bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LOGISTIC SUPPORT IN ORDER TO GUARANTEE THE OPERATIONAL READINESS ON PEACE KEEPING OPERATION IN LEBANON (CASE STUDY ON MECHANIZED BATTALION TASK FORCE XXIII-M 2018-2019)
Authors: Sipahutar Amos Pedro Susku
Published: August 2022

Dalam melaksanakan tugasnya di Lebanon, kesiapan operasional Satuan tugas Yonmek XXIII-M harus senantiasa dalam kondisi baik. Hal tersebut tidak terlepas dari peran dukungan logistik yang dilakukan oleh TNI. Tetapi, hasil Operational Readiness Inspection TW I Tahun 2019 menunjukkan bahwa persentase tingkat kesiapan operasional hanya 38%. Atas dasar tersebut, artikel ini ingin melihat efektivitas organisasi dan personel yang terlibat dalam pelaksanaan dukungan logistik serta strategi dukungan logistik yang digunakan dalam rangka menjamin kesiapan operasional Satuan tugas dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa dukungan logistik dalam rangka menjamin kesiapan operasional Satuan tugas masih perlu dioptimalkan lagi dengan melakukan langkah-langkah antara lain: (1) mengoptimalkan pemanfaatan pendidikan dan latihan yang diselenggarakan oleh GPOI (Global Peace Operation Initiative); dan (2) perubahan metode dukungan logistik serta penyederhanaan jalur birokrasi logistik.Kata Kunci : Dukungan Logistik, Kesiapan Operasional, Misi Pemeliharaan Perdamaian.
RADIKALISASI MELALUI MEDIA SOSIAL SELAMA PANDEMI CORONAVIRUS DISEASE OF 2019
Authors: Rizki Aththaariq
Published: August 2022

Penelitian ini mengajukan argumen bahwa saat ini ancaman radikalisasi melalui media sosial telah menjadi ancaman aktual yang berpotensi untuk semakin berkembang selama masa pandemi Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (Covid-19). Tujuan penelitian ini menjelaskan ancaman radikalisasi melalui media sosial di Indonesia selama masa pandemi Covid-19. Riset ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Hasil penelitian:1) ancaman radikalisasi melalui media sosial di Indonesia selama masa pandemi Covid-19 mengalami peningkatan 2) strategi komunikasi yang digunakan pemerintah untuk mencegah radikalisasi di media sosial adalah dengan melakukan kontra narasi, pemblokiran,pemberian pesan dan konten informatif, persuasif dan edukatif untuk meningkatkan literasi masyarakat. Kesimpulan penelitian ; ancaman radikalisasi melalui media sosial di Indonesia selama masa pandemi Covid-19 semakin meningkat seiring peningkatan penggunaan media sosial, untuk menghadapai permasalahan tersebut, pemerintah menggunakan strategi perlawanan narasi, peningkatan literasi, dan pemblokiran untuk meminimalisir ancaman radikalisasi di media sosial, namun strategi komunikasi ini hanya efektif bagi mereka yang belum terpapar paham radikal secara solid.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT IN INTELLIGENCE PERSPECTIVE (CASE STUDY AT KODAM III SILIWANGI)
Authors: Prawardhana Handle , Yusuf Yusuf , Halkis Mhd
Published: August 2022

Abstract - This research is motivated by the phenomenon of threatening national defense in West Java. The objectives of this study are (1) To analyze the threat of national defense in West Java; (2) To analyze the performance intelligence detachment of the 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi in overcoming the threat of national defense in West Java; and (3) To analyze the strategy intelligence detachment of 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi in improving performance to overcome the threat of national defense in West Java. The research method used is qualitative. The results showed that; (1) State defense threats in West Java are related to ideological, political, economic, socio-cultural, and security threats; (2) The performance intelligence detachment of the 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi in overcoming the threat of national defense in West Java is related to collection, analysis, counterintelligence, and covert operations. As for the implementation, Kodam III Siliwangi did some support such as data collection, deepening, raising, coordination, and social communication; and (3) Strategy intelligence detachment of 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi in improving performance in order to overcome the threat of national defense in West Java through improving the capability of soldiers, increasing the number of soldiers, increasing the responsiveness of information and situations, and improving facilities and infrastructure through procurement based on priorities. The conclusion of the research shows that the performance intelligence detachment of the 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi is quite good but it needs strengthening based on a priority scale.Keywords: Threats, Intelligence, Performance
SİYASÎ EVLİLİKLER BAĞLAMINDA MOĞOL DIŞ POLİTİKASI VE KADIN
Authors: SUBAŞI Ömer
Published: August 2022

