bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conflictos socioterritoriales en el Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, México: un acercamiento desde las redes de confianza
Authors: Nucamendi Méndez Andry Yanarel , Bringas-Rábago Nora L , Verduzco Chávez Basilio
Published: November 2023

This article analyzes, from a relational perspective, interactions between participants of various trust networks and explains their role in preserving the agricultural and rural profile of Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California and its consolidation as the most important wine region in Mexico. Semi-structured interviews and newspaper content analysis were used to study various land use conflicts recorded between 2000 and 2020. Contention scenarios, action repertoires, and outcomes of previous experiences were identified. The results show a diversity of trust networks using a diverse set of mechanisms ranging from participatory innovation to patronage and discretionary appropriation. As the valley has become the country's leading wine tourism destination, these networks have made progress in conflict resolution and land protection, but still face emerging tensions due to tourism and real estate development.
KOMUNIKASI ANGGOTA KELUARGA UNTUK PENGASUHAN ANAK CEREBRAL PALSY
Authors: Tambunan Resman Muharul , Lubis Djuara P , Puspitawati Herien , Muljono Pudji
Published: November 2023

Pengaruh komunikasi anggota keluarga untuk pengasuhan anak cerebral palsy terdiri dari : pengaruh proses interaksi terhadap interaksi; pengaruh tindakan dukungan terhadap dukungan sosial; pengaruh komunikasi anggota terhadap komunikasi konvergen; pengaruh kesepakatan pengasuhan terhadap kualitas hidup orang tua; pengaruh orang tua terhadap anak; Pengaruh dukungan sosial terhadap kualitas hidup anak; Pengaruh interaksi terhadap hubungan komunikasi; Pengaruh hubungan komunikasi terhadap komunikasi konvergen; pengaruh komunikasi anggota keluarga terhadap proses interaksi; pengaruh orang tua terhadap anggota keluarga; pengaruh dukungan sosial terhadap komunikasi anggota keluarga; pengaruh komunikasi konvergen terhadap kesepakatan pengasuhan. Komunikasi anggota keluarga  disukai oleh anak Cerebral Palsy  yaitu kakak perempuan sedangkan tidak disukai oleh anak cerebral palsy adalah om atau bibi. Pengasuhan anak cerebral palsy paling sering dilakukan oleh angggota keluarga untuk kategori Cerebral palsy ringan dan Berat diasuh oleh Kakek-nenek; kemudian kategori Cerebral palsy sedang diasuh oleh kakak perempuannya sedangkan anggota keluarga yang jarang mengasuh diseluruh kategori Cerebral Palsy adalah Om-bibi.
“Respect the Stick!”
Authors: Ratia Katri
Published: November 2023

Rainbow Gatherings are one of the earliest forerunners of transformative events, with a history spanning five decades. These noncommercial, cocreated, and inclusive meetings have a global spread, offering radical alternatives to social organization and political processes. This essay examines the alternative political model of Rainbow Gatherings through the lens of material culture studies. The analysis follows an object biography of the ritual artifact known as the Talking Stick, central to Rainbow’s political practices, and explores the meaning of the object in material, symbolic, and instrumental senses. Drawing on ethnographic field work at fourteen Rainbow Gatherings across Europe, the essay concludes that organizational models contribute to the transformational potential of events.
Factors associated with perinatal substance use among Ethiopian women: an institutional-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Seid Jemal , Mohammed Emam , Muktar Yimer
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Substance use during the perinatal period is a significant public health concern, as it can have potential adverse effects on maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Unexpectedly, no previous studies have been conducted to assess the prevalence of substance use during the perinatal period among Ethiopian women. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of substance use and its determinant factors during the perinatal period.

Method: We conducted a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study among a systematically selected sample of 418 women who attended perinatal care between May and July 2022. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, with a 95% confidence interval and p-values less than 0.05, was employed to identify factors associated with substance use behavior.

Result: The prevalence of perinatal substance use was found to be 38.3% (95% CI: 33.5–43.5). Of the women who used substances, 109 (26.1%) reported using chat, 46 (11.0%) reported alcohol consumption, and 5 (1.20%) reported using shisha. Factors significantly associated with substance use behavior during the perinatal period included a history of obstetric complications (AOR = 1.722, 95% CI: 1.022–2.902), the presence of chronic medical conditions (AOR = 3.784, 95% CI: 2.164–6.615), experiencing physical abuse (AOR = 5.323, 95% CI: 2.171–13.050), depression (AOR = 1.963, 95% CI: 1.028–3.749), and experiencing sleep disturbances (AOR = 2.016, 95% CI: 0.975–4.168). Conversely, giving birth to a live baby was found to be a protective factor against substance use behavior (AOR = 0.389, 95% CI: 0.187–0.810).

