bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in Anaphylaxis Hospitalizations among Adults in Spain and Their Relationship with Asthma—Analysis of Hospital Discharge data from 2016 to 2021
Authors: Caballero-Segura Francisco J. , Cuadrado-Corrales Natividad , Jimenez-Garcia Rodrigo , Lopez-de-Andres Ana , Carabantes-Alarcon David , Zamorano-Leon Jose J. , Carricondo Francisco , Romero-Gomez Barbara , De-Miguel-Díez Javier
Published: November 2023

(1) Background: Anaphylaxis is a rapid-onset, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction. This study explores the epidemiological trends and clinical outcomes of adult patients with and without asthma hospitalized for anaphylaxis in Spain from 2016 to 2021. (2) Methods: Data from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database (RAE-CMBD) were analyzed. We stratified patients with anaphylaxis based on their asthma diagnosis and evaluated various comorbidities and clinical outcomes. Propensity score matching was used to match confounders. (3) Results: The total number of hospitalizations for anaphylaxis remained stable, with a decrease in 2020 probably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug-induced anaphylaxis increased, in addition to being the main triggering factor. Asthma prevalence among those admitted for anaphylaxis emerged from 7.63% to 10.69%, with a higher frequency of respiratory failure and need for mechanical ventilation in this group; despite this, ICU admissions and in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Asthma was also not a risk factor for severe anaphylaxis. Multivariable analysis identified advanced age, ischemic heart disease, acute respiratory failure, and invasive mechanical ventilation as factors associated with severe anaphylaxis. (4) Conclusions: This study provides valuable information on the complexity of anaphylaxis, its relationship with asthma, and factors influencing its severity. Overall, clinical outcomes did not differ significantly in asthmatic patients compared to non-asthmatic patients, although asthmatic patients had more respiratory complications. Further research is necessary to delve deeper into the multifactorial nature of anaphylaxis and its implications in clinical practice.
Follow-Up of Eight-Weeks Detraining Period after Exercise Program on Health Profiles of Older Women
Authors: Leitão Luís , Campos Yuri , Figueira Ana Cristina Corrêa , Figueiredo Teresa , Pereira Ana
Published: November 2023

Background: The multicomponent training program (MTP) is a physical exercise strategy used to combat the sedentary lifestyle in older women (OW). However, periods of interruption in training are common in this population. The aim of our study was to analyze the 8-week MTP effects followed by two, four, and eight weeks of interruption on the lipid profile (LP) and functional capacity (FC) of OW. Methods: Twenty-one OW (experimental group [EG], 67.6 ± 3.1 years; 1.55 ± 0.35 m) were subjected to an 8-week MTP followed by a detraining period, and 14 OW (control group [CG], 69.4 ± 4.7 years; 1.61 ± 0.26 m) maintained their daily routine. FC (i.e., 30-s chair stand [30-CS], 8-foot up and go [8-FUG], 6-min walk [6-MWT], handgrip strength [HGS], and heart-rate peak during 6-WMT [HRPeak]), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were assessed before and after MTP and two, four, and eight weeks after MTP. Results: 8-week MTP resulted in higher FC and decreased LP values in EG (p < 0.05); two and four weeks of detraining did not promote changes. After eight weeks of detraining TC (ES: 2.74; p = 0.00), TG (ES: 1.93; p = 0.00), HGS (ES: 0.49, p = 0.00), HRPeak (ES: 1.01, p = 0.00), 6-MWT (ES: 0.54, p = 0.04), and 8-FUG (ES: 1.20, p = 0.01) declined significantly. Conclusions: Periods of more than four weeks of detraining should be avoided to promote a good quality of life and health in OW. If older people interrupt training for a period longer than four weeks, physical-education professionals must outline specific training strategies to maintain the adaptations acquired with MTP. Future studies should establish these criteria based on ideal training volume, intensity, and frequency.
Fibril-Forming Organelles in Mesangial Cells in Renal Biopsies from Patients with Light-Chain-Associated Amyloidosis
Authors: Herrera Guillermo A. , Teng Jiamin , Zeng Chun , Del Pozo-Yauner Luis , Liu Bing , Turbat-Herrera Elba A.
Published: November 2023

The process of light-chain-associated amyloid (AL-Am) fibril formation in unique organelles (fibril-forming organelles) with lysosomal features has been documented in vitro in renal mesangial cells incubated with amyloidogenic light chains using electron microscopy and lysosomal gradient centrifugation to visualize intricate interactions between monoclonal light chains and endosomes/lysosomes. It is important to determine whether this process also occurs in vivo in the human renal mesangium. The present study analyzes 13 renal biopsies from patients with renal AL-amyloidosis and utilizes ultrastructural labeling techniques to define the nature and function of these organelles. Organelles were labeled for lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP) and CD-68 (a macrophage marker). Furthermore, lambda was also localized inside these structures in transformed mesangial cells with a macrophage phenotype. These 11 cases from renal biopsies with a diagnosis of AL-amyloidosis (5 kappa and 8 lambda light-chain-associated) were examined ultrastructurally. All of the cases exhibited numerous fibrils forming organelles in approximately 40–50% of the remaining mesangial cells. All of the cases revealed mesangial cells engaged in active amyloidogenesis. Fibril-forming organelles are organelles with morphological/immunohistochemical and biochemical characteristics of lysosomes but with a unique, peculiar morphology. Five cases of other glomerular disorders used as controls were also carefully scrutinized for fibril-forming organelles and failed to show any. In the AL-amyloid renal cases, there was an intricate interaction between the fibril-forming organelles and lambda-/kappa-containing amyloid fibrils, supporting the notion that the monoclonal light chains participated in their formation.
A Critical Reflection on the Impact of Virtual Design Studio on Curriculum Development and Studio Culture in First-Year Architecture Studies
Authors: Mariotti Jasna , Niblock Chantelle
Published: November 2023

