bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical comparison between terminal and interstitial 4q deletion in two unrelated children
Authors: Pappalardo Xena Giada , Lubrano Riccardo , Verrotti Alberto , Parisi Pasquale , Falsaperla Raffaele , Pavone Piero
Published: October 2022

Background. The term “4q deletion syndrome” is defined to include two different regions: an interstitial sequence deleted from the centromere to 4q31 and a terminal deletion from 4q31 to 4qter.
Objective. To compare clinical similarities and differences between two unrelated children of the same age observed during the same time period by the same Center, one presenting with a 4q interstitial deletion, the other with a terminal 4q deletion. The clinical manifestations were compared.
Cases Presentation. Clinical manifestations observed in two children from the infancy to the age of 7 years included: craniofacial features, pre- and postnatal growth failure, and speech and developmental delay. Case 1 showed a terminal 4q deletion of about 329.6 Kb extending from 164.703.186 to 165.032.803 nt, Case 2 displayed an interstitial 4q deletion 600.3 Kb long spanning from 71.655.407 to 78.016.622 nt.
Results. Growth retardation, craniofacial features, mild developmental delay and notable speech delay. were reported in both the probands. Precocious crowded dentition was observed in Case 1 and an accessory spleen in Case 2.
Conclusion. Patients with 4q deletion syndrome although sharing main features, exhibited varying clinical manifestations depending on the area and location of the deletion. Similarity and diversity reported for the probands are analyzed. An extensive review of the 4q deletion syndrome is reported.
UTX inhibition suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis in patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells by modulating periostin expression
Authors: Luan Yan , Liu Yingfei , Xue Jingwen , Wang Ke , Ma Kaige , Lu Haixia , Chen Xinlin , Liu Yong , Zhang Zhichao
Published: October 2022

Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) link tightly to glioblastoma (GBM) development, progression, therapeutic resistance and recurrence, suggesting GSCs as a novel target for drug discovery. UTX, a histone H3K27 demethylase, participates in regulating multiple cancer types. However, less is known about the function of UTX in GBM, let alone in GSCs. Our study aims to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of UTX on GSCs. TCGA data showed that higher UTX expression was found in GBM and inversely correlated with survival. UTX inhibition hindered GBM cell growth and caused cell apoptosis. Subsequently, we cultured the primary GSCs, which were isolated from three patients. UTX inhibition suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in GSCs. RNA-seq was performed to analyze the gene expression changes after silencing UTX in GSCs. The results indicated that UTX-mediated genes were strongly closely correlated with GBM progression and regulatory tumor microenvironment (TME). Transwell co-cultured experiment showed that silencing UTX in the transwell chamber GSCs could also inhibit the well plate cell proliferation. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed that periostin (POSTN) played a role in the UTX-mediated transcriptional regulatory network. Replenishment of POSTN abolished the effect of UTX inhibition on GSCs proliferation and apoptosis, partially recovered the intra- and extracellular levels of COL1A1 and VCAM1. Combining the above results together, our study demonstrated that UTX inhibition hindered POSTN expression by enhancing H3K27me2/3 level, eventually resulting in inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis of patient-derived GSCs. Our findings may provide a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of GBM.
Long-term trends of pediatric type 1 diabetes incidence in Japan: before and during the COVID- 19 pandemic years (1999–2021)
Authors: Ihara Kenji , Matsuda Fumika , Itonaga Tomoyo , Maeda Miwako
Published: October 2022

Background: The incidence of type 1 diabetes has increased worldwide whereas a long-term trend for pediatric type 1 diabetes has remain elusive in Japan.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and secular trend of pediatric type 1 diabetes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic from 1999 to 2021 in Oita Prefecture, Japan.
Subjects: We investigated the increase in numbers of newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes aged <15 years from1999 to 2021.
Method: We surveyed the medical information from hospitals in Oita and Oita Prefecture database in Japan.
Result: The incidence of type 1 diabetes in those aged <15 years increased annually by 5.3% in all children, especially by 8.1% in boys aged 10–14 years during the past 23 years. The average incidence rate of 3.9/100,000/year was almost consistent with the previous report from Asian countries. However, no significant change was found in the increasing incidence trend of type 1 diabetes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion: The incidence of pediatric type 1 diabetes in Japan has significantly increased over the past 23 years, which is consistent with a worldwide trend. No significant increasing trend was observed during the past 2 years during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Effects of hydrogen peroxide present in mouthwashes on bonding efficacy of universal adhesives to dentin surface
Authors: Silva Daniella de Oliveira da , Moreira Pedro Henrrique de Aguiar , Ferreira Michel Wendlinger Cantanhede , Paranhos Luis Renato , Reis Alessandra , Cardenas Andres Felipe Millan , Loguercio Alessandro Dourado , Siqueira Fabiana Suelen Figuerêdo
Published: October 2022

