bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dural Venous Sinus Stenting Technique for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in Patients with Tortuous Venous Anatomy.
Authors: Gorjian Mehrnoush , Andrada Jason , Sitko Kevin , Sorte Danielle , Taylor Christopher , Eliyas Javed Khader , Carlson Andrew
Published: May 2023

Venous sinus stenting (VSS) for medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is emerging as a safe and effective alternative to shunting. However, stent navigation past the jugular bulb with commonly used carotid stenting systems via femoral access in cases with tortuous venous anatomy can present a challenge, leading to procedural failure. We present a technical refinement using a cervical access and peripheral vascular stent with a more stable 0.035-inch delivery platform as an alternative to the traditional approach to simplify the procedure and overcome the technical difficulties in cases with tortuous venous anatomy. Our institutional database for patients who had IIH and undergone VSS using the peripheral vascular stent between 2013 and 2023 was retrospectively reviewed. Data on 36 patients (33 women, 3 men, mean age 32 years) was collected. VSS was technically successful in all patients (100%) without major complications or thrombosis. There was one case of minor neck cellulitis treated with oral antibiotics. Three patients underwent repeat stenting, and 2 patients had ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement after stenting due to persistent or recurrent symptoms. All patients (100%) had improvement or resolution of papilledema; however, six patients had evidence of optic atrophy and persistent vision loss. Headache was resolved or improved in 91% of patients. In the presence of tortuous venous anatomy, VSS using cervical access and a peripheral vascular stent with a more stable 0.035-inch delivery platform can be considered as a safe and effective alternative approach with shorter procedure time. This approach is particularly advantageous in situations where the procedure is prolonged or high dose of contrast has been administered due to the technical challenges associated with the traditional use of carotid systems via femoral access for stent delivery.
Collision tumor of primary malignant lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in the colon, diagnosed by molecular genetics analyses: case report and review of literature
Authors: Jiang Meng , Zhou Shengning , Lai Yiming
Published: May 2023

Purpose We report one collision tumor of the ascending colon adenocarcinoma and primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL, NOS) with molecular genetics analyses.
Methods The present case and twenty-two previous cases with collision tumors of primary colorectal lymphoma and adenocarcinoma were reviewed. Clinicopathological characteristics, molecular genetics analyses, possible pathogenesis, management and prognosis of the tumor were analyzed.
ResultsA 74-year-old female patient was found to have an invasive adenocarcinoma in the ascending colon, and underwent laparoscopic radical resection of right colon cancer. The mass comprised of two tumors was found incidentally through postoperative pathological sampling. Molecular genetics and immunohistochemical analyses showed collision tumor of DLBCL, NOS with germinal-center B-cell (GCB) subtype and TP53 mutation, and adenocarcinoma arising in a tubulovillous adenoma in the colon, with BRAF mutation and MLH1 promoter methylation. The mean age of the 23 patients was 73 years. The most cases of the available histopathological staging of adenocarcinoma were stage I (7/16), whereas those of lymphoma components were stage Ⅳ (10/20). The most common histological subtypes of the lymphoma were B-cell lymphomas (22/23). There were 15 cases with follow-up data including 11 alive and 4 dead with a 3-year overall survival rate (OS) of 71.5%.
Conclusions Our report highlights the need for pathologists, radiologists, surgeons and oncologists to be aware of the rare possibility of collision tumors. The accurate molecular genetics analyses and comprehensive treatment including surgery combined with chemotherapy are required for the rare cases.
Risk Factors for Early Recurrence in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma who Underwent Curative Resection
Authors: Murakawa Masaaki , Kawahara Shinnosuke , Takahashi Daishi , Kamioka Yuto , Yamamoto Naoto , Kobayashi Satoshi , Ueno Makoto , Morimoto Manabu , Sawazaki Sho , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Ohshima Takashi , Yukawa Norio , Rino Yasushi , Morinaga Soichiro
Published: May 2023

