bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defective HIV-1 genomes and their potential impact on HIV pathogenesis
Authors: Kuniholm Jeffrey , Coote Carolyn , Henderson Andrew J.
Published: June 2022

Defective HIV-1 proviruses represent a population of viral genomes that are selected for by immune pressures, and clonally expanded to dominate the persistent HIV-1 proviral genome landscape. There are examples of RNA and protein expression from these compromised genomes which are generated by a variety of mechanisms. Despite the evidence that these proviruses are transcribed and translated, their role in HIV pathogenesis has not been fully explored. The potential for these genomes to participate in immune stimulation is particularly relevant considering the accumulation of cells harboring these defective proviruses over the course of antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV. The expression of defective proviruses in different cells and tissues could drive innate sensing mechanisms and inflammation. They may also alter antiviral T cell responses and myeloid cell functions that directly contribute to HIV-1 associated chronic comorbidities. Understanding the impact of these defective proviruses needs to be considered as we advance cure strategies that focus on targeting the diverse population of HIV-1 proviral genomes.

Graphical abstract
Applying a gender lens to social norms, couple communication and decision making to increase modern contraceptive use in Ethiopia, a mixed methods study
Authors: Kapadia-Kundu Nandita , Tamene Habtamu , Ayele Minyahil , Dana Feleke , Heliso Simon , Velu Sanjanthi , Berhanu Tsega , Alemayehu Guda , Leslie Lindsey , Kaufman Michelle
Published: June 2022

Background

Ethiopia, sub-Saharan Africa’s second most populous country has seen improvements in women’s reproductive health. The study objectives are (1) using mixed methods research, to identify determinants of contraceptive use in four regions of Ethiopia, and (2) to explore the relationship between social norms, gender equitable norms, couple communication and contraceptive use.

Methods

The study includes both quantitative and qualitative methods. Researchers interviewed a total of 2770 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in 2016 using a structured survey covering six health areas. Eligible households were identified using a multi-stage cluster-sampling technique. Using probability proportionate to size sampling, the researchers selected 10% of the proposed target woredas (24 of 240 woredas). The qualitative study included 8 rapid assessments, 16 in-depth interviews, 24 key informant interviews, and 16 focus group discussions. Qualitative data were analyzed using NVivo version 8.

Results

Adjusted odds ratios were estimated for current modern family planning use among married women with logistic regression. The primary influencing factors for contraceptive use are gender equitable norms, high self-efficacy, and weekly exposure to the radio. Qualitative data indicate that the timing of contraceptive use is linked to the social norm of the desired family size of 4–5 children. Gender inequity is evident in couple communication with men controlling decision making even if women initiated conversations on family planning. A key finding based on an inductive analysis of qualitative data indicates that the micro-processes of couple communication and decision making are often dictated by male advantage. The study identified six micro-processes that lead to gender inequity which need to be further examined and researched.

Conclusions

Barriers to contraceptive use include unequal couple communication and compromised decision making. Inequitable gender norms are also barriers to modern contraceptive use. The study recommends using a gender lens to study couple communication and decision making, with the goal of making both processes more equitable to accelerate the adoption of modern family planning methods in Ethiopia.
All-trans retinoic acid increases the pathogenicity of the H9N2 influenza virus in mice
Authors: Niu Xiaofei , Wang Hongyan , Zhao Lihong , Lian Pengjing , Bai Yu , Li Jingyun , Qiao Jian
Published: June 2022

Background

The H9N2 virus can infect not only birds but also humans. The pathogenicity of H9N2 virus infection is determined by an excessive immune response in the lung. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the active metabolite of vitamin A, plays an important regulatory role and has been widely used in the clinical practice. This study was aimed to investigate whether ATRA could regulate the immune response to H9N2 virus infection in the lungs of mice, thereby reducing the pathogenicity of the H9N2 virus in mice.

Methods

Mice were infected intranasally with H9N2 virus, and injected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL of ATRA at low (1 mg/kg), medium (5 or 10 mg/kg), or high therapeutic dose (20 mg/kg), and toxic dose (40, 60, or 80 mg/kg), once per day for 10 days. Clinical signs, survival rates, and lung gross pathology were compared between the ATRA-treated H9N2-infected group, the ATRA group, and the H9N2-infected group, to investigate the effect of different doses of ATRA on the pathogenicity of H9N2 virus. Additionally, the viral load and cytokine concentration of lungs were measured at 3, 5, 7, and 9 days after infection, to investigate the potential mechanism of ATRA in affecting the pathogenicity of the H9N2 virus. Expression levels of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 (CRABP1), cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2), and Retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) were detected using Western blotting.

