bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
16S rRNA Gene-Based Microbiome Taxonomic Profiling for Evaluating the Effect of Mumefural on Fecal Microbiota in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Kim Jungim , Kim Min-Soo , Jeon Won Kyung
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Based on a report that Prunus mume fruits affect gut function and microflora, we hypothesized that mumefural (MF), one of the active compounds of processed Prunus mume fruits, could affect intestinal function or gut microbiome.

Methods

we investigated the effects of orally administered MF on intestinal function and the intestinal environment by analyzing the changes in the fecal, intestinal, and gut microbiome of a murine model.

Results

No changes in the body weight and fecal parameters of C57BL/6 mice were observed following MF administration. However, the quantity of residual feces in the large and small intestines and cecum was considerably reduced. The abundance of specific bacteria, ie, members of the Lactobacillus genus, was markedly increased without any change in the abundance or diversity of the gut microbiota, as determined by 16S rRNA gene-based microbiome taxonomic profiling.

Conclusions

Overall, our results suggest that oral MF administration could improve the gut microbiota in diseases related to specific bacterial changes because it increases the abundance of certain bacteria known to exhibit probiotic functions without any other obvious effects.
Acute paraquat poisoning in an adolescent with compromised outcome: A case report
Authors: Yadav Manish , Shah Newton Ashish , Ghimire Rakesh , Lamichhane Seshkanta , Yadav Samridhi , Yadav Digraj , Jha Saroj Kumar
Published: March 2024

Paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide, accounts for a substantial number of poisoning-related fatalities, primarily prevalent in agricultural regions. The ingestion gives rise to severe complications affecting various organs, including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver. This report details the case of an 18-year-old male who had been using cannabis for a year and inadvertently ingested paraquat. He presented at the emergency room exhibiting symptoms of vomiting characterized by hematemesis and regurgitated food particles, along with heartburn, dysphagia and reduced urine output. Given the absence of a specific antidote, the prognosis for paraquat poisoning remains generally unfavourable. Diagnosis relies on circumstantial evidence and clinical manifestations, necessitating a focus on supportive care. Presently, no specific antidote for paraquat poisoning is available. Efforts should concentrate on preventive measures, efficient decontamination strategies and vigilant stabilization protocols in instances of exposure.
From Our Cell to Your Block: Hip Hop and Podcasting as a Youth Participatory Action Research Intervention
Authors: Levy Ian P. , Bell Michelle
Published: March 2024

This narrative inquiry explores the experiences of youth in a school within a juvenile detention facility, who participated in a hip hop and podcasting small-group counseling intervention. Specifically, youth wrote and recorded a podcast consisting of a hip hop song, interviews with their peers, and staff reflections on the youth’s experience. Salient results from this study offered that the hip hop podcasting group supported youth in emotionally processing their experience of being incarcerated.
Cultivating Homeplace for Black Girls Through Tier 2 Group Counseling Experiences
Authors: Mayes Renae D. , Hines Erik M. , Vega Desireé , Harris Paul C. , Lawson Tamara K.
Published: March 2024

The contemporary educational experiences of Black girls suggest a disconnect between their success and what they must navigate on their road to success. Given Black girls' experiences, schools must implement systemic intervention as a part of multitiered systems of support. Interventions should engage antiracist frameworks that center on the creation of homeplace to promote the radical imagination of Black girls while also working to dismantle oppressive policies and practices in K–12 schools. As such, we propose foundational principles of leading antiracist, culturally responsive groups for Black girls that center homeplace while supporting freedom dreaming. We also provide recommendations for challenging oppressive school policies and practices that negatively impact Black girls.
Bottom-Up Corporate Social Advocacy: Examining the Impact of Employees’ Empowered Engagement on Advocacy Willingness and Mediating Roles of Value Congruency and Moral Elevation
Authors: Yim Myungok Chris
Published: March 2024

This study examines how empowered engagement affects employees’ willingness to advocate for corporate social advocacy (CSA) initiatives. A survey ( N = 234) indicates that employee empowerment correlates with an increased willingness to advocate for CSA initiatives. Additionally, the study identifies two mediating variables that enhance this effect: value congruency with the organization and moral elevation. These findings demonstrate the underlying psychological processes within employees: empowered engagement, value congruency, and moral elevation, and all sequentially influence employees’ inclination to promote CSA initiatives. This research augments the existing body of CSA literature by underscoring the pivotal role of grassroots support and advocacy from employees. The implications of these findings offer strategic guidance to corporate management, highlighting the potential of harnessing employee empowerment to achieve meaningful social impact through CSA initiatives.
“Unable to Feed My Hungry Child”: Experiences of Mothers Caring for Children With Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Currie Genevieve , Estefan Andrew , Caine Vera
Published: March 2024

Mothers’ experiences of caring for children with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is largely unknown. With no treatment for PWS, parents undertake (extra)ordinary care practices to keep children safe from overeating and self harm. Knowledge of these care practices could lead to effective interventions. Narrative inquiry was used to study everyday experience with Canadian mothers. Participants cared for a child 3 to 17 years old who had hyperphagia. Participants were interviewed 8 to 12 times each over the course of a year. Narrative accounts were co-composed through a collaborative process of analysis. Engaging with participants’ everyday experiences amplified complex care needs for families and gaps in health and social care systems. Narrative threads focused on engaging in (extra)ordinary care practices, rigid care work to keep children healthy and safe, tension from others while enacting these care practices, and difficulty conforming to social expectations with childrearing and care work. Recommendations for practice and policy include (a) shifting from untenable care practices, (b) reconceptualizing care work, and (c) alternative care models.
Societal, Economic and Behavioural Predictors of Stunting Among Children Aged 24 to 59 Months: Evidence from the National Survey of Bangladesh
Authors: Rana Ziaul Hasan , Reed Debra B. , Oldewage-Theron Wilna , Islam Saiful , Akhtaruzzaman M , Lyford Conrad , Colwell Malinda , Dawson John A.
Published: March 2024

