bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Possibility of a Conceptual Model of Quality of Life
Authors: Precupetu Iuliana
Published: December 2023

Up to now, quality of life (QOL) research has been guided by several conceptual frameworks that allow for the generation of rather general approaches to QOL with very fragmented explanatory contributions, while no specific conceptual models can be identified in the literature. This paper, which is based on a critical review of mainstream literature, aims to highlight the main difficulties in building a conceptual model of QOL and to propose a model that can overcome some of the current issues. The difficulties in constructing such a conceptual model stem mainly from the variety of definitions and the range assigned to the concept of QOL, the consequent operationalisation of the concept, the relativity and multidimensionality of the concept and the subsequent problems with unidimensional measures. This paper proposes a conceptual model that adopts an individual perspective on the theoretical construct and introduces several novel ideas for building a comprehensive explanatory framework for QOL. The following developments and improvements are suggested with the purpose of clarifying the intricate field of QOL research and closing in on a conceptual model: honing in on essential dimensions instead of constantly expanding the concept, increasing the effort put into theorising about QOL, adopting a life course perspective, generating longitudinal data and utilising research on agency. There is a high need for the development of a conceptual model of QOL and the concurrent integration of QOL approaches, at least at the European level, as this would contribute to fostering the advancement of the QOL research field and highlighting core European values regarding QOL standards.
PULO DO GATO, OU, BREVE CONSIDERAÇÃO SOBRE A REVERSÃO DO PLATONISMO
Authors: Gomes Brazil Luciano
Published: December 2023

Este é um texto concebido a partir de duas diferentes experiências. A primeira é a da leitura A lógica do sentido de Gilles Deleuze, e também do romance Alice no país das maravilhas, de Lewis Carroll, livro este que é objeto de estudo do livro de Deleuze, e a segunda experiência, que remete à sala de aula e às disciplinas de filosofia da educação, que inerem certa bibliografia básica em torno deste assunto e por isto, um debate recorrente em torno do conceito de educação. Neste artigo, portanto, tento fazer o transporte das ideias presentes no início da Lógica do sentido, a da série dos paradoxos, principalmente aquele paradoxo maior/menor para o âmbito ou território escolar da educação.
CARTA DE DESCARTES A MERSENNE DE 26 DE ABRIL DE 1643
Authors: Coelho Rafael Teruel
Published: December 2023

Trata-se de uma carta de Descartes enviada ao Pe. Mersenne explicando sua recusa do papel explanatório das chamadas qualidades reais e das formas substanciais no que toca aos fenômenos naturais, bem como algumas considerações relevantes acerca da natureza do movimento.
A systematic review of heat recovery from roads for mitigating urban heat island effects: current state and future directions
Authors: Ali Moiz , Bicer Yusuf , Al-Ansari Tareq , Amhamed Abdulkarem I.
Published: December 2023

Heat recovery from roads is a promising technology to address the urban heat island effect. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current state and future directions of heat recovery from roads to address the urban heat island effect while generating renewable energy. The study covers various aspects such as theoretical background, economic feasibility, environmental impact, and materials design techniques. A systematic search of relevant literature was conducted to analyze and synthesize different heat recovery systems’ efficiency, performance, and potential. The paper also discusses the economic feasibility and environmental impact of these systems, including installation and maintenance costs, revenue generation, and local ecosystem impact. The review explores the role of different materials, such as PEX pipe, asphalt mix, and carbon nanotubes, in improving heat harvesting systems’ efficiency. The paper concludes with a discussion of research gaps and future directions in the field of heat recovery from roads. This study provides a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in sustainable and efficient energy system development.
Multi-and many-objective optimization: present and future in de novo drug design
Authors: Angelo Jaqueline S. , Guedes Isabella A. , Barbosa Helio J. C. , Dardenne Laurent E.
Published: December 2023

