bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of guided PDL regeneration with mesenchymal stem cell loaded amniotic membrane scaffold and PRF following delayed replantation of avulsed teeth in dogs
Authors: Mazhari Fatemeh , Afshari Jalil Tavakol , Khajehahmadi Saeedeh , Sedigh Hamideh Salari , Shafieian Reyhaneh , Shiezadeh Farid , Anbiaee Najmeh , Valizadeh Maryam
Published: June 2024

Background: Dental avulsion is one of the most common and challenging injuries in 7-to-9-year-old children. The research aimed to periodontal ligament (PDL) regeneration using the guided tissue regeneration (GTR) technique utilizing amniotic membrane scaffold, PDL stem cells (PDLSCs), and injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) following delayed replantation of immature avulsed teeth in dogs.
Methods: Thirty extracted immature dog teeth underwent a dry environment for 70 minutes (Except for negative control group:10 min) and then, were randomly divided into five groups: 1) Negative control, 2) Positive control, 3) i-PRF: replantation alongside i-PRF, 4) PDLSCs+i-PRF: replantation alongside i-PRF and the suspension of human PDLSCs (xenograft), 5) GTR: replantation alongside amniotic membrane as a barrier on which human PDLSCs were seeded and contained i-PRF. The teeth were assessed clinically and radiographically at one-month and two-month follow-ups. Two months after replantation, the apical and middle third of the teeth roots were examined histologically (qualitative evaluation) and histomorphometrically (quantitative evaluation: percentage of favorable and unfavorable healing). The results were analyzed using the statistical tests of Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney (significance at p<0.05).
Results: Clinical observations included infraocclusion of a tooth in the positive control group, mobility in the two teeth of the PDLSCs+i-PRF group, and general tooth discoloration. At two months, the positive control group had significantly more pathological resorption radiographically (P<0.05). Histologically, the GTR group had a significantly higher favorable healing rate compared to all except the negative control group (P<0.05). PDLSCs+i-PRF and i-PRF groups also had improved healing over the positive control group (P=0.004), but less than the GTR and negative control groups (both P = 0.04 compared to the GTR group, and P = 0.002 and P=004 compared to the positive control group, respectively). The latter two treatments did not differ statistically from each other (P=0.63). The positive control group demonstrated significantly more pathological resorption compared to other groups (P<0.05), while the negative control showed almost no pathological resorption.
Conclusions: For delayed replantation of avulsed immature teeth, GTR technique using amniotic membrane scaffold plus i-PRF/PDLSCs significantly increased PDL regeneration and decreased unfavorable healing.
Directional Spectrum Estimation of Moving Vehicles
Authors: de Carvalho Rodrigo Cesar Ameida , Torres Julio Cesar Boscher , Petraglia Mariane Rembold , Vorländer Michael
Published: June 2024

Simulation of urban environments requires the knowledge of the vehicle directional noise emission characteristics, in order to be more accurate and confer more authenticity to the 3D audio. This paper presents a methodology to extract the directional sound energy pattern, emitted by a moving vehicle, using a simple microphone array. The method consists in recording the vehicle pass-by sound with a set of two horizontal sensors and, based on the spectrogram and on a modified direction of arrival algorithm, determine the energy spectrum according to the direction between the source and the receivers. The proposed method is initially investigated with simulated data, where the analysis signals are generated by simulating the passage of a sound source with a known directivity pattern. Using white noise as source signal, the proposed algorithm was able to recover the directional pattern with errors up to 1 dB. The method is then applied to real measurements, conducted in a controlled environment, where four vehicles passed through the sensors at different speeds. As there were no ground-truth for such evaluation, the spectral characteristics of the directional data were compared to similar data in the literature. The results pointed to a convergence between estimated and expected data, showing that the proposed method is capable of extracting horizontal directional information from passing vehicles, which can be applied to determine the general directional emission pattern of vehicle categories or models, for application in acoustic virtual environments.
Evaluation of dyslipidemia based on ATP ⅠⅠⅠ guideline in adults in southwest Iran: A population-based study
Authors: Cheraghian Bahman , Saki Nader , Sarvandian Sara , Hashemi Seyed Jalal , Hosseini Seyed Ahmad , Saki Sara , Rahimi Zahra
Published: June 2024

Dyslipidemia is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We aim to investigate the occurrence of dyslipidemia and its associated risk factors in the southwest region of Iran. This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 9846 participants aged 35–70 years in southwest Iran. Information on socioeconomic factors, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory tests, anthropometric measurements, and lifestyle was collected. The criteria for dyslipidemia were based on the ATP III classification. Multiple logistic regression was used to control potential confounders. Results showed that the overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 43.5%, with abnormal levels of HDL, LDL, TC, and TG at 17.9%, 21.8%, 36.2%, and 44%, respectively. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that males (OR＝1.92, 95%CI: 1.74−2.14), individuals with abnormal waist circumference (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.67-2.12), those with low physical activity (OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.76-0.97), smokers (OR＝1.17, 95%CI: 1.05−1.31), rich people (OR＝1.19, 95%CI: 1.04-1.36), and patients with hypertension (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.27) had higher odds of dyslipidemia. Our findings suggest that dyslipidemia is a complex condition that is influenced by various biological and lifestyle factors. Different prevention and treatment strategies may be needed for various population subgroups. Keywords: Dyslipidemia, ATP III guidelines, Adults, Population-based study.
Novel Meta-Diamide Derivatives Bearing Triazole: Design, Synthesis and Bioactivity
Authors: Yan Chengyi , Liu Jiyong , Xiang Juncheng , Zhang Lei , Wu Daoxin , Liu Minhua
Published: June 2024

