bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Castration of Male Mice Induces Metabolic Remodeling of the Heart
Authors: Svedlund Eriksson Elin , Johansson Inger , Mårtensson Anna K F , Lantero Rodriguez Marta , Schilperoort Maaike , Kroon Jan , Kooijman Sander , Omerovic Elmir , Andersson Linda , Levin Malin C , Rensen Patrick C N , Tivesten Åsa
Published: September 2022

Androgen deprivation therapy of prostate cancer, which suppresses serum testosterone to castrate levels, is associated with increased risk of heart failure. Here we tested the hypothesis that castration alters cardiac energy substrate uptake, which is tightly coupled to the regulation of cardiac structure and function. Short-term (3-4 weeks) surgical castration of male mice reduced the relative heart weight. While castration did not affect cardiac function in unstressed conditions, we observed reductions in heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and cardiac index during pharmacological stress with dobutamine in castrated vs sham-operated mice. Experiments using radiolabeled lipoproteins and glucose showed that castration shifted energy substrate uptake in the heart from lipids toward glucose, while testosterone replacement had the opposite effect. There was increased expression of fetal genes in the heart of castrated mice, including a strong increase in messenger RNA and protein levels of β-myosin heavy chain (MHC), the fetal isoform of MHC. In conclusion, castration of male mice induces metabolic remodeling and expression of the fetal gene program in the heart, in association with a reduced cardiac performance during pharmacological stress. These findings may be relevant for the selection of treatment strategies for heart failure in the setting of testosterone deficiency.
Structures of RNA ligase RtcB in complexes with divalent cations and GTP
Authors: Jacewicz Agata , Dantuluri Swathi , Shuman Stewart
Published: September 2022

Pyrococcushorikoshii(Pho) RtcB exemplifies a family of binuclear transition metal- and GTP-dependent RNA ligases that join 3′-phosphate and 5′-OH ends via RtcB-(histidinyl-N)–GMP and RNA3'pp5'G intermediates. We find that guanylylation of PhoRtcB is optimal with manganese and less effective with cobalt and nickel. Zinc and copper are inactive and potently inhibit manganese-dependent guanylylation. We report crystal structures of PhoRtcB in complexes with GTP and permissive (Mn, Co, Ni) or inhibitory (Zn, Cu) metals. Zinc and copper occupy the M1 and M2 sites adjacent to the GTP phosphates, as do manganese, cobalt, and nickel. The identity/positions of enzymic ligands for M1 (His234, His329, Cys98) and M2 (Cys98, Asp95, His203) are the same for permissive and inhibitory metals. The differences pertain to: (i) the coordination geometries and phosphate contacts of the metals; and (ii) the orientation of the His404 nucleophile with respect to the GTP α-phosphate and pyrophosphate leaving group. M2 metal coordination geometry correlates with metal cofactor activity, whereby inhibitory Zn2 and Cu2 assume a tetrahedral configuration and contact only the GTP γ-phosphate, whereas Mn2, Co2, and Ni2 coordination complexes are pentahedral and contact the β- and γ-phosphates. The His404-Nε–Pα–O(α-β) angle is closer to apical in Mn (179°), Co (171°), and Ni (169°) structures than in Zn (160°) and Cu (155°) structures. The octahedral Mn1 geometry in our RtcB•GTP•Mn2+structure, in which Mn1 contacts α-, β-, and γ-phosphates, transitions to a tetrahedral configuration after formation of RtcB•(His404)–GMP•Mn2+and departure of pyrophosphate.
Autophagy of the somatic stalk cells nurses the propagating spores of Dictyostelid social amoebas
Authors: Du Qingyou , Schaap Pauline
Published: September 2022

Background:  Autophagy (self-feeding) assists survival of starving cells by partial self-digestion, while dormancy as cysts, spores or seeds enables long-term survival. Starving Dictyostelium amoebas construct multicellular fruiting bodies with spores and stalk cells, with many Dictyostelia still able to encyst individually like their single-celled ancestors. While autophagy mostly occurs in the somatic stalk cells, autophagy gene knock-outs in Dictyostelium discoideum (D. discoideum) formed no spores and lacked cAMP induction of prespore gene expression.

Methods: To investigate whether autophagy also prevents encystation, we knocked-out autophagy genes atg5 and atg7 in the dictyostelid Polysphondylium pallidum, which forms both spores and cysts. We measured spore and cyst differentiation and viability in the knock-out as well as stalk and spore gene expression and its regulation by cAMP. We tested a hypothesis that spores require materials derived from autophagy in stalk cells. Sporulation requires secreted cAMP acting on receptors and intracellular cAMP acting on PKA. We compared the morphology and viability of spores developed in fruiting bodies with spores induced from single cells by stimulation with cAMP and 8Br-cAMP, a membrane-permeant PKA agonist.

Results: Loss of autophagy in P. pallidum reduced but did not prevent encystation. However, spore, but not stalk differentiation, and cAMP-induced prespore gene expression were lost. Spores induced in vitro by cAMP and 8Br-cAMP were smaller and rounder than spores formed multicellularly and while they were not lysed by detergent they did not germinate, unlike multicellular spores.

