bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy and Feasibility of a Novel Glucose/Lactate Continuous Multi-Analyte Sensing Platform in Humans
Authors: Lu Jean C. , Morrison Dale , Halim Bella , Manos Georgina , Obeyesekere Varuni , Kannard Brian , Shah Rajiv , Wolfe Kate , Morrow Blake , Pagliuso Ben , Liang Bradley , Nava Bella , Lee Melissa H. , Ekinci Elif , Jenkins Alicia J. , MacIsaac Richard J. , O’Neal David N.
Published: July 2024

Background and aim:

Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs) have been commercially available since 1999. However, automated insulin delivery systems may benefit from real-time inputs in addition to glucose. Continuous multi-analyte sensing platforms will meet this area of potential growth without increasing the burden of additional devices. We aimed to generate pilot data regarding the safety and function of a first-in-human, single-probe glucose/lactate multi-analyte continuous sensor.

Methods:

The investigational glucose/lactate continuous multi-analyte sensor (PercuSense Inc, Valencia, California) was inserted to the upper arms of 16 adults with diabetes, and data were available for analysis from 11 of these participants (seven female; mean [SD] = age 43 years [16]; body mass index [BMI] = 27 kg/m2 [5]). A commercially available Guardian 3 CGM (Medtronic, Northridge, California) was also inserted into the abdomen for comparison. All participants underwent a meal-test followed by an exercise challenge on day 1 and day 4 of wear. Performance was benchmarked against venous blood YSI glucose and lactate values.

Results:

The investigational glucose sensor had an overall mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of 14.5% (median = 11.2%) which improved on day 4 compared with day 1 (13.9% vs 15.2%). The Guardian 3 CGM had an overall MARD of 13.9% (median = 9.4%). The lactate sensor readings within 20/20% and 40/40% of YSI values were 59.7% and 83.1%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our initial data support safety and functionality of a novel glucose/lactate continuous multi-analyte sensor. Further sensor refinement will improve run-in performance and accuracy.
How Much Tailoring Is too Much? Voter Backlash on Highly Tailored Campaign Messages
Authors: Gahn Christina
Published: July 2024

Findings on whether voters like or dislike targeted campaign messages have been contradictory. I argue that voters react differently depending on how precisely the targeted messages are tailored to them, and tailoring can potentially become “too much.” I corroborate this claim with the results of a factorial survey experiment among a representative sample of the German voting population ( N = 3,217), which was conducted in the summer of 2021. Taking a novel approach, I measured the effects of close political targeting by asking respondents to rate campaign messages with varying degrees of tailoring. The analysis revealed a backlash effect, which is especially pronounced by men getting ads tailored to their gender. Voters appreciate messages that are moderately tailored to them but dislike highly tailored messages. This holds both for implicitly tailored messages and those that explicitly acknowledge the use of personal data. These results indicate that voters seem to recognize excessively tailored messages and manipulating them is difficult. These findings have important implications for the modern election campaigning’s effects on political behavior and its regulation.
“It Forces You to Publish Some Shit”: Toward a Taxonomy of De-Democratizing Journalistic Practices
Authors: Ferreira Ricardo Ribeiro
Published: July 2024

