bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fusing hand-crafted and deep-learning features in a convolutional neural network model to identify prostate cancer in pathology images
Authors: Huang Xinrui , Li Zhaotong , Zhang Minghui , Gao Song
Published: September 2022

Prostate cancer can be diagnosed by prostate biopsy using transectal ultrasound guidance. The high number of pathology images from biopsy tissues is a burden on pathologists, and analysis is subjective and susceptible to inter-rater variability. The use of machine learning techniques could make prostate histopathology diagnostics more precise, consistent, and efficient overall. This paper presents a new classification fusion network model that was created by fusing eight advanced image features: seven hand-crafted features and one deep-learning feature. These features are the scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT), speeded up robust feature (SURF), oriented features from accelerated segment test (FAST) and rotated binary robust independent elementary features (BRIEF) (ORB) of local features, shape and texture features of the cell nuclei, the histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) feature of the cavities, a color feature, and a convolution deep-learning feature. Matching, integrated, and fusion networks are the three essential components of the proposed deep-learning network. The integrated network consists of both a backbone and an additional network. When classifying 1100 prostate pathology images using this fusion network with different backbones (ResNet-18/50, VGG-11/16, and DenseNet-121/201), we discovered that the proposed model with the ResNet-18 backbone achieved the best performance in terms of the accuracy (95.54%), specificity (93.64%), and sensitivity (97.27%) as well as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (98.34%). However, each of the assessment criteria for these separate features had a value lower than 90%, which demonstrates that the suggested model combines differently derived characteristics in an effective manner. Moreover, a Grad-CAM++ heatmap was used to observe the differences between the proposed model and ResNet-18 in terms of the regions of interest. This map showed that the proposed model was better at focusing on cancerous cells than ResNet-18. Hence, the proposed classification fusion network, which combines hand-crafted features and a deep-learning feature, is useful for computer-aided diagnoses based on pathology images of prostate cancer. Because of the similarities in the feature engineering and deep learning for different types of pathology images, the proposed method could be used for other pathology images, such as those of breast, thyroid cancer.
Unraveling tumor microenvironment heterogeneity in malignant pleural mesothelioma identifies biologically distinct immune subtypes enabling prognosis determination
Authors: Yang Kaidi , Yang Tongxin , Yang Tao , Yuan Ye , Li Fang
Published: September 2022

Background

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and intractable disease exhibiting a remarkable intratumoral heterogeneity and dismal prognosis. Although immunotherapy has reshaped the therapeutic strategies for MPM, patients react with discrepant responsiveness.

Methods

Herein, we recruited 333 MPM patients from 5 various cohorts and developed an in-silico classification system using unsupervised Non-negative Matrix Factorization and Nearest Template Prediction algorithms. The genomic alterations, immune signatures, and patient outcomes were systemically analyzed across the external TCGA-MESO samples. Machine learning-based integrated methodology was applied to identify a gene classifier for clinical application.

Results

The gene expression profiling-based classification algorithm identified immune-related subtypes for MPMs. In comparison with the non-immune subtype, we validated the existence of abundant immunocytes in the immune subtype. Immune-suppressed MPMs were enriched with stroma fraction, myeloid components, and immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) as well exhibited increased TGF-β signature that informs worse clinical outcomes and reduced efficacy of anti-PD-1 treatment. The immune-activated MPMs harbored the highest lymphocyte infiltration, growing TCR and BCR diversity, and presented the pan-cancer immune phenotype of IFN-γ dominant, which confers these tumors with better drug response when undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. Genetically, BAP1 mutation was most commonly found in patients of immune-activated MPMs and was associated with a favorable outcome in a subtype-specific pattern. Finally, a robust 12-gene classifier was generated to classify MPMs with high accuracy, holding promise value in predicting patient survival.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that the novel classification system can be exploited to guide the identification of diverse immune subtypes, providing critical biological insights into the mechanisms driving tumor heterogeneity and responsible for cancer-related patient prognoses.
Machine learning models for rat multigeneration reproductive toxicity prediction
Authors: Liu Jie , Guo Wenjing , Dong Fan , Aungst Jason , Fitzpatrick Suzanne , Patterson Tucker A. , Hong Huixiao
Published: September 2022

Reproductive toxicity is one of the prominent endpoints in the risk assessment of environmental and industrial chemicals. Due to the complexity of the reproductive system, traditional reproductive toxicity testing in animals, especially guideline multigeneration reproductive toxicity studies, take a long time and are expensive. Therefore, machine learning, as a promising alternative approach, should be considered when evaluating the reproductive toxicity of chemicals. We curated rat multigeneration reproductive toxicity testing data of 275 chemicals from ToxRefDB (Toxicity Reference Database) and developed predictive models using seven machine learning algorithms (decision tree, decision forest, random forest, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, linear discriminant analysis, and logistic regression). A consensus model was built based on the seven individual models. An external validation set was curated from the COSMOS database and the literature. The performances of individual and consensus models were evaluated using 500 iterations of 5-fold cross-validations and the external validation data set. The balanced accuracy of the models ranged from 58% to 65% in the 5-fold cross-validations and 45%–61% in the external validations. Prediction confidence analysis was conducted to provide additional information for more appropriate applications of the developed models. The impact of our findings is in increasing confidence in machine learning models. We demonstrate the importance of using consensus models for harnessing the benefits of multiple machine learning models (i.e., using redundant systems to check validity of outcomes). While we continue to build upon the models to better characterize weak toxicants, there is current utility in saving resources by being able to screen out strong reproductive toxicants before investing in vivo testing. The modeling approach (machine learning models) is offered for assessing the rat multigeneration reproductive toxicity of chemicals. Our results suggest that machine learning may be a promising alternative approach to evaluate the potential reproductive toxicity of chemicals.
Terminalia catappa leaf extracts inhibited metastasis of A2058 and A375 melanoma cells via downregulating p-Src and β-catenin pathway in vitro
Authors: Chang Chin-Kuo , Chu Shu-Chen , Huang Jing-Yang , Chen Pei-Ni , Hsieh Yih-Shou
Published: September 2022

