bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of unintentional injuries among 15–24-year-old vocational school youth from Peshawar Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey.
Authors: Masud Sarwat , Hyder Adnan A. , Khan Uzma Rahim , Khan Nadeem Ullah , Raheem Ahmed , Petrucka Pammla
Published: January 2024

Background:
The burden of unintentional injuries among youth (15-24 years) is high. There is paucity of data on unintentional injuries in youth working in Vocational Training Institutes.
Objective: To determine the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of unintentional injuries among youth.
Methods:
Design: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted among select vocational school youth in Peshawar, Pakistan between February 2022 to October 2022.
Participants: A total of 547 study participants participated in the survey, 356 were males while 191 were females. Data were collected on using the World Health Organization community survey guide for injuries and violence. Multilevel Negative Binomial Regression model was used to report incidence rate ratios of all unitentional injuries.
Results: A total of 503 injuries were reported by the youth, with road traffic injuries being the most common (n=197, 39%), followed by burns (n=89, 18%), falls (n=79, 16%) and poisonings (n=15, 3%), drownings (n=23, 7.1%). Occupational injuries reported during vocational training were (n=95, 18%). Males had a higher incidence rates of RTI 3.24[2.35-5.3], falls 1.30 [0.74-2.27], poisonings 2.14 [0.57-7.58] and drownings 2.46(0.84-7.21), while females had a higher incidence rate of burns 2.19 [1.785-3.46].
Lack of education 4.6 [1.12 -18.91] (p=0.034), smoking 1.25 [1.05 -2.69] (p=0.049), lack of fathers education 4.71 [2.12 -10.49] (p=<0.001), carrying a gun 6.59 [2.54 -17.11] (p=<0.001), crowded families 3.59 [3.11 -5.07] (p=<0.001), lower family income 2.04 [1.04 -4.02](p=0.039*), lack of helmet use 4.54 [2.12 -9.76] (p=<0.001) and lack of seat belt use 1.3 [1.14 -1.69] (p= <0.001) were significant risk factors for unintentional injuries in youth.
Conclusion Added value of the study:
This study provides a recent rate and trend of unintentional injuries among the youth of Pakistan. The area of concern remains an increasing number of RTIs in both sexes and a higher rate of burn among females. Higher occupational injuries among vocational school youth is concerning and needs further research.
Doing Urban Research on ‘Hard-to-Reach’ Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Opportunities and Ethical Dilemmas Using Digital Ethnography as the New Alternative
Authors: Bhanye Johannes , Kachena Lameck , Matamanda Abraham , Shayamunda Ruvimbo
Published: January 2024

This article presents insights on conducting urban research during the COVID-19 pandemic, embracing new and agile directions in research - digital ethnography. The paper builds on a growing body of literature on conducting fieldwork among ‘hard-to-reach’ populations during difficult times of the extended COVID-19 pandemic. We narrated our digital ethnographic research experiences during a study exploring the socio-economic impacts of mandatory COVID-19 lockdowns on poor urbanites in Harare, Zimbabwe. We found digital ethnography has several methodological advantages that include being non-intrusive/ non-intimidating, cost and time-effective, enhancing participant variety and assuring the safety of respondents, enhancing research flexibility, and generating impactful responses. Unlike traditional full immersion ethnography, digital ethnography also proved to be nimble, dealing with complexities of the ‘global’, the ‘local’, and the ‘trans-local’ nature of the modern urban research participants. However, there are several ethical dilemmas associated with the use of digital ethnography. These include the need for informed consent, assurance of confidentiality and anonymity, blurred understanding of the research setting by participants, the risk of causing more 'stress' during a crisis, and the need for respect for privacy in cyberspace. Urban researchers should reflect on these ethical issues before implementing their studies. We conclude that virtual spaces have become everyday realities that modern urban researchers should penetrate, especially in times of restricted associational life and when researching populations that are ‘hard-to-reach’ physically but better accessible virtually.
Modelling the Mechanical Behavior of Collagenous Materials by Considering Multiscale Effects
Authors: Dingari Naga Neehar , Sharma Paramveer , Rizvi Mohd Suhail , Das Sovan Lal , Rai Beena
Published: January 2024

