bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Parental Factors and Wealth Status on Overweight and Obesity of Adolescents (Ages 18–19 Years) in Selected Schools in Manila City
Authors: Abueg Maria Erika , Fazon Rhodsell Aaron , Lacsamana Ann-Gel , Rosita Ma. Nicole , Ticzon Byiellja Althaea , Paimalan Florimae
Published: January 2024

The Philippines saw an increase in adolescent overweight and obesity prevalence of 6.7% from 2003 to 2018 with an expectancy of 30% adolescents in 2030. Increasing cases may pose a serious health risk and cost burden to the basic health care delivery system. Despite studies evaluating different factors contributing to overweight and obesity, there is still a need for more research linking wealth status and parental factors to overweight and obesity in Filipino late adolescents. The study aimed to understand the association between parental factors and wealth status in the development of adolescent overweight and obesity. The research used cross-sectional study design with a sample size of 200 pairs of adolescents and parents through purposive sampling. Adolescents with Body Mass Index classification of obese or overweight, residing in Manila City, and aged 18 to 19 years old were included in the study. Self-administered questionnaires were answered by parents and used to assess each household’s wealth status, parents’ nutrition knowledge, parenting style, and eating behavior. Data was processed using binomial logistic regression determining the association of the factor. Results showed that parents’ nutritional knowledge on diet, disease, and weight management section ( p = .045), permissive parenting style ( p = .037), and Emotional Under-Eating (EUE) section ( p = .014) have significant association with adolescents being overweight and obese. The parents’ nutritional knowledge on diet, disease, and weight management, permissive parenting style, and dietary behavior on EUE is significantly associated with adolescent overweight and obesity.
Health Impacts of Isolating Gender Violence
Authors: Flecha Ramon , Puigvert Lidia , Melgar Patricia , Racionero-Plaza Sandra
Published: January 2024

Isolating Gender Violence (IGV) is the violence perpetrated against those who support victims of gender violence and results from such support. Research has shown that overcoming IGV is central to eliminate gender violence. In this regard, a central step occurred in December 2020, when the Catalan Parliament approved by unanimity the creation of a new juridical figure and legal victim that never existed in the world before: victims of IGV. Now, professionals are demanding research evidence on health impacts of IGV to better support these victims. However, while the health consequences of sexual harassment have been widely examined, none analyses about whether and how IGV impacts its victims’ health exist. This article reports the first study exploring the perceptions of a group of IGV victims about the impact of IGV on their physical and mental health, if any. Data was collected with 21 semi-structured interviews and 1 communicative discussion group. The interviewing focused on participants’ perceptions about whether and how IGV affected their mental and/or physical health. Participants were 25 women and 4 men, all victims of IGV. The participants self-reported that IGV harmed their health status and shared their perceptions on some ways in which this occurred. Additionally, participants shared that: a) IGV reached their children affecting the minors’ emotional wellbeing, and b) they had a strong feeling of injustice which was perceived too as deteriorating their health. Studies based on diagnosis and with larger samples are necessary to further investigate the health consequences of IGV.
Excessive Pricing at the Covid-19 Pandemic: Big Data Insights From Consumer Complaints
Authors: Yildirim Emre , Koç Tuğba , Güzel Yakup
Published: January 2024

This study focuses on the excessive pricing issue that practiced by ecommerce websites during the Covid-19 pandemic. To understand the antecedents of excessive pricing and the expectations of consumers, Attribution Theory and Equity Theory were utilized. A total of 4,001 data were analyzed following a text mining methodology. Results showed that the main problem stems from the profit-oriented approach of the thirdparty sellers for the excessive pricing issue. According to results, while sudden price hikes without a reasonable excuse, stockpiling and opportunism were determined as the antecedents of excessive pricing; immediate action and the attention of authorities were appeared as the expectations of consumers. This result is clearly proved that consumers think they are deceived by stockpiling and opportunistic behavior arising from price gouging and wait for an urgent response from the authorities. Moreover, consumers’ price comparisons by using the terms “today,”“yesterday,”“before,” and “after” totally represent the perception of unfairness of price increases which is in parallel with the Equity Theory. Consumers who particularly pick the terms “authority,”“immediate,” and “attention” are by far the most dissatisfied ones and support their complaints by attaching proofs. This behavior is one of the effective ways to fight against price gougers’ uncontrollable practices and making the brand visible which coincides with the Attribution Theory. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first conducted with the competent authority provided data rather than using complaint websites or social media tools.
The 100 Top-Cited Articles on Medial Patellofemoral Ligament: A Bibliometric Analysis and Review
Authors: Panagopoulos Andreas , Giannatos Vasileios , Antzoulas Panagiotis , Lakoumentas John , Raoulis Vasileios , Hantes Michael
Published: January 2024

Background:

The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has been investigated widely in the past 30 years, resulting in many research achievements in this field.