Tarihte pek çok medeniyet birbirleriyle etkileşim için çeşitli argümanlar kullanmışlardır. Ticaret, göç, eğitim, savaş ve elçilik teatilerinin yanı sıra devletlerarası dış politikanın en önemli belirleyicilerinden biri olan siyasî evlilikler hemen her devletin kullandığı bir yöntemdi. Başta ortaçağın en büyük devletlerinden Doğu Roma saray mensuplarıyla yapılan evlilikler, İlk Müslüman Türk devletleri ve Selçukluların Abbâsîlerle yaptıkları siyasî evlilikler, Trabzon Rumlarının Türk beylikleriyle olan akrabalık ilişkileri ve Moğolların çeşitli devletlerle kız alıp vermeleri, siyasî evliliklerin asırlardan beri devlet politikalarında varlığını sürdürdüğünü göstermektedir. 13. yüzyılın Ön Asya’sında hâkim olan otorite şüphesiz Moğol hanlarının cebrî olarak kurdukları yağma ve katl otoritesiydi. Buna rağmen gerek bu dönemde gerekse İlhanlıların daha müsamahalı döneminde çeşitli devletlerle Moğollar arasındaki evlilik müesseseleri Doğu Roma, Müslüman devletler ve Türk devletlerinde dış politikanın en belirleyici faktörlerinden biri halini almıştır. Bu makalede, İslam kaynaklarının, Hristiyan kaynaklarının ve Moğol kaynaklarının kadına bakış açıları uluslararası ilişkiler bağlamında değerlendirilmiş ve 13. yüzyılın kadın siyaset ve dış politika ilişkisi izaha çalışılmıştır.
Approach to Management of Cholestatic Jaundice
Authors: Hojaili Najia Al , Kutbi Ibraheim , Zahrani Attia Al , Abasi Laila Al , Malki Helal Al , Zubani Amal , Alzhrani Khadijah Ahmad
Published: August 2022

Cholestatic jaundice is a common presenting feature of neonatal hepatobiliary and metabolic dysfunction. Any infant who remains jaundiced beyond age 2 to 3 weeks should have the serum bilirubin level fractionated into a conjugated (direct) and unconjugated (indirect) portion in neonates mainly undirect bilirubin. In cholestasis, the primary failure is of bilirubin excretion, resulting in excess conjugated bilirubin in the bloodstream and decreased bile salts in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Because of inadequate bile in the GI tract, there is malabsorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), leading to vitamin deficiency, inadequate nutrition, and growth failure. Our case is interesting present in first day of life with conjugate bilirubin which made us look for differential diagnosis, no family history of metabolic disease, 1st consequently, no dysmorphic feature, admitted in NICU as case of cholecystic jaundice for farther investigation, all investigations were done, and patient sent to higher center for farther management.
Uterine Torsion Diagnosed During Cesarean Section in a 26-Year-Old Female at Bugando Medical Centre, A Case Report
Authors: Haji Aziza , Chibwe Elieza , Mujuni Fridolin , Basinda Namanya , Mirambo Mariam , Ngoya Patrick , Kirrita Richard , Kihunrwa Albert , Matovelo Dismas
Published: August 2022

Uterine torsion is considered rare conditions in human as compared to veterinary medicine. Despite being less commonly reported, it is associated with morbidities and mortalities to both fetal and maternal. When the rotation of the uterus is more than 45 degrees on its longitudinal axis is considered pathological. We report a 26-year-old woman, prime gravid, at Gestational age of 40 weeks who stayed in labor for 8hours with 6 centimeters cervical dilatation despite of adequate uterine contractions. She was delivered by caesarean section due to intrapartum fetal surveillance found to be bradycardic (fetal heart tones ranging from 108 to 110 beats per minutes) regardless of maternal changing position. A live baby boy with Apgar score of six at first and eight at firth minutes respectively birth weight 3.7 kilograms was delivered and Intraoperatively, uterine torsion of 180 degrees was diagnosed. We present this case as the rare diagnosis which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality of both maternal and neonates.
Factors associated with the choice of delivery place: A cross-sectional study in rural areas of Indonesia
Authors: Idris Haerawati
Published: August 2022

Background: Developing countries, including Indonesia, commonly face maternal mortality as a public health concern, which needs special attention. Using maternal delivery services in health facilities may reduce maternal mortality. However, little is known about the general use of delivery services in health facilities in rural areas, Indonesia. Objective: This study aimed to analyze determinants in choosing delivery places in rural areas of Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design with secondary data from the 2014 Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) was used in this study. There were 2,389 mothers aged 15-49 years in rural areas were included. Data were analyzed using a logistic regression test. Results: It was found that 67% of mothers gave birth in health facilities. Tertiary and secondary education levels, residence in Java and Bali regions, economic status, insurance ownership, and job status were significantly related to the choice of delivery place in health facilities. Tertiary education was the most dominant factor correlated with the use of delivery services in health facilities (p < 0.001; PR = 4.55; 95% CI = 3.751-5.542). Conclusion: Education is the key factor associated with the choice of delivery place. Therefore, it is suggested that the government and healthcare workers, especially nurses and midwives, improve mothers’ education and provide strategies to increase knowledge in choosing delivery services to enhance their health outcomes.
Examining the impact of upright and recumbent positions on labor outcomes in Saudi Arabia: A quasi-experiment
Authors: Al Aryani Zahra , Orabi Abeer , Fouly Howieda
Published: August 2022