Results

The ATRA-treated H9N2-infected mice showed more severe clinical signs compared with the H9N2-infected group. The medium and high therapeutic doses of ATRA reduced the survival rates, aggravated lung tissue damage, decreased the expression of interferon beta (IFN-β), and increased the concentrations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in the lungs of the H9N2-infected mice. At the same time, the expression patterns of CRABP1, CRABP2, and RIG-I were changed in mice infected by H9N2 and treated with different concentrations of ATRA.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the therapeutic dose of ATRA can increase the pathogenicity of the H9N2 virus. Therefore, the consequences of those infected by influenza virus would be more severe after ATRA treatment.
Stability of self-reported psychopathic traits in at-risk adolescents in youth welfare and juvenile justice institutions
Authors: Hachtel H. , Jenkel N. , Schmeck K. , Graf M. , Fegert J. M. , Schmid M. , Boonmann C.
Published: June 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-reported stability of psychopathic traits in adolescents in residential care (both child welfare and juvenile justice placed juveniles) and potential influencing factors.

Methods

We applied the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory (YPI) in a sample of 162 adolescents (M = 15.0 years, SD = 1.3) over a mean time interval of 11 months (min. 6, max. 21 months, SD = 3.14).

Results

There was no significant difference in YPI total score nor in the three underlying dimensions Grandiose-Manipulative (GM), Callous-Unemotional (CU), and Impulsive-Irresponsible (II) between t1 and t2. Furthermore, approximately 70% of the adolescents showed no clinically significant reliable change on the YPI total score (as measured with the reliable change index), 15% improved, 15% deteriorated. The strongest predictor for psychopathic traits at t2 were psychopathic traits at t1. Additional predictors for higher levels of general psychopathic traits was male sex, for CU-traits male sex and lower levels of internalizing mental health problems, and for II-traits higher levels of externalizing mental health problems. Generally, the three reliable change groups (increase, no change, decrease) did not seemed to differ on relevant factors.

Conclusions

Our results add to the findings that psychopathic traits are relatively stable in this at-risk group over approximately a 1-year time interval. Research with a longer follow-up time and more time points is warranted to better interpret these results.
Enhanced angiogenic potential of adipose-derived stem cell sheets by integration with cell spheroids of the same source
Authors: Yu Jiashing , Hsu Yi-Chiung , Lee Jen-Kuang , Cheng Nai-Chen
Published: June 2022

Background

Adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) has been considered as a desirable source for cell therapy. In contrast to combining scaffold materials with cells, ASCs can be fabricated into scaffold-free three-dimensional (3D) constructs to promote regeneration at tissue level. However, previous reports have found decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ASC sheets. In this study, we aimed to integrate ASC spheroids into ASC sheets to enhance the angiogenic capability of cell sheets.

Methods

ASCs were seeded in agarose microwells to generate uniform cell spheroids with adjustable size, while extracellular matrix deposition could be stimulated by ascorbic acid 2-phosphate to form ASC sheets. RNA sequencing was performed to identify the transcriptomic profiles of ASC spheroids and sheets relative to monolayer ASCs. By transferring ASC spheroids onto ASC sheets, the spheroid sheet composites could be successfully fabricated after a short-term co-culture, and their angiogenic potential was evaluated in vitro and in ovo.

Results

RNA sequencing analysis revealed that upregulation of angiogenesis-related genes was found only in ASC spheroids. The stimulating effect of spheroid formation on ASCs toward endothelial lineage was demonstrated by enhanced CD31 expression, which maintained after ASC spheroids were seeded on cell sheets. Relative to ASC sheets, enhanced expression of VEGF and hepatocyte growth factor was also noted in ASC spheroid sheets, and conditioned medium of ASC spheroid sheets significantly enhanced tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro. Moreover, chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay showed a significantly higher capillary density with more branch points after applying ASC spheroid sheets, and immunohistochemistry also revealed a significantly higher ratio of CD31-positive area.

Conclusion

In the spheroid sheet construct, ASC spheroids can augment the pro-angiogenesis capability of ASC sheets without the use of exogenous biomaterial or genetic manipulation. The strategy of this composite system holds promise as an advance in 3D culture technique of ASCs for future application in angiogenesis and regeneration therapies.
Novel topical allogeneic bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell treatment of hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers: a proof of concept study
Authors: Askø Andersen Jonas , Rasmussen Anne , Frimodt-Møller Marie , Engberg Susanne , Steeneveld Esther , Kirketerp-Møller Klaus , O’Brien Timothy , Rossing Peter
Published: June 2022

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate safety of treating diabetic foot ulcers with a topically administered mesenchymal stem cell product.

Method

Individuals with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, toe blood pressure > 39 mmHg and non-infected foot ulcers with duration of four to fifty-two weeks were screened. Participants were treated with a one-time application of a topically applied allogeneic cellular product containing CD362 enriched mesenchymal stem cells suspended in a collagen solution. Participants were subsequently followed for seven months to gather information on adverse event and serious adverse events.