In the past few years, higher education across the world transitioned to different online platforms where virtual classrooms were set, following national guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper analyses qualitative data from first-year students in architecture from a higher education institution in the UK and draws on lecturers’ reflective observations of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of this research provide some critical considerations for the long-term impact of the virtual design studio on architectural design pedagogy and teaching methods in first-year studies. This research found that technology integration enabled innovative design methods, improved digital literacy, and enhanced collaboration in first-year architectural education. While online learning met learning objectives, it posed challenges like social isolation and motivation issues. The study underscores the importance of investigating virtual design studios and technology integration in early architectural education, offering opportunities for curriculum development and future research. These findings have broad relevance for educators teaching first-year architecture students globally.
The Parallel Pandemic: A Systematic Review on the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on OCD among Children and Adolescents
Authors: Luginaah Nasong A. , Batung Evans S. , Ziegler Bianca R. , Amoak Daniel , Trudell John Paul , Arku Godwin , Luginaah Isaac
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying social changes severely impacted mental health globally. Children and adolescents may have been vulnerable to adverse mental health outcomes, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), due to their underdeveloped resilience and coping skills stemming from their progressing physical and psychological development. Few studies have explored the parallels between the pandemic and OCD trends in this population. This systematic review aims to identify the impacts of COVID-19 on OCD among children and adolescents. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of eight databases for studies that assessed OCD outcomes independently or as part of other psychiatric diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. The search was limited to studies on humans and those written in English and published between January 2020 and May 2023. We identified 788 articles, out of which 71 were selected for a full-text review. Twenty-two papers were synthesized from 10 countries for the final analysis. We found that 77% of our studies suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on OCD among children and adolescents. We also found a complex interplay of individual, household, and socio-structural factors associated with the aggravation of OCD. Conversely, a few studies revealed that the pandemic strengthened relationships and resilience. The findings of this study emphasize the need for mental health screening and support for this population, especially during pandemic periods.
Involvement of CONSTANS-like Proteins in Plant Flowering and Abiotic Stress Response
Authors: Zhang Bingqian , Feng Minghui , Zhang Jun , Song Zhangqiang
Published: November 2023

The process of flowering in plants is a pivotal stage in their life cycle, and the CONSTANS-like (COL) protein family, known for its photoperiod sensing ability, plays a crucial role in regulating plant flowering. Over the past two decades, homologous genes of COL have been identified in various plant species, leading to significant advancements in comprehending their involvement in the flowering pathway and response to abiotic stress. This article presents novel research progress on the structural aspects of COL proteins and their regulatory patterns within transcription complexes. Additionally, we reviewed recent information about their participation in flowering and abiotic stress response, aiming to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the functions of COL proteins.
Diverse Underlying Mechanisms and Sex Differences Found in Translational Models of Cannabinoids Use: Towards Validation in Human Studies
Authors: Ferber Sari Goldstein , Weller Aron
Published: November 2023

This Special Issue represents a continuation of our previous Special Issue entitled “Endocannabinoids, Cannabinoids and Psychiatry: Biological Mechanisms” [...]
TRAIL-Sensitizing Effects of Flavonoids in Cancer
Authors: Luiz-Ferreira Anderson , Pacifico Teresa , Cruz Álefe Cardoso , Laudisi Federica , Monteleone Giovanni , Stolfi Carmine
Published: November 2023

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) represents a promising anticancer agent, as it selectively induces apoptosis in transformed cells without altering the cellular machinery of healthy cells. Unfortunately, the presence of TRAIL resistance mechanisms in a variety of cancer types represents a major hurdle, thus limiting the use of TRAIL as a single agent. Accumulating studies have shown that TRAIL-mediated apoptosis can be facilitated in resistant tumors by combined treatment with antitumor agents, ranging from synthetic molecules to natural products. Among the latter, flavonoids, the most prevalent polyphenols in plants, have shown remarkable competence in improving TRAIL-driven apoptosis in resistant cell lines as well as tumor-bearing mice with minimal side effects. Here, we summarize the molecular mechanisms, such as the upregulation of death receptor (DR)4 and DR5 and downregulation of key anti-apoptotic proteins [e.g., cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), survivin], underlying the TRAIL-sensitizing properties of different classes of flavonoids (e.g., flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, chalcones, prenylflavonoids). Finally, we discuss limitations, mainly related to bioavailability issues, and future perspectives regarding the clinical use of flavonoids as adjuvant agents in TRAIL-based therapies.
Human Serum and Salivary Metabolomes: Diversity and Closeness
Authors: Ferrari Elena , Gallo Mariana , Spisni Alberto , Antonelli Rita , Meleti Marco , Pertinhez Thelma A.
Published: November 2023