In searching for novel insecticide lead, 20 new meta-diamide compounds containing triazole were designed and synthesized regarding Cyproflanilide as lead compound. All the compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HR MS. In preliminary bioassay, we found that one of the compounds: N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-N-(5-((2,6-dibromo-4-(perfluoropan-2-yl)phenyl)carbamoyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl) Nicotinamide (16a) showed 93% mortality rate to P. xylostella at 1 mg/L and 100% mortality rate to M. separata at 2 mg/L. It is obviously superior to the known compounds Ⅰa and Ⅰb, and it is equivalent to Cyproflanilide. It is providing important clues for subsequent structure-activity relationship studies. From this, we explored the structure-activity relationship of these compounds. Through comprehensive analysis of their structural characteristics and insecticidal activity data, we found that specific halogen groups and substituents in the compounds have a significant impact on insecticidal activity. This provides important guidance for subsequent structural optimization and activity enhancement.
DAMNet: Dynamic Mobile Architectures for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Wan Nan
Published: June 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a significant challenge in healthcare, highlighting the necessity for early and precise diagnostic tools. Our model, DAMNet, processes multi-dimensional AD data effectively, utilizing only 7.4 million parameters to achieve diagnostic accuracies of 98.3% in validation and 99.9% in testing phases. Despite a 20% pruning rate, DAMNet maintains consistent performance with less than 0.2% loss in accuracy. The model also excels in handling 3D (Three-Dimensional) MRI data, achieving a 95.7% F1 score within 805 seconds during a rigorous three-fold validation over 200 epochs. Furthermore, we introduce a novel parallel intelligent framework for early AD detection that improves feature extraction and incorporates advanced data management and control. This framework sets a new benchmark in intelligent, precise medical diagnostics, adeptly managing both 2D (Two-Dimensional) and 3D imaging data.
Remote pulmonary pathology diagnosis using a handheld device for acquiring lung sounds at the mouth: A proof-of-concept study
Authors: Menachemi Doron M. , Brodsky Tom , Shimelis Kasa , Kartouma Muhammad Abu , Hochstadt Aviram
Published: June 2024

Introduction.
Obtaining relevant information about respiratory conditions is a unique challenge in the rapidly growing field of telehealth. While auscultation using a stethoscope remains the first-line method in primary care, it is not a practical solution in a home setting, as it requires the presence of both a skilled caregiver and experienced interpreter online. We conducted a proof-of-concept study of a simple self-check thermometer-like device (OmnySense®), which acquires auscultatory data through a microphone in the head of the device.
Methods.
We assessed the agreement between subjective evaluations of lung sounds using the device and those using a digital stethoscope for the presence of crackles and/or wheezes. A total of 385 recordings from 13 patients admitted to the internal department were blindly, individually, and randomly assessed by three experienced physicians. The intra-modality agreement for crackles between evaluators was moderate for both the device and the stethoscope, with kappa statistics of 0.44 and 0.6 for the device and stethoscope, respectively, for the detection of wheezing and 0.46 and 0.4, respectively, for the crackles. The inter-modality agreement was moderate for wheezes, with a kappa of 0.53, and was substantial for crackles, with a kappa of 0.71. Comparing the ability of crackles to diagnose pulmonary findings by imaging showed comparable sensitivity and specificity for both modalities.
Conclusions.
Our findings suggest that the diagnostic performance of OmnySense’s self-operating device is similar to that of physician interpretation of digital stethoscope recordings; thus, OmnySense has the potential to become a useful tool in the remote assessment of respiratory conditions and pathologies.
Association between phytoestrogens and osteoarthritis based on NHANES database
Authors: Shengqi CHEN , Linqiang TIAN , Feng YIN
Published: June 2024

