bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiepileptogenic Effects of Anakinra, Lamotrigine and Their Combination in a Lithium–Pilocarpine Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Rats
Authors: Zubareva Olga E. , Sinyak Denis S. , Kalita Alisa D. , Griflyuk Alexandra V. , Diespirov Georgy P. , Postnikova Tatiana Y. , Zaitsev Aleksey V.
Published: September 2023

Temporal lobe epilepsy is a common, chronic disorder with spontaneous seizures that is often refractory to drug therapy. A potential cause of temporal lobe epilepsy is primary brain injury, making prevention of epileptogenesis after the initial event an optimal method of treatment. Despite this, no preventive therapy for epilepsy is currently available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of anakinra, lamotrigine, and their combination on epileptogenesis using the rat lithium-pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. The study showed that the treated and untreated animals showed no significant difference in the number and duration of seizures. However, the severity of seizures was significantly reduced after treatment. Anakinra and lamotrigine, alone or in combination, significantly reduced neuronal loss in the CA1 hippocampus compared to the control group. However, the drugs administered alone were found to be more effective for CA3 than their combination. The treatment alleviated the impairments in activity level, exploratory behavior and anxiety, but had a relatively weak effect on TLE-induced impairments in social behavior and memory. The efficacy of the combination treatment did not differ from that of anakinra and lamotrigine monotherapy. These findings suggest that anakinra and lamotrigine, alone or in combination, may have clinical utility in preventing epileptogenesis.
Finding the Exact Radiative Field Due to Triangular Sources. Application for More Effective Shading Devices and Windows
Authors: Cabeza-Lainez Joseph
Published: September 2023

Triangles are an ever present feature in nature, which the building construction industry duly echoes. However, an exact expression intended to offer the radiant field due to any triangle in an upright or inclined position had not been identified by previous research. In this case, the author has been able to solve by direct integration, the canonical expression of radiative transfer. This result alone confers a myriad of possibilities that had been inconceivable before, for studying in detail the three-dimensional heat transfer behavior of volumes and figures in which triangles do manifest, such as fins, windows, roof-gables and louvers of various kinds. Typically, shading devices, when tilted, give rise in their extremes to rhomboidal shapes which were difficult to take into account or had to be subject to discretization and subsequent Monte Carlo methods in order to perform an approximate calculation of their emission. This implied a lengthy and inexact procedure that induced many errors and consumed computing time. We can now avoid all the former downsides due to the advances hereby presented. As the novel expression can be converted into an algorithm it will be advantageously employed for simulation. This significant finding dovetails in the intricate puzzle of radiated heat and we believe that their consequences will greatly affect the conception and design of HVAC devices, aircraft manufacturing and specifically building or lighting industries among others.
The Impact of Petroleum Industry Act on Corporate Social Responsibility and Taxation in Nigeria's Upstream Oil and Gas Sector: A Path towards Sustainable Development
Authors: Isallah Haruna
Published: September 2023

Nigeria's upstream oil and gas sector is extensively contributing to the economic growth of the country, but the sector is plagued with challenges around corporate social responsibility (CSR) and taxation practices. Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is introduced to tackle these challenges towards promoting sustainable development in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to explore the PIA’s provisions on CSR and taxation, identify the Act’s implementation challenges and improvement opportunities, propose an integrated framework for monitoring and evaluating the PIA’s impact on CSR and taxation over time, and recommend measures for enhancing PIA’s impact on CSR and taxation support for sustainable development in Nigeria's upstream oil and gas sector. This study adopts the qualitative desk review method to analyze existent literature, reports, and documents regarding PIA’s provisions on CSR and taxation. Findings reveal that the PIA’s provisions greatly emphasize CSR initiatives and taxation transparency in improving responsible ethical business behaviour. An integrated framework for monitoring and evaluating PIA’s impact over time is developed. This study concludes that the PIA's provisions can balance CSR and taxation practices for sustainable development. The study’s recommendations include using the integrated framework as a structured strategy for monitoring and evaluating the PIA’s impact. This study contributes to the discussion on the imperatives of ethical business practices and regulatory frameworks for sustainable development drive in the oil and gas sector.
Methodology for Assessing Power Needs for Offshore Power Supply in Maritime Ports
Authors: Amaral Marcelo , Amaro Nuno
Published: September 2023