Background: Melanoma is a highly aggressive, lethal, and malignant cancer. Once diagnosed early, it can be easily removed and cured with satisfaction. Although many methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy have been used to treat this disease at an advanced stage, the outcomes are poor. Terminalia catappa leaves have been shown to have various biological benefits, including antitumor activity. The specific effects and molecular mechanisms of Terminalia catappa leaf in treating A2058 and A375 melanoma cells in vitro need to be clarified.

Methods: The A2058 and A375 melanoma cancer cells were treated with Terminalia catappa leaf extracts, and then the effect of Terminalia catappa leaf extracts on migration and invasion was examined. The cell migration/invasion capacities of A2058 and A375 cells were investigated by a modified Boyden chamber assay. Zymography was used to clarify the activities of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and urinary type plasminogen activator. We performed a Western blot to verify the related expression of phospho-Src (Tyr416), phospho-Focal adhesion kinase (Tyr397), Vimentin, and β-catenin.

Results: Modified Boyden chamber assays demonstrated that treatment of Terminalia catappa leaf extracts significantly inhibited A2058 and A375 cell migration/invasion capacities. In the zymography results, we showed that Terminalia catappa leaf extracts negatively modulated the activities of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and urinary type plasminogen activator. Western blot indicated that Terminalia catappa leaf extracts reduced the expression of phospho-Src (Tyr416), phospho-Focal adhesion kinase (Tyr397), Vimentin, and β-catenin.

Conclusion:Terminalia catappa leaf extracts affected the antimetastasis of the A2058 and A375 melanoma cell lines by inhibiting the Focal adhesion kinase/Src interaction and Wingless-int1/β-catenin pathways in vitro. Terminalia catappa leaf extracts may serve as an effective chemopreventive agent against metastasis of melanoma cancer.
Pyrroloquinoline quinone modulates YAP-related anti-ferroptotic activity to protect against myocardial hypertrophy
Authors: Zhou Jiabin , Yu Tao , Wu Gujie , Xu Peng , Wang Chen , Su Yiling , Wang Li , Lu Qi
Published: September 2022

Background: Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) has been reported to exhibit cardioprotective and antioxidant activities. Accordingly, this study was developed to explore the effects of PQQ treatment on myocardial hypertrophy and the underlying mechanism of action governing any observed beneficial effects.

Methods: A transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model of myocardial hypertrophy was established in vivo using C57BL/6 mice, while neonatal murine cardiomyocytes were stimulated with phenylephrine (PE) as an in vitro validation model system.

Results: Treatment of TAC model mice with PQQ significantly suppressed myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, in addition to inhibiting the ferroptotic death of hypertrophic myocardial cells in vivo. Subsequent in vitro analyses revealed that treatment with PQQ was sufficient to significantly alleviate PE-induced hypertrophic activity and to prevent ferroptotic induction in these primary murine cardiomyocytes. At the mechanistic level, PQQ was found to promote the upregulation of Yes-associated Protein (YAP), to suppress YAP phosphorylation, and to drive the nuclear translocation of YAP within hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. The use of a specific siRNA construct to knock down YAP expression in vitro further confirmed the ability of PQQ to protect against myocardial hypertrophy at least in part through anti-ferroptotic mechanisms.

Conclusion: PQQ can regulate the pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy through the induction of YAP-related anti-ferroptotic activity, highlighting the potential value of PQQ as a novel therapeutic agent capable of slowing or preventing the progression of myocardial hypertrophy and thus delaying the onset of heart failure.
The effect of age on the clinical characteristics and innate immune cell function in the patients with abdominal sepsis
Authors: Lu Jiaqi , Liu Jingyuan , Zhu Liuluan , Zhang Yue , Li Ang
Published: September 2022

