bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consistency between the Standardized Methods of Exercise Prescription and the Target Heart Rate for the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Ruojiang Liu , Jinmei Qin , Weizhen Xue , Feng Wang , Huihui Zhu
Published: March 2024

Purpose
This study aimed to compare differences and consistencies between the target heart rate (THR) for aerobic exercise based on the standardized physiological maximum value percentage and the first-ventilatory-threshold heart rate (HRVT1). The maximum physiological value percentage with the highest consistency with HRVT1, combined with the maximum heart rate (HRmax) prediction equation, can guide safe and effective exercise in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in practical applications.
Methods
Three HRmax prediction equations were used to calculate the THR as 35%, 45% and 50% heart rate reserve (HRR) and 55%, 60% and 65% HRmax, and the results were compared for correlation and consistency with HRVT1. HRVT1 was measured through a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) that complied with current guidelines and laboratory standards.
Results
According to the Fox equation, the difference in HRVT1 and 35% HRR was not statistically significant (P = 0.060). Bland‒Altman analysis indicated that the mean difference in HRVT1 and 35% HRR was − 0.350, which was close to the 0 line, and 95.83% of the patients (46/48) had values within the 95% limits of agreement. The absolute maximum difference within the limits of agreement was 7.90, the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.862 (P < 0.001), and the 95% confidence interval was 0.767–0.920, indicating high consistency and good accuracy.
Conclusion
Among Chinese MetS patients, 35% HRR determined via the standardized HRR method and the acquired CPET VT1 had high consistency. Especially when applying the Fox equation, the exercise intensity of MetS patients can be best kept within the moderate-intensity domain near VT1.
A Charge Plasma Based Dual Buried Gates Power MOSFET With Improved Figure of Merits
Authors: Nigar Hafsa , Alkhammash Hend I. , Loan Sajad
Published: March 2024

In this work, we design and simulate a high performance electrostatically doped dual buried gates power MOSFET (EDDBGP-MOS) structure. The novelty of the proposed device is three folds. Firstly, the n + source and P + body regions of the device are realized using induced charge plasma by employing metal electrodes on the silicon film. The device thus reduces the risk of random doping fluctuations and the formation of highly abrupt junctions during fabrication. The high temperature processes involved in defining the doped regions are not required, thus providing low thermal budget. Secondly, the Gaussian hole plasma profile in the p body region allows increase in drift doping concentration from 5x1015/cm3 to 7x1015/cm3 resulting in Ron reduction to almost 24% of its uniformly doped counterpart structure, with only a slight reduction in breakdown voltage of the device. The proposed device thus provides 10% increase in the Baliga’s figure of merit (FOM1 = BV2/Rsp). Further, the linearly graded Gaussian profile at the source side reduces the source coupling with gate. The gate charge together with the reduced specific ON resistance value provides as good as 19% reduction in Baliga’s high frequency figure of merit FOM2 = Rsp.Qsp). As compared to the conventional trench MOSFET structure, the two buried gates in the proposed structure provides low gate drain coupling along with the suppression in parasitic BJT effect. A two-dimensional simulation study of the proposed EDDBGP-MOS device reveals that it outperforms the conventional trench MOSFET device in terms of the performance parameters of power devices, along with the reduced fabrication complexity.
CD47 is Required for Mesenchymal Progenitor Proliferation and Fracture Repair
Authors: Hankenson Kurt , Zondervan Robert , Capobianco Christina , Jenkins Daniel , Reicha John , Frederick Livia , Lam Charles , Isenberg Jeffery , Ahn Jaimo , Marcucio Ralph S.
Published: March 2024

CD47 is a ubiquitous and pleiotropic cell-surface receptor. Disrupting CD47 enhances injury repair in various tissues but the role of CD47 has not been studied in bone injuries. In a murine closed-fracture model, CD47-null mice showed decreased callus bone volume, bone mineral content, and tissue mineral content as assessed by microcomputed tomography 10 days post-fracture, and increased fibrous volume as determined by histology. To understand the cellular basis for this phenotype, mesenchymal progenitors (MSC) were harvested from bone marrow. CD47-null MSC showed decreased large fibroblast colony formation (CFU-F), significantly less proliferation, and fewer cells in S-phase, although osteoblast differentiation was unaffected. However, consistent with prior research, CD47-null endothelial cells showed increased proliferation relative to WT cells. Similarly, in a murine ischemic fracture model, CD47-null mice showed reduced fracture callus bone volume and bone mineral content relative to WT. Consistent with our in vitro results, in vivo EdU labeling showed decreased cell proliferation in the callus of CD47-null mice, while staining for CD31 and endomucin demonstrated increased endothelial cell mass. Finally, WT mice administered a CD47 morpholino, which blocks CD47 protein production, showed a callus phenotype similar to that of non-ischemic and ischemic fractures in CD47-null mice, suggesting the phenotype was not due to developmental changes in the knockout mice. Thus, inhibition of CD47 during bone healing reduces both non-ischemic and ischemic fracture healing, in part, by decreasing MSC proliferation. Furthermore, the increase in endothelial cell proliferation and early blood vessel density caused by CD47 disruption is not sufficient to overcome MSC dysfunction.
Correlation between the Physical Activity Volume and Cognitive and Mental Capacity among Elderly People in China: A Cross-sectional Study Based on the 2020 CHARLS Database
Authors: Li Shixin , Zhang Jaiyi , Wang Weijia , Yang Yonghong
Published: March 2024

