bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CUMHURİYETİN ONUNCU YIL KUTLAMALARI: ÇORUM ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: NAMAL Yücel , TOPARLAK ŞAHİN Melek
Published: December 2023

Millik birlik ve beraberliğin güçlenmesinde, milli ruhun canlanmasında önemli bir yere sahip olan milli bayramlar, Türk tarihinde önemli bir yere sahiptir. Milli Mücadele yılları sonrasında yeni Türk Devleti’nin kurulması ile birlikte milli bağımsızlığın kazanıldığı ve milli egemenliğin sağlandığı günler resmi bayram olarak kabul edilmiştir. Bu bağlamda milli egemenliğin aşamalarından olan Cumhuriyet’in ilan edildiği 29 Ekim günü milli bayram olarak resmileşmiştir. 29 Ekim günü, resmi olarak 1925 yılından itibaren ülkenin her köşesinde kutlanmıştır. Bununla birlikte 29 Ekim 1933 tarihi, Cumhuriyet’in onuncu yılı olması dolayısıyla bayram merasimlerinde ayrı bir öneme sahiptir. Cumhuriyet’in ilk on yılında yapılan faaliyetler ve Cumhuriyet’in onuncu yılını doldurması kutlamaların temelini oluşturmuştur. 1933 yılı kutlamalarında, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti’nin çağdaş bir devlet olma yolunda attığı adımlar ülke genelinde ve dünya çapında duyurulmak istenmiştir. Bu bağlamda, Cumhuriyet’in onuncu yıl dönümü kutlamaları oldukça geniş kapsamlı olarak yurt dışında elçiliklerde ve ülke genelinde şehir, kasaba ve köylerde yapılan büyük hazırlıklarla kutlanmıştır. Yurdun her tarafında olduğu gibi, kutlama hazırlıkları için Çorum’da da Vali’nin başkanlığında kurulan komisyon, Ankara’daki yüksek komisyondan gelen tamimleri, broşürleri, duvar ve el ilanlarını derhal kazalara, nahiye ve köylere dağıtmıştır. Bunun yanı sıra Halk Fırkası, Halkevi idare heyetleri, öğretmenler ve öğrenciler kutlamalarda aktif görev almışlardır. Bu çalışmada Cumhuriyetin onuncu yıl kutlamalarının Çorum ve ilçelerindeki bayram hazırlıkları ile bayram kutlamaları ele alınmıştır. Çorum merkezi, ilçeleri, kasaba ve köylerinde, Cumhuriyet’in onuncu yıl kutlamasında yapılan çalışmalar, yapılan hazırlıklar, kutlamalarda kimlerin bulunduğu ve kutlamanın içeriği hakkında bilgi verilmiştir. Ayrıca Cumhuriyet’in ve inkılapların Çorum ili üzerindeki sosyal, siyasal, ekonomik, kültürel etkilerine ve halkın Cumhuriyet’e olan bağlılığı ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır. Bu amaçla Cumhuriyet Arşivi, Dışişleri Bakanlığı Türk Diplomatik Arşivi, TBMM Zabıt Ceridesi, Resmi Gazete, ulusal ve yerel gazetelerden yararlanılmıştır.
Athletic Rehabilitation Specialist's Role in Raising the Level of the Players of Some Sports Clubs in the West Bank
Authors: Shaheen Waleed M.
Published: December 2023

This study aims to recognize the athletic rehabilitation specialist’s role in raising the level of players of some sports clubs in the West Bank from the viewpoint of athletes, the study depends on the analytical descriptive approach, and the sample of the study contained 74 male and female players. The study relied on the questionnaire as a tool for data collection, and the validity and stability of performance were confirmed. The results of the study indicated the importance of the role of sports rehabilitation specialists in raising the level of players of some sports clubs in the West Bank. It also found no significant differences in the view of different sports players about the importance of an athletic rehabilitation specialist due to the type and age variable of the athlete. While there are significant differences due to the type of sport variable in favor of team sports. The study recommended the need to have an athletic rehabilitation specialist among the training staff in sports clubs in the West Bank.
Advanced Glycation End Products and Nutrition.
Authors: Krajčovičová-Kudláčková M , Šebeková K , Schinzel R
Published: December 2023

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may play an important adverse role in process of atherosclerosis, diabetes, aging and chronic renal failure. Levels of Ne-carboxymethyllysine and fluorescent AGE values were estimated in two nutritional population groups - alternative group (vegetarians - plant food, milk products, eggs) and traditional group (omnivorous subjects). Vegetarians have a significantly higher carboxymethyllysine content in plasma and fluorescent AGE values. Intake of proteins, lysine and monosaccharides as well as culinary treatment, consumption of food AGEs (mainly from technologically processed products) and the routes of Maillard reaction in organism are the substantial sources of plasma AGEs. Vegetarians consume less proteins and saccharides. Lysine intake is significantly reduced (low content in plant proteins). Subjects on alternative nutrition do not use high temperature for culinary treatment and consume low amount of technologically processed food. Fructation induced AGE fluorescence is greater as compared with that induced by glucose. It is due to higher participation of a more reactive acyclic form of fructose. Intake of vegetables and fruit with predominance of fructose is significantly higher in vegetarians. Comparison of nutrition and plasma AGEs in vegetarian and omnivorous groups shows that the higher intake of fructose in alternative nutrition of healthy subjects may cause an increase of AGE levels.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition and Glutamate Binding in Quinolinate-Lesioned Rat Hippocampus.
Authors: Lisý V , Šťastný F
Published: December 2023

