bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
METTL3 regulates N6-methyladenosine modification of ANGPTL3 mRNA and potentiates malignant progression of stomach adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Zhijin , Fu Jun , Zhang Yuhao , Qin Xianju , Wang Yuexia , Xing Chungen
Published: June 2023

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is associated with mammalian mRNA biogenesis, decay, translation and metabolism, and also contributes greatly to gastrointestinal tumor formation and development. Therefore, the specific mechanisms and signaling pathways mediated by methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), which catalyzes the formation of m6A chemical labeling in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), are still worth exploring.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was constructed to detect the expression of METTL3 in gastric cancer cell lines and patient tissues. The biological function of METTL3 was investigated in vitro/in vivo by Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation assay, Transwell assay and nude mouse tumorigenesis assay. Based on the LinkedOmics database, the genes co-expressed with METTL3 in the TCGA STAD cohort were analyzed to clarify the downstream targets of METTL3. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (MeRIP-qPCR) and RNA stability analysis were employed to explore the mechanism of METTL3 in gastric cancer progression.

Results

We analyzed TCGA data and found that METTL3 was frequently elevated in STAD, and demonstrated that METTL3 was present at high levels in clinical STAD tissues and cells. High METTL3 expression was more likely to have advanced TNM tumors and distant metastasis. On the other hand, METTL3 silencing effectively impeded the higher oncogenic capacity of AGS and HGC27 cells in vivo and in vitro, as reflected by slowed cell growth and diminished migration and invasion capacities. Continued mining of the TCGA dataset identified the co-expression of angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) and METTL3 in STAD. Lower level of ANGPTL3 was related to increased level of METTL3 in STAD samples and shorter survival times in STAD patients. ANGPTL3 enrichment limited the growth and metastasis of STAD cells. Besides, ANGPTL3 mRNA levels could be decreased by METTL3-dominated m6A modifications, a result derived from a combination of MeRIP-qPCR and RNA half-life experiments. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of METTL3 silencing on cancer could be reversed to some extent by ANGPTL3 inhibition.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings suggested that METTL3 functioned an oncogenic role in STAD by reducing ANGPTL3 expression in an m6A-dependent manner. The discovery of the METTL3-ANGPTL3 axis and its effect on STAD tumor growth will contribute to further studies on the mechanisms of gastric adenocarcinoma development.
Rapid urine screening for ethyl glucuronide from pregnant women as a tool for detecting prenatal alcohol exposure
Authors: Jolma Mirjami , Koivu-Jolma Mikko , Niemelä Onni , Autti-Rämö Ilona , Kahila Hanna
Published: June 2023

Background

An increasing prevalence of alcohol consumption is a major public health problem, which has also led to an increasing number of children who have been prenatally exposed to the toxic effects of ethanol. However, obtaining reliable information on prenatal alcohol exposure through maternal self-reports has proved difficult.

Aims

Our aim was to evaluate the potential for rapid screening test for measuring ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a specific alcohol metabolite, from urine samples of pregnant women.

Methods

Five hundred five urine samples of pregnant women were collected anonymously from five prenatal units in two Finnish cities: a tertiary specialist antenatal clinic for pregnant women with problematic substance use (HAL), a regular hospital antenatal clinic (LCH = Lahti Central Hospital), a prenatal screening unit and two community maternity clinics (USR = user self-recruiting units). All samples were screened using rapid EtG test strips, and all positive, uncertain, and randomly selected negative samples were confirmed by quantitative analyses. The samples were also screened for cotinine and use of cannabis.

Results

In this material an EtG cut-off of 300 ng/mL suggesting heavy alcohol drinking was exceeded by 7.4% (5/68) of the samples in the HAL clinic, 1.9% (4/202) in LCH, and 0.9% (2/225) in USR. A cut-off of 100 ng/mL was exceeded by 17.6% (12/68) of samples from HAL, 7.5% (16/212) from LCH, and 6.7% (15/225) from USR. Based on confirmatory quantitative analyses, there were no false negatives nor false positives in rapid EtG screening. However, 57 (11.3%) of test results were classified as uncertain. In these cases, confirmation by quantitative analyses resulted in 56.1% rate of positive values. 73% of the samples with EtG > 300 ng/mL showed positive cotinine results suggesting smoking co-occurring with alcohol intake.

Conclusions

Rapid EtG tests may be an easy and inexpensive method, which may improve the possibilities for screening alcohol use among pregnant women during routine prenatal visits. Quantitative EtG analyses are recommended to confirm screening positive and uncertain cases.

