bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Female Genital Tract Microbiome: a review
Authors: Akgör Utku
Published: May 2024

The human microbiome, a complex ecosystem consisting of microorganisms and their genetic material, profoundly impacts physiological processes crucial for human health. Among various niches within the human body, the female genital tract harbours a diverse microbial community, known as the vaginal microbiota, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining vaginal health and preventing infections. This review explores the intricate relationship between the vaginal microbiota and gynaecological conditions, including bacterial vaginosis, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical neoplasia, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, preterm birth, and infertility. Changes in the composition of the vaginal microbiota, known as dysbiosis, have been associated with a higher risk of these conditions. Notably, dysbiosis characterized by a reduction in protective Lactobacillus species and an increase in anaerobic organisms is associated with bacterial vaginosis, HPV infection persistence, and neoplastic development. Furthermore, alterations in the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy have implications for gestational outcomes, with a low frequency of lactobacilli predisposing women to preterm birth. Moreover, abnormal vaginal flora has been implicated in female infertility, affecting embryo implantation, tubal factors and pregnancy outcomes. Although there has been progressing in understanding the role of the vaginal microbiome in gynaecological health, additional research, particularly randomized controlled trials, is necessary to clarify the underlying mechanisms and devise targeted therapies.
SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: THE NEXUS BETWEEN ICT AND GLOBAL GREEN ECONOMIC GROWTH
Authors: Li Yiwen , Li Xia , Wang Xiaojuan , Feng Chao
Published: May 2024

As a new engine to promote global economic and social development, information and communication technology (ICT) plays a key role in the field of modern economy. The aim of this paper is to investigate the nexus between ICT and green total factor productivity (GTFP) on a global scale. An extended data envelopment analysis model (DEA), named WINDOWS-US-SBM, was constructed for calculating the GTFP of 65 countries from 2007 to 2019. This paper empirically analyzes the spatial effect and the transmission mechanism of ICT development on GTFP in countries from different income groups. The results show a prominent imbalance between ICT development and GTFP in various countries. ICT can effectively improve GTFP and play a crucial role in lower middle-income countries. The development of ICT can improve GTFP through technological progress, energy intensity, and trade openness. This paper is helpful to provide policy guidance for the development of ICT and give a new perspective of global green development.
Exposing Line Emission: The Systematic Differences of Measuring Galaxy Stellar Masses with JWST NIRCam Medium versus Wide Band Photometry
Authors: Sarrouh Ghassan T. E. , Muzzin Adam , Iyer Kartheik G. , Mowla Lamiya , Withers Sunna , Martis Nicholas S. , Abraham Roberto , Asada Yoshihisa , Bradač Maruša , Brammer Gabriel B. , Desprez Guillaume , Estrada-Carpenter Vince , Matharu Jasleen , Noirot Gaël , Sawicki Marcin , Strait Victoria , Willott Chris J. , Zabl Johannes
Published: May 2024

Photometrically derived stellar masses are known to suffer from systematic uncertainties, particularly due to nebular emission contributions to the spectral energy distribution (SED). Using James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam imaging from the CAnadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey, we introduce a comparison study of photometrically derived redshifts and stellar masses based on two photometric catalogs of the same field spanning ∼0.4–4.5 μm: one consisting solely of wide band photometry, and another employing a combination of wide and medium band photometry. We find that ∼70% of likely line emitters have consistent photometric redshifts between both catalogs, with a median stellar mass difference between the two catalogs of <0.2 dex across all redshift bins. There are, however, a subset of galaxies (5% at z ∼ 2 up to 15% at z ∼ 6) where wide bands underestimate emission line strengths and infer older stellar populations, leading to median stellar mass differences of ∼0.7 dex. Examination of the SEDs for galaxies with inconsistent photometric redshifts shows this is caused by the inability of the wide bands to distinguish continuum emission from emission lines. Computing a stellar mass density with our sample, we find that it is potentially underestimated using wide band photometry by ∼10%–20% at z < 4, and potentially overestimated by as much as a factor of 2–3 at z > 5. These systematic differences caused by the poor spectral resolution of wide bands have implications for both ongoing and future planned observing programs that determine stellar mass and other physical properties of high-redshift galaxies solely via wide band photometry.
Discovering the Mass-Scaled Damping Timescale from Microquasars to Blazars
Authors: Zhang Haoyang , Yang Shenbang , Dai Benzhong
Published: May 2024

Studying the variability of the accretion disks of black holes and jets is important to identify their internal physical processes. In this Letter, we obtain the characteristic damping timescale of 34 blazars and 7 microquasars from the Fermi-Large Area Telescope and the XMM-Newton X-ray telescope, respectively. We found that the mass-scaled characteristic timescales, ranging from the microquasars of stellar-mass black holes to the blazars of supermassive black holes, exhibited a linear relationship with a slope of ∼0.57. Given the fact the damping timescales of the γ-ray in the blazars are associated with the jet, we propose that the timescales of the X-ray in these microquasars are also related to the jet. The mass-scaled damping timescale that we found was consistent with the radiation of the optical accretion disk. This can be attributed to the viscous timescale at the ultraviolet-emitting radii of the disk, which can affect the jet. Our study provides a new perspective on the origin of the region of radiation and the possible disk–jet connection based on time-domain analysis.
Taxonomic characterization of five species of emperor fishes (Actinopterygii: Eupercaria: Lethrinidae) based on external morphology, morphometry, and geographic distribution in the northwestern Indian Ocean
Authors: Damadi Ehsan , Yazdani Moghaddam Faezeh , Ghanbarifardi Mehdi
Published: May 2024