Results/discussion

A total of sixteen individuals were screened, of whom two were included. The included participants incurred a total of seven adverse events and one serious adverse event. Increased exudation from the treated diabetic foot ulcer was observed for both participants and a connection to investigational medicinal product was suspected. The increased exudation was resolved within one week after application of investigational medicinal product, without any further complications. The serious adverse event consisted of a hospital admission due to neurological symptoms, which were assumed to be caused by hypoglycemia, with no suspected correlation to the investigational medicinal product. None of the other observed adverse events were suspected to be associated with the investigational medicinal product.

Conclusion

This study presents data from two individuals with a diabetic foot ulcer treated with a novel topical mesenchymal stem cell product. An adverse event observed for both participants was suspected to be associated to the investigational medicinal product, i.e., increased exudation, which was resolved within one week, did not lead to further complications and can easily be remedied by choosing bandages with higher absorption capacity or increasing frequency of bandage changes. This study lays the groundwork for further large scale randomized clinical studies.

Trial registration: EudraCT number 2015-005580-16. Registered 12/06-2018.
Hypoxia drives hematopoiesis with the enhancement of T lineage through eliciting arterial specification of hematopoietic endothelial progenitors from hESC
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Chuxin , Cheng Yang , Fu Yingjie , Zhong Zhiyong , Yang Yu , Lv Ling , Chen Honglin , Huang Jian , Duan Yuyou
Published: June 2022

Background

Hematopoietic stem cells are able to self-renew and differentiate into all blood cell lineages. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a mainstay of life-saving therapy for hematopoietic malignancies and hypoproliferative disorders. In vitro hematopoietic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a promising approach for modeling hematopoietic development and cell replacement therapies. Although using hPSCs to derive hematopoietic progenitor cells has achieved some successes in the past, differentiation from hPSCs to produce all hematopoietic cells which can provide robust long-term multilineage engraftment is still very difficult. Here, we reported a novel culture system for hematopoietic differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with optimal cytokines combinations under hypoxia condition.

Methods

In vitro production of T lineage hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from hESCs by using hypoxia differentiation system, the effects and the potential mechanism of hypoxia promoting T lineage hematopoiesis were investigated by RT-qPCR validation, cell cycle assay and flow cytometry analysis.

Results

Using our differentiation system, almost 80% CD45+ cells generated from hESCs were hematopoietic cells and particularly could be further induced into CD3+TCRαβ+ T cells in vitro. We detected more CD34+CD144+ hematopoietic endothelial progenitors (HEPs) induced from hESCs than those in normoxia conditions, and the early HEPs-related gene DLL4 was upregulated by enhancing the hypoxia signaling via potential HIF-1α/NOTCH1/DLL4 axis to enhance arterial feature, thus drove T lineage during the hematopoiesis. Strikingly, hematopoietic cells generated in our system exhibited the potential for all multilineage reconstruction including lymphoid, myeloid and erythroid lineages in vivo by transplantation assay.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that hypoxia plays an important role in T lineage hematopoiesis by promoting the expression of arterial endothelial gene DLL4 and upregulation of NOTCH1 through the activation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway. These results provide a significant approach for in vitro and in vivo production of fully functional hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from hESCs.
Exponential growth of systematic reviews assessing artificial intelligence studies in medicine: challenges and opportunities
Authors: von Groote Thilo , Ghoreishi Narges , Björklund Maria , Porschen Christian , Puljak Livia
Published: June 2022

The evidence-based medicine (EBM) movement is stepping up its efforts to assess medical artificial intelligence (AI) and data science studies. Since 2017, there has been a marked increase in the number of published systematic reviews that assess medical AI studies. Increasingly, data from observational studies are used in systematic reviews of medical AI studies. Assessment of risk of bias is especially important in medical AI studies to detect possible “AI bias”.
Agent-based multi-tier SLA negotiation for intercloud
Authors: Li Lin , Liu Li , Huang Shalin , Lv Shibiao , Lin Kaibiao , Zhu Shunzhi
Published: June 2022

The evolving intercloud enables idle resources to be traded among cloud providers to facilitate utilization optimization and to improve the cost-effectiveness of the service for cloud consumers. However, several challenges are raised for this multi-tier dynamic market, in which cloud providers not only compete for consumer requests but also cooperate with each other. To establish a healthier and more efficient intercloud ecosystem, in this paper a multi-tier agent-based fuzzy constraint-directed negotiation (AFCN) model for a fully distributed negotiation environment without a broker to coordinate the negotiation process is proposed. The novelty of AFCN is the use of a fuzzy membership function to represent imprecise preferences of the agent, which not only reveals the opponent’s behavior preference but can also specify the possibilities prescribing the extent to which the feasible solutions are suitable for the agent’s behavior. Moreover, this information can guide each tier of negotiation to generate a more favorable proposal. Thus, the multi-tier AFCN can improve the negotiation performance and the integrated solution capacity in the intercloud. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed multi-tier AFCN model outperforms other agent negotiation models and demonstrates the efficiency and scalability of the intercloud in terms of the level of satisfaction, the ratio of successful negotiation, the average revenue of the cloud provider, and the buying price of the unit cloud resource.
Identification of 2-(4-N,N-Dimethylaminophenyl)-5-methyl-1-phenethyl-1H-benzimidazole targeting HIV-1 CA capsid protein and inhibiting HIV-1 replication in cellulo
Authors: Alvarez Guzmán , van Pul Lisa , Robert Xavier , Artía Zoraima , van Nuenen Ad C. , Long Mathieu , Sierra Natalia , Porcal Williams , Kootstra Neeltje A. , Guillon Christophe
Published: June 2022

