bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of visceral adiposity index with asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis: a population-based study in Shandong, China
Authors: Zhao Weihua , Ma Xiaotong , Ju Jiachen , Zhao Yuanyuan , Wang Xiang , Li Shan , Sui Yanling , Sun Qinjian
Published: May 2023

Background and objective

The visceral adiposity index (VAI), as a composite indictor to evaluate visceral adipose function, has been demonstrated to be correlated with atherosclerosis. The study objective was to explore the association between asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis (aICAS) and VAI in Chinese rural dwellers.

Methods

The cross-sectional study consisted of 1942 participants  ≥ 40 years old who were living in Pingyin County, Shandong Province and free from history of clinical stroke and transient ischemic attack. The aICAS in the study was diagnosed by transcranial doppler ultrasound combined with magnetic resonance angiography. The multivariate logistic regression models were deployed to explore the correlation of VAI with aICAS, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were plotted to compare the performance of models.

Results

The participants with aICAS comparing to those without had a significantly higher VAI. After adjusting for confounding factors including age, hypertension, DM, sex, drinking habit, LDL-C, hsCRP, and smoking habit, the VAI-Tertile 3 (vs. VAI-Tertile 1) was positively associated with aICAS (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.25–3.65;P = 0.005). The VAI-Tertile 3 was still markedly associated with aICAS among the underweight and normal weight (BMI ≤ 23.9 kg/m2) participants (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.15–8.71;P = 0.026) with an AUC = 0.684. A similar relationship between VAI and aICAS was obtained among the participants with no abdominal obesity (WHR < 1, OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.14–3.62;P = 0.017).

Conclusions

The possible correlation between VAI and aICAS was found to be positive for the first time among Chinese rural residents over 40 years old. A higher VAI was found to be significantly associated with aICAS among the participants who were underweight or normal weight, and these results may provide additional risk stratification information for aICAS.
Targeting the hallmarks of aging to improve influenza vaccine responses in older adults
Authors: Cadar Andreia N. , Martin Dominique E. , Bartley Jenna M.
Published: May 2023

Age-related declines in immune response pose a challenge in combating diseases later in life. Influenza (flu) infection remains a significant burden on older populations and often results in catastrophic disability in those who survive infection. Despite having vaccines designed specifically for older adults, the burden of flu remains high and overall flu vaccine efficacy remains inadequate in this population. Recent geroscience research has highlighted the utility in targeting biological aging to improve multiple age-related declines. Indeed, the response to vaccination is highly coordinated, and diminished responses in older adults are likely not due to a singular deficit, but rather a multitude of age-related declines. In this review we highlight deficits in the aged vaccine responses and potential geroscience guided approaches to overcome these deficits. More specifically, we propose that alternative vaccine platforms and interventions that target the hallmarks of aging, including inflammation, cellular senescence, microbiome disturbances, and mitochondrial dysfunction, may improve vaccine responses and overall immunological resilience in older adults. Elucidating novel interventions and approaches that enhance immunological protection from vaccination is crucial to minimize the disproportionate effect of flu and other infectious diseases on older adults.
Validation of the relative biological effectiveness of active-energy scanning carbon-ion radiotherapy on a commercial treatment planning system with a microdosimetic kinetic model
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Sun Wei , Shen Hao , Zhao Jingfang
Published: May 2023

Background

The study objective was to validate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) calculated by the modified microdosimetric kinetic model in RayStation (Ray-MKM) for active-energy scanning carbon-ion radiotherapy.

Methods

The Ray-MKM was benchmarked using a spread-out Bragg-peak (SOBP) plan, which was suggested in literature from the National Institute of Radiobiological Science (NIRS) in Japan. The residual RBE differences from the MKM at NIRS (NIRS-MKM) were derived using several SOBP plans with different ranges, SOBP widths, and prescriptions. To investigate the origins of the differences, we compared the saturation-corrected dose-mean specific energy $$Z_{1D}^{*}$$

Z

1
D

∗

of the aforementioned SOBPs. Furthermore, we converted the RBE-weighted doses with the Ray-MKM to those with local effect model I (LEM doses). The purpose was to investigate whether the Ray-MKM could reproduce the RBE-weighted conversion study.

Results

The benchmark determined the value of the clinical dose scaling factor, $$F_{clin}$$

F

clin

, as 2.40. The target mean RBE deviations between the Ray-MKM and NIRS-MKM were median: 0.6 (minimum: 0.0 to maximum: 1.69) %. The $$Z_{1D}^{*}$$

Z

1
D

∗

difference in-depth led to the RBE difference in-depth and was remarkable at the distal end. The converted LEM doses from the Ray-MKM doses were comparable (the deviation being − 1.8–0.7%) to existing literature.