Background
At present, due to the progress of the aging population in China and the government's attention to healthy aging, people are putting increasing emphasis on the cognitive function and psychological function of elderly people. Therefore, the goal of our study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity and cognitive and psychological function in order to provide suggestions for exercise guidance.
Methods
A total of 5871 participants who met the inclusion criteria were selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) was used to assess mental capacity, and cognitive function was included in three domains:orientation, memory,and calculation.and the total physical activity data were obtained via interviews. ADL and IADL scores were used to determine the presence or absence of daily physical function impairment.
Results
The prevalence of depression was 8.1%, and 31.6% of the elderly participants experienced depressive symptoms. A total of 15.6% of the elderly individuals had insufficient weekly physical activity, and 3.9% of the elderly individuals had daily functional problems (DFPs). The physical activity volume (PAV) was negatively correlated with the CESD-10 score, orientation, calculation, and memory.
Conclusion
Our study confirmed that insufficient weekly physical activity was associated with a greater risk of depression, cognitive impairment and DFP impairment in elderly Chinese people.
Establishment and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cells from an individual with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy carrying the MYBPC3 c.772G>A mutation
Authors: Ribeiro Marta , Jager Joanna , Furtado Marta , Carvalho Teresa , Cabral Joaquim M.S. , Brito Dulce , Carmo-Fonseca Maria , Martins Sandra , Rocha Simão Teixeira da
Published: March 2024

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common genetic heart disorder, is defined by left ventricular hypertrophy in individuals without abnormal loading conditions. This condition can progress to heart failure and sudden cardiac death. In the context of heart disease, availability of patient heart tissues is scarce and hampers cardiac research progression. An alternative is the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients, that can be differentiated into cardiac cells and used to study disease mechanisms and regenerative medicine approaches as well as platforms for drug development and toxicity assays. In this study, we generated two induced pluripotent stem cell lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a 64-year-old female carrying the MYBPC3 c.772G > A HCM pathogenic splicing mutation. The generated iPSC lines exhibit a normal karyotype and display hallmark characteristics of pluripotency, including the ability to undergo trilineage differentiation. These new iPSC lines provide a valuable resource for understanding the role of the MYBPC3 c.772G > A mutation in initiating HCM and exploring potential targeted therapeutic strategies.
Electron swarm parameters of alcohols from electron collision cross–sections
Authors: Silva Marcelo da , Ballester Maikel
Published: March 2024

The rationalization and modeling of an electric discharge in a fluid are enriched with the knowledge of electron swarm parameters. In this work, transport coefficients of several alcohols: methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol, are reported. The electron energy distribution function, mean energy, reduced mobility and diffusion coefficient, are calculated using the two-term expansion of the electron Boltzmann equation in the frame of BOLSIG+ and the Monte Carlo collision code METHES. For such, experimental and theoretical values of the electronalcohol collision cross-section, covering a range of electron impact energy from 1 eV to 1000 eV, are employed. A temperature of 300K, reduced fields E/N between 1−104 Td (1Td = 10−21 Vm2), and Plasma density of 1019 m−3 were used in simulations. The calculated coefficients are compared with data available from previous studies.
High Extracellular K+ Drives T-Cell Exhaustion by Disrupting TCR Signals Implicated in Tumor Immune Evasion
Authors: Wong Brandon Han Siang , Poh Zhi Sheng , Wei James Tan Chia , Amuthavalli Kottaiswamy , Ho Ying Swan , Chen Shuwen , Mak Shi Ya , Bi Xuezhi , Webster Richard , Shelat Vishalkumar , Chandy K. George , Verma Navin Kumar
Published: March 2024

Background: Tumours create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that limits the antitumor function of infiltrating T-cells. In particular, K+ ions released from dying necrotic tumour cells accumulate in the tumour microenvironment and increase the local K+ concentration to 50 mM (high-[K+]e). This study aims to investigate functional impact of high- [K+]e on human T-cells.
Results: We demonstrate that high-[K+]e decreases expression of the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex and costimulatory molecule CD28, and suppresses key activation molecules, thereby dysregulating TCR-mediated signalling. High-[K+30 ]e also alters the metabolic profile of T-cells, limiting metabolism of glucose and glutamine, consistent with functional exhaustion. These changes skew T-cell differentiation, favouring Th2 and Treg subsets that promote tumour growth while restricting anti-tumour Th1 and Th17 subsets.
Conclusions: Findings presented here reveal an important role of high-[K+]e in disrupting TCR signals and driving T-cell exhaustion implicated in the immunosuppressive milieu in the tumour microenvironment.
Spectrum and antimicrobial resistance in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with pneumonia among Vietnamese patients: A cross-sectional prospective study
Authors: Dao Duy Tuyen , Le Huu Song , Nguyen Minh Hai , Thi Thi Duyen , Nguyen Xuan Dung , Bui Thanh Thuyet , Tran Thi Huyen Trang , Pham Van Luan , Do Hang Nga , Nguyen Dinh Tien , Le Huu Y
Published: March 2024