With long-term detrimental consequences of irreversible physical and intellectual impairment, stunting remains one of the most prevalent public health problems. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to stunting among children aged 24 to 59 months in Bangladesh. An analysis of nutrition survey data from the Nutrition, Health and Demographic Survey of Bangladesh analysed the data from a sample of 4,182 children. A predictive model was constructed to identify the association of stunting with family socioeconomics and children’s characteristics. The study found that the development of stunting among 24- to 59-month-old children has been attributed to several factors such as household food security, child feeding practices, parental education and domestic violence. Mothers with secondary education had lower odds of having stunted children. Houses with better flooring quality reduced the probability of stunting by 50%. Children growing up in a moderately food-insecure family had higher odds of becoming stunted. Better child-feeding practices also had lower odds of stunting by 33%. The presence of domestic violence in the household increased the odds of having a stunted child. However, household sanitary conditions, safe water sources and maternal nutritional knowledge and practice were not significantly associated with stunting.
Development and Implementation of a Culturally Informed Spanish Language Yoga Program for Latiné Women With Overweight or Obesity Diagnosed With Cancer: A Single Arm Pilot Study
Authors: Victorson David , Guitelman Judy , Maletich Carly , Horowitz Bruriah , Sauer Christina , Arechiga Cailin , Parra Diana
Published: March 2024

Background

Given limited yoga research in health disparities populations, we developed and evaluated a 12-week Spanish language yoga program for Latiné women with overweight or obesity affected by cancer. The program aimed to empower participants through culturally tailored yoga practice and opportunities for social connection and support.

Methods

Partnering with a community-based organization, the program was co-created by bilingual (English and Spanish-speaking) yoga instructors, Latiné cancer survivor support professionals, and integrative medicine researchers. The single arm intervention consisted of 12 separate, 60-minute Hatha yoga classes, including physical postures, breathing exercises, culturally relevant poetry, and post-practice socialization opportunities. Measures were administered at baseline, 12-week, and 24-week.

Results

Thirty-five eligible participants enrolled in the program, demonstrating high feasibility and relevance as well as high levels of engagement in home practice. Some participants faced barriers to regular home practice, including family responsibilities and concerns about proper pose execution. Preliminary outcome analyses indicated improvements in sleep disturbance, pain interference, depression, and blood pressure post-intervention, with sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, and blood pressure at 24-week. No significant changes were observed in fatigue, physical function, positive affect, satisfaction with social roles and activities, and weight. Structured post-practice social snack time with yoga instructors (compared with unstructured time with peers) was associated with self-reported improvements in satisfaction with social roles and activities and weight loss.

Conclusion

This yoga program successfully engaged female Latiné cancer survivors with overweight and obesity and serves as a foundational step in empowering this population to improve their health and well-being through culturally tailored yoga practice. Future research should utilize controlled study designs and engage participants from different geographical regions to study the efficacy and sustainability of findings.
Performance optimization of novel multi-unit green wall system for blackwater treatment and reuse on-site
Authors: Wang Zhiquan , Xie Weijie , Shi Fan , Fan Chunzhen , Wu Suqing , He Shengbing , Kong Hainan , Zhao Min , Zheng Xiangyong
Published: March 2024

Blackwater constitutes a primary component of environmental pollution posing serious risk to human health; however, reusing the nutrients found in blackwater diminishes the associated pollution and promotes resource recycling. Conventional green-wall systems are not suitable for in situ treatment of high-concentration wastewater. Thereby, a novel multi-unit green-wall system with six independent treatment units was designed to achieve a cost-effective and eco-friendly in situ treatment of blackwater with high organic load. Zeolite carriers were selected for the matrix with carrier depth of 14.5 cm, ivy and chlorophytum were selected as the greening plants. Various pollutants were rapidly reduced at the initial stage and the concentration of the pollutants decreased as the number of treatment units increased. Overall, the green-wall system was more effective in removing COD and NH4+–N with the removal rates of 98.5% and 98%, which may be due to the good buffering capacity of the media and the roles of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in COD degradation and ammoniated nitrification reactions. In addition, the maximum TP and TN removal rates were observed with a value of 85% and 42%, respectively. Consequently, the novel multi-unit green-wall system is an effective method for in situ blackwater reuse.

Graphical Abstract
Feature-specific quantile normalization and feature-specific mean–variance normalization deliver robust bi-directional classification and feature selection performance between microarray and RNAseq data
Authors: Skubleny Daniel , Ghosh Sunita , Spratlin Jennifer , Schiller Daniel E. , Rayat Gina R.
Published: March 2024

Background

Cross-platform normalization seeks to minimize technological bias between microarray and RNAseq whole-transcriptome data. Incorporating multiple gene expression platforms permits external validation of experimental findings, and augments training sets for machine learning models. Here, we compare the performance of Feature Specific Quantile Normalization (FSQN) to a previously used but unvalidated and uncharacterized method we label as Feature Specific Mean Variance Normalization (FSMVN). We evaluate the performance of these methods for bidirectional normalization in the context of nested feature selection.

