bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality and safety education for nurses: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Sherwood Gwen , Jones Cheryl B. , Conklin Jamie L. , Dodd Adam
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Since its origin in the United States in 2005, Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) has guided nurses' preparation for alleviating preventable harm and improving quality safe care. QSEN's value is illustrated through specific inclusion in the competency‐based 2021 American Association for Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials. The purpose of this bibliometric analysis is to explore publication patterns of the extant QSEN literature to assess QSEN's spread and global penetration and to map the available knowledge and data regarding quality and safety education for nurses.

Design

Bibliometric analysis.

Method

Two QSEN investigators and two health science librarians completed database searches to identify articles with keywords QSEN or Quality and safety education for nursing. Inclusion criteria were (1) QSEN‐specific and (2) published in a peer‐reviewed journal. Using PRISMA screening, the final sample included 221 articles between 2007 and 2021.

Results

Average annual QSEN publications was 14.5 articles; the highest was 26 publications in 2017. Article types were 84 research, 77 descriptive/reviews, 28 quality improvement projects or case studies, 20 statements, and 12 editorials. Focus analysis revealed 165 education articles, 35 clinical practice, 17 professional development, and 4 leadership/administration. Fourteen journals published three or more; eight were education journals. Nine topic clusters indicated areas of publication focus, including clinical teaching, simulations, performance, context, and criteria of analysis, factors of efficacy, innovation and advanced practice, patient care and outcomes, academic concepts, and research frameworks.

Conclusions

Results reveal far less QSEN penetration for guiding professional practice, research measuring outcomes and impact, and global collaboration to examine cultural implications for diversity and inclusion. Results present future recommendations to assure all nurses worldwide have access to competency development to alleviate preventable healthcare harm.

Clinical Relevance

Originating in the United States (US), the QSEN project provided the seminal framework for transforming education and practice through defining the six quality and safety competencies (patient‐centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence‐based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics) essential to alleviate preventable healthcare harm. Results reveal opportunities to advance QSEN penetration in developing professional practice, guiding research measuring outcomes and impact, and extending global collaboration to examine cultural implications for diversity and inclusion.
Discount‐Rate Risk in Private Equity: Evidence from Secondary Market Transactions
Authors: BOYER BRIAN H. , NADAULD TAYLOR D. , VORKINK KEITH P. , WEISBACH MICHAEL S.
Published: January 2023

Measures of private equity (PE) performance based on cash flows do not account for a discount‐rate risk premium that is a component of the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) alpha. We create secondary market PE indices and find that PE discount rates vary considerably. Net asset values are too smooth because they fail to reflect variation in discount rates. Although the CAPM alpha for our index is zero, the generalized public market equivalent based on cash flows is large and positive. We obtain similar results for a set of synthetic funds that invest in small cap stocks. Ignoring variation in PE discount rates can lead to a misallocation of capital.
Approaches to the identification and management of depression in people living with chronic kidney disease: A scoping review of 860 papers
Authors: Pearce Christina J. , Hall Natalie , Hudson Joanna L. , Farrington Ken , Tucker Madeleine J. Ryan , Wellsted David , Jones Julia , Sharma Shivani , Norton Sam , Ormandy Paula , Palmer Nick , Quinnell Anthony , Fitzgerald Lauren , Griffiths Sophie , Chilcot Joseph
Published: January 2023

Background

Depression is prevalent across the spectrum of Chronic Kidney Disease and associated with poorer outcomes. There is limited evidence regarding the most effective interventions and care pathways for depression in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objectives

To investigate how depression is identified and managed in adults with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

Systematic search of eight databases with pre‐defined inclusion criteria. Data relevant to the identification and/or management of depression in adults with Chronic Kidney Disease were extracted.

Results

Of 2147 articles identified, 860 were included. Depression was most identified using self‐report screening tools (n = 716 studies, 85.3%), with versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (n = 283, 33.7%) being the most common. A total of 123 studies included data on the management of depression, with nonpharmacological interventions being more frequently studied (n = 55, 45%). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (n = 15) was the most common nonpharmacological intervention, which was found to have a significant effect on depressive symptoms compared to controls (n = 10). However, how such approaches could be implemented as part of routine care was not clear. There was limited evidence for antidepressants use in people with Chronic Kidney Disease albeit in a limited number of studies.

Conclusions

Depression is commonly identified using validated screening tools albeit differences exist in reporting practices. Evidence regarding the management of depression is mixed and requires better‐quality trials of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches. Understanding which clinical care pathways are used and their evidence, may help facilitate the development of kidney care specific guidelines for the identification and management of depression.
Time to change the reference ranges of children's physiological observations in emergency care? A prospective study
Authors: Brennan Louise , Heal Calvin , Brown Stephen , Roland Damian , Rowland Andrew G
Published: January 2023

Aim

High heart and respiratory rates are key indicators in many published guidelines to identify and treat serious bacterial infection and sepsis in children, but the credibility of evidence underpinning what is considered abnormal is questionable. This study established the distribution of heart and respiratory rates of children using a large data set to inform debate on what the ‘normal’ range of these should look like. The primary aim was to compare the distribution of heart and respiratory rates measured in children recruited from non‐tertiary emergency care settings with those published by Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS). The secondary aim was to compare the distribution of this study's data set to other national guidance on what constitutes a severe (high‐risk) measurement and previously published data sets.

