bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probable secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis manifesting as central nervous system lesions after COVID-19 vaccination: a case report
Authors: Kim Ju Hye , Chung Ji Yeon , Bong Jeong Bin
Published: March 2024

Background

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare systemic inflammatory disease commonly characterized by histiocyte infiltration in multiple organs, such as the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and central nervous system. The clinical features of HLH include fever, splenomegaly, cytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypofibrinogenemia, and elevated blood ferritin levels. HLH is categorized as either primary or secondary. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines may occasionally trigger secondary HLH, which is related to hyperinflammatory syndrome.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old woman, previously diagnosed with Graves’ disease, presented with cognitive decline 2 weeks after receiving the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Brain MRI revealed a hyperintense lesion on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images in the bilateral subcortical white matter and right periventricular area. Vaccination-associated acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was suspected and methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) were administered. From the 5th day of IVIg administration, the patient developed fever and pancytopenia. In the findings of bone marrow biopsy, hemophagocytosis was not observed; however, six of the eight diagnostic criteria for HLH-2004 were met, raising the possibility of HLH. Although there was no definitive method to confirm causality, considering the temporal sequence, suspicion arose regarding vaccine-induced HLH. Splenectomy was considered for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes; however, the patient died on the 28th day of hospitalization owing to multiple organ failure.

Conclusion

To date, 23 cases of COVID-19 vaccine-related HLH have been reported. Additionally, HLH in COVID-19 patients has been reported in various case reports. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of central nervous system involvement in HLH related to any type of COVID-19 vaccine. This case suggests that even when there are no systemic symptoms after COVID-19 vaccination, HLH should be considered as a differential diagnosis if brain lesions are suggestive of CNS demyelinating disease.
Endovascular treatment of distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms using flow modulation devices: mid- and long-term results from a two-center study
Authors: Khanafer Ali , Henkes Hans , Cohen Jose , Albiña-Palmarola Pablo , Gomori John Moshe , Forsting Michael , von Gottberg Philipp
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Flow-diverter (FD) stents have become an established treatment for intracranial aneurysms in recent years, but their use for aneurysms in distal cerebral vessels with small carrier vessel diameters remains controversial. This study describes the method and mid- and long-term outcomes of FD treatment of distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms (DACAAs) at two neurointerventional centers, to elucidate this topic and provide more in-depth data.

Methods

Data for all patients at two neurointerventional centers who were treated with FDs for DACAAs in the pericallosal and supracallosal segment of the anterior cerebral artery were retrospectively analyzed. Data on periprocedural complications, and short-, mid- and long-term follow-up findings were recorded.

Results

Forty-one patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. Three FD models were used, one of which had an anti-thrombotic coating. Two periprocedural complications (5%) occurred but did not cause a change in the mRS. In the long-term follow-up, at 29 months and beyond, 83% of assessable patients showed complete occlusion of the aneurysms without new neurological deficits.

Conclusion

FDs are a safe and effective treatment approach for DACAAs. This study indicated a low risk of complications, and high closure rates in short-, mid- and long-term follow-up.
Human milk microbiome: associations with maternal diet and infant growth
Authors: Ajeeb Tamara T. , Gonzalez Emmanuel , Solomons Noel W. , Vossenaar Marieke , Koski Kristine G.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Ingestion of human milk (HM) is identified as a significant factor associated with early infant gut microbial colonization, which has been associated with infant health and development. Maternal diet has been associated with the HM microbiome (HMM). However, a few studies have explored the associations among maternal diet, HMM, and infant growth during the first 6 months of lactation.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, Mam-Mayan mother-infant dyads (n = 64) were recruited from 8 rural communities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala at two stages of lactation: early (6–46 days postpartum, n = 29) or late (109–184 days postpartum, n = 35). Recruited mothers had vaginally delivered singleton births, had no subclinical mastitis or antibiotic treatments, and breastfed their infants. Data collected at both stages of lactation included two 24-h recalls, milk samples, and infant growth status indicators: head-circumference-for-age-z-score (HCAZ), length-for-age-z-score (LAZ), and weight-for-age-z-score (WAZ). Infants were divided into subgroups: normal weight (WAZ ≥ −1SD) and mildly underweight (WAZ < −1SD), non-stunted (LAZ ≥ −1.5SD) and mildly stunted (LAZ < −1.5SD), and normal head-circumference (HCAZ ≥ −1SD) and smaller head-circumference (HCAZ < −1SD). HMM was identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing; amplicon analysis was performed with the high-resolution ANCHOR pipeline, and DESeq2 identified the differentially abundant (DA) HMM at the species-level between infant growth groups (FDR < 0.05) in both early and late lactation.