Species of the genus Lethrinus, commonly referred to as emperor fishes, mainly distributed in the Indo–West Pacific, including the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman are poorly known. It is difficult to characterize them morphologically, as there are no distinguishing meristic features for the majority of species. We studied the morphological features of 65 specimens representing the genus Lethrinus to define and identify the species involved. Among the morphological characters commonly considered in this type of study, we also included new, previously undescribed characters. The results of Tukey’s post hoc HSD test for metric and meristic variables, which showed significant differences between species in ANOVA, indicate that most metric traits and the number of scale rows above the lateral line differ significantly among the five morphotypes distinguished. Principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) effectively showed the morphometric variation between these morphotypes. The characteristics of body depth, head length, pectoral fin length, and caudal fin length are the most distinguishing diagnostic at the species level. We determined that the collected fish specimens represented: Lethrinus borbonicus Valenciennes, 1830, Lethrinus crocineus Smith, 1959, Lethrinus lentjan (Lacepède, 1802), Lethrinus microdon Valenciennes, 1830, and Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsskål, 1775). We also confirmed their validity as distinct species. Notably, L. crocineus, previously known only from the western Indian Ocean (Africa and Socotra), is now reported for the first time from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Lastly, a distribution map for the Lethrinus species is included.
Earth Deity Shrines of the Greater Taipei Area: A first edition curated dataset
Authors: Morris James
Published: May 2024

Community tutelary shrines in Taiwan have been identified as excellent resources for grassroots-level heritage. As community ritual assemblages, they are able to encode data about a settlement’s social, political, and economic history in their material composition, aesthetic choices, artifacts, displays, and orientations. This data paper previews a first edition dataset related to 752 such shrines found throughout the greater Taipei area in northern Taiwan. It explores the basis for such a dataset, how it can be used, and what has been produced. This dataset is available on the depositar research data repository, operated out of the Institute of Information Sciences at Academia Sinica in Taipei, and is publicly available for download.
Almost sure convergence for a class of dependent random variables under sub-linear expectations
Authors: Wang Baozhen , Wu Qunying
Published: May 2024

This article aimed to investigate the almost sure convergence theorem of widely negative orthant dependent (WNOD) random variables under sub-linear expectation space. The conclusions in this essay are an extension of the corresponding conclusions in the classical probability space.
Unraveling multivariable Hermite-Apostol-type Frobenius-Genocchi polynomials via fractional operators
Authors: Zayed Mohra , Wani Shahid Ahmad , Oros Georgia Irina , Ramírez William
Published: May 2024

This study explores the evolution and application of integral transformations, initially rooted in mathematical physics but now widely employed across diverse mathematical disciplines. Integral transformations offer a comprehensive framework comprising recurrence relations, generating expressions, operational formalism, and special functions, enabling the construction and analysis of specialized polynomials. Specifically, the research investigates a novel extended family of Frobenius-Genocchi polynomials of the Hermite-Apostol-type, incorporating multivariable variables defined through fractional operators. It introduces an operational rule for this generalized family, establishes a generating connection, and derives recurring relations. Moreover, the study highlights the practical applications of this generalized family, demonstrating its potential to provide solutions for specific scenarios.
Mutation prediction in the SARS-CoV-2 genome using attention-based neural machine translation
Authors: Quddusi Darrak Moin , Hiremath Sandesh Athni , Bajcinca Naim
Published: May 2024

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) has been evolving rapidly after causing havoc worldwide in 2020. Since then, it has been very hard to contain the virus owing to its frequently mutating nature. Changes in its genome lead to viral evolution, rendering it more resistant to existing vaccines and drugs. Predicting viral mutations beforehand will help in gearing up against more infectious and virulent versions of the virus in turn decreasing the damage caused by them. In this paper, we have proposed different NMT (neural machine translation) architectures based on RNNs (recurrent neural networks) to predict mutations in the SARS-CoV-2-selected non-structural proteins (NSP), i.e., NSP1, NSP3, NSP5, NSP8, NSP9, NSP13, and NSP15. First, we created and pre-processed the pairs of sequences from two languages using k-means clustering and nearest neighbors for training a neural translation machine. We also provided insights for training NMTs on long biological sequences. In addition, we evaluated and benchmarked our models to demonstrate their efficiency and reliability.
Evaluation of the relationship between the prealbumin/fibrinogen ratio and diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tel Burcin Meryem Atak , Tel Ramiz , Duman Tuba , Bilgin Satilmis , Kaya Hamza , Bardak Halil , Aktas Gulali
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Our aim was to compare the prealbumin/fibrinogen ratio (PFR) of diabetic patient populations with or without diabetic nephropathy.

