bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Transapical Transcatheter Aortic Valve System for Treatment of Aortic Stenosis: A Single-Center Early Experience
Authors: Jin Ping , Guo Hong , Mao Yu , Zhai Mengen , Liu Yang , Yang Jian
Published: February 2025

Background:

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been widely used to treat patients with aortic stenosis (AS). The anchoring of most transcatheter heart valves (THV) depends on friction with the native aortic valve (AV).

Methods:

A total of 9 patients with severe AS accepted TAVR using Xcor system with transapical access in our center. Clinical outcomes were collected at baseline, before discharge, and at the 30-day follow-up.

Results:

All patients achieved procedural success, postprocedural transesophageal echocardiography showed that all of the patients had no/trace paravalvular leakage. The mean AV pressure gradient decreased from 50 mmHg (range 18-76 mmHg) to 10 mmHg (range 8-14 mmHg) ( P < .001). At the 30-day follow-up, all patients had an improvement of ⩾1 New York Heart Association functional class ( P < .001). The average 6-minute walk distance (377.2 [range 330.0-430.0] m vs 276.1 [range 245.0-320.0] m, P < .001) and Kansas City cardiomyopathy questionnaire score (53.4 [range 45.0-62.0] vs 38.9 [range 35.0-43.0], P < .001) were both improved.

Conclusions:

Our early experience shows that the Xcor system is safe and feasible in the treatment of patients with severe AS.
Experimental study on the efficiency of inductive ignition systems with different flow speed conditions and ignition strategies to boost the spark energy in lean-burn engines
Authors: Lee Changhyeon , Shin Jun Hee , Seo Seongmin , Sim Kiseon , Lee Jonghyeok , Song Han Ho
Published: February 2025

Lean combustion in spark-ignition engines has been attracting attention as a technology for next-generation engines, owing to its advantages of engine efficiency due to the reduction of combustion temperature caused by supercharging. To overcome problems such as low reactivity and slow flame propagation results from the lean-mixture characteristics, sufficient ignition energy must be transferred to the mixture through the spark channel to stably form the initial flame kernel. To analyze the phenomenon of energy transfer through the spark channel, an experimental device was constructed to simulate the conditions similar to the inside of the engine cylinder, and the electrical and geometric characteristics of the spark channels were measured. In this study, different ignition strategies for enhancing spark energy were tested, and the effects of the flow speed on each strategy were analyzed. The first strategy was to increase the charging time, which had two simultaneous effects: a robust spark channel but an increased resistive loss fraction in the circuits. Thus, an optimal charge time exists in terms of spark energy transfer efficiency, with the former effect being more pronounced under high-speed conditions. In the second ignition strategy, a dual-coil ignition system was adopted. Under low-speed conditions, it showed lower spark energy and efficiency than the single-coil ignition system, owing to a larger fraction of resistive losses. However, under high-speed conditions, the spark power improved because the stretched spark channel was maintained with an intensified discharge current. The final ignition strategy was alternately charging and discharging the dual-coil ignition system, to maintain the spark channel for a longer duration. If the charging and discharging rates are balanced, a constant discharge power can be produced for a long duration. However, if the speed increases and the discharge rate exceeds the charge rate, the spark channel cannot be maintained with constant power.
Fire risk and safety for people living with dementia at home: A narrative review of international literature and case study of fire and rescue services in England
Authors: James Tiffeny , Clark Andrew
Published: February 2025

Background: Most people living with dementia prefer to continue living at home. However, as dementia progresses, people may become more susceptible to risk including cooking accidents that can lead to fire. This is a common concern cited by people living with dementia, family carers, and healthcare professionals, but research in this area is lacking. Methods: To identify initiatives, interventions, and guidance around fire safety for people living with dementia at home, first we conducted a narrative review of international literature. Next, we used England as a case study by searching all English fire and rescue services websites. We also sent Freedom of Information requests to all services to explore what information is held about fire incidents involving people living with dementia in England. Findings: Eight peer-reviewed articles were eligible for inclusion. Existing literature suggests that assistive technologies such as stove shut-off devices can be difficult for people living with dementia to use and cause additional problems and risks. All English fire services offer ‘Home Fire Safety Visits’, designed to help those vulnerable to fire identify and reduce risk at home however, only four specify that people living with dementia are eligible. Eleven services and two UK dementia charities have produced fire safety guidance for people living with dementia in England. Dementia awareness training in one fire service increased support offered to people living with dementia including provision of assistive technologies. Fire services in England do not record dementia status routinely and methodological issues mean that available data is unlikely to be accurate. Conclusions: There is scope for developing standardised dementia fire safety guidance and awareness training. Further research is needed to explore what types of assistive technologies people affected by dementia want and would find acceptable. We conclude with suggestions for fire safety policy, practice, and future research for England and internationally.
Telephone and online support programs and assistive technologies that support informal carers of people living with young-onset dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Moyle Wendy , Spencer Melinda , Qi Meiling , Li Na , Pu Lihui
Published: February 2025

