bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between academic stress and depression among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study from China
Authors: Chen Baoling , Wang Weiwei , Yang Shanlin
Published: January 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has attracted great attention. However, there is a lack of research on the relationship between academic stress and depression in Chinese college students and its mechanisms. Therefore, this study investigated the mechanisms of coping style, sleep quality, and interpersonal relationship in academic stress and depression among college students.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2022 through face-to-face questionnaires with college students in Anhui Province, China. The questionnaires included sociodemographic information, the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and the Self-Rating Depression Scale. Ordered logistic regression model was used to study the relationship between academic stress and depression of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic through the mechanism analysis of coping style, sleep quality and interpersonal relationship.

Results

Two thousand thirty-three Chinese college students participated in the study, including 1,285 female and 748 male college students, with an average age 19.81 years old (SD = 1.22 years old). The results showed that (1) Academic stress had a significant impact on depression in college students under the background of COVID-19 (p < 0.01); (2) The influence of academic stress on depression had a difference in work experience as student cadres, which showed that college students who had served as student cadres were less affected by academic stress (p < 0.10), college students who had not served as student cadres were greatly affected by the academic stress (p < 0.05); (3) College students’ attitudes toward COVID-19 significantly affected depression (p < 0.01); (4) Counselors’ concern had a significant impact on college students’ depression (p < 0.01); (5) Positive coping style, high quality sleep and good interpersonal relationship were the important mechanisms of the impact of academic stress on college students’ depression.

Conclusions

This study provides new findings for in-depth understanding of the relationship between academic stress and depression among college students in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is conducive to the provision of targeted intervention measures for the mental health of college students.
Orthopnea secondary to brachial plexitis with bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis
Authors: El Labban Mohamad , Bauer Philippe R.
Published: January 2024

Background

Diaphragmatic paralysis can present with orthopnea. We report a unique presentation of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, an uncommon diagnosis secondary to an unusual cause, brachial plexitis. This report thoroughly describes the patient’s presentation, workup, management, and outcome. It also reviews the literature on diaphragmatic paralysis and Parsonage-Turner syndrome.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old male patient developed insidious orthopnea associated with left shoulder and neck pain over three months with no associated symptoms. On examination, marked dyspnea was observed when the patient was asked to lie down; breath sounds were present and symmetrical, and the neurological examination was normal. The chest radiograph showed an elevated right hemidiaphragm. Echocardiogram was normal. There was a 63% positional reduction in Forced Vital Capacity and maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures on pulmonary function testing. The electromyogram was consistent with neuromuscular weakness involving both brachial plexus and diaphragmatic muscle (Parsonage and Turner syndrome).

Conclusions

Compared to unilateral, bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis may be more challenging to diagnose. On PFT, reduced maximal respiratory pressures, especially the maximal inspiratory pressure, are suggestive. Parsonage-Turner syndrome is rare, usually with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, but bilateral cases have been reported.
In vitro anti-HIV, cytotoxicity and nutritional analysis of Trianthema portulacastrum L. (Aizoaceae)
Authors: Jimoh Mahboob Adekilekun , Jimoh Muhali Olaide , Bello Mujidat , Raimi Idris Olawale , Okunlola Gideon Olarewaju , Mkhwanazi Nompumelelo , Laubscher Charles Petrus
Published: January 2024

The development of antiretroviral therapy has brought a tremendous relief to the world as it minimizes mortality, reduces HIV transmission, and suppresses progression in infected patients. However, the orthodox antiretroviral therapy is faced with limitations which have necessitated a continuous search for more novel plant-based antiviral compounds, which can bypass the existing barriers created by drug resistance and target more viral proteins. Despite the edibility and enormous pharmacological benefits of T. portulacastrum, little is known about its nutrient profiles and potential use as a natural source of antiviral drug. This study focuses on the full feed analysis and anti-HIV potential of two biotypes of T. portulacastrum. Ethanolic extracts of both biotypes of T. portulacastrum (T01 and T02) had significant inhibitory effects on the level of replication of the HIV-1. Both extracts induced the inhibition of at least 50% of the HIV-1 viral load at considerably low IC50 values of 1.757 mg/mL (T01) and 1.205 mg/mL (T02) which is comparable to the AZT standard. The protein composition ranged between 8.63-22.69%; fat (1.84-4.33%); moisture (7.89-9.04%); fibre (23.84-49.98%); and carbohydrate content (38.54-70.14%). Mineral contents of tested T. portulacastrum varied considerably in different parts of the plant. Nitrogen N mineral ranged between 13.8-36.3 mg/g; sodium Na (2.0-14.0 mg/g); potassium K (14.0-82.0 mg/g); magnesium Mg (2.8-7.1 mg/g); calcium Ca (9.1-24.7 mg/g); phosphorus P (1.3-3.6 mg/g); iron Fe (193.5-984.0 ppm); zinc Zn (42.5-96.0 ppm); manganese Mn (28.5-167.5 ppm); and copper Cu (2.0-8.5 ppm). These mineral values are comparable or higher than values quoted for common vegetables, suggesting that T. portulacastrum is a nutrient-dense vegetable that could provide alternative sources of antiviral nutrients to HIV-infected individuals. Further studies are recommended to unravel key metabolites responsible for high nutrient profiles and antiretroviral effects in T. portulacastrum.
Satisfaction and use of the didactic simulator for learning the nursing process: an observational study
Authors: Cruz-Barrientos Alberto , Cotobal-Calvo Eva Manuela , Sainz-Otero Ana María , De-La-Fuente-Rodríguez José Manuel , Román-Sánchez Daniel , Carmona-Barrientos Inés
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in daily healthcare practice has become standardized. In relation to education within the nursing degree, ICTs make it possible to carry out practical immersion training from the” classroom or from any other place with an Internet connection, as evidenced by circumstances that have occurred in recent years, such as the pandemic caused by COVID-19.