Maritime ports represent an important ecosystem for pollutant emissions and, taking into account the ongoing energy transition, need to adopt new solutions to mitigate current emission levels. These emissions are partially avoidable if ships and vessels docked at the port use electric energy to feed their internal power needs instead of using their internal combustion engines. In Europe, there is an ongoing discussion on including such emissions in the European Emissions Trading System which will represent added costs for maritime operators. Onshore Power Supply systems can contribute to the ongoing energy transition by allowing the use of electric power to feed docked ships. As a first step to contribute to the development of Onshore Power Supply solutions, it is necessary to evaluate the added power needs that these systems would represent for the port. This paper presents a methodology that allows port operators to verify, straightforwardly and transparently, their power needs for Onshore Power Supply applications. The methodology is based on the historical data of docked ships at the port or quay level and provides an energy analysis of each type of vessel to determine the power to be installed at the port so that it is possible to supply energy to different types of ships and vessels simultaneously. Additionally, the implemented methodology provides economic and technical decision support factors by comparing the fuel costs with electric power costs, assessing the potential for this transition to Onshore Power Supply. The methodology is validated using a real case study for the port of Lisbon and obtained results demonstrate the potential for the installation of Onshore Power Supply in medium to large-dimension maritime ports.
Digital Maturity and Digital Transformation Strategy among Greek SME’s
Authors: Kargas Antonios , Gialeris Emmanouil , Komisopoulos Faidon , Lymperiou Anastasios
Published: September 2023

Proposed study aims to investigate the digital transformation of Greek small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on their digital maturity and the strategic and organizational factors contributing to digital transformation. The research issue of digital transformation is attracting considerable interest among academics and business practicians since COVID-19 accelerated the procedure of implementing Industry’s 4.0 principles all over global economies. Quantitative research on 147 Greek SMEs revealed most important issues on how these businesses implement digital transformation, factors accelerating or decelerating the process, barriers and expected outcomes. Research enlights how SMEs face the transition to digital business and reveals the factors that can facilitate the whole process. Results can be valuable for stakeholders enabled to digital transformation process from both business and academic point of view, while there exist aspects that can contribute to policy makers / motivation developers in state’s level as well.
Measurements and Evaluations of the Atmospheric Transparency at Short Millimeter Wavelengths at the Candidate Sites for Millimeter and Submillimeter Wave Telescopes
Authors: Zinchenko Igor I. , Lapinov Alexander V. , Vdovin Vyacheslav F. , Zemlyanukha Peter M. , Khabarova Tatiana A.
Published: September 2023

Radio astronomical observations at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths are a very important tool of astrophysical research. However, there is a huge area in the northern Eurasia, including the whole Russian territory, which lacks sufficiently large radio telescopes effectively operating at these wavelengths. In this review we describe our long-term efforts to find suitable sites for such radio telescopes in this area, that is, sites with good atmospheric transparency at millimeter and submillimeter waves. We describe methods and instruments used for measurements and evaluations of the atmospheric opacity. They include special radiometric systems, which are used for estimations of the atmospheric opacity from the sky brightness measurements. Evaluation of the precipitable water vapor from such measurements by the artificial neural network is discussed. Alternative approaches use global atmospheric models and signals of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems. To date, a long-term radiometric monitoring has been performed at several candidate sites and atmospheric conditions for many sites have been evaluated using global atmospheric models. Several sites with the best atmospheric transparency at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths have been selected. They can be effectively used for astronomical observations at least in the major atmospheric transparency windows at 1.3 mm and 0.85 mm. These results can be also used for space communications and radar systems.
Characteristics of Silica Fume Nano-Alumina Ternary Blended Mortar
Authors: Yusuf Moruf Olalekan
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the contribution of nano-alumina (nA: 1-3wt.% binder) to the performance of silica fume (SF-10%) blended mortar in ternary blended mortar. The fresh (workability, setting time) and hardened properties (compressive strength and thermal resistance (300 °C for 1 h)), were examined. Nano alumina (nA) contributed positively to the consistency of SF blended mortar such that similar workability could be achieved with OPC when 3% nA was added. The initial and final setting time of 180 and 220 mins were recorded in SF blended mortar and reduced by 18.4 and 21.8%, respectively by adding 3%nA. The optimum mixture that contained 10%SF and 2%nA had 3-d and 28-d compressive strengths of 28 and 43.2 MPa. In the absence of nA, this reduced by 14.3% and 29.4% while it reduced by 25.2% and 16.7%, respectively in OPC mortar. The main products characterizing SF-nA ternary blended binder with dense microstructural density were nepheline and tobermorite. Besides, it is more susceptible to carbonation despite its superior performance in thermal resistance when compared to SF blended and OPC mortars.
The Calculation and Evaluation of an Ultrasound-Estimated Fat Fraction in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease.
Authors: Kaposi Pál Novák , Zsombor Zita , Rónaszéki Aladár Dávid , Budai Bettina Katalin , Csongrády Barbara , Stollmayer Róbert , Kalina Ildikó , Győri Gabriella , Bérczi Viktor , Werling Klára , Maurovich-Horvát Pál , Folhoffer Anikó , Hagymási Krisztina
Published: September 2023