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive and destructive joint disease that occurs in middle-aged and elderly people and seriously affects their quality of life. Phytoestrogens are plant components with molecular structures and biological activities similar to those of animal estrogens, and they have a wide range of effects on hormone-related diseases. However, conclusions regarding the relationship between phytoestrogens and osteoarthritis are still lacking. Therefore, this study focused on the relationship between phytoestrogens and osteoarthritis based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Methods The present cross-sectional study obtained information on 6286 adults from the NHANES database. The association between urinary phytoestrogens and OA was explored using weighted multiple stratified linear regression, with multiple logistic regression models used for the primary analyses. Fully adjusted models included sex, age, race, education, marriage, poverty-to-income ratio, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, exam period, and five other phytoestrogens. Smooth curve-fitting models were used to analyze nonlinear relationships.
Result After correcting for all confounding variables, urinary Daidzein concentration was negatively associated with OA in men (Tertile 2 OR: 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.98). Meanwhile, urinary Daidzein concentration was negatively associated with OA in older adults (≥60 years) (ratio OR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.98).
Conclusion Urinary Daidzein concentration was negatively correlated with OA in men and in the elderly (≥60 years). In addition, a smooth curve between phytoestrogens and 0A was plotted.
Synthesis of Some Novel Piperazine Side Chain Modified 4- Aminoquinoline Mannich Bases and Evaluation for Their in Vitro Antimalarial Activity
Authors: Singh Bhupendra , Chetia Dipak
Published: June 2024

Twelve new compounds (Piperazine side chains modified 4-Aminoquinoline Mannich Bases) were synthesized and characterized utilizing a variety of analytical and spectroscopic techniques. All the synthesized compounds were screened for in vitro antimalarial activity aganist 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. In vitro antimalarial screening revealed that the all synthesized compounds exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 3.9 to 31.25 μg/ml. One compound 9l (MIC=3.9 μg/ml or1.953±0.10μM) was found most potent against chloroquine sensitive 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum which is comparable to standard drug chloroquine (MIC=0.4 μg/ml or 0.106±0.01 μM).
Understanding the Effectiveness and Design of Parent-Oriented Mobile Health Interventions: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis
Authors: Kilfoy Alicia , Zaffino Isabella , McAtee Enoch , Panesar Prabdeep , Cleverley Kristin , Pham Quynh , Chu Charlene , Jibb Lindsay
Published: June 2024

Background: Parents of children with a health condition experience high levels of distress which can have long-term impact on the child and parent. Dyadic interventions have the potential to decrease this distress, however several barriers to access including time constraints have been reported. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions can address several of these barriers.
Goal: The goal of this systematic review was to review and synthesize the literature examining the effects of parent-oriented mHealth interventions and their content and design.
Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane Central databases from January 2013 to 2023. Included studies were randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of parent-oriented mHealth interventions on child and parent health. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess for bias in studies. Trial details and design and content features of interventions were extracted. Outcomes were organized using the Van Houtven’s Framework for Informal Caregiver Interventions. Results are presented narratively.
Results: Fifty papers pertaining to 49 unique studies met our inclusion criteria. More than half of the studies scored high-risk for bias. Interventions targeted a wide range of pediatric conditions. Intervention type included texting (n=17) and investigator-developed mobile applications (n=16). Interventions significantly improved parent psychological health and child health outcomes. Key intervention features and design included the use/application of codesign and a theory-driven intervention.
Conclusion: Parent-oriented mHealth interventions identified in this review significantly improved both parent and child health outcomes. Therefore, these interventions have the potential to support parents outside of a clinical setting.
Does constitutional protection of the environment matter for environmental quality?
Authors: Ondobo Charly Tsala , Ndoya hermann , Okere Donald
Published: June 2024

This paper extends the literature on the role of institutions on environmental quality, by assessing the impact of constitutional environmental protection (CEP) on environmental quality. Using a panel dataset covering 119 countries over the period 1990 to 2020, and after employing Entropy Balancing Methodology (EBM), we find that, adoption of CEP significantly increases environmental quality. We demonstrate that this finding is extremely robust to different alternative estimation methods such as propensity score matching (PSM), the Inverse Probability Treatment Weighting (IPTW), the Augmented Inverse Probability Treatment Weighting (AIPTW) and the dynamic panel analysis. Moreover, we show that the effect of constitutional environmental protection varies systematically depending on the region, types of legal origin and the level of pollution. Finally, we provide evidence that state experience in CEP, improves consideration of environmental concerns and consequently increases environmental quality.
Neuropeptide Y causes sex dependent changes in microbiota-intestinal-brain communication in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Gonçalves Joana , Martins Beatriz , Martins João , Castelo-Branco Miguel
Published: June 2024

The microbiome-gut-brain axis plays a role in anxiety and social development and is of growing interest in neuropsychiatic conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study investigated the behavioral phenotype and the molecular profile of neuropeptide Y (NPY), an anxiolytic peptide, in microbiome-gut-brain communication of Nf1+/− mice, a well-established animal model of ASD. Sex differences, up to date poorly investigated in animal models, were specifically addressed. Our data revealed that females Nf1+/− exhibited more prominent anxious-like behavior. In addition, molecular analyses indicated sex-related differences in expression of NPY and NPY receptors’ transcripts in transgenic animals, with a more prominent effect in females. In addition, the analysis of microbiota revealed sex-specific changes in the Lactobacillus content which correlated with NPY and Y2 receptor changes in transgenic females. Remarkably, the Y2 receptor exhibited sex-dependent expression in both gut and brain of Nf1+/− mice, suggesting its potential as a molecular biomarker for ASD symptoms, namely social anxiety and gastrointestinal issues. For the first time, our findings suggest NPY-mediated regulation of gut-brain communication to be altered in autism and hold potential for the development of new interventions addressing sex-specific aspects of ASD.
Tungsten Carbide Core 7.62x51mm Armor Piercing Projectiles: Designing, penetration simulation and Testing
Authors: Fayed A , Abdelsalam Ossama Ramy
Published: June 2024