Results

FSQN and FSMVN provided clinically equivalent bidirectional model performance with and without feature selection for colon CMS and breast PAM50 classification. Using principal component analysis, we determine that these methods eliminate batch effects related to technological platforms. Without feature selection, no statistical difference was identified between the performance of FSQN and FSMVN of cross-platform data compared to within-platform distributions. Under optimal feature selection conditions, balanced accuracy was FSQN and FSMVN were statistically equivalent to the within-platform distribution performance in multivariable linear regression analysis. FSQN and FSMVN also provided similar performance to within-platform distributions as the number of selected genes used to create models decreases.

Conclusions

In the context of generating supervised machine learning classifiers for molecular subtypes, FSQN and FSMVN are equally effective. Under optimal modeling conditions, FSQN and FSMVN provide equivalent model accuracy performance on cross-platform normalization data compared to within-platform data. Using cross-platform data should still be approached with caution as subtle performance differences may exist depending on the classification problem, training, and testing distributions.
Longer serum phosphorus time in range associated with lower mortality risk among peritoneal dialysis patients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Huo Zhihao , Liu Dehui , Ye Peiyi , Zhang Yuehang , Cao Lisha , Gong Nirong , Dou Xianrui , Ren Chengfa , Zhu Qingyao , Li Dan , Zhang Wei , Kong Yaozhong , Wang Guobao , Ai Jun
Published: March 2024

Background

Relationship between serum phosphorus time in range and mortality risk in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum phosphorus time in range and all-cause mortality in Chinese PD population.

Methods

This was a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study of 1,915 patients collected from January 2008 to October 2020 in 4 Chinese centers. Serum phosphorus time in range was estimated as the months during the first year that a patient’s serum phosphorus level was within the target range (defined as 1.13–1.78 mmol/L). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular (CV) mortality and PD withdrawal. Cox proportional hazards regression model with comprehensive adjustments was used to assess the association.

Results

The primary outcome occurred in 249 (13.0%) PD patients over a median follow-up of 28 months. Overall, the serum phosphorus time in range was negatively associated with all-cause mortality (per 3-month increments, adjusted HR [aHR], 0.83; 95%CI: 0.75–0.92), CV mortality (per 3-month increments, aHR, 0.87; 95%CI: 0.77–0.99), and PD withdrawal (per 3-month increments, aHR, 0.89; 95%CI: 0.83–0.95). Competing-risk model showed that the relationship of serum phosphorus time in range with all-cause mortality remained stable. None of the variables including demographics, history of diabetes and CV disease, as well as several PD-related and clinical indicators modified this association.

Conclusions

PD patients with longer serum phosphorus time in range in the first year was negatively associated with all-cause mortality and CV mortality. Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining serum phosphorus levels within 1.13–1.78 mmol/L for PD patients.
Clinical experiences of guided tapering of antipsychotics for patients with schizophrenia– a case series
Authors: Mølgaard Sofie Norlin , Nielsen Mette Ødegaard , Roed Kickan , Nielsen Jimmi
Published: March 2024

Background

80% of patients value information on treatment options as an important part of recovery, further patients with a history of psychotic episodes feel excluded from decision making about their antipsychotic treatment, and on top of that, mental health staff is prone to be reluctant to support shared decision making and medication tapering for patients with schizophrenia. This case series aims to demonstrate the tapering of antipsychotic medication and how guided tapering affects the patient’s feeling of autonomy and psychiatric rehabilitation.

Case presentation

We present six patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (International Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders– 10th Edition codes F20.0–5, F20.7–9) who underwent professionally guided tapering in our clinic. The clinic aims to guide the patients to identify the lowest possible dose of antipsychotic medication in a safe setting to minimise the risk of severe relapse. Two patients completely discontinued their antipsychotic medication, two suffered a relapse during tapering, one chose to stop the tapering at a low dose, and one patient with treatment resistant schizophrenia, which is still tapering down.

Conclusions

Reducing the antipsychotic dose increased emotional awareness in some patients (n = 4) helping them to develop better strategies to handle stress and increased feelings of recovery. Patients felt a greater sense of autonomy and empowerment during the tapering process, even when discontinuation was not possible. Increased awareness in patients and early intervention during relapse may prevent severe relapse.

Impact and implications

Some patients with schizophrenia might be over medicated, leading to unwanted side effects and the wish to reduce their medication. The patients in our study illustrate how guided tapering of antipsychotic medication done jointly with the patient can lead to improved emotional awareness and the development of effective symptom management strategies. This may in turn lead to a greater sense of empowerment and identity and give life more meaning, supporting the experience of personal recovery.
Clinical characteristics and effects of inhaled corticosteroid in patients with post-COVID-19 chronic cough during the Omicron variant outbreak
Authors: Xie Pan-Pan , Zhang Yue , Niu Wen-Kai , Tu Bo , Yang Ning , Fang Yun , Shi Ying-Hui , Wang Fu-Sheng , Yuan Xin
Published: March 2024

Background

Chronic cough is a common symptom in patients post the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and the clinical characteristics of patients with post-COVID-19 chronic cough during the Omicron era.

Methods

An ambispective, longitudinal cohort study was conducted that included patients with post-COVID-19 who attended the respiratory clinic at our hospital between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023 with a complaint of persistent cough lasting more than 8 weeks. At 30 and 60 days after the first clinic visit for post-COVID-19 chronic cough, enrolled patients were prospectively followed up. We compared the changes in symptoms and pulmonary function between patients receiving ICS treatment (ICS group) and those not receiving ICS treatment (NICS group) at the two visits.

