bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 12-year follow up survey of childhood blindness at schools for the blind in Cambodia
Authors: Rogerson Thomas , Ath Sith Sam , Meng Ngy , Casson Robert
Published: August 2023

Background:
Cambodia is a low-income country in South East Asia with a population of 15.5 million people of whom 4.9 million (38%) are under the age of 16. The causes of childhood blindness in Cambodia have not been investigated since the first survey of schools for the blind done in 2009 by our group. Given the large demographic and economic shifts in Cambodia since 2009 it is important to determine if these causes have changed in order to ensure intervention programmes are appropriately targeted. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the prevalences of the causes of childhood blindness at schools for the blind in Cambodia.
Methods:
Students between the ages of 5 and 16years who were attending schools for the blind in Cambodia were examined by a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist and had clinical photographs taken. Distance visual acuity was measured using a logMAR tumbling E chart and the WHO definitions of blindness and severe visual impairment were used. The examining ophthalmologist recorded the anatomical site and aetiology of vision loss using the WHO Prevention of Blindness eye examination record for children. Collected data were compared to a previous survey from 2009.
Results:
Data from 76 students were included for analysis. The most common anatomical location of abnormality causing vision loss was the cornea (n = 20, 33.9%) followed by the lens and retina (n = 11, 18.64% for both). Hereditary factors (n = 29, 49.15%) and childhood diseases (n = 27, 45.76%) were the most common aetiological causes of childhood blindness. The majority (71.19%) of childhood blindness was avoidable. The present study did not demonstrate a significant difference in the causes of childhood blindness compared to 2009.
Conclusions
Corneal pathologies continue to represent the most common cause of vision loss amongst the surveyed population and the majority of causes of childhood blindness continue to be avoidable. These findings will facilitate the development of evidence-based targeted interventional programmes in Cambodia.
Which is More Important, Foreign Direct Investment Inflow or Outflow, on the Pollution of European Union Countries?: Evidence from Panel Fourier Symmetric and Asymmetric Causality
Authors: Tutuncu Asiye , ALTIN Omca , YILDIRIM Sukran SIRKINTIOGLU
Published: August 2023

Uncertainty remains regarding the impact of foreign direct investments on countries' environmental policies and pollution levels. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between foreign direct investment inflows, outflows, and carbon dioxide emissions for EU (European Union) member states. Accordingly, the data for the period 1993–2019 were subjected to the Panel Fourier symmetric and asymmetric causality tests for 21 EU countries. According to the panel Fourier symmetric causality test results, the effect of foreign investment outflows on carbon dioxide emissions is more dominant in general. While there is a bidirectional relationship between these variables in the Austrian and Slovak Republics, there is a unidirectional relationship between foreign investment outflows to carbon dioxide emissions in Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Portugal. On the other hand, one-way causality was found from foreign investment inflows to carbon dioxide emissions in Belgium, Cyprus, France, Ireland, and Romania and from carbon dioxide emissions to foreign investment inflows in Finland, Greece, and Sweden. According to the panel Fourier asymmetric causality test results, causality between variables is statistically significant in many countries. This shows that the asymmetric relationship is essential for the variables.
Ambulance clinicians implementing evidence-based practice: Mind the Gap! Attitudes, perceptions and experiences of student paramedics.
Authors: Newton Jon , Smith Andrew
Published: August 2023

Background: Evidence-Based-Practice (EBP) represents the conscientious and judicious use of the best contemporaneous evidence in partnership with patient values and clinical expertise to guide healthcare professionals. As a result, EBP is a recommended component of undergraduate education and considered fundamental for improving patient outcomes. Teaching and learning principles have thus become deeply-rooted in higher education curricula, but only in recent years has EBP begun to permeate the world of paramedic practice. Despite this paradigm, impact of EBP may be limited because ambulance clinicians can struggle to implement techniques, as a variety of barriers impact translation and application.
Methods: A survey study aimed to gain insight into the epistemological and metacognitive barriers impacting student experience in order to help improve teaching and learning practices.
Results: A sample of 64 students, across two different undergraduate paramedic science programmes were recruited. 70% of BSc (Hons) students versus 33% of DipHE students agreed to some extent or greater, that EBP represented minimal benefit in real-world practice due to Trust policy and the guidelines set-out by the Joint Royal College Ambulance Liaison Committee (Welch’s t = 2.571, df = 26, p=0.016 two-sided). 25% felt standard operating procedures negatively impacted their ability to implement EBP; and 39% reported their EBP learning had improved their ability to implement improved levels of patient care.
Conclusion: A disparity between theoretical learning and EBP implementation was identified. EBP may not dovetail with standard operating procedure within UK ambulance Trusts, resulting in confusion among student paramedics as to the true worth of EBP.
Identification of Hub Immune-Related Genes and Immune Infiltration in Type A Aortic Dissection by Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Leng Jiajie , Luo Yuxiang , Li Letai , Shi Haoming , Zhou Guoxiang , Zhou Kun , Tu Hongwen , Zhang Cheng , Jiang Yingjiu , Tie Hongtao
Published: August 2023