Several studies argue that journalism can facilitate and shape democratic backsliding when news organizations are captured by business and political elites. Under these conditions, journalists will likely fail to hold political actors to account and provide information essential for public deliberation. Gradually, news outlets devolve to provide unfair representations based on private interests instead of news coverage guided by public interest. However, research still lacks a systematic and detailed analysis of practices in news production that could be capable of damaging democracy. Not only is evidence very scarce, but it is also limited to the content analysis of news outputs and editorials. Using forty semistructured interviews and three case studies, this research investigates how journalists from the most influential outlets in Brazil covered key political events within a period of constant decline in the quality of democracy (2016–2021). Then, I build on the results to propose a new typology of de-democratizing journalistic practices: soft steering (recommendations pretending concern with standards, including partisan interpretations of balance), hard steering (direct orders, including internal censorship or entirely pre-defined stories), and anticipatory steering (reporters and editors act on their own based on perceptions and previous instructions). Moreover, this research offers evidence that de-democratizing journalistic practices can be internalized by news practitioners and, over time, replace democratic norms. Finally, it suggests a dynamic relationship between censorship and self-censorship in which control not only inhibits actions but also compels journalists to perform in specific ways.
Subchondroplasty® (SCP) Provides Resolution of Symptoms and Functional Improvements in Mild-to-Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis with Persistent Bone Marrow Lesions: 12-Month Follow-Up Results from a Multicentric Open-Label Prospective Clinical Trial
Authors: Di Matteo Berardo , Anzillotti Giuseppe , Conte Pietro , Angele Peter , Emans Pieter , Minguell-Monyart Joan , Woodell-May Jennifer , Correa-Tapia Miguel , Kon Elizaveta
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are MRI-visible subchondral bone alterations, highly correlated with symptoms in the knee. Subchondroplasty (SCP) is able to fill the subchondral defects associated with BMLs using an injectable bone substitute material. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the 12-month outcomes of the SCP in the treatment of symptoms of mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients with persistent BMLs of the knee. Materials and Methods. Subjects affected by BMLs of the femoral condyle or tibial plateau that were present for >3 months and not responsive to conservative treatments were enrolled in this prospective multicenter trial. All the patients underwent SCP. Follow-up was conducted at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. All subjects completed Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome (KOOS) score, Euro Quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) score, and a subject global satisfaction scale. Demographic information of the patients was also collected. Results. A total of 79 patients completed the 12-month follow-up. Statistically significant improvements on all clinical scales were registered from baseline to the 12-month follow-up. No severe adverse events were reported. Four patients were considered failed. A 12-month subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the possible correlation between all the KOOS subscales and age, gender, number of BMLs, location of BMLs, and Kellgren-Lawrence grade: no statistically significant associations were observed. Conclusion. SCP is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of symptoms related to persisting BMLs in mild-to-moderate osteoarthritic knees, with a low failure rate up to 12 months’ evaluation.
The “Hypointense Focal Brain” on susceptibility-weighted imaging as a sign of venous congestion in cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Chen Zhou Zhao Hui , Hilario Amaya , Salvador Álvarez Elena , Cárdenas del Carre Agustín María , Romero Coronado Juan , Lechuga Vázquez Carmen , Martínez de Aragón Ana , Ramos González Ana
Published: July 2024

Background

Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are complex neurovascular malformations accounting for approximately 10%–15% of all intracranial arteriovenous malformations. The objective is to investigate the utility of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in identifying “hypointense focal brain” as an additional helpful sign of venous congestion in cranial dAVFs.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with cranial dAVFs between January 2015 and June 2023 was conducted, and SWI was used to identify the “hypointense focal brain” sign within the venous drainage region of the dAVF. The “hypointense focal brain” on SWI was identified as a low-intensity signal within the venous drainage region, indicative of venous congestion. The presence of this imaging sign was assessed by two neuroradiologists and signal intensity measurements were performed to support the presence of the sign.

Results

The study included six patients with cranial dAVFs exhibiting cortical venous retrograde drainage and the “hypointense focal brain” on SWI. Follow-up imaging post-treatment revealed resolution or improvement of the hypointense signal, confirming its association with venous congestion. Signal intensity measurements further supported the presence of this imaging sign in pre-treatment scans.

Conclusion

The study’s findings demonstrate the presence of a reversible “hypointense focal brain” sign on SWI in patients with cranial dAVFs and CVR, which can be useful as an additional imaging sign for venous congestion.
Optimization of the book management and automation system in school libraries in Kazakhstan
Authors: Egeubayeva Zhanar , Alzhanov Aitugan , Akhmetova Gulzhan , Serikkazy Adilet
Published: July 2024

The significance of the scientific subject lies in addressing the challenges related to the advancement of management systems and the automation of library services in schools across Kazakhstan, particularly within the framework of digitalizing school education and enhancing library and information systems. The article aims to analyze the prospects of modern automated library and information systems and book automation in Kazakhstani schools, exploring existing technologies, and developing methods to enhance management and book automation amidst the digitalization of education. The methodological approach of the study is based on methods of content analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization of scientific and methodological base of prospects and technologies of development of the system of management and automation of books in Kazakhstan schools, methods of their improvement, graphic – for visual illustration and comparison of the results of research bibliographic databases in graphic images and tabular forms. Identified and evaluated the technological and methodological features of the process of management and automation of the book collection in schools in Kazakhstan through the prism of end result efficiency, the impact of automated library information systems on the practical implementation of management and automation of books in Kazakhstan schools. The analysis delves into the distinctive characteristics of database formation and the utilization of electronic information databases within schools in Kazakhstan, using a concrete example as illustration. Within the realm of scientific inquiry, the primary outcomes encompass the delineation, examination, and underlying principles of automated library and information systems within Kazakhstani educational institutions. Furthermore, the research delineates the technological approaches essential for the implementation of digitalization initiatives concerning the book inventory. The experimental findings and subsequent conclusions drawn by the authors provide valuable insights into avenues for enhancing management systems and automating book processes within schools in Kazakhstan. These insights are crucial for both library personnel and students, as they offer guidance on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these systems.
Long-term memory for faces in dysmorphic concern and self-reported body dysmorphic disorder
Authors: Möllmann Anne , Peters Carolin , Heinrichs Nina , Herwig Arvid
Published: July 2024