Materials and methods

People with type 2 diabetes who attended the internal medicine outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study. Two groups were formed according to the proteinuria of the patients: Diabetic nephropathy and non-nephropathy group. Diabetic nephropathy was calculated using the mathematical formula of spot urine albumin/spot urine creatinine x100. Patients with proteinuria above 200 mg/g were considered to have nephropathy. PFR was simply calculated by dividing prealbumin by fibrinogen.

Results

A total of 152 patients who attended our outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study. There were 68 patients in the diabetic nephropathy group and 84 in the non-nephropathy group. The prealbumin/fibrinogen ratios (PFR) were significantly lower in the nephropathic group [0.061 (0.02–0.16)] than the non-nephropathic group [0.0779 (0.01–0.75)] (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

We suggest that decreased levels of PFR can indicate diabetic nephropathy in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Innovations in Skeleton-Based Movement Recognition Bridging AI and Human Kinetics
Authors: Singh Kulbir , Visuwasam L Maria Michael , Rajasekaran G. , Regin R. , Rajest S. Suman , T. Shynu
Published: May 2024

This chapter stands at the forefront of an innovative intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and human kinetics, focusing on the transformative realm of skeleton-based movement recognition. At its core, this chapter investigates the sophisticated technologies and methodologies that are pivotal in accurately identifying and analyzing human movements through the lens of skeletal data. This exploration is not just a mere analysis of motion but a deep dive into the intricate dance between the mechanical precision of AI and the fluid complexity of human movement. The chapter meticulously dissects how AI algorithms can interpret skeletal data to recognize and predict human actions, illuminating our physical expressions' nuances. It delves into the myriad of applications this synergy can unlock, from enhancing athletic performance to revolutionizing healthcare and rehabilitation practices. Additionally, the study critically examines the challenges ahead, such as ensuring accuracy in diverse scenarios and addressing ethical concerns related to privacy and data security. By encapsulating the current achievements and envisioning the future landscape, this study contributes significantly to the academic discourse. It paves the way for groundbreaking developments in understanding and augmenting human movement through the power of AI. This interdisciplinary approach promises to redefine our interaction with technology, blurring the lines between the digital and physical realms and unlocking new possibilities in human motion analysis and beyond.
It Takes Two to Tango
Authors: Yigit Sureyya
Published: May 2024

British politics has traditionally been identified as a two-party political system throughout the post-war period. Single parties have formed governments in the United Kingdom, with the two major parties squeezing out any third-party challenger. The year 2010 was an anomaly. The result of the general election proved inconclusive, ending in a hung parliament. For the first time in over 60 years, coalition negotiations took place between the three main parties, and the Con-Dem coalition was agreed to. This coalition pushed forward constitutional changes relating to the timing of elections and proposed reforming the electoral system. The coalition endured for its full five-year term, although its effects were short-term. The subsequent conservative government reneged on its previous support for constitutional changes. This chapter focuses on the challenges of coalition politics in a British context.
Rapid Analysis of CFRP-Reinforced Concrete Structures Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Shakouri Mahmoudabadi Nasim , Camp Charles V.
Published: May 2024

This study examines the vital role of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in predicting and optimizing carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforced concrete structures. ANNs excel in modeling complex non-linear relationships, making them ideal for analyzing composite materials' intricate behavior. The review covers ANNs' fundamental principles, CFRP materials, reinforcement techniques, and the challenges of coupling multiple design parameters. It investigates ANNs' potential to model these complexities through multivariate input parameters and ensemble techniques, highlighting current ANN-based practices like response surface models. The study suggests overcoming limitations with advanced feature engineering, hybrid modeling, and embracing emerging technologies. It emphasizes the transformative potential of integrating ANNs and CFRP in designing more efficient, durable, and sustainable concrete structures.
Advances in Mechanism of HIV-1 Immune Reconstitution Failure: Understanding Lymphocyte Subpopulations and Interventions for Immunological Nonresponders
Authors: Liu Jiamin , Ding Chengchao , Shi Yu , Wang Yiyu , Zhang Xiangyu , Huang Lina , Fang Qin , Shuai Chenxi , Gao Yong , Wu Jianjun
Published: May 2024

In individuals diagnosed with AIDS, the primary method of sustained suppression of HIV-1 replication is antiretroviral therapy, which systematically increases CD4+ T cell levels and restores immune function. However, there is still a subset of 10–40% of people living with HIV who not only fail to reach normal CD4+ T cell counts but also experience severe immune dysfunction. These individuals are referred to as immunological nonresponders (INRs). INRs have a higher susceptibility to opportunistic infections and non–AIDS-related illnesses, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, it is crucial to gain new insights into the primary mechanisms of immune reconstitution failure to enable early and effective treatment for individuals at risk. This review provides an overview of the dynamics of key lymphocyte subpopulations, the main molecular mechanisms of INRs, clinical diagnosis, and intervention strategies during immune reconstitution failure, primarily from a multiomics perspective.
A Negative Regulatory Feedback Loop within the JAK–STAT Pathway Mediated by the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase DUSP14 in Shrimp
Authors: Luo Mengting , Chen Nuo , Han Deyu , Hu Bangping , Zuo Hongliang , Weng Shaoping , He Jianguo , Xu Xiaopeng
Published: May 2024