Discussion: This study highlights a high prevalence of substance abuse among women during the perinatal period. In light of these findings, a comprehensive approach is recommended to address perinatal substance use among Ethiopian women. This should include the integration of preventive educational programs into perinatal care.
A review of platelet-rich plasma for enteric fistula management
Authors: Liang Shuang , Zheng Zhiqiang , Li Yaxin , Yang Yuanming , Qin Lifeng , Zhao Zhen , Wang Licun , Wang Haiyan
Published: November 2023

Enteric fistula (EF), a serious complication after abdominal surgery, refers to unnatural communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin or other hollow organs. It is associated with infection, massive fluid/electrolyte loss, and malnutrition, resulting in an unhealed course. Despite advances in surgical techniques, wound care, infection control, and nutritional support, EF remains associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing elevated platelet concentrations has been proposed to promote healing in many tissues. However, the mechanism of action of PRP in EF treatment remains unclear owing to its complicated clinical manifestations. In this review, we summarized the clinical approaches, outlined the principal cytokines involved in the healing effects, and discussed the advantages of PRP for EF therapy. In addition, we defined the mechanism of autologous PRP in EF management, which is essential for further developing EF therapies.
Statistical assessment of the wave loads at walls through two-phase CFD modeling of the effects of air compressibility
Authors: Formentin Sara Mizar , Palma Giuseppina , Alcérreca Huerta Juan Carlos , Zanuttigh Barbara
Published: November 2023

The modeling of wave impacts against coastal structures requires the analysis of hundreds or thousands of waves to be statistically meaningful. Long irregular wave attacks, when affordable, can be performed experimentally, but may be inadequate to track the air entrapment and account for air compressibility, which, instead, plays a key role in the wave impacts. On the other hand, long simulations are generally avoided in numerical modeling for computational effort and numerical stability reasons, even more so when two-phase flows and air compressibility are involved. In such a context, this paper presents, for the first time, the application of a plug-in suite developed in the OpenFOAM® environment to the representation of long time series of irregular waves impacting against coastal defenses while solving two compressible fluids. To this purpose, such a plug-in compressible suite was applied to reproduce recent 2D experiments of wave overtopping and wave impacts at smooth dikes with crown walls. The numerical stability of the compressible solver and its adequacy to accurately reproduce the wave reflection and the wave overtopping are first verified by comparing the numerical results with the laboratory tests. Second, the improved representation of the wave pressures and wave forces at the walls obtained with the plug-in compressible suite is shown by comparing its results with the corresponding ones obtained with the incompressible solver. Specifically, the plug-in suite—accounting for the effects of the air compressibility during the impact events—outperforms the incompressible native solver in the capture of the pressure peaks, in the reproduction of the time–pressure trace, and in the statistical analysis of the pressure distribution along the crown wall.
Bacterial infection and microbiota in carcinogenesis and tumor development
Authors: Li Qiao
Published: November 2023

Microbiota colonize exposed body tissues (e.g., gastrointestinal tract, skin, lungs, female genital tract, and urogenital tracts) and unexposed sites (e.g., breast). Persistent bacterial infection in the host lead to the development of multiple disease. They are implicated in the pathogenesis of various complex diseases, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and malignant diseases. Amounting studies have demonstrated the role of bacterial infection in carcinogenesis. The study of microbiota in tumorigenesis is primarily focused on lung cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC), breast cancer, gastric cancer, and gynecologic tumors, and so on. Infection of Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer carcinogenesis is recognized as class I carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) decades ago. The role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in the development of colorectal cancer is extensively investigated. Variable bacteria have been cultured from the tumor tissues. The identification of microbiota in multiple tumor tissues reveal that bacterial infection and microbiota are associated with tumor development. The microbiota affects multiple aspects of carcinogenesis and tumor development, including favoring epithelial cells proliferation, establishing inflammatory microenvironment, promoting metastasis, and causing resistance to therapy. On the other hand, microbiota can shape a tumor surveillance environment by enhancing cell activity, and sensitize the tumor cells to immune therapy. In the present review, the roles of microbiota in multiple malignancies are summarized, and unraveling the mechanisms of host-microbiota interactions can contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between microbiota and host cells, also the development of potential anti-tumor therapeutic strategies.
The effects of volatile anesthetics and propofol in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Chenghong , He Changlin , Chen Zhengwei , Chen Xin , Qin Junjun , Xu Yuhui , Ma Jiasen
Published: November 2023

Background

Studies investigating the cardioprotective effect of volatile anesthetics on cardiac troponins in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) surgery remain controversial. This current study was conducted to systematically evaluate the impact of volatile anesthetics and propofol on patients undergoing OPCAB surgery.

Methods

A computerized search of electronic databases was conducted up to July 21, 2023, to identify relevant studies using appropriate search terms. The primary outcomes of interest were the levels of myocardial injury biomarkers (e.g., cTnI, cTnT), while secondary outcomes included extubation time, length of ICU stay, 30-day mortality, transfusion and thrombosis, and postoperative recovery, which were compared between two anesthesia techniques.