Background: Type A Aortic Dissection (TAAD), a devastating cardiovascular emergency with high incidence, is associated with immune inflammation. Intervention targets and regulatory mechanism of TAAD remain unclear and necessitate further research. Three datasets (GSE153434, GSE52093, GSE190635) of TAAD were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were explored, and immune-related genes, WGCNA and DEGs (IRWDEGs) were overlapped. Four hub genes were screened from 132 IRWDEGs by Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) Network and least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO) constructed by GSE52093 and validated by GSE190635 and GSE153434 merged datasets . The hub genes were further validated by the GSE52093 dataset and in TAAD tissues by using polymerase chain reaction(PCR) . Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were constructed to explore potential related signaling pathways. Immune cell infiltration in TAAD was analyzed by ssGSEA, and their association with the four hub genes were explored.
Results: A total of 132 IRWDEGs were overlapped, twelve key modules were screened, and finally 4 hub genes including CCL2, CXCL8, ENG, and TEK were identified. The expression of CCL2, CXCL8 and ENG was predicted to increase, whereas TEK was predicted to decrease. These results were verified in another independent dataset and human TAAD tissues. The hub genes were related to immune infiltration, indicated by type 17 T helper cell, activated dendritic cell, and active B cell.
Conclusion: The effect of CCL2, CXCL8, ENG and TEK in immune infiltration were identified.
Cell-type specific global reprogramming of the transcriptome and epigenome in induced neurons with the 16p11.2 neuropsychiatric CNVs
Authors: Zhang Xianglong , Ward Thomas , Leung Louis , Qu Ping-Ping , Zhou Bo , Muench Kristin , Khechaduri Arineh , Plastini Melanie , Charlton Carol , Pattni Reenal , Ho Steve , Ho Marcus , Huang Yiling , Hallmayer Joachim , Mourrain Philippe , Palmer Theo , Urban Alexander
Published: August 2023

Copy number variants (CNVs), either deletions or duplications, at the 16p11.2 locus in the human genome are known to increase the risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), schizophrenia, and several other developmental conditions. Here, we investigate the global effects on gene expression and DNA methylation using a 16p11.2 CNV patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) to induced neuron (iN) cell model system. This approach revealed genome-wide and cell-type specific alterations to both gene expression and DNA methylation patterns and also yielded specific leads on genes potentially contributing to some of the phenotypes in 16p11.2 patients. There is global reprogramming of both the transcriptome and the DNA methylome. We observe sets of differentially expressed genes and differentially methylated regions, respectively, that are localized genome wide and that are shared, and with changes in the same direction, between the deletion and duplication genotypes. The genePCSK9is identified as a possible contributing factor to symptoms seen in carriers of the 16p11.2 CNVs. The protocadherin (PCDH) gene family is found to have altered DNA methylation patterns in the CNV patient samples. The iPSC lines used for this study are available through a repository as a resource for research into the molecular etiology of the clinical phenotypes of 16p11.2 CNVs and into that of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders in general.
Breastfeeding process and anxiety in mothers with covid-19 in the postnatal period: A qualitative study
Authors: Özcan Handan , Güngör Tuana
Published: August 2023

Background
The fear, panic, and uncertainties arising during the Covid-19 period have caused many questions about breastfeeding. This study was conducted to investigate breastfeeding and anxiety in mothers with Covid-19.
Methods
The qualitative research type study was conducted in Istanbul between August and November 2021. The sample of the study consists of Covid-19 positive women breastfeeding their babies in the first six months after birth. Both content and descriptive analysis were used to analyze the data.
Results
The data were analyzed under three main themes. Under the theme of the impact of Covid-19 on breastfeeding, mothers experienced situations like decreased or increased breastfeeding frequency, cessation of breastfeeding, isolation, anxiety about transmission, and expression of milk. They reported that their anxiety in the breastfeeding process was related to the health of the baby, baby care, decreased milk or not breastfeeding, and the Covid-19 period. They used practices such as receiving spousal and professional support, paying attention to isolation, effective communication with the baby, and praying as methods of coping with anxiety.
Conclusion
The study demonstrated that factors like transmission anxiety, decreased breastfeeding frequency, and isolation affected breastfeeding, and mothers were most concerned about the baby’s health.
The Association between environmental noise exposure and primary headache in pediatric population
Authors: Lee Sunho , Lee Wanhyung
Published: August 2023