Objective

Design and assess a didactic simulation program for the training of the nursing process that promotes learning in the nursing care

Methodology

The methodological approach is quantitative and it is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sampling method used was non-probabilistic by convenience.

Results

When observing the comparison of the averages of student satisfaction with respect to the didactic simulator, it is worth mentioning that all the items are above 2.80 on a score in which “0” is the minimum value and “5” the maximum value.

The results of the use of the computer tool by the students, we highlight as significant data that all the items present an average equal to or lower than 3.04 out of 7, where “1” corresponds to a lot of use and “7” to little use.

Conclusion

The implication of ICT in the teaching–learning process among Nursing Degree students, it is considered optimal. when analyzing the answers obtained in the items that refer to a higher ease in the execution of development of Care plans, a fundamental work in Nursing performance.
Engaging stakeholders to level up COPD care in LMICs: lessons learned from the “Breathe Well” programme in Brazil, China, Georgia, and North Macedonia
Authors: Fernandes Genevie , Williams Siân , Adab Peymané , Gale Nicola , de Jong Corina , de Sousa Jaime Correia , Cheng KK , Chi Chunhua , Cooper Brendan G. , Dickens Andrew P. , Enocson Alexandra , Farley Amanda , Jolly Kate , Jowett Sue , Maglakelidze Maka , Maghlakelidze Tamaz , Martins Sonia , Sitch Alice , Stamenova Aleksandra , Stavrikj Katarina , Stelmach Rafael , Turner Alice , Pan Zihan , Pang Hui , Zhang Jianxin , Jordan Rachel E.
Published: January 2024

Background

Effective stakeholder engagement in health research is increasingly being recognised and promoted as an important pathway to closing the gap between knowledge production and its use in health systems. However, little is known about its process and impacts, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. This opinion piece draws on the stakeholder engagement experiences from a global health research programme on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) led by clinician researchers in Brazil, China, Georgia and North Macedonia, and presents the process, outcomes and lessons learned.

Main body

Each country team was supported with an overarching engagement protocol and mentored to develop a tailored plan. Patient involvement in research was previously limited in all countries, requiring intensive efforts through personal communication, meetings, advisory groups and social media. Accredited training programmes were effective incentives for participation from healthcare providers; and aligning research findings with competing policy priorities enabled interest and dialogue with decision-makers. The COVID-19 pandemic severely limited possibilities for planned engagement, although remote methods were used where possible. Planned and persistent engagement contributed to shared knowledge and commitment to change, including raised patient and public awareness about COPD, improved skills and practice of healthcare providers, increased interest and support from clinical leaders, and dialogue for integrating COPD services into national policy and practice.

Conclusion

Stakeholder engagement enabled relevant local actors to produce and utilise knowledge for small wins such as improving day-to-day practice and for long-term goals of equitable access to COPD care. For it to be successful and sustained, stakeholder engagement needs to be valued and integrated throughout the research and knowledge generation process, complete with dedicated resources, contextualised and flexible planning, and commitment.
A network meta-analysis of efficacy and safety for first-line and second/further-line therapies in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer
Authors: Shao Hanqiao , Zhao Mingye , Guan Ai-Jia , Shao Taihang , Zhou Dachuang , Yu Guo , Tang Wenxi
Published: January 2024

Background

Hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR + /HER2 −) advanced breast cancer is a prevalent subtype among postmenopausal women. Despite the growing number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) exploring this topic, the efficacy and safety of first-line and second/further-line treatments remain uncertain. Accordingly, our aim was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of these therapies through network meta-analysis.