Objective: Carers of people with young-onset dementia can be challenged by the care they provide. Little is known about the types of telephone and online support programs and assistive technologies that may help to assist them with caregiving. This review aimed to identify telephone and online support programs and assistive technologies that informal carers find useful for caring for people with young-onset dementia. Design: A systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. An electronic search of the following five English databases was conducted: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase. In addition, the reference lists of eligible studies were manually searched to identify further studies. Databases were searched using synonyms and derivates for “dementia,” “Alzheimer’s disease,” “young onset”, “early onset”, “caregiver”, “online” and “technology”. Results: We found 12 manuscripts that meet the study inclusion criteria. The dominant technologies were telephone and online support programs. Other assistive technologies included safety and monitoring support, telehealth, and a simple TV remote control. While carers reported positive effects of the telephone and online support programs, and technologies, such as improved self-efficacy, satisfaction, knowledge, well-being, and reduced burden, stress, depression, and anxiety, the studies were scarce, and a limited number of assistive technologies were explored. Conclusion: Given the increasing number of telephone and online programs and assistive technologies, it is disappointing to find a paucity of available manuscripts and the limited number of technologies explored for this population. Technologies to assist this population need to be developed and evaluated.
Error pattern recognition and correction methods in English oral learning process based on deep learning
Authors: Jing Yan
Published: February 2025

This study addresses the problem of pattern recognition and correction in English oral learning using deep learning techniques. English oral errors hinder effective expression and communication among learners. To tackle this issue, a large dataset of English oral data was collected and preprocessed using Hamming window and Fourier transform techniques. A long short-term memory (LSTM) network was then employed to construct an English oral error recognition model. After training, the model demonstrated high accuracy in recognizing various oral error patterns. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed correction method, comparative experiments were conducted with two classes. The results showed that the LSTM-based model achieved an error recognition accuracy of over 95.39%, with an average accuracy of 97% for five common oral errors. Additionally, Class 1, using the correction method proposed in this study, showed an average score increase to 75.2, while Class 2, using traditional correction methods, only increased to 64.5. The average score difference of 10.7 points between the two classes was statistically significant (t-value = 4.217, p-value = 0.016, p < .05). The findings demonstrate that the LSTM-based oral error recognition model is both practical and effective, offering a precise method for recognizing and correcting oral errors, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of English oral learning.
Boundary Parenting: A Framework for Reducing Deviance Among Young People
Authors: Lassi Nicholas
Published: February 2025

The erosion or absence of clear boundaries between parents and children in modern society – whether due to neglect or alternative parenting styles – has emerged as a significant issue, prompting the need for its evaluation regarding deviance. This study investigates the relationship between parent–child boundaries and adolescent deviant behavior by analyzing data from the first wave of NLSY97 responses, which encompasses 7564 individuals aged 12–17 years. Healthy boundary-based parenting, characterized by authoritative parenting, consistent monitoring, and clear limit setting, was significantly linked with lower levels of deviant behavior, including delinquency, arrests, running away, and substance use. These relationships held even after controlling for gender, ethnicity, date of birth, household income, and parent education. The results indicate that parenting practices with well-defined and firm boundaries – neither overly permissive nor excessively strict – are associated with lower rates of deviance among young people.
The experience of imposed digitalization of education provision across sectors: Comparative autoethnographic experiences through a Foucauldian lens
Authors: Mifsud Denise , Orucu Deniz
Published: February 2025

Worldwide, over the course of the global COVID-19 pandemic, major disruption to schooling and education provision at all levels has presented governments, school leaders, faculty, teachers, parents and students with a host of challenges. These challenges also brought increased attention to how ill-prepared education institutions were to ‘pivot’ from face-to-face teaching and learning to online forms of remote provision. In this paper, we will explore how this imposed digitalization affected leadership and governance from the experience of the various stakeholders involved. In exploring the imposed digitalization of education provision across educational sectors in two different geographical and cultural contexts, Malta and Turkey, we utilize a critical autoethnography to question how power and knowledge reflexively generated our actions and interpretations, as well as critically reflect on our own practice as researchers. As researchers, through reflexivity and introspection, we engage in self-study as participants, recognizing our interpretation of facts as shaped by our sociocultural circumstances. Regarding education institutions as a key test site for digital technologies and a ripe field for critical educational research, we thus explore the leadership and governance experiences of this imposed digitalization and its ensuing effects through the prism of social theory, specifically a Foucauldian perspective using his ‘trident’ of problematization, critique and scepticism. Our autoethnographic exploration of imposed digitalization across distinct education sectors in diverse cultural contexts has implications for theory, policy and practice.
Teachers understanding of inclusive education and challenges in implementation in the English education system in Cameroon
Authors: Tah Jude K
Published: February 2025

