bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Effect of Olfactory Training on Improving the Sense of Smell in Patients with COVID-19 with Olfactory Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study
Authors: Akbarpour Mohammad Hossein , Zandi Mitra , Sedighi Ladan , Ghalesari Mojtaba Ghanbari
Published: July 2023

Background
The COVID-19 disease is associated with many complications, including the disorder of the sense of smell, which is stable even months after the infection and negatively impacts the patient’s quality of life. Nursing interventions to solve this problem are among the nursing care priorities for these patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of olfactory training on improving the sense of smell in patients suffering from olfactory disorders with COVID-19.
Methods
This randomized clinical trial was based on pre-test-post-test type on people who were referred with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in Babol, Iran, under the supervision of Babol city health center with the disorder in the sense of smell. A total of 100 patients were selected by the available method and randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. Both groups completed the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders - Negative Statements (QOD-NS) before the intervention. The olfactory training intervention group was exposed to four categories of main scents: phenylethyl alcohol (the smell of roses from rose geranium), eucalyptus (the smell of eucalyptus), citronol (the smell of lemon), and eugenol (the smell of cloves) twice a day, morning, and night for six weeks, rotating for 20 seconds each with a ten-second interval between each scent. After completing the olfactory training course, both groups answered the quality of life questionnaire about smell. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, independent paired t-tests.
Results
The average score of olfactory disorder in patients with COVID-19 before the intervention in the intervention and control groups was 24.32 ± 6.60 and 22.85 ± 8.04, respectively, which did not have a significant difference (P = 0.33). The values reached 19.60 ± 5.74 and 22.52 ± 7.39, statistically significant (P = 0.034).
Conclusion
Olfactory training effectively improved the sense of smell in patients with COVID-19 suffering from olfactory disorders. Therefore, this program should be taught by nurses to improve patients with COVID-19 with olfactory disorders after discharge.
Personalized Prognostic Prediction Tool for High-Grade Neuroendocrine Cervical Cancer: A SEER Database Analysis and Single-Center Validation
Authors: Chen Xiaoyue , Shi Wenpei , Wang Chao , Zhu Haiyan
Published: July 2023

Purpose
Cervical high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (CHGNEC) is a rare but highly aggressive cancer. The purpose of this study is to develop a prognostic nomogram that can accurately predict outcomes for CHGNEC patients.
Methods
We analyzed clinical data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database of CHGNEC patients, including small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). We investigated patient characteristics and prognosis and developed a prognostic nomogram model for cancer-specific survival in CHGNEC patients. External validation was conducted using real clinical cases from our hospital.
Results
Our study included 306 patients from SEER database, with a mean age of 49.9 ± 15.5 years old. Most of the patients had SCNEC (86.9%). Among them, 170 died from the disease, while 136 either survived or died from other causes. Our final predictive model identified age at diagnosis, stage 1 status, stage 4 status, T1, N0, and surgery of the primary site as independent prognostic factors for CHGNEC. We validated our model using a group of 16 CHGNEC patients who underwent surgery at our center. The external validation showed that the prognostic nomogram had excellent discriminative ability, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.49-1.00) for the prediction of 3-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) and an AUC of 0.85 (95%CI: 0.62-1.00) for the prediction of 5-year CSS. The Random survival forest model achieved an AUC of 0.80 (95%CI: 0.56-1.00) for 3-year CSS and 0.91 (95%CI: 0.72-1.00) for 5-year CSS, indicating its adequacy in predicting outcomes for CHGNEC patients.
Conclusion
Our study provides an excellent nomogram for predicting the prognosis of CHGNEC patients. The prognostic nomogram can be a useful tool for clinicians in identifying high-risk patients and making personalized treatment decisions.
Comparative Study for effect of Ti, Nb and W incorporation on the Electronic and Optical Properties of Pristine Hafnia (m-HfO 2 ): DFT Theoretical prospective
Authors: Khattab El-Sayed R. , Hassan Walid M. I. , El-Shazly Tamer S. , Ibrahim Magdy A. M. , Rehim Sayed S. Abd El
Published: July 2023

First-principles calculations using the Hubbard approach (DFT + U) with PBEsol correlation were carried out to do comparative study of the effects of the incorporation of 3d, 4d, and 5d metal atoms on the electronic and optical properties of m-HfO2. The incorporation of metal atoms in the crystal structure of HfO2 displaced the band gap edges and downshift conduction band minimum (CBM) which led to band gap tightening as the following 5.24, 3.26, 1.12, and 0.92 eV for HfO2, HfO2:Ti, HfO2:W, HfO2:Nb respectively. The total density of states (DOS) and partial density of states (PDOS) calculations illustrated that the VBM of pristine HfO2 is mainly constructed by O 2p states, while the CBM is constructed mainly by Hf 4d sates. For doped crystals the conduction band minimum (CBM) are mainly constructed by 3d, 4d and 5d sates of Ti, Nb, and W respectively. For pristine HfO2, the results obtained for the real and imaginary parts of dielectric function, reflectivity, and the refractive index show good matching with the available experimental and theoretical findings. For doped systems, there are clear similarity in the effect of the incorporation of Nb (4d metal ) and W(5d metal) on the electronic and optical properties of HfO2, which differed to large extent than the effect of the incorporation of Ti (3d metal). The absorption of HfO2 is duplicated upon Ti atom insertion (HfO2:Ti). The difference between 3d, 4dm and 5d metal doping still need further study to understand it and to know what is better as dopant in tuning electronic and optical properties of this promising metal oxide HfO2 and other metal oxides.
Supporting the implementation of drinking water management systems in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Huynh Tran T. , Jarvis Leslie , Henderson Wendy , Bradford-Hartke Zenah , Leask Sandy , Gajo Katherine , Tickell Joshua , Wall Katrina , Byleveld Paul
Published: July 2023