Background: Helping the woman to adopt a comfortable position during childbirth significantly affects labor changes and pain management. However, there is a lack of consensus on the impacts of different childbirth positions on labor outcomes. In addition, a scarce of studies have assessed the effects of the upright and recumbent positions on delivery outcomes, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Objective: This study aimed to examine and compare the influence of upright and recumbent childbirth positions on birth outcomes.
Methods: The setting was the childbirth unit at East Jeddah Hospital from November 2020 to March 2021. The research design was quasi-experimental, including 300 women in labor under 18-45 years. The sample includes two equal groups of 150 women: upright (experiment) and recumbent (comparison) position groups. Three tools were used to collect data: a structured interviewing questionnaire, the modified WHO partograph, and the Wong-Baker FACES® pain rating scale. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test were used for data analysis.
Results: Women in the recumbent position spent a longer duration in the first, second, and third stages of childbirth and had higher pain scores and less satisfaction with the assumed position than women in the upright position, with a highly significant difference (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Laboring women in upright positions experienced faster progress of labor, shorter duration of childbirth, less pain, and higher satisfaction than those assumed recumbent positions. This study serves as an input for midwives and nurses to enable them to offer appropriate advice to improve intrapartum care. In addition, educational programs targeting pregnant women about the positive impacts of upright position on women’s birth experience are encouraged.
Vaccines against candidiasis: Status, challenges and emerging opportunity
Authors: Sahu Satya Ranjan , Bose Swagata , Singh Manish , Kumari Premlata , Dutta Abinash , Utkalaja Bhabasha Gyanadeep , Patel Shraddheya Kumar , Acharya Narottam
Published: August 2022

Candidiasis is a mycosis caused by opportunistic Candida species. The occurrence of fungal infections has considerably increased in the last few years primarily due to an increase in the number of immune-suppressed individuals. Alarming bloodstream infections due to Candida sp. are associated with a higher rate of morbidity and mortality, and are emerged as major healthcare concerns worldwide. Currently, chemotherapy is the sole available option for combating fungal diseases. Moreover, the emergence of resistance to these limited available anti-fungal drugs has further accentuated the concern and highlighted the need for early detection of fungal infections, identification of novel antifungal drug targets, and development of effective therapeutics and prophylactics. Thus, there is an increasing interest in developing safe and potent immune-based therapeutics to tackle fungal diseases. In this context, vaccine design and its development have a priority. Nonetheless, despite significant advances in immune and vaccine biology over time, a viable commercialized vaccine remains awaited against fungal infections. In this minireview, we enumerate various concerted efforts made till date towards the development of anti-Candida vaccines, an option with pan-fugal vaccine, vaccines in the clinical trial, challenges, and future opportunities.
Human endothelial cell-derived exosomal microRNA-99a/b drives a sustained inflammatory response during sepsis by inhibiting mTOR expression
Authors: Fitzpatrick Glenn , Nader Danielle , Watkin Rebecca , McCoy Claire E. , Curley Gerard F. , Kerrigan Steven W.
Published: August 2022

The pathophysiology of sepsis and its accompanying hyper-inflammatory response are key events that lead to multi-organ failure and death. A growing body of literature now suggests that the vascular endothelium plays a critical role in driving early events of sepsis progression. In this study, we demonstrate how endothelial-derived exosomes contribute to a successive pro-inflammatory phenotype of monocytes. Exosomes isolated from S. aureus infected endothelial cells drive both CD11b and MHCII expression in monocytes and contribute dysregulated cytokine production. Conversely, healthy endothelial exosomes had no major effect. microRNA (miRNA) profiling of exosomes identified miR-99 upregulation which we hypothesised as driving this phenotypic change through mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Knockdown of mTOR with miR-99a and miR-99b mimetics in S. aureus infected monocytes increased IL-6 and decreased IL-10 production. Interestingly, inhibition of miRNAs with antagomirs has the opposing effect. Collectively, endothelial exosomes are driving a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through dysregulated expression of miR-99a and miR-99b.
Printed information, education, and communication materials utilization and associated factors among health care providers in central Ethiopia
Authors: Geleta Tinsae Abeya , Deriba Berhanu Senbeta , Dirirsa Dejene Edosa , Beyane Rebik Shukure , Nigussie Tadesse , Legesse Elsabeth , Jemal Kemal , Gemeda Dirreba , Debela Sisay Abebe , Workneh Abiot Aschale
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Information, education, and communication (IEC) is a combination of strategies, approaches, and methods that enable individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to play an active role in achieving, protecting, and sustaining their health. Healthcare providers are responsible for providing health education to the community through the use of different types of health learning materials. Printed IEC materials were damp and wasted without being used at the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the utilization of printed IEC materials, and associated factors among health care providers in the north Shoa zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the North Shoa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 297 study participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and entered into the Epi-data manager version 4.4.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for data analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to see the association between dependent and independent variables.

Result

A total of 281 health care providers participated in the study, with a response rate of 95%. Eighty-four percent of the study participants knew about printed IEC material. About 235 (83.6%) respondents ever used printed IEC material and 171 (60.9%) study participants used printed IEC material last month. About 259 (92.2%) participants had the intention of using IEC material in the future. Age [AOR, 0.27 95%CI (0.097–0.741)], sex [AOR, 1.928 95%CI (1.025–4.019)], marital status [AOR, 14.03 95%CI (1.4–20.8)], having enough time to provide health education [AOR, 2.53 95%CI (1.16–5.54)], and perceiving the importance of the IEC to provide basic concepts [AOR, 1.517 95%CI (1.07–3.1)] were significantly associated with the use of IEC material.