Purpose:

To perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to evaluate the 100 top-cited articles on the MPFL.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

We searched the Scopus database in December 2022 using the terms “medial patellofemoral ligament” OR “MPFL.” The search was confined to English-language articles, including technical notes, systematic reviews on clinical outcomes and/or complications, clinical studies, studies regarding complications, and basic science articles (either cadaveric or biomechanical); we excluded letters, case reports, personal opinions, guidelines, editorials, and narrative or other types of reviews. Analysis of the 100 top-cited articles was performed according to total number of citations, average citations per year (ACY), study type, country of origin, journal of publication, affiliated institution, and most published authors.

Results:

The total number of citations was 16,358 (range of citations per article, 72-692). The majority of articles were published as clinical studies (54%), with cadaveric studies being the second most common (21%). Most studies originated in the United States (32%), with Japan (15%) and Germany (13%) following. The American Journal of Sports Medicine published the majority of the 100 top-cited articles (37/100; 6304 citations) as well as the 10 top-cited articles according to ACY (7/10; mean, 285.14 citations). The most prolific authors were Nomura (8 articles); Burks (6 articles); and Inoue, Sillanpää, and Dreyhaupt (5 articles each).

Conclusion:

By analyzing the characteristics of the 100 top-cited articles, this study demonstrated that the MPFL is a growing and popular area of research, with the focus varying through timeline trends. Questions regarding MPFL anatomy, isometry, and biomechanics might have been answered adequately, but research regarding optimal fixation technique under various circumstances is still ongoing.
Multivariate pattern analysis: a method and software to reveal, quantify, and visualize predictive association patterns in multicollinear data
Authors: Baumeister Tim U. H. , Aadland Eivind , Linington Roger G. , Kvalheim Olav M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Strongly multicollinear covariates, such as those typically represented in metabolomics applications, represent a challenge for multivariate regression analysis. These challenges are commonly circumvented by reducing the number of covariates to a subset of linearly independent variables, but this strategy may lead to loss of resolution and thus produce models with poorer interpretative potential. The aim of this work was to implement and illustrate a method, multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA), which can handle multivariate covariates without compromising resolution or model quality.

Results

MVPA has been implemented in an open-source R package of the same name, mvpa. To facilitate the usage and interpretation of complex association patterns, mvpa has also been integrated into an R shiny app, mvpaShiny, which can be accessed on www.mvpashiny.org. MVPA utilizes a general projection algorithm that embraces a diversity of possible models. The method handles multicollinear and even linear dependent covariates. MVPA separates the variance in the data into orthogonal parts within the frame of a single joint model: one part describing the relations between covariates, outcome, and explanatory variables and another part describing the “net” predictive association pattern between outcome and explanatory variables. These patterns are visualized and interpreted in variance plots and plots for pattern analysis and ranking according to variable importance. Adjustment for a linear dependent covariate is performed in three steps. First, partial least squares regression with repeated Monte Carlo resampling is used to determine the number of predictive PLS components for a model relating the covariate to the outcome. Second, postprocessing of this PLS model by target projection provided a single component expressing the predictive association pattern between the outcome and the covariate. Third, the outcome and the explanatory variables were adjusted for the covariate by using the target score in the projection algorithm to obtain “net” data. We illustrate the main features of MVPA by investigating the partial mediation of a linearly dependent metabolomics descriptor on the association pattern between a measure of insulin resistance and lifestyle-related factors.

Conclusions

Our method and implementation in R extend the range of possible analyses and visualizations that can be performed for complex multivariate data structures. The R packages are available on github.com/liningtonlab/mvpa and github.com/liningtonlab/mvpaShiny.
Purification and characterization of L-arginine deiminase from Penicillium chrysogenum
Authors: El-Shora Hamed M. , El-Zawawy Nessma A. , El-Rheem Mohamed A. Abd , Metwally Metwally A.
Published: January 2024

L-arginine deiminase (ADI, EC 3.5.3.6) hydrolyzes arginine to ammonia and citrulline which is a natural supplement in health care. ADI was purified from Penicillium chrysogenum using 85% ammonium sulfate, DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G200. ADI was purified 17.2-fold and 4.6% yield with a specific activity of 50 Umg− 1 protein. The molecular weight was 49 kDa. ADI expressed maximum activity at 40oC and an optimum pH of 6.0. ADI thermostability was investigated and the values of both t0.5 and D were determined. Kd increased by temperature and the Z value was 38oC. ATP, ADP and AMP activated ADI up to 0.6 mM. Cysteine and dithiothreitol activated ADI up to 60 µmol whereas the activation by thioglycolate and reduced glutathione (GSH) prolonged to 80 µmol. EDTA, α,α-dipyridyl, and o-phenanthroline inactivated ADI indicating that ADI is a metalloenzyme. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), butanedione (BD), dansyl chloride (DC), diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) and N-acetyl-imidazole (NAI) inhibited ADI activity indicating the necessity of sulfhydryl, tryptophanyl, arginyl, lysyl, histidyl and tyrosyl groups, respectively for ADI catalysis. The obtained results show that ADI from P. chrysogenum could be a potential candidate for industrial and biotechnological applications.
Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) improves the filling process of maize grains at different ear positions by promoting starch accumulation and regulating hormone levels under high planting density
Authors: Yu Tao , Xin Yuning , Liu Peng
Published: January 2024