Conclusions: The stringent requirement of sporulation on both multicellularity and autophagy, which occurs mostly in stalk cells, suggests that stalk cells nurse the spores through autophagy. This highlights autophagy as a major cause for somatic cell evolution in early multicellularity.
A Challenges–Adaptive Mechanisms–Results (CARE) Model for Indonesian Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Authors:   Department of Accounting, Politeknik Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta Indonesia, Maris Anis Wahyu Intan , Rahmi Iftita
Published: September 2022

Abstract. This article explores challenges that motivate persons with disabilities to engage in entrepreneurship and adaptive mechanisms to overcome their challenges. The study expands the understanding of the initial challenges-adaptive mechanisms-results (CARE) model by including entrepreneurs with different disabilities who deal with various challenges and adaptive mechanisms to attain social, personal, and business-related goals. We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore the lived experiences of nine entrepreneurs with physical, sensory, or mental disabilities. Our empirical findings indicate that difficulties at the personal level decreased all respondents' job opportunities, which encouraged them to become entrepreneurs in striving for independent living. We find support from their circle, education, and technological advancements to have been the most effective adaptive mechanism strategies leading their entrepreneurial activities to success. The expanded CARE model contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship for persons with disabilities and provides insights potentially for all stakeholders supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem for persons with disabilities. Keywords: Challenges, adaptive mechanism, disability, disabled entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship
About the Authors
Authors: Authors About
Published: September 2022

About the Authors
Measles: A disease that’s making a comeback
Authors: Bojarska Małgorzata , Domańska Natalia , Brzyska Anna , Bogucka Julia , Wilczek Natalia , Piecewicz-Szczęsna Halina
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that occurs around the world, featured by fever and the characteristic maculopapular rash, which can also be associated with cough, conjunctivitis or coryza. In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the amount of measles cases in many countries around the world. The aim of this study is to review the literature and systematize knowledge about measles.Brief description of the state of knowledge: The disease is caused by the measles virus, which is highly infectious, and its only reservoir is humans. The infection occurs via droplets, and the disease is a three-phase course. Unfortunately, measles is behind multiple complications, which may lead to death. In view of no specific antiviral therapies available for the treatment of measles, controlling the spread of the disease depends on prophylaxis, that is the use of widely available and effective vaccination against measles. Despite the presence of vaccines, there is still a substantial risk of further endemic outbreaks. 

Conclusions: Nowadays, the elimination of measles is a major challenge due to increasing population density, ongoing wars, pandemics and other social and political factors. Hence, it remains paramount to make every effort to increase the quantity of people vaccinated against measles and to control its spread globally.
Impact of SGLT2 inhibitors treatment on the chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Czarkowski Marcin , Raksa Karolina , Powroźniak Ewelina , Spozowski Karol
Published: September 2022

Diabetes is the most common cause of CKD (chronic kidney disease). CKD is also one of the most important diabetic complication. SGLT2 (sodium glucose co‐transporter‐2) inhibitors are new class of medication used to lower high blood glucose level in people with type 2 diabetes. In new researches SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrated a significant and clinically relevant reduction in the risks of albuminuria and progression of nephropathy, doubling of serum creatinine levels, and initiation of renal replacement therapy. This review focuses on the therapeutic effectiveness of using SGLT2 inhibitors for the treatment of CKD in type 2 diabetes.
David Hume i Adam Smith o sympatii
Authors: Grzeliński Adam Jerzy , Markwart Anna
Published: September 2022

Artykuł zawiera porównanie dwóch koncepcji sympatii, autorstwa Davida Hume’a i Adama Smitha. Chociaż w obu systemach filozoficznych pojęcie topełni centralną rolę, jej znaczenie jest nieco inne. Drobiazgowe analizy teoriopoznawcze Hume’a pozwalają  na wyodrębnienie w jego filozofii trzech płaszczyzn opisu: zdroworozsądkowy, mechanicystyczny i fenomenalistyczny, przy czym sympatia pełni na każdej z nich nieco odmienną rolę. Smith dostrzegł centralne znaczenie tego pojęcia w Hume’owskiej koncepcji umysłu i uczuć, a także zaadoptował je w swej teorii uczuć moralnych, ale brak u niego subtelnych analiz „mechaniki” ludzkiego myślenia. Brak ten jednak można traktować zarówno jako zaniedbanie, jednak z drugiej strony – paradoksalnie – pozwala on dostrzec doktrynerski charakter koncepcji Hume’a wynikający z przyjęcia fizykalistycznego modelu eksplikacji ludzkiej afektywności.
The Open Issue, 2022
Authors: Aitken Shelagh
Published: September 2022

The contributions in this year’s Open issue of AI Practitioner range from first encounters with Appreciative Inquiry through the ripple effect of ‘what’s working’ and ‘what if’ conversations in places where you might not expect to find AI to a report on global summits of varying sizes and reach devoted, in multiple languages, to sharing successful educational practices so that more and more children are able to grow and flourish – and become the complete person we all have the potential to be.
The Best of Life is a Dinner Conversation
Authors: Okma Akkie
Published: September 2022