Background: Respiratory infections have long been recognized as a primary cause of acute exacerbationof chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD). Additionally, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance has led to an urgent and critical situation in developing countries, including Vietnam. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria in patients with AE-COPD using both conventional culture and multiplex real-time PCR. Additionally, associations between clinical characteristics and indicators of pneumonia in these patients were examined.
Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study included 92 AE-COPD patients with pneumonia and 46 without pneumonia. Sputum specimens were cultured and examined for bacterial identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined for each isolate. Multiplex real-time PCR was also performed to detect ten bacteria and seven viruses.
Results:The detection rates of pathogens in AE-COPD patients with pneumonia were 92.39%, compared to 86.96% in those without pneumonia. A total of 26 pathogenic species were identified, showing no significant difference in distribution between the two groups. The predominant bacteria included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, followed by Acinetobacter baumannii and Streptococcus mitis. There was a slight difference in antibiotic resistance between bacteria isolated from two groups. The frequency of H. influenzae was notably greater in AE-COPD patients who experienced respiratory failure (21.92%) than in those who did not (9.23%). S. pneumoniae was more common in patients with stage I (44.44%) or IV (36.36%) COPD than in patients with stage II (17.39%) or III (9.72%)disease. ROC curve analysis revealed that C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could distinguish patients with AE-COPD with and without pneumonia (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.78).
Conclusion: Gram-negative bacteria still play a key role in the etiology of AE-COPD patients, regardless of the presence of pneumonia. This study provides updated evidence for the epidemiology of AE-COPD pathogens and the appropriate selection of antimicrobial agents in Vietnam.
Investigation of the role of Irisin and FABP4 in iron deficiency anemia
Authors: Selmanoglu Ahmet , Akarsu Saadet , Aydın Süleyman
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Anemia is defined as a condition in which the level of Hemoglobin is lower than the expected level based on age and gender.Irisin (Ir) was discovered in 2012 to be a muscle-associated factor.Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are chaperones involved in intracellular fatty acid transport.Iron deficiency(ID) causes various symptoms, but their etiology may not be fully understood.The study's objective is to explore whether Ir and FABP4 levels might be linked to symptoms such as feeling cold, fatigue, learning difficulties, and others in individuals with ID.
Methods
The study was conducted by the Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Faculty of Medicine,Fırat University.Our study evaluated ID in three distinct periods,including iron storage depletion,latent iron deficiency without anemia,and iron deficiency anemia.We analyzed the effects of these three periods, along with a control group, on serum and urine Ir, as well as FABP4 levels, both before and after iron treatment.
Results
The mean serum Ir levels in our study revealed statistically significant differences between the patient groups and the control group, with lower levels observed in the patient groups before treatment(p < 0.05).After treatment, a statistically significant increase(p < 0.05) was found in the mean serum Ir levels in all patient groups.In our study, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in serum FABP4 levels (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
In our study,we found that the feeling of coldness and decreased cognitive functions seen in iron deficiency may be related to serum Ir level.Today, IDA is an important public health problem and affects many systems.
Infectious Disease Complications Associated with Opioid Use Disorder at a Southern County Hospital: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Balakrishnan Harini , Campalans Nicholas , Marambage Kapila , Reisch Joan , Nijhawan Ank E.
Published: March 2024

Background: Injection drug-use (IDU) is related to significant morbidity and mortality. Recent studies of IDU-associated infections have primarily focused on regions outside of the southern US; however, this area presents greater barriers to healthcare funding and lower availability of harm reduction services such as syringe exchange programs.Methods: A retrospective electronic health record review was conducted for patients admitted to an urban county hospital from February 2018-February 2020. Inclusion criteria: (a) opioid use disorder (OUD) within the last 12 months and (b) addiction psychiatry consultation. Baseline characteristics were compared between those with and without IDU-associated infections. IDU-associated infections, cultured microbes, and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) uptake were described.Results: Of 283 charts reviewed, 248 individuals met inclusion criteria. 65% were male, 48% non-Hispanic white, and 34% Hispanic. 72% reported opiate IDU in the past 30 days. 52% had IDU-associated infections, including skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI) (49%), bacteremia (17%), osteomyelitis, (7%), and endocarditis (5%). Comorbid stimulant use disorder was frequently reported (70%). Overall, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism identified (24%). 40% of IDU-associated infections were monomicrobial, 23% were polymicrobial (including anaerobes, gram-negatives, and yeast species). Those with IDU-associated infections had lower rates of MOUD on admission (8% vs. 32%), but had higher new MOUD uptake (81% vs. 51%).Conclusions: SSTIs, which were often polymicrobial, comprised most IDU-associated infections among inpatients with OUD hospitalized in an urban Texas hospital. Individuals with IDU-associated infections had increased MOUD uptake. These findings have implications for empiric antibiotic management of IDU-associated infections and support inpatient initiation of substance use treatment.
A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Comparing Ceftazidime-Avibactam with Meropenem for the Treatment of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (Including Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia)
Authors: Mai Haiyan , Liang Yankun , Feng Aozi , Fu Yu , Lyu Jun , Su Ling
Published: March 2024