Background

Higher planting densities typically cause a decline in grain weight, limiting the potential for high maize yield. Additionally, variations in grain filling occur at different positions within the maize ear. Abscisic acid (ABA) is important for grain filling and regulates grain weight. However, the effects of exogenous ABA on the filling process of maize grains at different ear positions under high planting density are poorly understood. In this study, two summer maize hybrids (DengHai605 (DH605) and ZhengDan958 (ZD958)) commonly grown in China were used to examine the effects of ABA application during the flowering stage on grain filling properties, starch accumulation, starch biosynthesis associated enzyme activities, and hormone levels of maize grain (including inferior grain (IG) and superior grain (SG)) under high planting density.

Results

Our results showed that exogenous ABA significantly increased maize yield, primarily owing to a higher grain weight resulting from an accelerated grain filling rate relative to the control. There was no significant difference in yield between DH605 and ZD958 in the control and ABA treatments. Moreover, applying ABA promoted starch accumulation by raising the activities of sucrose synthase, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, granule-bound starch synthases, soluble starch synthase, and starch branching enzyme in grains. It also increased the levels of zeatin riboside, indole-3-acetic acid, and ABA and decreased the level of gibberellin in grains, resulting in more efficient grain filling. Notably, IG exhibited a less efficient filling process compared to SG, probably due to lower starch biosynthesis associated enzyme activities and an imbalance in hormone contents. Nevertheless, IG displayed greater sensitivity to exogenous ABA than SG, suggesting that appropriate cultural measures to improve IG filling may be a viable strategy to further increase maize yield.

Conclusions

According to our results, spraying exogenous ABA could effectively improve grain filling properties, accelerate starch accumulation by increasing relevant enzyme activities, and regulate hormone levels in grains, resulting in higher grain weight and yield of maize under high planting density. Our findings offer more evidence for using exogenous hormones to improve maize yield under high planting density.
The association between continuous metabolic syndrome score and its components with electrocardiographic abnormalities in community-dwelling older adults: the Bushehr elderly health (BEH) program
Authors: Farhadi Akram , Emamat Hadi , Nemati Reza , Marzban Maryam , Shafiee Gita , Nabipour Iraj , Ostovar Afshin , Jalaliyan Zahrasadat , Malekizadeh Hasan , Larijani Bagher
Published: January 2024

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) known as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has developed into a major source of health issue, especially for the elderly. In the present study, we investigated the association between continuous MetS (cMetS) score and its components with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities in the community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study is derived from the second phase of BEH cohort study which is conducted on individuals aged over 60 years old. Standard 12-lead ECGs were recorded and coded by qualified physicians and continuous values of metabolic syndrome risk scores (cMetS) were measured. Data regarding socio-demographic, medical history, and lifestyle variables were collected by trained interviewers. The multinomial regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between cMetS and its components with ECG abnormalities in the included participants.

Results

2426 individuals (mean age ± standard deviation: 69.30 ± 6.33 years) were included in the final analysis. Overall, 22.5% of the participants showed ECG abnormalities. Among these, 8.0% (n = 139) of participants had minor and 14.6% (n = 354) had major ECG abnormalities. In the final models, cMetS (OR = 1.04), mean arterial pressure (MAP((OR = 1.01), and higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) (OR = 1.01) increased the risk of ECG abnormalities (p < 0.05). Also, cMetS (OR = 1.05) and MAP (OR = 1.02) were associated with an increased risk of major ECG abnormalities (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

MetS and MAP were significantly associated with ECG abnormalities. The results of the present study suggest that ECG screening in the older population with MetS could potentially help to detect those at the higher risk of CVDs.
Research on the control rate of hypertension under family physician-contracted service
Authors: Zheng Yiping , Liu Yuqing , Xue Dongyu , Shang Zhao , Zhang Baoquan , Dai Yue
Published: January 2024

Background

Hypertension is one of the global public health problems. Family physician-contracted service (FPCS) is widely used in the health management of hypertension patients in China. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of FPCS on hypertension control.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Network, Chinese Scientific and Technological Journal Database (CQVIP), and Wanfang Database were searched for randomized controlled trials related to family physician-contracted service and hypertension control effect, and meta-analysis was performed on the literature meeting the inclusion criteria. The source of heterogeneity was discovered by meta-regression, and it was further investigated by subgroup analysis. The risk difference (RD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were utilized as effect values. Evaluations of publication bias and sensitivity analysis were also conducted.