The effect of lesions induced by bilateral intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of quinolinate (250 nmol of QUIN/ventricle), a selective N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist, on [3H]glutamate ([3H]Glu) binding to the main types of both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (iGluR and mGluR) was investigated in synaptic membrane preparations from the hippocampi of 50-day-old rats. The membranes from QUIN injured brains revealed significantly lowered binding in iGluR (by 31 %) as well as in mGluR (by 22 %) as compared to the controls. Using selected glutamate receptor agonists as displacers of [3H]Glu binding we found that both the NMDA-subtype of iGluR and group I of mGluR are involved in this decrease of binding. Suppression of nitric oxide (NO) production by NG-nitro-L-arginine (50 nmol of NARG/ventricle) or the increase of NO generation by 3-morpholinylsydnoneimine (5 nmol of SIN-1/ventricle) failed to alter [3H]Glu or [3H]CPP (3-((D)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-[1,2-3H]-propyl-1-phosphonic acid; NMDA-antagonist) binding declines caused by QUIN-lesions. Thus, our findings indicate that both the NMDA-subtype of iGluR and group I of mGluR are susceptible to the QUIN-induced neurodegeneration in the rat hippocampus. However, the inhibition of NO synthesis did not reveal any protective action in the QUIN-evoked, NMDA-receptor mediated decrease of [3H]Glu binding. Therefore, the additional mechanisms of QUIN action, different from direct NMDA receptor activation/NO production (e.g. lipid peroxidation induced by QUIN-Fe-complexes) cannot be excluded.
Hong Kong–Macau Severe Hives and Angioedema Referral Pathway
Authors: Li Philip H. , Au Elaine Y. L. , Cheong Si-Leong , Chung Ling , Fan Ka I. , Ho Marco H. K. , Leung Agnes S. Y. , Chung Martin M. H. , Wong Jane C. Y. , Coelho Ricardo
Published: December 2023

Background

Urticaria (defined as the presence of hives, angioedema, or both) can be caused by a variety of etiologies ranging from more common conditions such as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) to rarer conditions such as hereditary angioedema (HAE). Specialist referral may be necessary in cases of severe urticaria or HAE, but access to specialist services remains limited in certain regions, such as the Greater Bay Area (GBA) of China. To address this, the Hong Kong–Macau Severe Hives and Angioedema Referral Pathway (SHARP) was initiated by the Hong Kong Institute of Allergy and Macau Society of Dermatology to promote multidisciplinary collaboration and regional exchange of expertise in the diagnosis and management of severe urticaria.

Methods

A nominated task force of dermatologists and immunologists who manage patients with severe urticaria formulated the consensus statements (CS) using the Delphi method. The consensus was defined a priori as an agreement of ≥80%.

Results

A total of 24 CS were formulated, including four statements on classifications and definitions, seven statements on diagnosis, and 13 statements on management and referral. The definitions for acute/chronic urticaria and severe CSU were stated. Unnecessary investigations and inappropriate medications were discouraged. The characteristics and recommended approach to suspected bradykinergic angioedema were specified. Stepwise treatment options using second-generation antihistamines, omalizumab, or cyclosporin for patients with CSU were addressed, and the importance of access to HAE-specific medications was emphasized. Furthermore, an integrated referral pathway for patients with severe hives and angioedema was constructed.

Conclusion

The SHARP provides guidance for the management and specialist referral of patients with severe hives and angioedema in Hong Kong and Macau.
Extracellular matrix stiffness activates mechanosensitive signals but limits breast cancer cell spheroid proliferation and invasion
Authors: Jahin Irina , Phillips Thomas , Marcotti Stefania , Gorey Mark-Alexander , Cox Susan , Parsons Maddy
Published: December 2023