de novo Drug Design (dnDD) aims to create new molecules that satisfy multiple conflicting objectives. Since several desired properties can be considered in the optimization process, dnDD is naturally categorized as a many-objective optimization problem (ManyOOP), where more than three objectives must be simultaneously optimized. However, a large number of objectives typically pose several challenges that affect the choice and the design of optimization methodologies. Herein, we cover the application of multi- and many-objective optimization methods, particularly those based on Evolutionary Computation and Machine Learning techniques, to enlighten their potential application in dnDD. Additionally, we comprehensively analyze how molecular properties used in the optimization process are applied as either objectives or constraints to the problem. Finally, we discuss future research in many-objective optimization for dnDD, highlighting two important possible impacts: i) its integration with the development of multi-target approaches to accelerate the discovery of innovative and more efficacious drug therapies and ii) its role as a catalyst for new developments in more fundamental and general methodological frameworks in the field.
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a prospective, observational study to evaluate diagnostic performance of the Tina-quant D-Dimer Gen.2 assay
Authors: Bertsch Thomas , Behringer Wilhelm , Blaschke Sabine , Body Richard , Davidson Simon , Müller-Olling Mirco , Guo Ge , Rieger Anna , Wahl Annika , Horner Daniel , Sun Yuli , Turnes Lucia , Sonner Ulrich , Hoffmann Michael
Published: December 2023

Background

D-Dimer testing is a diagnostic tool for exclusion of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the Tina-quant® D-Dimer Gen.2 assay (Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) in patients with low/intermediate pre-test probability of DVT/PE using standard, age-, and clinical probability-adjusted cut-offs.

Methods

In this prospective, observational, multicenter study (July 2017–August 2019), plasma samples were collected from hospital emergency departments and specialist referral centers. DVT/PE was diagnosed under hospital standard procedures and imaging protocols. A standard D-dimer cut-off of 0.5 µg fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU)/ml was combined with the three-level Wells score; cut-offs adjusted for age (age × 0.01 µg FEU/ml for patients >50 years) and clinical probability (1 µg FEU/ml for low probability) were also evaluated. An assay comparison was conducted in a subset of samples using the Tina-quant D-Dimer Gen.2 assay and the previously established routine laboratory assay, STA-Liatest D-Di Plus assay (Stago Deutschland GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany).

Results

2,897 patients were enrolled; 2,516 completed the study (DVT cohort: 1,741 PE cohort: 775). Clinical assessment plus D-dimer testing using the standard cut-off resulted in 317 (DVT) and 230 (PE) false positives, and zero (DVT) and one (PE) false negatives. Negative predictive value (NPV) was 100.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 99.7%–100.0%) and 99.8% (95% CI: 98.8%–100.0%) for DVT and PE, respectively. After age-adjustment, NPV was 99.9% (95% CI: 99.6%–100.0%) and 99.1% (95% CI: 97.8–99.7) for DVT and PE, respectively. False positive rates decreased (>50%) in clinical probability-adjusted analyses vs. primary analysis. In the assay comparison, the performances of the two assays were comparable.

Conclusion

The Tina-quant D-Dimer Gen.2 assay and standard D-dimer cut-off level combined with the three-level Wells score accurately identified patients with a very low probability of DVT/PE.
Detection of heart rate using smartphone gyroscope data: a scoping review
Authors: Wu Wenshan , Elgendi Mohamed , Fletcher Richard Ribon , Bomberg Hagen , Eichenberger Urs , Guan Cuntai , Menon Carlo
Published: December 2023

Heart rate (HR) is closely related to heart rhythm patterns, and its irregularity can imply serious health problems. Therefore, HR is used in the diagnosis of many health conditions. Traditionally, HR has been measured through an electrocardiograph (ECG), which is subject to several practical limitations when applied in everyday settings. In recent years, the emergence of smartphones and microelectromechanical systems has allowed innovative solutions for conveniently measuring HR, such as smartphone ECG, smartphone photoplethysmography (PPG), and seismocardiography (SCG). However, these measurements generally rely on external sensor hardware or are highly susceptible to inaccuracies due to the presence of significant levels of motion artifact. Data from gyrocardiography (GCG), however, while largely overlooked for this application, has the potential to overcome the limitations of other forms of measurements. For this scoping review, we performed a literature search on HR measurement using smartphone gyroscope data. In this review, from among the 114 articles that we identified, we include seven relevant articles from the last decade (December 2012 to January 2023) for further analysis of their respective methods for data collection, signal pre-processing, and HR estimation. The seven selected articles’ sample sizes varied from 11 to 435 participants. Two articles used a sample size of less than 40, and three articles used a sample size of 300 or more. We provide elaborations about the algorithms used in the studies and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Across the articles, we noticed an inconsistency in the algorithms used and a lack of established standardization for performance evaluation for HR estimation using smartphone GCG data. Among the seven articles included, five did not perform any performance evaluation, while the other two used different reference signals (HR and PPG respectively) and metrics for accuracy evaluation. We conclude the review with a discussion of challenges and future directions for the application of GCG technology.
Greedy knot selection algorithm for restricted cubic spline regression
Authors: Arnes Jo Inge , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Horsch Alexander , Braaten Tonje
Published: December 2023

