bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joint InSAR and discrete element numerical simulation method for landslide identification and monitoring: A case study of the Gongjue landslide, Jinshajiang River, China
Authors: Yang Chengsheng , Xiong Guohua , Xu Hao , Wei Yunjie , Zhu Sainan , Li Zufeng
Published: January 2023

Landslide disasters—prone to river blocking—are widely distributed in the mountainous areas of southwest China and are characterized by high-elevation long-runout movement with great destructive power. Identification and monitoring of high-elevation long-runout landslides and the prediction of unstable landslide movements are of great significance for regional disaster mitigation and prevention. In this study, we used interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) to identify and monitor potential landslides in Gongjue County, China and selected the Sela landslide as a model to analyze current and unstable landslide movements. The monitoring results show that Gongjue County, in the area of the Jinsha River, contains four typical landslides with slope deformation rates exceeding − 17 cm/yr. The maximum slope deformation rate reaches − 46 cm/yr. The decomposition results of the time-series deformation characteristics of the landslide feature points show that the landslide periodic term deformation has a certain correlation with rainfall. Based on the discrete element model MatDEM and InSAR monitoring results, the simulation of the movement of the Sela landslide under natural gravity and sliding instability shows that the Sela landslide is still in a stable stage under natural gravity conditions, whereas under conditions of instability, most of the landslide bodies will slide rapidly into the Jinsha River, and there is a greater risk of river blockage. The results of this study provide an important reference for carrying out remote monitoring and risk prediction for high-elevation long-runout landslides.
Heparin-Binding Protein Combined with Albumin for Assessing the Severity of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhang Ying , Wang Shuo , Xu Xuelian , Hong Yiyu , Zhao Yibo , Xue Haotian , Zheng Yantao , Liu Bin
Published: January 2023

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has a high incidence rate and high mortality. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is correlated with the severity of CAP. Albumin (ALB) is correlated with its prognosis. However, the role of HBP and ALB together (HBP–ALB) in assessing the severity of CAP is unclear. This study investigates the correlation between HBP–ALB and the severity of CAP.
Methods: A total of 91 patients with CAP admitted to the Emergency Department of Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, between March 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 were enrolled. The patients were placed into two groups: mild CAP (mCAP; n = 69) and severe CAP (sCAP; n = 22). Patient characteristics and laboratory data were obtained. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the value of area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive values of both HBP and ALB.
Results: The white blood cell (WBC) count, procalcitonin (PCT), HBP, creatinine (Cr), and D-dimer were higher in the sCAP group, while ALB was lower in the sCAP group (P < .05) than those of the mCAP group. The AUCs of WBC, PCT, HBP, and HBP–ALB were 0.674 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.544–0.803, P < .05), 0.677 (95% CI: 0.538–0.816, P <.05), 0.776(95% CI: 0.671–0.881, P < .05), and 0.805(95% CI: 0.692–0.918, P < .05).
Conclusions: HBP–ALB has a higher predictive value than that of HBP, PCT, and WBC used alone for the early assessment of CAP.
Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibition mediates Renal Protection by ARNI (Sacubatril Valsartan) in Rats with Spontaneous Hypertension
Authors: Guo Tao , Jiang Hui , Tang Futian , Ma Ruixin , Wang Zhuanping , Chen Jianshu , Zhuang Chenchen , Jiang Jinfang , Mou Yuping , Yu Jing
Published: January 2023

Background
This article aims to present research pertaining to the effect of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin double blocker on blocking the inflammatory mechanism mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome on hypertensive nephropathy. ARNI has not only been found to improve cardiac function but is also associated with a reduction in progressive deterioration of kidney function owing to hypertension by exerting anti-inflammation, anti-autophagy, anti-fibrosis and anti-Golgi’s apparatus. We hypothesized that administration of ARNI is more effective than valsartan alone in slowing progression of hypertensive renal disease.
Methods
Rat models with spontaneous hypertension were randomized into a no treatment group, valsartan group (60 mg/kg), ARNI group (70 mg/kg) or ARNI + A779 group (70 mg/kg + 400ng/kg) daily by gavage. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to the control conditions (without hypertension and treatment). The kidney tissue analyses were performed after 12 weeks. We detected the expression levels of NLRP3 and casepase-1 in kidney tissue, and NLRP3 levels in human embryonic kidney cells which were induced by ang II as hypertension cell model by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. To analyze the impact of ARNI on autophagy, we performed western blot analysis on renal tubules to measure the protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, and to measure the protein expression of P62 and LC3. Masson 3 staining method was used to stain renal fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression sites of NLRP3. The Golgi apparatus in morphology of renal tubular cells was determined by transmission electron microscope.
Results
The untreated hypertensive renal disease rats exhibited tubular and glomerular damage, downregulation of pro-inflammatory, pro-autophagy, pro-fibrotic and pro-Golgi’s apparatus pathways. ARNI administration improved renal function and histology changes and attenuated most of the molecular markers of inflammation, autophagy, fibrosis and Golgi’s apparatus.
Conclusions
ARNI activation attenuates renal complications of arterial hypertension by reduction of kidney inflammation through selective actions requiring the renal tubular epithelium but not the glomerular endothelial cells and the circumferential mesangial interposition cell Angiotensin Receptor. ARNI was more effective than valsartan therapy alone in delaying the progression of hypertensive renal disease.
Prospective relationships of sedentary behaviors with incident depression and potential biological mediators
Authors: Hallgren Mats , Werneck André , Owen Neville , Araujo Raphael , Silva Danilo
Published: January 2023

