bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpretation Evidence for the Multidimensional Test Anxiety Scale: A Brief Report
Authors: Francis Gabrielle , von der Embse Nathaniel , Putwain David , Kim Eunsook
Published: September 2024

Standardized testing is an integral part of the English and American education systems. However, the use of high-stakes testing has unintended consequences, one of which is test anxiety. Over the last 50 years, increased attention has been directed to developing tools to identify students experiencing test anxiety. However, many test anxiety instruments have been created for research purposes rather than use within school decision-making and lack evidence for interpretation. The purpose of the current study was to support the use of the Multidimensional Test Anxiety Scale (MTAS) in applied settings by using a latent profile analysis to identify respondent groups to support score interpretation. Participants included 918 secondary students in England.
Investigating the Effects of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Language Learning Strategies on Cognitive Load and Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study
Authors: Feng Lijuan
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the impact of AI-assisted language learning (AIAL) strategies on cognitive load and learning outcomes in the context of language acquisition. Specifically, the study explores three distinct AIAL strategies: personalized feedback and adaptive learning, interactive exercises with speech recognition, and intelligent tutoring with data-driven insights. The research employs a pretest-posttest random assignment experimental design, utilizing three experimental groups and a control group, with a total of 484 EFL students specializing in teaching English as a foreign language participating in the study. Data collection involves pre- and post-tests, questionnaires, and interviews to assess the influence of AIAL strategies on cognitive load and learning outcomes. Cognitive load is measured using the Cognitive Load Scale, while pretest-posttest assessments evaluate the efficacy of AIAL interventions across various language skills. These results contribute to the existing body of AIAL research by offering empirical evidence for the effectiveness of specific strategies in optimizing language learning experiences. The implications of this study extend to educators, researchers, and developers in the field of AIAL, emphasizing the potential of AIAL to enhance language acquisition processes and inform instructional design practices.
Unlocking the potential: Responsibly embracing artificial intelligence to advance the use of health data and analytics at the Canadian Institute for Health Information
Authors: Daya Shez , Gupta Babita , Kenea Nasir
Published: September 2024

Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is looking to modernize and adopt new ways of working. This incudes the use of new technology, including the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). To begin in a purposeful manner, the organization developed an AI strategy which was informed through feedback from key stakeholders and partners, from its staff and from a review of international research. The research informed several ways AI could add value to CIHI’s internal operations and to the external role CIHI could play in advancing responsible AI adoption in health systems across Canada. This article describes the strategy development process and the areas of focus within the strategy.
Do two-party systems hamper defection from undemocratic candidates?
Authors: Frederiksen Kristian Vrede Skaaning
Published: September 2024

Do the electoral constraints imposed by two-party systems make citizens less likely to defect from undemocratic candidates? I employ two innovative candidate choice experiments fielded in England to answer this question. Specifically, I implement two designs manipulating the number and effective number of parties displayed between two and three, exploiting England’s party system characteristics. Contrary to expectations, I find that Labour and Conservative identifiers do not defect more from undemocratic in-partisan candidates when they face three (effective) parties–Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats–rather than just the two major parties. Instead, defection from undemocratic in-partisans to the out-party drops and relocates to the Liberal Democrats, even when the latter have no chance of winning. These findings highlight that having three parties does not generate more defection from undemocratic politicians and, consequently, does not reduce risks of democratic backsliding through this mechanism.
Hysteretic performance of high-strength steel square hollow section T joints considering fracture behavior
Authors: Liu Shubang , Chen Shicai , Hou Liqun , Zhou Zhengming
Published: September 2024

The performance of high-strength steel (HSS) welding joints is crucial for tubular structure design. This paper investigates the hysteretic performance of HSS square hollow section (SHS) T joints considering fracture behaviors. The hysteresis and tensile tests of the HSS SHS T joints and a comparative analysis of failure modes and bearing capacity are conducted. Parameter analysis is conducted based on the validated FE model considering fracture and elastoplastic constitutive relationship with a wide range of parameters covered, including the cross-sectional width ratio and the wall thickness ratio between brace and chord, and the width-thickness ratio of the chord, and the seam weld size of the joint connection. The results show that fracture behavior can affect the failure mode and bearing capacity of the joints, and it cannot be ignored in the hysteresis analysis process. The energy consumption capacity and the ductility coefficients increase when β increases from 0.2 to 1.0, τ increases from 0.3 to 1.0 and 2 γ decreases from 40 to 20. Meanwhile, joints’ failure modes and residual strength vary with the above parameters. It is necessary to use the damage fracture constitutive model of steel in numerical simulation.
Local news as political institution and the repercussions of ‘news deserts’: A qualitative study of seven UK local areas
Authors: Barclay Steven , Barnett Steven , Moore Martin , Townend Judith
Published: September 2024