We aimed to develop a non-linear regression model that could predict the fat fraction of the liver (USFF), similar to magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF), based on quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters. We measured and retrospectively collected the ultrasound attenuation coefficient (AC), backscatter-distribution coefficient (BSC-D), and liver stiffness (LS) using shear wave elastography (SWE) in 90 patients with clinically suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and 51 patients with clinically suspected metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The MRI-PDFF was also measured in all patients within a month of the ultrasound scan. In the linear regression analysis, only AC and BSC-D showed a significant association with MRI-PDFF. Therefore, we developed prediction models using non-linear least-squares analysis to estimate MRI-PDFF based on the AC and BSC-D parameters. We fitted the models on the NAFLD dataset and evaluated their performance in 3-fold cross-validation repeated five times. We decided to use the model based on both parameters to estimate the ultrasound fat fraction (USFF). The correlation between USFF and MRI-PDFF was strong in NAFLD and very strong in MAFLD. According to a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, USFF could differentiate between <5% vs. ≥ 5% and < 10% vs. ≥ 10% MRI-PDFF steatosis with excellent, 0.97 and 0.91 area under the curve (AUC) accuracy in the NAFLD and with AUCs of 0.99 and 0.96 in the MAFLD groups. In conclusion, USFF calculated from QUS parameters is an accurate method to quantify liver fat fraction and to diagnose ≥ 5% and ≥ 10% steatosis in both NAFLD and MAFLD. Therefore, USFF can be an ideal non-invasive screening tool for patients with NAFLD and MAFLD risk factors.
Mechanical and Microstructural Characteristics of 1.5 GPA-Grade Boron Steel by High-Frequency Induction of Eddy Currents
Authors: Kim Kun young , Kang Myung-chang
Published: September 2023

: In the automotive industry, high-strength plates have been increasingly used to reduce the vehicle body weight due to stringent regulations on fuel economy and safety. Such plates achieve tensile strengths as high as 1.5 GPa owing to the hot-stamping process. However, these plates suffer from scale generation and surface decarburization because of the surface oxidation of the material. Recently, studies on materials subjected to high-frequency induction heating have reported strength improvement owing to the coil shape and cooling method. This study presents the surface temperature changes, mechanical properties, and microstructures of boron steels subjected to longitudinal heating, which uses eddy currents generated from high-frequency induction heating. The surface temperature data were analyzed under different high-frequency induction heating powers (15, 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30 kW) and distances from the specimen (6, 9, and 15 mm). The mechanical properties and microstructures were also analyzed in different high-frequency induction heating coil directions. The correlations between the high-frequency induction heating power and the distance from the specimen with the maximum tensile strength were determined.
Membrane Potential: The Ignored Shape
Authors: Delalande Bernard , Tamagawa Hirohisa , Matveev Vladimir
Published: September 2023

Membrane potential generation and maintenance are fundamental parts of membrane theory. However, since its inception, theories and assumptions have remained simple, whereas the amount of knowledge available has only grown. Unfortunately, this simplification and reductionism lead to its loss of validity on both microscopic and macroscopic scales. This article shows that assumptions made outside the context of factual reality lead to contradictions that cannot be compared with science. Membrane theory must be thoroughly revised, taking into account all forgotten and unanswered assumptions and questions to conform to facts and science to maintain credibility.
Dynamics of Soil Mesofauna Communities in a Tropical Urban Coastal Wetland: Responses to Spatiotemporal Fluctuations in Phreatic Level and Salinity
Authors: Gloria Ortiz-Ramírez , Hernández Elix , Pinto-Pacheco Solimar , Cuevas Elvira
Published: September 2023

This research explored the influence of spatiotemporal variations in phreatic levels and salinity on the patterns and interactions of soil mesofauna communities in a tropical urban coastal wetland. It delineated significant variations in phreatic levels and salinity, with distinct regimes characterizing different habitats and hydroperiods. A total of 120 mesofauna morphotypes across 42 taxa were identified, revealing habitat differences and similarities, and the ecosystem biodiversity. Moderate correlations were established between phreatic levels, salinity, and mesofauna richness and abundance, with habitat type and phreatic level emerging as significant predictors in the regression model. Our findings indicate that shallow phreatic levels in conjunction with oligohaline salinity conditions foster a more favorable abiotic environment, thereby promoting increased biodiversity. The study underscores the dynamic and adaptive nature of mesofauna communities in response to changing environmental conditions, offering valuable insights for effective costal urban wetland management, particularly in the context of multiple stressors such as global and regional climate change, sea level rise, and human activities. The bio-sensor capacity of soil mesofauna emerges as a vital tool for monitoring and facilitating adaptive ecosystem management, thereby ensuring their long-term health and sustainability.
Ecological Risks Arising for the Regional Water Resources in Inner Mongolia due to a Large-scale Afforestation Project
Authors: Chen Peng , Ma Rong , Shi Jiansheng , Si Letian , Zhao Lefan , Wu Jun
Published: September 2023