Method

Prospective study using anonymised patient data, extracted from electronic patient records of children and young people 0–16 years, recruited from three Emergency Departments and one Urgent Care Centre in Northwest England, UK.

Results

Heart and respiratory rates, including the reporting of values at certain centiles and comparisons of averages. Distribution of heart and respiratory rate were consistently higher than those used by the APLS guidance, resulting in a large proportion exceeding the ‘severe’ cut‐offs proposed. This varied greatly by age.

Conclusions

This study's data set suggests normal heart rate ranges proposed by the APLS and others is too low and therefore ‘abnormal’ measurements encompass too large a proportion. The respiratory rate of this data set was more consistent with the guidelines and other published data sets.
The impact of experimentally shortened sleep on timing of eating occasions in adolescents: A brief report
Authors: Duraccio Kara M. , Whitacre Catharine , Wright Isabella D. , Summer Suzanne S. , Beebe Dean W.
Published: January 2023

Short sleep increases the risk for obesity in adolescents. One potential mechanism relates to when eating occurs in the day. This study investigated the impact of shortened sleep on eating occasion timing in adolescents. Ninety‐three healthy 14‐ to 17‐year‐olds (62% female) completed a within‐subject experimental sleep manipulation, engaging in 5‐night spans of Short Sleep (6.5‐hr sleep opportunity) or Healthy Sleep (9.5‐hr sleep opportunity), with order randomized. During each condition, adolescents completed three 24‐hr diet recall interviews. Repeated‐measure t‐tests assessed the sleep manipulation effect on each adolescent's number of meals, first and last eating occasion (relative to the clock and time since sleep onset/offset), feeding window (timespan from first to last eating), and the midpoint of feeding. The timing of the first eating occasion was similar across conditions, relative to the clock (Short = 08:51, Healthy = 08:52) and to time since waking (Short = 2.0 hr, Healthy = 2.2 hr). The timing of the last eating occasion was later relative to the clock (Short = 20:34, Healthy = 19:39; p < 0.001), resulting in a longer feeding window (Short = 11.7 hr, Healthy = 10.8 hr, p < 0.001) and a later midpoint in the feeding window (Short = 14:41, Healthy = 14:18, p = 0.002). The gap between last eating occasion and sleep onset was larger in Short (4.2 hr) than Healthy Sleep (2.9 hr; p < 0.001), though the last eating occasion was much earlier than when they fell asleep during either condition. Shortened sleep resulted in adolescents eating later and lengthening the daily feeding window. These findings may help explain the link between shortened sleep and increased obesity risk in adolescents.
Do Populist Leaders Mimic the Language of Ordinary Citizens? Evidence From India
Authors: Martelli Jean‐Thomas , Jaffrelot Christophe
Published: January 2023

Minimal understandings of populism focus on measuring explicit stances of antielitism and people centrism. What remains poorly understood is the way less overt forms of populist rhetoric enable leaders to emulate the language of common citizens to achieve electoral success. This article suggests that the study of the populist discourse also requires taking into account their implicit occurrences, that is, those conveying connect, closeness, commonness, and similarity with ordinary people. Expressed through performances of “layman likeness,” they enable populist politicians to dissociate from traditional ruling elites while enabling people leaders' identifications. Using a novel 261‐million‐word dataset of Indian political discourses—including the speeches of 11 Prime Ministers—to proxy such identifications, we argue that populist leaders rely on a mimesis of the common people. Three core mimetic speech items are quantified: intimacy, disintermediation, and simplicity. We use a replicable corpus‐contextual multiword collocation technique to populate lexicons of pretested psychometric profiles as well as a threefold validation method. The analysis finds that current Prime Minister Narendra Modi communicates mimetic identification around his persona, indexing the linguistic markers of his stylistic, ideological, and institutional populist politics. We indicate that our context‐aware method could also be of use to study the cross‐regional variability of mimetic populism.
Intraspecific competition in common coastal dune grasses overshadows facilitation on the dune face
Authors: Woods Natasha N. , Kirschner Audrey , Zinnert Julie C.
Published: January 2023

Restoration of degraded dunes through revegetation of native dune building species is critical to preserve multiple ecosystem services (i.e., coastal protection, habitat). As dunes exhibit high levels of abiotic stress, it is likely that facilitative interactions among plants occur, reducing stress caused by harsh abiotic conditions, and benefiting restoration efforts. The research was to determine how plant spatial arrangement (clumped vs. dispersed) at the dune slope affects the growth of two dominant dune grasses along the United States Atlantic coast, Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass) and Uniola paniculata (sea oats). We determined the local distribution and density of each species through field surveys to inform a manipulative study of planting arrangement and to assess plant growth and survival under different spatial arrangements. Planting arrangement did not influence the survival of U. paniculata, but dispersed plantings had a positive effect on growth parameters (height, stem number, ramet number), compared to the clumped arrangement. No plantings of A. breviligulata survived by the end of the second season, regardless of planting arrangement. Clumped arrangements did not improve growth of U. paniculata or growth and survival of A. breviligulata over the two growing seasons studied; thus, creating clumped arrangements may not be necessary for revegetation efforts. However, observing natural spatial patterns and using this information to guide restoration planting may be beneficial as climate change may impact revegetation results due to increased abiotic stress. Further research focusing on biotic interactions and density of plantings at multiple locations along dunes will contribute to dune restoration planning.
A Cysteine Pair Controls Flavin Reduction by Extracellular Cytochromes during Anoxic/Oxic Environmental Transitions
Authors: Norman Michael P. , Edwards Marcus J. , White Gaye F. , Burton Joshua A. J. , Butt Julea N. , Richardson David J. , Louro Ricardo O. , Paquete Catarina M. , Clarke Thomas A.
Published: January 2023