Dysmorphic concerns are a core symptom of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental disorder characterized by a preoccupation with perceived appearance-related flaws. Different cognitive and perceptual biases are associated with dysmorphic concern or BDD, including object-related short-term memory deficits and superior short-term memory performance for facial features. A face-related long-term memory bias might explain the feature of perceiving flaws and why individuals with BDD experience adverse outcomes of cosmetic surgery. The present study aimed at investigating long-term memory (LTM) performance for different facial stimuli. 62 participants completed an online experiment (30 with low and 32 with high dysmorphic concern; 39 without and 23 with self-reported BDD). The experiment consisted of two consecutive old/new recognition tasks, testing memory performance of whole faces and facial features. LTM performance was higher for whole faces than for facial features across groups. Neither significant differences between the low and high dysmorphic concern groups nor an interaction of group x stimulus type were found. Post hoc exploratory analyses revealed lower long-term memory performance in individuals with versus without self-reported BDD. The results indicate that memory performance might be only affected in BDD rather than non-clinical or non–BDD-specific dysmorphic concerns.
Utilization of orthoses and assistive devices among a national sample of lower limb orthosis users
Authors: Stevens Phillip M , Hafner Brian J , Weber Eric L , Morgan Sara J , Bamer Alyssa M , Salem Rana , Balkman Geoffrey S
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Lower limb orthoses (LLOs) and assistive devices (ADs) can be used together or separately to improve mobility when performing daily activities. The goal of this study was to examine utilization of LLOs and ADs in a national sample of adult LLO users.

Methods

A survey was designed to ask participants whether they typically use their LLOs and/or ADs to perform 20 daily activities. LLO users from orthotic clinics across the United States were invited to complete the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to examine utilization trends.

Results

Survey responses from 1036 LLO users were analyzed. Community-based activities were performed with LLOs by at least 80% of participants. Activities that involved walking short distances in the home were more often performed without LLOs or ADs. Among participants with the four most prevalent health conditions, LLO use in the community was greatest among participants with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Conclusions

LLOs were frequently used for a wide range of community-based activities. Simultaneous use of ADs and LLOs may be most beneficial for LLO users when performing activities outside of the home. Clinicians can discuss LLO and AD use with patients to optimize their functional outcomes at home and in the community.
From ‘wanghong’ to ‘wanghong thinking’: New research agenda and critical reflection
Authors: Xu Jian
Published: July 2024

This essay critically reviews the existing research on wanghong studies in China. It advocates that wanghong studies should go beyond its dominant disciplines in ‘platform studies’ and ‘(digital) labour studies’ to embrace ‘celebrity studies’ and ‘China studies’. It proposes the innovative concept of ‘wanghong thinking’, which refers to the mindset that guides the experiments of the Chinese Communist Party in incorporating the popular wanghong culture, logic and economic model to achieve various social, political and economic objectives. Finally, the essay offers critical reflection on the ‘online-traffic-enabled’ social governance and economic development in China’s wanghong era.
Problematic Social Media Use and Employee Outcomes: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Gao Siyu , Shao Bilin
Published: July 2024

A systematic literature review was conducted to summarize research that examined the association between problematic social media use (PSMU) and employee work-related and psychological outcomes. Following rigorous protocols, 42 peer-reviewed studies published from 2013 to 2022 were identified from the Web of Science, Elsevier, and PubMed databases, which were used to analyze and evaluate the current research boundary, explore the accumulated knowledge, and propose approaches to further enrich this research area. The findings of this review revealed that the current research mainly focuses on four research themes (a) focal areas of effects, (b) divergence of effects, (c) contextual specificity, and (d) investigated variables. However, the existing knowledge on this domain is still limited in understanding the conceptualization of PSMU, along with the narrow focus on methodological, geographical focus, and objective measures. This study contributes to theory, as it is one of the few reviews that link PSMU to employee outcomes, building an integrated framework to outline future research trends.
Hygiene Practices and Factors Associated With Hygiene Practice Among Meat Handlers at Butcher Houses and Restaurants in Gambela Town, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gil Ruot Gatwech , Siraj Shuayib Shemsu , Donacho Dereje Oljira
Published: July 2024

