bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of normal sodium levels in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Roviello Giandomenico , Catalano Martina , De Giorgi Ugo , Maruzzo Marco , Buti Sebastiano , Gambale Elisabetta , Procopio Giuseppe , Ottanelli Carlotta , Caliman Enrico , Isella Luca , Sepe Pierangela , Brighi Nicole , Santoni Matteo , Galli Luca , Conca Raffaele , Doni Laura , Antonuzzo Lorenzo
Published: August 2022

Background

Although serum sodium concentration, particularly hyponatremia, has been shown to be a prognostic marker of survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), the impact of normal sodium levels has not been investigated. Herein, we investigate the influence of normonatremia in mRCC patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

Materials and methods

For this retrospective study, the clinical and biochemical data of patients treated with first-line TKIs for mRCC were available from seven Italian cancer centers. We collected natremia levels at baseline and first evaluation after treatment excluding patients with sodium levels outside the normal range (<135 or >145 mEq/L). The remaining patients were subdivided into two groups according to the median sodium value: natremia patients with <140 mEq/L (n = 132) and baseline natremia patients with ≥140 mEq/L (n = 185). Subsequently, we analyzed the impact of sodium levels on response rate (RR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). PFS and OS were estimated through the Kaplan–Meier method, and differences between groups were examined by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied to evaluate the prognostic factors for PFS and OS.

Results

Of the 368 patients, 317 were included in the analysis, 73.1% were men, and the median age was 67 years (range 36–89). When comparing patients with baseline natremia ≥140 mEq/L (n = 185) to patients with natremia <140 mEq/L (n = 132), the PFS was 15 vs. 10 months (p < 0.01) and the OS was 63 vs. 36 months, respectively (p = 0.02). On the first evaluation, patients with serum sodium ≥140 mEq/L had longer PFS (15 vs. 10 months, p < 0.01) and OS (70 vs. 32 months, p < 0.01) than patients with levels <140 mEq/L. Moreover, clinical outcomes showed a significant improvement in patients with natremia ≥140 mEq/L compared with patients with levels <140 mEq/L both at baseline and first evaluation: PFS was 19 vs. 11 months (p < 0.01) and OS was 70 vs. 36 months (p < 0.01), respectively.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the impact of normonatremia in mRCC. We found that serum sodium levels <140 mEq/L at baseline and first assessment are independently associated with worse PFS and OS in mRCC patients treated with TKIs in the first-line setting.
Case report: The effective response to pembrolizumab in combination with bevacizumab in the treatment of a recurrent glioblastoma with multiple extracranial metastases
Authors: Yang Gang , Fang Yu , Zhou Ming , Li Wei , Dong Dapeng , Chen Jing , Da Yong , Wang Kunpeng , Li Xinru , Zhang Xiaoyan , Ma Tonghui , Shen Ge
Published: August 2022

Multiple extracranial metastases of recurrent glioblastoma are rare and often indicate a very poor prognosis. The main conventional treatments are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy or antiangiogenic therapy. Median overall survival is 2.3 to 6 months after the detection of extracranial metastases, and to date, there is no effective treatment for these patients. Herein, we report a recurrent glioblastoma patient with lung metastasis treated with a combination therapy containing bevacizumab and pembrolizumab due to overexpression of PD-L1 and the absence of driver mutations. The progression-free survival was 11 months from lung metastases to bone metastases. This combination treatment was further used as maintenance therapy for another 11 months after bone metastasis and secondary dorsal metastasis because there was no suitable treatment alternative. The overall survival was 27 months after lung metastases, which is much longer than previously reported cases. To our knowledge, this was the first effective use of bevacizumab plus pembrolizumab in a glioblastoma patient with extracranial metastases. Furthermore, this was the first time that bevacizumab plus pembrolizumab was used as a maintenance treatment in glioblastoma, with 11 months of response. Importantly, we showed that such combination therapy may be a novel and effective therapy for glioblastoma patients with extracranial metastases.
Parental perceptions and the 5C psychological antecedents of COVID-19 vaccination during the first month of omicron variant surge: A large-scale cross-sectional survey in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alenezi Shuliweeh , Alarabi Mohammed , Al-Eyadhy Ayman , Aljamaan Fadi , Elbarazi Iffat , Saddik Basema , Alhasan Khalid , Assiri Rasha , Bassrawi Rolan , Alshahrani Fatimah , Alharbi Nasser S. , Fayed Amel , Minhaj Ahmed Sheikh , Halwani Rabih , Saad Khaled , Alsubaie Sarah , Barry Mazin ,   COVID-19 Saudi Research Consortium, Memish Ziad A. , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar A. , Temsah Mohamad-Hani
Published: August 2022

Background

With the rapid surge of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, we aimed to assess parents' perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccines and the psychological antecedents of vaccinations during the first month of the Omicron spread.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey in Saudi Arabia was conducted (December 20, 2021-January 7, 2022). Convenience sampling was used to invite participants through several social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Twitter, and email lists. We utilized the validated 5C Scale, which evaluates five psychological factors influencing vaccination intention and behavior: confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility.