Trial registration

NCT04571463 Date of Registration 11/05/2020.
“Healthy immigrant effect” among individuals experiencing homelessness in Spain?: Foreign-born individuals had higher average age at death in 15-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Calvo Fran , Guillén Ana , Carbonell Xavier , Alfranca Rebeca , Beranuy Marta , Parés-Bayerri Alícia , Font-Mayolas Sílvia
Published: June 2023

Background

Individuals experiencing homelessness (IEHs) suffer from severe health inequities. Place of origin is linked to health and mortality of IEHs. In the general population the “healthy immigrant effect” provides a health advantage to foreign-born people. This phenomenon has not been sufficiently studied among the IEH population. The objectives are to study morbidity, mortality, and age at death among IEHs in Spain, paying special attention to their origin (Spanish-born or foreign-born) and to examine correlates and predictors of age at death.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study (observational study) of a 15-year period (2006–2020). We included 391 IEHs who had been attended at one of the city’s public mental health, substance use disorder, primary health, or specialized social services. Subsequently, we noted which subjects died during the study period and analyzed the variables related to their age at death. We compared the results based on origin (Spanish-born vs. foreign-born) and fitted a multiple linear regression model to the data to establish predictors of an earlier age at death.

Results

The mean age at death was 52.38 years. Spanish-born IEHs died on average almost nine years younger. The leading causes of death overall were suicide and drug-related disorders (cirrhosis, overdose, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]). The results of the linear regression showed that earlier death was linked to COPD (b = − 0.348), being Spanish-born (b = 0.324), substance use disorder [cocaine (b =-0.169), opiates (b =.-243), and alcohol (b =-0.199)], cardiovascular diseases (b = − 0.223), tuberculosis (b = − 0.163), high blood pressure (b =-0.203), criminal record (b =-0.167), and hepatitis C (b =-0.129). When we separated the causes of death for Spanish-born and foreign-born subjects, we found that the main predictors of death among Spanish-born IEHs were opiate use disorder (b =-0.675), COPD (b =-0.479), cocaine use disorder (b =-0.208), high blood pressure (b =-0.358), multiple drug use disorder (b =-0.365), cardiovascular disease (b =-0.306), dual pathology (b =-0.286), female gender (b =-0.181), personality disorder (b =-0.201), obesity (b =-0.123), tuberculosis (b =-0.120) and having a criminal record (b =-0.153). In contrast, the predictors of death among foreign-born IEHs were psychotic disorder (b =-0.134), tuberculosis (b =-0.132), and opiate (b =-0.119) or alcohol use disorder (b =-0.098).

Conclusions

IEHs die younger than the general population, often due to suicide and drug use. The healthy immigrant effect seems to hold in IEHs as well as in the general population.
Assessments of early patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis features after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ong Michael Tim-yun , Chi-wai Man Gene , He Xin , Yu Mingqian , Lau Lawrence Chun-man , Qiu Jihong , Wang Qianwen , Ho-pak Liu Jeremy , Chi-yin Choi Ben , Ng Jonathan Patrick , Shu-hang Yung Patrick
Published: June 2023

Background

Persistent anterior knee pain and subsequent patellofemoral joint (PFJ) osteoarthritis (OA) are common symptoms after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Quadriceps weakness and atrophy is also common after ACLR. This can be contributed by arthrogenic muscle inhibition and disuse, caused by joint swelling, pain, and inflammation after surgery. With quadriceps atrophy and weakness are associated with PFJ pain, this can cause further disuse exacerbating muscle atrophy. Herein, this study aims to identify early changes in musculoskeletal, functional and quality of health parameters for knee OA after 5 years of ACLR.

Methods

Patients treated with arthroscopically assisted single-bundle ACLR using hamstrings graft for more than 5 years were identified and recruited from our clinic registry. Those with persistent anterior knee pain were invited back for our follow-up study. For all participants, basic clinical demography and standard knee X-ray were taken. Likewise, clinical history, symptomatology, and physical examination were performed to confirm isolated PFJ pain. Outcome measures including leg quadriceps quality using ultrasound, functional performance using pressure mat and pain using self-reported questionnaires (KOOS, Kujala and IKDC) were assessed. Interobserver reproducibility was assessed by two reviewers.

Results

A total of 19 patients with unilateral injury who had undergone ACLR 5-years ago with persistent anterior knee pain participated in this present study. Toward the muscle quality, thinner vastus medialis and more stiffness in vastus lateralis were found in post-ACLR knees (p < 0.05). Functionally, patients with more anterior knee pain tended to shift more of their body weight towards the non-injured limb with increasing knee flexion. In accordance, rectus femoris muscle stiffness in the ACLR knee was significantly correlated with pain (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this study, it was found that patients having higher degree of anterior knee pain were associated with higher vastus medialis muscle stiffness and thinner vastus lateralis muscle thickness. Similarly, patients with more anterior knee pain tended to shift more of their body weight towards the non-injured limb leading to an abnormal PFJ loading. Taken together, this current study helped to indicate that persistent quadriceps muscle weakness is potential contributing factor to the early development of PFJ pain.
Determinants of dental care use in patients with rare diseases: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Friedlander Lisa , Berdal Ariane , Cormier-Daire Valérie , Lyonnet Stanislas , Garcelon Nicolas
Published: June 2023

Background

Oral health is an inherent part of overall health as an important physiological crossroad of functions such as mastication, swallowing or phonation; and plays a central role in the life of relationships facilitating social and emotional expression.Our hypothesis was that in patients with rare diseases, access to dental care could be difficult because of the lack of professionals who know the diseases and accept to treat the patients, but also because some patients with cognitive and intellectual disabilities could not find adequate infrastructure to assist in managing their oral health.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative descriptive design including semi-structured interviews using guiding themes. The transcripts were reviewed to identify key themes and interviews were performed until the data were saturated and no further themes emerged.