Results

A search of databases produced 14 relevant studies with a combined total of 703 patients. Among them, 355 were allocated to the volatile anesthetics group and 348 to the propofol group. Our study reveals a statistically significant reduction in myocardial injury biomarkers among patients who received volatile anesthetics compared to those who received propofol (P < .001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients using sevoflurane had lower postoperative cardiac troponins levels compared to propofol (P = .01). However, desflurane and isoflurane currently have no significant advantage over propofol (all P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay, and mortality between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study suggested that volatile anesthetics, specifically sevoflurane, in adult OPCAB surgery provide a better cardioprotective effect than propofol.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO (CRD42023444277).
An ensemble based approach for the effect of climate change on the dynamics of extremes
Authors: Herein Mátyás , Jánosi Dániel , Tél Tamás
Published: November 2023

In view of the growing importance of climate ensemble simulations, we propose an ensemble approach for following the dynamics of extremes in the presence of climate change. A strict analog of extreme events, a concept based on single time series and local observations, cannot be found. To study nevertheless typical properties over an ensemble, in particular if global variables are of interest, a novel, statistical approach is used, based on a zooming in into the ensemble. To this end, additional, small sub-ensembles are generated, small in the sense that the initial separation between the members is very small in the investigated variables. Plume diagrams initiated on the same day of a year are generated from these sub-ensembles. The trajectories within the plume diagram strongly deviate on the time scale of a few weeks. By defining the extreme deviation as the difference between the maximum and minimum values of a quantity in a plume diagram, i.e., in a sub-ensemble, a growth rate for the extreme deviation can be extracted. An average of these taken over the original ensemble (i.e., over all sub-ensembles) characterizes the typical, exponential growth rate of extremes, and the reciprocal of this can be considered the characteristic time of the emergence of extremes. Using a climate model of intermediate complexity, these are found to be on the order of a few days, with some difference between the global mean surface temperature and pressure. Measuring the extreme emergence time in several years along the last century, results for the temperature turn out to be roughly constant, while a pronounced decaying trend is found in the last decades for the pressure.
Exploring the psychometric properties of the French revised test anxiety + regulatory scale in Swiss secondary school students
Authors: Valls Marjorie
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Although test anxiety had traditionally been conceptualized as composed of negative dimensions, the French Revised Test Anxiety + Regulatory scale (FRTA + R) includes a noteworthy positive dimension which represents the regulatory component of anxiety. Perceived control is thus supposed to reflect a potential coping capacity.

Method

This study investigates the psychometric properties of the FRTA + R using confirmatory factor analysis, as well as its reliability and invariance across gender and grade levels in a sample of 259 secondary school students from a French-speaking canton of Switzerland (Mage = 13.51, SD = 1.05; 51% girls). The aim is also to identify test anxiety profiles using cluster analysis.

Results

The main findings support the five-factor structure of FRTA + R (CFI = 0.97; TLI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.047) and confirm invariance across gender and grade levels at both configural, metric, and scalar levels. While the reliability of the scale is broadly supported, the test-irrelevant thinking factor presents relatively heterogeneous factor loadings, suggesting a possible lack of precision and stability. Findings from latent mean comparisons showed that girls reported higher levels on three dimensions (i.e., Bodily symptoms, Tension, and Worry) as well as lower levels of perceived control than boys, while 9th graders also reported higher levels on these three negative dimensions compared to 10th and 11th graders. A preferred 3-cluster solution was identified, corresponding to low (41% of whom 66% boys), medium (37% of whom 60% girls), and high (22% of whom 72% girls) levels of test anxiety.

Discussion

Although the pertinence of defining test-irrelevant thinking and perceived control as a full-fledged dimension of test anxiety is questioned, results contribute to the extensive body of research supporting gender differences and are also discussed in terms of practical implications and benefits of FRTA + R.
Loss and reliability analysis of various solid-state battery reconfiguration topologies
Authors: Yang Xu , Liu Zhicheng , Zhu Jin , Liu Pei , Wei Tongzhen
Published: November 2023

The research domain about the selection and design methodology of battery topology structures for energy storage systems, grounded in practical application scenarios, remains significantly underexplored. Furthermore, a substantial gap exists in the current state of research, where the majority of studies lack a comprehensive analysis of losses and reliability associated with reconfigurable battery topology structures. This paper quantitatively analyzes existing MOSFET-based topologies from three key dimensions: losses, costs, and reliability. The study aims to discern the impact of different topology structures and energy storage systems with redundant units on these three dimensions. Subsequently, while ensuring the adaptability of the topology structure, we propose a novel reconfigurable battery system topology suitable for DC microgrids, accompanied by its corresponding control strategy. Through comparative analysis with three typical topology structures, this topology structure has been validated to exhibit certain advantages in terms of losses, reliability, and costs. Lastly, the feasibility of the introduced topology structure is demonstrated through simulation using MATLAB/Simulink. Simulation results indicate that the proposed topology structure not only provides precise control of charge and discharge currents but also demonstrates excellent battery balancing capabilities.
The implementation and utility of clinical exome sequencing in a South African infant cohort
Authors: Campbell L. , Fredericks J. , Mathivha K. , Moshesh P. , Coovadia A. , Chirwa P. , Dillon B. , Ghoor A. , Lawrence D. , Nair L. , Mabaso N. , Mokwele D. , Novellie M. , Krause A. , Carstens N.
Published: November 2023