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ceftazidime-avibactam(CAZ-AVI) compared with meropenem for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)/ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
Methods: A decision tree model was constructed based on real-world antibiotic resistance data in China to compare the clinical efficacy, survival outcomes, and medical costs of CAZ-AVI versus meropenem for HAP/VAP treatment. Model inputs were derived from literature and local databases. Deterministic and sensitivity analyses were performed.
Results: Base-case analysis showed the ICER of CAZ-AVI was $35,328.2 per QALY gained, slightly below China’s 2022 willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of 3 times per capita GDP ($36,598 per QALY). Without considering antibiotic resistance, CAZ-AVI was inferior to meropenem in both effectiveness and costs. The high price of CAZ-AVI significantly affected its cost-effectiveness. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that CAZ-AVI had an approximately 75% probability of being optimal only when the WTP reached $44,400 per QALY.
Conclusion: Although current cost-effectiveness of CAZ-AVI for HAP/VAP was unfavorable, its use may be considered in settings with higher rates of antibiotic resistance. Price reduction would also enhance its advantage. Judicious antibiotic stewardship and resistance surveillance remain vital as well.
High expression levels of centromere protein O participates in cell activity of human ovarian cancer
Authors: Si Li-hui , Sun Guang-chao , Liu Ziwei , Gu Shi-yu , Yan Chu-han , Yan Jia , Xu Jinyuan
Published: March 2024

Ovarian cancer is a common malignant tumor in women, with a high mortality rate ranking first among gynecological tumors. Currently, there is insufficient understanding of the causes, pathogenesis, recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer, and early diagnosis and treatment still face great challenges. The sensitivity and specificity of existing ovarian cancer screening methods are still unsatisfactory. Centromere protein O (CENP-O) is a recently discovered structural centromere protein that is involved in cell death and is essential for spindle assembly, chromosome separation, and checkpoint signaling during mitosis. The abnormal high expression of CENP-O was detected in various tumors such as bladder cancer and gastric cancer, and it participates in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation. In this study, we detect the expression abundance of CENP-O mRNA in different ovarian cancer cells ( ES-2, A2780, Caov-3, OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3). The biological function changes of cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected and the role of CENP-O in ovarian cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis was explored by knocking down the expression of CENP-O gene. The results showed that CENP-O gene was significantly expressed in 5 types of ovarian cancer cell lines. After knocking down the CENP-O gene, the proliferation and cloning ability of ovarian cancer cells decreased, and the apoptosis increased. This study indicates that CENP-O has the potential to be a molecular therapeutic target, and downregulating the expression of CENP-O gene can break the unlimited proliferation ability of cancer cells and promote their apoptosis, providing a foundation and new ideas for subsequent molecular mechanism research and targeted therapy.
Tumor Lysate Particle Only Vaccine (TLPO) vs. Tumor Lysate Particle-Loaded, Dendritic Cell Vaccine (TLPLDC) to Prevent Recurrence in Resected Stage III/IV Melanoma Patients: Results of a Phase I/IIa Trial
Authors: Decar Spencer G. Van , Carpenter Elizabeth L. , Adams Alexandra M. , Chick Robert C. , Clifton Guy T. , Stojadinovic Alex , Vreeland Timothy J. , Valdera Franklin A. , Tiwari Ankur , O’Shea Anne E. , McCarthy Patrick M. , Hale Diane F. , Bohan Phillip M Kemp , Hickerson Annelies T. , Cindass Jessica L. , Hyngstrom John , Berger Adam C. , Jakub James W. , Sussman Jeffrey J. , Shaheen Montaser , Yu Xianzhong , Wagner Thomas , Faries Mark , Peoples George
Published: March 2024

Background:
The autologous tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine is produced from dendritic cells (DC) loaded ex vivo with autologous tumor lysate (TL). TLPLDC has been shown to decrease recurrence in resected Stage III/IV melanoma patients in a Phase IIb trial. The TL particle only (TLPO) vaccine is produced by loading of yeast cell wall particles with autologous TL and direct injection allowing for in vivo DC loading. We have compared the TLPO and TLPLDC vaccines in an embedded Phase I/IIa trial of a larger Phase IIb trial of the TLPLDC vaccine.
Methods:
Patients rendered clinically disease-free after surgery were randomized 2:1 to receive the TLPO or TLPLDC vaccine and followed for recurrence and death. Patients had scheduled intradermal inoculations at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12, and 18 months after enrollment. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analysis were used to compare disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis.
Results:
Sixty-three patients were randomized, 43 TLPO and 20 TLPLDC. Patients randomized to the TLPO arm were more likely to be female (37.2% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.026), but otherwise no significant clinicopathological differences were identified. No differences in related adverse events (AE) were found between treatment arms. At a median follow-up of 20.5 months, the DFS (60.8% vs. 58.7%, p = 0.714) and OS (94.6% vs. 93.8%, p = 0.966) were equivalent between the TLPO and TLPLDC groups, respectively. No statistical differences were found in subgroup analyses between vaccine types, which accounted for receipt of immunotherapy and the use of G-CSF pre-blood draw.
Conclusions:
In a randomized, double-blind Phase I/IIa trial, there were no differences in DFS or OS in resected Stage III/IV melanoma patients receiving adjuvant TLPO versus TLPLDC vaccines. Given manufacturing advantages, further efficacy testing of TLPO is warranted in a Phase III trial.
Trial Registration
This is a clinical trial registered under NCT02301611.
Genetic parameters associated with growth and multiple-stress traits in Litopenaeus vannamei according to age
Authors: Wang Lun , Wang Jinjiao , Fu Shuo , Liu Jianyong Y.
Published: March 2024