Results

Using both cluster and univariate analyses, we identified (a) positive correlations between infant growth clusters and maternal dietary clusters, (b) both positive and negative associations among maternal macronutrient and micronutrient intakes with the HMM at the species level and (c) distinct correlations between HMM DA taxa with maternal nutrient intakes and infant z-scores that differed between breast-fed infants experiencing growth faltering and normal growth in early and late lactation.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings provide important evidence of the potential influence of maternal diet on the early-life growth of breastfed infants via modulation of the HMM.
Numb cheek syndrome in breast cancer: a case report
Authors: Tan Zhibin , Tan Si Ying
Published: March 2024

Background

Numb cheek syndrome, a rare corollary of numb chin syndrome, is due to infra-orbital neuropathy. It can occur in association with an underlying malignancy, which can cause neuropathy by direct malignant nerve infiltration or via a paraneoplastic mechanism. Although numb cheek syndrome has been reported in association with a variety of cancers, it has previously not been reported in association with breast cancer. We report a case of left breast cancer presenting with left numb cheek syndrome.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old woman presented to the Neurology clinic with a 7-month history of left cheek numbness and occasional cheek tenderness. Examination revealed slightly diminished pin-prick sensation in the left cheek and a vaguely palpable left breast lump. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain showed abnormal enhancement of the left maxillary nerve at the foramen rotundum, but cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal. Mammography, ultrasound scans, and core biopsy of the left breast confirmed the diagnosis of invasive left breast carcinoma (estrogen and progesterone receptor negative, c-erb-B2 equivocal, fluorescence in-situ hybridization negative). There was no evidence of distant metastases on computed tomography and bone scintigraphy scans. The patient underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (4 cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by 4 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin), and left breast wide excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy, and a repeat magnetic resonance imaging scan performed 2 months after surgical resection showed resolution of the left maxillary nerve enhancement. The patient’s left numb cheek symptoms improved over a course of 5 months after cancer resection but did not completely resolve.

Conclusions

Our case represents the first reported left numb cheek syndrome in association with breast cancer, due to maxillary neuropathy without any discrete mass or compressive cause. To avoid delays in diagnosing malignancy, physicians and surgeons should be aware that numb cheek syndrome can occur in association with an underlying malignancy, and that breast cancer should be counted amongst the possibilities.
Prediction of pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Zhong Xiaoling , Zeng Guohua , Zhang Lixiang , You Shuyuan , Fu Yuxiang , He Wan , Liao Guixiang
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To investigate the predictive factors of pathologic complete response (pCR) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who had been treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT).

Methods and materials

For this retrospective study, 53 LARC patients (37 males and 16 females; age range 25 to 79 years) were selected. Clinical characteristics, baseline mrTNM staging, MR gross tumor volumes (GTV), and pCR were evaluated. The diagnostic accuracy of GTV for predicting pCR was calculated.

Results

Among 53 LARC patients, 15 patients achieved pCR (28.3%), while 38 patients achieved non-pCR. Only three (5.7%) out of 53 patients did not downstage after nCRT. GTV and tumor differentiation were the significant prognostic parameters for predicting pCR. A tumor volume threshold of 21.1 cm3 was determined as a predictor for pCR, with a sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 47%. In addition, GTV was associated with mrN stage, circumferential resection margin (CRM) status, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) status, and pretreatment serum CEA level.

Conclusion

Tumor volume and tumor differentiation have significant predictive values in preoperative assessment of pCR among LARC patients. These findings aid clinicians to discriminate those patients who may likely benefit from preoperative regimens and to make optimal treatment plans.
Efficacy of osimertinib and the role of sequential liquid biopsy in patients diagnosed with NSCLC harboring EGFR and BRAF mutations at baseline: insights from two case reports
Authors: Bao Loc Carlo , Padovan Alessia , Boscolo Bragadin Andrea , Calvetti Lorenzo , Guarneri Valentina , Bonanno Laura , Indraccolo Stefano
Published: March 2024

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and B-Raf (BRAF) mutations are two of the most important drivers identified in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This report highlights two cases of patients diagnosed with metastatic NSCLC bearing concurrent EGFR and BRAF mutations at baseline and treated with osimertinib as first-line treatment. Molecular profiling was conducted in the tissue and plasma at the time of initial diagnosis, and subsequent repeated liquid biopsy examinations were planned after 10 days, 28 days, and at the time of radiological progression in the frame of the prospective translational study REM. These cases suggest that osimertinib may maintain its therapeutic effectiveness even in patients presenting with a baseline BRAF co-mutation. Notably, radiological responses align with liquid biopsy observations: in both instances, follow-up liquid biopsies indicate the clearance of EGFR-mutated circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) leaves proanthocyanidins inhibit intestinal glucose transport in human Caco-2 cells
Authors: Wang Mengting , Mao Haiguang , Ke Zhijian , Chen Jianchu , Qi Lili , Wang Jinbo
Published: March 2024

Background: The hypoglycemic effects of Chinese bayberry leaves proanthocyanidins (BLPs) have been demonstrated. It is unclear, nevertheless, whether BLPs reduced postprandial blood glucose levels by regulating glucose uptake and glucose transport.

