bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influencing factors of self-regulated learning of medical-related students in a traditional Chinese medical university: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Ling , Zhu Ming-ling , Shi Yu-qing , Yang Li-li
Published: February 2023

Background

In recent years, self-regulated learning (SRL) has become a hot topic in medical education. However, the factors that affect the SRL ability of medical-related specialties, such as clinical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and nursing specialty in TCM colleges and universities are unclear. Whether the teaching of learning strategies can help improve students’ SRL also needs to be further examined.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was distributed, and 878 medical-related students who were from a TCM university were recruited for this study. Descriptive statistics illustrated the status quo of SRL and learning strategies, and an independent t-test and analysis of variance were used to analyze the factors associated with SRL. The relationship between SRL and learning strategies was analyzed with multi-linear regression analysis.

Results

The scores of SRL on learning motivation, learning setting, self-regulation, and total scores were 34.76 ± 4.62, 41.14 ± 4.30, 39.26 ± 4.74, and 115.16 ± 12.42, respectively. The metacognitive, emotion, cognitive, resource management and total scores of learning strategies were 58.54 ± 12.02, 43.24 ± 8.42, 35.49 ± 7.34, 22.89 ± 4.20, 160.16 ± 29.45, and the mean was all above the midpoint. Learning strategies were positively correlated with SRL (r = 0.421, P < 0.01). Some factors can predict 32% of the variation of SRL, including whether they liked their specialty, educational system, specialty, score ranking, scholarship, whether they were taught by a tutor in middle school, gender, monthly family income, the father's educational background, metacognitive strategy, resource management strategy, and cognitive strategy.

Conclusions

The SRL of medical-related students was better. Learning strategies, as well as personal or social factors, can affect SRL. Educators should pay more attention to the cultivation of learning strategies, exercising learning skills, and monitoring, adjustment, and guidance of learning time. It should adopt various methods to improve the SRL of medical-related students according to the different factors.
Substance use and help-seeking barriers: a qualitative study of East African migrants’ experiences of access to Norwegian healthcare services
Authors: Pettersen Ruben Jervell , Debesay Jonas
Published: February 2023

Background

Migration to Norway has increased rapidly in recent decades. Migrants have a lower prevalence of substance use, but may have an elevated risk of developing mental health issues and substance use problems due to various migration and post-migration factors. Few studies have sought to understand substance use problems among migrants in Norway. This study aimed to explore how people of East African background experience help-seeking for substance use problems in the Norwegian healthcare system.

Methods

Using an explorative approach, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with six adult participants from Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan who had been in contact with the Norwegian healthcare system. The goal of the interviews was to facilitate in-depth and nuanced descriptions of the participants’ lived experience of help-seeking for substance use problems. The data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Results

The analysis resulted in five themes in which participants described their help-seeking experiences for substance use problems as lack of knowledge and access to information, scepticism towards a ‘white system’, fear of exclusion from family and ethnic community, racism as a barrier to help-seeking, and positive experiences and ideas for future treatment practices.

Conclusion

This study provides an improved understanding of how migrants with substance use problems experience help-seeking in healthcare. The variety of barriers illustrates inequality in substance use care for East African migrants in Norway.
Changes in HER3 expression profiles between primary and recurrent gynecological cancers
Authors: Kojima Yuki , Sudo Kazuki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Yazaki Shu , Tokura Momoko , Mizoguchi Chiharu , Okuma Hitomi S. , Kita Shosuke , Yamamoto Kasumi , Nishikawa Tadaaki , Noguchi Emi , Shimoi Tatsunori , Tanase Yasuhito , Uno Masaya , Ishikawa Mitsuya , Kato Tomoyasu , Koyama Kumiko , Kobayashi Maki , Kakegawa Tomoya , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Yonemori Kan
Published: February 2023

Background

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-3 (HER3) is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinases, and its overexpression is associated with inferior prognosis in several cancers. However, it is unclear whether HER3 expression status changes in tumor tissue at recurrence. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the changes in HER3 expression between primary and recurrent status in gynecological cancers.

Methods

This retrospective study used matched-pair tissues of gynecological cancer patients at initial diagnosis and at recurrence. Immunohistochemical (IHC) scores of 3 + or 2 + were termed “HER3-high”, while IHC scores of 1 + or 0 were designated as “HER3-low/zero”.

Results

A total of 86 patients (40 with ovarian cancers, 32 with endometrial cancers, and 14 with cervical cancers) were included in this study. In ovarian cancer, 67.5% and 80.0% of the patients received a HER3-high at initial and recurrent diagnosis, respectively. The H-score was significantly increased at recurrence (p = 0.004). The proportion of HER3-high endometrial cancer patients increased from 46.9% at initial diagnosis to 68.8% at recurrence, and the H-score tended to increase at recurrence (p = 0.08). The fraction of HER3-high-rated cervical cancer patients remained unchanged at 85.7% both at initial and recurrent diagnosis. The discordance rate of HER3 expression detection in initial and recurrent diagnosis samples was 27.5%, 53.1%, and 14.3% for ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers, respectively. Ovarian and endometrial cancers with a HER3-high recurrent score tended to show shorter median survival time than those with a HER3-low/zero recurrent rating.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that, in main types of gynecological cancers, the proportion of patients having a HER3-high score increased from initial to recurrent diagnosis.
Tofacitinib reduces acute lung injury and improves survival in a rat model of sepsis by inhibiting the JAK-STAT/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Wang Xingsheng , Sun Li , Gao Guangsheng , Li Yun
Published: February 2023