Background Headaches are the most common neurological symptom in pediatric patients. Most primary headaches in children and adolescents are associated with noise. Auditory discomfort is also associated with pain recognition. We aimed to analyze the headache profile of pediatric populations and the connection between noise exposure and headaches in children and adolescents. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric headache populations at Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital from January 2022 to April 2023. Environmental noise data from the National Noise Information System (NNIS) were used to analyze each variable, and chi-square tests and linear regression models were used to analyze statistical correlations. Results Of the 224 participants, 125 were clinically diagnosed with primary headaches. Both daytime and nighttime noise levels were significantly higher in the diagnosed headache group than in the non-diagnosed group. For daytime and nighttime noise, statistical significance was found for the severity, duration, and frequency of headaches. Headache duration increased with daytime and nighttime noise with statistical significance in the age-adjusted models. Conclusions Noise exposure was associated with headaches in children and adolescents. Our data showed that daytime and nighttime environmental noise exposure was significantly associated with headaches duration. Therefore, we assumed that noise exposure is a vital precipitant of headaches in the pediatric population. However, further research is required to validate our findings.
Southernmost record of an epibiotic alga Pseudocladophora conchopheria (Sakai) Boedeker & Leliaert, 2012 (Cladophorales, Ulvophyceae) with the insights on the geographic genetic divergence and host shift
Authors: Kagawa Osamu , Tu Van , Hanyuda Takeaki , Chiba Satoshi , Yamazaki Daishi
Published: August 2023

Accumulating information on the distribution of symbionts and their host species is important for studying how the symbionts have diversified. Pseudocladophora conchopheria is a green alga that grows on the shells of specific intertidal gastropods distributed in the Japanese archipelago, Ryukyu islands and Southern part of the Korean Peninsula. We newly report southernmost record of Pseudocladophora conchopheria on the shells of the gastropod, Lunella granulata from Vietnam. Species identification of the alga and gastropod was based on morphological observations and molecular genetic methods. Interestingly, its haplotypes of P. conchopheria were closely related to the haplotypes of P. conchopheria attached to Lunella correensis from Sea of Japan, rather than the haplotype of P. conchopheria attached to L. granulata from the Ryukyu archipelago. Therefore, the results suggested host shift and geographic genetic differentiation. We highlight the overlooked biodiversity and biological interaction occurred in the molluscan shells and suggest that this new record is important for studying the relationship between P. conchopheria and the host gastropods.
Phytotoxicity Alleviation of Imazethapyr to Non-target Plant Wheat: Active Regulation Between Auxin and DIMBOA
Authors: Huang Jinye , Li Jun , Chen Hui , Shen Chensi , Wen Yuezhong
Published: August 2023

Effectively controlling target organisms while reducing the adverse effects of pesticides on non-target organisms is a crucial scientific inquiry and challenge in pesticide ecotoxicology research. Here, we studied the alleviation of herbicide (R)-imazethapyr ((R)-IM) to non-target plant wheat by active regulation between auxin and secondary metabolite 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA). (R)-IM effortlessly disrupted the balance between wheat growth and defense, which reduced 32.4% auxin content in wheat leaves and induced 40.7% DIMBOA accumulation compared to the control group. Transcriptomic results indicate that restoration of the auxin level in plants promotes the up-regulation of growth-related genes, and increased accumulation of DIMBOA increases the expression of defense-related genes. Auxin and DIMBOA are in two divergent paths and alleviate herbicide stress on wheat primarily through effects on growth and defense, respectively. Additionally, as a common precursor of auxin and DIMBOA, indole adopted a combined growth and defense strategy in response to (R)-IM toxicity, i.e., restoring growth development and enhancing the defense system. Future regulation of auxin and DIMBOA levels in plants may be possible through appropriate methods, thus regulating the plant growth-defense balance under herbicide stress. Our insight into the interference mechanism of herbicides to the plant growth-defense system will facilitate the design of improved strategies for herbicide detoxification.
Novel self-assembly nano structured organic inorganic hybrid composite: high magnetic mobility and shell-less superhydrophobic-superoleophilic particles for demulsification
Authors: Yu Mingdong , Wang Daobei , Xia Anqi , Wang Dongzhi
Published: August 2023

