bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying Infrared Thermography to a Latest Residential Building in France: Case Study, Verifying Dwellings National Thermal Regulations RT 2012 Mainly Thermal Bridges Assessment
Authors: RAMENAH Harry
Published: October 2023

High-performance insulation and airtight building envelopes are the two most important factors to optimize the building energy efficiency and thermal performance. However, thermal performance of building envelopes can be significantly affected by thermal bridging. Thermal bridges can take place at different locations of the building envelope, causing added transmission losses, increasing heat flow, lower inner surface temperatures. Thermal bridges are regarded in all national regulations for new buildings of all states of European Union (EU) but there are no specifications assessing balconies to wall junctions and the impact on the building thermal performance is not well regulated. In this paper, balcony to wall thermal bridge assessment using infrared thermography is highlighted. The originality is that, infrared thermography, has been applied to a real living latest building in the north east of France showing that there is noncompliance in the national regulations as some exigencies are not met. Thermography of thermal break windows and window doors has also revealed air leakage. The goal, is to illustrate that thermal imaging is a means of quality assurance to new building specifications and should include a clause specifying quality assurance procedure for balconies junction in national building regulations for all states if the EU.
Long-Term Outcomes of Nonsurgical Treatment of Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis
Authors: Esteban Lopez Lisa M.J. , Hoogendam Lisa , Vermeulen Guus M. , Tsehaie Jonathan , Slijper Harm P. , Selles Ruud W. , Wouters Robbert M. ,   The Hand-Wrist Study Group
Published: October 2023

Background:

Although nonsurgical treatment of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC-1) osteoarthritis (OA) provides short-term improvement, the durability of these effects beyond 1 year is unknown. In this study, we investigated patient-reported pain and limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) at >5 years following nonsurgical treatment (i.e., exercise therapy and use of an orthosis) for CMC-1 OA. We hypothesized that pain and limitations in ADL would not worsen after 12 months. Secondary outcomes were satisfaction with treatment results and health-related quality of life at >5 years of follow-up and the rate of conversion to surgery.

Methods:

This was a multicenter, prospective cohort study using 2 overlapping samples. The change in the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) subscales of pain and ADL between 12 months and >5 years was the primary outcome as measured in the first sample (n = 170), which consisted of patients who did not undergo conversion to surgery. Additional measurement time points included baseline and 3 months. We evaluated conversion to surgery in a second sample, which included all patients who responded to the invitation for this follow-up study (n = 217).

Results:

At a median follow-up of 6.6 years (range, 5.1 to 8.7 years), the score on the MHQ pain subscale did not differ significantly from that at 12 months. The score on the MHQ ADL improved by 4.4 points (95% confidence interval [CI],1.5 to 7.2) compared with 12 months, but this was not clinically relevant. At >5 years, 5% of the patients rated their satisfaction as “poor,” 14% as “moderate,” 26% as “fair,” 39% as “good,” and 16% as “excellent.” The median EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) index score was 0.852 (range, 0.135 to 1). The rate of conversion to surgery was 22% (95% CI,16.4% to 27.7%) at a median follow-up of 7 years (range, 5.5 to 9.0 years).

Conclusions:

We found positive outcomes at >5 years of follow-up for nonsurgical treatment of CMC-1 OA, with no worsening of pain or of limitations in ADL after 12 months. Our findings support nonsurgical treatment as the first treatment choice and suggest that treatment effects are sustainable.

Level of evidence:

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Penerapan Aplikasi Kahoot dalam Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik
Authors: Dermawan Rendi , Masito Mutiara Tyas , Kurnisar Kurnisar
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in student learning outcomes using the Kahoot application in class XI IPS 1 SMA Negeri 3 Palembang. The research method used was classroom action research (CAR) with a sample size of 35. The data collection method used tests to obtain learning outcomes in the pre-cycle with an average grade of 65.4, then cycle I with an average grade of 73.5 , and cycle II with an average value of 85.6 which experienced an increase. It can be concluded that the application of the Kahoot application can improve the learning outcomes of students in class XI IPS 1 SMA Negeri 3 Palembang.
Representation in Children’s Book Council of Australia Early Childhood and Picture Book Awarded Books (2018-2020)
Authors: Brown Megan
Published: October 2023

The call for more diversity in children’s literature has increased over the past decade. Many researchers draw on Rudine Sims Bishop’s theory of Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors (1990) to argue that children need to be able to see their lives reflected in the media they consume, not just as caricatures or tokenistic characters, but as protagonists and everyday people. The prizing of children’s literature acts as a stamp of approval for what is considered quality literature, and often results in an undiscerning market that purchases texts simply because of their awarded prize. The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year award is one of the most prestigious literary awards available in the country, particularly for younger readers. This critical content analysis examines the winners, honoured, and short-listed texts for the Book of the Year awards in the Picture Book and Early Childhood categories for the years 2018-2020. The analysis found that the majority of the texts reinforce the current social and cultural discourse of the straight, white, cis-gendered, able-bodied male. Given the social and cultural impact of the CBCA awards, it is essential that the discourses and ways of being that are represented in the awarded texts are critically investigated to ensure they are representative of their readership and do not perpetuate a damaging message to readers about their or others’ identity.
Excusing Coercive Control in Popular Young Adult Fantasy Texts
Authors: Little Elizabeth
Published: October 2023