Conclusions

Generally, the results of this study indicated that the utilization of printed IEC materials was high. To increase utilization of printed IEC material, coordinated efforts were required from the federal government, regional government, non-government organizations, the zonal health bureau, and health facilities.
Ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: From bench to bedside
Authors: Shen Hua , Dong Shi-Yong , Ren Ming-Shi , Wang Rong
Published: August 2022

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) mostly experience minimal symptoms throughout their lifetime, and some individuals have an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). How to identify patients with a higher risk of ventricular arrythmias and SCD is the priority in HCM research. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) both recommend the use of risk algorithms to identify patients at high risk of ventricular arrhythmias, to be selected for implantation of implantable cardioverters/defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention of SCD, although major discrepancies exist. The present SCD risk scoring systems cannot accurately identify early-stage HCM patients with modest structural remodeling and mild disease manifestations. Unfortunately, SCD events could occur in young asymptomatic HCM patients and even as initial symptoms, prompting the determination of new risk factors for SCD. This review summarizes the studies based on patients' surgical specimens, transgenic animals, and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to explore the possible molecular mechanism of ventricular arrhythmia and SCD. Ion channel remodeling, Ca2+ homeostasis abnormalities, and increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity may contribute to changes in action potential duration (APD), reentry circuit formation, and trigger activities, such as early aferdepolarization (EAD) or delayed afterdepolarization (DAD), leading to ventricular arrhythmia in HCM. Besides the ICD implantation, novel drugs represented by the late sodium current channel inhibitor and myosin inhibitor also shed light on the prevention of HCM-related arrhythmias. The ideal prevention strategy of SCD in early-stage HCM patients needs to be combined with gene screening, hiPSC-CM testing, machine learning, and advanced ECG studies, thus achieving individualized SCD prevention.
Potential diabetic cardiomyopathy therapies targeting pyroptosis: A mini review
Authors: Jia Yu , Li Dongze , Yu Jing , Jiang Wenli , Liao Xiaoyang , Zhao Qian
Published: August 2022

Pyroptosis is primarily considered a pro-inflammatory class of caspase-1- and gasdermin D (GSDMD)-dependent programmed cell death. Inflammasome activation promotes the maturation and release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, cleavage of GSDMD, and development of pyroptosis. Recent studies have reported that NLRP3 inflammasome activation-mediated pyroptosis aggravates the formation and development of diabetes cardiomyopathy (DCM). These studies provide theoretical mechanisms for exploring a novel approach to treat DCM-associated cardiac dysfunction. Accordingly, this review aims to summarize studies that investigated possible DCM therapies targeting pyroptosis and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, and its potential association with the pathogenesis of DCM. This review may serve as a basis for the development of potential pharmacological agents as novel and effective treatments for managing and treating DCM.
Protective effect of the curcumin-baicalein combination against macrovascular changes in diabetic angiopathy
Authors: Wang Chenxiang , Sun Yibin , Liu Wenjing , Liu Yang , Afzal Sualiha , Grover Jahnavi , Chang Dennis , Münch Gerald , Li Chun Guang , Lin Shiling , Chen Jianyu , Zhang Yiping , Cheng Zaixing , Lin Yanxiang , Zheng Yanfang , Huang Mingqing , Zhou Xian
Published: August 2022

Endothelial dysfunction is an early pathological event in diabetic angiopathy which is the most common complication of diabetes. This study aims to investigate individual and combined actions of Curcumin (Cur) and Baicalein (Bai) in protecting vascular function. The cellular protective effects of Cur, Bai and Cur+Bai (1:1, w/w) were tested in H2O2 (2.5 mM) impaired EA. hy926 cells. Wistar rats were treated with vehicle control as the control group, Goto-Kakizaki rats (n=5 each group) were treated with vehicle control (model group), Cur (150 mg/kg), Bai (150 mg/kg), or Cur+Bai (75 mg/kg Cur + 75 mg/kg Bai, OG) for 4 weeks after a four-week high-fat diet to investigate the changes on blood vessel against diabetic angiopathy. Our results showed that Cur+Bai synergistically restored the endothelial cell survival and exhibited greater effects on lowering the fasting blood glucose and blood lipids in rats comparing to individual compounds. Cur+Bai repaired the blood vessel structure in the aortic arch and mid thoracic aorta. The network pharmacology analysis showed that Nrf2 and MAPK/JNK kinase were highly relevant to the multi-targeted action of Cur+Bai which has been confirmed in the in vitro and in vivo studies. In conclusion, Cur+Bai demonstrated an enhanced activity in attenuating endothelial dysfunction against oxidative damage and effectively protected vascular function in diabetic angiopathy rats.
Association between the atherogenic index of plasma and new-onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese participants
Authors: Li Kemin , Li Ji , Cheng Xiaoyun , Wang Jing , Li Jingnan
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the non-obese population accounts for a large proportion of NAFLD. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP, defined as the logarithm of the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio.) can provide a stronger reflection of dyslipidemia and studies on the longitudinal association between AIP and NAFLD were limited in non-obese participants, especially in different BMI groups.