Results

A total of 104 patients with post-COVID-19 chronic cough were enrolled in this study (ICS group, n = 51; NICS group, n = 53). The most common symptoms accompanying post-COVID-19 chronic cough were sputum (58.7%, 61/104) and dyspnea (48.1%, 50/104). Seventy-one (82.6%, 71/86) patients had airway hyperresponsiveness, and 49 patients (47.1%, 49/104) were newly diagnosed with asthma. Most patients (95.2%, 99/104) exhibited improvement at 60 days after the first visit. The pulmonary function parameters of the patients in the ICS group were significantly improved compared to the baseline values (P < 0.05), and the improvement in the FEV1/FVC was significantly greater than that in the NICS group (P = 0.003) after 60 days.

Conclusions

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma, which could be the underlying cause of persistent cough post-COVID-19 infection. Post-COVID-19 chronic cough during the Omicron era was often accompanied by sputum, dyspnea, and airway hyperresponsiveness. ICS treatment did not have a significant impact on symptom management of post-COVID-19 chronic cough; however, it can improve impaired lung function in in these individuals.
Validation of clinical simulation scenarios for the teaching of soft skills in child-centered care
Authors: de Araújo Baptista Vivianne Izabelle , Braga Liliane Pereira , de Sousa Mata Ádala Nayana , Carreiro Bruno Oliveira , dos Santos Rosa Luiz Paulo Gomes , de Morais Hécio Henrique Araújo , de Azevedo George Dantas , Appenzeller Simone
Published: March 2024

Consultations with children and their families are complex and require soft skills. However, there is a gap in the medical curriculum concerning these skills, especially as encounter training is often adult-centered. We developed, validated, and applied simulation scenarios that prioritize active participation of children to train soft skills in child-centered care for undergraduate medical students. This is a methodological study to develop three scenarios and a checklist of what is expected. The content was validated by 18 experts. A pre-test was carried out for adjustments. Then, the simulations were applied and evaluated by 18 medical undergraduate students. They included the participation of 6 pediatric simulated patients aged 9–12 years trained by a drama teacher. According to the results, the scenarios and checklist proved to be valid instruments in content terms (ICV-I > 0.8). The scripts were followed by the simulated pediatric patients, but they had difficulty mimicking a hypoactive state. Some were anxious, but everyone enjoyed participating in the feedback. The simulated parents had difficulty participating and giving space to the child's speech. Participants assessed that the simulations performed as they were proposed and, after experimenting them, felt more prepared. The simulations provided an opportunity for students to practice soft skills by interacting with children in a safe environment. Using children as simulated patients is feasible but presents some challenges. Our study has expanded the ways in which children's health content can be taught. We are investigating whether this training leads to better patient outcomes in real clinical settings.
Factors affecting Saudi medical students’ engagement during synchronous and asynchronous eLearning and their impacts on the students’ academic achievement: a national survey
Authors: Alghamdi Amal A. , Alyousif Ghada F. , AlQarni Amani M. , Amer Fatma H. , Alfadhel Taghreed O. , Almutairi Rawan N. , Almutairi Shatha M. , Almutairi Anwar D. , Hakami Nouf A. , Al Ghamdi Kholoud.
Published: March 2024

Background

Nowadays, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, electronic learning (eLearning) has become a necessity in education. eLearning can be either synchronous, where classes are conducted in real-time, or asynchronous, where students can access the class material at any time. Student-instructor interaction has become essential to the educational process. In the literature, most studies have focused on the preferred methods of eLearning and the barriers to interaction in eLearning. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the factors that affect students’ interactions during eLearning and their impacts on students’ academic achievements.

Methods

A national cross-sectional study was conducted among clinical and pre-clinical medical students who were attending universities in five regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a bespoke online self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic features, eLearning barriers, preferences, and the impact of eLearning on students’ performance and understanding.

Results

This study involved 1371 medical students, of whom 52.37% were male and 51.13% were in their pre-clinical years of medical college. Of the participants, 59.88% (n = 821) preferred synchronous modalities of eLearning, and 33.33% (n = 457) avoided interaction during synchronous lectures. The main predictors of avoiding interaction during online lectures were being male in the clinical years of medical studies, being in a quiet atmosphere, having difficulties using the eLearning platform, having a poor internet connection, having a visual learning style, being insecure, and the presence of opposite-sex students and facilitators. In addition, 12.25% students (n = 168) reported a lower grade point average (GPA), whereas 11.96% (n = 164) reported an improved GPA after eLearning compared with in-person/onsite learning sessions. The GPA fluctuation was related to gender, personality type, learning style, interaction, and eLearning modality preference. Moreover, the students’ understanding was enhanced by recorded lectures (n = 1,093, 79.72%) and supportive multimedia (n = 1,037, 75.64%), and the easy to use platform (n = 1037, 75.64%).