Acute lung injury is a major cause of death in sepsis. Tofacitinib (TOFA), a JAK inhibitor, has anti-inflammatory activity in autoimmune diseases, but its role in acute lung injury in sepsis remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to establish a septic rat model by cecal ligation and perforation, and to evaluate the effect of tofacitinib on the survival rate of septic rat model and its role in acute lung injury in septic rats and the possible mechanism of action. In this study, TOFA (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg) was used to observe the survival rate of septic rats. It was found that TOFA (10 mg/kg) significantly improved the survival rate of septic rats. We selected TOFA (10 mg/kg) and focused on the protective effect of TOFA on acute lung injury. The results confirmed that TOFA significantly inhibited the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-γ inflammatory factors, reduced the W/D weight ratio of septic lung tissue, and significantly improved lung histopathological damage. These results may be related to the inhibitory effect of TOFA on JAK-STAT/NF-κ B signaling pathway. In conclusion, for the first time, we found that TOFA has a protective effect against sepsis-induced acute lung injury, and it may be a promising drug for the treatment of acute lung injury in sepsis.
Apoptotic tumor cell-derived microparticles loading Napabucasin inhibit CSCs and synergistic immune therapy
Authors: Jing Boping , Guo Feng , An Rui , Gao Yu , Li Yuman , Xie Yuji , Wang Jing , Chen Yihan , Li He , Gao Tang , Jin Qiaofeng , Zhang Li , Xie Mingxing
Published: February 2023

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are crucial for the growth, metastasis, drug resistance, recurrence, and spread of tumors. Napabucasin (NAP) could effectively inhibit CSC, but its mechanism has not been fully explained. Additionally, NAP also has the drawbacks of poor water solubility and low utilization. Therefore, this study not only elaborated the new mechanism of NAP inhibiting CSCs, but also built NAP-loaded nanoprobes using apoptotic tumor-derived microparticles (TMPs) as carriers to combine diagnose and treat of colon cancer and lessen the adverse effects of NAP.

Results

The study discovered a new mechanism for NAP inhibiting tumors. NAP, in addition to inhibiting STAT3, may also inhibit STAT1, thereby inhibiting the expression of CD44, and the stemness of colon cancer. N3-TMPs@NAP was successfully synthesized, and it possessed a lipid bilayer with a particle size of 220.13 ± 4.52 nm, as well as strong tumor binding ability and anti-tumor effect in vitro. In static PET/CT imaging studies, the tumor was clearly visible and showed higher uptake after N3-TMPs@NAP injection than after oral administration. The average tumor volume and weight of the N3-TMPs@NAP group on day 14 of the treatment studies were computed to be 270.55 ± 107.59 mm3 and 0.30 ± 0.12 g, respectively. These values were significantly lower than those of the other groups. Additionally, N3-TMPs@NAP might prevent colon cancer from spreading to the liver. Furthermore, due to TMPs’ stimulation of innate immunity, N3-TMPs@NAP might stimulate anti-tumor.

Conclusions

As a combined diagnostic and therapeutic nanoprobe, N3-TMPs@NAP could successfully conduct PET/CT imaging, suppress CSCs, and synergistically stimulate anticancer immune responses. Additionally, this nanoprobe might someday be employed in clinical situations because TMPs for it can be produced from human tissue and NAP has FDA approval.
Evaluation of factors predicting postoperative recurrence and metastasis of parathyroid cancer: a single-center study
Authors: Ohkuwa Keiko , Katoh Ryohei , Sugino Kiminori , Nagahama Mitsuji , Kitagawa Wataru , Matsuzu Kenichi , Fukunari Nobuhiro , Ito Koichi
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the postoperative clinical course of parathyroid carcinoma to determine factors that predict postoperative recurrence and distant metastasis.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included 38 patients with parathyroid carcinoma who received surgical intervention at Itoh Hospital between 1979 and 2020. Clinicopathologic characteristics (age, sex, intact PTH, serum Ca level, operation type, parathyroid weight, parathyroid size, histopathologic findings: vascular invasion, capsular invasion, necrosis, histological type, and Ki-67 staining) were used. The median follow-up observation period was 63.7 months.

Results

Postoperatively, 5 patients (13.2%) developed distant metastasis or had localized recurrence, and 3 patients died (7.9%). The results of the univariate analysis revealed three factors affecting distant metastasis and recurrence, which were Ki-67 (p = 0.0041), the presence or absence of necrosis (p = 0.0163), and tumor weight (p = 00,189). Using the cutoff values obtained by ROC analysis, which were 4.1 for Ki-67 (sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 96.9%) and 4890 mg for tumor weight (sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 60.9%), we calculated the cumulative incidence of recurrence and distant metastasis by the three factors retained. We found that the presence of the three factors was associated with a high possibility of distant metastasis or recurrence during the 5-year follow-up period.