Methods

We performed a post-hoc analysis of data obtained from the Dryad data repository (Dryad is a nonprofit open database of medicine.) and explored the predictive value of AIP on the risk of NAFLD among non-obese participants.

Results

This study included 16173 participants with AIP, of which 2322(14.4%) non-obese participants developed into individuals with NAFLD with the 5-year follow-up examination. The difference between AIP quartiles in the cumulative estimation of new-onset NAFLD was significant, and with increased AIP, the cumulative new-onset NAFLD gradually increased. Participants in higher AIP quartiles had a significantly increased risk of NAFLD. In the fully adjusted model 3, hazard ratios of the new-onset NAFLD for subjects in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of AIP were 2.00 (1.59, 2.53), 2.61 (2.09, 3.72), and 4.49 (3.62, 5.57) respectively. Meanwhile, the trend test for the association between AIP quartiles and the new-onset NAFLD presented that AIP quartile was positively and strongly associated with the new-onset NAFLD (adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) in Model 3: 1.59 (1.51, 1.67), P<0.001). We found that AIP was also positively and strongly associated with new-onset NAFLD in different sex groups and different age groups in female patients. Moreover, the predictive ability of AIP was no significant difference in different sex groups and different age groups in female patients. In the subgroup analysis, we found that in the low BMI population, the predictive effect of AIP for new-onset NAFLD was expanded by 2-3 times for each quality increase of AIP.

Conclusion

This study found that AIP was a strong independent risk factor for new-onset NAFLD among non-obese individuals especially in the low BMI participants, and screening for AIP in this population can be used to prevent future NAFLD.
Prognostic significance of inflammatory markers LMR, PLR, MPV, FIB in intermediate-and high-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Li Canxiao , Li Jingting , Li Shijie , Zhao Yishen , Liu Guandong , Du Rui , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Liang Nan , Sun Hui
Published: August 2022

Background

Lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and fibrinogen (FIB) have been identified as predictive biomarkers in several malignancies. The aim of this study was to explore the association between inflammatory index with clinicopathologic features as well as recurrence risk in intermediate-to high-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of 212 patients diagnosed with intermediate-to high-risk PTC who underwent surgery at China-Japan Union Hospital between 2015 and 2016. Logistic regression and receiver operating curves (ROC) were used to explore possible risk factors.

Results

LMR was predictive of capsular invasion (AUC=0.595, P=0.017), FIB was predictive of lymph node metastasis (LN) (AUC=0.714, P=0.002), MPV was predictive of largest LN size ≥1cm (AUC=0.639, P=0.002), PLR and MPV were predictive of recurrence (AUC=0.616, P=0.032; AUC=0.626, P=0.020). In addition, FIB ≤ 2.6 (OR=6.440, 95%CI:1.777-23.336, P=0.005) and capsular invasion (OR=3.773, 95%CI:1.171-12.159, P=0.026) were identified as independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis by multivariate analysis. In addition, LN metastasis (P=0.048), largest LN size ≥ 1 cm (P=0.032), MPV > 9.4 (P=0.046), and PLR ≤ 128.1 (P=0.032) were significantly related with recurrence. Further multivariate regression analysis revealed that PLR ≤ 128.1 was a potentially independent risk factor for recurrence. Specifically, the risk of recurrence was 2.951 times higher in patients with a PLR ≤ 128.1 compared with patients with a PLR > 128.1 (OR=2.951, 95% CI:1.238-7.037, P=0.015).

Conclusion

In intermediate-to high-risk PTC, LMR, PLR, MPV, and FIB could predict clinicopathologic features and recurrence, with lower PLR being the potential risk factors for recurrence.
Operation state assessment of wind power system based on PSO + AHP—FCE
Authors: Zhang Jing , Bai Jing , Zhang Zhiqiang , Feng Weidong
Published: August 2022

Aiming at the shortcomings of the analytic hierarchy process in the comprehensive evaluation of wind power system operation status with strong subjectivity in determining weights, this thesis proposes an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and constructs an analytic hierarchy process combined with a particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO + AHP) model to optimize the weights. It overcomes the disadvantage that once given the judgment matrix in the AHP method, the weight values and consistency cannot be improved. In this article, the comparison chart of the consistency indexes calculated according to this method shows that the one-time indexes of Ca as well as C1−C7 are reduced to different degrees, so a weight value with a relatively high degree of consistency can be obtained by this method. Second, for the situation that there are several judgment indexes in the sub-project layer that deviate seriously at the same time, introduce the degradation index, and apply the fuzzy comprehensive judgment method to establish the model of wind power system operation status assessment. Finally, based on the actual monitoring data of a wind farm over a period of time, its operational status was evaluated using the proposed PSO-AHP model based on FCE, and a score that can indicate the operational status can be obtained by calculation. In this article, the evaluation score of a wind farm is 0.556, indicating that the staff needs to carry out maintenance at this time. The comparative analysis shows that compared to the traditional AHP-FCE evaluation method, the assessment results proposed in this article are relatively good and have practical value and significance for improving the real-time reliability of grid-connected operation of wind turbines, optimizing the maintenance strategy of wind turbines, and reducing the cost of wind power generation.
Modeling non-linear relationships in epidemiological data: The application and interpretation of spline models
Authors: Schuster Noah A. , Rijnhart Judith J. M. , Twisk Jos W. R. , Heymans Martijn W.
Published: August 2022

Objective

Traditional methods to deal with non-linearity in regression analysis often result in loss of information or compromised interpretability of the results. A recommended but underutilized method for modeling non-linear associations in regression models is spline functions. We explain spline functions in a non-mathematical way and illustrate the application and interpretation to an empirical data example.