Bacteria that live at the oxic/anoxic interface have to rapidly adapt to changes in oxygen levels within their environment. The facultative anaerobe
Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1 can use EET to respire in the absence of oxygen, but on exposure to oxygen, EET could directly reduce extracellular oxygen and generate harmful reactive oxygen species that damage the bacterium.
LRP6 Is a Functional Receptor for Attenuated Canine Distemper Virus
Authors: Gradauskaite Vaiva , Inglebert Marine , Doench John , Scherer Melanie , Dettwiler Martina , Wyss Marianne , Shrestha Neeta , Rottenberg Sven , Plattet Philippe
Published: January 2023

Oncolytic viruses (OV) have gathered increasing interest in recent years as an alternative option to treat cancers. The Onderstepoort strain of canine distemper virus (CDV-OP), an enveloped RNA virus belonging to the genus
Morbillivirus
, is employed as a safe and efficient vaccine for dogs against distemper disease.
DNA Methylation and RNA-DNA Hybrids Regulate the Single-Molecule Localization of a DNA Methyltransferase on the Bacterial Nucleoid
Authors: Fernandez Nicolas L. , Chen Ziyuan , Fuller David E. H. , van Gijtenbeek Lieke A. , Nye Taylor M. , Biteen Julie S. , Simmons Lyle A.
Published: January 2023

DNA methyltransferases (MTases) influence gene expression, cell cycle control, and host defense through DNA modification. Predicted MTases are pervasive across bacterial genomes, but the vast majority remain uncharacterized.
Endogenous Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition Attenuates TLR5-Mediated Inflammation
Authors: Dopkins Nicholas , Singh Bhavya , Michael Stephanie , O’Mara Morgan M. , Marston Jez L. , Fei Tongyi , Bendall Matthew L. , Nixon Douglas F.
Published: January 2023

The microbiota is a potent reservoir of immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive motifs that fundamentally shape host immunity. Despite broad associations between microbial composition and host immunity, the mechanisms underlying host microbiota-induced immunoregulation remain poorly defined.
PhyloPlus: a Universal Tool for Phylogenetic Interrogation of Metagenomic Communities
Authors: Huang Xinyang , Erickson David L. , Meng Jianghong
Published: January 2023

There has been an explosion of interest in how microbial diversity affects human health, food safety, and environmental functions among many other processes. Accurately measuring the diversity and structure of those communities is central to understanding their effects.
Sediment Microbiota as a Proxy of Environmental Health: Discovering Inter- and Intrakingdom Dynamics along the Eastern Mediterranean Continental Shelf
Authors: Lalzar Maya , Zvi-Kedem Tal , Kroin Yael , Martinez Stephane , Tchernov Dan , Meron Dalit
Published: January 2023

Analysis of data, curated over 3 years of sediment sampling, improves our understanding of microbiota assembly in marine sediment. Furthermore, we demonstrate the importance of cross-kingdom integration of information in the study of microbial community ecology. Finally, the urgent need to propose an applicable approach for environmental health monitoring is addressed here by establishment of sediment microbiota as a robust and sensitive model.
Oral Microbiota Alteration and Roles in Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Liao Ying , Zhang Jiang-Bo , Lu Li-Xia , Jia Yi-Jing , Zheng Mei-Qi , Debelius Justine W. , He Yong-Qiao , Wang Tong-Min , Deng Chang-Mi , Tong Xia-Ting , Xue Wen-Qiong , Cao Lian-Jing , Wu Zi-Yi , Yang Da-Wei , Zheng Xiao-Hui , Li Xi-Zhao , Wu Yan-Xia , Feng Lin , Ye Weimin , Mu Jianbing , Jia Wei-Hua
Published: January 2023

EBV is classified as the group I human carcinogen and is associated with multiple cancers, including NPC. The interplays between the microbiota and oncovirus in cancer development remain largely unknown.
Aggregated retention protects trees against wind, but not against disease: a long-term study in mixed forests
Authors: Rosenvald Raul , Lõhmus Asko
Published: January 2023