Methods

RCTs were identified by searching Pubmed, Embase, and major cancer conferences. The efficacy of interventions was assessed using the hazard ratios (HRs) of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), while safety was indicated by the incidence of any grade adverse events (AEs), grade 3–5 AEs, AEs leading to treatment discontinuation, and AEs leading to death. Both time-variant HRs fractional polynomial models and time-invariant HRs Cox-proportional hazards models were considered for handling time-to-event data. Safety indicators were analyzed using Bayesian network meta-analysis. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted based on patient characteristics.

Results

A total of 41 RCTs (first-line 17, second/further-lines 27) were included in the analysis. For first-line treatment, the addition of Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors to endocrine therapy significantly improved therapeutic efficacy in terms of both PFS and OS, demonstrating the best performance across all mechanisms. Specifically, the combination of Abemaciclib and Letrozole demonstrated the most favorable performance in terms of PFS, while Ribociclib plus Fulvestrant yielded the best outcomes in OS. Incorporating the immune checkpoint inhibitor Avelumab into the regimen with CDK4/6 inhibitors and selective estrogen receptor degraders significantly enhanced both PFS and OS in second-line or later treatments. Regarding safety, endocrine monotherapy performed well. Regarding safety, endocrine monotherapy performed well. There is mounting evidence suggesting that most CDK4/6 inhibitors may demonstrate poorer performance with respect to hematologic AEs. However, additional evidence is required to further substantiate these findings.

Conclusions

CDK4/6 inhibitors, combined with endocrine therapy, are pivotal in first-line treatment due to their superior efficacy and manageable AEs. For second/further-line treatment, adding immune checkpoint inhibitors to CDK4/6 inhibitors plus endocrine therapy may produce promising results. However, to reduce the results’ uncertainty, further trials comparing these novel treatments are warranted.

Trial registration

Registration number: PROSPERO (CRD42022377431).
Therapeutic antibodies for the prevention and treatment of cancer
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Jalota Akansha , Sahu Sushil Kumar , Haque Shabirul
Published: January 2024

The developments of antibodies for cancer therapeutics have made remarkable success in recent years. There are multiple factors contributing to the success of the biological molecule including origin of the antibody, isotype, affinity, avidity and mechanism of action. With better understanding of mechanism of cancer progression and immune manipulation, recombinant formats of antibodies are used to develop therapeutic modalities for manipulating the immune cells of patients by targeting specific molecules to control the disease. These molecules have been successful in minimizing the side effects instead caused by small molecules or systemic chemotherapy but because of the developing therapeutic resistance against these antibodies, combination therapy is thought to be the best bet for patient care. Here, in this review, we have discussed different aspects of antibodies in cancer therapy affecting their efficacy and mechanism of resistance with some relevant examples of the most studied molecules approved by the US FDA.
Measuring sustainability of opioid agonist therapy programs in the context of transition from Global Fund support
Authors: Stuikyte Raminta , Varentsov Ivan , Cook Catherine , Dvoriak Sergii
Published: January 2024

Background

Programmatic and financial sustainability of health responses dependent on donor funding has risen as a major concern. In the HIV field in particular, it generated a number of instruments and assessments on sustainability and processes related to donor transition planning. The authors aimed to develop an instrument specific to opioid agonist therapy (OAT) programs as they were addressed only marginally by the HIV-specific assessments.

Methods

The development of the OAT sustainability instrument used desk review of existing HIV sustainability concepts and tools, an International Advisory Board, and piloting to validate the instrument.

Results

The new OAT sustainability instrument is comprised of the three parts: the conceptual framework, methodological guidelines and a practical implementation tool for assessing the degree of OAT sustainability at the country level. It measures sustainability in the three broad areas for sustainability measuring–Policy & Governance; Finance & Resources; and Services. The selection of indicators and their composites for the three sustainability areas extensively used the United Nations and World Health Organization’s guidance on health system building blocks, on care and HIV and viral hepatitis prevention among people using opioids and for opioid dependence, and the definition of access to health framed by the United Nations Convent on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The instrument’s methodological guidelines require the engagement of a national consultant to conduct desk review, key informant interviews and focus groups for measuring discrete milestones and adding qualitative information for interpretation of the data, progress and opportunities. The guidelines advise engaging a country-specific multi-stakeholder advisory group for planning, validation and follow-up of the assessment. The pilot of the instrument in 3 countries in 2020 validated it and required minor adjustments in the instrument. By mid-2023, the instrument has been successfully applied in 5 countries.