The JAK–STAT pathway is a central communication node for various biological processes. Its activation is characterized by phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor STAT. The regulatory balance of JAK–STAT signaling is important for maintenance of immune homeostasis. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) induce dephosphorylation of tyrosine residues in intracellular proteins and generally function as negative regulators in cell signaling. However, the roles of PTPs in JAK–STAT signaling, especially in invertebrates, remain largely unknown. Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei is currently an important model for studying invertebrate immunity. This study identified a novel member of the dual-specificity phosphatase (DUSP) subclass of the PTP superfamily in P. vannamei, named PvDUSP14. By interacting with and dephosphorylating STAT, PvDUSP14 inhibits the excessive activation of the JAK–STAT pathway, and silencing of PvDUSP14 significantly enhances humoral and cellular immunity in shrimp. The promoter of PvDUSP14 contains a STAT-binding motif and can be directly activated by STAT, suggesting that PvDUSP14 is a regulatory target gene of the JAK–STAT pathway and mediates a negative feedback regulatory loop. This feedback loop plays a role in maintaining homeostasis of JAK–STAT signaling and is involved in antibacterial and antiviral immune responses in shrimp. Therefore, the current study revealed a novel inhibitory mechanism of JAK–STAT signaling, which is of significance for studying the regulatory mechanisms of immune homeostasis in invertebrates.
High frequency medical Spanish terminology: A corpus-based study of textbooks and reference materials
Authors: Miller De Rutté Alyssia
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study is to identify high frequency medical Spanish terminology by building a corpus of medical Spanish textbooks and resources. By discovering the most common terms, instructors and curriculum designers can include salient topics in their courses, which will better serve the learners in these courses. To do so, medical Spanish textbooks and resources from 2012-2022 were uploaded to the corpus software AntConc. The final corpus consisted in a total of 26 resources and 1,421,163 tokens (or words). Word frequencies were calculated, and the top 3,000 most frequent terms were determined. A Semantic Rating Scale (Chung & Nation, 2003; Quero & Coxhead, 2018) was used to categorize words as general or technical. The top 3,000 words covered 38.9% of the entire corpus, and the most frequent words found in the medical Spanish resources were general Spanish vocabulary at 68.2%. The remaining 31.8% were medical Spanish technical terminology. The generation of these lists gives instructors and curriculum designers a tool to use in the development of medical Spanish courses that when combined with a patient-centered, communicative medical Spanish curriculum has the potential to enhance learners’ medical Spanish proficiency.
Pediatric renal transplantation: a single center experience
Authors: Said Shakhawan Hama Amin , Agha Saiwan Hayas , Abdulla Goran Fryad , Jaafar Mzhda Sahib , Bapir Rawa , Hama Nali H. , Aghaways Ismaeel , Rashid Aso Omer , Abdalla Berun A. , Kakamad Fahmi H.
Published: May 2024

Introduction: The rising prevalence of global end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a significant health concern, especially among children. Although renal replacement therapy is available, children with ESRD are at an increased risk of mortality. Kidney transplantation is the preferred modality of treatment and surpasses renal replacement therapy in terms of survival. However, pediatric renal transplantation could prove difficult due to factors like smaller recipients and donor-recipient mismatches leading to higher complications.
Materials and methods: A retrospective single-group case series study was conducted on children with ESRD who were planned to undergo kidney transplantation from living donors between 2015 and 2021. The data was collected from two centers in the city of Sulaymaniyah.
Results: The study comprised a predominantly male patient population, with a total of 39 individuals (n = 39) and 13 female patients. The donors were mostly males between 25-40 years old. The majority of participants were 15-18 years old. In majority of the patients Thymoglobulin was the immunosuppressive agent used in induction. The most common etiology for renal failure was reflux nephropathy and artery anastomosis was performed to the external iliac artery in the majority of patients. Only 9 patients had complications following the transplantation and 3 patients had an episode of acute rejection.
Conclusions: Renal transplantation is the preferred treatment of renal failure in pediatric patients in the city of Sulaymaniyah. The most common etiology for pediatric renal failure was reflux nephropathy which was different from the findings of North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies.
Myopia control with soft multifocal contact lenses
Authors: Raffa Lina H. , Allinjawi Kareem , Sharanjeet-Kaur  , Akhir Saadah M. , Mutalib Haliza A.
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE:

The study aimed to establish the outcome of multifocal contact lenses (MFCL) (Multistage + 1.50D and Proclear + 3.00D) on myopia progression and axial length elongation over an 18-month period.