Conclusions

Three factors, Ki-67, necrosis, and tumor weight in parathyroid carcinoma, may predict outcomes of postoperative recurrence and distant metastasis.
Evaluation of serum miRNAs expression in frail and robust subjects undergoing multicomponent exercise protocol (VIVIFRAIL)
Authors: Agostini Simone , Mancuso Roberta , Citterio Lorenzo Agostino , Mihali Gabriela Alexandra , Arosio Beatrice , Clerici Mario
Published: February 2023

Background

Frailty, defined as physical performance impairment, is a common condition in older adults and can anticipate the development of sarcopenia, a geriatric syndrome characterized by loss of muscle strength and mass. microRNAs (miRNAs) are short molecules of RNA endowed with the ability to modulate gene expression; miRNAs are present in serum and are considered potential biomarkers for several diseases. Serum concentration of miR-451a, miR-93-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-421-3p, miR-425-5p, miR-495-3p and miR-744-5p was recently shown to be altered in sarcopenic patients.

Methods

We verified if a particular miRNAs pattern could be detected in frailty as well by analyzing these molecules in 50 frail and 136 robust subjects. Additionally, a subgroup of these subjects (15 frail and 30 robust) underwent a 12-week program based on a multicomponent exercise protocol (VIVIFRAIL) consisting of resistance training, gait retraining, and balance training. After the program, serum miRNAs concentration was measured again, to verify whether the physical activity had an effect on their concentration. Moreover, clinical characteristics and indicators of physical performance of all subjects were compared before and after intervention to verify the effect of the VIVIFRAIL program.

Results

At the end of the multicomponent exercise program, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score as well right and left handgrip (p < 0.05) were significantly increased in frail subjects; right and left handgrip significantly were increased also in robust subjects (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the variation of SPPB was significantly higher in frail compared to robust subjects (p < 0.0001). Moreover, at the end of the program, in frail compared to robust subjects: miR-451a serum concentration was significantly increased (frail: 6.59 × 104; 1.12 × 104–2.5 × 105 c/ng; robust: 2.31 × 104; 1.94 × 103–2.01 × 105 c/ng) (p < 0.05); and 2) miR-93-5p and miR-495-3p serum concentration was reduced, whereas that of miR-155-5p was significantly increased (p < 0.05 in both cases). Serum concentration of miR-93-5p and miR-495-3p was decreased, and that of miR-155-5p was increased at the end of the program in robust subjects alone, statistical significance being reached for miR-93-5p alone (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

These results suggest that serum miR-451a should be investigated as a potential biomarker for frailty and show that the VIVIFRAIL multicomponent program modulates circulatory miRNAs expression, at least in older adults.
Proteomic analysis predicts anti-angiogenic resistance in recurred glioblastoma
Authors: Jeon Hanwool , Byun Joonho , Kang Hayeong , Kim Kyunggon , Lee Eunyeup , Kim Jeong Hoon , Hong Chang Ki , Song Sang Woo , Kim Young-Hoon , Chong Sangjoon , Kim Jae Hyun , Nam Soo Jeong , Park Ji Eun , Lee Seungjoo
Published: February 2023

Background

Recurrence is common in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) because of the infiltrative, residual cells in the tumor margin. Standard therapy for GBM consists of surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the median survival of GBM patients remains poor (~ 1.5 years). For recurrent GBM, anti-angiogenic treatment is one of the common treatment approaches. However, current anti-angiogenic treatment modalities are not satisfactory because of the resistance to anti-angiogenic agents in some patients. Therefore, we sought to identify novel prognostic biomarkers that can predict the therapeutic response to anti-angiogenic agents in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

Methods

We selected patients with recurrent GBM who were treated with anti-angiogenic agents and classified them into responders and non-responders to anti-angiogenic therapy. Then, we performed proteomic analysis using liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues obtained from surgical specimens. We conducted a gene-ontology (GO) analysis based on protein abundance in the responder and non-responder groups. Based on the LC–MS and GO analysis results, we identified potential predictive biomarkers for anti-angiogenic therapy and validated them in recurrent glioblastoma patients.

Results

In the mass spectrometry-based approach, 4957 unique proteins were quantified with high confidence across clinical parameters. Unsupervised clustering analysis highlighted distinct proteomic patterns (n = 269 proteins) between responders and non-responders. The GO term enrichment analysis revealed a cluster of genes related to immune cell-related pathways (e.g., TMEM173, FADD, CD99) in the responder group, whereas the non-responder group had a high expression of genes related to nuclear replisome (POLD) and damaged DNA binding (ERCC2). Immunohistochemistry of these biomarkers showed that the expression levels of TMEM173 and FADD were significantly associated with the overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with recurrent GBM.

