bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An unsupervised online anomaly detection method for metal additive manufacturing processes via a statistical time-frequency domain algorithm
Authors: Chen Alvin , Kopsaftopoulos Fotis , Mishra Sandipan
Published: October 2023

Anomalies often occur in metal additive manufacturing from processing inconsistencies and uncertainty. A robust fault detection system that uses sensor measurements such as melt pool imaging has the potential to improve part quality and save production time by anticipating print failure. Toward this goal, we develop and validate a fault detection technique using melt pool geometry-related measurements from an in situ near-infrared optical camera. This method is unsupervised and is trained on a small dataset, mitigating human error in classifying fault types, and reducing lead times for preparing training datasets. Furthermore, this method uses learned geometry-informed nominal behavior of the melt pool signal to make informed decisions on the process health. There are spatial-temporal characteristics embedded in the melt pool images, caused by the periodicity in the geometry-dependent raster pattern. These characteristics can be captured in the frequency domain using the signal spectrogram, a representation of the frequency content over time. Defects will appear in the spectrogram, disrupting the healthy spectral response. To quantify healthy spectrograms, we use principal component (PC) decomposition to extract the features of these spectrograms as a set of nominal basis vectors. Anomaly detection is then performed by calculating the error between the original and reconstructed spectrogram vector by projection of the spectrogram PCs onto the nominal basis. The reconstruction error for anomalous signals is larger than that from healthy signals, which is then used for fault detection. A one-tailed statistical test is used to determine the fault detection threshold for the reconstruction error signal. This method is tested on three raster patterns and performs better than a comparative time-series thresholding method. We demonstrate that this time-frequency algorithm can detect both temporal faults (which occur at a single time instant) and spatial faults (such as those introduced by an improper sintering), differentiating them from nominal operation.
Rethinking the functions of peacock’s display and lek organisation in native populations of Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
Authors: Paranjpe Dhanashree Ashok , Mahimkar Vedanti Rajiv , Dange Priyanka
Published: October 2023

Males of Indian Peafowl are known for their extravagant courtship display used to attract mates. The displays are seen in absence of potential mates as well. This study investigates various contexts in which display behaviours are shown by Indian peafowl. Upto 70% of displays were observed in absence of potential mates. High frequency of displays in presence of other males and longer display bouts during the month of May when mating rarely happens, indicated that display behaviours might have a role to play in male-male competition or territory defence in addition to the female mate choice. The males establish and maintain their courtship display territories throughout the breeding season. Earlier studies assume that the choice of location does not depend on any resources as the species has a lek mating system. How these display sites are chosen is still a question. In this study, we investigated factors that might be important for the selection of display sites in a free-ranging Indian Peafowl population. It was observed that display sites were more concentrated within a radius of 300 meters of the food provisioning site and/ or a water resource and the number decreased considerably beyond the 300 m radius of food and water resources. Overall, the selection of display sites is non-random and highlights the importance of resources in the choice of display territories. The spatial organisation of leks in our study indicate that the mating system in Indian peafowl may be resource-based lek.
Practice makes perfect: Approaching Chinese state entrepreneurialism conjuncturally
Authors: S.K. Teo Shaun
Published: October 2023

This commentary argues that the practicability and viability of conjunctural analysis as a method can only be assessed and developed through collective efforts at stress-testing. I draw on key elements of Peck's method to offer a reflexive account considering the contours of a conjunctural analysis of Chinese state entrepreneurialism. I show how conjunctural analysis allows me to identify and understand the multiplex causality of China's shift in approach to urban redevelopment, and to develop relevant midlevel concepts which help to revise and broaden understandings of state entrepreneurialism. Rather than a one-to-one mapping between case and concept, conjunctural analysis has the potential to allow researchers to theorise geographical phenomena across time and space, where multiple lines of analyses and conceptualisation can enable horizontal and vertical theorisation, offering erstwhile obfuscated analytical insight and theoretical generativity.
Detection of Toxic Contaminants in Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Using Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Chowdhury Aminur Rashid , Burney Umar , King David , Lee Tse-Ang , Hutter Dan , Hutter Tanya
Published: October 2023

Recent fatalities due to methanol and 1-propanol toxicity in alcohol-based hand sanitizers has led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban 594 different hand sanitizer brands. The FDA also introduced methanol testing in alcohol-based hand sanitizers before allowing the products to enter the United States This requirement creates a need for inexpensive, rapid, and portable testing methods to measure methanol and 1-propanol concentrations in alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Here we study the performance of infrared (IR) spectroscopy for measuring methanol and 1-propanol concentrations in an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and compare the performance of two portable spectrometers, Texas Instruments near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer (TI NIR) and NeoSpectra mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometer. The IR absorbance spectra were measured in transmission mode at different path lengths for 52 different hand sanitizer samples spiked with 0%–1% v/v concentrations of methanol and 1-propanol. A partial least-squares regression analysis shows ability to detect contaminant concentrations with a correlation coefficient of determination ( r2) up to 0.99 and root mean square error of prediction as low as 0.34% v/v.
A narrative review of the synthesis, characterization, and applications of iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Ogbezode Joseph Ekhebume , Ezealigo Ucheckukwu Stella , Bello Abdulhakeem , Anye Vitalis Chioh , Onwualu Azikiwe Peter
Published: October 2023

