bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation of Chest Computed Tomographic Findings in Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) Positive Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Bangladesh
Authors: Ghafoor Nusrat , Showkat Mst Syeeda , Bhowmik Bishwajit , Siddiqui Maruf , Ahsan Ali Imam , Deepa Khalada Parvin
Published: March 2023

Background: We aimed to report different patterns of chest computed tomographic (CT) findings in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infected patients in Bangladesh.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 200 consecutive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive patients who underwent CT chest. Distribution, type of abnormal lung findings and Prevalence were recorded.

Result: Among the total study cohort of 200 patients, 148(74 %) were males and 52 (26 %) were females with mean age of 53.9 ± 16.7 years (range 20–92 years). We observed lung parenchymal abnormalities in 125 (62.0 %) cases whereas 75 (37.5 %) RT-PCR positive cases had a normal chest CT. Common symptom was cough in 108 (54%), Only 18.0% of the patients were dyspneic. Among the patients with abnormal CT findings bilateral involvement was commonest 98/125 (78.4 %), multilobar (54.0 %) lung involvement with a predominant peripheral and posterior distribution was more commonly observed. With regards to the type of opacity, ground glass opacity (GGO) was the predominant abnormality found in 122/125 cases. Pure GGO was observed in 29 (23.2 %), most common pattern was GGO mixed with consolidation was noted in 52(41.6 %). GGO with crazy paving pattern was seen in 33 (26.4 %) and sub pleural linear and curvilinear lines were seen in 23(18.4%). Peri-lesional or intralesional segmental or subsegmental pulmonary vessel enlargement was observed in 36 (70.6 %) cases.

Conclusion: In this study population, we found a high proportion of symptomatic laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients had positive chest CT findings. Patients with a positive CT showed typical findings of predominant GGOs in a bilateral and multilobar distribution with peripheral predilection.

AKMMC J 2021; 12(1) : 38-44
Kampung Sungai to Kerala: A deadly zoonotic trail encroaching diverse geography
Authors: Ul Islam SM Rashed , Jahan Munira , Rahman Siddiqui Md Mahmudur
Published: March 2023

Background: Nipah virus is an emerging zoonotic virus which causes fatal encephalitis in South-East Asia region since 1999. Thereafter, it is prevalent almost every year in the different parts of Bangladesh and India. The aims of this analysis to describe the epidemiological patterns of the Nipah infection and also to highlight the factors for the recurrent outbreak in this region.

Materials & methods: Intensive web searching was done for documents and journals on Nipah Virus infection and Nipah outbreak from 1999 to 2018. A total of 279 research documents were found and about 40 papers, especially the PubMed indexed sources and newsletters distributed by different public health agencies were selected for the meta-analysis. Information gathered from the selected journals and documents were described in text and figures.

Results: The analysis revealed that fruit bats of the Pteropus genus are the natural hosts of the virus. After documentation of only outbreak in Malaysia in 1999, Nipah virus struck in Meherpur in 2001 for the first time and thereby, creating a public health issue every year. Very recently, this deadly zoonotic virus caused fatality in Kerala, India which is far away from its usual prevalent region. It starts with the ingestion of Nipah infected raw date palm sap and direct contact with the infected person. Early diagnosis and strict isolation is the mainstay to prevent an outbreak. Strong public health measures can able to reduce both the frequency and mortality of the disease.

Conclusions: Nipah virus infection is now one of the ten priority diseases listed by the World Health Organization considering its high fatality rate. However, effective health education and infection control practice is still considered as the mainstay of prevention of future Nipah outbreak.

AKMMC J 2021; 12(1) : 52-57
A case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
Authors: Rahman M Ekhlasur , Amin Syed Khairul , Tajkia Gule , Halder Soma , Roy Kuntal
Published: March 2023

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a systemic disorder involving persistent fever, extreme inflammation and organ dysfunction, which is temporally associated with exposure to COVID-19. onset may be delayed or contemporary with ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we present a case of 4-year-old girl, who was presented with high grade fever, bilateral non-purulent conjunctivitis, generalized macular rash, dry and cracked lips with strawberry tongue, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, having contact with patient of COVID-19. She had neutrophilic leukocytosis with thrombocytosis and very high inflammatory markers, CXR demonstrated bilateral peripheral patchy opacities, RT-PCR for COVID-19 was negative. According to diagnostic criteria this patient was diagnosed as Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) which is temporally associated with COVID-19 and treated successfully.

AKMMC J 2021; 12(1) : 62-65
Robotic Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Current Perspectives
Authors: Canda Abdullah Erdem , Balbay Mevlana Derya
Published: March 2023