Since 2010, New South Wales (NSW) Health has assisted local water utilities to develop and implement risk-based drinking water management systems based on the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality. This support has benefited regional communities, and especially smaller utilities, by helping to identify and control risks. NSW Health's support projects have resulted in statistically significant improvements across many elements of drinking water management system implementation. Through this program of support, NSW Health has identified possible infrastructure and operational needs and assessed implementation of drinking water management systems. In parallel, NSW Health has worked to assess the risk from Cryptosporidium in drinking water supplies and to develop a formal audit program. Findings from the NSW Health support program informed the development of two NSW Government programs and the commitment of more than $1 billion to help local water utilities address public health and other critical needs. The introduction of risk-based drinking water management systems has driven incremental improvement in drinking water quality management across the state of NSW.
Towards a Systemic Concept of the Brain Ishemia Stroke: Monte Carlo
Driven in silico Model
Authors: Fursov Valentin V. , Ananiev Alexander V. , Kuznetsov Dmitry A.
Published: July 2023

Background:

The work proposes a new mathematical model of dynamic processes of a typical
spatially heterogeneous biological system, and sets and solves a mathematical problem of modeling
the dynamics of the system of neurovascular units of the brain in conditions of ischemic stroke.
There is a description of only a small number of mathematical models of stroke in the literature. This
model is being studied and a numerical and software implementation of the corresponding mathematical
problem is proposed.

Methods:

This work is the first attempt ever aiming to employ a Monte Carlo computational approach
for In Silico simulation of the most critical parameters in molecular and cellular pathogenesis of the
brain ischemic stroke. In this work, a new mathematical model of the development of ischemic stroke
is proposed in the form of a discrete model based on neurovascular units (NVU) as elements.

Results:

As a result of testing the program with the assignment of empirically selected coefficients,
data were obtained on the evolution of the states of the lattice of the cellular automaton of the model
for the spread of stroke in a region of the brain tissue. A resulting new theoretical model of the particular
pathologically altered biosystem might be taken as a promising tool for further studies in neurology;
general pathology and cell biology.

Conclusion:

For the first time, a mathematical model has been constructed that allows us to represent
the spatial dynamics of the development of the affected area in ischemic stroke of the brain, taking into
account neurovascular units as single morphofunctional structures.
Fenyloketonuria wybrany przykład rzadkiej choroby metabolicznej
Authors: Płoszaj Katarzyna
Published: July 2023

Wstęp. Fenyloketonuria, choroba metaboliczna, późno zdiagnozowana i nieleczona w odpowiedni sposób prowadzi do ciężkiego kalectwa.

Cel. Celem pracy było przedstawienie charakterystyki fenyloketonurii jako rzadkiej choroby metabolicznej.

Materiał i metody. Metoda zastosowana w pracy to analiza literatury.

Przegląd. Istotą choroby jest brak lub znaczny deficyt aktywności enzymu hydroksylazy fenyloalaninowej (w skrócie PAH), który wytwarzany jest wątrobie. Deficyt prowadzi do zaburzeń przemiany fenyloalaniny (Phe) w tyrozynę. Konsekwencją takiej reakcji jest pojawiająca się w surowicy dziecka nadmierna ilość aminokwasu, co w ostatecznie prowadzi do znacznych uszkodzeń ośrodkowego układu nerwowego.

Wnioski. W dzisiejszych czasach osoby chore na Fenyloketonurię mają ogromne szanse na prawidłowy rozwój intelektualny, a sama choroba nie ma wpływu na poziom wykształcenia czy karierę zawodową. Sukces badań przesiewowych jest niewątpliwie namacalny, gdyż poprzez szybką diagnozę daje szansę chorym pacjentom na normalne życie.
Cardiff Online Cognitive Assessment in a National Sample: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Study
Authors: Lynham Amy Joanne , Jones Ian R , Walters James T R
Published: July 2023

Background

Psychiatric disorders are associated with cognitive impairment. We have developed a web-based, 9-task cognitive battery to measure the core domains affected in people with psychiatric disorders. To date, this assessment has been used to collect data on a clinical sample of participants with psychiatric disorders.

Objective

The aims of this study were (1) to establish a briefer version of the battery (called the Cardiff Online Cognitive Assessment [CONCA]) that can give a valid measure of cognitive ability (“g”) and (2) to collect normative data and demonstrate CONCA’s application in a health population sample.