The significance of green synthesized nanomaterials with a uniform shape, reduced sizes, superior mechanical capabilities, phase microstructure, magnetic behavior, and superior performance cannot be overemphasized. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are found within the size range of 1–100 nm in nanomaterials and have a diverse range of applications in fields such as biomedicine, wastewater purification, and environmental remediation. Nevertheless, the understanding of their fundamental material composition, chemical reactions, toxicological properties, and research methodologies is constrained and extensively elucidated during their practical implementation. The importance of producing IONPs using advanced nanofabrication techniques that exhibit strong potential for disease therapy, microbial pathogen control, and elimination of cancer cells is underscored by the adoption of the green synthesis approach. These IONPs can serve as viable alternatives for soil remediation and the elimination of environmental contaminants. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the research conducted on different types of IONPs and IONP composite-based materials. It examines the synthesis methods and characterization techniques employed in these studies and also addresses the obstacles encountered in prior investigations with comparable objectives. A green engineering strategy was proposed for the synthesis, characterization, and application of IONPs and their composites with reduced environmental impact. Additionally, the influence of their phase structure, magnetic properties, biocompatibility, toxicity, milling time, nanoparticle size, and shape was also discussed. The study proposes the use of biological and physicochemical methods as a more viable alternative nanofabrication strategy that can mitigate the limitations imposed by the conventional methods of IONP synthesis.
Network-based prediction approach for cancer-specific driver missense mutations using a graph neural network
Authors: Hatano Narumi , Kamada Mayumi , Kojima Ryosuke , Okuno Yasushi
Published: October 2023

Background

In cancer genomic medicine, finding driver mutations involved in cancer development and tumor growth is crucial. Machine-learning methods to predict driver missense mutations have been developed because variants are frequently detected by genomic sequencing. However, even though the abnormalities in molecular networks are associated with cancer, many of these methods focus on individual variants and do not consider molecular networks. Here we propose a new network-based method, Net-DMPred, to predict driver missense mutations considering molecular networks. Net-DMPred consists of the graph part and the prediction part. In the graph part, molecular networks are learned by a graph neural network (GNN). The prediction part learns whether variants are driver variants using features of individual variants combined with the graph features learned in the graph part.

Results

Net-DMPred, which considers molecular networks, performed better than conventional methods. Furthermore, the prediction performance differed by the molecular network structure used in learning, suggesting that it is important to consider not only the local network related to cancer but also the large-scale network in living organisms.

Conclusions

We propose a network-based machine learning method, Net-DMPred, for predicting cancer driver missense mutations. Our method enables us to consider the entire graph architecture representing the molecular network because it uses GNN. Net-DMPred is expected to detect driver mutations from a lot of missense mutations that are not known to be associated with cancer.
Multimodal hybrid convolutional neural network based brain tumor grade classification
Authors: Rohini A. , Praveen Carol , Mathivanan Sandeep Kumar , Muthukumaran V. , Mallik Saurav , Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Al-Rasheed Amal , Soufiene Ben Othman
Published: October 2023

An abnormal growth or fatty mass of cells in the brain is called a tumor. They can be either healthy (normal) or become cancerous, depending on the structure of their cells. This can result in increased pressure within the cranium, potentially causing damage to the brain or even death. As a result, diagnostic procedures such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography, as well as blood and urine tests, are used to identify brain tumors. However, these methods can be labor-intensive and sometimes yield inaccurate results. Instead of these time-consuming methods, deep learning models are employed because they are less time-consuming, require less expensive equipment, produce more accurate results, and are easy to set up. In this study, we propose a method based on transfer learning, utilizing the pre-trained VGG-19 model. This approach has been enhanced by applying a customized convolutional neural network framework and combining it with pre-processing methods, including normalization and data augmentation. For training and testing, our proposed model used 80% and 20% of the images from the dataset, respectively. Our proposed method achieved remarkable success, with an accuracy rate of 99.43%, a sensitivity of 98.73%, and a specificity of 97.21%. The dataset, sourced from Kaggle for training purposes, consists of 407 images, including 257 depicting brain tumors and 150 without tumors. These models could be utilized to develop clinically useful solutions for identifying brain tumors in CT images based on these outcomes.
Structural divergence and phylogenetic relationships of Ajania (Asteraceae) from plastomes and ETS
Authors: Yu Jingya , Han Yun , Xu Hao , Han Shuang , Li Xiaoping , Niu Yu , Chen Shilong , Zhang Faqi
Published: October 2023

Background

Ajania Poljakov, an Asteraceae family member, grows mostly in Asia’s arid and semi-desert areas and is a significant commercial and decorative plant. Nevertheless, the genus’ classification has been disputed, and the evolutionary connections within the genus have not been thoroughly defined. Hence, we sequenced and analyzed Ajania’s plastid genomes and combined them with ETS data to assess their phylogenetic relationships.