The most effective local treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer and non-invasive, high-grade bladder tumours that recur or progress despite intravesical therapies, is open radical cystectomy (RC), extended pelvic lymph node (LN) dissection with urinary diversion. Performing these complex procedures using pure laparoscopy is extremely difficult. On the other hand, the surgical robot has the advantage of enabling the console surgeon to perform complex procedures more easily, providing three-dimensional (3D) and magnified views, higher grades of wristed hand movements, and decreased hand tremor, while the fourth robotic arm offers additional assistance and tissue retraction which facilitates the learning curve. The number of centres performing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is increasing. Although most of the centres perform extracorporeal urinary diversion following RARC, very few centres – including ours – have reported their outcomes on RARC with total intracorporeal urinary diversion. Some of the articles, comparing open RC versus RARC, have suggested similar outcomes in terms of operative time, mean LN yield, positive surgical margin (PSM) rates, and complication rates, whereas others have suggested decreased estimated blood loss, transfusion rate, complications, length of hospital stay, wound problems, time to flatus, and time to regular diet in the postoperative period in RARC patients. The surgical technique of total intracorporeal RARC with urinary diversions is still evolving, and these complex robotic procedures seem to be technically feasible with good intermediate-term oncologic results, acceptable morbidities, excellent short-term surgical and pathological outcomes, and satisfactory functional results.
Prostate Cancer: A State of The Heart
Authors: Mughal Tabasum
Published: March 2023

This symposium was focused on reviewing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer, highlighting the implications of this therapy in clinical practice and including a focus on the cardiovascular (CV) risk associated with ADT therapy.
Predicting Refractory Detrusor Overactivity: Are There any Clues at Diagnosis
Authors: Mansfield Kylie J , Cowan Tim , Cheng Ying , Allen Wendy , Moore Kate H
Published: March 2023

Approximately one-third of patients diagnosed with detrusor overactivity (DO) will be refractory to treatment with antimuscarinic drugs. In this study, we examined baseline clinical details and history of urinary tract infection (UTI), urodynamics parameters, urinary pH and ATP in voided urodynamic fluid for any prognostic factors that would allow prediction of the refractory state at the time of diagnosis. At follow-up (2 to 5 years), patients were characterised as responders or non-responders based on a >50% decrease in urge leaks and voids per 24 hours. Of the 61 patients who met the inclusion criteria, follow-up revealed that 25% of these did not respond to antimuscarinic therapy. There were no significant differences in urodynamic parameters in responders compared to non-responders. Patients with a greater number of leaks/week at baseline and a history of UTI were more likely to be non-responsive to antimuscarinic therapy. There was no difference in urinary pH or ATP concentration in voided urodynamic fluid in the two groups. The results indicate that severity of leakage at baseline history and a history of recurrent UTI appears to be poor prognostic features in patients with DO. These may be associated with the development of the ‘refractory’ state.
Effects of Applied Cathodic Current on Hydrogen Infusion, Embrittlement, and Corrosion-Induced Hydrogen Embrittlement Behaviors of Ultra-High Strength Steel for Automotive Applications
Authors: Bang Hye Rin , Park Jin Sung , Kim Sang Heon , Kim Tae Yeob , Oh Min-Suk , Kim Sung Jin
Published: March 2023

The effects of the electrogalvanizing conditions (a combination of plating current and time) on hydrogen infusion, embrittlement, and corrosion-induced hydrogen embrittlement (HE) behaviors of ultra-high strength steel were examined. A range of experimental and analytical methods, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, hydrogen permeation, polarization, and slow strain rate test, were employed. The results showed that the applied cathodic current density during electrogalvanizing had an inverse relationship with the Zn crystalline size. A smaller cathodic current density and longer plating time led to a larger crystalline size, resulting in a higher infusion rate of hydrogen atoms, and HE-sensitivity (i.e., mechanical degradation with larger density of secondary crack in fracture surface). On the other hand, a larger cathodic current density and shorter plating time caused a higher anodic dissolution rate and smaller polarization resistance of the coating when exposed to neutral aqueous environments. Hence, a higher rate of galvanic corrosion between the coating and exposed steel substrate (e.g., locally damaged areas around coating layer) resulted in a higher infusion rate of hydrogen atoms and HE-sensitivity. This study provides insight into the desirable plating conditions for electro-Zn plating on ultra-high strength steels with enhanced resistance to hydrogen infusion and embrittlement, induced by aqueous corrosion.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Electromagnetic Wave Absorbing Properties of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3
Authors: Heo Jae Hee , Kang Young-Min
Published: March 2023

Perovskite manganese La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) powders were prepared by sol-gel synthesis and calcination in the temperature (T) range of 500~1200 o C and their structures and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystalline perovskite phase can be formed at T ≥ 600 oC. The average grain size was ~15 nm at the calcination temperature (Tcal) = 600 oC and it increased to ~1 μm when T cal increased up to 1200 oC. M-H curves of the samples showed soft magnetic behaviors for all the crystallized samples, and the value of saturation magnetization increased with increasing Tcal. The real and imaginary parts of permittivities and permeabilities were measured on LSMO powder-epoxy (10 wt%) composites using a network vector analyzer in the frequency range of 100 MHz ≤ f ≤ 18GHz. The complex permittivities (ε', ε") increased significantly in samples calcined above 800 oC because the concentration of free electrons increased, due to the LSMO's unique magnetotransport effect, as the crystallinity and the MS value increased significantly. As the Tcal increased, the height of the μ' and μ" spectra also gradually increased. The large values of ε', ε" of the LSMO-epoxy are dominant factors in the EM wave absorption characteristics, and it showed good absorption characteristics when it had a thickness of 1.5 mm or less at a frequency of 12 GHz or higher. At the same time, it also exhibited EM wave shielding ability by reflection in the several GHz band.
Fabrication of Ruthenium-Based Transition Metal Nanoparticles/Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Water Splitting
Authors: Lee Eun Been , Jo Seung Geun , Kim Sang Jun , Park Gil-Ryeong , Lee Jung Woo
Published: March 2023