Sepsis is a life-threatening dysregulated host response to infection that compromises organ health, and abdominal sepsis is a commonly presenting critical illness in intensive care units (ICU). In this study, we investigate the effect of age on clinical sepsis characteristics and innate immune cells (neutrophils and monocytes) functionality in abdominal sepsis patients. We recruited 32 patients with abdominal sepsis from the Beijing Ditan Hospital’s ICU from February 2021 to September 2021, and selected 18 healthy volunteers that were age- and sex-matched as controls for a prospective cohort study. Elderly abdominal sepsis patients (age >65 years) had the following altered characteristics compared to nonelderly patient controls: lower mean arterial pressure, monocytes percentage, and red blood cell volume distribution width (p < 0.05); higher neutrophils percentage and neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (p < 0.05); significantly increased monocyte-produced reactive oxygen (p < 0.05); increases neutrophilic secretion of TNF-α, as well as lower monocytic secretion of TNF-α (p < 0.05); higher neutrophil percentage (which was significantly higher in peripheral blood than monocyte percentage). Elderly patients also had significantly increased phagocytic activity in their neutrophils and monocytes (p < 0.05), significantly reduced neutrophils-produced reactive oxygen (p < 0.001), and significantly increased TNF-α secretion by monocytes and neutrophils (p < 0.05). We found that elderly patients have decreased immune cell function and increased release of cytokines compared to younger patients, suggesting individualized treatment plans targeting the elderly septic microenvironment could help prevent organ failure in elderly septic patients and improves patient survival.
Plastome structure, phylogenomic analyses and molecular dating of Arecaceae
Authors: Chen Da-Juan , Landis Jacob B. , Wang Hong-Xin , Sun Qing-Hui , Wang Qiao , Wang Hua-Feng
Published: September 2022

Arecaceae is a species-rich clade of Arecales, while also being regarded as a morphologically diverse angiosperm family with numerous species having significant economic, medicinal, and ornamental value. Although in-depth studies focused on the chloroplast structure of Arecaceae, as well as inferring phylogenetic relationships using gene fragments, have been reported in recent years, a comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast structure of Arecaceae is still needed. Here we perform a comprehensive analysis of the structural features of the chloroplast genome of Arecaceae, compare the variability of gene sequences, infer phylogenetic relationships, estimate species divergence times, and reconstruct ancestral morphological traits. In this study, 74 chloroplast genomes of Arecaceae were obtained, covering five subfamilies. The results show that all chloroplast genomes possess a typical tetrad structure ranging in size between 153,806-160,122 bp, with a total of 130-137 genes, including 76-82 protein-coding genes, 29-32 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Additionally, the total GC content was between 36.9-37.7%. Analysis of the SC/IR boundary indicated that the IR region underwent expansion or contraction. Phylogenetic relationships indicate that all five subfamilies in Arecaceae are monophyletic and that Ceroxyloideae and Arecoideae are sister groups (BS/PP = 100/1). The results of molecular dating indicate that the age of the crown group of Arecaceae is likely to be 96.60 [84.90-107.60] Ma, while the age of the stem group is 102.40 [93.44-111.17] Ma. Reconstruction of ancestral traits indicate that the ancestral characteristics of the family include monoecious plants, one seed, six stamens, and a smooth pericarp.
Effects of straw return and straw biochar on soil properties and crop growth: A review
Authors: Chen Limei , Sun Songlin , Yao Bin , Peng Yutao , Gao Chongfeng , Qin Tian , Zhou Yaoyu , Sun Chaoran , Quan Wei
Published: September 2022

Straw return is an effective method for disposing agricultural residues. It not only utilizes agricultural waste but also improves soil. In the current review, different crop straw and its characteristics were highlighted, and patterns of straw return were explored (including straw return, straw biochar return, and their combined with fertilizer return), as well as their environmental impacts were outlined. In addition, the effects of straw return and straw biochar amendment on soil properties [e.g., pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil nitrogen (N)/phosphorus (P)/potassium (K), soil enzyme activities, and soil microbes] were discussed. Information collected from this review proposed that straw return and straw biochar return or in combination with fertilizer is an applicable way for improving soil fertility and enhancing crop production. Straw return is beneficial to soil physicochemical properties and soil microbial features. The rice straw has positive impacts on crop growth. However, there are different climate types, soil types and crops in China, meaning that the future research need long-term experiment to assess the complex interactions among straw, soil, and plant eco-systems. Accordingly, this review aims to provide available information on the application of straw return in terms of different patterns of its to justify and to expand their effective promotion.
Exploring social media technologies for novice EFL school teachers to collaborate and communicate: A case in the Czech Republic
Authors: Lu Jinjin , Han Feifei , Janík Tomáš
Published: September 2022

With an increasing number of international schools, traditional EFL teaching methods may not satisfy students’ needs. This study aims to investigate perceptions of social media technologies (e.g., Web 2.0) and willingness to adopt such technologies to collaborate and communicate in multicultural classrooms among novice EFL schoolteachers in the Czech Republic. The participants were 100 novice EFL schoolteachers in Prague and the South Moravian regions of the Czech Republic. The study used a mixed research method consisting of a survey (stage 1) and a semi-structured interview (stage 2). The survey examined the participants’ appraisal and concerns of using social media technologies to collaborate and to communicate as well as the level of willingness to use social media technologies. A hierarchical cluster analysis using participants’ responses regarding their attitudes and behavioural tendency towards using Web 2.0 social media technologies in language classrooms identified three clusters of teachers. The teachers who were most likely to adopt social Web 2.0 technologies were those who had the highest ratings on both appraisals and concerns regarding the use of social media in language classrooms. The results from the semi-structured interviews were consistent with those from the survey. Together, the results from the two stages demonstrated that most pre-service teachers favoured using Web 2.0 technology for collaboration and communication among colleagues and stakeholders in a broader community, but they displayed contrasting levels of appraisal of and concerns towards using social media technologies. Participants believed that this might be due to their different levels of ICT proficiency, workload, and working environment. The political and practical implications in K-12 education in the Czech context are also discussed.
EEG study on implicit beliefs regarding sexuality: Psychophysiological measures in relation to self-report measures
Authors: van der Linde Robin , van Boxtel Geert , Masthoff Erik , Bogaerts Stefan
Published: September 2022