Conclusions

The candidate biomarkers identified in our protein analysis may be useful for predicting the clinical response to anti-angiogenic agents in patients with recurred GBM.
Quantification of the three-dimensional root system architecture using an automated rotating imaging system
Authors: Wu Qian , Wu Jie , Hu Pengcheng , Zhang Weixin , Ma Yuntao , Yu Kun , Guo Yan , Cao Jing , Li Huayong , Li Baiming , Yao Yuyang , Cao Hongxin , Zhang Wenyu
Published: February 2023

Background

Crop breeding based on root system architecture (RSA) optimization is an essential factor for improving crop production in developing countries. Identification, evaluation, and selection of root traits of soil-grown crops require innovations that enable high-throughput and accurate quantification of three-dimensional (3D) RSA of crops over developmental time.

Results

We proposed an automated imaging system and 3D imaging data processing pipeline to quantify the 3D RSA of soil-grown individual plants across seedlings to the mature stage. A multi-view automated imaging system composed of a rotary table and an imaging arm with 12 cameras mounted with a combination of fan-shaped and vertical distribution was developed to obtain 3D image data of roots grown on a customized root support mesh. A 3D imaging data processing pipeline was developed to quantify the 3D RSA based on the point cloud generated from multi-view images. The global architecture of root systems can be quantified automatically. Detailed analysis of the reconstructed 3D root model also allowed us to investigate the Spatio-temporal distribution of roots. A method combining horizontal slicing and iterative erosion and dilation was developed to automatically segment different root types, and identify local root traits (e.g., length, diameter of the main root, and length, diameter, initial angle, and the number of nodal roots or lateral roots). One maize (Zea mays L.) cultivar and two rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars at different growth stages were selected to test the performance of the automated imaging system and 3D imaging data processing pipeline.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated the capabilities of the proposed imaging and analytical system for high-throughput phenotyping of root traits for both monocotyledons and dicotyledons across growth stages. The proposed system offers a potential tool to further explore the 3D RSA for improving root traits and agronomic qualities of crops.
Recurrence rate of intervertebral disc disease in surgically treated French Bulldogs: a retrospective study (2009–2019)
Authors: Leu Dominique , Vidondo Beatriz , Stein Veronika , Forterre Franck
Published: February 2023

Background

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a common diagnosis and well-investigated pathological condition in French Bulldogs with neurological deficiencies. However there is currently only one recently published retrospective descriptive study looking for recurrence rates of IVDD in French Bulldogs. Medical reports of French Bulldogs with a first episode of IVDD and surgical treatment were evaluated and reviewed for clinical signs of recurrence. Risk factors for Total-Recurrence, Cervical- and Thoracolumbar-Recurrence were evaluated by means of logistic regression models. The aim of this study was to assess frequency and risk factors associated with the recurrence of IVDD in French Bulldogs.

Results

One hundred twenty-seven French Bulldogs with a first episode of IVDD and surgical treatment were evaluated. 52.7% (67/127) of these patients showed signs of recurrence. The recurrence rate in the cervical spine was slightly lower (47%) compared to the thoracolumbar spine (56.6%). A significant association with recurrence could be found for the factor age: French Bulldogs with a first episode of IVDD ≤ 3 years seem to be prone for Total-Recurrence (P = 0.002) and Cervical-Recurrence (with ORs ranging from 0.02 to 0.03 for patients older than 3 years). 50% of the recurrences (median) occurred within the first 12 month after the first episode of IVDD.

Conclusions

Recurrence of IVDD can be expected in more than half of French Bulldogs affected by IVDD. Especially young French Bulldogs are prone for recurrence in cervical spine. Almost every fourth patient with IVDD suffers from a recurrence within 12 months. Future dog owners should be informed about the risk of IVDD and the early onset of recurrences in French Bulldogs.
Lateral compression type 1 fracture fixation in the elderly (L1FE): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (with internal pilot) comparing the effects of INFIX surgery and non-surgical management for treating patients with lateral compression type 1 (LC-1) fragility fractures
Authors: Cook Elizabeth , Laycock Joanne , Acharya Mehool , Backhouse Michael Ross , Corbacho Belen , Doherty Laura , Forward Daren , Hewitt Catherine , Hilton Catherine , Hull Peter , Kassam Jamila , Maturana Camila , Mcdaid Catriona , Roche Jenny , Sivapathasuntharam Dhanupriya , Torgerson David , Bates Peter
Published: February 2023

Background

Lateral compression type1 (LC-1) fragility fractures are a common, painful injury in older adults resulting in reduced mobility. The incidence of these fractures is increasing with the growing older adult population. The current standard of care is non-surgical management; however, patients with this injury are at risk of long-term immobility and related complications. INFIX is a pelvic fixation device used in younger patients with high-energy fractures. The device is fitted via a percutaneous technique with no external pin sites and has good purchase even in osteoporotic bone. It therefore has the potential to be well tolerated in patients with LC-1 fragility fractures. INFIX could improve patients’ ability to mobilise and reduce the risk of immobility-related complications. However, there is a risk of complications related to surgery, and robust evidence is required on patient outcomes. This study will investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of surgical fixation with INFIX compared to non-surgical management of LC-1 fragility fractures in older adults.