Method: This study investigated the effect of BLPs (25, 50, and 100 μg/mL) on glucose uptake and glucose transport in human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells). The uptake of 2-Deoxy-2-[(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl) amino]-D-glucose (2-NBDG) and disaccharidases activity in Caco-2 cells were measured. The glucose transport ability across the cell membrane was determined using the established Caco-2 monolayer model. The transcript and protein levels of key glucose transporters were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting, respectively.

Results: The results showed that BLPs significantly decreased glucose uptake and disaccharidases activity (p < 0.05). Otherwise, BLPs treatment obviously inhibited glucose transport across the Caco-2 monolayer in both simulated-fast (5 mM glucose) and simulated-fed (25 mM glucose) conditions. It was attributed to the suppression of glucose transporter2 (GLUT2) and sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) by BLPs. BLPs were found to significantly downregulated the transcript level and protein expression of glucose transporters (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC) involved in the signaling pathway associated with glucose transport were decreased by BLPs.

Conclusion: These results suggested that BLPs inhibited intestinal glucose transport via inhibiting the expression of glucose transporters. It indicated that BLPs could be potentially used as a functional food in the diet to modulate postprandial hyperglycemia.
Pharmacological treatments and medication-related problems in nursing homes in Catalonia: a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Anderssen-Nordahl Emilie , Sánchez-Arcilla Rosanas Margarita , Bosch Ferrer Montserrat , Sabaté Gallego Mònica , Fernández-Liz Eladio , San-José Antonio , Barceló-Colomer Maria Estrella
Published: March 2024

Background: Aging correlates with increased frailty, multi-morbidity, and chronic diseases. Furthermore, treating the aged often entails polypharmacy to achieve optimal disease management, augmenting medication-related problems (MRPs). Few guidelines and tools address the problem of polypharmacy and MRPs, mainly within the institutionalized elderly population. Routine pharmacological review is needed among institutionalized patients. This pharmacological review may improve with a multidisciplinary approach of a collaboration of multiple health professionals. This study aimed to describe institutionalized patients, systematically review their medication plans, and then give recommendations and identify MRPs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using data obtained from patients living in five nursing homes in the northern area of Barcelona, Spain. The inclusion criteria comprised institutionalized patients with public health coverage provided by the Health Department of Catalonia. A detailed description of the clinical characteristics, chronic diseases, pharmacological treatments, recommendations, incomplete data, and MRPs, such as potential drug–drug interactions, therapeutic duplications, contraindications, and drugs deemed inappropriate or of doubtful efficacy, was made. The clinical pharmacologist was the medical doctor specialist who acted as the coordinator of the multidisciplinary team and actively reviewed all the prescribed medications to make recommendations and detect MRPs.

Results: A total of 483 patients were included. Patients had a mean age of 86.3 (SD 8.8) years, and 72.0% were female individuals. All patients had at least three health-related problems, with a mean of 17.4 (SD 5.6). All patients, except one, had a minimum of one prescription, with a mean of 8.22 drugs prescribed (SD 3.5) per patient. Recommendations were made for 82.4% of the patients. Of these recommendations, verification of adequate use was made for 69.3% and withdrawal of a drug for 49.5%.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of health-related problems and several prescribed drugs in nursing homes in Catalonia. Many recommendations were made, confirming the increased proportion of polypharmacy, MRPs, and the need for standardized interventions. A multidisciplinary team approach, including general practitioners, geriatric assessments, a clinical pharmacist, and a clinical pharmacologist, should address this problem.
Targeting hexokinase 2 for oral cancer therapy: structure-based design and validation of lead compounds
Authors: Chakraborty Purbali , Lubna Syeda , Bhuin Shouvik , K. Deepika , Chakravarty Manab , Jamma Trinath , Yogeeswari Perumal
Published: March 2024

The pursuit of small molecule inhibitors targeting hexokinase 2 (HK2) has significantly captivated the field of cancer drug discovery. Nevertheless, the creation of selective inhibitors aimed at specific isoforms of hexokinase (HK) remains a formidable challenge. Here, we present a multiple-pharmacophore modeling approach for designing ligands against HK2 with a marked anti-proliferative effect on FaDu and Cal27 oral cancer cell lines. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that the prototype ligand exhibited a higher affinity towards HK2. Complementing this, we put forth a sustainable synthetic pathway: an environmentally conscious, single-step process facilitated through a direct amidation of the ester with an amine under transition-metal-free conditions with an excellent yield in ambient temperature, followed by a column chromatography avoided separation technique of the identified lead bioactive compound (H2) that exhibited cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We observed that the inhibition of HK2 led to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitophagy as a potential mechanism of anticancer action. The lead H2 also reduced the growth of spheroids. Collectively, these results indicated the proof-of-concept for the prototypical lead towards HK2 inhibition with anti-cancer potential.
Potential pharmacological mechanisms of tanshinone IIA in the treatment of human neuroblastoma based on network pharmacological and molecular docking Technology
Authors: Tang Ning , Wang Yan , Miao Jiarui , Zhao Yang , Cao Yue , Sun Wentao , Zhang Jingke , Sui Hua , Li Bing
Published: March 2024

Tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA) is the main bioactive component of Chinese herbal medicine salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen). Sodium sulfonate of Tan-IIA is widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Tan-IIA also has inhibitory effects on tumor cells such as gastric cancer, but its therapeutic effect and mechanism on human neuroblastoma have not been evaluated, so its pharmacological mechanism is systematically evaluated by the combined method of network pharmacology and molecular docking. PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction predicted 331 potential Tan-IIA-related targets, and 1,152 potential neuroblastoma-related targets were obtained from GeneCards, DisGeNET, DrugBank, OMIM and Therapeutic Target databases (TTD), 107 common targets for Tan-IIA and neuroblastoma. Through gene ontology (GO) functional annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomesa (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and cytoHubba plug-in, 10 related signal pathways (Pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Prostate cancer, etc.) and 10 hub genes were identified. The results of molecular docking showed that Tan-IIA could interact with 10 targets: GRB2, SRC, EGFR, PTPN1, ESR1, IGF1, MAPK1, PIK3R1, AKT1 and IGF1R. This study analyzed the related pathways and targets of Tan-IIA in the treatment of human neuroblastoma, as well as the potential anticancer and anti-tumor targets and related signaling pathways of Tan-IIA, which provides a reference for us to find and explore effective drugs for the treatment of human neuroblastoma.
Dynamics of Microcystis surface scum formation under different wind conditions: the role of hydrodynamic processes at the air-water interface
Authors: Wu Huaming , Wu Xingqiang , Rovelli Lorenzo , Lorke Andreas
Published: March 2024

Due to climate change, Microcystis blooms occur at increasing frequencies in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Wind-generated turbulence is a crucial environmental stressor that can vertically disperse the Microcystis surface scum, reducing its light availability. Yet, the interactions of Microcystis scum with the wind-generated hydrodynamic processes, particularly those at the air-water interface, remain poorly understood. Here, we explore the response of Microcystis (including colony size and migration dynamics) to varying magnitudes and durations of intermittent wind disturbances in a mesocosm system. The flow velocities, size of Microcystis colonies, and the areal coverage of the water surface by scum were measured through video observations. Our results demonstrate that low wind speeds increase colony size by providing a stable condition where Microcystis forms a scum layer and aggregates into large colonies at the air-water interface. In contrast, wind disturbances disperse scum and generate turbulence, resulting in smaller colonies with higher magnitudes of wind disturbance. We observed that surface scum can form rapidly following a long period (6 h) of high-magnitude (4.5 m s-1) wind disturbance. Furthermore, our results indicate reduced water surface tension caused by the presence of Microcystis, which can decrease surface flow velocity and counteract wind-driven mixing. The reduced surface tension may also drive lateral convection at the water surface. These findings suggest that Microcystis reduces surface tension, likely by releasing surface-active materials, as an adaptive response to various wind conditions. This could result in an increased rate of surface scum re-formation under wind conditions and potentially facilitate the lateral expansion of scum patches during weak wind periods. This study reveals new insights into how Microcystis copes with different wind conditions and highlights the importance of the air-water interface for Microcystis scum dynamics.
Smaller household size and higher prevalence of serious psychological distress in younger people and never-married people: a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Japan
Authors: Tomioka Kimiko , Shima Midori , Saeki Keigo
Published: March 2024

Background

Small-member households are increasing worldwide. However, most previous studies have focused on older people and living alone. Using the latest national survey data, we investigated a dose–response relationship between household size and serious psychological distress (SPD).

Methods

We analyzed data from the 2019 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan. The study participants were 405,560 community-dwelling adults aged 20 or older. Household size was classified into 5 or more, 3 or 4, two, and one (i.e., living alone). SPD was defined as ≥13 points based on the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale. We used multivariable logistic regressions and included age, education, equivalent household expenditures, housing tenure, employment contract, smoking, and illness under treatment as covariates.

Results

After stratified analyses by age and gender, a dose–response relationship between smaller household size and more common SPD was significant for younger, but not for older people (p-trend was <0.001 in men aged 20–59 and women aged 20–39). After stratified analyses by gender and marital status, a dose–response relationship was significant only for the never-married group in both genders (p-trend was <0.001 in never-married men and women).