Sedentary behavior (SB) is associated with depression, yet little is known about the relationship between different types of SB (e.g., passive versus mentally-active) with depression and potential biological mediators of these associations. We used cohort data from the 1958 National Child Development Study (n = 4,607;50.4% women), employing the 44y wave as baseline, and the 46y, 50y and 55y waves as follow-up. TV-viewing and watching videos (i.e., passive SB), and time sitting while doing light activities such as deskwork or driving a car during worktime (i.e., mentally-active SB) were self-reported by participants. Depression diagnosis was self-reported during the initial and follow-up waves and the participants answered the CIS-R at 44y. Waist circumference, C-reactive protein, and glycated hemoglobin were assessed at baseline and examined as potential mediators. We created Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusting for gender, education, employment status, physical activity, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption at baseline. There were 636 cases of incident depression over 47,184 person-years. Passive SB was associated with higher hazards of incident depression (HR: 1.43; 95%CI: 1.19–1.71), while there was no association with mentally-active SB. Waist circumference (coefficient: -0.03; 95%CI: -0.05; -0.01; 9.2%) and C-reactive protein (coefficient: -0.03; 95%CI: -0.04; -0.01; 8.3%), but not glycated hemoglobin, partly mediated the association with passive SB. Higher durations of time spent in mentally-passive SB can increase risk of incident depression. The mediating contributions of waist circumference and C-reactive protein point to possible inflammatory-related mechanisms and suggest potential benefits of jointly addressing metabolic and mental health.
Supply chain loss from easing COVID-19 restrictions: an evolutionary epidemiological-economic modeling study
Authors: Zhang Qingpeng , Ye Yang , Cao Zhidong , Zeng Daniel Dajun
Published: January 2023

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many firms have been shifting their supply chains away from countries with stringent control measures to mitigate supply chain disruption. Nowadays, the global economy is reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic at various paces in different countries. Understanding how the global supply network evolves during and after the pandemic is necessary for determining the timing of reopening. By harnessing the real-world and real-time global human movement and the latest macroeconomic data, we propose an evolutionary epidemiological-economic model to explore the evolutionary dynamics of the global supply network under various global reopening scenarios. We find that the delay in full reopening in highly restrictive countries has limited public health benefits in the long run but leads to significant supply chain loss to less restrictive ones. Longer duration of stringent control measures leads to lower supply chain recovery in five years. The recovery rate varies across production sectors, depending on the characteristics of production, the degree of self-reliance, and the location of production hubs. This research presents the first data-driven evidence of supply chain loss due to the timing of reopening and sheds light on the post-pandemic supply chain reformation and recovery. Our results provide data-driven evidence that supports the reopening in countries with high vaccine coverage.
Intention to Use Eight Antenatal Care Model and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Who Come for Antenatal Care in Northwest of Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Semaw Eyuel Amare , Kebede Azmeraw Ambachew , Admassu Endeshaw , Yehuale Samuel Kefelegn , Ketema Anteneh Gashaw
Published: January 2023

Background:Maternal and perinatal mortality is highly associated with four or fewer antenatal care (ANC) visit. Due to this, WHO develop a new model called minimum of eight antenatal care (ANC8+) contact. This model is used to re- think and re- design the service through context specific expectations. Besides, the model is beyond survival, aim to maximize health and wellbeing of women even at post pregnancy motherhood, and social health of the family and community at large. Since shortage of related studies in Ethiopia so far, this study aim to address those gaps.
Objective:To assess intention to use ANC8+ model and associated factors among pregnant women who come for antenatal care contact in Northwest of Amhara region referral hospitals, Ethiopia, 2021.
Method:An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1st to October 30th, 2021 in Northwest of Amhara regional state referral hospitals. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 847 eligible women. A structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was employed. EPI data version 4.6 and SPSS version 23 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with pregnant women intention to use ANC8+ model. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was used to declare statistical association in the last model.
Result:Overall, 739 (88.8%, 95% CI: 86.68, 90.97) women had the intention to use ANC8+. Pregnant women in the age group between 20 to 30 years (AOR = 19.84, 95% CI: 3.01, 130.64), and ≥ 31 years (AOR = 3.92, 95% CI: 1.79, 8.58), being farmer in occupation (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.43), government employee (AOR = 5.58, 95% CI: 1.64, 18.97), good attitude (AOR = 38.76, CI 5.99, 250.73), positive subjective norm (AOR = 10.83, 95% CI: 4.36, 26.92) and perceived behavioral control (AOR = 8.98, 95% CI: 3.26, 24.71) were factors associated with women’s intention to use ANC8+.
Conclusion:More than four-fifths of the pregnant women had intention to use ANC8+. Increase in age, being the government employee , having good attitude, positive subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were positively, while being a farmer negatively associated to intention to use ANC8+ contact. Therefore, empowering women, developing socio cultural integrity with the health system through health education and trainings to local health cadres and community leaders would possibly increase the intention of using ANC8+.
Anthropogenic impact on the severity of compound extreme high temperature and drought/rainy events in China
Authors: Sun Bo , Li Wanling , Wang Huijun , Zhou Botao , Li Huixin , Xue Rufan , Duan Mingkeng , Luo Xiaochun , Ai Wenwen
Published: January 2023