Theodore Zeldin started inviting people with very different backgrounds and interests to conversation dinners in Oxford, UK, in 2000 to bring strangers together to let them have a conversation that went beyond small talk. The author considers the effect his idea had on her, on conversations with colleagues in the European AI Network, and proposes that we add the conversation dinner to our AI toolbox.
Efecto del Flipped Classroom virtual en la escritura académica: autopercepción de universitarios
Authors:   ,  , ,, Chura Quispe Gilber , García Castro Raúl Alberto , Llapa Medina Martín Pedro , Salamanca Chura Edith Cristina
Published: September 2022

El desarrollo de la competencia de escritura académica en estudiantes de educación superior ha presentado numerosas dificultades durante la educación virtual debido a la escaza aplicaciónde metodologías emergentes. Es por ello, que la presente investigación tiene como objetivo evaluar la efectividad de la metodologíaFlipped Classroom(FC)virtual en el desarrollo de competencias de escritura académica desde la perspectiva del estudiante.El enfoque del estudio es cuantitativo, con diseño cuasiexperimental (con pre y postest en dos grupos)y análisis descriptivo-inferencial. Seaplicó elcuestionario de “Autopercepción de Competencias para EscribirTrabajos Académicos” a 113 estudiantes universitarios de primer ciclo de distintas disciplinas (grupo experimental=57; grupo control=56) seleccionadosde manera no probabilística intencional. Los resultados evidencianque el grupo experimentalincrementa el nivel de escritura alto de12.28%a 66.67%mientras que el grupo controlpasó de 16.07%a 44.64%. Estas diferencias son significativas y de mediana magnitud (p < .05; Δ2> .50), lo mismo sucede con las dimensiones de revisión bibliográfica, conocimiento básico de escritura científica, importancia de investigación, aptitudes lingüísticas y normativas de citas y referencias. La comparacióncon estudios precedentes demuestraque la metodología FC esefectiva para mejorar la escritura académica en el contexto universitario
Pteridine a Colored Heterocycle and its Anticancer Activity: An Overview
Authors: Panchal Neil B. , Vaghela Vipul M.
Published: September 2022

The objective of this work is to provide an overview of the numerous pharmacological features that are associated with the pteridine molecule. Pteridines are nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds that are well-known and noteworthy. Their chemical formula is C6H4N4.In recent years, pteridine's various potential uses in the field of medicinal chemistry research have garnered significant attention. In the expanding field of intensive study, Pteridine is regarded as a privileged scaffold, and the alteration created with diverse substituents around the centroid opened the way for researchers to deal with it at ease. The heterocycle, which is a fused ring, has a high pharmacological quality. A pteridine is one of the heterocycles that has attracted a lot of interest in terms of biological uses. The pteridine nucleus serves as the quintessential framework in a range of physiologically energetic chemicals and pharmacological molecules. This evaluation is necessary in order to bring to light the remarkable potential that this ring device possesses as a result of the wide variety of pharmacological effects it may perform. This research might unquestionably hasten the graph and synthesis procedures, which would ultimately yield in a wide array of therapeutically feasible medicinal options.
Method Development and Validation for Estimation of Cefadroxil in Different Marketed Tablets by UV Spectrophotometry Method and Anti-Inflammatory Studies Using In-Silico Approaches
Authors: Ali Zulekha , Ain Shabnam , Kumar Babita , Ain Qurratul
Published: September 2022

Quality-based assessment of pharmaceuticals obviates the uncertainties concerning their quality, safety and efficacy for their regulatory purpose. A method was developed and validated for quality control assessment of cefadroxil for the pharmaceuticals or row material analysis. In-silico analysis wasperformedto evaluate the bioavailability, toxicity as well asanti-inflammatory potential of cefadroxil. The results showed that the developed method was found linear, accurate, precise and robust while the dissolution rate of each tablet was found comparable. In-silico docking analysis and network pharmacology analysis showed low bioavailability and toxicity as well as a significant anti-inflammatory potential of cefadroxil via regulation of genes such as TNF-α, IL-6, SLC15A1 and SLC15A2. However, due to its bioavailability barriers, further experimental strategies are necessary to re-purpose the therapeutic application of cefadroxil as a potent anti-inflammatory agent.
Molecular Analysis, Pathophysiology, and Drug Delivery Mechanism with Reference to Psoriasis: A Review
Authors: Sharma Jyoti , Daman Ripu
Published: September 2022

Psoriasis is a dermal condition caused by an immunological response. Interrelations among the innate and adaptive immunological responses are the fundamental cause to trigger the pathogenesis of the psoriatic plague. The study of psoriasis pathophysiology has greatly advanced our understanding of epidermal physiology. Advancements in psoriasis etiology have paved the way for effective tailored and specialized drugs, revealing invaluable discernment into the pathophysiology of the chronic inflammatory dermal condition. In this review, we discuss the clinical classification, identification, and management of psoriasis. Further, we will briefly discuss the hurdles in the conventional treatment and how various nano-based carriers used in the drug delivery are able to overcome them. The clinical categorization, detection, and management of psoriasis are discussed in this review. Further, we'll discuss the limitations of conventional treatment and the advantages of nan-drugs over them.
Meaningful values of the EQ-5D-3L in patients undergoing primary knee arthroplasty
Authors: Yapp Liam Z. , Scott Chloe E. H. , Howie Colin R. , MacDonald Deborah J. , Simpson A. Hamish R. W. , Clement Nick D.
Published: September 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to report the meaningful values of the EuroQol five-dimension three-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) and EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) in patients undergoing primary knee arthroplasty (KA).