This study examines teachers understanding of inclusive education in the English education subsystem in Cameroon and the challenges they experience in its implementation. Based on interviews with some selected teachers, the findings reveal a strong focus on students with disabilities as well as the view of inclusive education as the removal of cultural barriers that pervade access and participation in education. The results also indicate policy inadequacies, school organisational insufficiencies, teacher incompetence and societal barriers to be some of the challenges these teachers encounter when implementing inclusive education.
Language-specific approaches to reduce perioperative stress and anxiety related to anaesthesia for patients with limited English proficiency: A narrative review
Authors: Dhaliwal Kanwarpreet Kaur , Sandhu Sherry , Puri Nitasha , Toor Amolpreet
Published: February 2025

Many patients experience perioperative anxiety due to a variety of different reasons. Essential processes of shared decision-making and informed consent may help to mitigate anxiety, yet language barriers may hinder this particularly in diverse patient populations. As such, language-specific approaches in anaesthesia care play a crucial role in reducing perioperative stress and anxiety among patients with limited English proficiency. This review examines which methods during anaesthetic assessments and shared decision-making processes enable anaesthetists to communicate effectively with patients who have limited English proficiency and thereby reduce perioperative stress. Findings suggest that collaborating with patients in their native language significantly reduces anxiety and improves understanding, while transcreation – culturally adapted translation – enhances the effectiveness of communication. To decrease perioperative anxiety among populations with limited English proficiency and improve surgical outcomes, it is important to enhance anaesthesia-focused training for interpreters, increase diversity in the anaesthesia field, and develop culturally relevant patient education materials.
Responsibilities and boundaries of China's STM journals in the national ethical governance of science and technology
Authors: Li Xiang , Ren Fujun
Published: February 2025

Since the release of the Opinions on Strengthening the Governance of Science and Technology Ethics by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the General Office of the State Council in 2022, ethical governance has gradually become an integral part of national science and technology (S&T) governance and has received high attention from the CPC and the state. Scientific, technical and medical (STM) journals, as an important subject in the ethical governance of S&T, should abide by the consensus and norms of the publishing industry and play their own roles in the collaborative governance of S&T in the new era. On this basis and in view of the problems and challenges faced by STM journals in the new era, this paper proposes that Chinese STM journals should change their minds to further promote their function and introduces specific measures to realize such changes.
Escitalopram-induced Hypersexuality—Imbalance of the Sexual Seesaw
Authors: Mahalakshmi Souganyadevi , Ramanathan Barath , Selvaraj Arun , Sivakumar Perarul , Ponnusamy Priyanka
Published: February 2025

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line pharmacotherapy used in major depression, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Sexual dysfunctions in the form of reduced sexual desire, difficulty reaching orgasm, or inability to maintain an erection are commonly reported with SSRI use, either by the patient or by the spouse. SSRI-induced hypersexuality is very rarely reported in the literature. Sexual dysfunction predisposes loss of treatment compliance. A 25-year-old female developed intense sexual desire and compulsive masturbation with 15 mg/day of escitalopram which vanished with discontinuation of the drug. Various factors like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and nitric oxide are implicated in the development of hypersexuality, which is both drug and group-specific. Also, the effect is dose-dependent. A high level of psychosocial stress is attached to the sexual side effects of SSRIs. Considering the sensitivity in reporting sexual symptoms, it is prudent to initiate a talk on sexual functioning with all the patients on antidepressants, especially SSRIs.
An Integrated Experimental-Simulation Calibration Method for the Constitutive Model of 6005A-T6 Aluminum Alloy Welds
Authors: Zhu Yu , Zhang Lele , Dou Weiyuan , Liu Wen
Published: February 2025

Due to the different microstructures caused by the heat source effect, welding joints exhibit significant differences in mechanical properties compared to the base material. Precise characterization of the constitutive characteristics of the welded joint requires a large number of repetitive experiments, which are costly, inefficient, and have limited accuracy improvements. This paper proposes an integrated experimental-simulation-based inverse calibration method, which establishes a calibration optimization problem based on the corresponding constitutive model and a finite element calculation model built by the distribution of hardness in the weldment. Using the global tensile force-displacement curve of the MIG-welded 6005A-T6 aluminum alloy specimen and the experimental data of local deformation with time change obtained from DIC (Digital Image Correlation), the parameters involved in the constitutive models are optimized accordingly. This method can directly obtain the constitutive characteristics of the weldment under conditions of limited experiments and insufficient data. Additionally, the adaptability of the constitutive model to the calibration method and the influence of optimization results are discussed and analyzed. The results indicate that the global force-displacement response of the non-saturated Ramberg-Osgood (R-O) model is in the best agreement with that of the experimental data, and the energy error is only 2.62%, followed by the MPL model, while the saturation-based Voce model shows the largest simulation error in terms of the presented object. Furthermore, the simulation results of R-O, Voce, and MPL models in the local area are far superior to traditional fitting methods.
The efficacy of low-intensity shock wave therapy based on the stratification of erectile dysfunction patients
Authors: Elshorbagy Galal , Elsayed Ahmed Salah , Elghoneimy Mohamed , Abdelrassoul Mohamed Abdo , Elkousy Mohamed Magdy , Ragab Mohamed Wael , Gharably Mohamed Aboul Fotouh El
Published: February 2025

Background

Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) has a considerable positive influence on erectile function (EF) among individuals diagnosed with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).