Extreme events seriously affect human health and natural environment. In the present study, several indexes that can describe the severity of compound extreme high temperature and drought/rainy events (CHTDE/CHTRE) are constructed based on copulas. According to observations, CHTDE and CHTRE have intensified in most areas of China during 1961–2014. The significant increase trend in the severity of CHTDE and CHTRE is basically consistent with simulations under historical anthropogenic forcing. This result proves that changes in CHTDE can be largely attributed to anthropogenic climate change. The historical greenhouse gas forcing is identified to be the dominant factor that affects the severity of CHTDE in China, particularly in the Tibetan Plateau and Northwest China. Moreover, the contribution of anthropogenic forcing to the linear change of the CHTRE severity in China is more than 90%. In addition, the ozone and land use signals also can be detected on change of CHTDE and CHTRE.
Lipidomic and transcriptomic profiles of lipid biosynthesis and accumulation during seed development in sesame
Authors: Zhang Yujuan , Gong Huihui , Cui Xinxiao , Gao Chunhua , Li Nana , Pu Yanyan , Zhang Xiurong , Zhao Junsheng
Published: January 2023

Background
Sesame is one of the most important oilseed crops and attracts significant attention because of its huge nutritional capacity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oil accumulation in sesame remains poorly understood.
Results
In this study, lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses in different stages of sesame seed (Luzhi No.1, seed oil content is 55.67%) development were performed to gain insight into the regulatory mechanisms that govern differences in lipid composition, content, biosynthesis, and transport. In total, 481 lipids, including fatty acid (FA, 38 species), triacylglycerol (TAG, 127 species), ceramide (33 species), phosphatidic acid (20 species), and diacylglycerol (17 species), were detected in developing sesame seeds using gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Most FAs and other lipids accumulated 21–33 days after flowering. RNA-sequence profiling in developing seeds highlights the enhanced expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis and transport of FAs, TAGs, and membrane lipids, which is similar to that in the process of lipid accumulation. Through the differential expression analysis of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis and metabolism during seed development, several candidate genes were found to affect the oil content and FA composition of sesame seeds, such as ACCase, FAD2, DGAT, G3PDH, PEPCase, WRI1 and WRI1-like genes.
Conclusions
Our study firstly provides the patterns of lipid accumulation and biosynthesis-related gene expression and lays an important foundation for the further exploration of sesame seed lipid biosynthesis and accumulation.
Development and Assessment of a Leadership Program for Dentistry Students
Authors: Davari Azadeh , Taheri Pardis , Sadeghi Hanieh , Etebarian Arghavan
Published: January 2023

Introduction:
The emergence of disparate opportunities and challenges in the twenty-first century emphasizes the importance of leadership training in dentistry. Therefore, a reflective, interactive, and collaborative training workshop in this field can positively improve the pioneer dentists' knowledge, mindset, and skillset.
Aims
This article aimed to share the foundation of the leadership program, design expected outcomes, evaluate the program's effectiveness in a dental school in Iran, and discuss the importance of leadership skills for dentistry students.
Design:
We conducted a program design and research evaluation based on a mixed-method approach. A two-day leadership development program was developed and held in Alborz dental school in Karaj, Iran. A group of 20 dentistry students participated in the program. Then, the program was evaluated twice, once just after the program and once six months later,
Results
90% of the participants rated the course 4 or higher (4.5 on average) on a 5-point satisfaction scale, in which 1 meant utterly dissatisfied and 5 meant completely satisfied. The highest average score was for the Leadership from Inside-out module (4.55 of 5). In addition, the students rated teamwork practice as the most challenging part and presentation skills as the most influential module of the program. Furthermore, according to this survey, 80% of the students will participate in future leadership programs with high satisfaction, and 95% of the students recommended it as an extra-curricular activity for all students in dental school.
Conclusion
The program's facilitators provided an exceptional opportunity and psychologically-safe environment for students to learn leadership skills. Training leadership as non-clinical skills can be beneficial for dentistry students, and it can positively affect the dental profession and ultimately effective healthcare systems. Therefore, including voluntary leadership courses in undergraduate and postgraduate dental curricula is recommended.
Potential Utility of Risk Stratification for Multicancer Screening with Liquid Biopsy Tests
Authors: Chatterjee Nilanjan , Kim Elle , Scharpf Robert , García-Closas Montserrat , Visvanathan Kala , Velculescu Victor
Published: January 2023