Background The present study evaluated the clinical characteristics and risk factors for early recurrence in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients who underwent curative resection, regardless of the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, to identify predictive factors associated with early recurrence and poor outcomes as well as to determine the optimal treatment strategy for patients at high risk of early recurrence after surgical resection.Methods Patients who underwent pancreatic resection for PDAC at our institution from 2013 to 2021 were included in this study. We investigated the clinicopathological features of patients in groups: those with recurrence within 6 months, recurrence between 6 and 12 months, and recurrence beyond 12 months or no recurrence. A logistic regression analysis identified covariates associated with early recurrence at 6 and 12 months.Results The study included 403 patients with a median follow-up of 25.7 months. Recurrence was observed in 279 patients, with 14.6% recurring within 6 months, 23.3% within 6–12 months, and 62% after 12 months or not at all. The preoperative CA19-9 level, modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), and positive peritoneal cytology were significant risk factors for early recurrence within 6 months, while positive peritoneal cytology, lymph node metastasis, and the absence of adjuvant chemotherapy were significant risk factors for recurrence within 12 months. For patients who received preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, the preoperative CA19-9 level, mGPS, and positive peritoneal cytology were significant independent risk factors for early recurrence within 6 months, while positive peritoneal cytology, lymph node metastasis, and absence of adjuvant chemotherapy were significant independent risk factors for recurrence within 12 months. The study concluded that the overall survival after surgical resection for potentially resectable PDAC worsened according to the number of risk factors present in the patient.Conclusions We clarified that preoperative CA19-9, positive peritoneal cytology, and the lack of adjuvant chemotherapy were consistent predictors for early recurrence within 6 and 12 months. In addition, an increased number of risk factors affecting the patient was associated with a poorer overall survival after potentially curable resection. Calculating the number of risk factors for early recurrence may be an essential predictive factor when considering treatment strategies.
Caspase-3 specific inhibitors improve lung function in dogs with lung hypoxia reperfusion injury by regulating the Caspase-3/GSDME signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Song , Dou Xuejiao , Guo Yuhan , Pan Jiamei , Luo Junli
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of caspase-3-specific inhibitors of extracorporeal circulation (CPB) on pulmonary ischaemia-reperfusion injury in dogs.MethodsEighteen healthy mongrel dogs were divided into three groups (n = 6) by random number table method, sham-operated group (group C), ischemia-reperfusion group (group I/R) and caspase-3 specific inhibitor (group Z), and the rest of the groups were established as CPB left lung ischemia-reperfusion injury model, and group Z was given caspase-3 specific inhibitor (Z-DEVD) via femoral vein immediately after opening the left pulmonary artery. The caspase-3 specific inhibitor (Z-DEVD-fmk) 0.6mg/Kg was administered to the Z group immediately after opening the left pulmonary artery via the femoral vein. Arterial blood was collected from the femoral artery before chest opening (T1), at the time of shutdown (T2) and at the end of the experiment (T3), and arterial blood gas analysis was performed to calculate respiratory index (RI) and oxygenation index (OI). -N expression, TUNEL assay for apoptosis and HE assay for pathological changes in lung tissue at each time point.ResultsThe expression of RI, Cleaved-caspase3, NLRP3, Clleaved-caspase-1, GSDME-N and apoptotic index in lung tissue increased in the I/R group at T2 and T3 compared with the C group, while the OI decreased (P < 0.05); compared with the I/R group at T3, the expression of RI, Cleaved-caspase3 and apoptotic index in the Z group increased. caspase3, NLRP3, Clleaved-caspase-1, GSDME-N expression and apoptotic index decreased and OI increased in the Z group compared with the I/R group at T3 (P < 0.05); no significant apoptotic cells were seen in the C group at T3; apoptotic cells increased in the I/R group after open left pulmonary arteriovenous reperfusion stimulation, while the Z group had fewer positive cells than the I/R group.ConclusionCaspase-3-specific inhibitors can improve lung function and reduce apoptosis in lung tissue after CPB, it also reduce oxidative stress level and inflammation level. These effects may be achieved by regulating Caspase-3/GSDME signaling pathway and inhibiting pyroptosis.
The effect of calf muscular vein thrombosis on the prognosis within one year postoperatively of geriatric hip fracture patients: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Jiang Jiabao , Xing Fei , Luo Rong , Chen Zhao , Liu Hao , Duan Xin , Xiang Zhou
Published: May 2023

Introduction:
Calf muscular vein thrombosis (CMVT) is a type of distal deep vein thrombosis, which is common in geriatric hip fracture patients. However, studies focusing on whether the orthopedic operation has an impact on the prognosis of geriatric hip fracture patients with CMVT are very limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore whether geriatric hip fractures with CMVT affect the mortality of patients within one year postoperatively. The difficulty of the operation, postoperative complications, the status of thrombosis, and long-term function were also compared.
Materials and Methods
Geriatric hip fracture patients who underwent surgery between January 2019 and January 2021 were included. Patients were divided into groups with and without CMVT by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound examination. Propensity score-matching (PSM) was performed in a ratio of 1:1 between the patient with and without CMVT groups. Baseline characteristics, laboratory results, perioperative indicators and prognosis of patients were collected retrospectively. Intraoperative and long-term postoperative comparisons were conducted between patients with and without CMVT.
Results
Two hundred and sixty geriatric hip fracture patients were included. Eighty-nine patients in each group were matched after PSM. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups at one-month, three-month, six-month, and one-year postoperatively. However, patients with CMVT had longer hospital stays, a higher incidence of postoperative complications, and a higher incidence of thrombosis progression than patients without CMVT in long-term follow-up.
Conclusion
CMVT in Chinese geriatric hip fracture patients is not associated with mortality within one year postoperatively. In addition, when orthopedic surgeons treat geriatric hip fracture patients with CMVT, enhanced postoperative rehabilitation, meticulous nursing, and thrombosis management are recommended to achieve better clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis.
Trial registration:
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300069411). Registered March 15, 2023, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=192079
4CAC: 4-class classifier of metagenome contigs using machine learning and assembly graphs
Authors: Pu Lianrong , Shamir Ron
Published: May 2023