The capsid (CA) subunit of the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein is involved in several steps of the viral cycle, from the assembly of new viral particles to the protection of the viral genome until it enters into the nucleus of newly infected cells. As such, it represents an interesting therapeutic target to tackle HIV infection. In this study, we screened hundreds of compounds with a low cost of synthesis for their ability to interfere with Gag assembly in vitro. Representatives of the most promising families of compounds were then tested for their ability to inhibit HIV-1 replication in cellulo. From these molecules, a hit compound from the benzimidazole family with high metabolic stability and low toxicity, 2-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-methyl-1-phenethyl-1H-benzimidazole (696), appeared to block HIV-1 replication with an IC50 of 3 µM. Quantitative PCR experiments demonstrated that 696 does not block HIV-1 infection before the end of reverse transcription, and molecular docking confirmed that 696 is likely to bind at the interface between two monomers of CA and interfere with capsid oligomerization. Altogether, 696 represents a promising lead molecule for the development of a new series of HIV-1 inhibitors.
Tonga volcanic eruption and tsunami, January 2022: globally the most significant opportunity to observe an explosive and tsunamigenic submarine eruption since AD 1883 Krakatau
Authors: Terry James P. , Goff James , Winspear Nigel , Bongolan Vena Pearl , Fisher Scott
Published: June 2022

January 2022 witnessed the violent eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai submarine volcano in the South Pacific. With a volcanic explosivity index possibly equivalent to VEI 5, this represents the largest seaborne eruption for nearly one and a half centuries since Indonesia’s cataclysmic explosion of Krakatau in AD 1883. The Tongan eruption remarkably produced ocean-wide tsunamis, never documented before in the Pacific instrumental record. Volcanically generated tsunamis have been referred to as a ‘blind spot’ in our understanding of tsunami hazards, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. This event therefore presents a unique opportunity for investigating the multiple processes contributing to volcanic tsunamigenesis. It is argued that, although challenges exist, integrating theoretical, observational, field and modelling techniques offers the best approach to improving volcanic tsunami hazard assessment across Oceania.
Coilin as a regulator of NF-kB mediated inflammation in preeclampsia
Authors: Logan Madelyn K. , Lett Katheryn E. , McLaurin Douglas M. , Hebert Michael D.
Published: June 2022

The nuclear factor-Kappa B (NF-κB) pathway is a crucial mediator of inflammatory signaling. Aberrant activation of NF-κB is associated with several disorders including preeclampsia (PE). Many regulators of the NF-κB pathway have been identified, including microRNAs (miRNAs). Specifically, miR-517-3p targets mRNA encoding TNFAIP3 Interacting Protein 1 (TNIP1), an inhibitor of NF-κB signaling. Activation of NF-κB increases production of the cytokine TNF superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15), leading to the upregulation of anti-angiogenic soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sFlt-1). We have previously observed that Cajal bodies (CBs), subnuclear domains, are associated with the chromosome 19 miRNA gene cluster (C19MC) which encodes miR-517-3p. We have also found that coilin, the CB marker protein, is a positive regulator of miRNA biogenesis. Here we report that coilin is a regulator of miR-517-3p, sFlt-1, TNIP1, TNFSF15 and NF-κB activation, and this regulation is influenced by hypoxia. We also report that coilin and CBs are induced in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of preeclampsia. Collectively, the data presented here implicate coilin as a novel regulator of NF-κB activation and sFlt-1 upregulation.
Competition between Circularly Polarized Light and Molecular Chirality in the Assembly of Main-chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers
Authors: Sakaino Hirotoshi , Meskers Stefan C J , Meijer E W , Vantomme Ghislaine
Published: June 2022

Polymeric systems responding to chiral information are actively pursued for applications in optoelectronics and photonics. Here we report on the diastereomeric relationship between chiral liquid crystal polymers and circularly polarized light (CPL). We synthesize a chiral copolymer incorporating photoisomerizable diazobenzene moieties as well as isosorbide-based monomers. The circular dichroism of the film can be inverted by irradiation with CPL indicating that the influence of the chiral subunits on the helicity of the cholesteric arrangement can be overruled by the action of CPL. By following the out-of-equilibrium photo-switching process over time, we demonstrate that the formation of helical ordering in the chiral liquid crystal phases is much faster by CPL irradiation than by heat.
African American Intergenerational Economic Mobility since 1880
Authors: Collins William J. , Wanamaker Marianne H.
Published: June 2022