Results

Of the 1,340 respondents, 61.3% received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 35% received an additional booster dose. Fify four percentage were unwilling to vaccinate their children aged 5–11, and 57.2% were unwilling to give the additional booster vaccine to children aged 12–18. Respondents had higher scores on the construct of collective responsibility, followed by calculation, confidence, complacency, and finally constraints. Confidence in vaccines was associated with willingness to vaccinate children and positively correlated with collective responsibility (p < 0.010). Complacency about COVID-19 was associated with unwillingness to vaccinate older children (12–18 years) and with increased constraints and calculation scores (p < 0.010). While increasing constraints scores did not correlate with decreased willingness to vaccinate children (p = 0.140), they did correlate negatively with confidence and collective responsibility (p < 0.010).

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate the relationship between the five antecedents of vaccination, the importance of confidence in vaccines, and a sense of collective responsibility in parents' intention to vaccinate their children. Campaigns addressing constraints and collective responsibility could help influence the public's vaccination behavior.
Modern drug self-medication and associated factors among pregnant women at Settat city, Morocco
Authors: Chergaoui Samia , Changuiti Omaima , Marfak Abdelghafour , Saad Elmadani , Hilali Abderraouf , Youlyouz Marfak Ibtissam
Published: August 2022

Purpose: The consumption of drugs during pregnancy without medical advice constitutes a risk for the mother and the fetus. It is a public health problem. This study aimed to assess self-medication practices among pregnant women, the most used medicines, and factors associated with this practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire on pregnant women who were attending Settat health centers. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using the SPSS version 19.

Results: Among 364 pregnant women, 118 (32%) practiced self-medication in modern medicine. Paracetamol was the most used medication, and nausea and vomiting were the most frequent symptoms reported by self-medicated pregnant women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that women over 30 years old were four-fold more likely to practice self-medication than the other groups [AOR: 4.19; 95% CI (1.80–9.77)]. Similarly, unemployed women [AOR: 3.93; 95% CI (0.80–19.23)], those in third trimester [AOR: 2.63; 95% CI (1.29–5.36)], multiparous [AOR: 6.03; 95% CI (3.12–11.65)], without chronic illness [AOR: 2.84; 95% CI (1.26–6.41)], without therapeutic treatment [AOR: 10.1; 95% CI (2.81–37.03)] and who have attended ANC at least once, were more likely to practice self-medication than the other groups.

Conclusion: The prevalence of modern drug self-medication among pregnant women in Morocco is classified as lower. Health professionals can exert positive pressure through education and information provided during ANC about OTC medications to significantly reduce the rate of self-medication.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of daptomycin dose optimization in pediatric patients with renal impairment
Authors: Ye Lingling , You Xiang , Zhou Jie , Wu Chaohui , Ke Meng , Wu Wanhong , Huang Pinfang , Lin Cuihong
Published: August 2022

Background and Objective: Daptomycin is used to treat Gram-positive infections in adults and children and its dosing varies among different age groups. We focused on the pharmacokinetics of daptomycin in children with renal impairment, which has not been evaluated.

Methods: A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of daptomycin was established and validated to simulate its disposition in healthy populations and adults with renal impairment, along with a daptomycin exposure simulated in pediatric patients with renal impairment.

Results: The simulated PBPK modeling results for various regimens of intravenously administered daptomycin were consistent with observed data according to the fold error below the threshold of 2. The Cmax and AUC of daptomycin did not differ significantly between children with mild-to-moderate renal impairment and healthy children. The AUC increased by an average of 1.55-fold and 1.85-fold in severe renal impairment and end-stage renal disease, respectively. The changes were more significant in younger children and could reach a more than 2-fold change. This scenario necessitates further daptomycin dose adjustments.

Conclusion: Dose adjustments take into account the efficacy and safety of the drug; however, the steady-state Cmin of daptomycin may be above 24.3 mg/L in a few instances. We recommend monitoring creatine phosphokinase more than once a week when using daptomycin in children with renal impairment.
Real-world association of adherence with outcomes and economic burden in patients with tuberculosis from South Korea claims data
Authors: Kwon Sun-Hong , Nam Jin Hyun , Kim Hye-Lin , Park Hae-Young , Kwon Jin-Won
Published: August 2022

Objectives: We analyzed tuberculosis (TB)-related costs according to treatment adherence, as well as the association between treatment adherence, treatment outcomes, and costs related to drug-susceptible TB in South Korea.

Methods: Patients who had newly treated TB in South Korea between 2006 and 2015 were selected from nationwide sample claims data and categorized into adherent and non-adherent groups using the proportion of days TB drugs covered. Patients were followed-up from the initiation of TB treatment. The mean five-year cumulative costs per patient were estimated according to adherence. Moreover, we evaluated the relative ratios to identify cost drivers such as adherence, treatment outcomes, and baseline characteristics using generalized linear models. Four treatment outcomes were included: treatment completion, loss to follow-up, death, and the initiation of multidrug-resistant TB treatment.