Results

Twenty-nine patients from 7 to 24 years old were included in the study of which 15 patients had an intellectual delay. The results show that access to care is complicated more by aspects concerning intellectual disability than by the fact that the disease is rare. Oral disorders are also an obstacle to the maintenance of their oral health.

Conclusion

The oral health of patients with rare diseases, can be greatly enhanced by a pooling of knowledge between health professionals in the various sectors around the patient’s care. It is essential that this becomes a focus of national public health action that promotes transdisciplinary care for the benefit of these patients.
Medical resident’s pursuing specialty and differences in clinical proficiency among medical residents in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Watari Takashi , Nishizaki Yuji , Houchens Nathan , Kataoka Koshi , Sakaguchi Kota , Shiraishi Yoshihiko , Shimizu Taro , Yamamoto Yu , Tokuda Yasuharu
Published: June 2023

Importance

Standardized examinations assess both learners and training programs within the medical training system in Japan. However, it is unknown if there is an association between clinical proficiency as assessed by the General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE) and pursuing specialty.

Objective

To determine the relative achievement of fundamental skills as assessed by the standardized GM-ITE based on pursuing career specialty among residents in the Japanese training system.

Design

Nationwide cross-sectional study.

Setting

Medical residents in Japan who attempted the GM-ITE in their first or second year were surveyed.

Participants

A total of 4,363 postgraduate years 1 and 2 residents who completed the GM-ITE were surveyed between January 18 and March 31, 2021.

Main measures

GM-ITE total scores and individual scores in each of four domains assessing clinical knowledge: 1) medical interview and professionalism, 2) symptomatology and clinical reasoning, 3) physical examination and treatment, and 4) detailed disease knowledge.

Results

When compared to the most pursued specialty, internal medicine, only those residents who chose general medicine achieved higher GM-ITE scores (coefficient 1.38, 95% CI 0.08 to 2.68, p = 0.038). Conversely, the nine specialties and “Other/Not decided” groups scored significantly lower. Higher scores were noted among residents entering general medicine, emergency medicine, and internal medicine and among those who trained in community hospitals with higher numbers of beds, were more advanced in their training, spent more time working and studying, and cared for a moderate but not an extreme number of patients at a time.

Conclusions

Levels of basic skill achievement differed depending on respective chosen future specialties among residents in Japan. Scores were higher among those pursuing careers in general medical fields and lower among those pursuing highly specialized careers. Residents in training programs devoid of specialty-specific competition may not possess the same motivations as those in competitive systems.
Labor market costs for long-term family caregivers: the situation of caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury in Switzerland
Authors: Ruoss Monica , Brach Mirjam , Pacheco Barzallo Diana
Published: June 2023

Background

Family members are key in the provision of care to persons facing disability. To undertake the role as caregivers, they face many costs, being the setback in the labor market one of the most relevant.

Methods

We analyze comprehensive data from long-term family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Switzerland. Using information about their working situation before and after becoming caregivers, we estimated the reduction in working hours and the associated income loss.

Results

On average, family caregivers reduced their working hours by about 23% (8.4 h per week), which has a monetary value of CHF 970 per month (EUR 845). Women, older caregivers, and less educated caregivers have a much higher opportunity cost in the labor market: CHF 995 (EUR 867), CHF 1,070 (EUR 932), and CHF 1,137 (EUR 990) respectively. In contrast, family members who care for a person that works have a much lower impact on their working status, CHF 651 (EUR 567). Interestingly, the reduction in their working time is only a third of the extra work they face as caregivers.

Conclusion

Health and social systems rely on the unpaid work of family caregivers. To guarantee their long-term involvement, family caregivers need to be recognized for their work and potentially compensated. Without family caregivers, it is very unlikely societies can cope with the increasing need for care, as professional services are limited and expensive.
Difficulties experienced by health care professionals who performed home visits to screen for postpartum depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study in Japan
Authors: Furudate Aiko , Takahashi Kenzo , Kinjo Kentaro
Published: June 2023

Background

Postpartum depression is a risk factor for suicide and maltreatment of children, and its early detection and appropriate intervention are issues to be resolved. In Japan, local governments are working to detect postpartum depression early by conducting home visits to families with infants within 4 months postpartum, but home-visit professionals have faced new difficulties due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that started in 2020. The purpose of this study was to clarify the difficulties experienced by health care professionals who perform home visits to screen for postpartum depression.

Methods

Focus-group interviews were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic with health care professionals (n = 13) who make postpartum home visits to families with infants within 4 months. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four main categories were identified that describe the difficulties experienced by health care professionals: “Lack of support for partners,” “Difficulty in talking face-to-face,” “Inability to offer family assistance,” and “Anxiety about being a source of infection.”