Saliva, which contains molecular information that may reflect an individual’s health status, has become a valuable tool for discovering biomarkers of oral and general diseases. Due to the high vascularization of the salivary glands, there is a molecular exchange between blood and saliva. However, the composition of saliva is complex and influenced by multiple factors. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationships between the salivary and serum metabolomes to gain a comprehensive view of the metabolic phenotype under physiological conditions. Using 1H-NMR spectroscopy, we obtained the serum metabolite profiles of 20 healthy young individuals and compared them with the metabolomes of parotid, submandibular/sublingual, and whole-saliva samples collected concurrently from the same individuals using multivariate and univariate statistical analysis. Our results show that serum is more concentrated and less variable for most of the shared metabolites than the three saliva types. While we found moderate to strong correlations between serum and saliva concentrations of specific metabolites, saliva is not simply an ultrafiltrate of blood. The intense oral metabolism prevents very strong correlations between serum and salivary concentrations. This study contributes to a better understanding of salivary metabolic composition, which is crucial for utilizing saliva in laboratory diagnostics.
Metformin Suppresses Stemness of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Induced by Paclitaxel through FOXO3a
Authors: Tang Zhimin , Zhang Yilan , Yu Zhengyi , Luo Zhijun
Published: November 2023

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in drug resistance and metastasis. Among the key players, Forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) acts as a tumor suppressor. This study aimed to unravel the role of FOXO3a in mediating the inhibitory effect of metformin on cancer stemness derived from paclitaxel (PTX)-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We showed that CSC-like features were acquired by the chronic induction of resistance to PTX, concurrently with inactivation of FOXO3a. In line with this, knockdown of FOXO3a in PTX-sensitive cells led to changes toward stemness, while overexpression of FOXO3a in PTX-resistant cells mitigated stemness in vitro and remarkably curbed the tumorigenesis of NSCLC/PTX cells in vivo. Furthermore, metformin suppressed the self-renewal ability of PTX-resistant cells, reduced the expression of stemness-related markers (c-MYC, Oct4, Nanog and Notch), and upregulated FOXO3a, events concomitant with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). All these changes were recapitulated by silencing FOXO3a in PTX-sensitive cells. Intriguingly, the introduction of the AMPK dominant negative mutant offset the inhibitory effect of metformin on the stemness of PTX-resistant cells. In addition, FOXO3a levels were elevated by the treatment of PTX-resistant cells with MK2206 (an Akt inhibitor) and U0126 (a MEK inhibitor). Collectively, our findings indicate that metformin exerts its effect on FOXO3a through the activation of AMPK and the inhibition of protein kinase B (Akt) and MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK), culminating in the suppression of stemness in paclitaxel-resistant NSCLC cells.
Discovery of Anti-Coronavirus Cinnamoyl Triterpenoids Isolated from Hippophae rhamnoides during a Screening of Halophytes from the North Sea and Channel Coasts in Northern France
Authors: Al Ibrahim Malak , Akissi Zachee Louis Evariste , Desmarets Lowiese , Lefèvre Gabriel , Samaillie Jennifer , Raczkiewicz Imelda , Sahpaz Sevser , Dubuisson Jean , Belouzard Sandrine , Rivière Céline , Séron Karin
Published: November 2023

The limited availability of antiviral therapy for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spurred the search for novel antiviral drugs. Here, we investigated the potential antiviral properties of plants adapted to high-salt environments collected in the north of France. Twenty-five crude methanolic extracts obtained from twenty-two plant species were evaluated for their cytotoxicity and antiviral effectiveness against coronaviruses HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2. Then, a bioguided fractionation approach was employed. The most active crude methanolic extracts were partitioned into three different sub-extracts. Notably, the dichloromethane sub-extract of the whole plant Hippophae rhamnoides L. demonstrated the highest antiviral activity against both viruses. Its chemical composition was evaluated by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) and then it was fractionated by centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC). Six cinnamoyl triterpenoid compounds were isolated from the three most active fractions by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by high resolution MS (HR-MS) and mono- and bi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Specifically, these compounds were identified as 2-O-trans-p-coumaroyl-maslinic acid, 3β-hydroxy-2α-trans-p-coumaryloxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3β-hydroxy-2α-cis-p-coumaryloxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3-O-trans-caffeoyl oleanolic acid, a mixture of 3-O-trans-caffeoyl oleanolic acid/3-O-cis-caffeoyl oleanolic acid (70/30), and 3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl oleanolic acid. Infection tests demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of these triterpenes against HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2. Notably, cinnamoyl oleanolic acids displayed activity against both SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-229E. Our findings suggest that Hippophae rhamnoides could represent a source of potential antiviral agents against coronaviruses.
Genetic and Epigenetic Factors in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Pathology
Authors: Ustianowski Łukasz , Udzik Jakub , Szostak Joanna , Gorący Anna , Ustianowska Klaudia , Pawlik Andrzej
Published: November 2023