Results: Out of the 3,799 new patients with TB, 2,662 were adherent, and 1,137 were non-adherent. Five years after initiating TB treatment, the mean TB-related costs were USD 2,270 and USD 2,694 in the adherent and non-adherent groups, respectively. The TB-related monthly cost per patient was also lower in the adherent than in the non-adherent (relative ratio = 0.89, 95% CI 0.92–0.98), while patients who were lost to follow-up spent more on TB-related costs (2.52, 2.24–2.83) compared to those who completed the treatment.

Conclusion: Non-adherent patients with TB spend more on treatment costs while they have poorer outcomes compared to adherent patients with TB. Improving patient adherence may lead to effective treatment outcomes and reduce the economic burden of TB. Policymakers and providers should consider commitment programs to improve patient’s adherence.
The effects of operating height and the passage of time on the end-point performance of fine manipulative tasks that require high accuracy
Authors: Choi Ho Seon , In Hyunki
Published: August 2022

Sustained shoulder abduction, which results from an inappropriate worktable height or tool shape and long task hours, leads to an accumulation of muscle fatigue and subsequent work-related injuries in workers. It can be alleviated by controlling the table height or ergonomic tool design, but workers who are doing some types of work that require a discomfortable posture, such as minimally invasive surgery, cannot avoid these situations. Loads to the shoulder joint or muscles result in several problems, such as muscle fatigue, deterioration of proprioception or changing movement strategies of the central nervous system, and these are critical to work that requires a high accuracy of the upper extremities. Therefore, in this paper, we designed and conducted an experiment with human participants to discuss how an inappropriate height of the work-table affects the task performance of workers who are performing a fine manipulative task that requires high accuracy of the end point. We developed an apparatus that can control the height and has four touch screens to evaluate the end-point accuracy with two different heights. Eighteen adults (9 women and 9 men) participated in the experiments, and the electromyography of their shoulder muscles, their movement stability, and task performance were measured for the analysis. We found that inappropriate height of a table brings about muscle fatigue, and time elapsed for conducting tasks accelerated the phenomenon. Task performance deteriorated according to increased fatigue, and improved movement stability is not enough to compensate for these situations.
Overexpression of Pregnancy Zone Protein in Fat Antagonizes Diet-Induced Obesity Under an Intermittent Fasting Regime
Authors: Jiang Xiaoxiao , Lin Jun , Dong Meng , Liu Xiaomeng , Huang Yuanyuan , Zhang Hanlin , Ye Rongcai , Zhou Huiqiao , Yan Chunlong , Yuan Shouli , Chen Li , Jiang Rui , Zheng Kexin , Jin Wanzhu
Published: August 2022

The intermittent fasting regimen (IFR) has been certified as an effective strategy for improving metabolism. But the underlying mechanism is still obscure. Beige induction in white adipose tissue (WAT) by IFR may account for this. It has been demonstrated that the erupting of pregnancy zone protein (PZP) from the liver coincides with membrane translocation of grp78 in brown adipocytes during IFR to activate brown adipose tissue (BAT), which may partly explain the metabolic benefits of IFR. Liver-derived PZP appears to be responsible for all metabolic regulatory functions; the effect of boosting energy expenditure disappeared in liver-deficient mice. To verify whether any liver-specific modification was essential for functional PZP, we used the PZP adipose tissue-specific overexpression mice model (PZP TG). We found that the metabolic disorders induced by high-fat diet were improved in PZP TG mice under IFR. Additionally, in addition to the activation of BAT, UCP1 protein and angiogenesis were increased in WAT, as well as the expression of genes associated with glucose utilization. These results demonstrate that PZP fat-specific TG increased the energy conversion of WAT, indicating that WAT may be another direct target for PZP during IFR.
Optimal target blood pressure in critically ill adult patients with vasodilatory shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yoshimoto Hidero , Fukui Satoshi , Higashio Koki , Endo Akira , Takasu Akira , Yamakawa Kazuma
Published: August 2022

While the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines recommend an initial target value of 65 mmHg as the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in patients with septic shock, the optimal MAP target for improving outcomes remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the optimal MAP for patients with vasodilatory shock, which included three randomized controlled trials that recruited 3,357 patients. Between the lower (60–70 mmHg) and higher (>70 mmHg) MAP target groups, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (risk ratio [RR], 1.06; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.98–1.16) which was similar in patients with chronic hypertension (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.98–1.24) and patients aged ≥65 years (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.99–1.21). No significant difference in adverse events was observed between the different MAP groups (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.87–1.24); however, supraventricular arrhythmia was significantly higher in the higher MAP group (RR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.15–2.60). Renal replacement therapy was reduced in the higher MAP group of patients with chronic hypertension (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71–0.98). Though the higher MAP control did not improve the mortality rate, it may be beneficial in reducing renal replacement therapy in patients with chronic hypertension.