Conclusions

The developed instrument enables a comprehensive review of the resilience of OAT programs and their ability to scale up and to inform a roadmap for improved sustainability. While developed in the context of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, it has been reviewed by a global advisory panel and could be easily adapted outside this regional context.
Long-term inhibition of ODC1 in APP/PS1 mice rescues amyloid pathology and switches astrocytes from a reactive to active state
Authors: Bhalla Mridula , Lee C. Justin
Published: January 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the loss of memory due to aggregation of misphosphorylated tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain, elevated release of inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and reactive oxygen species from astrocytes, and subsequent neurodegeneration. Recently, it was found that enzyme Ornithine Decarboxylase 1 (ODC1) acts as a bridge between the astrocytic urea cycle and the putrescine-to-GABA conversion pathway in the brain of AD mouse models as well as human patients. In this study, we show that the long-term knockdown of astrocytic Odc1 in APP/PS1 animals was sufficient to completely clear Aβ plaques in the hippocampus while simultaneously switching the astrocytes from a detrimental reactive state to a regenerative active state, characterized by proBDNF expression. Our experiments also reveal an effect of astrocytic ODC1 inhibition on the expression of genes involved in synapse pruning and organization, histone modification, apoptotic signaling and protein processing. These genes are previously known to be associated with astrocytic activation and together create a neuroregeneration-supportive environment in the brain. By inhibiting ODC1 for a long period of 3 months in AD mice, we demonstrate that the beneficial amyloid-clearing process of astrocytes can be completely segregated from the systemically harmful astrocytic response to insult. Our study reports an almost complete clearance of Aβ plaques by controlling an endogenous degradation process, which also modifies the astrocytic state to create a regeneration-supportive environment in the brain. These findings present the potential of modulating astrocytic clearance of Aβ as a powerful therapeutic strategy against AD.
Niche-DE: niche-differential gene expression analysis in spatial transcriptomics data identifies context-dependent cell-cell interactions
Authors: Mason Kaishu , Sathe Anuja , Hess Paul R. , Rong Jiazhen , Wu Chi-Yun , Furth Emma , Susztak Katalin , Levinsohn Jonathan , Ji Hanlee P. , Zhang Nancy
Published: January 2024

Existing methods for analysis of spatial transcriptomic data focus on delineating the global gene expression variations of cell types across the tissue, rather than local gene expression changes driven by cell-cell interactions. We propose a new statistical procedure called niche-differential expression (niche-DE) analysis that identifies cell-type-specific niche-associated genes, which are differentially expressed within a specific cell type in the context of specific spatial niches. We further develop niche-LR, a method to reveal ligand-receptor signaling mechanisms that underlie niche-differential gene expression patterns. Niche-DE and niche-LR are applicable to low-resolution spot-based spatial transcriptomics data and data that is single-cell or subcellular in resolution.
Proteomic differences between extracellular vesicles and extracellular vesicle-depleted excretory/secretory products of barber’s pole worm
Authors: Wu Fei , Chen Xueqiu , Du Zhendong , Chen Yanqiong , Tong Danni , Zhang Jingju , Yang Yi , Ma Guangxu , Du Aifang
Published: January 2024

Background

Components of excretory/secretory products (ESPs) of helminths have been proposed as vaccine targets and shown to play a role in modulating host immune responses for decades. Such research interest is further increased by the discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the ESPs of parasitic worms. Although efforts have been made to reveal the cargos of EVs, little is known about the proteomic differences between EVs and canonical ESPs released by parasitic worms from animals.

Methods

The total ESPs of Haemonchuscontortus (barber’s pole worm) were obtained by short-term in vitro culturing of young adult worms, and small EVs were isolated from ESPs using an ultracentrifugation method. Data-dependent acquisition (DDA) label-free Nano-LC–MS/MS was used to quantify the proteomic difference between small EVs and EV-depleted ESPs of H.contortus. Functional annotation and enrichment of the differential proteins were performed regarding cellular components, molecular functions, pathways, and/or biological processes.

Results

A total of 1697 proteins were identified in small EVs and EV-depleted ESPs of H.contortus adult worms, with 706 unique proteins detected in the former and 597 unique proteins in the latter. It was revealed that proteins in small EVs are dominantly cytoplasmic, whereas proteins in EV-depleted ESPs are mainly extracellular; canonical ESPs such as proteases and small GTPases were abundantly detected in small EVs, and SCP/TAP-, DUF-, and GLOBIN domain-containing proteins were mainly found in EV-depleted ESPs. Compared with well-characterised proteins in small EVs, about 50% of the proteins detected in EV-depleted ESPs were poorly characterised.

Conclusions

There are remarkable differences between small EVs and EV-depleted ESPs of H.contortus in terms of protein composition. Immune modulatory effects caused by nematode ESPs are possibly contributed mainly by the proteins in small EVs.

Graphical Abstract
The effect of using a sports application on the quality of sleep in patients with heart failure: a randomized clinical trial study
Authors: Arezomand Mohsen , Dehghan Mahlagha , Rigi Zahra Ebrahimi , Fatehi Farhad , Shahrbabaki Parvin Mangolian
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients with heart failure often suffer from sleep disorders. Due to the side effects of medications used to treat this disorder, non-pharmacological methods may be used to improve these patients’ sleep quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of a sports application on sleep quality in patients with heart failure.