Conclusions

This study shed light on the difficulties faced by professionals in supporting mothers and children in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these difficulties were considered to have become apparent during the pandemic, the results may offer an important perspective for postpartum mental health support even after the pandemic ends. Accordingly, it may be necessary for these professionals to receive supported through multidisciplinary collaboration in order to improve postpartum care in the community.
Anopheles vector distribution and malaria transmission dynamics in Gbêkê region, central Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Koffi Alphonsine A. , Camara Soromane , Ahoua Alou Ludovic P. , Oumbouke Welbeck A. , Wolie Rosine Z. , Tia Innocent Z. , Sternberg Eleanore D. , Yapo Florent H. A. , Koffi Fernand M. , Assi Serge B. , Cook Jackie , Thomas Matthew B. , N’Guessan Raphael
Published: June 2023

Background

A better understanding of vector distribution and malaria transmission dynamics at a local scale is essential for implementing and evaluating effectiveness of vector control strategies. Through the data gathered in the framework of a cluster randomized controlled trial (CRT) evaluating the In2Care (Wageningen, Netherlands) Eave Tubes strategy, the distribution of the Anopheles vector, their biting behaviour and malaria transmission dynamics were investigated in Gbêkê region, central Côte d’Ivoire.

Methods

From May 2017 to April 2019, adult mosquitoes were collected monthly using human landing catches (HLC) in twenty villages in Gbêkê region. Mosquito species wereidentified morphologically. Monthly entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were estimated by combining the HLC data with mosquito sporozoite infection rates measured in a subset of Anopheles vectors using PCR. Finally, biting rate and EIR fluctuations were fit to local rainfall data to investigate the seasonal determinants of mosquito abundance and malaria transmission in this region.

Results

Overall, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles funestus, and Anopheles nili were the three vector complexes found infected in the Gbêkê region, but there was a variation in Anopheles vector composition between villages. Anopheles gambiae was the predominant malaria vector responsible for 84.8% of Plasmodium parasite transmission in the area. An unprotected individual living in Gbêkê region received an average of 260 [222–298], 43.5 [35.8–51.29] and 3.02 [1.96–4] infected bites per year from An. gambiae, An. funestus and An. nili, respectively. Vector abundance and malaria transmission dynamics varied significantly between seasons and the highest biting rate and EIRs occurred in the months of heavy rainfall. However, mosquitoes infected with malaria parasites remained present in the dry season, despite the low density of mosquito populations.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that the intensity of malaria transmission is extremely high in Gbêkê region, especially during the rainy season. The study highlights the risk factors of transmission that could negatively impact current interventions that target indoor control, as well as the urgent need for additional vector control tools to target the population of malaria vectors in Gbêkê region and reduce the burden of the disease.
Oral intake of titanium dioxide nanoparticles affect the course and prognosis of ulcerative colitis in mice: involvement of the ROS-TXNIP-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway
Authors: Duan Shumin , Wang Hongbo , Gao Yanjun , Wang Xiang , Lyu Lizhi , Wang Yun
Published: June 2023

Background

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), no matter in nanoscale or micron sizes, has been widely used in food industry as additives for decades. Given the potential impact of TiO2 on the gastrointestinal epithelial and parenchymal cells, including goblet cells, the public consumers may suffer the risk of diseases caused by its widespread dissemination in food products. We therefore set out to investigate the impact of TiO2 NPs on the course and prognosis of ulcerative colitis by oral gavaging TiO2 NPs at the doses levels of 0, 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg during the induction (7 days, from day 1 to day 7) and recovery (10 days, from day 8 to day 17) phases of colitis in mice.

Results

The ulcerative colitis (UC) disease model was established by administrating of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution. Our results show that TiO2 NPs significantly enhanced the severity of DSS-induced colitis, decreased the body weight, increased the disease activity index (DAI) and colonic mucosa damage index (CMDI) scores, shortened the colonic length, increased the inflammatory infiltration in the colon. The most significant changes occurred in the low dose (30 mg/kg) group of TiO2 NPs exposure during the development phase of UC and the high dose (300 mg/kg) group of TiO2 NPs during UC self-healing phase. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and upregulation of anti-oxidant enzymes including total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and catalase (CAT), demonstrate that the TiO2 NP exposure has triggered oxidative stress in mice. Moreover, the upregulation of caspase-1 mRNA and increased expression of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) further demonstrate the involvement of the ROS-TXNIP-NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway in aggravating the development of UC.

Conclusion

Oral intake of TiO2 NPs could affect the course of acute colitis in exacerbating the development of UC, prolonging the UC course and inhibiting UC recovery.