Systematic review registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, identifier UMIN000042624
Grazing during the grassland greenup period promotes plant species richness in alpine grassland in winter pastures
Authors: Wei Wanrong , Zhen Qiaoyan , Deng Jia , Yue Hanlin , Qin Mingsen , Oosthuizen Maria K.
Published: August 2022

Although grazing is the most common use of grassland, the ecological function of grassland far exceeds its productivity. Therefore, the protection of plant diversity is of the utmost importance and cannot be ignored. Existing research on the effect of grazing on grassland mainly focuses on grazing intensity and the type of livestock, but the consequences of the timing of the grazing on the vegetation community remains unclear. We investigated plant community characteristics of winter pastures in alpine meadow with different grazing termination times (grazing before and during the grassland greenup periods) in Maqu County, eastern QTP. The results showed that vegetation height, coverage, aboveground biomass and Graminoid biomass were lower in grassland when grazing happened during the greenup period compared to grassland where grazing was terminated before the greenup period. However, the total plant species richness and forbs richness were higher in grassland with grazing during the greenup period compared to grassland without grazing during the greenup period. Our structural equation modeling reveals a potential indirect implication for the total plant species richness and forbs richness of winter pastures mainly through a decrease in the vegetation coverage and grass biomass abundance. Our findings imply that grazing during the grassland greenup period may facilitate the maintenance of plant diversity in winter pastures. These findings have important implications for grassland ecosystem functioning and for the conservation of plant diversity.
Motivation for MOOC learning persistence: An expectancy–value theory perspective
Authors: Lee Yechan , Song Hae-Deok
Published: August 2022

Managing learning continuity is critical for successful MOOC learning. Thus, enabling learners to have learning persistence needs to be integrated into the MOOC learning design. Motivation effort is a critical component enabling students to maintain continuous MOOC learning. The expectancy–value theory explains why learners engage in learning: (1) they have a higher perceived ability for learning success, (2) place value on learning, and (3) avoid psychological costs. However, it is unclear how these factors affect MOOC learning persistence and how learners’ motivation is formed from this perspective. This experimental study explored how learners’ motivational variables affect their learning persistence, focusing on the expectancy–value theory. The results of this study indicated that academic self-efficacy and task value had significant positive effects on learning persistence. The structural relationship of antecedent, process, and outcome variables showed that teaching presence as an antecedent had a significantly positive effect on academic self-efficacy and task value. Among the three factors of the expectancy–value theory, only the task value influenced learning persistence through student engagement as a mediator. Based on the results, suggestions are provided for motivating MOOC environments that support learners’ continuous MOOC learning.
The influence of a destination’s red cultural atmospherics on tourists’ confidence in Chinese culture
Authors: Zhou Xiaoli , Guo Yulin , Xie Xiaofeng , Liu Chunjuan , Zhang Fengying
Published: August 2022

This study explores the development of tourists’ confidence in Chinese culture through red tourism. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted to analyze the survey data collected from red tourists in Wuxiang county, Changzhi, Shanxi province, China to examine the influence of a destination’s red cultural atmospherics on tourists’ confidence in Chinese culture. The results indicated that Wuxiang’s red cultural atmospherics composed of physical atmospherics, spiritual atmospherics and institutional atmospherics significantly influences tourists’ confidence in Chinese culture. Tourists’ perception of red education and their red cultural identity mediate the impact of the destination’s red cultural atmospherics on tourists’ confidence in Chinese culture. These findings contribute to the red tourism literature by providing empirical support for building tourists’ confidence in Chinese culture through red tourism. The empirical results also offer managerial implications for red tourism destinations’ planning and management.
Smartphone addiction risk, technology-related behaviors and attitudes, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Popescu Alexandrina-Mihaela , Balica Raluca-Ștefania , Lazăr Emil , Bușu Valentin Oprea , Vașcu Janina-Elena
Published: August 2022

COVID-19 pandemic-related perceived risk of infection, illness fears, acute stress, emotional anxiety, exhaustion, and fatigue, psychological trauma and depressive symptoms, and sustained psychological distress can cause smartphone addiction risk and lead to technology-related cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders, thus impacting psychological well-being. Behavioral addiction of smartphone users can result in anxiety symptom severity, psychiatric symptoms, and depressive stress. We carried out a quantitative literature review of the Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest throughout June 2022, with search terms including “smartphone addiction + COVID-19” + “stress,” “anxiety,” “depression,” “psychological distress,” “screen time,” and “fear.” As we analyzed only articles published between 2020 and 2022, 288 papers met the eligibility criteria. By excluding sources with similar titles, having unclear findings or unsupported by replication, or displaying inconsistent content, we selected 64, mainly empirical, sources. We used layout algorithms (VOSviewer) and bibliometric mapping (Dimensions) as data visualization tools. Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), a systematic review and literature review software (Distiller SR), Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and Systematic Review Data Repository (SRDR) were employed as methodological quality assessment tools. As limitations, we analyzed only articles published between 2020 and 2022 in scholarly outlets indexed in the Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases. The scope of our study also does not advance the inspection of sources covering vulnerable individuals suffering from certain diseases or specific generations. Subsequent analyses should develop on smartphone use and addiction among children and adolescents. Future research should thus investigate problematic smartphone use and addiction across generations Z and Alpha. Attention should be directed to their personality traits and psychopathological symptoms.
Sleep quality and associated factors among nurses working at comprehensive specialized hospitals in Northwest, Ethiopia
Authors: Segon Tesfaye , Kerebih Habtamu , Gashawu Fanuel , Tesfaye Bizuneh , Nakie Girum , Anbesaw Tamrat
Published: August 2022