Methods

This is a retrospective study of patients undergoing primary KA for osteoarthritis in a university teaching hospital (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh) (1 January 2013 to 31 December 2019). Pre- and postoperative (one-year) data were prospectively collected for 3,181 patients (median age 69.9 years (interquartile range (IQR) 64.2 to 76.1); females, n = 1,745 (54.9%); median BMI 30.1 kg/m2 (IQR 26.6 to 34.2)). The reliability of the EQ-5D-3L was measured using Cronbach’s alpha. Responsiveness was determined by calculating the anchor-based minimal clinically important difference (MCID), the minimal important change (MIC) (cohort and individual), the patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) predictive of satisfaction, and the minimal detectable change at 90% confidence intervals (MDC-90).

Results

The EQ-5D-3L demonstrated good internal consistency with an overall Cronbach alpha of 0.75 (preoperative) and 0.88 (postoperative), respectively. The MCID for the Index score was 0.085 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.042 to 0.127) and EQ-VAS was 6.41 (95% CI 3.497 to 9.323). The MICCOHORT was 0.289 for the EQ-5D and 5.27 for the EQ-VAS. However, the MICINDIVIDUAL for both the EQ-5D-3L Index (0.105) and EQ-VAS (-1) demonstrated poor-to-acceptable reliability. The MDC-90 was 0.023 for the EQ-5D-3L Index and 1.0 for the EQ-VAS. The PASS for the postoperative EQ-5D-3L Index and EQ-VAS scores predictive of patient satisfaction were 0.708 and 77.0, respectively.

Conclusion

The meaningful values of the EQ-5D-3L Index and EQ-VAS scores can be used to measure clinically relevant changes in health-related quality of life in patients undergoing primary KA. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(9):619–628.
September 2022 Pulmonary Case of the Month: A Sanguinary Case
Authors:   Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ USA, Abdalla Abdelmohaymin , Wesselius Lewis
Published: September 2022

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after 150 words. History of Present Illness A 55 years-old woman presented to pulmonary clinic with shortness of breath and chest pain for 4-6 weeks. No specific timing for her symptoms or triggers. The symptoms occurring occasionally at random times. Her dyspnea was not limiting her daily activities, though she has been asking her partners to help with chores more than before. Her chest pain was sharp localized to left posterior chest wall that seldom get worse with taking a deep breath. At worse it’s mild. She also experienced dry cough that is occasional and not bothersome. Past Medical History (PMH), Social History (SH), Family History (FH) PMH • Paraplegia secondary to gunshot wound to T11-12 in 2003; wheelchair-bound • COVID 2021, incidentally diagnosed with no pulmonary symptoms • Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral • Acne • GERD • Splenectomy 2003 after uncontrolled bleeding from splenic laceration following gunshot wound • Tubal ligation 2005 SH • Former tobacco use, 15 pack-years, quit …
LED recognition method based on deep learning in UAV optical camera communication
Authors: Sun Xu , Yu YinHui , Cheng Qing
Published: September 2022

Optical camera communication (OCC) is a potential technology in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication scenes, which can be used as a complementary scheme for radio frequency (RF) technology to effectively mitigate electromagnetic interference. The UAV OCC system still has the problems of low reliability, poor robustness, and long latency. In this paper, we propose the

n

-ary image that contains binary image information with different thresholds for the LED area. In addition, the multi-spectrum fast recognition (MFR) algorithm based on deep learning is designed. The MFR algorithm combines the frequency channel attention (FCA) and the involution convolution operator, which take the

n

-ary image as input to accurately identify the LED state. The experiment results show that the proposed method can reduce the bit error rate (BER) and latency of the UAV OCC system.
Reconstructing Gaussian bipartite states with a single polarization-sensitive homodyne detector
Authors: Junker Jonas , Wilken Dennis , Steinmeyer Daniel , Heurs Michèle
Published: September 2022

We present a novel method to fully estimate Gaussian bipartite polarization states using only a single homodyne detector. Our approach is based on [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 020502 (2009)10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.020502], but circumvents additional optics, and thereby losses, in the signal path. We provide an intuitive explanation of our scheme without needing to define auxiliary modes. With six independent measurements, we fully reconstruct the state’s covariance matrix. We validate our method by comparing it to a conventional dual-homodyne measurement scheme.
Broadening the absorption bandwidth based on heavily doped semiconductor nanostructures
Authors: Goncharenko A. V. , Fitio V. , Silkin V.
Published: September 2022