Retention forestry can help achieve multiple objectives in production forests, but its effectiveness is often low due to high mortality of the trees retained. We assessed the potential of improving tree survival in a low-level retention system in mixed forests by comparing the retention of multiple species of solitary trees (dispersed retention) and two approaches to aggregated retention. We annually monitored 58 dispersed-retention sites (since 2001) and 21 aggregated-retention sites (since 2013) in Estonia. Eight-year total mortality was 45% for solitary trees (and 1%–4% annually thereafter) but only 8% for tree groups; special planning for wind protection provided little further reduction. These estimates do not include dieback-affected Fraxinus excelsior L. that had distinct mortality dynamics independent of the retention pattern. Ulmus spp. also died frequently within the groups due to a dieback disease. Mixed-species tree groups enabled partial retention of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst that has extremely poor survival when retained solitarily. Likely, ecological costs of aggregated retention include some loss of microhabitat quality of individual trees. An optimal retention strategy could combine tree groups (maximizing wind protection and patch integrity) and individual trees (maximizing tree-scale biodiversity qualities), which collectively would also spread the risks of diverse mortality agents.
Cytogenetic characterization of solitary wasp Ancistrocerus flavomarginatus (Brèthes, 1906) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) with insights into the chromosomal evolution in the genus
Authors: Tavares Mara Garcia , Teixeira Gisele Amaro
Published: January 2023

Cytogenetic studies have enabled the characterization of the chromosomal macrostructure and microstructure and have contributed to the understanding of the evolution of wasp karyotypes. However, studies on Eumeninae solitary wasps are scarce. In this study, we characterized the karyotype of Ancistrocerus flavomarginatus (Brèthes , 1906) and compared it with previous data from other Ancistrocerus (Wesmael, 1836) species to shed light on the chromosomal diversity of the genus. A chromosome number of 2 n = 24 in females and n = 12 in males was observed. Comparing the A. flavomarginatus karyotype with that of another Ancistrocerus species showed variations in the morphology of some chromosomal pairs. The presence of two larger chromosome pairs, almost entirely heterochromatic, and the predominance of subtelocentric chromosomes with heterochromatic short arms in A. flavomarginatus support the occurrence of fissions in Ancistrocerus. A single site of ribosomal genes was observed in A. flavomarginatus, in addition to a size polymorphism of these rDNA clusters between the homologues of some analyzed females. This polymorphism may originate from duplications/deletions due to unequal crossing-over or amplification via transposable elements. The (GA)15 microsatellite is located exclusively in euchromatic regions. Our data show that different rearrangements seem to shape chromosomal evolution in Ancistrocerus species.
Dust dynamics in planet-forming discs in binary systems
Authors: Zagaria F. , Rosotti G. P. , Alexander R. D. , Clarke C. J.
Published: January 2023

In multiple stellar systems, interactions among the companion stars and their discs affect planet formation. In the circumstellar case, tidal truncation makes protoplanetary discs smaller, fainter and less long-lived than those evolving in isolation, thereby reducing the amount of material (gas and dust) available to assemble planetary embryos. On the contrary, in the circumbinary case the reduced accretion can increase the disc lifetime, with beneficial effects on planet formation. In this chapter we review the main observational results on discs in multiple stellar systems and discuss their possible explanations, focusing on recent numerical simulations, mainly dealing with dust dynamics and disc evolution. Finally, some open issues and future research directions are examined.
Effect of Binder Content on Silicon Microparticle Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Anita , Hempel Jacob L. , Balogh Michael P. , Cheng Yang-Tse , Taub Alan I.
Published: January 2023

Formulation strongly influences the structure, properties, and electrochemical performance in composite electrodes. The role of polymeric binders is especially critical for electrodes containing high volume change active materials, such as silicon. In this study, we investigated the impact of polyimide binder in silicon microparticle electrodes. The impact of binder content on electrode adhesion to the current collector, cohesion, porosity, electrical resistivity, local electrical connectivity, and silicon utilization was characterized in pristine and cycled electrodes to elucidate the mechanisms driving the electrochemical performance during rate and cycle life tests of Si-NMC622 full cells. We observed that capacity retention improved with increasing binder content, but rate performance suffered with excess binder content, indicating that there is an optimal binder weight fraction to balance the trade-off between these two metrics. Our research reveals important design principles for the optimization of binder content in silicon electrode formulations and can be applied to the development of electrodes containing other active materials and conductive additives.
Performance Comparison of Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)-polyaniline (PANI) Supercapacitors with LiCl, Li2SO4, and H2SO4 Electrolytes
Authors: Cho Wei-Hang , Cheng I-Chun , Chen Jian-Zhang
Published: January 2023

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-polyaniline (PANI) supercapacitors (SCs) are tested with 1 M LiCl, Li2SO4, and H2SO4 electrolytes. The SC performance is evaluated by electrical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charging/discharging measurements. Electrochemical experiments indicate that rGO-PANI SCs with lithium salt electrolytes show a large pseudocapacitance (PC) effect whereas that with H2SO4 electrolyte shows a large electrical double-layer capacitance (EDLC) effect. The rGO-PANI SC with H2SO4 electrolyte has the largest areal capacitance of 48.83 mF/cm2, whereas those with LiCl and Li2SO4 electrolytes have the areal capacitances of 31.69 mF/cm2 and 22.35 mF/cm2, respectively. After a 10,000-cycle CV stability test, the rGO-PANI SC with Li2SO4 electrolyte shows some ion embedding, resulting in better cycling stability than those of SCs with LiCl and H2SO4 electrolytes.
Multiple Modifications of Li-B Alloy Anodes for Primary Batteries
Authors: Tan Siping , Xu Caili , Xiong Yueping , Zhang Shu , Wu Mengqiang , Xu Ping
Published: January 2023