Genetic disorders are significant contributors to infant hospitalization and mortality globally. The early diagnosis of these conditions in infants remains a considerable challenge. Clinical exome sequencing (CES) has shown to be a successful tool for the early diagnosis of genetic conditions, however, its utility in African infant populations has not been investigated. The impact of the under-representation of African genomic data, the cost of testing, and genomic workforce shortages, need to be investigated and evidence-based implementation strategies accounting for locally available genetics expertise and diagnostic infrastructure need to be developed. We evaluated the diagnostic utility of singleton CES in a cohort of 32 ill, South African infants from two State hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa. We analysed the data using a series of filtering approaches, including a curated virtual gene panel consisting of genes implicated in neonatal-and early childhood-onset conditions and genes with known founder and common variants in African populations. We reported a diagnostic yield of 22% and identified seven pathogenic variants in the NPHS1, COL2A1, OCRL, SHOC2, TPRV4, MTM1 and STAC3 genes. This study demonstrates the utility value of CES in the South African State healthcare setting, providing a diagnosis to patients who would otherwise not receive one and allowing for directed management. We anticipate an increase in the diagnostic yield of our workflow with further refinement of the study inclusion criteria. This study highlights important considerations for the implementation of genomic medicine in under-resourced settings and in under-represented African populations where variant interpretation remains a challenge.
The role of post-transcriptional regulation in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenicity
Authors: Wang Xuan , Chang Zecheng , Zhao Tingting , Zhong Weiyao , Shi Jingwei , Wang Guoqing , Xu Xuesong
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has had a significant impact on global social and economic stability. To combat this, researchers have turned to omics approaches, particularly epitranscriptomics, to limit infection and develop effective therapeutic strategies. Multi-omics can provide the host response dynamics during multiple disease phases to reveal the molecular and cellular landscapes. Epitranscriptomics focuses on the mechanisms of gene transcription in cells and tissues and the relationship between genetic material and epigenetic regulation. This review highlights the role of post-transcriptional regulation in SARS-CoV-2, which affect various processes such as virus infection, replication, immunogenicity, and pathogenicity. The review also explains the formation mechanism of post-transcriptional modifications and how they can be regulated to combat viral infection and pathogenicity.
Development of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate for leishmanial parasites applying immunoinformatics and in vitro approaches
Authors: Jyotisha  , Qureshi Rahila , Qureshi Insaf Ahmed
Published: November 2023

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease, and its severity necessitates the development of a potent and efficient vaccine for the disease; however, no human vaccine has yet been approved for clinical use. This study aims to design and evaluate a multi-epitope vaccine against the leishmanial parasite by utilizing helper T-lymphocyte (HTL), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), and linear B-lymphocyte (LBL) epitopes from membrane-bound acid phosphatase of Leishmania donovani (LdMAcP). The designed multi-epitope vaccine (LdMAPV) was highly antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic, with suitable physicochemical properties. The three-dimensional structure of LdMAPV was modeled and validated, succeeded by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) studies that confirmed the high binding affinity and stable interactions between human toll-like receptors and LdMAPV. In silico disulfide engineering provided improved stability to LdMAPV, whereas immune simulation displayed the induction of both immune responses, i.e., antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, with a rise in cytokines. Furthermore, LdMAPV sequence was codon optimized and cloned into the pET-28a vector, followed by its expression in a bacterial host. The recombinant protein was purified using affinity chromatography and subjected to determine its effect on cytotoxicity, cytokines, and nitric oxide generation by mammalian macrophages. Altogether, this report provides a multi-epitope vaccine candidate from a leishmanial protein participating in parasitic virulence that has shown its potency to be a promising vaccine candidate against leishmanial parasites.
Hypoxia mediates immune escape of pancreatic cancer cells by affecting miR-1275/AXIN2 in natural killer cells
Authors: Ou Zhenglin , Lu Yebin , Xu Dayong , Luo Zhen
Published: November 2023