In recent years, a large-scale afforestation campaign has taken place in Inner Mongolia, China, to control desertification and soil erosion. However, the water consumption associated with large-scale afforestation significantly impacts the water resources in Inner Mongolia, resulting in a substantial ecological risk. This study aimed to evaluate the ecological risk of water resources caused by afforestation in the region. In this study, based on land cover data, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, and meteorological data, used trend analysis, water balance equation, and Water resources Security Index (WSI) index to analyze the ecological risks of water resources caused by afforestation in Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2020. The results show that:(1) The afforestation area in Inner Mongolia was 5.37×104 km2 in 2000-2020; (2) Afforestation in arid and semi-arid areas leads to the reduction of water resources. (3) Afforestation reduces water resources in the study area by 0.76×108m3/year; (4) ~76% of afforestation regions face ecological risks of water resources.
A Note on Mushroom Nutraceuticals in Ménière´s Disease
Authors: Bell Victoria , Fernandes Tito Horácio
Published: September 2023

Nutraceuticals comprise dietary supplements, functional foods, medicinal foods, and pharmaceuticals. However, to date all these concepts are interpreted in different ways with the rapid increasing knowledge on nutrition, medicine, and plant biotechnology changing the concepts about food, health and agriculture. What matters are the bioactive elements conveyed by foodstuffs as nutrients or non-nutrients, which interfere with human metabolism and have impact on health, aging and well-being. Food, not nutrients, is the fundamental unit in nutrition and edible mushrooms, are fungi that supply unique biological compounds, different from plant or animal origin, which significantly impact on health status. Their influence on medicinal interventions has been known and studied for many years. The role on neurodegenerative disorders has been recently investigated and their significance on many other diseases has been well demonstrated. On this note it is synthesized the more recent knowledge of some edible mushrooms and preparations on Ménière’s disease, a lifelong condition it can develop at any age, but most commonly appearing between 40 and 60 years of age.
“I Am on Top!”: An Interactive Intervention Program to Promote Self-Regulation Processes in the Prevention of the Use of Doping in Sports High Schools
Authors: Galli Federica , Chirico Andrea , Codella Roberto , Zandonai Thomas , Deplano Vindice , De Maria Alessandra , Palombi Tommaso , Gotti Daniel , Alivernini Fabio , Mallia Luca , Zelli Arnaldo , Lucidi Fabio
Published: September 2023

The use of substances to improve sports performance is a widespread phenomenon among adolescents. Several anti-doping programs have been developed, mainly based on knowledge-based evidence. The main aim of the present study was to implement an anti-doping intervention in sports high school students, based on psychological framework, such as Socio-Cognitive Theory, through the development of a Serious Game (SG), i.e., a digital learning based on the game. The experimental design included an intervention group (n=167; F=37.7%; Meanage=17.5 years) and a control group (n=112; F=42%; Meanage=17.6). Both of groups completed the same questionnaire in two different occasions (i.e., time 1 and time 2), for measuring doping intention, self-regulatory efficacy to resist social pressure for the use of substances, moral disengagement, and doping knowledge. Data were analyzed through repeated measures of Group X Time ANOVA, demonstrating some degree of efficacy of the intervention, in particular, in terms of decrease of doping intention and the strengthening of doping knowledge. Moreover, we demonstrated that the score obtained during the implementation of the Serious Game partially could represent a coherent measure of the participants’ beliefs regarding doping. These results could be considered a starting point for future research to better develop technological anti-doping interventions.
Maximizing Automated Teller Machines (ATM) User Loyalty through Trust and Quality Service
Authors: Sarmigi Elex , Hizazi Achmad , Rahayu Sri , Arum Enggar Diah Puspa
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this research is to look into the direct and indirect effects of service quality and trust on customer loyalty, as mediated through customer satisfaction. The study is based on a sample of 85 customers who used ATM services at the PT. Bank 9 Jambi, Kerinci Branch. This Study approach is used to calculate sample size, and data is collected utilizing an incidental sampling strategy using a questionnaire. For data analysis, Smart PLS 3.0 software is used to assist path analysis. According to the findings, neither service quality nor trust have a statistically significant influence on customer loyalty, whether directly or indirectly through customer pleasure. Customer pleasure, on the other hand, has a positive and considerable impact on customer loyalty. Furthermore, the study discovers a favorable and significant link between service quality and client trust. These findings provide light on the complex dynamics of service quality, trust, customer satisfaction, and loyalty in the context of ATM usage, providing valuable insights for customer relationship management practitioners and researchers.
The Effectiveness of Communication on Generasi Pesona Indonesia’s Instagram in Fulfilling Tourism Informationn Needs
Authors: Galang Ramadhan Achmad Syah , Humaira Sandrina
Published: September 2023