Breast cancer is characterized by physical changes that occur in the tumor microenvironment throughout growth and metastasis of tumors. Extracellular matrix stiffness increases as tumors develop and spread, with stiffer environments thought to correlate with poorer disease prognosis. Changes in extracellular stiffness and other physical characteristics are sensed by integrins which integrate these extracellular cues to intracellular signaling, resulting in modulation of proliferation and invasion. However, the co-ordination of mechano-sensitive signaling with functional changes to groups of tumor cells within 3-dimensional environments remains poorly understood. Here we provide evidence that increasing the stiffness of collagen scaffolds results in increased activation of ERK1/2 and YAP in human breast cancer cell spheroids. We also show that ERK1/2 acts upstream of YAP activation in this context. We further demonstrate that YAP, matrix metalloproteinases and actomyosin contractility are required for collagen remodeling, proliferation and invasion in lower stiffness scaffolds. However, the increased activation of these proteins in higher stiffness 3-dimensional collagen gels is correlated with reduced proliferation and reduced invasion of cancer cell spheroids. Our data collectively provide evidence that higher stiffness 3-dimensional environments induce mechano-signaling but contrary to evidence from 2-dimensional studies, this is not sufficient to promote pro-tumorigenic effects in breast cancer cell spheroids.
Hydroamination of alkynes catalyzed by NHC-Gold(I) complexes: the non-monotonic effect of substituted arylamines on the catalyst activity
Authors: Sirignano Marco , D’Amato Assunta , Costabile Chiara , Mariconda Annaluisa , Crispini Alessandra , Scarpelli Francesca , Longo Pasquale
Published: December 2023

Imines are valuable key compounds for synthesizing several nitrogen-containing molecules used in biological and industrial fields. They have been obtained, as highly regioselective Markovnikov products, by reacting several alkynes with arylamines in the presence of three new N-Heterocyclic carbene gold(I) complexes (3b, 4b, and 6b) together with the known 1-2b and 7b gold complexes as well as silver complexes 1-2a. Gold(I) complexes were investigated by means of NMR, mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallographic studies. Accurate screening of co-catalysts and solvents led to identifying the best reaction conditions and the most active catalyst (2b) in the model hydroamination of phenylacetylene with aniline. Complex 2b was then tested in the hydroamination of alkynes with a wide variety of arylamines yielding a lower percentage of product when arylamines with both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents were involved. Computational studies on the rate-determining step of hydroamination were conducted to shed light on the significantly different yields observed when reacting arylamines with different substituents.
Layered metal sulfides with MaSbc− framework (M = Sb, In, Sn) as ion exchangers for the removal of Cs(Ⅰ) and Sr(Ⅱ) from radioactive effluents: a review
Authors: Zhao Qi , Wang Shuai , Wu Yichun , Wang Yixuan , Ma Shengshou , Shih Kaimin
Published: December 2023

Nuclear power has emerged as a pivotal contributor to the global electricity supply owing to its high efficiency and low-carbon characteristics. However, the rapid expansion of the nuclear industry has resulted in the production of a significant amount of hazardous effluents that contain various radionuclides, such as 137Cs and 90Sr. Effectively removing 137Cs and 90Sr from radioactive effluents prior to discharge is a critical challenge. Layered metal sulfides exhibit significant potential as ion exchangers for the efficient uptake of Cs+ and Sr2+ from aqueous solutions owing to their open and exchangeable frameworks and the distinctive properties of their soft S2− ligands. This review provides a detailed account of layered metal sulfides with MaSbc− frameworks (M = Sb, In, Sn), including their synthesis methods, structural characteristics, and Cs+ and Sr2+ removal efficiencies. Furthermore, we highlight the advantages of layered metal sulfides, such as their relatively high ion exchange capacities, broad active pH ranges, and structural stability against acid and radiation, through a comparative evaluation with other conventional ion exchangers. Finally, we discuss the challenges regarding the practical application of layered metal sulfides in radionuclide scavenging.
Autophagy as a dual-faced host response to viral infections
Authors: Zhai Huanjie , Wang Tao , Liu Di , Pan Li , Sun Yuan , Qiu Hua-Ji
Published: December 2023

Autophagy selectively degrades viral particles or cellular components, either facilitating or inhibiting viral replication. Conversely, most viruses have evolved strategies to escape or exploit autophagy. Moreover, autophagy collaborates with the pattern recognition receptor signaling, influencing the expression of adaptor molecules involved in the innate immune response and regulating the expression of interferons (IFNs). The intricate relationship between autophagy and IFNs plays a critical role in the host cell defense against microbial invasion. Therefore, it is important to summarize the interactions between viral infections, autophagy, and the host defense mechanisms against viruses. This review specifically focuses on the interactions between autophagy and IFN pathways during viral infections, providing a comprehensive summary of the molecular mechanisms utilized or evaded by different viruses.
Seagrass-macroalgal interactions in a changing ocean
Authors: Richard Maddi , Quijón Pedro A.
Published: December 2023

The number of reports highlighting the services provided by seagrass beds continues to be matched by those reporting on local seagrass declines across the world coastlines. Among the many factors driving the fate of seagrass beds, this Mini Review focuses on the interactions between seagrasses and algae, more specifically, macroalgae. Seagrasses are known to respond to sudden increases in co-occurring macroalgae, and the ongoing warming of ocean waters suggests that these interactions are most likely to grow in frequency and possibly in intensity in the decades ahead. What remains unclear is the nature (positive, neutral, negative) and the local outcome of those interactions. We examined the published evidence on explicit seagrass-algal interactions and found that in most cases these interactions have been negative, with seagrass species most often found at a competitive disadvantage with regards to macroalgae. Rising ocean temperatures are likely to add to this imbalance as at least some studies already suggest that the negative effects of macroalgae and warming are either additive or synergistic. The further examination of these effects will help predict likely future scenarios and aid in the prioritization of conservations efforts.
Breast cancer is associated with coronary heart disease: a cross-sectional survey of NHANES 1999–2018
Authors: Dai Luyao , Li Ruoxuan , Hao Qian , Bao Yuanhang , Hu Liqun , Zhang Yaohui , Kang Huafeng , Wu Hao , Ma Xiaobin , Song Yafan
Published: December 2023

Background

Understanding the correlation between female breast cancer (BC) and the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is important for developing prevention strategies and reducing the burden of female social disease. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BC and CHD using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 1999 to 2018.