Background

Poor sleep quality is common among nurses. This problem possibly results in negative emotional and psychological consequences in nurses which secondary affect their work performances. However, in Ethiopia, there is a paucity of information about poor sleep quality and associated factors among nurses. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of poor sleep quality and associated factors among nurses working at comprehensive specialized hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 542 nurses who worked at University of Gondar (UOG), Tibebe Ghion, Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Ethiopia, who were incorporated into the study through a simple random sampling technique from 1 May to 2 June 2021. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) with a cut score of above 5 was used to assess sleep quality using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Other tools used are Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), Shift Work sleep disorders (SWSD), and Oslo-3 social support scales. Epi-Data version 3.1 was used for data entry and SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables that have a significant association with poor sleep quality among nurse professionals. The degree of association was assessed using an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a two-tailedp-value of <0.05.

Results

A total of 510 nurses were included in the study with a response rate of 94%. The study showed that the overall prevalence of poor sleep quality among nurses was 75.5% (95% CI (71.8, 79.1). Being female (AOR = 1.72:95% CI = 1.19, 2.28), depressive symptoms (AOR = 2.24:95% CI = 1.24, 3.85), anxiety symptoms (AOR = 2.12: 95% CI = 1.23, 3.62), stress (AOR = 2.85: 95% CI = 1.67, 4.82) and current alcohol drinking (AOR = 1.84 :95% CI = 1.27, 3.13) were significantly associated with poor sleep quality.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of poor sleep quality among nurses was high. Being female, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, stress, and current alcohol drinking had been significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Therefore, it is essential to institute effective intervention strategies emphasizing contributing factors to poor sleep quality.
The relationship between TLR4/NF-κB/IL-1β signaling, cognitive impairment, and white-matter integrity in patients with stable chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Li Hongna , Chen Wenjin , Gou Mengzhuang , Li Wei , Tong Jinghui , Zhou Yanfang , Xie Ting , Yu Ting , Feng Wei , Li Yanli , Chen Song , Tian Baopeng , Tan Shuping , Wang Zhiren , Pan Shujuan , Li Na , Luo Xingguang , Zhang Ping , Huang Junchao , Tian Li , Li Chiang-Shan R. , Tan Yunlong
Published: August 2022

Objective

Previous studies have implicated intricate interactions between innate immunity and the brain in schizophrenia. Monocytic Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling, a crucial “sensor” of innate immunity, was reported to be over-activated in link with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. As TLR4 is predominantly expressed on gliocytes prior to expression in neurons, we hypothesized that higher TLR4 levels may contribute to cognitive deterioration by affecting white matter microstructure.

Methods

Forty-four patients with stable chronic schizophrenia (SCS) and 59 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited in this study. The monocytic function was detected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation to simulate bacterial infection. Basal and LPS- stimulated levels of TLR4, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and interleukin (IL)-1β were quantified with flow cytometry. Cognitive function was assessed by the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and psychopathological symptoms were evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We employed diffusion tensor imaging with a 3-T scanner and evaluated white-matter integrity with fractional anisotropy (FA). Subcortical volume and cortical thickness were also assessed.

Results

The TLR4/NF-κB/IL-1β signaling pathway was activated in patients with SCS, but responded sluggishly to LPS stimulation when compared with HCs. Furthermore, monocytic TLR4 expressions were inversely correlated with cognitive function and white matter FA, but not with cortical thickness or subcortical gray matter volume in schizophrenia.

Conclusion

Our findings support altered TLR4 signaling pathway activity in association with deficits in cognition and white matter integrity in schizophrenia.
Early childhood caries prevalence and associated factors among preschoolers aged 3–5 years in Xiangyun, China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Mingshan , Song Qianqian , Xu Xiaoqin , Lai Guangyun
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the early childhood caries (ECC) prevalence among preschoolers aged 3-5 years in Xiangyun of Yunnan, China and explore the factors associated with the prevalence.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional survey including 3-5-year-old children was conducted in Xiangyun County, China, between September and November 2020. According to the dental examination standard of the WHO 2013 criteria, the presence of ECC was recorded. Besides the dental examination for children, their parents completed questionnaires about caries-related factors, including demographic variables, family socioeconomic status, feeding, and oral health-related habits, parental dental knowledge, and the condition of dental service utilization. SPSS Statistics 25.0 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The ECC prevalence among a sample of 1,280 children aged 3–5 years consisting of 665 boys and 615 girls in this study, was 74.3%, and the mean decayed-missing-filled teeth (dmft) was 4.9 ± 5.0. There were no statistically significant differences in the ECC prevalence between the sexes and among different ethnic groups. Children with different dietary and oral hygiene habits showed no significantly different prevalence of ECC. Logistic regression analysis showed that the most significantly associated factors were older age, lower family income, and worse parental perception of children's oral health status.