In this exploratory, correlational study, several psychophysiological measures were assessed and the relation between these measures and an experimental self-report questionnaire to measure the seven implicit beliefs of sexual offenders (the Questionnaire for Implicit Theories of Sexual Offenders (QITSO)) was established in a sample of Dutch participants recruited from the healthy population (N = 28) using correlational analyses. After analyzing task performance, electroencephalogram (EEG) data and electrocardiogram (ECG) data, the psychophysiological variables were correlated with the experimental QITSO subscales. The subscale “children as sexual beings” correlated positively with the P300 amplitude at electrode Pz. The subscale “women are unknowable” correlated positively with resting-state beta activity during eyes closed and eyes open, and with alpha activity during eyes open. Additionally, the subscale “entitlement’ correlated positively with low frequency heart rate variability power during eyes closed and eyes open, and with high frequency power during eyes closed. This study is a first exploratory step towards establishing a psychophysiological profile underlying the self-report questionnaire QITSO.
Business Brand Research Based on Multi-Feature Fusion Emotion Analysis
Authors: Li Boxuan
Published: September 2022

With the deepening of globalization, brand plays an important role in determining the competitiveness of enterprises. It is worth thinking about how to quantify the brand value reasonably to achieve the purpose of improving the competitiveness of enterprises. The research of commercial brands based on emotion analysis extracts the views of consumers on the evaluation data of brand attributes, analyzes the emotional tendency of consumers' views, and then helps enterprises adjust their production strategies. The purpose of emotion analysis is to judge users' views and attitudes toward goods or services by analyzing texts. In this paper, the linear support vector machine model is used to extract and study the features in sentiment analysis. Then, the brand based on the fusion model is evaluated, and the experimental conclusions are drawn: the method of fusing the depth features extracted by word vector and the named entity extracted by CRF makes the brand effect of fusing emotional factors better than the feature extraction method only using CRF named entity recognition. It is proved that the model method proposed in this paper has a certain role in actual business. Feature fusion often combines shallow model methods and fuses various shallow feature screening technologies based on word segmentation results. This paper introduces fusion features and supplements feature vectors based on the results of the deep learning word vector model. Support Vector Machine (SVM) maps feature vectors to some sample points in the space, finds a plane that can realize sample classification, and maximizes the distance between the two sample points closest to the plane in two types of samples, to maximize the classification performance and improve the generalization of the model.
Travel decision making during and after the COVID-2019 pandemic: Revisiting travel constraints, gender role, and behavioral intentions
Authors: Aziz Norzalita Abd , Long Fei , Bhuiyan Miraj Ahmed , Rahman Muhammad Khalilur
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply influenced the tourism and hospitality industry, and it has also reshaped people’s travel preferences and related behaviors. As a result, how prospective travelers perceive travel constraints and their effects on future travel behaviors may have changed to some extent. Besides, such perception arguably varies across gender. Therefore, this research examines the interplay between travel constraints, gender, and travel intentions for facilitating robust tourism recovery by revisiting the Leisure Constraints Model (LCM) from a gender perspective. Data were collected through a survey from 357 Malaysian prospective travelers. By conducting path analysis and multigroup analysis (MGA), it is found that structural and interpersonal constraints impose indirect effects on travel intentions (mediated by intrapersonal constraints), and gender moderating the effect of structural cost on intrapersonal constraints and effect of intrapersonal constraints on travel intentions. Based on these findings, this research provides theoretical and practical implications into how to adjust their marketing strategies and travel products during the era of “new normal” for tourism policy makers, destination marketers, and related businesses.
Societal vulnerability in the context of population aging—Perceptions of healthcare students' in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Samarkandi Osama A. , Aljuaid Mohammed , Abdulrahman Alkohaiz Mohammed , Al-Wathinani Ahmed M. , Alobaid Abdullah Mohammed , Alghamdi Abdullah A. , Alhallaf Mohammed A. , Albaqami Nawaf A.
Published: September 2022

Background and objective:

Healthcare professionals have an important role in increasing awareness and protecting populations from natural disasters. This study aimed to assess the perception of healthcare students toward societal vulnerability in the context of population aging.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted among students from two different health colleges over 4 months from February to May 2021. Descriptive analysis was used to assess the perception, and inferential testing was used to assess the various association of knowledge toward societal vulnerability using SPSS.