The rise of social media platforms has transformed the way individuals access information, with Instagram emerging as a potent medium due to its visual appeal and engaging features. This research, titled "The Effectiveness of Tourism Communication on Generasi Pesona Indonesia’s (GenPI) Instagram in Fulfilling Tourism Information Needs," aims to assess the efficacy of communication on GenPI's Instagram account in meeting the tourism information needs of its followers. The theoretical framework for this research encompasses concepts such as communication, communication effectiveness, new media, Instagram, and information needs. Employing a quantitative approach with a descriptive focus, the study targets the followers of Generasi Pesona Indonesia’s (GenPI) Instagram account(@genpiindonesia), constituting a population of 15,900 individuals. A sample size of 99 respondents is determined using the Taro Yamane formula, selected through purposive sampling. Data is collected through literature review and questionnaires distributed via Google Form. Analysis of the collected data involves single-table and cross-table examinations, and the relationship between variables is assessed using Spearman's Rank Order Correlations formula with SPSS 25 software. The findings indicate that video content on GenPI’s Instagram account effectively fulfills the tourism information needs of followers, providing valuable recommendations and sought-after tourist destinations. Moreover,the research demonstrates a significant relationship between followers' interaction frequency with Generasi Pesona Indonesia (GenPI)'s Instagram account and the extent to which their tourism information needs are satisfied. This study sheds light on the pivotal role of Instagram as a tool for disseminating tourism-related information, exemplified by GenPI's account, in satisfying the informational requirements of its audience.
Interprofessional Diagnostic Management Teams: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Hansen Nicoline Lykke , Precht Helle , Larsen Palle , Noehr-Jensen Lene
Published: September 2023

Background: The diagnostic process has been a blind spot in relation to patient safety. A Danish evaluation of cases concerning treatment injuries from 2009 to 2018 shows that 14.5% (13,000 out of 90,000) of all settled cases are related to diagnostic errors. The report from 2019 points out the importance of incorporating teamwork in the diagnostic process. An American report from 2015 suggests implementing diagnostic management teams, including patients and their relatives, diagnosticians, and healthcare professionals who support the diagnostic process, as a way to limit diagnostic error and improve patient safety. The objective of this scoping review is to map and understand the extent and type of evidence in relation to interprofessional diagnostic management teams, providing diagnostic care in the healthcare system, in general, for adults and children with somatic conditions.
Methods: We will conduct this scoping review according to the PRISMA 2020 statement. We will systematically search five databases (EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier and SCOPUS) for papers published between 1985 and 2022 that describe the use of interprofessional diagnostic management teams. Two independent reviewers will screen titles/abstracts and full text articles based on whether they meet the inclusion criteria. The participants included will be adults and children seeking diagnostic care for a somatic condition. The concept studied will be interprofessional diagnostic management teams, and the context will be the diagnostic process in the healthcare system. Studies examining the diagnostic process in psychiatry, odontology or complementary medicine will be excluded. Any disagreement will be resolved by discussion and eventually by consulting a third reviewer. Data extraction will include study characteristics and findings.
Discussion: Despite the severity of the problem, this will be the first scoping review on interprofessional diagnostic management teams. This scoping review attempts to shed an important and needed light on the diagnostic process in relation to the improvement of patient safety.
Protocol registration: The project is registered at Open Science Framework (OSF) with ID: osf.io/kv2n6
Mechanism of feedforward Parkin activation by self-association
Authors: Lenka Dipti , Dahe Shakti , Antico Odetta , Sahoo Pritiranjan , Muqit Miratul M. K. , Kumar Atul
Published: September 2023

Loss of function Parkin mutations lead to early-onset of Parkinson’s disease. Parkin is an auto-inhibited ubiquitin E3-ligase activated by phosphorylation of its ubiquitin-like (Ubl) domain and ubiquitin by PINK1. Herein, we show a competitive binding mode of the phospho-Ubl and RING2 domains on the RING0 domain, which regulates Parkin activity. We show that phosphorylated Parkin can complex with unmodified Parkin, leading to the activation of autoinhibited Parkin in trans. Furthermore, we show that the activator element (ACT) of Parkin is required to maintain the enzyme’s kinetics, and the removal of ACT slows the enzyme catalysis. We also demonstrate that ACT can activate Parkin in trans but less efficiently than when present in the cis molecule. Furthermore, we have identified and characterized a new donor ubiquitin binding pocket that plays a crucial role in function. This study provides new molecular insights into Parkin activation which may aid the development of Parkin activators as a therapeutic strategy against Parkinson’s.
Infectious vaginitis among women seeking reproductive health services at a sexual and reproductive health facility in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Mujuzi Huzaima , Siya Aggrey , Wambi Rogers
Published: September 2023