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is the carbohydrate intolerance occurring during pregnancy. The risk factors of GDM include obesity, advanced maternal age, polycystic ovary syndrome, multigravidity, a sedentary lifestyle, and pre-existing hypertension. Additionally, complex genetic and epigenetic processes are also believed to play a crucial role in the development of GDM. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in gestational diabetes mellitus pathogenesis.
Bioengineering of the Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with Cannabis Genes Enables the Production of the Cannabinoid Precursor, Olivetolic Acid
Authors: Awwad Fatima , Fantino Elisa Ines , Héneault Marianne , Diaz-Garza Aracely Maribel , Merindol Natacha , Custeau Alexandre , Gélinas Sarah-Eve , Meddeb-Mouelhi Fatma , Li Jessica , Lemay Jean-François , Karas Bogumil J. , Desgagne-Penix Isabel
Published: November 2023

The increasing demand for novel natural compounds has prompted the exploration of innovative approaches in bioengineering. This study investigates the bioengineering potential of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum through the introduction of cannabis genes, specifically, tetraketide synthase (TKS), and olivetolic acid cyclase (OAC), for the production of the cannabinoid precursor, olivetolic acid (OA). P. tricornutum is a promising biotechnological platform due to its fast growth rate, amenability to genetic manipulation, and ability to produce valuable compounds. Through genetic engineering techniques, we successfully integrated the cannabis genes TKS and OAC into the diatom. P. tricornutum transconjugants expressing these genes showed the production of the recombinant TKS and OAC enzymes, detected via Western blot analysis, and the production of cannabinoids precursor (OA) detected using the HPLC/UV spectrum when compared to the wild-type strain. Quantitative analysis revealed significant olivetolic acid accumulation (0.6–2.6 mg/L), demonstrating the successful integration and functionality of the heterologous genes. Furthermore, the introduction of TKS and OAC genes led to the synthesis of novel molecules, potentially expanding the repertoire of bioactive compounds accessible through diatom-based biotechnology. This study demonstrates the successful bioengineering of P. tricornutum with cannabis genes, enabling the production of OA as a precursor for cannabinoid production and the synthesis of novel molecules with potential pharmaceutical applications.
Skin-Microbiome Assembly in Preterm Infants during the First Three Weeks of Life and Impact of Topical Coconut Oil Application
Authors: Ghori Noor-Ul-Huda , Mullally Christopher A. , Nicol Mark P. , Currie Andrew , Hibbert Julie , Payne Matthew S. , Patole Sanjay , Strunk Tobias
Published: November 2023

The structure and function of infant skin is not fully developed until 34 weeks of gestation, and this immaturity is associated with risk of late-onset sepsis (LOS). Topical coconut oil improves preterm-infant skin integrity and may reduce LOS. However, data on early-life skin-microbiome succession and potential effects of emollient skin care in preterm infants are scarce. We therefore collected skin-microbiome samples from the ear, axilla, and groin on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 from preterm infants born <30 weeks of gestation as part of a randomized clinical trial of standard skin care vs. topical coconut oil. We found that within-sample microbiome diversity was highest on day 1 after birth, with a subsequent decline and emergence of Staphylococcus genus dominance from day 7. Moreover, microbiome assembly was less diverse in infants receiving coconut oil vs. standard skin care. Our study provides novel data on preterm-infant skin-microbiome composition and highlights the modifying potential of emollient skin care.
Sex-Related Gene Network Revealed by Transcriptome Differentiation of Bisexual and Unisexual Flowers of Orchid Cymbidium tortisepalum
Authors: Ma Xiaokai , Ju Song , Lin Han , Huang Huaxing , Huang Jie , Peng Donghui , Ming Ray , Lan Siren , Liu Zhong-Jian
Published: November 2023

Despite extensive research on orchid reproductive strategies, the genetic studies of sex differentiation in the orchid family are still lacking. In this study, we compared three sexual phenotypes of Cymbidium tortisepalum bisexual flowers as well as female and male unisexual mutants. Through comparative transcriptomes, we analyzed the sex-biased differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and gene co-expression networks of sex organs (gynostemium and ovary) among them, identified the candidate genes of sex differentiation, and validated their expression by qRT-PCR. The C. tortisepalum unisexual mutants with degenerated phenotypes were compared to the bisexual plants with respect to both the flower organs and plant morphologies. Totally, 12,145, 10,789, and 14,447 genes were uniquely expressed in the female, male, and hermaphrodite sex organs, respectively. A total of 4291 sex-biased DEGs were detected among them, with 871, 2867, and 1937 DEGs in the comparisons of bisexual vs. female, bisexual vs. male, and male vs. female flowers, respectively. Two co-expressed network modules, with 81 and 419 genes were tightly correlated with female sexual traits, while two others with 265 and 135 genes were highly correlated with male sexual traits. Two female-biased hub genes (CtSDR3b and CtSDR3b-like) nested in the female modules, the homologs of maize sex determinant tasselseed2, may control the feminization of C. tortisepalum. At the same time, two male-biased hub genes (CtYAB2 and CtYAB5) nested in the male modules, the homologs of grape sex determinant VviYABBY3, may control the androphany of C. tortisepalum. This study discovered the molecular regulation networks and proposed a model for orchid sex differentiation, therefore providing for the first time the genetic basis for the sex separation in the orchid family.
Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Serotonin Participate Differently in Methylphenidate Action in Concomitant Behavioral and Ventral Tegmental Area, Locus Coeruleus and Dorsal Raphe Neuronal Study in Young Rats
Authors: Reyes-Vasquez Cruz , Jones Zachary , Tang Bin , Dafny Nachum
Published: November 2023