This article utilises a feminist lens to conduct close textual analysis of A Curse So Dark and Lonely and the Cursebreaker series (Kemmerer 2019) and The Cruel Prince and the Folk of the Air series (Black 2018-2019) to demonstrate how elements of coercive control are excused and minimised in the narratives. By highlighting the postfeminist sensibility evident in these young adult fantasy novels, this article argues that female protagonists are characterised in contradictory ways. They are both ‘empowered’ and subjugated, yet this is diminished by a rhetoric of choice and agency. As female protagonists, Jude and Harper each possess physical strength, intelligence and humour which positions them as agential and empowered. Yet, at the core of their romantic and sexual relationships they are both victims of coercive control. While the novels ostensibly present strong female protagonists, implied girl readers are positioned to excuse the removal of agency, manipulation, and even physical violence towards these postfeminist heroines.
‘Many a story is but a crooked way to the truth’?
Authors: Braithwaite Elizabeth
Published: October 2023

The myth of King Arthur has been used for many purposes. In post-disaster fiction for young adults, the Arthurian myth has been drawn upon by a number of authors to advocate unity and equality as major factors in creating a just and peaceful world. This article focuses on seven texts set after major global disaster caused by human action has devastated, or is threatening to devastate, the world of the implied present-day reader. The texts for discussion are Ron Langenus’ Merlin’s Return; Janice Elliott’s The King Awakes and The Empty Throne; and Pamela Service’s Winter of Magic’s Return, Tomorrow’s Magic, Yesterday’s Magic, and Earth’s Magic. Although King Arthur is portrayed differently by the three authors, he is presented as a figurehead of unity and peace in all of the texts, and the texts all transpose contemporary values held by the implied author and the implied reader onto what the texts present as ‘King Arthur’s time’, in order to suggest that greed, selfishness, and lust for power contributed to the destruction of King Arthur’s society, and are also threatening to destroy the world of the implied reader. Drawing upon Foucault’s concept of the regime of truth, this article demonstrates that the forms of the Arthurian myth used in the texts for discussion are, however, inherently gendered and nationalistic, and thus subvert the ideas of equality and unity that the texts seek to present.
Practice for integrated teaching mode of basic and clinical medicine in topographical anatomy curriculum
Authors: Fang Xuan , Peng Xianlong , Liu Huaicun , Zhang Weiguang , Yan Junhao
Published: October 2023

Background To examine the effects of an integrated teaching mode on clinical medical students in a topographical anatomy curriculum.
Methods Clinical medical students were randomly divided into two groups. The students in the traditional teaching group completed a basic course only by the anatomy teachers, while those in the integrated group were taught by both anatomy teachers and clinical doctors with the aid of the AI virtual anatomy teaching system, clinical lectures and laparoscopic surgery simulation training.
Results Compared to those in the traditional group, the students in the integrated group achieved better outcomes in study habit development, knowledge acquisition capability and communication skills.
Conclusion The integrated teaching mode of basic and clinical medicine has significantly beneficial effects for students in mastering anatomical knowledge and cultivating early clinical concepts. Moreover, this pattern is also conducive to teaching and scientific research cooperation between anatomy teachers and clinical doctors.
Do non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect the release of GnRH via neuronal markers?
Authors: MAYTALMAN ERKAN , SAMUR Dilara NEMUTLU
Published: October 2023

Purpose
Some evidence that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have neuroprotective effects indicates their potential for use in a new field. However, its effects on hormone secretion have not been adequately discovered. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of dipyrone and indomethacin on neuronal markers as well as the GnRH expression in the GT1-7 cell line.
Methods
The effects of these drugs were evaluated by MTT analysis on proliferation. The effect of 10-50-250 µM concentrations of the drugs also on the expression of neuronal factors and markers, including NGF, nestin and βIII Tubulin, and additionally GnRH, was determined by the RT-qPCR method.
Results
NGF and nestin mRNA expressions were increased in all concentrations of both dipyrone and indomethacin. No changes were detected in βIII Tubulin. While dipyrone showed an increase in GnRH mRNA expression, there was no change at 10 and 50 µM concentrations of indomethacin, but a remarkable decrease was observed at 250 µM concentrations.
Conclusions
The results of our study showing an increase in the expression of neuronal factors reveal that dipyrone and indomethacin may have possible neuroprotective effects. Moreover, the effects on the GnRH expression appear to be different. Animal models are required to confirm these effects of NSAIDs on neurons.
Time-domain-filtered terahertz nanoscopy of intrinsic light-matter interactions
Authors: Hu Min , Zhang Xiaoqiuyan , Zhang Xin , Zhang Zhuocheng , Zhang Tianyu , Xu Xingxing , Tang Fu , Yang Jing , Wang Jiakun , Jiang Hui , Dun Zhaoyun , Wei Yanyu , Gong Yubin , Zhang Hui , Li Peining
Published: October 2023

