bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformer-based short-term traffic forecasting model considering traffic spatiotemporal correlation
Authors: Chang Ande , Ji Yuting , Bie Yiming
Published: January 2025

Traffic forecasting is crucial for a variety of applications, including route optimization, signal management, and travel time estimation. However, many existing prediction models struggle to accurately capture the spatiotemporal patterns in traffic data due to its inherent nonlinearity, high dimensionality, and complex dependencies. To address these challenges, a short-term traffic forecasting model, Trafficformer, is proposed based on the Transformer framework. The model first uses a multilayer perceptron to extract features from historical traffic data, then enhances spatial interactions through Transformer-based encoding. By incorporating road network topology, a spatial mask filters out noise and irrelevant interactions, improving prediction accuracy. Finally, traffic speed is predicted using another multilayer perceptron. In the experiments, Trafficformer is evaluated on the Seattle Loop Detector dataset. It is compared with six baseline methods, with Mean Absolute Error, Mean Absolute Percentage Error, and Root Mean Square Error used as metrics. The results show that Trafficformer not only has higher prediction accuracy, but also can effectively identify key sections, and has great potential in intelligent traffic control optimization and refined traffic resource allocation.
Interneuronal modulations as a functional switch for cortical computations: mechanisms and implication for disease
Authors: Zerlaut Yann , Tzilivaki Alexandra
Published: January 2025

Understanding cortical inhibition and its diverse roles remains a key challenge in neurophysiological research. Traditionally, inhibition has been recognized for controlling the stability and rhythmicity of network dynamics, or refining the spatiotemporal properties of cortical representations. In this perspective, we propose that specific types of interneurons may play a complementary role, by modulating the computational properties of neural networks. We review experimental and theoretical evidence, mainly from rodent sensory cortices, that supports this view. Additionally, we explore how dysfunctions in these interneurons may disrupt the network’s ability to switch between computational modes, impacting the flexibility of cortical processing and potentially contributing to various neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
Eccentric strengthening vs. conventional therapy in sub-acute stroke survivors: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Belghith Kalthoum , Zidi Mustapha , Vincent Lhéo , Fedele Jean-Michel , Bou-Serhal Rayan , Maktouf Wael
Published: January 2025

Spastic paresis, a frequent consequence of stroke, is characterized by both neurological and muscular alterations, leading to decreased muscle strength, increased passive muscle stiffness, and subsequently, diminished functional capacity. Although conventional rehabilitation programs are effective in enhancing muscle strength, they often fail to yield clinically significant improvements in functional capacities. Eccentric Training (ET) has shown promise in addressing the shortened muscle fascicle lengths and joint contractures commonly observed in stroke survivors. Despite the prevalence of contractures and rigidity in this population, the effects of ET on the structural and mechanical properties of muscles remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate the impact of ET on gait speed in sub-acute stroke patients compared to conventional therapy. Additionally, we aim to explore the effects of ET on the mechanical properties, structural characteristics, and neuromuscular parameters of the plantar flexors. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted, adhering to CONSORT guidelines, with participants assigned to either a Conventional Therapy Group or an Eccentric Training Group. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, and after ET intervention, encompassing clinical, biomechanical, and functional evaluations. This study seeks to provide empirical evidence on the efficacy of ET in improving motor outcomes in sub-acute stroke patients, thereby informing more effective rehabilitation strategies.
Global trends in migraine and anxiety over the past 10 years: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Huang Biao , Chen Weining , Peng Chunmei , Wang Yu , Shen Xiuli , Zhang Qi , Yang Liu , Wu Jun
Published: January 2025

Background

Recent studies have shown that migraine significantly increases the incidence of anxiety and is positively correlated with the severity and frequency of migraine. The relationship between migraine and anxiety has attracted extensive attention. This study focused on the association between migraine and anxiety, aiming to predict potential future research trends.

Methods

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using publications from the Core Collection of Web of Science. We utilized CiteSpace.5.8.R3 and VOSviewer 1.6.17 to evaluate the value of articles over the past 10 years.

Results

The number of publications has increased significantly over the past 10 years. The cooperative network analysis shows that the United States is the most collaborative country. Additionally, Harvard University is the institution and Richard B. Lipton the individual with the highest number of studies on migraine. The analysis of keyword outbreaks indicates that the strong citation burst words are closely related to sex differences, activation, allodynia, and preventive treatment, which represent emerging new research areas and potential hotspots for future research.

Conclusion

An overall upward trend in the research of migraine and anxiety was observed. Sex differences, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), activation, allodynia, and preventive treatment are predicted to be hotspots in the future.
Children with autistic spectrum disorder can imagine actions— what can this reveal about the Broken Mirror Hypothesis?
Authors: Galli Jessica , Dusi Laura , Garofalo Gioacchino , Brizzi Alessandra , Gritti Michela , Polo Federica , Fazzi Elisa , Buccino Giovanni
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study investigated whether children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can imagine object directed actions similarly to their typically developed (TD) peers.