Our proof-of-concept study reveals the potential of risk stratification by the combined effects of age, polygenic risk scores (PRS), and non-genetic risk factors in increasing the risk-benefit balance of rapidly emerging non-invasive multicancer liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection. We develop and validate sex-specific pan-cancer risk scores (PCRSs), defined by the combination of body mass index, smoking, family history of cancers, and cancer-specific polygenic risk scores (PRSs), to predict the absolute risk of developing at least one of the many common cancer types. We demonstrate the added value of PRSs in improving the predictive performance of the risk-factors-only model and project the positive predictive values for two promising multicancer screening tests across risk strata defined by age and PCRS.
Efficacy of Cingulotomy for Refractory Malignant Cancer Pain: A Case Series
Authors: Fitzgerald Hillary , Sandhu Harkiran , Tombazzi Claudio , Paulo Danika , Tillman Stacey , Misra Sumathi , Shah Hamid , Karlekar Mohana
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Poorly controlled pain is a significant quality of life issue for patients with advanced cancer. Patients often suffer from uncontrolled pain or intolerable side effects of treatment despite receiving multi-modal care with stepwise escalation of opioids. Interventional procedures impacting central pain pathways have demonstrated promise in treating pharmacologically intractable cancer pain and may be underutilized, especially in patients with escalating opioid use. The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness of bilateral anterior cingulotomy—a minimally invasive neurosurgical procedure—in patients with refractory malignant cancer pain through describing opioid use trends pre- and post-procedure and by comparing pain scores.
Methods
This is a retrospective review of a case series of six patients with refractory malignant pain who underwent bilateral anterior cingulotomy. Response to procedure was measured by percent change of pain scores and average daily opioid dose reduction. In addition, demographics, oncologic history, discharge disposition, survival time post-procedure, and complications were reported.
Results
Six unique patients underwent seven total procedures between 2019–2022. Average daily OME (oral morphine equivalent) dose 48 hours prior to procedure was 4411 mg. At discharge, average daily OME dose was 250 mg, an 89% dose reduction from 48 hours prior to procedure. Pain scores reduced by 43% during this same time period.
Conclusion
Cingulotomy effectively reduced pain scores with a concurrent reduction in opioid dosing in our cohort of patients with medically refractory malignant cancer pain. Further research is warranted to identify advanced cancer patients who may benefit most from this procedure and inform clinical adoption.
Species redistribution creates unequal outcomes for multispecies fisheries under projected climate change
Authors: Liu Owen , Ward Eric , Anderson Sean , Andrews Kelly , Barnett Lewis , Brodie Stephanie , Carroll Gemma , Fiechter Jerome , Haltuch Melissa , Harvey Chris , Hazen Elliott , Hernvann Pierre-Yves , Jacox Michael , Kaplan Isaac , Matson Sean , Norman Karma , Buil Mercedes Pozo , Selden Becca , Shelton Andrew , Samhouri Jameal
Published: January 2023

Climate change drives species distribution shifts, impacting the availability of resources people rely upon for food and livelihoods. These impacts are complex, manifest at local scales and have diverse effects across multiple species. Yet, for wild capture fisheries current understanding is dominated by predictions for individual species at coarse spatial scales. We show that localized environmental changes that vary across species will alter the ensemble of co-occurring fishery species within established fishing footprints along the U.S. West Coast. We demonstrate that availability of the most economically-valuable, primary target species is highly likely to decline coastwide in response to warming and reduced oxygen concentrations, while availability of the most abundant, secondary target species will potentially increase. A spatial reshuffling of primary and secondary target species suggests regionally heterogeneous opportunities for fishers to adapt by changing where or what they fish. Developing foresight into the collective responses of species at local scales will enable more effective and tangible adaptation pathways for fishing communities.
Child sexual abuse awareness among parents visiting Pediatric outpatient hospital services
Authors: Parvin Tabbasum , Nagarajan Padmavathi , Kattimani Shivanand , Chandrasekaran Venkatesh , Seth Rajeev
Published: January 2023