A transformation in the political economy of local news provision has led to claims that an increasing number of local areas have become ‘news deserts’ – areas that are poorly served or not served at all by professional and dedicated news services (Abernathy, 2022). Such developments have raised widespread concerns about the future health of local democracy. One aspect of local news’ declining capacity that has received little attention to date is the impact on its role as political institution. This paper first examines the impact of changes on those most closely affected by the reduction or closure of UK local news media outlets – the consumers and sources of local news. Through empirical research in 2021-22, the authors explore Cook’s theory of the news media as political institution (2005), by examining local citizens’ experience of – and attitudes towards – their local news outlets, and the extent to which they believe these continue to perform an institutional role. Second, the paper seeks to explore the extent to which other information services – most notably social media and online communities - substitute for the institutional roles of local news outlets. The paper argues that the diminishing role of local news media as political institution has significant political and democratic implications which are not being addressed by policymakers, who are more concerned with the economic interests of corporate media owners than the broader democratic and societal interests of local communities.
Lessons learned from remote, early-literacy instruction
Authors: Jones Jill S. , Grifenhagen Jill F. , McKinney Stephen
Published: September 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly shifted primary-grade literacy instruction which had rarely been implemented online before the pandemic. Remote early literacy instruction is thus an emerging field of research, and research is needed to understand the affordances and limitations of this crisis-driven instruction and how it may inform early literacy instruction moving forward, both in remote and traditional settings. This mixed methods case study examined how 106 novice primary-grade teachers in the United States implemented literacy instruction in the remote platform during the COVID-19 pandemic with a desire to understand both successful and challenging literacy practices. The main data sources entailed 106 teacher interviews conducted using a semi-structured interview protocol and teacher self-ratings of their implementation of evidence-based literacy practices. Qualitative analyses of teachers’ perspectives yielded findings that remote early literacy instruction increased the involvement of families, required teachers to navigate multiple boundaries to implement literacy instruction, remote instruction was most conducive to teacher-led literacy instruction, and resulted in teachers’ difficulty knowing and addressing children’s literacy needs. Quantitative data analysis of Likert-scale questions about teachers’ early literacy instructional practices revealed teachers reported their highest quality literacy instructional practices as read alouds, collaboration with children’s families, and building an effective learning community for remote literacy instruction. Teachers rated their remote implementation of writing instruction, literacy assessment processes, and differentiation of literacy instruction as lower quality. The findings add to the literature by providing an in-depth understanding of remote early literacy instruction, successes and challenges reported by teachers providing literacy instruction to primary-aged children, and implications for post-pandemic instruction.
Cortical (Spastic) Isolated Unilateral Foot Drop: The Foot Knob Area
Authors: Rissardo Jamir Pitton , Fornari Caprara Ana Letícia
Published: September 2024

Foot drop is a condition characterized by impairment of the ability to dorsiflex the foot at the ankle joint. We aim to review the literature and report a case of isolated unilateral foot drop of central causes. A 59-year-old male previously healthy presenting with a right foot drop was admitted. Severe weakness of ankle dorsiflexion with intact plantar flexion was observed. Deep tendon reflexes were normal, no clonus was appreciated, and a plantar response resulted in flexion of all toes. Neuroimaging showed a lesion in the high left frontal lobe, centered along the medial aspect of the precentral gyrus. Levetiracetam and dexamethasone were started, and after four days, the patient reported a slight improvement in his ability to dorsiflex his ankle. Abdominal imaging showed a large right renal mass with invasion of the renal pelvis fat, suggestive of renal cell carcinoma, and cytology diagnosed clear cell renal cell carcinoma. There are 25 articles containing 33 individuals with unilateral foot drop secondary to non-traumatic central causes in the literature. The mean and median age were 50.26 (SD = 20.57) and 55.5 years old (12 - 79 years). Most of the patients were males, which accounted for 55.88% (19/34). The side of the foot drop was right at 58.82% (20/34).
More than deliberation is needed: Potential for agonistic moments in community wind energy planning
Authors: Müller Stefanie , Buchecker Matthias
Published: September 2024