Background:To evaluate the effects of the repeated use of hydrogen peroxide (HP)-based mouthwashes on the bonding efficacy of universal adhesives for bonding to dentin surfaces.Methods:In this study, 384 human third molars were divided into 48 experimental groups according to the application of two HP-based mouthwashes for 1, 7, 15, and 30 days. The adhesives included Scotchbond Universal and Ambar Universal adhesives, and the adhesive strategies were etch-and-rinse and self-etch. Additionally, for each mouthwash protocol, one group without mouthwash and another group which underwent in-office bleaching were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Teeth were treated separately in each mouthwash protocol, and after that, they were restored and tested for their microtensile bond strength (µTBS), nanoleakage (NL), and degree of conversion (DC). The data were subjected to a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (α = 0.05) for each evaluated property.Results:A significant decrease in the µTBS was observed for both mouthwashes (15 and 30) relative to the negative control group (p = 0.0001). However, both groups showed higher µTBS values than those for the in-office bleaching group (p < 0.0001).Regarding the NL, a significant decrease in the NL values was observed for both mouthwashes (30) when compared to the negative control group (p < 0.01). Moreover, both mouthwash (15 and 30) groups showed lower NL to dentin values when compared to in-office bleaching (p < 0.01).Conclusion:Even at low concentrations, the continuous and prolonged use of an HP-based mouthwash affects the µTBS and DC values, and leads to an increase in the NL of the universal adhesives in the dentin.
Investigation of the Tensile Strength and Chemical Interaction & Structure of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene/ Silicon Carbide Nanocomposite
Authors: Bozeya Ayat , Makableh Yahia F. , Hammam Haneen Abu , Alnasra Ibrahim , Rawashdeh Tariq
Published: October 2022

Purpose: In this research, nanocomposite of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with Silicon Carbide (SiC) nanoparticles was prepared and characterized in terms of chemical interaction, molecular structure, tensile strength, and dispersion state of nanoparticles in the UHMWPE matrix.
Method: Nanocomposite of UHMWPE/SiC was prepared in gradient loadings (1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 wt % of the SiC nanoparticles) by means of ultra-sonication mixing technique followed by compression molding.
Results: Physicochemical interaction of the UHMWPE matrix and the SiC nanoparticles at filler/polymer interface was suggested by Fourier-transfer Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results. X-ray diffraction (XRD) approved that the incorporation of SiC in the UHMWPE matrix did not change the orthorhombic crystalline structure of neat UHMWPE. However, an increase in crystallinity of 14 % was achieved with the 3 wt % of SiC. No significant change was observed in the average grain size comparing the pure UHMWPE to its nanocomposites.
Conclusion:Enhancement in mechanical properties were achieved by 3 wt % SiC reinforced UHMWPE where young’s modulus, tensile strength and strain at break increased by an average of 13 %, 20 % and 46 % respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) approved good dispersion of SiC nanoparticles in UHMWPE matrix up to 3 wt%.
Exploring Pathway Interactions to Detect Molecular Mechanisms of Disease: 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Shin Woosub , Kutmon Martina , Mina Eleni , Amelsvoort Therese van , Evelo Chris T , Ehrhart Friederike
Published: October 2022

Background
22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic disorder characterized by the deletion of adjacent genes at a location specified as q11.2 of chromosome 22, resulting in an array of clinical phenotypes including autistic spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, congenital heart defects, and immune deficiency. Many characteristics of the disorder are known, such as the phenotypic variability of the disease and the biological processes associated with it; however, the exact and systemic molecular mechanisms between the deleted area and its resulting clinical phenotypic expression, for example that of neuropsychiatric diseases, are not yet fully understood.
Results
Using previously published transcriptomics data (GEO:GSE59216), we constructed two datasets: one set compares 22q11DS patients experiencing neuropsychiatric diseases versus healthy controls, and the other set 22q11DS patients without neuropsychiatric diseases versus healthy controls. We modified and applied the pathway interaction method, originally proposed by Kelder et al. (2011), on a network created using the WikiPathways pathway repository and the STRING protein-protein interaction database. We identified genes and biological processes that were exclusively associated with the development of neuropsychiatric diseases among the 22q11DS patients.
Compared with the 22q11DS patients without neuropsychiatric diseases, patients experiencing neuropsychiatric diseases showed significant overrepresentation of regulated genes involving the natural killer cell function and the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, with affected genes being closely associated with downregulation of CRK like proto-oncogene adaptor protein. Both the pathway interaction and the pathway overrepresentation analysis observed the disruption of the same biological processes, even though the exact lists of genes collected by the two methods were different.
Conclusions
Using the pathway interaction method, we were able to detect a molecular network that could possibly explain the development of neuropsychiatric diseases among the 22q11DS patients. This way, our method was able to complement the pathway overrepresentation analysis, by filling the knowledge gaps on how the affected pathways are linked to the original deletion on chromosome 22. We expect our pathway interaction method could be used for problems with similar contexts, where complex genetic mechanisms need to be identified to explain the resulting phenotypic plasticity.
Circulating Stromal Cells are Prognostic for Highly Aggressive Prostate Cancer in both the Non-Metastatic and Metastatic Settings
Authors: GIRONDA DANIEL , Bergan Raymond , Alpaugh R , Danila Daniel , Chuang Tuan , Hurtado Brenda , Ho Thai , Adams Daniel
Published: October 2022