Objectives
To measure the awareness level of parents using child sexual abuse awareness scale
Methods
We conducted the survey among parents visiting a Pediatric outpatient services of a large tertiary care hospital
Results
Mean age of the participants was 31.8 years (range 19–52 years). Out of the 273 participants, we had equal representation from both genders. 63% were from rural residential background. Scores on CSA awareness significantly associated with participants' level of education [Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square (df) = 9.139 (3), p value = 0.027], and location of residence [Mann Whitney U test, Z value =-3.081, P value = 0.002]. We found a significant correlation between the level of CSA awareness and age, monthly household income of the participants (rho = 0.124, p value = 0.041; rho = 0.214, p value = 0.000).
Conclusions
Our participants had overall better awareness on CSA as parents. Level of CSA awareness among parents was significantly better in those with higher education, and those hailing from urban residential location.
Management of IDH-mutant astrocytoma based on WHO 2021 classification of central nervous system tumors: a single center retrospective study
Authors: Xing Hao , Wang Yuekun , Guo Xiaopeng , Chen Wenlin , Wang Yaning , Liang Tingyu , Wang Hai , Li Yilin , Jin Shanmu , Shi Yixin , Liu Delin , Yang Tianrui , Xia Yu , Li Junlin , Wu Jiaming , Liu Qianshu , Qu Tian , Guo Siying , Li Huanzhang , Zhang Kun , Wang Yu , Ma Wenbin
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The diagnosis of glioma has got an advance since the WHO 2021 classification published with more molecular alternations involved in the integrate diagnoses pathways. Our study was aimed to show our experience on the clinical features and management of astrocytoma, IDH-mutant based on latest WHO classification.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with astrocytoma, IDH-mutant based on WHO 5th edition classification of CNS tumors at our center from Jan 2009 to Jan 2022 were included, and divided to WHO 2-3 grade group and WHO 4 grade group. Integrate diagnoses according to WHO 2016 and 2021 classification were confirmed retrospectively. Clinical and MRI features were reviewed and survival analysis was done.
Results: A total of 60 patients were included. 21.43% (6/28) of patients diagnosed with grade II and 58.33% (7/12) of patients with grade III by WHO 4th edition classification changed into grade 4 by WHO 5th classification. Sex, recurrent glioma and Ki-67 index of pathological exam were statistically different in WHO grade 2-3 group (n=27) and WHO grade 4 group (n=33). CDK6, FGFR2, MYC alterations shown an enrichment in WHO grade 4 group. Patients with higher grade shown shorter mOS (mOS=75.9m, 53.6m, 26.4m for grade 2, 3, 4 respectively). FGFR2 alternations was associated with worse survival for patients with astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, WHO grade 4 (p=0.013).
Conclusion: Patients changed diagnoses as WHO grade 4 by 2021 WHO classification had worse prognoses, and treatment should be tailored personally for them. More researches of the management of IDH-mutant astrocytoma are needed in the future.
Identification of novel and salt-stress-regulated miRNAs from root of Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. by qRT-PCR
Authors: Zhao Yuxin , Kao Huixia , Chen Xuemei , Wang Tiemei , Zhang Yu , Sun Yongjiang , Xiao Huijie , Dong Shubin , Cheng Jin
Published: January 2023

Salinity is regarded as the main environmental stress, which affects plant growth and physiological functions. miRNAs play crucial roles in plants salt stress response. Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. (MO) is an excellent forage and honey plant. In addition to its high medicinal values and outstanding ecological effects, MO also has the ability of salt tolerance. However, the miRNA expression mechanism of MO in response to salt stress is still unclear. To reveal the salt tolerance related miRNAs and predict their target genes in MO, we extracted a small RNA library from the roots of MO seedlings without salt treatment and used 300 mM NaCl treated roots of MO seedlings to construct another small RNA library. We identified 93 novel and 98 known miRNAs in control, 100 novel and 115 known miRNAs in case. 27 up-regulation and 20 down-regulated miRNAs were selected, 466 potential target miRNAs and 520 sites were predicted by differential expression analysis. 9 miRNAs were verified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our findings summary the miRNAs and their targets for regulating salt defense reactions in MO. The discussion will be helpful to study the molecular mechanisms of salt resistance of MO and other Leguminosae species.
16S rRNA gene analysis reveals differentially abundant Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria in the tumors and adjacent healthy tissues of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Jie , Zhai Xuanpei , Chen Changzhou , Zhang Rong , Huang Xiaowu , Liu Yifan
Published: January 2023

Background Dysbiosis of the gut-liver axis poses a risk of increased influx of microbes and/or their metabolites into the liver, and such increased influx may constitute a risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this pilot study, we compared the microbiomes in HCC tumors and adjacent healthy tissues. Method We examined the HCC tumors and adjacent healthy tissues from 19 patients diagnosed with HCC. The hypervariable V3–V4 regions of the microbial 16S rRNA gene in these samples were sequenced following amplification via polymerase chain reaction. The sequencing data were analyzed using QIIME2 and the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) algorithm on the Galaxy Platform. The samples were categorized according to their microbial diversity at the genus level (p ≤ 0.050). Results The liver tissues from HCC patients with/without capsule invasion presented with lower alpha diversity at the genus level (Observed Features metrics,p = 0.028). Metagenomic profiling revealed thatStaphylococcus,Atopobium,Pseudomonadaceae,Propionibacterium, andCorynebacteriumwere enriched in the HCC tumors from patients with capsule invasion, whereasPseudomonaswas scant in the HCC tumors from patients without capsule invasion. An increased abundance ofActinobacteria,Firmicutes, andProteobacteriawas observed in the adjacent healthy tissues from patients with various stages of HCC. Conclusions The presence of various types of microbial 16S rRNAs in HCC tumors and adjacent healthy tissues indicates the presence of various microbial communities therein. HCC is presumably associated with an inordinate gut microbiota, which may affect the development of HCC. The increased microbial influx into the liver in HCC patients may constitute an early risk factor for the progression of HCC. Accordingly, our results may provide microbiota-oriented therapeutic targets for personalized treatment approaches in HCC.
Predicting disease severity in Multiple Sclerosis using multimodal data and machine learning
Authors: Andorra Magi , Freire Ana , Zubizarreta Irati , de Rosbo Nicole Kerlero , Bos Steffan D. , Rinas Melanie , Høgestøl Einar A. , Benavent Sigrid A. Rodez , Berge Tone , Brune-Ingebretse Synne , Ivaldi Federico , Cellerino Maria , Pardini Matteo , Vila Gemma , Pulido-Valdeolivas Irene , Martinez-Lapiscina Elena H. , Llufriu Sara , Saiz Albert , Blanco Yolanda , Martinez-Heras Eloy , Solana Elisabeth , Bäcker-Koduah Priscilla , Behrens Janina , Kuchling Joseph , Asseyer Susanna , Scheel Michael , Chien Claudia , Zimmermann Hanna , Motamedi Seyedamirhosein , Kauer-Bonin Joseph , Brandt Alex , Saez-Rodriguez Julio , Alexopoulos Leonidas , Paul Friedemann , Harbo Hanne F , Shams Hengameh , Oksenberg Jorge , Uccelli Antonio , Baeza-Yates Ricardo , Villoslada Pablo
Published: January 2023