Green hydrogen has attracted significant attention as one of the future energy sources because no greenhouse gases are emitted during production and its energy density is much higher than fossil fuels. Precious metals such as platinum (Pt) and iridium (Ir)-based catalysts are commonly used for water splitting catalysts. However, because of high cost of these precious metals, the mass production of green hydrogen is restricted. In this study, water splitting catalysts based on relatively inexpensive ruthenium (Ru), cobalt (Co), and iron (Fe) were synthesized. The metal nanoparticles were anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by a microwave-assisted process. The nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the rGO supports with sizes of about 1.5 and 2 nm in Ru/rGO and RuCoFe/rGO, respectively. This promoted the reaction by further increasing the specific surface area of the catalysts. In addition, it was confirmed by EDS mapping results that the nanoparticles were made of RuCoFe alloy. Among the prepared catalysts, Ru/rGO was excellent toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which required an overpotential of 50 mV to reach a current density of −10 mA cm−2. In addition, RuCoFe/rGO, which contained the RuCoFe alloy, was the best for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and it required 362 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2.
Family Caregiver Support Program to Increase Quality Care Among the Geriatric Population
Authors: Vinsur Elizabeth Yun Yun , Handini Febrina Secsaria , Nurwiyono Anang
Published: March 2023

Aims: This study aimed to determine the effect of providing support programs to family caregivers on the quality of care for the elderly with chronic diseases in Pandansari Village, Poncokusumo District, Malang Regency.
Methods: The study used a pre-experimental with one group pretest-posttest research design approach in 7 weeks from July-September 2022. The total sample size was 50 respondents using purposive sampling technique. The selected sample must fulfill criteria’s, includes: 1) an informal caregiver who lives with the elderly, 2) takes care of the elderly with chronic diseases, and 3) not suffering from chronic diseases itself. The WHO-QOL BREF questionnaire was used to collect data on the quality of life before and after the provision of support programs. Analysis includes univariate and bivariate. Bivariate using the Wilcoxon test.
Results: In this study, the caregivers are all women (100%) and most of the elderly are women (60.0%), the chronic diseases are Hypertension 66% and Gout Arthritis 34%. The results of this study indicate a significant effect of providing family caregiver support programs on the quality of care for the elderly with chronic diseases based on the quality of life indicators (p: 0.0001).
Conclusion: Family support programs influence the quality of care in terms of improving the quality of life of the elderly.
Discussion: In caring for the elderly with chronic diseases, family caregivers can take advantage of family support programs. Furthermore, this research is expected to provide insights and ideas for further research especially the development of support programs for caregivers of families with other chronic diseases.
The Effectiveness of Online Education Study Live Method on Reducing Hesitancy of the COVID-19 Vaccine
Authors: Indawati Eli , Khamid Abdul , Permana Niki Herdian
Published: March 2023

Aim: The global vaccine refusal movement continues to exist. Indonesia has implemented a vaccination program to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in order to minimize transmission rates, fatality rates, break the chain, and acquire herd immunity. The Study Live Method is a hybrid method of offline merging as if online, when live zooming by employing additional Open Broadcaster software (OBS) to create running text. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of online teaching via the Study Live Method in reducing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
Methods: The research method is a quasi-experimental design with a pre- and post-testing strategy and a control design. The population of Bekasi Municipality is 48 individuals. The sample approach utilized a method of purposive sampling and analysis was used an  independent t test.
Result: the average age of respondents in the intervention group is 41.71 with the youngest respondent age 18 years and the oldest 71 years old, while in the control group, the youngest respondent age 21 years old and the oldest 60 years old. The results demonstrated that in the intervention was significantly effective in reducing COVID-19 vaccine hesitatece group (p value 0.05).
Conclusion: It is advised that the general population get digital health education in the context of introducing renewable technology and continuously integrated and integrated implementation in order to lessen the reluctance of the COVID-19 vaccination to boost herd immunity.
Implementation of Assertive Training to Increase the Ability of Anger Expression in Violent Behavior Patients at RSMM Bogor
Authors: Kristaningsih Tjahjanti , Nuraeni Ani , Rahayu Hemma Siti , Audi Mayang
Published: March 2023

Aim: Violent behavior is a feeling of anger, annoyance, emotion, or disappointment that arises and is characterized by a clenched hand, bulging eyes, glaring, loud, and harshly talk that can result in dangerous actions for himself and others, and the environment. Violent behavior can be caused by various factors, both internal and external. One way to deal with violent behavior is by implementing assertive training. Assertive training is an effort to express anger well so that patients can express their annoyance well, ask for help and apologize well.
Method: The case study research design involved four subjects chosen based on established inclusion criteria to obtain an overview of the implementation of assertive exercises in increasing the ability to express anger in patients with violent behavior.
Result: The main intervention in this paper is the application of assertive exercises for two subjects. After the intervention was carried out three times a day in five days, the result was an increase in ability in assertive training and in expressing anger in patients with violent behavior who implement assertive training. Two patients who did not implement assertive training still had difficulty controlling their anger properly.
Conclusion: This case study concludes that assertive training can increase the ability of angry expressions well, such as expressing annoyance well, asking for help well, and rejecting well.
Use of Mobile Health on Adherence among HIV Positives Person: A Literature Review
Authors: Armunanto Anung Widi , Hariyati Rr. Tutik Sri , Waluyo Agung
Published: March 2023