Methods

In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 60 patients aged 30–70 referred to Shafa Hospital in Kerman were randomly assigned to control (n = 30) and intervention (n = 30) groups based on convenience sampling. The intervention group used the sports application for eight consecutive weeks. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). An independent t-test and a Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons between groups and paired t-tests and Wilcoxon tests were used for comparisons within groups.

Results

The data analysis revealed a significant difference in sleep quality scores between the two groups after the intervention, meaning that the intervention group had better sleep quality than the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

As a result of the study, it was found that the sport application improved the quality of sleep in patients with heart failure. Our recommendation is for healthcare providers to use this sports application to present educational content related to physical activity and improve the sleep quality of patients.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT. 2019123045475N1.” Registered 16 December 2019.
Prevalence of female genital mutilation and associated factors among women and girls in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ayenew Asteray Assmie , Mol Ben W. , Bradford Billie , Abeje Gedefaw
Published: January 2024

Background

Female genital mutilation (FGM) has zero health benefits. It can lead to short- and long-term risks and complications, including physical, sexual, and mental health and well-being of girls and women. It is a worldwide public health issue with more than 80% prevalence in Africa. It is a global imperative to strengthen work for the elimination, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) strives to eliminate FGM and monitor the progress made. However, one of a challenge in tracking progress is establishing baseline prevalence data within regions and countries. Therefore, this review aimed to pool the prevalence of FGM in Africa and identify the promoting factors among women and girls.

Methods

This review was conducted according to the PRISMA checklist guideline. Both published and unpublished studies conducted from 2012 onwards were eligible. Studies written in non-English languages were excluded. To retrieve relevant studies; PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Science Direct, African Journals Online databases, and African Index Medicus (AIM) were searched using a combination of searching terms. The Newcastle-Ottawa Assessment Scale (NOS) tool was used to assess the quality of each included study. The Cochran’s Q chi-square and I2 statistical tests were used to evaluate the heterogeneity of the included studies. The Funnel plot and Egger's regression test (p value < 0.05) were used to evaluate meh publication bias. We used STATA for analysis and the overall and subgroup pooled effect size was estimated using the random effect model with DerSimonian and Laired pooled effect method. The overall prevalence of FGM and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95%CI (confidence interval) for contributing factors were calculated and presented using a forest plot.

Result

This study included 155 primary studies conducted on the prevalence and/or factors associated with FGM in Africa. The pooled prevalence of FGM was 56.4% (95%CI 49.7–63.6). The primary factors promoting the practice of FGM were family history of circumcision (AOR = 13.71, 95%CI 9.11−20.62), being a Muslim religion follower (AOR = 3.51, 95%CI 2.61−4.71), poor wealth index (AOR = 1.38, 95%CI1.27−1.51), higher age (AOR = 2.95, 95%CI 2.49−3.38), not attending formal education (AOR = 3.28, 95%CI 2.62−4.12), and rural residency (AOR = 2.27, 95%CI 1.84−2.80).

Conclusion

The prevalence of FGM in Africa was found to be high. This study also observed a variation in FGM prevalence across regions and countries and a slight temporal decline over the study period. As the global community enters the final decade dedicated to eliminating FGM, there remains much to be done to achieve the elimination goal.
The synthetic cannabinoids menace: a review of health risks and toxicity
Authors: Alzu’bi Ayman , Almahasneh Fatimah , Khasawneh Ramada , Abu-El-Rub Ejlal , Baker Worood Bani , Al-Zoubi Raed M.
Published: January 2024

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are chemically classified as psychoactive substances that target the endocannabinoid system in many body organs. SCs can initiate pathophysiological changes in many tissues which can be severe enough to damage the normal functionality of our body systems. The majority of SCs-related side effects are mediated by activating Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1R) and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2R). The activation of these receptors can enkindle many downstream signalling pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis that ultimately can produce deleterious changes in many organs. Besides activating the cannabinoid receptors, SCs can act on non-cannabinoid targets, such as the orphan G protein receptors GPR55 and GPR18, the Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors (PPARs), and the Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which are broadly expressed in the brain and the heart and their activation mediates many pharmacological effects of SCs. In this review, we shed light on the multisystem complications found in SCs abusers, particularly discussing their neurologic, cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic effects, as well as highlighting the mechanisms that intermediate SCs-related pharmacological and toxicological consequences to provide comprehensive understanding of their short and long-term systemic effects.