The ballistic performance and penetration capabilities of armour piercing (AP) projectiles have attracted considerable interest, especially with the development of personal body armour. This paper presents the steps for converting conventional 7.62x51 mm AP projectiles into advanced ones provided with tungsten carbide cores. Designing, finite element modeling and testing procedures have been studied to enhance the penetration capability of developed projectiles. The internal ballistic parameters were calculated for these projectiles to ensure barrel safety. PRODAS ballistic software is used to predict the stability of developed projectiles during flight. The penetration ability in armour steel with a hardness of 450–500 HB for all the designed projectiles as well as the traditional NATO AP projectile is evaluated both numerically using ANSYS software and experimentally by fining. In conclusion, the penetration capability of the best configuration of the developed projectiles is almost twice that of the NATO AP projectile.
Spatial analysis of surface water quality using multivariate statistical techniques and water quality index: Case study of Binh Duong Province, the largest industrial hub in Southern Vietnam
Authors: Pham Hoai Ngoc , Nguyen Tuong Dinh , Phan Huyen Thanh , Nguyen Yen My , Tran Yen Hoang , Pham Quoc Bao , Pham Luu Thanh , Ngo Quang Xuan , Le Trang Thi , Nguyen An Ngoc , Tran Thai Thanh
Published: June 2024

Ensuring high‒quality water supply is essential for both domestic and manufacturing activities, particularly in Binh Duong Province (BDP), situated at the heart of Vietnam's southern key economic region, known for its dense population and numerous industrial parks. In this study, multivariate statistical analysis techniques, including Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (CA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were employed to assess spatial variations in surface water quality (SWQ) along the Sai Gon and Dong Nai Rivers, which are the two primary water bodies in BDP. CA classified the 25 sampling sites into three groups (DN, SGDN1, SGDN2) and three outlying groups (RSG8, RSG10, and RDN7). Groups RDN7 and DN were deemed to have good surface water quality, while RSG8 exhibited moderate SWQ. Conversely, RSG10 and SGDN1 were classified as having bad and moderate surface water quality, respectively. The Kruskal‒Wallis test revealed significant spatial differences in all water quality parameters among the six clusters (p < 0.05). PCA identified two principal components (PCs) explaining 65.3% of the total variance, highlighting NO3−, NO2−, NH4+, PO43−, COD, BOD5, and coliform as major pollution sources in the area. The findings underscore the impact of untreated domestic and industrial sewage on water quality in the Sai Gon and Dong Nai Rivers. This study contributes valuable insights into water quality assessment using multivariate statistical methods and informs the formulation of effective public policies by local governments.
Effect of mechanochemically modified MoO 3 -ZnO on Mo supply to plants when co-granulated with macronutrient fertilizers
Authors: Zheng Bo , Degryse Fien , Andelkovic Ivan B. , Baird Roslyn , McLaughlin Mike John
Published: June 2024

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient required for plant growth but is prone to leaching from neutral and alkaline soils. The use of slow-release Mo sources could potentially reduce leaching losses from soils and increase crop yields. In this study, we assessed mechanochemistry as a green method to produce slow-release Mo sources. Molybdenum compounds (MoO3 or (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O) were mechanochemically (MC) treated with ZnO to synthesize compounds with a Mo content of 1–36%. Reduced Mo solubility after MC treatment, compared to the initial Mo source, was obtained with the MoO3 source and these composites were used for co-compaction with macronutrient fertilizers. Macronutrient pellets with 0.2% Mo were compacted using the 4% Mo and 36% Mo (characterized as ZnMoO4) compounds. A column dissolution test showed that the 4% Mo compound in a macronutrient carrier (DAP and MAP) only released around 40% of the total Mo compared to 80% for a non-MC treated control over 72 h. Column leaching using two soils revealed that the release behavior of Mo was strongly related to the pH of the leachate, which was affected by both the soil pH and the macronutrient carrier. More Mo was released when the MC-treated compound was co-compacted with diammonium phosphate (DAP) compared to monoammonium phosphate (MAP). The MC-treated compound with 4% Mo showed significantly less leaching than the control without ball milling when co-compacted with both MAP and DAP. In a pot trial with simulated leaching, the uptake of Mo was greater for the MC-treated 4% Mo compound co-compacted into DAP than for the other Mo sources. Overall, our results indicate that MC-treated MoO3-ZnO could be used as a slow-release Mo source in high-rainfall areas.
Screening and identification of immunoinfiltrating genes associated with the prognosis and construction of the regulatory axis of competitive endogenous RNA of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xu , Wu Li-Na , Feng Xue-Yan , Ma Li-Na , Ding Xiang-Chun , Ma Zi-Min , Hai Long
Published: June 2024

Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression is closely associated with tumor immune cell infiltration, a process influenced by the abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These ncRNAs play a pivotal role in regulating immune infiltration in HCC, thereby providing insights into RNA interactions in this context.
Aims
This study aims to discover new RNA transcripts and develop potential competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks that influence immune infiltration and the prognosis of HCC patients.
Method
We performed lncRNA-mRNA chip sequencing on cancerous and adjacent tissues from three HCC patient pairs to profile differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including mRNAs and lncRNAs. Collaborating with the TCGA database, we identified miRNAs that bind to these transcripts and analyzed the DEGs' expression profiles. The study included GO and KEGG functional enrichment analyses of DEGs. Furthermore, we constructed a ceRNA network using R software to explore the relationship between key genes and immune cell infiltration and their impact on HCC patient prognosis.
Results
A ceRNA sub-network involving 8 lincRNAs, 4 miRNAs, and 18 mRNAs associated with HCC immune infiltration was established. We identified four immune-related hub genes (CD3G, CD8B, IL7R, and SHC1) linked to HCC prognosis. CD3G, CD8B, and IL7R emerged as protective factors, whereas SHC1 was identified as a risk factor. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that higher expression levels of CD3G, CD8B, and IL7R correlate with longer survival in HCC patients, while increased SHC1 expression is associated with reduced survival time.
Conclusion
The constructed lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network highlights four critical genes that may regulate immune infiltration in HCC. This study sheds light on the post-transcriptional regulatory role of lncRNAs in HCC and lays the groundwork for identifying novel targets for HCC immunotherapy.
The Short-Term Effect of Interactive Drama and Reflective Writing on Adolescents’ Social-Emotional Learning Core Competencies: A Five-Week Intervention
Authors: Mahmoud Ammar
Published: June 2024

Acting on stage can boost adolescents’ confidence and compassion towards their peers. When an adolescent plays different roles in a performance, they can develop empathy and gain insight into their lives and the lives of others. Understanding the role of theatre at schools can support promoting social change through knowledge generated from students’ experiences. In this study, interactive theatre and reflective writing were used as an intervention to promote Social Emotional Learning (SEL) core competencies. Seven adolescents between the ages of 11 and 15 participated in the study over five weeks at a language school in Yerevan, Armenia. The findings show that the intervention helped develop the participants’ SEL competencies of SelfAwareness, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness, while Self-Management and Responsible Decision-Making remained almost unchanged.
Patterns of balancing and compensating primary tooth extractions amongst paediatric dentists
Authors: Nalbantoglu Eser , Singh Parmjit
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Balancing and compensating extractions (BCEs) of primary teeth aims to minimize the development of more severe malocclusions and reduce the need for subsequent complex orthodontic treatment.
Purpose: To assess the demographics, practice characteristics, and clinical preferences of United Kingdom (UK) paediatric dentists for BCEs of primary teeth, to determine adherence to national clinical guidelines and whether paediatric dentists refer patients to orthodontists before deciding on BCEs.
Methods: This was a total population online survey of members of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD). A pre-tested, self-administered electronic questionnaire was accessed through a secure website. Questions offered frequency options (always/frequently, often/sometimes and rarely/never) for a range of clinical scenarios in patients up to 5 years and those between 6 and 9 years. Descriptive statistics in the form of percentages were presented. To compare single population/sample percentages, a Pearson Chi-square goodness-of-fit (GOF) test with post hoc pairwise binomial analysis and Bonferroni adjustments was performed.
Results: Of the 288 specialists invited, 67 (23.3%) completed the questionnaire. Respondents were mostly female (n=55; 82.1%), with most respondents working in secondary care (n=51; 77.3%). The majority (n=54; 81.8%) supported the application of guidelines for primary teeth extractions. Thirty-nine paediatric dentists (58.2%) always/frequently encountered BCEs, with 29 (46.2%) performing BCEs in over 40 patients in the past year. Forty respondents (59.7%) reported always/frequently complying with national clinical guidelines for primary teeth extractions. Data from 65 respondents indicates that 83.6% (n=56) rarely/never made referrals to an orthodontist, whilst 65.7% (n=44) rarely/never consulted an orthodontist (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: The results reveal significant decision variation across clinical scenarios, with good adherence to guidelines in BCEs of primary teeth among paediatric dentists. However, there is limited interdisciplinary collaboration, as indicated by the infrequent referrals or consultations with orthodontists when considering BCEs of primary teeth.
Analysis of alcohol consumption on gastric cancer in different infectious states of Helicobacter pylori in the Wuwei population, China.
Authors: Mboté Olivier Bilembi , Feng Boxi , Zhou Yubo , Zhang Mingyu , Wang Yindi , Lv Zhen , Li Sansan , Xie Yahui , Wei Xingmin , Wu Jianjun , Liu Yuqin
Published: June 2024