Methods

The study cohort included 16,149 eligible non-pregnant female participants aged 20 years or older. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between BC and CHD, excluding the interaction between covariates and BC through hierarchical subgroup analysis.

Results

The study found that participants with BC had a 2.30 times greater risk of developing CHD compared to those without BC [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.29–2.31]. After adjusting for all included covariates, BC was still significantly associated with CHD risk (odds ratio: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.10–1.12). When participants were stratified by age, education level, and prevalence of hypertension, it was evident that participants with BC had a higher risk of developing CHD compared to those without BC, although the effect of BC on CHD varied across stratification.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the close relationship between CHD and female BC. Therefore, it is necessary to screen patients with CHD for BC and monitor BC survivors for the long-term risk of developing CHD.
Relationships between body composition, anthropometrics, and standard lipid panels in a normative population
Authors: Weeks Marcus , Delgado Andrew D. , Wood Jamie , Zhang Bodi , Pesce Sarah , Kunces Laura , Lili Loukia , Putrino David
Published: December 2023

Introduction

More than one third of adults in the United States (US) meet the clinical criteria for a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, but often diagnosis is challenging due to healthcare access, costs and discomfort with the process and invasiveness associated with a standard medical examination. Less invasive and more accessible approaches to collecting biometric data may have utility in identifying individuals at risk of diagnoses, such as metabolic syndrome or dyslipidemia diagnoses. Body composition is one such source of biometric data that can be non-invasively acquired in a home or community setting that may provide insight into an individual's propensity for a metabolic syndrome diagnosis. Here we investigate possible associations between body composition, anthropometrics and lipid panels in a normative population.

Methods

Healthy participants visited the Lab100 clinic location at a hospital setting in New York City and engaged in a wellness visit led by a nurse practitioner. Blood was analyzed at point-of-care using the Abbott Piccolo Xpress portable diagnostic analyzer (Abbott Laboratories, IL, USA) and produced direct measures of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). Body composition and anthropometric data were collected using two separate pieces of equipment during the same visit (Fit3D and InBody570). Regression analysis was performed to evaluate associations between all variables, after adjusting for age, sex, race, AUDIT-C total score (alcohol use), and current smoking status.

Results

Data from 199 participants were included in the analysis. After adjusting for variables, percentage body fat (%BF) and visceral fat levels were significantly associated with every laboratory lipid value, while waist-to-hip ratio also showed some significant associations. The strongest associations were detected between %BF and VLDL-C cholesterol levels (t = 4.53, p = 0.0001) and Triglyceride levels (t = 4.51, p = 0.0001).

Discussion

This initial, exploratory analysis shows early feasibility in using body composition and anthropometric data, that can easily be acquired in community settings, to identify people with dyslipidemia in a normative population.
The frail patient undergoing cardiac surgery: lessons learned and future perspectives
Authors: Pozzi Matteo , Mariani Silvia , Scanziani Margherita , Passolunghi Davide , Bruni Adriana , Finazzi Alberto , Lettino Maddalena , Foti Giuseppe , Bellelli Giuseppe , Marchetto Giovanni
Published: December 2023