Despite advancements in the early-stage detection and expansion of treatments for Prostate Cancer (PCa), patient mortality rates remain high in patients with aggressive disease, and overtreatment of indolent disease remains a major issue. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), a standard PCa blood biomarker, is limited in its ability to differentiate disease subtypes resulting in the overtreatment of non-aggressive indolent disease. Recently Cancer Associated Macrophage-Like cells (CAMLs), a cancer-specific polyploid circulating stromal cell was found in the blood of patients with PCa. Further, it has been suggested that circulating CAMLs ≥50μm in cytoplasmic diameter are associated with aggressive tumor subtypes and worsened patient outcomes, which may aid PSA for patient stratification. To expand upon previous research, we hypothesized that monitoring CAML size, in combination with PSA, may aid in differentiating indolent, non-aggressive, and highly aggressive PCas by adding biological information that complements traditional clinical biomarkers, thereby guiding treatment for PCa.
Cross species horizontal gene transfer of bacterial genes during human evolution controls human cell proliferation through long non coding RNA’s.
Authors: Pandey Manoj , Rajput Monika , Dixit Ruhi , Singh Pooja , Shukla Vijay
Published: October 2022

Background: Gallbladder cancer is the commonest cancer of the bile duct, the etiopathogenesis is still debatable. Non coding RNAs are implicated in various carcinogenesis however their role in gallbladder cancer is still not clear.
Methods: Transcriptomic data from gallbladder cancer patients was analyzed for differential expression of long non coding RNA (lncRNA), the data was subjected to cross-species phylogenetic analysis and blast with the bacterial and ancient human genome. Pathway analysis, gene-gene interactions and data and text mining was done for non-conserved non coding genes.
Findings: Of the 16 lncRNA identified as differentially expressed, 7 were found to be phylogenetically of bacterial origin appeared to be acquired by horizontal gene transfer during evolution. These genes were identified in both Homo heidelbergensis and Homo neanderthalensis with dissimilarities. Functional analysis of these gene showed them to regulate various biological and genetic process that appear to promote gallbladder carcinogenesis.
Interpretation: This is the first study that shows that 7 of the human lncRNA are probably of bacterial origin and has been passed to Homo sapiens through ancestry and part of these has been acquired during human evaluation. These genes regulate the transcription and post transcriptional vital RNA, protein functions and thus may induce gallbladder carcinogenesis.
Spatial and temporal differences in the response of water and soil conservation to ecosystem fragmentation
Authors: Gao Xiang , Wen Ruiyang , Li Jie , Yan An
Published: October 2022

Using spatial autocorrelation methods we explores the spatial and temporal differences in the response of soil and water conservation to ecosystem fragmentation during the period between 1990 and 2019 in Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP) of China. We found that the degree of ecosystem fragmentation has decreased over the past 30 years, improving the water and soil conservation capacity of the park's ecosystems. However, the relationship between the two varied temporally and also exhibited a variety of spatial patterns. These differences were due to the spatial heterogeneity of the park's ecosystems, the differences in the forms of fragmentation of different ecosystems and the differences in the soil and water conservation capacity of different ecosystems. Moreover, there were differences in the impact of nine fragmentation factors on ecosystem soil and water conservation and explanatory of two services in QMNP.
Inhibition of Calcium-sensing Receptor Alleviates Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia-induced Cognitive Dysfunction via CaSR-PKC-ERK1/2 Pathway
Authors: Ying Huiya , Zhang Zilong , Wang Wei , Yang Zijing , You Cancan , Li Yuanai , Cai Xiaohong , Li Xiucui
Published: October 2022

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is typically characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), associated with cognitive dysfunction in children. Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), a member of G-protein coupled receptors superfamily, has been demonstrated to mediate the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in various diseases. However, the effect of CaSR on OSAHS remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the role of CaSR in CIH-induced memory dysfunction and underlying mechanisms on regulation of PKC-ERK1/2 signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. CIH exposures for 4 weeks in mice, modeling OSAHS, contributed to cognitive dysfunction, manifested as increased working memory errors, reference memory errors and total memory errors. CIH accelerated apoptosis of hippocampal neurons by increased TUNEL positive cells, up-regulated cleaved-Caspase3 and down-regulated Bcl-2 in mice, and resulted in the synaptic plasticity deficit via down-regulated synaptophysin (Syn) protein level. To further identify whether CaSR is involved in hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and synaptic plasticity induced by CIH, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with CaSR inhibitor (NPS2143) 30 min before CIH exposure everyday, and the results demonstrated CaSR inhibitor alleviated the apoptosis and synaptic plasticity deficit in the hippocampus of CIH mice, accompanied by decreased p-ERK1/2 and PKC. To clarify the mechanism of apoptosis and synaptic plasticity in CIH hippocampal neurons mediated by CaSR, we established intermittent hypoxia PC12 cell model and found that the activation of CaSR accelerated CIH-induced PC12 apoptosis and synaptic plasticity deficit by up-regulated p-ERK1/2 and PKC. Overall, our findings indicated that CaSR held a critical function on CIH-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice by accelerating hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and reducing synaptic plasticity via augmenting CaSR- PKC-ERK1/2 pathway; otherwise, inhibition of CaSR alleviated CIH-induced cognitive dysfunction.
Macro-meso damage characteristics of coal body under different pressure relief conditions
Authors: LI Jinyu , WANG Lei , ZHAO Hongbao , ZHANG Yilong , PANG Jiawei , Tao WANG
Published: October 2022