Methods

A multi-centre randomised controlled trial of 600 patients allocated 1:1 to non-surgical management or INFIX surgery. The study will have a 12-month internal pilot to assess recruitment and trial feasibility. The primary outcome will be the patient quality of life over 6 months, measured by the patient-reported EQ-5D-5L. The secondary outcomes will include physical function, mental health, pain, delirium, imaging assessment, resource use, and complications.

Discussion

The L1FE study aims to compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical management of people aged 60 years and older with LC-1 fragility fractures. The trial is sufficiently powered and rigorously designed to inform future clinical and patient decision-making and allocation of NHS resources.

Trial registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry ISRCTN16478561. Registered on 8 April 2019
Draft genomes of Blastocystis subtypes from human samples of Colombia
Authors: Higuera Adriana , Salas-Leiva Dayana E. , Curtis Bruce , Patiño Luz H. , Zhao Dandan , Jerlström-Hultqvist Jon , Dlutek Marlena , Muñoz Marina , Roger Andrew J. , Ramírez Juan David
Published: February 2023

Background

Blastocystis is one of the most common eukaryotic microorganisms colonizing the intestines of both humans and animals, but the conditions under which it may be a pathogen are unclear.

Methods

To study the genomic characteristics of circulating subtypes (ST) in Colombia, we established nine xenic cultures from Blastocystis isolated from human fecal samples, we identified 10 different subtypes, since one sample had a mixed infection. Thus, the genomes of the subtypes ST1 (n = 3), ST2 (n = 1), ST3 (n = 2), ST6 (n = 1), ST7 (n = 1), and ST8 (n = 2) were sequenced using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT).

Results

Analyses of these draft nuclear genomes indicated remarkable diversity in terms of genome size and guanine-cytosine (GC) content among the compared STs. Illumina sequencing-only draft genomes contained 824 to 2077 scaffolds, with total genome size ranging from 12 to 13.2 Mb and N50 values ranging from 10,585 to 29,404 base pairs (bp). The genome of one ST1 isolate was sequenced using ONT. This assembly was more contiguous, with a size of 20 million base pairs (Mb) spread over 116 scaffolds, and an N50 of 248,997 bp.

Conclusion

This work represents one of the few large-scale comparative genomic analyses of Blastocystis isolates, providing an additional glimpse into its genomic diversity.

Graphical Abstract
“Role of radiology in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care”: summary of the ESR International Forum 2022
Authors:   European Society of Radiology (ESR)
Published: February 2023

At the ESR International Forum 2022, held at ECR 2022 (July 16 in Vienna, Austria) different views, initiatives, and ideas from participating societies were presented with regard to the position and role of radiology in the changing landscape of health care and its role as an integral part of multidisciplinary teams. While it is unanimously agreed that multidisciplinarity is a key aspect of modern patient care, it creates new challenges that need to be addressed.
Monkeys do not show sex differences in toy preferences through their individual choices
Authors: Pittet Florent , Heng Victoria , Atufa Jala , Bliss-Moreau Eliza
Published: February 2023

Background

As interest in evaluating sex differences in nonhuman animals grows, the finding that male and female monkeys have toy preferences that differ, and that parallel those documented in human children, has garnered significant attention and is leveraged as an argument in favor of a biological contribution for human sex differences. To date, however, only two studies have investigated sex differences in monkeys’ toy preferences, both documenting that males prefer toys considered to be “masculine” (such as vehicles) and females prefer toys considered to be “feminine” (such as dolls). Monkeys in these studies were tested in their social groups, making it hard to determine if the sex differences reported reflect actual individual preferences or result from social dynamics present at the time of testing.

Method

Here, we assessed the preferences of 14 rhesus macaques (N = 7 males; N = 7 females) who were singly tested in a choice test with a variety of toys characterized as masculine (hard non-zoomorphic wheeled toys), feminine (zoomorphic soft toys), neutral (hard non-zoomorphic toys) and ambiguous (zoomorphic or plush vehicles) based on criteria from previous studies.

Results

Males and females showed similar preferences for neutral and “masculine” toys and preferred them (i.e., were more likely to interact with them) to “feminine” and sex-ambiguous toys. When they interacted with the toys, both males and females interacted more with neutral than with “masculine” toys. Females, but not males, interacted more with neutral and “masculine” toys than with “feminine” toys. The highest frequency of interaction for any single toy for the male monkeys was with the doll—standing is stark contrast to previous findings.

Conclusions

Our results contrast greatly with the previous study in rhesus monkeys, as well as findings in human children, suggesting that the previously documented sex differences are likely context dependent, and question the existence of a strong biological basis to sex differences in toy preferences.
RNA binding protein SAMD4: current knowledge and future perspectives
Authors: Wang Xin-Ya , Zhang Li-Na
Published: February 2023