Aim: Antiretroviral is the main key to improving the quality of life and among ways to prevent the transmission of diseases due to HIV. In the use of drugs in the long term, psychosocial problems that arise often become barriers to patient adherence. This paper aims to show various forms of application and see the benefits derived from the use of mobile health (m-Health) in increasing the adherence of HIV positive patients.
Method: The method used is a review of journals from Pubmed published no more than the last five years about the use of mobile health in those infected with HIV.
Result: The result is that all existing articles provide explanations about the application of mobile health and positive result in supporting adherence, but there is a note regarding the consideration of its implementation goals and the services provided as well as the retention rate after using after several time.
Conclusion: The conclusion is that mobile health provides benefits to increase adherence and help overcome the patient’s psychosocial problems.
MARKETING PUBLIC RELATIONS PASAR TANI KEMENTERIAN PERTANIAN
Authors: Puspitasari Desy , Nasrullah Rulli
Published: March 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis implementasi strategi marketing Public Relations Pasar Tani dengan rumusan Three Ways Strategy atau Model 3P Philip Kottler. Pasar tani merupakan asosiasi terdiri dari petani yang dibentuk untuk memupuk kemandirian dan kemampuan petani untuk memasarkan sendiri hasil pertaniannya kepada konsumen. Di dalam asosiasi ini, petani diedukasi untuk memproduksi buah dan sayur berkualitas sehingga memberikan kepuasan bagi para pelanggan. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif dengan desain deskriptif. Studi kasus merupakan pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi merupakan Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Berdasarkan hasil pembahasan dijelaskan bahwa pengimplementasian model 3P Philip Kotler Public Relations Pasar Tani dilakukan dengan strategi mendorong (push strategy), strategi menarik (pull strategy), strategi mempengaruhi (pass strategy).
LIVE IN STIGMA: “FAT SHAMING” OF WOMAN (DISCOURSE ANALYSIS ON FACEBOOK SOCIAL MEDIA FAT WOMEN ASSOCIATION OF INDONESIA)
Authors: Ginting Eraskaita , Wiradharma Gunawan
Published: March 2023

Stigma obesitas cenderung terus beredar di masyarakat hingga saat ini. Misalnya, banyak wanita gemuk yang dianggap serakah dan malas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dinamika stigma dalam kehidupan sehari-hari yang dialami oleh wanita yang kelebihan berat badan (obesitas) dan memaparkan diskriminasi yang dirasakan oleh wanita obesitas. Penelitian ini mengamati komunitas Asosiasi Wanita Gemuk Indonesia (KAGUMI) di grup Facebook. Penelitian ini merupakan analisis kualitatif melalui stigma mendalam tentang obesitas yang muncul dari diskusi melalui postingan dan komentar anggota kelompok komunitas di Facebook. Penelitian ini dirancang untuk menyajikan analisis lengkap tentang hidup dalam stigma "mempermalukan" di akun grup Facebook Asosiasi Wanita Gemuk Indonesia (KAGUMI). Analisis wacana digunakan untuk mengeksplorasi postingan dan komentar yang berkaitan dengan obesitas.
Forskningscirklar med hemtjänstmottagare och personal
Authors: Larsson Ann-Christine , Mahrs Träff Annsofie
Published: March 2023

Research circles with home care recipients and care staff - a method to increase understanding of what quality in home care impliesA research circle is a method in participatory research, which aims to strengthen the bottom-up perspective and thereby establish a more democratic process for common knowledge formation. The methodology means that more voices and perspectives are made visible, as well as identifying concrete proposals for change. A shared knowledge formation requires that all participants experiences, and knowledge contributions are taken into account and the researchers role as circle leader is to contribute by connecting to current research and other sources of knowledge in the area of study. The purpose of the present study is to explore and if so, how to the research circle method is useful as an initial stage of a research and development process.   The article describes research circle about quality in home care, i.e interventions that take place in the individual’s home outside of assisted living facilities. Quality is a complex concept and often a subjective experience. To find answers to the question of what the meaning of quality in home care services is, research circles are conducted with home care recipients and caregivers separately.   As the research circles are ongoing, the results are still preliminary. To highlight the method, two themes about what quality in home care means, have been chosen to describe the joint knowledge formation, which is based on an interaction between theory and practice. Our ambition is that the results produced by the research circle as a method should also be used as a basis for organizational learning within home care and thus contribute to increased quality.
Ulcerative colitis (K51), adults
Authors: Shelygin Yu. A. , Ivashkin V. T. , Belousova E. A. , Reshetov I. V. , Maev I. V. , Achkasov S. I. , Abdulganieva D. I. , Alekseeva O. A. , Bakulin I. G. , Barysheva O. Yu. , Bolikhov K. V. , Vardanyan A. V. , Veselov A. V. , Veselov V. V. , Golovenko O. V. , Gubonina I. V. , Denisenko V. L. , Dolgushina A. I. , Kashnikov V. N. , Knyazev O. V. , Kostenko N. V. , Lakhin A. V. , Makarchuk P. A. , Moskalev A. I. , Nanaeva B. A. , Nikitin I. G. , Nikitina N. V. , Odintsova A. Kh. , Omelyanovskiy V. V. , Оshchepkov A. V. , Pavlenko V. V. , Poluektova E. A. , Sitkin S. I. , Sushkov O. I. , Tarasova L. V. , Tkachev A. V. , Тimerbulatov V. M. , Uspenskaya Yu. B. , Frolov S. A. , Khlynova O. V. , Chashkova E. Yu. , Chesnokova O. V. , Shapina M. V. , Sheptulin A. A. , Shifrin O. S. , Shkurko T. V. , Shchukina O. B.
Published: March 2023