Conclusion

This study validated the Ray-MKM based on our active-energy scanning carbon-ion beam via phantom studies. The Ray-MKM could generate similar RBEs as the NIRS-MKM after benchmarking. Analysis based on $$Z_{1D}^{*}$$

Z

1
D

∗

indicated that the different beam qualities and fragment spectra caused the RBE differences. Since the absolute dose differences at the distal end were small, we neglected them. Furthermore, each centre may determine its centre-specific $$F_{clin}$$

F

clin

based on this approach.
Remote blood pressure monitoring in high risk pregnancy — study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (REMOTE CONTROL trial)
Authors: Rajkumar Theepika , Freyne Jill , Varnfield Marlien , Lawson Kenny , Butten Kaley , Shanmugalingam Renuka , Hennessy Annemarie , Makris Angela
Published: May 2023

Background

Pregnant women at high risk for developing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy require frequent antenatal assessments, especially of their blood pressure. This expends significant resources for both the patient and healthcare system. An alternative to in-clinic assessments is a remote blood pressure monitoring strategy, in which patients self-record their blood pressure at home using a validated blood pressure machine. This has the potential to be cost-effective, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce outpatient visits, and has had widespread uptake recently given the increased need for remote care during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However robust evidence supporting this approach over a traditional face-to-face approach is lacking, and the impact on maternal and foetal outcomes has not yet been reported. Thus, there is an urgent need to assess the efficacy of remote monitoring in pregnant women at high risk of developing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.

Methods

The REMOTE CONTROL trial is a pragmatic, unblinded, randomised controlled trial, which aims to compare remote blood pressure monitoring in high-risk pregnant women with conventional face-to-face clinic monitoring, in a 1:1 allocation ratio. The study will recruit patients across 3 metropolitan Australian teaching hospitals and will evaluate the safety, cost-effectiveness, impact on healthcare utilisation and end-user satisfaction of remote blood pressure monitoring.

Discussion

Remote blood pressure monitoring is garnering interest worldwide and has been increasingly implemented following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, robust data regarding its safety for maternofoetal outcomes is lacking. The REMOTE CONTROL trial is amongst the first randomised controlled trials currently underway, powered to evaluate maternal and foetal outcomes. If proven to be as safe as conventional clinic monitoring, major potential benefits include reducing clinic visits, waiting times, travel costs, and improving delivery of care to vulnerable populations in rural and remote communities.

Trial registration

The trial has been prospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620001049965p, on October 11th, 2020).
Enhancing the extended value chain of the aromatic plant sector in Italy: a multiple correspondence analysis based on stakeholders’ opinions
Authors: Di Vita Giuseppe , Spina Daniela , De Cianni Rachele , Carbone Roberto , D’Amico Mario , Zanchini Raffaele
Published: May 2023

The aim of the study has been to understand the stakeholders’ stance, with respect to the different stages of Porter’s value chain, to learn what activities could create the most value to the future competitiveness of the Italian aromatic sector. The main challenges faced by stakeholders and possible future strategies have been investigated. A survey, consisting of four subsequent phases: creation of a focus group, identification of actors and experts, gathering of data, and processing of the data using descriptive statistics and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), has been performed. The stakeholders agreed that the Italian aromatic sector needs to enhance its value chain, but there is a polarisation of importance especially towards processors and retailers. Processors consider operations and outbound logistics as the most relevant primary activities, while retailers consider marketing and sales. Firm infrastructure and technology development are the more relevant support activities for retailers, while human resource management for processors. Farmers are apprehensive of imports, while processors agree that priority should be given to the bargaining power of retailers. Training of professionals emerges as an important future strategy to improve the extended value chain of the sector.  The article investigates the extended value chain of the aromatic plant sector, according to Porter's model, in combination with a multivariate explorative tool (MCA). The results represent preliminary insights that can be used to diversify the role and sensitivity of different stakeholders, with respect to supply chain competitiveness and innovation.
Social distance of bystanders affects people’s embarrassment via changing fear of negative evaluation and feelings of attachment security
Authors: Tang Hongjuan , Li Lin , Zheng Li , Guo Xiuyan , Qian Haoyue
Published: May 2023

Background

Embarrassment is a self-conscious emotion with important social functions, but it is not well understood. The perception of bystanders is considered a precondition for embarrassment, which makes it unique from other self-conscious emotions. Studies have shown that socially close bystanders can reduce individuals’ embarrassment. However, whether and how the embarrassment of individuals varies with the changes in social distance between them and their bystanders remained unclear, which indicates the key characteristics of embarrassment.

Methods

The current research consists of two studies. Study 1 tested whether participants’ embarrassment systematically varied with social distance by setting up three levels of social distance: close friends (i.e., short), casual friends (i.e., medium), and strangers (i.e., long), based on 159 participants. With two full mediation models, study 2 investigated whether and how the fear of negative evaluation and state attachment security mediated the influence of social distance on embarrassment based on 155 participants.