Broadband light absorption is a basis for the proper functionality of various materials, microstructures, and devices. Despite numerous studies, however, many aspects of broadband absorption remain uncovered. In this paper, we demonstrate an inverse-problem approach to designing nanostructures with a very low optical reflection and high absorption through a frequency band. Particular emphasis is made on a subwavelength transparent film as a top layer and anisotropic substrate. The polarization-dependent metamaterial absorber based on a subwavelenth semiconductor multicomponent multilayer structure is proposed and numerically investigated. For an illustration, we consider a four-component heavily doped silicon lattice with a thin undoped silicon top layer. The dielectric response of the structure is engineered by controlling the free carrier density and filling factor of each layer. A simulation study reveals a power law dependence of the bandwidth on the maximum reflectivity within the band.
Million-Q integrated Fabry-Perot cavity using ultralow-loss multimode retroreflectors
Authors: Xu Hongnan , Qin Yue , Hu Gaolei , Tsang Hon Ki
Published: September 2022

The monolithic integration of Fabry-Perot cavities has many applications, such as label-free sensing, high-finesse filters, semiconductor lasers, and frequency comb generation. However, the excess loss of integrated reflectors makes it challenging to realize integrated Fabry-Perot cavities working in the ultrahigh-

Q

regime (

>

10

6

). Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate what we believe is the first silicon integrated million-

Q

Fabry-Perot cavity. Inspired by free-space optics, a novel monolithically integrated retroreflector is utilized to obtain near-unity reflectance and negligible reflection losses. The corner scattering in the retroreflector is prevented by the use of the

TE

1

mode, taking advantage of its zero central field intensity. Losses incurred by other mechanisms are also meticulously engineered. The measurement results show resonances with an ultrahigh intrinsic

Q

factor of

≈
3.4
×

10

6

spanning an 80-nm bandwidth. The measured loaded

Q

factor is

≈
2.1
×

10

6

. Ultralow reflection losses (

≈
0.05
  
dB

) and propagation losses (

≈
0.18
  
dB/
cm

) are experimentally realized.
Prognostic variables and 4-year survival outcomes in CD20 Positive AIDS-Related Lymphoma in the Anti-retroviral treatment era: A Retrospective Review from a Single Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Rapiti Nadine , Abdelatif Nada , Moosa Mahomed-Yunus S.
Published: September 2022

Objective

To describe 4-year survival outcomes and assess the value of established and additional relevant variables to predict complete response (CR), four-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of CD20 positive AIDS-Related Lymphoma (ARL) treated with standard combination chemotherapy.

Method

We performed a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with CD20 positive ARL between 2006 and 2016. All patients over 12 years of age who received at least one cycle of combination chemotherapy with curative intent were included in the analysis. Variables assessed included the International Prognostic Index (IPI), age-adjusted-IPI, age, gender, B symptoms, extent of disease, functional performance status, CD4 cell count, viral load, concurrent ART with chemotherapy, rituximab inclusion, and number of chemotherapy cycles used. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for OS and PFS at 4 years were compared for IPI and aaIPI using the log-rank test. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the effects of prognostic variables for patients achieving OS and PFS at 4 years and logistic regression for patients achieving CR.

Results

A total of 102 patients were included in the analysis. At year four of follow-up, the OS was 50% (n = 51) and PFS was 43% (n = 44). Attaining a CR and male gender were significantly associated with improved 4-year OS (p<0.001 and p = 0.028 respectively) and PFS (p<0.001 and 0.048 respectively). A viral load of < 50 copies/ml was associated with a higher complete response rate (aOR 6.10 [95% CI 1.15, 24.04], p = 0.01). Six or more cycles of chemotherapy was superior to fewer cycles for both PFS (aHR 0.17 [95% CI 0.10, 0.29]) and OS (aHR 0.12 [95% CI 0.07, 0.22]) with p-value < 0.001 for both PFS and OS. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimates demonstrated the prognostic utility of the IPI and aaIP for OS (p = 0.002 and 0.030 respectively) and the IPI for PFS (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

This study is a first from a high prevalence HIV area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and confirms the utility of the internationally accepted prognostic scoring systems in predicting survival in CD20 positive ARL in the local population.
Traffic-driven ions motion optimization-based clustering routing protocol for cognitive radio sensor networks
Authors: Wang Jihong , Ni Hao , Ge Yiyang , Li Shuo
Published: September 2022

In cognitive radio sensor networks, single clustering protocol cannot simultaneously satisfy the various requirements of time-triggered and event-driven traffic, as a result, different kinds of clustering protocols are designed to serve them separately. In addition, for event-driven traffic, the long delay incurred by clustering and searching for available routes after events results in poor timeliness of information transmission. In order to solve above problems, a traffic-driven ions motion optimization-based clustering routing protocol (TD-IMOCRP) is proposed in this paper. For the first time, time-triggered and event-driven traffic can be served by a single clustering protocol. To be specific, ions motion optimization algorithm is leveraged to automatically determine the optimal number of clusters and form basic clustering structure. In this case, time-triggered traffic can be periodically served. Priority-based schedule and corresponding frame structure are designed to ensure priority delivery of event-driven information. The clustering architecture built for time-triggered traffic is leveraged, and there is no cluster construction and route selection after emergent events. Only the CRSNs nodes which discover emergent events and corresponding CHs participate in data transmission, which means that TD-IMOCRP covers fewer nodes, especially when the sink is located at the corner. Therefore, it can help reduce node energy consumption and delay. Simulation results demonstrate that compared with representative event-driven clustering protocols, TD-IMOCRP can decrease the average number of covered nodes and the total energy consumption by more than 66.3% and 25%, respectively. In addition, when serving time-triggered traffic, TD-IMOCRP can achieve almost the same performance as its basic version IMOCRP which is better than majority of current time-triggered clustering protocols. In a word, TD-IMOCRP can guarantee in-time delivery of event-driven information while guaranteeing its performance of serving time-triggered traffic.
Quantifying the effects of human activities and climate variability on runoff changes using variable infiltration capacity model
Authors: Bao Qingling , Ding Jianli , Han Lijing
Published: September 2022