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Granulomatous bowel disease: Crohn’s disease and tuberculosis. Difficulties in differential diagnosis (case report and review)
Authors: Vardanyan A. V. , Merkulova E. S. , Belinskaya V. A. , Frolova K. S. , Mainovskaya O. A.
Published: March 2023

Diagnosis of extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis is still challenging. Abdominal tuberculosis has no pathogno- monic signs, so most patients had various diagnoses. In this clinical case, the diagnostic difficulties are due to the absence of a history of tuberculosis and the manifestation of the isolated tuberculosis process in the intestine. This forced us for a wide differential diagnostic search to exclude inflammatory bowel diseases and neoplasms and required the multidisciplinary team. This approach, awareness and alertness of specialists regarding extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis made it possible to achieve success in this patient.
Conservative treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases during pregnancy. Review of current safety and efficacy data
Authors: Uspenskaya Yu. B. , Nanaeva B. A. , Oleynik V. A.
Published: March 2023

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) worldwide falls on the childbearing age. High activity of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) during pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of obstetric complications, and therefore it is necessary to control the course of diseases. Due to the lack of safety information, drug therapy is often unreasonably canceled during pregnancy. The publication provides up-to-date on the safety of basic and targeted therapy of UC and CD in pregnant.
Results of multicenter observational study «predictors of colectomy in patients with extremely severe ulcerative colitis
Authors: Mingazov A. F. , Vardanyan A. V. , Sushkov O. I. , Shahmatov D. G. , Nanaeva B. A. , Baranova T. A. , Katorkin S. E. , Kostenko N. V. , Achkasov S. I.
Published: March 2023

AIM: to improve the results of treatment of patients with «extremely severe» ulcerative colitis (UC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter observational prospective «case-control» study was conducted. The study included 71 patients with «extremely» severe UC from June 2019 to October 2021. All patients underwent conservative therapy in accordance with current clinical guidelines. Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment was carried out on the 3rd and 7th days of therapy, a "response" or "no response" to steroid therapy was stated.

RESULTS: A total of 48 (68%) patients underwent surgical treatment during the follow-up period during hospitalization. 23 (32%) patients "responded" to conservative therapy and were discharged without colectomy. A reliable independent predictor of colectomy at the time of hospitalization was the level of albumin less than 29 g/l (OR – 8,6 95% CI: 2,5 – 39,9, p=0,002). On day 3, the reliable predictors were the level of C-reactive protein over 15.5 mg/l (OR – 9 95% CI: 2.4 – 46.1, p=0.003) and the value of the Mayo index above 7 points (OR – 13.3 95% CI: 3.3 – 75.7, p=0.0009).

CONCLUSION: The study has demonstrated that the only reliable and independent predictor of colectomy at admission to the clinic is the level of albumin less than 29 g/l. Reliable factors that make it possible to evaluate and predict the effectiveness of therapy are the level of C-reactive protein more than 15.5 mg/l and the value of the Mayo index above 7 points on the 3rd day of therapy, as well as the level of C-reactive protein above 29 mg/l on the 7th day.
Does the type of anastomosis affect the risk of recurrence in Crohn disease?
Authors: Vardanyan A. V. , Anosov I. S. , Michalchenko V. A. , Nanaeva B. A.
Published: March 2023

AIM: to evaluate the effect of intestinal anastomosis type on risk of Crohn’s disease (CD) recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: the retrospective cohort study included 130 patients with CD who underwent surgery for a complicated CD in 2012–2017. Ileocecal resection with anastomosis was performed in 112/130 (86.2%) patients. Resection of the terminal ileum with resection of the right side of the colon with the formation of an ileo-transverse anastomosis. In 18/130 (13.2%) cases. Stapled “side-to-side” anastomosis was formed in 57/130 (43.8%) patients, while hand sewn “end-to-end” — in 73/130 (56.2%) patients. Post-op complications occurred in 21/130 (16.2%) cases. After surgery, most patients were treated by azathioprine as an anti-recurrence therapy — 112/130 (86.2%) patients, while in 31/112 (23.8%) cases, additional biological therapy was done. In 14/130 (10.7%) patients, anti-recurrence therapy was carried out in mono mode with a biological drug.