Nanostructured magnetic particles are promising candidate materials for oil/water separation, demulsification, and detoxification. A nanometer-sized magnetic composites with superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity surface is produced via self-assembly synthesis using Sol-Gel method. The oil/water separation performances of as prepared Methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS)/Diethoxymethylsilane (DEMS)-Fe3O4 nanocomposite particles (MTMS/DEMS-Fe3O4 NCPs) nanocomposites as demulsifications were investigated for oil removal. The properties of the composite were characterized using AFM, SEM, FTIR, XRD, Raman, TGA VSM and Interfacial Tension Analysis. The results show that MTMS/DEMS-Fe3O4 NCPs are composed of Fe3O4-SiO2-CH3. More interestingly, the MTMS/DEMS-Fe3O4 NCPs samples showed higher saturation magnetization values (Ms = 78.9 emu/g) compared to the pure Fe3O4 NPs (Ms = 69.6 emu/g). The demulsification efficiency of the MTMS/DEMS-Fe3O4 particles was found to be higher to that of Fe3O4 particles under magnetic control. The effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles concentration on demulsification, oil absorbency, and oil/water selectivity were also investigated. The materials have good superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity (CAwater ≈ 160° and CAoil ≈ 0°) and excellent magnetic responsivity. It also show very high efficiency demulsification to oil-in-water emulsions and could quickly absorb floating oils on the surface and heavy oils on the bottom driven by magnet. In particular, the demulsification efficiency could reach about 97.5% at room temperature. Moreover, the preparation process of Superhydrophobic-superoleophilic particles is completely fluoropolymer-free. More importantly, the mixture of oil and demulsifiers could be seperated by ethanol and magnet, which is beneficial to the recycle. With great demulsification and recyclability performance, the superhydrophobic and superoleophilic micro/nano Fe3O4 particles display great promise to achieve industrial applications in the future.
Compact Implantable Antenna Design for Biotelemetry Applications Operating at ISM
Authors: Tariq Rimsha , Raza Ali , Naqvi Syed Aftab , Raza Muhammad , Braaten Benjamin Davis , Anagnostou Dimitris E. , Alonazi Wadi B
Published: August 2023

The bulky size and its complications are the major concerns of the medical fraternity about the implantable devices in a human body. This paper explicates the optimal design of a compact miniaturized implantable Micro-strip Patch Antenna (MPA). Initially, the antenna is designed by applying different miniaturization techniques to operate at Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band ranging from 2.4 to 2.48GHz. The designed antenna is placed in simulated model of human skin and tested. The radiating geometry of the proposed antenna is optimized to operate at proposed bands as behavior of the antenna is different than free space. A prototype of the antenna tested in simulated model of skin is measured in the free space and compared to simulated results. A good agreement in the simulated and measured result is observed. The size and other parameters of the proposed implantable antenna are compared with state-of-the-art literature, and it is reported that the proposed antenna is miniaturized up to 80%. The proposed antenna has its applications in smart implantable devices operated at ISM frequency band.
Synthesis, Thermal Stability and Antifungal Evaluation of Two New Pyrrole Esters
Authors: Lai Miao , Fan Wenpeng , Chu Wenjuan , Zhang Ruiting , Gao Ziting , Han Lu , Yang Xiaopeng , Wei Yuewei , Tian Haiying , Ji Xiaoming
Published: August 2023

To develop new chemicals that are stable at high temperatures with biological activity, a pyrrole intermediate was firstly synthesized using glucosamine hydrochloride as raw materials through cyclization and oxidation. Further, two novel pyrrole ester derivatives were prepared via Steglich esterification from pyrrole intermediate with vanillin and ethyl maltol, respectively. Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR, 13C NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) were used to confirm the target compounds. Thermal behavior of the compounds was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and the pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) methods. The plausible pyrolytic mechanism was proposed. Additionally, their biological activities against the pathogens Fusarium. graminearum, Fusarium. oxysporum, Fusarium. moniliforme, Phytophthora. nicotianae, and Rhizoctonia. solani were assessed. These target compounds showed outstanding antifungal activities and the highest inhibitor rates of 62.50% and 68.75% against R. solani with EC50 values of 0.0296 and 0.0200 mg mL-1, respectively. SDHI protein sequence was molecularly docked to identify the binding mechanisms in the active pocket and examine the interactions between both the molecules and the SDHI protein.
Efficacy Analysis of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Raynaud’s Syndrome
Authors: Yu Fengwei , Liu Yongtao , Zhang Chengnian , Pang Botao , Zhang Daijie , Zhao Wei , Li Xuecheng , Yang Weiqiang
Published: August 2023

Background
Raynaud’s syndrome (RS) is a rare autonomic nervous system disorder and is also known as Raynaud’s disease, cold agglutinin disease, etc. With the evolution of microsurgical techniques, undergoing minimally invasive surgery in combination with adventitial release and sympathectomy for the affected limbs greatly improves locoregional blood circulation and neurological function.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on RS patients who reported to the Department of Hand & Foot Surgery (Microsurgery), Binzhou Medical University Hospital. The patients were divided into experimental and control groups. Fifteen (5 of whom had fingertip soft tissue necrosis, with no phalangeal exposure or infection) experimental group patients underwent microscopic adventitial release and sympathectomy. They were given nifedipine, conventional lamp, and heat therapies for the affected fingers during the perioperative period, followed by postoperative analgesic drugs. Fifteen control group patients who refused surgery or were treated non-surgically underwent treatment with nifedipine, conventional lamp, and heat therapies for the affected fingers. All patients provided informed consent.
Results
Various outcome measures like the VAS pain score, RCS score, Quick-DASH scale score, digital ulcer score, and cold water stimulation test results in the experimental group were significantly improved when compared with the control group patients; no recurrence was observed during the follow-up.
Conclusion
After adventitial release and sympathectomy in RS patients, improved symptoms, a faster capillary reaction time of the affected fingertips, and significant pain alleviation demonstrated that microscopic adventitial release along with sympathectomy was greatly effective in RS patients.
Head circumference and intelligence, schooling, employment, and income: a systematic review
Authors: Freire Marina B O , Slater Rebeccah , Santos Thiago M , Silva Bruna G C da , Baxter Luke , Menezes Ana M B
Published: August 2023