Collagen is an important component of many biological tissues and plays a key role in the physiological functions of the tissue. The mechanical properties of biological tissues are important for many medical and pharmaceutical applications. For instance, to probe the interaction between a medical device and a tissue it becomes important to study the stress and deformation within the tissue under external load. Modelling the mechanics of collagenous tissues is non-trivial because of the anisotropic and hyperelastic nature of the tissue. The arrangement of the collagen within the tissue governs the directional dependence of its mechanical properties. Further, collagen mechanics is itself a strong function of the arrangement of various collagenous components (tropocollagen molecules, fibrils, fibers) at various length scales. Therefore to accurately model the mechanics of a collagenous tissue at macroscopic length scale it is necessary to consider the multiscale mechanics of collagen. In this work, we develop a multiscale-informed finite element method (multi-FEM) framework to model the mechanics of a collagenous tissue. We propose a novel exponential strain energy density function for the mechanics of collagen fibers, which shows excellent agreement with the strain energy density of a collagen fiber obtained by considering multiscale effects (molecule to fiber). Further, this exponential strain energy density is used to simulate the macroscopic mechanics of the tissue using finite element method. Using this multi-FEM framework, we systematically investigate the influence of various lower-length scale collagen properties on the macroscopic stress response of the collagenous tissue. This framework can be very useful in the development of high-fidelity computational models of collagenous tissues that can include the huge variability in the tissue properties.
Photoformation of EPFRs during phototransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on particles in an aqueous solution: The hydrogenation of PAHs and effect of co-existing water matrix factors
Authors: Li Xintong , Qu Baocheng , Wang Jingyao , Zhao Hongxia
Published: January 2024

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) generated on particles under irradiation in water have attracted particular attention and their formation mechanisms are not well understood. This study investigated the photoformation of EPFRs on both actual samples collected from an oil production plant in Panjin, Liaoning, China and Fe(III)-montmorillonite simulated samples in water. EPFRs detected on actual samples are not easily generated compared with those in the soil or in the air based on the concentrations of identified PAHs. EPR signals at the range of 1017 to 1018 spin/g were detected on Fe(III)-montmorillonite simulated samples. Their g factors were smaller than 2.0030, which indicated the generation of carbon centered EPFRs. The primary byproducts were identified by chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and a possible EPFR formation pathway during PAH degradation was proposed. Hydrogenation of PAHs during the photoformation of EPFRs was observed and might be due to catalysis of the simulated particles and the interaction of the intermediates. Meanwhile, effects of typical anions (NO2− and Cl−) and surfactant (TWEEN ® 80 and sodium dodecyl sulfate) were investigated, indicating the phototransformation process and adsorption process would affect the formation of EPFRs. Overall, our study provided useful information to understand the photoformation of EPFRs in aqueous environments.
A designathon to co-create HPV screening and vaccination approaches for mothers and daughters in Nigeria: findings from a community-led participatory event
Authors: Kpokiri Eneyi E , Wapmuk Agatha , Obiezu-Umeh Chisom , Nwaozuru Ucheoma , Gbaja-Biamila Titilola , Obionu Ifeoma , Kokelu Ekenechukwu , Smith Jennifer , Benedict Azuogu N , Ajenifuja Kayode , Babatunde Abdulhammed O , Ezechi Oliver , Tucker Joseph D , Iwelunmor Juliet
Published: January 2024

Background: Oncogenic types of human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection cause substantial morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Nigeria has low cervical cancer screening and vaccination rates, suggesting the need for community engagement to enhance reach and uptake. We organised a designathon to identify community-led, innovative approaches to promote HPV screening and vaccination for women and girls, respectively, in Nigeria. A designathon is a three-phase participatory process informed by design thinking that includes the preparation phase that includes soliciting innovative ideas from end-users, an intensive collaborative event to co-create intervention components, and follow-up activities.
Methods: We organised a three-phase designathon for women (30-65yrs) and girls (11-26yrs) in Nigeria. First, we launched a national crowdsourcing open call for ideas on community-driven strategies to support HPV screening among women and vaccination among girls. The open call was promoted widely on social media and at in-person gatherings. All eligible entries were graded by judges and 16 exceptional teams (with 4-6members each). All six geo-political zones of Nigeria were invited to join an in-person event held over three days in Lagos to refine their ideas and present them to a panel of expert judges. The ideas from teams were reviewed and scored based on relevance, feasibility, innovation, potential impact, and mother-daughter team dynamics. We present quantitative data on people who submitted and themes from the textual submissions.
Results: We received a total of 612 submissions to the open call from mother-daughter dyads. Participants submitted ideas via a website designated for the contest (n=392), in-person (n=99), email (n=31), or via an instant messaging application (n=92). Overall, 470 were eligible for judging after initial screening. The average age of participants for daughters was 19 years and 39 years for mothers. Themes from the top 16 proposals included leveraging local leaders (5/16), faith-based networks (4/16), educational systems (4/16), and other community networks (7/16) to promote awareness of cervical cancer prevention services. After an in-person collaborative event, eight teams were selected to join an innovation training boot camp, for capacity building to implement ideas.
Conclusions: Innovative strategies are needed to promote HPV screening for mothers and vaccination for girls in Nigeria. Our designathon was able to facilitate Nigerian mother-daughter teams to develop cervical cancer prevention strategies. Implementation research is needed to assess the effectiveness of these strategies.
Fishery Detection and Counting Model uing Fish Images
Authors: TALL Marc Momar , NGOM Ibrahima , SADIO Ousmane , DIAGNE Ibrahima , COULYBALI Adama , NDIAYE Moustapha
Published: January 2024