Results

We obtained a total of six new Ajania plastid genomes and nine ETS sequences. The whole plastome lengths of the six species sampled ranged from 151,002 bp to 151,115 bp, showing conserved structures. Combined with publicly available data from GenBank, we constructed six datasets to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships, detecting nucleoplasmic clashes. Our results reveal the affinities of Artemisia, Chrysanthemum and Stilpnolepis to Ajania and validate the early taxonomy reclassification. Some of the plastid genes with low phylogenetic information and gene trees with topological differences may have contributed to the ambiguous phylogenetic results of Ajania. There is extensive evolutionary rate heterogeneity in plastid genes. The psbH and ycf2 genes, which are involved in photosynthesis and ATP transport, are under selective pressure. Plastomes from Ajania species diverged, and structural aspects of plastomes may indicate some of the real evolutionary connections. We suggest the ycf1 gene as a viable plastid DNA barcode because it has significant nucleotide diversity and better reflects evolutionary connections.

Conclusion

Our findings validate the early Ajania taxonomy reclassification and show evolutionary rate heterogeneity, genetic variety, and phylogenetic heterogeneity of plastid genes. This research might provide new insights into the taxonomy and evolution of Ajania, as well as provide useful information for germplasm innovation and genetic enhancement in horticultural species.
Oral midazolam vs. intranasal dexmedetomidine plus oral midazolam for sedation of pediatric outpatients: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nie Juan , Chen Chanchan , Xie Jing , Ding Guicong
Published: October 2023

Background

Moderate to deep sedation is required for dental treatment of children with dental anxiety. Midazolam is the most commonly used sedative, whereas intranasal dexmedetomidine is increasingly used in pediatric sedation.

Objective

The aim of this trial was to compare the sedative efficacy of oral midazolam alone with that of intranasal dexmedetomidine plus oral midazolam during dental treatment of children with dental anxiety.

Design

In total, 83 children (aged 3–12 years) scheduled to undergo dental sedation were randomized to receive oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) and intranasal placebo, or oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) plus intranasal dexmedetomidine (2 µg/kg). The primary outcome was the rate of successful sedation for dental treatment. Secondary outcomes were the onset time and adverse events during and after treatment. Data analyses involved descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests.

Results

The rate of successful sedation was significantly higher in combination group (P = 0.007), although the sedation onset time was significantly longer in combination group (17.5 ± 2.4 min) than in monotherapy group (15.7 ± 1.8) (P = 0.003). No children required medical intervention or oxygen therapy for hemodynamic disturbances, and the incidences of adverse events had no significant difference between groups (P = 0.660).

Conclusion

Combined treatment with oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) and intranasal dexmedetomidine (2 µg/kg) is more significantly effective for managing the behavior of non-cooperative children during dental treatment, compared to oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) alone. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100042300)

Trial registration

ChiCTR2100042300, Clinical trial first registration date: 17/01/2021.
Association of serum cystatin C level with coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden: a comprehensive analysis of observational studies and genetic study
Authors: Chen Jun , Shen Jiayi , Pan Yuesong , Jing Jing , Wang Yongjun , Wei Tiemin , Lyu Lingchun
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Epidemiological studies show that high circulating cystatin C is associated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), independent of creatinine-based renal function measurements. However, the relationship between serum cystatin C level and coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden is limited. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between circulating cystatin C and coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional study based on China community population. Measurements of plaque burden were based on the segment-involvement score (SIS) and segment stenosis score (SSS), which derived from the Coronary Artery Tree Model Depicting Coronary Artery Plaque Scores. Logistic regression model was used to demonstrate the association between cystatin C level and coronary artery plaque burden. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted to assess the causal effect of cystatin C level on coronary atherosclerosis risk.

Results

A total of 3,043 objects were included in the present study. The odds risks (OR) of severe plaque burden in the highest serum cystatin C levels (OR: 2.50; Cl:1.59–3.91; P < 0.001) and medium-level cystatin C levels (OR: 1.86; 95% Cl: 1.21–2.88; P = 0.005) were significantly higher after fulled adjusted confounders compared with the lowest levels of serum cystatin C by SSS. The MR analysis showed that genetic predicted cystatin C levels was associated with an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis (OR, 1.004; 95% CI, 1.002–1.006, P < 0.001) .