Terahertz (THz) technology holds great potential across diverse applications including biosensing, security screening, and information communications, but its conventional far-field technique is diffraction-limited to submillimeter resolution. Near-field optical microscopy overcomes this barrier through a sharp metallized tip that concentrates incident THz waves into nanometric volumes, detecting the resulting scattered near-field to reveal nanoscale THz optical properties. However, owing to the large THz wavelengths, resonant surface waves arising on the tip and cantilever obscure the intrinsic near-field response. Here we combine near-field microscopy with THz time-domain spectroscopy and implement time-domain filtering with an elongated cantilever to eliminate this artifact, achieving intrinsic nanospectroscopy and nanoimaging at THz frequencies. By applying this technique, we distinguish and characterize of historical pigments of an ancient sculpture, such as vermilion and red lead, at the nanoscale. We also unravel deep-subwavelength localized resonance modes in THz optical antennas, demonstrating capabilities for THz nanophotonics. Our work advances THz nanoimaging and nanospectroscopy techniques to probe intrinsic nanoscale THz light–matter interactions.
Quality of home-based vaccination records: The case of Tamale Metropolis, Ghana
Authors: Konlan Matthew Yosah , Mahama Fuseini , Abubakari Braimah Baba , Appiah Benedict Ofori , Kubio Cynthia , Apea Porbilla Ofosu , Wilkins Karen A. , Kwarteng Peter Gyamfi , Abiwu Hilarius Asiwome Kosi
Published: October 2023

Objective:This study assessed the quality of vaccination cards in Tamale, Ghana. A cross-sectional study involving 1,398 pictures of vaccination cards taken during a cluster vaccination coverage survey in Tamale was used. Pictures that did not capture vaccination pages were excluded. We assessed the quality of pictures, the content and design of cards as well as quality of cards using criteria adapted from a previous study.
Results:Over 80% of cards fulfilled the picture quality criteria or card content criteria while over 90% met the card design criteria. However, none of the cards met the standard HBR criteria or had space for recording notes, known allergies and adverse events of immunization. Over 90% of cards did not have any physical damage, marks/hole punches/ staples that obstructed reading responses or evidently visible corrections. However, the spaces provided for responses and completion of cards require modification in future card design.
Global upper ocean oxygen budget and an observational constraint on the biological pump
Authors: Yamaguchi Ryohei , Kouketsu Shinya , Kosugi Naohiro , Ishii Masao
Published: October 2023

One mechanism by which the ocean absorbs and sequesters CO2 is through the fixation of inorganic carbon by biological production and its subsequent transport to the deep ocean, a process known as the biological carbon pump. Although the importance of the biological carbon pump in the global carbon cycle has long been recognized, estimation of its actual contribution to global ocean carbon uptake remains highly uncertain, challenging the observational constraints of current Earth system model simulations. Here we quantify global annual ocean carbon sequestration via the biological carbon pump by using dissolved oxygen data to estimate net biological oxygen production from an upper ocean oxygen budget calculation, leveraging the substantial increase in observational data provided by the recent expansion of Biogeochemical-Argo. The upper ocean oxygen budget, based on observational data, reveals a global balance between net oxygen removal due to physical processes (air–sea exchange, advection, and diffusion) and net oxygen production driven by biological activities. We converted the derived annual net biological oxygen production into annual net community production using the photosynthetic oxygen:carbon ratio, and inferred an estimated global oceanic carbon uptake by the biological pump of 6.15 ± 0.75 Pg C y− 1.
Karst fissures mitigate the negative effects of drought on plant growth and photosynthetic physiology
Authors: Luo Jie , Luo Weixue , Liu Junting , Wang Yongjian , Li Zongfeng , Tao Jianping , Liu Jinchun
Published: October 2023

Hard limestone substrates, which are extensively distributed, are believed to exacerbate drought and increase the difficulty of restoration in vulnerable karst regions. Fissures in such substrates may alleviate the negative effect of drought on plants, but the underlying mechanisms are remains poorly understood. In a two-way factorial block design, the growth and photosynthesis of two-year-old Phoebe zhennan seedlings were investigated in two water availabilities (W100% and W30%) and three stimulated fissure habitat groups: control soil habitat (S group, CK), soil-filled fissure habitat (SF group), and non-soil-filled fissure habitat (F group). Moreover, the fissure treatments included both small and large fissures. Compared to S group, F group decreased the total biomass, root biomass, total root length, and the root length of fine roots in the soil layer at both water availabilities, but increased photosynthetic rate (Pn) and remained at stable water use efficiency (WUE) at W30%. However, there was no significant differences between SF group and S group in the biomass accumulation and allocation as well as Pn. Nevertheless, the SF group lowered the root distribution in total and in the soil layer, also increased WUE at W30%. Across all treatments, fissure sizes had no effect on plant growth or photosynthesis. Karst fissures filled with soil can alleviate drought impacts on plant root growth, which involves adjusting root distribution strategies and increasing water use efficiency. Rock fissures can be involved in long-term plant responses to drought stress and vegetation restoration in rocky mountain environments under global climate change.
Availability and quality of primary health care in the compulsory health insurance system in Kazakhstan
Authors: Shurenova Mahabbat , Kurakbayev Kuralbay , Abildaev Tleukhan , Tazhieva Aigul
Published: October 2023