Non-linear regression modeling is common in epidemiology for prediction purposes or estimating relationships between predictor and response variables. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression is one such method, for example, highly relevant to Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis. RCS regression uses third-order polynomials joined at knot points to model non-linear relationships. The standard approach is to place knots by a regular sequence of quantiles between the outer boundaries. A regression curve can easily be fitted to the sample using a relatively high number of knots. The problem is then overfitting, where a regression model has a good fit to the given sample but does not generalize well to other samples. A low knot count is thus preferred. However, the standard knot selection process can lead to underperformance in the sparser regions of the predictor variable, especially when using a low number of knots. It can also lead to overfitting in the denser regions. We present a simple greedy search algorithm using a backward method for knot selection that shows reduced prediction error and Bayesian information criterion scores compared to the standard knot selection process in simulation experiments. We have implemented the algorithm as part of an open-source R-package, knutar.
An orally available cancer drug AZD6738 prevents type 1 diabetes
Authors: Sugitani Norie , Mason Hannah R. , Campfield Brian T. , Piganelli Jon D.
Published: December 2023

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects three million Americans, with 80 new people diagnosed each day. T1D is currently uncurable and there is an urgent need to develop additional drug candidates to achieve the prevention of T1D. We propose AZD6738 (ATRi), an orally available drug currently in phases I and II of clinical trials for various cancers, as a novel candidate to prevent T1D. Based on previously reported findings of ATRi inducing cell death in rapidly proliferating T cells, we hypothesized that this drug would specifically affect self-antigen activated diabetogenic T cells. These cells, if left unchecked, could otherwise lead to the destruction of pancreatic β cells, contributing to the development of T1D. This work demonstrates that increasing the duration of ATRi treatment provides extended protection against T1D onset. Remarkably, 5-week ATRi treatment prevented T1D in a robust adoptive transfer mouse model. Furthermore, the splenocytes of animals that received 5-week ATRi treatment did not transfer immune-mediated diabetes, while the splenocytes from control animal transferred the disease in 10 days. This work shows that ATRi prevents T1D by specifically inducing cell death in self-antigen activated, highly proliferative diabetogenic T cells through the induction of DNA damage, resulting in the inhibition of IFNγ production and proliferation. These findings support the consideration of repurposing ATRi for T1D prevention.
Deep learning techniques for isointense infant brain tissue segmentation: a systematic literature review
Authors: Mhlanga Sandile Thamie , Viriri Serestina
Published: December 2023

Introduction

To improve comprehension of initial brain growth in wellness along with sickness, it is essential to precisely segment child brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) into white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM), along with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Nonetheless, in the isointense phase (6-8 months of age), the inborn myelination and development activities, WM along with GM display alike stages of intensity in both T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI, making tissue segmentation extremely difficult.

Methods

The comprehensive review of studies related to isointense brain MRI segmentation approaches is highlighted in this publication. The main aim and contribution of this study is to aid researchers by providing a thorough review to make their search for isointense brain MRI segmentation easier. The systematic literature review is performed from four points of reference: (1) review of studies concerning isointense brain MRI segmentation; (2) research contribution and future works and limitations; (3) frequently applied evaluation metrics and datasets; (4) findings of this studies.

Results and discussion

The systemic review is performed on studies that were published in the period of 2012 to 2022. A total of 19 primary studies of isointense brain MRI segmentation were selected to report the research question stated in this review.
The future of myelodysplastic syndrome—patient priorities and outcomes that matter
Authors: Poynton Matthew , Gilmour-Hamilton Catriona , Dale-Harris Isabella , Clarke Evelyn , Stanworth Simon , Murphy Mike , Roy Noémi
Published: December 2023

Background

Without a definitive curative option available to many patients, learning to live with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and manage symptoms effectively becomes a priority in their care. Anaemia is an almost universal feature of MDS. Individuals suffer differently and better individualisation of care is needed. Most MDS patient information offers scant appreciation for disease heterogeneity, variable response to treatment and each patient’s likely trajectory.