Fishing in Senegal is threatened by overfishing, compounded by a lack of fisheries management. Stock replenishment and fish classification are generally done manually, and catches are not always declared. In addition, the collection of fishing data suffers from a lack of tools for monitoring and counting the fish caught at the wharves. Although researchers have carried out studies on the fishery in Senegal, data collection is virtually non-existent, and there is no local database dedicated to the fishery or automatic detection and counting algorithm. In this article, a model for automatic detection and counting of fished species is proposed, using a semantic segmentation algorithm. The data used to form the adapted local database are collected from fish images taken at the Soumbédioune fishing wharf in Senegal. This database is supplemented by the Fishbase. This collected data is then segmented to form the appropriate local database. This database is used in conjunction with YOLO v8, an essential element in the detection of images with bounding boxes, to train the model. The results obtained are very promising for the proposed automatic fish detection and counting model. For example, the recall-confidence scores reflect the performance of bounding boxes, with scores ranging from 0.01 to 0.75, thus confirming the effectiveness of the model with bounding boxes. These results are of great importance for improving fisheries policies in Senegal.
Modifying the head’s spatial orientation reduces cone beam CT artifacts adjacent to dental implants: a laboratory study
Authors: Barros-Costa Matheus , Barros-Candido Julia Ramos , Sampaio-Oliveira Matheus , Freitas Deborah Queiroz , Sverzut Alexander Tadeu , Oliveira Matheus L
Published: January 2024

Objectives: To evaluate image artifacts in the vicinity of dental implants in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) obtained with different spatial orientations, tube current levels, and metal artifact reduction algorithm (MAR) conditions.
Materials and Methods: A dental implant and two tubes containing a radiopaque solution were inserted in the posterior region of a mandible. CBCT scans were acquired with the mandible in two spatial orientations in relation to the X-ray projection plane – standard and modified – at three tube current levels: 5, 8, and 11 mA. CBCT scans were repeated without the implant and were reconstructed with and without MAR. Mean voxel and noise values of each tube were obtained and compared using multi-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (α=0.05).
Results: Mean voxel values were significantly higher and noise values were significantly lower in the modified orientation compared to the standard orientation (p<0.05). MAR activation and mA level did not have significant differences in most cases of the modified spatial orientation and in the absence of the dental implant (p>0.05).
Conclusions: The modification of the spatial orientation of the head increases brightness and reduces noise in adjacent regions of a dental implant, with no influence from the tube current level and MAR.
Clinical relevance: Considering that artifacts can impair CBCT image quality, studying strategies to reduce them, such as modifying the spatial orientation of the patient head, may be a valuable approach.
Effects of different types of exercise intensity on improving physical health in children and adolescents: A systematic review
Authors: Zhou Xianxian , Li Jiayu , Jiang Xiaoping
Published: January 2024

A substantial body of empirical evidence reveals that physical activity is associated with a wide range of positive physical and mental health outcomes. However, a dearth of comprehensive syntheses is observed concerning the varying effects of different exercise intensities on the improvement of physical health among children and adolescents. This review aims to systematically study the effects of different exercise intensities on the physical fitness of children and adolescents, to determine the optimal exercise intensity for improving physical fitness and health, and to provide a relevant theoretical basis for optimal the physical education curriculum in schools.This study employed a systematic search strategy across four online databases (PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Science). Intervention studies that met the inclusion criteria underwent a thorough screening process, and their methodological quality was assessed utilizing the PEDro scale. The selected literature was systematically analyzed and evaluated through induction, summary, analysis, and evaluation. These findings indicate that high-intensity exercise training exerts significant positive effects on body composition, cardiopulmonary function, blood pressure, and muscle health in children and adolescents. Therefore, we suggest that schools should focus on high-intensity sports in their physical education curriculum, which can further improve the students' physical fitness and health.
Gluten-free corn cookies fortified with stinging nettle leaf flour: Effect on instrumental properties, storage stability, and health benefits.
Authors: Tanyitiku Mary Nkongho , Bessem Prisca , Petcheu Igor Casimir Njombissie
Published: January 2024