Background
The study aimed to assess the satisfaction of patients with primary health care services and to determine indicators of the effectiveness of medical care in the compulsory health insurance system in Kazakhstan.
Methods
It was an analytical observational study with cross-examination. This study was conducted in primary health care (PHC) organizations in Kazakhstan. Patient satisfaction was measured using a questionnaire consisting of 35 closed questions. The analysis of the indicators of the results of the stimulating component of the per capita standard for financing PHC organizations for the achieved results of activities is carried out.
Results
54.0% (1.80 ± 1.108) of the surveyed patients were completely satisfied with medical care, and 59.4% (1.82 ± 1.269) considered laboratory tests available. Men were completely satisfied with the medical care and availability of laboratory tests compared to women. Indicators of the final result were achieved in the city polyclinics № 3 and № 14 of the city of Almaty Kazakhstan and there was an increase in the amount of incentive component of per capita funding by 1.1 times.
Conclusions
In the system of compulsory medical insurance, medical care in PHC organizations is affordable and effective according to the estimates of the interviewed patients and an indicator of the final result of the polyclinics.
Comparison of Efficacy and safety of Tinapeg® vs. Neulastim® to prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in breast cancer patients: randomized, parallel, equivalence, multicentric and Phase III clinical trial study
Authors: Mousavi Seied Asadollah , Servatian Nazli , Omidvar Shahryar , Amini Hossein , Afshari Mohammadali , Taghavi Behnam , Fumani Hosein Kamranzadeh , Vaezi Mohammad , Tavakoli Sahar , Nejad Nafiseh Ansari , Khodakarim Nastaran , Fardad Farshid , Rezvani Alireza , Namdari Nasrin , Poorkhani Amirhoushang , Naeimi-Tabiei Mohammad , Razavi Seyed Mohsen , Adib-Sereshki Mohammad Mahdi , Kaveh Vahid , Keshtkar Abbasali , Shahbazi Majid
Published: October 2023

Background
This study investigated the efficacy and safety of Pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG‐rhGCSF) manufactured by Arya Tina gene company in the preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in breast cancer patients.
Methods
This study was designed as a parallel, randomized, double- blind, multicenter, and Phase III clinical trial. In this way, patients diagnosed with breast cancer who entered the study were randomly assigned into two groups. Fifty-one patients were randomly assigned to the Neulastim®, and 51 patients were assigned to the Tinapeg®. Each patient received a chemotherapy regimen containing doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 on day 1, and 24 hours after (the second day), a single 6 mg dose of pegfilgrastim was administered subcutaneously. The primary endpoint was a rate of neutropenia during chemotherapy. The secondary endpoints were the incidence of febrile neutropenia, fever without neutropenia and its severity, occurrence of blood disorders, and rates of adverse events.
Results
Based on the results, at the end of the fourth cycle, the mean neutrophil counts in Tinapeg® and Neulastim® therapy groups increased by 26 and 34%, respectively, which was not statistically significant. Also, in the fourth cycle, the mean number of neutrophils in the Tinapeg® and Neulastim® therapy groups were 5315 and 5159; There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the incidence of adverse events and unwanted reactions.
Conclusions
It was concluded that Tinapeg® and Neulastim® showed no clinically meaningful differences regarding efficacy and safety in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Clinical trial registrations: IRCT2017061234487N1; Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT)
https://www.irct.ir/trial/26341
Source of SARS-CoV-2 infection: results from a series of 584,846 cases in France from October 2020 to August 2022
Authors: Rakover Arthur , Galmiche Simon , Charmet Tiffany , Chény Olivia , Omar Faïza , David Christophe , Martin Sophie , Mailles Alexandra , Fontanet Arnaud
Published: October 2023

Background
We aimed to study the source of infection for recently SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals from October 2020 to August 2022 in France.
Methods
Participants from the nationwide ComCor case-control study who reported recent SARS-CoV-2 infection were asked to document the source and circumstances of their infection through an online questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with not identifying any source of infection.
Results
Among 584,846 adults with a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection in France, 46.9% identified the source of infection and an additional 22.6% suspected an event during which they might have become infected. Known and suspected sources of infection were household members (30.8%), extended family (15.6%), work colleagues (15.0%), friends (11.0%), and possibly multiple/other sources (27.6%). When the source of infection was known, was not a household member, and involved a unique contact (n = 69,788), characteristics associated with transmission events were indoors settings (91.6%), prolonged (> 15 min) encounters (50.5%), symptomatic source case (64.9%), and neither the source of infection nor the participant wearing a mask (82.2%). Male gender, older age, lower education, living alone, using public transportation, attending places of public recreation (bars, restaurants, nightclubs), public gatherings, and cultural events, and practicing indoor sports were all independently associated with not knowing the source of infection.
Conclusion
Two-thirds of infections were attributed to interactions with close relatives, friends, or work colleagues. Extra-household indoor encounters without masks were commonly reported and represented avoidable circumstances of infection.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT04607941
Assessing Calibration and Bias of a Deployed Machine Learning Malnutrition Prediction Model within a Large Healthcare System
Authors: Liou Lathan , Scott Erick , Parchure Prathamesh , Ouyang Yuxia , Egorova Natalia , Freeman Robert , Hofer Ira , Nadkarni Girish , Timsina Prem , Kia Arash , Levin Matthew
Published: October 2023