Conclusion

The ECC prevalence among 3–5-year-old preschool children in Xiangyun was higher than the average national ECC prevalence in China. This study implies that more attention should be given to children's caries prevention from early childhood; oral health education and promotion should be intensified to reduce the ECC prevalence and improve the oral health status of children in Xiangyun.
A lifetime with models, or toils and thrills of number crunching
Authors: Tsyganenko Nikolai A.
Published: August 2022

Modeling the magnetosphere from satellite data has some analogy to the construction of a person’s ‘identikit’ from patchy information, collected by different people at different times under different lighting/viewing conditions. This article is a brief overview of the author’s half-century-long efforts in building Earth’s magnetosphere models, with some feats, setbacks, and lessons learned.
Entomological assessment of tsetse-borne trypanosome risk in the Shimba Hills human-wildlife-livestock interface, Kenya
Authors: Ebhodaghe Faith I. , Bastos Armanda D. S. , Okal Michael N. , Masiga Daniel K.
Published: August 2022

Shimba Hills is a wildlife area in Kenya and a major focus of tsetse-borne trypanosomes in East Africa. In Shimba Hills, tsetse-borne trypanosomes constrain animal health and smallholder livelihoods. However, epidemiological data to guide hotspot-targeted control of infections are limited. This study assessed the dynamics of tsetse-borne trypanosome risk in Shimba Hills with the objective to describe infection hotspots for targeted control. Tsetse flies (n = 696) collected in field surveys between November 2018 and September 2019 in Shimba Hills were characterized for chronological age and phenotypic sizes and screened for trypanosome and cattle DNA. Entomological inoculation rates for trypanosome risk assessment were derived from the product of fly abundance and molecular rates of vector infection and confirmed cattle bloodmeals in tsetse flies. In addition, cattle health indicators including anemia scores were assessed in contemporaneous parasitological surveys that screened livestock blood samples (n = 1,417) for trypanosome using the buffy-coat technique. Compared with Glossina brevipalpis and G. austeni, G. pallidipes was the most abundant tsetse fly species in Shimba Hills and had a wider spatial distribution and greater likelihood for infectious bites on cattle. The risk of cattle infection was similar along the Shimba Hills human-wildlife-livestock interface and high within one thousand meters of the wildlife reserve boundary. Trypanosomes in tsetse flies were highly diverse and included parasites of wild-suids probably acquired from warthogs in Shimba Hills. Age and phenotypic sizes were similar between tsetse fly populations and did not affect the probability of infection or cattle bloodmeals in the vectors. Anemia was more likely in trypanosome-positive cattle whilst parasitological infection rates in cattle samples maintained a weak relationship with entomological inoculation rates probably because of the limited time scale of sample collection. Trypanosome risk in Shimba Hills is high in locations close to the wildlife reserve and driven by G. pallidipes infectious bites on cattle. Therefore, trypanosome vector control programmes in the area should be designed to reduce G. pallidipes abundance and tailored to target sites close to the wildlife reserve.
Automated Wheat Diseases Classification Framework Using Advanced Machine Learning Technique
Authors: Khan Habib , Haq Ijaz Ul , Munsif Muhammad , Mustaqeem  , Khan Shafi Ullah , Lee Mi Young
Published: August 2022

Around the world, agriculture is one of the important sectors of human life in terms of food, business, and employment opportunities. In the farming field, wheat is the most farmed crop but every year, its ultimate production is badly influenced by various diseases. On the other hand, early and precise recognition of wheat plant diseases can decrease damage, resulting in a greater yield. Researchers have used conventional and Machine Learning (ML)-based techniques for crop disease recognition and classification. However, these techniques are inaccurate and time-consuming due to the unavailability of quality data, inefficient preprocessing techniques, and the existing selection criteria of an efficient model. Therefore, a smart and intelligent system is needed which can accurately identify crop diseases. In this paper, we proposed an efficient ML-based framework for various kinds of wheat disease recognition and classification to automatically identify the brown- and yellow-rusted diseases in wheat crops. Our method consists of multiple steps. Firstly, the dataset is collected from different fields in Pakistan with consideration of the illumination and orientation parameters of the capturing device. Secondly, to accurately preprocess the data, specific segmentation and resizing methods are used to make differences between healthy and affected areas. In the end, ML models are trained on the preprocessed data. Furthermore, for comparative analysis of models, various performance metrics including overall accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score are calculated. As a result, it has been observed that the proposed framework has achieved 99.8% highest accuracy over the existing ML techniques.
Working Mechanism and Parameter Optimization of a Crushing and Impurity Removal Device for Liquid Manure
Authors: Ma Biao , Chen Mingjiang , Wu Aibing , Fu Jingjing , Hu Zhichao , Xu Binxing
Published: August 2022