Meat contamination during slaughter and sale affects 600 million people globally annually, leading to diseases and 420,000 deaths. However, evidence on hygienic practices in low-income countries, particularly in Ethiopia, limits the extent of this problem, highlighting the need for research on hygienic practices. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of meat hygiene practices and factors associated with poor practices among food handlers in Gambela town, Ethiopia. The study was an institution-based, cross-sectional study among food handlers. A total of 422 participants were chosen at random using systematic sampling. Data were collected using structured questions through interviews and observations. The study analyzed the prevalence of good hygiene practices and factors associated with meat hygiene practices using binary logistic regression. Statistical significance was determined using adjusted odds ratios, 95% confidence interval, and p-value of .05, and the model was checked using Hosmer and Lemeshow tests. The study result shows that good hygiene practices were only 40.6% (36.0–45.6) among meat handlers at butcher houses and restaurants in Gambela town. Low hygiene practices were significantly associated with the education level of food handlers (AOR: 2.5, 95%CI [1.17–5.41]) and meat hygiene training (AOR: 5.1, 95%CI [2.55–10.23]). Therefore, intensive food safety training for the workers, engaging educated professionals in food safety services, and mitigating the health risks and consequences of contamination demand intervention in the setting.
The Assessment of Comprehensive Care for Autistic Children Provided by Polish Primary Healthcare Physicians in Parental View
Authors: Domarecki Patryk , Plata-Nazar Katarzyna
Published: July 2024

Objectives. Important factor in caring for ASD patients is the successful cooperation between the physician and the parent. Methods. The online survey has been conducted. For statistical analysis the t-student test and the U-Mann Whitney test were performed to compare 2 variables, then the Kruskal-Wallis test or ANOVA as well as The Pearson correlation and Sperman’s rank correlation were performed. Results. 80.5% of respondent’s PHPs did not notice the child’s developmental difficulties. 22.02% of respondents can speak to their PHP about a child’s difficulties. PHPs take different strategies to make patient contact with the healthcare system easier. We discovered statistically significant differences in the assessment of PHPs’ abilities depending on the physicians’ specialty, the children’s age, the age at ASD diagnosis. Conclusion. The care for autistic patients provided by Polish PHPs is insufficient and the topic needs to be addressed immediately.
Identifying Urban functional regions: A multi-dimensional framework approach integrating metro smart card data and car-hailing data
Authors: Xie Yuling , Fu Xiao , Long Yi , Pei Mingyang
Published: July 2024

Urban functions often diverge from initial planning due to changes driven by residents’ behaviors. Effective urban planning and renewal require accurately identifying urban functional regions based on residents’ behavior data (including activity and travel data). However, previous methods have primarily relied on either point of interest (POI) data or a single source of traffic data, and often ignore the combined influence of residents’ activities and travel behaviors. In this study, we introduce a novel framework that integrates multiple sources of traffic data (such as metro smart card data and car-hailing data) with POI data to identify urban functional regions. This approach is unique because it simultaneously considers two critical dimensions of residents’ behavior: travel and activity behaviors. By combining these dimensions, we extract a comprehensive set of characteristics, including travel time, travel flow, origin-destination patterns, activity types, and activity time, which are then aggregated at the regional level (i.e., traffic analysis zone). To process these characteristics, we use latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) to extract high-level semantic features from each data type. Additionally, to handle the sparse data from metro smart cards, we employ a specialized clustering technique. The integration of diverse and complementary information from multiple data sources enables more accurate and nuanced identification of urban functional regions than single data source and k-means clustering algorithm, providing valuable insights for urban planners.
Serum Fructosamine as an Indicator of Perioperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Suh Yu Min , Fisher Margaret , Hu Di , Lin Feng-Chang , Wukich Dane , Tennant Josh , Lalli Trapper
Published: July 2024

Background:

Patients with poor glycemic control are at increased risk of postoperative complications. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has traditionally been used to assess preoperative glycemic control, but with limitations. More recently, fructosamine has been tested preoperatively in patients undergoing elective total joint arthroplasty. This study aims to assess whether preoperative serum fructosamine can be used to avoid adverse outcomes in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery.

Methods:

This was a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent foot and ankle surgeries at 2 level 1 trauma centers from January 2020 to December 2021. Of those, 305 patients were tested for HbA1c and fructosamine levels preoperatively. Adverse outcomes were assessed over 30 and 90 days. Outcomes of interest were surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, unplanned return to the operating room, unplanned readmission, and death. Data were analyzed using independent 2-sample t tests. A mixed effects model was used for multivariate analysis. P values less than .05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

Preoperative serum fructosamine was significantly higher ( P = .029) in those with complications within 90 days compared to those without. The mean preoperative fructosamine level was 269.2 µmol/L (SD = 58.85) in those who did have a complication vs 247.2 µmol/L (SD = 53.95) in those who did not. Clinically significant fructosamine threshold was determined using 2 different methods. Fructosamine was found to be non-inferior to HbA1c in accurately predicting postoperative complications.

Conclusion:

Fructosamine is a serum marker that reflects nearer term glycemic control than HbA1c. Elevation in preoperative fructosamine is associated with increased perioperative complications after foot and ankle surgery within 90 days. Preoperative fructosamine may be used in patient optimization and risk stratification when determining candidacy and timing for elective foot and ankle surgeries.