Conclusion

The synchronous modality of eLearning was the preferred teaching method among the medical students. However, multiple individual, technical, and environmental factors affected their interaction, performance, and understanding during these sessions. Hence, future interventional research is recommended to overcome interaction barriers and enhance student performance and understanding of eLearning.
The ARIMA model approach for the biofilm-forming capacity prediction of Listeria monocytogenes recovered from carcasses
Authors: Dishan Adalet , Barel Mukaddes , Hizlisoy Serhat , Arslan Recep Sinan , Hizlisoy Harun , Gundog Dursun Alp , Al Serhat , Gonulalan Zafer
Published: March 2024

The present study aimed to predict the biofilm-formation ability of L. monocytogenes isolates obtained from cattle carcasses via the ARIMA model at different temperature parameters. The identification of L. monocytogenes obtained from carcass samples collected from slaughterhouses was determined by PCR. The biofilm-forming abilities of isolates were phenotypically determined by calculating the OD value and categorizing the ability via the microplate test. The presence of some virulence genes related to biofilm was revealed by QPCR to support the biofilm profile genotypically. Biofilm-formation of the isolates was evaluated at different temperature parameters (37 °C, 22 °C, 4 °C and − 20 °C). Estimated OD values were obtained with the ARIMA model by dividing them into eight different estimation groups. The prediction performance was determined by performance measurement metrics (ME, MAE, MSE, RMSE, MPE and MAPE). One week of incubation showed all isolates strongly formed biofilm at all controlled temperatures except − 20 °C. In terms of the metrics examined, the 3 days to 7 days forecast group has a reasonable prediction accuracy based on OD values occurring at 37 °C, 22 °C, and 4 °C. It was concluded that measurements at 22 °C had lower prediction accuracy compared to predictions from other temperatures. Overall, the best OD prediction accuracy belonged to the data obtained from biofilm formation at -20 °C. For all temperatures studied, especially after the 3 days to 7 days forecast group, there was a significant decrease in the error metrics and the forecast accuracy increased. When evaluating the best prediction group, the lowest RMSE at 37 °C (0.055), 22 °C (0.027) and 4 °C (0.024) belonged to the 15 days to 21 days group. For the OD predictions obtained at -20 °C, the 15 days to 21 days prediction group had also good performance (0.011) and the lowest RMSE belongs to the 7 days to 15 days group (0.007). In conclusion, this study will guide in using indicator parameters to evaluate biofilm forming ability to predict optimum temperature-time. The ARIMA models integrated with this study can be useful tools for industrial application and risk assessment studies using different parameters such as pH, NaCl concentration, and especially temperature applied during food processing and storage on the biofilm-formation ability of L. monocytogenes.
Development of a nomogram based on the clinicopathological and CT features to predict the survival of primary pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma patients
Authors: Nie Kai , Zhu Lin , Zhang Yuxuan , Chen Yinan , Parrington John , Yu Hong
Published: March 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram by combining chest computed tomography (CT) images and clinicopathological predictors to assess the survival outcomes of patients with primary pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma (PLEC).

Methods

113 patients with stage I–IV primary PLEC who underwent treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the independent prognostic factors associated with patient’s disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Based on results from multivariate Cox regression analysis, the nomograms were constructed with pre-treatment CT features and clinicopathological information, which were then assessed with respect to calibration, discrimination and clinical usefulness.

Results

Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed the independent prognostic factors for DFS were surgery resection and hilar and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and that for CSS were age, smoking status, surgery resection, tumor site in lobe and necrosis. The concordance index (C‑index) of nomogram for DFS and CSS were 0.777 (95% CI: 0.703–0.851) and 0.904 (95% CI: 0.847–0.961), respectively. The results of the time‑dependent C‑index were internally validated using a bootstrap resampling method for DFS and CSS also showed that the nomograms had a better discriminative ability.

Conclusions

We developed nomograms based on clinicopathological and CT factors showing a good performance in predicting individual DFS and CSS probability among primary PLEC patients. This prognostic tool may be valuable for clinicians to more accurately drive treatment decisions and individualized survival assessment.
The genetic causal relationship between type 2 diabetes, glycemic traits and venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yang Mingyi , Wan Xianjie , Su Yani , Xu Ke , Wen Pengfei , Zhang Binfei , Liu Lin , Yang Zhi , Xu Peng
Published: March 2024

Objective

To investigate the genetic underpinnings of the association between type 2 diabetes (T2D), glycemic indicators such as fasting glucose (FG), fasting insulin (FI), and glycated hemoglobin (GH), and venous thromboembolism (VTE), encompassing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), thereby contributing novel insights to the scholarly discourse within this domain.

Methods

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data pertaining to exposures (T2D, FG, FI, GH) and outcomes (VTE, DVT, PE) were acquired from the IEU Open GWAS database, encompassing participants of European descent, including both male and female individuals. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted utilizing the TwoSampleMR and MRPRESSO packages within the R programming environment. The primary analytical approach employed was the random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. Heterogeneity was assessed via Cochran’s Q statistic for MR-IVW and Rucker’s Q statistic for MR-Egger. Horizontal pleiotropy was evaluated using the intercept test of MR Egger and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) analysis, with the latter also employed for outlier detection. Additionally, a “Leave one out” analysis was conducted to ascertain the influence of individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on MR results.

Results

The random-effects IVW analysis revealed a negative genetic causal association between T2D) and VTE (P = 0.008, Odds Ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.896 [0.827–0.972]), as well as between FG and VTE (P = 0.002, OR 95% CI = 0.655 [0.503–0.853]), GH and VTE (P = 0.010, OR 95% CI = 0.604 [0.412–0.884]), and GH and DVT (P = 0.002, OR 95% CI = 0.413 [0.235–0.725]). Conversely, the random-effects IVW analysis did not detect a genetic causal relationship between FI and VTE (P > 0.05), nor between T2D, FG, or FI and DVT (P > 0.05), or between T2D, FG, FI, or GH and PE (P > 0.05). Both the Cochran’s Q statistic for MR-IVW and Rucker’s Q statistic for MR-Egger indicated no significant heterogeneity (P > 0.05). Moreover, the intercept tests of MR Egger and MR-PRESSO suggested the absence of horizontal pleiotropy (P > 0.05). MR-PRESSO analysis identified no outliers, while the “Leave one out” analysis underscored that the MR analysis was not influenced by any single SNP.