Study design

We tested the ability to imagine goal directed actions in children with ASD (n = 18) and TD (n = 18) peers by means of VMIQ-2 questionnaire and a novel behavioral task, in which children were requested to imagine some daily actions, after seeing them through videoclips presented on a computer screen. Observed actions lasted 4 s and children were requested to follow the same time course during imagination. During this motor imagery (MI) task, children were interrupted at a specific timepoint (e.g., at 1.5 s) from the beginning of the task. Afterwards, they had to select one of two frames extracted from the videoclips: one showed the correct timepoint at which the imagined action was stopped, the other depicted an earlier or later timepoint. Children had to press the key associated to the correct frame to provide their responses.

Results

Both groups performed similarly in the questionnaire and in the novel MI task, where they showed the same error rate. Errors distribution suggests that all children exploited a similar strategy to solve the task, being errors mainly distributed in judging the later frame.

Conclusion

These findings support the view that children with ASD can imagine actions similarly to their TD peers. These results do not fully support the Broken Mirror Hypothesis and may encourage the use of MI as a cognitive strategy in the rehabilitation of autism.
Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory
Authors: Sun Xinzhang , Lu Ying , Jian Chengping , Zhang Hanqing
Published: January 2025

Background

Orthorexia nervosa refers to an unhealthy preoccupation with maintaining a perfect diet, which is marked by highly restrictive eating habits, rigid food rituals, and the avoidance of foods perceived as unhealthy or impure. In recent years, the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI) has gained recognition as a promising tool for assessing orthorexia tendencies and behaviors, addressing the limitations of existing ON-specific measures. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the ONI.

Methods

A total of 717 participants (Mage = 20.11 years, 78.66% female) completed the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI) alongside the Chinese version of the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale (C-DOS). The ONI was translated into Chinese using the Brislin traditional translation model, following formal authorization from the original author. This translation process included literal translation, back translation, and cultural adaptation to ensure both linguistic and contextual fidelity. Item analysis was employed to assess item differentiation. Scale reliability was determined by measuring internal consistency. Furthermore, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to investigate and confirm the underlying factor structure and overall validity of the scale.

Results

The Chinese version of the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI) consists of 24 items across three dimensions. The overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the scale was 0.956, indicating excellent internal consistency. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the individual dimensions were 0.894, 0.933, and 0.848, respectively, demonstrating high reliability for each dimension. Additionally, McDonald’s ω was 0.957 for the entire scale, reflecting strong stability in internal consistency, with individual dimensions having McDonald’s ω coefficients of 0.895, 0.934, and 0.854. The Spearman-Brown split-half reliability coefficient was 0.931, and McDonald’s ω for the split-half reliability was also 0.931, indicating excellent consistency across the scale’s two halves. The test–retest reliability was 0.987, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.978 to 0.993, suggesting excellent stability over time and strong consistency across different measurement points. All model fit indices fell within acceptable ranges, affirming the structural validity of the Chinese version. The results from both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses further supported this conclusion.

Conclusion

This study successfully translated and culturally adapted the ONI into Chinese, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of its psychometric properties. The findings demonstrate that the Chinese version of the ONI possesses strong reliability and validity. In the context of varying cultural backgrounds and dietary habits, this scale serves as a valid tool for assessing and screening the Chinese ON population.
Navigating next-gen nutrition care using artificial intelligence-assisted dietary assessment tools—a scoping review of potential applications
Authors: Phalle Anuja , Gokhale Devaki
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies have opened new avenues for their applications in dietary assessments. Conventional dietary assessment methods are time-consuming, labor-driven, and have high recall bias. AI-assisted tools can be user-friendly and provide accurate dietary data. Hence, this review aimed to explore the applications of AI-assisted dietary assessment tools in real-world settings that could potentially enhance Next-Gen nutrition care delivery.

Materials and methods

A total of 17,613 original, full-text articles using keywords such as “artificial intelligence OR food image analysis OR wearable devices AND dietary OR nutritional assessment,” published in English between January 2014 and September 2024 were extracted from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. All studies exploring applications of AI-assisted dietary assessment tools with human participation were included; While methodological/developmental research and studies without human participants were excluded as this review specifically aimed to explore their applications in real-world scenarios for clinical purposes. In the final phase of screening, 66 articles were reviewed that matched our inclusion criteria and the review followed PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines.