Graphical Abstract
ALOX5AP suppresses osteosarcoma progression via Wnt/β-catenin/EMT pathway and associates with clinical prognosis and immune infiltration
Authors: Han Guo-Dong , Dai Jian , Hui Hong-Xia , Zhu Jing
Published: June 2023

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in children and adolescents. Immune infiltration into the microenvironment of the tumor has a positive correlation with overall survival in patients with OS. The purpose of this study was to search for potential diagnostic markers that are involved in immune cell infiltration for OS. Patients with OS who acquired metastases within 5 years (n = 34) were compared to patients who did not develop metastases within 5 years (n = 19). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were tested for in both patient groups. To discover possible biomarkers, the LASSO regression model and the SVM–RFE analysis were both carried out. With the assistance of CIBERSORT, the compositional patterns of the 22 different types of immune cell fraction in OS were estimated. In this research, a total of 33 DEGs were obtained: 33 genes were significantly downregulated. Moreover, we identified six critical genes, including ALOX5AP, HLA-DOA, HLA-DMA, HLA-DRB4, HCLS1 and LOC647450. ROC assays confirmed their diagnostic value with AUC > 0.7. In addition, we found that the six critical genes were associated with immune infiltration. Then, we confirmed the expression of ALOX5AP was distinctly decreased in OS specimens and cell lines. High expression of ALOX5AP predicted an advanced clinical stage and overall survival of OS patients. Functionally, we found that overexpression of ALOX5AP distinctly suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT via modulating Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Overall, we found that ALOX5AP overexpression inhibits OS development via regulation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathways, suggesting ALOX5AP as a novel molecular biomarker for enhanced therapy of OS.
From Xiaoke to diabetes mellitus: a review of the research progress in traditional Chinese medicine for diabetes mellitus treatment
Authors: Meng Xianglong , Liu Xiaoqin , Tan Jiaying , Sheng Qi , Zhang Dingbang , Li Bin , Zhang Jia , Zhang Fayun , Chen Hongzhou , Cui Tao , Li Minghao , Zhang Shuosheng
Published: June 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insulin secretion defects or insulin resistance. The global incidence of DM has been gradually increasing due to improvements in living standards and changes in dietary habits, making it a major non-communicable disease that poses a significant threat to human health and life. The pathogenesis of DM remains incompletely understood till now, and current pharmacotherapeutic interventions are largely inadequate, resulting in relapses and severe adverse reactions. Although DM is not explicitly mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and clinical practice, it is often classified as “Xiaoke” due to similarities in etiology, pathogenesis, and symptoms. With its overall regulation, multiple targets, and personalized medication approach, TCM treatment can effectively alleviate the clinical manifestations of DM and prevent or treat its complications. Furthermore, TCM exhibits desirable therapeutic effects with minimal side effects and a favorable safety profile. This paper provides a comprehensive comparison and contrast of Xiaoke and DM by examining the involvement of TCM in their etiology, pathogenesis, treatment guidelines, and other relevant aspects based on classical literature and research reports. The current TCM experimental research on the treatment of DM by lowering blood glucose levels also be generalized. This innovative focus not only illuminates the role of TCM in DM treatment, but also underscores the potential of TCM in DM management.
Dietary intervention for children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Capra Maria Elena , Biasucci Giacomo , Crivellaro Elisa , Banderali Giuseppe , Pederiva Cristina
Published: June 2023

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a frequent genetic disorder characterised by high plasma levels of total and LDL-cholesterol and premature atherosclerosis. If left untreated, affected subjects have a high risk of cardiovascular disease, as they are exposed to very high levels of LDL-cholesterol from birth. Healthy dietary habits and lifestyle are the first treatment option and, if started from childhood, represent a milestone in the prevention of atherosclerotic disease, both as a starting point and in combination with drug therapy. In this work, based on the main consensus documents available so far, we have evaluated the most up-to-date indications of the dietetic-nutritional intervention for the treatment of FH, delving into the peculiar aspects of the diet of the child/adolescent affected by FH. After an analysis of the macro- and micronutrients and the most common dietary patterns currently recommended, we highlighted some practical aspects, some frequent errors and some risks we could fall into when dealing with paediatric nutritional treatment. In conclusion, the dietary intervention for the child/adolescent with FH is a complex task, that should be individualised and tailored taking into account, first of all, the nutritional adequacy for growth and development, but also the multiple aspects linked to the child/adolescent's age, tastes and preferences, the family they belong to, the socio-economic context and the Country they live in.
Screening and treating problematic substance use among patients in psychiatry – obstacles and solutions
Authors: Petersén Elisabeth , Berman Anne H
Published: June 2023

Objective

In Sweden, national guidelines recommend that all staff in the healthcare system systematically screen patients for alcohol use and illicit substance use. Where hazardous use is identified, it should be addressed as soon as possible, preferably through brief interventions (BI). Results from a previous national survey showed that most clinic directors stated that they had clear guidelines for screening alcohol use and illicit substance use, but that fewer staff than expected used screening in their work. This study aims to identify obstacles and solutions to screening and brief intervention, based on survey respondents’ free-text responses to open-ended questions.