Results

The majority of respondents were male (69.2%), between 20 and 24 years of age (91.2%), and studying for a nursing degree (76.6%). Only 4.7% had previously completed a previous degree. The mean score of perceptions on the Aging and Disaster Vulnerability Scale among nursing students was 42.5 ± 10.3 (0–65) while for paramedicine 48.1 ± 9.7 (0–65). Similarly, the mean score among male students was 44.1 ±10.5. The mean PADVS total score for the cohort was 43.8 (SD = 10.5). The mean PADVS total score for nursing students was significantly lower than paramedic students (42.5 vs. 48.1; p < 0.001). There was no correlation between PADVS total score and gender, age, area of residence, or previous degree.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that Saudi healthcare students perceive older adults are somewhat vulnerable to disasters with significant differences between nursing and paramedic students. Furthermore, we suggest informing emergency services disaster response planning processes about educational intervention to overcome disasters in Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Real-time 3D scans of cardiac surgery using a single optical-see-through head-mounted display in a mobile setup
Authors: Dewitz Bastian , Bibo Roman , Moazemi Sobhan , Kalkhoff Sebastian , Recker Stephan , Liebrecht Artur , Lichtenberg Artur , Geiger Christian , Steinicke Frank , Aubin Hug , Schmid Falko
Published: September 2022

Microsoft HoloLens 2 (HL2) is often found in research and products as a cutting-edge device in Mixed Reality medical applications. One application is surgical telementoring, that allows a remote expert to support surgeries in real-time from afar. However, in this field of research two problems are encountered: First, many systems rely on additional sensors to record the surgery in 3D which makes the deployment cumbersome. Second, clinical testing under real-world surgery conditions is only performed in a small number of research works. In this article, we present a standalone system that allows the capturing of 3D recordings of open cardiac surgeries under clinical conditions using only the existing sensors of HL2. We show difficulties that arose during development, especially related to the optical system of the HL2, and present how they can be solved. The system has successfully been used to record surgeries from the surgeons point of view and the obtained material can be used to reconstruct a 3D view for evaluation by an expert. In a preliminary study, we present a recording of a captured surgery under real-world clinical conditions to expert surgeons which estimate the quality of the recordings and their overall applicability for diagnosis and support. The study shows benefits from a 3D reconstruction compared to video-only transmission regarding perceived quality and feeling of immersion.
Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring alteration during en bloc laminectomy surgery for thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum
Authors: Feng Xiaoning , Deng Li , Feng Haoyu , Hu Yong , Tian Jianghua , Sun Lin
Published: September 2022

Background

There is real risk during en bloc resection for the treatment of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF). Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) has been applied to monitor neurologic functional integration of the spinal cord during surgery. However, the IONM outcome and its relationship with clinical results still needs to be investigated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of IONM in en bloc laminectomy for TOLF.

Methods

Data from a total of 68 patients with TOLF who received en bloc resection was collected for this retrospective study. IONM of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were analyzed in different patterns of signal alerts, i.e. alert in either MEPs or SSEPs, alert in both MEPs and SSEPs, permanent alert, or recovery during surgery. Postoperative motor and sensory neurological function was evaluated in each patient immediately after surgery and at 12-month follow-up after surgery. The relationship of IONM outcomes and postoperative neurologic function were observed.

Results

Fifty of 68 patients did not present significant changes over alert criteria of IONM, neither SSEPs nor MEPs. Those 50 patients without IONM alerts did not show post-operative neurologic deterioration. Four patients presented alert of IONM in a single modality, while 2 patients showed only SSEP alert and 2 patients showed only MEP alert. Fourteen patients showed alerts in both SSEP and MEP, while 8 patients showed one or both signals return to normal during surgery and other 6 showed permanent abnormal electrophysiologic signals to the end of surgery. In the follow-up neurologic test, 3 patients presented transient neurologic complications from among 8 patients with both SSEP and MEP alerts and recovery during surgery. Six patients without recovery of IONM showed permanent neurologic complications after surgery.

Conclusions

Results of this study prove the effectiveness and usefulness of IONM in in en bloc laminectomy surgery for TOLF. The patterns of IONM changes correlated with postoperative neurologic functions. Special attention must be paid to the rapid loss of IONM without recovery during spinal decompression.
Case report: Epidural blood patches are effective in treating intracranial hypotension due to a subarachnoid-pleural fistula
Authors: Huang Hua , Wei Ting-Ting , Niu Zhong-Feng , Yu Liang , He Fei-Fang
Published: September 2022

Background

Intracranial hypotension (IH) is usually associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and/or CSF hypotension, and epidural blood patch (EBP) therapy has been proven to be effective for treating spontaneous IH and post-dural puncture headaches. Tarlov cysts (TCs) are common lesions of the sacral spine. They have rarely been reported in thoracic locations and are even less common in the posterior mediastinum, which can lead to their misdiagnosis as neurogenic tumors.

Case presentation

Here, we report the case of a 60-year-old woman who developed an orthostatic headache after the thoracoscopic resection of a TC in the posterior mediastinum that was presumed to be a schwannoma preoperatively. The patient was finally diagnosed with IH caused by a subarachnoid-pleural fistula (SPF) and was cured by targeted EBP treatment.