Background
Multiple Sclerosis patients would benefit from machine learning algorithms that integrates clinical, imaging, and multimodal biomarkers to define the risk of disease activity.
Methods
We have analyzed a prospective multi-centric cohort of 322 MS patients and 98 healthy controls from four MS centers, collecting disability scales at baseline and 2 years later. Imaging data included brain MRI and optical coherence tomography, and omics included genotyping, cytomics and phosphoproteomic data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Predictors of clinical outcomes were searched using Random Forest algorithms. Validation was conducted in an independent prospective cohort of 271 MS patients from a single center.
Results
We found algorithms for predicting confirmed disability accumulation for the different scales, No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA), onset of immunotherapy and the escalation from low- to high-efficacy therapy with intermediate to high-accuracy. This accuracy was achieved for most of the predictors by using clinical data alone or in combination with imaging data. Still, in some cases, the addition of omics data slightly increased algorithm performance. Accuracies were comparable in the discovery and validation cohorts.
Conclusion
Combining clinical, imaging, and omics data with machine learning helps to identify MS patients at risk of disability worsening.
Investigation of the Electronic Properties of Vitamin A: Focus on Milk Analysis
Authors: Junqueira Geórgia Maria A. , Bell Maria Jose V. , Anjos Virgílio C. dos
Published: January 2023

Structural, reactivity and spectroscopic properties of vitamin A in its retinoid forms are examined. Time-Dependent DFT approach is used to study the first three electronically excited states of retinol, retinyl ester, retinol acetate and retinal. Singlet-singlet type vertical electronic transitions are considered. Computational simulations are carried out in the gas phase and in solution, within the polarizable continuum model. Once vitamin A is a natural fluorophore in milk, our findings contribute to understand its behavior in different environments, either to differentiate types of milk or to assess the quality of dairy products.
Perception of Healthcare Providers on the Existing Patient Referral System and Recommendations on the Development of the Electronic Referral System in Rwanda: A Mixed Method Study
Authors: Kalume Zamzam , Jansen Bart , Nyssen Marc , Cornelis Jan , Verbeke Frank
Published: January 2023

Background
Referral systems support the mobility of patients to ensure they receive adequate healthcare services from the appropriate provider. The major triggers for referrals are limited resources and skills at the lower level of care. An electronic referral system has the potential to considerably improve communication between primary care providers and specialists by submitting standardized and complete electronic referral requests which contain all relevant information needed for a smooth coordination, continuity of care, and facilitating urgent cases. The main objective of this study is to investigate the perception of healthcare providers regarding the existing paper-based referrals and their suggestions on the development of the electronic referral system in order to improve the health information exchange, the coordination and the continuity of care.
Methods
A mixed method approach was used to examine healthcare providers' perception of the referral system. For the quantitative analysis, a questionnaire was used to collect data from July to October 2021. A purposive sampling was used to select healthcare providers and a descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS 27. For the qualitative study design two focused group discussions were conducted, data were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo R 1.6.
Results
Overall, 345 referral constituents, including 202 mandatory and 143 optional ones were confirmed by the healthcare providers. The qualitative findings concerned two themes. The first one elucidated the challenges with the existing paper-based referral system pointing out delays in the referral process; incompleteness of paper-based referral sheet; referral triage; premature referral; absence or incomplete counter referral; patient privacy; and language problems. The second theme suggested features to be included in the electronic referral system, the procedures to follow during the transition phase, proposed mandatory and optional constituents, predicted challenges and expected benefits.
Conclusion
This study gathered perceptions of healthcare providers on the existing referral system, further elucidated their expectations on the electronic referral system and proposed features to be considered in its design. Finally, leads to a proposed design of an electronic external referral form.
From the oral cavity to the spine: prevalence of oral Cavity infections in patients with pyogenic spinal infection
Authors: Kilinc Fatma , Gessler Florian , Kessel Johanna , Bodelle Boris , Dubinski Daniel , Won Sae-Yeon , Tanneberger Anna , Ghanaati Shahram , Czabanka Marcus , Setzer Matthias , Freiman Thomas , Behmanesh Bedjan
Published: January 2023