The genetic parameters for growth and multiple-stress resistance in Litopenaeus vannamei at 7 and 15 weeks of age were estimated using sixty full-sib families (including 29 half-sib families) in the present study. The heritability of growth traits was estimated to be medium to high (0.256 ± 0.119 to 0.441 ± 0.124), and that of multiple-stress [simultaneous stress of high salt (35), low pH (6 ± 0.1) and high ammonia nitrogen (56 mg/L)] tolerance traits was low (0.029 ± 0.034 to 0.053 ± 0.058), suggesting the feasibility of selecting increasing growth traits and that genetic improvement of stress tolerance traits requires multi-generation breeding by family and intra-family selection. The genetic correlations of growth traits (body weight, total length, body length, carapace length, carapace width and abdominal length) at identical ages were high (0.855 ± 0.031 to 0.999 ± 0.0002) (P < 0.01). The highly significant correlations between growth traits showed that any growth trait could be replaced by other growth traits for indirect selection. The genetic correlations between growth traits and multiple-stress tolerance traits at identical ages were low, but the positive correlation (0.081 ± 0.129 to0.224 ± 0.125) indicated that selection of growth traits will have a positive correlation response to multiple-stress tolerance traits. There was a weak genetic positive correlation (0.285–0.342) (P < 0.05) in the growth traits between the two different age stages, however the genetic correlation in the multiple-stress tolerance traits between the two different age stages were low and not significant (P > 0.05).This suggests that selection for growth traits in L. vannamei at an early age may not be optimal and should be undertaken at later stages of growth.
Use Superb Microvascular Imaging to Diagnose and Predict Metastatic Cervical Lymph Nodes in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Ting , Huang Pin-Tong , Luo Zhi-Yan , Lv Ji-Fang , Jin Pei-Le , Zhang Tao , Zhao Yu-Lan , Wang Yong , Hong Yu-Rong
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) is closely associated with disease recurrence. This study accessed the value of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) in the diagnosis and prediction of metastatic cervical LNs in patients with PTC.
Methods
A total of 183 cervical LNs (103 metastatic and 80 reactive) from 116 patients with PTC were analysed. Metastatic cervical LNs were confirmed by pathology or/and cytology; reactive cervical LNs were confirmed by pathology or clinical features. The characteristic of conventional ultrasound (US) was extracted using univariate and multivariate analyses. The diagnostic performance of US and SMI were compared using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) with corresponding sensitivity and specificity. A nomogram was developed to predict metastatic LNs in patients with PTC, based on multivariate analyses.
Results
L/S < 2, ill-defined border, absence of hilum, isoechoic or hyperechoic, heterogeneous internal echo, peripheral or mixed vascular pattern on color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and SMI, and a larger SMI vascular index appeared more frequently in metastatic LNs in the training datasets than in reactive LNs (P<0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SMI vs US are 94.4% & 87.3%, 79.3% & 69.3%, and 87.6% &79.1%, respectively; SMI combined with US exhibited a higher AUC (0.926(0.877–0.975)) than US only (0.829(0.759-0.900)). L/S < 2, peripheral or mixed vascular type on CDFI, and peripheral or mixed vascular types on SMI were independent predictors of metastatic LNs with PTC. The nomogram based on these three parameters exhibited excellent discrimination, with an AUC of 0.926.
Conclusion
SMI was superior to US in diagnosing metastatic LNs in PTC. US combined with SMI significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of metastatic cervical LNs with PTC. SMI is efficacious for differentiating and predicting metastatic cervical LNs.
Extraction and assessment of Rudbeckia hirta extracts’ larvicidal activity on lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria Testacea): toxicity, nutritional effects and enzyme activities
Authors: WANG Yajun , PHAM HUNG HAI , Ma Weihu , Li Kejiao , Zhang Guocai , Zhang Jie
Published: March 2024