Level of evidence:

Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Impaired Visual Function in Posterior Vitreous Detachment Assessed With the Active-Learning Quantitative Contrast Sensitivity Function Test
Authors: Razavi Peyman , Vingopoulos Filippos , Garcia Mauricio , Romano Francesco , Choi Hanna , Ding Xinyi , Garg Itika , Baldwin Grace , Zeng Rebecca , Finn Matthew , Bannerman Augustine , Wescott Hannah , Kim Leo A. , Husain Deeba , Vavvas Demetrios , Miller John B.
Published: July 2024

Introduction: To investigate whether there is visual function impairment in patients with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) using the active-learning quantitative contrast sensitivity function test. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, contrast sensitivity was measured in eyes with PVD and eyes without PVD using the quantitative contrast sensitivity function algorithm on the Adaptive Sensory Technology platform. Outcomes included the area under the log contrast sensitivity function curve, contrast acuity, and contrast sensitivity thresholds at 1 to 18 cycles per degree (cpd). Snellen visual acuity (VA) was also measured. Mixed-effects multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the presence of PVD and visual function, controlling for age and lens status. Results: The cohort comprised 232 healthy eyes of 205 participants; of these, 80 eyes of 69 patients had PVD. There was no significant association between VA and PVD presence. However, PVD was significantly associated with decreased contrast sensitivity thresholds at 1.5 cpd (β, −0.058; P = .003) and 3 cpd (β, −0.067; P = .004). Contrast sensitivity thresholds at lower (1 cpd) or higher (6, 12, 18 cpd) spatial frequencies did not significantly correlate with PVD presence. Even in the subgroup of symptomatic PVD eyes, VA was not significantly decreased, while quantitative contrast sensitivity function outcomes showed visual function deficits at low spatial frequencies (1.5 cpd and 3 cpd). Conclusions: Contrast sensitivity measured with the quantitative contrast sensitivity function test showed visual function deficits in eyes with PVD that would have been missed with VA testing alone. Incorporating this test in the retina clinic might offer a more comprehensive functional assessment of eyes with PVD, serving as an adjunct outcome metric in clinical decision-making.
Split-Calvarial Bone Graft for a Large Calvarial Defect: Revealing Hidden Contours Through Virtual Surgery Planning
Authors: Grande Payton Kathryn , Klimo Paul , Evans Robin
Published: July 2024

Virtual surgical planning (VSP) stands as a novel advancement in craniofacial surgery. Since its inception, VSP has had the ability to improve accuracy and consistency in craniofacial surgery. The current case report describes the use of VSP in the context of a pediatric growing skull fracture and large calvarial defect requiring autologous reconstruction. Emphasis is placed on patient-specific osteotomy design and cutting guide design to decrease risk and optimize surgical outcomes. This case report illustrates a unique application of VSP in craniofacial surgery.
Effects of probability model misspecification on the number of ground motions required for seismic performance assessment
Authors: Wu Chenhao , Burton Henry V
Published: July 2024

The number of ground motions used in nonlinear response history analysis (NRHA) determines the precision of the parameter estimates obtained in seismic performance assessments. While this issue has been extensively studied in the earthquake engineering literature, the relationship of probability model misspecification to parameter estimation uncertainty, and the implication to the required number of ground motions needed for NRHA, has not been examined. Probability model misspecification has the potential to increase estimation uncertainty and hence requires a greater number of ground motions to achieve the same precision compared to when misspecification is disregarded. This study develops a procedure to determine the required number of ground motions in seismic code-prescriptive and risk-based assessments with possible probability model misspecification. Specifically, we employ the quasi-maximum likelihood estimation (QMLE), which is robust to probability model misspecification, to evaluate estimation uncertainty. The QMLE approach is applied to an archetype California bridge under the two seismic assessment scenarios. In the code-prescriptive assessment, misspecification errors are identified for dispersion estimates of the bridge column ductility demand. In the most extreme case of the risk-based evaluation, misspecification increases the estimation uncertainty of the mean annual frequency of exceeding a limit state by as much as three times, which substantially increases the required number of ground motions. Based on the findings from this study, we advocate for the use of QMLE to detect and rectify the implications of model misspecification to estimation uncertainty and the number of ground motions used in probabilistic seismic performance assessments.
Prevalence and influencing factors of sleep disorders in medical students after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Liu Jiao , Hao Qingling , Li Baozhu , Zhang Ran , Luo Guoshuai , Sun Daliang
Published: July 2024

Background

The prevalence of sleep disorders among medical students was high during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, fewer studies have been conducted on sleep disorders among medical students after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the prevalence and factors influencing sleep disorders among Chinese medical students after COVID-19.

Methods

A total of 1,194 Chinese medical students were included in this study from 9th to 12th July 2023. We used the Self-administered Chinese scale to collect the demographic characteristics. In addition, we used the Chinese versions of the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess subjects’ depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, respectively. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to identify factors influencing sleep disorders. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to assess the predictive value of relevant variables for sleep disorders.