Graphical Abstract
Investigation of offshore landslides impact on bucket foundations using a coupled SPH–FEM method
Authors: Wang Zehao , Zheng Defeng , Guo Xingsen , Gu Zhongde , Shen Yueqiang , Nian Tingkai
Published: January 2024

Background

As the exploitation of marine resources intensifies, the impact of submarine landslides on underwater structures has become a significant issue. Existing research primarily focuses on the impact on pipelines, often neglecting the actual deformation and mechanical response of underwater structures under impact loads in numerical simulations, thus complicating the evaluation of the reliability of these engineering structures in extreme conditions. Moreover, the dynamic response of bucket foundations, a common form of underwater base, under the effect of submarine landslide impacts remains unclear.

Methods

To address this knowledge gap, we have developed a fluid-structure coupling system that employs the coupled Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH)-Finite Element Method (FEM) to investigate a single impact process and analyze the displacement response of bucket foundations within a water-offshore landslide-bucket foundationsubgrade context. The accuracy of this developed method has been systematically verified through comparisons with previous experimental and numerical results.

Results

During a submarine landslide impact event, the impact force demonstrates a distinct decrease followed by stabilization, and the displacement response of the bucket foundation exhibits a rebound effect after reaching its maximum value. Furthermore, we conducted an extensive analysis of different impact angles for underwater data centers equipped with multi-bucket foundations. Our study revealed that group-bucket foundations experience a combined translation-turnover failure when subjected to submarine landslide impacts, and the most unfavorable scenario for such impact is identified. The research introduces a novel numerical simulation approach for investigating the impact of submarine landslides on complex underwater structures.
Detection of low urine output by measuring urinary biomarkers
Authors: Hahn Robert G.
Published: January 2024

Background

Urine output < 1 L per 24 h is a clinical warning sign that requires attention from hospital staff, who should determine whether the low flow is due to low habitual intake of water or disease-induced dehydration. The incidence of this condition is unclear.

Methods

A cohort of 20 healthy volunteers (mean age 42 years, range 23–62 years) recorded their food and water intakes daily for 8 days. They also collected and measured all urine and delivered first morning urine samples for analysis of osmolality and creatinine. Optimal cutoffs for these biomarkers to indicate urine output of < 1 L or 15 mL/kg during the preceding 24 h were applied with and without correction for age to cross-sectional data from 1,316 subjects in various clinical settings, including healthy volunteers, preoperative patients, patients seeking acute care at a hospital, and patients receiving institutional geriatric care.

Results

The urine output amounted to < 1 L during 22 of the 159 evaluable study days and was indicated by urine osmolality > 760 mosmol/kg or urine creatinine > 13 mmol/L, which had sensitivity and specificity of approximately 80%. Days with urine output < 1 L were associated with significantly less intake of both water (–41%) and calories (–22%) compared to other days. Application of age-corrected biomarker cutoffs to the 1,316 subjects showed a stronger dependency of low urine output on age than the clinical setting, occurring in 44% of the 72 participants aged 15–30 years and 18% of the 62 patients aged 90–104 years.

Conclusion

Biomarkers measured in morning urine of young and middle-aged volunteers indicated urine output of < 1 L with good precision, but the cutoffs should be validated in older age groups to yield reliable results.

Trial registrations

ISRCTN12215472 at http://www.isrctn.com; NCT01458678 at ClinicalTrials.gov, and ChiCTR-TNRC-14,004,479 at the chictr.org/en.
No Association Between Hamstrings-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio and Second ACL Injuries After Accounting for Prognostic Factors: A Cohort Study of 574 Patients After ACL-Reconstruction
Authors: Högberg Johan , Piussi Ramana , Wernbom Mathias , Della Villa Francesco , Simonsson Rebecca , Samuelsson Kristian , Thomeé Roland , Hamrin Senorski Eric Hamrin
Published: January 2024

Background

The stress on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) induced by the quadriceps can be attenuated by activation of the hamstrings by exerting an opposing torque to the anterior translation of tibia. Consequently, considering the ratio between strength of the hamstrings-to-quadriceps (HQ-ratio) may be of value to reduce the odds of second ACL injuries. The objective was therefore to evaluate (1) the association between HQ-ratio and the occurrence of a second ACL injury in patients after ACL-reconstruction within 2 years of return to preinjury sport level and (2) to compare the HQ-ratio between males and females after ACL reconstruction.

Methods

Patients who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction and participated in knee-strenuous activity preinjury were included. Demographics, the occurrence of a second ACL injury, and muscle strength test results before returning to preinjury sport level were extracted from a rehabilitation registry. The endpoint was set at a second ACL injury or 2 years after return to preinjury sport level. A multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the HQ-ratio and a second ACL injury.