METHODS:

Thirty myopic schoolchildren (5 males and 25 females) aged between 13 and 15 years were randomly assigned to wear either single vision contact lens (SVCL), Multistage MFCL + 1.50D, or Proclear +3.00D MFCL for 1½ years using a double-masked design. Cycloplegic refraction, corneal curvature, and axial length were measured.

RESULTS:

Myopia progression was controlled by 38.6% and 66.6% in children wearing Multistage + 1.50D and Proclear +3.00D MFCL, respectively, in comparison to children wearing SVCL over an 18-month period. In terms of axial elongation, this study found a 31.1% and 63.2% control in axial elongation over 18 months of treatment in comparison to the SVCL group. No statistical significant difference in corneal curvature was found between initial and last visits for all the three groups (SVCL, P = 0.90; Multistage + 1.50 MFCL, P = 0.78, and Proclear + 3.00 MFCL, P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Proclear +3.00D MFCL was revealed to cause slow development of myopia and axial elongation among myopic schoolchildren. MFCL with higher add powers could be more effective on myopia progression in comparison with moderate add powers.
Pupil light reflex in Parkinson’s disease patients with and without freezing of gait symptoms
Authors: Alhassan Mosaad , Hovis Jeffery K. , Almeida Quincy J.
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE:

Freezing of gait (FOG) is considered as a motor disorder that affects some Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients; however, sensory systems may also be involved in FOG. The pupil light reflex (PLR) is a reliable measure of the autonomic nervous system. Different dilation and constriction pupil parameters may be used to investigate the integrity of the autonomic nervous system in PD patients with and without FOG symptoms. This study aimed to look at the integrity of autonomic nervous system and to investigate the nonmotor functions mediated by the cholinergic system in Parkinson’s patients with and without FOG symptoms.

METHODS:

Constriction and dilation pupil light reflexes were measured by using a handheld pupillometer. Twenty-two patients with FOG symptoms, 25 patients without FOG symptoms, and 25 aged-matched healthy controls participated in this study.

RESULTS:

The results showed that most of the constriction parameters and dilation latency of both patient groups differed significantly from healthy controls. FOG patients showed larger pupil size under light condition and larger deficits in constriction latency than nonFOG patients. Both the groups of PD patients had longer dilation latencies than healthy controls.

CONCLUSION:

This study suggests that the cholinergic autonomic nervous system is affected in PD patients more than the adrenergic system. FOG patients had larger impairments in nondopaminergic mediated functions such as pupil light reflexes, which suggests that FOG patients have greater impairment in functions that involve cholinergic neurotransmitters.
Acute hydrops as an atypical presentation of primary congenital glaucoma
Authors: AlHazzani Abeer A. , Al-Sharif Eman M. , Al-Obeidan Saleh A.
Published: May 2024

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is a disease of childhood characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) that causes stretching of the eye’s outer coats, namely sclera and cornea. This results in the elongation of the eyeball and expansion of the horizontal corneal diameter giving the appearance of a buphthalmos eye. Aggressive disease with high IOP readings causes excessive mechanical stretching that may be poorly tolerated by the corneal Descemet’s membrane, leading to large breaks in it with subsequent corneal edema due to sudden influx of the aqueous humor into the exposed stroma, resulting in acute corneal hydrops. While acute hydrops is a potential sequel of PCG, it is considered one of its rare presentations. We present two cases who presented to our hospital with acute hydrops secondary to PCG. Both patients were managed surgically where the first patient underwent combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, while the second patient underwent deep sclerectomy with mitomycin C. The surgical procedures effectively controlled the IOP and aided in clearing corneal edema in both patients. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention are of paramount importance to improve visual outcomes, enhance ocular maturation, and prevent potential irreversible vision loss, especially in this young-age group of patients that are prone to amblyopia.
Internal limiting membrane peeling in combined hamartoma of retina and retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Makhdoum Hanan , Alzahrani Yahya
Published: May 2024

This case study reports a pediatric case of a combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHR-RPE) successfully treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), membrane peeling, and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. In this rare tumor, adding ILM peeling to the surgical treatment of CHR-RPE with epiretinal membrane may result in a favorable outcome.
Bilateral compressive optic neuropathy secondary to sphenoid sinus mucocele mimicking bilateral retrobulbar neuritis
Authors: Deb Amit K. , Neena Aswathi , Sarkar Sandip , Devraj Athira , Panicker Gayathri , Stephen A. Mary
Published: May 2024