Purpose

Our objective was to study the impact of LI-ESWT on several subcategories of ED and to determine the duration of the enhancement in EF by a comprehensive long-term follow-up.

Method

This was a retrospective study. Individuals diagnosed with vasculogenic ED received 6–12 sessions of LI-ESWT with 5000 impulses at a dosage of 0.01 j/mm2. The therapy was administered employing the electromagnetic Dornier Aries® 1 machine. Each patient underwent no less than six sessions of LI-ESWT. Subsequently, the participants had clinical assessment utilizing the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and the Erection Hardness Scores (EHS) domain score at 3 months following LI-ESWT, followed by assessments every 6 months. In addition, the penile blood flow dynamics were assessed 3 months after LI-ESWT and throughout the final follow-up examination.

Results

Forty-two individuals had been included, with a mean age of 50 ± 12 years. The median duration of ED was 31 (15–49) months, and the median follow-up duration was 24 months and IQR of 27 months. The initial IIEF-EF score had been 16 ± 6 and increased to 22 ± 6 after 3-month period, and then decreased to 21 ± 6 at the final follow-up (p < 0.01). A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) variation was observed in 69% of participants at 3 months and in 60% of the entire study population at the final follow-up. The factors of risk that were shown to be related with a greater likelihood of MCID at 3 months had been age (p = 0.01), uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) ratio (p = 0.04), hypertension (p = 0.24), cardiovascular disease (p = 0.8), smoking (p = 0.63), and ex smoking (p = 0.3).

Conclusion

LI-ESWT shows promising long-term effectiveness in treating various degrees of ED, as demonstrated by the enhancement in penile blood flow observed during the final follow-up. This effect is particularly notable in individuals with well-managed DM and older age.
Awareness and perceptions of child maltreatment among medical students and interns: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Owaidah Sara , Alharaz Reham , Aljubran Sara , Almuhanna Zahra , AlMusailhi Jawaher , Abualait Turki , Al-sheikh Mona , Al Ghamdi Kholoud
Published: February 2025

Child maltreatment is an issue that burdens communities worldwide. Healthcare professionals, medical staff precisely, play a major role in the reporting responsibility, so it is crucial to ensure that none of the maltreatment cases are missed under medical supervision. This study aims to assess the awareness and perceptions of child maltreatment, and factors that affect reporting these cases among medical students and interns in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of five categories (demographic data, the most prevalent form of child maltreatment, awareness and perceptions of child maltreatment, awareness of reporting policy, and factors that contribute to lack of reporting) was distributed among the participants electronically. Data were analyzed using a chi-square test along with frequency distribution of the independent variables. Out of 341 participants, 57.2% were females, and the majority were in their senior years. Less than half of the participants (41.9%) believed that the most common form of child maltreatment is physical abuse. Most participants had adequate awareness of both short- and long-term consequences of child maltreatment. However, they believed that community members did not have adequate awareness about the issue. One-third of the participants believed that they received adequate education on the topic during their training. Furthermore, 78.9% of the participants thought that child maltreatment is often missed. Most participants (90.9%) believed that reporting child maltreatment must be mandatory even if the injuries were not fatal. The top three factors that prevented physicians from reporting child maltreatment were lack of understanding of the reporting procedure, fear of destroying family relationships, and doubt of the occurrence of child maltreatment. Early training and exposure to child maltreatment cases is recommended for all healthcare professionals.
Acceptability and fidelity of the multidomain ‘Brain Bootcamp’ dementia risk reduction program: a mixed-methods approach
Authors: Siette Joyce , Dodds Laura , Brooks Cristy , Deckers Kay , Köhler Sebastian , Armitage Christopher J.
Published: February 2025

Background

Interventions targeting dementia prevention typically lack comprehensive exploration of feasibility, acceptability, and long-term translation factors prior to deployment. Our study aimed to explore the acceptability, fidelity and participants’ experiences with Brain Bootcamp, a multi-domain behaviour change intervention targeting reduced dementia risk and increased dementia risk factor awareness for older adults.

Methods

Conducted in New South Wales, Australia, from January to August 2021, our concurrent single-group mixed-methods feasibility study involved post-intervention surveys and qualitative interviews with community-dwelling older adults. Descriptive statistics were used to assess acceptability of the methods, outcome measures, and fidelity to the program components. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews explored participant experiences, preferences, barriers, and recommendations.