Conclusion

Our investigation revealed that T2D, FG, and GH exhibit negative genetic causal relationships with VTE at the genetic level, while GH demonstrates a negative genetic causal relationship with DVT at the genetic level. These findings furnish genetic-level evidence warranting further examination of VTE, DVT, and PE, thereby making a contribution to the advancement of related research domains.
Paradoxical cancer cell proliferation after FGFR inhibition through decreased p21 signaling in FGFR1-amplified breast cancer cells
Authors: Chi Feng , Griffiths Jason I. , Nath Aritro , Bild Andrea H.
Published: March 2024

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) control various cellular functions through fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) activation, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival. FGFR amplification in ER + breast cancer patients correlate with poor prognosis, and FGFR inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials. By comparing three-dimensional spheroid growth of ER + breast cancer cells with and without FGFR1 amplification, our research discovered that FGF2 treatment can paradoxically decrease proliferation in cells with FGFR1 amplification or overexpression. In contrast, FGF2 treatment in cells without FGFR1 amplification promotes classical FGFR proliferative signaling through the MAPK cascade. The growth inhibitory effect of FGF2 in FGFR1 amplified cells aligned with an increase in p21, a cell cycle inhibitor that hinders the G1 to S phase transition in the cell cycle. Additionally, FGF2 addition in FGFR1 amplified cells activated JAK-STAT signaling and promoted a stem cell-like state. FGF2-induced paradoxical effects were reversed by inhibiting p21 or the JAK-STAT pathway and with pan-FGFR inhibitors. Analysis of patient ER + breast tumor transcriptomes from the TCGA and METABRIC datasets demonstrated a strong positive association between expression of FGF2 and stemness signatures, which was further enhanced in tumors with high FGFR1 expression. Overall, our findings reveal a divergence in FGFR signaling, transitioning from a proliferative to stemness state driven by activation of JAK-STAT signaling and modulation of p21 levels. Activation of these divergent signaling pathways in FGFR amplified cancer cells and paradoxical growth effects highlight a challenge in the use of FGFR inhibitors in cancer treatment.
A novel stability analysis of functional equation in neutrosophic normed spaces
Authors: Aloqaily Ahmad , Agilan P. , Julietraja K. , Annadurai S. , Mlaiki Nabil
Published: March 2024

The analysis of stability in functional equations (FEs) within neutrosophic normed spaces is a significant challenge due to the inherent uncertainties and complexities involved. This paper proposes a novel approach to address this challenge, offering a comprehensive framework for investigating stability properties in such contexts. Neutrosophic normed spaces are a generalization of traditional normed spaces that incorporate neutrosophic logic. By providing a systematic methodology for addressing stability concerns in neutrosophic normed spaces, our approach facilitates enhanced understanding and control of complex systems characterized by indeterminacy and uncertainty. The primary focus of this research is to propose a novel class of Euler-Lagrange additive FE and investigate its Ulam-Hyers stability in neutrosophic normed spaces. Direct and fixed point techniques are utilized to achieve the required results.
Inferential Deflationism
Authors: Incurvati Luca , Schlöder Julian J.
Published: March 2024

Deflationists about truth hold that the function of the truth predicate is to enable us to make certain assertions we could not otherwise make. Pragmatists claim that the utility of negation lies in its role in registering incompatibility. The pragmatist insight about negation has been successfully incorporated into bilateral theories of content, which take the meaning of negation to be inferentially explained in terms of the speech act of rejection. We implement the deflationist insight in a bilateral theory by taking the meaning of the truth predicate to be explained by its inferential relation to assertion. We combine this account of the meaning of the truth predicate with a new diagnosis of the liar paradox: its derivation requires the truth rules to preserve evidence, but these rules only preserve commitment. The result is a novel inferential deflationist theory of truth, which solves the liar paradox in a principled manner. We end by showing that our theory and simple extensions thereof have the resources to axiomatize the internal logic of several supervaluational hierarchies, including Cantini’s. This solves open problems of Halbach (2011) and Horsten (2011).
Plant Infrastructure
Authors: Watson Tim
Published: March 2024

This essay analyzes Miami as a place where plants are a major component of urban infrastructure. The centrality of tropical plants to the growth of Miami connects that city to the history of empire, where control of plant matter was the violent model for the standardization and distribution practices of modern infrastructure. In Miami, the US Department of Agriculture established a Plant Introduction Garden in 1898, with “Agricultural Explorer” David Fairchild activating networks connecting India, Kew Gardens, and Washington to bring mostly Asian tropical fruits, shrubs, and flowers to South Florida. A close reading of archives of botanical gardens, plant nurseries, and community organizations shows that Miami plant infrastructure was created jointly by these elite political/scientific networks and by vernacular, informal networks of Black labor migration and horticultural know-how. The essay focuses on the cultivation of Miami’s best-known plant product, the Haden mango, and the vital role in its propagation played by Black Bahamian gardener Nathan Sands, whose letters to his employer David Fairchild are preserved in the latter’s papers. Recovering the stories of people like Nathan Sands is vital to understanding the development of a global metropolis whose plant infrastructure erased the Black horticultural work on which it depended.
Η επίδραση της προεγχειρητικής φυσικοθεραπευτικής παρέμβασης στη μετεγχειρητική αποκατάσταση και λειτουργικότητα σε ασθενείς με οστεοαρθρίτιδα που υποβάλλονται σε ολική αρθροπλαστική γόνατος
Authors: Βασιλειάδης Δημήτρης
Published: March 2024