Sphenoid sinus mucoceles (SSMs) can rarely cause acute bilateral vision loss. We, hereby, report such a rare case of SSM in a 20-year-old female who presented with sudden onset bilateral diminution of vision. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/400 in the right eye (RE) and hand movements in the left eye (LE). Both eyes had sluggish pupillary reactions. Both eyes had normal fundus. Initial treatment was started with a provisional diagnosis of bilateral retrobulbar neuritis, but imaging revealed a large SSM compressing bilateral optic nerves. The patient underwent urgent surgical decompression. Vision in RE improved to 20/20 and LE to 20/400. A high index of clinical suspicion for compressive lesions is needed in all cases of atypical optic neuritis.
Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor with Ficus virens Metabolites to Manage Cancer Progression: Molecular Docking and ADME Study
Authors: Alqurashi Yaser E , Jamal Azfar
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been used in the treatment of several cancer types where EGFR has a notable involvement in signalling pathways. Medicinal plants are the oldest and healthiest source of medication used in modern pharmacological therapy. Previous research indicates that the compounds found in Ficus virens stem bark have significant therapeutic properties against a range of illnesses, including cancer. Therefore, in this study, molecular docking research was conducted to determine the binding interactions and affinity of secondary metabolites predicted in F. virens methanolic extract with the target protein, EGFR.

Materials and Methods:

Three-dimensional (3D) conformers of the secondary metabolism products and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were collected from PubChem on 5 January 2024. The 3D structure of EGFR and its inhibitor was retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) databank and ligands and proteins were converted to AutoDock-compatible format and then the energy minimisation was performed by the Open Babel in PyRx. Finally, using PyRx-Python 0.8, molecular docking was done, and using Discovery Studio, visualisation was done as well. The grid box dimensions were specified at 30 Å ×30 Å ×25 Å, and the physiochemical property evaluation was done by the SwissADME online server.

Results:

In this study, molecular docking assessed 14 compounds, including phytochemicals and ATP, for their binding with EGFR (PDB Id: 1XKK). Redocking of lapatinib validated the results. Natural chemicals showed binding energies from −4.0 to −7.8 Kcal/mol, with oleic acid and iso-caryophyllene demonstrating promising interactions, sourced from F. virens. Despite some limitations, these compounds exhibit potential for EGFR-targeted drug development, despite one Lipinski’s rule violation.

Conclusions:

EGFR inhibitory activities of iso-caryophyllene and oleic acid, which were identified in the F. virens methanol extract, were remarkable and higher than that of the substrate; their potential opens up exciting new possibilities for moving forward with cancer treatment. It is encouraged to further investigate the in vivo effectiveness of iso-caryophyllene, by means of animal models and cell lines.
Self-medication of Dental Pain amongst Medical Students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Determinants, Attitude and Clinical Aspects
Authors: Nayak Ullal Anand , Alhussini Khadijah Hashim , Asiri Bushra Ali Mohammed , Alzahrani Asayil Othman Saeed , Jali Tala Mohammed , Nayak Prathibha Anand , Elbadawy Adel Abdelsattar
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Healthcare students are becoming increasingly concerned about self-medication (SM), which can have major health repercussions. It affects how future physicians make professional decisions about medications. Such a mindset has an indirect impact on providing their patients with appropriate counselling. The study was planned to investigate the attitude, determinants and different clinical aspects associated with SM of dental pain amongst medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods:

The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted exclusively on the 400 medical students from the 1st year and interns pursuing bachelor’s degrees from various medical colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A convenient non-probability sampling technique was employed, and a pre-tested/pre-validated questionnaire was loaded on Google Forms and sent to the medical students of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing programmes. Qualitative characteristics were assessed using the Chi-square test. The significance level (P value) chosen for the various comparisons was P < 0.05.

Results:

The results of this study show that 65.5% of students self-medicate. It was significantly more common in women (74.9%), pharmacists (76.9%) and dental students (72.7%). Students who self-medicated less often were in the 1st and 2nd years (49.2% and 57.1%). Toothache was the most common cause for which they self-medicated (79.8%).

Conclusion:

The results of the present study have shed light on the fact that SM was high amongst medical students in Jeddah. The potential problems associated with self-medication should be highlighted to students to reduce the risk of inappropriate SM, which can seriously harm both students and others to whom they prescribe medication.
Mobile Health Intervention Reduces Sedentary Time and Physical Inactivity in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases after Discharge: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yoshihara Ryo , Kitamura Masahiro , Ishihara Kodai , Kanejima Yuji , Izawa Kazuhiro P.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Long sedentary time and physical inactivity negatively impact patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Although more and more studies are exploring the effects of mobile health (mHealth), whether an intervention using mHealth reduces sedentary time and physical inactivity is controversial. This systematic review aimed to investigate whether mHealth can reduce sedentary time and physical inactivity in patients with CVD via a comprehensive search and evaluation of relevant articles and review of the effects of mHealth on sedentary time and physical inactivity.

Methods:

We searched articles on three databases PubMed, Web of Science, and CiNii using “mHealth,” “CVD,” and “clinical trials” as keywords. All studies using mHealth to reduce sedentary time and physical inactivity were included. We assessed risk of bias in the included studies and conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model.

Results:

After screening 502 articles, we included five randomized controlled trials. In one study, sedentary time was shorter in the intervention group than the control group by 61.5 min/day at 24 weeks. Three studies using physical inactivity as outcome measures were included in a meta-analysis, and the pooled odds ratio was 0.38 (95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.65), favoring the intervention group. All studies showed high risk of performance bias and low risk of selection bias and reporting bias.