RESULTS: mean follow-up was 28.5 (1.9–95.4) months. Recurrence occurred in 54/130 (41.5%) patients on average 18 ± 5 (12–41) months after surgery. Thus, the operative time exceeding 200 minutes was significantly associated with an increase in the recurrence rate (p = 0.03). It was found that the type of anastomosis does not affect the recurrence risk. Moreover, among the significant factors was the operative time. It increases the chance of recurrence by 2.9 times in the univariate model (p < 0.05), and in the multivariate model — by 6.3 times, when exceeding 155 minutes.

CONCLUSION: the type of anastomosis does not affect the recurrence risk. The operation time exceeding 155 minutes increases the chance of recurrence by 6 times (p < 0.01).
Clinical and laboratory markers of the pre-test probability of inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Rasmagina I. A. , Bakulin I. G. , Stamboltsyan V. Sh. , Mashevskiy G. A. , Shelyakina N. M.
Published: March 2023

AIM: to distinguish clinical and laboratory markers that could help to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) — Crohn`s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), before colonoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: the retrospective study included 712 patients (CD — 39.2%, UC — 37.8%, IBS — 23%). Clinical (complaints, anamnesis) and laboratory data from medical histories of patients with confirmed flare of IBD and IBS analyzed.

RESULTS: Patients with IBS had significant direct correlations with female gender, constipation, abdominal pain, presence of concomitant functional pathology, absence of extra-intestinal (EIM) and perianal (PAM) manifestations, weight loss due to food restriction (р < 0.001), hemoglobin (р < 0.001) and total protein levels (р = 0.002), and inverse correlations with levels of leukocytes, fecal calprotectin (FC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.0001). Patients with IBD had significant direct correlations with night symptoms (р = 0.045 for CD, р = 0.023 for UC) and diarrhea (up to 2 times per 24 hours in CD, р = 0.018; ≥ 5 times per 24 hours in UC, р < 0.001) and FC (р < 0.001). CD was categorized by the presence of PAMs and EIMs, young age, fever, surgery in anamnesis (p < 0.001), weight loss (p = 0.032), elevated CRP levels, anemia (p < 0.001) and hypoproteinemia (р = 0.032). Patients with UC had direct correlations with male gender (р = 0.008), stool with blood and leukocytosis (р < 0.001) and had inverse correlation with abdominal pain (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: the identified clinical and laboratory markers can be used as criteria to distinguish IBD from IBS in routine clinical practice. However, further prospective studies are required for validation.
Predictors of steroid dependence and resistance in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Tishaeva I. A. , Knyazev O. V. , Baranova T. A. , Podolskaya D. V. , Alexandrov T. L. , Nanaeva B. A.
Published: March 2023

AIM: detection of steroid dependence and steroid resistance predictors in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: a retrospective study was conducted. The medical documentation of 1105 patients, who underwent inpatient treatment in Ryzhikh National Medical Research Center of Coloproctology from 2018 to 2021, were analyzed. 69% of patients (n=762) received systemic steroid therapy for UC. In accordance with inclusion and non-inclusion criteria, the medical documentation of 170 patients was selected for statistical analysis. Depending on the steroid status of patients, three groups were identified: group 1 (n=56) with steroid dependence, group 2 (n=56) with steroid resistance and group 3 - control (n=58), who were prescribed systemic GCS without the further development of steroid dependence and resistance.

RESULTS: the incidence of steroid dependence was 23.4% (n=259), and steroid resistance was 15.2% (n=168). We identified the following predictors and risk factors of steroid dependence: age of the disease onset <30 y.o. (AOR=0,960, 95%CI= 0,928-0,993, p=0,019), start dose of prednisolone <60 mg (AOR=2,369, 95%ДИ= 1,030-5,441, p=0,042), prescription of systemic GCS ≥2 courses per year (AOR=2,988, 95%ДИ= 1,349-6,619, p=0,007), Mayo Index Score <10 (AOR=0,631, 95%ДИ=0,492-0,809, p<0,001). The risk of steroid resistance statistically significant when Mayo Index Score ≥10 (AOR=2,573, 95%ДИ=1,094-6,050, p=0,030), albumin level <37,1 g/l (AOR=4,571, 95%ДИ=1,567-13,330, p=0,005), CRP ≥47,1 mg/l (AOR=2,641, 95%ДИ=1,102-6,328, p=0,029).

CONCLUSION: it is rational to predict an individual response to GCS in patients with UC. With a high risk of developing steroid dependence and steroid resistance, it is advisable to consider early appointment of biological and target therapy, avoiding represcription of GCS.
Vaccination and variants: A COVID-19 multi-strain model evolution for the Philippines
Authors: Campos Harren J. , Raza Michelle N. , Arcede Jayrold P. , Martinez Joey Genevieve T. , Caga-anan Randy L.
Published: March 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management and response is a challenging task due to the uncertainty and complexity of the nature surrounding the virus. In particular, the emergence of new variants and the polarizing response from the populace complicate government efforts to control the pandemic. In this study, we developed a compartmental model that includes (1) a vaccinated compartment, (2) reinfection after a particular time, and (3) COVID-19 variants dominant in the Philippines. Furthermore, we incorporated stochastic terms to capture uncertainty brought about by the further evolution of the new variants and changing control measures via parametric perturbation. Results show the importance of booster shots that increase the vaccine-induced immunity duration. Without booster shots, simulations showed that the dominant strain would still cause significant infection until 31 December 2023. Moreover, our stochastic model output showed significant variability in this case, implying greater uncertainty with future predictions. All these adverse effects, fortunately, can be effectively countered by increasing the vaccine-induced immunity duration that can be done through booster shots.
Surrogate modeling for the climate sciences dynamics with machine learning and data assimilation
Authors: Bocquet Marc
Published: March 2023