Although community project planning is widely understood as crucial to equitable wind energy infrastructure planning, involved members of the public nevertheless perceive such participatory interventions as merely pseudo-participatory. Drawing on agonistic planning literature, we argue that this disposition towards tokenism can only be tackled with a (re)politization of community project planning practices. This includes an explicit (re)integration and cultivation of dissent and the potential overthrow of traditionally consensus-oriented formats that follow the deliberative paradigm. For radically political community energy project planning, however, public discourses must be fluid and participants must be open towards dissent, which largely contradicts the typical postures of a deliberative citizen who is supposed to argue in a rational and objective way, using the best arguments to convince others. To examine the feasibility of agonistic approaches for community wind energy planning, we conducted a quantitative discourse analysis on the data set of a large regional survey of an on-going wind energy planning project in Switzerland. We focused on estimating the degree of hegemony of public wind energy discourses and the willingness of residents to engage in participatory settings that can facilitate radically political community project planning (e.g., substantive participation settings). Our results show that for planning individual wind energy projects, the potential for agonistic planning approaches is low, not only because the discourses are already too hegemonic, but also because there is no real willingness to engage in radically political community wind energy project planning. In the context of early, comprehensive, and integrated community planning, however, agonistic approaches could provide the ground for open and innovative participatory planning of renewable energies.
CT-based radiomics nomogram to predict proliferative hepatocellular carcinoma and explore the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Wang Gongzheng , Ding Feier , Chen Kaige , Liang Zhuoshuai , Han Pengxi , Wang Linxiang , Cui Fengyun , Zhu Qiang , Cheng Zhaoping , Chen Xingzhi , Huang Chencui , Cheng Hongxia , Wang Ximing , Zhao Xinya
Published: September 2024

Background

Proliferative hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) is a class of aggressive tumors with poor prognosis. We aimed to construct a computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics nomogram to predict proliferative HCC, stratify clinical outcomes and explore the tumor microenvironment.

Methods

Patients with pathologically diagnosed HCC following a hepatectomy were retrospectively collected from two medical centers. A CT-based radiomics nomogram incorporating radiomics model and clinicoradiological features to predict proliferative HCC was constructed using the training cohort (n = 184), and validated using an internal test cohort (n = 80) and an external test cohort (n = 89). The predictive performance of the nomogram for clinical outcomes was evaluated for HCC patients who underwent surgery (n = 201) or received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE, n = 104). RNA sequencing data and histological tissue slides from The Cancer Imaging Archive database were used to perform transcriptomics and pathomics analysis.

Results

The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the radiomics nomogram to predict proliferative HCC were 0.84, 0.87, and 0.85 in the training, internal test, and external test cohorts, respectively. The radiomics nomogram could stratify early recurrence-free survivals in the surgery outcome cohort (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.25; P < 0.001) and progression-free survivals in the TACE outcome cohort (HR = 2.21; P = 0.03). Transcriptomics and pathomics analysis indicated that the radiomics nomogram was associated with carbon metabolism, immune cells infiltration, TP53 mutation, and heterogeneity of tumor cells.

Conclusion

The CT-based radiomics nomogram could predict proliferative HCC, stratify clinical outcomes, and measure a pro-tumor microenvironment.
Volatile anesthetics for lung- and diaphragm-protective sedation
Authors: Müller-Wirtz Lukas M. , O’Gara Brian , Gama de Abreu Marcelo , Schultz Marcus J. , Beitler Jeremy R. , Jerath Angela , Meiser Andreas
Published: September 2024

This review explores the complex interactions between sedation and invasive ventilation and examines the potential of volatile anesthetics for lung- and diaphragm-protective sedation. In the early stages of invasive ventilation, many critically ill patients experience insufficient respiratory drive and effort, leading to compromised diaphragm function. Compared with common intravenous agents, inhaled sedation with volatile anesthetics better preserves respiratory drive, potentially helping to maintain diaphragm function during prolonged periods of invasive ventilation. In turn, higher concentrations of volatile anesthetics reduce the size of spontaneously generated tidal volumes, potentially reducing lung stress and strain and with that the risk of self-inflicted lung injury. Taken together, inhaled sedation may allow titration of respiratory drive to maintain inspiratory efforts within lung- and diaphragm-protective ranges. Particularly in patients who are expected to require prolonged invasive ventilation, in whom the restoration of adequate but safe inspiratory effort is crucial for successful weaning, inhaled sedation represents an attractive option for lung- and diaphragm-protective sedation. A technical limitation is ventilatory dead space introduced by volatile anesthetic reflectors, although this impact is minimal and comparable to ventilation with heat and moisture exchangers. Further studies are imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the specific effects of inhaled sedation on respiratory drive and effort and, ultimately, how this translates into patient-centered outcomes in critically ill patients.

Graphical abstract
Utilization of selected natural products as complementary therapeutic approach for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) management: a literature review
Authors: Badria Farid A. , Elgazar Abdullah A.
Published: September 2024

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the foremost potential severe disorders, with frequent episodes of complete or partial obstructions of the upper airway during sleep. Therefore, several attempts to find an effective pharmacotherapy by repurposing several drugs such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) were recently considered as alternative therapeutic strategy. So, in this review, we will present non-conventional pharmacological approaches for managing OSA via either repurposing selected natural products or traditional medicine.