Results

A total of 46 studies were included, and the pooled RD suggested that FPCS could effectively improve the control rate by 19% (RD = 0.19; 95%CI: 0.16–0.21; P < 0.001; I2 = 59.3%). The average age (β = 0.28; P = 0.05) and the intervention mode (β = 0.36; P < 0.001) were found to be heterogeneous sources by the meta-regression. According to subgroup analysis, the hypertension control rates of the elderly and working-age population in the experimental group were 93.6% and 90.1%, respectively; the control rates of the “family physician” mode (FP), “family physician + patient” mode (FPP) and “family physician + patient + family member” mode (FPPF) in the experimental group were 90.1%, 94.4%, and 92.6%, respectively. The sensitivity analysis revealed steady results, with no discernible publication bias.

Conclusions

The FPCS is beneficial to the control of hypertension. The control effect is influenced by average age and intervention mode. The control effect of hypertension in the elderly is better than that in the working-age population, and FPP and FPPF are more beneficial to the management of hypertension than FP. The quality and continuity of FPCS should receive more focus in the future, patient self-management and family support are also essential for managing hypertension.
The diagnostic utility of heparin-binding protein among patients with bacterial infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Taha Amira Mohamed , Abouelmagd Khaled , Omar Mohamed Mosad , Najah Qasi , Ali Mohammed , Hasan Mohammed Tarek , Allam Sahar A. , Arian Roua , Rageh Omar El Sayed , Abd-ElGawad Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Background

Bacterial infections are considered a leading cause of hospitalization and death globally. There is still a need for a rapid and feasible biomarker for bacterial infections. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) was shown to be related to bacterial infections. The objective of the study is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of HBP in bacterial infections.

Methods

Articles were screened in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane to recognize eligible studies. We included studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of HBP and reported the necessary data to construct 2 × 2 tables. A univariate analysis was conducted to determine the pooled sensitivity and specificity, and a bivariate diagnostic random-effects model was used to calculate the optimal cut-off point.

Results

The analysis comprised sixteen studies in total. Plasma HBP showed a sensitivity of 0.90 (95% CI: [0.79, 0.96]) and a specificity of 0.87 (95% CI: [0.66, 0.96]) in diagnosing bacterial infections using blood samples. Pooling data from seven studies revealed that HBP in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has sensitivity and specificity of 96% (95% CI: [0.85, 0.99]), and 95% (95% CI: [0.89, 0.97]), respectively, for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. In urinary tract infections (UTI), urine-HBP was revealed to have a high diagnostic value in discriminating bacterial from non-bacterial UTI infection at a cut-off value of 32.868 ng/ml with sensitivity and specificity of 87%.

Conclusion

HBP has shown a high diagnostic accuracy of bacterial infections, including UTI and meningitis. Further studies are needed to determine its prognostic value and whether it could guide antibiotic therapy.
First COVID-19 wave in the province of Bergamo, Italy: epidemiological and clinical characteristics, outcome and management of the first hospitalized patients
Authors: Donida Bianca Maria , Pirola Flavia Simonetta , Opizzi Roberto , Assembergs Peter
Published: January 2024

Background

Northern Italy was the first European country affected by the spread of the SARS-CoV-2, with the epicenter in the province of Bergamo.

Aim

This study aims to analyze the characteristics of patients who experienced more severe symptoms during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively collected epidemiological and clinical data on patients with laboratory-confirmed wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection who were admitted to the “ASST Bergamo Ovest” hospital between February 21 and May 31, 2020.

Results

A total of seven hundred twenty-three inpatients met the eligible criteria and were included in the study cohort. Among the inpatients who survived, the average hospital length of stay was more than two weeks, with some lasting up to three months. Among the 281 non-survivors, death occurred in 50% within five days. Survivors were those whose first aid operators recorded higher oxygen saturation levels at home. The request for first aid assistance came more than one week after symptom onset, within three days in 10% of cases.

Conclusion

In similar future scenarios, based on our data, if we aim to enhance the survival rate, we need to improve the territorial healthcare assistance and admit to hospitals only those patients who are at risk of severe illness requiring specialized and urgent interventions within two, three, or, at most, five days from the onset of symptoms. This implies that the crucial factor is, has been, and will be the ability of a healthcare system to react promptly in its entirety within a few days.
Patient-reported outcome, clinician-reported outcome, and patient satisfaction with treatment by crisis resolution teams: a multicenter pre-post study of outcome and associated factors in Norway
Authors: Ruud T. , Hasselberg N. , Siqveland J. , Holgersen K. H.
Published: January 2024

Background

Crisis resolution teams (CRTs) have become a part of mental health services in many high-income countries. Many studies have investigated the impact of CRTs on acute admissions to inpatient units, but very few studies have investigated patient-reported and clinician-reported outcomes for CRT service users. Our aims were to study patient-reported and clinician-reported outcomes of CRT treatment, how the outcomes were associated with characteristics of the service user and the treatment, and whether outcomes were different across CRTs.