Aims
The study aims to examine the correlation between alcohol consumption and the risk of gastric cancer in the Wuwei population with different levels of H. pylori infection.
Methods
The study included 3123 participants aged 40–70 years who had resided in Wuwei City for at least 5 years. Participants completed questionnaires on personal information, diet, alcohol consumption, family and medical history, and H. pylori detection. All participants underwent 13C-UBT testing for H. pylori infection, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and pathology were performed. Testing was conducted before diagnosis to avoid recall bias.
Results
Alcohol increases the risk of gastric cancer, but it decreases the risk in those who are infected. Those aged 50–70 without H. pylori who consume alcohol and smokers who quit with H. pylori infection have a higher risk of gastric cancer.
Conclusion
Alcohol consumption represents a significant risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. This risk is particularly pronounced with advancing age and following the eradication of H. pylori.
Postoperative inflammatory markers as early predictive factors for prolonged postoperative hospital stay after highly advanced hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery: A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Fukada Masahiro , Mitsui Noriki , Horaguchi Takeshi , Yasufuku Itaru , Sato Yuta , Tajima Jesse Yu , Kiyama Shigeru , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Murase Katsutoshi , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa
Published: June 2024

Background
Postoperative length of hospital stay (PLOS) is a crucial measure of surgical quality. Prolonged PLOS (PPLOS) escalates treatment costs and delays the transition from surgery to adjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, PPLOS can negatively affect long-term prognosis. The predictive factors for PPLOS, particularly following highly advanced hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery (HBPS), have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we aimed to identify perioperative predictive factors for PPLOS following highly advanced HBPS.
Methods
This single-center retrospective study enrolled 737 patients at Gifu University Hospital, Japan, who underwent highly advanced HBPS between January 2010 and December 2023. Perioperative predictive factors for PPLOS were evaluated in patients with severe postoperative complications (n = 190; Clavien–Dindo classification grades ≥ III) in univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
Among the included patients, 97 had PPLOS, and patients with severe postoperative complications had a median PLOS of 40 days. Preoperative body mass index, pancreatic surgery, C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) on postoperative day (POD)3, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on POD3 showed significant correlations with PPLOS in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that CAR on POD3 (> 5.0, odds ratio [OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32–6.05; p < 0.01) and NLR on POD3 (> 20.0, OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.23–7.59; p = 0.01) were independent predictive factors for PPLOS.
Conclusions
Regardless of the type of surgery (hepatobiliary or pancreatic), significant PLOS prolongation was observed following highly advanced HBPS, depending on the presence and severity of postoperative complications. In patients with serious postoperative complications, postoperative inflammatory markers such as CAR and NLR on POD3 may be early predictive factors for PPLOS. This study emphasizes the need for early and effective postoperative management based on inflammatory markers to prevent prolonged severe complications, which can result in shorter PLOS following highly advanced HBPS.
Campylobacter jejuni phages: evaluation and enhancement of antibacterial activity and comprehensive characterization
Authors: Lwin Su Zar Chi , Maung Aye Thida , Linn Khin Zar , Hirono Miku , Shen Cunkuan , El-Telbany Mohamed , Abdelaziz Marwa Nabil Sayed , Mohammadi Tahir Noor , Masuda Yoshimitsu , Honjoh Ken-ichi , Miyamoto Takahisa
Published: June 2024

In this study, Campylobacter jejuni phages were characterized and investigated the combined effects of phages and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The antibacterial activity of specific phages with/without EDTA was investigated at multiplicity of infection (MOIs) of 10 and 1000 at both 42 and 4 °C during 48 h of incubation. The phage cocktail with EDTA decreased the viable counts by 1 log and inhibited the regrowth of the phage-resistant population after a 48-h incubation at 42 °C. At 4 °C, a single phage, vB_CjeM-PC10, reduced the viable count of C. jejuni by 3 log and 2 log in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth and on chicken skin, respectively, after incubation for 48 h. Genomic DNA sequence analyses showed that phage vB_CjeM-PC10 had a linear double stranded DNA (dsDNA) of 51,148 bp, and phage vB_CjeM-PC22 had a circular dsDNA comprising 32,543 bp. Since phages are temperate, they are not practically applicable without lysogenic gene disruption by genome editing. However, these findings enrich data resources by highlighting the potential control of C. jejuni infection.
Finite element analysis of thermomechanical responses in biological tissues under varying thermal conductivity
Authors: Abbas Ibrahim , El-Bary Alaa
Published: June 2024