Σκοπός: Αρκετές μελέτες έχουν δείξει ότι οι ασθενείς με σοβαρή οστεοαρθρίτιδα (ΟΑ) του γόνατος μπορούν να μειώσουν τον πόνο και να βελτιώσουν τη δύναμη του τετρακέφαλου μυ και την λειτουργική τους ικανότητα μέσω τακτικής άσκησης. Ο σκοπός αυτής της μελέτης είναι να διερευνήσει την αποτελεσματικότητα που έχει ένα εποπτευόμενο προεγχειρητικό πρόγραμμα υψηλής έντασης διάρκειας έξι εβδομάδων στη μυϊκή δύναμη, τη λειτουργική απόδοση και τα αναφερόμενα από τον ασθενή αποτελέσματα σε ασθενείς που υποβάλλονται σε ολική αρθροπλαστική γόνατος (ΟΑΓ). Μέθοδοι: Ενενήντα οκτώ ασθενείς που είχαν προγραμματιστεί για μονόπλευρη ΟΑΓ λόγω σοβαρής ΟΑ γόνατος κατανεμήθηκαν σε μια ομάδα παρέμβασης (N = 49) που ολοκλήρωσε ένα πρόγραμμα προεγχειρητικής εκπαίδευσης διάρκειας έξι εβδομάδων πριν από το χειρουργείο και σε μια ομάδα ελέγχου (N=49) που δεν ακολούθησε κανένα προεγχειρητικό πρόγραμμα εκπαίδευσης. Ο Δείκτης οστεοαρθρίτιδας των Πανεπιστημίων Δυτικού Οντάριο και McMaster (WOMAC), η κλίμακα φυσικής Λειτουργίας του ερωτηματολογίου Short Form-36 (SF-36), η βαθμολογία έκβασης για τραυματισμό γόνατος και οστεοαρθρίτιδα (KOOS), η δύναμη τετρακέφαλου, η δοκιμασία βάδισης 20 μέτρων και η δοκιμασία κάθισμα-ανασήκωση σε καρέκλα σε 30 δευτερόλεπτα αξιολογήθηκαν έξι εβδομάδες πριν από τη χειρουργική επέμβαση (Π0), λίγο πριν από τη χειρουργική επέμβαση (Π1), τέσσερις εβδομάδες (Π2), 12 εβδομάδες (Π3), 26 εβδομάδες (Π4) και 52 εβδομάδες (Π5) μετά την ΟΑΓ. Αποτελέσματα: Από τους 98 ασθενείς που συμπεριλήφθηκαν στη μελέτη μας, 10 άτομα αποσύρθηκαν από τη μελέτη σε διαφορετικά στάδια, ενώ 44 ασθενείς κατανεμήθηκαν στην ομάδα παρέμβασης και οι υπόλοιποι 44 στην ομάδα ελέγχου. Κατά τη σύγκριση των αλλαγών από τη βασική μέτρηση μέχρι τα κύρια σημεία αξιολόγησης βρήκαμε μια σημαντική διαφορά στην ομάδα υπέρ της ομάδας παρέμβασης για τη δύναμη του τετρακέφαλου (Π1 <0,001, Π2=0,001, Π3=0,009, Π4=0,042, P5=0,149), τεστ βάδισης 20 μέτρων (Π1< 0,001, Π2=0,023, Π3=0,032, Π4=0,018, Π5<0.001), δοκιμή κάθισμα-ανασήκωση σε καρέκλα διάρκειας 30 δευτερολέπτων (Π1<0,001, Π2<0,001, Π3<0,001, Π4=0,275, Π5=0,637) και όλα τα αποτελέσματα που αναφέρθηκαν από τον ασθενή WOMAC (Π1<0,001, Π2=0,001, Π3=0,007, Π4<0.001, Π5<0.001), SF-36 (Π1<0.001, Π2<0.001, Π3=0.004, Π4=0.003, Π5=0.036) εκτός από το KOOS (Π1<0.001, Π2=0,048, Π3=0.087, Π4=0.127, Π5=0,196). Συμπεράσματα: Η μελέτη μας έδειξε ότι ένα πρόγραμμα προεγχειρητικής φυσιοθεραπείας διάρκειας έξι εβδομάδων υπό την επίβλεψη φυσιοθεραπευτή είναι αποτελεσματικό για τη μείωση του πόνου στο γόνατο, τη βελτίωση της λειτουργίας του γόνατος και την ενίσχυση των καθημερινών δραστηριοτήτων ζωής σε ασθενείς που υποβάλλονται σε ολική αρθροπλαστική γόνατος.
Μη παραμετρικά διαγράμματα ελέγχου
Authors: Παναγιώτου Νικόλαος
Published: March 2024