Lithium-boron (Li-B) alloys have long been applied in thermal batteries and have recently been used in secondary batteries due to their stable three-dimensional (3D) framework. To extend the application of Li-B anodes to primary cells, especially primary cells with high rate performance, we developed a new surface treatment method to modify Li-B. Using silver trifluoromethanethiolate (AgSCF3) as the single reagent to react with Li to produce metal Ag, LiF, and sulfide species at the surface of Li-B. For the symmetric cell, the resulting multiple modified Li-B shows two orders of magnitude smaller charge transfer impedance than the pristine Li-B (1.10 ohms vs. 205.40 ohms) and improved reaction kinetics in the first cycle. The modified Li-B/MnO2 primary cells show improved rate performance in the current density range of 0.5 C − 5 C. Specifically, when discharging at 2 C, the full cell using modified Li-B anode show specific capacity of 197 mAh g−1 and specific energy of 485 Wh kg−1, 82% and 103% higher related to the cell using pristine Li-B anode, respectively. This study provides a new way to modify Li-B alloys that may have practical applications in high-power density primary batteries.
Na+/Cl− cotransporter 2 is not fish-specific and is widely found in amphibians, non-avian reptiles, and select mammals
Authors: Motoshima Toya , Nagashima Ayumi , Ota Chihiro , Oka Haruka , Hosono Kohei , Braasch Ingo , Nishihara Hidenori , Kato Akira
Published: January 2023

slc12a10 is not a fish-specific gene and is present in a few mammals (e.g., platypus and horse), non-avian reptiles, amphibians, but was pseudogenized or deleted in most mammals (e.g., human, mouse, cat, cow, and rhinoceros), birds, and some ray-finned fishes (pufferfishes).
Autonomous Maneuver Decision of UCAV Air Combat Based on Double Deep Q Network Algorithm and Stochastic Game Theory
Authors: Cao Yuan , Kou Ying-Xin , Li Zhan-Wu , Xu An
Published: January 2023

Aiming at the problem that unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is difficult to quickly and accurately perceive situation information and make maneuvering decision autonomously in modern air combat, which is easily affected by complex factors, a maneuvering decision algorithm of UCAV combined with deep reinforcement learning and game theory is proposed in this paper. Firstly, through the UCAV dynamics model and maneuver library, a reasonable air combat situation assessment model and advantage reward function are established, and the sample data of situation assessment indicators are constructed using the structure entropy weight method. Secondly, the convolutional neural network (CNN) is used to process the high-dimensional continuous situation features of UCAV in air combat, eliminate the correlation and redundancy between situation features, and train the neural network to approximate the action-value function. Then, the double deep Q network (DDQN) algorithm in reinforcement learning (RL) is introduced to train the agent by the interaction with the environment and combined with Minimax algorithm in stochastic game theory to solve the optimal value function in each specific state, and the optimal maneuver decision of UCAV is obtained. Air combat simulation results show that UCAV can choose maneuvers autonomously under different situations and occupy a dominant position quickly by this method, which greatly improves the combat effectiveness of UCAV.
Profiling Inflammatory Biomarkers following Curcumin Supplementation: An Umbrella Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Naghsh Navid , Musazadeh Vali , Nikpayam Omid , Kavyani Zeynab , Moridpour Amir Hossein , Golandam Fatemeh , Faghfouri Amir Hossein , Ostadrahimi Alireza
Published: January 2023

Objective. Several meta‐analyses have shown that curcumin can reduce inflammatory biomarkers, but the findings are inconsistent. The objective of the present umbrella meta‐analysis was to provide a more accurate estimate of the overall effects of curcumin on inflammatory biomarkers. Methods. The following international databases were systematically searched until March 20, 2022: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. A random‐effects model was applied to evaluate the effects of curcumin on inflammatory biomarkers. Meta‐analysis studies investigating the effects of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers with corresponding effect sizes (ES) and confidence intervals (CI) were included in the umbrella meta‐analysis. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. Results. A meta‐analyses of ten studies with 5,870 participants indicated a significant decrease in C‐reactive protein (CRP) (ES = −0.74; 95% CI: −1.11, −0.37, p < 0.001; I2 = 62.1%, p = 0.015), interleukin 6 (IL‐6) (ES = −1.07; 95% CI: −1.71, −0.44, p < 0.001; I2 = 75.6%, p < 0.001), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) levels (ES: −1.92, 95% CI: −2.64, −1.19, p < 0.0; I2 = 18.1%, p = 0.296) following curcumin supplementation. Greater effects on CRP and TNF‐α were evident in trials with a mean age >45 years and a sample size >300 participants. Conclusion. The umbrella of meta‐analysis suggests curcumin as a promising agent in reducing inflammation as an adjunctive therapeutic approach in diseases whose pathogenesis is related to a higher level of inflammatory biomarkers.
Matricellular Protein SMOC2 Potentiates BMP9-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells through the Enhancement of FAK/PI3K/AKT Signaling
Authors: He Wen-Ge , Deng Yi-Xuan , Ke Kai-Xin , Cao Xuan-Lin , Liu Si-Yuan , Yang Yuan-Yuan , Luo Hong-Hong , Yao Xin-Tong , Gao Xiang , Du Yu , He Bai-cheng , Chen Liang
Published: January 2023