Background
No consensus exists about the role of head circumference in identifying children at risk of suboptimal development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between head circumference and intelligence, schooling, employment, and income. The review 1) summarizes the overall evidence and 2) restricts the evidence to a subset of articles that met minimum quality criteria.
Methods
PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, LILACS, CINAHL, WHO Institutional Repository for Information Sharing and UNICEF Innocenti were searched to identify published studies. Cohort, case-control or cross-sectional studies which evaluated the associations of interest in the general population, premature babies, babies with low birth weight or small for gestational age were included. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction and quality assessments.
Results
Of 2521 records identified, 115 were included and 21 met the minimum quality criteria. We identidied large heterogeneity and inconsistency in the effect measures and data reported across studies. Despite the relatively large number of included articles, more than 80% presented serious limitations such as severe selection bias and lack of adjustment for confounding. Considering the subset of articles which met the minimum quality criteria, 12 of 16 articles showed positive association between head circumference and intelligence in the general population. However, in premature babies, 2 of 3 articles showed no clear effect. Head circumference was positively associated with academic performance in all investigated samples (5 of 5 articles). No article which evaluated educational attainment and employment met the minimum quality criteria, but the association between head circumference and these outcomes seems to be positive.
Conclusions
Larger head circumferences in the first 1000 days is positively associated with higher levels of intelligence and academic performance in the general population, but there is evidence of non-linearity in those associations. Identifying a group of children in higher risk for worse outcomes by a simple and inexpensive tool could provide an opportunity to mitigate these negative effects. Further research is needed for a deeper understanding of the whole distribution of head circumference and its effect in premature babies. Authors should consider the non-linearity of the association in the data analysis.
Systematic Review Registration:
Association between head circumference and intelligence, educational attainment, employment, and income: A systematic review, CRD42021289998, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021289998
Implementing enhanced m-health mental health screening for adolescents living with HIV transitioning into adult care
Authors: Gitahi Nyawira , Kiplagat Anthony , Waruinge Stella , Lukoye Atwoli , Bukusi Elizabeth
Published: August 2023

Background
Growing evidence indicates that around half of all adolescents and young adults living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (AYALWHIV) experience mental health difficulties in Africa. Despite this, less than 1% of AYALWHIV receive mental health screening as part of routine care in resource-limited settings. Little is known about the determinants of mental health in this population. The overall objective of this study is to address this mental health gap in this vulnerable population by investigating the feasibility, acceptability and adoptability of a self-administered m-health-based mental health screening tool among Kenyan AYALWHIV. We will also investigate the psycho-social determinants of mental illnesses and resulting virological outcomes.
Methods
This study proposes to use a mixed methods design. We will enroll AYALWHIV aged 15–24 years from eight urban HIV clinics in Nairobi Kenya. We will collect socio-demographic, psycho-social, and viral suppression data from chart abstraction and semi-structured interviews at enrollment. We will use a ready-for-use m-health Open Data Kit (ODK) based self-administered tool that consists of four mental health and substance use screening tools to measure the prevalence and severity of General Anxiety Disorder, Depressive illness, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and substance use. We will assess acceptance of the m-health tool using a brief questionnaire. In-depth interviews will be used to investigate individual-level factors that influence acceptance by AYALWHIV of the self-administered m-health tool and its integration within routine HIV care, and to identify health system barriers and facilitators towards the integration of a digital mental health screening approach as perceived by health care workers.
Discussion
We hypothesize a high level of acceptability of the m-health mental health screening intervention and a high prevalence of mental health difficulties linked to psycho-social factors in this population. We anticipate this study will generate evidence on the rapid, scale-up and sustainable implementation of the tool and illuminate organizational, health care provider, policy maker and intervention-related barriers and facilitators to adoptability. If the intervention is found to be acceptable and feasible, the clinical implication would be to increase the use of the m-health screening tool in routine HIV care among AYALWHIV in Kenya.
Analysis of circRNA and miRNA profiles in type-1 diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Dong Ning , Yang Ming , Li Shuang , Wang Kang
Published: August 2023