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή πραγματεύεται θέματα και εφαρμογές της Θεωρίας Διατεταγμένων παρατηρήσεων (Theory of Order Statistics) στο πεδίο του Στατιστικού Ελέγχου Διεργασιών (Statistical Process Control). Στο Κεφάλαιο 1 δίνεται μια σύντομη εισαγωγή στα Διαγράμματα Ελέγχου και παρουσιάζονται εισαγωγικές έννοιες και βασικές ιδιότητες από τη Θεωρία των Διατεταγμένων Παρατηρήσεων, οι οποίες θα χρησιμοποιηθούν στα επόμενα κεφάλαια της διατριβής. Στο Κεφάλαιο 2 θεμελιώνεται μια νέα οικογένεια μη παραμετρικών διαγραμμάτων που κατασκευάζονται με τη βοήθεια διατεταγμένων παρατηρήσεων από τυχαία δείγματα της διεργασίας και αποτελεί γενίκευση υπαρχόντων διαγραμμάτων ελέγχου που έχουν προταθεί στη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία. Στη 2η ενότητα του Kεφαλαίου προτείνονται δυο νέα μη παραμετρικά διαγράμματα που ενσωματώνουν, τον 3-από-3 κανόνα ροών των Derman and Ross (1997), και αντίστοιχα, τον 3-από-3 κανόνα ροών που έχει προταθεί από τον Klein (2000), στο διάγραμμα ελέγχου που θεμελιώθηκε στην εργασία του Triantafyllou (2018a). Στην τελευταία ενότητα του Κεφαλαίου 2, εισάγεται μια νέα οικογένεια μη παραμετρικών διαγραμμάτων ελέγχου που σχεδιάζονται με την χρήση διατεταγμένων παρατηρήσεων και του k-από-k κανόνα ροών των Derman and Ross (1997). Στο Κεφάλαιο 3 θεμελιώνεται μια νέα οικογένεια μη παραμετρικών διαγραμμάτων ελέγχου τα οποία χρησιμοποιούν μια αθροιστική βαθμολογική συνάρτηση τύπου Wilcoxon, ως κανόνα απόφασης για τον στατιστικό έλεγχο της διεργασίας. Στην τελευταία ενότητα του Κεφαλαίου 3, προτείνεται η ενσωμάτωση του κανόνα ροών 2-από-3 στο μη παραμετρικό διάγραμμα των Balakrishnan et al. (2009) και αξιολογείται η απόδοση του νέου διαγράμματος ελέγχου με τη βοήθεια της μεθόδου της προσομοίωσης.
Design and optimization of diffuser-augmented wind turbines
Authors: Λελούδας Σταύρος
Published: March 2024

Οι ανεμογεννήτριες υποβοηθούμενες από διαχύτη (diffuser-augmented ή shrouded wind turbines) αντιπροσωπεύουν μια ευρεία κατηγορία εξαιρετικά ευέλικτων συστημάτων συγκομιδής αιολικής ενέργειας, τα οποία παρέχουν τη δυνατότητα επίτευξης συντελεστών ισχύος που υπερβαίνουν το θεωρητικό όριο του Betz, και συνεπώς μπορούν να συμβάλλουν στην οικονομική βιωσιμότητα της παραγωγής ανανεώσιμης ενέργειας σε περιοχές που χαρακτηρίζονται από χαμηλό αιολικό δυναμικό, όπως το αστικό περιβάλλον. Επομένως, η ευρύτερη υιοθέτηση και εγκατάσταση ανεμογεννητριών υποβοηθούμενων από διαχύτη θα μπορούσε τελικά να οδηγήσει σε μεγαλύτερη γεωγραφική διασπορά των εφαρμογών αιολικής ενέργειας, εδραίωση των συστημάτων διανεμημένης παραγωγής ισχύος, και περαιτέρω χρήση των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας σε παγκόσμια κλίμακα, συμβάλλοντας έτσι σε μια ταχύτερη ενεργειακή μετάβαση. Ωστόσο, η επίτευξη ευρέως αποδεκτών προϊόντων και η εδραίωση αυτής της τεχνολογικής εφαρμογής στην παγκόσμια αγορά ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας απαιτούν εξαιρετικά αποδοτικές και οικονομικά βιώσιμες σχεδιάσεις. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή στοχεύει στην ανάπτυξη και επικύρωση αποτελεσματικών υπολογιστικών εργαλείων και αριθμητικών μεθοδολογιών, για την αεροδυναμική ανάλυση και τη βελτιστοποίηση ανεμογεννητριών υποβοηθούμενων από διαχύτη.
Analysis of Moving Bodies with a Direct Finite Difference Time Domain Method
Authors: Marvasti Mohammad , Boutayeb Halim
Published: March 2024

This paper proposes an original and thorough analysis of the behavior of electromagnetic waves in the presence of moving bodies by using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Movements are implemented by changing positions of the objects at each time step, through the classical FDTD time loop. This technique is suitable for non-relativistic speeds, thus for most encountered problems in antennas and propagation domain. The numerical aspects that need to be considered are studied. Then, different bodies in motion are examined: plane wave source with matching resistors, observation point, inclined partially reflecting surface (PRS), line source, and metallic cylinder illuminated by a plane wave. The results are compared with those of special relativity which are considered as the references. Some aspects of special relativity are present in the direct FDTD approach, such as the independence of the velocity of electromagnetic wave propagation with the speed of the source and Lorentz local time (with a different physical interpretation). It is shown that the amplitude of the electric field for a moving plane wave source does not increase with the speed of motion, if the impedance of the source is small. Moreover, for a moving scattering metallic wire, one can observe a phenomenon similar to shock waves.