Frailty is a geriatric condition characterized by the reduction of the individual's homeostatic reserves. It determines an increased vulnerability to endogenous and exogenous stressors and can lead to poor outcomes. It is an emerging concept in perioperative medicine, since an increasing number of patients undergoing surgical interventions are older and the traditional models of care seem to be inadequate to satisfy these patients' emerging clinical needs. Nowadays, the progressive technical and clinical improvements allow to offer cardiac operations to an older, sicker and frail population. For these reasons, a multidisciplinary team involving cardiac surgeons, clinical cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and geriatricians, is often needed to assess, select and provide tailored care to these high-risk frail patients to optimize clinical outcomes. There is unanimous agreement that frailty assessment may capture the individual's biological decline and the heterogeneity in risk profile for poor health-related outcomes among people of the same age. However, since commonly used preoperative scores for cardiac surgery fail to capture frailty, a specific preoperative assessment with dedicated tools is warranted to correctly recognize, measure and quantify frailty in these patients. On the contrary, pre-operative and post-operative interventions can reduce the risk of complications and support patient recovery promoting surgical resilience. Minimally invasive cardiac procedures aim to reduce surgical trauma and may be associated with better clinical outcome in this specific sub-group of high-risk patients. Among postoperative adverse events, the occurrence of delirium represents a risk factor for several unfavorable outcomes including mortality and subsequent cognitive decline. Its presence should be carefully recognized, triggering an adequate, evidence based, treatment. There is evidence, from several cross-section and longitudinal studies, that frailty and delirium may frequently overlap, with frailty serving both as a predisposing factor and as an outcome of delirium and delirium being a marker of a latent condition of frailty. In conclusion, frail patients are at increased risk to experience poor outcome after cardiac surgery. A multidisciplinary approach aimed to recognize more vulnerable individuals, optimize pre-operative conditions, reduce surgical invasivity and improve post-operative recovery is required to obtain optimal long-term outcome.
netMUG: a novel network-guided multi-view clustering workflow for dissecting genetic and facial heterogeneity
Authors: Li Zuqi , Melograna Federico , Hoskens Hanne , Duroux Diane , Marazita Mary L. , Walsh Susan , Weinberg Seth M. , Shriver Mark D. , Müller-Myhsok Bertram , Claes Peter , Van Steen Kristel
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Multi-view data offer advantages over single-view data for characterizing individuals, which is crucial in precision medicine toward personalized prevention, diagnosis, or treatment follow-up.

Methods: Here, we develop a network-guided multi-view clustering framework named netMUG to identify actionable subgroups of individuals. This pipeline first adopts sparse multiple canonical correlation analysis to select multi-view features possibly informed by extraneous data, which are then used to construct individual-specific networks (ISNs). Finally, the individual subtypes are automatically derived by hierarchical clustering on these network representations.

Results: We applied netMUG to a dataset containing genomic data and facial images to obtain BMI-informed multi-view strata and showed how it could be used for a refined obesity characterization. Benchmark analysis of netMUG on synthetic data with known strata of individuals indicated its superior performance compared with both baseline and benchmark methods for multi-view clustering. The clustering derived from netMUG achieved an adjusted Rand index of 1 with respect to the synthesized true labels. In addition, the real-data analysis revealed subgroups strongly linked to BMI and genetic and facial determinants of these subgroups.

Discussion: netMUG provides a powerful strategy, exploiting individual-specific networks to identify meaningful and actionable strata. Moreover, the implementation is easy to generalize to accommodate heterogeneous data sources or highlight data structures.
Primary carnitine deficiency: Estimation of prevalence in Chinese population and insights into newborn screening
Authors: Ji Xiaoshan , Ge Yanzhuang , Ni Qi , Xu Suhua , Xiong Zhongmeng , Yang Lin , Hu Liyuan , Cao Yun , Lu Yulan , Wei Qiufen , Kang Wenqing , Zhuang Deyi , Zhou Wenhao , Dong Xinran
Published: December 2023

Primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) caused by pathogenic variants in the solute carrier family 22 member 5 (SLC22A5) gene is a rare autosomal recessive disease that results in defective fatty acid oxidation. PCD can be detected through tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), but transplacental transport of free carnitine from mothers may cause false negatives or positives during newborn screening (NBS). This study aimed to analyze the genetic characteristics of SLC22A5 and estimate the prevalence of PCD in the Chinese population, providing useful information for NBS and genetic counseling. We manually curated SLC22A5 pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines and identified 128 P/LP variants. Based on the China Neonatal Genomes Project (CNGP), the estimated PCD prevalence was 1:17,456, which was higher than that in other populations. The genotype–phenotype association analysis showed that patients carrying homozygous c.760C>T and c.844C>T were more likely to present cardiomyopathy, whereas those carrying homozygous c.1400C>G were more likely to be asymptomatic (all p-values < 0.05). We found that there was no significant difference in initial C0 concentrations between patients and carriers, but there was a significant difference in the second-tier screening of C0 concentration between them (p-value < 0.05). We established a cost-effective variant panel containing 10 high-frequency sites and developed a screening algorithm incorporating gene panels with MS/MS, which could rescue one more patient who was undetected from MS/MS. In conclusion, the prevalence of PCD in the Chinese population is relatively high. The combination of conventional NBS with genetic sequencing is suggested for early diagnosis of PCD.
Acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation training for postpartum stress urinary incontinence: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wenming Chu , Xiaoman Deng , Ling Gao , Yun Li , Xiyan Gao
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation training in the treatment of postpartum stress urinary incontinence, and to promote the further promotion and application of acupuncture in the field of rehabilitation.

Methods and analysis

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation in the treatment of postpartum stress urinary incontinence will be searched in PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wanfang (WF), and VIP databases. The clinical trial Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov and Chinese clinical trial Registry) will also be searched. The search period is limited to July 1, 2023, and the language limit of this systematic review is Chinese and English. The primary outcome is clinical effective rate. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICI-Q-SF), 1-h pad test, pelvic floor muscle potential value, incidence of adverse events are secondary outcomes. A meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan 5.4 statistical software. If feasible, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis will be performed to address potential causes of inconsistency and heterogeneity. The risk of bias will be assessed using the approach recommended by Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, and the quality of evidence will be assessed using GRADE. This Protocol has been developed in accordance with the guideline of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015.