Microbial communities usually harbor a mix of bacteria, archaea, phages, plasmids, and microeukaryotes. Phages, plasmids, and microeukaryotes, which are present in low abundance in microbial communities, have complex interactions with bacteria and play important roles in horizontal gene transfer and antibiotic resistance. However, due to the difficulty of identifying phages, plasmids, and microeukaryotes in microbial communities, our understanding of these minor classes lags behind that of bacteria and archaea. Recently, several classifiers have been developed to separate one or two minor classes from bacteria and archaea in metagenome assemblies, but none can classify all of the four classes simultaneously. Moreover, existing classifiers have low precision on minor classes.
Here, we developed for the first time a classifier called 4CAC that is able to identify phages, plasmids, microeukaryotes, and prokaryotes simultaneously from metagenome assemblies. 4CAC generates an initial four-way classification using several sequence length-adjusted XGBoost algorithms and further improves the classification using the assembly graph. Evaluation on simulated and real metagenome datasets demonstrates that 4CAC substantially outperforms existing classifiers and combinations thereof on short reads. On long reads, it also shows an advantage unless the abundance of the minor classes is very low. 4CAC runs 1-2 orders of magnitude faster than the other classifiers. The 4CAC software is available at https://github.com/Shamir-Lab/4CAC.
An Alternating Direction Implicit Finite Element Galerkin Method for the Linear Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Khebchareon Morrakot , Pani Amiya , Fairweather Graeme , Fernandes Ryan
Published: May 2023

We formulate and analyze a fully-discrete approximate solution of the linear Schrödinger equation on the unit square written as a Schrödinger-type system. The finite element Galerkin method is used for the spatial discretization, and the time-stepping is done with an alternating direction implicit extrapolated Crank-Nicolson method. We demonstrate the existence and uniqueness of the approximation, and prove that the scheme is of optimal accuracy in the L2 , H1 and L∞ norms in space and second–order accurate in time. Numerical results are presented which support the theory.
Policy, system and service design influence on healthcare inequities for people with end-of-life chronic obstructive airways disease, their support people and health professionals.
Authors: Landers Amanda , Pitama Suzanne G , Palmer Suetonia C , Beckert Lutz
Published: May 2023

Background: People with end-of-life chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience debilitating physical limitations, with a high mortality rate. Our research has shown health system design and delivery leads to inequitable outcomes. Enabling people with end-of-life COPD, their support people, and health professionals to partner in setting the agenda for resource allocation may inform health service improvement.Design: Qualitative methodology utilising focus groups including patients, family, friends, informal support people, health care workers and professionals.Methods: The analysis, utilising critical theory and Actor-Network theory, positioned people with severe COPD, their support people and health professionals as experts in end-of-life care. Analyses triangulated these perspectives, and were reviewed by the research investigators and an expert reference group.Results: Participants (n=74) in seven focus groups reported their experiences of inequity within the healthcare system. Equity was an overarching phenomenon identified by participants, with three specific themes being described: policy design, system design, and service design.Conclusion: Experiences of patients, their support people and health professionals as experts in end-of-life COPD care can inform health systems and health service design to address current inequities in funding and delivery of care for end-of-life COPD.
Success factors of telemedicine startup in Vietnam: the roadmap to transform healthcare customer behavior
Authors: Long Hoang Cuu , Thuan Do Le Duc
Published: May 2023

Telemedicine has become a breakthrough solution in improving access to healthcare services. In Vietnam, telemedicine is the key national program which was motivated to develop by the ministry of health and the government. However, the implementation process encountered many challenges and the number of successful businesses in this field was still limited. This study integrated the technology acceptance model and the extended valance framework to develop an efficient behavioral model for investigating the relationship among trust in provider, perceived ease of use, perceived benefit, perceived risk on usage intention. The proposed framework was verified by in depth interview with three experts in Vietnam health technology market and was tested by 246 participants via web-based survey. Generally, the findings showed that perceived ease of use, perceived benefit positively and significantly affected the usage intention, while perceived risk negatively and significantly influenced the usage intention. Trust in provider positively and significantly influenced the usage intention and perceived benefit, but negatively influenced perceived risk (β = -0.677, p = 0.000). Perceived ease of use significantly and positively affected perceived benefit, while the effect of perceived ease of use on perceived risk was not statistically significant (p = 0.128). The proposed hypothetical model offered empirical insights to healthcare professionals, service providers and authorities. Moreover, it could serve as a theoretical basis for future researches.
Electrochemical Determination of Endrin from Fruit Juice Samples at Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Fe Doped ZnO Nanomaterial
Authors: Teshome Toleshi , Kitte Shimeles Addisu , Gonfa Guta , Gure Abera
Published: May 2023