Methods

Using data from the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study, we examined the non-linear relationship between the sum of four skinfolds and VO2max, which are measures of body fat and cardiorespiratory fitness, respectively. We compared traditional methods (i.e., quadratic regression and categorization) to spline methods [1- and 3-knot linear spline (LSP) models and a 3-knot restricted cubic spline (RCS) model] in terms of the interpretability of the results and their explained variance (radj2).

Results

The spline models fitted the data better than the traditional methods. Increasing the number of knots in the LSP model increased the explained variance (from radj2=0.578 for the 1-knot model to radj2=0.582 for the 3-knot model). The RCS model fitted the data best (radj2=0.591), but results in regression coefficients that are harder to interpret.

Conclusion

Spline functions should be considered more often as they are flexible and can be applied in commonly used regression analysis. RCS regression is generally recommended for prediction research (i.e., to obtain the predicted outcome for a specific exposure value), whereas LSP regression is recommended if one is interested in the effects in a population.
Variants rs2200733 and rs6843082 Show Different Associations in Asian and Non-Asian Populations With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Wang Dongsen , Hu Xuemei , Yang Xue , Yang Mingfeng , Wu Qingjian
Published: August 2022

A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) has reported that variants rs2200733 and rs6843082 in the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) gene may be one of the risk factors for ischemic stroke (IS) in European populations. However, more recently, studies in Asia have reported that rs2200733 and rs6843082 are only weakly or not associated with increased risk of IS. This difference may be caused by the sample size and genetic heterogeneity of rs2200733 and rs6843082 among different races. For this study, we selected eight articles with nine studies from the PubMed and Embase databases, including five articles from Asian and three articles from non-Asian, to evaluate the risk of IS caused by rs2200733 and rs6843082. Then, we investigated rs2200733 and rs6843082 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by analysis using allele, recessive, dominant, and additive models. We identified that rs2200733 and rs6843082 are weakly significantly associated with IS for the allele model (p = 0.8), recessive model (p = 0.8), dominant model (p = 0.49), and additive model (p = 0.76) in a pooled population. Next, we performed a subgroup analysis of the population, the result of which showed that rs2200733 and rs6843082 covey genetic risk for IS in a non-Asian population, but not in an Asian population. In conclusion, our analysis shows that the effect of PITX2 rs2200733 and rs6843082 SNPs on IS risk in Asia is inconsistent with the effect observed in European IS cohorts.
Government responses to gender-based violence during COVID-19
Authors: Gordon Rebecca , Cheeseman Nic , Rockowitz Sarah , Stevens Laura M. , Flowe Heather D.
Published: August 2022

Gender-based violence (GBV) significantly and substantially threatens women's health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing risks and patterns of GBV. The impact of COVID-19 on GBV is not inevitable, however, and can be mediated by the policies of governments. In this study we developed the Government GBV Response Index to systematically examine how countries (N = 60) performed in response to the pandemic with respect to the government 1) enacting specific national-level GBV policy; 2) making dedicated COVID-19 specific funding available; and 3) adapting existing GBV responses to COVID-19 related restrictions and challenges. Most countries (N = 33) delivered fewer than two policy responses. We also performed rapid case study analyses to investigate what might contribute to countries having more comprehensive government policy. We find that civil society organizations played a key role in facilitating GBV policy during the pandemic, especially if they are well-funded and well-connected to the government, and if the country has a high-level government official responsible for gender issues.
Serum multi-cytokines screening identifies TRAIL and IL-10 as probable new biomarkers for prostate health index diagnostic utility adjustment in grey zone aggressive prostate cancer detection: A single-center data in China
Authors: Chen Haojie , Zhou Jiatong , Luo Jia , Wu Yanyuan , Qian Yuhang , Shi Yuntian , Qu Fajun , Shi Bowen , Ding Jie , Cui Xingang , Yu Yongjiang
Published: August 2022

Objective

To identify less invasive and easily applicable serum cytokine-derived biomarkers which contribute to the diagnostic utility and risk assessment ability of the prostate health index (PHI) based multivariable model in grey zone aggressive prostate cancer (AG PCa) early detection.

Methods

Serum 45 cytokines screening was performed in a small training cohort consisting of 10 sera by Luminex liquid array-based multiplexed immunoassays and identified TRAIL and IL-10 as new biomarkers for PHI diagnostic utility adjustment for further validation with a multivariable predictive model in a cohort including 79 aggressive prostate cancer patients and 209 benign prostatic hyperplasia or indolent PCa patients within the PSA grey zone.

Results

TRAIL and IL-10 were identified as potential serum biomarkers for AG PCa detection by the result of multi-cytokines screening in the univariate analysis, while multivariable logistic regression confirmed the AUC of the full risk predictive model (0.915) including tPSA, fPSA, PHI, TRAIL, and IL-10 was higher than various diagnostic strategies. DCA suggested a superior net benefit and indicated a good discriminative ability of the full risk model consistently with the result of the nomogram.