The outstanding breakthroughs of deep learning in computer vision and natural language processing have been the horn of plenty for many recent developments in the climate sciences. These methodological advances currently find applications to subgrid-scale parameterization, data-driven model error correction, model discovery, surrogate modeling, and many other uses. In this perspective article, I will review recent advances in the field, specifically in the thriving subtopic defined by the intersection of dynamical systems in geosciences, data assimilation, and machine learning, with striking applications to physical model error correction. I will give my take on where we are in the field and why we are there and discuss the key perspectives. I will describe several technical obstacles to implementing these new techniques in a high-dimensional, possibly operational system. I will also discuss open questions about the combined use of data assimilation and machine learning and the short- vs. longer-term representation of the surrogate (i.e., neural network-based) dynamics, and finally about uncertainty quantification in this context.
Before and after AlphaFold2: An overview of protein structure prediction
Authors: Bertoline Letícia M. F. , Lima Angélica N. , Krieger Jose E. , Teixeira Samantha K.
Published: March 2023

Three-dimensional protein structure is directly correlated with its function and its determination is critical to understanding biological processes and addressing human health and life science problems in general. Although new protein structures are experimentally obtained over time, there is still a large difference between the number of protein sequences placed in Uniprot and those with resolved tertiary structure. In this context, studies have emerged to predict protein structures by methods based on a template or free modeling. In the last years, different methods have been combined to overcome their individual limitations, until the emergence of AlphaFold2, which demonstrated that predicting protein structure with high accuracy at unprecedented scale is possible. Despite its current impact in the field, AlphaFold2 has limitations. Recently, new methods based on protein language models have promised to revolutionize the protein structural biology allowing the discovery of protein structure and function only from evolutionary patterns present on protein sequence. Even though these methods do not reach AlphaFold2 accuracy, they already covered some of its limitations, being able to predict with high accuracy more than 200 million proteins from metagenomic databases. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the breakthroughs in protein structure prediction before and after AlphaFold2 emergence.
Modification of PEG reduces the immunogenicity of biosynthetic gas vesicles
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Fu Meijun , Yang Yaozhang , Zhang Jinghan , Zhang Zhaomeng , Xiao Jingling , Zhou Yingjie , Yan Fei
Published: March 2023

Nanobubbles have received great attention in ultrasound molecular imaging due to their capability to pass through the vasculature and reach extravascular tissues. Recently, gas vesicles (GVs) from archaea have been reported as acoustic contrast agents, showing great potential for ultrasound molecular imaging. However, the immunogenicity and biosafety of GVs has not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the immune responses and biosafety of biosynthetic GVs and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified GVs (PEG-GVs) in vivo and in vitro. Our findings suggest that the plain GVs showed significantly stronger immunogenic response than PEG-GVs. Less macrophage clearance rate of the RES and longer circulation time were also found for PEG-GVs, thereby producing the better contrast imaging effect in vivo. Thus, our study demonstrated the PEG modification of biosynthetic GVs from Halobacterium NRC-1 is helpful for the future application of GVs in molecular imaging and treatment.
A bioflocculant from Corynebacterium glutamicum and its application in acid mine wastewater treatment
Authors: Liu Yinlu , Zeng Yan , Yang Jiangang , Chen Peng , Sun Yuanxia , Wang Min , Ma Yanhe
Published: March 2023

Although many microorganisms have been found to produce bioflocculants, and bioflocculants have been considered as attractive alternatives to chemical flocculants in wastewater treatment, there are few reports on bioflocculants from the safe strain C. glutamicum, and the application of bioflocculants in acid wastewater treatment is also rare attributed to the high content of metal ions and high acidity of the water. In this study, a novel bioflocculant produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum Cg1-P30 was investigated. An optimal production of this bioflocculant with a yield of 0.52 g/L was achieved by Box–Behnken design, using 12.20 g/L glucose, 4.00 g/L corn steep liquor and 3.60 g/L urea as carbon and nitrogen source. The structural characterization revealed that the bioflocculant was mainly composed of 37.50% neutral sugar, 10.03% uronic acid, 6.32% aminosugar and 16.51% protein. Carboxyl, amine and hydroxyl groups were the functional groups in flocculation. The biofocculant was thermally stable and dependent on metal ions and acidic pH, showing a good flocculating activity of 91.92% at the dosage of 25 mg/L by aid of 1.0 mM Fe3+ at pH 2.0. Due to these unique properties, the bioflocculant could efficiently remove metal ions such as Fe, Al, Zn, and Pb from the real acid mine wastewater sample without pH adjustment, and meanwhile made the acid mine wastewater solution become clear with an increased neutral pH. These findings suggested the great potential application of the non-toxic bioflocculant from C. glutamicum Cg1-P30 in acid mine wastewater treatment.
Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase-1 inhibition by 3-aminobenzamide recuperates HEI-OC1 auditory hair cells from blast overpressure-induced cell death
Authors: Krishnan Muthaiah Vijaya Prakash , Kaliyappan Kathiravan , Mahajan Supriya D.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase-1 (PARP1), a DNA repair enzyme is implicated as a key molecule in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. Traumatic insults inducing oxidative stress results in its over-activation causing inflammation and cell death (Parthanatos). As PARP1 inhibition is known to reduce oxidative stress, we hypothesized that PARP1 inhibition by a known inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3AB) might recuperate the damage in an in vitro model of blast injury using HEI-OC1 cells (mouse auditory hair cells).