Conclusion:

The mHealth intervention may remind patients with CVD of exercise training and help them reduce sedentary time and physical inactivity. Future studies need to show for how long mHealth can reduce sedentary time and clarify the cost-effectiveness of the mHealth intervention.
Diagnostic challenges and operative considerations of a primary femorocele
Authors: Dharmaratnam Vanessa Malishree , Lee Zhen Jin , Tan Jeremy Tian Hui , Lye Tiffany Jian Ying
Published: May 2024

A primary femorocele is an uncommon pathology wherein fluid accumulates within the sac of a femoral hernia due to occlusion of communication with the peritoneal cavity and in the absence of ascites. Here, we report the case of a primary femorocele in a 45-year-old female patient who presented to our hospital with right groin swelling. The diagnosis of a primary femorocele was only made on surgical exploration, which deferred from the initial preoperative diagnosis made using ultrasonography. Surgical excision and repair were undertaken with the use of a mesh plug.
Transrectal penetration of mesh after endoscopic inguinal hernia repair
Authors: Pal Ajay Kumar , Pahwa Harvinder Singh , Kumar Awanish , Singh Krishna Kant
Published: May 2024

The majority of inguinal hernia repairs today, open or laparoscopic, are performed with mesh tension-free repair. The introduction of mesh, though beneficial, posed a new set of post-operative problems related with the mesh, and mesh migration or penetration is one of the most unusual ones with considerable morbidity. Mesh migration following laparoscopic repair is rare, and only a handful of cases have been reported in the literature. Here we present the first ever case report of mesh migration and penetration through rectum developing after two years post-operatively. The mesh was removed and the patient was discharged in a stable condition.
Clinical outcomes vary for emergent and elective ventral hernia repair
Authors: Whittaker Rachel M. , Lewis Zachary E. , Plymale Margaret A. , Nisiewicz Michael J. , Ajadi Ebunoluwa , Davenport Daniel L. , Reynolds Jessica K. , Roth John S.
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE:

Elective ventral hernia repair (ELVHR) is generally performed for chronic symptoms, including pain, increasing size, intermittent obstruction, and cosmesis. Emergent ventral hernia repair (EMVHR) indications include acute symptoms that are often concerning for strangulation. The study objective included identifying variations in perioperative characteristics as well as clinical and cost outcomes in patients who underwent ELVHR vs. EMVHR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

An IRB-approved retrospective review of ELVHR and EMVHR cases was conducted, exclusive of incidental hernias. Due to the retrospective nature of the study, patient consent was deemed unnecessary by the IRB. Demographics, perioperative characteristics, operative details, clinical outcomes, and hospital costs were included in the analyses.

RESULTS:

Five-hundred forty-nine patients (453 ELVHR, 96 EMVHR) underwent repair. The EMVHR characteristics included more females (P = 0.009), class 3 obesity (P < 0.001), diabetes (P < 0.001), and bleeding disorder (P = 0.009). The EMVHR indications included incarceration (69%), strangulation (12%), and perforation (2%). Fifty-six percent of EMVHR underwent repair without mesh vs. 3.5% of ELVHR. Six-month wound events and ER visits were similar between groups; hernia recurrence was noted in 4% of ELVHR and 17% of EMVHR (P < 0.001). Pharmacy, ICU, lab, ancillary services, floor, and imaging costs varied significantly between groups. Supply, OR, and total hospital costs were similar.

CONCLUSIONS:

The EMVHR occurs in a unique patient population with more frequent comorbidities. Incarceration and obstruction are the most common indications for repair. Costs were similar despite more frequent non-mesh repairs and four-fold increase early recurrence rates in EMVHR. Strategies to improve outcomes in EMVHR require further investigation.
Totally extraperitoneal repair using three midline ports versus enhanced view totally extraperitoneal repair in men with uncomplicated inguinal hernia
Authors: Rashid Arshad , Singh Bali Rajandeep , Hamid Samoon Abdul , Arah Refut , Singh Satbir , Saleem Mir Iqbal
Published: May 2024

AIM:

The aim of this study was to compare the “totally extra-peritoneal” repair (TEP) using three midline ports with “enhanced view totally extra-peritoneal repair” (eTEP) repair in the management of inguinal hernia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This was a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital by analyzing a prospectively maintained database over a period of 3 years. Data from 152 patients with inguinal hernias were analyzed who were operated in equal numbers, either by TEP repair or by eTEP repair. Follow-up data of 1 year were also analyzed. In the TEP group, five patients, and in the eTEP group, four patients had not completed the mandatory 1-year follow-up and as such were excluded from the final analysis. Thus, the total number of patients considered for final analysis was 143 (TEP [71], eTEP [72]).

RESULTS:

The average operative time in TEP repair using three midline ports was 68.16 minutes and that in eTEP repair was 65.12 min (P= 0.4321). No statistically significant difference was noted in the intraoperative and postoperative complication rates between these two techniques. The Surgeon’s Satisfaction Score was significantly better in the eTEP group as compared to the TEP group (P= 0.0023). The recurrence rates (P= 0.7861) and postoperative hospital stay were not different between the two techniques (P= 0.7125).

