bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latina/o bilingual teacher candidates’ meaning-making of space and place: Attending to raciolinguistic landscapes in bilingual teacher education
Authors: Fallas-Escobar Christian , Deroo Matthew R.
Published: June 2023

In this article, we examine the ways 17 Latina/o bilingual teacher candidates (TCs) employed spatial rationales to make meaning of why they mostly leverage English within their bilingual teacher education classes at their Hispanic-Serving Institution. We asked: (1) How do TCs interpret the predominance of English on campus and the bilingual teacher education program? (2) What do TCs’ understandings reveal about the nature of the structures sustaining the hegemony of English? To answer these questions, we drew upon the raciolinguistic perspective and critical notions of space and place. Findings reveal that despite the University’s mission to serve Latina/o students, TCs still experience English as connected to the United States and the predominantly white community where campus is located, and Spanish as belonging in Mexico and the heavily Mexican and Mexican American neighborhoods south of the city. Our analysis suggests that this mapping of language and race ideologies onto particular spaces/places—or what we have termed raciolinguistic landscapes—reflects and reproduces boundaries that uphold institutionalized systems of exclusion. Findings have implications for bilingual teacher education, with regards to ways to help TCs critically engage raciolinguistic landscapes.
Time to progression of disease and outcomes with second-line BTK inhibitors in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Villa Diego , Jiang Aixiang , Visco Carlo , Crosbie Nicola , McCulloch Rory , Buege Michael J. , Kumar Anita , Bond David A. , Paludo Jonas , Maurer Matthew J. , Thanarajasingam Gita , Lewis Katharine L. , Cheah Chan Y. , Baech Joachim , El-Galaly Tarec C. , Kugathasan Laveniya , Scott David W. , Gerrie Alina S. , Lewis David
Published: June 2023

Time to progression of disease (POD) after first-line (1L) therapy is prognostic in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), although studies have included a broad range of 1L, second-line (2L), and subsequent lines of therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors predicting outcomes in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) MCL exclusively initiating 2L Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) after 1L rituximab-containing therapy. Patients were accrued from 8 international centers (7 main, 1 validation cohort). Multivariable models evaluating the association between time to POD and clinical/pathologic factors were constructed and converted into nomograms and prognostic indexes predicting outcomes in this population. A total of 360 patients were included, including 160 in the main cohort and 200 in the validation cohort. Time to POD, Ki67 ≥ 30%, and MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI) were associated with progression-free survival (PFS2) and overall survival (OS2) from the start of 2L BTKis. C-indexes were consistently ≥0.68 in both cohorts. Web/application-based calculators based on nomograms and prognostic indexes to estimate PFS2 and OS2 were constructed. The 2L BTKi MIPI identifies 3 groups with distinct 2-year PFS2, including high risk (14%), intermediate risk (50%), and low risk (64%). Time to POD, Ki67, and MIPI are associated with survival outcomes in patients with R/R MCL receiving 2L BTKis. Simple clinical models incorporating these variables may assist in planning for alternative therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, allogeneic stem cell transplantation, or novel agents with alternative mechanisms of action.
Hemostatic biomarkers associated with postpartum hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: de Moreuil Claire , Mehic Dino , Nopp Stephan , Kraemmer Daniel , Gebhart Johanna , Schramm Theresa , Couturaud Francis , Ay Cihan , Pabinger Ingrid
Published: June 2023

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal morbi-mortality. Although obstetric risk factors are well described, the impact of predelivery hematologic and hemostatic biomarkers remains incompletely understood. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarize the available literature on the association between predelivery hemostatic biomarkers and PPH/severe PPH. Searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases from inception to October 2022, we included observational studies on unselected pregnant women without bleeding disorder reporting on PPH and on predelivery hemostatic biomarkers. Two review authors independently performed title, abstract and full-text screening, upon which quantitative syntheses of studies reporting on the same hemostatic biomarker were conducted, calculating the mean difference (MD) between women with PPH/severe PPH and controls. A search on 18 October 2022 yielded 81 articles fitting our inclusion criteria. The heterogeneity between studies was considerable. With regard to PPH, the estimated average MD in the investigated biomarkers (platelets, fibrinogen, hemoglobin, Ddimer, activated partial thromboplastin time, and prothrombin time) were not statistically significant. Women who developed severe PPH had lower predelivery platelets than controls (MD = −26.0 109/L; 95% confidence interval, −35.8 to −16.1), whereas differences in predelivery fibrinogen concentration (MD = −0.31 g/L; 95% confidence interval, −0.75 to 0.13) and levels of factor XIII or hemoglobin were not statistically significant in women with and without severe PPH. Predelivery platelet counts were, on average, lower in women with severe PPH compared with controls, suggesting the potential usefulness of this biomarker for predicting severe PPH. This trial was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews as CRD42022368075.
Fashionable epoxy/clay nanocomposites using modified clay-loaded methyl blue dye
Authors: Alkayal Nazeeha S. , Elsilk Sobhy E. , Elsherbiny Abeer S. , Salahuddin Nehal A.
Published: June 2023