Methylphenidate (MPD), known as Ritalin, is a psychostimulant used to treat children, adults, and the elderly. MPD exerts its effects through increasing concentrations of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) in the synaptic cleft. Concomitant behavioral and neuronal recording from the ventral tegmental area (VTA), locus coeruleus (LC), and from the dorsal raphe (DR) nucleus, which are the sources of DA, NE, and 5-HT to the mesocorticolimbic circuit, were investigated following acute and repetitive (chronic) saline, 0.6, 2.5, or 10.0 mg/kg MPD. Animals received daily saline or MPD administration on experimental days 1 to 6 (ED1–6), followed by a 3-day washout period and MPD rechallenge on ED10. Each chronic MPD dose elicits behavioral sensitization in some animals while inducing behavioral tolerance in others. The uniqueness of this study is in the evaluation of neuronal activity based on the behavioral response to chronic MPD. Neuronal excitation was observed mainly in brain areas of animals exhibiting behavioral sensitization, while neuronal attenuation following chronic MPD was observed in animals expressing behavioral tolerance. Different ratios of excitatory/inhibitory neuronal responses were obtained from the VTA, LC, or DR following chronic MPD. Thus, each brain area responds differently to each MPD dose used, suggesting that DA, NE, and 5-HT in the VTA, LC, and DR exert different effects.
Effects of Olympic Combat Sports on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Non-Athlete Population: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Muñoz-Vásquez Cristopher , Hernandez-Martinez Jordan , Ramos-Espinoza Francisco , Herrera-Valenzuela Tomas , Magnani Branco Braulio Henrique , Guzman-Muñoz Eduardo , Floriano Landim Sibila , Mondaca-Urrutia Jessica , Valdés-Badilla Pablo
Published: November 2023

This systematic review aimed to assess the available body of published peer-reviewed articles related to the effects of Olympic combat sports (OCS) on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in the non-athlete population. The methodological quality and certainty of evidence were evaluated using PRISMA, TESTEX, RoB, and GRADE scales. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42023391433). From 4133 records, six randomized controlled trials were included, involving 855 non-athletes (mean age = 27.2 years old). The TESTEX scale reported all studies with a ≥ 60% (moderate-high quality) score. The GRADE scale indicated moderate to low certainty of evidence. It was only possible to perform a meta-analysis on direct methods to maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). The main results indicated significant differences in favor of OCS compared to active/passive controls in VO2max (SMD = 4.61; 95%CI = 1.46 to 7.76; I2 = 99%; p = 0.004), while the individual results of the studies reported significant improvements in favor of the OCS on the indirect methods of the CRF. OCS improved CRF in a healthy non-athlete population of different ages, specifically showing a significant improvement in VO2max with direct tests, such as cardiopulmonary tests. However, moderate to low certainty of evidence is reported, so no definitive recommendations can be established.
The Calm after the Storm: A State-of-the-Art Review about Recommendations Put Forward during the COVID-19 Pandemic to Improve Chronic Pain Management
Authors: Godbout-Parent Marimée , Spilak Tristan , Pagé M. Gabrielle , Choinière Manon , Dassieu Lise , De Clifford-Faugère Gwenaelle , Lacasse Anaïs
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought its fair share of consequences. To control the transmission of the virus, several public health restrictions were put in place. While these restrictions had beneficial effects on transmission, they added to the pre-existing physical, psychosocial, and financial burdens associated with chronic pain, and made existing treatment gaps, challenges, and inequities worse. However, it also prompted researchers and clinicians to seek out possible solutions and expedite their implementation. This state-of-the-art review focuses on the concrete recommendations issued during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve the health and maintain the care of people living with chronic pain. The search strategy included a combination of chronic pain and pandemic-related terms. Four databases (Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed) were searched, and records were assessed for eligibility. Original studies, reviews, editorials, and guidelines published in French or in English in peer-reviewed journals or by recognized pain organizations were considered for inclusion. A total of 119 articles were analyzed, and over 250 recommendations were extracted and classified into 12 subcategories: change in clinical practice, change in policy, continuity of care, research avenues to explore, group virtual care, health communications/education, individual virtual care, infection control, lifestyle, non-pharmacological treatments, pharmacological treatments, and social considerations. Recommendations highlight the importance of involving various healthcare professionals to prevent mental health burden and emergency overload and emphasize the recognition of chronic pain. The pandemic disrupted chronic pain management in an already-fragile ecosystem, presenting a unique opportunity for understanding ongoing challenges and identifying innovative solutions. Numerous recommendations were identified that are relevant well beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on Access to Biologics in Psoriasis
Authors: Norlin Jenny M. , Löfvendahl Sofia , Schmitt-Egenolf Marcus
Published: November 2023