Results

Out of 853 enrolled participants, only 355 completed the program (41.6%). Among these participants, 79.1% agreed that the intervention improved their awareness of dementia risk factors, and 92.4% expressed intent to continue maintaining brain healthy behaviours post- program. Participants typically set 2–4 modifiable risk factor lifestyle goals, which were most often related to physical activity (83.7%). A majority (91.5%) successfully achieved at least one brain health goal. Qualitative analyses (n = 195) identified three overarching themes on the role of education on behaviour modification (i.e., the transformative role of the program in enhancing knowledge about dementia prevention and fostering behavioral modifications), psychological considerations (e.g., intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation on their engagement and perception of the program) and future directions (e.g., sustainability concerns and the need for tailored strategies for specific demographics).

Conclusions

While Brain Bootcamp had low completion rates, those who completed the program reported high acceptability. Future refinements, incorporating targeted strategies and enhanced participant support and communication, will facilitate pragmatic initiatives.

Clinical trial number

ACTRN12621000165886.
Nurses’ knowledge and their role in selected hospital logistics processes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jarosz Katarzyna , Czech Elżbieta , Jaromin Joanna
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Nursing as a profession is still changing, developing and seeking a place in the healthcare system. It also defines a new tasks and competencies in response to increasing patients’ needs and changing environment. Nursing tasks include not only strictly clinical tasks, but also non-nursing tasks that are necessary to carry out the treatment process such as logistics processes. The main aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge of nurses about logistics processes and to assess the perception of the role of a nurse in selected hospital logistics processes. An additional objective was to assess the frequency of application of the 7R principle (the right product, in the right quantity, in the right condition, to the right place, at the right time, for the right customer/patient, at the right cost).

Materials and methods

This is a cross-sectional study. In the study, 152 nurses participated. The original questionnaire included a sociodemographic and logistical section, which consisted of questions about the definition of the logistics process and its understanding, respondents’ participation in logistics processes, and the occurrence of logistics processes in the workplace. The nurses’ knowledge was assessed through five questions, and the results could range from 1 to 6 points. Four questions were used to analyze the role of nurses in logistics processes, with possible scores ranging from 2 to 9 points. The frequency of the 7Rs principle usage ranged from 0 to 35 points.

Results

The level of respondents’ knowledge was moderate, with an average score of 4.67 points, and more than half of the nurses were characterized by a high level of knowledge about logistics processes (51.32%). The role of the nurse in the logistics process was assessed as moderately important, with a score of 5.91 points. The 7Rs principle was applied ‘sometimes,’ achieving a score of 26.67 points.

Conclusions

Although logistics as a science is not widely included in nursing education and practice, respondents reported a moderate level of knowledge and assessed the role of nurses in logistics processes as moderately significant, suggesting that logistics is important in the work of nurses.
Exploring perceptions of the services offered in Tanzanian sober houses: a mixed- methods study among service users and providers
Authors: Janson Samuel , Mushy Stella E. , McPherson Mecca , Mhando Frank , Jennings Mayo-Wilson Larissa , Iseselo Masunga K. , Saleem Haneefa , Kamwela Jerome , Issango Jumanne , Knox Justin , Mbita Gaspar , Madut Deng B. , Ostermann Jan , Thielman Nathan , Mwasa Betuel , Conserve Donaldson F. ,   BRIDGE Africa
Published: February 2025

Background

In Tanzania, residential treatment centers for alcohol and other drugs, locally known as “sober houses,” play a critical role in the treatment of people living with a substance use disorder (SUD), but little is known about the services they offer and service users’ and providers’ perceptions of those services. We aimed to address these gaps in knowledge and to better understand where evidence-based interventions may be able to address gaps in service provision.

Materials and methods

This study used a mixed-methods approach across four sober houses in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We conducted 48 semi-structured interviews with a sub-sample of sober house service users (n = 38) and service providers (n = 10). Eighty-six (86) service users also completed a written survey to capture demographic information and assess knowledge of HIV and willingness to use HIV preventive care. All interviews were audio-recorded, translated into English, and then coded according to constructs developed with the Recovery Capital Framework. Following coding, a thematic analysis was conducted for the qualitative data using the framework developed by Braun and Clarke.

Results

Service users were generally positive about the treatment they were receiving but identified gaps in health service provision related to HIV, as well as a lack of preparation to address the employment-related challenges they face in the community after completing treatment. Service providers largely agreed with users’ perceptions of needs and identified a lack of clinical personnel in sober houses and funding challenges as barriers to meeting these needs.