In this work, the elimination of methyl blue (MB) acidic dye from an aqueous solution was investigated using two types of modified montmorillonite. One was modified with dimethyl benzyl hydrogenated tallow ammonium chloride which was named claytone (APA). The other montmorillonite is modified with poly oxy propylene diamine (Jeffamine D-2000) and was referred to as clayD2000. The adsorption efficiency of claytone and clay D2000 was 1.4 mg/g at pH 2 and 1.4 mg/g at pH 6, respectively, after 60 min. Pseudo-second-order was the best model to explain the adsorption process for both surfaces. The maximum adsorption capacity, qmaxaccording to Langmuir isotherm was 2.75 mg/g and 2.56 mg/g for claytone and clayD2000, respectively. The adsorption of MB on claytone was endothermic and exothermic for the adsorption on clayD2000. Additionally, the adsorption of MB on claytone was a favorable process and the uptake of MB on clayD2000 was favorable only at lower temperatures. A new approach was applied to valorize the colored loaded clays with MB dyes through the incorporation of the two products (MB/claytone and MB/clayD2000) into epoxy resin to fabricate colored epoxy nanocomposites that are stylish. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized using several techniques. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the clay-loaded MB dye nanosheets were well distributed in the epoxy matrix. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) exhibited that the epoxy/MB/clay nanocomposites were thermally stable compared with that of bare epoxy resin. The Vickers hardness test indicates that the hardness of the epoxy/MB/clay nanocomposites was significantly improved despite the addition of a minor amount of modified clay-loaded MB dye in comparison with unmodified epoxy resin. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the obtained nanocomposites has been tested against several types of bacteria and yeast. This study reveals the ability to use the solid wastes which are resulted from wastewater treatment for enhancing the properties of the epoxy polymer to suit various industrial requirements.
Transcriptome-wide 5-methylcytosine modification profiling of long non-coding RNAs in A549 cells infected with H1N1 influenza A virus
Authors: Jiang Shengqiang , Hu Jing , Bai Yang , Hao Ruiwei , Liu Long , Chen Hongying
Published: June 2023

Background

In recent years, accumulating evidences have revealed that influenza A virus (IAV) infections induce significant differential expression of host long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), some of which play important roles in the regulation of virus-host interactions and determining the virus pathogenesis. However, whether these lncRNAs bear post-translational modifications and how their differential expression is regulated remain largely unknown. In this study, the transcriptome-wide 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modification of lncRNAs in A549 cells infected with an H1N1 influenza A virus was analyzed and compared with uninfected cells by Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-Seq).

Results

Our data identified 1317 upregulated m5C peaks and 1667 downregulated peaks in the H1N1 infected group. Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that the differentially modified lncRNAs were associated with protein modification, organelle localization, nuclear export and other biological processes. Furthermore, conjoint analysis of the differentially modified (DM) and differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs identified 143 ‘hyper-up’, 81 ‘hypo-up’, 6 ‘hypo-down’ and 4 ‘hyper-down’ lncRNAs. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that these DM and DE lncRNAs were predominantly associated with pathogen recognition and disease pathogenesis pathways, indicating that m5C modifications could play an important role in the regulation of host response to IAV replication by modulating the expression and/or stability of lncRNAs.

Conclusion

This study presented the first m5C modification profile of lncRNAs in A549 cells infected with IAV and demonstrated a significant alteration of m5C modifications on host lncRNAs upon IAV infection. These data could give a reference to future researches on the roles of m5C methylation in virus infection.
A method for calculating left ventricular ejection fraction noninvasively from left ventricular arterial coupling (Ees/Ea)
Authors: Yamazaki Yukiko , Matsuki Yuka , Shigemi Kenji
Published: June 2023

Background

Ejection fraction (EF), which is assessed using ultrasonography, is a standard parameter for evaluating cardiac function in clinical cardiology and for cardiovascular management during general anesthesia. However, it is impossible to continuously and non-invasively assess EF using ultrasonography. The aim of our study was to develop a method for estimating EF non-invasively using the left ventricular arterial coupling ratio (Ees/Ea).

Methods

Ees/Ea was estimated non-invasively using the parameters pre-ejection period (PEP), ejection time (ET), end-systolic pressure (Pes) and diastolic pressure (Pad), which were calculated from a vascular screening system, VeSera 1000/1500 (Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Then, left ventricular efficiency (Eff) as a pump, defined as the ratio of external work (EW) to myocardial oxygen consumption, which strongly correlates with the pressure-volume area (PVA), was calculated by a new formula using Ees/Ea, and was used to approximate EF (EFeff). Simultaneously, we measured EF using transthoracic echocardiography (EFecho), and compared it with EFeff.