Methods: Here, we evaluated the protective effect of 3AB on HEI-OC1 cells following single and repetitive blast overpressures (BOPs).

Results: We found that inhibition of PARP1 b 3AB inhibits the PARP1 enzyme and its action of a post-translational modification i.e. formation of Poly ADP-Ribose Polymers which leads to massive ATP depletion. PARP inhibition (3AB treatment) reduced the oxidative stress (4HNE, a marker of lipid peroxidation, and 8OHdG, a marker of oxidative DNA damage) in cells exposed to single/repetitive BOPS through up-regulation of Nrf2, a transcriptional regulator of antioxidant defense and the GCLC, a rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of glutathione.

Discussion: Overall, we found that PARP inhibition by 3AB helps to maintain the viability of BOP-exposed auditory hair cells by recuperating the ATP pool from both mitochondrial and glycolytic sources.
Modelling metastasis in zebrafish unveils regulatory interactions of cancer-associated fibroblasts with circulating tumour cells
Authors: Hurtado Pablo , Martínez-Pena Inés , Yepes-Rodríguez Sabrina , Bascoy-Otero Miguel , Abuín Carmen , Fernández-Santiago Cristóbal , Sánchez Laura , López-López Rafael , Piñeiro Roberto
Published: March 2023

The dynamic intercommunication between tumour cells and cells from the microenvironment, such as cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs), is a key factor driving breast cancer (BC) metastasis. Clusters of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), known to bare a higher efficiency at establishing metastases, are found in the blood of BC patients, often accompanied by CAFs in heterotypic CTC-clusters. Previously we have shown the utility of CTC-clusters models and the zebrafish embryo as a model of metastasis to understand the biology of breast cancer CTC-clusters. In this work, we use the zebrafish embryo to study the interactions between CTCs in homotypic clusters and CTC-CAFs in heterotypic CTC-clusters to identify potential pro-metastatic traits derived from CTC-CAF communication. We found that upon dissemination CAFs seem to exert a pro-survival and pro-proliferative effect on the CTCs, but only when CTCs and CAFs remain joined as cell clusters. Our data indicate that the clustering of CTC and CAF allows the establishment of physical interactions that when maintained over time favour the selection of CTCs with a higher capacity to survive and proliferate upon dissemination. Importantly, this effect seems to be dependent on the survival of disseminated CAFs and was not observed in the presence of normal fibroblasts. Moreover, we show that CAFs can exert regulatory effects on the CTCs without being involved in promoting tumour cell invasion. Lastly, we show that the physical communication between BC cells and CAFs leads to the production of soluble factors involved in BC cell survival and proliferation. These findings suggest the existence of a CAF-regulatory effect on CTC survival and proliferation sustained by cell-to-cell contacts and highlight the need to understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate the interaction between the CTCs and CAFs in clusters enhancing the metastatic capacity of CTCs.
Integrins control epithelial stem cell proliferation in the Drosophila ovary by modulating the Notch pathway
Authors: Rincón-Ortega Lourdes , Valencia-Expósito Andrea , Kabanova Anna , González-Reyes Acaimo , Martin-Bermudo Maria D.
Published: March 2023

Cell proliferation and differentiation show a remarkable inverse relationship. The temporal coupling between cell cycle withdrawal and differentiation of stem cells (SCs) is crucial for epithelial tissue growth, homeostasis and regeneration. Proliferation vs. differentiation SC decisions are often controlled by the surrounding microenvironment, of which the basement membrane (BM; a specialized form of extracellular matrix surrounding cells and tissues), is one of its main constituents. Years of research have shown that integrin-mediated SC-BM interactions regulate many aspects of SC biology, including the proliferation-to-differentiation switch. However, these studies have also demonstrated that the SC responses to interactions with the BM are extremely diverse and depend on the cell type and state and on the repertoire of BM components and integrins involved. Here, we show that eliminating integrins from the follicle stem cells (FSCs) of the Drosophila ovary and their undifferentiated progeny increases their proliferation capacity. This results in an excess of various differentiated follicle cell types, demonstrating that cell fate determination can occur in the absence of integrins. Because these phenotypes are similar to those found in ovaries with decreased laminin levels, our results point to a role for the integrin-mediated cell-BM interactions in the control of epithelial cell division and subsequent differentiation. Finally, we show that integrins regulate proliferation by restraining the activity of the Notch/Delta pathway during early oogenesis. Our work increases our knowledge of the effects of cell-BM interactions in different SC types and should help improve our understanding of the biology of SCs and exploit their therapeutic potential.