Conclusion

Smaller households were associated with higher prevalence of SPD in younger adults and in never-married individuals, regardless of gender. Our findings suggest a need to focus on younger people and never-married people to reduce the mental health risks due to small household sizes.
Geographic disparities and predictors of COVID-19 vaccination in Missouri: a retrospective ecological study
Authors: Lacy Alexanderia , Khan Md Marufuzzaman , Deb Nath Nirmalendu , Das Praachi , Igoe Morganne , Lenhart Suzanne , Lloyd Alun L. , Lanzas Cristina , Odoi Agricola
Published: March 2024

Background

Limited information is available on geographic disparities of COVID-19 vaccination in Missouri and yet this information is essential for guiding efforts to improve vaccination coverage. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (a) investigate geographic disparities in the proportion of the population vaccinated against COVID-19 in Missouri and (b) identify socioeconomic and demographic predictors of the identified disparities.

Methods

The COVID-19 vaccination data for time period January 1 to December 31, 2021 were obtained from the Missouri Department of Health. County-level data on socioeconomic and demographic factors were downloaded from the 2020 American Community Survey. Proportions of county population vaccinated against COVID-19 were computed and displayed on choropleth maps. Global ordinary least square regression model and local geographically weighted regression model were used to identify predictors of proportions of COVID-19 vaccinated population.

Results

Counties located in eastern Missouri tended to have high proportions of COVID-19 vaccinated population while low proportions were observed in the southernmost part of the state. Counties with low proportions of population vaccinated against COVID-19 tended to have high percentages of Hispanic/Latino population (p = 0.046), individuals living below the poverty level (p = 0.049), and uninsured (p = 0.015) populations. The strength of association between proportion of COVID-19 vaccinated population and percentage of Hispanic/Latino population varied by geographic location.

Conclusion

The study findings confirm geographic disparities of proportions of COVID-19 vaccinated population in Missouri. Study findings are useful for guiding programs geared at improving vaccination coverage and uptake by targeting resources to areas with low proportions of vaccinated individuals.
Explaining and predicting the increased thorax injury in aged females: age and subject-specific thorax geometry coupled with improved bone constitutive models and age-specific material properties evaluated in side impact conditions
Authors: Corrales Miguel A. , Bolte John Henry , Pipkorn Bengt , Markusic Craig , Cronin Duane S.
Published: March 2024

Predicting and understanding thorax injury is fundamental for the assessment and development of safety systems to mitigate injury risk to the increasing and vulnerable aged population. While computational human models have contributed to the understanding of injury biomechanics, contemporary human body models have struggled to predict rib fractures and explain the increased incidence of injury in the aged population. The present study enhanced young and aged human body models (HBMs) by integrating a biofidelic cortical bone constitutive model and population-based bone material properties. The HBMs were evaluated using side impact sled tests assessed using chest compression and number of rib fractures. The increase in thoracic kyphosis and the associated change in rib angle with increasing age, led to increased rib torsional moment increasing the rib shear stress. Coupled with and improved cortical bone constitutive model and aged material properties, the higher resulting shear stress led to an increased number of rib fractures in the aged model. The importance of shear stress resulting from torsional load was further investigated using an isolated rib model. In contrast, HBM chest compression, a common thorax injury-associated metric, was insensitive to the aging factors studied. This study proposes an explanation for the increased incidence of thorax injury with increasing age reported in epidemiological data, and provides an enhanced understanding of human rib mechanics that will benefit assessment and design of future safety systems.
Clinical experiences of staff and students in transitioning from in-person to blended teaching
Authors: Nasseripour Melanie , Angelova Volponi Ana , Rajadurai Susha , Turner Jonathan , Dahir Hassan Muna , Bartlett Anitha , San Diego Jonathan
Published: March 2024

This paper describes some of the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic from a study conducted with a group of clinical teachers and undergraduate dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences (FoDOCS) at King's College London about the use of a combination of remote, online and in-person teaching methods that resumed from June 2020. In the narrative research, participants shared their experiences delivering online clinical workshops and their previous experiences delivering face-to-face sessions online, both during and before the pandemic. We conducted remote interviews with the participants via video conferencing, which were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Narrative accounts revealed commonalities organised into seven themes, highlighting some of the challenges encountered during the pandemic and providing insights into addressing different curricular constraints and concerns when utilising various delivery modes during emergency situations, such as pandemics. In our study, we concluded that students and teachers benefit from dissociating clinical learning from clinical treatment sessions to focus on the educational intent and content before applying them chairside with patients. Throughout the course, students and teachers were challenged by a lack of engagement. In addition, it is important to examine the online fatigue highlighted by both students and teachers and identify ways to improve time, literacy, and facilitation to create a more conducive learning environment.
The impact of health literacy on uterine fibroid awareness, diagnosis, and treatment in the United States: a mini literature review
Authors: Evans Joyvina
Published: March 2024