The mining of the protective coal seam usually produces different pressure relief effects on the different areas of protected coal seam, the reason is that the stress paths of protected seam coal body in different areas caused by mining effect are different. In order to explore the differential pressure relief damage effect of coal body under different pressure relief conditions, the stress evolution path of coal body in different areas of the protected coal seam is obtianed by using theoretical analysis and the macro-micro damage characteristics of coal body under different stress paths by using numerical simulation in this paper. The results show that: The damage characteristics of the sample models are basically the same in the in-situ stress recovery stage and the mining disturbance stage of the two stress paths. with ith the sequence of stress stages experienced by the sample model, the distribution of acoustic emission events concentrates in the high-intensity area and the porosity continues to decrease. The number of cracks increases slowly in the stage of in-situ stress recovery stage, most of which are tensile cracks, while the number of cracks increases sharply in the mining disturbance stage, most of which are shear cracks. The difference of the deformation and macro meso damage characteristics of the sample models under the two stress paths is mainly reflected in the post mining pressure relief stage. At the post mining pressure relief stage of path 1, the number of cracks in the sample has little growth, and most of them are small energy tensile cracks, and the porosity increases, which verifies its obvious pressure relief activation antireflection effect; At this stage of path 2, the crack growth of the sample is obvious, and most of them are high-energy shear cracks, and the porosity continues to decrease. Compared with path 1, the pressure relief expansion effect of the sample model is suppressed and the compression damage continues to develop in this stage of path 2.
The development of a highly sensitive and quantitative SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test applying newly developed monoclonal antibodies to an automated chemiluminescent flow-through membrane immunoassay device
Authors: Nishimura Kengo , Kitazawa Hiroaki , Kawahata Takashi , Yuhara Kosuke , Masuya Takahiro , Kuroita Toshihiro , Waki Kentarou , Koike Seiichi , Isobe Masaharu , Kurosawa Nobuyuki
Published: October 2022

Background
The rapid and accurate diagnosis of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection is an effective way to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. Although the detection of SARS-CoV‐2 viral RNA by RT‐qPCR is the gold standard for COVID‐19 testing, the use of antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) is emerging as a complementary surveillance tool as Omicron case numbers skyrocket worldwide. However, the results from Ag-RDTs are less accurate for individuals with low viral loads.
Methods
To develop a more sensitive and accurate Ag-RDT, we screened a total of 90 candidate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) obtained from guinea pigs immunized with SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (CoV-2-NP), and a highly specific epitope-characterized mAb set suitable for detecting the antigen was selected. By applying the mAb set to an automated chemiluminescence flow-through membrane immunoassay device, we developed a highly sensitive and quantitative Ag-RDT, CoV-2-POCube.
Results
CoV-2-POCube exclusively recognizes a variety of CoV-2-NP variants but not the nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV and other human coronaviruses. CoV-2-POCube achieved a limit of detection sensitivity of 0.20 ~ 0.66 pg/mL of a variety of CoV-2-NP variants, showing over 100 times greater sensitivity than commercially airable SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDTs.
Conclusion
CoV-2-POCube is a promising alternative to currently available diagnostic devices for faster clinical decision-making in individuals with suspected COVID-19 in limited-resource settings.
Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) - a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of tuberculosis from the urine of infected elephants
Authors: Ranjini Manuel , Deepa P.M , Ashok Unni , Lijo John , Deepa C.K
Published: October 2022

The spread of Tuberculosis (TB) in Asian countries is mainly due to co-existence and close association of humans with elephants and other domestic livestock. Infected animals tend to shed the organism in the preclinical period which risks the transmission of the infection from animals to humans and vice-versa. Since tuberculosis infection is chronic and lack specific clinical signs, diagnosis remains challenging. Present study focus on the utilization of Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) a glycolipid for the detection of TB infection in elephants. Usage of urine as the biological sample for the diagnosis makes it more advantageous. Seroprevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in elephants in Kerala were found to be 37.2 per cent (n = 86) using Chembio DPP VetTB assay. Nine (10.46 per cent) out of 86 elephants were positive for AFB and 29 (33.7 per cent) out of 86 elephants were positive for LAM antigen. On comparison of efficiency of LF-LAM assay with that of DPP VetTB assay, LF-LAM assay had a sensitivity of 90.63 per cent, specificity 100 per cent, positive predictive value 100 per cent, negative predictive value 94.7 per cent, accuracy 95.51 per cent and kappa statistic value 0.924 (p - value < 0.001). On comparison of LF-LAM with traditional acid fast staining method, LF- LAM assay had the sensitivity of 100 per cent, specificity 74.03 per cent, positive predictive value 31 per cent, negative predictive value 100 per cent, accuracy 76.74 per cent and kappa statistic value 0.374 (p - value < 0.001). The presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed in trunk wash sample using PCR targeting gene IS6110, at 245bp amplicon size and 25 seropositive elephants (78.2 per cent) were confirmed positive. Custom sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate obtained were Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study in elephants prove that TB LAM Ag (LF-LAM) can be used as potent biomarker for diagnosis of tuberculosis in elephants,
The role of interface configuration on performance accuracy in eyes-free touchscreen interaction
Authors: Pooripanyakun Munyaporn , Wodehouse Andrew , Mehnen Jorn
Published: October 2022