Introduction
Malnutrition is a frequently underdiagnosed condition leading to increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. The Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) deployed a machine learning model (MUST-Plus) to detect malnutrition upon hospital admission. However, in diverse patient groups a poorly calibrated model may lead to misdiagnosis, exacerbating health care disparities. We explored the model’s calibration across different variables and methods to improve calibration.
Methods
Data from adult (age > 18) patients admitted to 5 MSHS hospitals from September 20, 2020 - December 31, 2021 were analyzed. We compared MUST-Plus prediction to the registered dietitian’s formal assessment. We assessed calibration following the hierarchy of weak, moderate, and strong calibration. We tested statistical differences in intercept and slope by bootstrapping with replacement.
Results
We included 49,282 patients (mean age = 66.0). The overall calibration intercept was − 1.25 (95% CI: -1.28, -1.22), and slope was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.51, 1.59). Calibration was not significantly different between White and Black patients. The calibration intercept was significantly different between male and female patients. Both calibration intercepts and slopes were statistically different between 2021 and 2022. Recalibration improved calibration of the model across race, gender, and year.
Discussion
The calibration of MUST-Plus underestimates malnutrition in females compared to males, but demonstrates similar calibration slope, suggesting similar distributions of risk estimation. Recalibration is effective at reducing miscalibration across all patient subgroups. Continual monitoring and timely recalibration can improve model accuracy.
The Radiolabeling of [161Tb]-PSMA-617 by a Novel Radiolabeling Method and Preclinical Evaluation by In Vitro/In Vivo Methods.
Authors: UYGUR EMRE , Sezgin Ceren , Parlak Yasemin , Karatay Kadriye Busra , Arikbasi Bilal , Avcibasi Ugur , Toklu Turkay , Barutca Sabri , Harmansah Coskun , Sozen Tevfik Sinan , Maus Stephan , Scher Howard , Aras Omer , Gumuser Fikriye Gul , Muftuler Fazilet Zumrut Biber
Published: October 2023

Background
Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common type of cancer in elderly men, with a positive correlation with age. As resistance to treatment has developed, particularly in the progressive stage of the disease and in the presence of microfocal multiple bone metastases, new generation radionuclide therapies have emerged. Recently, [161Tb], a radiolanthanide introduced for treating micrometastatic foci, has shown great promise for treating prostate cancer.
Results
In this study, Terbium-161 [161Tb]Tb was radiolabeled with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-617 ([161Tb]-PSMA-617) and the therapeutic efficacy of the radiolabeled compound investigated in vitro and in vivo. [161Tb]-PSMA-617 was found to have a radiochemical yield of 97.99 ± 2.01% and was hydrophilic. [161Tb]-PSMA-617 was also shown to have good stability, with a radiochemical yield of over 95% up to 72 hours. In vitro, [161Tb]-PSMA-617 showed a cytotoxic effect on LNCaP cells but not on PC-3 cells. In vivo, scintigraphy imaging visualized the accumulation of [161Tb]-PSMA-617 in the prostate, kidneys, and bladder.
Conclusions
The results suggest that [161Tb]-PSMA-617 can be an effective radiolabeled agent for the treatment of PSMA positive foci in prostate cancer.
Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yuan Xiu , Wei Jie , Wang Binyu , Huang Liting , Li Zhengyi
Published: October 2023

Background:Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has a rapid onset and high mortality which should be diagnosed quickly after admission and given reperfusion treatment as soon as possible. Meanwhile, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy play an important role in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Pseudothrombocytopenia has been rarely reported. This paper reports a STEMI patient with delayed reperfusion treatment due to EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia, and provides suggestions on how to identify EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia, so as to avoid the wrong withdrawal of antiplatelet drugs and the delay of reperfusion treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with pseudothrombocytopenia.
Case presentation: An 82-year-old male patient with a medical history of hypertension was admitted to the emergency department (ED) complaining of worsening chest discomfort. ST-segment elevation was noted in the leads V1-V4 and T-wave height tip on the electrocardiogram (ECG) in the ED. The cardiac biomarkers tests at ED revealed that his high-sensitivity troponin level (cTnI) was 0.25ng/L (reference interval:＜0.01ng/mL), and the serum creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB) level was 17.22ng/mL (reference interval:＜5ng/mL), and myoglobin level was 126.02ng/mL (reference interval:＜50ng/mL). Unexpectedly, his initial platelet count with a standard EDTA tube was 18 × 109 /L, and he did not receive reperfusion therapy and any fibrinolytic drug or heparin because of thrombocytopenia. Echocardiogram demonstrated regional hypokinesia of left ventricle. She received bone marrow puncture and platelet antibody examination. Subsequently, platelet clumps were seen in bone marrow blood smears and platelet antibody tests were negative. Blood collection in the heparin tube reveals an accurate platelet count of 166×109/L.However,it was been a week after his admission, he refused the operation and was discharged with the medication after his condition improved.
Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia will bring risks and challenges to the reperfusion treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Clinician should be alert to EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia especially complicated with myocardial infarction. Seeking possible evidence of pseudothrombocytopenia is in favor of early diagnosis which may prevent unnecessary examination as well as over-treatment and especially mismanagement of patients in potentially life-threatening clinical conditions
Composition analysis and toxigenic fungi isolation on the surface of Polygala Radix in China
Authors: Chen Xuyu , Zhao xiangsheng , Chen Haimei , Liu Chang , Yang meihua
Published: October 2023