Results

The study included 44 healthy adults (36 males, 8 females), in whom mean EFecho was 66 ± 5% and EFeff was 57 ± 9%. We found a positive correlation between EFecho and EFeff (R2 = 0.219, p < 0.05) on Bland-Altman analysis, with limits of agreement of – 7.5 to 24.4%, and percentage error of 24%.

Conclusion

The results suggest that EF can be measured non-invasively using left ventricular arterial coupling.
Effects of exercise and physical activity on gut microbiota composition and function in older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Aya Viviana , Jimenez Paula , Muñoz Enrique , Ramírez Juan David
Published: June 2023

Background

The characterization and research around the gut microbiome in older people emphasize microbial populations change considerably by losing the diversity of species. Then, this review aims to determine if there is any effect on the gut microbiota of adults older than 65 that starts an exercise intervention or improves physical activity level. Also, this review describes the changes in composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiota of older subjects that had improved their physical activity level.

Methods

The type of studies included in this review were studies describing human gut microbiota responses to any exercise stimulus; cross-sectional studies focused on comparing gut microbiota in older adults with different physical activity levels—from athletes to inactive individuals; studies containing older people (women and men), and studies written in English. This review's primary outcomes of interest were gut microbiota abundance and diversity.

Results

Twelve cross-sectional studies and three randomized controlled trials were examined. Independently of the type of study, diversity metrics from Alpha and Beta diversity remained without changes in almost all the studies. Likewise, cross-sectional studies do not reflect significant changes in gut microbiota diversity; no significant differences were detected among diverse groups in the relative abundances of the major phyla or alpha diversity measures. Otherwise, relative abundance analysis showed a significant change in older adults who conducted an exercise program for five weeks or more at the genus level.

Conclusions

Here, we did not identify significant shifts in diversity metrics; only one study reported a significant difference in Alpha diversity from overweight people with higher physical activity levels. The abundance of some bacteria is higher in aged people, after an exercise program, or in comparison with control groups, especially at the genus and species levels. There needs to be more information related to function and metabolic pathways that can be crucial to understand the effect of exercise and physical activity in older adults.

Trial registration

PROSPERO ID: CRD42022331551.
Quality indicators for appropriate antibiotic prescribing in urinary tract infections in children
Authors: Vazouras Konstantinos , Jackson Charlotte , Folgori Laura , Anastasiou-Katsiardani Anastasia , Hsia Yingfen , Basmaci Romain
Published: June 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to define a set of urinary tract infections (UTIs)-specific quality indicators for appropriate prescribing in children and evaluate clinical practices in a district general hospital in Greece.

Methods

The UTIs-specific quality indicators were informed by a review of the existing literature. Quality indicators were selected to describe the overall antibiotics use, prescribing patterns and UTIs clinical management regarding treatment and prophylaxis in a cohort of children admitted with a UTI. Microbiological, clinical and prescribing data about dosing, duration and route of administration were collected from the patients’ electronic health records.

Results

Twelve quality indicators were adapted or developed for prescribing in childhood UTIs. A broad variety of antibiotics were prescribed for UTIs, with a drug utilization (DU) 90% rate of 6 and 9 different antibiotics for febrile and afebrile UTIs, respectively. Despite the low incidence of multi-drug resistant UTIs in the study period (9/261, 3.4%), broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed in 33.5% (164/490) of prescriptions. A total of 62.8% (164/261) of patients were started on empiric combined therapies, while opportunities to de-escalate were missed in 37.8% (62/164) of them. One quarter (67/261, 25.7%) of patients did not fulfil the criteria for receiving treatment, while nearly half of those prescribed prophylaxis (82/175, 46.9%) could have avoided having a prophylaxis prescription.

Conclusions

Our study identified substantial gaps for improvement in antimicrobial prescribing for UTIs in children. The application of the proposed quality indicators could help to limit unnecessary antibiotics use in children with UTI.
An integrated model for prognosis in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhu Yingfan , Luo Jie , Li Juanqing , Niu Shuang , Chen Hao , Zhou Feng
Published: June 2023

Background

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a relatively rare gynecologic cancer. Unlike cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), in which nearly all cases are caused by HPV infection, most VSCCs are HPV-independent. Patients with VSCC also have worse overall survival (OS) than those with CSCC. Unlike CSCC, the risk factors of VSCC have not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the prognostic values of clinicopathological parameters as well as biomarkers in patients with VSCC.

Methods

In total, 69 cases of VSCC accessions were selected for analysis between April 2010 and October 2020. The risk factors of VSCC were screened using Cox models to establish nomograms for predicting survival outcomes.