Detecting and assessing changes in the hydrologic cycle and its response to a changing environment is essential for maintaining regional ecological security and restoring degraded ecosystems. There is no clear scientific evidence on the effects of human activities and climate variability on runoff and its components in typical arid areas. Therefore, in this study, a heuristic segmentation algorithm, a variable infiltration capacity model (VIC), and remote sensing data to quantify the effects of human activities and climate variability on runoff in the catchment of Lake Ebinur, Xinjiang, China. The results found: (1) The heuristic segmentation algorithm divided the study period into reference period (1964–1985) and two impact periods: I (1986–2000) and II (2001–2017). (2) Cropland and forest land showed an increasing trend, with grassland and barren land accounting for most of the increase. At the same time, the leaf area index (LAI) increased by 0.002 per year during the growing season. (3) Compared with the reference period, runoff depth decreased by 108.80 mm in impact period I due to human activities, but increased by 110.5 mm due to climate variability, resulting in an overall increase in runoff depth of 1.72 mm. Runoff depth increased by 11.10 mm in the impact period II compared to the reference period, with climate variability resulting in an increase of 154.40 mm, but human activities resulted in a decrease of 143.30 mm. Our results shed light on decision-making related to water stress in changing circumstances in arid regions.
AICAR attenuates postoperative abdominal adhesion formation by inhibiting oxidative stress and promoting mesothelial cell repair
Authors: Wu Yunhua , Duan Xianglong , Gao Zengzhan , Yang Ni , Xue Fei
Published: September 2022

Background

Postoperative abdominal adhesion is one of most common complications after abdominal operations. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxyamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) is an adenosine 5’-monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway agonist that inhibits inflammation, reduces cell fibrosis and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) injury, promotes autophagy and mitochondrial function. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of AICAR in inhibiting adhesion formation.

Materials and methods

Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups. All of the rats except the sham group received cecal abrasion to establish an adhesion model. The rats in the sodium hyaluronate group were treated with 2 mL sodium hyaluronate before closing the peritoneal cavity. The AICAR 1 and 2 groups were treated with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg AICAR, respectively. Seven days after the operation, all of the rats were euthanized, and the adhesion condition was evaluated by Nair’s system. Inflammation was assessed by Eosin-hematoxylin (HE) staining and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) detection. Oxidative stress effect was determined by ROS, nitric oxide (NO) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in adhesion tissue. Then, Sirius red picric acid staining was used to detect the fiber thickness. Immunohistochemical staining of cytokeratin-19 (CK-19), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was also performed. Finally, HMrSV5 cells were treated with TGF-β1 and AICAR, the mRNA expression of E-cadherin, α-SMA and vimentin was assessed by q-PCR and cellular immunofluorescent staining.

Results

The rats in the AICAR-treated group had fewer adhesion formation incidences and a reduced Nair’s score. The inflammation was determined by HE staining and TGF-β1 concentration. The ROS, SOD, Catalase, Gpx, MDA levels and fiber thickness were decreased by AICAR treatments compared to the control. However, the NO production, Nrf2 levels and peritoneal mesothelial cell integrity were promoted after AICAR treatments. In vitro work, AICAR treatments reduced E-cadherin, α-SMA and vimentin mRNA level compared to that in the TGF-β1 group.

Conclusion

AICAR can inhibit postoperative adhesion formation by reducing inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress response and promoting peritoneal mesothelial cell repair.
Effects of mobile Health (mHealth) application on cervical cancer prevention knowledge and screening among women social support groups with low-socioeconomic status in Mysuru city, Southern India
Authors: Hombaiah Chandana , Madhu B. , Gopi Arun , Narayana Murthy M. R.
Published: September 2022

Background

Cervical cancer is an important area of action because of the mortality and morbidity of the disease, and the potential for effective prevention by screening. Involving the social support groups by health education improves cervical cancer screening and early detection of the disease in the community. In the ongoing efforts to strengthen cervical cancer prevention, control, and management, digital health and technology will have a significant role to play.

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of the mHealth-based intervention on cervical cancer preparedness among women social support groups.

Materials & methods

A pre-post interventional study was conducted among women social support groups from lower socio-economic status, identified from the field practice area. Purposive sampling technique was employed. A Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) instrument was used to assess the cancer preparedness among the social support group women After taking inputs from the stakeholders’ mobile health application was developed. The mHealth educational intervention was given to 102 women. Both pre-and post-test questionnaires were administered through mHealth application to assess the change in knowledge after a gap of 1 month to 2 months. The data obtained was coded and entered into Microsoft Excel worksheet 2016 and was later imported and analyzed using SPSS version 22 (licensed to the Institute). The difference in median scores of knowledge and practice were interpreted as statistically significant at p value of < 0.05.