The insecticidal activity of Rudbeckia hirta has been confirmed, however, it has not been adequately studied. In the present study, we optimized extraction conditions and analyzed chemical constituents of ethanol extracts of R. hirta (RHE), the insecticidal activities of RHE on Malacosoma neustria Testacea larvae were investigated, and the safety of RHE for non-target aquatic organisms were evaluated. The results indicated that the optimal extraction conditions of RHE were liquid-solid ratio: 41.4:1 (mL:g), extraction temperature: 41.4°C, and extraction time: 51.99 min, under this condition, the actual extraction rate was 30.27%. RHE contains 22 compounds, flavone and flavonoid derivatives accounting for 75.47% of the total compound contents. More importantly, RHE had a significant biotoxic effect on instar larvae of M. neustria Testacea, the value of LC50 was 6.437 mg/mL at 72 h post-treatment. RHE also significantly affected larval feeding, digestion, and nutrient uptake, six nutritional indices (LWG, RGR, ECI, RCR, AD, and AR) of RHE-treated larvae were suppressed. Under the stress of RHE, the detoxification enzyme activities (ACP, AKP, and GST) were remarkably inhibited, as well as the detoxification enzyme activities (CAT, POD, and SOD) were significantly suppressed in vivo of larvae within 72 h after treatment. Safety experiments showed that RHE was practically nontoxic to Danio rerio. Taken together, RHE has significant insecticidal and antifeeding activities on M. neustria Testacea larvae and can be developed as an environmentally friendly botanical insecticide for M. neustria Testacea control.
Accuracy of a New Robotic System for Assisting in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Yi Jiafeng , Gao Zhisen , Huang Yijian , Liu Yubo , Zhang Yiling , Chai Wei
Published: March 2024

Background
Robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been shown to facilitate high-precision bone resection, an important goal in TKA. The aim of this cadaveric study was to analyse the accuracy of the target angle and bone resection thickness of a recently introduced robotic TKA system.
Methods
This study used 4 frozen cadaveric specimens (8 knees), 2 different implant designs (Johnson & Johnson and ICON), navigation, and a robotic system (ROPA TKA system, Longwood Valley MedTech). The 4 surgeons participating in this study were trained and familiar with the basic principles and operating procedures of this system. The angle of the bone cuts performed using the robotic system was compared with the target angles from the intraoperative plan. For each bone cut, the resection thickness was recorded and compared with the planned resection thickness.
Results
The mean angular difference for all specimens was less than 1°, and the standard deviation was less than 2°. The mean difference between the planned and measured angles was close to 0 and not significantly different from 0 except for the difference in the frontal tibial component angle, which was 0.88°. The mean difference in the hip-knee-ankle axis angle was -0.21°±1.06°. The mean bone resection difference for all specimens was less than 1 mm, and the standard deviation was less than 0.5 mm.
Conclusions
The results of our cadaveric experimental study show that surgeons using this new surgical robot in TKA can perform highly accurate bone cuts and achieve planned angles and resection thicknesses.
The influence of self-adaptors on the reduction of stress
Authors: Maki Kohei , Sekine Kazuki
Published: March 2024

This study explored whether self-adaptors serve as an immediate or preventive effect for coping with stress, or whether they have no effect at all. To assess the effectiveness of self-adaptors in managing stress, either before or during a stress event, the research was carried out under three conditions: self-adaptors used during the stress task, before the stress task, and a control condition where self-adaptors were inhibited. The study analyzed cortisol levels, heart rate, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores. The results revealed that self-adaptors employed during a stress task did not reduce stress levels compared to the control group, where no self-adaptors were used. Conversely, self-adaptors applied just before a stress event were effective in reducing stress levels relative to the control. Based on these findings, it appears that self-adaptors can preventively mitigate anticipated stress and anxiety as a coping strategy but fail to immediately reduce stress levels. The lack of effectiveness in immediate stress reduction could be attributed to participants' inability to focus on self-adaptors due to heightened stress during the task.
Detection of Banglish Slang in Social Media Comments Using a Hybrid Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) Model
Authors: Khalaf Osama Ibrahim , Yasmin Suraiya , Jisan Rashedul Islam , Haque Muhammad Fiazul , Algburi Sameer , Hamam Habib
Published: March 2024

Banglish slang is a distinctive mashup of Bengali and English terms that is widely used in messaging applications, social media, and other casual contexts. It has grown to be an essential component of Bangladesh's linguistic landscape. The use of Banglish slang in social media comments has become more common among young people from Bangladesh in recent years. Yet, because traditional language processing methods are not appropriate for managing such linguistic complexity, automated text analysis systems find it difficult to handle this informal communication style. Our proposed model captures the unique components of Banglish slang, such as slang phrases, misspellings, and abbreviations, by combining character-level and word-level properties since it is the most common form of communication and improves user interaction and content moderation. We remove special characters from the dataset and transform all test results to lowercase. After then, the stop words are removed from the dataset. Furthermore, we do tokenization using a pad sequence prior to classification. Stack Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) model, a neural network architecture used in Natural Language Processing (NLP), is a state-of-the-art model utilized in this research to classify slang in Banglish words. On the training set with an outstanding 99% accuracy and a strong 79.8% validation accuracy, the suggested model beats traditional approaches. The Mendeley dataset was used to analyze social media comments to detect instances of Banglish slang. To carry out the work, approximately five thousand comments are considered overall. The experimental findings show how well our recommended approach works to identify Banglish slang. This method can be useful in monitoring content and language learning, among other real-world applications.
Photothermal therapy of CdTeSe@ZnS quantum dots and their photonic state gain amplification fiber applied to brain gliomas at different stages
Authors: Su Xueqiong , Zhu Ruian , Pan Yong , Zhao Pengxiang , Wang Jin , Wang Ruimin , Yang Lishan , Wang Li , Zhao Wei , Wang Zhijun
Published: March 2024

