Peng Lian-Mao
Published: March 2023

The development of wireless communications is driving the need for compact radiofrequency (RF) devices with up to terahertz (THz) frequency and fabrication processes compatible with that of complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors. Aligned carbon nanotube (A-CNT) film is a promising candidate semiconductor that can be used to build both CMOS field-effect transistors (FETs) for digital integrated circuits (ICs) and radiofrequency (RF) transistors with frequencies beyond 1 THz for analogue ICs. Herein, we demonstrate the first MOS FET with a cut-off frequency beyond 1 THz on a high-quality A-CNT array film, and with a carrier mobility of 2,000 cm2 V− 1 s− 1 and better scaling characteristics than all semiconductors, including GaAs and InP. The fabricated CNT MOS FETs present a record performance that includes an on-state current of 3.02 mA µm− 1, a peak transconductance of 2.17 mS µm− 1 at a bias of − 1 V, and a saturation velocity of 3.5 × 107 cm s− 1. Through optimising device structure and fabrication process, in particular the introduction of a Y-gate, a 35 nm-gate length A-CNT MOS FET is fabricated that shows extrinsic current-gain/power-gain and cut-off frequencies of up to 551 GHz/1024 GHz, representing the fastest MOS FET for RF applications. Furthermore, CNT-based mmWave band (30 GHz) RF amplifiers are demonstrated with a high gain of 21.4 dB.
Financial Sector Development and Testing the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) Hypothesis through a PCHVAR specification for the Middle Eastern Region
Authors: Shaheen Rozina
Published: March 2023

This research aims to investigate the presence of environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis while considering the financial sector variables such as financial innovation, financial inclusion, and financial development on the environmental quality as well as achieving the energy efficiency in the Middle Eastern region. Current research employs a panel conditionally homogenous autoregressive (PCHVAR) specification for the annual dataset covering the time 2001–2021. The estimates reveal that in the short run, economic growth and financial sector variables adversely affect the environment quality by emitting more greenhouse gases whereas in the long run, higher economic growth and developed financial sector help to improve the quality of the environment and energy efficiency. These findings are also verified through the Granger causality test. This research provides insights to establish long term policies for facilitating investments in green technology and energy conservation in the Middle Eastern Region.
The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on parent-child conflict and mental health among children in tertiary mental health care
Authors: Robaey Philippe , Erbach Madison , Watanabe Lori K. , Carreiro Elizabeth R. , Maisonneuve Alexander R.
Published: March 2023

This study focused on children treated for mental health problems during the pandemic. We examined how parent’s difficulties in managing COVID-19 restrictions increased children's behavioral problems (internalizing and externalizing) and parent-child conflict through parental mental health and parental stress. Family functioning, particularly problem-solving ability, was tested as a resilience factor. Data were collected using online surveys from 337 parents with a child between the ages of 4 and 18 years who was receiving active outpatient mental health treatment at a pediatric tertiary care center. Parents who reported a greater impact of COVID-19 reported more behavioral difficulties in their children. This relationship was significantly mediated by parental mental health (general stress, anxiety, and depression) and parental stress. Similar indirect pathways were observed when examining internalizing and externalizing problems in children, where the most significant pathway had parental stress as the sole mediator. Furthermore, the effect of COVID-19 impact on parent-child conflict through parental stress was significantly moderated by problem-solving skills within the family. Parental stress mediates the impact of COVID-19 on parent-child conflict. Interventions that improve family problem solving-skills may decrease the effect of parental stress on parent-child conflict.
Training in Retinoscopy: Learning curves using a standardized method
Authors: Estay Antonio M. , Plaza-Rosales Iván , Torres Hernán R. , Cerfogli Fabiola I.
Published: March 2023