Evidence acquisition

Scientific databases and literature reviewed in the last twenty years were screened using different keywords related to OSA; exclusion criteria were applied based on the accessibility and the ability of the sources to follow evidence-based approaches. The eligible resources were classified into two main categories: clinical-based studies and preclinical studies. The findings of these studies were analyzed and discussed in light of current evidence derived from recent studies.

Findings

Several natural components and traditional formulas were found to regulate several molecular targets involved in OSA pathogenesis, supported by several in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Also, natural products subjected to clinical trials give promising results. Still, there are some limitations, such as involving a small number of patients depending on subjective yet acceptable scores rather than objective scores, a lack of positive control groups, or a small number of patients.

Conclusion

Therapeutic protocols should consider non-conventional polypharmacological strategies targeting all OSA aspects. Hence, there is an opportunity to reposition some well-defined natural products, such as cinnamic acid derivatives, isoflavones, and lignans, as several evidences from in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical trials support their potential efficacy in the management of OSA.
Does the U.S. extreme indicator matter in stock markets? International evidence
Authors: Jing Xiaozhen , Xu Dezhong , Li Bin , Singh Tarlok
Published: September 2024

We propose a new predictor—the innovation in the daily return minimum in the U.S. stock market ($$\Delta {MIN}^{US}$$

Δ

MIN

US

)—for predicting international stock market returns. Using monthly data for a wide range of 17 MSCI international stock markets during the period spanning over half a century from January 1972 to July 2022, we find that $$\Delta {MIN}^{US}$$

Δ

MIN

US

have strong predictive power for returns in most international stock markets:$$\Delta {MIN}^{US}$$

Δ

MIN

US

negatively predicts the next-month stock market returns. The results remain robust after controlling for a number of macroeconomic predictors and conducting subsample and panel data analyses, indicating that $$\Delta {MIN}^{US}$$

Δ

MIN

US

has significant predictive power and it outperforms other variables in international markets. Notably, $$\Delta {MIN}^{US}$$

Δ

MIN

US

demonstrates excellent predictive power even during the periods driven by financial upheavals (e.g., Global Financial Crisis and European Sovereign Debt Crisis). Both panel regressions and out-of-sample tests also support the robust predictive performance of $$\Delta {MIN}^{US}$$

Δ

MIN

US

. The predictive power, however, disappears during the non-financial crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic, which is originated from the health sector rather than the financial sector. The results provide a new perspective on U.S. extreme indicator in stock market return predictability.
Prognostic value of the triglyceride-glucose index for adverse cardiovascular outcomes in young adult hypertension
Authors: Li Chen , Zhang Yu , Wu Xueyi , Liu Kai , Wang Wei , Qin Ying , Ma Wenjun , Zhang Huimin , Wang Jizheng , Zou Yubao , Song Lei
Published: September 2024

Background

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable marker of insulin resistance that is involved in the progression of hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the TyG index with the risk for major cardiovascular events (MACE) in young adult hypertension.

Methods

A total of 2,651 hypertensive patients aged 18–40 years were consecutively enrolled in this study. The TyG index was calculated as Ln [triglycerides × fasting plasma glucose/2]. The cutoff value for an elevated TyG index was determined to be 8.43 by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The primary endpoint was MACE, which was a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, non-fatal stroke, and end-stage renal dysfunction. The secondary endpoints were individual MACE components.

Results

During the median follow-up time of 2.6 years, an elevated TyG index was associated with markedly increased risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 3.440, P < 0.001) in young hypertensive adults. In subgroup analysis, the elevated TyG index predicted an even higher risk of MACE in women than men (adjusted HR 6.329 in women vs. adjusted HR 2.762 in men, P for interaction, 0.001); and in patients with grade 2 (adjusted HR 3.385) or grade 3 (adjusted HR 4.168) of hypertension than those with grade 1 (P for interaction, 0.024). Moreover, adding the elevated TyG index into a recalibrated Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation 2 model improved its ability to predict MACE.

Conclusions

An elevated TyG index is associated with a higher risk of MACE in young adult hypertension, particularly in women and those with advanced hypertension. Regular evaluation of the TyG index facilitates the identification of high-risk patients.

Graphical abstract
3D dynamic diuretic renal scintigraphy using a hybrid whole body CZT SPECT/CT camera protocol in the evaluation of acute ureteric obstruction caused by ureteric stone
Authors: Ochoa-Figueroa Miguel , Borbely Klara , Hasselqvist Diana , Askling Fredrik , Lööw Tobias , Aljabery Firas , Sanchez-Rodriguez Veronica
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To investigate the performance of dynamic 3D diuretic renal scintigraphy using a hybrid whole body CZT SPECT/CT for the evaluation of acute ureteric obstruction in patients with urinary stone disease.