Conclusion

Elevated serum cystatin C levels were associated with coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden. Cystatin C levels had a causal effect on an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis at the genetic level.

What is already known on this topic?

Coronary artery disease is currently the most common cardiovascular disease and the leading global cause of mortality. Previous studies reported that higher serum cystatin C levels were associated with an increased risk for future cardiovascular events, independent of the normal creatinine levels or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values. The presence of high-risk coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, the association between serum cystatin C and coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden is not very clear.

What this study adds?

Our study demonstrated that the elevated serum cystatin C levels were associated with coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden. In addition, we found that serum cystatin C levels had a causal effect on an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis at the genetic level.

How this study might affect research, practice or policy?

Current research finds that serum cystatin C levels were associated with coronary atherosclerosis. The metabolic pathway of cystatin C could be a target for new therapies against CAD.
Factors contributing to uncertainty in paediatric abdominal ultrasound reports in the paediatric emergency department
Authors: Hwang Soyun , Chung Hyun Jung , Park Joong Wan , Lee Eui Jun , Lee Ha Ni , Kim Jin Hee , Jue Jie Hee , Choi Young Hun , Jung Jae Yun
Published: October 2023

Background

Abdominal pain, which is a common cause of children presenting to the paediatric emergency department (PED), is often evaluated by ultrasonography (US). However, uncertainty in US reports may necessitate additional imaging.

Objective

In this study, we evaluated factors contributing to uncertainty in paediatric abdominal US reports in the PED.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study included children younger than 18 years of age who underwent abdominal US in the PED of the study hospital between January 2017 and December 2019. After exclusion, the researchers manually reviewed and classified all US reports as ‘certain’ or ‘uncertain’. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors contributing to uncertain reports.

Results

In total, 1006 patients were included in the final analysis., 796 patients were tagged as having certain reports, and 210 as having uncertain reports. Children with uncertain reports had a significantly higher rate of undergoing an additional computed tomography (CT) scan (31.0% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001) and a longer PED median length of stay (321.0 (Interquartile range (IQR); 211.3-441.5) minutes vs. 284.5 (IQR; 191.8-439.5) minutes, p = 0.042). After logistic regression, US performed by a radiology resident (odds ratio, 5.01; 95% confidence interval, 3.63–7.15) was the most significant factor contributing to uncertainty in paediatric abdominal US reports followed by obesity and age.

Conclusion

Several factors contribute to uncertainty in paediatric abdominal US reports. Uncertain radiological reports increase the likelihood of additional CT scans. Measures to improve the clarity of radiological reports must be considered to improve the quality of care for children visiting the PED.
Clinical systematic reviews – a brief overview
Authors: Iddagoda Mayura Thilanka , Flicker Leon
Published: October 2023

Objective

Systematic reviews answer research questions through a defined methodology. It is a complex task and multiple articles need to be referred to acquire wide range of required knowledge to conduct a systematic review. The aim of this article is to bring the process into a single paper.

Method

The statistical concepts and sequence of steps to conduct a systematic review or a meta-analysis are examined by authors.

Results

The process of conducting a clinical systematic review is described in seven manageable steps in this article. Each step is explained with examples to understand the method evidently.

Conclusion

A complex process of conducting a systematic review is presented simply in a single article.
Dedicated neuroimaging analysis in children with primary headaches: prevalence of lesions and a comparison between patients with and without migraines
Authors: Jeon Cha Woong , Lim Gye Yeon , Moon Ja Un
Published: October 2023

Background

This study evaluated the prevalence and types of intracranial lesions through dedicated imaging analysis of primary headaches in children and compared them between patients with and without migraine.

Methods

This study included 190 children diagnosed with primary headache who underwent neuroimaging, including brain computed tomography (CT), CT angiography (CTA), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients with primary headaches was divided into two groups, namely, the migraine and non-migraine groups, on the basis of data from electronic medical records. Clinical characteristics and imaging findings were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

Results

Patients with migraine were old and had a longer period from symptom onset to diagnosis. CT was normal in 71 of 95 patients, whereas 7 of 29 patients who underwent CTA had vascular lesions; the migraine group (n = 6/20, [30%]) had higher incidence of vascular lesions than the non-migraine group (n = 1/9, [11.1%]); however, there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.382). Furthermore, 57.5% (61/106) of children showed normal brain MRI. The most common brain MRI finding was dilated perivascular space (n = 18, [16.8%]). Most perivascular spaces were located in the basal ganglia (n = 72, [75.8%]) and were in linear patterns (n = 58, [63.0%]). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion

A low prevalence of significant abnormalities was found in children with primary headaches. Dilated perivascular space was the most common finding in both groups on MRI. CTA showed more vascular lesions in the migraine group than in the non-migraine group. Therefore, further evaluations are needed to reveal the relationship between vascular lesions or dilated perivascular space and pediatric primary headaches.
Integrated bioinformatic analysis reveals NOS2 as a novel ferroptosis-related biomarker for pre-eclampsia
Authors: Cai Shuangming , Huang Shan , Zhang Wenni , Xiao Huanshun , Yu Danfeng , Zhong Xuan , Tao Pei , Luo Yiping
Published: October 2023

Background

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a common condition in pregnancy; however, methods for early diagnosis and effective treatment options are lacking. Ferroptosis is a newly identified iron-dependent cell death pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ferroptosis-related genes in PE, the underlying mechanism, and their potential diagnostic value using a bioinformatics approach.

Methods

We downloaded the GSE48424 and GSE98224 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PE and healthy pregnancy samples were identified in the GSE48424 dataset and subjected to weighted gene co-expression network analysis; the most relevant modules were intersected with known ferroptosis-related genes to distinctly identify the role of ferroptosis in PE. We further searched transcription factors and microRNAs that are predicted to regulate these ferroptosis-related genes, and patients in the GSE48424 dataset were divided into two groups according to high or low expression of the key ferroptosis-related genes associated with PE. To obtain robust key ferroptosis-related genes in PE, we validated their expression levels in the external dataset GSE98224. Finally, the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay was utilized to access the expression of these genes in the PE and normal blood samples.

Results

Six ferroptosis-related genes involved in PE were obtained by overlapping 3661 genes most associated with PE, 565 DEGs between PE and normal samples, and 259 known ferroptosis-related genes. Among these genes, patients with PE displaying lower expression levels ofNOS2and higher expression levels ofPTGS2had a higher ferroptosis potential index. The expression pattern ofNOS2was consistent in the GSE48424 and GSE98224 datasets. RT-qPCR data confirmed thatNOS2expression was more significantly elevated in patients with PE than in those with a normal pregnancy.

Conclusions

Our study explored the diagnostic value of ferroptosis-related genes in PE, and identifiedNOS2as the key gene linking ferroptosis and PE, suggesting a new candidate biomarker for early PE diagnosis.
Incidence and risk of fatal adverse events in cancer patients treated with HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Fu Zhiwen , Gao Chen , Xie Jiyi , Zhang Cong , Li Shijun , Gu Ming , Shi Chen
Published: October 2023

Objective

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that target human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are leading a new era of targeted cancer therapy. These drugs have also been associated with several fatal adverse events, such as pneumonia, interstitial lung disease, and infection. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to estimate the incidence and risk of fatal adverse events in cancer patients treated with HER2-targeted ADCs.

Methods

We performed a systematic search in Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to February 1, 2022, and the last search was updated to July 1, 2023. The eligible studies for inclusion in our analysis were limited to RCTs of HER2-targeted ADCs that were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and examined on cancer patients with available data on fatal adverse events. The protocol for this study was registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42022331627).

Results

Fifteen studies (13 RCTs) involving 7,277 patients were finally included for meta-analysis. Of these patients, 4,246 received HER2-targeted ADCs and 3,481 received the control treatment. The data were combined using Bayesian hierarchical modeling, which allowed for the estimation of the mean incidence of fatal adverse events to be 0.78% (95% CrI: 0.28-1.37%, τ = 0.006) for the patients treated with HER2-targeted ADCs. The relative risk was 0.80 (95% CrI, 0.5–1.26, τ = 0.17) compared to control patients. Among 43 reported deaths caused by HER2-targeted ADCs, the most common fatal adverse event was respiratory toxicity, including pneumonia, pneumonitis, and interstitial lung disease. On subgroup analysis, no difference in the risk of fatal adverse events was found between different HER2-targeted ADCs or cancer types.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the risk of fatal adverse events with HER2-targeted ADCs may be lower compared to standard control therapies in cancer patients, and there is no significant difference in risk observed between different HER2-targeted ADCs or cancer types. However, the most common fatal adverse event was respiratory toxicity, suggesting that cancer patients who use the above drugs should strengthen respiratory system monitoring and take preventive measures in some severe cases.
A case of mitomycin C toxicity after XEN gel stent implantation with the XEN air technique in a glaucoma patient
Authors: Baeg Joon Young , Choi Han Sol , Lee Si Hyung
Published: October 2023

Background

To discuss the first case of mitomycin C (MMC) toxicity after XEN® gel stent implantation in a glaucoma patient, conducted using the XEN “air” technique with an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD).