Background
Retinoscopy is one of the most effective objective techniques for evaluating refractive status, especially in non-cooperative patients. However, it presents a slow learning curve that often leads to student frustration. With the current Covid-19 pandemic and the need for social isolation, clinical education based on simulation has become more relevant. Therefore, we implemented retinoscopy laboratories and learning protocols to reduce student stress and learning time.
Methods
We conducted a study to evaluate the retinoscopy learning curve using a new training protocol proposal. One hundred trainees were assessed in four stages, corresponding to 08, 12, 16, and 20 hours of training. Six different refractive defects were used trying to reproduce frequent conditions of care. The time spent on the assessment was not considered as additional training time. To analyze the data, we used non-parametric statistics and linear regression to assess the variables associated with training time and performance rate.
Results
The mean performance score at 08 hrs was 32.49% (±16.69 SD); at 12 hrs was 59.75% (±18.80 SD); at 16 hrs was 70.83% (±18.53 SD) and at 20 hrs was 84.26% (±13.18 SD). Performance at 12 hrs was significative higher than 08 hrs of training, but did not show significant differences with the performance rate at 16 and 20 hrs. We found a strong positive correlation between performance and training time in retinoscopy (R = 0.9773, CI: 0.2678 - 0.9995 p = 0.0227).
Conclusion
This study showed that an increasing number of hours of practice positively correlates with performance in retinoscopy. The elaboration of a protocol and standardization of performance per hour also allowed us to estimate that a minimum of 13.4 hrs of practice is required to achieve 60% performance. Using the resulting formula, it is possible to determine the number of hours of retinoscopy practice are necessary to reach a certain level of performance.
Camrelizumab/apatinib vs. sorafenib as therapy for primary liver cancer: a retrospective study of a single Center
Authors: Chen Dongbo , Wang Yichun , Chen Xiangxun , Kang Mei , Zhu Liyang
Published: March 2023

Background
Although the phase II clinical study confirmed the effectiveness of camrelizumab combined with apatinib, the role of camrelizumab plus apatinib versus sorafenib for primary liver cancer (PLC) remains unverified.
Methods
The data of PLC patients who received camrelizumab plus apatinib or sorafenib as first-line treatment were collected retrospectively.
Results
The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate of camrelizumab plus apatinib was 70.4% and the OS rate of sorafenib was 48.6%. Compared with sorafenib, The median progression-free survival (PFS) time of the two groups was 6.0 months (95% CI 4.2–7.8) and 3 months (95% CI 2.3–3.7), respectively. The median OS was 19.0 months (95% CI 16.4–21.6) and 12.0 months (95% CI 8.9–15.1), respectively. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 70.4% of 71 patients who received camrelizumab/apatinib at least once and in 26.4% of 72 patients who received sorafenib at least one cycle. In the camrelizumab plus apatinib group, the most common grade 3 to 4 adverse reactions were hypertension, aspartate aminotransferase increased and thrombocytopenia, no other high-level toxic effects were observed.
Conclusion
Clinically meaningful improvements in OS and PFS observed with camrelizumab/apatinib versus sorafenib suggest that camrelizumab/apatinib may become a practice-changing treatment for patients with PLC.
Demand met by health services by individuals with musculoskeletal pain starting after covid-19 infection?
Authors: Junior Abelardo de Oliveira Soares , Afonso Max dos Santos , Vieira Yohana Pereira , Rocha Juliana Quadros Santos , Dummit Samuel , Neves Rosália Garcia , Duro Suele Manjourany Silva , Saes Mirelle de Oliveira
Published: March 2023