SAMD4 protein family is a class of novel RNA-binding proteins that can mediate post-transcriptional regulation and translation repression in eukaryotes, which are highly conserved from yeast to humans during evolution. In mammalian cells, SAMD4 protein family consists of two members including SAMD4A/Smaug1 and SAMD4B/Smaug2, both of which contain common SAM domain that can specifically bind to different target mRNAs through stem-loop structures, also known as Smaug recognition elements (SREs), and regulate the mRNA stability, degradation and translation. In addition, SAMD4 can form the cytoplasmic mRNA silencing foci and regulate the translation of SRE-containing mRNAs in neurons. SAMD4 also can form the cytosolic membrane-less organelles (MLOs), termed as Smaug1 bodies, and regulate mitochondrial function. Importantly, many studies have identified that SAMD4 family members are involved in various pathological processes including myopathy, bone development, neural development, and cancer occurrence and progression. In this review, we mainly summarize the structural characteristics, biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms of SAMD4 protein family members, which will provide a basis for further research and clinical application of SAMD4 protein family.
Sacrococcygeal epidural administration of 0.5% bupivacaine in seven cats undergoing pelvic or hind limb orthopaedic procedures
Authors: Torruella Xavier , Potter Joanna , Huuskonen Vilhelmiina
Published: February 2023

Background

Epidural administration of local anaesthetic agents provides good intraoperative antinociception for orthopaedic procedures of the pelvis and the pelvic limb. However, in cats the spinal cord extends approximately to the level of the first sacrococcygeal vertebra, and therefore the sacrococcygeal epidural could be a safer alternative to the lumbosacral epidural in cats. This case series describes perioperative analgesia and the haemodynamic status of seven client-owned cats that received sacrococcygeal epidural injection of 0.5% bupivacaine and underwent orthopaedic hind leg or pelvic surgeries under general anaesthesia.

Case presentation

Each cat received either 0.2 or 0.3 mL/kg of 0.5% bupivacaine with or without 0.2 mg/kg of morphine in the sacrococcygeal epidural space. Intraoperative antinociceptive response to surgical stimulus and haemodynamic changes were monitored and reported.

Conclusion

In these seven anaesthetised cats, 0.2 or 0.3 mL/kg of 0.5% bupivacaine, administered alone or in combination with morphine into the sacrococcygeal epidural space, enhanced antinociception so that intraoperative rescue analgesia was unnecessary in all but one cat. It also reduced the anticipated requirement for postoperative opioid use. However, a high incidence of hypotension was observed in the cats in this report, and hence intraoperative blood pressure monitoring should be considered mandatory in anaesthetised cats following epidural injection of local anaesthetic agents, regardless of injection site.
ISAC system assisted by RIS with sparse active elements
Authors: Asif Haider Mirza , Zhang Yimin D. , Aboutanios Elias
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we consider an integrated sensing and communications system assisted by a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). A small number of sparsely placed active sensors are applied in the RIS to perform effective channels and, thereby, enable optimized beamforming for both communications and sensing objectives, namely, establishing reliable communication links with communication users (CUs) and effectively localize targets. The time-varying multipath channels between the RIS and the CU as well as the time-varying channel between the RIS and the targets are estimated by exploiting an interpolated Hermitian and Toeplitz covariance matrix followed by direction-of-arrival estimation using the MUSIC algorithm. Based on such results, we jointly optimize the transmit beamformer at the base station and the unit-modulus RIS passive beamformer. The RIS beamformer is optimized to maximize its minimum beam-pattern gain towards the desired sensing angles subject to the minimum signal-to-noise ratio requirement at the CU. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach, and the performance of different sparse array configurations is compared.
Supporting crime script analyses of scams with natural language processing
Authors: Lwin Tun Zeya , Birks Daniel
Published: February 2023

In recent years, internet connectivity and the ubiquitous use of digital devices have afforded a landscape of expanding opportunity for the proliferation of scams involving attempts to deceive individuals into giving away money or personal information. The impacts of these schemes on victims have shown to encompass social, psychological, emotional and economic harms. Consequently, there is a strong rationale to enhance our understanding of scams in order to devise ways in which they can be disrupted. One way to do so is through crime scripting, an analytical approach which seeks to characterise processes underpinning crime events. In this paper, we explore how Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods might be applied to support crime script analyses, in particular to extract insights into crime event sequences from large quantities of unstructured textual data in a scalable and efficient manner. To illustrate this, we apply NLP methods to a public dataset of victims’ stories of scams perpetrated in Singapore. We first explore approaches to automatically isolate scams with similar modus operandi using two distinct similarity measures. Subsequently, we use Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) to extract key terms in scam stories, which are then used to identify a temporal ordering of actions in ways that seek to characterise how a particular scam operates. Finally, by means of a case study, we demonstrate how the proposed methods are capable of leveraging the collective wisdom of multiple similar reports to identify a consensus in terms of likely crime event sequences, illustrating how NLP may in the future enable crime preventers to better harness unstructured free text data to better understand crime problems.
Police practitioner views on the challenges of analysing and responding to knife crime
Authors: Bullock Karen , Agar Iain , Ashby Matt , Brennan Iain , Hales Gavin , Sidebottom Aiden , Tilley Nick
Published: February 2023