Results

A qualitative content analysis yielded four codes: guidelines, continuing education, cooperation and resources. The codes indicated that staff would need (a) clearer routines in order to optimize compliance with the national guidelines; (b) more knowledge about how to treat patients with problematic substance use; (c) better cooperation between addiction care and psychiatry; and (d) increased resources to improve routines at their own clinic. We conclude that increased resources could contribute to better routines and cooperation, and provide increased opportunities for continuing education. This could increase guideline compliance and increase healthy behavior changes among patients in psychiatry with problematic substance use.
Two-stage hybrid genetic algorithm for robot cloud service selection
Authors: Yin Lei , Liu Jin , Fang Yadong , Gao Ming , Li Ming , Zhou Fengyu
Published: June 2023

Robot cloud service platform is a combination of cloud computing and robotics, providing intelligent cloud services for many robots. However, to select a cloud service that satisfys the robot’s requirements from the massive services with different QoS indicator in the cloud platform is an NP hard problem. In this paper, based on the cost model between the cloud platform, cloud services and cloud service robotics, we propose a two-stage service selection strategy, namely, candidate services selection stage according to the specific QoS requirements of service robots and final cost optimization stage. Additionally, with respect to optimizing the final cost for the model, we propose a Dynamic Vector Hybrid Genetic Algorithm (DVHGA) that is integrated with local and global search process as well as a three-phase parameter updating policy. Specifically, inspired by momentum optimization in deep learning, dynamic vector is integrated with DVHGA to modify the weights of QoS and ensure the reasonable allocation of resources. Moreover, we suggest a linear evaluation method for the service robots and the cloud platform concerning time and final cost at the same time, which could be expected to be used in the real application environment. Finally, the empirical results demonstrate that the proposed DVHGA outperforms other benchmark algorithms, i.e., DABC, ESWOA, GA, PGA and GA-PSO, in convergence rate, total final cost and evaluation score.
HGAT: smart contract vulnerability detection method based on hierarchical graph attention network
Authors: Ma Chuang , Liu Shuaiwu , Xu Guangxia
Published: June 2023

With the widespread use of blockchain, more and more smart contracts are being deployed, and their internal logic is getting more and more sophisticated. Due to the large false positive rate and low detection accuracy of most current detection methods, which heavily rely on already established detection criteria, certain smart contracts additionally call for human secondary detection, resulting in low detection efficiency. In this study, we propose HGAT, a hierarchical graph attention network-based detection model, in order to address the aforementioned issues as well as the shortcomings of current smart contract vulnerability detection approaches. First, using Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) and Control Flow Graph, the functions in the smart contract are abstracted into code graphs (CFG). Then abstract each node in the code subgraph, extract the node features, utilize the graph attention mechanism GAT, splice the obtained vectors to form the features of each line of statements and use these features to detect smart contracts. To create test data and assess HGAT, we leverage the open-source smart contract vulnerability sample dataset. The findings of the experiment indicate that this method can identify smart contract vulnerabilities more quickly and precisely than other detection techniques.
Detection and genetic characterization of enteric viruses in diarrhoea outbreaks from swine farms in Spain
Authors: Puente Héctor , Arguello Héctor , Cortey Martí , Gómez-García Manuel , Mencía-Ares Oscar , Pérez-Perez Lucía , Díaz Ivan , Carvajal Ana
Published: June 2023

Background

The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and distribution of Porcine astrovirus (PAstV), Porcine kobuvirus (PKoV), Porcine torovirus (PToV), Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) and Porcine mastadenovirus (PAdV) as well as their association with widely recognized virus that cause diarrhoea in swine such as coronavirus (CoVs) and rotavirus (RVs) in diarrhoea outbreaks from Spanish swine farms. Furthermore, a selection of the viral strains was genetically characterized.

Results

PAstV, PKoV, PToV, MRV and PAdV were frequently detected. Particularly, PAstV and PKoV were detected in almost 50% and 30% of the investigated farms, respectively, with an age-dependent distribution; PAstV was mainly detected in postweaning and fattening pigs, while PKoV was more frequent in sucking piglets. Viral co-infections were detected in almost half of the outbreaks, combining CoVs, RVs and the viruses studied, with a maximum of 5 different viral species reported in three investigated farms. Using a next generation sequencing approach, we obtained a total of 24 ARN viral genomes (> 90% genome sequence), characterizing for first time the full genome of circulating strains of PAstV2, PAstV4, PAstV5 and PToV on Spanish farms. Phylogenetic analyses showed that PAstV, PKoV and PToV from Spanish swine farms clustered together with isolates of the same viral species from neighboring pig producing countries.

Conclusions

Although further studies to evaluate the role of these enteric viruses in diarrhoea outbreaks are required, their wide distribution and frequent association in co-infections cannot be disregard. Hence, their inclusion into routine diagnostic panels for diarrhoea in swine should be considered.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Patients With Cancer and Immigration Background
Authors: Wu Alex , Wu Yunhong , Natarajan Vijaya , Singh Prabhsimranjot , Cheema Waseem , Hossain Rukhsana , Liu Christine , Mejia Yocasta , Oo Myoe Htet Htet , Valenzano Bina , Xu Yiqing
Published: June 2023

PURPOSE

Studies have shown that patients with cancer are more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) than noncancer patients for symptom relief and hope. We aimed to evaluate factors of race, ethnic groups, and immigration status in attitude of patients with cancer in seeking out CAM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a prospective questionnaire study where information on demographics, cancer information, race/ethnicity, immigration duration, and psychosocial factors was correlated with the CAM use in a community cancer center located in the borough of Brooklyn, at New York City.