Conclusions

The current findings revealed that the social distance between bystanders and protagonists systematically influenced the embarrassment of protagonists and this effect occurred via two parallel pathways, i.e., by increasing the fear of negative evaluation and by reducing state attachment security. The findings not only showed the unique role of bystander characteristics on embarrassment, but also two cognitive processes behind this unique self-conscious emotion: fearing negative evaluation and seeking attachment for security.
Domain-relevance of influence: characterizing variations in online influence across multiple domains on social media
Authors: Shi Bowen , Xu Ke , Zhao Jichang
Published: May 2023

Influentials play a key role in enhancing information diffusion on social media. However, how personal influence varies across multiple domains is rarely addressed. This study introduces a concept called Domain-Relevance of Influence to describe the relation between influence and domains, and establishes a methodological framework with a sample of 8,520,933 Weibo users to explore the cross-domain characteristics of influence. The results show that generalists with cross-domain attributes possess significantly higher influence than specialists in most domains, whereas in a single domain such as sports or technology, specialists and generalists can possess comparable influence. We further show that influence is positively associated with cross-domain capability in overall domains, but not necessarily in each single domain. This study contributes to better understanding of the influence variation across domains for influence enhancement, and provides a big data-based methodological basis for cross-domain communication research.
Basin-wide erosion and segmentation of the Plio-Pleistocene forearc basin in central Japan revealed by tephro- and biostratigraphy
Authors: Utsunomiya Masayuki , Tamura Itoko , Nozaki Atsushi , Nakajima Terumasa
Published: May 2023

The basement of the Tokyo metropolitan area consists of the Miocene–Pleistocene forearc basin fills that are well exposed around Tokyo Bay, especially on the Miura and Boso peninsulas. The forearc basin fills on these two peninsulas are called the Miura and Kazusa groups, and they were deposited during the late Miocene–Pliocene and Pliocene–middle Pleistocene, respectively. Because many biostratigraphic datum planes, paleomagnetic reversal events, and other chronostratigraphic tools are available for these deposits, they provide the “type stratigraphy” of other equivalent sedimentary sequences on the Japanese islands and in the northwest Pacific. However, the use of such stratigraphic markers has not been fully applied to understand the architecture of a basin-wide unconformity between the Miura and Kazusa groups called the Kurotaki unconformity. For our study, we made correlations among the Pliocene vitric tephra beds based on their stratigraphic levels, lithologic characteristics, the chemical compositions of glass shards, and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. As a result, we were able to correlate tephra beds Ng-Ky25 just above the C3n.3n normal subchronozone (4.7 Ma), IkT16-An157.5 and IkT19-An158.5 near the top of the Mammoth reverse polarity subchronozone (3.21 Ma), and Ahn-Onr (2.6–2.7 Ma) across Tokyo Bay on the Miura and Boso peninsulas. We were able to recognize erosional surfaces and coeval mass-transport deposits immediately below the top of the Mammoth reverse polarity subchronozone, which suggests that submarine landslide(s) may have produced the lack of stratigraphic horizons (4.5–3.2 Ma) in the Miura and eastern Boso regions. Basal pebbly sandstone beds pervasively cover the erosional surfaces, and they show lateral variations into the thick (up to 60 m) mass-transport deposits and overlying turbidite sandstones. The lateral variations in sediment thickness of the post-failure deposits suggest that the basin-wide erosion was associated with the initial growth of a basin-bounding structural high that separates two distinct sub-basins in the forearc basin, which resulted in the subsequent onlapping deposition in the earliest stage of the Kazusa forearc basin. The basin-wide erosion marks the initiation of tectonic reconfigurations that led to segmentation of the forearc basin around the Tokyo Bay region.
Effectiveness of fluorescence-guided methods using near-infrared fluorescent clips of robotic colorectal surgery: a case report
Authors: Narihiro Satoshi , Nakashima Syunsuke , Kazi Mutsumi , Yoshioka Satoshi , Kitagawa Kazuo , Toya Naoki , Eto Ken
Published: May 2023

Background

This is the first report on the application of the Da Vinci-compatible near-infrared fluorescent clips (NIRFCs) as tumor markers to localize colorectal cancer lesions during robotic surgery. In laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgeries, the accuracy of tumor marking is a critical issue that remains unresolved. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of NIRFCs in localizing tumors for intestinal resection. Indocyanine green (ICG) was also used to verify the feasibility of safely performing an anastomosis.

Case presentation

A patient diagnosed with rectal cancer was scheduled to undergo a robot-assisted high anterior resection. During colonoscopy 1 day prior to the surgery, four Da Vinci-compatible NIRFCs were placed intraluminally 90° around the lesion. The locations of the Da Vinci-compatible NIRFCs were confirmed using firefly technology, and ICG staining was performed before cutting the oral side of the tumor. The locations of the Da Vinci-compatible NIRFCs and the intestinal resection line were confirmed. Moreover, sufficient margins were obtained.