Objective: The present work was aimed to verify the relationship between the use of health services and the presence of discomfort and musculoskeletal discomfort after Covid-19 infection in adults and elderly people in the southern region of Brazil.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study with individuals over 18 years of age who were diagnosed with covid-19 between December 2020 and March 2021. Questionnaires were collected electronically (with tablets) through the REDCap plataform by means of phone calls. The outcomes used were the use of health services: Primary Health Care, general practitioner, unit and private emergency care and specialized services. The presence of musculoskeletal pain exposure was assessed using the Nordic questionnaire on musculoskeletal symptoms before and during and/or after COVID-19 infection in the following regions: cervical, upper limbs, thoracic, lumbar, and lower limbs. Poisson regression was used to assess the relationship between health care service use after covid-19 infection and musculoskeletal pain. Data were analyzed using the Stata 16.1 statistical package.
Results: A total of 2,919 individuals were interviewed. Overall, the use of health services was about 15 percentage points (p.p) higher in individuals with musculoskeletal pain when compared with people without musculoskeletal pain. In adjusted analysis, individuals who reported pain in all outcomes during and after covid-19 infection was up to twice as likely to use health services and, among them, the emergency care unit was the most used, especially in those with pain in the lower limbs RP=2.19 (CI95% 1.66-2.87) and chest pain RP=2.04 (CI95% 1.47-2.84). In view of this, the highest magnitudes of association were related to emergency care units, doctors, and specialized services, especially neurologists, who were two to three times more likely to seek this profession, followed by pulmonologists.
Conclusion: In view of this, a new demand for more integrated care is recommended in a care model that offers comprehensive follow-up due to the diversity of users with specific needs.
How can tuberculosis services better support patients with a diabetes co-morbidity? A qualitative study in the Philippines
Authors: Hashiguchi Lauren Oliveira , Cox Sharon E , Edwards Tansy , Castro Mary Christine , Khan Mishal , Liverani Marco
Published: March 2023

Background
People with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an estimated two- to three times greater risk of adverse tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes compared to those without DM. Blood glucose control is a primary aim of managing DM during TB treatment, yet TB programmes are not generally adapted to provide DM services. The purpose of this study was to understand perceptions and the lived experiences of diabetic patients in TB treatment in the Philippines, with a view to informing the development of disease co-management strategies.
Methods
This qualitative study was conducted within a prospective cohort of adults newly-starting treatment for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB at 13 public TB clinics in three regions of the Philippines. Within the subset of 189 diabetic persons who either self-reported a prior DM diagnosis, or were diagnosed by screenings conducted through the TB clinic, a purposively-selected sample of 31 people participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected within glycaemic outcomes determined by the degree of glycaemic control (controlled or uncontrolled), ascertained using repeated blood glucose measurements collected in TB treatment. All audio-recorded data was transcribed and thematic analysis performed.
Results
In both glycaemic control types, participants were generally knowledgeable about diabetes and its management. However, a minority of participants were aware of the impact of DM on TB treatment and outcomes. Many participants newly-diagnosed with DM at enrolment in TB treatment had not perceived any diabetic symptoms prior and would have likely not sought clinical consult otherwise. Access to free glucose-lowering medications through TB clinics was a key enabling resource. However, participants expressed fear of side effects and interrupted access to glucose-lowering medications, and a preference for phytotherapy. Many participants felt that the physical and financial impact of TB and its treatment were challenges to DM management.
Conclusions and recommendations
Results of this study indicate that public TB clinics can provide diabetic patients with additional health care resources and education to address co-morbidity. TB programmes might consider identifying patients with complicated DM, and offering diabetic monitoring and management, as DM and diabetic complications may compound the burden of TB and its treatment.
Efficacy of Nafamostat Mesylate in the Prevention of Pancreatitis after Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Narumi Kazuaki , Okada Tomoki , Lin Yingsong , Kikuchi Shogo
Published: March 2023