This paper describes the exploration of a new category of a touchscreen interface. An eyes-free interface harnesses innate human abilities and product affordances to allow reduced levels of visual attention. Interface design for eyes-free interaction with a featureless screen is highly challenging; however, it can be achieved by simplifying and optimizing menu layout patterns to take advantage of innate human abilities including proprioception and spatial memory. This opens up a range of possibilities for peripheral device control under one-handed thumb mobile interaction. To this end, two experiments with different modes of presentation were conducted to understand the effect of interface configurations on performance accuracy caused by spatial memory and proprioception. Spatial performance results from the interaction effect of both cognitive abilities on an eyes-free interface. Vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and curved layouts with different spacing patterns have been tested in both tap and draw input modes. The results revealed that evenly spaced button alignment close to the reference frame with symmetrical patterns within a square interface area and a comfortable thumb range positively affect accuracy. The conclusions describe how alignment patterns and the mode of presentation affect visual perception and spatial integration, and a framework for the development of an eyes-free interface is set out.
Patient safety culture and its relationship with job satisfaction and adverse events among nurses working in emergency departments: A correlational descriptive study
Authors: Ramezani Hashem , Shahbazi Shahla , Gilani Neda , Shabanloei Reza
Published: October 2022

Background and Aim

Patient safety culture is an important factor in the effort to reduce adverse events in the hospital and promote patient safety. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between patient safety culture, job satisfaction and adverse events among nurses working in the emergency department of Tabriz hospitals.

Materials and Methods

The current research was cross-sectional descriptive correlational study, which was conducted with the participation of 180 nurses working in the emergency department of Tabriz teaching hospitals who were selected using the quota sampling method. To collect data, demographic information form, HSOPSC patient safety culture questionnaire and job satisfaction questionnaire and adverse events in the past year form were used.

Results

The highest mean of patient safety culture was related to the work team within the units and the lowest mean was related to the dimension of non-punitive response to errors. 78.9 percent of nurses never reported falling in the past year. Most of the study participants stated that in the past year, they never experienced side effects of drugs (62.2 percent), medication errors (69.4 percent), reactions to injections or blood transfusions (74.4 percent), and injury to the patient. during care (75.6 percent). The results of Pearson's correlation test showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between the total score of patient safety culture and job satisfaction. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that each dimension of patient safety culture significantly predicts at least one of the adverse events.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study showed that the culture of patient safety and job satisfaction among nurses participating in this study was at an average level and the incidence of unwanted incidents was high. In addition, the results showed that there is a direct relationship between patient safety culture and job satisfaction and adverse events.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Computerized Battery for Neuropsychological Evaluation of Children (BENCI) among School Aged Children in the Context of HIV in an Urban Kenyan Setting
Authors: Maina Rachel , He Jia , Abubakar Amina , Perez-Garcia Miguel , Kumar Manasi , Wicherts Jelte
Published: October 2022