In this study, iron doped ZnO nanomaterial was synthesized by co-precipitation method and its surface properties were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The characterization results confirmed that the synthesized Fe-ZnO nanoparticle exhibits good crystalline nature possessing wurtzite hexagonal phase and good optical properties. The synthesized Fe-ZnO nanomaterial modified glassy carbon electrode (Fe-ZnO/GCE) was used for the electrochemical determination of endrin pesticide in fruit juice samples. Compared to the bare glassy carbon electrode, the modified electrode, Fe-ZnO/GCE, showed remarkable electro-catalytic properties and an enhanced sensitivity for the determination of target analyte. It also exhibited a good linear response to endrin in the concentration ranging from 0.1 to 70 µM. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method were 0.019 µM and 0.065 µM, respectively. Moreover, Fe-ZnO/GCE was selective for endrin analysis. It has also showed long-term stability, good repeatability and within-lab reproducibility. The practical utility of Fe-ZnO/GCE was applied for the determination of endrin in mango and orange juice samples. The relative recoveries of the real samples were ranged from 91.4-106.5%. The developed method could be used as good candidate for monitoring of endrin pesticides in food samples and other similar matrixes.
Prognostic value of lymphocyte-to-C-reactive-protein ratio in cancers
Authors: Liu Rongqiang , Ma Wangbin , Zi Liuliu , Zhang Lilong , Qiu Zhengdong , Wang Kunpeng , Zhao Kailiang , Hu Baohong , Wang Weixing
Published: May 2023

Background
Systemic inflammation and immune nutritional status affect tumor progression and patient survival. Lymphocyte-to-C-reactive-protein ratio(LCR) as inflammatory immune index has been reported to be associated with prognosis of various cancers. However, the results are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the clinical value of LCR in cancers through a meta-analysis.
Methods
A comprehensive search of relevant studies was performed by scrutinizing the databases until March 31, 2023. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).
Results
A total of 31 studies from 29 articles involving 11429 patients were included in the study. The pooled analysis showed that patients with high LCR was significantly associated with favorable OS (HR: 0.51,95% CI:0.48–0.55),DFS (HR: 0.55,95% CI:0.43–0.70),RFS (HR:0.57,95% CI:0.48–0.67),PFS (HR: 0.50,95% CI:0.27–0.92) and CSS (HR:0.53,95% CI:0.42–0.67).Sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability of these results.
Conclusions
LCR can be used as an effective prognostic marker in cancers.
Influencing Factors of Art Painting Based on Computer Vision Technology
Authors: Cui Hanshi
Published: May 2023

In view of the problems existing in the artistic creation of modern art painting, such as poor composition, limited tools and materials, and improper color matching, this article proposed to apply computer vision technology to the art of art painting. Computer vision technology can simulate the visual process of living things, by sensing the environment, and using the relevant technologies contained therein to create two-dimensional (2D) images into three-dimensional (3D) information. Therefore, a comparative experiment was set up. The experimental results showed that when the sample images processed by computer vision technology were presented to the creator for viewing, the time taken by creator A and creator B to complete the artistic composition was 3.54 minutes and 3.66 minutes, respectively. When presenting the original unprocessed sample image to Creator C and Creator D for viewing, the time it took them to complete the artistic composition was 7.31 minutes and 8.63 minutes, respectively. It can be seen that the two creators of the former spend less time than the two creators of the latter, confirming that combining computer vision technology with artistic creation of art painting can not only expand the path of art painting materials, but also expand the thinking space of creators and improve creative efficiency. This article hoped that the application of computer vision technology in the creation of art painting can effectively promote the creative inspiration of creators, and explore new ideas for the art of art painting. This article provided a reference for the future development of art painting and artistic creation.
Right-sided infective endocarditis or thrombus? Report of two cases diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Ge Wenjing , Wu Bijun , Wang Zhen , Zhang Haichun
Published: May 2023

Background
Right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) occurs less commonly but is sometimes difficult to diagnose depending on the developing site and causative organism, especially when differentiated from thrombus. There are few reports describing the diagnostic and analytical ideas of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis and pulmonary artery infective endocarditis.
Case presentation
We present two cases of RSIE, one in the tricuspid valve and one in the pulmonary artery, which was misdiagnosed as thrombus by computed tomography angiography.
Conclusions
Vegetation and thrombus can be distinguished according to the nature of the mass, the location of attachment, and the clinical manifestation. Echocardiography enables real-time dynamic observation of the mass, the structural changes of the heart, and cardiac hemodynamic changes caused by various complications and can effectively differentiate vegetation from thrombus.
Perspectives on using ethanol as an internal standard for the quantification of volatile compounds in alcoholic products by headspace SPME–GC/FID without sample preparation
Authors: Korban Anton , Zavoralová Lucie , Čabala Radomír , Egorov Vladimir
Published: May 2023