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of nafamostat on the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP).
Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Ichushi Web were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using nafamostat to prevent PEP. In subgroup analyses, we studied the preventive effects of nafamostat according to the severity of PEP, risk category, and dose. A random-effects model was adopted; heterogeneity between studies was examined using the chi-squared test and I2 statistics.
Results: 9 RCTs involving 3321 patients were included. The risk of PEP was lower in the nafamostat group than in the control group (4.4% vs. 8.3%, risk ratio [RR]: 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.36–0.68). In subgroup analyses, the protective effects were evident in low-risk patients for PEP before ERCP (RR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.21–0.55). The association between PEP and nafamostat was significant only in patients who developed mild PEP (RR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.36–0.69). The benefits were independent of the dose.
Conclusions: The prophylactic use of nafamostat resulted in a lower risk of PEP. The subgroup analyses suggested uncertain benefits for severe PEP or high-risk patients for PEP. This warrants further investigation through additional RCTs.
Metabolome panels as potential noninvasive biomarkers for Primary Glomerulonephritis Sub-types: Meta-analysis of Profiling Metabolomics Studies
Authors: Roointan Amir , Ghaeidamini Maryam , Shafieizadegan Saba , Hudkins Kelly L. , Gholaminejad Alieh
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims
Primary glomerulonephritis diseases (PGDs) are known as the top causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. Renal biopsy, as an invasive method, is the main PGDs diagnosis approach. Studying the metabolome profiles of kidney diseases is an inclusive approach to identify the disease's underlying pathways and discover novel non-invasive biomarkers. So far, different experiments have explored the metabolome profiles in different PGDs, but the inconsistencies might hinder their clinical translations. The main goal of this meta-analysis study was to achieve consistent panels of dysregulated metabolites in PGD sub-types.
Methods
The PGDs-related metabolome profiles from urine, blood, and tissue samples were searched. Amanida package in R software was utilized for performing the meta-analysis. Through different sub-type analyses, the consensus list of metabolites in each category was obtained. To identify the most affected pathways, functional enrichment analysis was performed. Also, a gene-metabolite network was constructed to identify the key metabolites and their connected proteins.
Results
After a vigorous search, among the 25 selected studies (29 metabolite profiles), 832 dysregulated metabolites were recognized in 1519 PGN and control samples. Through different subtype analyses by Amanida package, the consensus list of metabolites in each category was obtained. Due to the importance of urinary metabolites, top dysregulated metabolites (vote score of ≥4 or ≤-4) were selected as main panel of meta-metabolites including glucose, leucine, choline, betaine, dimethylamine, fumaric acid, citric acid, 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, pyruvic acid, isobutyric acid, and hippuric acid. The enrichment analyses results revealed the involvement of different biological pathways such as the TCA cycle and amino acid metabolisms in the pathogenesis of PGDs. The constructed metabolite-gene interaction network revealed the high centralities of several metabolites, including pyruvic acid, leucine, and choline.
Conclusion
The identified metabolite panels could shed a light on the underlying pathological pathways and be considered as non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of PGD sub-types.
Changes in root endogenous hormone levels and rhizosphere fungi diversity in alfalfa under drought stress
Authors: Wang Kun , Nan Lili , Guo Quanen
Published: March 2023

To explain the relationship between rhizosphere fungal diversity and community composition of alfalfa under drought stress and endogenous hormones in alfalfa, we used sand culture to investigate the performance of Medicago sativa ‘Qingshui’ (or QS), M. sativa ‘Longdong’ (or LD), and M. varia ‘Gongnong No. 4’ (or GN) with contrasting different degrees of drought tolerance. After 7 days of drought stress treatment, we found Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungal groups in all treatments. Drought affected the alpha diversity, Chao1, Pielou-e, Shannon, and Simpson indices in LD were the highest under severe stress, Chao1 index in QS and in GN was highest under moderate stress, whereas Pielou-e, Shannon, and Simpson indices were the highest under their respective controls. With increasing drought stress, gibberellin (GA3) and zeatin (ZA) contents and GA3/abscisic acid (ABA) increased first and then decreased in the roots and were the highest under moderate stress, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), IAA/ABA, and (IAA + GA3 + ZA)/ABA were decreased and were the lowest under severe stress, while ABA content was increased in the roots and was the highest under severe stress. The results suggested that GA3 (12.8%) and GA3/ABA (12.7%) were important driving factors for fungal composition.
Challenging Pedagogical Styles of Teaching: Amalgamating Blended Learning with Near-peer Teaching for Integrated Structured Clinical Examination (ISCE) Preparation
Authors: Sriniva Sripradha , Baskaran Ravanth , Mukhopadhyay Srinjay , Gamage Movin Peramuna , Ng Vincent , Dalavaye Nishaanth , de Almeida Andreia , Hassoulas Athanasios
Published: March 2023