Discussion

Acupuncture combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation training can effectively promote the rehabilitation of postpartum stress urinary incontinence patients, and provide a reference for the clinical application of integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment in the field of rehabilitation.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42023455801.
Commonalities and distinctions between the type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and multimodal neuroimaging meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Hao , Yu Ying , Yang Yang , Sun Qian , Li Ze-Yang , Ni Min-Hua , Li Si-Ning , Dai Pan , Cui Yan-Yan , Cao Xin-Yu , Jiang Nan , Du Li-Juan , Gao Wen , Bi Jia-Jun , Yan Lin-Feng , Cui Guang-Bin
Published: December 2023

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are aging related diseases with high incidence. Because of the correlation of incidence rate and some possible mechanisms of comorbidity, the two diseases have been studied in combination by many researchers, and even some scholars call AD type 3 diabetes. But the relationship between the two is still controversial.

Methods

This study used seed-based d mapping software to conduct a meta-analysis of the whole brain resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) study, exploring the differences in amplitude low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) between patients (AD or T2DM) and healthy controls (HCs), and searching for neuroimaging evidence that can explain the relationship between the two diseases.

Results

The final study included 22 datasets of ALFF and 22 datasets of CBF. The results of T2DM group showed that ALFF increased in both cerebellum and left inferior temporal gyrus regions, but decreased in left middle occipital gyrus, right inferior occipital gyrus, and left anterior central gyrus regions. In the T2DM group, CBF increased in the right supplementary motor area, while decreased in the middle occipital gyrus and inferior parietal gyrus. The results of the AD group showed that the ALFF increased in the right cerebellum, right hippocampus, and right striatum, while decreased in the precuneus gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus. In the AD group, CBF in the anterior precuneus gyrus and inferior parietal gyrus decreased. Multimodal analysis within a disease showed that ALFF and CBF both decreased in the occipital lobe of the T2DM group and in the precuneus and parietal lobe of the AD group. In addition, there was a common decrease of CBF in the right middle occipital gyrus in both groups.

Conclusion

Based on neuroimaging evidence, we believe that T2DM and AD are two diseases with their respective characteristics of central nervous activity and cerebral perfusion. The changes in CBF between the two diseases partially overlap, which is consistent with their respective clinical characteristics and also indicates a close relationship between them.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO [CRD42022370014].
Efficient and robust second-harmonic generation in thin-film lithium niobate using modal phase matching
Authors: Hansen Mikkel T. , Ulsig Emil Z. , Labbé Fabien , Madsen Magnus L. , Ding Yunhong , Rottwitt Karsten , Volet Nicolas
Published: December 2023

A double-ridge waveguide is designed for efficient and robust second-harmonic generation (SHG) using the thin-film lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) platform. Perfect phase matching (PhM) is achieved between the fundamental waveguide mode at 1,550 nm and a higher-order mode at the second harmonic. The fabrication tolerances of the PhM condition are simulated using a finite-difference method mode solver, and conversion efficiencies as high as 3.92 W−1 are obtained for a 1-cm long waveguide. This design allows access to the largest element of the second-order nonlinear susceptibility tensor, and represents a scalable alternative to waveguides based on periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN). The design has the potential for generating pairs of entangled photons in the infrared C-band by spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC).
Single-molecule analysis of intracellular insulin granule behavior and its application to analyzing cytoskeletal dependence and pathophysiological implications
Authors: Hatakeyama Hiroyasu , Oshima Tomomi , Ono Shinichiro , Morimoto Yuichi , Takahashi Noriko
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Mobilization of intracellular insulin granules to the plasma membrane plays a crucial role in regulating insulin secretion. However, the regulatory mechanisms of this mobilization process have been poorly understood due to technical limitations. In this study, we propose a convenient approach for assessing intracellular insulin granule behavior based on single-molecule analysis of insulin granule membrane proteins labeled with Quantum dot fluorescent nanocrystals.

Methods: This approach allows us to analyze intracellular insulin granule movement with subpixel accuracy at 33 fps. We tracked two insulin granule membrane proteins, phogrin and zinc transporter 8, fused to HaloTag in rat insulinoma INS-1 cells and, by evaluating the tracks with mean-square displacement, demonstrated the characteristic behavior of insulin granules.