For the first time, the beneficial "Ethanol as Internal Standard (IS)" method developed for the analysis of alcoholic products was tested in headspace mode of solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (SPME-GC/FID) and compared with the traditional IS method. The extraction and separation conditions were optimized for the analysis of 10 volatile congeners prescribed in European legislation. To evaluate the accuracy of the compared methods, three real alcoholic product samples with ethanol content of 20%, 40%, and 80% v/v were spiked with gravimetrically prepared standard solutions to calculate recoveries. The obtained data indicates that the suggested method can be employed as a robust and accurate tool for SPME analysis of alcoholic products with low ethanol content, such as wines. It was also observed that an increase in ethanol content in the matrix affects the accuracy of the "Ethanol as IS" method, potentially due to non-linearity of analyte extraction. However, in the case of wine sample, the "Ethanol as IS" method showed significantly better results compared to the traditional approach. The precision of the suggested method, evaluated using relative standard deviations (RSD) of obtained concentrations was found to be comparable to that of the traditional method.
Understanding the impact of congenital infections and perinatal viral exposures on the developing brain using white matter magnetic resonance imaging: A scoping review
Authors: Nyakonda Charmaine N , Wedderburn Catherine J , Williams Simone R , Stein Dan J , Donald Kirsten A
Published: May 2023

Background Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based imaging techniques are useful to assess white matter (WM) structural and microstructural integrity in the context of infection and inflammation. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine current existing published literature exploring WM neuroimaging approaches to understand the impact of congenital and perinatal viral infections or exposures on the developing brain. Methods This scoping review was conducted according to the Arksey and O’ Malley framework. A literature search was performed in Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed for primary research articles published from database conception up to January 2022. Studies evaluating the use of MRI-based WM imaging techniques in congenital and perinatal viral infections or exposures were included. Results were grouped by age and infection status. Results A total of 826 articles were identified for screening and 28 final articles were included. Congenital and perinatal infections represented in the included studies were cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and exposure, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. The MRI-based WM imaging methods represented in the included studies were structural MRI and diffusion-weighted and diffusion tensor MRI (DWI/ DTI). The most frequently reported regions with diffusion parameter group differences included the cerebellar region, corticospinal tract and association fibre WM tracts in both children with HIV infection and children who are HIV-exposed uninfected, although there were fewer studies in the latter group. In qualitative imaging studies, WM hyperintensities were the most frequently reported brain abnormality in children with CMV infection and children with HSV infection. Scoping review findings suggested that diffusion parameters have the potential to be specific markers of impairment or damage of WM in viral infections. Conclusion There was evidence to suggest that WM imaging techniques can play a role as diagnostic and evaluation tools, while metrics of quantitative WM imaging modalities have the potential to be specific markers of impairment or damage.
A 3D multi-scale hygro-mechanical model of oak wood
Authors: Livani M. A. , Suiker A. S.J. , Crivellaro A. , Bosco E.
Published: May 2023

A multi-scale framework is proposed for the prediction of the macroscopic hygro-elastic properties of oak wood. The distinctive features of the current multi-scale approach are that: i) four different scales of observation are considered, which enables the inclusion of heterogeneous effects from the nano-, micro-, and meso-scales in the effective constitutive behaviour of oak at the macro-scale, ii) the model relies on three-dimensional material descriptions at each considered length scale, and iii) a moisture-dependent constitutive assumption is adopted at the nano-scale, which allows for recovering the moisture dependency of the material response at higher scales of observation. In the modelling approach, oak wood is considered homogeneous at the macro-scale. The meso-scale description considers the cellular structure of individual growth rings with three different densities. At the micro-scale, the heterogeneous nature of cell walls is described by the characteristics of the primary and secondary cell wall layers. Finally, the nano-scale response is determined by cellulose micro-fibrils embedded in a matrix of hemicellulose and lignin. The oak properties at the four length scales are connected via a three-level homogenization procedure, whereby, depending on the geometry of the fine-scale configuration, an asymptotic homogenization procedure or Voigt averaging procedure is applied at each level to determine the effective hygro-elastic properties at the coarse scale. In addition, the moisture ad-sorption isotherms at each scale are constructed from a volume-weighted averaging of the moisture adsorption characteristics at the scale below. The computational results demonstrate that the moisture-dependent, hygro-elastic behaviour of oak wood is predicted realistically at each considered length scale, thereby revealing the influence of the material density, the micro-fibril orientation, and the hygro-elastic properties at the underlying scales. The computed macro-scale properties of oak are in good agreement with experimental data reported in the literature.
Associations between utilization of dental care and oral health outcomes in the U.S. using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2020)
Authors: Archer Hannah R. , Li Nicky (Huan) , Kennedy Erinne , Aldosari Muath A.
Published: May 2023