Methods

20 patients who presented to the Emergency Department with acute renal colic due to urinary stone disease confirmed by means of CT were prospectively included. Three observers evaluated and graded hydronephrosis, hydroureter, perirenal stranding, and thickening of the renal fascia from the CT as well as the renal scintigraphy curves from the dynamic SPECT study. The normalized residual activity from dynamic SPECT was analysed at 16 min in all patients and at 20 min in suspected obstruction.

Results

Renal scintigraphy curves showed a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 93%, PPV 83% and a NPV 100% for obstruction, while normalized residual activity showed a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 73%, PPV 56% and a NPV 100%. All patients presented at least 2 secondary signs of obstruction on the CT, showing a PPV of only 25% for obstruction.

Conclusion

Dynamic 3D diuretic renal scintigraphy CZT SPECT/CT provides valuable functional and anatomical information from one single examination. The combination of pathological renogram curves and high normalized residual activity values provide the most valuable imaging information to determine the presence of acute ureteric obstruction. The secondary signs of obstruction observed on CT are not specific and should not be used to confirm or discard obstruction in patients with urinary stone disease.

Trial registration: ISRCTN15338358. Registration date 03/01/2024. Retrospectively registered. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15338358?q=miguel%20ochoa%20figueroa&filters=&sort=&offset=1&totalResults=2&page=1&pageSize=10
Ablation strategy for idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular complexes: rationale and design of the ABOUT-PVC study, a prospective multicenter study
Authors: Choi Ji-Hoon , Park Kyoung-Min , Kwon Chang Hee , Kim Sung-Hwan , Kim Yoo Ri , Kim Jin-Bae , Nam Ki-Byung , Shim Jaemin , Uhm Jae-Sun , Yu Hee Tae , Lee Ki Hong , Choi Eue-Keun , Han Seongwook
Published: September 2024

Background

An idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular complex (OT-PVC) is a common arrhythmia, and the accuracy of site of origin prediction using the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) algorithm is not high. There are no studies about a systematic strategy that can provide practical help to electrophysiologists in OT-PVC mapping and ablation. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the proposed ablation protocol and establish an optimal catheter ablation strategy by simultaneously investigating and synthesizing various indicators observed during the mapping procedure.

Methods and design

This study (ABOUT-PVC) was designed as a prospective multicenter study to enroll 210 patients from 11 tertiary university hospitals over an estimated 27 months. Patients with idiopathic OT-PVC requiring catheter ablation will receive the procedure through a proposed ablation strategy and will be followed up for at least 12 months. The primary outcome is the acute procedural success rate. The secondary outcomes are clinical success rate, procedure time, complication rate, symptom relief, and changes in echocardiographic parameters.

Conclusions

The ABOUT-PVC study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the proposed ablation strategy and establish an optimal catheter ablation strategy. We expect this study to overcome the limitations of the ECG prediction algorithms and provide a practical guide to electrophysiologists, increasing the procedure’s success rate and reducing complications and procedure time.
Electroencephalogram and phenotype patterns in neuronopathic Gaucher disease patients – ten years of experience in a single center
Authors: Yang Xiying , Meng Yan , Chen Jian , Lu Qian , Hu Linyan , Shi Xiuyu , Wang Jing , Yang Guang , Zou Liping
Published: September 2024

Background

This study aimed to investigate the unique electroencephalography (EEG) patterns in neuronopathic Gaucher disease (GD) patients and explore the correlations between EEG findings and neurological phenotypes so as to optimize clinical outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 74 EEG recordings from 50 GD patients between January 2012 and July 2022.

Results

Twenty-three patients exhibited abnormal EEG recordings, including 11 of the GD1 type (the transitional type) and 12 with neuronopathic GD. Of the 12 neuronopathic GD patients, 9 patients with epilepsy were analysed specifically in terms of the clinical course. The primary waveform observed in the neuronopathic EEG recordings was the spike-and-wave complex (SWC) during both awake and sleep states. This was significantly different from sharp waves observed only during sleep in the patients of the transitional type (P = 0.0230). The abnormal discharges in the neuronopathic patients were most commonly located in the bilateral Rolandic areas, while the transitional type commonly involved the bilateral frontal regions. Three patients with an epileptic EEG pattern reported their initial seizures years later. Seizures in the neuronopathic patients were effectively controlled with anti-seizure medications (ASMs), despite the ongoing presence of abnormal EEG patterns. The EEG patterns during ocular symptoms were characterized by sporadic or continuous unilateral SWC during sleep.