Conclusions

In robotic colorectal surgery, fluorescence guidance with firefly technology offers two advantages. First, it has an oncological advantage, because marking with the Da Vinci-compatible NIRFCs allows for real-time monitoring of the lesion location. This enables sufficient intestinal resection by grasping the lesion precisely. Second, it reduces the risk of postoperative complications, because ICG evaluation with firefly technology prevents postoperative anastomotic leakage. Fluorescence guidance in robot-assisted surgery is useful. In the future, the application of this technique should be evaluated for lower rectal cancer.
EZH2 regulates pancreatic cancer cells through E2F1, GLI1, CDK3, and Mcm4
Authors: Li Hongfeng , Wang Hailong , Cui Yunlong , Jiang Wenhua , Zhan Hongjie , Feng Lixia , Gao Mingyou , Zhao Kuo , Zhang Limeng , Xie Xiaojing , Zhao Ning , Li Ying , Liu Pengfei
Published: May 2023

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in digestive tract. To explore the role of epigenetic factorEZH2in the malignant proliferation of PC, so as to provide effective medical help in PC. Sixty paraffin sections of PC were collected and the expression ofEZH2in PC tissues was detected by immunohistochemical assay. Three normal pancreas tissue samples were used as controls. The regulation ofEZH2gene on proliferation and migration of normal pancreatic cell and PC cell were determined by MTS, colony forming, Ki-67 antibody, scratch and Transwell assays. Through differential gene annotation and differential gene signaling pathway analysis, differentially expressed genes related to cell proliferation were selected and verified by RT-qPCR.EZH2is mainly expressed in the nuclei of pancreatic tumor cells, but not in normal pancreatic cells. The results of cell function experiments showed thatEZH2overexpression could enhance the proliferation and migration ability of PC cell BXPC-3. Cell proliferation ability increased by 38% compared to the control group.EZH2knockdown resulted in reduced proliferation and migration ability of cells. Compared with control, proliferation ability of cells reduced by 16%-40%. The results of bioinformatics analysis of transcriptome data and RT-qPCR demonstrated thatEZH2could regulate the expression ofE2F1,GLI1,CDK3andMcm4in normal and PC cells. The results revealed thatEZH2might regulate the proliferation of normal pancreatic cell and PC cell throughE2F1,GLI1,CDK3andMcm4.
Evaluation of cardiopreventive effects of Ximenia americana (Linn.) and Pappea capensis (Eckl. and Zeyh.) leaf aqueous extracts in rat models with myocardial infarction
Authors: Gaichu Daniel Muthee , Mathabe Patricia , Ngugi Mathew Piero
Published: May 2023

Background

Myocardial infarction is a significant health issue in both wealthy and underdeveloped nations. Globally, it is the leading cause of deaths among cardiovascular diseases. In 2012, myocardial infarction-related deaths were about 14.1 million out of 17.5 million cardiovascular disease-related deaths. Clinical management of myocardial infarction remains a challenge because most conventional drugs provide symptomatic relief only. In addition, conventional remedies are associated with numerous advese effects and arguably, in many cases are quite expensive. Hence, herbal remedies, which are widely available, with comparatively fewer side effects, and are affordable, provide a more attractive therapeutic alternative. This study aimed at determining cardiopreventive effects of aqueous leaf extracts of X. americana and P. capensis. Phytochemical screening was done using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Wistar albino rats were employed to test for cardiopreventive effects of the extracts and were randomized into 6 groups of 5 animals each. Groups I, II, and III were normal, negative, and positive controls, respectively, and rats were given normal saline, salbutamol (7.5 mg/Kg bw), and propranolol, respectively. Groups IV, V, and VI rats were treated with extracts dose levels 50, 100, and 150 mg/Kg bw, respectively. Biochemical analysis was done to determine effects of the extracts on levels of serum cardiac troponin T, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase-1, and lipid profiles. Levels of oxidative stress markers were determined in the heart tissue.

Results

The LC–MS analysis revealed different phytocompounds in the extracts, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, glycosides and tannins, which are known to confer cardioprotective activities. The extracts significantly prevented increase in cardiac troponin T, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase-1, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and MDA levels, as well as a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and HDL levels.

Conclusions

This study confirmed that Ximenia americana and Pappea capensis extracts have the potential to prevent myocardial infarction in rats. Generally, P. capensis extract showed better activity as compared to X. americana extract. The effects of the extracts could be attributable to the presence of various cardioactive phytocompounds. Therefore, these plants can be considered in the development of potent and safe cardiopreventive drugs.
Winds of Change: Plant Pathology, Transnational Wheat Rust, and the Environmental Origins of the Green Revolution, 1904–1953
Authors: Garnett John R.
Published: May 2023