Purpose
Polygalae Radix (PR) has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for decades. Aflatoxins easily contaminate PR during cultivation, harvesting and storage. However, which fungus produces these toxins on the surface PR is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the composition and toxigenic fungi on the surface of PR to provide a basis for the prevention and control of toxigenic fungi.
Methods and results
Forty-nine exogenous fungi were isolated from the surface of PR. They were identified mainly based on CAM gene/rDNA ITS and phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that all the isolates belonged to four classes: Eurotiomycetes (79.59%), Dothideomycetes (10.20%), Sordariomycetes (6.12%), and Mucoromycetes (4.08%). Forty-nine isolates were identified at the species level, including 24 isolates of Aspergillus spp. (48.98%), 11 isolates of Penicillium spp. (22.46%) and others. Aspergillus spp. were the predominant exogenous fungi on the surface of PR. In addition, three fungi (A. parasiticus GXYZ1-5, A. flavus YZ-2-3 and A. flavus HBYZ1-4) produced aflatoxins, accounting for 8.57% of Aspergillus spp abundance. The concentrations of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 produced by the A. parasiticus GXYZ1-5 isolate were 6.83, 1.82, 25.34, and 1.8 μg/mL, respectively. The concentrations of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 produced by the A. flavus YZ-2-3 isolate were 493.37, 43.37, 1229.35, and 40.72 μg/mL, respectively. The concentration of aflatoxins B1 produced by the A. flavus HBYZ1-4 isolate was 7.69 μg/mL.
Conclusions
The results of this study provide a better understanding of exogenous fungi on the surface of PR and provide valuable insights for the prevention and control of toxigenic fungi.
Arabidopsis AN3 and OLIGOCELLULA genes link telomere maintenance mechanisms with cell division and expansion control
Authors: Agabekian Inna A. , Abdulkina Liliia R. , Lushnenko Alina Y. , Young Pierce G. , Valeeva Lia R. , Boskovic Olivia , Lilly Ethan G. , Sharipova Margarita R. , Shippen Dorothy E. , Juenger Thomas E. , Shakirov Eugene V
Published: October 2023

Telomeres are conserved chromosomal structures necessary for continued cell division and proliferation. In addition to the classical telomerase pathway, multiple other genes including those involved in ribosome metabolism and chromatin modification contribute to telomere length maintenance. We previously reported that Arabidopsis thaliana ribosome biogenesis genes OLI2/NOP2A, OLI5/RPL5A and OLI7/RPL5B have critical roles in telomere length regulation. These three OLIGOCELLULA genes were also shown to function in cell proliferation and expansion control and to genetically interact with the transcriptional co-activator ANGUSTIFOLIA3 (AN3). Here we show that AN3-deficient plants progressively lose telomeric DNA in early homozygous mutant generations, but ultimately establish a new shorter telomere length setpoint by the fifth mutant generation with a telomere length similar to oli2/nop2a -deficient plants. Analysis of double an3 oli2 mutants indicates that the two genes are epistatic for telomere length control. Telomere shortening in an3 and oli mutants is not caused by telomerase inhibition; wild type levels of telomerase activity are detected in all analyzed mutants in vitro. Late generations of an3 and oli mutants are prone to stem cell damage in the root apical meristem, implying that genes regulating telomere length may have conserved functional roles in stem cell maintenance mechanisms. Multiple instances of anaphase fusions in late generations of oli5 and oli7 mutants were observed, highlighting an unexpected effect of ribosome biogenesis factors on chromosome integrity. Overall, our data implicate AN3 transcription coactivator and OLIGOCELLULA proteins in the establishment of telomere length set point in plants and further suggest that multiple regulators with pleiotropic functions can connect telomere biology with cell proliferation and cell expansion pathways.
Disseminated Talaromyces Marneffei Infection associated with Hemophagocytic Syndrome in a HIV-Negative Patient in Northern China: a case report
Authors: Yang Hui , Liu Ming , Xu Nannan , Yang Lulu , Wen Sai , Wang Shanshan , Qu Chunmei , Xu Ke , Sun Enhua , Cui Wen , Liu Hui , Wang Gang
Published: October 2023