Case presentation

A 44-year-old Asian male presented with increased intraocular pressure (IOP; 52 mmHg) accompanied by keratic precipitates and an edematous cornea. He was diagnosed with uveitic glaucoma in the left eye, and the IOP was controlled with a topical anti-glaucoma agent. However, glaucoma progression was revealed by Humphrey visual field (HVF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. The patient underwent uneventful XEN gel stent implantation using the XEN air technique and an MMC (0.02%, 0.1 mL) injection, with subconjunctival air and OVD injection provided prior to XEN implantation in the left eye. The patient exhibited a decreased IOP (11 mmHg), elevated bleb, and extensive subconjunctival hemorrhage on postoperative day 1. On postoperative day 18, diffuse conjunctival injection and a large avascular bleb was noticed around the XEN gel stent. The patient complained of severe eye pain and discomfort, suggestive of MMC toxicity, and the IOP was 12 mmHg. The patient was treated with a topical steroid and antibiotics tapered over a 6-month period. Finally, the toxicity was successfully controlled, with the IOP stabilizing at around 15 mmHg.

Conclusions

Although significantly greater lowering of the IOP can be expected with the use of subconjunctival OVD injection and MMC during XEN gel stent implantation, a cautious approach and a longer monitoring period are required.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children is related to maternal screen time during early childhood in Taiwan: a national prospective cohort study
Authors: Shih Ping , Chiang Tung-liang , Lin Ping-I , Lin Ming-Yu , Guo Yue Leon
Published: October 2023

Background

It is unclear to familial screen time in early childhood is associated with the subsequent diagnosis of attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Our study is to evaluate the association between screen time during early childhood in families and the incidence of ADHD.

Methods

We conducted a population-based birth cohort study by using the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study, which recruited 24 200 mother–child pairs when children were 6 months old. Screen time exposure for children and parents were collected at the age of 18 and 36 months. Whether the child has ever been diagnosed with ADHD was determined at a follow-up interview at age 8. Factors including socioeconomic factors and screen time were analyzed using logistic regression to determine their association with the rate of ADHD.

Results

A total of 16 651 term singletons were included in the final analysis. Of them, 382 (2.3%) were diagnosed as having ADHD before the age of 8 years. No significant relationship between children’s or fathers’ screen time and ADHD was noted. When compared to children whose mothers spent less time on screens, those whose mothers spent more than 3 h a day on screens when the child was 3 years old exhibited a higher incidence of ADHD (adjusted OR [aOR]: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03–1.66).

Conclusion

Higher maternal screen time when the child was 3 years old was associated with an increased incidence of ADHD in this population-based study. However, children’s screen time did not find related to ADHD. We found that it was the mother’s screen time, who typically serves as the primary caregiver in our study participants, not the child’s, that mattered. In addition to superficial screen use time, future research is needed to replicate the findings and clarify mechanisms underlying this association.
A naturalistic study comparing the efficacy of unilateral and bilateral sequential theta burst stimulation in treating major depression – the U-B-D study protocol
Authors: Watson Molly , Chaves Arthur R. , Gebara Abir , Desforges Manon , Broomfield Antoinette , Landry Noémie , Lemoyne Alexandra , Shim Stacey , Drodge Jessica , Cuda Jennifer , Kiaee Nasim , Nasr Youssef , Carleton Christophe , Daskalakis Zafiris J. , Taylor Reggie , Tuominen Lauri , Brender Ram , Antochi Ruxandra , McMurray Lisa , Tremblay Sara
Published: October 2023

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition affecting millions worldwide, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. MDD poses a global health priority due to its early onset and association with other disabling conditions. Available treatments for MDD exhibit varying effectiveness, and a substantial portion of individuals remain resistant to treatment. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), applied to the left and/or right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), is an alternative treatment strategy for those experiencing treatment-resistant MDD. The objective of this study is to investigate whether this newer form of rTMS, namely theta burst stimulation (TBS), when performed unilaterally or bilaterally, is efficacious in treatment-resistant MDD.

Methods

In this naturalistic, randomized double-blinded non-inferiority trial, participants with a major depressive episode will be randomized to receive either unilateral (i.e., continuous TBS [cTBS] to the right and sham TBS to the left DLPFC) or bilateral sequential TBS (i.e., cTBS to the right and intermittent TBS [iTBS] to the left DLPFC) delivered 5 days a week for 4–6 weeks. Responders will move onto a 6-month flexible maintenance phase where TBS treatment will be delivered at a decreasing frequency depending on degree of symptom mitigation. Several clinical assessments and neuroimaging and neurophysiological biomarkers will be collected to investigate treatment response and potential associated biomarkers. A non-inferiority analysis will investigate whether bilateral sequential TBS is non-inferior to unilateral TBS and regression analyses will investigate biomarkers of treatment response. We expect to recruit a maximal of 256 participants. This trial is approved by the Research Ethics Board of The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research (REB# 2,019,071) and will follow the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Discussion

Comprehensive assessment of symptoms and neurophysiological biomarkers will contribute to understanding the differential efficacy of the tested treatment protocols, identifying biomarkers for treatment response, and shedding light into underlying mechanisms of TBS. Our findings will inform future clinical trials and aid in personalizing treatment selection and scheduling for individuals with MDD.