Given the increasing incidence of pancreatic cancer and the low survival rate, the exploration of the complex tumor microenvironment and the development of novel treatment options is urgent. NK cells, known for their cytotoxic abilities and modulation of other immune cells, are vital in recognizing and killing cancer cells. However, hypoxic conditions in the tumor microenvironment have been found to impair NK cell functionality and contribute to tumor immune escape. Therefore, we aimed to uncover the mechanism through which hypoxia mediates the immune escape of pancreatic cancer cells, focusing on the influence of miR-1275/AXIN2 on NK cells. Using a combination of GEO dataset screening, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource 2.0 immunoscore screening, and the Cancer Genome Atlas data, we identified a correlation between miR-1275 and NK cells. The down-regulation of miR-1275 was associated with decreased NK cell activity and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Pathway analysis further linked miR-1275 expression with the hypoxic HIF1A pathway. In vitro experiments were conducted using the NK-92 cell, revealing that hypoxia significantly reduced miR-1275 expression and correspondingly decreased the cell-killing ability of NK cells. Upregulation of miR-1275 increased perforin, IFN-γ and TNF-α expression levels and enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity. Additionally, miR-1275 was found to bind to and inhibit AXIN2 expression, which when overexpressed, partially alleviated the promotive effect of upregulated miR-1275 on NK-92 cell killing ability. In conclusion, this research underscores the critical role of the miR-1275/AXIN2 axis in hypoxia-mediated immune escape in pancreatic cancer, thus opening new potential avenues for treatment strategies.
Profiling toxin genes and antibiotic resistance in Bacillus cereus isolated from pre-launch spacecraft
Authors: Mohammadi Barakatullah , Gorkina Natalia , Pérez-Reyes Marco Esteban , Smith Stephanie A.
Published: November 2023

Characterization of the microbiomes of pre-launch spacecraft in spacecraft assembly facilities is an important step in keeping crews healthy during journeys that can last several hundred days in small artificial environments in space. Bacillus cereus, a foodborne pathogenic bacterium, has the potential to be a significant source of food contamination in such environments. This bacterium is a spore-forming bacteria that resists different antimicrobial treatments in cleanrooms where spacecraft are assembled. This study evaluated 41 B. cereus isolates from four pre-launch spacecraft in spacecraft assembly facilities for their toxin gene profile and antibiotic resistance. Four enterotoxin genes (hlbC, cytK, nheA, and entFM) and two emetic toxin genes (ces and CER) were targeted for chromosomal DNA and plasmid DNA. Results showed 31.7, 7.3, 85, and 41.5% of isolates contained hblC, cytK, nheA, and entFM, respectively, in chromosomal or plasmid DNA. Overall, 37 isolates (90.2%) showed at least one enterotoxin gene. The emetic toxin gene, ces, was detected in the plasmid DNA of three isolates (7.3%). The antibiotic resistance of isolates was evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion procedure. All the isolates exhibited 100% susceptibility to gentamicin, 97% were susceptible to clindamycin, and 95% to chloramphenicol, imipenem, tetracycline, and vancomycin. The overall susceptibility average is 51%. However, 98% of the isolates were resistant to β-lactam antibiotics, 97.5% were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and 80% were resistant to rifampin. This study provides important information on B. cereus isolates from spacecraft assembly facilities for use in microbial monitoring programs of spacecraft.
A comparative NMR-based metabolomics study of lung parenchyma of severe COVID-19 patients
Authors: Hurtado Joaquín I. , López-Radcenco Andrés , Izquierdo-García José Luis , Rodríguez Fernando , Moyna Guillermo , Greif Gonzalo , Nin Nicolás
Published: November 2023

COVID-19 was the most significant infectious-agent-related cause of death in the 2020-2021 period. On average, over 60% of those admitted to ICU facilities with this disease died across the globe. In severe cases, COVID-19 leads to respiratory and systemic compromise, including pneumonia-like symptoms, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan failure. While the upper respiratory tract and lungs are the principal sites of infection and injury, most studies on the metabolic signatures in COVID-19 patients have been carried out on serum and plasma samples. In this report we attempt to characterize the metabolome of lung parenchyma extracts from fatal COVID-19 cases and compare them with that from other respiratory diseases. Our findings indicate that the metabolomic profiles from fatal COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cases are markedly different, with the former being the result of increased lactate and amino acid metabolism, altered energy pathways, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. Overall, these findings provide additional insights into the pathophysiology of COVID-19 that could lead to the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of severe cases of the disease, and further highlight the potential of metabolomic approaches in COVID-19 research.
Effects of repeated binge intake of the pyrovalerone cathinone derivative 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone on prefrontal cytokine levels in rats – a preliminary study
Authors: Nagy Erin K. , Leyrer-Jackson Jonna M. , Hood Lauren E. , Acuña Amanda M. , Olive M. Foster
Published: November 2023