RESULTS

Among 658 patients, the prevalence of CAM use was 66.11%. CAM use was 71.98% in females and 54.34% in males ( P = .113 × 10−4). Patients of African descent had higher CAM use (72.73%) than the White patients (63.53%; P = .0371). There was no difference of CAM use between the US born (68.77%) and the immigrants (63.98%, P = .199) as a whole; however, comparing with the US born (66.50%), Asian-born immigrants had lower CAM use (53.77%, P = .0161), whereas Latin-American born had a numerical trend toward higher CAM use (74.83%, P = .0608). The number of years of living in the United States was not associated with more CAM use. Prayer and spirituality was the most common CAM subtype used (25.91%). There was no difference in CAM use in the respective non-White ethnic groups whether they were US born or non-US born.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of patients with cancer enriched with immigration background, CAM use was the highest in African American patients. The use of CAM in the non-White patients was associated with their ethnic background, regardless whether they were US born or not. Cultural roots appeared to be a strong influencing factor for the usage of CAM.
Brazilian Landscape of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Fonseca Leonardo G. , Chen Andre T.C. , de Oliveira Irai S. , Chagas Aline L. , Kruger Jaime A.P. , Carrilho Flair J.
Published: June 2023

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is expected to increase in the coming years, and strategies to mitigate the burden of this disease are needed in different regions. Geographic variations in epidemiology and risk factors, such as viral hepatitis and metabolic disease, pose challenges in adopting programs for early detection programs and management of patients with HCC. Brazil, like other countries, has high economic and social inequality, with heterogeneous access to health care. Viral hepatitis is the main risk factor but there is growing awareness of fatty liver disease. Risk factor monitoring and screening programs are unmet priorities because patients are often diagnosed at later stages. Advances in the management of patients with HCC have been made in recent years, including new tools for selecting patients for liver transplantation, sophisticated surgical techniques, and new systemic agents. High-volume academic centers often achieve favorable results through the adoption and application of established treatments, but this is not a reality in most regions of Brazil, because of disparities in wealth and resources. As HCC management requires a coordinated and multidisciplinary team, the role of local referral centers in decentralizing access to treatments and promoting health education in different regions should be encouraged and supported.
What Ancient Egyptian Medicine Can Teach Us
Authors: Elsayad Khaled
Published: June 2023

Dr Elsayad describes his impressions regarding the medical and surgical procedures used for patients with cancer and reports on the oncologic cases from ancient Egyptian remains published in the literature.
Variant Tyr 394Ser in the GCM2 Gene Is Rare in a Cohort of Ashkenazi Jews With Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Tolkin Lior , Klein Vanessa , Frankel Meir , Altarescu Gheona , Beeri Rachel , Munter Gabriel
Published: June 2023

Context

Various genes have been associated with familial and sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), including activating mutations of the glial cells missing transcription factor 2 (GCM2) gene.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the GCM2 p.Tyr394Ser variant in the Jerusalem Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) population with PHPT, and to conclude whether routine genetic testing is justified.

Methods

The blood of 40 self-reported AJ patients with PHPT and 200 AJ controls was tested for the GCM2 p.Tyr394Ser variant. Demographic and medical information was extracted from the patients’ charts and evaluated accordingly.

Results

Two (5%) PHPT patients and 3 (1.5%) controls were heterozygotes for the tested variant. Our patients were mostly (87.5%) sporadic cases. One of the heterozygote patients had familial PHPT; the other had 2 parathyroid adenomas, and the levels of his blood and urinary calcium were extremely high.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that in AJ patients with sporadic, single-gland PHPT, the likelihood of the tested variant is low and genetic testing should be limited to those with familial PHPT or multiglandular disease.
Between Shine and Porosity
Authors: Musser Amber Jamilla
Published: June 2023

This article performs a close reading of an advertisement of Fenty Beauty's Body Lava featuring Rihanna in order to tease apart the imbrications of celebrity, sexuality, blackness, and labor by using an analytic of sweat. Since sweat is secreted by the body, this article is particularly interested in its relationship to enfleshment and what it tells us about the material aspects of black ecologies. Working through how and where sweat surfaces and doesn't in this image of Rihanna offers a way to unpack the utility of sweat as an analytic. Sweat offers insight into why shine connotes both work and sex while also giving us a way move beyond shine and toward sweating and the intimacies offered by porosity.
From Financialization to Derivative Fascisms
Authors: Haiven Max
Published: June 2023