Background
This analysis aims to evaluate the association between the time since and reason for a patient's last dental appointment across clinical oral health outcomes.
Methods
We used data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional nationally-representative of US noninstitutionalized adults. The predictors were the time since last dental appointment and the reason for the last dental appointment (routine vs. urgent). We examined the presence and number of missing teeth and teeth with untreated coronal and root caries. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the interaction between time since last dental appointment and reason of the appointment on clinical oral health outcomes.
Results
Two-thirds of the US population had a dental appointment within a year, while 53 million individuals did not visit a dentist for the last three years. The odds of having teeth with untreated coronal or root caries increased with the length of time since the last routine appointment. Compared to those who had a dental appointment within a year, individuals who had their last dental appointment more than 3 years ago had 0.44 times the odds of having missing teeth among routine users (95%CI = 0.33, 0.59) and 0.67 times the odds among urgent users (95%CI = 0.45, 0.98).
Conclusions
Recent routine dental appointments are associated with improved oral health outcomes. Disparities exist in access to care for low-income and/or members of racial/ethnic minorities. The outcomes reiterate how social determinants of health impact access to oral health care and subsequent oral health outcomes.
Instability of deep-sea currents over tidal and seasonal timescales
Authors: Clare Michael , Hunt James , Kane Ian , Miramontes Elda , Fonnesu Marco , Argiolas Ricardo , Malgesini Giuseppe , Wallerand Regis , Bailey Lewis
Published: May 2023

Seafloor currents, including episodic sediment-laden turbidity flows and more sustained thermohaline-driven bottom currents, control the ultimate fate of sediment, carbon and pollutants in the deep-sea. Collectively, these currents form the largest sediment accumulations on Earth, from which past climate records are reconstructed. A long-standing view has been that thermohaline-driven bottom currents are persistent and stable; however, a paucity of direct near-seabed monitoring means this remains untested at field-scale. Here, using the most spatially-extensive and long-duration (4-yrs) monitoring of bottom currents at 34 deep-sea instrumented moorings, we show that such currents are far from steady and continuous. Bottom currents instead show dynamic, spatial variability in velocity and direction over tidal and seasonal timescales, being strongly influenced by local seabed morphology. Prior lower resolution monitoring has underestimated this spatio-temporal variability of bottom currents; hence our results highlight a need for near-bed measurements to more robustly quantify deep-sea sediment, carbon and pollutant fluxes.
Successful ex vivo expansion of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes with systemic chemotherapy prior to surgical resection
Authors: Balzeau Julien , Ravindran Anindita , Wang Xin , Maisuria Jinal , Lucchesi Anna , Yao Hui , Matsueda Satoko
Published: May 2023

Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) have demonstrated efficacious clinical outcomes for many patients with various types of solid cancers, including melanoma, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, and head & neck cancer. Currently, majority of clinical trials require that patients did not receive systemic therapy right before tumor tissue resection to avoid the interference of chemotherapy in the ex vivo TIL expansion. The primary disadvantage of this strategy is limiting the accessibility of TIL therapy for many eligible cancer patients. Over the past decade, substantial progress has been made for ex vivo expansion technologies in T cells. In this study, we investigated the possibility of enrolling patients who underwent chemotherapy prior to surgical resection. We collected seventeen tumor tissues from treatment naive cases, and five from cases that underwent chemotherapies. Cancer indications enrolled in this study were colorectal, lung, and brain cancers from both primary and metastasis cancers. TILs from these tumors were expanded ex vivo to 2.1E8 on average, with an overall success rate of 90.9%. Subsequently, TIL phenotypes and cytokine production were analyzed using flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. We demonstrated functional TIL expansion from tumor tissues despite chemotherapy prior to surgical resection. We observed no significant phenotypic or functional differences nor changes between groups with and without chemotherapy. TIL expansion rate and characteristics were similar regardless of chemotherapy prior to resection, thereby providing a possibility to recruit patients with the most recent chemotherapy history in TIL therapy trials.
Immunogenic Cell Death-related Signature Evaluates the Tumor Microenvironment and Predicts the Prognosis in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Huang# Shengqiang , Liu Wenbin , Zhao Qiuling , Chen Ting , Huang Ruyi , Dong Liangliang , Nian Zilin , Yang Lin
Published: May 2023

Aim
Current literatures suggest a growing body of evidence highlighting the pivotal role of immunogenic cell death (ICD) in multiple tumor types. To address the gap of the potential and mechanisms of ICD in Diffuse Large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), our current study aims to examine the impact of ICD on DLBCL and identify a corresponding gene signature in DLBC.
Methods
Using the expression profiles of ICD-associated genes, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) samples were segregated into ICD high and low subtypes utilizing non-negative matrix factorization clustering. Next, Univariate and LASSO Cox regression analyses were employed to establish the ICD-related gene signature. Subsequently, the CIBERSORT tool, ssGSEA, and ESTIMATE algorithm were utilized to examine the association between the signature and tumor immune microenvironment of DLBC. Finally, the oncoPredict algorithm was implemented to evaluate drug sensitivity prediction of DLBCL patients.
Results
The findings suggest that the immune microenvironment of the ICD high group with a poor prognosis was significantly suppressed. An 8-gene ICD-related signature was identified and validated to prognosticate and evaluate the tumor immune microenvironment in DLBCL. Similarly, the high-risk group exhibited a worse prognosis compared to the low-risk group, and the immune function was considerably suppressed. Moreover, the results of OncoPredict algorithm indicated that patients in the high-risk group exhibited higher sensitivity to Cisplatin, Cytarabine, Epirubicin, Oxaliplatin, and Vincristine with low IC50.
Conclusion
The present study provides novel insights into the role of ICD in DLBCL by identifying a new biomarker for the disease and may have implications for the development of immune-targeted therapies for the tumor.
Groundwater Quality assessment for Drinking Purpose using Traditional and Fuzzy-GIS based Water Quality Index in Gurugram District of Haryana, India
Authors: Tiwari Akash , Kumar Manish , Thakur Swati
Published: May 2023