Introduction
Near-peer blended learning is a method of combining online virtual teaching with traditional face-to-face lectures delivered by senior students. In this study, we wanted to evaluate the student perceptions of this novel method of education and characterise its overall effectiveness.
Methods
A hybrid Integrated Science and Clinical Examination (ISCE) revision session was hosted simultaneously in-person and online. The session was delivered by fourth-year medical students to over 100 second-year medical students. A survey was sent to students prior to the session to deduce the topics they required most help in. Feedback forms evaluated students’ confidence, satisfaction with the format of the session, and overall student engagement using blended learning with free text responses which recorded individual opinions of students. Tutor perceptions were also obtained using feedback forms that assessed knowledge, confidence, whether they would attend, and teach a hybrid event in the future and their personal preferences on teaching styles.
Results
The results showed that students had a much better understanding of the content after the session and the format was deemed well-suited for delivering ISCE teaching (p = 0.001). Thematic analysis revealed students preferred a hybrid approach for ISCE teaching considering it catered to a wider audience. Live demonstrations that are not well executed in virtual formats are compensated for with in-person teaching. 96% of participants expressed that the material was aimed at their level due to relatability achieved through near-peer teaching. Three of the four tutors preferred a hybrid method of teaching while one preferred a sole online model. An overall increase in tutors’ knowledge and confidence was seen after the session.
Conclusion
Overall positive feedback provides evidence that blended learning using near-peer teaching should be utilised by educational institutions with the potential of revolutionising the delivery of medical education in this post-pandemic.
Astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle plays a pivotal role in sensory-based neuroprotection in a rat model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Bhatti Mehwish , Frostig Ron D.
Published: March 2023

We have previously demonstrated protection from impending cortical stroke is achievable by sensory stimulation of the ischemic area in an adult rat model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAo). We have further demonstrated that a major underpinning mechanism that is necessary for such protection is the system of collaterals among cerebral arteries that results in reperfusion of the MCA ischemic territory. However, since such collateral flow is weak, it may be necessary but not sufficient for protection and therefore we were seeking other complementary mechanisms that contribute to sensory-based protection. We hypothesized that astrocytes-to-neuron shuttle (ANLS) is another potential underpinning mechanism that could complement collateral flow in the protection process. Supporting our hypothesis, using functional imaging, pharmacological treatments, and postmortem histology, we show that ANLS has a pivotal role in sensory-based protection of cortex and therefor serves as the other supporting mechanism underpinning the protection process.
Aesthetics Assessment of Automobile Headlights Based on Image Aesthetic Network
Authors: Jiang Xinyu , Liu Zhenming , Pan Houyu , Wang Xinyu
Published: March 2023

Automatically learned aesthetic assessment for images can provide auxiliary value for the fields of art and design. In this study, we explore the aesthetics assessment methods on the visual esthetics of automobile headlamp images, and compare the feasibility of the calculation method of artificial aesthetic degree evaluation. We take the Image Aesthetics Assessment Network using Graph Attention (AAGN) for the automobile headlamps dataset calibration. To enable testing the effectiveness of AAGN, we apply the method of artificial aesthetics degree calculation and entropy weight, as well as assessment methods based on deep Convolutional Neural Network. The results show that the feasibility of the image aesthetic assessment method based on graph attention network is more suitable for users’ subjective aesthetic needs than artificial aesthetics degree calculation.
Acute ischemic stroke leading to a diagnosis of Marfan syndrome: Case report and systematic review
Authors: Chen Licong , Zhang Quanquan , Geng Qian , Zhao Hongru , Jiang Jianhua , Wang Dapeng , Liu Yuan , Fang Qi
Published: March 2023