Results

We observed that existing AI-assisted dietary assessment tools are integrated with mobile/web-based applications to provide a user-friendly interface. These tools can broadly be categorized as “Image-based” and “Motion sensor-based.” Image-based tools allow food recognition, classification, food volume/weight, and nutrient estimation whereas, Motion sensor-based tools help capture eating occasions through wrist movement, eating sounds, jaw motion & swallowing. These functionalities capture the dietary data regarding the type of food or beverage consumed, calorie intake, portion sizes, frequency of eating, and shared eating occasions as real-time data making it more accurate as against conventional dietary assessment methods. Dietary assessment tools integrated with AI and ML could estimate real-time energy and macronutrient intake in patients with chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and dementia. Additionally, these tools are non-laborious, time-efficient, user-friendly, and provide fairly accurate data free from recall/reporting bias enabling clinicians to offer personalized nutrition.

Conclusion

Therefore, integrating AI-based dietary assessment tools will help improve the quality of nutrition care and navigate next-gen nutrition care practices. More studies are required further to evaluate the efficacy and accuracy of these tools.
Prognostic role of prognostic nutritional index in patients with bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Jing , Li Zhenzhen , Zhu Xiaming
Published: January 2025

Aims

An increasing number of studies have explored the prognostic significance of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in bladder cancer patients, but the results are inconsistent. This study systematically investigates the prognostic value of baseline PNI in patients with bladder cancer through a meta-analytic approach.

Methods

The databases of PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched for eligible studies from inception until April 2024. The prognostic outcomes including overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). The summary outcomes were calculated using the random-effects model, and the exploratory analyses were performed by sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

Results

Twelve retrospective studies involved 2,951 patients with bladder cancer were selected in final analysis. The summary results found low PNI were associated with poor OS (HR: 1.80; 95%CI: 1.54-2.10; P<0.001) and RFS (HR: 1.53; 95%CI: 1.15-2.04; P=0.003). The association between low PNI and shorter OS was statistically significant in all subgroups. Additionally, the association between low PNI and RFS was also significant in most subgroups.

Conclusions

This study found a significant association between low PNI and poor prognosis in bladder cancer patients. Further large-scale prospective study should be performed to verify this association, and assess the nutrition interventions for patients with bladder cancer.

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2024-8-0020/, identifier INPLASY202480020.
HLA-DMB correlates with antitumor immunity and an improved prognosis in endometrial carcinoma tumors
Authors: Xi Xiaoyu , Zhang Xiaona , Tang Jianxin , Fan Xiumei , Du Jiexian
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) is a prevalent malignant tumor within the female reproductive system. HLA-DMB, the beta chain of the non-classical MHC class II protein HLA-DM, has been implicated in the progression of various cancers. However, its role in the development of endometrial carcinoma remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary exploration of the prognostic value and potential mechanisms of HLA-DMB in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC).

Methods

The differential expression of HLA-DMB was analyzed in 554 tumor samples and 35 normal samples obtained from the TCGA database. The differential expression of HLA-DMB across various cancers, along with immune infiltration analysis, was conducted using the TIMER2.0 database. Additionally, the expression of HLA-DMB in endometrial carcinoma was examined in the GEPIA2 database, along with its relationship to prognosis. Furthermore, TISIDB was utilized to predict the relationships between HLA-DMB and various immune enhancement factors as well as immunosuppressive factors. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were employed to explore the signaling pathways associated with HLA-DMB in endometrial cancer. Univariate COX regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors for endometrial carcinoma (EC), and a multivariate COX proportional hazards regression model was used to confirm that HLA-DMB can serve as an independent prognostic factor for EC. The protein interaction network of HLA-DMB was constructed using the STRING database, and the chemical drugs related to HLA-DMB were predicted through the CTD database. Finally, the expression of HLA-DMB was validated by qPCR and immunohistochemistry.

Results

The expression of HLA-DMB at both mRNA and protein levels is significantly higher in UCEC tissues compared to normal tissues. Prognostic analyses indicate that increased expression of HLA-DMB correlates with improved patient prognosis, suggesting its potential as an independent prognostic factor for UCEC. Furthermore, in endometrial cancer, elevated levels of HLA-DMB are associated with higher immune infiltration scores and are closely related to various immune-enhancing factors. Mechanistically, HLA-DMB primarily participates in CD22-mediated regulation of B cell receptors (BCR), leading to BCR antigen activation and the production of second messengers. In our drug analysis, we identified several chemical agents associated with HLA-DMB, including cisplatin, dexamethasone, and ethinylestradiol.

Discussion

This study elucidates the function and underlying mechanisms of HLA-DMB in UCEC, providing a potential biomarker and target for immunotherapy in this disease.
Effectiveness and safety of pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and atezolizumab as adjuvant therapy for high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma: an indirect comparison
Authors: Chen Wei , Yoshida Soichiro , Miura Noriyoshi , Fukuda Shohei , Fukushima Hiroshi , Waseda Yuma , Tanaka Hajime , Fujii Yasuhisa
Published: January 2025

Background

The effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as adjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) with high recurrence risk has been demonstrated. With no direct efficacy comparisons available, we aimed to indirectly compare the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and atezolizumab as adjuvant treatments for high-risk MIUC based on individual patient data (IPD) from clinical trials.