We document the intergenerational mobility of Black and White American men from 1880 through 2000 by building new historical datasets for the late nineteenth and early twentieth century and combining them with modern data to cover the middle and late twentieth century. We find large disparities in mobility, with White children having far better chances of escaping the bottom of the distribution than Black children in every generation. This mobility gap was more important in proximately determining each generation's racial gap than was the initial gap in parents' economic status. (JEL D31, J15, J62, N31, N32)
Emotions and Risk Attitudes
Authors: Meier Armando N.
Published: June 2022

Previous work has shown that preferences are not always stable across time, but surprisingly little is known about the reasons for this instability. I examine whether variation in people's emotions over time predicts changes in risk attitudes. Using a large-panel dataset, I identify happiness, anger, and fear as significant correlates of within-person changes in risk attitudes. Robustness checks indicate a limited role for alternative explanations. An event study around the death of a parent or child further confirms a large relationship between emotions and risk attitudes. (JEL D12, D81, D91, I31)
And Yet It Moves: Intergenerational Mobility in Italy
Authors: Acciari Paolo , Polo Alberto , Violante Giovanni L.
Published: June 2022

We estimate intergenerational income mobility in Italy using administrative data from tax returns. Our estimates of mobility are higher than prior work using survey data and indirect methods. The rankrank slope of parent-child income is 0.22, compared to 0.18 in Denmark and 0.34 in the United States. The probability that a child reaches the top quintile of the national income distribution starting from a family in the bottom quintile is 0.11. We uncover substantial geographical variation: upward mobility is much stronger in northern Italy, where provinces have higher measured school quality, more stable families, and more favorable labor market conditions. (JEL D31, J31, J62, R23)
Imaging of renal emergencies: Review of infectious, hemorrhagic, vascular, and traumatic etiologies
Authors: Huynh Alan D. , Sweet David E. , Feldman Myra K , Remer Erick M
Published: June 2022

Diagnostic imaging allows for accurate and early recognition of acute renal pathologies, thus allowing for appropriate clinical triage, life-saving treatments, and preservation of renal function. In this review, we discuss the clinical presentation and imaging findings of renal emergencies with infectious, hemorrhagic, vascular, and traumatic etiologies.
Increased rate of pseudarthrosis in the anterior intersegmental gap after mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flaps: a volumetric analysis
Authors: Steffen Claudius , Fischer Heilwig , Sauerbrey Marius , Heintzelmann Thelma , Voss Jan Oliver , Koerdt Steffen , Checa Sara , Kreutzer Kilian , Heiland Max , Rendenbach Carsten
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

Pseudarthrosis after mandibular reconstruction leads to chronic overload of the osteosynthesis and impedes dental rehabilitation. This study evaluates the impact of gap site on osseous union in mandible reconstruction using a new volumetric analysis method with repeated cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods:

The degree of bone regeneration was evaluated in 16 patients after mandible reconstruction with a fibula free flap and patient-specific reconstruction plates. Percentual bone volume and width changes in intersegmental gaps were retrospectively analyzed using a baseline CBCT in comparison to a follow-up CBCT. Patients’ characteristics, plate-related complications, and gap sites (anterior/posterior) were analyzed. Detailed assessments of both gap sites (buccal/lingual/superior/inferior) were additionally performed.

Results:

Intersegmental gap width (p = 0.002) and site (p < 0.001) significantly influence bone volume change over two consecutive CBCTs. An initial larger gap width resulted in a lower bone volume change. In addition, anterior gaps showed significantly less bone volume changes. Initial gap width was larger at posterior segmental gaps (2.97 vs 1.65 mm, p = 0.017).

Conclusions:

A methodology framework has been developed that allows to quantify pseuarthrosis in reconstructed mandibles using CBCT imaging. The study identifies the anterior segmental gap as a further risk factor for pseudarthrosis in reconstructions with CAD/CAM reconstruction plates. Future research should evaluate whether this outcome is related to the biomechanics induced at this site.
Comparative study of the effect of U100 laser and pneumatic ballistic combined with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy in the treatment of intra-and extrahepatic bile duct stones and its effect on liver function
Authors: Yin Zhongliang , Shen Bin
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To compare the efficiency of U100 laser and pneumatic ballistics combined with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) in the treatment of intra-and extrahepatic bile duct stones and their effects on liver function.

Methods: Medical records of 97 patients with intra-and extrahepatic bile duct stones treated in our hospital from May 2020 to May 2021 were selected for retrospective analysis. Of them, forty-three patients received pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy combined with PTCSL (Group-I), and 54 patients received U100 laser lithotripsy combined with PTCSL (Group-II). The therapeutic effects of the treatment in two groups and its effect on liver function were compared and analyzed.