Methods

Based on 6 criteria and data from our previous study, we selected 5 out of the original 9 tasks to include in CONCA. These included 3 core tasks that were sufficient to derive a measure of “g” and 2 optional tasks. Participants from a web-based national cohort study (HealthWise Wales) were invited to complete CONCA. Completion rates, sample characteristics, performance distributions, and associations between cognitive performance and demographic characteristics and mental health measures were examined.

Results

A total of 3679 participants completed at least one CONCA task, of which 3135 completed all 3 core CONCA tasks. Performance on CONCA was associated with age (B=–0.05, SE 0.002; P<.001), device (tablet computer: B=–0.26, SE 0.05; P<.001; smartphone: B=–0.46, SE 0.05; P<.001), education (degree: B=1.68, SE 0.14; P<.001), depression symptoms (B=–0.04, SE 0.01; P<.001), and anxiety symptoms (B=–0.04, SE 0.01; P<.001).

Conclusions

CONCA provides a valid measure of “g,” which can be derived using as few as 3 tasks that take no more than 15 minutes. Performance on CONCA showed associations with demographic characteristics in the expected direction and was associated with current depression and anxiety symptoms. The effect of device on cognitive performance is an important consideration for research using web-based assessments.
Guidelines and Recommendations for Laboratory Analysis in the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sacks David B. , Arnold Mark , Bakris George L. , Bruns David E. , Horvath Andrea R. , Lernmark Åke , Metzger Boyd E. , Nathan David M. , Kirkman M. Sue
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Numerous laboratory tests are used in the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus. The quality of the scientific evidence supporting the use of these assays varies substantially.

APPROACH

An expert committee compiled evidence-based recommendations for laboratory analysis in screening, diagnosis, or monitoring of diabetes. The overall quality of the evidence and the strength of the recommendations were evaluated. The draft consensus recommendations were evaluated by invited reviewers and presented for public comment. Suggestions were incorporated as deemed appropriate by the authors (see Acknowledgments). The guidelines were reviewed by the Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine Committee and the Board of Directors of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry and by the Professional Practice Committee of the American Diabetes Association.

CONTENT

Diabetes can be diagnosed by demonstrating increased concentrations of glucose in venous plasma or increased hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the blood. Glycemic control is monitored by the people with diabetes measuring their own blood glucose with meters and/or with continuous interstitial glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and also by laboratory analysis of HbA1c. The potential roles of noninvasive glucose monitoring, genetic testing, and measurement of ketones, autoantibodies, urine albumin, insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide are addressed.

The guidelines provide specific recommendations based on published data or derived from expert consensus. Several analytes are found to have minimal clinical value at the present time, and measurement of them is not recommended.
Long-term effectiveness of the national diabetes quality assessment program in South Korea
Authors: Hye Huh Ji , Kwon Serim , Ok Kim Gui , Yeon Kim Bo , Hwa Ha Kyoung , Jung Kim Dae
Published: July 2023

Objective: This study examined the long-term effectiveness of the national diabetes quality assessment program (NDQAP) in diabetes.

Research Design and Methods: From the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, 399,984 individuals with diabetes who visited a primary care clinic from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, were included and followed up until May 31, 2021. The NDQAP included five quality assessment indicators: regular outpatient visits, continuity of prescriptions, regular testing of glycated hemoglobin and lipids, and regular fundus examination. Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for diabetes complications and all-cause mortality by the achievement of quality assessment indicators.

Results: During the mean follow-up duration of 7.6 ± 1.8 years, 20,054 (5.0%) cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), 6,281 (1.6%) end-stage kidney diseases (ESKD), 1,943 (0.5%) amputations, 9,706 (2.4%) myocardial infarctions (MI), 26,975 (6.7%) strokes, and 35,799 (8.9%) all-cause mortality occurred. Each achievement of quality assessment indicator was associated with a decreased risk of diabetes complications and all-cause mortality. Individuals who were managed in high-quality institutions had a lower risk of PDR (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.80–0.85), ESKD (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.73–0.81), amputation (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69–0.83), MI (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.82–0.89), stroke (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.84–0.88), and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94–0.98) than those who were not managed in high-quality institutions.