Methods

The study was a pre-post observational multicenter study of 475 patients receiving treatment from 25 CRTs in urban and rural areas in Norway. There was no control group. Outcomes were change in mental health status reported by service users using CORE-10 and by clinicians using HoNOS. Patient satisfaction was measured using CSQ-8 at the end of the treatment. Components of CRT accessibility and interventions were measured by clinicians reporting details on each session with the service user. CRT model fidelity was measured using the CORE CRT Fidelity Scale version 2. We used paired t-tests to analyze outcomes and linear mixed modeling to analyze associations of the outcomes with the characteristics of service users and the treatment provided. Using independent t-tests, we analyzed differences in outcomes and patient satisfaction between two clusters of CRTs with differences in accessibility.

Results

The patient-reported outcomes and the clinician-reported outcomes were significantly positive and with a large effect size. Both were significantly positively associated with practical support and medication management and negatively associated with collaboration with mental health inpatient units. Patient satisfaction was high at the end of the treatment. CRTs with higher accessibility had a significantly better clinician-reported outcome, but no significant differences were reported for patient-reported outcomes or patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

CRT treatment led to improved symptom status as reported by patients and clinicians, as well as high patient satisfaction. Practical support and medication management were the interventions most strongly associated with positive outcomes. Some of the variations in outcomes were at the team level. Patient- and clinician-reported outcomes should be used more in studies on the effect of treatment provided by crisis resolution teams.
Variations in respiratory and functional symptoms at four months after hospitalisation due to COVID-19: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fagevik Olsén Monika , Lannefors Louise , Johansson Ewa-Lena , Persson Hanna C.
Published: January 2024

Background

Much remains unknown about complex respiratory symptoms after COVID-19. Here we aimed to describe and analyse patients’ various respiratory symptoms 4 months after discharge from hospitalisation for COVID-19, focusing on sex, previous pulmonary disease, and prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved five hospitals and included 52 patients with self-assessed respiratory dysfunction at 4 months after discharge from hospitalisation for severe COVID-19. Their average age was 63 years, 38% were women, 15 had a previous diagnosed pulmonary disease, and 29 were current or previous smokers. Additionally, 31 had required intensive care—among whom 21 were intubated and 11 needed mechanical ventilation for ≥20 days. Respiratory function was tested concerning lung volumes, expiratory flow, muscle strength, physical capacity (including concurrent oxygen saturation), thoracic expansion, and respiratory movements.

Results

Among 52 patients, 47 (90%) had one or several objectively measured respiratory function abnormalities. Decreased thoracic expansion was observed in 32 patients (62%), abnormal respiratory movements in 30 (58%), decreased vital capacity in 21 (40%), low physical function in 13 (26%), and desaturation during the test in 9 (17%). Respiratory inspiratory muscle strength was more commonly diminished than expiratory strength (27% vs. 8%). We did not observe differences between men and women, or between patients with versus without diagnosed pulmonary disease, except that those with pulmonary disease had significantly lower physical capacity assessed with 6MWD (70% vs. 88% predicted, p = 0.013). Compared to those who did not, patients who required ≥20 days of mechanical ventilation performed similarly on most tests, except that all thoracic breathing movements were significantly smaller (p < 0.05). The numbers and combinations of abnormal findings varied widely, without clear patterns.

Conclusion

Patients with remaining respiratory symptoms 4 months after discharge from hospitalization due to COVID-19 may suffer from various abnormal breathing functions, and dysfunctional breathing that is not detected using traditional measurements. These patients may benefit from multidimensional measuring of breathing movement, thoracic expansion, and respiratory muscle strength, along with traditional measurements, to assess their symptoms and enable prescription of optimal treatment interventions and rehabilitation.

Trial registration

FoU i Sverige (Research & Development in Sweden, Registration number: 274476, registered 2020-05-28).
Evaluation of flexural strength, impact strength, and surface microhardness of self-cured acrylic resin reinforced with silver-doped carbon nanotubes
Authors: Hamdy Tamer M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a type of polymer mostly used to make denture bases. Self-cured acrylic resin (PMMA) can be used to repair a fractured acrylic denture base; however, even after repair, this area remains vulnerable. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could be used as a filler for polymer reinforcement. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles are efficient agents for the prevention of dental biofilm and improving their mechanical properties. The doping of CNTs with silver nanoparticles may lead to a synergistic interaction that is predicted to enhance the mechanical characteristics of the fillers.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess the influnce of manual incorporation of 0.5% weight percent (%wt.) of silver doped carbon nanotubes (Ag-doped CNTs) into commercial self-cured PMMA on its flexural strength, impact strength, and surface microhardness.

Methods

In this investigation, a total of 60 specimens comprised of acrylic resin were employed. They are divided into two main groups: (a) the control group, which was made by using liquid monomer and commercial self-cured PMMA powder; and (b) the modified group, prepared by hand mixing the purchased silver-doped CNTs powder (0.5% wt.) to self-cured PMMA powder (99.5%wt.), and then the blended powder was incorporated into the liquid monomer. Flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and surface microhardness were evaluated. Independent sample t-tests were used to statistically analyze the data and compare the mean values of flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and surface microhardness (p-value ≤ 0.05).