Knife crime remains a major concern in England and Wales. Problem-oriented and public health approaches to tackling knife crime have been widely advocated, but little is known about how these approaches are understood and implemented by police practitioners. To address this knowledge gap, this article draws on semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 44 police personnel to consider the processes and challenges of applying problem-oriented and public health approaches to knife crime. Findings show that knife crime was seen as a complex social problem which would not be solved by ‘silver bullets’; prevention was prioritised and the limitations of enforcement were widely acknowledged; there was an emphasis on understanding and responding to vulnerability and risk; discussion of ‘holistic’ and ‘whole systems’ approaches was evident (but these concepts were rarely defined); and the problem of serious violence was viewed as a shared, multi-agency issue that the police could not tackle alone. Various challenges were also evident, most notably around analysis of the drivers and patterns of knife crime and the evaluation of knife crime interventions. The article concludes by discussing the implications of the findings for knife crime prevention and the implementation and advancement of problem-oriented and public health approaches to policing.
The cause of redetachment after vitrectomy with air tamponade for a cohort of 1715 patients with retinal detachment: an analysis of retinal breaks reopening
Authors: Zhou Chuandi , Gu Chufeng , Li Bo , Wang Yujie , Hu Yanan , She Xinping , Shi Ya , Ma Mingming , Sun Tao , Qiu Qinghua , Fan Ying , Chen Fenge , Wang Hong , Liu Kun , Sun Xiaodong , Xu Xun , Zheng Zhi
Published: February 2023

Background

To investigate the prevalence and predictors of retinal breaks reopening after vitrectomy with air tamponade in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Shanghai General Hospital. Chart review was performed among 1715 patients with primary RRD who received pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with air tamponade as initial management. Patients were followed up for recurrence. The clinical features of the eyes with retinal breaks reopening were recorded. Logistic regression was constructed to investigate the predictors for breaks reopening.

Results

A total of 137 (7.99%) patients had recurrent retinal detachment after PPV with air tamponade. The causes of surgery failure included new or missed retinal breaks (48.9%), reopening of original tears (43.8%) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (7.3%). The median time to recurrence for the patients with breaks reopening was 18.0 days. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the presence of retinal break(s) ≥ 1.5 disc diameters (DD) (odds ratio [OR]: 2.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.04–6.92, P = 0.041), and shorter period for restricted activities (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89–0.99, P = 0.020) were the independent predictors for breaks reopening.

Conclusions

Breaks reopening is an important cause for retinal redetachment after PPV with air tamponade in primary RRD. The first 2–4 weeks after surgery is the “risk period” for breaks reopening. Special attention should be paid for patients with retinal break(s) ≥ 1.5 DD. A prolonged period for restricted activities is recommended.
Case report: administration of immune checkpoint inhibitor for SMARCB1 (INI1)-negative rhabdoid carcinoma with microsatellite instability (MSI)-high in the right colon
Authors: Kobayashi Toshinori , Matsui Yuki , Miki Hisanori , Hatta Masahiko , Ishida Mitsuaki , Satake Hironaga , Sekimoto Mitsugu
Published: February 2023

Background

Malignant tumors with rhabdoid features are rare, highly aggressive, and some of them are characterized by SMARCB1 (INI1) loss. Although cases of rhabdoid carcinoma are extremely rare, its occurrence in the colon has been reported previously.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old Japanese female patient presented with loss of appetite, fatigue, and weight loss. Computed tomography demonstrated a tumor in the right colon that infiltrated the surrounding kidneys and swelling of the left supraclavicular and periaortic lymph nodes. Laparotomy revealed that the tumor was unresectable because it had directly invaded the head of the pancreas and duodenum. Therefore, ileocecal vascularized bulky lymph nodes were sampled, and gastrojejunostomy with Braun’s anastomosis and ileotransversostomy were performed as palliative procedures. Histopathological examination of the lymph nodes revealed that the neoplastic cells had rich eosinophilic cytoplasm and eccentrically located large nuclei characteristic of rhabdoid carcinoma. In addition, these neoplastic cells lacked SMARCB1 expression; therefore, the patient was diagnosed with SMARCB1-negative rhabdoid carcinoma. The postoperative course was uneventful. Molecular analysis confirmed that the neoplastic cells had high microsatellite instability (MSI); therefore, two cycles of pembrolizumab were administered. However, no clinical benefit was noted, and the patient died 3 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

This is the first report of a case of SMARCB1-negative rhabdoid colon carcinoma with high MSI treated with pembrolizumab. Rhabdoid carcinoma is highly aggressive; therefore, additional studies are required to determine the therapeutic strategy for SMARCB1-negative rhabdoid colorectal carcinoma.
Fatal acquired coagulation factor V deficiency after hepatectomy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma as a possible immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse event: a case report
Authors: Arakaki Shintaro , Ono Shinichiro , Kawamata Futoshi , Ishino Shinichiro , Uesato Yasunori , Nakajima Tomo , Nishi Yukiko , Morishima Satoko , Arakaki Shingo , Maeshiro Tatsuji , Souri Masayoshi , Ichinose Akitada , Masuzaki Hiroaki , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa
Published: February 2023

Background

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy was recently introduced as the first line for unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but immune-related adverse events (IrAEs) due to atezolizumab are a great concern. Here, we report the case of a patient who developed fatal acquired coagulation factor deficiency after hepatectomy for HCC, treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab before surgery.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old man received right trisegmentectomy of the liver with hepaticojejunostomy for advanced HCC with bile duct invasion, after atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy. The patient suffered the sudden onset of severe multiple coagulation factor deficiency (II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII) immediately following reoperation for anastomotic leakage of hepaticojejunostomy, 7 days after hepatectomy. The coagulation factor deficiency did not reverse even with intensive treatment, and the patient died of uncontrollable bleeding 32 days after hepatectomy. An IrAE due to atezolizumab was suspected because the patient had developed the possible IrAE of enthesitis of the right gastrocnemius muscle before surgery, and specific inhibitors against factor V and anti-factor V autoantibodies were detected, leading to an ultimate diagnosis of autoimmune FV/5 deficiency (AiF5D).