CONCLUSION:

In experienced hands, both TEP and eTEP provide similar results; however, eTEP provides an overall better surgeon satisfaction score.
Preparation of antiadhesion polypropylene mesh using bacterial cellulose combined with chitosan hydrogel application in rat abdominal incisional hernia
Authors: Guo Zicheng , Zhang Fangjie , Wu Hao , Gao Guodong , Zhu Kangbei , Qi Yaqin , He Mingliang
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVE:

To develop an antiadhesion polypropylene (PP) mesh by incorporating bacterial cellulose (BC) combined with chitosan (CS) hydrogel and to evaluate its properties using an intraperitoneal mesh repair approach in a rat model of abdominal incisional hernia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

BC was used to prepare hydrogels through cross-linking of CS. The hydrogel was adhered to the surface of a PP mesh using a glue applicator to form an antiadhesion mesh. Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into four groups of 12 members each: PP, antiadhesion mesh (Sepramesh), BC mesh, and BCCS mesh. Incisional hernia models of the abdominal wall of the rats were created sequentially, and meshes were subsequently inserted. At 7 days postoperation, six rats were randomly selected for euthanasia, and the repaired abdominal wall tissues, adhesions, and mesh were removed for pathological analysis. Similarly, the remaining six rats were euthanized at 14 days postoperation, and their respective abdominal wall tissues, adhesions, and mesh were also excised for pathological examination.

RESULTS:

BC is combined with CS hydrogel, and the mixture is adhered to the PP mesh using a glue applicator. The mesh adhesion scores in the PP group were consistently high. The adhesion scores of the BC group were better than those of the PP group. There were no statistically significant differences in the indices between the Sepramesh and BCCS groups, and both groups showed lower adhesion grades. Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed that the natural tissue inflammatory response of the BCCS group was lower, and its prosthetic (mesh) surface inflammatory response was lower than that of the other groups. On the other hand, the inflammatory response in the BCCS group was lower. Masson’s trichrome staining showed that the number of cells formed in the scar plate of the Sepramesh and BCCS groups was significantly lower than that of the other groups, the degree of tissue ingrowth was also better in both groups, and the biocompatibility of the BCCS group was better.

CONCLUSION:

BC is bonded with CS hydrogel and then adhered to the surface of PP mesh by an applicator to make an antiadhesive mesh. This mesh may reduce intraabdominal adhesions and intraabdominal bacterial colonization while possessing good strength and biocompatibility, thereby contributing to peritoneal repair.
eCST
Authors: de Vries Reilingh Tammo Sasker , Nienhuijs Simon W. , de Jong Dite L. C. , Mommers Elwin H. H. , Wegdam Johannes A.
Published: May 2024

INTRODUCTION:

In 1990, Ramirez introduced his component separation technique (CST) based on enlargement of the abdominal wall for reconstruction of large abdominal wall defects. CST is prone to postoperative wound complications which lead to modification of the technique to an endoscopic assisted CST. The details of the technique are described in detail with illustrations and report the results of a 36 patient cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Between 2014 and 2018, patients with midline hernias without previous subcutaneous dissection underwent endoscopic-assisted anterior components separation technique (eCST) with retro-rectus mesh enforcement in an expert center for abdominal wall reconstructions. Prospective data were gathered during inpatient care and at least 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS:

A total of 36 eCST procedures were performed. Eight patients (22%) had postoperative seroma in the dissection plan between external and internal rectus muscle, 3 (8%) had a hematoma, 1 (3%) had wound dehiscence. Clinical relevant SSEs were present in 4 patients (11%) and consisted of 3 (8%) puncture in seroma, 1 (3%) patient needed a blood transfusion due to large hematoma. One patient was re-operated within 90 days; however, this was the placement of a surgical tracheostomy. Three patients had a recurrence in a mean follow-up length of 24 months.

CONCLUSION:

eCST can be useful in selected patients.
Open transversus abdominis release
Authors: Tunder Kelly , Novitsky Yuri
Published: May 2024

The management of most complex abdominal wall hernias remains a significant challenge and the approaches to repair them have evolved. To address these challenges, the posterior component separation using the transversus abdominis muscle release (TAR) was developed. Through cadaveric research and better understanding of the anatomy of the transversus abdominis muscle, the first TAR transversus abdominis release was performed in 2006. In the numerous studies performed since, TAR continues to show low recurrence rates, limited significant wound morbidity, rare mesh complications, and low incidence of mesh explantation. The TAR approach has now been definitively proven to be a valuable technique for abdominal wall reconstruction and can address a wide variety of defects. Moreover, a proper performed TAR has been shown to have no deleterious effects on the abdominal trunk musculature and trunk/core function. A deep understanding of the anatomy, preoperative optimization and precise surgical technique is imperative to performing a TAR and ensuring the best outcome for the patient.