Background
The consumption of gluten-free corn cookies is becoming very popular among non-celiac and celiac individuals. However, the absence of gluten and other nutrients in corn generally leads to cookies of lower quality in terms of nutritional value, texture, colour, and shelf-life. To improve the quality characteristics of corn cookies and thus contribute to the increasing demand for gluten-free products, this study investigated the nutritional and physicochemical effect of incorporating an underutilised herb (stinging nettle leaves) into corn cookie preparations. The storage stability at room and frozen temperatures of the formulated nettle enriched corn cookies was also investigated and compared with 100% corn cookies.
Results
Nettle leaf flour increased (p < 0.05) the mineral and protein content of corn cookies from 0.32 to 2.56% and 6.44 to 21.52% as well as decreased the fat content from 2.13 to 1.81% respectively. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity also increased in all formulated nettle enriched cookies while starch digestion significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from 48.60 to 30.18%. Furthermore, cookie hardness and colour, which are important determinants of consumers acceptance of corn cookies, significantly (p < 0.05) changed indicating a softer nettle enriched corn cookies. All nettle-enriched corn cookies were within acceptable shelf-life limits in terms of water activity, peroxide value, and microbial count within six months of storage.
Conclusion
The incorporation of nettle leaf flour improved the nutritional, physical and shelf-life properties of gluten-free corn cookies, as well as indicated the hypoglycemic potential of nettles as a food ingredient in bakery products.
Based on Logistic regression analysis, the prediction model of joint detection factors for postoperative incision infection in spinal surgery was established
Authors: Xie Bang-lin , Wang Zhi-yong , lin ling-zhen , Guo Run-sheng , Xu Tian-tian , Yang Xiao-wei , Yang Xin-ming , Ai Qiu-xiao , Zhang Meng-yi , Zhang Bin
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVES
A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent spinal implant surgery in our hospital from June 2019 to June 2022. The predictive model of postoperative incision infection combined detection factor was constructed by Logistic regression analysis and other statistical methods, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to analyze the application value of the model.
METHODS
A total of 888 patients who underwent spinal surgery in our hospital from June 2019 to June 2022 were included. The patients' age, hypertension, diabetes and other disease history were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who underwent blood cell analysis and C-reactive protein serological detection 3 days after surgery were screened out, and relevant clinical data were collected. The independent risk factors of SSI were screened out by Lasso regression and Logistics regression analysis, and the prediction model of SSI joint detection factors was established according to the independent risk factors, and the application value of the model was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and calibration curve.
RESULTS
A total of 16 risk factors of 888 patients were analyzed by Lasoo regression model. Gender (regression coefficient: -0.241), age (regression coefficient: 0.0382), hypertension (regression coefficient: -0.826), diabetes (regression coefficient: 1.953), smoking history (regression coefficient: 0.692) 5 related predictors. Logistic regression analysis of Lasoo analysis results showed that age: (OR= 1.024,95%CI: 0.984-1.169), smoking history: (OR=1.512,95%CI :0.416-4.513), diabetes: (OR=5.898,95%CI: 2.075-16.240); CRP: (OR= 1.029,95%CI: 1.020-1.039) four independent risk factors. Combined factor prediction Normogram was established according to age, diabetes, smoking history and C-reactive protein value 3 days after operation. The C index of the Normograph model based on the above predictive factors was 0.9, and the AUC value was 0.900. The calibration curve shows that the predicted results are in good agreement with the observed results。
CONCLUSION
The combined prediction model based on age, diabetes, smoking history and C-reactive protein 3 days after surgery has potential clinical application value for surgical site infection after spinal surgery.
Familial and Cultural Dynamics: Nurturing Healthy Eating Habits and Combating Obesity Among Palestinian Children: A mixed method study
Authors: Jabali Oqab , Jabali Shaden
Published: January 2024

Background
Not enough research has been done to specifically examine how family monitoring affects how Palestinian children develop their eating habits, especially when it comes to preventing and treating obesity. Motivated by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and with an emphasis on familial and cultural dynamics, this study attempts to explore how families and communities shape healthy eating habits and fight obesity in Palestinian children.
Methods
To comprehensively characterize these processes, a mixed-methods approach is employed, combining quantitative analysis and structured interviews. The study used a purposive sampling technique to administer a survey, resulting in an initial sample of (185) friends. After data collection, (165) surveys were available for statistical analysis. In the qualitative approach, (18) individuals were chosen from the researchers' network, focusing on those actively involved in society and displaying high social networking site engagement.
Results
The quantitative findings indicate that while familial participation greatly influences children's eating choices, combining religious and cultural traditions prevents childhood obesity significantly. With the exception of variances in parental engagement depending on place of residence, which favor villages over towns, no substantial differences in parental involvement are detected across demographic categories. Qualitatively, a large portion of Palestinian couples believe their children are not vulnerable due to resilience and proactive health consciousness. They prioritize preventative measures like food choices, and consider economic constraints, cost, availability, and cultural influences in their nutritional decisions.
Conclusion
The study highlights the importance of culturally responsive public health initiatives and the cultural foundations of eating patterns. Notwithstanding certain drawbacks, such as the cross-sectional design and dependence on self-reported data, the results advance our knowledge of how families shape health-related behaviors. This study recommends the development of culturally relevant interventions for the Palestinian setting, looking into intersectionality, and expanding samples to address childhood obesity using other methodologies.
Adherence to mask wearing and social distancing following vaccination and use of lateral flow testing during the COVID-19 pandemic in England and Wales: Results from a cross-sectional study nested within the prospective Virus Watch household community cohort study
Authors: Antonopoulou Vivi , Ong Madeline , Meyer Carly , Beale Sarah , Lorencatto Fabiana , Michie Susan , Aldridge Robert W. , Hayward Andrew
Published: January 2024