Results

Following the multivariate COX model for OS, independent predictors including advanced age (hazard ratio [HR] 5.899, p = 0.009), HPV positivity (HR 0.092, p = 0.016), high Ki-67 index (HR 7.899, p = 0.006), PD-L1-positivity (HR 4.736, p = 0.077), and CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (HR 0.214, p = 0.024) were included in the nomogram for OS; multivariate COX model for progression-free survival (PFS) was used to screen prognostic factors including advanced age (HR 2.902, p = 0.058), lymph node metastasis (HR 5.038, p = 0.056), HPV positivity (HR 0.116, p = 0.011), high Ki-67 index (HR 3.680, p = 0.042), PD-L1-positivity (HR 5.311, p = 0.045), and CD8 + TILs (HR 0.236, p = 0.014) to establish the PFS nomogram model. Based on the C-index (0.754 for OS and 0.754 for PFS) from our VSCC cohort and the corrected C-index (0.699 for OS and 0.683 for PFS) from an internal validation cohort, the nomograms demonstrated good predictive and discriminative ability. Kaplan-Meier curves also supported the excellent performance of the nomograms.

Conclusion

Our prognostic nomograms suggested that (1) shorter OS and PFS were associated with PD-L1-positivity, high Ki-67 index, and low CD8 + TILs; (2) HPV-independent tumors were associated with poorer survival outcome, and mutant p53 status showed no prognostic significance.
Orofacial function and temporomandibular disorders in Parkinson’s Disease: a case-controlled study
Authors: Baram Sara , Thomsen Carsten Eckhart , Øzhayat Esben Boeskov , Karlsborg Merete , Bakke Merete
Published: June 2023

Background

The difficulties and challenges faced by people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in performing daily orofacial function are not systematically investigated. In this study, specific orofacial non-motor and motor symptoms and functions were systematically examined in PD patients in comparison to a matched control group.

Methods

The clinical case-controlled study was conducted from May 2021 to October 2022 and included persons with PD and age- and gender-matched persons without PD. The participants with PD were outpatients diagnosed with PD at the Department of Neurology at Bispebjerg University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. The participants underwent a systematic clinical and relevant self-assessment of the orofacial function and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The primary outcomes were objective and subjective assessments of the general orofacial function, mastication, swallowing, xerostomia and drooling. The secondary outcomes were the prevalence of TMD and orofacial pain. The difference in outcome measures between the two groups was analysed using chi-square and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

The study included 20 persons with PD and 20 age- and gender-matched persons without PD. Both objectively and subjectively, persons with PD had poorer orofacial function than the control group. Persons with PD had also a significantly more severe limitation of jaw mobility and jaw function. The objective masticatory function was also significantly reduced for persons with PD compared to the control group, and 60% of persons with PD found it difficult to eat foods with certain consistencies while 0% of the control group reported that problem. Persons with PD could swallow less water per second and the average swallowing event was significantly longer for PD persons. Even though PD persons reported more xerostomia (58% for persons with PD and 20% for control persons), they also reported significantly more drooling than the control group. Additionally, orofacial pain was more prevalent in PD persons.

Conclusions

Persons with PD have a compromised orofacial function. Furthermore, the study indicates a link between PD and orofacial pain. In order to screen and treat persons with PD accordingly, healthcare professionals should be aware of and address these limitations and symptoms.

Trial registration

The trial was approved by the Regional Committee on Research Health Ethics of the Capital Region (H-20,047,464), the Danish Data Protection Agency (514 − 0510/20-3000), and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05356845).
Effects of laughter yoga on health-related quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Namazinia Mohammad , Mazlum Seyyed Reza , Mohajer Samira , Lopez Violeta
Published: June 2023

Background

Chemotherapy is associated with a wide range of physical and psychological side effects, so complementary and alternative therapies may be practiced as an independent treatment or combined with the standard ones to improve health-related quality of life of cancer patients. Laughter yoga has predominantly been used as a complementary therapy to enhance health and wellbeing of ordinary people and patients with chronic diseases. However, to date, few studies have evaluated the effects of this modern exercise on cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in clinical settings, to the best of the authors’ knowledge. the present study aimed to investigate the effects of Laughter Yoga on the health-related quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

This study was a two-group randomized clinical trial on 69 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Reza Radiotherapy and Oncology Center, Iran in 2018. Patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received laughter yoga for four sessions at one-week intervals. Each session consists of one part and lasts for 20–30 min. Patients’ health-related quality of life was assessed before and after the laughter yoga sessions using Quality of Life Questionnaire European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) version 3.0. SPSS Statistics (v.20 software was used to conduct Chi-square, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and paired t-tests analyses of the data.

Results

The number of participants in intervention and control groups were 34 and 35, there was no significant difference of demographic and disease related characteristics and pre-intervention HRQOL between two groups. In the intervention group, there is significant difference between pre- and post-intervention scores (Mean ± Standard Deviation) of emotional functioning (12.99 ± 10.49), physical functioning (0.78 ± 6.08), role functioning (3.43 ± 7.97), fatigue (-8.82 ± 22.01), pain (-8.33 ± 11.78), sleep disturbance (-15.68 ± 18.77), and global health and quality of life (6.37 ± 5.04) (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in the control group. Participants reported no adverse events.

Conclusions

A structured laughter yoga intervention in a hospital setting effectively improved health-related quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Benefits to many patients could be expected if this would become a part of routine care.