Results and discussion: Pharmacological perturbations of microtubules and F-actin affected insulin granule behavior on distinct modalities. Specifically, microtubule dynamics and F-actin positively and negatively regulate insulin granule behavior, respectively, presumably by modulating each different behavioral mode. Furthermore, we observed impaired insulin granule behavior and cytoskeletal architecture under chronic treatment of high concentrations of glucose and palmitate. Our approach provides detailed information regarding intracellular insulin granule mobilization and its pathophysiological implications. This study sheds new light on the regulatory mechanisms of intracellular insulin granule mobilization and has important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of diabetes.
Ultra-high static magnetic field induces a change in the spectrum but not frequency of DNA spontaneous mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Xu Xiang , Chen Mengjiao , Chen Tianli , Ni Xinda , Fang Zhicai , Fang Yanwen , Zhang Lei , Zhang Xin , Huang Jirong
Published: December 2023

Biological effects of magnetic fields have been extensively studied in plants, microorganisms and animals, and applications of magnetic fields in regulation of plant growth and phytoprotection is a promising field in sustainable agriculture. However, the effect of magnetic fields especially ultra-high static magnetic field (UHSMF) on genomic stability is largely unclear. Here, we investigated the mutagenicity of 24.5, 30.5 and 33.0 T UHSMFs with the gradient of 150, 95 and 0 T/m, respectively, via whole genome sequencing. Our results showed that 1 h exposure of Arabidopsis dried seeds to UHSMFs has no significant effect on the average rate of DNA mutations including single nucleotide variations and InDels (insertions and deletions) in comparison with the control, but 33.0 T and 24.5 T treatments lead to a significant change in the rate of nucleotide transitions and InDels longer than 3 bp, respectively, suggesting that both strength and gradient of UHSMF impact molecular spectrum of DNA mutations. We also found that the decreased transition rate in UHSMF groups is correlated with the upstream flanking sequences of G and C mutation sites. Furthermore, the germination rate of seeds exposed to 24.5 T SMF with -150 T/m gradient showed a significant decrease at 24 hours after sowing. Overall, our data lay a basis for precisely assessing the potential risk of UHSMF on DNA stability, and for elucidating molecular mechanism underlying gradient SMF-regulated biological processes in the future.
Centring the voices of survivors of child sexual abuse in research: an act of hermeneutic justice
Authors: Alyce Susanna , Taggart Danny , Sweeney Angela
Published: December 2023

Survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) are known to hold silence and create distance between themselves and service providers for self-protection, as groomed behaviour or to protect the listener from vicarious trauma. Silence for many survivors has also been reinforced as a beneficial action by previous experiences of disclosing and being rejected, challenged, or disbelieved. How can researchers be sure the same dynamic is not playing out in research interviews? Generating reliable research data is an imperative and an act of epistemic justice that enables CSA survivors to testify to the suffering caused by abuse and subsequent trauma distress and to contribute to social discourse for change. Fricker, however, notes that the precursor to testimonial justice is hermeneutic justice. Hermeneutic justice pivots on the dual action of accurate understanding and interpretation, but CSA experiences may be beyond the comprehension of untraumatised listeners because their own frame of reference renders them unable or unwilling (even if unconsciously) to entertain the truth of such human depravity and cruelty. If survivors are not understood, their testimonies can be misconstrued or oftentimes excluded from the generation of epistemic knowledge, leaving the survivors unable to make sense of, and process, their experiences. These are crucial issues for researchers in the field of CSA and other crimes of sexual and gendered abuse. This study considers the operationalisation of a participatory research approach held within a lived experience research paradigm. Such methodologies advocate for peer involvement, which is becoming more widely recognised as supporting testimonial justice and the accurate understanding and interpretation of survivors’ testimonies. The issue of validating the methodology and methods is considered, exploring a rigorous data audit and researcher reflexivity as contributors to trustworthy data. Peer and participant safety when researching through lived experience is addressed. Data from a doctoral research study are used to illustrate this article.
Lessons learned from the COVID-19 response in Sri Lankan hospitals: an interview of frontline healthcare professionals
Authors: Munasinghe Nimali Lakmini , O'Reilly Gerard , Cameron Peter
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the lack of preparedness in health systems, even in developed countries. Studies published on COVID-19 management experiences in developing countries, including Sri Lanka, are significantly low. Therefore, lessons learned from pandemic management would be immensely helpful in improving health systems for future disaster situations. This study aimed to identify enablers and barriers to COVID-19 management in Sri Lankan hospitals through healthcare workers’ perceptions.

Methods

Frontline doctors and nurses from different levels of public hospitals were interviewed online. Both inductive and deductive coding and thematic analysis were performed on the transcribed data.

Result and discussion

This study identified four themes under enablers: preparing for surge, teamwork, helping hands and less hospital-acquired infections. Seven themes were identified as barriers: lack of information sharing, lack of testing facilities, issues with emergency equipment, substandard donations, overwhelmed morgues, funding issues and psychological impact. These preparedness gaps were more prominent in smaller hospitals compared with larger hospitals. Recommendations were provided based on the identified gaps.