Drugs of abuse activate neuroimmune signaling in addiction-related regions of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC) which mediates executive control, attention, and behavioral inhibition. Traditional psychostimulants including methamphetamine and cocaine are known to induce PFC inflammation, yet the effects of synthetic cathinone derivatives are largely unexplored. In this study, we examined the ability of repeated binge-like intake of the pyrovalerone cathinone derivative 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) to alter cytokine profiles in the PFC. Male and female rats were allowed to intravenously self-administer MDPV (0.05 mg/kg/infusion) or saline as a control under conditions of prolonged binge-like access, consisting of three 96 h periods of drug access interspersed with 72 h of forced abstinence. Three weeks following cessation of drug availability, PFC cytokine levels were assessed using antibody arrays. Employing the unsupervised clustering and regression analysis tool CytoMod, a single module of co-signaling cytokines associated with MDPV intake regardless of sex was identified. With regards to specific cytokines, MDPV intake was positively associated with PFC levels of VCAM-1/CD106 and negatively associated with levels of Flt-3 ligand. These findings indicate that prolonged MDPV intake causes changes in PFC cytokine levels that persist into abstinence; however, the functional ramifications of these changes remain to be fully elucidated.
Comparison of disability level between Early and Late Onset Parkinson’s Disease using WHODAS 2
Authors: Nascimento Isaíra Almeida Pereira da Silva , Nobrega Kátia Cirilo Costa , Souza Bruno Rafael Antunes , Barone Isabela Carneiro , Checchio Giovanna , Ponciano Vitória Pereira , de Paula Clara Greif Cerveira , Possani Arieni Nunes , Penha Natália Cardoso , Helene André Frazão , Roque Antonio Carlos , Savica Rodolfo , Piemonte Maria Elisa Pimentel
Published: November 2023

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that usually affects people over the age of 60. However, 10%–20% of patients have an early onset of PD (EOPD).

Objectives

To compare disability levels according to the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS-2) between people with EOPD and those with late-onset PD (LOPD).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 95 EOPD patients (mean-age 44.51 ± 4.63, H&Y 1.93 ± 0.93) and 255 LOPD patients (mean-age 63.01 ± 7.99, H&Y 2.02 ± 0.95). Demographic information, clinical characteristics, cognitive evaluation by Telephone-Montreal-Cognitive-Assessment (T-MoCA), functionality self-evaluation by WHODAS-2 and the Unified-Parkinson’s-Disease-Rating-Scale (MDS-UPDRS), parts I and II, were documented for each patient by an individual remote interview.

Results

Analysis showed a statistically significant difference between EOPD and LOPD in two domains of WHODAS-2 only: cognition (Z-adjusted = 2.60; p-value adjusted <0.009) and activities of daily living related to work/school (Z-adjusted = 2.34; p-value adjusted <0.01). T-MoCA scores confirmed more impaired cognition capacity in LOPD (Z-adjusted = 2.42; p-value adjusted <0.01). The two groups had no significant differences in levodopa daily dosage, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stages, disease time duration, and MDS-UPDRS I and II scores.

Conclusion

People living with EOPD face similar disability levels as those with LOPD, except for cognition, where LOPD patients exhibited higher levels of disability than EOPD and for work activities where the EOPD exhibited higher levels of disability than LODP. These results highlight the challenges faced by people with EOPD in interacting with society and living with the disease for a longer time. The WHODAS-2 can be a useful tool to assess disability and tailor interventions for people with PD of different age groups.
Comparing neuromotor functions in 45- and 65-year-old adults with 18-year-old adolescents
Authors: Kakebeeke Tanja H. , Chaouch Aziz , Caflisch Jon , Eichelberger Dominique A. , Wehrle Flavia M. , Jenni Oskar G.
Published: November 2023

Aim

This cross-sectional analysis investigates how neuromotor functions of two independent cohorts of approximately 45- and 65-year-old individuals are different from 18-year-old adolescents using the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment-2 (ZNA-2).

Methods

A total of 186 individuals of the Zurich Longitudinal Studies (ZLS) born in the 1950s (mean age 65.1 years, SD = 1.2 year, range of ages 59.0–67.5 years, n = 151, 82 males) and 1970s (mean age 43.6 years, SD = 1.3 year, range of ages 40.8–46.6 years, n = 35, 16 males) were tested with the ZNA-2 on 14 motor tasks combined in 5 motor components: fine motor, pure motor, balance, gross motor, and associated movements. Motor performance measures were converted into standard deviation scores (SDSs) using the normative data for 18-year-old individuals as reference.

Results

The motor performance of the 45-year-old individuals was remarkably similar to that of the 18-year-olds (SDS from −0.22 to 0.25) apart from associated movements (−0.49 SDS). The 65-year-olds showed lower performance than the 18-year-olds in all components of the ZNA-2, with the smallest difference observed for associated movements (−0.67 SDS) and the largest for gross motor skills (−2.29 SDS). Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with better performance on gross motor skills for 45-year-olds but with worse performance for 65-year-olds. More educational years had positive effects on gross motor skills for both ages.

Interpretation

With the exception of associated movements, neuromotor functions as measured with the ZNA-2 are very similar in 45- and 18-year-olds. In contrast, at age 65 years, all neuromotor components show significantly lower function than the norm population at 18 years. Some evidence was found for the last-in-first-out hypothesis: the functions that developed later during adolescence, associated movements and gross motor skills, were the most vulnerable to age-related decline.
A descriptive analysis of human milk dispensed by the Leipzig Donor Human Milk Bank for neonates between 2012 and 2019
Authors: Siziba Linda P. , Baier Caroline , Pütz Elisabeth , Ascherl Rudolf , Wendt Thomas , Thome Ulrich H. , Gebauer Corinna , Genuneit Jon
Published: November 2023

Background

Human milk banking has become an important aspect of Nutritional medicine. It is not just about the provision of mother’s own milk (MOM) or donor human milk (DHM) in the hospital, but also a strategy to encourage breastfeeding in the clinical setting and beyond.