Created in 1943, the Mexican Agricultural Program (MAP) was a collaborative program between the Rockefeller Foundation and the Mexican government aimed at improving yields of corn and wheat varieties in Mexico. The MAP's wheat program was more influential than its corn breeding program, and wheat became the centerpiece of the Green Revolution beginning in the 1960s. This article reveals that the environmental origins of the MAP's wheat program lay in combating a plant disease fungus commonly known as wheat rust, which harmed farmers in both northern Mexico and the US hard red spring wheat region. Rust outbreaks originated in US barberry bushes, so one might think that Mexican scientists would have entered the United States to solve this problem with transnational wheat rust. Instead, the reverse occurred. Nevertheless, the MAP successfully produced new rust-resistant wheat during the formative years of the MAP's wheat program. Between 1943 and 1953, rust-resistant wheat helped increase Mexican wheat production 84 percent and yields 59 percent. Rust-resistant wheat offered an alternative model for a sustainable, resource-neutral green revolution. Rather than remain in their field of expertise, plant pathologists pivoted to semidwarf wheat and fertilizer use after 1953, a shift that defined the course of the Green Revolution.
Film and History
Authors: Martin Florence , Mason Laura
Published: May 2023

The long, rich history of Francophone cinematic culture has been largely absent from the pages of French Historical Studies. The current issue offers a corrective by initiating dialogue between historians and film studies specialists, and this introduction lays a groundwork by briefly sketching intellectual and cultural contexts for the articles that follow. Brett Bowles, Christian Delage, and Thibault Guichard examine films that recover voices silenced by abuses of state power or antistate terror, adding to existing work on how visual media preserves evidence of violence and so broadening our understanding of how history is constituted. Vanessa Brutsche engages a rich literature on how cinematic fictions represent the past with an article that explains how two popular films of the 1970s married historical “truths” with contemporary cultural referents to reappraise the French past and challenge illusions of progress. Kamel Ben Ouanès and Patricia Caillé’s overview of Tunisian cinema explores its complex relationship to state, civil society, and an international “Third Cinema” while reminding us how much Francophone cinema has become transnational in contexts of production and subject matter alike.
Retro Visions
Authors: Brutsche Vanessa
Published: May 2023

While the trend for historical subjects in 1970s French cinema is often remembered in terms of la mode rétro, defined by an obsessional fixation on the Occupation, this article examines films that revisit two polarizing scandals during the explosive final years of the Third Republic. Alain Resnais's Stavisky (1974) recounts the mysterious death of a swindler that triggered a political crisis, leading to the violent street protests of February 6, 1934; Claude Chabrol's Violette Nozière (1978) dramatizes a famous case of parricide in 1933 that became a national obsession, pitting adherents of conservative bourgeois values against opponents of tradition and patriarchy. Rather than investigate the “myth” of resistance under Vichy, these films explore the fault lines of the bitter divide between Right and Left, recasting the prewar narrative through the prism of the 1970s to interrogate the legacies of fascism and the political stakes of interpreting history.
John Donne in the Hague and the Hague at the Globe: Performing Reformation England's Religio-Political Doctrine of Perseverance
Authors: Timmis Patrick
Published: May 2023

This essay argues that the British delegation's distinctive approach to the Reformed doctrine of perseverance at the Synod of Dort provides necessary context for two international sermons delivered by John Donne in 1619. Donne's rhetoric in these sermons, in turn, is echoed by a striking dramatization of international “current events” performed in the same year by the King's Men at the Globe Theatre. Reading John Donne's sermons at Heidelberg and the Hague alongside John Fletcher and Philip Massinger's collaborative The Tragedy of Sir John Van Olden Barnavelt, this essay demonstrates that James I's delegates at Dort, his European embassy's star preacher, and a popular London play present a richly nuanced yet harmonious public face on an international stage to an often contentious national conversation. King, church, and people speak together on the necessity of persevering in faith (within the established church), in fidelity to God-ordained civil government, and with loyalty to the European Protestant cause held in tension with a “Britain first” national exceptionalism.
The Anterolateral Approach, Revisited for Benign Jugular Foramen Tumors With Predominant Extracranial Extension: Microsurgical Anatomy and Case Series (SevEN-012)
Authors: Park Hun Ho , Yoo Jihwan , Oh Hyeong-Cheol , Froelich Sébastien , Lee Kyu-Sung
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The anterolateral approach (ALA) enables access to the mid and lower clivus, jugular foramen (JF), craniocervical junction, and cervical spine with added anterior and lateral exposure than the extreme lateral and endoscopic endonasal approach, respectively. We describe the microsurgical anatomy of ALA with cadaveric specimens and report our clinical experience for benign JF tumors with predominant extracranial extension.

METHODS:

A stepwise and detailed microsurgical neurovascular anatomy of ALA was explored with cadaveric specimens. Then, the clinical results of 7 consecutive patients who underwent ALA for benign JF tumors with predominant extracranial extension were analyzed.