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can self-renew and differentiate into multiple lineages, making MSC transplantation a promising option for bone regeneration. Both matricellular proteins and growth factors play an important role in regulating stem cell fate. In this study, we investigated the effects of matricellular protein SMOC2 (secreted modular calcium-binding protein 2) on bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and revealed a possible molecular mechanism underlying this process. We found that SMOC2 was detectable in MEFs and that exogenous SMOC2 expression potentiated BMP9-induced osteogenic markers, matrix mineralization, and ectopic bone formation, whereas SMOC2 knockdown inhibited these effects. BMP9 increased the levels of p-FAK and p-AKT, which were either enhanced or reduced by SMOC2 and FAK silencing, respectively. BMP9-induced osteogenic markers were increased by SMOC2, and this increase was partially abolished by silencing FAK or LY290042. Furthermore, we found that general transcription factor 2I (GTF2I) was enriched at the promoter region of SMOC2 and that integrin β1 interacted with SMOC2 in BMP9-treated MEFs. Our findings demonstrate that SMOC2 can promote BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation by enhancing the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway, which may be triggered by facilitating the interaction between SMOC2 and integrin β1.
Modeling GPDA and Its Application in Deep Mineral Prediction in the Jiguanzui Cu‐Au Mining Area in Hubei, China
Authors: Qin Feilong , Liu Jian , Wang Ke , Yan Wenyong , Zhu Hongjin , Yu Shicheng , Wei Youhua
Published: January 2023

Geochemical anomalies are the basis of mineral deposit prediction. Through the study of the characteristics of geochemical anomalies, we found that their distribution was consistent with a generalized Pareto distribution (GPD). In the present study, we designed a model for geochemical anomaly extraction via a GPD. In the designed GPD model, we used the kurtosis method to estimate the threshold value of the GPD. Furthermore, a principal component analysis (PCA) was used to extract comprehensive information of different geochemical elements in which minerals are enriched. On this basis, a new algorithm named the GPDA model was designed for deep mineral prediction by using the GPD and PCA, and the methods of the GPDA for selecting parameters were studied. The study data for Ba, Pb, As, Cu, Au, Mo, Co, and Zn originated from 26 exploration lines of the Jiguanzui Cu‐Au mining area in Hubei, China. The proposed GPDA model was applied to deep mineral prediction in the study area. We estimated the parameters of the GPDA model, and the thresholds of Ba, Pb, As, Cu, Au, Mo, Co, and Zn were 457.8612, 56.1823, 28.8454, 910.1272, 89.4283, 34.5267, 84.9445, and 121.4863, respectively. The comprehensive information threshold value was 0.4551. The comprehensive abnormal distribution area of geochemical element contents was obtained from thresholds. The results showed that the method used to identify abnormal areas was consistent with the range of ore bodies identified by actual engineering exploration, demonstrating that the GPDA model was effective. Finally, we predicted that there was a new blind ore body located at a depth of about 1100 m below ground between drill holes KZK10 and KZK11. The results have important theoretical and practical significance for deep ore prospecting.
A New Self-Tuning Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller for Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Abdolahi Yasin , Yousefi Sajad , Tavoosi Jafar
Published: January 2023

Autonomous driving has recently been in considerable progress, and many algorithms have been suggested to control the motions of driverless cars. The model predictive controller (MPC) is one of the efficient approaches by which the speed and direction of the near future of an automobile could be predicted and controlled. Even though the MPC is of enormous benefit, the performance (minimum tracking error) of such a controller strictly depends on the appropriate tuning of its parameters. This paper applies the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to find the global minimum tracking error by tuning the controller’s parameters and ultimately calculating the front steering angle and directed motor force to the wheels of an autonomous vehicle (AV). This article consists of acquiring vehicle dynamics, extended model predictive control, and optimization paradigm. The proposed approach is compared with previous research in the literature and simulation results show higher performance, and also it is less computationally expensive. The simulation results show that the proposed method with only three adjustable parameters has an overshoot of about 8% and its RMSE is 0.72.
Clinical Outcomes of Medical Management Options for Chronic Anal Fissures in a Long-Term Follow-up: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sierra-Arango Fernando , de la Hoz-Valle José , Espinosa Juan Pablo , Moreno-Montoya José , Vásquez Roldan Mariana , Pérez-Riveros Erika D.
Published: January 2023