Results

The flexural strength of the modified groups with Ag-doped CNTs (132.4 MPa) was significantly greater than that of the unmodified (control) groups (63.2 MPa). Moreover, the flexural modulus of the modified groups with Ag-doped CNTs (3.067 GPa) was significantly greater than that of the control groups (1.47 GPa). Furthermore, the impact strength of the modified groups with Ag-doped CNTs (11.2 kJ/mm2) was significantly greater than that of the control groups (2.3 kJ/mm2). Furthermore, the microhardness of the modified groups with Ag-doped CNTs (29.7 VHN) was significantly greater than that of the control groups (16.4 VHN), (p-value = 0.0001).

Conclusion

The incorporation of 0.5% wt. silver doped CNTs fillers to the self-cured acrylic resin enhanced its flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and surface microhardness.
Development and psychometric properties of clinical learning environment scale for Chinese nursing students
Authors: Xu Yun , Zheng Yi , Wang Huimei , Huang Fang
Published: January 2024

Objective

To develop a clinical learning environment scale for Chinese nursing students and test its reliability and validity.

Methods

Based on Moos social environment theory, qualitative interviews and expert consultations were used to develop a pretest version of the Chinese Nursing Students’ Clinical Learning Environment Scale. With a convenience sampling method, 255 and 1582 Chinese nursing students were selected as the prediction and validation samples, respectively, from December 2022 to March 2023. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the construct validity.

Results

The scale consisted of 19 items. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three sub-scales, named goal orientation, interpersonal relation, and learning support, which explained 71.500% of the total variance. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the GFI was 0.848, the AGFI was 0.806, the RMSEA was 0.090, the RMR was 0.041, the NFI was 0.910, the IFI was 0.916, the CFI was 0.916, the PCFI was 0.798, and the PNFI was 0.793. The reliability values of the three dimensions were 0.870, 0.858, and 0.943, respectively, and the convergent validity values were 0.574, 0.603, and 0.625, respectively.

Conclusion

The reliability and validity of the dimensions of the Chinese Nursing Students’ Clinical Learning Environment Scale are acceptable, and the scale can be used as a useful tool for measuring the clinical learning environment of Chinese nursing students.
A time window for rescuing dying retinal ganglion cells
Authors: You Wenting , Knoops Kèvin , Boesten Iris , Berendschot Tos T. J. M. , van Zandvoort Marc A. M. J. , Benedikter Birke J. , Webers Carroll A. B. , Reutelingsperger Chris P. M. , Gorgels Theo G. M. F.
Published: January 2024

Background

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration and death cause vision loss in patients with glaucoma. Regulated cell death, once initiated, is generally considered to be an irreversible process. Recently, we showed that, by timely removing the cell death stimulus, stressed neuronal PC12 cells can recover from phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, nuclear shrinkage, DNA damage, mitochondrial fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and retraction of neurites, all hallmarks of an activated cell death program. Whether the cell death process can be reversed in neurons of the central nervous system, like RGCs, is still unknown. Here, we studied reversibility of the activated cell death program in primary rat RGCs (prRGCs).

Methods

prRGCs were exposed to ethanol (5%, vol/vol) to induce cell death. At different stages of the cell death process, ethanol was removed by washing and injured prRGCs were further cultured in fresh medium to see whether they recovered. The dynamics of single cells were monitored by high-resolution live-cell spinning disk microscopy. PS exposure, mitochondrial structure, membrane potential, and intracellular Ca2+ were revealed by annexin A5-FITC, Mito-tracker, TMRM, and Fluo 8-AM staining, respectively. The distribution of cytochrome c was investigated by immunofluorescence. The ultrastructure of mitochondria was studied by electron microscopy.

Results

Analysis of temporal relationships between mitochondrial changes and PS exposure showed that fragmentation of the mitochondrial network and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential occurred before PS exposure. Mitochondrial changes proceeded caspase-independently, while PS exposure was caspase dependent. Interestingly, prRGCs recovered quickly from these mitochondrial changes but not from PS exposure at the plasma membrane. Correlative light and electron microscopy showed that stress-induced decrease in mitochondrial area, length and cristae number was reversible. Intracellular Ca2+ was elevated during this stage of reversible mitochondrial injury, but there was no sign of mitochondrial cytochrome c release.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that RGCs with impaired mitochondrial structure and function can fully recover if there is no mitochondrial cytochrome c release yet, and no PS is exposed at the plasma membrane. This finding indicates that there is a time window for rescuing dying or injured RGCs, by simply removing the cell death stimulus.
Application of machine learning-based multi-sequence MRI radiomics in diagnosing anterior cruciate ligament tears
Authors: Cheng Qi , Lin Haoran , Zhao Jie , Lu Xiao , Wang Qiang
Published: January 2024