Background: Since the introduction of biologics for psoriasis, uptake has been uneven and limited. Few studies have investigated the influence of socioeconomic factors on access to biologics. Objective: To investigate how socioeconomic factors influenced access to biologics. Methods: Biologic-naïve patients in the Swedish National Register for Systemic Treatment of Psoriasis (PsoReg) for the years 2006–2014 were included. For patients who remained on nonbiologic treatments during their entire registration (n = 1851), the most recent registration was analyzed. For patients who began treatment with biologics during registration in PsoReg (n = 665), the last observation before initiation of biologics was analyzed. A logistic regression model was used to investigate whether education and income influenced the probability of a switch to biologics, whilst adjusting for demographic and individual factors such as age, sex, disease severity, and clinical characteristics. Results: The odds ratio of access to biologics was 1.8 (CI = 1.3–2.6) in the group with a high level of disposable income, compared with the middle-income group. No differences were found concerning educational levels. The odds ratios of access to biologics decreased with age. Patients with psoriatic arthritis had odds ratios of access to biologics which were more than 50 percent higher, controlling for other variables. High disease severity, in terms of physician- and patient-reported severity, increased the odds ratios of access to biologics. Conclusions: The higher-income group had better access to biologics than the middle-income group when adjusting for disease severity and lifestyle factors. This may not only be an equity problem, as a better allocation of society’s resources might have resulted in a higher overall effectiveness of biologics.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Adrenal Insufficiency
Authors: Zdrojowy-Wełna Aleksandra , Stańska Alicja , Halupczok-Żyła Jowita , Szcześniak Dorota , Bolanowski Marek
Published: November 2023

(1) Background: Patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) suffer from a reduced quality of life. However, clinical factors associated with this impairment remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to evaluate the associations with clinical and hormonal parameters in a group of patients with PAI. (2) Methods: The study included 32 patients with autoimmune PAI, who answered the quality of life in Addison’s disease questionnaire (AddiQoL). Clinical data and hormonal measurements were collected from the patients. (3) Results: The total AddiQoL score of males was significantly higher than that of females (p = 0.011). Furthermore, males reached significantly higher scores in each of the four subscales (fatigue—p = 0.013, emotional sphere—p = 0.048, adrenal insufficiency symptoms—p = 0.039, and miscellaneous questions—p = 0.034). There was a negative correlation between HRQoL and gonadotropin levels (FSH and fatigue r = (−)0.38, p = 0.032; FSH and emotional sphere r = (−)0.416, p = 0.018). This study found no significant associations between AddiQoL scores and the presence of autoimmune comorbidities; only fatigue scores were worse in the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis (p = 0.034). The doses of hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone in the replacement therapy were not associated with AddiQoL scores. AddiQoL scores correlated negatively with the age of diagnosis (p = 0.015). (4) Conclusions: Female sex, higher gonadotropins level, and older age at diagnosis were associated with impaired HRQoL in the studied group of patients with PAI.
Anomalous Origin of Left Circumflex Artery from the Right Sinus of Valsalva in Cardiac Computed Tomography in a Group of 16,680 Patients—Radiologic and Clinical Characteristics
Authors: Suchodolski Alexander , Głowacki Jan , Szulik Mariola
Published: November 2023

Background: Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is the most prevalent form of coronary anomaly. One variant of AAOCA is the anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, which can be detected using cardiac computed tomography (CT). However, limited data are available regarding the natural history of this anomaly, its impact on myocardial function, and associated symptoms. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 16,680 CT exams (cardiac and chest) performed between 2015 and 2022 at our Heart Imaging Department, utilising a dual-source 128-slice CT scanner (SOMATOM Definition Flash, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany). A registry of patients with anomalous origin of the circumflex artery from the right sinus of Valsalva (RCx) was established. The study included 56 cases of RCx (0.33%). Clinical information was obtained from medical records. RCx was defined as a circumflex artery originating from the right sinus of Valsalva (type I or II) or the right coronary artery (type III). Two researchers independently reevaluated each CT exam in our study group to ensure accurate radiologic descriptions and provide additional precise radiologic information regarding the anomaly, including high-risk features. Results: Our study comprised 56 patients, with approximately equal distribution between males (n = 30, 54%) and females (n = 26, 46%), and with a median age of 59 years. Coronary heart disease (CAD) was known in 23% of patients (n = 13), while 11% (n = 6) were obese (defined as a BMI > 30 kg/m2), and 13% (n = 7) were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Only 9% of patients (n = 5) were smokers. Dyslipidemia was the most prevalent atherosclerotic risk factor, affecting approximately one third of patients (n = 17, 30%). In 14% (n = 8) of patients, heart failure was observed, while 13% (n = 7) were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Type I RCx was the most common subtype, identified in 48% of patients (n = 27) with this anomaly. Type II and Type III were found in 25% (n = 14) and 27% (n = 15) of patients, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that RCx is frequently encountered as an incidental finding, and we did not identify a consistent clinical characteristic in all patients with this type of anomaly. Furthermore, no gender predominance was associated with RCx. The natural history of this anomaly and its clinical implications seem benign. Further research is warranted to better understand this anomaly’s natural course and clinical implications.
MRI Assessment of Cesarean Scar Pregnancies: A Case Series
Authors: Comune Rosita , Liguori Carlo , Tamburrini Stefania , Arienzo Francesco , Gallo Luigi , Dell’Aversana Federica , Pezzullo Filomena , Tamburro Fabio , Affinito Pietro , Scaglione Mariano
Published: November 2023

Cesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs) are a type of ectopic pregnancy that occur when an embryo implants within the fibrous scar tissue of a previous cesarean surgery. If not promptly detected and treated, CSPs can result in serious maternal complications, such as uterine rupture and hemorrhage. TVUS (transvaginal ultrasonography) represents the imaging of choice for the diagnosis of CSPs; however, recent studies proposed a complementary role of MRI due to its capability in soft tissue characterization that may impact the therapeutical decision-making process. The purpose of our study was to explore the role of MRI in the diagnosis and its impact on therapeutical options in CSPs. Our experience showed that MRI has a complementary role to TVSU in correctly diagnosing CSPs, identifying the type, and guiding the therapeutical approach.
Calculating Tumor Volume Using Three-Dimensional Models in Preoperative Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Surgical Planning: Does Size Matter?
Authors: Generaal Jasmijn D. , Glas Haye H. , Ubbels Jan F. , Stevenson Marc G. , Huijing Marijn A. , van Leeuwen Barbara L. , Been Lukas B.
Published: November 2023

This feasibility study aims to explore the use of three-dimensional virtual surgical planning to preoperatively determine the need for reconstructive surgery following resection of an extremity soft-tissue sarcoma. As flap reconstruction is performed more often in advanced disease, we hypothesized that tumor volume would be larger in the group of patients that had undergone flap reconstruction. All patients that were treated by surgical resection for an extremity soft-tissue sarcoma between 1 January 2016 and 1 October 2019 in the University Medical Center Groningen were included retrospectively. Three-dimensional models were created using the diagnostic magnetic resonance scan. Tumor volume was calculated for all patients. Three-dimensional tumor volume was 107.8 (349.1) mL in the group of patients that had undergone primary closure and 29.4 (47.4) mL in the group of patients in which a flap reconstruction was performed, p = 0.004. Three-dimensional tumor volume was 76.1 (295.3) mL in the group of patients with a complication following ESTS treatment, versus 57.0 (132.4) mL in patients with an uncomplicated course following ESTS treatment, p = 0.311. Patients who had undergone flap reconstruction had smaller tumor volumes compared to those in the group of patients treated by primary closure. Furthermore, a larger tumor volume did not result in complications for patients undergoing ESTS treatment. Therefore, tumor volume does not seem to influence the need for reconstruction. Despite the capability of three-dimensional virtual surgical planning to measure tumor volume, we do not recommend its utilization in the multidisciplinary extremity soft-tissue sarcoma treatment, considering the findings of the study.
Bond Behavior of Stainless-Steel and Ordinary Reinforcement Bars in Refractory Castables under Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Plioplys Linas , Kudžma Andrius , Sokolov Aleksandr , Antonovič Valentin , Gribniak Viktor
Published: November 2023

Refractory castables, i.e., refractory aggregates and ultra-fine particle mixtures with calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and deflocculants, were created 40 years ago for the metallurgy and petrochemical industries. These materials demonstrate outstanding performance even over 1000 °C. Typically, they have no structural reinforcement, resisting compression stresses because of the combination of temperature and mechanical loads. This study is a part of the research project that develops high-temperature resistance composite material suitable for fire and explosion protection of building structures. However, this application is impossible without structural reinforcement, and the bond performance problem becomes essential under high temperatures. This experimental work conducts pull-out tests of austenitic stainless 304 steel bars and typical structural S500 steel bars embedded in refractory castables after high-temperature treatments. This study includes plain and ribbed bars and considers two castable materials designed with 25 wt% CAC content for 50 MPa compressive strength after drying (typical design) and 100 MPa strength (modified with 2.5 wt% microsilica). This test program includes 115 samples for pull-out tests and 88 specimens for compression. As expected, the tests demonstrated the plain bars’ inability to resist the bond stresses already at 400 °C; on the contrary, ribbed bars, even made of structural steel, could ensure a mechanical bond with cement matrix up to 1000 °C. However, only stainless steel bars formed a reliable bond with the high-performance castable, determining a promising object for high-temperature applications. Still, the scatter of the test results did not ensure a reliable bonding model. In addition, the castable strength might not be optimal to ensure maximum bond performance. Thus, the test results clarified the research objectives for further developing the reinforced composite.
CL3: Generalization of Contrastive Loss for Lifelong Learning
Authors: Roy Kaushik , Simon Christian , Moghadam Peyman , Harandi Mehrtash
Published: November 2023