Mental nanomaterial-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) offers a prospective therapeutic strategy for solid tumors. However, its clinical application is limited due to insufficient photothermal conversion efficiency for deep-seated tumor and potential cytotoxic. Few photothermal therapy studies have been reported for tumour cells of different morphologies. In this study, CdTeSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) generating photoluminescence at 562 nm and 640 nm under 365 nm excitation are presented. The proliferation activity of RAW264.7 cells phagocytosed QDs exhibited a dose-dependent decline, as expected. In vitro, a liquid core fiber loaded with these QDs was utilized for PTT targeting high-grade and low-grade brain glioma cells. In the culture medium of cultured brain glioma cells, the maximum heat around the QDs-fibers under 365 nm laser excitation reached 64.9℃. High-grade U87 glioma cells treated with PTT displayed greater sensitive towards organelle damage compared to low-grade U251 glioma cells. Notably, U87 cells showed significant induction of apoptosis. Therefore, these findings represent further progress towards the applications of QDs-fibers in human solid tumor treatment.
Applications of interpretable machine learning models in the prediction of 5-year risk of death in patients with gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Li Yujie , Li Yongliang , Shi Songchang , Liu Guoquan , Zhou Yongjian
Published: March 2024

Aim: To evaluate the performances of seven different machine learning models in predicting 5-year risk of death in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST) of the stomach. Meanwhile, the Shapley Additive explanation (SHAP) value is applied to construct a visual machine learning model.
Methods: The data of GIST of the stomach patients derived from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1975 to 2020. Patients were divided into training (n = 748) and validation sets (n = 321). The data were used to construct seven machine learning models to predict 5-year risk of death in patients with GIST of the stomach. A total of 7 clinical variables were input into these models. Model performance was measured with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and average precision (AP). The models were visualized and interpreted using the SHAP method.
Results: The 5-year survival rate was 39.9% (426/1068). Of the seven machine learning models, Catboost had the best AUC (0.64) and AP (0.73). We explored the significance of features in the model through SHAP analysis. Surgery, patient age and risk of GIST were the heavily weighted factors used by the Catboost.
Conclusion: This is the largest study of GIST of the stomach patients from the SEER registry to show that surgery, patient age and risk of GIST are significant independent prognostic factors for 5-year risk of death. Based on simple baseline patient information, Catboost model can accurately predict the 5-year risk of death. Also, SHAP values can be good for interpreting machine learning models, as well as for predicting, guiding follow-up and monitoring individuals.
Modelling age at death reveals Nordic Corded Ware paleodemography
Authors: Tornberg Anna , Vandkilde Helle
Published: March 2024

Drawing on modelling of age at death in skeletal remains, this article unveils hitherto unrecognized demographic patterns in the Nordic Corded Ware complex. This population formed part of the European Corded Ware complex that has been linked to disruption observed in the archaeological and genetic record. The newly developed methods of transition analysis 3 (TA3) and death rate ratio (DRR) were used to process skeletal data from 67 individuals deriving from single, double, and multiple graves in Scandinavia. The results disclose a high proportion of immature individuals aged less than twenty years. Attrition, however, complies with a demography with high age-nonspecific mortality, and this may connect to stressors such as epidemic diseases and endemic warfare. Compared to the partly contemporaneous Pitted Ware complex and the succeeding Late Neolithic–earliest Bronze Age period, the Nordic Corded Ware burials overall point to robust population growth, especially in the later period. This in turn aligns with a sedentary lifestyle rather than a mobile pastoral economy. Short-distance seasonal movements could fit in but cannot yet be measured. Recent genetics have demonstrated biological input in the female line from populations such as Funnel Beaker, Pitted Ware, and herders of the steppe forest zone: the remarkable tallness of Nordic Corded Ware individuals may well be an effect of such admixture. The burials moreover evidence a distinct adult male sex bias, which diminishes over time along with the growth in the number of buried females and young individuals. Judging from investment in graves and grave goods, immatures were highly valued. The scale of social status operates independently of age. Alongside the revealed Nordic Corded Ware demography and the burial and material record more broadly, this could indicate social inequality based on kinship and warrior values.
Ein Seminar im BAS!S-Projekt an der Universität Bamberg zur Vorbereitung multiprofessioneller Kooperationskompetenzen Studierender
Authors: Fischer Erika , Drechsel Barbara
Published: March 2024