Methods

We undertook a two-part, online workshop to discuss what matters most to people living with MDS. Patients generated questions about their condition which they felt should be addressed by research or change how their care is delivered. Patients voted on the importance of each topic, creating a “prioritised” list of issues.

Results

Fourteen participants of varying age and experience took part raising 56 unique questions under the themes of: prognosis; end of life; treatment; supportive care; medical staff training; diagnosis and communication. These reflect the symptoms of MDS, improving quality of life (QoL) and communication.

Discussion

Although haemoglobin (Hb) levels have correlation to QoL, it is widely reported that other factors are important in determining QoL and need for transfusions varies despite stable Hb levels. We showed that Hb level and the need for transfusions is not comparable between different patients and even non-comparable over time meaning that the maximal benefit and timing of transfusions cannot be determined from Hb alone. This workshop highlighted patient dissatisfaction with the “numbers-led” approach and the need for an alternative method to determine when to transfuse.
Case report: Thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke and cerebral cavernous malformation
Authors: Lin Jie , Weng Xiongpeng , Zheng Jing , Wu Saizhen , Bao Qiongqiong , Peng Feifei , Huang Yanbin
Published: December 2023

Background

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a rare disease associated with a latent risk of intracranial hemorrhage. However, due to limited evidence, the safety of recommending intravenous tissue plasminogen activators for patients with acute stroke and CCM remains uncertain.

Methods

Our study identified five patients with acute stroke and CCM treated between 2017 and 2023 across two hospitals. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, incorporating three similar case reports and two retrospective studies.

Results

Among 30 patients reviewed, three exhibited symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, two of whom were women. Additionally, three patients presented with calcification in their CCM, with two experiencing symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

Conclusion

The observed incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage following intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration appears to be elevated in patients with CCM. Therefore, before thrombolysis, a thorough evaluation of personalized risk–benefit ratios is crucial. Furthermore, conducting further research involving multiple centers and larger sample sizes is imperative to advance our understanding in this area, especially in identifying hemorrhage risk factors.
Enhancing date seed phenolic bioaccessibility in soft cheese through a dehydrated liposome delivery system and its effect on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats
Authors: Mohammed Dina Mostafa , El-Messery Tamer M. , Baranenko Denis A. , Hashim Mahmood A. , Boulkrane Mohamed Said , El-Said Marwa M.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The consumption of dairy products, including soft cheese, has been associated with numerous health benefits due to their high nutritional value. However, the phenolic compounds bioaccessibility present in soft cheese is limited due to their poor solubility and stability during digestion. So, this study aimed to develop an innovative soft cheese enriched with date seed phenolic compounds (DSP) extracted ultrasonically and incorporated into homogeneous liposomes and study its attenuation effect on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats.

Methods

Date seed phenolic compounds were extracted using 98 and 50% ethanol along with water as solvents, employing ultrasonication at 10, 20, and 30-min intervals. The primary and secondary DSP-liposomes were prepared and dehydrated. The particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and morphology were measured. Incorporating dehydrated liposomes (1–3% w/w) into soft cheese and their impact on BPH using male Sprague–Dawley rats was assessed. After inducing BPH, rats were fed a cheese diet with dehydrated DSP-liposomes. Over 8 weeks, parameters including nutrition parameters, prostate enlargement analysis, biochemical parameters, hormones level, oxidative stress, and cytokines were analyzed.

Results and Discussion

The results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction effectively reduced the extraction time and 30 min extraction EtOH 50% was enough to extract high yield of phenolic compounds (558 mg GA/g) and flavonoids (55 mg qu/g) with high antioxidant activity (74%). The biological results indicate that prostate weight and prostate index% were diminished in the treatment groups (1 and 2) compared to the BPH control group. The high antioxidant content present in the DSP-liposomes acted as the catalyst for suppressing the responses of the inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting the anti-inflammatory IL-10 production, and suppressing the elevated levels of lipid peroxidation products compared to the BPH group.