Conclusion

Sober houses provide treatment services to Tanzanians with SUD that service users largely view as positive. This evaluation identified employment challenges after treatment completion and gaps related to HIV care in the sober house. Further research is needed to investigate how interventions can be adapted to the sober house setting to meet these needs.
miR-200c inhibition and catalase accelerate diabetic wound healing
Authors: D’Agostino Marco , Sileno Sara , Lulli Daniela , De Luca Naomi , Scarponi Claudia , Teson Massimo , Torcinaro Alessio , De Santa Francesca , Cirielli Corrado , Furgiuele Sergio , Morrell Chris H. , Dellambra Elena , Odorisio Teresa , Lakatta Edward G. , Avitabile Daniele , Capogrossi M. C. , Magenta Alessandra
Published: February 2025

Background

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are increased in diabetic conditions and play a causal role in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). We previously showed that ROS up-regulate miR-200c expression, that in turns causes apoptosis, senescence, ROS upregulation and nitric oxide decrease, leading to endothelial disfunction.

Methods

The aim of this study is to dissect miR-200c role in DFU and to explore the potential role of anti-miR-200c and antioxidant catalase (CAT) in promoting wound healing (WH). miR-200c inhibition and CAT treatment were performed either in immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) or in primary fibroblasts (FBs) and keratinocytes (KCs) deriving from diabetic patients (pts) undergoing amputations. Primary cells deriving from pts undergoing saphenectomies were used as controls. The miR-200c blockade was performed either via lentiviral particles bearing an anti-miR-200c sequence or locked nucleic acid (LNA) anti-miR-200c oligos. Equine CAT was administered on cell medium. The WH assay was performed in vivo on diabetic (db/db) mice by a topical treatment with CAT and LNA anti-miR-200c on wounds dissolved in a Pluronic gel mixture, administered every three days.

Results

We found that miR-200c levels were increased by different stimuli known to induce ROS, such as ultraviolet radiation (UV), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and high glucose in HaCaT. miR-200c was also upregulated in skin biopsies, in FBs and KCs isolated from pts with DFU vs controls. Forced miR-200c expression induced ROS in both FBs and KCs, and CAT reduced it. miR-200c inhibition improved WH in HaCaT, both under basal conditions and after UV and H2O2 treatment, and the simultaneous treatment with CAT accelerated it. miR-200c inhibition accelerated WH in KCs of DFU pts, increasing its protein targets: sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), the transcription factors FOXO1 and ZEB1 and decreasing p66Shc phosphorylation at Ser-36, that is induced by ROS, and the co-treatment with CAT showed synergistic effects in reducing ROS and cytotoxicity. Interestingly, CAT treatment decreased miR-200c expression in FBs and KCs of DFU pts. Topical administration of anti-miR-200c and CAT in a WH model of diabetic mice accelerated closure.

Conclusions

Anti-miR-200c and CAT could be considered a novel treatment for DFU and, possibly, for other types of non-diabetic skin ulcers.
Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies molecular biomarkers predicting late progression to CDK4/6 inhibition in patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Luo Linjie , Yang Peng , Mastoraki Sofia , Rao Xiayu , Wang Yan , Kettner Nicole M. , Raghavendra Akshara Singareeka , Tripathy Debasish , Damodaran Senthil , Hunt Kelly K. , Wang Jing , Li Ziyi , Keyomarsi Khandan
Published: February 2025

Background

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) in combination with endocrine therapy are the standard treatment for patients with hormone receptor–positive, HER2–negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Despite the efficacy of CDK4/6is, intrinsic resistance occurs in approximately one-third of patients, highlighting the need for reliable predictive biomarkers.

Methods

Single-cell RNA sequencing analyzed metastatic tumors from HR+/HER2- mBC patients pre-CDK4/6i treatment at baseline (BL) and/or at disease progression. BL samples were from CDK4/6i responders (median progression-free survival [mPFS] = 25.5 months), while progressors were categorized as early-progressors (EP, mPFS = 3 months) and late-progressors (LP, mPFS = 11 months). Metastatic sites included liver, pleural effusions, ascites, and bone. InferCNV distinguished tumor cells, and functional analysis utilized the Molecular Signatures Database.

Results

LP tumors displayed enhanced Myc, EMT, TNF-α, and inflammatory pathways compared to those EP tumors. Samples from BL and LP responders showed increased tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells compared to EP non-responders. Notably, despite a high frequency of CD8+ T cells in responding tumors, a functional analysis revealed significant upregulation of genes associated with stress and apoptosis in proliferative CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in BL tumors compared to in EP and LP tumors. These genes, including HSP90 and HSPA8, are linked to resistance to PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors. A ligand-receptor analysis showed enhanced interactions associated with inhibitory T-cell proliferation (SPP1-CD44) and suppression of immune activity (MDK-NCL) in LP tumors. Longitudinal biopsies consistently revealed dynamic NK cell expansion and enhanced cytotoxic T cell activity, alongside upregulation of immune activity inhibition, in LP tumors compared to in BL tumors. Notably, the predictive biomarker panel from BL tumor cells was validated in 2 independent cohorts, where it consistently predicted a significant improvement in mPFS duration in signature-high versus -low groups.