Conclusions: In Korea, the achievement of NDQAP indicators was associated with a decreased risk of diabetes complications and all-cause mortality.  
Efektivitas Case Method Terhadap Hasil Belajar Service Tenis
Authors: Masrun Masrun , Umar Umar , Yendrizal Yendrizal , Khairuddin Khairuddin
Published: July 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat efektivitas  case method dalam meningkatkan hasil belajar servis tenis mahasiswa departemen Kepelatihan FIK UNP. Case method merupakan sebuah metode pembelajaran yang dilakukan dengan cara memberikan kasus pada materi yang akan  dicarikan solusinya, khususnya dalam mempelajari servis tenis. Pengunaan metode case method dapat mendorong mahasiswa untuk meningkatkan kinerja dalam menjalankan proses pembelajaran servis tenis. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode True Exspriment, two group pre-test post-test control design,  dan pengambilan subjek secara acak dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak  n = 32 orang, Pembagian kelompok dilakukan dengan menggunakan teknik ordinally mactching pairing dengan masing-masing kelompok berjumlah 16 orang. Untuk membuktikan hipotesis dan efek dari perlakuan yang diberikan, dilakukan pengukuran nilai kemampuan servis tenis. Data diolah dengan memanfaakan SPSS software. Data pengukuran akhir  menunjukkan bahwa univariate analisis dari perbedaan (ANOVA) berdasarkan pada sebuah koefisien pengaruh t dan nilai dari statistik makna dari nilai p-v membuktikan di antara kelompok kontrol dan eksperimental secara statistik terdapat perbedaan,  terlihat dari nila p=0,000 untuk ekperimen grup, dan p=0,743ns untuk kelas kontrol grup. Dari hasil pengolahan data tersebut  menunjukkan bahwa,  case method memberikan hasil positif  terhadap peningkatan hasil belajar servis tenis yang lebih baik.
Evidence of Late Cretaceous/Cenozoic strike-slip faulting within the late Palaeozoic Holy Cross Mts. Fold Belt, Poland: Józefka releasing stepover
Authors: Skompski Stanisław , Konon Andrzej , Wysocka Anna , Czarniecka Urszula
Published: July 2023

The aim of this study was to reconstruct the location mechanism of a Triassic sandstone wedge within folded Palaeozoic rocks. A vertically oriented Buntsandstein succession (Lower Triassic) from Józefka Quarry (Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland), steeply wedged within folded Devonian carbonates, is recognised as an effect of normal faulting within a releasing stepover. The sandstone succession, corresponding to the Zagnańsk Formation in the local lithostratigraphic scheme, is represented by two complexes, interpreted as deposits of a sand-dominated alluvial plain (older complex), and coarse-grained sands and gravels of a braided river system (younger complex). The sandstone complex was primarily formed as the lowermost part of the several kilometres thick Mesozoic cover of the Holy Cross Mountains Fold Belt (HCFB), later eroded as a result of the Late Cretaceous/Paleogene uplift of the area. Tectonic analysis of the present-day position of the deformed sandstone succession shows that it is fault-bounded by a system of strike-slip and normal faults, which we interpret as a releasing stepover. Accordingly, the formation of the stepover in the central part of the late Palaeozoic HCFB is evidence of a significant role of strike-slip faulting within this tectonic unit during Late Cretaceous/Paleogene times. The faulting was probably triggered by reactivation of the terminal Palaeozoic strike-slip fault pattern along the western border of the Teisseyre–Tornquist Zone.
Analysis of Using the Empirical Model of Organic Soil Consolidation to Predict Settlement
Authors: Meyer Zygmunt , Olszewska Magdalena
Published: July 2023

The paper describes two models for determining the constrained elasticity modulus of organic soils based on the settlement of an overloading embankment. In these methods, based on the settlement of the embankment of the load exerted on the subsoil, using the inverse problem, it is possible to determine the constrained modulus. A parameter determined in this way can also be determined during consolidation. Changes in the settlement at successive stages of consolidation can be used to determine the constrained modulus of the organic soil at a given point in time. Assuming a “temporarily stable” (quasi-stationary) state at each analysed stage of consolidation. The constrained elasticity modulus was determined for the settling at a given moment. constrained modulus tests of organic soils were carried out for two embankments previously described in the literature. In this case, the modulus was also analysed during consolidation. These embankments are founded on peat and peat-gyttja substrates. In both cases, the layer of organic soil was 4 m. The presented methods with the assumption of a one-dimensional state of deformation, despite the state of spatial stress, can be used during construction using the “design and build” technology. The constrained modulus determined from the embankment overload will represent the actual deformations – volumetric deformations (including other deformations that actually occurred) during the consolidation period. The paper was concluded with several conclusions.
An Attempt to Analytically Determine Course of the Continuous Q-S Curve in Case of Changed Pile Length or Diameter
Authors: Meyer Zygmunt , Stachecki Kamil
Published: July 2023

In this paper authors have described the analytical method of continuous static load test Q-s curve conversion for any given pile. Authors have used data sets from static load tests conducted by Energopol Szczecin S.A. in a full range of loads which allows to use of measured values of pile maximum bearing capacity and determine relation between it and pile length and diameter. All the piles used in this paper were CFA piles bored in mostly loam soil conditions. The research described in this work was based on the Meyer-Kowalow method (M-K method) of static load test interpretation. The M-K method allows for a full description of the load-settlement relation, as a continuous curve (M-K curve) using three parameters that described pile-soil interaction. As a result of conducted research relations between parameters describing M-K curve and pile dimensions were established, which allows for a practical application of the proposed method.