The last forty years of financialization have laid the groundwork for a resurgence of fascist cultural politics. This article expands Hito Steyerl's notion of derivative fascism by placing it in dialogue with Enzo Traverso's theory of postfascism and Randy Martin's exploration of the sociality of the derivative. Such a conjunction allows us to gain a better understanding of how financialization encourages the transformation of social subjects in ways that lend themselves to fascistic dispositions. Far-right authoritarian actors and movements find sympathy and adherents among people who are expected to become competitive, creative, and self-interested risk takers but find themselves in a world where, for the vast majority, risks are proliferating and unmanageable. This approach can offer a useful supplement to other critical theorizations of the recent resurgence of fascist cultural politics that focus on race, gender, and the longer lineages of reactionary thought. In the first place, it helps us account for the particular financialized context for these cultural politics. Second, it helps us account for how they thrive on highly constrained and speculative forms of decentralized creative agency, entrepreneurship, and conviviality.
Introduction
Authors: Andrews John
Published: June 2023

John Andrews reflects on the life and work of Stanley Aronowitz.
Carrying It On
Authors: Chancer Lynn
Published: June 2023

Stanley Aronowitz was the author's professor in the PhD program in sociology at the City University of New York Graduate Center and influenced her intellectual development. This memorial essay presents reflections on the author's years working with Stanley as a student, and six ways that his influences were generalizable beyond, but also including, her particular experiences.
Reduction of hydrocarbon pollutants by hyacinth plants (Eichhornia crassipes)
Authors: Nedi Syahril , Effendi Irwan , Tanjung Afrizal , Elizal Elizal
Published: June 2023

Background: The application of phytoremediation by utilizing plants has been used to control oil pollution in waters. One of the plants that can act as a phytoremediator is the hyacinth because this plant can reduce various pollutants including petroleum hydrocarbons. This study aims to study the reduction ability of petroleum hydrocarbons at different concentrations including improving water quality.

Methods: This study consisted of one treatment (petroleum hydrocarbon) consisting of five factors with three replicates. The treatments consisted of 10 ppm (E1), 30 ppm (E2), 50 ppm (E3), 70 ppm (E4), 90 ppm (E5), and (E0) without aquatic plants as controls. The treatments were observed daily and measured from the first day (D-1), the seventh day (D-7), and the 14th day (D-14). The water quality in each treatment was also measured, such as water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen.

Results: The results showed that the hyacinth plant was able to reduce hydrocarbon in terms of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) by 79% while it was only between 17–27% naturally without the hyacinth. The reduction of TPH in the water was in line with the decrease of chlorophyll in the leaves of hyacinths, and it was followed by the increase of dissolved oxygen in the water media.

Conclusions: In conclusion, hyacinths can reduce petroleum hydrocarbons and they can improve the water quality as well.
Ontologies in digital twin: Methodology, lessons learned and practical approach
Authors: Mikołajczyk Agnieszka , García-Castro Raúl , Tomar Rahul , Khan Rehan , Teclaw Wojciech , Fies Bruno , Schlenger Jonas
Published: June 2023

This article is a result of joint workshop which took place during Sustainable Places 2022 conference in Niece, France, and was co-organized by the Building Digital Twin Association (BDTA) and six EU-funded projects that have developed a construction-phase digital-twin data model, and their ontological representation, which is capable of capturing all data requirements for the digital representation of building and/or infrastructure construction sites. Four of the EU-funded projects participating in the event contribute to this Open Letter which aims to highlight the relevance of ontology in the digital twin environment, and the approach by the different EU-funded projects. All four LC-008-EEB funded projects contributing to this article (BIMprove, COGITO, ASHVIN and BIM2TWIN), agreed on joining forces for raising awareness around Digital Building Twins and its impact in the construction industry. Their primary aim is to share knowledge, experiences and research outcomes with other stakeholders and communities around the EU and beyond, via online communication like webinars, newsletters, social media channels and scientific or technical articles. This initiative aims at delivering the wide range of digital tools for the construction sector needed on the European market and to raise awareness about the benefits coming from their use.
Effect of demographic and clinical factors on depression self-efficacy
Authors: Jones Kaylin , McCorkle Cedi , Muñoz Ricardo F , Leykin Yan
Published: June 2023

Aim of the study

For individuals with depression, depression self-efficacy is important. This study sought to understand the factors that are associated with depression self-efficacy.

Subject or material and methods

Participants (N = 275) in a trial of an internet-based depression intervention completed the Depression Self-Efficacy Questionnaire [1].

Results

A 3-way (gender * treatment experience * family history of depression) interaction predicted depression self-efficacy. Women with treatment experience reported significantly lower self-efficacy scores compared to those without treatment experience. For men, however, family history of depression moderated the relationship between past treatment experience and self-efficacy. Thus, among men with family history of depression, those without prior treatment experience had the highest depression self-efficacy scores and those with prior treatment experience – the lowest, but this pattern was not observed in men with unknown or no family history of depression.

Discussion

Self-efficacy of depression appears to vary based on gender, past treatment experience, and the individuals’ family history of depression, and for some individuals, past treatment experience may be associated with reduced self-efficacy.

Conclusions

Findings suggest possible targets for intervention aiming at increasing depression self-efficacy.