Limited health literacy is a social health determinant leading to poor health outcomes. General and health literacy correlate and can impact diagnosis and treatment understanding. Limited literacy can lead to women receiving more significant rates of invasive surgical treatment, including hysterectomies. This review explores the impact of health literacy levels on uterine fibroid awareness, diagnosis, and treatment. PubMed, CINAHL, and Academic Search Premier searched articles published between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022. The keywords uterine fibroids, fibroids, myomas, leiomyomas, and health literacy were used. A total of four articles were returned. Increased rates of hysterectomies were found among participants with low income and education, as well as those with limited health literacy. Hysterectomies are the removal of the uterus and thus removes a woman's right to have children. While increased efforts are needed to understand the impact of health literacy levels on disparities and inequities in uterine fibroid diagnosis and treatment, there is still a need for targeted patient education and community-based education that ensures patient understanding of the diagnosis and treatment options for uterine fibroids.
How Certain Soil Bacteria Can Help Plants Grow Better
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Shoib , Suleman Muhammad , Campbell Barbara J.
Published: March 2024

Often, the first thing that comes to mind when we think about bacteria is that they are harmful and cause diseases. However, this is not entirely true. Almost all bacteria are beneficial to humans, animals, or plants. In this article, we focus specifically on the bacteria that benefit plants. You may be surprised to learn that these bacteria are not just helpful to plants, but essential for plant survival. These beneficial bacteria provide plants with necessary nutrients from the soil, reduce the effects of environmental stresses, and protect plants from harmful bacteria and other enemies. That is why these bacteria are known as plant growth-promoting bacteria. As you read, you will learn about the functions and mechanisms of these essential bacteria.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and technology use among Chilean amateur athletes
Authors: Chahin-Inostroza Natalia , Bracho-Milic Fanny , Velasco-Bahamonde Edith , Navarrete-Hidalgo Claudia , Serón Pamela
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic was a health problem which affected the entire world. Sports were strongly affected, especially outdoors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on training and technology use among Chilean amateur athletes.

Method

An observational descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out during the 2021–2. Nonprobabilistic convenience sample of people over 18 years. Data were obtained via online survey and analyzed with Stata 16.0 statistical program for runners, triathletes, cyclists.

Results

The sample was 179 athletes, average age was 42.5 years ±10.2; males were 58.6%. 22.65% of the sample were triathletes, 58% runners, and 18.2% cyclists. Training habits were measured during Pre-Pandemic (PP), Pandemic With Quarantine (PWQ), and Pandemic Without Quarantine (PWOQ). In total sample, a decrease was observed in variables of average training frequency of 1.28 sessions per week (p = 0.001; d = 0.648); weekly average training time of 189.63 min (p = 0.005; d = 0.293); days per week with high and medium intensity training of 0.95 (p = 0.001; d = 0.833) and 0.37 (p = 0.001; d = 0.327) respectively; and days per week with cardio training of 1.01 (p = 0.001; d = 0.678), comparing the PP and PWQ periods. When comparing PWQ and PWOQ, an increase was observed in the same variables mentioned above of 1,57 sessions per week (p = 0.001; d = 0.513); 162.68 min per week (p = 0.020; d = −0.245); days per week with high of 0.82 (p = 0.001; d = −0.714) and medium intensity training of 0.46 (p = 0.001; d = −0.412); days per week with cardio training of 1.14 (p = 0.001; d = −0.730); and included strength training of 0.42 (p = 0.012; d = −0.312). For technology incorporation, over 78% (p = 0.023) claimed to used devices to measure training, with the watch being the preferred device in over 72% (p = 0.002) during the three timeframes. Highlighted the rise in use of training software during and after the lockdown period of more than 23% (p < 0.001).

Discussion

All variables related with training habits decreased comparing PP and PWQ and all variables rose between PWQ and PWOQ; however, comparing PP and PWOQ, there are small differences, which do not always favor the PWOQ, reflecting how athletes have not yet been able to recover their training rhythms. Finally, we should note that the use of technology increased, in all periods.
Exploring the role of green finance in wind power development: using the nonparametric model
Authors: Xu Bin , Lin Boqiang
Published: March 2024

In the context of the “dual carbon” strategy, how to leverage green finance to promote China's wind power industry is a hot topic. Unlike existing literature, this article uses a nonparametric additive model to investigate the impact and mechanism of green finance on wind power development. Research has found that green finance has an inverted U-shaped nonlinear impact on wind power development, indicating that green finance has a more prominent contribution to the wind power industry in the early stages. Further mechanism research indicates that green finance affects the wind power industry through foreign direct investment and green technology innovation. Specifically, with the relaxation of foreign direct investment conditions in the energy sector, the role of foreign direct investment in promoting the wind power industry more prominent in the later stages. In the early stages, government support was greater, and green technology patents grew rapidly, driving green technology innovation to have a more significant impact on the wind power industry. In addition, the impact of fiscal decentralization, wind power prices, and environmental regulations on the wind power industry also exhibits significant nonlinear characteristics. This article helps to comprehensively understand the mechanism and impact of green finance on wind power development, and provides a reliable basis for optimizing green finance policy and effectively promoting wind power.
Improving quality standards of purchase policy and sustainable staple food safety
Authors: Cao Chen , Shao Kaichao
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Food quality is closely related to food safety. Improving food quality, especially staple foods quality, is crucial to ensuring sustainable food safety. China's government is making efforts to improve the quality of staple foods and has improved quality standards of purchase policy for staple food. However, the actual effects of the new quality standards of purchase policy in implementation have not been verified.