Trial Registration

This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (no. IRCT20180429039463N1) on 21/08/2018.
Global competency impact of sustained remote international engagement for students
Authors: Kelly Tracy , Bekele Abebe , Kapadia Sonja G. , Jassal Simrat K. , Ineza Darlene , Uwizeyimana Theogene , Clarke Olivia , Flickinger Tabor E. , Dillingham Rebecca , Durieux Marcel E.
Published: June 2023

Background

To provide just equity in academic exchange, as well as to reduce prohibitive travel cost and address environmental concerns, the past paradigm of international student exchange has fundamentally shifted from one directional travel to mutually beneficial bidirectional remote communication between students all over the globe. Current analysis aims to quantify cultural competency and evaluate academic outcomes.

Methods

Sixty students half from the US and half from Rwanda grouped in teams of 4 engaged in a nine-month project-focused relationship. Cultural competency was evaluated prior to project initiation and six months after completion of the project. Student perspective of project development was analyzed weekly and final academic outcome was evaluated.

Results

Change in cultural competency was not significant; however, students did identify satisfaction in team interaction and academic outcomes were achieved.

Conclusion

A single remote exchange between students in two countries may not be transformative but it can provide cultural enrichment and successful academic project outcome and may serve to enhance cultural curiosity.
Increased peripartum mortality associated with maternal subclinical malaria in Mozambique
Authors: Jaén-Sánchez Nieves , González-Azpeitia Gloria , Carranza-Rodriguez Cristina , Manwere Nicholas , Garay-Sánchez Paloma , Vallejo-Torres Laura , Pérez-Arellano José-Luis
Published: June 2023

Background

Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa is often asymptomatic. As these forms of malaria are often submicroscopic and difficult to diagnose by conventional methods (microscopy and/or rapid diagnostic test), diagnosis requires the use of molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This study analyses the prevalence of subclinical malaria and its association with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, a topic that has been scarcely evaluated in the literature.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using semi-nested multiplex PCR to assess the presence of P. falciparum in placental and peripheral blood of 232 parturient pregnant women at the Hospital Provincial de Tete, Mozambique between March 2017 and May 2019. Multivariate regressions were performed to assess the associations of maternal subclinical malaria with several maternal and neonatal outcomes after controlling for the presence of preeclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) and HIV infection, as well as for other maternal and pregnancy characteristics.

Results

In total, 17.2% (n = 40) of the women studied had positive PCR for P. falciparum (7 in placental blood only, 3 in peripheral blood only). We found a significant association between subclinical malaria and a higher peripartum mortality risk, which persisted after controlling for maternal comorbidity and maternal and pregnancy characteristics (adjusted odds ratio: 3.50 [1.11–10.97]). In addition, PE/E and HIV infections were also significantly associated with several adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the association of subclinical malaria, as well as of PE/E and HIV, in pregnant women with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Therefore, molecular methods may be sensitive tools to identify asymptomatic infections that can reduce the impact on peripartum mortality and their contribution to sustained transmission of the parasite in endemic countries.
The predictive value of perioperative circulating markers on surgical complications in patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Lu Haohua , Yu Chenhao , Maimaiti Muzhapaer , Li Gonghui
Published: June 2023

Background

The occurrence of postoperative complications was associated with poor outcomes for patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. A prediction model with easily accessible indices could provide valuable information for surgeons. This study aims to identify novel predictive circulating biomarkers significantly associated with surgical complications.

Methods

We consecutively assessed all multiport robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies performed between 2021 and 2022. The clinicopathological factors and perioperative levels of multiple circulating markers were retrospectively obtained from the included patients. The associations of these indices with Clavien-Dindo grade II or greater complications, and surgical site infection were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Further, the models were validated for the overall performance, discrimination, and calibration.

Results

In total, 229 patients with prostate cancer were enrolled in this study. Prolonged operative time could independently predict surgical site infection (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.09–10.54). Higher RBC (day 1-pre) implied lower risks of grade II or greater complications (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07–0.76) and surgical site infection (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07–0.78). Additionally, RBC (day 1-pre) independently predicted grade II or greater complications of obese patients (P value = 0.005) as well as those in higher NCCN risk groups (P value = 0.012). Regarding the inflammatory markers, NLR (day 1-pre) (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.37–9.21) and CRP (day 1-pre) (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 1.69–10.23) were significantly associated with the risk of grade II or greater complications, and both the indices were independent predictors in those with higher Gleason score, or in higher NCCN risk groups (P value < 0.05). The NLR (day 0-pre) could also predict the occurrence of surgical site infection (OR, 5.04; 95% CI, 1.07–23.74).

Conclusions

The study successfully identified novel circulating markers to assess the risk of surgical complications. Postoperative increase of NLR and CRP were independent predictors for grade II or greater complications, especially in those with higher Gleason score, or in higher NCCN risk groups. Additionally, a marked decrease of RBC after the surgery also indicated a higher possibility of surgical complications, especially for the relatively difficult procedures.
Lenvatinib with or without stereotactic body radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis: a retrospective study
Authors: Ji Xiaoquan , Xu Zhe , Sun Jing , Li Wengang , Duan Xuezhang , Wang Quan
Published: June 2023

Background and objectives

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involving portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) are presently lacking effective treatment options. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib with or without SBRT for HCC with PVTT.