This work offers numerical solutions within the framework of bio-thermoelastic model, addressing the bioheat transfer in living tissues due to laser irradiations, considering varying thermal conductivity. To carry out thermal treatment procedures efficiently, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of both the thermal transmissions mechanism and the subsequent mechanical and thermal interactions within the living tissues of the patient. Evaluating thermal injurie to the tissue requires assessing the extent of denatured proteins, employing the Arrhenius relation. Given the nonlinearity of the fundamental formulations, the finite element technique is employed to address and solve this problem. Graphical depictions of the numerical result portray the change in temperature, displacement, stress, and thermal damages in response to variations in thermal conductivity and thermal relaxation time. The findings obtained using the finite element approach are additionally compared with data from a pre-existing experimental data, confirming the numerical calculation accuracy through cross-referencing.
A novel endotracheal intubation method based on magnetic-guided technology
Authors: Chen Bowen , Wang Rongfeng , Song Weilun , He Rongxin , Liu Wuming , Zhang Wei , Ma Feng , Lyu Yi , Dong Dinghui
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND
Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a crucial skill for airway management in anesthesia and emergency. The classic ETI based on laryngoscopy have limitations in learning curve, respiratory exposure risk and difficult airway. Magnetic-guided technique was based on the non-contact force and has been successfully used in laparoscopy and endoscopy to simplify operation and improve effectiveness. Therefore, we introduce magnetic-guided device of ETI for the first time, developing a magnetic-guided ETI method.
METHODS
The magnetic-guided ETI device consisted of a magnetic guidewire and an external magnet (EM). For the novel device, the control parameter (working distance) is determined by force and anatomic parameters. The former was investigated by test bench, and the later was measured through CT graph. Then 30 undergraduates without prior ETI training divided into medical and non-medical group according the participant’s major. Both subgroups underwent ETI training with classic and magnetic-guided methods. Magnetic-guided ETI also be tested in difficult airway module. The first-attempt success rate, total intubation time and 5-point Likert scale of difficulty were recorded for assessments.
RESULTS
We obtained the magnetic force and the tip deflection angle-distance curves of magnetic-guided ETI device. In addition, the surface distance is 32.45 ± 5.24mm, and the deflection angle is 35.4 ± 7.6°. Thus, the working distance for the novel device is 40–60 mm. Magnetic-guided ETI was completed without close and direct exposure to patient’s oral cavity. Compared with classic method, it got a higher first-attempt success rate (magnetic-guided vs classic: 80.0% vs. 66.7%, p<0.05) and less total intubation time (magnetic-guided vs classic: 42.5 ± 2.7s vs 49.4 ± 5.7s, p<0.01) in normal module. In addition, most subjects indicated magnetic-guided ETI is easier than classic method. This is more evident in the Non-medical Group (magnetic-guided vs classic: 2.8 ± 0.8 vs 3.3 ± 0.7, p<0.01). Even in difficult airway, magnetic-guided method still got a higher first-attempt success rate (magnetic-guided vs classic: 73.3% vs 53.3%, p<0.05) and less total intubation time (magnetic-guided vs classic: 45.3 ± 3.7s vs 53.4 ± 3.5s, p<0.01) than classic method.
CONCLUSION
Magnetic-guided ETI was a simple, safe and effective method. Compared with former work, it is friendlier to non-medical persons and effective for difficult airway. It also avoids direct and close respiratory exposure during operation. The use of the magnetic-guided ETI device can enhance the safety and efficiency of airway management, making it an effective tool for non-medical persons to rapidly perform ETI.
Long-term Outcomes of High Tibial Osteotomy vs. Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Özgözen Alaaddin Levent , Çınar Bekir Murat
Published: June 2024

Background:High tibial osteotomy (HTO) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are surgical interventions commonly used for medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Despite their widespread use, there remains uncertainty regarding their comparative effectiveness and long-term outcomes.This study aimed to retrospectively compare HTO and UKA surgeries in terms of clinical, radiological, survival, revision implants, and complications.MethodA retrospective evaluation was conducted on 51 HTO and 87 UKA patients operated on between 2004 and 2014, with an average follow-up period of 11.3 years. Patients were compared clinically using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and radiologically using the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) values at postoperative year 1 and at the final follow-up. In addition, both techniques were compared in terms of survival rates, complication rates, and the materials used when revisions were necessary.ResultNo significant difference was observed in the OKS values between HTO and UKA at postoperative year 1 and at the final follow-up. It was observed that HTO corrected the alignment better initially, but in the final follow-up, both surgeries showed a recurrence of alignment deviation towards varus. In comparison to UKA, HTO surgery exhibited a higher complication rate; however, there was no statistically significant difference between the two surgeries (15.4% vs 9.2%, p=0.284). However, in UKA patients, the need for revision to total knee arthroplasy (TKA) was notable when complications arose. There was no statistical difference in survival rates between the two surgical techniques. The 5, 10, and 15-year survival rates for HTO and UKA were found to be 96%, 82%, 61% and 91%, 83%, 74%, respectively. Significantly, there was a greater need for tibial stem in revision cases of UKA patients. (42,1% vs 0% p<0,001).ConclusionBoth surgical techniques yield similar results in terms of clinical outcomes, survival, and complication development. However, when complications occur in UKA, there may be a need for revision to TKA, and UKA patients may require a tibial stem during TKA revision.
A systematic review of the performance of Artificial Intelligence for automated DWI/FLAIR mismatch evaluation on MRI in ischemic stroke
Authors: Soltanali Zahra , Pourrahim Alireza , Williams Chelsea Ruth-Ann , Ekvan Mohammad Hossain , Ahmadi Iraj , Raiesi Omid
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this study was to survey the existing artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms created for the automated detection of the diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)–fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch and assess how their performance compares to that diagnostic techniques performed by neuroradiologists. The literature search for this systematic review was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases up until February 2, 2024. The review team cross-checked the reference lists of the included studies to identify any additional relevant references, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We assessed the included studies using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. The area under the curve (AUC) was reported in most studies, However, one study did not report this metric, The AI models achieved AUCs between 0.60 and 0.90, Sensitivity ranged from 0.6 to 0.9, and specificity ranged from 0.72 to 0.99, the positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and F1-Score were ranging from 0.72 to 0.93, 0.47 to 0.91 and 0.65 to 0.9, respectively. Additionally, the dice similarity coefficients (DSC) 0.73 & 0.8 were stated in two researches and accuracies ranging from 0.67 to 0.99. This review indicates that the current AI methods for DWI/FLAIR mismatch assessment may not be able to accurately determine the time since stroke onset based only on the DWI and FLAIR sequences, however, an AI-based approach focused on treatment eligibility, outcome prediction, and incorporating patient-specific information could potentially improve the care of stroke patients.
The association of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) with spexin level, metabolic syndrome and some inflammatory biomarkers in children with obesity: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Behrooz Maryam , Hajjarzadeh Samaneh , Moludi Jalal , Bakhshimoghaddam Farnush , Ostadrahimi Alireza
Published: June 2024