Neurologic deficiency is a rare manifestation of dominantly inherited Marfan syndrome (MFS), which is caused by mutation of the gene encoding fibrillin 1 (FBN1) and characterized by cardiovascular and musculoskeletal abnormalities. Intravenous thrombolysis is the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) but its safety in individuals with MFS is unknown. Here we report 3 cases of MFS presenting with AIS. Two of the cases were managed with intravenous thrombolytic therapy. Although the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the stroke and the treatment of the 3 patients differed, all eventually had near-complete recovery and have favorable long-term prognosis.
Is there a relationship between the density of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae)? Spatial analysis of moth-aphid abundance across cotton fields located southeast of the Caspian Sea
Authors: Jokar Mahmoud , Sheikholeslami Nooshin
Published: March 2023

The cotton bollworm (CBW), Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and cotton aphid (CA), Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are two cotton pests that are commonly found throughout the world. A weekly sampling program was established to determine the spatial distribution of A. gossypii and H. armigera in cotton fields. Spatial associations with each other and/or with climatic factors including the aerosol index of Sentinel-5, evapotranspiration of MODIS, and precipitation were determined. Sampling was performed simultaneously in all 63 grid-fields at weekly intervals. Pest density maps and analyses of pest density associations were produced with Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE). Lloyd's Mean crowding, Morisita's coefficient of dispersion, and Fisher's indexes of aggregation showed significant aggregation patterns for both pests. Using the SADIE method, 𝐼𝑎 ≥1 for both pests were significantly (P < 0.01) aggregated over the sampling period. The association matrix showed a significant correlation for both pests in terms of aerosol index (-), precipitation (+), and evapotranspiration (+) but not for moth density-rainfall. Therefore, providing honeydew by Aphid cotton, aided 1st and 2nd generation of cotton bollworms to regulate their population. The positive and negative associations between aphid density and dust index variables may potentially act as an alarm for monitoring the cotton bollworm moth, particularly in cotton fields southeast of the Caspian Sea.
Visualized enzyme-activated fluorescence probe for accurately detect β-Gal in living cells and BALB/c nude mice
Authors: Huang Xiaoli , Chang Le , Ge Jianxin , Wang Ping , Yin Rui , Liu Guanqi , Wang Guopin
Published: March 2023

A new-type of detection method based on fluorescence probe (CS-βGal) was constructed for efficient and selective mensuration of β-galactosidase (β-Gal). The test method possessed a series of excellent performance, such as a significant fluorescence enhancement (about 11.3-fold), high selectivity as well as superior sensitivity. Furthermore, under the optimal conditions, a relatively low limit of detection down to 0.024 U/mL was achieved for fluorescence titration experiment. It was thanks to the better biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity, CS-βGal had been triumphantly employed to recognize internal and exterior β-Gal concentration varieties in living cells with significant anti-interference performance. Furthermore, the application of CS-βGal in living system was also achieved successfully for monitoring endogenous β-Gal enzyme activity.
Effect of colloid surface charge on the phase diagram of colloïdal suspensions for different thermodynamic conditions
Authors: Smain F. , Ould-Kaddour F.
Published: March 2023