Methods

IPD was reconstructed using the Shiny method from Kaplan–Meier curves of eligible randomized controlled trials. We compared disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), PD-L1 positive DFS between treatments, and assessed treatment-related adverse events (TRAE).

Results

Four studies including 2,220 high-risk MIUC patients showed no statistically significant difference between the three agents in terms of DFS (pembrolizumab vs. nivolumab: HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.79–1.18; pembrolizumab vs. atezolizumab: HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.70–1.04; nivolumab vs. atezolizumab: HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.74–1.10). All three agents showed comparable DFS outcomes in PD-L1 positive patients (pembrolizumab vs. nivolumab: HR 1.16, 95% CI 0.83–1.60; pembrolizumab vs. atezolizumab: HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.84–1.14; nivolumab vs. atezolizumab: HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.57–1.09), with similar DFS rates 24- and 36-months post-treatment (pembrolizumab: 53.3% and 46.8%; nivolumab: 48.5% and 44.8%; Atezolizumab: 45.0% and 40.7%). OS data showed no significant differences between pembrolizumab and nivolumab (HR 1.16, 95% CI: 0.90–1.49), pembrolizumab and atezolizumab (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.81-1.30), and nivolumab and atezolizumab (HR 0.87, 95% CI: 0.69–1.09). TRAE incidence varied but remained manageable (any grade: 26.4% pembrolizumab, 78.6% nivolumab, 54% atezolizumab; grade ≥3: 21.8% pembrolizumab, 18.2% nivolumab, 16.0% atezolizumab).

Conclusions

All three agents showed similar efficacy with manageable safety profiles, positioning them as promising adjuvant therapies for MIUC. These results provide an evidence-based framework for clinical decision-making despite the lack of direct comparative data.
Association between dietary antioxidants, serum albumin/globulin ratio and quality of life in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients: a 7-year follow-up study
Authors: Zhang Juwei , Zhou Jinsong , Chen Siting , Huang Yue , Lin Zheng , Deng Yuan , Qiu Minglian , Xiang Zhisheng , Hu Zhijian
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to explore the association between dietary antioxidant index (DAI) combined with serum albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) and postoperative Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

All patients were newly diagnosed with ESCC and underwent radical esophagectomy. Dietary data and routine blood tests were collected preoperatively to compute DAI and AGR. HRQOL was assessed over 7 years post-surgery via telephone follow-up and analyzed longitudinally using a time to deterioration (TTD) model. The deterioration times were compared using the log-rank test, and the association of the combined DAI and AGR index with postoperative quality of life in ESCC patients was examined through Cox regression models.

Results

A total of 238 ESCC patients were included in the study. The results indicate that compared to the low DAI-AGR group, the high DAI-AGR group had a lower rate of deterioration events, and the time to deterioration in emotional functioning (p=0.014), dysphagia (p=0.042), and speech problems (p=0.023) were significantly delayed. Cox proportional hazard model revealed that preoperative high DAI-AGR was associated with improvement in emotional functioning (HR=0.575, 95% CI: 0.368-0.898) and speech problems (HR=0.525, 95% CI: 0.298-0.925) in ESCC patients postoperatively, which remained significant even after adjusting for covariates. The stratified analysis revealed that this improvement was associated with demographic and clinical characteristics.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that high preoperative DAI-AGR is linked to enhanced postoperative HRQOL in ESCC patients, offering crucial insights for patients, practitioners, and researchers.
Interactions between key genes and pathways in prostate cancer progression and therapy resistance
Authors: Wu Fan , Zhang Hengsen , Hao Miaomiao
Published: January 2025

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors in men, particularly in regions with a high Human Development Index. While the long-term survival rate for localized prostate cancer is relatively high, the mortality rate remains significantly elevated once the disease progresses to advanced stages, even with various intensive treatment modalities. The primary obstacle to curing advanced prostate cancer is the absence of comprehensive treatment strategies that effectively target the highly heterogeneous tumors at both genetic and molecular levels. Prostate cancer development is a complex, multigenic, and multistep process that involves numerous gene mutations, alteration in gene expression, and changes in signaling pathways. Key genetic and pathway alterations include the amplification and/or mutation of the androgen receptor, the loss of Rb, PTEN, and p53, the activation of the WNT signaling pathway, and the amplification of the MYC oncogene. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which these genes influence the progression of prostate cancer and highlights the interactions between multiple genes and their relationship with prostate cancer. Additionally, we reviewed the current state of treatments targeting these genes and signaling pathways, providing a comprehensive overview of therapeutic approaches in the context of prostate cancer.
Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Spadaro Jane Z. , Kahana Alon
Published: January 2025

Purpose

We describe an unusual case of a rapidly progressive pilomatricoma along the left brow, which was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis. Although rare, pilomatricomas and other adnexal tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a growing mass near the brow.