Objectives
Chronic low-grade diet-related inflammation was indicated to affect obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The current study was designed to explore the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) in children and its relationship with spexin level, appetite, obesity, MetS, insulin resistance, and some inflammatory biomarkers.
Methods
The present study was conducted on 189 children. All study variables were assessed using standard techniques. The overall dietary intakes of participants were applied to calculate DII scores.
Results
Mean (SD) of children’s DII score was − 1.25 (1.01). A higher DII score was associated with higher odds of obesity and HDL abnormality (P < 0.05). The subjects categorized in the first tertile of the DII score (the lowest value and more anti-inflammatory) had 79.49 pg/ml higher spexin level, 260.27 pg/ml higher IL-10 levels, and 3.03-unit lower appetite score in comparison to the third tertile in the crude model (P < 0.05). These findings remain significant only for spexin in the adjusted model. Also, a significant correlation was observed between the DII score and the hs-CRP level.
Conclusion
This data suggests that the effect of DII on obesity can be largely attributed to spexin levels, inflammatory markers, and appetite scores rather than its effect on MetS components.
Dataset distillation-based optimization for heterogeneous federated learning
Authors: Jin Haozhe , Zhao Shuai , Zhang Yutao , Zhai Rui , Song Yalin , Yu Junyang , Wang Yingqi
Published: June 2024

Federated learning (FL) is a privacy-preserving distributed learning paradigm that allows multiple clients to collaboratively train a global model. However, the FL performance is often degraded by data heterogeneity, i.e., non-IID data distributed in multiple clients, and the cost of system communication can increase significantly. In this paper, we present FedDS, a novel FL method based on dataset distillation to handle data heterogeneity. Specifically, FedDS first works by extracting distilled data from local data and sharing distilled data to optimize data distribution for each FL client, which can reduce the impact of data heterogeneity. Second, FedDS clusters clients based on the similarity of distilled data features, and the most representative clients from each cluster are selected to participate in FL training, which can further improve performance. Extensive experiments on multiple benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of FedDS in improving the model’s performance compared to several advanced FL methods.
16p13.3 homologous sequences underlie microdeletions encompassing TBC1D24 and ATP6V0C
Authors: Campeau Philippe , Mazel Benoit , Coleman Emilia , Rousseau Justine , Kailasam Senthilkumar , Ajeawung Norbert , Cruz Daniel Alexander Jimenez , Ehresmann Sophie , Chen Gang , Ernst Carl
Published: June 2024

Chromosomal microdeletions represent a complex class of genetic disorders. Recently, 16p13.3 microdeletions encompassing TBC1D24and ATP6V0C have gained prominence as structural variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, but their occurrence mechanisms remain unexplored. We used a comprehensive range of sequencing technologies (mate pair genome sequencing, linked-pair genome sequencing, nanopore sequencing, targeted locus amplification (TLA), long range and nested PCR followed by Sanger sequencing), to map the exact 16p13.3 microdeletion breakpoints in eight previously reported individuals. Repetitive sequences and non-canonical secondary structures potentially predisposing to the microdeletions were analyzed. Microdeletion breakpoints were successfully mapped in all patients using TLA, split read analysis, PCR/Sanger sequencing, or nanopore sequencing. Other technologies identified only approximate breakpoints. Alu sequences and non-B DNA motifs were detected in most patients. Noteworthy, two unrelated individuals were carriers of the same deletion. Mechanistically, non-allelic homologous recombination, through a 639 bp sequence with 96.2% homology, appears to underlie a recurrent 16p13.3 microdeletion. Microhomology-mediated end-joining and non-homologous end-joining emerged as other mechanisms driving these 16p13.3 microdeletions, which differs from other studied contiguous gene syndromes. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of microdeletion-associated disorder pathophysiology in medical genetics.