Conclusion

This study underscores the significance of molecular biomarkers in predicting clinical outcomes to CDK4/6i. Tumor-infiltration CD8+ T and NK cells may also serve as baseline predictors. These insights pave the way for optimizing therapeutic strategies based on microenvironment-specific changes, providing a personalized and effective approach for managing HR+/HER2- mBC and improving patient outcomes.
Acute compartment syndrome due to skeletal muscle metastases from poorly differentiated upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma: a case report
Authors: Gentry Richard , Anand Prince Mohan , Kamal Ahmed I , Alqassieh Ahmad Saleh , Mahmood Ammar Obaid , Ayrapetyan Mesrop , Saud Amer Altiti Monther
Published: February 2025

Background

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is characterized by increased pressure within the fascial network of any muscle, leading to impaired circulation and potential myonecrosis. Very rarely, soft tissue infiltration by metastatic disease can cause localized swelling that increases intercompartmental pressures. We report an unusual case of invasive, poorly differentiated upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma presented by acute compartment syndrome of the lower extremity and subsequent acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by myonecrosis-induced cast nephropathy.

Case Presentation

A 52-year-old male presented to the hospital with rapid onset unilateral right leg pain and tense edema accompanied by myonecrosis with no explicable etiology complicated by AKI. Surgical fasciotomy and subsequent muscle biopsy yielded poorly differentiated non-small cell adenocarcinoma. CT imaging identified diffuse adenopathy along with abnormal thickening of the distal esophagus, gastroesophageal (GE) junction, and gastric cardia. Further investigation via upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed an exophytic mass in the distal esophagus extending into the stomach. This lesion was confirmed via biopsy as primary invasive poorly differentiated upper gastrointestinal (UGI) adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion

This case highlights the need for clinicians to implement high-risk screening for UGI cancers and consider skeletal muscle metastasis as a cause of nontraumatic ACS. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in managing such complex cases and the role of timely surgical and oncological intervention in preventing long-term complications of ACS. Furthermore, it highlights the potential use of more efficient and specific MR imaging techniques to diagnose ambiguous cases of ACS.
Accelerating eucalypt clone selection pipeline via cloned progeny trials and molecular data
Authors: Benatti Thiago Romanos , Ferreira Filipe Manoel , da Costa Rodolfo Manoel Lemes , de Moraes Mario Luiz Teixeira , Aguiar Aurélio Mendes , da Costa Dias Donizete , de Matos José Wilacildo , Fernandes Aline Cristina Miranda , Andrade Mateus Chagas , de Siqueira Leandro , Brum Itaraju Junior Baracuhy , do Nascimento André Vieira , Utsunomiya Yuri Tani , Garcia José Fernando , Tambarussi Evandro Vagner
Published: February 2025

The high productivity of Eucalyptus spp. forest plantations is mainly due to advances in silvicultural techniques and genetic improvement associated with the potential that many species of the genus have for vegetative propagation. However, long reproduction cycles for forest species pose significant challenges for genetic progress via traditional breeding programs. Furthermore, there is often poor correlation between individual (seedling) performance in initial (progeny trials) and final (clonal trials) stages of the breeding program. In this scenario, cloned progeny trials (CPT) offer an alternative to accelerate the eucalypt clone selection pipeline, combining progeny and clonal trials in a single experiment. CPT has the potential to speed up the evaluation process and increase its efficiency by developing new commercial genotypes that were tested as clones from the initial stage of the breeding program. Thus, this study aims to assess the potential of CPT to accelerate eucalypt clone selection programs by estimating the genetic parameters, analyzing responses to selection, and predicting the adequate number of ramets to be used in CPT of Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis. The results show that when the number of ramets per progeny was decreased from five to one there was a reduction in the estimates of broad-sense heritability and accuracy. However, three ramets/progeny can be used without significant reductions in these estimates. CPT accelerates clonal selection by combining progeny and clonal trial methodologies, enabling an evaluation of performance as both progeny and clone. This capacity is very important for vegetatively propagated crop species such as Eucalyptus. Integrating CPT with SNP markers can offer an alternative to shorten the tree clone selection pipeline, better estimate and decompose the genetic variance components, and improve the correlation between initial and final performance for selected genotypes. This study confirms the potential of CPT to improve selection processes and accelerate genetic gains in the eucalypt clone selection pipeline.
New approach in models for managing the vessel’s unloading process
Authors: Luidmyla L. Nikolaieva , Taras Y. Omelchenko , Oleksandr V. Haichenia
Published: February 2025