Aiming to solve the problems of easy clogging and high energy consumption of multi-way fertilization devices for liquid manure, a crushing and impurity removal device for liquid manure was designed by combining the physical characteristics of liquid manure and impurities, and building the corresponding test bench. The proposed device could crush flexible impurities such as straw and filoplume and intercept hard impurities with high density. The main structural parameters of the device were determined according to the survey analysis and the theoretical design. The influences of cutter head shape, cutter edge angle, cutter shaft speed, and cutting clearance on the disqualification rate and energy consumption of straw crushing were obtained by a single-factor experiment. Furthermore, the Box–Behnken central composite design method of the response surface was employed to investigate the effects of the cutter shaft speed, cutting clearance, and cutter edge angle on the disqualification rate and energy consumption of straw crushing. In addition, the working parameters of the device were optimized by employing the response surface method. On this basis, the mathematical relationship model among the disqualification rate, energy consumption, and all influencing factors was established. The results show that the optimal combination of working parameters includes a cutter shaft speed of 312 r/min, a cutting clearance of 1.4 mm, and a cutter edge angle of 45°. From the prediction model, the predicted failure rate was 4.15%, and the predicted energy consumption was 47.53 J. The verification experiment was then performed under the optimal combination of working parameters. The obtained disqualification rate was 4.08% and the energy consumption was 47.56 J, which met the design and work requirements.
The Effects of High-Fat Diets from Calcium Salts of Palm Oil on Milk Yields, Rumen Environment, and Digestibility of High-Yielding Dairy Cows Fed Low-Forage Diet
Authors: Frank Eyal , Livshitz Lilya , Portnick Yuri , Kamer Hadar , Alon Tamir , Moallem Uzi
Published: August 2022

Instability in grain prices led to continuing worldwide growth in the proportion of fat supplements in lactating cows’ rations. However, fat supplementation was associated with decreases in feed intake, rumen fermentation, and feed digestibility. The present objectives were to test the effects of high-fat diets from calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids (CS-PFA) in lactating cow rations containing high proportions of concentrate, on feed intake, milk yields, rumen environment, and digestibility. Forty-two multiparous mid-lactation dairy cows were assigned to three treatments, designated as low fat (LF), moderate fat (MF), and high fat (HF) that contained (on DM basis), respectively, (i) 4.7% total fat with 1.7% CS-PFA, (ii) 5.8% total fat with 2.8% CS-PFA, and (iii) 6.8% total fat with 3.9% CS-PFA. Rumen samples were collected for pH, ammonia, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) measurements, and fecal grab samples were collected for digestibility measurements. A numerical trend of decreasing dry matter intake with increasing CS-PFA in diet was observed: 28.7, 28.5, and 28.1 kg/day in LF, MF, and HF, respectively (p < 0.20). No differences between treatments were observed in milk yields and milk-fat percentages, but protein percentage in milk tended to fall with increasing dietary CS-PFA content (p < 0.08), which resulted in 6.4% smaller protein yields in the HF than in the LF group (p < 0.01). Milk urea nitrogen was 15.3% higher in HF than in LF cows (p < 0.05). Rumen pH was higher at all sampling times in the MF and HF than in the LF cows. Concentrations of propionic acid and total VFA were higher in LF than in MF and HF cows. The apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter was higher with LF than with HF (p < 0.002), and that of organic matter was lowest with the HF diet (p < 0.005). The apparent NDF digestibility declined with increasing dietary fat content, and it was 8.5 percentage points lower in HF than in LF cows (p < 0.009). Apparent fat digestibility increased with increasing dietary fat content, and it was higher by 10.4 percentage points in the HF than in the LF group (p < 0.004). In conclusion, diets with high concentrate-to-forage ratios, containing up to 6.8% total fat and 3.9% CS-PFA, negatively affected rumen fermentation and NDF digestibility in high-yielding dairy cows; however, the effects on yields were minor, indicating that, under specific circumstances, the inclusion of large amounts of CS-PFA in dairy cows’ rations with low fiber content is feasible.
Modulatory Impacts of Multi-Strain Probiotics on Rabbits’ Growth, Nutrient Transporters, Tight Junctions and Immune System to Fight against Listeria monocytogenes Infection
Authors: Abd El-Hamid Marwa I. , Ibrahim Doaa , Hamed Rehab I. , Nossieur Heba H. , Elbanna Mariam Hassan , Baz Heba , Abd-Allah Ehab. M. , El Oksh Amal S. A. , Ibrahim Ghada A. , Khalifa Eman , Ismail Tamer Ahmed , Awad Naglaa F. S.
Published: August 2022