Trial registration

The trial is registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home (#NCT04142996).
Anxiety, self-efficacy, and their determinants in school students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey in Southeastern Iran
Authors: Liu Limin , Dakkalirad Abdollah , Dehghan Mahlagha , Shahnavazi Allahyar , Maazallahi Mahboobeh , Li Min , Kordi Mehri , Farahmandnia Hojjat , Zakeri Mohammad Ali
Published: October 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to various psychological disorders, including anxiety, particularly among the general public. It is crucial to monitor the mental health of school students, who are considered a vulnerable group in society, and assess their self-efficacy, as it can significantly affect their mental health. This study aimed to investigate the levels of anxiety and self-efficacy among school students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This cross-sectional study utilized convenience sampling to examine a sample of 335 school students from Sistan and Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran. An online questionnaire, distributed through social media platforms, was used to collect data. The questionnaire included demographic information, COVID-19 related items, the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children-MASC, and the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children-SEQ-C. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 24, with a significance level set at < 0.05.

Results

The study revealed a significant negative correlation between children’s anxiety and self-efficacy (r = -0.23, P < 0.001). Several factors were identified as predictors of anxiety, including low self-efficacy (β = -0.29, P < 0.001), female gender (β = 0.27, P < 0.001), concern about family members contracting COVID-19 (β = 0.18, P < 0.001), persistent advice of others to adopt preventive measures (β = 0.14, P < 0.005), level of education (β = -0.12, P < 0.017), and perceived risk of COVID-19 infection (β = -0.11, P < 0.030). These variables collectively accounted for 17% of the variance in anxiety.

Conclusion

The findings of the study highlight the importance of addressing the mental health of school students, specifically their anxiety levels, during epidemics. The results also indicate that enhancing self-efficacy among students during a pandemic could be a beneficial strategy for promoting their mental health.
Moderating effects of smoking and drinking on the relationship between biological rhythm and psychological health and gender differences among adolescents
Authors: Wang Jiaojiao , Xie Yang , Xu Huiqiong , Wan Yuhui , Tao Fangbiao
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To determine whether smoking and drinking moderate the correlation between biological rhythm and mental health and the role of gender differences in these moderating effects.

Methods

Adolescents from three cities, all twelve middle schools (N = 7,986), named Shenzhen, Nanchang and Shenyang in China, were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire including the details of biological rhythm, psychological health, and the status of smoking and drinking. The PROCESS program was used to analyze whether smoking and drinking moderated the relationship between biological rhythm and psychological health.

Results

The analyses revealed poorer psychological health and greater likelihood of smoking and drinking in participants with higher scores for biological rhythm disorder (P < 0.001). Specifically, smoking and drinking accelerated the relationship between biological rhythm and psychological health in the total sample (B = 0.05, P < 0.05; B = 0.06, P < 0.001) and only the subgroup of girls (B = 0.09, P < 0.05; B = 0.12, P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

As the findings suggest, attention should be given to smoking, drinking and gender-specific approaches employed to alleviate the psychological disorders of adolescents with biological rhythm disorders.
Remote training for strengthening capacity in sexual and reproductive health and rights research: a systematic review
Authors: Perrotta Carla , Downey Vicky , Elabbasy Darin , Ingram Carolyn , Lo Chungwan , Naseer Amara , Thorson Anna , Brizuela Vanessa
Published: October 2023

Background

Training has been used to develop research skills among sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) researchers. Remote education may accelerate transfer of skills and reduce barriers to strengthening research capacity. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of remote training on SRHR research and describe enablers and barriers of effective remote training.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Scielo were searched up to December 2022 for studies that evaluated in any language online research training programmes either on a SRHR topic or tailored for professionals working in SRHR published since 1990. Characteristics of included studies, the programmes they evaluated, the programme’s effectiveness, and reported barriers and enablers to remote learning were extracted. Three researchers synthesized and described findings on effectiveness, impact and outcomes mapping them against the Kirkpatrick model. Additionally, thematic analysis from qualitative data was conducted to identify themes relating to the barriers and enablers of remote learning.