Background
Infectious vaginitis is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting women of reproductive age with significant clinical consequences. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC), and trichomoniasis (TV) are the main etiologies. Unfortunately, there is limited data on the prevalence and associated risk factors especially in sub-saharan Africa. This study, thus, determined the prevalence and risk factors of infectious vaginitis among women seeking reproductive health services at a Marie Stopes health facility in urban areas of Kampala, Uganda.
Methods
A cross-sectional study with 361 participants was conducted from July to October 2021. Data on risk factors and infection were collected via a structured questionnaire and laboratory analysis of vaginal swabs, respectively, with data analysis performed using Stata version 14.0.
Results
The ages of participants ranged from 18 to 49 years, with a mean age of 29.53 years. Overall, 58.45% were infected, of whom 33.24% had VVC, 24.93% had BV, and 0.28% had TV. Bivariate analysis, revealed that women with pruritus (COR: 3.057, 95% CI: 1.940–4.819), pregnancy (COR: 4.914, 95% CI: 1.248–19.36), antibiotic use (COR: 1.592, 95% CI: 1.016–2.494), douching (COR: 1.719, 95% CI: 1.079–2.740), and multiple partners (COR: 1.844, 95% CI: 1.079–2.904) were more likely to have VVC, whereas having higher education status (University; Vocational) (COR: 0.325, 95% CI: 0.134–00.890; COR: 0.345, 95% CI: 0.116–00.905) reduced the risk. On the other hand, women with a smelly discharge (COR: 1.796, 95% CI: 1.036–3.110), IUD use (COR: 1.868, 95% CI: 1.039–3.358), and antibiotic use (COR: 1.731, 95% CI: 1.066–2.811) were more likely to have BV. Multivariable analysis identified pruritus (AOR: 2.998, 95% CI: 1.757–5.115) as the only independent predictor for VVC.
Conclusion
Although the target site may not yield results that are generalizable to the entire urban areas of Kampala, results indicate high prevalence of infection among these women. The risk factors point to the need for health education, regular screening, and treatment for females of reproductive age group to reduce the prevalence of infection.
Venlafaxine induces psychiatric disorders due to upregulation of cerebral catechol-O-methyltransferase via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Liu Li , Qian Liqiang , Yang Hanyu , Ye Qianli , Xu Zijun , Liu Yanlin , Wang Zehua , Wu Wenhan , Liu Xiaodong
Published: September 2023

Clinical use of venlafaxine often leads to several central nervous system adverse events, but its mechanisms are still unclear. We observed obvious impairments in locomotor and exploration activities during open-field and tail-suspension tests in venlafaxine-treated rats and mice, which indicated that venlafaxine could induce the anxiety-like behavior with co-morbid depressive-like behavior in experimental animals. Different from the accepted opinion that altered dopamine (DA) or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels could induce psychiatric disorders, venlafaxine treatment did not affect the levels of DA and 5-HT, but significantly decreased levels of 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and increased levels of homovanillic acid (HVA). Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) mediates the formation of HVA from DOPAC. Further investigation found that venlafaxine significantly upregulated the expression and activity of COMT, whilst decreasing levels of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM, a methyl-donor), histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), and histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in the cortexes of rats and mice. Treatment of COMT inhibitor tolcapone or SAM attenuated venlafaxine-induced psychiatric disorders and decreases in cerebral SAM, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3 levels. In vitro, venlafaxine and mTOR activator MHY1485 also led to upregulations in COMT expression and decreases in levels of SAM, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3, whilst tolcapone and SAM attenuated these changes. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin, and silencing ribosomal protein 70 S6 kinase (P70S6K) or eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) remarkably attenuated the induction of COMT by venlafaxine. Significantly increased phosphorylation levels of AKT, P70S6K, and 4EBP1 were also detected in the cortexes of venlafaxine-treated rats and mice. These results indicate that venlafaxine induces COMT expression via activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, leading to decreases in levels of SAM, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3, which ultimately results in the occurrence of several psychiatric symptoms.
Serum heme oxygenase-1 as a prognostic biomarker in patients with acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease
Authors: Tagami Yoichi , Hara Yu , Murohashi Kota , Nagasawa Ryo , Fujii Hiroaki , Izawa Ami , Yabe Aya , Saigusa Yusuke , Kobayashi Miyu , Shiida Masafumi , Hirata Momo , Otsu Yukiko , Watanabe Keisuke , Horita Nobuyuki , Kobayashi Nobuaki , Kaneko Takeshi
Published: September 2023

Serum heme oxygenase (HO)-1 level has been reported as a clinically reliable diagnostic biomarker for acute exacerbation (AE) of interstitial lung disease (ILD); however, its utility for predicting mortality among these patients is unclear. Serum HO-1 levels of patients newly diagnosed with AE of ILD were measured at the time of initiating steroid pulse therapy. The relationship between serum HO-1 and various other serum biomarkers, change in HRCT), and disease prognosis at 12 weeks after diagnosis of AE was evaluated in 51 patients with AE, of whom 17 (33%) had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Serum HO-1 was higher in patients with AE of IPF than in patients with AE of other ILDs. Serum HO-1 levels were higher in patients who died within these 12 weeks than in survivors. Among age, sex, comorbidities, IPF diagnosis, HRCT findings, and blood biomarkers, serum HO-1 was a primary predictor of 12-week mortality. In 41 patients who underwent repeat HRCT, serum HO-1 was higher in patients with than in those without honeycomb progression. Serum HO-1 measurement could be useful for evaluating disease mortality and predicting subsequent fibrosis formation among patients with AE of ILDs.
Biomarkers of Catalase, Glutathione S-transferase and EROD in Echinometra mathaei exposed to PAHs in northern Persian Gulf
Authors: Badri Setareh , Jamili Shahla , Riazi Gholamhossein , Moradi Ali Mashinchian
Published: September 2023

The Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed sea with special ecological conditions, where oil pollution average is higher than the minimum optimum level by the global marine environment. Echinoderms are one of the most important marine phyla of this ecosystem, which are more exposed to pollutions in sediments because they live on the bottom. Many biomarkers are able to identify the adverse effects of chemical environmental pollutants. The present study is endeavored to study the Catalase, Glutathione S-transferase and EROD response change of Echinometra mathaei collected from northern Persian Gulf. Sampling was carried out at T-wharf Khark, north Khark, Nai-Band, Shirino, Owli and Shaghab beach of Bushehr stations and the levels of enzymes were measured in the cold and warm seasons. The maximum and minimum Catalase activity among all stations and in both seasons were obtained in Shirino (1.95 µmol/min/mg protein) and Bushehr (0.98 µmol/min/mg protein). The highest and lowest enzyme activity levels of Glutathione-S-Transferase activity were obtained in Khark T-wharf (9.30 nmol/min/mg protein) and Naiband (6.63 nmol/min/mg protein). The maximum and minimum activity of EROD enzyme was measured in Khark T-wharf (0.04 µmol/min/mg protein) and Bushehr (0.002 µmol/min/mg protein). In total, no significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed regarding the relationship between enzymes and organisms available to PAH in different seasons. The results indicated the possible lack of response of the biomarkers present in this sea urchins, which is probably caused by a different immune system or the duration of exposure to pollution in these areas.
Highly accurate and robust protein sequence design with CarbonDesign
Authors: Zhang Haicang , Ren Milong , Yu Chungong , Bu Dongbo
Published: September 2023

Protein sequence design, the inverse problem of protein structure prediction, plays a crucial role in protein engineering. Although recent deep learning-based methods have shown promising advancements, achieving accurate and robust protein sequence design remains an ongoing challenge. Here, we present CarbonDesign, a new approach that draws inspiration from successful ingredients of AlphaFold for protein structure prediction and makes significant and novel developments tailored specifically for protein sequence design. At its core, CarbonDesign explores Inverseformer, a novel network architecture adapted from AlphaFold's Evoformer, to learn representations from backbone structures and an amortized Markov Random Fields model for sequence decoding. Moreover, we incorporate other essential AlphaFold concepts into CarbonDesign: an end-to-end network recycling technique to leverage evolutionary constraints in protein language models and a multi-task learning technique to generate side chain structures corresponding to the designed sequences. Through rigorous evaluations of independent testing data sets, including the CAMEO and recent CASP15 data sets, as well as the predicted structures from AlphaFold, we show that CarbonDesign outperforms other published methods, achieving high accuracy in sequence generation. Moreover, it exhibits superior performance on de novo backbone structures obtained from recent diffusion generative models such as RFdiffusion and FrameDiff, highlighting its potential for enhancing de novo protein design. Notably, CarbonDesign also supports zero-shot prediction of the functional effects of sequence variants, indicating its potential application in directed evolution-based design. In summary, our results illustrate CarbonDesign's accurate and robust performance in protein sequence design, making it a promising tool for applications in bioengineering.
Nurse navigation, symptom monitoring and exercise in vulnerable patients with lung cancer: Feasibility of the NAVIGATE intervention
Authors: Langballe Rikke , Svendsen Lukas Pejinovic , Jakobsen Erik , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Karlsen Randi Valbjørn , Iachina Maria , Freund Karen M , Leclair Amy , Jørgensen Lars Bo , Skou Søren T. , Ehlers Jeanette Haar , Torenholt Rikke , Svendsen Mads Nordahl , Bidstrup Pernille Envold
Published: September 2023

We developed the Navigate intervention to improve survival among vulnerable lung cancer patients. In this intervention-only study, we examined feasibility in terms of recruitment, retention, attendance, adherence, and acceptability to specify adjustments to study procedures and intervention components prior to a randomized trial.
The Navigate intervention includes nurse navigation, patient-reported outcomes, and physical exercise. Patients >18 years old, diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer at any stage, with performance status <2 and vulnerable according to a screening instrument were included.
Seventeen (56%) out of 30 screened patients were considered vulnerable, 14 (82%) accepted participation, and 3 (21%) were excluded due to ineligibility, leaving 11 patients. Four patients (36%) died during follow-up and 3 (43%) were retained. All 11 patients participated in nurse sessions (mean 16, range 1–36) with 88% attendance and dialogue tools being applied in 68% of sessions. Ninety-one percent responded to PROs (mean 9, range 1-24) with 76% attendance and 100% adherence and 55% participated in exercise sessions with 58% attendance and 85% adherence. We identified important barriers primarily related to transportation, but overall acceptability was high.
The Navigate intervention was feasible with high participation, acceptability and satisfactory adherence. Retention and exercise attendance were low, which resulted in adjustments.
Depressive and Mania Mood State Detection through Voice as a Biomarker Using Machine Learning
Authors: Ji Jun , Dong Wentian , Li Jiaqi , Peng Jingzhu , Shi Chuan , Ma Yantao
Published: September 2023