Results

A total of 574 patients (50.0% female) with a mean age of 24.0 ± 9.4 years at primary ACL reconstruction were included. In the univariable logistic regression analysis, the odds of sustaining a second ACL injury decreased by 3% for every 1% increase in the HQ-ratio (OR 0.97 [95% CI 0.95–1.00], p = 0.025). After adjusting for the time from reconstruction to return to preinjury sport level, sex, preinjury sport level, graft choice, age, and body mass index, the results were no longer significant (OR 0.98 [95% CI 0.95–1.01], p = 0.16). Females had a higher HQ-ratio compared with males for both the ACL-reconstructed and uninjured side (3.7% [95% CI 5.7; 1.8%], p = 0.0002 and 3.3% [95% CI 4.6; 2.1], p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

The HQ-ratio did not significantly affect the odds for sustaining a second ACL injury upon return to preinjury sports level after primary ACL reconstruction. Females had a significant higher HQ-ratio than males for both the ACL reconstructed and uninjured side.
Valuing selected WAItE health states using the Time Trade-Off methodology: findings from an online interviewer-assisted remote survey
Authors: Robinson Tomos , Hill Sarah , Orozco-Leal Giovany , Kernohan Ashleigh , King William , Oluboyede Yemi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The Weight-Specific Adolescent Instrument for Economic Evaluation (WAItE) is a physical weight-specific patient reported outcome measure for use in adolescence. The purpose of this study was to use the Time Trade-Off (TTO) methodology, administered using an online interviewer-assisted remote survey, to obtain utility values for several health states from the WAItE descriptive system from a sample of the UK adult general population.

Methods

The adult sample was gathered using a market research company and a sample of local residents. All participants completed the same interviewer-assisted remote survey, which included rating WAItE states of varying impairment using the TTO.

Results

42 adults completed the survey. Utility values were gathered for four health states, ranging from low impairment to the most severe health from the WAItE descriptive system (the Pits state). Consistent orderings of the WAItE health states were observed; the health state with the lowest level of impairment was valued highest and the Pits state was valued lowest. Several respondents (n = 7, 17%) considered the Pits state to be worse than death; however, the mean value of this health state was 0.23.

Conclusions

The utility value of the Pits state relative to death generated from this study will be used to anchor latent values for WAItE health states generated from a Discrete Choice Experiment onto the 0 = death, 1 = full health Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) scale as part of a valuation study for the WAItE in the UK population. This study also provides further evidence that interviewer-assisted digital studies are feasible for collecting TTO data.
CT-based radiomics: predicting early outcomes after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis
Authors: Fu Jia , Fang Mengjie , Lin Zhiyong , Qiu Jianxing , Yang Min , Tian Jie , Dong Di , Zou Yinghua
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate non-contrast computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics for predicting early outcomes in patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA). A total of 52 patients were retrospectively recruited, and their clinical characteristics and pretreatment CT images were collected. During a median follow-up period of 3.7 mo, 18 patients were confirmed to have benefited from the treatment, defined as a 20% improvement from baseline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate. A deep learning network trained via self-supervised learning was used to enhance the imaging phenotype characteristics. Radiomics features, comprising 116 handcrafted features and 78 deep learning features, were extracted from the affected renal and perirenal adipose regions. More features from the latter were correlated with early outcomes, as determined by univariate analysis, and were visually represented in radiomics heatmaps and volcano plots. After using consensus clustering and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method for feature selection, five machine learning models were evaluated. Logistic regression yielded the highest leave-one-out cross-validation accuracy of 0.780 (95%CI: 0.660–0.880) for the renal signature, while the support vector machine achieved 0.865 (95%CI: 0.769–0.942) for the perirenal adipose signature. SHapley Additive exPlanations was used to visually interpret the prediction mechanism, and a histogram feature and a deep learning feature were identified as the most influential factors for the renal signature and perirenal adipose signature, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that both signatures served as independent predictive factors. When combined, they achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.888 (95%CI: 0.784–0.992), indicating that the imaging phenotypes from both regions complemented each other. In conclusion, non-contrast CT-based radiomics can be leveraged to predict the early outcomes of PTRA, thereby assisting in identifying patients with ARAS suitable for this treatment, with perirenal adipose tissue providing added predictive value.
Evaluation of strategies to support implementation of a hospital walking program: protocol for a type III effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial
Authors: Kappler Caitlin B. , Coffman Cynthia J. , Stechuchak Karen M. , Choate Ashley , Meyer Cassie , Zullig Leah L. , Hughes Jaime M. , Drake Connor , Sperber Nina R. , Kaufman Brystana G. , Van Houtven Courtney H. , Allen Kelli D. , Hastings Susan N.
Published: January 2024

Background

STRIDE is a supervised walking program designed to address the negative consequences of immobility during hospitalization for older adults. In an 8-hospital stepped wedge randomized controlled trial, STRIDE was associated with reduced odds of hospital discharge to skilled nursing facility. STRIDE has the potential to become a system-wide approach to address hospital-associated disability in Veteran’s Affairs; however, critical questions remain about how best to scale and sustain the program. The overall study goal is to compare the impact of two strategies on STRIDE program penetration (primary), fidelity, and adoption implementation outcomes.