Studierende für kooperatives Arbeiten zu sensibilisieren und entsprechende Kompetenzen be­reits in der ersten Phase anzubahnen, ist ein wichtiges Ziel (speziell) in der inklusionsorientier­ten Lehrkräftebildung. Das Projekt BAS!S hat den Erwerb inklusionsbezogenen Wissens zum Thema, um angehende Lehrkräfte auf diesen wichtigen Bereich des Umgangs mit Heterogenität und das Unterrichten in inklusiven Settings vorzubereiten. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird über ein Seminarkonzept an der Universität Bamberg berichtet, in dem auf der Grundlage theoretischer Überlegungen ein bildungswissenschaftliches Seminar zum Thema „Didaktischer Umgang mit Heterogenität“ entwickelt und erprobt wird. Dessen Fokus liegt neben den fachlichen Inhalten auf dem Erwerb bzw. der Anbahnung von Kooperationskompetenzen. Die Studierenden haben verschiedene Lerngelegenheiten, wie beispielsweise Wissenserwerb zu Bedingungen koope­rativen Handelns, Lernen am Modell, das kokonstruktive Erarbeiten von Inhalten und die daran anschließende beobachtungsgestützte Reflexion ihres eigenen Kooperationsverhaltens. Der Beitrag stellt das Konzept vor und diskutiert die Lerngelegenheiten und die Wirksamkeit, auch auf der Grundlage erster Evaluationsergebnisse. Die Befunde aus der Evaluation werden be­sonders unter dem Gesichtspunkt der effektiven Gestaltung von Seminarformaten beleuchtet und anhand von Überlegungen zur Weiterentwicklung derartiger Seminarkonzepte konkretisiert.
Abstract
In order to sensitize student teachers for cooperation at their future workplace, it is an important goal of teacher education to implement the necessary competencies already in the university phase of teacher training. The BAS!S project aims at providing knowledge and competencies for dealing with inclusive and heterogeneous settings. Within the project, building on theoretical consideration, a course format is developed and tested. Beyond the actual course content „Didactical handling of heterogeneity in the classroom“ it also focuses the learning goal coopera­tion competencies. The participating teacher students are provided with a variety of opportuni­ties to learn, like observational learning, co-constructive work in teams within the course and its systematic reflection. Our contribution explains the seminar concept an discusses ideas for further developing the course format.
Current Effect of Mother-Child Memory Talk on Emotion Regulation, Self-Esteem, and Memory
Authors: BORHAN Nilsu
Published: March 2024

Children talking to their parents more frequently about past experiences tend to have higher emotion regulation skills and self-esteem in their future lives, which may lead to higher volume and richer emotional content in future memories. Previous research also indicated that self-esteem has a strong bond with emotion regulation skills. This study’s aim is to measure the mediator roles of emotion regulation difficulty and self-esteem on the relationship between childhood maternal reminiscing frequency and the volume and emotional content of the current memory experienced with the mother. Additionally, mediator roles of self-esteem in the connection between past maternal reminiscing and emotion regulation difficulty, and emotion regulation difficulty in the relationship between self-esteem and the current memory variables (i.e., total words, total emotion and unique emotion words) are examined. Participants (N=124, the age range was 22-39) filled out Rosenberg Self-Esteem, Emotion Regulation Difficulty, and Family Reminiscence Scales and wrote down one negatively-charged recent memory about their mothers. Path analysis revealed significant positive associations between past maternal reminiscing and self-esteem, emotion regulation difficulty, and total and unique emotion words in recent memory, and negative association between self-esteem and emotion regulation difficulty, supporting half of the mediation hypotheses. Results supported the notion that the frequency of parent-child reminiscing conversations in childhood is a parameter of child development since it can show its prospective effect via improving self-esteem and emotional functioning. Gender differences were not evident for current memory variables but more research on this issue is needed to reach more precise conclusions.
A gyógynövénygyűjtés és a rekreáció kapcsolata
Authors: Pászk Norbert
Published: March 2024

A rekreáció, a természetjárás, valamint a gyógynövények gyűjtése és a hozzájuk kapcsolódó ismeretek összefüggésbe hozhatók, hiszen mindegyik segíthet az egészséges életmód kialakításában, a fizikális és mentális egészség helyreállításában és fenntartásában. Cikkem szakirodalmi kutatási részében bemutatom a gyógynövényekhez és természetjáráshoz kapcsolódó főbb ismereteket, bemutatok hét olyan gyógynövényt, amelyet Magyarországon is gyűjthetnek az emberek természetjárás során, valamint kitérek a gyógynövények gyűjtéséhez kapcsolódó fontosabb szempontokra is. Primer kutatásomban internetes kérdőív segítségével vizsgálom meg 170 kitöltő között, hogy milyenek a hazai gyógynövény használati és gyűjtési szokások, ismeretek. Mint ahogyan az a kutatásomban megjelenik, sokan használnak és gyűjtenek saját maguk is gyógynövényeket a válaszadók közül, azonban nem mindenki rendelkezik megfelelő tudással. Néhányan téves vagy pedig hiányos információk alapján teszik ezt, ami okozhatja azt is, hogy nem megfelelő hatóanyag tartalmú gyógynövényt alkalmaznak, nem lesz meg a kívánt eredmény, aminek következtében elveszíthetik a kezdeti bizalmat a gyógynövényekkel. Azonban a különböző gyógynövény ismereti programokon való részvétellel sok hiba kiküszöbölhető.