Case presentation

A 29-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a progressively enlarging left brow lesion, initially noted 3 weeks prior. Exam revealed an erythematous left subbrow mass that measured 2.5 x 2 cm, with resultant mechanical ptosis. The lesion was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis, with concern for abscess. The patient ultimately underwent excisional biopsy of the lesion and pathology revealed pilomatricoma.

Conclusions

Pilomatricoma has similarities to more common skin lesions. Lack of pain or tenderness are important clues against an infectious or inflammatory etiology. Complete surgical excision is therapeutic and allows for diagnostic confirmation. Histopathology is required to rule out pilomatrix carcinoma, a malignant variant.
Self-inflicted partial epiphyseolysis of the distal femur—a case report
Authors: Kanewska Anna , Krause Johannes , Perl Mario
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Injuries to the epiphyseal plate are of great concern as they can affect bone growth. Although epiphyseal fractures are common in adolescents, fractures of the distal femoral epiphyseal plate are rare.

Case presentation

We present a case of a Salter–Harris type 1 fracture of the distal epiphysis of the femur that was self-inflicted by a patient with paraplegia due to spina bifida. The patient was brought to the pediatrician's attention during a routine checkup with an apparent swelling of the right thigh. Upon presentation, we performed a radiograph and an additional MRI, which revealed a partial ventero-medial epiphyseolysis, consistent with a Salter–Harris type 1 fracture. Due to the dislocation, we indicated closed reduction with K-wires. Repositioning was performed using a modified Kapandji maneuver and was completed with additional K-wires.

Conclusion

Distal epiphyseolysis is a relatively rare injury that can lead to serious complications. Therefore, although rare, epiphyseal fractures should be considered in pediatric patients presenting with uncertain limb swelling.
Efficacy of Tui Na in idiopathic constipation in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Wang Huijuan , Chen Bichan , Long Qian , Yang Qiuping , Mao Jiawen , Ma Qinghua , Yi Xingqian , Wang Ying , Liu Yinghan , Cao Zhiliang , Xu Jianda , Ye Yong , Tang Wei
Published: January 2025

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and potential adverse events of Tuina therapy for idiopathic constipation in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods

A total of 60 CP children with idiopathic constipation were enrolled and randomly divided into Tuina and control groups. The control group was treated with basic treatment and 12 sessions of lactulose oral solution, whereas the Tuina group received basic treatment and 12 sessions of infantile Tuina treatment. The following parameters were compared: the Bristol stool form scale (BSFS), the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) and the improvement in constipation. In addition, adverse effects were recorded.

Results

At 4 weeks after the final treatment, the percentage of infants whose constipation improved was 23 (76.7%) in the Tuina group and 21 (70.0%) in the control group (P = 0.771). Initially, the CAS score, weekly bowel movements and proportion of infants with bowel evacuation ≥2 h were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 4 weeks after the final treatment, the CAS score, weekly bowel movements and proportion of infants with bowel evacuation ≥2 h all significantly improved (P < 0.05) compared with those in the initial situation. However, no difference was found in either group at 4 weeks after the final treatment. No serious adverse reactions (such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, subcutaneous redness, skin breakage, or syncope) were recorded.

Conclusions

Tuina was as effective as medical care in addition to basic treatment for both groups. The results of this study suggest that Tuina, as a nonpharmacological therapy, may be helpful as an alternative treatment for constipation. More advanced research and large-sample studies should be conducted.
Fosaprepitant as combination therapy to prevent chemotherapy-induced vomiting in children: a meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Yanshuo , Yue Yuanyuan , Zhang Yue , Pang Guoxun
Published: January 2025

Objective

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of fosaprepitant combined with 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonists (5-HT3RA) (with or without dexamethasone) on the chemotherapy-induced vomiting in pediatric cancer patients.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Journal full-text database (CNKI), Wanfang data knowledge service platform (Wanfang) and VIP Chinese sci-tech Journal full-text database (VIP) were searched by computer (retrieval time from database establishment to Apr. 2024), randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies about fosaprepitant and 5-HT3RA with or without dexamethasone (observation group) versus 5-HT3RA, with or without dexamethasone, as the control group for chemotherapy-induced vomiting were collected, after data extraction and quality evaluation, meta-analysis was carried out by Rev Man 5.3 software.

Results

A total of 731 patients were included in 7 trials. Meta-analysis results showed that the complete response (CCR, no vomiting/rescue medication) rates were higher in the observation group compared to that in the control group during the acute [the relative risk: RR = 1.64, 95% confidence interval: 95%CI = 1.35–1.99, P < 0.00001], delayed vomiting [RR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.32–3.17, P = 0.001] and overall phases [RR = 2.08, 95%CI = 1.69–2.57, P < 0.00001], with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The subgroup analysis of salvage treatment proportion revealed that the need for rescue medication was higher for patients in the control than fosaprepitan regimens [RR = 0.20, 95%CI = 0.08–0.54, P = 0.001] There was no difference in the incidence of adverse drug reaction between two groups [RR = 0.95, 95%CI = 0.75–1.19, P = 0.66].