Conclusion

The treatment group (2) supplemented with dehydrated secondary DSP-liposomes exhibited the most significant variance (p < 0.05) as opposed to the BPH group. Liposomal encapsulation was proved to be a feasible approach for administering DSP in soft cheese, thereby establishing new functional food category possessing prophylactic properties against the advancement of BPH in rats.
Prehabilitation of dysphagia in the therapy of head and neck cancer- a systematic review of the literature and evidence evaluation
Authors: Vester Sarah , Muhr Anna , Meier Johannes , Süß Christoph , Kummer Peter , Künzel Julian
Published: December 2023

Background

Prehabilitation is becoming increasingly important in oncology because of the significant survival benefits that the reduction of malnutrition provide. Specifically, tumor- and therapy-related dysphagia leads to malnutrition in more than half of head and neck tumor patients. Studies describe the positive effects of an early onset of swallow-specific prehabilitation on the protection of the swallowing function. This paper intents to evaluate the existing evidence on the efficacy of preventive forms of swallowing therapy.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in February 2022 in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for randomized controlled trials investigating preventive swallowing therapy in head and neck tumor patients. This Procedure complies with the PRISMA statement. The RCTs were evaluated by using the PEDro Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool RoB2.

Results

Five randomized-controlled trials with 423 participants were identified. Four Studies showed moderate to high quality in the PEDro analysis, one showed less. The risk of bias was high in all studies because there was no possibility for blinding and there were high dropout rates. Heterogeneity in interventions, measurement instruments, measurement time points, and outcomes limits a general statement about which swallowing exercises are suitable for the prevention of dysphagia in head and neck tumor patients. Evidence is provided for short-term effects (≤24 months) on functional aspects of swallowing and quality of life. Overall, a decreasing adherence over time was observed in the intervention groups.

Discussion

Initial studies describe swallowing-specific prehabilitation programs in head and neck tumor patients as effective, at least in the short term, whereas long-term effects need to be further investigated. At the current time the evidence base for clear recommendations does not appear to be sufficiently high and studies share a high risk of bias. Further well-designed research, especially considering the conditions in the national health care system, is needed.

Other

There was no funding and no registration.
Intra-erythrocytic vacuoles in asplenic patients: elusive genesis and original clearance of unique organelles
Authors: Dumas Lucie , Roussel Camille , Buffet Pierre
Published: December 2023

The spleen plays a dual role of immune response and the filtration of red blood cells (RBC), the latter function being performed within the unique microcirculatory architecture of the red pulp. The red pulp filters and eliminates senescent and pathological RBC and can expell intra-erythrocytic rigid bodies through the so-called pitting mechanism. The loss of splenic function increases the risk of infections, thromboembolism, and hematological malignancies. However, current diagnostic tests such as quantification of Howell-Jolly Bodies and splenic scintigraphy lack sensitivity or are logistically demanding. Although not widely available in medical practice, the quantification of RBC containing vacuoles, i.e., pocked RBC, is a highly sensitive and specific marker for hyposplenism. The peripheral blood of hypo/asplenic individuals contains up to 80% RBC with vacuoles, whereas these pocked RBC account for less than 4% of RBC in healthy subjects. Despite their value as a spleen function test, intraerythrocytic vacuoles have received relatively limited attention so far, and little is known about their origin, content, and clearance. We provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding possible origins and mechanisms of elimination, as well as the potential function of these unique and original organelles observed in otherwise “empty” mature RBC. We highlight the need for further research on pocked RBC, particularly regarding their potential function and specific markers for easy counting and sorting, which are prerequisites for functional studies and wider application in medical practice.
The neural correlates of value hierarchies: a prospective typology based on personal value profiles of emerging adults
Authors: Xie Jia-Qiong , Tian Yun , Hu Jia , Yin Ming-Ze , Sun Ya-Dong , Shan Yan-Jie , Chen Ke , Feng Gang , Qiu Jiang
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Value hierarchies, as motivational goals anchored in the self-schema, may be correlated with spontaneous activity in the resting brain, especially those involving self-relevance. This study aims to investigate the neural correlates of value hierarchies from the perspective of typology.