RESULTS:

A hockey stick skin incision is made along the superior nuchal line to the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). ALA involves layer-by-layer muscle dissection of SCM, splenius capitis, digastric, longissimus capitis, and superior oblique muscles. The accessory nerve runs beneath SCM and is found at the posterior edge of the digastric muscle. The internal jugular vein (IJV) is lateral to and at the level of the accessory nerve. The occipital artery passes over the longissimus capitis muscle and IJV and into the external carotid artery, which is lateral and superficial to IJV. The internal carotid artery (ICA) is more medial and deeper than external carotid artery and is in the carotid sheath with the vagus nerve and IJV. The hypoglossal and vagus nerves run along the lateral and medial side of ICA, respectively. Prehigh cervical carotid, prejugular, and retrojugular surgical corridors allow deep and extracranial access around JF. In the case series, gross and near-total resections were achieved in 6 (85.7%) patients without newly developed cranial nerve deficits.

CONCLUSION:

ALA is a traditional and invaluable neurosurgical approach for benign JF tumors with predominant extracranial extension. The anatomic knowledge of ALA increases competency in adding anterior and lateral exposure of extracranial JF.
CIARA: a cluster-independent algorithm for identifying markers of rare cell types from single-cell sequencing data
Authors: Lubatti Gabriele , Stock Marco , Iturbide Ane , Ruiz Tejada Segura Mayra L. , Riepl Melina , Tyser Richard C. V. , Danese Anna , Colomé-Tatché Maria , Theis Fabian J. , Srinivas Shankar , Torres-Padilla Maria-Elena , Scialdone Antonio
Published: May 2023

A powerful feature of single-cell genomics is the possibility of identifying cell types from their molecular profiles. In particular, identifying novel rare cell types and their marker genes is a key potential of single-cell RNA sequencing. Standard clustering approaches perform well in identifying relatively abundant cell types, but tend to miss rarer cell types. Here, we have developed CIARA (Cluster Independent Algorithm for the identification of markers of RAre cell types), a cluster-independent computational tool designed to select genes that are likely to be markers of rare cell types. Genes selected by CIARA are subsequently integrated with common clustering algorithms to single out groups of rare cell types. CIARA outperforms existing methods for rare cell type detection, and we use it to find previously uncharacterized rare populations of cells in a human gastrula and among mouse embryonic stem cells treated with retinoic acid. Moreover, CIARA can be applied more generally to any type of single-cell omic data, thus allowing the identification of rare cells across multiple data modalities. We provide implementations of CIARA in user-friendly packages available in R and Python.
Late-onset pulmonary complications among survivors of Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Ayub Baig Mirza Muhammad , Adnan Muhammad , Baig Muhammad Usman , Ramzan Zohaib
Published: May 2023

Objectives: To assess the late-onset pulmonary complications among survivors of coronavirus disease 2019.

Methods: The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the department of Pulmonology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore between October 2020 and March 2021. Total 288 patients visiting the hospital 12-week after recovery from COVID-19 enrolled using convenience sampling. After excluding patients (n=61) with a history of previous respiratory symptoms before the development of COVID-19, data from 227 patients was subjected to final analysis. Chest X-ray (CXR) was used to evaluate lung condition.

Results: Participation of middle-aged adults (54.6%) was higher than older (38.3%) and young adults (7.0%). The percentage of males was 55.5% and smokers was 29.1%. Dyspnea was the most common complication as 80.0% patients had moderate to severe dyspnea while chronic cough was 78.0% and lung fibrosis (LF) was 13.2%. The chances of LF increased with the rise in age (p-value 0.033). However, the distribution of LF was similar between males and females. The frequency of lung fibrosis in smokers was 3-time higher than among non-smokers (24.2 vs. 8.7%; p-value 0.003). The patients with LF were more dependent on O2 as compared to the patients without LF (p-value < 0.001). The frequency of tachycardia was significantly different between patients with and without LF (all p-values < 0.05).

Conclusion: LF is a common late-onset pulmonary complication of COVID-19 and is associated with old age, smoking, O2 dependency, tachycardia, and severe dyspnea.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.6302

How to cite this: Baig MMA, Adnan M, Baig MU, Ramzan Z. Late-onset pulmonary complications among survivors of Coronavirus Disease 2019. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.6302

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Efficacy and safety profile of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist in obese Type-2 diabetes patients from a private institution in Karachi
Authors: Qasim Saeeda Fouzia , Ahsan Tasnim , Ghaus Saima , Imran Paras
Published: May 2023

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of GLP-1RAs in managing obese T2DM patients.

Methods: This prospective cohort analysis was conducted at Medicell Institute of Diabetes, Karachi, Pakistan; from July 2019 to July 2021. A total of 97 obese individuals >16 years of age with T2DM and IGT were initially enrolled, and 81 patients who showed up for the follow-up were prescribed one of the three GLP-1RAs available in Pakistan.