Background: Talaromyces marneffei is endemic in eastern India, southeast Asia, and Guangdong and Guangxi province in China. It’s more common in immunocompromised individuals, especially in HIV patients.
Case presentation: A 66-year-old male who had a history of hypertension resided in Shandong Province (Northern China) was admitted for recurrent fever for one month. The patient suffered recurrent fever, multiple lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, back rash, progressive decrease in white blood cells and platelets. Talaromyces marneffei were cultured in peripheral blood and bone marrow after admission, and a suspected fungal structure was found in lymph node pathology. The patient's infection secondary to hemophagocytic syndrome continued to worsen despite antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and symptomatic treatment, leading to death due to multiple organ failure.
Conclusion:Although rare, infections due to Talaromyces marneffei in HIV-negative patients are increasing in recent years and we should be vigilant against "new" infections in nonendemic areas.
Plasmalogens and Octanoylcarnitine Serve as Early Warnings for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
Authors: Wang Chuansen , Li Yi , Feng Jiaqing , Liu Hang , Wang Yuedan , Wan Yuwei , Zheng Mengxue , Li Xuejie , Chen Ting , Xiao Xuan
Published: October 2023

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a kind of ophthalmic emergency which may cause loss of functional visual acuity. However, the limited treatment options emphasize the significance of early disease prevention. Metabolomics has the potential to be a powerful tool for early identification of individuals at risk of CRAO. In our study, we compared the levels of metabolites in arterial and venous samples collected from patients with acute CRAO and control patients. Our aim was to identify potential biomarkers for CRAO by comparing venous difference between CRAO patients and controls and arteriovenous difference between CRAO patients. The comprehensive analysis of metabolites showed that PC(P-18:0/22:6(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)), PC(P-18:0/20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)) and octanoylcarnitine were strongly correlated with CRAO. We compared the predictive performance of the clinical parameter model with combined model. The prediction efficiency of the mixed model was significantly better with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.815. Other evaluations of combined models have also shown their superiority. These results underscored the potency of these three substances as robust predictors of CRAO occurrence. Trial registration number: WDRY2022-K278, date of registration: November 30, 2022.
Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations and Health Risk Assessment of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and SO 2 in Tehran Metropolis, Iran
Authors: Ahmadian Fahimeh , Rajabi Saeed , Azhdarpoor Abooalfazl
Published: October 2023

This study assessed seasonal and annual variations as well as the health risks associated with exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in the ambient air of Tehran from 2019 to 2021. The findings revealed that the average annual concentration of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 varied from 28.24 to 32.34 µg/m3, 69.57 to 82.22 µg/m3, and 14.94 to 17.98 µg/m3, respectively. The amounts of PM2.5 and SO2 were the greatest in the west and southwest, while PM10 was the most abundant in the east and northeast which were above WHO guidelines. In exposure duration scenarios of 8 and 12 hours, the mean hazard quotient (HQ) for PM2.5 and PM10 was >1, suggesting an unacceptable risk to human health. There was no risk to human health according to the mean HQ for SO2 at all exposure periods of 3, 8, and 12 hours. Further evidence that exposure time plays a significant part in health hazards was provided by the fact that the mean HQ values of exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 in exposure times of 3 hours were both <1. The Sobol sensitivity analysis revealed that the PM2.5 concentration in HQ was the most sensitive indicator of the populace.
Reduced belowground allocation of freshly assimilated C contributes to negative plant-soil feedback in successive winter wheat rotations
Authors: Kaloterakis Nikolaos , Kummer Sirgit , Gall Samuel Le , Rothfuss Youri , Reichel Rüdiger , Brüggemann Nicolas
Published: October 2023

Aims
Successively grown winter wheat (WW) is associated with yield reduction, often attributed to the unfavorable soil microbes that persist in the soil through plant residues. How rotational positions of WW affect the allocation of freshly assimilated carbon (C) above and belowground remains largely unknown.
Methods
A 13CO2 pulse labeling rhizotron experiment was conducted in the greenhouse. WW was grown in soil after oilseed rape (W1), after one season of WW (W2), and after three successive seasons of WW (W4). We used an automatic manifold system to measure the δ13C of soil CO2 at six depths and five different dates. δ13C was measured in the dissolved organic C (DOC), microbial and plant biomass pools.
Results
Rotational position strongly influenced the root-derived C. Higher δ13C was found in the soil CO2 of W1 compared to W4, especially in the topsoil during the late growth stage. Higher DOC and microbial δ13C was traced in W1 and W4 compared to W2. The WW biomass was more enriched in 13C in W1 compared to W2 and W4.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates a potential mechanism through which the rotational position of WW can affect the allocation of freshly fixed C above and belowground.
Feasibility and safety of EGFR-TKI neoadjuvant therapy for EGFR-mutated NSCLC: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Zhuchen , Xu Fei , Zou Juntao
Published: October 2023