Results: There was no significant difference in the operation time and intraoperative bleeding (P>0.05) between the two groups. The postoperative pain duration and hospital stay of patients treated with U100 laser lithotripsy combined with PTCSL (Group-II) were shorter than those treated with pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy combined with PTCSL (Group-I), P<0.05. The biliary bleeding rate of patients in Group-II was lower (3.70%) than those in Group-I (16.27%, P<0.05), and the stone residue rate of patients in Group-II was also lower (1.85%) than those in Group-I (11.63%, P<0.05). The levels of total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and albumin (ALB) in Group-II patients were higher than in patients in Group-I.(P<0.05).

Conclusion: Compared with pneumatic ballistics, U100 laser lithotripsy combined with PTCSL in the treatment of intra and extrahepatic bile duct stones has the advantages of less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, less biliary bleeding and stone residue, and less damage to liver function.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5903

How to cite this:Yin Z, Shen B. Comparative study of the effect of U100 laser and pneumatic ballistic combined with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy in the treatment of intra-and extrahepatic bile duct stones and its effect on liver function. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5903

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Incidence, predictors and prognostic impact of acute kidney injury in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Saeed Sahrai , Guerrot Dominique
Published: June 2022

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.6475

How to cite this:Saeed S, Guerrot D. Incidence, predictors and prognostic impact of acute kidney injury in patients with COVID-19. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.6475

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
DEVEA: an interactive shiny application for Differential Expression analysis, data Visualization and Enrichment Analysis of transcriptomics data
Authors: Riquelme-Perez Miriam , Perez-Sanz Fernando , Deleuze Jean-François , Escartin Carole , Bonnet Eric , Brohard Solène
Published: June 2022

We are at a time of considerable growth in the use and development of transcriptomics studies and subsequent in silico analysis. RNA sequencing is one of the most widely used approaches, now integrated in many studies. 

The processing of these data may typically require a noteworthy number of steps, statistical knowledge, and coding skills which is not accessible to all scientists. Despite the undeniable development of software applications over the years to address this concern, it is still possible to improve. 

Here we present DEVEA, an R shiny application tool developed to perform differential expression analysis, data visualization and enrichment pathway analysis mainly from transcriptomics data, but also from simpler gene lists with or without statistical values. 

Its intuitive and easy-to-manipulate interface facilitates gene expression exploration through numerous interactive figures and tables, statistical comparisons of expression profile levels between groups and further meta-analysis such as enrichment analysis, without bioinformatics expertise.

DEVEA performs a thorough analysis from multiple and flexible input data representing distinct analysis stages. From them, it produces dynamic graphs and tables, to explore the expression levels and statistical differential expression analysis results. Moreover, it generates a comprehensive pathway analysis to extend biological insights. Finally, a complete and customizable HTML report can be extracted for further result exploration outside the application. DEVEA is accessible at https://shiny.imib.es/devea/ and the source code is available on our GitHub repository https://github.com/MiriamRiquelmeP/DEVEA.
Estrategias de vinculación con la comunidad en la UIEM: un estudio de caso
Authors: de la Cruz Hernández Iskra
Published: June 2022

El artículo analiza el diseño y ejecución curricular de la asignatura “Estrategias de vinculación con la comunidad”, orientada en el segundo semestre de 2017 en la Licenciatura de Comunicación Intercultural (LCI) de la Universidad Intercultural del Estado de México (UIEM). A través de un diseño metodológico guiado por los principios de la investigación etnográfica en educación, se presenta el estudio de un caso desarrollado en la comunidad de San Lorenzo Tlacotepec, Atlacomulco. El análisis de la implementación destaca el papel de la vinculación en la educación intercultural y ofrece un conjunto de estrategias curriculares para que sea reorientada desde un “enfoque antropológico activista” y una “etnografía reflexiva”; de ese modo, puede avanzar hacia un trabajo de diseño curricular conjunto con las comunidades. El estudio aborda: 1) un diseño curricular desde la formulación de estrategias para desarrollo del eje de vinculación en la LCI; 2) los resultados de un trabajo etnográfico de vinculación de los estudiantes con la comunidad de San Lorenzo Tlacotepec, Edo. de México; y 3) el aporte de la experiencia pedagógica al modelo de Universidades Interculturales. Las conclusiones contribuyen a las reflexiones sobre el espacio curricular en la educación intercultural, al desarrollo de una interculturalidad crítica desde proyectos educativos comunitarios; y a tener en cuenta las relaciones políticas y asimétricas de las comunidades donde se insertan estas universidades.
Stability and Sample-Based Approximations of Composite Stochastic Optimization Problems
Authors: Dentcheva Darinka , Lin Yang , Penev Spiridon
Published: June 2022