Primarily groundwater is consumed for the drinking and irrigation purpose. However, due to increasing anthropogenic activities, its quality and quantity have substantially declined over time. The focus of this study is to evaluate the pre-monsoonal groundwater quality and its spatial variability for drinking purposes in the Gurugram, Haryana, India. Ground Water Quality Index (GWQI) developed on the basis of the Geographical Information System is effective in the assessment of groundwater quality and its spatial variability, but it is unable to account for uncertainties related to environmental problems. Thus, a Hybrid Fuzzy-GIS based Water Quality Index (FGQI) has been proposed for the assessment of groundwater quality. The study conducted factor analysis to identify the prime factors responsible for groundwater contamination and collected pre-monsoonal groundwater samples through primary sampling. The groundwater quality was assessed based on eight hydro geochemical parameters (pH, TDS, Calcium, Chloride, Sulphate, Fluoride, Potassium, and Sodium). The spatial interpolation of each parameter was performed using appropriate techniques, selected based on a normality test. The guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) were incorporated in the development of GWQI and FGQI, respectively. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the best fuzzy overlay technique for FGQI, and the Fuzzy GAMMA technique with gamma equal to 0.9 was selected. Finally, the GWQI and FGQI were classified into three classes: unsuitable, moderate suitable, and suitable using "natural break." A higher index indicates a higher water quality. The results show that the groundwater in the central part of Gurugram is suitable for drinking, while it is not suitable in the extreme north, south-east, and western regions. In conclusion, this study finds that FGQI effectively assesses the groundwater quality in the region better than GWQI.
Higher Education for Sustainable Construction: Assessing Civil Engineering and Architecture Curricula at Nine Burundian Universities
Authors: Rudahinyuka Samuel , Ngenzi Jean Claude , HongBing Li , Kubwarugira Gamaliel , Hongjie Xie , Ndihokubwayo Athanase
Published: May 2023

Civil engineering is changing and needs to change more especially since it plays a main role as a fundamental activity in the creation of services and infrastructures with a high environmental impact. For many years, the need arose to equip civil engineering students, engineers, and architects of tomorrow with a wider horizon of environmental, economic, and social concepts for decision-making sensitive to sustainability issues. Nevertheless, a vast literature on the evaluation of higher education institutions’ involvement in including sustainability concept in the curricula exists in abundance; but an absence of studies on the inclusion of this concept in curricula by specific university faculties such as civil engineering is readily apparent. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the contribution of the civil engineering curriculum in Nine Burundian Universities to integrating sustainability in the civil engineering industry in Burundi and abroad. The evaluation of program models following the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System shows a weak Burundian universities’ commitment to integrating sustainability into the civil engineering curricula and sustainability concepts in the civil engineering industry. For better participation of higher education institutions involved in the training of civil engineers and architects in Burundi to promote sustainable construction technologies adoption; a restructuring of the teaching programs in the faculty of civil engineering and architecture by adding courses related to sustainable construction and those including some sustainable construction gears is proposed. The lack of studies and publications in this field in the Burundian context limited this study.
Interdisciplinary Perceptions and Supportive Care for Biblical Framework Counseling (BFC) Clients
Authors: Oji Valerie U , Powell Bailey
Published: May 2023

Spirituality is considered important for culturally sensitive, patient-focused care. Still, there may be limitations with spiritual care delivery or guidelines. The study explores interdisciplinary perspectives on supportive care for individuals encountered who choose a biblical framework intervention for mental health treatment. A qualitative literature synthesis was conducted, and an online survey with an open-ended anonymous questionnaire were used to review a case described by a Biblical Framework Counseling (BFC) provider. Various providers identified in the literature utilized religious/spiritual (R/S), medical and/or psychological monotherapy, or integrated interventions. Fifty-four multidisciplinary professionals were surveyed, and responses analyzed. Preliminary themes included willingness to coordinate care for individuals with biblical beliefs, the capacity to which health professionals would provide care, and perceptions of BFC efficacy. R/S care was reportedly integrated as a part of a holistic approach; regular follow-ups or ethical hand-off/referral for BFC clients was considered due to provider comfort level with BFC monotherapy, perceived relapse potential, with ongoing medication management, individual therapy, and spiritual maintenance recommended. The case revealed contrasts in BFC and nonR/S provider perspectives on pertinent mental health history and inferences. Significant client information for support were confirmatory diagnosis, symptoms, comorbidities, relevant childhood issues, faith-health beliefs, family history and genetics, medication and therapy adherence, substance use. Providers’ faith-health belief congruence with BFC clients and ethical decisionmaking should be considered. GME programs may consider these, as well as R/S intervention types and multidisciplinary provider scope of practice as options for clinician training.
Induced Mutagenesis for Enhancing Genetic Variability and Agronomic Performance in Sorghum Varieties for Burkina Faso
Authors: Nikièma Minimassom Philippe
Published: May 2023