Conclusion

The insights from this study will allow health administrators and policymakers to build upon their hospital’s resources and capabilities. These findings may be used to provide sustainable solutions, strengthening the resilience of the local Sri Lankan health system as well as the health systems of other countries.
Fabrication of micropatterned thin films through controlled phase separation of polystyrene/polydimethylsiloxane blends by spin coating
Authors: Agarwal Swarnima , Lu Mingyuan , Sarkar Jayati
Published: December 2023

In this study, we blended two readily available polymers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a semi-crystalline polymer, and polystyrene (PS), an amorphous polymer, both having widely varying physical properties. The blend is then spin coated to form a thin film. We investigated the effects of relative polymer concentration, spin coating speed, and environmental factors, such as temperature, on the ultimate morphologies of the phase-separated thin films. It was found that it is possible to regulate the morphologies of the thin films to achieve desirable microstructures such as spherical droplets, holes, bi-continuous lamellar structures, and tubules by controlling the fabrication conditions. The polymer blend films with higher PS concentrations were shown to form a bilayer system with an upper PS-rich layer due to the thermodynamic instability of the film caused by the rapid evaporation of solvent, while films with higher PDMS concentrations exhibited cohesive forces that engendered microtubule formation and led to high surface roughness.
Construction of Two-Derivative Runge–Kutta Methods of Order Six
Authors: Kalogiratou Zacharoula , Monovasilis Theodoros
Published: December 2023

Two-Derivative Runge–Kutta methods have been proposed by Chan and Tsai in 2010 and order conditions up to the fifth order are given. In this work, for the first time, we derive order conditions for order six. Simplifying assumptions that reduce the number of order conditions are also given. The procedure for constructing sixth-order methods is presented. A specific method is derived in order to illustrate the procedure; this method is of the sixth algebraic order with a reduced phase-lag and amplification error. For numerical comparison, five well-known test problems have been solved using a seventh-order Two-Derivative Runge–Kutta method developed by Chan and Tsai and several Runge–Kutta methods of orders 6 and 8. Diagrams of the maximum absolute error vs. computation time show the efficiency of the new method.
Experimental Investigation on the Control of Hypersonic Shock Wave/Boundary Layer Interaction Using Surface Arc Plasma Actuators at Double Compression Corner
Authors: Yang Bo , Yang Hesen , Zhang Chuanbiao , Zhao Ning , Liang Hua , Zhang Dongsheng
Published: December 2023

Compression corner shock wave/boundary layer interaction (SWBLI) is a typical shock wave/boundary layer interaction (SWBLI) problem in supersonic/hypersonic flows. In previous studies, the separation flow is usually caused by a single shock wave. However, in the actual aircraft surface configuration, two-stage compression or even multistage compression will produce more complex SWBLI problems. The multi-channel shock structure makes the flow field structure more complicated and also puts forward higher requirements for the flow control scheme. In order to explore a flow control method for the double compression corner shock wave/boundary layer interaction problem, an experimental study is carried out to control the double compression corner shock wave/boundary layer interaction with a high-energy flow pulsed arc discharge array under the condition that the incoming flow velocity Ma 6.0 has both noise flow fields and quiet flow fields. The results show that when UDC = 0.5 kV actuation is applied, the influence range of the hot gas mass flow direction is about 65 mm, which can weaken the shock wave intensity to a certain extent. When UDC = 1 kV actuation is applied, the influence range of the hot gas mass flow direction extends to 85 mm, and the actuation has a significant control effect on the flow field. Through spatio-temporal evolution analysis and spatial gradient threshold processing of high-speed schlieren images of actuated flow fields, the feasibility of controlling the hypersonic double compression corner shock wave/boundary layer interaction by using a high-energy flow pulsed arc discharge array is verified. The control law of a high-energy flow pulsed arc discharge array acting on the double compression corner shock wave/boundary layer interaction is revealed.
fNIRS-EEG BCIs for Motor Rehabilitation: A Review
Authors: Chen Jianan , Xia Yunjia , Zhou Xinkai , Vidal Rosas Ernesto , Thomas Alexander , Loureiro Rui , Cooper Robert J. , Carlson Tom , Zhao Hubin
Published: December 2023

Motor impairment has a profound impact on a significant number of individuals, leading to a substantial demand for rehabilitation services. Through brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), people with severe motor disabilities could have improved communication with others and control appropriately designed robotic prosthetics, so as to (at least partially) restore their motor abilities. BCI plays a pivotal role in promoting smoother communication and interactions between individuals with motor impairments and others. Moreover, they enable the direct control of assistive devices through brain signals. In particular, their most significant potential lies in the realm of motor rehabilitation, where BCIs can offer real-time feedback to assist users in their training and continuously monitor the brain’s state throughout the entire rehabilitation process. Hybridization of different brain-sensing modalities, especially functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG), has shown great potential in the creation of BCIs for rehabilitating the motor-impaired populations. EEG, as a well-established methodology, can be combined with fNIRS to compensate for the inherent disadvantages and achieve higher temporal and spatial resolution. This paper reviews the recent works in hybrid fNIRS-EEG BCIs for motor rehabilitation, emphasizing the methodologies that utilized motor imagery. An overview of the BCI system and its key components was introduced, followed by an introduction to various devices, strengths and weaknesses of different signal processing techniques, and applications in neuroscience and clinical contexts. The review concludes by discussing the possible challenges and opportunities for future development.