Results & conclusion

Before the intervention only 13 (12.7%) of them had heard about cervical cancer. There was a significant increase in the knowledge about warning signs & symptoms, risk factors of cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination. Around 5% increase in Pap smear test uptake.
Experiencing illness as a crisis by the caregivers of individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Kowal Katarzyna , Skrzypek Michał , Kocki Janusz
Published: September 2022

Background

The behavioural phenotype of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) implies a specific emotional and social-interactive burden for the caregivers of the individuals with PWS. The aim of the study was to perform an in-depth exploratory analysis of experiences of the familial caregivers of individuals with PWS.

Method

The study was carried out using a sociological methodology of the grounded theory (qualitative research). A purposively selected sample of 20 familial caregivers of children/adults with PWS was invited to take part in individual, semi-structured in-depth interviews which included questions pertaining to coping with problems arising from the condition, including its impact on social interactions, as well as to the meanings of PWS.

Results

The core category emerging from our analysis emphasized “experiencing PWS as a crisis”. The phases in the process of experiencing PWS were specified, each of which is characterised by specific cognitive, emotional and social problems, implying relevant requirements in the care of individuals with PWS. I. Crisis in response to the diagnosis; II. Crisis in response to lack of control over the hunger of individuals with PWS; III. Crisis in response to the social milieu’s failure to understand the nature of the condition; IV. Crisis in response to attempts to plan the future of individuals with PWS. The specificity of the PWS caregiver’s experience is primarily determined by the need to reconstruct the entire family’s lifestyle. The experiences of caregivers of PWS persons, at the time when they were available for study, had the characteristics of crisis. Moreover the psychosocial consequences of PWS were not subject to normalization and attempts to attribute any meaningful existential sense to the PWS were ineffective in the time period under scrutiny.

Conclusions

Identifying phases of the PWS experience process from the perspective of the caregivers of individuals with PWS may be used to profile interventions supporting PWS individuals’ families in a manner corresponding to the flow of the illness experience.
Resilience-based Islamic program as a promising intervention on diabetes fatigue and health-related quality of life
Authors: Kusnanto Kusnanto , Arifin Hidayat , Pradipta Rifky Octavia , Gusmaniarti Gusmaniarti , Kuswanto Heri , Setiawan Agus , Lee Bih-O
Published: September 2022

Psychological problems commonly experienced by patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cause diabetes fatigue conditions that can further worsen the treatment prognosis. We conducted this investigation to determine the effectiveness of a resilience-based Islamic program on diabetes fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by measuring the biochemical indicators of T2DM. This was a quasi-experimental study performed from May to August 2021, in which 80 respondents aged 18–64 years diagnosed with T2DM were included through purposive sampling at a male:female sex ratio of 1:1 in the control group and 17:23 in the treatment group. A resilience-based Islamic program (a combination of stress management, mindfulness, prayer, and dhikr (the ritual formula of Sufi brotherhood recited devotionally in praise of Allah and as a means of attaining ecstatic experience)) was implemented in the treatment group for six sessions by blended online and offline interventions. Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 and World Health Organization Quality of Life, Brief Form were used to evaluate diabetes fatigue and HRQoL. Blood tests were performed to measure HbA1c, total antioxidant serum, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels from baseline to 3 months. Statistical analyses were conducted using paired t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, independent t test, and Mann–Whitney U test. The resilience-based Islamic program had a beneficial impact on the levels of HbA1c (p < 0.001), lipid profile (triglyceride) (p = 0.011), HDL-c (p = 0.01), LDL-c (p < 0.001), total antioxidant serum (p = 0.001), insulin (p < 0.001), diabetes fatigue (p < 0.05), and HRQoL (p < 0.05) in patients of the treatment group. The results of biochemical tests related to T2DM also indicated a reduction in diabetes fatigue and an increase in HRQoL due to the resilience-based Islamic program. Considering that a patient’s resilience to diabetes is an important factor in the management of diabetes fatigue, the resilience-based Islamic program can be applied at public health centers and community levels to increase T2DM resilience.
Cost analysis of a teaching hospital in Thailand: Impacts of the first wave of COVID-19
Authors: Witvorapong Nopphol , Ngamkiatphaisan Sureerat , Sriratanaban Jiruth
Published: September 2022

COVID-19 has had adverse impacts on the health sector in Thailand and information on hospital costs is required for planning and budgeting. The aim of this study was to estimate costs that the pandemic imposed on a teaching hospital in the country, focusing on the first wave which took place in March-May 2020. A retrospective cost analysis was performed. Data on COVID-related activities, including when and where they were undertaken, were retrieved from existing sources and supplemented by in-depth interviews with the hospital’s staff. The data collection period was January-October 2020, covering three distinct phases: before, during, and after the first wave of the pandemic. The total costs during the preparation phase in January-February, the pandemic phase in March-May, and the standby phase in June-October were 0.6, 3.9, and 1.2 million US dollars respectively. Costs related to treatment of COVID-19 patients were higher than those related to infection control in the first two phases but not in the standby phase, making up 82.09%, 75.23%, and 43.95% of the total costs in the three phases respectively. Costs were incurred in all areas of the hospital, including those that were set up to serve COVID patients, those serving non-COVID patients, and those serving both groups. Public donations were integral to the provision of services and made up 20.94% of the total cost during the pandemic phase. This study was the first to estimate hospital costs of COVID-19 in Thailand. It demonstrated high costs of a national outbreak and supported the establishment of a contingency fund for medical emergencies at the hospital level.
The role of connectivity on COVID-19 preventive approaches
Authors: Miró Pina Verónica , Nava-Trejo Julio , Tóbiás Andras , Nzabarushimana Etienne , González-Casanova Adrián , González-Casanova Inés
Published: September 2022