Conclusion

This is a case to show that a single targeted EBP treatment is effective for a patient with IH caused by an SPF after thoracoscopic resection of a TC. This case reminds us to be vigilant that a TC may be masquerading as a posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumor, and a detailed examination should be performed to identify it before deciding on a surgical procedure. In addition, postural headache after thoracoscopic spinal surgery should be alert to the possibility of IH induced by an SPF. Once it occurs, early treatment is necessary, and targeted EBP treatment can serve as a safe and effective alternative when conservative treatment fails.
Prognostic significance of Naples prognostic score in operable renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yaohui , Hu Xu , Zheng Danxi , Shao Yanxiang , Lia Thongher , Li Xiang
Published: September 2022

Background

Naples prognostic score (NPS), a novel scoring system based on nutritional and inflammatory status, is associated with prognosis in several cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative NPS in patients undergoing nephrectomy.

Patients and Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy between 2010 and 2013. The clinicopathological characteristics of patients stratified by preoperative NPS were compared. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify independent prognostic factors. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate prediction efficiency.

Results

A total of 638 patients with operable RCC were included. The high-NPS group (NPS group 2) was significantly associated with older age (P < 0.001), larger tumor size (P < 0.001), worse pathological T stage (P < 0.001), positive lymph node pathology (P = 0.002), higher tumor grade (P < 0.001), and greater tumor necrosis (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the high-NPS subgroup had significantly worse overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR): 2.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45–3.50, P < 0.001] and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.48–3.44, P < 0.001). Among several preoperative scoring systems, NPS had the strongest discriminatory power for predicting OS and PFS.

Conclusion

Preoperative NPS can serve as a simple novel risk stratification tool to optimize the prognosis of patients with operable RCC. Further prospective and large-scale studies are needed to validate our findings.
Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) approach for L5-S1: Preliminary experience
Authors: Xu Junjie , Chen Enliang , Wang Le , Zou Xiaobao , Deng Chenfu , Chen Junlin , Ma Rencai , Ma Xiangyang , Wu Zenghui
Published: September 2022

Study Design

Technical report.

Objective

Evaluate technical feasibility of extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) at the L5-S1 level and provide an elaborate description of the surgical technique.

Summary of Background Data

With the development of surgical techniques, the indications for oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) surgery have been broadened to the L5/S1 segment. However, this technique also has limitations. Different from OLIF, the L5/S1 segment used to be considered the main contraindication for XLIF. To date, no authors have reported the application of XLIF at the L5/S1 level.

Methods

Only patients whose preoperative lumbar MRI showed the position of the psoas major muscles and blood vessels at the L5/S1 level were similar to those seen at supra-L5 levels were seleted. By folding the operating table, the iliac crest was moved downward to expose the L5/S1 intervertebral space during the operation. The remaining surgical procedures were consistent with routine XLIF surgery.

Results

8 patients successfully underwent XLIF at the L5/S1 level. The L5/S1 disk spaces were always exposed sufficiently for disk preparation and cage insertion. The post operative radiographs showed a satisfactory L5/S1 reconstruction with good cage position. Only 1 patient (12.5%) felt thigh numbness, and the symptoms gradually resolved after surgery and were no longer present in a month. There were no cases of psoas hematoma, retrograde ejaculation or vascular injury. The postoperative VAS score showed that all the patients achieved satisfactory results.

Conclusions

XLIF at L5-S1 is feasible in strictly selected cases after thorough preoperative preparation and careful intraoperative procedures. However, we did not recommend XLIF as a routine surgical option at the L5/S1 level.
Retention of Antioxidants from Dried Carrot Pomace in Wheat Bread
Authors: Ziobro Rafał , Ivanišová Eva , Bojňanská Tatiana , Gumul Dorota
Published: September 2022

The trial aimed to check the retention of carrot pomace antioxidants in wheat bread, using a variety of colorimetric assays. It was observed that the addition of 15% dried carrot pomace significantly affected dough properties. The enriched bread was acceptable in terms of technological parameters but exhibited strong carrot flavor and orange color. The incorporation of antioxidants from carrot pomace allowed us to increase the antioxidant potential of wheat bread (32% for DPPH and ABTS assays, 3 times for FRAP and 4 times for FOMO). The extent of the changes in contents of individual groups of antioxidants was not always proportional to the applied addition level (increase in polyphenols was almost eight times, flavonoids—nine times, phenolic acids—two times and flavonols—eight times, compared to the control). The study revealed that the antioxidant properties of the pomace are largely preserved during baking, and therefore such a product could be used for the production of breadcrumbs for coating and admixing purposes.
Building Volunteer Engagement in the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program from the Ground Up
Authors: Bumgarner Natalie , Wilcox Debb , Wright Hannah , Duncan Anna , Painter Rachel , Rose Melody , Sammons Lee , Scott Celeste , Upchurch Gregg
Published: September 2022

This study was designed to assess key volunteer attitudes and perceptions about local and state Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer programs. EMG volunteers in Tennessee completed a total of 759 surveys between January 22 and March 10, 2020. Survey responses showed there was a strong positive perception of local EMG groups and the connection with the University of Tennessee system overall. When respondents were segmented, answers to key questions showed illuminating differences between volunteers with positive and neutral or negative views of the program. The variations in answers show areas of potential emphasis to support healthy local group culture and broader efficacy of the EMG program.
ЩОДО КРИМІНАЛЬНО-ПРАВОВОГО АНАЛІЗУ ОБ’ЄКТИВНИХ ОЗНАК ОКРЕМИХ НОВЕЛ КРИМІНАЛЬНОГО ЗАКОНОДАВСТВА, ВИНИКНЕННЯ ЯКИХ ПОВ’ЯЗАНО З АКТОМ ЗОВНІШНЬОЇ АГРЕСІЇ ПРОТИ УКРАЇНИ
Authors: Кухар О. В.
Published: September 2022