Background The incidence of pyogenic spinal infection has increased in recent years. In addition to treating the spinal infection, optimal care also includes identifying the source of the pyogenic spinal infection and the presence of other infections. The aim of this study is to elucidate the prevalence of oral cavity infection (OCI) within this Patients cohort.
Methods As part of a prospective study conducted from 2016 to 2021, the number of patients with dental infections was investigated by means of an orthopantomogram (OPG) and subsequent dental examination.
Results The presence of an oral infection was investigated in 55 (47%) of 118 patients by an OPG, 29 (53%) of whom had a corresponding abnormality of the oral cavity. In addition to the spinal infection, patients with an oral cavity infection revealed an increased incidence of endocarditis, sepsis and brain abscess. A spinal epidural abscess, a multilevel affection of the infection and an elevated CRP value were also found in patients with a co-existing oral cavity infection. Back pain assessed at admission and 3 months after surgery was also more pronounced in patients with an oral cavity infection. Neurological deficits were often present in patients with spinal and oral cavity infection.
Conclusions The presence of an oral cavity infection proves to be one of the important factors in the detection of the source of the pyogenic spinal infection. In addition, a pronounced spinal affection and frequent co-infections were seen in patients with an oral cavity infection.
High Melt Performance Poly (lactic acid) with Dual Hybrid Long Branching Chains Prepared by Chain Degradation and Restructuring
Authors: Yang Le , Qin Yin , Li Yang , Xu Yinhan , Tao Yao , Luo Zhu , Zheng Qiang
Published: January 2023

Long chain branched structure (LCBs) is the critical to upgrade the poly (lactic acid) (PLA) melt performance, while introducing LCBs via chain restructuring by melt transesterification features higher-efficiency, environment-friendly and gel-free properties. However, severe degradation associated with excessive transesterification renders the branching reaction non-dominant, resulting in a significantly narrow processing window for LCBs formation. Herein, a new strategy, dual hybrid branching (DHB), was put forward to overcome the challenges. Specifically, surface-aminated nano-ZnO (SAN-ZnO) was applied as a transesterification accelerant to prepare LCB-PLA via melt transesterification between high molecular weight PLA and low molar mass monomer trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) in an internal mixer. Moreover, amidogens on the surface of SAN-ZnO was capable to collect the degraded PLA chains (PLA-COOH) and in situ react with their carboxyl thermal groups via amidation. Benefiting from DHB to facilitate LCBs formation and restrain excessive degradation, the melt performance of PLA, especially the melt strength, was obviously improved to over 37 cN compared with pristine PLA (4 cN), and the cold crystallization occurred earlier owing to the DHB chain structure.
Long-term impact of gastropexy on use of acid-reducing medication, second operations for gastroesophageal reflux and subjective reflux symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Flølo Tone , Fosså Alexander , Nedkvitne Jonas , Waage Jo , Rekdal Magne , Dankel Simon , Fernø Johan , Mellgren Gunnar , Nedrebø Bjørn
Published: January 2023

Background/Objectives
Gastopexy (G) has been introduced as a surgical technique to reduce gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We aimed to determine whether adding G to SG improves use of acid reducing medication (ARM), second operations for GERD, epigastric pain or heartburn after surgery.
Subjects/Methods
Patients undergoing SG at two Norwegian hospitals were included consecutively from 2011 to 2015. Data was collected prospectively up to 7 years after surgery. GERD was defined by use of ARM on a regular basis and epigastric pain and heartburn by questions derived from the Rome II classification of functional gastrointestinal disorders. G was defined as suturing the gastrocolic ligament to the staple line. Patients undergoing SG only (NG group) were compared to those with additional G (G group) by mixed effect models.
Results
Of 376 included patients (75% females, mean age 42.6 years and BMI 42.9 kg/m2), 350 (93%) and 232 (62%) were available for evaluation after one and 7 years, respectively. Baseline patient characteristics in the NG (n=235) and G groups (n=141) were similar. In patients without ARM use before surgery, the use increased equally in the NG and G groups up to 7 years after SG. In patients that used ARM at baseline, the proportion decreased equally in the NG and G groups. With a combined endpoint of ARM use and/or second operation for GERD, there was no difference during follow-up between the NG and G groups. With time, the proportion of patients with epigastric pain did not differ between the groups, whereas heartburn was significantly more prominent in the G group.
Conclusion
In this population of patients undergoing SG, adding G was not associated with reduced use of ARM and/or second operation for uncontrolled GERD, epigastric pain, or heartburn during the first 7 postoperative years.
RelDenClu: A Relative Density based Biclustering Method for identifying non-linear feature relations
Authors: Jain Namita , Ghosh Susmita , Murthy C.A. , Ghosh Ashish
Published: January 2023