Lifelong learning portrays learning gradually in nonstationary environments and emulates the process of human learning, which is efficient, robust, and able to learn new concepts incrementally from sequential experience. To equip neural networks with such a capability, one needs to overcome the problem of catastrophic forgetting, the phenomenon of forgetting past knowledge while learning new concepts. In this work, we propose a novel knowledge distillation algorithm that makes use of contrastive learning to help a neural network to preserve its past knowledge while learning from a series of tasks. Our proposed generalized form of contrastive distillation strategy tackles catastrophic forgetting of old knowledge, and minimizes semantic drift by maintaining a similar embedding space, as well as ensures compactness in feature distribution to accommodate novel tasks in a current model. Our comprehensive study shows that our method achieves improved performances in the challenging class-incremental, task-incremental, and domain-incremental learning for supervised scenarios.
The Role of Nintedanib in the Treatment of Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis of Autoimmune-Related Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Ardan Aulia Rahman , Nurwidya Fariz
Published: November 2023

Interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis, is a diverse group of disorders. Nintedanib, an antifibrotic drug, is known to attenuate disease progression in ILD with progressive fibrosis, but its efficacy in autoimmune-disease-related ILD remains uncertain. We conducted a comprehensive search for relevant randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses included in PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases as of 23 June 2022 and manually reviewed reference lists. Among the 689 titles and abstracts screened, 24 studies were considered, with 4 randomized controlled trials included in our review. Nintedanib, administered at 150 mg twice daily for 52 weeks, consistently slowed forced vital capacity decline. Enhanced efficacy was observed when combining nintedanib with immunomodulators, and the most common adverse effect was diarrhea. In conclusion, our study suggests that nintedanib is a safe option for mitigating the progression of autoimmune-disease-related ILD, providing valuable insights into its potential therapeutic role in this context.
The Suitability of Prehistoric Human Settlements from the Perspective of the Residents
Authors: Tan Bo , An Chengbang , Lu Chao , Tang Lei , Jiang Lai
Published: November 2023

The study of the suitability of prehistoric human settlements (SPHE) can help us reproduce the process and characteristics of prehistoric human settlements, and is an important entry point for exploring the relationship between prehistoric humans and land. In this study, we discuss the definition, compositional structure, evolutionary mechanism, and spatiotemporal representation of the suitability of prehistoric human settlements, and propose its main research lines and possible research contents. We believe that the suitability of prehistoric human settlement environments refers to the ability and process of natural and social environmental conditions to meet the needs of human survival within a certain spatial range centered on the settlement of prehistoric humans. Additionally, with the temporal and spatial evolution of humans, society, and nature, it shows local consistency and global gradual and continuous change characteristics, and the human settlement environment has a suitability hierarchy of natural original, livelihood, and living spaces nested step by step. We believe that we can adopt the main research line of prehistoric human settlement suitability system construction to conduct extensive experiments and demonstrations on the theoretical construction, the evolution of the environment and living process, the relationship and evaluation of prehistoric human needs, the transformation of the living environment, living adaptation theories and models, and value and limitation verification. Thus, a complete research system can be formed to explore the evolution of the prehistoric human–land relationship.
Assessing the Effects of Subjective and Objective Measures on Housing Prices with Street View Imagery: A Case Study of Suzhou
Authors: Zhu Jin , Gong Yao , Liu Changchang , Du Jinglong , Song Ci , Chen Jie , Pei Tao
Published: November 2023

The price of a house is affected by both the subjective and objective factors of the street environment in a neighborhood. However, the relationships between these factors and housing prices are not fully understood. Street view imagery (SVI) has recently emerged as a new data source for housing price studies. The SVI contains both objective and subjective information and can be used to extract objective measurements describing the physical environment and subjective measurements depicting human perceptions. Compared to conventional methods, there is consistency between subjective and objective information extracted from SVIs, and the two types of information are acquired from the perspective of the human visual perceptual system. Therefore, using both objective and subjective information extracted from street view images to study their relationship with housing prices has several advantages. In this study, focusing on the city of Suzhou, China, we extracted subjective perception and objective view indices from SVIs and systematically assessed their effects on housing prices. The global ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model and the local geographically weighted regression (GWR) model were used to model the correlations between these measures and housing prices. The OLS reveals that overall objective measures have stronger explanatory power, and built environment factors have a greater impact on housing prices. GWR shows that subjective factors can explain more variance in housing prices on the local scale and that home buyers care more about the subjective perceptions of the neighborhood’s surroundings. The map of the GWR local coefficients demonstrates that the perception indicators have both positive and negative effects on housing prices in different places. In addition, a Monte Carlo test was performed to verify the spatially varying relationships between these measures. Our findings provide important references for urban designers and guide various applications, such as safe neighborhood design and sustainable city planning.