Background
The role of neoadjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeted therapy for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. Previous studies have shown that EGFR-TKIs have excellent anti-tumor activity. However, almost all studies on neoadjuvant EGFR-TKI treatment for EGFR-mutated NSCLC have been non-randomized controlled trials with small sample sizes and different methods of statistical analysis, which may lead to a lack of valid metrics to assess the feasibility and safety of neoadjuvant EGFR-TKI treatment. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant EGFR-TKI treatment for NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations.
Methods
Relevant studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Results including objective response rate (ORR), complete resection rate (R0), downstaging rate, pathological complete response (PCR), major pathological response (MPR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were used for further analysis.
Results
This meta-analysis ultimately included 11 studies involving 344 patients with EGFR-positive mutations in NSCLC. In terms of tumor response, the pooled ORR was 57% (95% CI: 42–73%), and in the Osimertinib subgroup, the pooled ORR was 80% (95% CI: 63–98%). Analysis of studies that reported a downstaging rate showed the pooled downstaging rate of 41% (95% CI: 9–74%) and the pooled downstaging rate of 74% (95% CI: 22–100%) in the Osimertinib subgroup. In terms of surgical outcomes, the pooled pCR rate was 3% (95% CI: 0–7%), the pooled MPR rate was 11% (95% CI: 6–17%), and the pooled R0 resection rate was 91% (95% CI: 85–95%). The most common adverse events associated with neoadjuvant therapy were rash and diarrhea. The pooled incidence of any grade of rash was 47.1% (95% CI: 25.4–69.3%), and the pooled incidence of grade ≥ 3 rash was 0.6% (95% CI: 0.0–2.5%). The pooled incidence of diarrhea of any grade was 28.8% (95% CI: 14.4–45.4%), with the pooled incidence of grade ≥ 3 diarrhea of 0.2% (95% CI: 0.0–1.6%). The pooled incidence of ≥ grade 3 adverse events was significantly lower.
Conclusions
Our meta-analysis confirmed the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant EGFR-TKIs for the treatment of NSCLC patients with EGFR-positive mutations and that third-generation EGFR-TKIs were superior to first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs in terms of shrinking tumor volume and lowering tumor stage; however, future large-scale and multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this conclusion.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO CRD42023466731.
Wearable MEMS Pressure Sensor with Temperature compensation for Diagnosing Neurological Disorders By Analyzing Spine configuration
Authors: Biswas Sonali , Biswas Moushumi , Guha Koushik
Published: October 2023

MEMS Pressure sensors find wide applications in varied areas and it is a boon especially in Biomedical application. We know that there may be various changes in spine shape of an individual which depends upon the age group, the sleepware, the physical activity, acute injury, spine degeneration and postures in his day to day life. Any deviation in the spine shape from its natural erect position causes tension in the lower back muscles which leads to muscle fatigue and strain in a very short time. This abnormal spinal configuration may give rise to several neurological disorders. Diagnosis of the disorder is a must to arrest the problem from further degradation and proper medical intervention at the earliest. This paper proposes a High performance wearable piezoresistive pressure sensor which can measure the slightest deviation of the spine by measuring the strain developed in the lower back muscle. As piezoresistors are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations a scheme is proposed for temperature compensation of this sensor. Any pressure above 20mm Hg may be responsible for several neurodegenerative diseases hence requires early diagnosis which can both alert and prevent one from several neurological disorders. The pressure sensing for minimum misalignment should be as low as 15mm of Hg or 1.59kPa to 30mm Hg or 10.6kPa which can cause ischemia or ulcer. The proposed sensor has range from 1kPa to 100kPa for early diagnosis of neurological disorders caused by spinal misalignment. The sensitivity is around 3.5mV/V/kPa.
Identification and screening apple endophytic bacteria applied at different times for biological control of Alternaria rot on apple in Turkey
Authors: Bektas Idris , Yazdıc Ferit Can , Kusek Mustafa
Published: October 2023

In this study, an isolate of Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of apple fruit rot, was isolated from rotten cv Amasya Apple and identified based on ITS gene analysis and morphological analyses. Out of 58 different endophytic bacteria isolated from internal tissues of apples, twenty-six isolates caused the radial growth inhibition of A. alternata in dual cultures. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, these endophytic antagonistic bacteria were identified as Bacillus ssp. Bacillus methylotrophicus(ib17) exhibited the highest significant inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of A. alternata at a rate of 79.45% under in vitro conditions. The in vivo analysis revealed that the biocontrol efficiency of the Bacillus licheniformis(ib20) against A. alternata reached 100% with a treatment duration of 24 h before the introduction of A. alternata. When the bacteria and A. alternata were introduced simultaneously, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens(ib1), Bacillus licheniformis(ib21), and Endophytic bacterium (ib16) showed the highest biocontrol effect against A. alternata at 81.8%. Moreover, when the bacteria introduced 24 h after A. alternata, Bacillus licheniformis(ib21) showed the highest biocontrol efficacy at 83.3% against the fungus compared to the controls. The endophytic bacteria could produce fungus cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes such as chitinase, cellulase, amylase, and protease. According to the results of this study, apple endophytic bacteria are a potential candidate to control apple rot caused by A. alternata due to cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes, as well as to reduce disease severity. However, further research needs to be carried out on the biochemical basis of their activity against A. alternata.