Introduction. Culturally validated neurocognitive measures for children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries are important in the timely and correct identification of neurocognitive impairments. Such measures can inform development of interventions for children exposed to additional vulnerabilities like HIV infection. The Battery for Neuropsychological Evaluation of Children (BENCI) is an openly available, computerized neuropsychological battery specifically developed to evaluate neurocognitive impairment. This study adapted the BENCI and evaluated its reliability and validity in Kenya.
Methodology. The BENCI was adapted using translation and back-translation from Spanish to English language. The psychometric properties were evaluated in a case-control study of 328 children (aged 6 – 14 years) living with HIV and 260 children not living with HIV in Kenya. We assessed reliability, factor structure, and measurement invariance with respect to HIV. Additionally, we examined convergent validity of the BENCI using tests from the Kilifi Toolkit.
Results. Internal consistencies (0.49 < α < 0.97) and test-retest reliabilities (-.34 to .81) were sufficient-to-good for most of the subtests. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations between the BENCI’s Verbal memory and Kilifi’s Verbal List Learning (r = .41), the BENCI’s Visual memory and Kilifi’s Verbal List Learning (r = .32) and the BENCI’s Planning total time test and Kilifi’s Tower Test (r = -.21) and the BENCI’s Abstract Reasoning test and Kilifi’s Raven’s Progressive Matrix (r = .21). The BENCI subtests highlighted meaningful differences between children living with HIV and those not living with HIV. After some minor adaptions, a confirmatory four-factor model consisting of flexibility, fluency, reasoning and working memory fitted well (χ2 =135.57, DF = 51, N = 604, p < .001, RMSEA = .052, CFI = .944, TLI =.914) and was partially scalar invariant between HIV positive and negative groups.
Conclusion. The English version of the BENCI formally translated for use in Kenya can be further adapted and integrated in clinical and research settings as a valid and reliable cognitive test battery.
Identification of miR-192 target genes in porcine endometrial epithelial cells based on miRNA pull-down
Authors: Li Qingchun , Gao Ruonan , Chen Yansen , Xie Su , Sun Xiaomei , Gong Hongbing , Sun Yishan , He Fan , Lu Shihao , Chen Xin , Qi Mengfan , Li Mingguo , Huang Tao
Published: October 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs)—a class of small endogenous non-coding RNAs—are widely involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation of numerous physiological processes. High-throughput sequencing revealed that the miR-192 expression level appeared to be significantly higher in the blood exosomes of sows at early gestation than that in non-pregnant sows. Furthermore, miR-192 was hypothesized to have a regulatory role in embryo implantation; however, the target genes involved in exerting the regulatory function of miR-192 required further elucidation.
Methods: In the present study, potential target genes of miR-192 in porcine endometrial epithelial cells (PEECs) were identified through biotin-labeled miRNA pull-down; functional and pathway enrichment analysis was performed via gene ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment. Bioinformatic analyses were concurrently used to predict the potential target genes associated with sow embryo implantation. In addition, double luciferase reporter vectors, reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western blot were performed to verify the targeting and regulatory roles of the abovementioned target genes.
Results: A total of 1688 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified via miRNA pull-down. Through RT-qPCR, the accuracy of the sequencing data was verified. In the bioinformatics analysis, potential target genes of miR-192 appeared to form a dense inter-regulatory network and regulated multiple signaling pathways, such as metabolic pathways and the PI3K-Akt, MAPKs, and mTOR signaling pathways, that are relevant to the mammalian embryo implantation process. In addition, CSK (C-terminal Src kinase) and YY1 (Yin-Yang-1) were predicted to be potential candidates, and we validated that miR-192 directly targets and suppresses the expression of the CSK and YY1 genes.
Conclusion: We screened 1688 potential target genes of miR-192 were screened, and CSK and YY1 were identified as miR-192 target genes. The outcomes of the present study provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanism of porcine embryo implantation and the identification of miRNA target genes.
Biological characterization of natural peptide BcI-1003 from Boana cordobae (anura): role in Alzheimer’s Disease and microbial infections.
Authors: Spinelli Roque , Humpola Maria Veronica , Sanchis Ivan , Mendez Emilse de los Angeles , Siano Alvaro Sebastian
Published: October 2022

Nature continues to be one of the most important sources of molecules for the development of novel therapeutic agents. The skin of anuran’s (frogs and toads) is a rich source of peptides with a great importance in the search of bioactive agents applying to human health. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex disease associated with numerous pathological pathways, making their simultaneous modulation necessary. On the other hand, the increasing bacterial resistance against conventional antibiotics has made it essential to search for new antimicrobial drugs with different modes of action. Here in we report the natural peptide BcI-1003, isolated from Boana cordobae amphibian skin, as an agent capable to act on three key therapeutic targets of AD, inhibiting the activity of BChE (IC50 = 669 µM) and MAO-B (IC50 = 570 µM) enzymes, and showing a powerful and rapid antioxidant activity (EC50 = 7.24 µM). Besides, BcI-1003 showed antimicrobial activity against clinically drug-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains, with MIC values ranging from 8 to 127 µM against Staphylococcus aureus MR-1; S. aureus MR-2 and Escherichia coli MDR-1.
An urgent health problem of indoor air pollution: results from a 15-years carbon monoxide poisoning observed study in Jinan City
Authors: Li Mingjun , Shan Bing , Peng Xiumiao , Chang Huiyun , Cui Liangliang
Published: October 2022

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a public health concern in developing countries especially in China with a high disease burden. We aimed to focus on non-occupational CO poisoning caused by household coal heating secular trends based on registry data in Jinan, China, and we aim to provide further evidence and suggestions for public health policy. We analyzed the occurrence and development trend and assess the spatial-temporal epidemiological characteristics of non-occupational CO poisoning caused by household coal heating in Jinan between 2007 and 2021. Among total of 6588 CO poisoning, 5616 cases (85.25%) and 180 deaths caused by household coal heating was identified during study period. The cumulative incidence rate was 5.78 per 100,000 person-years and the mortality rate was 0.19 per 100,000 person-years. The incidence in urban areas was higher than rural areas. The poisoning time point mainly occurs in the sleep stage. In Jinan, socioeconomic status, accessibility to health services and rural status are determinants for CO poisoning incidence and mortality. Implementation of urban and rural central heating renovation is an effective way to further reduce the disease burden of CO poisoning in the future.
SGPT: Semantic Graphs based Pre-training for Aspect-based Sentiment Analysis
Authors: yong qian , chen chen , wang zhong qin , xiao rong , tang haihong
Published: October 2022