In this paper, the authors presented an example of the practical use of curve conversion to analyze the impact of changes in geometric dimensions on pile-soil interaction. The proposed method allows for a curve conversion of the total resistance curve, as well as a curve describing base and skin resistances.
Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study of Aniline Adsorption over Prepared ZSM-5 Zeolite
Authors: Abbas Ammar S. , Hussien Sally A.
Published: July 2023

Aniline and its derivatives are common contaminants in various wastewaters and represent a serious worry for societies health and a challenge to ecologists due to their dangers effects on to the human health.

ZSM-5 zeolite was prepared from locally available materials (kaolin and rice husk) for adsorption of aniline from synthetic wastewater. Characterization of the prepared zsm-5, kinetics and thermodynamic of the adsorption process were investigated.

The characterization results of the prepared zsm-5 zeolite showed that the surface area was 270.1 m2/g and pore volume 0.21828 cm3/g. The silica to alumina ratio (Si/Al) was 166. 47 and the sodium content was 11 wt. %. The atomic force microscope (AFM) results showed that the average particle diameter of the prepared adsorbent was 70.71nm.

Langmuir isotherm better illustrated the adsorption process with maximum uptakes 8.3125 mg/g. Whereas, kinetics results of the adsorption process showed it the pseudo-second order in different operating temperatures.

The calculated values of ΔG showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous, while the ΔH results illustrated the process to be exothermic nature of this process with negative values of ΔS.
Treatment of Simulated Oily Wastewater by Ultrafiltration and Nanofiltration Processes
Authors: Al-Alawy Ahmed Faiq , Al-Ameri Mohammed Kamil
Published: July 2023

A study in the treatment and reuse of oily wastewater generated from the process of fuel oil treatment of gas turbine power plant was performed. The feasibility of using hollow fiber ultrafiltration (UF) membrane and nanofiltration (NF) membrane type polyamide thin-film composite in a pilot plant was investigated. Three different variables: pressure (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 bars), oil content (10, 20, 30 and 40 ppm), and temperature (15, 20, 30 and 40 ᵒC) were employed in the UF process while TDS was kept constant at 150 ppm. Four different variables: pressure (2, 3, 4 and 5 bar), oil content (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 ppm), total dissolved solids (TDS) (100, 200,300 and 400 ppm), and temperature (15, 20, 30 and 40 ᵒC) were manipulated with the help of statistical method of Taguchi in the RO process. Analysis of variable (ANOVA) and optimum condition was investigated. The study shows that pressure has the greatest impact on the flux of UF process, while temperature and pressure have similar contribution on flux of NF process. The temperature seems to have the greatest effect on TDS rejection. It was noticed that more than 96% oil removal can be achieved with flux of 624 L/m2.hr by UF process and that the fouling mechanism of UF process follows the cake/gel layer filtration model. It was observed that 100% removal of oil content can be achieved along with 79% for the TDS rejection and flux of 65 L/m2.hr by NF process. The result shows fouling in NF process follows the cake filtration model. It was concluded that the observed values are within ±5% of that the predicted which reflects a strong representative model. The treated wastewater has the characteristics that it can be reused in the process to reduce the operating cost.
Effective Strategies to cope with Next Pandemics: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 to Improve Outlook of Next Crisis Management
Authors: Coccia Mario
Published: July 2023

Countries are still dealing with the tail of the COVID-19 pandemic, and scholars and experts are already guessing that future pandemics and/or epidemics are almost inevitable events. In the context of climate, environmental and social change, one of the problems is not whether a new pandemic will happen, but when the next health emergency will emerge. The goal of this study is to analyze anthropogenic activities that may trigger factors determining pandemic threats and how nations can act to prevent and/or improve the preparedness to cope with the next pandemic crises. Results and discussion suggest that the next infectious disease similar to COVID-19 is the effects of main factors associated with high population growth worldwide, polluting industrialization, energy crisis, land use change, ecological and climate change, environmental pollution and in particular the change of the interrelationship between humans, fauna and plant life. In this context, large cities and conurbations can be the epicenter to amplify pandemic waves because of the high density of people, high air pollution, accelerated mobility and intensive trade at national and international levels. In fact, the globalization of economies and the high interaction of people within and between nations are critical factors for the diffusion of new viral agents around the world. To solve these urgent issues and improve forecasting, prevention and preparedness to cope with the next pandemic crisis, this study suggests strategic actions of surveillance that governments should implement for a reduction and/or removal of complex factors determining pandemics and new diseases that threaten national and global health. Hence, like MERS, COVID-19, etc., the next pandemic threats are the effects of a deterioration of the total environment and anthropogenic activities in a world based on different economic competitions. Discussions here suggest how nations should design appropriate strategies to be prepared to implement appropriate policy responses when the next pandemic impact occurs to mitigate socioeconomic and health negative impacts.
Co-constructing Performance Indicators in Home and Community Care: Assessing the Role of Nongovernmental Organizations in Three Canadian Provinces
Authors: Lum Janet , Evans Bryan , Shields John
Published: July 2023