Conclusions

Patients with neuronopathic GD exhibit distinct EEG patterns that can help differentiate them from GD1 patients. Early treatment with ASMs can effectively control seizures. EEG plays a crucial role in monitoring seizures and can facilitate prompt intervention for GD patients.
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection in urban and peri-urban wildlife species from Catalonia (Spain)
Authors: Fernández-Bastit Leira , Montalvo Tomás , Franco Sandra , Barahona Laura , López-Bejar Manel , Carbajal Annais , Casas-Díaz Encarna , Closa-Sebastià Francesc , Segalés Joaquim , Vergara-Alert Júlia
Published: September 2024

Background

Human activities including deforestation, urbanization, and wildlife exploitation increase the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases. Urban and peri-urban wildlife species often flourish in human-altered environments, with their survival and behavior heavily influenced by human-generated food and waste. In Catalonia, Spain, and other Mediterranean regions, species of rodents, including the house mouse (Mus musculus), black rat (Rattus rattus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), as well as wild boar (Sus scrofa) are common in urban and peri-urban areas. These species host numerous infectious agents, including coronaviruses (CoVs), posing potential human health risks. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evolved to infect previously non-susceptible species, with variants capable of infecting rodents, emphasizing their importance in surveillance studies.

Methods

The present study assessed SARS-CoV-2 presence and/or exposure in 232 rodents, 313 wild boar, and 37 Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs in Catalonia during the pandemic period (2020–2023).

Results

All the animals tested for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (232 rodents and 29 wild boar) were negative. For SARS-CoV-2 exposure, 3 out of 313 (0.96%) wild boar tested positive by ELISA, while the remaining 32 rodents, 310 wild boar, and 37 Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs were all negative. Cross-reactivity with other CoVs was predicted for ELISA-positive samples, as the 3 wild boar tested negative by the virus neutralization assay, considered as the gold standard technique.

Conclusions

The absence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure or acute infection in wild boar and rodent species supports their negligible role in viral spread or transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic in Catalonia. However, their proximity to humans and the ongoing genetic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 underline the need for continued monitoring. Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal species can contribute to design measures to control the emergence of new animal reservoirs or intermediate hosts that could facilitate viral spillover events.
Should we be concerned when the anterior approach to the hip goes accidentally medial? A retrospective study
Authors: Geraci Giuseppe , Di Martino Alberto , Stefanini Niccolò , Brunello Matteo , Ruta Federico , Pilla Federico , Traina Francesco , Faldini Cesare
Published: September 2024

Background

The direct anterior approach is increasingly used for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to its minimally invasive nature and rapid recovery time. Difficulties in identifying the correct intermuscular interval can arise during the procedure, sometimes resulting in excessive medial exposure. This study aimed to evaluate demographics and risk factors, outcomes, and potential complications in those THA patients in which a medialized approach was performed.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed cases of anterior THA to identify cases where the surgical approach to the hip was more medial than the standard interval. Demographic data, operative time, blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, radiographic findings were collected and compared with a control group of 50 THA performed using the standard anterior intermuscular interval.

Results

In a series of 1,450 anterior total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures performed between January 2018 and December 2021, with an average follow-up of 33 ± 22.3 months, six patients (0.4%) had a medialized surgical interval. In one case the superficial layer was medial to the sartorious muscle while in the other five cases, the interval was lateral to the sartorius superficially, and medial to the rectus femoris deeply. Four out of 6 patients (66.6%) showed neuropraxia affecting the femoral nerve, and 3 out of 6 (50%) had involvement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. In 6 out of 6 patients (100%), surgery was performed during the learning curve of DAA. No patients in the control group developed femoral nerve neuropraxia, and 2 out of 50 patients (4%) showed involvement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

Discussion and conclusion

The anterior approach can rarely result in excessive medial exposure to the hip joint, especially during the learning curve. In our study cohort, an increased rate of neurological complications and reduced outcomes were observed, thereby rendering this event of particular clinical significance. To avoid unconventional intermuscular intervals, patient positioning and correct identification of the muscle bellies by recognizing the orientation of the muscle fibers are useful, together with the identification and ligation of the circumflex vessels, to ensure the identification of the correct intermuscular interval.
Comprehensive lipidomics and flavoromics analysis reveals the formation mechanism of the unique flavor in quail egg yolks during thermal treatment
Authors: Zhou Zheng , Jiang Haonan , Sun Haoyuan , Huang Xu-Hui , Cui Shuang , Zhou Dayong , Qin Lei
Published: September 2024