У статті розглядаються об’єктивні ознаки правопорушення, передбаченого ст. 435-1 Кримінального кодексу України «Образа честі і гідності військовослужбовця, погроза військовослужбовцю». Поява вказаної норми пов’язана і з фактом зовнішньої агресії проти України і з необхідністю своєчасного на це реагування. Констатується, що за змістом, формою та складом вказана норма є абсолютною новелою для сучасного законодавства України про кримінальну відповідальність. У статті розглядаються об’єкт та об’єктивна сторона вказаного правопорушення. Констатується, що у зв’язку з новизною зазначеної норми відсутні сучасні наукові праці, у яких би розглядалися питання, які є предметом цього дослідження. Аналізуються родовий, видовий та безпосередній об’єкти правопорушення. Визначається повернення до сучасного кримінально-правового понятійного апарату такої форми об’єктивної сторони складу кримінального правопорушення, як образа. Розглядається така форма об’єктивної сторони, як загрози. Визначається також і факультативна ознака об’єктивної сторони складу правопорушення, а саме час його вчинення. Акцентується увага на тому, що досліджувана норма дії є ключовою для можливостей її застосування
ЩОДО МЕТОДИКИ ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ЕЛЕМЕНТІВ СИСТЕМИ СПЕЦІАЛЬНИХ ЗАСАД ПРИЗНАЧЕННЯ ПОКАРАННЯ
Authors: Шинкарьов Ю. В.
Published: September 2022

У даній статті здійснюється методико-правовий аналіз порядку включення елементів (видів) спеціальних засад до їх системи. Ця діяльність проводиться на грунті дослідження основних наукових підходів до формування дефініції спеціальних засад, їхніх ознак та правового призначення. Аналізується основна й сучасна наукова література з проблематики дослідження. Робляться висновки про основні ідеї, що повинні покладатися у побудову цілісної системи спеціальних засад призначення покарання
КОГНІТИВНИЙ ДИСКУРС СУЧАСНИХ ЗАЛЕЖНОСТЕЙ МІСТЯНИНА: НОВА ПАРАДИГМА ПІДГОТОВКИ ПСИХОЛОГА
Authors: Нікітіна Оксана , Резван Оксана , Тихонович Вікторія
Published: September 2022

Актуальність дослідження. Інтернет та селфі-залежність є соціальними проблемами, що дедалі зростають у всьому світу. Їх осмислення привертає увагу дослідників і клініцистів психічного здоров’я, хоча рівень розробок все ще знаходиться на початковому етапі, що відбивається на звужених можливостях якісної психодіагностики та психокорекції сучасних залежностей містянина при наявному практичному запиті. Мета дослідження: обґрунтування необхідності включення до програми підготовки майбутніх фахівців з соціально-психологічного супроводу у мегаполісі блоку дисциплін, які мають озброїти студентів знаннями з психодіагностики та психокорекції сучасних залежностей містянина. Вибірка. 1) група залежних підлітків (n=21) та дорослих клієнтів (n=44); 2) група студентів (n=56). Результати і висновки. Визначено необхідність розробки комплексної моделі для пояснення поведінки людини, пов’язаної з Інтернет-взаємодіями, та осмислення складної системи психосоціальних чинників, обумовлених Інтернет та селфі-залежністю. За даними аналізу запитів залежних клієнтів різного віку діагностовано більшу уразливість підлітків, у порівнянні з дорослими, у прояві пристрасного ставлення до Інтернету, що узгоджується з емпіричним результатами досліджень, здійснених в інших країнах. В цілому, відсоток звернень респондентів з Інтернет-залежністю склав третину запитів у групах залежних підлітків та дорослих. Значущою проблемою для студентів визначено кіберкомунікативну залежність, що призводить до розповсюдження проявів селфі-залежності. Отримані результати дозволили розробити програму психокорекції Інтернет та селфі-залежності у студентів, а її апробація засвідчила ефективність. Теоретичний аналіз та емпіричні дослідження обґрунтовують необхідність подальшого розвитку напрямків психодіагностики та психокорекції сучасних залежностей містян та актуальність їх вивчення у рамках відповідних дисциплін при підготовці майбутніх психологів.
СОЦІАЛЬНА КРЕАТИВНІСТЬ У СТРУКТУРІ СОЦІАЛЬНИХ ЗДАТНОСТЕЙ МАЙБУТНІХ ФАХІВЦІВ
Authors: Поєзднік Олександр , Башкір Ольга
Published: September 2022

Актуальність дослідження: Соціальні здатності у процесі фахової підготовки набувають першочергового значення, що висуває необхідність у дослідженні соціальної креативності особистості.

Мета дослідження: визначити місце соціальної креативності у структурі соціальних професійних здатностей майбутніх фахівців.