Materials and methods

This retrospective analysis included 37 patients treated with lenvatinib in combination with SBRT and 77 patients treated with lenvatinib alone from August 2018 to August 2021. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), intrahepatic PFS (IHPFS) and objective remission rate (ORR) were compared between the two groups, while adverse events (AEs) was analyzed between the two groups to assess safety profiles.

Results

Median OS, PFS and IHPFS were significantly prolonged in the combination treatment group compared with the single treatment group (median OS, 19.3 vs. 11.2 months, p < 0.001; median PFS: 10.3 vs. 5.3 months, p < 0.001; median IHPFS, 10.7 vs. 5.3 months, p < 0.001). Moreover, a higher ORR (56.8% vs. 20.8%, P < 0.001) were observed in the lenvatinib combined with SBRT group. In subgroup analyses of Vp1-2 and Vp3-4 group, median OS, PFS and IHPFS were also significantly longer in the lenvatinib combined with SBRT group than those in the lenvatinib alone group. AEs in the combined therapy group were mostly manageable and the incidence was not statistically significant compared to the monotherapy group.

Conclusion

Lenvatinib plus SBRT had a significantly better survival benefit than lenvatinib monotherapy in the treatment of HCC patients with PVTT and was well tolerated.
The crisis of maternal and child health in Afghanistan
Authors: Glass Nancy , Jalalzai Rabia , Spiegel Paul , Rubenstein Leonard
Published: June 2023

Background

The Taliban takeover in August 2021 brought global economic sanctions, economic collapse, and draconian restrictions on women’s freedom of movement, work, political participation, and education. This study examined Afghan health workers’ experiences and perceptions of availability and quality of maternal and child health care since then.

Methods

We conducted a survey, using a convenience sample, of health workers from urban, semi-rural, and rural public and private clinics and hospitals across the 34 provinces, covering changes in working conditions, safety, health care access and quality, maternal and infant mortality as well as perceptions about the future of maternal and child health and health care. Interviews were conducted with a subsample of health workers to further explore their perceptions of changes in working conditions, quality of care, and health outcomes since the Taliban takeover.

Results

131 Afghan practicing health care workers completed the survey. The majority were women (80%) working in facilities located in urban areas. Most female health workers (73.3%) reported that they have not always been safe when going to and from work; 81% because of harassment by the Taliban when they did not have male accompaniment. Almost half of the respondents (42.9%) reported a decrease in availability of maternal and child care and 43.8% stated that conditions for providing care were “worse” or “much worse” than before. Almost one-third (30.2%) indicated that changed working conditions negatively impacted their ability to provide quality care, and 26.2% reported an increase in obstetric and newborn complications. Health workers also reported (38.1% )an increase in sick child needs and an increase in child malnutrition (57.1%0. 57.1% reported decreases in work attendance and 78.6% a decrease in morale and motivation. Qualitative interviews (n = 10) of a subsample of survey participants expanded on these findings.

Conclusion

The combination of economic collapse, lack of sustained donor support for health care and Taliban interference with human rights has severely compromised access and quality of maternal and child health care. Strong and concerted international pressure on the Taliban to respect women and children rights to essential health service is critical for the future of the Afghan population.
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis as the first sign of thyrotoxicosis- a rare case report from Somalia
Authors: Mohamed Hawa Nuradin , Ghedi Abdi Karim Ahmed , Ozturk Sevgi , Jeele Mohamed Osman Omar , Bashir Ahmed Muhammad
Published: June 2023

Background

Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP) is a rare complication of hyperthyroidism characterized by thyrotoxicosis, hypokalemia, and paralysis. It is the most common form of acquired periodic paralysis. THPP is precipitated by strenuous exercise, a high carbohydrate diet, stress, infection, alcohol, albuterol, and corticosteroid therapy. It is most common in Asian men with hyperthyroidism and exceptionally rare in black people.

Case Presentation

A 29-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department in Somalia with a sudden onset of paralysis after a high carbohydrate meal. Laboratory investigations showed low serum potassium 1.8 mEq/l (3.5–4.5), and biochemical thyrotoxicosis with TSH 0.006 miu/l (0.35–5.1), total T3 3.2 ng/ml (0.9–2.8) and total T4 13.5 ng/ml (0.6–1.2). He was successfully treated with potassium chloride infusion and an antithyroid drug, methimazole.