Methods

Based on this background, applying difference-in-differences models, this paper examines whether the new quality standards of purchase policy can improve the quality of staple food supply based on the wheat market transaction data.

Results and discussion

The results show that the new quality standard of purchase policy has a significant positive impact on the quality of staple food supply. The conclusion remains robust through several alternative tests. Further research shows that the new quality standards of purchase policy significantly expand the degree of quality premiums in the market, thereby improving the staple food supply quality. Our research provides an insight for policy or standard makers to change relevant purchase quality limits following consumer demand to ensure sustainable food security.
Spatial spillover and threshold effects of digital rural development on agricultural circular economy growth
Authors: Xu Jiehua
Published: March 2024

The infusion of digital technologies imparts impetus to the development of agricultural circular economy. Study focuses on the nexus of digital rural development, agricultural circular economy growth, employing entropy, Critic, and TOPSIS models to calculate the evolution of agricultural circular economy from 2011 to 2021. Furthermore, the temporal and spatial dynamics of agricultural circular economy development are explored. In addition, spatial Durbin models and threshold models are utilized to explore the spatial spillover effects of digital rural development on agricultural circular economy, and the threshold characteristics of agricultural circular economy with varying levels of digital rural development. The research findings reveal that arable land area, forest coverage, and mechanization play pivotal roles in shaping the trajectory of rural circular economy development. The synthetical index of rural circular economy development shows a consistent yearly increment, yet pronounced regional disparities exist, reflecting an olive-shaped distribution with dual cores in Heilongjiang and Chongqing and a more prominent central. The implementation of digital rural not only elevates the local agricultural circular economy, but also demonstrates conspicuous spatial spillover effects on neighboring regions. The relationship between digital rural development and agricultural circular economy growth is characterized by a singular threshold effect. Pre- and post-threshold, the promotive impact of digital rural development rises from 0.048 to 0.058. Building upon these findings, policy recommendations are formulated to guide future endeavors in this domain.
Rectus muscle diastasis in Italian women: determinants of disease severity, and associated disorders
Authors: Sartori Alberto , Tfaily Ahmad , Botteri Emanuele , Andreuccetti Jacopo , Lauro Enrico , Caliskan Gulser , Verlato Giuseppe , Di Leo Alberto
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Diastasis of rectus abdominis (DRA) refers to a separation of the rectus abdominis from the linea alba, which is common in the female population during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. The present study aimed at investigating DRA severity, risk factors and associated disorders.

Methods

In the present cross-sectional study, a web-based questionnaire was addressed to the 23,000 members of the Women's Diastasis Association. The questionnaire comprised three parts, dedicated respectively to diastasis characteristics, possible risk factors, and related disorders. Faecal and urinary incontinences were assessed using the Wexner and ICIQ-SF score, respectively. Risk factors for diastasis severity (<3, 3–5, >5 cm) were evaluated by a multinomial regression model.

Results

Four thousand six hundred twenty-nine women with a mean age (SD) of 39.8 (6.5) years and a median BMI of 23.7 kg/m2 (range 16.0–40.0) responded to the questionnaire. Proportion of DRA >5 cm increased from 22.8% in norm weight women to 44.0% in severely obese women, and from 10.0% in nulliparous women to 39.3% in women with >3 pregnancies. These associations were confirmed in multivariable analysis. DRA severity was associated with the risk of abdominal hernia and pelvic prolapse, whose prevalence more than doubled from women with DRA <3 cm (31.6% and 9.7%, respectively) to women with DRA >5 cm (68.2% and 20.2%). In addition, most patients reported postural pain and urinary incontinence, whose frequency increased with DRA severity.

Conclusion

The present study confirmed that DRA severity increases with increasing BMI and number of pregnancies. Larger separation between rectal muscles was associated with increased risk of pain/discomfort, urinary incontinence, abdominal hernia and pelvic prolapse. Prospective studies are needed to better evaluate risk factors.
Performance Evaluation of Balcony Designs for Mitigating Ground Level Noise
Authors: Tan Long Bin , Ang Linus Yinn Leng
Published: March 2024