After thermal treatment, quail eggs pruduce an attractive flavor that is favored by consumers. In this study, the key aroma volatiles and their lipid precursors during thermal treatment were investigated by the electronic nose, GC-MS, GC-O-MS and UPLC-Q-Exactive HF-X. The results exhibited that the raw and fresh flavor of raw egg yolks came from 1-Octen-3-ol, 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol, 1-Decene, and 1-Undecene. 2-Methyl-3-octanone, Toluene, and some aromatic compounds worked synergistically to contribute to the aroma profile of boiled eggs. (+)-2-Bornanone, Octanal, 2-Methyl-butanal, Nonanal, (.+Dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2(3 H)-furanone, 6,7-Dihydro-2,5-dimethyl-5 H-cyclopentapyrazine, (E)-2-methyl-6-(1-propenyl)-pyrazine, 2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazine, 3,5-Diethyl-2-methyl-pyrazine, 2,5-Dimethyl-pyrazine were the key flavor compounds in the fried egg and gave it the popcorn and roasted flavors. The statistical analysis of the lipid profile revealed that brief, high-temperature heating (100 or 200 °C for 10 min) in typical boiled and fried quail eggs had minor effects on the lipid nutritional value. PE-related lipids, particularly those containing 18-carbon fatty acids, contributed to the aroma formation of fried quail eggs.

Graphical Abstract
Exploring COVID-19 anxiety across demographics: psychometric validation and application of the COVID-19-Anxiety Questionnaire in Arabic
Authors: Fadhel Fahmi H. , Soliman Abdrabo , Alqahtani Mohammed M. J.
Published: September 2024

Background

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 imposed significant shifts in global health, particularly in understanding and addressing anxiety disorders precipitated by pandemic-related stressors. The current study aimed to adapt and validate the COVID-19 Anxiety Questionnaire (C-19 A) for Arabic-speaking populations (C-19 A-A), assessing its structural integrity, concurrent validity, factorial validity, and reliability.

Methods

The data of 571 individuals, including age range, educational history, gender, and marital status, were collected through online platforms. The translation process of C-19 A-A underwent rigorous verification by linguistic and subject matter experts. Several advanced statistical procedures were used to examine the C-19 A-A’s reliability, validity, and measurement invariances across demographic subsets.

Results

The results indicated robust internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.889, confirming the questionnaire’s reliability. Concurrent validity showed significant and positive correlations between C-19-A and FCV-19S (r = 0.77,p < 0.000). EFA revealed a dominant factor explaining 60.4% of the variance, bolstering the questionnaire’s factorial validity. CFA further validated the model’s adequacy across different demographic groups. Specifically, demographic factors such as age, gender, and educational level showed distinct patterns of COVID-19-related anxiety.

Conclusion

The validated Arabic version of the C-19 A-A represents a pivotal tool for assessing pandemic-induced anxiety within Arabic-speaking communities. Its deployment enables targeted identification of vulnerable individuals, facilitating tailored health interventions and informing clinical strategies. This research underscores the pivotal role of culturally attuned assessment instruments in shaping effective public health responses and therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating the psychological sequelae of global health crises.
Fever of unknown origin in pediatrics: causes and clinical characteristics in a single centre experience
Authors: Shoman Walaa , Galal Ashraf , Elshishiny Arwa Mahmoud , Hamza Eman
Published: September 2024

Background

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a common condition worldwide in children that remains a diagnostic challenge. The causes of FUO vary depending on the patient's age, residency, and the time of study. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the common aetiologies of FUO at Alexandria University Children’s Hospital under the current diagnostic abilities and newly emerging diseases.

Methods

The current prospective observational study included all children fulfilling the definition of FUO admitted at Alexandria University Children's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 using a steps approach for investigations.

Results

A total of 110 children with fever of unknown origin (FUO) were included in this study; the average duration of fever was 36.76 ± 31.73 days. In most of the enrolled cases 105/110 (95.4%) the definite etiology of FUO was identified. The common causes were collagen vascular diseases (30.9%), infectious diseases (28.2%), miscellaneous conditions (19.1%), and malignancy (17.3%). Among collagen vascular diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (47.1%) and systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) (38.2%) were the most common. In the infectious category, Katayama fever (16.1%), brucellosis (12.9%), and urinary tract infection (UTI) (12.9%) were the most frequently observed. Post-Covid MIS-C (52.4%) was the most common in the miscellaneous category. Children in the infectious category had significantly higher neutrophil [5.76 (2.28–7.92) × 10^3/µl] and lymphocytic counts [ 4.2 (2.04–5.91) × 10^3/µl]; (P < 0.001 and < 0.010 respectively). Moreover, in the collagen category the median lymphocytic count was lower [1.95 (1.47–2.73) × 10^3/µl] with a significantly (P < 0.010) higher neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio [2.30 (1.53–3.91)].