Conclusion

Fosaprepitant in combination with 5-HT3RA (with or without dexamethasone) has the same safety and more effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced vomiting than 5-HT3RA with or without dexamethasone.
Surface quality study of paint stripping on aircraft skins with high energy nanosecond pulsed laser cleaning
Authors: Zhang Hai-Xin , Hou Ya-Chong , Li Yun-Fei , Yang Yun-Fei , Li Kai , Yue Jian-Feng , Jia Meng-Yu , Han Yi-Ting , Yu Yu , Wang Gong , Hou Shu-Ping , Wang Yu-Lei , Lu Zhi-Wei
Published: January 2025

The aerospace sector requires materials, particularly aluminum all, to possess advanced mechanical properties for aircraft skins. Consequently, the industry implements protective coatings to counteract erosion and abrasion. Yet, as time progresses, these coatings can degrade, prompting careful paint removal to extend the longevity of aircraft. This research investigates methods to improve laser cleaning efficiency while safeguarding paint quality. It utilizes a nanosecond pulsed laser to assess factors such as laser energy, cleaning angle, and out-of-focus volume on cleaning efficacy. The findings demonstrate that the optimal energy for cleaning is 20 mJ; exceeding this threshold results in damage to the substrate. Additionally, the cleaning angle significantly impacts efficiency, with an 11° angle yielding the highest effectiveness. Manipulating the laser’s focal point also alters cleaning quality, with 30 mm providing the best outcomes. Single-point laser cleaning tests examined energy levels and cleaning cycles, highlighting that increased energy and cycles lead to surface damage and greater roughness. Furthermore, paint color affected cleaning performance, with blue paint exhibiting superior cleaning effectiveness. This study advances the development of laser cleaning methods for aircraft skins, catering to industry needs for efficient, environmentally friendly maintenance practices.
Enhancing plant disease detection through deep learning: a Depthwise CNN with squeeze and excitation integration and residual skip connections
Authors: Ashurov Asadulla Y. , Al-Gaashani Mehdhar S. A. M. , Samee Nagwan A. , Alkanhel Reem , Atteia Ghada , Abdallah Hanaa A. , Saleh Ali Muthanna Mohammed
Published: January 2025

This study proposes an advanced method for plant disease detection utilizing a modified depthwise convolutional neural network (CNN) integrated with squeeze-and-excitation (SE) blocks and improved residual skip connections. In light of increasing global challenges related to food security and sustainable agriculture, this research focuses on developing a highly efficient and accurate automated system for identifying plant diseases, thereby contributing to enhanced crop protection and yield optimization. The proposed model is trained on a comprehensive dataset encompassing various plant species and disease categories, ensuring robust performance and adaptability. By evaluating the model with online random images, demonstrate its significant adaptability and effectiveness in overcoming key challenges, such as achieving high accuracy and meeting the practical demands of agricultural applications. The architectural modifications are specifically designed to enhance feature extraction and classification performance, all while maintaining computational efficiency. The evaluation results further highlight the model’s effectiveness, achieving an accuracy of 98% and an F1 score of 98.2%. These findings emphasize the model’s potential as a practical tool for disease identification in agricultural applications, supporting timely and informed decision-making for crop protection.
Recent advances in functional assays of WRKY transcription factors in plant immunity against pathogens
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Cao Haihui , Wang Jiahao , Zhang Hongbo
Published: January 2025

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are one of the largest transcription factor families in plants and play important roles in plant processes, most notably in responding to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. This article reviews the recent research progresses on WRKY TFs in regulating plant immunity, which includes both positive and negative regulation. WRKY TFs were shown to regulate plant defense against pathogens including fungi, bacteria, oomycetes, and viruses by modulating downstream pathogen resistance genes or interacting with other regulators. Plant signaling pathways or components involved in the regulatory network of WRKY-mediated plant immunity mainly involve the action of phytohormones, MAPKs (Mitogen-activated protein kinases), and other transcription factors. The interaction of WRKY TFs with these factors during pathogen resistance was discussed in this article, which may contribute to understanding the mechanisms of WRKY transcription factors in plant immunity.
Synergistic effects of chemical and biochemical fertilization on yield enhancement and oil quality optimization in ‘Zard’ olive cultivars
Authors: Tadayon Mohammad Saeed , Asgharzadeh Ahmad , Mousavi Seyed Majid , Saghafi Kobra
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research evaluates the combined impact of chemical and biological fertilizers on ‘Zard’ olive trees, aiming to reduce chemical dependency, enhance fertilizer efficiency, and improve nutritional value, yield, and oil quality from 2020 to 2023.