Conclusion

To prevent life-threatening cardiac and respiratory complications, it is critical to consider and diagnose THPP early, even in populations where the condition is rare.
Systematic approaches to C-lignin engineering in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Ha Chan Man , Escamilla-Trevino Luis , Zhuo Chunliu , Pu Yunqiao , Bryant Nathan , Ragauskas Arthur J. , Xiao Xirong , Li Ying , Chen Fang , Dixon Richard A.
Published: June 2023

Background

C-lignin is a homopolymer of caffeyl alcohol present in the seed coats of a variety of plant species including vanilla orchid, various cacti, and the ornamental plant Cleome hassleriana. Because of its unique chemical and physical properties, there is considerable interest in engineering C-lignin into the cell walls of bioenergy crops as a high-value co-product of bioprocessing. We have used information from a transcriptomic analysis of developing C. hassleriana seed coats to suggest strategies for engineering C-lignin in a heterologous system, using hairy roots of the model legume Medicago truncatula.

Results

We systematically tested strategies for C-lignin engineering using a combination of gene overexpression and RNAi-mediated knockdown in the caffeic acid/5-hydroxy coniferaldehyde 3/5-O-methyltransferase (comt) mutant background, monitoring the outcomes by analysis of lignin composition and profiling of monolignol pathway metabolites. In all cases, C-lignin accumulation required strong down-regulation of caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) paired with loss of function of COMT. Overexpression of the Selaginella moellendorffii ferulate 5-hydroxylase (SmF5H) gene in comt mutant hairy roots resulted in lines that unexpectedly accumulated high levels of S-lignin.

Conclusion

C-Lignin accumulation of up to 15% of total lignin in lines with the greatest reduction in CCoAOMT expression required the strong down-regulation of both COMT and CCoAOMT, but did not require expression of a heterologous laccase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) or cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR) with preference for 3,4-dihydroxy-substituted substrates in M. truncatula hairy roots. Cell wall fractionation studies suggested that the engineered C-units are not present in a heteropolymer with the bulk of the G-lignin.
Valorization of Boehmeria nivea stalk towards multipurpose fractionation: furfural, pulp, and phenolic monomers
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Tao Furong , Ji Hairui
Published: June 2023

Background

As one of the most abundant bioresource in nature, the value-added utilization of lignocellulosic biomass is limited due to its inherent stubbornness. Pretreatment is a necessary step to break down the recalcitrance of cell walls and achieve an efficient separation of three main components (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin).

Results

In this study, hemicelluloses and lignin in Boehmeria nivea stalks were selectively extracted with a recyclable acid hydrotrope, an aqueous solution of P-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH). 79.86% of hemicelluloses and 90.24% of lignin were removed under a mild pretreatment condition, C80T80t20, (acid concentration of 80 wt%, pretreatment temperature and time of 80 °C and 20 min, respectively). After ultrasonic treatment for 10 s, the residual cellulose-rich solid was directly converted into pulp. Subsequently, the latter was utilized to produce paper via mixing with softwood pulp. The prepared handsheets with a pulp addition of 15 wt% displayed higher tear strength (8.31 mN m2/g) and tensile strength (8.03 Nm/g) than that of pure softwood pulp. What’s more, the hydrolysates of hemicelluloses and the extracted lignin were transformed to furfural and phenolic monomers with yields of 54.67% and 65.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

The lignocellulosic biomass, Boehmeria nivea stalks, were valorized to pulp, furfural, and phenolic monomers, successfully. And a potential solution of comprehensive utilization of Boehmeria nivea stalks was provided in this paper.

Graphical Abstract
HepaClear, a blood-based panel combining novel methylated CpG sites and protein markers, for the detection of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Bai Yi , Xu Juan , Li Deqiang , Zhang Xiaoyu , Chen Dapeng , Xie Fucun , Huang Longmei , Yu Xiaotian , Zhao Haitao , Zhang Yamin
Published: June 2023

Background

Early screening and detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can efficiently improve patient prognosis. We aimed to identify a series of hypermethylated DNA markers and develop a blood-based HCC diagnosis panel containing DNA methylation sites and protein markers with improved sensitivity for early-stage HCC detection.

Results

Overall, 850K methylation arrays were performed using paired tissue DNA samples from 60 HCC patients. Ten candidate hypermethylated CpG sites were selected for further evaluation by quantitative methylation-specific PCR with 60 pairs of tissue samples. Six methylated CpG sites, along with α-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP), were assayed in 150 plasma samples. Finally, an HCC diagnosis panel, named HepaClear, was developed in a cohort consisting of 296 plasma samples and validated in an independent cohort consisting of 198 plasma samples. The HepaClear panel, containing 3 hypermethylated CpG sites (cg14263942, cg12701184, and cg14570307) and 2 protein markers (AFP and DCP), yielded a sensitivity of 82.6% and a specificity of 96.2% in the training set and a sensitivity of 84.7% and a specificity of 92.0% in the validation set. The HepaClear panel had higher sensitivity (72.0%) for early-stage HCC than AFP (≥ 20 ng/mL, 48.0%) and DCP (≥ 40 mAU/mL, 62.0%) and detected 67.5% of AFP-negative HCC patients (AFP ≤ 20 ng/mL).