Purpose
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microangiopathy of the retina, from which nearly all people with diabetes eventually suffer. However, its pathogenic mechanism remains to be elucidated. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that have recently been recognized to play vital roles in DR. This study aimed to explore the role of circRNAs and microRNA (miRNA) in the pathogenesis of DR and to analyze the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulation network.
Methods
Sixty rats were randomly assigned to the diabetic and control groups. The retina tissues were extracted for next-generation RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.
Results
A total of 830 circRNAs and 37 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the two groups. Aberrantly expressed genes that may be enriched in the glutamatergic synapse GABAergic synapse, morphine addiction, phosphatidylinsitol signaling pathway, tight junctions, and dopaminergic synapse were revealed by functional annotation. The circRNA-miRNA co-expression networks and the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-regulated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network were constructed. Novel-circRNA_0007196 was selected as the target gene.
Conclusions
Different coding and non-coding RNA profiles and genes in the co-regulation network are likely to play essential roles in DR. This study provides new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms and pathological processes of early DR.
Efficacy and Safety of Ketamine-assisted Electroconvulsive Therapy in Major Depressive Episode: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rhee Taeho Greg , Shim Sung Ryul , Popp Jonah , Trikalinos Thomas , Rosenheck Robert , Kellner Charles , Seiner Stephen , Espinoza Randall , Forester Brent , McIntyre Roger
Published: August 2023

Objective: To meta-analyze clinical efficacy and safety of ketamine compared with other anesthetic agents in the course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depressive episode (MDE).
Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, GoogleScholar, and US and European trial registries were searched from inception through May 23, 2023, with no language limits. We included RCTs with (1) a diagnosis of MDE; (2) ECT intervention with ketamine and/or other anesthetic agents; and (3) measures included: depressive symptoms, cognitive performance, remission or response rates, and serious adverse events. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to compare ketamine and 7 other anesthetic agents. Hedges’ g standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used for continuous measures, and relative risks (RRs) were used for other binary outcomes using random-effects models.
Results: Twenty-two studies were included in the systematic review. A total of 2,322 patients from 17 RCTs were included in the NMA. The overall pooled SMD of ketamine, as compared with a propofol reference group, was -2.21 (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.79 to -0.64) in depressive symptoms, indicating that ketamine had better antidepressant efficacy than propofol. In a sensitivity analysis, however, ketamine-treated patients had a worse outcome in cognitive performance than propofol-treated patients (SMD, -0.18; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.09). No other statistically significant differences were found.
Conclusions: Ketamine-assisted ECT is tolerable and may be efficacious in improving depressive symptoms, but a relative adverse impact on cognition may be an important clinical consideration. Anesthetic agents should be considered based on patient profiles and/or preferences to improve effectiveness and safety of ECT use.
The combination of Ephedrae herba and coixol from Coicis semen attenuate adiposity via glucocorticoid receptor regulation
Authors: Yu Ga-Ram , Kim Jai-Eun , Lim Dong-Woo , Park Won-Hwan
Published: August 2023

The enhanced therapeutic effects and mechanisms of certain herbal combination in various herbal prescriptions are mostly unclear. A combination of two herbs, namely Ephedrae herba (EH) and Coicis semen (CS), has been commonly prescribed for obesity. In our previous work, the combination of EH and CS was studied using network pharmacological approach to predict its pharmacological targets and in vitro experiments to evaluate its efficacy on obesity. Although we demonstrated enhanced anti-adiposity effects of the combination on matured adipocytes, the molecular mechanisms and contributing compounds underlying the effects of EH-CS combination on adiposity or adipogenesis were not fully elucidated. The current study adopted integrated bioinformatics analysis to precisely validate potential targets of EH-CS by screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of morbid obesity patients from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Based on the functional cluster analysis of down-regulated DEGs, the anti-adipogenesis mechanism of EH-CS combination was speculated with KEGG enrichment analysis. Furthermore, we investigated the combinational effects of EH and coixol, or stigmasterol, the two compounds in CS which were expected to have main beneficial effects in metabolic diseases. Moreover, distinct effect of the combination on transcriptional activity of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was investigated using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The EH-CS combination was predicted to modulate down-regulated genes which are involved in KEGG pathways crucial to metabolic disease in morbidly obese individuals. The combination of EH with CS compounds significantly increased the phosphorylation of acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and protein kinase B (AKT) in 3T3-L1 cells and decreased intracellular lipid accumulation. The two CS compounds significantly increased the anti-adipogenesis/lipogenesis effects of EH by inhibiting the gene expression levels. Finally, the combination of EH and coixol inhibited dexamethasone-induced GR translocation to the nucleus and transcriptional binding activity in adipocytes. The combination of EH and CS could be considered a therapeutic strategy for treating metabolic diseases, including obesity.
Modern Contraceptive Use Disparity Among Married Women Based on Regions of Indonesia
Authors: Misnaniarti Misnaniarti , Anjelina Marilda , Idris Haerawati
Published: August 2023