This article examines the extent to which public servants interact with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to co-construct performance indicators in the home-and community-care sector. It uses 32 intensive qualitative interviews with NGO representatives and public servants in three Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario) with distinctive home-and community-care systems to uncover the experiences of NGO/government interactions around this issue and seeks to gain a greater understanding of the role of NGOs in shaping performance indicators. Varying funding and delivery models of home and community care across provinces put NGOs in different roles in the delivery of home and community supports, and hence, set different contexts for NGO/public servant interactions across the three provinces.
Nonprofit engagement with provincial policy officials: The case of NGO policy voice in Canadian immigrant settlement services
Authors: Evans Bryan , Shields John
Published: July 2023

This paper explores the role of nonprofit organizations in the immigrant settlement and integration sector in the public policy process in three Canadian provinces. Drawing on thirty one (31) semi-structured interviews with nonprofit and mid-level policy officials (working for a provincial government) in three provinces (Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan), the place of nonprofit agencies in providing input and voice to policy issues in the area of settlement and integration services is presented. Issues regarding the willingness to use advocacy/voice with government funders, the usefulness of government consultations, strategies used in approaching government, the role of research in making evidence-based cases regarding policy and program change, among other considerations are examined. The assessments provided by key nonprofit actors and government policy officials are used to bring better understanding of the perceived roles of nonprofit organizations in the daily work of policy.
Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Case Reports
Authors: Bhardwaj Ankit , Gupta Rachna
Published: July 2023

In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors analysed case reports of drug-induced thrombocytopenia/drug-induced thrombocytopenic purpura (DITP) and its mechanisms. The search included electronic databases for case reports of DITP using specific keywords in MEDLINE via PubMed, PubMed Central, and Embase. All case reports were designated a score/criteria (definite, probable, or possible). The mechanism of DITP was also analysed in each case report. A total of 751 case reports were included in the meta-analysis. The incidences for all-score DITP by random and common effect models were 0.65% (95% confidence interval: 0.61–0.69) and, 0.65% (95% confidence interval: 0.62–0.68), respectively. The number of DITPs with scores of 1, 2, and 3 was found in 151, 300, and 300 patients, respectively. Amongst the drugs, the maximum number of DITPs were caused by antibiotics, antimalarials, monoclonal antibodies, antiplatelet drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, anti-epileptics, anti-cancer chemotherapeutics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Out of 751 cases, 478 patients were hospitalised, and 323 patients had external or internal bleeding, including 62 patients who had major bleeding intracranially or retroperitoneally and required transfusion of two or more units of red blood cells. Mortality occurred in 12 patients. Clinicians should be aware of the potential of drugs causing DITP as an important adverse event, as it may affect patient compliance and adherence to drugs. Unrecognised DITP may lead to severe thrombocytopenia and inappropriate patient management.
Disturbed lipid profile in common variable immunodeficiency – a pathogenic loop of inflammation and metabolic disturbances
Authors: Jorgensen Silje F. , Macpherson Magnhild E. , Skarpengland Tonje , Berge Rolf K. , Fevang Børre , Halvorsen Bente , Aukrust Pål
Published: July 2023

The relationship between metabolic and inflammatory pathways play a pathogenic role in various cardiometabolic disorders and is potentially also involved in the pathogenesis of other disorders such as cancer, autoimmunity and infectious diseases. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common primary immunodeficiency in adults, characterized by increased frequency of airway infections with capsulated bacteria. In addition, a large proportion of CVID patients have autoimmune and inflammatory complications associated with systemic inflammation. We summarize the evidence that support a role of a bidirectional pathogenic interaction between inflammation and metabolic disturbances in CVID. This include low levels and function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high levels of triglycerides (TG) and its major lipoprotein very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and an unfavorable fatty acid (FA) profile. The dysregulation of TG, VLDL and FA were linked to disturbed gut microbiota profile, and TG and VLDL levels were strongly associated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a marker of gut leakage in blood. Of note, the disturbed lipid profile in CVID did not include total cholesterol levels or high low-density lipoprotein levels. Furthermore, increased VLDL and TG levels in blood were not associated with diet, high body mass index and liver steatosis, suggesting a different phenotype than in patients with traditional cardiovascular risk such as metabolic syndrome. We hypothesize that these metabolic disturbances are linked to inflammation in a bidirectional manner with disturbed gut microbiota as a potential contributing factor.
Hippocampus of the APPNL–G–F mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease exhibits region-specific tissue softening concomitant with elevated astrogliosis
Authors: Hall Chloe M. , Lasli Soufian , Serwinski Bianca , Djordjevic Boris , Sheridan Graham K. , Moeendarbary Emad
Published: July 2023