This study aims to tackle the challenge of high noise levels on balconies while preserving natural ventilation. Eight innovative balcony designs, incorporating elements like diffuser edges, undulating ceilings, Helmholtz resonators, grooves, or sound traps, were evaluated via finite element (FE) modeling. The insertion loss results showed that for many balcony designs, noise reduction in the balcony could deteriorate beyond an elevation of 8 m. However, the front jagged and full wavy ceiling designs were shown to be more robust in noise attenuation across balconies on different floors. The jagged ledge and grooved parapet designs yielded an overall 1.5 dBA lower SPL at the exterior regions, compared to other designs, which implies that the designs are less acoustically detrimental to nearby residential blocks as they tend to diffract and absorb incident noise. The jagged ledge design is more effective for lower floors while the jagged ceiling design is more effective for higher floors. A combination of the protruded jagged ledge for the lower floor and jagged balcony ceiling for the higher floor would result in the lowest noise ingress over three stories of residential units: this would be capable of achieving more than 3 dB noise reduction and would offer viable options for improving balcony noise mitigation, by providing valuable insights to architects and designers seeking practical solutions for outdoor noise reduction. Our study highlights that whereas the spectrum characteristics of acoustic absorption materials may be less tunable, and where reduced head space is traded for thicker material for greater ab-sorption and added affixation and maintenance cost, the jagged ledge and ceiling curvatures can actually be shape-tuned, say for every 3 to 4 floors up the high-rise to more effective reduce noise ingress and possibly improve the architecture façade outlook.
Root Architectural Adaptations to Phosphorus Deficiency: Unraveling Genotypic Variability in Wheat Seedlings
Authors: Rajamanickam Vijay , Vinod Kunnummal Kurungara , Vengavasi Krishnapriya , Kumar Tarun , Chinnusamy Viswanathan , Pandey Renu
Published: March 2024

Understanding the changes in the root system architecture of bread wheat under phosphorus (P)-limited conditions is critical for identifying specific traits contributing to improved P uptake. Phenotypic variability in root, biomass, and P index-related traits among 204 diverse wheat genotypes at the seedling stage was examined under low and optimum P treatments. Strong genotypic and phenotypic associations between P utilization efficiency (PUtE) and total root volume, dry weight of root and shoot, total P uptake, and total plant biomass were observed under optimum P. Under low P, strong positive correlations between PUtE and total root length, total root volume, total surface area, and total biomass were observed, while it was negatively correlated with average diameter. These traits exhibited medium to high heritability. Under low P, average root diameter, primary root length, root mass ratio, total root tips, and surface area showed high Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H’) values (>0.79). The agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis grouped the genotypes into four distinct clusters. The best performing genotypes in Clusters I and II indicated their strong relationship with P use efficiency due to higher percent increases in total root length, total surface area, total root volume, total root tips, total biomass, P efficiency ratio, specific root length, and PUtE under low P as compared to optimum P conditions. The present study identified specific root system architectural traits and P use-efficient genotypes (SHANGHAI, Pavon F76, BWL 5233, SONALIKA, KHARCHIA LOCAL, WH 102, BWL 4425, HD 2888.2, CBW 12, MN75136/PGO, KRL 19, and WH 1022) associated with efficient P uptake and utilization. These identified genotypes and traits may be useful in wheat breeding programs to develop P-efficient varieties with better adaptations for sustainable agriculture.
Estimating Winter Wheat Plant Nitrogen Content by Combining Spectral and Texture Features Based on a Low-Cost UAV RGB System throughout the Growing Season
Authors: Zhang Liyuan , Song Xiaoying , Niu Yaxiao , Zhang Huihui , Wang Aichen , Zhu Yaohui , Zhu Xingye , Chen Liping , Zhu Qingzhen
Published: March 2024

As prior information for precise nitrogen fertilization management, plant nitrogen content (PNC), which is obtained timely and accurately through a low-cost method, is of great significance for national grain security and sustainable social development. In this study, the potential of the low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) RGB system was investigated for the rapid and accurate estimation of winter wheat PNC across the growing season. Specifically, texture features were utilized as complements to the commonly used spectral information. Five machine learning regression algorithms, including support vector machines (SVMs), classification and regression trees, artificial neural networks, K-nearest neighbors, and random forests, were employed to establish the bridge between UAV RGB image-derived features and ground-truth PNC, with multivariate linear regression serving as the reference. The results show that both spectral and texture features had significant correlations with ground-truth PNC, indicating the potential of low-cost UAV RGB images to estimate winter wheat PNC. The H channel, S4O6, and R_SE and R_EN had the highest correlation among the spectral indices, Gabor texture features, and grey level co-occurrence matrix texture features, with absolute Pearson’s correlation coefficient values of 0.63, 0.54, and 0.69, respectively. When the texture features were used together with spectral indices, the PNC estimation accuracy was enhanced, with the root mean square error (RMSE) decreasing from 2.56 to 2.24 g/kg, for instance, when using the SVM regression algorithm. The SVM regression algorithm with validation achieved the highest estimation accuracy, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.62 and an RMSE of 2.15 g/kg based on the optimal feature combination of B_CON, B_M, G_DIS, H, NGBDI, R_EN, R_M, R_SE, S3O7, and VEG. Overall, this study demonstrated that the low-cost UAV RGB system could be successfully used to map the PNC of winter wheat across the growing season.