Results: Out of 81 patients who showed up for the follow-up visit, 43 had received Liraglutide, 25 were taking Dulaglutide, and 13 had been prescribed IDegLira supplemented with oral hypoglycemic medications ± insulin. The mean age of the enrolled patients was 49.21(12.44) years, and there was female predominance (55.6%). Overall, there was a significant weight and BMI reduction among the patients treated with either of the GLP-1RAs (P<.01). Furthermore, significant glycemic control was observed in all three groups after the treatment. The Dulaglutide group demonstrated a more significant reduction of HbA1c compared to Liraglutide group, which showed more pronounced weight and BMI reduction. Nevertheless, this class of medications was well-tolerated, with nausea being the most often reported side effect.

Conclusion: GLP-1RAs showed favorable weight and HbA1c reduction among patients of all three treatment groups.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.7353

How to cite this: Qasim SF, Ahsan T, Ghaus S, Imran P. Efficacy and safety profile of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist in obese Type-2 diabetes patients from a private institution in Karachi. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.7353

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Model predictive control of solar-coupled innovative heat pump: a comparison of economic and environmental optimizations in Latvia
Authors: Roure Robin , Chèze David , Vallée Mathieu
Published: May 2023

Background

Heating and cooling in buildings represents a significant amount of the energy demand in the EU, but the market penetration of renewable solutions is still marginal. The SunHorizon project aims at proving the viability and benefits of innovative coupling between heat pumps and various advanced solar panels.

Methods

This study focuses on the optimal operation strategies of a technological package located in Latvia, and composed of hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) panels, a gas driven heat pump and a hot water storage tank. In this work, a model predictive control is developed, based on mixed integer linear programming (MILP) optimization. This model uses innovative elements compared to traditional model predictive control (MPC), with environmental indicators for the Latvian electricity grid accounting for imports, co-simulation with TRNSYS using the transmission control protocol (TCP) and modelling of long-term storage for long and short-term decisions. The usual minimization of costs is compared to two new optimization approaches, which aim to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or maximize renewable use and self-consumption.

Results and conclusions

The results of the optimization of costs and GHG emissions show that gains can be found within the variations in time series related to the electricity grid, but the overall operation strategies remain similar. Optimization of renewable share and self-consumption is another path for control strategy, but with less economic and environmental performance.
On Improving the System of Qualifi cation Certifi cation of Auditors and Recommendations for Preparing for the Exam
Authors: Kazakova Nataliya
Published: May 2023

Th e article considers the methodological aspects of improving the system of qualification certification of auditors. An analysis of passing the qualifying exam by stages and individual modules is presented. Emphasis was placed on preparing for the delivery of the «Complex task» module of the third stage, detailed recommendations for applicants and educational organizations were considered, including information on a new project of practical webinars on the principles and methods for the formation of examination questions and tasks of the third stage of the exam.
The Effectiveness of Demographic Policy in Russia
Authors: Ol'shanskaya M.
Published: May 2023

This article attempts to analyze the demographic policy of Russia from the point of view of solving the set goals and objectives in its development and the current economic and demographic situation. Th e purpose of the study is to determine the indicators of the effectiveness of demographic policy and to evaluate with their help the effectiveness of such a policy in Russia. It is concluded that the current federal demographic policy in the Russian Federation has poor effectiveness, for the period from 2006 to 2021, many indicators of demographic development have deteriorated or have unstable dynamics.
Dealing with the most common side effect of statins
Authors: Janczewska Martyna , Kalicka Maria , Piekarska Małgorzata , Kasperski Radosław , Kobak Joanna , Gryta Jakub , Iwan Karolina , Krysa Tomasz
Published: May 2023

Statins are one of the key drugs in the treatment of cardiology patients. They lower LDL cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of acute cardiovascular events. Statins are among the best studied drugs, and have been proven to be effective and safe in the treatment of dyslipidemia. Data presented in studies on the prevalence of statin intolerance (SI) varies widely, according to some studies, statin tolerance is the same as placebo, however, this is a common problem in clinical practice. The most common reported symptoms of SI include muscle pain. Patients are often afraid of starting satin treatment because of possible side effects. The appearance of myopathy in patients results in their discontinuation of therapy, which results in increased cardiovascular risk. In order to minimize the risk of SI, particularly statin-associated muscular pain (SI), a key role is played by discussion with the patient, exclusion of nocebo effects, identification of risk factors, dose modification and possible discontinuation of the drug. The purpose of this paper is to review the problem of the most common of the adverse effects of statins- myopathy, in terms of incidence, probable cause, and recommended treatment of patients.
Sleep duration and cardiovascular outcomes
Authors: Lichman Martyna , Przeradzki Jakub , Borycka Aleksandra , Jędrzejewska Barbara , Kotulska Maria , Laskus Paulina , Lubczyńska Zuzanna , Potocka Zofia , Rząd Katarzyna , Kochanowska Julia
Published: May 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, causing approximately 17.9 deaths annually. Their risk factors are mainly related to an inappropriate lifestyle and include, among others, low physical activity, obesity, hypertension or type 2 diabetes. Nowadays, there is an increase in the incidence of CVD as well as sleeping disorders, so many studies have focused on finding the connection between these phenomena.