Results

Of 1,510 articles retrieved, six studies that included 2,058 remote learners met the inclusion criteria. Five out of six studies described empirical improvements in participant research knowledge/skills and three studies reported improvements in attitudes/self-efficacy towards research. Follow-up surveys from four studies revealed frequent application of new research skills and improved opportunities for career advancement and publication following online trainings. Cited barriers to effective online SRHR research training included time management challenges and participants’ competing professional obligations; limited opportunities for interaction; and lack of support from home institutions. Cited enablers included well-structured and clear courses, learning objectives and expectations with participants; ensuring a manageable workload; facilitating interactions with mentors and hands-on experience; and selecting programme topics relevant to participants’ jobs.

Conclusion

Remote SRHR training can lead to improvements in research knowledge, skills, and attitudes, particularly when course learning objectives, structure, and expectations are outlined clearly, and ongoing mentorship is provided.
Awareness, attitudes towards genetic diseases and acceptability of genetic interventions among pregnant women in Burera district, Rwanda
Authors: Niyibizi Jean Baptiste , Rutayisire Erigene , Mochama Monica , Habtu Michael , Nzeyimana Zephanie , Seifu Daniel
Published: October 2023

Approximately 3% of all pregnancies are associated with conditions linked with disability, either mild or severe congenital diseases. This is a consequence of environmental and genetic exposures. Complications and poor management of these diseases arise due to limited knowledge, awareness about the disease, and limited resource settings. The current study assessed awareness, attitudes towards genetic diseases, and acceptability of genetic interventions among pregnant women. This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted among 664 pregnant women in six selected health centers in Burera district using a detailed questionnaire. The data were analysed using STATA Version 15 and entailed univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analyses. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean age of the study participants was 28, and most of them were in the age range of 21 to 30 (50%). Most of the participants were married (91.1%), Christians (98.4%), farmers (92.7%), used public health coverage (96.6%), and attained primary studies (66.1%). The findings from this study showed that among participants, adequate awareness was at 29.5%, inadequate awareness at 70.5%, positive attitudes at 87.1%, negative attitudes at 12.9%, high acceptability at 97.1%, and low acceptability at 2.9%. While there was no significant difference between awareness and acceptability, there was a statistical significance between attitudes towards genetic diseases and acceptability towards the use of genetic services (p < 0.01). There was no statistical significance between sociodemographic or obstetric characteristics and the acceptability of genetic interventions. Participants with positive attitudes towards genetic diseases were more likely to develop a high level of acceptability and willingness towards the use of genetic interventions (OR: 5.3 [2.1–13.5]). Improving awareness about genetic diseases and establishing genetic interventions in healthcare facilities are needed.
Target identification of small molecules: an overview of the current applications in drug discovery
Authors: Tabana Yasser , Babu Dinesh , Fahlman Richard , Siraki Arno G. , Barakat Khaled
Published: October 2023

Target identification is an essential part of the drug discovery and development process, and its efficacy plays a crucial role in the success of any given therapy. Although protein target identification research can be challenging, two main approaches can help researchers make significant discoveries: affinity-based pull-down and label-free methods. Affinity-based pull-down methods use small molecules conjugated with tags to selectively isolate target proteins, while label-free methods utilize small molecules in their natural state to identify targets. Target identification strategy selection is essential to the success of any drug discovery process and must be carefully considered when determining how to best pursue a specific project. This paper provides an overview of the current target identification approaches in drug discovery related to experimental biological assays, focusing primarily on affinity-based pull-down and label-free approaches, and discusses their main limitations and advantages.
Remission effect of Canagliflozin in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus: a protocol for a multicenter, parallel-group, randomized, controlled, open-label trial
Authors: Yang Xue , He Zhiwei , Yuan Li , Huang Wenbin , Li Doudou , Xiang Pingping , Chen Yu , Chen Guofang , Liu Chao
Published: October 2023

Background

Studies reporting the effects of metabolic surgery, lifestyle intervention, and intensive insulin therapy for the remission of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has been increasing, with fruitful results better conducted and yielded. However, there are only a few studies on the remission of T2DM using oral hypoglycemic drugs. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the remission effect of canagliflozin and metformin on participants with newly diagnosed T2DM and its possible underlying mechanism(s) through which these two medications elicit diabetes remission.

Method

To this end, we performed a multicenter, parallel-group, randomized, controlled, and open-label trial. A total of 184 participants with a ≤ 3-year course of T2DM will be enrolled and randomly assigned to the canagliflozin or metformin treatment group in a ratio of 1:1. Participants in each group will maintain their medication for 3 months after achieving the target blood glucose level and then stop it. These participants will be followed up for one year to determine remission rates in both groups.

Discussion

In this study, we will establish that whether canagliflozin is superior to metformin in terms of remission rate in participants with newly diagnosed T2DM. The results of this trial may provide robust evidence regarding the efficacy and mechanisms of the action of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in T2DM remission.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2100043770(February 28, 2021).