The existing biclustering algorithms for finding feature relation based biclusters often depend on assumptions like monotonicity or linearity. Though a few algorithms overcome this problem by using density-based methods, they tend to miss out on many biclusters because they use global criteria for identifying dense regions. The proposed method, RelDenClu, uses the local variations in marginal and joint densities for each pair of features to find the subset of observations, forming the bases of the relation between them. It then finds the set of features connected by a common set of observations, resulting in a bicluster.
To show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, experimentation has been carried out on fourteen simulated datasets. For all the simulated datasets the performance of RelDenClu is compared with that of seven different state-of-the-art algorithms and it is seen to produce better results. Experiments were conducted with the credit card dataset, where binary features were added using RelDenClu. We find that features generated by RelDenClu resulted in improved classification for identifying defaulters. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is also seen by its use on the COVID-19 dataset for identifying some demographic features that are likely to affect the spread of COVID-19.
Increased incidence of live births in implanted single-embryo transfer cycles of vitrified-warmed blastocysts expanded on day 5 versus day 6 following preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy
Authors: Chen Chien-Hong , Lee Chun-I Lee , Huang Chun-Chia , Chen Hsiu-Hui , Chang Chih-Ying , Cheng En-Hui , Lin Pin-Yao , Chen Chung-I , Lee Tsung-Hsien , Lee Maw-Sheng
Published: January 2023

Background: Following preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles, the postimplantation development of vitrified-warmed blastocysts expanded on day 5 (D5) versus (vs.) day 6 (D6) has remained unclear, indicating that the ploidy status may not be the only intrinsic factor influencing the development of implanted embryos.
Methods: Single-embryo transfers (SETs) of euploid or low-level mosaic blastocysts were performed between January 2018 and December 2020. Continuous TL monitoring was then conducted to evaluate the developmental features of individual embryos. After the data of successful SETs were analyzed, the LB rates were compared between the D5 (n = 200) and D6 (n =56) groups as primary outcomes. The correlations between the embryonic features and LB probability were then determined as secondary outcomes.
Results: According to the univariate (odds ratio [OR] = 0.445, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.216–0.916; P < 0.05) and multivariate (adjusted OR = 0.385, 95% confidence interval = 0.184–0.805, P < 0.05) logistic regression analyses, the LB probability was negatively associated with the D6 group. The LB rate of the D5group was higher than the D6 group (86% vs. 73.2%; P < 0.05). TL monitoring also revealed that, compared with the D5 implanted blastocysts, the D6 implanted blastocysts exhibited comparable dysmorphisms except the multinucleation at the 4-cell stage (12.5% vs. 3.5%, P < 0.05) and direct uneven cleavage (3.6% vs. 0%, P < 0.05). Moreover, D6 implanted blastocysts had considerably slower developmental kinetics and poorer blastocyst morphologies. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the LB rate was not associated with developmental kinetics or dysmorphisms but rather with blastocyst morphology (inner cell mass [ICM] grade ≤ C vs. ICM grade A, adjusted OR = 0.212, 95% confidence interval = 0.058–0.77, P < 0.05; trophectoderm [TE] grade ≤ C vs. TE grade A, adjusted OR = 0.182, 95% confidence interval = 0.049–0.672, P < 0.05).
Conclusions: After successful implantation, D6 blastocysts have a considerably lower LB rate than D5 blastocysts. As determined by TL monitoring, the diminished blastocyst morphology is the primary reason underlying the decreased likelihood of LB.
Evaluation of lipid-lowering and immunomodulatory activities of extract oil of Tartary buckwheat fermented by Monascus purpureus in mice
Authors: Yang Xin , Zhu Anran , He Shengling , Zhu Yi , Qin Likang , Zeng Haiying
Published: January 2023

In this study, Tartary buckwheat was fermented by Monascus purpureus, and the fermented Tartary buckwheat oil (FTBO) was extracted under supercritical CO2 conditions. γ-Oryzanol, fatty acids, antioxidant capacities, and non-target metabolomics were investigated, and the lipid-lowering and immune effects of FTBO on high-fat mice were evaluated. The results showed that γ-oryzanol content reached 27.09 mg/g; oleic acid content increased by 12.56%; FTBO improved the antioxidant capacities of DPPH, ABTS, and Hydroxyl compared with raw Tartary buckwheat oil (TBO); and 207 metabolites were identified, including carboxylic acids and its derivatives and fatty acyls. FTBO gavage in high-fat mice had a dose effect. Three dose groups reduced TC, TG, and LDL-C levels in the liver and plasma and increased HDL-C level in the liver. Among them, the high-dose group exhibited the most significant effect on reducing inflammatory factors of ET, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the liver, which were 18.85, 570.12, 50.47, and 26.22 pg/mL, respectively (p ˂ 0.05). Liver damage in mice was also effectively ameliorated. Therefore, fermented Tartary buckwheat by M. purpureus is an effective method to enhance its biological activity. FTBO can be used as a functional product to lower blood lipids and modulate immune activity.