Conclusion

We suggest a significant advantage for the PHI-based multivariate combinations of serum TRAIL and IL-10 comparing to PHI or other serum-derived biomarkers alone in the detection and risk stratification of grey zone AG PCa.
Assessment of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using plasma tumour M2-pyruvate kinase test
Authors: Ahn Sung Soo , Kim Hye Min , Park Younhee
Published: August 2022

Background

Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is an enzyme that regulates the final process of glycolysis and exists in tetrameric and dimeric forms. The dimeric form of PKM2, also known as tumour M2-PK, increases when aerobic glycolysis is augmented, a feature observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether plasma tumour M2-PK is elevated in patients with RA and whether its levels correlate with disease activity.

Methods

Plasma levels of tumour M2-PK were measured for patients with RA (n=151), those with osteoarthritis (OA) (n=37), and controls (n=37). We evaluated the association between plasma tumour M2-PK and continuous variables using Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the association between plasma tumour M2-PK and disease activity status. Knee synovial tissue blocks from patients with RA and OA were subjected to real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) using two different primers for PKM2 and tumour M2-PK immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.

Results

The tumour M2-PK level significantly correlated with the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=0.546, p<0.001) and DAS28-C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=0.589, p<0.001). Moreover, repeat testing of tumour M2-PK levels in 20 patients revealed a significant decline in tumour M2-PK levels after reduction in inflammation (p<0.001). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis demonstrated that upon incorporation of tumour M2-PK, ESR, and CRP, the area under the curve was 0.962 for distinguishing moderate/high from remission/low disease activity. Adjusted logistic regression also revealed that a tumour M2-PK >43.9 U/mL (OR 3.672, p=0.042) independently predicted moderate/high disease activity status. Furthermore, tumour M2-PK levels in patients with RA were significantly higher than in those with OA and controls (all p<0.001). However, no differences were found in PKM2 expression in RA and OA synovial tissues as assessed by qPCR, and IHC analysis revealed negligible tumour M2-PK expression in the synovial tissues.

Conclusion

Circulating plasma tumour M2-PK levels may be a clinically useful indicator for evaluating disease activity and RA diagnosis.
Macrophage polarization regulates intervertebral disc degeneration by modulating cell proliferation, inflammation mediator secretion, and extracellular matrix metabolism
Authors: Li Xiao-Chuan , Luo Shao-Jian , Fan Wu , Zhou Tian-Li , Tan Dan-Qin , Tan Rong-Xiong , Xian Qun-Ze , Li Jian , Huang Chun-Ming , Wang Mao-Sheng
Published: August 2022

Macrophage infiltration and polarization have been increasingly observed in intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD). However, their biological roles in IDD are still unrevealed. We harvested conditioned media (CM) derived from a spectrum of macrophages induced from THP-1 cells, and examined how they affect nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in vitro, by studying cell proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, and pro-inflammation expression; and in vivo by injection CM in a rat IDD model. Then, high-throughput sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were used to further analysis. Higher CCR7+ (M1 marker) and CD206+ (M2 marker) cell counts were found in the degenerated human IVD tissues as compared with the control. Furthermore, the cell co-culture model showed M1CM attenuated NPC proliferation, downregulated the expression of ECM anabolic genes encoding aggrecan and collagen IIα1, upregulated the expression of ECM catabolic genes encoding MMP-13, and inflammation-related genes encoding IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12, while M2CM showed contrasting trends. In IDD model, higher histological scores and lower disc height index were found following M1CM treatment, while M2CM exhibited opposite results. M1CM injection decreased ECM anabolic and increased ECM catabolic, as well as the upregulation of inflammation-related genes after 8 weeks treatment, while M2CM slowed down these trends. Finally, a total of 637 upregulated and 655 downregulated genes were detected in M1CM treated NPCs, and 975 upregulated genes and 930 downregulated genes in the M2CM groups. The top 30 GO terms were shown and the most significant KEGG pathway was cell cycle in both groups. Based on the PPI analysis, the five most significant hub genes were PLK1, KIF20A, RRM2, CDC20, and UBE2C in the M1CM groups and RRM2, CCNB1, CDC20, PLK1, and UBE2C in the M2CM groups. In conclusion, macrophage polarization exhibited diverse roles in IDD progression, with M1CM exacerbating cell proliferation suppression and IVD degeneration, while M2CM attenuated IDD development. These findings may facilitate the further elucidation of the role of macrophage polarization in IDD, and provide novel insights into the therapeutic potential of macrophages.
A tumor microenvironment-related risk model for predicting the prognosis and tumor immunity of breast cancer patients
Authors: Geng Shengkai , Fu Yipeng , Fu Shaomei , Wu Kejin
Published: August 2022

Background

This study aimed to construct a tumor microenvironment (TME)-related risk model to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients with breast cancer.

Methods

Gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas was used as the training set. Differentially expressed gene analysis, prognosis analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression analysis, and Wald stepwise Cox regression were performed to screen for the TME-related risk model. Three Gene Expression Omnibus databases were used to validate the predictive efficiency of the prognostic model. The TME-risk-related biological function was investigated using the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) method. Tumor immune and mutation signatures were analyzed between low- and high-TME-risk groups. The patients’ response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy were evaluated by the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score and immunophenscore (IPS).