Background
Personal protective behaviours (PPBs) played a crucial role in limiting the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet adherence to these behaviours varied at population level. Understanding the factors influencing adherence to protective behaviours is important, as PPBs will be a critical part of the response in future pandemics. Using behavioural science, we investigated the influences on adherence to PPBs, focusing on face mask wearing, social distancing, and lateral flow testing (LFT).
Methods
Two online surveys, the first gathering data on mask wearing and social distancing, and the second on lateral flow testing, were conducted in July and August 2021 with a sample from England and Wales (N = 20,488 (survey 1) and N = 26,613 (survey 2)). The survey questions were designed based on the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation (COM-B) model of Behavior. Multivariate models were used to examine associations between identified influences and adoption of these protective behaviours.
Results Most respondents reported wearing a face mask in public indoor places (88.5%) and maintaining a 1+ metre distance (86.8%) all or most of the time. After two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, social distancing decreased with 48.3% reporting meeting friends or family and 38.3% visiting indoor places more frequently. Motivation, Opportunity and Capability factors were significantly associated with increased odds of wearing a face covering and social distancing.
Among individuals who indicated using an LFT (comprising 68% of the total sample), 50.4% reported engaging in routine testing. For those who had never used an LFT, the predominant reason cited was a perceived lack of necessity for testing (55.3%). Statistically significant associations were found between routine testing and accurate interpretation of test results across all LFT belief-based statements (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Findings indicated high levels of adherence to face masks, social distancing, and lateral flow testing, even amid reduced restrictions and high vaccination rates. Utilising a behavioural science framework, factors related to capability, opportunity, and motivation were found to significantly influence the use of these protective behaviours. Our recommendations can inform public health intervention design and guide the selection of implementation strategies for public health emergencies preparedness.
Changes in the Quality of Life in Patients Suffering from Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Hyaluronic Acids- A Prospective, Randomised Study
Authors: Dulic Oliver , Abazovic Dzihan , Matijevic Sara , Rasovic Predrag , Janjic Natasa , Obradovic Mirko , Ninkovic Srdjan , Tosic Milan , Lalic Ivica , Baljak Branko , Matijevic Radmila , Milinkov Milan
Published: January 2024

Background: The aim of this investigation was to identify and compare changes in the quality of life among patients with knee osteoarthritis treated with injections of bone marrow aspirate concentrate, platelet-rich plasma, and hyaluronic acid.
Methods: The study employed a single-center prospective clinical trial with three study arms, and data were collected through repeated measurements using the self-reported SF-36 scale. To analyze the data's nature, linear mixed models (LMMs) were utilized to determine which of the three injection types was most effective in enhancing the quality of life. LMMs extend the principles of linear regression to accommodate correlated observations and analyze data collected at various time points.
Results: A total of 175 patients underwent treatment and screening over a 12-month period. Patients who received bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) exhibited greater score improvement compared to those receiving hyaluronic acid (HA) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This effect was most prominent in role limitations due to physical health and physical functioning. Additionally, results indicated score improvements for patients receiving PRP compared to those receiving HA, though not all findings achieved statistical significance.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that patients treated with BMAC experienced a more significant enhancement in quality of life compared to those receiving HA and PRP. The most substantial improvement was observed in factors related to physical movement, indicating the effectiveness of BMAC in restoring patients' physical functioning. Study limitations include recruitment from a single center and a relatively small dataset, particularly for those undergoing HA and PRP therapy
Clinical Trial Registration:retrospectively registered NCT03825133 ( ClinicalTrials.gov)
First detection and diversity of Astroviruses in wild migratory birds of Sakhalin Island, North Pacific
Authors: Zhirov Dmitry , Dubovitskiy Nikita , Derko Anastasiya , Loginova Arina , Sobolev Ivan , Ktitorov Pavel , Kulikova Olga , He Guimei , Wang Zhenghuan , Wang Wen , Alekseev Aleksander , Shestopalov Alexander , Sharshov Kirill
Published: January 2024

Avastrovirus (AAstV) is a genus of bird viruses infected are associated with avian diseases, including enteritis, growth retardation, nephritis and hepatitis leading to economic losses to farms and affecting food production worldwide. Despite numerous studies, data on diversity, phylogeny and epidemiology are presented mainly for poultry viruses. Studies on astroviruses of wild bird population highlight broad genetic diversity of viruses and limited understanding of their biological and ecological properties. In this study, we detected avastrovirus for the first time in wild migratory birds of the families Anatidae and Columbidae from Sakhalin Island, North Pacific Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis data showed the presence of Avastrovirus 2 and Avastrovirus 3 in wild doves and wild ducks, respectively. The data obtained shed light on the circulation of astroviruses on Sakhalin Island, which is crossed by East Asian–Australasian Flyway.
Prophylactic Third Molar Removal: Are Oral Surgeons and Orthodontists Aligned in Preventive Approaches?
Authors: Guldiken Ipek Necla , Gulsever Serap , Malkoc Yagmur , Yilmaz Zeynep Cukurova , Ozcan Mutlu
Published: January 2024