Widespread neurodegeneration, enlargement of cerebral ventricles, and atrophy of cortical and hippocampal brain structures are classic hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Prominent macroscopic disturbances to the cytoarchitecture of the AD brain occur alongside changes in the mechanical properties of brain tissue, as reported in recent magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) measurements of human brain mechanics. Whilst MRE has many advantages, a significant shortcoming is its spatial resolution. Higher resolution “cellular scale” assessment of the mechanical alterations to brain regions involved in memory formation, such as the hippocampus, could provide fresh new insight into the etiology of AD. Characterization of brain tissue mechanics at the cellular length scale is the first stepping-stone to understanding how mechanosensitive neurons and glia are impacted by neurodegenerative disease-associated changes in their microenvironment. To provide insight into the microscale mechanics of aging brain tissue, we measured spatiotemporal changes in the mechanical properties of the hippocampus using high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation tests on acute brain slices from young and aged wild-type mice and the APPNL–G–F mouse model. Several hippocampal regions in APPNL–G–F mice are significantly softer than age-matched wild-types, notably the dentate granule cell layer and the CA1 pyramidal cell layer. Interestingly, regional softening coincides with an increase in astrocyte reactivity, suggesting that amyloid pathology-mediated alterations to the mechanical properties of brain tissue may impact the function of mechanosensitive astrocytes. Our data also raise questions as to whether aberrant mechanotransduction signaling could impact the susceptibility of neurons to cellular stressors in their microenvironment.
Prevalence and practices of immunofluorescent cell image processing: a systematic review
Authors: Helmbrecht Hawley , Lin Teng-Jui , Janakiraman Sanjana , Decker Kaleb , Nance Elizabeth
Published: July 2023

Background

We performed a systematic review that identified at least 9,000 scientific papers on PubMed that include immunofluorescent images of cells from the central nervous system (CNS). These CNS papers contain tens of thousands of immunofluorescent neural images supporting the findings of over 50,000 associated researchers. While many existing reviews discuss different aspects of immunofluorescent microscopy, such as image acquisition and staining protocols, few papers discuss immunofluorescent imaging from an image-processing perspective. We analyzed the literature to determine the image processing methods that were commonly published alongside the associated CNS cell, microscopy technique, and animal model, and highlight gaps in image processing documentation and reporting in the CNS research field.

Methods

We completed a comprehensive search of PubMed publications using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and other general search terms for CNS cells and common fluorescent microscopy techniques. Publications were found on PubMed using a combination of column description terms and row description terms. We manually tagged the comma-separated values file (CSV) metadata of each publication with the following categories: animal or cell model, quantified features, threshold techniques, segmentation techniques, and image processing software.

Results

Of the almost 9,000 immunofluorescent imaging papers identified in our search, only 856 explicitly include image processing information. Moreover, hundreds of the 856 papers are missing thresholding, segmentation, and morphological feature details necessary for explainable, unbiased, and reproducible results. In our assessment of the literature, we visualized current image processing practices, compiled the image processing options from the top twelve software programs, and designed a road map to enhance image processing. We determined that thresholding and segmentation methods were often left out of publications and underreported or underutilized for quantifying CNS cell research.

Discussion

Less than 10% of papers with immunofluorescent images include image processing in their methods. A few authors are implementing advanced methods in image analysis to quantify over 40 different CNS cell features, which can provide quantitative insights in CNS cell features that will advance CNS research. However, our review puts forward that image analysis methods will remain limited in rigor and reproducibility without more rigorous and detailed reporting of image processing methods.

Conclusion

Image processing is a critical part of CNS research that must be improved to increase scientific insight, explainability, reproducibility, and rigor.
Cardiovascular measures display robust phenotypic stability across long-duration intervals involving repeated sleep deprivation and recovery
Authors: Pasetes Lauren N. , Rosendahl-Garcia Kathleen M. , Goel Namni
Published: July 2023

Introduction

We determined whether cardiovascular (CV) measures show trait-like responses after repeated total sleep deprivation (TSD), baseline (BL) and recovery (REC) exposures in two long-duration studies (total N = 11 adults).

Methods

A 5-day experiment was conducted twice at months 2 and 4 in a 4-month study (N = 6 healthy adults; 3 females; mean age ± SD, 34.3 ± 5.7 years; mean BMI ± SD, 22.5 ± 3.2 kg/m2), and three times at months 2, 4, and 8 in an 8-month study (N = 5 healthy adults; 2 females; mean age ± SD, 33.6 ± 5.17 years; mean BMI ± SD, 27.1 ± 4.9 kg/m2). Participants were not shift workers or exposed to TSD in their professions. During each experiment, various seated and standing CV measures were collected via echocardiography [stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI)] or blood pressure monitor [systolic blood pressure (SBP)] after (1) two BL 8h time in bed (TIB) nights; (2) an acute TSD night; and (3) two REC 8–10 h TIB nights. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) assessed CV measure stability during BL, TSD, and REC and for the BL and REC average (BL + REC) across months 2, 4, and 8; Spearman’s rho assessed the relative rank of individuals’ CV responses across measures.

Results

Seated BL (0.693–0.944), TSD (0.643–0.962) and REC (0.735–0.960) CV ICCs showed substantial to almost perfect stability and seated BL + REC CV ICCs (0.552–0.965) showed moderate to almost perfect stability across months 2, 4, and 8. Individuals also exhibited significant, consistent responses within seated CV measures during BL, TSD, and REC. Standing CV measures showed similar ICCs for BL, TSD, and REC and similar response consistency.