Conclusion

Collagen vascular diseases, infectious diseases, miscellaneous, and malignancy were the most common causes of FUO. Katayama fever, urinary tract infections (UTI), and brucellosis were the most common causes in the infectious category. Post-Covid MIS-C and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis were the most common diagnoses in the miscellaneous category.
Exploring molecular interactions and ADMET profiles of novel MAO-B inhibitors: toward effective therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Raza Amir , Chaudhary Jitendra , Khan Azmat Ali , Singh Mahaveer , Kumar Deepak , Malik Abdul , Wadhwa Pankaj
Published: September 2024

Background

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), primarily affecting the elderly, are marked by complex pathophysiological processes and are projected to become the second leading cause of death. Parkinson’s disease (PD), one of the most common NDs, is characterized by motor impairments due to reduced dopamine levels in the substantia nigra (SN), a crucial midbrain region involved in motor control and reward mechanisms. PD also impacts cognitive functions, potentially leading to depression and sleep disturbances. Recent research highlights the importance of MAO-B inhibitors in PD management, as these enzymes play a critical role in regulating neurotransmitter levels by catalyzing the oxidative deamination of intracellular amines and monoamine neurotransmitters.

Result

Computational virtual screening of several quinoline-based ligands against the target protein MAO-B (PDB ID: 1OJA) was performed using molecular docking simulation and ADMET studies to identify promising inhibitors for neurodegenerative disease treatment. The most active hit, Compound PA001, exhibited a MolDock score of − 207.76 kcal/mol. Subsequent investigation of 6-methoxy-2-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)quinoline (Compound PA001) using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with GROMACS revealed potent inhibition and significant interactions at key active site residues. MD simulations confirmed the stability of the Compound PA001-MAO-B complex under physiological conditions. Additionally, ADMET analysis demonstrated that Compound PA001 possesses favorable drug-like properties, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity profiles. These findings underscore 6-methoxy-2-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)quinoline (Compound PA001) as a promising candidate for developing new MAO-B inhibitors to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Conclusion

The research highlighted 6-methoxy-2-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)quinoline (Compound PA001) as a promising MAO-B inhibitor, exhibiting strong binding affinity, stability, and desirable drug-like characteristics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Among the top ten molecules, Compound PA001 was selected for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation using GROMACS. The compound showed potent inhibition, significant interactions with key active site residues, and stable complex formation under physiological conditions. ADMET analysis further confirmed its favorable pharmacokinetic profile.
Novel paradigm of therapeutic intervention for skin cancer: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Nasim Modassir , Khan Mariya , Parveen Rabea , Gull Azka , Khan Saba , Ali Javed
Published: September 2024

Background

Skin cancer continues to be an imperative global health issue, urging continuous exploration of treatment methodologies. Conventional treatments for skin cancer include surgical interventions, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, these methods often present obstacles like treatment resistance, systemic toxicity, limited effectiveness in advanced stages, infection risk, pain, long recovery, and impact on healthy tissue.

Main body of the abstract

Nanomedicine holds promise by facilitating precise drug administration, early detection, and heightened therapeutic efficiency via targeted and localized delivery systems. The integration of nanomedicine into skin cancer alleviation therapies demonstrates optimistic outcomes, including refined drug delivery, augmented bioavailability, minimized adverse effects, and potential theranostic applications. Recent breakthroughs in nanomedicine have propelled advancements in skin cancer treatment, showing significant potential in transforming the treatment paradigm. The presents review provides comprehensive aspects of existing skin cancer treatments and their challenges, spotlighting recent breakthroughs propelled by nanomedicine.

Short conclusion

This abstract delineates the present landscape of skin cancer treatments, underscores their constraints, and highlights recent strides in nanomedicine that have the potential to transform the paradigm of skin cancer treatment, ultimately elevating patient prognosis. Importantly, the present review emphasizes substantial challenges that hinder the clinical translation of nanomedicines and suggests possible remedies to surpass them.

Graphic abstract
Research and application of rapid reconstruction technology to existing bridge guardrails based on UHPC connection
Authors: Li Yinggen , Li Zhiyong , Luo Zheng , Yu Nan
Published: September 2024

A novel prefabricated segmental guardrail is proposed to facilitate connections between guardrails and between guardrails and bridge decks by casting ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) joints in situ. Through finite element crash simulation analysis of three types of vehicles and crash tests of real vehicles, the prefabricated segmental guardrail with a UHPC connection was systematically evaluated in terms of its energy-absorbing capacity, vehicular acceleration, post-impact trajectory of the impacting vehicle, and behaviour of the guardrail upon impact. During the evaluation process, performance comparisons of the prefabricated segmental guardrails are made with the monolithic concrete guardrails. The results indicate that the performance of the prefabricated segmental guardrail with a UHPC connection was superior to that of the conventional concrete monolithic guardrails: it exhibited a higher level of crash performance, the occupants of the impacting vehicle were better protected, and the impacting vehicle exhibited better post-collision stability. Finally, the convenience of the prefabricated segmental guardrails with UHPC connections was proven in practical engineering applications.