Background: A consensus favors extracting impacted third molars in the presence of clinical symptoms, but no consensus exists on their management when asymptomatic. Healthcare professionals from different fields of expertise may approach the extraction of these teeth differently.
Methods: This study aimed to compare the perspectives of oral surgeons and orthodontists regarding the indications for asymptomatic third molar removal. This cross-sectional study collected information by asking participants why they prefer extracting asymptomatic third molars. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the obtained data. The significance level was p<0.05.
Results: Prophylactic extraction of partially impacted molars was more favored among the participants (p<0.01). The orthodontists preferred prophylactic extraction due to the risk of late anterior dental crowding (LADC); however, the surgeons preferred pre-pregnancy extractions (p<0.05). The extraction decision for partial impaction was higher in females when the risk of distal caries was considered. For fully impacted ones, it was higher in males when the risk of caries and pericoronitis were considered (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Orthodontists preferred extraction because of the risk of LADC and caries, while surgeons focused on preventing pericoronitis, pathology, focal infection, and symptoms during pregnancy. This divergence between the participants may inform the guidelines for prophylactic management of third molars. These findings may be pertinent in gender medicine.
Clinical relevance: This study has been enlightening for departments to consult each other before the extraction of a patient's asymptomatic third molar.
Translator IL2RA contributes to poor prognosis in kidney clear cell carcinoma by affecting the early stage of lymphocyte activation
Authors: Chen Xiaochi , jiang kui , liu Weiqi , Qu Meijun , Jin Minli , Li Yutong , Zhang Tianqi , Liang Yixin , Lu Ye , Wang Huada
Published: January 2024

Background
IL2RA has been shown to play an important function in tumorigenesis. However, the exact mechanism by which it functions in KIRC is poorly understood.
Methods
Initially, we performed a pan-cancer study using the TIMER database to identify the expression variation of IL2RA in KIRC. Then, Kaplan-Meier, clinicopathological, and COX regression analyses using the TCGA database were performed to show the association of the IL2RA expression level with overall survival and clinicopathology of KIRC patients. Next, we used GO and KEGG enrichment analysis to reveal the association of IL2RA level with immunity. Finally, in order to explore the association of IL2RA expression levels with immunity, our group adopted an immunotherapeutic research approach to determine the mechanism of its influence.
Results
IL2RA was found to have high expression levels in KIRC and to be correlated with clinicopathology. Based on GSEA analysis, it was discovered that IL2RA is associated with immune pathways in KIRC. Immunotherapy analysis provided further clarification on the correlation between IL2RA and immunotherapy.
Conclusions
The expression level of IL2RA has an important role in the development and escape of KIRC. IL2RA has a complex immunoregulatory mechanism in this tumor. Our study suggests that it contributes to the poor prognosis for KIRC patients mainly by affecting the early stages of lymphocyte response.
Comparative analysis of Attention-based CNN andViT for processing ECG image data in joint fusion
Authors: Thakur Arjun , Agasthi Pradyumna , Chao Chieh-Ju , Farina Juan Maria , Holmes David R. , Fortuin David , Ayoub Chadi , Arsanjani Reza , Banerjee Imon
Published: January 2024

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a widely utilized standard ofcare and efficacious intervention in the management of coronary artery disease,improving prognosis and symptoms for many patients. Prediction of post-PCIoutcomes contributes to effective patient management and quality improvementinitiatives in healthcare. Our study focuses on comparative performance analysisfor state-of-the-art vision transformer (ViT) and convolutional neural network(CNN) on multimodal data analysis in a joint fusion framework. We integrateimages of electrocardiogram (ECG) data and tabular electronic health records(EHR) to predict 3 clinically relevant post-PCI (6 months) endpoints - heart failure hospitalization, all-cause mortality, and ischemic stroke. To design a comparativemodel for ViT, we proposed a new joint fusion architecture that consistsof a convolutional neural network (CNN) with a convolutional block attentionmodule (CBAM). The learned representations are combined at an intermediatelayer followed by processing these representations using a fully connectedlayer. The proposed model demonstrates excellent performance with the highestAUROC scores of 0.849, 0.913, and 0.794 for predicting heart failure hospitalization,all-cause mortality, and stroke, respectively. Surpassing the baseline EHRmodel and ViT, the proposed CNN+CBAM fusion model showcases superiorpredictive capabilities for heart failure prediction.
The quality of bone and paraspinal muscle in the fragility osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a comprehensive comparison between different indicators
Authors: Zhan Sizheng , Ma Haoning , Duan Xingguang , Yi Pi
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To evaluate the value of five indicators in predicting OVCF through a retrospective case-control study, and explore the internal correlation of different indicators.
Method: We retrospectively enrolled patients over 50 years of age who had been subjected to surgery for fragility OVCF at China Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2021 to September 2023. Demographic characteristics, T-score based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), CT-based Hounsfield unit (HU) value, vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), relative cross-sectional area (rCSA) and the rate of fat infiltration (FI) of paraspinal muscle were collected. A 1:1 age- and sex-matched, fracture-free control group was established from patients admitted to our hospital for lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar disk herniation.
Results: A total of 78 patients with lumbar fragility OVCF were included. All the five indicators were significantly correlated with the occurrence of OVCFs. Logistic regression analysis showed that average HU value and VBQ score were significantly correlated with OVCF. The area under the curve (AUC) of VBQ score was the largest (0.89). There was a significantly positive correlation between average T-score, average HU value and average total rCSA. VBQ score was significantly positive correlated with FI.
Conclusion: VBQ score and HU value has good value in predicting of fragility OVCF. In addition to bone mineral density, we should pay more attention to bone quality, including the fatty signal intensity in bone and the FI in paraspinal muscle.
Naringin Ameliorates IL-6 Mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and skeletal muscle degeneratio via AMPK/Nrf-2 pathway
Authors: Gao Shang , Wang Tianhao , Zhang Lu , Chen Shang , Jia Shu , Meng Chunyang , Wang Zheng , Zhang Zifang
Published: January 2024