The impact of sleep duration on the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors was analyzed based on a systematic analysis of the literature. The review was carried out using keywords, based on data contained in the Google Scholar search engine database, in the PubMed scientific database and medical electronic journals.

The analyzed studies indicate that sleep duration, its both excessive shortening and lengthening, as well as poor quality, may be associated with CVD, their risk factors and increased overall mortality. Researchers point to the connection between sleep duration and development of hypertension, obesity and type 2 diabetes, with short sleep identified as a stronger risk factor. In addition long sleep was associated with poor health and overall worse results of the subjects more often than short sleep. This suggests that long sleep may not be the cause, but a consequence of yet undiagnosed, coexisting chronic diseases.

The results indicate the need to assess sleep disorders as a goal for primary and secondary prevention of CVD and reduction of their risk factors. The importance of long sleep remains ambiguous, whether it is the reason for health deterioration or results from it and requires further research. Large intervention studies are also still needed to assess whether improvements in sleep duration and its quality can reduce cardiovascular risk and improve long-term health outcomes.
Contraception consultation and assessment for women over 40
Authors: Robinson Gina
Published: May 2023

Access to contraception is a basic human right, and one that empowers women to support pregnancy planning. When assessing a woman over the age of 40 for contraception, concerns such as co-morbidity, changes to menstrual pattern, irregular bleeding and the management of additional perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms are essential considerations. While many methods of contraception can be used in menopause, some may need to be changed to safer, alternative methods. Most women will require some form of contraception (often taken alongside hormone replacement therapy) until the age of 55. This article will focus on contraception consultation and assessment, prescribing considerations in relation to age and menopause, contraceptive formulations (hormonal methods and the copper IUD and the potential health implications of using specific forms of contraception.
The Effect of Butterfly Pea Extract on Blood Glucose Levels in White Rats with Metabolic Syndrome Model
Authors: Gunawan Olivia , Andri Putranto R. Prihandjojo , Subandono Jarot , Ika Budiastuti Veronika
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is an accumulation of several disorders, one of which is hyperglycemia. Clitoria ternatea is a plant that contains lots of flavonoids and is known to reduce blood glucose levels in metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to determine the effect of butterfly pea extract (Clitoria ternatea) on blood glucose levels in white rats with metabolic syndrome models.

Methods: This research is an experimental study using animal models with pre and post-test control group design method. The number of samples was 30 male white rats which were divided into 5 groups: group 1–negative control group; group 2–positive control group; group 3, group 4, and group 5 were the metabolic syndrome group which was given Clitoria ternatea extract with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kgBW, respectively for 28 days. Measurement of blood glucose levels for all groups was carried out on the 36th day as the pre-test and the 64th day as the post-test. Blood glucose levels were obtained through retroorbital venous blood which was analyzed with the Easy Touch blood glucose stick meter. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze data, followed by post-hoc LSD test, and paired T-test.

Results: The average post-test random blood glucose levels decreased by 135.16 mg/dl, 163.18 mg/dl, and 168.35 mg/dl. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the pre-test and post-test blood glucose levels along with the average blood glucose level amongst groups.

Conclusion: Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) could decrease blood glucose levels and cause further decrease with higher doses.
Percutaneus Nephorlithotomy Procedure for Realese Encrusted Double J Stent
Authors: Heryadi Afrizal Tri , Laksono Rizki Abri , Haryanto Andry
Published: May 2023

Installation of a DJ Stent is a procedure performed in the field of urology to prevent or relieve ureteral obstruction.Technological developments in the field of medicine have changed the approach to surgical intervention in cases of kidney stones (especially kidney stones with a stone burden > 2 cm), from open surgery to endoscopic surgery, one of them is by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). We report the case of a man with a right double J (DJ) stent that was placed 5 months previously. The patient underwent anamnesis, physical examination, supporting examinations and was then treated with ureteroscopic lithotripsy and PCNL. Complete clearance of the stone can be performed and the DJ stent can be removed uninterruptedly from the percutaneous access. Encrusted stents are still a challenge in urology where endourology remains the best choice of treatment. The management of DJ stents should also be based on follow-up and prevention by taking into account predisposing factors to encrustation such as urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, history of urolithiasis, diet and malabsorption.
Gaussian optics optimization of an optical particle counter for measurement in high-pressure gas
Authors: Wang Deyu , Ji Zhongli , Liu Zhen , Lin Guangyao
Published: May 2023

An optimization model for the parameters of the pressure-resistant lens of an optical particle counter, based on Gaussian optics theory, was established to increase the measurement accuracy of the counter for high-pressure natural gas. Comparing the experimental and calculated values of the calibrated model, when the pressure-resistant lens is displaced by 2 mm under atmospheric pressure, the relative error of the measured body deformation is 0.15%. When the air pressure varies in the range 0.10–5.09 MPa, the maximum relative error of optical measurement volume deformation with the change of refractive index is 0.13%, which shows that the model has high reliability and accuracy.