Results

We found the prevalence of sleep disorders among medical students after COVID-19 was 82.3%. According to logistic regression results, medical students with depression were 1.151 times more likely to have sleep disorders than those without depression (OR = 1.151, 95% CI 1.114 to 1.188). Doctoral students were 1.908 times more likely to have sleep disorders than graduate and undergraduate students (OR = 1.908, 95% CI 1.264 to 2.880).

Conclusion

The prevalence of sleep disorders among medical students is high after COVID-19. In addition, high academic levels and depression are risk factors for sleep disorders. Therefore, medical colleges and administrators should pay more attention to sleep disorders in medical students after the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular assessment of sleep disorders and depression is essential.
Monovalent, bivalent and biparatopic nanobodies targeting S1 protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus efficiently neutralized the virus infectivity
Authors: Qin Huai-rui , Cao Zhi , Lu Feng-zhe , Wang Wei , Zhao Wenhui , Li Guimei , Zhang Hongliang , Wang Shubai , Qin Zhihua
Published: July 2024

Background

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly contagious coronavirus that causes severe diarrhea and death in neonatal piglets, which has brought huge economic losses to the pork industry worldwide since its first discovery in the early 1970s in Europe. Passive immunization with neutralizing antibodies against PEDV is an effective prevention measure. To date, there are no effective therapeutic drugs to treat the PEDV infection.

Results

We conducted a screening of specific nanobodies against the S1 protein from a phage display library obtained from immunized alpacas. Through competitive binding to antigenic epitopes, we selected instead of chose nanobodies with high affinity and constructed a multivalent tandem. These nanobodies were shown to inhibit PEDV infectivity by the neutralization assay. The antiviral capacity of nanobody was found to display a dose-dependent pattern, as demonstrated by IFA, TCID50, and qRT-PCR analyses. Notably, biparatopic nanobody SF-B exhibited superior antiviral activity. Nanobodies exhibited low cytotoxicity and high stability even under harsh temperature and pH conditions, demonstrating their potential practical applicability to animals.

Conclusions

Nanobodies exhibit remarkable biological properties and antiviral effects, rendering them a promising candidate for the development of anti-PEDV drugs.
“Our program manager is a woman for the first time”: perceptions of health managers on what workplace policies and practices exist to advance women’s career progression in the health sector in Kenya
Authors: Odunga Sally Atieno , Odero Henry Owoko , Syonguvi Jackline , Mbuthia Michelle , Tanaka Sonja , Kiwuwa-Muyingo Sylvia , Kadengye Damazo T.
Published: July 2024

Background

Existing evidence suggests that organisation-level policies are important in enabling gender equality and equity in the workplace. However, there is little research exploring the knowledge of health sector employees on whether policies and practices to advance women’s career progression exist in their organisations. In this qualitative study, we explored the knowledge and perspectives of health managers on which of their organisations' workplace policies and practices contribute to the career advancement of women and their knowledge of how such policies and practices are implemented and monitored.

Methods

We employed a purposive sampling method to select the study participants. The study adopted qualitative approaches to gain nuanced insights from the 21 in-depth interviews and key informant interviews that we conducted with health managers working in public and private health sector organisations. We conducted a thematic analysis to extract emerging themes relevant to advancing women’s career progression in Kenya’s health sector.

Results

During the interviews, only a few managers cited the policies and practices that contribute to women’s career advancement. Policies and practices relating to promotion and flexible work schedules were mentioned most often by these managers as key to advancing women's career progression. For instance, flexible work schedules were thought to enable women to pursue further education which led to promotion. Some female managers felt that women were promoted to leadership positions only when running women-focused programs. There was little mention of capacity-building policies like training and mentorship. The health managers reported how policies and practices are implemented and monitored in general, however, they did not state how this is done for specific policies and practices. For the private sector, the health managers stated that implementation and monitoring of these policies and practices is conducted at the institutional level while for the public sector, this is done at the national or county level.

Conclusions

We call upon health-sector organisations in Kenya to offer continuous policy sensitisation sessions to their staff and be deliberate in having supportive policies and other pragmatic interventions beyond policies such as training and mentorship that can enable women’s career progression.
Tracking neuroinflammatory biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease: a strategy for individualized therapeutic approaches?
Authors: Lista Simone , Imbimbo Bruno P. , Grasso Margherita , Fidilio Annamaria , Emanuele Enzo , Minoretti Piercarlo , López-Ortiz Susana , Martín-Hernández Juan , Gabelle Audrey , Caruso Giuseppe , Malaguti Marco , Melchiorri Daniela , Santos-Lozano Alejandro , Imbimbo Camillo , Heneka Michael T. , Caraci Filippo
Published: July 2024

Background

Recent trials of anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) monoclonal antibodies, including lecanemab and donanemab, in early Alzheimer disease (AD) showed that these drugs have limited clinical benefits and their use comes with a significant risk of serious adverse events. Thus, it seems crucial to explore complementary therapeutic approaches. Genome-wide association studies identified robust associations between AD and several AD risk genes related to immune response, including but not restricted to CD33 and TREM2. Here, we critically reviewed the current knowledge on candidate neuroinflammatory biomarkers and their role in characterizing the pathophysiology of AD.