Discussion

This is the first demonstration of remarkably robust phenotypic stability of a number of CV measures in healthy adults during repeated TSD, BL and REC exposures across 2, 4, and 8 months, with significant consistency of responses within CV measures. The cardiovascular measures examined in our studies, including SV, HR, CI, LVET, SVRI, and SBP, are useful biomarkers that effectively track physiology consistently across long durations and repeated sleep deprivation and recovery.
Web Crippling Behaviour of High-Strength Aluminium Alloy Channel Sections under Concentrated Loading: Numerical Modelling and Proposed Design Rules
Authors: Sun Gang , Sun Xiao-Yong , Fu Jian-Hang
Published: July 2023

Two types of high-strength aluminium alloy (HA)—namely, AA-6086 and 7075-T6—have been developed and extensively used in recent years. These high-strength aluminium alloys offer advantages such as lower prices and higher yield strength than traditional alloys. The webs of aluminium channel members under concentrated loads are susceptible to web buckling failure, which restricts their applications. However, no research work has been reported that has evaluated the web buckling performance of high-strength aluminium alloy channel sections subjected to end-two-flange (ETF) loading, and the material characteristics of these high-strength aluminium alloys differ significantly from those of conventional aluminium alloys. This work addresses this gap by conducting a detailed numerical investigation. A parametric investigation consisting of 1024 models was performed using the finite element (FE) models previously developed for traditional aluminium alloys. A wide range of high-strength aluminium alloy sections covering varying web slenderness ratios, internal corner radii, bearing lengths, and aluminium alloy grades were considered in this investigation. It was shown that the latest design recommendations in the Australian and New Zealand Standards (AS/NZ S4600) and (AS/NZS 1664.1) were over-conservative when estimating the web buckling strength of such channel sections. Finally, new web buckling design equations for high-strength aluminium alloy channel sections were proposed through reliability analysis in this investigation.
Clinical Trials of Cellular Therapies in Solid Tumors
Authors: Secondino Simona , Canino Costanza , Alaimo Domiziana , Muzzana Marta , Galli Giulia , Borgetto Sabrina , Basso Sabrina , Bagnarino Jessica , Pulvirenti Chiara , Comoli Patrizia , Pedrazzoli Paolo
Published: July 2023

In the past years cancer treatments have drastically changed, mainly due to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors capable of immune modulation in vivo, thus providing major clinical benefit in a number of malignancies. Simultaneously, considerable technical refinements have opened new prospects for the development of immune cell-based medicinal products and unprecedented success with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting B-cell hematologic malignancies has been obtained. However, T cell therapies introduced and performed in the field of solid tumors have produced so far only limited responses in selected patient populations. This standstill is attributable to the difficulty in identifying target antigens which are homogeneously expressed by all tumor cells while absent from normal tissues, and the limited T cell persistence and proliferation in a hostile tumor microenvironment that favors immune escape. Replicating the results observed in hematology is a major scientific challenge in solid tumors, and ongoing translational and clinical research is focused on obtaining insight into the mechanisms of tumor recognition and evasion, and how to improve the efficacy of cellular therapies, also combining them with immune checkpoint inhibitors or other agents targeting either the cancer cell or the tumor environment. This paper provides an overview of current adaptive T cell therapy approaches in solid tumors, the research performed to increase their efficacy and safety, and results from ongoing clinical trials.
Opportunities and Alternatives of Modern Radiation Oncology and Surgery for the Management of Resectable Brain Metastases
Authors: Diehl Christian D. , Giordano Frank A. , Grosu Anca-L. , Ille Sebastian , Kahl Klaus-Henning , Onken Julia , Rieken Stefan , Sarria Gustavo R. , Shiban Ehab , Wagner Arthur , Beck Jürgen , Brehmer Stefanie , Ganslandt Oliver , Hamed Motaz , Meyer Bernhard , Münter Marc , Raabe Andreas , Rohde Veit , Schaller Karl , Schilling Daniela , Schneider Matthias , Sperk Elena , Thomé Claudius , Vajkoczy Peter , Vatter Hartmut , Combs Stephanie E.
Published: July 2023

Postsurgical radiotherapy (RT) has been early proven to prevent local tumor recurrence, initially performed with whole brain RT (WBRT). Subsequent to disadvantageous cognitive sequalae for the patient and the broad distribution of modern linear accelerators, focal irradiation of the tumor has omitted WBRT in most cases. In many studies, the effectiveness of local RT of the resection cavity, either as single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or hypo-fractionated stereotactic RT (hFSRT), has been demonstrated to be effective and safe. However, whereas prospective high-level incidence is still lacking on which dose and fractionation scheme is the best choice for the patient, further ablative techniques have come into play. Neoadjuvant SRS (N-SRS) prior to resection combines straightforward target delineation with an accelerated post-surgical phase, allowing an earlier start of systemic treatment or rehabilitation as indicated. In addition, low-energy intraoperative RT (IORT) on the surgical bed has been introduced as another alternative to external beam RT, offering sterilization of the cavity surface with steep dose gradients towards the healthy brain. This consensus paper summarizes current local treatment strategies for resectable brain metastases regarding available data and patient-centered decision-making.