Method

A factorial design within a randomized complete block was used, focusing on the first factor, soil chemical fertilizer application (CF) at three levels, 100% (CF100), 75% (CF75), and 50% (CF50) of the fertilizer requirement as determined by soil testing. This was coupled with foliar applications of 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer with micronutrients. The second factor, biological fertilizer application (BF), also comprised three levels: BF0 (control), soil-applied organic fertilizer without biological agents; BF1, which included a soil application of an organic fertilizer mix, mycorrhizal fungi, and the beneficial bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, supplemented with fulvic acid and amino acids; and BF1+BFF, where trees were treated with both soil and foliar applications of the aforementioned bacterial species, fulvic acid, and amino acids.

Results

The CF100+BF1+BFF treatment significantly increased fruit length (31.14%), diameter (41.61%), flesh thickness (30.48%), fresh weight (38.76%), dry weight (55.68%), and yield per tree (27.00%) compared to the control (CF100+BF0). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified CF100+BF1+BFF, CF75+BF1+BFF, and CF50+BF1+BFF as superior treatments for fruit characteristics, while CF50+BF1+BFF excelled in oil quality indicators.

Conclusion

The study recommends the CF75+BF1+BFF and CF50+BF1+BFF treatments for concurrent improvements in fruit and oil quality. The combined use of biological fertilizers with reduced chemical fertilizers is considered the superior and optimal approach for fertilizing ‘Zard’ cultivar olive orchards.
Fear of COVID-19, traumatic growth, and traumatic stress symptoms: the mediating role of basic psychological needs
Authors: Gargurevich Rafael , Campodónico Valeria , Matos Lennia
Published: January 2025

Although COVID-19 brought many negative psychological consequences, many people also experienced psychological growth. The present study investigated why this happened and hypothesized that self-determination theory’s (SDT’s) basic psychological needs (BPNs) may play a role in this explanation. Based on SDT, this cross-sectional study hypothesized that both the satisfaction and frustration of BPNs mediated the associations between fear of COVID-19, post-traumatic growth (PTG), and post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. A sample of 391 Peruvian adults (70.6% women; Mage = 35.04, age range between 18 and 84) responded to several valid and reliable questionnaires: Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV.19S); Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS); Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R); Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The results showed that need satisfaction mediated the negative association between fear of COVID-19 and PTG, and need frustration mediated the positive association between fear of COVID-19 and PTG. In addition, a direct effect was found from fear of COVID-19 toward PTS symptoms. The results showed the importance of considering SDT’s BPNs in explaining PTG and PTS after experiencing fear of COVID-19.
Notes on psychiatrist liability around the world regarding suicide
Authors: Saya Anna , Albanesi Giuseppe , Cichetti Diego , Di Molfetta Matteo , Guarino Yuri , Niolu Cinzia , Siracusano Alberto
Published: January 2025

Background

Currently, there is a lively debate regarding involuntary treatment and the psychiatrist's liability for suicide of patients with serious mental illness. This article aims to highlight the worldwide differences, considering that in some countries suicide is still considered a crime, while elsewhere, access to euthanasia/medically assisted suicide is allowed even for psychiatric patients.

Methods

Data have been collected from accredited sites, governmental websites, and databases of organizations. The legislation and socio-cultural contexts of different countries are considered.

Results

This article highlight significant legislative differences, including suicide prevention programs, also due to several sociocultural patterns. The psychiatrist liability is not always clearly described in the legislation of different countries.

Conclusions

What emerges from this study is the gray area of psychiatric patient suicide. Is it possible to make the psychiatrist liable for an unmanageable illness? What are the correct guidelines? When the possibility of coercion is no longer valid to avoid suicide and when does the right to self-determination begin for the psychiatric patient?
Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students
Authors: Xing Wanying , Wang Xianyang , Feng Tingwei , Xie Jiaxin , Liu Chang , Wang Xiuchao , Wang Hui , Ren Lei , Liu Xufeng
Published: January 2025

Background

Social anxiety (SA) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) have become increasingly common among college students in recent decades, with research indicating a mutual increase in risk. This study aim to deepen the understanding of how SA and PSU are interconnected at the symptom-level within this demographic using network analysis.

Methods

We recruited 1,197 college students from four institutions in Shaanxi Province, China. Symptoms of SA and PSU were assessed through self-report questionnaires. A regularized Gaussian graphical model was used to estimate the relationships between these symptoms. We calculated Bridge Expected Influence (BEI) to identify key symptoms contributing to their co-occurrence. Additionally, a network comparison test was conducted to examine potential gender differences in the BEI values of the SA-PSU network.

Results

Distinct relationships were observed between SA and PSU symptoms. Notably, the connections between ‘Get embarrassed very easily’ (SA3) and ‘shyness in new situations’ (PSU1), as well as between SA3 and ‘Escape or relieve negative moods’ (PSU8), showed the strongest inter-construct connections. SA3 and PSU8 were identified as the key symptoms contributing to the co-occurrence, with the highest BEI. Network comparison tests between males and females revealed no significant differences in global expected influence, between-community edges weights, and BEI.