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Paraspinal muscle degeneration often arises as a hazardous consequence of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). This degeneration correlates with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of naringin in managing paraspinal muscle degeneration associated with disc degeneration. Materials and methods: C2C12 cells were stimulated with IL-6 to establish an in vitro model of skeletal muscle degeneration for assessing the protective impact of naringin on skeletal muscle. The most effective concentration of naringin in C2C12 cells was identified through a CCK8 assay. The antioxidant prowess of naringin was evaluated via biochemical methods and Elisa. The influences of naringin and IL-6 on apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and associated signaling pathways were examined using cytometry, ROS detection, western blot, and transmission electron microscopy. Results: Our findings demonstrated a significant reduction in discogenic paraspinal degeneration with naringin therapy. Naringin glycosides notably enhanced the expression of key proteins involved in both muscle anabolism and catabolism, including MAFbx, MuRF1, MyoD, and MyoG.Moreover, naringin contributed to maintaining redox homeostasis by augmenting antioxidant activity and preventing excessive ROS peroxide accumulation. To impede paraspinal muscle degeneration, naringin upregulated MyoD and MyoG expression while downregulating MAFbx and MuRF1 through the activation of AMPK/Nrf-2 signaling pathway. Conclusion: These findings underscore naringin's robust therapeutic potential in enhancing mitochondrial activity, regulating oxidative stress, and halting paraspinal muscle degeneration.
Distortion is All You Need: From Image Denoising to Quality Assessment
Authors: Gui Zihan , Liu Jinwei , Yuan Chenghao , Yang Guangyi , He Wei
Published: January 2024

The necessity of a substantial dataset for training image quality assessment (IQA) models complicates their learning process, hindering generalizability. Under the differential mean opinion score (DMOS) evaluation standard, we propose an IQA model employing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for feature extraction, particularly focusing on the intricate relationship between an image's complete response and its distortion information. Our model employs U-Net to extract distortion details, followed by CNN for feature extraction and attention detection on both distorted and undistorted information. This process yields local quality scores and attention weights, contributing to the overall image quality score through weighted summation. By prioritizing the extraction of image distortion information, our model reduces interference from redundant data, thus simplifying the training complexity. To further streamline training, we introduce the concept of \emph{priori distortion scale} (PDS) as an estimation parameter for U-Net iteration steps, eliminating the need for additional parameters. Evaluation on five datasets, including synthetic and real distortions, demonstrates the proposed model's superior performance compared to state-of-the-art IQA algorithms across various metrics. The comprehensive experimental results validate the efficacy of our approach.
Defining Agroecosystems and Suitability Analysis in the Tana Beles Sub Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Weldegerima Tesfay Mekonnen
Published: January 2024

This study focuses on the imperative role of farming systems research in addressing agricultural challenges amid climate change. The primary aim is to assess agroecosystems and their suitability for farming practices within the Tana Beles Sub Basin (TBSB) in Ethiopia. Climate characterization involves utilizing observed rainfall and temperature data from the National Meteorology Agency (NMA) and gridded data from the WorldClim2 database for agro-climate zone delineation. Soil information is derived from the Harmonized World Soil Database version 1 (HWSD1), while agroecological data is collected from the regional Agriculture and Rural Development Bureau. Various analytical techniques, including agroclimate zoning, soil classification, farming classifications, and agro-ecosystem analysis, are employed. The TBSB is categorized into seven agroecosystems, with Moist Midlands (AES2) dominating the region, covering approximately 50% of the area. Altitudinal variation in AES2 ranges from 1500 m to over 2800 m, and key soils include Euteric Vertisol, Euteric Fulvisol, and Hapelic Luvisol. The topography spans flat plains to hilly mountains with slopes ranging from 0% to over 45%. AES2 supports diverse crops like Teff, Maize, Wheat, Barley, Rice, Chatt, and coffee, with the potential for irrigation schemes along the rivers. Suitability analysis reveals that AES2 is highly suitable for agriculture, AES4 and AES5 are moderately suitable, AES1, AES3, and AES6 are marginally suitable, and AES7 is unsuitable. This comprehensive assessment provides valuable insights into the diverse agroecological conditions within the TBSB, facilitating informed decision-making for sustainable agricultural development in the face of climate change.
Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer patients with brain metastases shows promise with the combination therapy of Cardonilumab and Anlotinib
Authors: Yi Hai-Zhen , Chen Jin-Jing , Lv Wei , Lin Zhan
Published: January 2024