Background: Topical treatments and botulinum toxin injections are valid options for the management of patients with chronic anal fissures (CAF), but little is known about the efficacy of these techniques in long-term follow-up. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness, given to clinical outcomes, of medical treatments with calcium antagonists, nitroglycerin, and botulinum toxin on CAF treatment in adults. Method: A systemic review and meta-analysis developed according to PRISMA [PLoS Med. 2009 Jul 21;6(7):e1000100; BMJ. 2010 Mar 23;340:c332] and registered in PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42020120386). A systematic literature search was conducted through MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Randomized control trials that compared medical treatment were identified; publications had to have a clinical definition of CAF with at least one of the following signs or symptoms: visible sphincter fibers at the base of the fissure, anal papillae, sentinel piles, and indurated margins. The symptoms had to be chronic for at least 4 weeks. Data were independently extracted for each study, and a meta-analysis was drawn using fixed- and random-effects models. Results: 17 randomized trials met the inclusion criteria. Diltiazem showed a superior effect compared with glycerin (RR = 1.16 [95% CI = 1.05–1.30]; I2 = 18%) and with fewer adverse effects (RR = 0.13 [95% CI = 0.04–0.042]; I2 = 87%). Similar results were evidenced with the use of nifedipine compared with lidocaine (RR = 4.53 [95% CI = 2.99–6.86]; I2 = 28%). Botulinum toxin did not show statistically significant differences compared to glycerin (RR = 0.81 [95% CI = 0.02–29.36]; I2 = 93%) or isosorbide dinitrate (RR = 1.45 [95% CI = 0.32–6.54]; I2 = 85%). Regarding recurrence, nifedipine was superior to lidocaine (RR = 0.18 [95% CI = 0.08–0.44]; I2 = 31%). Conclusions: Calcium channel blockers performed well regarding the healing of CAF when compared to others in long-term follow-up. The superiority of botulinum toxin was not evidenced compared to topical treatments. More studies are needed to better assess recurrence rates.
Analysis of Circulating DNA to Assess Prognoses for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Regorafenib Dose-Escalation Therapy: A Retrospective, Exploratory Analysis of the RECC Trial
Authors: Ohta Ryo , Yamada Takeshi , Nakamura Masato , Enomoto Masanobu , Takahashi Makoto , Yokomizo Hajime , Kosugi Chihiro , Ishimaru Kei , Sonoda Hiromichi , Kuramochi Hidekazu , Yoshida Yoichiro , Furuya Shinji , Hirata Keiji , Yoshida Hiroshi , Nozawa Keijiro , Hashiguchi Yojiro , Ishida Hideyuki , Koda Keiji , Katsumata Kenji , Sakamoto Kazuhiro
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Regorafenib is a multi-kinase inhibitor approved for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who were previously treated with standard therapies. A few reports showed the impact of KRAS mutation on therapeutic efficacy of regorafenib. Only one study reported poor prognoses for patients treated with regorafenib who had large amounts of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). In the present study, we evaluated the impact of KRAS mutations in tissue or plasma and amounts of cfDNA on prognoses of mCRC patients treated with regorafenib. Method: This is a biomarker investigation of the RECC study, which evaluated efficacy of regorafenib dose-escalation therapy. Plasma samples were obtained just before initiation of treatment with regorafenib. KRAS mutations were evaluated using tissue and plasma samples. cfDNA was extracted from plasma samples and quantified. Results: Forty-five patients were enrolled in this biomarker study. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients without KRAS mutations in tissues were 1.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–2.0) and 8.9 months (95% CI: 6.5–11.2), and those of patients with KRAS mutations were 1.4 months (95% CI: 1.3–1.5) and 6.8 months (95% CI: 5.0–8.5). Median PFS and OS of patients with plasma KRAS mutations were 1.9 months (95% CI: 1.8–1.9) and 7.0 months (95% CI: 5.3–8.7), respectively. Median PFS and OS of patients without plasma KRAS mutations were 1.7 months (95% CI: 1.1–2.3) and 8.9 months (95% CI: 6.7–11.2), respectively. Prior to administration of regorafenib, KRAS mutations were detected in 6 of 16 (37.5%) patients who had no tissue KRAS mutations. Median OS of patients with high cfDNA concentration (>median) was significantly poorer than that of patients with low cfDNA. Conclusion: KRAS mutations in the tissue or plasma have no impact on efficacy of regorafenib. KRAS emerging mutations were observed in quite a few patients. Large amounts of cfDNA may indicate poorer prognoses for patients receiving late-line regorafenib chemotherapy.
Clinical Value of Serum miR-106a in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Human Papillomavirus-Positive Cervical Cancer
Authors: Rao Xiaoyan , Jiang Jie , Wang Yifeng , Ma Xueli , Liu Shuxia
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Cervical cancer (CC) is a prevailing malignant tumor in women, mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This study investigated miR-106a expression in the serum of HPV-positive CC patients and estimated its value in diagnosis and prognosis. Methods: We enrolled 120 CC patients as study subjects, with another 80 healthy women as controls. Clinical baseline data and clinicopathological indexes including age, tumor size, differentiation degree, FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) were recorded. Serum miR-106a expression was measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to estimate the efficacy of miR-106a in diagnosing CC or HPV-positive CC. Under a 5-year follow-up, patient survival was recorded, and the impact of miR-106a on overall survival rate was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. The logistic regression model was used to analyze whether miR-106a was an independent prognostic factor for HPV infection in CC patients. Results: Serum miR-106a was upregulated in CC patients and the level >1.365 assisted the CC diagnosis. miR-106a expression in HPV-positive CC patients was elevated relative to HPV-negative CC patients, and serum miR-106a level >1.300 distinguishing HPV positive and HPV negative. HPV positivity was linked with tumor differentiation degree, FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, and SCC-Ag in CC patients, but not with age and tumor size. High expression of miR-106a in HPV-positive CC patients increased the risk of poor prognosis, and miR-106a expression is an independent prognostic factor for HPV infection in CC patients. Conclusion: High expression of miR-106a assists in the diagnosis of HPV-positive CC and predicts poor prognosis.