Background
Both depressive and mania mood state have high prevalence and are important causes of social burden worldwide, however, there is still no objective indicator for detection. This study aimed to examine if voice could be used as a biomarker to detect these symptoms in China.
Methods
1,287 voice messages from 81 subjects were classified into three groups: the depression mood state group (406 voice messages from n = 31), the mania mood state group (192 voice messages from n = 14), and the remission group (689 voice messages from n = 36), based on the scores of the MDQ, QIDS and YMRS. 34 features were extracted from voice records which is collected in real-world emotional diary. A three-group comparison was performed through analysis of Kruskal-Wallis H Test. Three feature extraction methods were adopted and four machine learning methods were performed.
Results
33 voice indicators showed differences among the three groups(p < 0.05). Among the machine learning methods, the best performance was obtained using the Gate Recurrent Unit with 79.6% sensitivity, 91.1% specificity and 82.5% sensitivity, 90.7% specificity for the detection of depressive and mania mood state respectively.
Conclusions
This study further revealed participants with depressive or manic mood state could be accurately distinguished through machine learning. Although this study is limited by a small sample size, it is the first study on voice as a biomarker in both depressive and mania mood state which suggests the possibility of detecting these mood states through voice.
Body Image Perception and Social Support as Predictors of Psychological Distress Among Third Trimester Pregnant Women in Nigeria
Authors: Olabisi *Oluwaseyi Isaiah , OGUNMODEDE Eunice , OJO Simeon , ILORI Oluwafemi , Esan Deborah T.
Published: September 2023

Background
Social support and body image perception during pregnancy can impact the psychological distress levels experienced by pregnant women. This study therefore assessed the influence of different components of social support and body image perception on psychological distress levels among pregnant women in their third trimester in Nigeria
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 pregnant women who were in the third trimester, attending selected health care facilities in Ogbomoso, a semi urban city in Oyo State. Body image perception, social support and psychological distress scales were used to collect the data. Data were analysed and summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics (correlation and binomial logistic regression) with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
Pregnant women’s dissatisfaction with sexual attractiveness (r= 0.193, p=0.002), appearance related to behaviors (r= 0.324, p=0.000) and body changes (r=0.286, p=0.000) were positively correlated with psychological distress. Belonging social support (r = - 0.135, p=0.035) and tangible social support (r = - 0.225, p=0.000) were negatively correlated with psychological distress. Appraisal support (AOR 2.219, 95% CI 1.480 – 3.329, P=0.000) and married pregnant women (AOR 17.124 CI 3.454 – 84.884, P=0.001) predicted psychological distress.
Conclusion
Pregnant women who are concerned about appearance-related behavior, sexual attractions, body change and body dissatisfaction are more likely to experience some level of psychological distress. Tangible and belonging social support reduced the level of psychological distress among the pregnant women. However, Appraisal support increases psychological distress.
The impact of grief on post-traumatic stress reactions among perinatal loss women: A moderated mediation model of perinatal depression and anxiety, and social support
Authors: Zeng Jing , Guo Sheng-Bin , Zheng Qing-Xiang , Liu Xiu-Wu
Published: September 2023

Background
Post-traumatic stress response reactions are prevalent mental phenomenon in perinatal loss women due to high grief, high perinatal depression and anxiety or low social support. Although post-traumatic stress reactions are known to have serious negative implications for perinatal loss women, families and society, the mechanism through which it functions is less clear.
Methods
This study was a multicentre cross-sectional survey conducted from December 2021 to October 2022, involving 346 perinatal loss women as participants. The Pearson’s correlation analysis, the PROCESS Macro Model 4 and Model 14 on SPSS (version 26) were used to analyse the available data.
Results
Perinatal grief positively predicted post-traumatic stress reactions among perinatal loss women. Perinatal depression and anxiety mediated the relationship between perinatal grief and post-traumatic stress reactions. Meanwhile, this process was moderated by social support.
Conclusions
The higher the level of grief among perinatal loss women, the more likely post-traumatic stress reactions. As a mediating mechanism with moderating, social support and perinatal depression and anxiety further explained how perinatal grief affected the post-traumatic stress reactions. In the higher social support, there was a weaker positive relationship between perinatal depression and anxiety, and post-traumatic stress reactions, compared to situations with lower social support. Nurses and midwives can help reduce the post-traumatic stress reactions among perinatal loss women by alleviating their perinatal depression and anxiety, and perinatal grief and by providing adequate medical and emotional support.