Objective

To compare the diagnostic power among various machine learning algorithms utilizing multi-sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics in detecting anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Additionally, this research aimed to create and validate the optimal diagnostic model.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, 526 patients were included, comprising 178 individuals with ACL tears and 348 with a normal ACL. Radiomics features were derived from multi-sequence MRI scans, encompassing T1-weighted imaging and proton density (PD)-weighted imaging. The process of selecting the most reliable radiomics features involved using interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) testing, t tests, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) technique. After the feature selection process, five machine learning classifiers were created. These classifiers comprised logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), and multilayer perceptron (MLP). A thorough performance evaluation was carried out, utilizing diverse metrics like the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), specificity, accuracy, sensitivity positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. The classifier exhibiting the best performance was chosen. Subsequently, three models were developed: the PD model, the T1 model, and the combined model, all based on the optimal classifier. The diagnostic performance of these models was assessed by employing AUC values, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.

Results

Out of 2032 features, 48 features were selected. The SVM-based multi-sequence radiomics outperformed all others, achieving AUC values of 0.973 and 0.927, sensitivities of 0.933 and 0.857, and specificities of 0.930 and 0.829, in the training and validation cohorts, respectively.

Conclusion

The multi-sequence MRI radiomics model, which is based on machine learning, exhibits exceptional performance in diagnosing ACL tears. It provides valuable insights crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of knee joint injuries, serving as an accurate and objective supplementary diagnostic tool for clinical practitioners.
Metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment of liver cancer
Authors: Lin Jian , Rao Dongning , Zhang Mao , Gao Qiang
Published: January 2024

The liver is essential for metabolic homeostasis. The onset of liver cancer is often accompanied by dysregulated liver function, leading to metabolic rearrangements. Overwhelming evidence has illustrated that dysregulated cellular metabolism can, in turn, promote anabolic growth and tumor propagation in a hostile microenvironment. In addition to supporting continuous tumor growth and survival, disrupted metabolic process also creates obstacles for the anticancer immune response and restrains durable clinical remission following immunotherapy. In this review, we elucidate the metabolic communication between liver cancer cells and their surrounding immune cells and discuss how metabolic reprogramming of liver cancer impacts the immune microenvironment and the efficacy of anticancer immunotherapy. We also describe the crucial role of the gut–liver axis in remodeling the metabolic crosstalk of immune surveillance and escape, highlighting novel therapeutic opportunities.
Links between the three-dimensional movements of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and the bio-physical environment off a coral reef
Authors: D’Antonio Ben , Ferreira Luciana C. , Meekan Mark , Thomson Paul G. , Lieber Lilian , Virtue Patti , Power Chloe , Pattiaratchi Charitha B. , Brierley Andrew S. , Sequeira Ana M. M. , Thums Michele
Published: January 2024

Background

Measuring coastal-pelagic prey fields at scales relevant to the movements of marine predators is challenging due to the dynamic and ephemeral nature of these environments. Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are thought to aggregate in nearshore tropical waters due to seasonally enhanced foraging opportunities. This implies that the three-dimensional movements of these animals may be associated with bio-physical properties that enhance prey availability. To date, few studies have tested this hypothesis.

Methods

Here, we conducted ship-based acoustic surveys, net tows and water column profiling (salinity, temperature, chlorophyll fluorescence) to determine the volumetric density, distribution and community composition of mesozooplankton (predominantly euphausiids and copepods) and oceanographic properties of the water column in the vicinity of whale sharks that were tracked simultaneously using satellite-linked tags at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Generalised linear mixed effect models were used to explore relationships between the 3-dimensional movement behaviours of tracked sharks and surrounding prey fields at a spatial scale of ~ 1 km.

Results

We identified prey density as a significant driver of horizontal space use, with sharks occupying areas along the reef edge where densities were highest. These areas were characterised by complex bathymetry such as reef gutters and pinnacles. Temperature and salinity profiles revealed a well-mixed water column above the height of the bathymetry (top 40 m of the water column). Regions of stronger stratification were associated with reef gutters and pinnacles that concentrated prey near the seabed, and entrained productivity at local scales (~ 1 km). We found no quantitative relationship between the depth use of sharks and vertical distributions of horizontally averaged prey density. Whale sharks repeatedly dove to depths where spatially averaged prey concentration was highest but did not extend the time spent at these depth layers.