Results

Five TME-related genes were screened for constructing a prognostic signature. Higher TME risk scores were significantly associated with worse clinical outcomes in the training set and the validation set. Correlation and stratification analyses also confirmed the predictive efficiency of the TME risk model in different subtypes and stages of breast cancer. Furthermore, immune checkpoint expression and immune cell infiltration were found to be upregulated in the low-TME-risk group. Biological processes related to immune response functions were proved to be enriched in the low-TME-risk group through GSEA analysis. Tumor mutation analysis and TIDE and IPS analyses showed that the high-TME-risk group had more tumor mutation burden and responded better to immunotherapy.

Conclusion

The novel and robust TME-related risk model had a strong implication for breast cancer patients in OS, immune response, and therapeutic efficiency.
Senescence of alveolar epithelial cells impacts initiation and chronic phases of murine fibrosing interstitial lung disease
Authors: Yamada Zento , Nishio Junko , Motomura Kaori , Mizutani Satoshi , Yamada Soichi , Mikami Tetuo , Nanki Toshihiro
Published: August 2022

Fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) develops due to the impaired reparative processes following lung tissue damage. Cellular senescence has been reported to contribute to the progression of fibrosis. However, the mechanisms by which these senescent cells initiate and/or drive the progression of lung tissue fibrosis are not yet fully understood. We demonstrated that p21WAF1/CIP1- and p16INK4A-pathway-dependent senescence in type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2) were both involved in the initiation and progression of lung fibrosis in murine bleomycin (BLM)-induced ILD. p21WAF1/CIP1-senescent AEC2 emerged rapidly, as early as 1 day after the intratracheal instillation of BLM. Their number subsequently increased and persisted until the later fibrosis phase. Very few p16INK4A-senescent AEC2 emerged upon the instillation of BLM, and their increase was slower and milder than that of p21WAF1/CIP1+ AEC2. AEC2 enriched with senescent cells sorted from BLM-ILD lungs expressed senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)-related genes, including Il6, Serpin1, Tnfa, Ccl2, Tgfb, and Pdgfa, at the initiation and chronic phases of fibrosis, exhibiting distinct expression patterns of magnitude that were dependent on the disease phase. Ly6C+ inflammatory monocytes increased in the lungs immediately after the instillation of BLM and interstitial macrophages increased from day 3. The expression of Acta2 and Col1a1 was upregulated as early as day 1, indicating the activation of fibroblasts. We speculated that IL-6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and TGF-β contributed to the accumulation of senescent cells during the progression of fibrosis in an autocrine and paracrine manner. In addition, CCL2, produced in large amounts by senescent AEC2, may have induced the infiltration of Ly6C+ inflammatory monocytes in the early phase, and TGF-β and PDGFa from senescent AEC2 may contribute to the activation of fibroblasts in the very early phases. Our study indicated that senescent AEC2 plays a role in the pathogenesis of fibrosing ILD throughout the course of the disease and provides insights into its pathogenesis, which may lead to the development of new therapeutic methods targeting senescent cells or SASP molecules.
Exosomal miRNAs in the plasma of Cynoglossus semilaevis infected with Vibrio harveyi: Pleiotropic regulators and potential biomarkers involved in inflammatory and immune responses
Authors: Zhu Tengfei , Kong Ming , Li Chen , Shao Changwei
Published: August 2022

Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles with diameters ranging from ~50 to 150 nm. Incorporating diverse biological substances and being present extensively in biofluids, exosomes are involved in intracellular communication in various physiological and pathological processes and emerging as promising biomarkers for the prognosis and diagnosis of many diseases. Accumulating evidence shows that exosomes also play important roles in the inflammatory and immune responses to bacterial infection. However, the study of exosomes in teleost fish remains scarce. In the present study, we focused on the exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) in the plasma of Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) in response to Vibrio harveyi infection. After bacterial challenge, the plasma was sampled at both the early (6 and 16 h) and late stages. (48, 72, and 96 h) of infection, followed by exosome isolation and exosomal miRNA sequencing. Results showed that the expression profile of 85 exosomal miRNAs was significantly different among the control, early-, and late-infection groups. The predictive genes targeted by exosomal miRNAs were extensively involved in various inflammatory and immune processes by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, suggesting that a series of processes were regulated by exosomal miRNAs in the plasma, including the pathogen invasion and recognition and the activation and regulation of signaling pathways related to cytokine production. Moreover, the spleen was found to be a preference for exosome enrichment and the underlying mechanism of interleukin-6 production regulated by ZC3H12A, ARID5A, and exosomal ssa-miR-146a-5p were probably present in Chinese tongue sole. Additionally, the enhanced levels of ssa-miR-146a-5p and nbr-miR-731 in plasma exosomes and the spleen of the infection groups were identified, indicating their application as biomarkers in favor of the prognosis and diagnosis of V. harveyi infection in Chinese tongue sole. Therefore, the collective results in the present study indicated the pleiotropic roles of exosomal miRNAs in the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses and their potential utilization as biomarkers in teleost fish.