Previous studies show effective of pre-trained language models for sentiment analysis. However, most of these studies ignore the importance of sentimental information for pre-trained models.Therefore, we fully investigate the sentimental information for pre-trained models and enhance pre-trained language models with semantic graphs for sentiment analysis.In particular, we introduce Semantic Graphs based Pre-training(SGPT) using semantic graphs to obtain synonym knowledge for aspect-sentiment pairs and similar aspect/sentiment terms.We then optimize the pre-trained language model with the semantic graphs.Empirical studies on several downstream tasks show that proposed model outperforms strong pre-trained baselines. The results also show the effectiveness of proposed semantic graphs for pre-trained model.
Information Criteria Based Partitioned Iterative X-means Dice Correlation Clustering Algorithm for Big Geo-social Data
Authors: Sreeku Anoop , Abraham Sam , . Premalatha , . Cincy , U Aswathy S , Stephen Divya
Published: October 2022

Geo-social data is location-based social media data which is generated by people on social network (i.e. face book, twitter etc.,) that is related to specific locations. There are lot of social users who are generates very large amount of data called “Big Data” that is difficult to be analyzed and make real-time decisions. Few research works have been designed for clustering geo-social data using different techniques. However, clustering performance of conventional algorithms was not higher to exactly find frequently visited location of users in social network when taking big geo-social dataset as input. In order to overcome such drawbacks, a Focused Information Criterion based Partitioned Iterative X-means Dice Correlation Data Clustering (FIC-PIXDCDC) Method is proposed in this work. The FIC-PIXDCDC Method groups the similar geo-social data with higher accuracy and lesser time. In FIC-PIXDCDC method, geo-social data (i.e., user, location and time) from Weeplaces dataset is initially taken as an input. After obtaining input, FIC-PIXDCDC method chooses number of clusters and centroids randomly. Then, FIC-PIXDCDC calculates dice correlation between each input geo-social data and cluster centroids. Subsequently, FIC-PIXDCDC method applies Focused Information Criterion to construct optimal number of clusters for a given big dataset. This process of FIC-PIXDCDC method is repetitive until no deviation in cluster centroids. Appropriately, FIC-PIXDCDC strategy group's interrelated geo-social information along with accuracy at higher rate and lower time to accurately find area's data of regularly visited clients in social network. Trial assessment of FIC-PIXDCDC strategy is completed on elements, for example, clustering time, clustering precision, error rate as for number of geo-social information.
Platycodon grandiflorus saponin alleviates MSU-induced gouty arthritis based on NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 pathway
Authors: sun ping , Liu Yang , Zhang Tingting , Wang Shanshan , Huang Yanhong , Li Zerun , Nie Yupeng , xu hui , Liu Jianjun
Published: October 2022

Platycodon grandiflorus is a homologous material of traditional medicine and food. Besides a pickle, more importantly, it can also be used in traditional Chinese medicine as an alternative to modern western. Various studies have found that saponins in Platycodon grandiflorus (PGS) can play a role in different diseases (including liver cancer, lung cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases) as the main chemical constituents. However, studies on the treatment of gout arthritis by PGS are not reported, and the mechanism has not been speculated and elucidated systematically. This study describes the anti-inflammatory agent of PGS in treating gouty arthritis by characterizing the degree of joint swelling, inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), peroxides (SOD, MDA, GSH-PX), histopathology and related proteins. The results show that when MSU is injected into the joint, it activates the NLRP3 protein to bind to caspase-1 via ASC to form the NLRP3 inflammatory conjugate, which undergoes a series of changes to promote the release of inflammatory factors causing joint swelling and pain. Therefore, the same as colchicine, PGS can effectively reduce the swelling degree, level of inflammatory factors, and related protein expression while diminishing oxidative stress levels. This study lays the foundation for treating gout arthritis by PGS.
Neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade combined with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone for patients with resectable locally advanced esophageal carcinoma: A real-world data analysis
Authors: Cheng Daoan , Zhao Weiqing , Chen Rui , Li Dong , Tang Shuxian , Fang Cheng , Ji Mei
Published: October 2022

Background

Neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy with surgery was the standard of therapy for esophageal cancer. But many patients refused or abandoned radiotherapy because of the intolerable adverse effects in China. Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (nICT) followed by surgery has become an emerging treatment in patients with esophageal cancer. There was still no consensus on whether neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy was superior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) alone in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients with resectable esophageal cancer received surgery after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (nICT) (n = 26, 40%) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) alone (n = 39, 60%) were included. The patients were classified as nICT or nCT arm. The primary end points were pathological tumor response (PTR) and event-free survival (EFS). The different clinic-pathological features were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous variables and the Chi-square (χ2) test for categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate EFS from the date of treatment to recurrence or death. All tests were 2-sided with a significative P-value defined < .05.