The paper is an extensive calculation to understand, the effect of the surface charge of colloids on the phase diagram of colloidal suspensions, under different conditions of colloid packing fraction, screening parameter of a salt reservoir, and zeta potential, using the Poisson-Boltzmann theory. Two models, Constant Surface Potential (CSP) and Charge Regulation (CR) are used to calculate the surface charge of colloids. Our findings suggest that both models give a closed description of the colloid's charge behavior, except in dense systems where the CR model predicted a slightly higher surface charge compared to the CSP model. Additionally, for fixed screening parameter (salt concentration), the colloid surface charge exhibits a density-dependent reduction when increasing the packing fraction. This density-dependence appears earlier for low screening parameter. A phase diagram is constructed using a mapping of colloidal suspension to a corresponding point Yukawa potential. It seems that, depending on the zeta potential values, electrostatic repulsion causes crystallization structures in a limited range of intermediate values of the screening salt reservoir. Increasing zeta potential lead to moving the crystal structures to a low packing fraction, which expands the stable FCC solid region. The study observes re-entrant fluid states related to the reduction in colloid surface charge when the salt reservoir screening parameter is decreased and colloidal density is increased.
Post Weld Heat Treatment Effects on Microstructure, Crystal Structure, and Mechanical Properties of Donor Stir Assisted Friction Stir Welding Material of AA6061-T6 Alloy
Authors: Al-Allaq Aiman H. , Ojha Manish , Mohammed Yousuf S. , Bhukya Srinivasa N. , Wu Zhenhua , Elmustafa Abdelmageed A.
Published: March 2023

Post weld heat treated AA6061-T6 alloy resulted from the application of a Cu donor stir assisted (CDSA) friction stir welding (FSW) material was examined for crystal structure and mechanical properties. CDSA FSW samples were tested at a constant tool rotational speed of 1400 rpm and a welding translational speed of 1 mm/s. CDSA samples of 20% and 60% thickness of the AA6061-T6 base alloy were selected to assist the FSW joining at the plunge stage. The FSW AA6061-T6 samples were solid solution treated at 540 °C for one hour, followed by quenching in water at room temperature. The samples were then artificially aged at 180 °C for 6 hours, respectively, followed by air cooling. The samples were tested for microstructure, crystal structure, chemical composition, and mechanical properties using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nanoindentation. The microstructure shows the additional grain refinement in the stir zone (SZ) due to recovery and recrystallization with increasing aging time. Examination of the chemical contents of the FSW AA6061-T6 alloy samples using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) revealed Al (parent material) as the predominant element, while Cu (CDSA) was minimally present as expected. XRD results of the CDSA FSW samples depicted crystal orientations similar to the orientations of the AA6061-T6 alloy. Nanoindentation tests revealed softening effects due to the dissolution of hardening precipitates at the SZ. The hardness of the base metal (BM), left and right regions, is reported as ~ 6.5 GPa, whereas at the SZ, the hardness is ~ 5.5 GPa at a depth of indentation of 4.7 µm.
Air-Quality Prediction Based on the ARIMA-CNN- LSTM Combination Model optimized by Dung Beetle Optimizer
Authors: Duan Jiahui , Gong Yaping , Luo Jun , Zhao Zhiyao
Published: March 2023

The air pollution problem seriously affects economic development and people's health, and an efficient and accurate forecasting model of air quality will help manage air pollution problems. The comparison models chosen by other scholars are often based on derivative models of the proposed model and do not comprehensively compare other types of models with limited accuracy. In this paper, we establishes a combined ARIMA-CNN-LSTM model to predict the air quality index accurately. The model mainly consists of two parts: Using the ARIMA model to fit the linear part of the data and using the CNN-LSTM model to fit the nonlinear part of the data to avoid the problem of blindness in the CNN-LSTM hyperparameter setting. To avoid the dilemma of blindness in a CNN-LSTM hyperparameter setting, this article uses the Dung Beetle Optimizer tool to find the hyperparameters of a CNN-LSTM model, determine the best hyperparameters, and check the accuracy of the model. The proposed model is compared with other widely used models. The results show that the Dung Beetle Optimizer can effectively search for the optimal hyperparameters of the model and can solve the problem of blindness in setting the hyperparameters of the model. And the optimized ARIMA-DBO-CNN-LSTM model has higher predictive accuracy with stronger adaptability in predicting the three cities.