Objective

To describe the feeding patterns of hospitalised infants including human milk dispensed by the Leipzig Donor Human Milk Bank (LMB).

Design

A descriptive analysis of daily data on milk feeds dispensed by LMB for hospitalised infants distinguishing between MOM or DHM, either fresh or frozen, and raw/pasteurised milk from 2012–2019.

Results

We included 2,562 infants with median hospitalisation of 23 days, for whom human milk was dispensed on median 76% of those days and other nutrition on the remaining days. Raw MOM and raw DHM comprised 52% and 8% of the dispensed milk, respectively. Dispensing exclusive DHM instead of MOM for at least one full day was required for 55% of the infants, mostly at the beginning but also later during hospitalisation. Exclusive raw DHM was dispensed on at least 1 day for 37% of the infants, in different birthweight strata <1,000 g: 10%, 1,000-1500 g: 11%, 1,500-2500 g: 13% and > 2,500 g: 3%. At discharge, MOM was dispensed for more than 60% of the infants.

Conclusion

During an infant’s hospital stay, LMB dispenses various human milk feeds with interspersed DHM resulting in complex intra-individual and time-variant feeding patterns. LMB dispenses raw MOM and especially raw DHM with the intention to retain the properties of human milk unlike a diet containing pasteurised DHM and/or formula. Although raw DHM comprises a small percentage of all dispensed milk, raw DHM is dispensed for a substantial portion of infants. Our results document that dispensing raw DHM, is possible in routine settings.
A comprehensive comparative assessment of eight risk stratification systems for thyroid nodules in the elderly population
Authors: Ma Xiao , Yu Jing , Huang Yuanjing , Cui Yiyang , Cui Kefei
Published: November 2023

Objective

This study aims to investigate the diagnostic value of eight risk stratification systems (RSSs) for thyroid nodules in the elderly and explore the reasons in comparison with a younger group.

Methods

Cases of thyroid nodules that underwent ultrasound examination with thyroidectomy or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) at our hospital between August 2013 and March 2023 were collected. The patients were categorized into two groups: an elderly group (aged ≥60) and a younger group (aged <60). Eight RSSs were applied to evaluate these nodules respectively.

Results

The malignant rate in the elderly group was significantly lower than that in the younger group (28.2% vs. 49.6%, P=0.000). There were statistically significant differences in nodule diameter, multiplicity, composition, echogenicity, orientation, margin, and echogenic foci between the elderly and younger groups (P<0.05). Among the eight RSSs evaluated in elderly adults, the artificial intelligence-based Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (AI TIRADS) demonstrated the highest overall diagnostic efficacy, but with relatively high unnecessary FNA rate (UFR) and missed cancer rate (MCR) of 55.0% and 51.3%, respectively. By modifying the size thresholds, the new AI TI-RADS achieved the lowest UFR and MCR while maintaining nearly the lowest FNA rate (FNAR) among all the RSSs (P=0.172, 0.162, compared to the ACR and original AI, respectively, but P<0.05 compared to the other six RSSs).

Conclusion

Among the eight RSS systems, AI demonstrated higher diagnostic efficacy in the elderly population. However, the size thresholds for FNA needed to be adjusted.
Eflornithine for chemoprevention in the high-risk population of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Yang Lifeng , Wang Yan , Hu Shasha , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) chemoprevention in the high-risk population for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Meta-analysis was conducted to assess the caliber of the included literature by searching five databases for randomized controlled trials of DFMO chemoprevention in the high-risk population of CRC, with RevMan 5.4, Stata 15.0 and TSA 0.9.5.10 employed to statistically analyze the extracted data. Grade profiler 3.6 was employed for grading the evidence for the outcome indicators (disease progression and adenoma incidence).

Results

Six trials were finally included in this research, with the collective data indicating that the DFMO combination therapy was efficacious in lowering the incidence of recurrent adenomas in patients who had experienced advanced CRC [RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14 - 0.83, P < 0.05]. Meta-analysis showed that DFMO combined therapy had no statistical difference in disease progression in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis[RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.14 - 1.86, P > 0.05]; Trial Sequential Analysis reveals that the combination therapy of DFMO effectively diminishes the occurrence of recurrent adenomas in patients with a history of advanced colorectal tumors, displaying a Risk Ratio (RR) of 0.33 with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of 0.12 - 0.90 and a significance level of P < 0.05. This combination exhibits a statistically significant difference. Subgroup analysis demonstrates that, depending on the drug treatment regimen (DFMO+ Aspirin/DFMO+ Sulindac), the combination of DFMO and aspirin exhibits an effect comparable to a placebo in diminishing the occurrence of new adenomas in patients with a history of advanced colorectal tumors. However, the combination of DFMO and sulindac significantly mitigates the incidence of recurrent adenomas in this patient population.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis indicates that the existing randomized controlled trials are adequate to ascertain the efficacy of DFMO combination therapy in diminishing the incidence of recurrent adenomas in patients who have previously encountered advanced colorectal tumors. However, further clinical trials need to be conducted to evaluate the optimum dosage and treatment course of prophylactic implementation of DFMO combination therapy in high-risk populations.
Effects of variations in atmospheric temperature and humidity on the estimation of exclusive breastfeeding status using the deuterium oxide dose-to-mother technique
Authors: Baby Jeswin , Kaestel Pernille , Preston Tom , Duffull Stephen B. , Liu Zheng , Diana Aly , Houghton Lisa , Kurpad Anura V. , Thomas Tinku
Published: November 2023