Multi-strain probiotics (MSP) are considered innovative antibiotics’ substitutes supporting superior gut health and immunity of farmed rabbits. The promising roles of MSP on performance, intestinal immunity, integrity and transporters, and resistance against Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) were evaluated. In the feeding trial, 220 rabbits were fed a control diet or diet supplemented with three MSP graded levels. At 60 days of age, rabbits were experimentally infected with L. monocytogenes and the positive control, enrofloxacin, prophylactic MSP (MSPP), and prophylactic and therapeutic MSP (MSPTT) groups were included. During the growing period, MSP at the level of 1 × 108 CFU/kg diet (MSPIII) promoted the rabbits’ growth, upregulated the nutrient transporters and tight-junction-related genes, and modified cytokines expression. Supplementing MSPTT for L. monocytogenes experimentally-infected rabbits restored the impaired growth and intestinal barriers, reduced clinical signs of severity and mortalities, and attenuated the excessive inflammatory reactions. Notably, enrofloxacin decreased L. monocytogenes and beneficial microbial loads; unlike MSPTT, which decreased pathogenic bacterial loads and sustained the beneficial ones. Histopathological changes were greatly reduced in MSPTT, confirming its promising role in restricting L. monocytogenes translocation to different organs. Therefore, our results suggest the use of MSPTT as an alternative to antibiotics, thereby conferring protection for rabbits against L. monocytogenes infection.
Emergency Vaccination as a Control Strategy against Sheeppox Outbreak in a Highly Susceptible Population
Authors: Oreiby Atef , Seada Ayman S. , Abou Elazab Mohamed F. , Abdo Walied , Kassab Mohamed , Hegazy Yamen , Khalifa Hazim O. , Matsumoto Tetsuya
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to investigate a sheeppox outbreak in a highly susceptible naive sheep population in Kharsit village, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Moreover, to compare commercial sheeppox vaccines, the Romanian strain and RM-65 vaccines, as emergency vaccination against sheeppox under field conditions. In December 2018, a sheeppox outbreak occurred in a flock of 65 sheep upon the purchase of an apparently healthy ewe from outside the village. This ewe showed a systemic disease with cutaneous lesions after a few days, thereafter more cases began to appear. Cutaneous lesions in other sheep in the flock in the form of macules, papules, and scabs were common in wool-less areas of the body, in addition to fever and respiratory disorders. Postmortem findings revealed the congestion of visceral organs with apparent gross pathology of the lung. Biopsies of cutaneous lesions and visceral organs were collected, and sheeppox was identified by histopathology and transmission electron microscopy, which showed the existence of sheeppox cells and intracytoplasmic brick-shape sheeppox virions. The Romanian strain and RM-65 vaccines were used for the emergency vaccination for two different groups of animals and the third group was left as a control group. Serum samples were collected before vaccination as well as 21 days post-vaccination, and serum protein fractionation analysis was performed for all groups. The outbreak ended after 2.5 months, the cumulative incidence was 66.2%, and the overall case fatality was 51.1%. There was significantly higher protection against sheeppox infection and mortalities among RM-65 vaccine immunized group compared to Romanian strain vaccine-immunized animals at p < 0.05. RM-65-vaccinated animals did not show sheeppox cases or mortalities, compared to Romanian strain-vaccinated animals, which had mild pox signs in 78% of animals and case fatality of 35.7%. The serum protein analysis also indicated the superior performance of the RM-65 vaccine; it increased the level of α1-globulin and β-globulin compared to the Romanian strain, which increased the level of β-globulin only. The current study shows a better performance of the tested RM-65 than the Romanian strain vaccine for emergency vaccination against sheeppox under field conditions. These findings point to the validity of emergency vaccination against sheeppox and the importance of the comparative field evaluation of vaccines; however, wide-scale studies are required for further evaluation. Future investigation of whether the Romanian strain itself or vaccine-production-related issues are responsible for these findings is required.
The Hypercoagulable Profile of Patients with Bone Tumors: A Pilot Observational Study Using Rotational Thromboelastometry
Authors: Tsantes Andreas G. , Loukopoulou Ilectra , Papadopoulos Dimitrios V. , Trikoupis Ioannis G. , Roustemis Anastasios G. , Goumenos Stavros , Sokou Rozeta , Tsante Konstantina A. , Kriebardis Anastasios G. , Koulouvaris Panagiotis , Houhoula Dimitra , Piovani Daniele , Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J. , Bonovas Stefanos , Tsantes Argirios E.
Published: August 2022

Introduction: A detailed evaluation of the malignancy-associated coagulopathy (MAC) in surgical patients with bone tumors may allow for more effective thromboprophylactic measures. The purpose of this study was to assess the perioperative hemostatic changes in patients with bone tumors, using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Methods: An observational study was performed, including 50 patients with bone tumors who underwent oncologic resection and 30 healthy controls, matched for age and gender. The preoperative and postoperative laboratory evaluation of coagulation in both groups included conventional coagulation tests and a ROTEM analysis. The results of the conventional coagulation tests and the ROTEM analysis were compared between the two groups. Results: The results of the conventional coagulation tests were comparable between the tumor patients and the healthy controls. However, compared to the healthy adults, the tumor patients had lower CT (p < 0.001) and CFT (p < 0.001) values suggesting a rapid induction of the coagulation cascade, elevated A10 (p < 0.001) and MCF (p < 0.001) values indicating a higher clot strength and platelet activation, and elevated LI60 (p < 0.001) values indicating hypofibrinolysis in patients with bone tumors. The multiple linear regression analysis (controlling for potential confounding factors) confirmed the independent association of bone tumors with these hemostatic changes. Conclusions: Our results support the advantageous use of a ROTEM in patients with bone tumors over conventional coagulation tests because the qualitative changes in the hemostatic profile of these patients that can be detected by a ROTEM analysis cannot be identified by conventional tests. The ROTEM results indicate that the hypercoagulable state in patients with bone tumors is caused by the malignancy-associated activation of the coagulation cascade, platelet activation, and hypofibrinolysis.