Methods

Replicating Effective Programs will be used as a framework underlying all implementation support activities. In a parallel, cluster randomized trial, we will use stratified blocked randomization to assign hospitals (n = 32) to either foundational support, comprised of standard, low-touch activities, or enhanced support, which includes the addition of tailored, high-touch activities if hospitals do not meet STRIDE program benchmarks at 6 and 8 months following start date. All hospitals begin with foundational support for 6 months until randomization occurs. The primary outcome is implementation penetration defined as the proportion of eligible hospitalizations with ≥ 1 STRIDE walks at 10 months. Secondary outcomes are fidelity and adoption with all implementation outcomes additionally examined at 13 and 16 months. Fidelity will be assessed for STRIDE hospitalizations as the percentage of eligible hospital days with “full dose” of the program, defined as two or more documented walks or one walk for more than 5 min. Program adoption is a binary outcome defined as ≥ 5 patients with a STRIDE walk or not. Analyses will also include patient-level effectiveness outcomes (e.g., discharge to nursing home, length of stay) and staffing and labor costs. We will employ a convergent mixed-methods approach to explore and understand pre-implementation contextual factors related to differences in hospital-level adoption.

Discussion

Our study results will dually inform best practices for promoting successful implementation of an evidence-based hospital-based walking program. This information may support other programs by advancing our understanding of how to apply and scale-up national implementation strategies.

Trial registration

This study was registered on June 1, 2021, at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT04868656).
Researchers’ views on and practices of knowledge translation: an international survey of transfusion medicine researchers
Authors: Thijsen Amanda , Masser Barbara , Davison Tanya Ellen , Williamson Anna
Published: January 2024

Background

Health research is often driven by the desire to improve the care and health of the community; however, the translation of research evidence into policy and practice is not guaranteed. Knowledge translation (KT) activities, such as dissemination and end-user engagement by researchers, are important to achieving this goal. This study examined researchers’ views on and practices of KT in the field of transfusion medicine.

Methods

An anonymous, cross-sectional survey was distributed to transfusion medicine researchers in May 2022 by emailing corresponding authors of papers in four major blood journals, emailing grant recipients, posting on social media, and through international blood operator networks. Comparative analyses were conducted for career stage, work setting, research type, and KT training.

Results

The final sample included 117 researchers from 33 countries. Most participants reported that research translation was important (86%) and felt it was their responsibility (69%). Fewer than half felt they had the skills to translate their research (45%) or knew which strategies to employ (45%). When examining how research findings are shared, most reported using diffusion activities (86%), including publishing in peer-reviewed journals (74%), or presenting at academic conferences (72%). Fewer used dissemination methods (60%), such as developing educational materials (29%) or writing plain language summaries (30%). Greater use of tailored dissemination strategies was seen among researchers with KT training, whilst traditional diffusion strategies were used more by those working in an academic setting. Most participants had engaged end-users in their research (72%), primarily to consult on a research component (47%) or to involve them in the research process (45%). End-user engagement was greater among researchers with established careers, working in both academic and applied settings, and with KT training.

Conclusions

Whilst participating researchers acknowledged the importance of KT, they typically focused on traditional diffusion strategies. This is despite well-established knowledge of the limited impact of these strategies in achieving KT. Those with KT training were more likely to use tailored dissemination strategies and engage end-users in their research. This demonstrates the value of sharing knowledge from the KT field with health researchers to facilitate KT.
Review of anomaly detection in large span bridges: available methods, recent advancements and future trends
Authors: Fan Ziyuan , Tang Xiaoli , Chen Yang , Ren Yuan , Deng Chao , Wang Zihang , Peng Ying , Shi Chenghong , Huang Qiao
Published: January 2024

During the life-cycle service of the constructed large span bridges, they face various threats every day due to the sophisticated operational environments. To ensure the structural safety, it is necessary to detect potential anomaly. Based on different inspection, monitoring and analysis technique, huge amounts of data that direct or indirect reflect structural characteristics can be obtained, and hence the anomaly detection methods developed. In order to provide a summary of relevant information needed by researchers to realize what is concerned about and how current practices deal with these issues, then further promote the application, this paper reviews understanding of anomaly detection in large span bridges. It starts with an analysis of concerned parameters, including dynamic and static structural parameters of a bridge. The various data sources are then commented. Next, existing anomaly detection methods are reviewed and classified. Finally, this paper concisely provides recent progress and discusses future research trends based on the identified knowledge gaps. We hope that this review will help development in this field.