Conclusion

The key bridging symptoms this study identified supports the existing theories about the co-occurrence of SA and PSU, and contributes to understanding the underlying mechanisms. Our findings suggest that interventions targeting negative emotions in daily interactions could be effective in reducing PSU.
Psychosocial determinants of the willingness to pay for social health insurance among workers at a commercial bank in Dessie, Ethiopia: a multi-setting study
Authors: Abate Alemayehu Mebratu , Mekonen Asnakew Molla , Assfaw Abebe Kibret , Toleha Husien Nurahmed , Bayked Ewunetie Mekashaw
Published: January 2025

Background

A lack of health insurance is a major barrier to the “health for all” agenda, where out-of-pocket (OOP) spending is the primary healthcare funding mechanism, a characteristic of Ethiopia’s healthcare sector, leading it to plan to fully implement social health insurance (SHI) by 2014, but not yet, owing to significant opposition from public employees. The objective of this study was to look into the psychosocial determinants of the willingness to pay (WTP) for SHI among employees at a commercial bank in Dessie, Ethiopia.

Methods

We employed a cross-sectional study (October to December 2023) design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. We used SPSS 27 to analyze the data. The relationship between dependent and independent variables was determined using the odds ratios at a p value less than 0.05 with a 95% CI.

Results

Of 396 samples, 264 (66.7%) responded, of which 93.9% had information about SHI, mainly from broadcast media (71.0%). More than three-fourths (75.8%) and two-thirds (64.4%), respectively, had poor knowledge and a negative perception regarding SHI. More than half (50.4%) of the participants were willing to pay, of which 88.5% (40.5% of the total participants) were interested in paying the 3.0% premium set by the government. The main reason for the WTP was to help those who could not afford medical costs, while the primary reason for not paying was the scheme’s limited benefit packages. The WTP was found to be significantly affected by being female (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.26–0.98), being affiliated with orthodox Christianity (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23–0.99), the presence of ≥5 family members in the household (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06–0.52), experience of illness in the last 6 months (AOR = 4.95, 95% CI: 2.23–11.00), and perception toward it (AOR = 4.07, 95% CI: 2.03–8.17).

Conclusion

The WTP for the scheme was suboptimal, attributed to limited benefit packages, lack of medicines and equipment, and poor healthcare quality, and significantly influenced by being female, being affiliated with orthodox Christianity, family size, experience of illness in the last 6 months, as well as perceptions toward it.
A cross-sectional study exploring the predictors of herpes zoster vaccination for people aged over 50 years old in Chaoyang district, Beijing
Authors: Zhang Jiao , Zhang Shuo , Jia Bin , Bai Yunhua , Li Zhen , Liu Fang , Hu Yingxue , Guo Xiaojing , Ma Jianxin , Li Shuming , Shi Qian
Published: January 2025

Background

Vaccination is an effective measure to prevent herpes zoster and its related complications. The coverage of herpes zoster vaccination is extremely low in China, and there is a notable lack of research investigating the barriers to promoting the herpes zoster vaccine in China.

Objectives

This study aims to survey the status of herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination and its associated factors among individuals aged 50 years and older, it also seeks to identify the barriers to vaccination and dissemination, thereby providing a scientific foundation for enhancing the vaccination rate of herpes zoster.

Methods

From March to August 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted using a multi-stage sampling method on permanent residents aged 50 years and older in Chaoyang district of Beijing. Logistic regression analysis and decision tree models were employed to explore the predictors herpes zoster vaccination behavior.

Results

The herpes zoster vaccination coverage was 13.26% (403/3040), with 52.4% of respondents expressing willingness but not yet receiving the vaccine, while 34.31% (1,043/3040) were unwilling to be vaccinated. Among those willing but not vaccinated, 48.06% cited high cost as the reason for abstaining from vaccination. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that certain factors were associated with lower vaccination coverage, including being female, having a low frequency of influenza episodes (less than twice per year), and having chronic diseases. On the other hand, higher vaccination coverage was observed among individuals whose spouses had a master’s degree or higher, those awarded that a history of chickenpox may lead to potential herpes zoster infection, those who were knowledgeable about the herpes zoster vaccine, and those received recommendations from medical staff. Additionally, the decision tree model confirmed that recommendations from medical staff had the most significant impact on vaccination.

Conclusion

The survey reveals a generally low vaccination coverage of the herpes zoster vaccine among residents aged over 50 in this area. It is recommended to enhance the role of medical staff in advocating for vaccination, conduct community-based educational initiatives that focus on varicella, herpes zoster, and related knowledge, and alleviate the financial burden to improve the herpes zoster vaccination coverage.