Sorghum is one of the main cereals in terms of production and cultivated area in Burkina Faso. However, genetic variability in Sorghum varieties is low. The study aims to induce genetic variability in farmers’ preferred sorghum varieties and select the novel desired traits. Seeds of two Sorghum varieties (Grinkan and Sariaso14) were irradiated with gamma rays at 200, 300, 400 and 500 Gy doses. The mutant populations were developed using the single seed descend method. A 2-years field assessment was conducted to assess the genetic variability among 403 advance generation Sorghum mutants. A significant difference between the doses was observed for leaf number plant− 1 (NPL) (P ≤ 1%) and the plant height (PlHe) (P ≤ 5%) of Sariaso14 lines and only for the PlHe (P ≤ 1%) of Grinkan lines. All irradiation doses significantly increased the grain weight panicle− 1 of Sariaso14 lines while they affected those of Grinkan lines. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), the broad sense heritability (H2) and the genetic gain (GG) were high for grain weight panicle− 1 (GrWe). They were 90.82%, 92.84%, 0.95 and 183%, respectively for Sariaso14 lines and 80.85%, 89%, 0.82 and 151.3% respectively for Grinkan lines demonstrating that the observed variations for this trait was mainly due to genetic factors. The clustering of the mutants showed that the mutagenesis allowed the selection of dwarf, early maturity and high grain weight mutants. Thus, the induced mutation has improved the agronomic performances of sorghum varieties.
Potassium isotope fractionation during silicate-carbonatite melt immiscibility and phlogopite fractional crystallization
Authors: Su Ben-Xun , Pan Qi-Qi , Bai Yang , Li Wen-Jun , Cui Meng-Meng , Pang Kwan-Nang
Published: May 2023

Potassium (K) isotopes have been used as a tracer of K recycling in the Earth, but K isotope fractionation during magma evolution is poorly constrained. Here, we present K isotope data for a magmatic suite of alkaline silicate-carbonatite affinity. The suite was formed from liquid-liquid immiscibility and subsequent phlogopite fractionation. The K isotopic signatures of different rock types are in the following order: alkaline silicate lavas (δ41K = –0.424 to 0.090‰) > carbonatitic silicate lavas (δ41K = –0.640 to –0.035‰) > carbonatites (δ41K = –0.858 and –0.258‰). Phlogopite phenocrysts in the silicate lavas are isotopically lighter (δ41K = –0.628 to –0.534‰) than the lavas in which they occur (Δ41KPhlogopite-whole rock = –0.502 to –0.109‰). Correlations between δ41K values and chemical proxies of melt immiscibility and phlogopite fractionation indicate that K isotopes are significantly fractionated by both processes at a ~0.6‰ magnitude. Such K isotope variation overlaps the range of δ41K in arc lavas. Compilations of literature data further confirm the critical roles of melt immiscibility and phlogopite fractionation in K isotope variations of high-K lavas (K2O >1 wt%) from post-collision orogenic and intra-continental settings. In comparison, basaltic arc lavas are depleted in K2O (mostly <1 wt%) and lack evidence of significant phlogopite fractionation. The K isotope variations of arc lavas are mainly controlled by their mantle sources, which were metasomatized by melt or fluid released from the subducting slab. Therefore, K recycling and K isotope variation are controlled by distinct mechanisms in different tectonic settings.
Jelentés az Anyai Munkavállalás Vizsgálatról - Kohorsz ’18 Magyar Születési Kohorszvizsgálat
Authors: Ökrös Fruzsina , Boros Julianna , Fábián Ildikó , Kapitány Balázs , Kis Réka , Kopcsó Krisztina , Sándor Nikolett Gabriella , Šindýlková Zsófia , Spéder Zsolt , Szabados Dániel , Szabó Laura , Veroszta Zsuzsanna
Published: May 2023

A kiadványt, kérjük, a következőképpen hivatkozza:
Ökrös Fruzsina, Boros Julianna, Fábián Ildikó, Kapitány Balázs, Kis Réka, Kopcsó Krisztina, Sándor Nikolett Gabriella, Šindýlková Zsófia, Spéder Zsolt, Szabados Dániel, Szabó Laura, Veroszta Zsuzsanna (2023). Jelentés az Anyai Munkavállalás Vizsgálatról. Kohorsz ’18 Magyar Születési Kohorszvizsgálat. Kutatási Jelentések 108. KSH Népességtudományi Kutatóintézet, Budapest. DOI: 10.21543/Kut.2023.108