Results

Three (11.5%) of the 26 patients achieved pathological complete remission (pCR) in the nICT group, and four (10.3%) of the 39 patients achieved pCR in the nCT group, respectively (P = 1.0). Six (23.1%) of the 26 patients achieved major pathological response (MPR) in the nICT group, and eleven (28.2%) of the 39 patients achieved MPR in the nCT group, respectively (P = 0.645). Downstaging was achieved in 13 (44.8%) patients in the nICT group and 16 (55.2%) patients in the nCT group, respectively (P = 0.732). To verify the TRG results, we compared them with MPR and pCR, which showed a significant dependency (P < 0.001). Patients who achieved downgrading showed better MPR and pCR rates (P<0.001 and P = 0.010). There was no significant difference in EFS between nICT and nCT group (HR = 1.011, 95%CI: 0.421–2.425, P = 0.981).

Conclusions
Clinical and radiographic outcomes of oblique lumbar interbody fusion with anterolateral screw and rod instrumentation in osteopenia patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Renjie , Liu Yijie , Zhu Yi , Lu Minhua , Jiang Weimin
Published: October 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of oblique lumbar interbody fusion to perform in L4/5 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) patients who diagnosed with osteopenia.
Methods
From December 2018 to 2021 March, 90 patients were diagnosed with degenerative spondylolisthesis underwent OLIF and divided into two groups with different bone mineral density. Anterolateral screw and rod instrumentation was applied in two groups. The primary outcomes were VAS, JOA and ODI. The secondary outcomes included disc height (DH), cross-sectional height of the intervertebral foramina (CSH), cross-sectional area of the dural sac (CSA), lumbar lordorsis (LL), pelvic titlt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI) and sacrum slop (SS).
Results
All patients finished at least 1 years follow-up with 20.43 ± 4.80 months in the group A and 21.19 ± 4.68 months in the group B. The clinical symptoms were evaluated by VAS, JOA and ODI and 90 patients showed good outcomes at final follow-up (P < 0.05), with significant increases in DH, CSH and CSA. In group A, DH increased from 8.45 ± 2.28 to 10.50 ± 2.48 mm, while increased from 8.63 ± 2.15 to 10.97 ± 1.63 were recorded in group B. No statistical difference was found in DH between the two groups (P > 0.05). The cage subsidence was 1.28 ± 0.92mm in group A and 1.15 ± 0.86mm in group B (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the adjusted parameters of spino-pelvic between two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
Oblique lumbar interbody fusion with anterolateral screw and rod instrumentation is feasible to be performed in osteopenia patients who diagnosed with degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Anatomy in the Minds of Health Sciences Undergraduates: A Metaphor Analysis
Authors: Tasdemir Rabia , Cihan Omer Faruk
Published: October 2022

Background
As with all healthcare professionals, anatomy is an indispensable course for nursing and midwifery students in order to be successful in other courses and in their professional lives. This survey-based study was conducted with nursing and midwifery students from the Faculty of Health Sciences to find out their perceptions about the “Anatomy” concept through metaphors.
Methods
The metaphor analysis technique was used for the study. This techniques is used as a phenomenological research method as part of a qualitative research approach. The study was conducted between January and February 2021 at a faculty of health sciences of a public university in Turkey. The study universe and sample consisted of the students from the Faculty of Health Sciences of our university. Among a total of 260 nursing and midwifery students, 200 students voluntarily agreed to participate in the study survey. Since 4 students failed to produce valid metaphors, the study was completed with 196 students. The study data were collected using a brief questionnaire on demographic characteristics and by prompting the students to complete the metaphorical statement “Anatomy is like … because…”.
Results
The nursing students produced negative metaphors more commonly than the midwifery students. Despite this, in general, positive metaphors were predominantly produced by the students from both departments. Second year students were found to have more positive views about anatomy than first year students.
Conclusions
Since anatomy is a fundamental discipline for healthcare professionals, the perceptions of nursing and midwifery students about anatomy are very important. While the metaphors of “taking a breath” and “world atlas” about anatomy shows the awareness of the significance of anatomy among the students, metaphors of “ocean”, “abyss” and “desert” are striking examples that indicate how desperate they feel about learning anatomy.
Updated estimate of the breeding population of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at Penguin Point, Marambio / Seymour Island within the proposed Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area
Authors: Perchivale Pablo J. , Juarés Mariana A. , Santos Mercedes M. , Marti Lucas J. , Silvestro Anahí , Coria Néstor R. Coria
Published: October 2022

The Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)is an indicator species of the state of the Antarctic marine environment and this is reflected in the size of its reproductive populations. The mean number of breeding pairs of the Adélie penguin on Penguin Point, Marambio / Seymour Island, east of the Antarctic Peninsula, in the Weddell Sea, increased by 32.4% (λ = 1.01) from 1985/1986 to 2014/2015. Although in intermediate counts, there were fluctuations in the number of couples.
Variations in Adélie penguin populations may be due to natural variables such as the extent of sea ice; quantity and quality of food; winter survival of adults and juveniles; predation; among others, or due to human activities such as commercial fishing. Our study attempts to contribute to the current estimates of the reproductive population of the Adélie penguin in the region and may also contribute to the negotiations for the implementation of the marine protected area proposed in the sector.