Main body

Neuroinflammation is recognized to be a crucial and contributing component of AD pathogenesis. The fact that neuroinflammation is most likely present from earliest pre-stages of AD and co-occurs with the deposition of Aβ reinforces the need to precisely define the sequence and nature of neuroinflammatory events. Numerous clinical trials involving anti-inflammatory drugs previously yielded unfavorable outcomes in early and mild-to-moderate AD. Although the reasons behind these failures remain unclear, these may include the time and the target selected for intervention. Indeed, in our review, we observed a stage-dependent neuroinflammatory process in the AD brain. While the initial activation of glial cells counteracts early brain Aβ deposition, the downregulation in the functional state of microglia occurs at more advanced disease stages. To address this issue, personalized neuroinflammatory modulation therapy is required. The emergence of reliable blood-based neuroinflammatory biomarkers, particularly glial fibrillary acidic protein, a marker of reactive astrocytes, may facilitate the classification of AD patients based on the ATI(N) biomarker framework. This expands upon the traditional classification of Aβ (“A”), tau (“T”), and neurodegeneration (“N”), by incorporating a novel inflammatory component (“I”).

Conclusions

The present review outlines the current knowledge on potential neuroinflammatory biomarkers and, importantly, emphasizes the role of longitudinal analyses, which are needed to accurately monitor the dynamics of cerebral inflammation. Such a precise information on time and place will be required before anti-inflammatory therapeutic interventions can be considered for clinical evaluation. We propose that an effective anti-neuroinflammatory therapy should specifically target microglia and astrocytes, while considering the individual ATI(N) status of patients.
Clinical utility of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA monitoring in pediatric Epstein‐Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a Chinese retrospective observational study
Authors: Zhang Wenzhi , Yin Yuhong , Li Ying , Cheng Li , Zhao Lizhen , Peng Yun , Wu Xiaoyan
Published: July 2024

Background

Epstein-Barr virus DNA (EBV-DNA) is closely related to the pathogenesis and prognosis of EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH). The quantitative measurement of blood EBV-DNA is widely used in EBV-HLH, but there remains a lack of evidence to guide clinicians.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, 310 blood EBV-DNA loads, and prognosis of 51 pediatric patients diagnosed with EBV-HLH. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to determine the optimal cutoff values of EBV-DNA for predicting mortality and evaluating the active status of EBV-HLH.

Results

EBV-positive- lymphoma-HLH had higher initial plasma EBV-DNA load(1.10 × 106copies/ml) compared to the EBV-HLH group (1.98 × 104 copies/ml) (P = 0.006), and experienced recurrently elevated plasma EBV-DNA levels during treatment. The optimal cut-off value of initial plasma EBV-DNA load in predicting mortality was 2.68 × 105 copies/ml, with a sensitivity of 88.57% and a specificity of 56.25%. For determining the active status of HLH, the optimal cutoff value of PBMC EBV-DNA load during treatment was 2.95 × 105 copies/ml, with a sensitivity of 69.14% and a specificity of 64.71%. The cut-off value of plasma EBV-DNA for determining active status was 1.32 × 103 copies/ml, with a sensitivity of 84.34%, and a specificity of 87.67%. Patients with higher PBMC and plasma EBV-DNA at initial and those with repeated elevated plasma EBV-DNA during treatment had worse prognoses (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Dynamic monitoring of EBV-DNA is a valuable tool for assessing disease status and predicting the prognosis of EBV-HLH, with plasma EBV-DNA being more effective than PBMC EBV-DNA. Patients with high levels of PBMC and plasma EBV-DNA at initial and those with repeated elevated plasma EBV-DNA during treatment had worse prognoses.
Effects of xenogeneic transplantation of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells combined with irbesartan on renal podocyte damage in diabetic rats
Authors: Meng Jing , Gao Xiao , Liu Xiaojuan , Zheng Wen , Wang Yang , Wang Yinghao , Sun Zhenquan , Yin Xiaoxing , Zhou Xueyan
Published: July 2024

Background

The leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is diabetic nephropathy (DN). Podocyte damage is an early event in the development of DN. Currently, there is no effective treatment strategy that can slow the progression of DN or reverse its onset. The role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation in diabetes and its complications has been extensively studied, and diabetic nephropathy has been a major focus. Irbesartan exerts reno-protective effects independent of lowering blood pressure, can reduce the incidence of proteinuria in rats, and is widely used clinically. However, it remains undetermined whether the combined utilization of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist irbesartan and MSCs could enhance efficacy in addressing DN.