Optimization under uncertainty and risk is ubiquitous in business, engineering, and finance. Typically, we use observed or simulated data in our decision models, which aim to control risk, and result in composite risk functionals. The paper addresses the stability of the decision problems when the composite risk functionals are subjected to measure perturbations at multiple levels of potentially different nature. We analyze data-driven formulations with empirical or smoothing estimators such as kernels or wavelets applied to some or to all functions of the compositions and establish laws of large numbers and consistency of the optimal values and solutions. This is the first study to propose and analyze smoothing in data-driven composite optimization problems. It is shown that kernel-based and wavelet estimation provide less biased estimation of the risk compared with the empirical plug-in estimators under some assumptions.
Pain management in the first stage of labour using sensory stimulation
Authors: Mujiyani Surya Andina , Latifah Lutfatul
Published: June 2022

Background

Severe pain during the first stage of labour can harm both the mother and fetus. Previous studies have shown that severe pain in childbirth can cause discomfort, stress, risk of depressive disorders, decreased intestinal motility and prolonged labour for the mother. For the fetus, it can cause hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, cognitive and emotional disorders and even death. Therefore, better management of labour pain during the first stage is needed.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the effect of sensory stimulation to reduce pain in the first stage of labour.

Methods

Garuda portal, the Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia e-resource, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Pubmed were used to search for literature. The inclusion criteria were original randomised controlled trials published in English, in 2014–2020, with a minimum sample size of 30 where the study outcome was rated on a pain scale.

Results

Ten randomised controlled trials were included. The primary interventions using sensory stimulation to reduce pain during the first stage of labour were aromatherapy, music therapy, breathing control, focusing, and virtual reality.

Conclusions

Sensory stimulation by aromatherapy, music therapy, breathing control, focusing and virtual reality are effective in reducing pain in the first stage of labour.
Reflection as creative practice: an exploration of arts-based practice workshops with student midwives
Authors: Sanders Ruth A
Published: June 2022

Educators must use diverse tools to facilitate effective student learning, enabling students to translate taught theory into the professional practice environment. Reflection is an essential midwifery skill that is needed to practice effectively, and is often taught by exploring a variety of reflective models in a written format during undergraduate healthcare programmes. This article reports and evaluates the activities and experiences of facilitating innovative arts-based practice workshops using collage for student midwives and how they felt this contributed to their ability to successfully reflect. The article explores undertaking the art of reflection as a creative practice from both a lecturing and learning perspective, to explore student midwives' reflective abilities using alternative methods to the written word. Combining arts and science in a safe educational space provided students with an alternative way to view and explore their practice learning and reflection by using a holistic range of skills.
Research: Evaluation of an education package in leg ulcer management
Authors: Jones J.E. , Nelson E.A.
Published: June 2022

An experimental study was conducted with 224 nurses in the experimental group and 40 in a control group to evaluate the implementation of an education and training package in the management of leg ulceration. A knowledge and reported practice questionnaire was completed before and after an educational intervention was received by nurses in the experimental group only. There was no difference between groups in the initial scores. Following the implementation of the education and training package, nurses in the experimental group achieved a significant increase in score from 25 to 34. There was no change in score in the control group.
Understanding autoimmune diseases in primary care
Authors: Perry Margaret
Published: June 2022

Autoimmune diseases are complex. Margaret Perry describes the most common diseases and explains how they can impact patients

Autoimmune diseases vary widely in their presentation, symptoms, as well as their impact on the health, wellbeing and quality of life of those affected. This article aims to help practice nurses understand how these conditions arise, and also give a brief insight into their treatment and management with the aim of improving practice nurses' confidence when advising and supporting patients affected by any of the diseases discussed.
Getting an influenza vaccine is still important
Authors: MacDonald Pauline
Published: June 2022

In the last 2 years, rates of influenza have been unseasonably low, as measures to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus have reduced the spread of many respiratory infections. The removal of domestic restrictions is leading to increased incidence of many respiratory infections and the threat of morbidity and mortality from influenza viruses remains. Practice nurses have a key role to play in ensuring their eligible practice population are protected by promoting high uptake of influenza vaccination.
Better Together: Open new possibilities with Open Infrastructure (APAC time zones)
Authors: Fairhurst Vanessa , Cheng Chieh-Chih Estelle , Chen Xiaoli , Neylon Cameron
Published: June 2022