Preventive and modeling approaches to address the COVID-19 pandemic have been primarily based on the age or occupation, and often disregard the importance of heterogeneity in population contact structure and individual connectivity. To address this gap, we developed models based on Erdős-Rényi and a power law degree distribution that first incorporate the role of heterogeneity and connectivity and then can be expanded to make assumptions about demographic characteristics. Results demonstrate that variations in the number of connections of individuals within a population modify the impact of public health interventions such as lockdown or vaccination approaches. We conclude that the most effective strategy will vary depending on the underlying contact structure of individuals within a population and on timing of the interventions.
Seeing attractive faces challenges inhibitory control, especially when mindful
Authors: Logemann-Molnár Zsófia , Veres-Székely Anna , Demetrovics Zsolt , Logemann H. N. Alexander
Published: September 2022

Previous studies have suggested positive effects of mindfulness on inhibitory control (stopping behaviour). However, scarce previous studies suggest the relationship may depend on context. We provide first evidence that inhibitory control is challenged when perceiving attractive faces, especially when being mindful. Specifically, we investigated the relationship between mindfulness and inhibitory control and the moderating role of a social reward context (being exposed to attractive opposite sex faces). Participants (n = 50) between 18–43 years old (M = 25, SD = 5.4) filled out questionnaires assessing standard demographic variables and dispositional mindfulness. Subsequently, they performed a Go/No-go task with a neutral condition and attractive faces condition. Results showed that inhibitory control was challenged in the attractive condition relative to the neutral condition, p = 0.019. Dispositional mindfulness was negatively correlated with inhibitory performance, but only in the attractive faces condition (r = -0.32, p = 0.024). Results did not support a moderating role of gender. Finally, though post-hoc, higher mindfulness was associated with reduced perceived attractiveness of presented faces (r = -0.33, p = 0.019). However, the relationship between mindfulness and reduced inhibitory control could not be explained by mindfulness associated reduced attractiveness. Taken together, results show that mindfulness challenges inhibitory control when perceiving attractive faces. This implies that mindfulness interventions aimed at enhancing inhibitory control, may not render the desired effect in a context of being exposed to attractive faces. Though certainly plausible, it remains an open question whether results generalize to other reward contexts as well.
The muscle proteome reflects changes in mitochondrial function, cellular stress and proteolysis after 14 days of unilateral lower limb immobilization in active young men
Authors: Doering Thomas M. , Thompson Jamie-Lee M. , Budiono Boris P. , MacKenzie-Shalders Kristen L. , Zaw Thiri , Ashton Kevin J. , Coffey Vernon G.
Published: September 2022

Skeletal muscle unloading due to joint immobilization induces muscle atrophy, which has primarily been attributed to reductions in protein synthesis in humans. However, no study has evaluated the skeletal muscle proteome response to limb immobilization using SWATH proteomic methods. This study characterized the shifts in individual muscle protein abundance and corresponding gene sets after 3 and 14 d of unilateral lower limb immobilization in otherwise healthy young men. Eighteen male participants (25.4 ±5.5 y, 81.2 ±11.6 kg) underwent 14 d of unilateral knee-brace immobilization with dietary provision and following four-weeks of training to standardise acute training history. Participant phenotype was characterized before and after 14 days of immobilization, and muscle biopsies were obtained from thevastus lateralisat baseline (pre-immobilization) and at 3 and 14 d of immobilization for analysis by SWATH-MS and subsequent gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Immobilization reduced vastus group cross sectional area (-9.6 ±4.6%, P <0.0001), immobilized leg lean mass (-3.3 ±3.9%, P = 0.002), unilateral 3-repetition maximum leg press (-15.6 ±9.2%, P <0.0001), and maximal oxygen uptake (-2.9 ±5.2%, P = 0.044). SWATH analyses consistently identified 2281 proteins. Compared to baseline, two and 99 proteins were differentially expressed (FDR <0.05) after 3 and 14 d of immobilization, respectively. After 14 d of immobilization, 322 biological processes were different to baseline (FDR <0.05, P<0.001). Most (77%) biological processes were positively enriched and characterized by cellular stress, targeted proteolysis, and protein-DNA complex modifications. In contrast, mitochondrial organization and energy metabolism were negatively enriched processes. This study is the first to use data independent proteomics and GSEA to show that unilateral lower limb immobilization evokes mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular stress, and proteolysis. Through GSEA and network mapping, we identify 27 hub proteins as potential protein/gene candidates for further exploration.