Methods

A commonly used method for modeling type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) was established using a high-fat diet and a single low-dose injection of STZ (35 mg/kg). The animals were divided into the following 5 groups: (1) the control group (CON), (2) the diabetic nephropathy group (DN), (3) the mesenchymal stem cells treatment group (MSCs), (4) the irbesartan treatment group (Irb), and (5) the combined administration group (MSC + Irb). MSCs (2 × 106 cells/rat) were injected every 10 days through the tail vein for a total of three injections; irbesartan (30 mg/kg/d) was administered by gavage. Additionally, the safety and homing of mesenchymal stem cells were verified using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

Results

The combination treatment significantly reduced the UACR, kidney index, IGPTT, HOMA-IR, BUN, serum creatine, and related inflammatory factor levels and significantly improved renal function parameters and the expression of proteins related to glomerular podocyte injury in rats. Moreover, MSCs can homing target to damaged kidneys.

Conclusions

Compared to the administration of MSCs or irbesartan alone, the combination of MSCs and irbesartan exerted better protective effects on glomerular podocyte injury, providing new ideas for the clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells.
Spline-based methods for functional data on multivariate domains
Authors: Basna Rani , Nassar Hiba , Podgórski Krzysztof
Published: July 2024

Functional data analysis is typically performed in two steps: first, functionally representing discrete observations, and then applying functional methods to the so-represented data. The initial choice of a functional representation may have a significant impact on the second phase of the analysis, as shown in recent research, where data-driven spline bases outperformed the predefined rigid choice of functional representation. The method chooses an initial functional basis by an efficient placement of the knots using a simple machine-learning algorithm. The knot selection approach does not apply directly when the data are defined on domains of a higher dimension than one such as, for example, images. The reason is that in higher dimensions the convenient and numerically efficient spline spaces use tensor bases that require knots located on a lattice. This fundamentally limits flexible knot placement which is fundamental for the approach. The goal of this research is two-fold: first, to propose modified approaches that circumvent the issue by coding the irregular knot selection into the topology of the spaces of tensor-based splines; second, to apply the approach to a classification problem workflow for functional data that utilizes knot selection. The performance is preliminarily accessed on a benchmark dataset and shown to be comparable to or better than the previous methods.
Deciphering the role of Moringa oleifera seeds and probiotic bacteria on mitigation of biogas production from ruminants
Authors: Elghandour Mona M. M. Y. , Pacheco Edson Brodeli Figueroa , Khusro Ameer , Tirado-González Deli Nazmín , Lackner Maximilian , Ponce-Covarrubias José Luis , De Palo Pasquale , Maggiolino Aristide , Salem Abdelfattah Z. M.
Published: July 2024

Maintaining cleaner and more sustainable ecosystems by mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock through dietary manipulation is in demand. This study was aimed to assess the effect of Moringa oleifera seeds and probiotics (Pediococcus acidilactici BX-B122 and Bacillus coagulans BX-B118) as feed supplements on GHG production and fermentation profile from steers and sheep. The treatments included diets containing 0, 6, 12, and 18% of M. oleifera seeds meal and a mixture of probiotic bacteria (0.2 ml/g of diet). Total biogas production, CH4, CO, and H2S emission from animals (up to 48 h), rumen fermentation profile, and CH4 conversion efficiency were recorded using standard protocols. Results showed interaction among M. oleifera seeds and probiotics on asymptotic biogas production and total biogas production up to 48 h (P < 0.05). The rate of CH4 emission in steers was reduced from 0.1694 to 0.0447 ml/h using 6 and 18% of M. oleifera seeds (P < 0.05). Asymptotic CO and the rate of CO production were increased (P < 0.05) by supplementing different doses of M. oleifera seeds and probiotics. Adding 12% of M. oleifera seeds and probiotics reduced H2S production from 0.0675 to 0.0112 ml H2S/g DM (at 48 h of fermentation) in steers. In sheep, the additives mitigated H2S production from 0.0364 to 0.0029 ml H2S/g DM (at 48 h of fermentation), however there were not interaction (P = 0.7744). In addition, M. oleifera seeds and probiotics reduced the pH level and dry matter degradability (DMD) in steers and sheep (P < 0.0001) showing a positive impact on CH4:ME and CH4:OM (in steers) and CH4:SCFA (in sheep), while the interaction was not significant (P > 0.05) for CH4:SCFA (in steers) and CH4:ME and CH4:OM (in sheep). In conclusion, the interaction of M. oleifera seeds and probiotics in the feeding diet reduced GHG emissions and affected the fermentation profile of steers and sheep.