Background:Increasing modern contraceptive usage is one of the efforts to reduce population growth rates and maternal and infant mortalities. In Indonesia, prior research has not discussed the use of modern contraception by regions in the last decades. This study aimed to analyze differences in the use of modern contraception among married women by regions in Indonesia.Methods:Our study used a cross-sectional design. The sample in this study consisted of 25,661 married women selected from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic Health Survey (IDHS). These data were analyzed using the binary logistic regression statistical test and visualized through the QGIS application as a map of Indonesia.Results:The prevalence of modern contraceptive use in Indonesia was 61.2%. Mothers in the Kalimantan, Java-Bali, Sumatra, and Sulawesi regions had a higher chance of using modern contraception than mothers in the Papua region. The factors associated with the use of modern contraception in Indonesia vary significantly across all regions. Mother’s age, number of living children, and an ideal number of children were the general factors associated with the use of contraception in all regions.Conclusion:This study demonstrates wide variations in regional prevalence and determinants of modern contraceptive use in Indonesia. Policies are needed by considering each region’s characteristics to reduce disparities between regions in using modern contraception.
Establishment of an efficient genetic transformation system for Tanacetum cinerariifolium
Authors: Shinoyama Harue , Shimizu Misato , Hosokawa Munetaka , Matsuda Kazuhiko
Published: August 2023

The Dalmatian Daisy Tanacetum cinerariifolium is an Asteraceae plant species that produces the natural insecticide “pyrethrum”, which is effective against mosquito disease vectors and household pests. To enhance the content of pyrethrum in flowers, a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying pyrethrum biosynthesis is needed. Even though gene transformation and genome editing techniques are vital for investigating pyrethrin biosynthesis, limited information is available on the transformation of T. cinerariifolium. Furthermore, each seedling possesses a distinct genotype with large variations by self-incompatibility. We herein employed T. cinerariifolium line #14 with weak self-incompatibility to establish a protocol of efficient regeneration from leaf segments and transformation. Leaf segments formed calli on 1/2 Murashige and Skoog’s basal medium (MS) with naphthalene acetic acid 1 mg L-1 and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) 2 mg L-1, regenerated shoots from calli on 1/2 MS with BAP 0.5 mg L-1 and GA3 0.2 mg L-1, and elongated shoot stems on 1/2 MS with indole-3-butyric acid 0.5 mg L-1 and BAP 0.5 mg L-1. To establish genetic transformation, Rhizobium radiobacter strain EHA105 with the highest infectivity and the mas1'-2' bidirectional promoter with the highest expression were used, and the antibiotic G418 was added to medium at a concentration of 10 to 20 mg L-1 to select transformed cells. By using established regeneration techniques, we successfully obtained transformants that highly expressed the transgene gusA. This technique allowed us to elucidate the mechanisms underlying pyrethrum biosynthesis in T. cinerariifolium and was useful for creating transgenic T. cinerariifolium with increased pyrethrum biosynthesis.
The Role of Environmental, Land Use, and Spatial Factors in Macroinvertebrate Community Composition in Three River Basins in Ethiopia: A Variation Partitioning Analysis
Authors: Getachew Melaku , Mereta Seid Tiku , Gebrie Geremew Sahilu , Mulat Worku Legesse , Kelly-Quinn Mary
Published: August 2023

Community ecology, often called synecology, is the study of interactions between species in communities at different geographical and temporal scales, including distribution, structure, abundance, demography, and interactions between coexisting populations. Investigating the effects of environmental, land use, and spatial factors on the composition of macroinvertebrate communities was the objective of the current study. From three watersheds in Ethiopia, we gathered 30 samples of environmental, land use, spatial, and biological components (macroinvertebrates). Variation partitioning studies were carried out to evaluate the unique and shared roles of environmental, land use, and spatial factors. We found that 51% of the variation in the compositions of macroinvertebrates could be attributed to environmental, land use, and spatial factors. Environmental characteristics were the most important component, accounting for 42% of the total variation explained. The key environmental variables that influenced changes in the composition of macroinvertebrate communities were pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total organic nitrogen (TON), electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, and water depth. Land use and spatial factors also significantly contributed to the pattern of macroinvertebrate community composition, though they were less important than environmental influences. The study reveals that environmental factors are spatially structured and influenced by land use factors. Land use planning is a crucial strategy for improving stream conditions, increasing aquatic macroinvertebrate community composition, and enhancing freshwater ecosystem services.
Efficacy of part-time patching in preventing recurrence after bilateral lateral rectus recession in children with intermittent exotropia
Authors: Han Jae Yong , Han Jinu , Han Sueng-Han
Published: August 2023