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficiency and security of the pairing of cardonilumab and anlotinib in individuals diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and brain metastases (BMs). Methods A review was performed on individuals who were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and had central nervous system (CNS) metastases confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.We assessed the treatment response of cardonilumab plus anlotinib using RECIST 1.1 and RANO-BM for evaluating solid tumors and neuro-oncology brain metastases, respectively.The patients' prognosis was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis. Results The study included 46 individuals diagnosed with brain metastases (BMs) at the beginning. According to RANO-BM criteria, the intracranial lesions showed an objective response rate (ORR) of 80.4%.Additionally, the median overall survival (OS) was observed to be 19.3 months (95% CI, 17.4–21.1 months).The analysis of multivariate Cox regression showed that having a PD1 level below 50% (HR = 4.83, P < 0.001) or having two or more metastatic organs (HR = 2.71, P = 0.036) were independent factors that positively predicted overall survival.Out of all the patients, 86.9% experienced adverse events associated with the treatment, while 17.4% reported severe TRAEs of grade3-4. Conclusions According to our results, the combination of cardonilumab and anlotinib appears to be a promising treatment option for SCLC patients with brain metastases.
Effect of maternal Mala flavor preference on gestational weight gain mediated by dietary patterns in Chongqing, China: an ambispective cohort study
Authors: Li Jing Hua , Wang Di Fei , Mao Yan Yan , Zhang Wu Xia , Zhu Qian Xi , Liu Jun , Du Jing , Zhou Wei Jin , Wang Fen , Li Min
Published: January 2024

Background
Taste preference drives food selection, acceptance, or rejection, and influences body mass index. This study aimed to analyze the correlation of dietary status, encompassing taste preference and dietary pattern, with gestational weight gain (GWG) among pregnant women.
Methods
We conducted an ambispective cohort study at the Kaizhou District Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Chongqing, China. In total, 495 pregnant women aged 20–45 years who conceived naturally were recruited from May 2021 to November 2022. They had single pregnancies, no history of chronic medical and surgical diseases, and no pregnancy complications. Data on food category intake and taste preference, including fatty, salty, spicy, and Mala flavors, were collected during the third trimester. Factor analysis was used to evaluate dietary pattern. Multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling were performed to explore the relationship between taste preference and dietary pattern as well as their effects on GWG.
Results
“Traditional Diets” (TD) are characterized by high intakes of cereals, vegetables, fruits, meats, and dairy. “Modern Diets” (MD) are characterized by high intakes of cereals, vegetables, beans, meats, poultries, and seafood. “Quality Protein Diets” (QPD) are characterized by high intakes of seafood, eggs, and dairy. Pregnant women with a preference for Mala flavor had higher TD, MD, and QPD scores. Women with a higher TD or MD score had a higher GWG. The Mala taste preference effect on GWG was partially (41.7%) mediated by TD and MD.
Conclusions
Preference for Mala as the typical flavor in Chongqing has a positive effect on GWG, partially mediated by TD and MD, both of which are loaded with high amounts of cereals with high-glycemic index. Pregnant women in local areas should appropriately modify their Mala taste preference based on their current weight to maintain a reasonable GWG.
Late Pliocene growth of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to near-modern dimensions
Authors: Rahaman Waliur , Gutjahr Marcus , Prabhat Priyesh
Published: January 2024

Accurate prediction of West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) collapse and its impact on sea level in future warmer climate states remains uncertain1. Understanding the Pliocene-Pleistocene ice sheet behaviour provides an opportunity to evaluate the role of forcing factors for ice mass gain/loss, determine the tipping points of WAIS growth/collapse and its impact on future sea level rise. Here, we provide evidence for the transition from a dynamic2 and smaller-sized WAIS during the warm Pliocene to a relatively stable and expanded ice sheet closer to its modern configuration during the Pleistocene based on the longest sedimentary geochemical records from Amundsen Sea, in proximity to modern maximum ice loss3. This transition coincided with initiation of orbitally paced 40-ka glacial-interglacial (G-I) cycles and atmospheric pCO2 drop, thus suggests that major tipping points for the growth and stability of the WAIS lies within atmospheric-oceanic conditions encountered during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition. Despite large G-I variations in global temperature (+4 to -10 °C) and pCO2 (~180 – 280 ppm)4, the observation of relatively stable Pleistocene WAIS is contrary to model observations5,6 and questions its contribution to late Pleistocene sea level change. These findings have significant implications for predicting future ice sheet behavior and its impact on sea level rise.