New way of formalizing hybrid systems in models for managing the vessel unloading process is caused by the significant increase in container transportation around the world over the past decade. The growth of container traffic is the main reason for the constant modernization of port container terminals and improvement of cargo unloading technology is most promising when using those methods, that allow obtaining maximum results in terms of cargo processing speed. This problem is the subject of an article in which analytical review of container handling technologies existing in world ports is carried out, their key performance indicators are formulated and it is shown how the use of a centralized hybrid control system based on the dynamics of discrete events can lead to increased profitability of the port. Developed concept of a hybrid control system makes possible to consider such features of the vessels unload process that have not been considered until now.
In vivo electrophysiology recordings and computational modeling can predict octopus arm movement
Authors: Gedela Nitish Satya Sai , Radawiec Ryan D. , Salim Sachin , Richie Julianna , Chestek Cynthia , Draelos Anne , Pelled Galit
Published: February 2025

The octopus has many features that make it advantageous for revealing principles of motor circuits and control and predicting behavior. Here, an array of carbon electrodes providing single-unit electrophysiology recordings were implanted into the octopus anterior nerve cord. The number of spikes and arm movements in response to stimulation at different locations along the arm were recorded. We observed that the number of spikes occurring within the first 100 ms after stimulation were predictive of the resultant movement response. Machine learning models showed that temporal electrophysiological features could be used to predict whether an arm movement occurred with 88.64% confidence, and if it was a lateral arm movement or a grasping motion with 75.45% confidence. Both supervised and unsupervised methods were applied to gain streaming measurements of octopus arm movements and how their motor circuitry produces rich movement types in real time. For kinematic analysis, deep learning models and unsupervised dimensionality reduction identified a consistent set of features that could be used to distinguish different types of arm movements. The neural circuits and the computational models identified here generated predictions for how to evoke a particular, complex movement in an orchestrated sequence for an individual motor circuit. This study demonstrates how real-time motor behaviors can be predicted and distinguished, contributing to the development of brain-machine interfaces. The ability to accurately model and predict complex movement patterns has broad implications for advancing technologies in robotics, neuroprosthetics, and artificial intelligence, paving the way for more sophisticated and adaptable systems.
Health benefits of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) against diabetes mellitus and cognitive dysfunction: a review
Authors: Ahmad Nazir , Lesa Kaisun Nesa , Ikawati Zullies , Fakhrudin Nanang
Published: February 2025

Diabetes mellitus (DM), both type 1 and type 2, has been linked to decreased performance across a number of cognitive function categories, with more recent studies emphasizing the contribution of DM mediated dementia. Despite the therapeutic advantages of antidiabetic medications for the management of DM mediated cognitive dysfunction (CD), the majority of these pharmaceuticals are linked to a number of negative side effects, raising questions about their long-term advantages. Botanical medicines, which often have low toxicity and adverse effects, are supported by some latter research. These medicines are attracting increased interest from researchers studying traditional herbal remedies owing to the minimal side effects for prevention and managing DM and CD in developing and developed countries. To emphasize the health benefits of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) against DM and CD. Different databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, were searched with a combination of keywords. The available research on the health benefits of okra against DM and CD is compiled in this study which indicates that okra has the ability to manage DM and CD. It will serve as a base for further investigation into the okra preparation for its potential commercial production as a therapeutic agent for DM and CD.

Graphical Abstract
Epidemiological factors affecting post-COVID-19 acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis incidence and prognosis
Authors: Ayad Mostafa Mohammed , Aglan Yasser Ibrahim , Hamad Mohamed Hisham Aly , Ebeid Kamal Abdelmonem
Published: February 2025

Background

Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is a life-threatening disease that presents usually in immune-compromised patients with impaired neutrophilic response.

Aim

To study and statistically analyze the epidemiological factors leading to the observed increased incidence of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) diseased patients and identify the prognostic factors that may affect the course and outcome of the disease.

Methods

This case–control study was carried out on 23 patients diagnosed with acute invasive fungal sinusitis patients, patients with positive coronavirus or recently recovered from coronavirus infection admitted to tertiary or secondary centers in El-Gharbia governorate, and 46 participants as a control. The study was focused on the epidemiological predisposing factors that may affect the incidence of the disease.

Results

COVID-19 reporting and data system (CORAD), level of O2 saturation, PH, steroid therapy dose and duration, duration of O2 therapy, and anterior septal deviation were insignificantly different between the two studied groups. Random blood sugar (RBS), neutropenia, and type O2 therapy were significantly different between the two studied groups. Steroid therapy dose and duration were significantly higher in the patients’ group than control group (P < 0.05). In the total number of 23 patients, 16 (69.6%) patients had their middle turbinate as the first site to be affected by the pathology, 3 (13%) patients in the right maxilla, 1 (4.3%) patient in the left maxilla, 2 (8.7%) patients in the right sphenoid sinus, and 1 (4.3%) patient in the hard palate.

Conclusions

The prognostic factors favoring bad prognosis are uncontrolled co-morbidities, high CORAD grade, high grade of fungal invasion, serum neutropenia, the use of ventilators as an O2 delivery method, and medical treatment alone without surgical treatment.