Crossref, DataCite, and ORCID work together to provide foundational open infrastructure that is integral to the global research ecosystem. We offer unique, persistent identifiers (PIDs) — Crossref and DataCite DOIs for research outputs and ORCID iDs for people — alongside collecting comprehensive, open metadata that is non-proprietary, accessible, interoperable, and available across borders, disciplines, and time. As sustainable community-driven scholarly infrastructure providers ORCID, Crossref and Datacite, guarantee data provenance and machine-readability. Persistent identifiers combined with open, standardized, and machine-readable metadata enable reliable and robust connections to be made between research outputs, organizations, individuals, and much more, as well as being beneficial to others who build services and tools on top of the open infrastructure we provide making content more discoverable. In this webinar we discuss: - Who we are - What we mean by Open Scholarly Infrastructure - How our organizations work together for the benefit of the scholarly community - How the Principles of Open Scholarly Infrastructure (POSI) help to build trust and accountability as well as ensure we are around for the long term. This is the first of the joint webinar series co-organized by Crossref, DataCite, and ORCID for the Open Science community in the APAC region. The webinar is presented in English and lasts 90 minutes including time for Q&A. This webinar took place on 27 June 2022 at 7am UTC/ 9am CEST / 5pm AEST.
Study on the Academic Competency Assessment of Herbology Test using Rasch Model
Authors: Chae Han , Lee Soo Jin , Han Chang-ho , Cho Young Il , Kim Hyungwoo
Published: June 2022

Objectives: There should be an objective analysis on the academic competency for incorporating Computer-based Test (CBT) in the education of traditional Korean medicine (TKM). However, the Item Response Theory (IRT) for analyzing latent competency has not been introduced for its difficulty in calculation, interpretation and utilization.Methods: The current study analyzed responses of 390 students of 8 years to the herbology test with 14 items by utilizing Rasch model, and the characteristics of test and items were evaluated by using characteristic curve, information curve, difficulty, academic competency, and test score. The academic competency of the students across gender and years were presented with scale characteristic curve, Kernel density map, and Wright map, and examined based on T-test and ANOVA.Results: The estimated item, test, and ability parameters based on Rasch model provided reliable information on academic competency, and organized insights on students, test and items not available with test score calculated by the summation of item scores. The test showed acceptable validity for analyzing academic competency, but some of items revealed difficulty parameters to be modified with Wright map. The gender difference was not distinctive, however the differences between test years were obvious with Kernel density map.Conclusion: The current study analyzed the responses in the herbology test for measuring academic competency in the education of TKM using Rasch model, and structured analysis for competency-based Teaching in the e-learning era was suggested. It would provide the foundation for the learning analytics essential for self-directed learning and competency adaptive learning in TKM.
Characteristics of the foundation rocks using geophysical techniques: A case study for the Egyptian solar plant site, Aswan, Egypt
Authors: Mohamed Abdelnasser
Published: June 2022

The main target of the present study is to investigate the foundation layers and the subsurface structures in an Egyptian solar plant site using geophysical techniques including the seismic refraction and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW). The studied solar park is situated at about 40 km to the north of Aswan city on the Aswan-Cairo highway road and is classified as the largest solar plant in Africa and worldwide. Due to its location in the vicinity of the most prone earthquake area in Egypt (Aswan seismic zone); it is imperative to mitigate the earthquake hazard in this region. The geophysical results show that the subsurface foundation in this site is primarily composed of two layers. The upper one is loose and incompetent soil sediments that extend down to about 10 m depth with P-wave velocity ranging from 400 to 1000 m/s and shear-wave velocity ranging from 260 to 550 m/s. The deeper section is considered the main foundation layer with velocities ranging between 650 and 1900 m/s and from 350 to 950 m/s for P-wave and shear-wave, respectively. The average shear-wave velocities calculated for the topmost 30 m (Vs30) vary almost between 319 and 834 m/s; thereby the studied site is primarily ranked into classes C&D (180-360 m/s & 360-760 m/s, respectively) according to the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) soil classification. Additionally, the southwestern and southeastern zones of the site area are characterized by maximum velocity values, relative high values of rock densities, rigidity or shear modulus “μ”, Standard Penetration Test (N-Value), ultimate bearing capacity and allowable bearing capacity, while the low values are observed through the northern and middle sectors across the area. This study an integral part of many works being carried out delineating the subsurface foundation structures around the solar plant and allows the most appropriate sites for constructing the renewable energy plants to be sited away from the highly hazards prone areas.
Direct characterization of tissue dynamics with laser speckle contrast imaging
Authors: Zheng Shuqi , Mertz Jerome
Published: June 2022

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) has gained broad appeal as a technique to monitor tissue dynamics (broadly defined to include blood flow dynamics), in part because of its remarkable simplicity. When laser light is backscattered from a tissue, it produces speckle patterns that vary in time. A measure of the speckle field decorrelation time provides information about the tissue dynamics. In conventional LSCI, this measure requires numerical fitting to a specific theoretical model for the field decorrelation. However, this model may not be known a priori, or it may vary over the image field of view. We describe a method to reconstruct the speckle field decorrelation time that is completely model free, provided that the measured speckle dynamics are ergodic. We also extend our approach to allow for the possibility of non-ergodic measurements caused by the presence of a background static speckle field. In both ergodic and non-ergodic cases, our approach accurately retrieves the correlation time without any recourse to numerical fitting and is largely independent of camera exposure time. We apply our method to tissue phantom and in-vivo mouse brain imaging. Our aim is to facilitate and add robustness to LSCI processing methods for potential clinical or pre-clinical applications.