Background
This study evaluate the efficacy of part-time patching in preventing recurrence after bilateral lateral rectus recession in patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT).
Methods
A total of 190 children aged 3–13 years who experienced recurrence after bilateral lateral rectus recession for IXT and received part-time patching were retrospectively reviewed. The patching was prescribed for 2 hours per day for more than 6 months. Patients who had a recurrence of 18 PD or more underwent reoperation. Changes in exodeviation and reoperation ratio after part-time patching were analyzed.
Results
A total of 34 patients (17.9%) received reoperation after part-time patching, and the reoperation ratio after 2 years was 20.3% as per the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Patients with a recurrence of 7 to 10 PD showed a significantly better effect compared to those with a recurrence of more than 10 PD (p < 0.001), and the reoperation ratio was also lower in the survival analysis (p = 0.004). The factor associated with reoperation in patients with part-time patching was the duration between the operation and the initiation of part-time patching (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.006, p = 0.002).
Conclusions
Part-time patching was effective in maintaining the efficacy of surgery and delaying the need of reoperation after bilateral lateral rectus recession. This effect was better in patients with a recurrence of ≤ 10 PD.
Characterization of granitic rock laterites in Bamendou (West-Cameroon) : significance in the sustainable pavements design
Authors: TATAPZIA Vladimir Willianov KEUBOU , NGAPGUE François , KENOU Willy Chance GUIMEZAP
Published: August 2023

This research focuses on the impact of cement addition on the improve the bearing capacity of sub-base soils and the lifespan of pavements in Bamendou-Western Cameroon. To carry out this study, nine lateritic soil samples were selected and taken. Following this, several tests were carried out on them in order to determine their geotechnical parameters. The results obtained show that they have an average plasticity index of 12.13. The average percentage of fines is 44.53% for a dry density of 1.58 g/cm3. The average CBR value is 8.29%.The multiple linear regression performed between CBR, percentage of fines and plasticity index shows a correlation coefficient of 0.72; however, a correlation between CBR value, liquidity limit and plasticity index shows a correlation coefficient of 0.85, characteristic of a strong correlation between the variables. Following these results, Cement stabilisation was carried out at proportions of 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% in order to improve the bearing capacity of the soils studied. The results obtained show that for a change from 2–4% cement, the average CBR value obtained is doubled, from 21.27–42.77%. Moreover, this average value increases with the increase of the stabilizer rate, but no longer to a great extent. It was concluded that cement modifies the geotechnical properties of the treated materials, making them more able to withstand overloads. Once the CBR values of the improved soils had been obtained, the pavements were sized using the Alizé-LCPC software. The thickness of pavement layers decreases with increasing cement content. Following the reverse calculation, the gain in terms of service life of the structure for an addition of 2% cement is 4.40 years. It was possible to make proposals for the prescription of a cement stabilisation rate for use as a pavement subgrade; it was found that from an economic and technical point of view, the best stabilisation rate for engineers is 6% cement.
Calculus ++ Generalized Differential and Integral Calculus
Authors: Nogueira Fernando Marques de Almeida
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a generalization for Differential and Integral Calculus. Just as the derivative is the instantaneous angular coefficient of the tangent line to a function, the generalized derivative is the instantaneous parameter value of a reference function (derivator function) tangent to the function.The generalized integral reverses the generalized derivative, and its calculation is presented without antiderivatives.Generalized derivatives and integrals are presented for polynomial, exponential and trigonometric derivators and integrators functions. As an example of the application of Generalized Calculus, the concept of instantaneous value provided by the derivative is used to precisely determine frequency in a function, by means of the Fourier Derivative or Trigonometric Derivators Functions.
Precise genetic control of ATOH1 enhances maturation of regenerated hair cells in the mature mouse utricle
Authors: Cheng Alan , Wang Tian , Yang Tian , Pregernig Gabriel , McCarthy Ryan , Kedaigle Amanda , Wu Xudong , Becker Lars , Pan Ning , So Kathy , Chen Leon , Gibson Tyler , Druckenbrod Noah , Burns Joe
Published: August 2023

Vestibular hair cells are mechanoreceptors critical for detecting head position and motion. In mammals, hair cell loss causes vestibular dysfunction as spontaneous regeneration is nearly absent. Constitutive expression of exogenous ATOH1, a hair cell transcription factor, increases regeneration of hair cells, but these cells fail to mature. To mimic native hair cells which downregulate endogenous ATOH1 as they mature, we engineered viral vectors carrying the supporting cell promoters GFAP and RLBP1. In utricles damaged ex vivo, both CMV-ATOH1 and GFAP-ATOH1 increased regeneration more effectively than RLBP1-ATOH1, while GFAP-ATOH1 and RLBP1-ATOH1 induced hair cells exhibiting more mature transcriptomes. In utricles damaged in vivo, GFAP-ATOH1 induced regeneration of hair cells expressing genes representing maturing type II hair cells, and more hair cells with bundles and synapses than untreated organs. Together our results demonstrate the efficacy of spatiotemporal control of ATOH1 overexpression in inner ear regeneration.