Background

The deuterium dose-to-mother (DTM) method measures the human milk intake of breastfed children. Recently, the use of this method has been expanded to classify babies objectively as exclusively breast fed (EBF) or not (non-EBF) based on quantification of non-milk oral water intake (NMOI). However, the calculation of NMOI estimates involves atmospheric temperature and humidity.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of atmospheric temperature and humidity on NMOI calculation and the classification of exclusive breastfeeding.

Methods

The effect of indoor temperature and relative humidity on NMOI and the estimated prevalence of non-EBF were examined in two existing data sets of DTM in children by varying temperature in the range of 15 to 35°C and relative humidity in the range of 20 to 80% representing the maximum span of indoor conditions expected. Population-level estimates of NMOI distributions were derived using the rstan package for R v2.21.2.

Results

The NMOI decreased at a rate of −1.15 g/day per °C increase and at a rate of −1.01 g/day per percent increase in relative humidity; this was due to variations in non-oral water intake from the atmosphere, a component of the calculation of NMOI, which is dependent on temperature and humidity. For the various locations considered, the mean calculated NMOI varied between 24.6 and 53.3 g/day using the same input data. In the mixed-fed sample of babies, the prevalence of non-EBF based on the earlier defined NMOI cut-off of 86.6 g/day was reduced by 19% when relative humidity was increased by 60%.

Conclusions

Atmospheric conditions are essential factors in the computation of NMOI, used in the objective classification of babies as exclusively breast fed or not, and should be considered when the DTM method is used to classify exclusive breastfeeding.
Human N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene variability in Brazilian populations from different geographical areas
Authors: Lopes Márcia Quinhones P. , Teixeira Raquel Lima F. , Cabello Pedro Hernan , Nery José Augusto C. , Sales Anna Maria , Nahn J. R. Edilbert Pellegrini , Moreira Marilda Vieira , Stahlke Ewalda Von Rosen , Possuelo Lia Gonçalves , Rossetti Maria Lucia R. , Rabahi Marcelo F. , Silva Luciana F. M. , Leme Patrícia Almeida , Woods William John , Nobre Mauricio Lisboa , Oliveira Maria Leide Wan-Del-Rey de , Narahashi Kazuê , Cavalcanti Milde , Suffys Philip Noel , Boukouvala Sotiria , Gallo Maria Eugênia N. , Santos Adalberto Rezende
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Several polymorphisms altering the NAT2 activity have already been identified. The geographical distribution of NAT2 variants has been extensively studied and has been demonstrated to vary significantly among different ethnic population. Here, we describe the genetic variability of human N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene and the predominant genotype-deduced acetylation profiles of Brazilians.

Methods: A total of 964 individuals, from five geographical different regions, were genotyped for NAT2 by sequencing the entire coding exon.

Results: Twenty-three previously described NAT2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, including the seven most common ones globally (c.191G>A, c.282C>T, c.341T>C, c.481C>T, c.590G>A, c.803A>G and c.857G>A). The main allelic groups were NAT2*5 (36%) and NAT2*6 (18.2%), followed to the reference allele NAT2*4 (20.4%). Combined into genotypes, the most prevalent allelic groups were NAT2*5/*5 (14.6%), NAT2*5/*6 (11.9%) and NAT2*6/*6 (6.2%). The genotype deduced NAT2 slow acetylation phenotype was predominant but showed significant variability between geographical regions. The prevalence of slow acetylation phenotype was higher in the Northeast, North and Midwest (51.3%, 45.5% and 41.5%, respectively) of the country. In the Southeast, the intermediate acetylation phenotype was the most prevalent (40.3%) and, in the South, the prevalence of rapid acetylation phenotype was significantly higher (36.7%), when compared to other Brazilian states (p < 0.0001). Comparison of the predicted acetylation profile among regions showed homogeneity among the North and Northeast but was significantly different when compared to the Southeast (p = 0.0396). The Southern region was significantly different from all other regions (p < 0.0001).

Discussion: This study contributes not only to current knowledge of the NAT2 population genetic diversity in different geographical regions of Brazil, but also to the reconstruction of a more accurate phenotypic picture of NAT2 acetylator profiles in those regions.