Conclusions

We developed a multimarker HCC detection panel (HepaClear) that shows high sensitivity for early-stage HCC. The HepaClear panel exhibits high potential for HCC screening and diagnosis from an at-risk population.
Fixed-point results for fuzzy generalized β-F-contraction mappings in fuzzy metric spaces and their applications
Authors: Wong Koon S. , Salleh Zabidin , Che Taib Che M. I.
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we introduce fuzzy generalized β-F-contractions as a generalization of fuzzy F-contractions with admissible mappings. We deduce sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of fixed points for fuzzy generalized β-F-contractions in complete strong fuzzy metric spaces. Our results generalize several fixed-point results from the literature. We present an application of our main result.
Linkages between different types of globalization and socio-economic variables: panel data analysis for 129 countries
Authors: Naz Ayesha
Published: June 2023

Present study explores the linkages between three categories of globalization to socio-economic indicators, which include poverty, inequality, unemployment and Human Development Index (HDI) using the sample of 129 countries over the period 1990 to 2019. The results show presence of co-integration among socio-economic variables and three categories of globalization. The findings indicate that economic, political and social globalization is positively related to each other. It is worth mentioning that all the three types of globalization decreases poverty but the role of economic dimension is appeared to be insignificant. Some negative effect of globalization on inequality and unemployment is also reported by this study. The traditional link between inequality, poverty and unemployment in the presence of globalization show that these three variables are closely related to one another, deterioration in any one variable has adverse effect on other two variables. Furthermore, results of Vector Error Correction Mechanism (VECM) show that socio-economic variables not only cause each other but they also improve human welfare that is measured by HDI. Long run causality indicates that all variables cause each other as error correction term is significant.
Systems genetics identifies miRNA-mediated regulation of host response in COVID-19
Authors: Gjorgjieva T. , Chaloemtoem A. , Shahin T. , Bayaraa O. , Dieng M. M. , Alshaikh M. , Abdalbaqi M. , Del Monte J. , Begum G. , Leonor C. , Manikandan V. , Drou N. , Arshad M. , Arnoux M. , Kumar N. , Jabari A. , Abdulle A. , ElGhazali G. , Ali R. , Shaheen S. Y. , Abdalla J. , Piano F. , Gunsalus K. C. , Daggag H. , Al Nahdi H. , Abuzeid H. , Idaghdour Y.
Published: June 2023

Background

Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 vary greatly in their disease severity, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe disease. The regulation of gene expression is an important mechanism in the host immune response and can modulate the outcome of the disease. miRNAs play important roles in post-transcriptional regulation with consequences on downstream molecular and cellular host immune response processes. The nature and magnitude of miRNA perturbations associated with blood phenotypes and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in COVID-19 are poorly understood.

Results

We combined multi-omics profiling—genotyping, miRNA and RNA expression, measured at the time of hospital admission soon after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms—with phenotypes from electronic health records to understand how miRNA expression contributes to variation in disease severity in a diverse cohort of 259 unvaccinated patients in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. We analyzed 62 clinical variables and expression levels of 632 miRNAs measured at admission and identified 97 miRNAs associated with 8 blood phenotypes significantly associated with later ICU admission. Integrative miRNA-mRNA cross-correlation analysis identified multiple miRNA-mRNA-blood endophenotype associations and revealed the effect of miR-143-3p on neutrophil count mediated by the expression of its target gene BCL2. We report 168 significant cis-miRNA expression quantitative trait loci, 57 of which implicate miRNAs associated with either ICU admission or a blood endophenotype.

Conclusions

This systems genetics study has given rise to a genomic picture of the architecture of whole blood miRNAs in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients and pinpoints post-transcriptional regulation as a potential mechanism that impacts blood traits underlying COVID-19 severity. The results also highlight the impact of host genetic regulatory control of miRNA expression in early stages of COVID-19 disease.
Numerical modelling of the process chain for aluminium Tailored Heat-Treated Profiles
Authors: Fröck Hannes , Graser Matthias , Reich Michael , Lechner Michael , Merklein Marion , Kessler Olaf
Published: June 2023

Lightweight construction in modern car design leads to an increased usage of various aluminium semi-finished products. Besides sheet material, aluminium extrusion profiles are frequently used due to their high stiffness and variety of possible cross-sections. However, similar to sheet material, aluminium profiles exhibit limited formability in comparison to mild steel materials. One possibility to increase the forming limits of precipitation hardened aluminium alloys is the so-called Tailored Heat Treatment technology. By a local short-term heat treatment, the material is softened and the material flow can be controlled to reduce stresses in critical forming zones. The purposeful definition of the heat treatment zones is mandatory to improve the forming results. Therefore, numerical methods are necessary. In this investigation, a numerical process chain is presented. It combines the thermo-mechanical simulation of a local laser heat treatment with a subsequent bending process of the heat-treated profile using the alloy EN AW-6082. The temperature distribution, mechanical properties, and finally, the bending result of the numerical model are validated by experimental tests.