Методи дослідження: адаптований тест соціальної креативності для студентів, опитувальник соціальної креативності А. Батаршева, методика КОС-2, методика діагностики комунікативної креативності О. Саннікової.

Результати і висновки.У результаті кореляційного аналізу було виявлено низку позитивних зв’язків між соціальною креативністю та іншими соціальними здатностями – організаційними та комунікативними нахилами, комунікативною креативністю. Отримана низка кореляцій дозволила застосувати факторний аналіз, у результаті якого було отримано чотири латентних змінні - «Емоційна саморегуляція у спілкуванні та деталізованість в організації соціальних стосунків», «Здатність до самовираження у спілкуванні та оригінальність у розв’язанні соціальних проблем», «Соціальна спонтанність» і «Варіативність у розв’язанні соціальних проблем та комунікативна компетентність». Отже, перший фактор розкриває зв'язок між здатністю до саморегуляції емоцій у спілкуванні, до попередження та уникнення конфліктів із високим рівнем усвідомленості власних соціальних здатностей та вмінням ретельно розробляти плани соціальної взаємодії. Зміст другого фактору розкриває зв'язок між вмінням презентувати себе та виражати власні емоції та думки у спілкуванні із оригінальністю у вирішенні проблем соціальної взаємодії. Третій фактор розкриває зв'язок між високою швидкістю у розв’язанні проблем соціальної взаємодії та здатністю організувати соціальну взаємодії, управляти іншими у спілкуванні, легкістю у побудові комунікації. Четвертий фактор розкриває зв'язок між гнучкістю у побудові планів розв’язання проблем у соціальній взаємодії, здатності продукувати різні варіанти таких планів, самостійністю у вирішенні комунікативних завдань, обізнаністю та інструментальною озброєністю в ефективному спілкуванні.
КУБИКИ РОРІ ЯК ПСИХОДІАГНОСТИЧНИЙ ІНСТРУМЕНТАРІЙ ДЛЯ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ВЕРБАЛЬНОЇ КРЕАТИВНОСТІ ОСОБИСТОСТІ
Authors: Шандрук Сергій , Тінг Ге
Published: September 2022

Актуальність дослідженнязрозробки нового психодіагностичного інструментарію для дослідження вербальної креативності зумовлена, з одного боку, вимогою психологічного супроводу творчо обдарованої особистості у сучасному суспільстві, що характеризується впливом кардинальних цивілізаційних і соціокультурних змін і пов’язані з інноваційними процесами.

Мета дослідження: здійснити апробацію методики психодіагностики мотивації вибору професії та задоволення базових потреб у роботі дизайнера. Вибірку досліджуваних склали 125 здобувачів ЗУНУ ОКР «Бакалавр», віком 18-23 роки, рівномірно представлені за статтю.

Методи і вибірка. Для перевірки конвергентної та дивергентної валідності нами використано тест Векслера та тест вербальної креативності С. Медніка у модифікації А. Н. Вороніна.

Результати. Розроблено тест для діагностики вербальної креативності.

Висновки.У результаті стандартизації авторського тесту для дослідження вербальної креативності – кубики історій Рорі – було визначено високу валідність та надійність тесту. Тест дозволяє визначити рівень розвитку вербальної креативності за показниками швидкості, розробленості, оригінальності, супротиву замиканню, гнучкості та абстрактності назви. Процедура дослідження передбачає складання історій за зображеннями на гранях кубика, а обробка даних – кількісний та якісний аналіз історій. У результаті переводу сирих балів у стенові значення уможливлюється визначення рівня вербальної креативності за усіма параметрами та складання індивідуального профілю вербальної креативності досліджуваного.
Advocating for and Providing Quality Adaptive Physical Education
Authors: Isbell Heather , Smith Samantha , Calderone Mia , Madison Samuel , Rocha Luis , G. Pennington Colin
Published: September 2022

Ideally, as put across by the Disability & Human Rights guide, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) does not give a detailed description of disability but rather gives a wide range of features that intend describe disability. The truth is, despite being incapacitated in a certain way, people living with disabilities should be given the same opportunities as those without. Our separate literature analysis discovered that different efforts had been put in place to present equal opportunities for people living with disabilities. One of these efforts is adaptive physical education. As its name suggests, adaptive physical education is a physical education that has been adapted to create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities as it is for people without disabilities. To this effect, this paper and its entirety will focus on presenting the different themes observed from the different pieces of literature separately.
Screening néonatal des cardiopathies congénitales critiques par saturométrie : le POx screening
Authors: Balmer Christian , Beauport Lydie , Niesse Olivier , Arlettaz Romaine
Published: September 2022

Pourquoi un dépistage des cardiopathies congénitales ? Le screening a pour but d’identifier les nouveau-nés souffrant de cardiopathies susceptibles de mettre leur vie en danger. Ces enfants se développent certes normalement pendant la grossesse, mais se péjorent subitement après la naissance, à cause des modifications physiologiques cardio-respiratoires et de la fermeture du canal artériel. Ces cardiopathies étant, dans de nombreux cas, incompatibles avec la survie sans intervention invasive au cours des 4 premières semaines de vie, elles sont définies comme étant des cardiopathies congénitales critiques. Elles comprennent essentiellement les diagnostics répertoriés dans le tableau 1.