Evaluation of Microvascular Rarefaction in Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Heart Failure (CRUCIAL): Study Protocol for an Observational Study
Authors: van Dinther Maud , Bennett Jonathan , Thornton George D. , Voorter Paulien H.M. , Ezponda Casajús Ana , Hughes Alun , Captur Gabriella , Holtackers Robert J. ,   CRUCIAL Consortium Clinical Members, Staals Julie , Backes Walter H. , Bastarika Gorka , Jones Elizabeth A.V. , González Arantxa , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Treibel Thomas A.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Microvascular rarefaction, the functional reduction in perfused microvessels and structural reduction of microvascular density, seems to be an important mechanism in the pathophysiology of small blood vessel-related disorders including vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) due to cerebral small vessel disease and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Both diseases share common risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and ageing; in turn, these comorbidities are associated with microvascular rarefaction. Our consortium aims to investigate novel non-invasive tools to quantify microvascular health and rarefaction in both organs, as well as surrogate biomarkers for cerebral and/or cardiac rarefaction (via sublingual capillary health, vascular density of the retina, and RNA content of circulating extracellular vesicles), and to determine whether microvascular density relates to disease severity. Methods: The clinical research program of CRUCIAL consists of four observational cohort studies. We aim to recruit 75 VCI patients, 60 HFpEF patients, 60 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement as a pressure overload HFpEF model, and 200 elderly participants with mixed comorbidities to serve as controls. Data collected will include medical history, physical examination, cognitive testing, advanced brain and cardiac MRI, ECG, echocardiography, sublingual capillary health, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTa), extracellular vesicles RNA analysis, and myocardial remodelling-related serum biomarkers. The AS cohort undergoing surgery will also have myocardial biopsy for histological microvascular assessment. Discussion: CRUCIAL will examine the pathophysiological role of microvascular rarefaction in VCI and HFpEF using advanced brain and cardiac MRI techniques. Furthermore, we will investigate surrogate biomarkers for non-invasive, faster, easier, and cheaper assessment of microvascular density since these are more likely to be disseminated into widespread clinical practice. If microvascular rarefaction is an early marker of developing small vessel diseases, then measuring rarefaction may allow preclinical diagnosis, with implications for screening, risk stratification, and prevention. Further knowledge of the relevance of microvascular rarefaction and its underlying mechanisms may provide new avenues for research and therapeutic targets.
Five-Year Therapy with Recombinant Human Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in a Patient with PAPP-A2 Deficiency
Authors: Muthuvel Gajanthan , Dauber Andrew , Alexandrou Eirene , Tyzinski Leah , Andrew Melissa , Hwa Vivian , Backeljauw Philippe
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The metalloproteinase pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2 (PAPP-A2) cleaves insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding proteins 3 and 5 to release bioactive IGF-I from its ternary complex. Patients with mutations in PAPP-A2 have growth failure and low free IGF-I despite elevated total IGF-I. We describe 5-year treatment response to recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1) in a patient with PAPP-A2 deficiency, and the phenotype of PAPP-A2 deficiency in three siblings. Methods: Two siblings (P2, P3) with PAPP-A2 deficiency were recruited for rhIGF-1 therapy at 120 μg/kg subcutaneous twice daily, along with a third sibling (P1) for phenotyping. We evaluated efficacy and safety of rhIGF-1 therapy, including effect on metabolic measures and bone mineral density (BMD). Results: Treatment with rhIGF-1 was started in 10.4-year- (P3) and 14.5-year (P2)-old brothers. P2 discontinued therapy due to pseudotumor cerebri. P3 continued rhIGF-1 for 5 years; height velocity increased (3.0 cm/year at baseline; 5.0–7.6 cm/year thereafter) as did height SDS (+0.6). P3’s pubertal onset was at 12.4 year. BMD height-adjusted Z-score modestly improved for lumbar spine (+0.4), and decreased in forearm (−0.2) and hip (−0.3). All siblings had hyperinsulinemia. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) resolved in P1. P2 showed worsening glucose tolerance (2-h glucose: 225 mg/dL). Impaired fasting glucose and hyperinsulinemia initially resolved for P3, but IGT (2-h glucose: 152 mg/dL) developed during puberty. Conclusion: Therapy with rhIGF-1 modestly improved linear growth in one patient with PAPP-A2 deficiency, but without true catch-up. Therapy was associated with pseudotumor cerebri in a sibling. Initial improvement in BMD and glycemic pattern on rhIGF-1 was not sustained during puberty.