Conclusion

Severe acquired coagulopathy should be recognized as a possible life-threatening IrAE when using atezolizumab and bevacizumab for HCC.
Cardiopulmonary, Functional, Cognitive and Mental Health Outcomes Post-COVID-19, Across the Range of Severity of Acute Illness, in a Physically Active, Working-Age Population
Authors: O’Sullivan Oliver , Holdsworth David A. , Ladlow Peter , Barker-Davies Robert M. , Chamley Rebecca , Houston Andrew , May Samantha , Dewson Dominic , Mills Daniel , Pierce Kayleigh , Mitchell James , Xie Cheng , Sellon Edward , Naylor Jon , Mulae Joseph , Cranley Mark , Talbot Nick P. , Rider Oliver J. , Nicol Edward D. , Bennett Alexander N.
Published: February 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant morbidity and mortality, with the former impacting and limiting individuals requiring high physical fitness, including sportspeople and emergency services.

Methods

Observational cohort study of 4 groups: hospitalised, community illness with on-going symptoms (community-symptomatic), community illness now recovered (community-recovered) and comparison. A total of 113 participants (aged 39 ± 9, 86% male) were recruited: hospitalised (n = 35), community-symptomatic (n = 34), community-recovered (n = 18) and comparison (n = 26), approximately five months following acute illness. Participant outcome measures included cardiopulmonary imaging, submaximal and maximal exercise testing, pulmonary function, cognitive assessment, blood tests and questionnaires on mental health and function.

Results

Hospitalised and community-symptomatic groups were older (43 ± 9 and 37 ± 10, P = 0.003), with a higher body mass index (31 ± 4 and 29 ± 4, P < 0.001), and had worse mental health (anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress), fatigue and quality of life scores. Hospitalised and community-symptomatic participants performed less well on sub-maximal and maximal exercise testing. Hospitalised individuals had impaired ventilatory efficiency (higher VE/V̇CO2 slope, 29.6 ± 5.1, P < 0.001), achieved less work at anaerobic threshold (70 ± 15, P < 0.001) and peak (231 ± 35, P < 0.001), and had a reduced forced vital capacity (4.7 ± 0.9, P = 0.004). Clinically significant abnormal cardiopulmonary imaging findings were present in 6% of hospitalised participants. Community-recovered individuals had no significant differences in outcomes to the comparison group.

Conclusion

Symptomatically recovered individuals who suffered mild-moderate acute COVID-19 do not differ from an age-, sex- and job-role-matched comparison population five months post-illness. Individuals who were hospitalised or continue to suffer symptoms may require a specific comprehensive assessment prior to return to full physical activity.
Insoles to ease plantar pressure in people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy: a feasibility randomised controlled trial with an embedded qualitative study
Authors: Collings Richard , Freeman Jennifer , Latour Jos M. , Hosking Joanne , Paton Joanne
Published: February 2023

Background

Therapeutic footwear and insoles are preventative strategies to reduce elevated plantar pressures associated with diabetic foot ulcer risk. An insole intervention appropriate for chairside delivery optimising plantar foot pressure reduction in people with diabetes has been developed.

Aim

To explore the feasibility and acceptability of testing an optimised insole compared with an active control insole to reduce plantar pressures for people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Methods

A double-blinded multi-centre feasibility RCT with an embedded qualitative study. Participants were randomised to either an optimised insole group (intervention) or a standard cushioned insole group (active control). Participants were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months with clinical outcomes of foot ulceration and mean peak plantar pressure (MPPP) reduction. An embedded qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 12 study participants and three podiatrists to explore their experiences of the intervention and trial procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (quantitative data) and thematic analysis (qualitative data).

Results

Screened were142 patients from which 61 were recruited; 30 participants were randomised to the intervention group and 31 to the active control group. Forty-two participants completed the study. At 12 months, 69% of the patient-reported questionnaires were returned and 68% of the clinical outcomes were collected. There were 17 incidences of foot ulceration occurring in 7/31 of the active control group and 10/30 in the intervention group. Mean difference in MPPP between the intervention and active control groups for all regions-of-interest combined favoured the intervention. Thematic analysis revealed three themes; accepting the study, behaviour and support during study procedures, and impact from study participation.

Conclusion

The results of the feasibility RCT suggest that the optimised insole holds promise as an intervention, and that a full RCT to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of this intervention is feasible and warranted for people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Trial registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number:ISRCTN16011830. Registered 9th October 2017.