Conclusions

Our work reveals previously unrecognized complexity in interactions between whale sharks and their zooplankton prey.
Quasi-statically actuated MEMS scanner with concentric vertical comb electrodes
Authors: Chae Daehwan , Jeong Do-hyeon , Yun Seong-jong , Jo Kyoung-woo , Lee Jong-Hyun
Published: January 2024

A quasi-static (QS) MEMS mirror scanner with concentric vertical combs (CVC) is presented. The increase rate of overlapped area of the CVC, tends to show larger values and more uniform than that of conventional vertical combs, resulting in improved linearity and scanning angle, respectively. In this paper, the performance of the QS scanner with CVC, whose equivalent mirror diameter is 3.9 mm, was theoretically analyzed and compared with the fabricated one and also other types of vertical combs such as staggered vertical combs (SVC) and angular vertical combs (AVC). The linearity was less than 0.1%, and the average value of the experimental OSA (optical scanning angle) was up to 13.5 degrees, which is only 1/3 and 39% larger than other scanners, respectively, under the condition that the configuration and dimension of each MEMS scanner is similar each other.
Feasibility study of a SiPM-fiber detector for non-invasive measurement of arterial input function for preclinical and clinical positron emission tomography
Authors: de Scals Sara , Fraile Luis Mario , Udías José Manuel , Martínez Cortés Laura , Oteo Marta , Morcillo Miguel Ángel , Carreras-Delgado José Luis , Cabrera-Martín María Nieves , España Samuel
Published: January 2024

Pharmacokinetic positron emission tomography (PET) studies rely on the measurement of the arterial input function (AIF), which represents the time-activity curve of the radiotracer concentration in the blood plasma. Traditionally, obtaining the AIF requires invasive procedures, such as arterial catheterization, which can be challenging, time-consuming, and associated with potential risks. Therefore, the development of non-invasive techniques for AIF measurement is highly desirable. This study presents a detector for the non-invasive measurement of the AIF in PET studies. The detector is based on the combination of scintillation fibers and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) which leads to a very compact and rugged device. The feasibility of the detector was assessed through Monte Carlo simulations conducted on mouse tail and human wrist anatomies studying relevant parameters such as energy spectrum, detector efficiency and minimum detectable activity (MDA). The simulations involved the use of 18F and 68Ga isotopes, which exhibit significantly different positron ranges. In addition, several prototypes were built in order to study the different components of the detector including the scintillation fiber, the coating of the fiber, the SiPMs, and the operating configuration. Finally, the simulations were compared with experimental measurements conducted using a tube filled with both 18F and 68Ga to validate the obtained results. The MDA achieved for both anatomies (approximately 1000 kBq/mL for mice and 1 kBq/mL for humans) falls below the peak radiotracer concentrations typically found in PET studies, affirming the feasibility of conducting non-invasive AIF measurements with the fiber detector. The sensitivity for measurements with a tube filled with 18F (68Ga) was 1.2 (2.07) cps/(kBq/mL), while for simulations, it was 2.81 (6.23) cps/(kBq/mL). Further studies are needed to validate these results in pharmacokinetic PET studies.
“A Volume of Manuscript Poems &c”: Phillis Wheatley Peters's Lost Book and a Found Proposal
Authors: Levy Michelle
Published: January 2024

This essay revisits the history of Phillis Wheatley Peters's “volume of manuscript poems &&.,” a collection of handwritten poems, which her husband, John Peters, advertised for its return in late 1784, just days after her death. Since no second volume of poems was published, and the manuscript has never been recovered, it has been presumed to be and lamented as lost. By taking stock of what is known about PWP's archive at the time of her death and the process of its painstaking recovery, I seek to temper this account of destruction and loss by calling attention to the discoveries of librarians, scholars, and collectors in the nearly two and half centuries since her death. It is in this spirit of continuing and collaborative recovery that this essay contributes new evidence about a final, posthumous proposal for a collection of PWP's poems and letters, printed over a five-week period, in July and August 1791, in Thomas's Massachusetts Spy; Or, the Worcester Gazette, a proposal that provides a clearer picture of PWP's archive as it existed at her death, and that can guide future recovery work.
Searching for Monse
Authors: Jiménez Mónica A.
Published: January 2024

This article focuses on the political life and imprisonment of the author’s great-aunt, Monserrate del Valle del Toro, a Puerto Rican nationalist and onetime political prisoner. Monserrate was arrested in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, on October 30, 1950, for participating in an attempt to overthrow the US government. In telling Monserrate’s story, the article attempts to upend certain established narratives of the history of Puerto Rican nationalism, of who fought in the struggle for independence and how they fought. That fight took place in the political and legal arena and in the streets of towns all over the archipelago, but it also took place within the walls of the Arecibo District Jail, where a group of nationalist women, including Monserrate, sheltered, cared for, and fed each other.
Affective Habit Ecologies of Writing and Trauma-Informed Composition Pedagogy
Authors: Spitzer-Hanks D. T.
Published: January 2024

Writing is both affective and ecological. Consequently, effective writing instructors need a deep understanding of writing's affective and ecological aspects, making composition one of the most complex and challenging areas of pedagogical endeavor. This claim is especially true in institutions whose product-oriented epistemologies make writing potentially traumatizing for many student writers. To assist writing teachers in meeting student writers’ needs, this article draws on a diverse body of research to explain writing affect, its role in ecological processes of composition within early collegiate humanities curricula, the relation of writing affect to writers’ identities, and the impact collegiate corporatization may have on composition instruction. Subsequently, this article describes approaches for making writing pedagogy more process oriented, trauma informed, and equity centered.