Methods

A total of 610 Chinese college students (30.31% women), aged 18 to 23, completed the personal values questionnaire and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

The latent profile analysis revealed three personal value profiles: traditional social orientation, modernized orientation, and undifferentiated orientation. Neuroimaging results revealed that individuals with modernized orientation prioritized openness to change value, and this personal-focus is related to the higher low-frequency amplitude of the posterior insula; individuals with traditional social orientation prioritized self-transcendence and conservation values, and this social-focus is related to the stronger functional connectivity of the middle insula with the inferior temporal gyrus, temporal gyrus, posterior occipital cortex, and basal ganglia, as well as weaker functional connections within the right middle insula.

Discussion

Taken together, these findings potentially indicate the intra-generational differentiation of contemporary Chinese emerging adults’ value hierarchies. At the neural level, these are correlated with brain activities involved in processing self- and other-relevance.
Screen time and addictive use of gaming and social media in relation to health outcomes
Authors: Burén Jonas , Nutley Sissela B. , Thorell Lisa B.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

This study examined associations between screen time and addictive use (i.e., heavy involvement and negative consequences) of gaming and social media, and their independent effects on health outcomes.

Methods

Survey data were collected from 2,265 participants (mean age = 21.57). Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Social Media Disorder (SMD) were measured with the Gaming and Social Media Questionnaire (GSMQ-9), with separate measures for heavy involvement and negative consequences. Screen time was measured by weekly hours of gaming and social media. Assessed health outcomes were psychological problems, low self-concept, social problems, sleep problems, and sleep time.

Results

Screen time and addictive use were significantly associated for both gaming and social media, with associations being stronger for symptoms of heavy involvement compared to symptoms of negative consequences. However, despite significant associations, a substantial proportion of the participants with a high screen time did not meet any or just one symptom of addiction. More importantly, it was primarily negative consequences that had independent effects on health outcomes, except for sleep. High levels of heavy involvement in gaming, were even related to lower, not higher, levels of psychological problems.

Conclusion

The present findings study show that screen time is a poor indicator of addictive use of gaming and social media. Given that it was primarily negative consequences of gaming or social media that had effects on health outcomes, our study also emphasizes the need to distinguish between different types of addictive use and to further examine the diagnostic validity of the nine IGD symptom criteria.
Life expectancy inequalities between regions of China 2004–2020: contribution of age- and cause-specific mortality
Authors: Zhang Leyi , Sun Lijuan
Published: December 2023

Background

China's rapid economic and social development since the early 2000s has caused significant shifts in its epidemiological transition, potentially leading to health disparities across regions.

Objectives

This study employs Life Expectancy (LE) to assess health disparities and trends among China's eastern, central, and western regions. It also examines the pace of LE gains relative to empirical trends and investigates age and causes of death mortality improvement contributing to regional LE gaps.

Data and methods

Using a log-quadratic model, the study estimates LE in China and its regions from 2004 to 2020, using census and death cause surveillance data. It also utilizes the Human Mortality Database (HMD) and the LE gains by LE level approach to analyze China and its regions' LE gains in comparison to empirical trend of developed countries. The study investigates changes in LE gaps due to age and causes of death mortality improvements during two periods, 2004–2012 and 2012–2020, through the LE factor decomposition method.

Results

From 2000 to 2020, China's LE exhibited faster pace of gains compared to developed countries. While men's LE growth gradually aligns with empirical trends, women experience slightly higher growth rates. Regional LE disparities significantly reduced from 2004 to 2012, with a marginal reduction from 2012 to 2020. In the latter period, the changing LE gap aligns with expected trends in developed countries, with all Chinese regions surpassing empirical estimates. Cardiovascular diseases and malignant neoplasms emerged as the primary contributors to expanding regional LE gaps, with neurological disorders and diabetes playing an increasingly negative role.

Conclusion

LE disparities in China have consistently decreased, although at a slower pace in recent years, mirroring empirical trends. To further reduce regional LE disparities, targeted efforts should focus on improving mortality rates related to cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, neurological disorders and diabetes, especially in the western region. Effective health interventions should prioritize equalizing basic public health services nationwide.
Correlation of lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy with postpartum depression status of puerpera in the rural areas of South China
Authors: Ding Ye , Li Genyuan , Shi Xi , Wang Mengyi , Peng Yanxia , Deng Huiqin , Yang Ziqi , Liang Qingfen , Wang Zhixu
Published: December 2023

Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) is among the most common postpartum complications. Its prevalence is associated with strong regional variability. Women in rural areas of China have a high risk of PPD. The aim of this study was to investigate the PPD status of women in rural South China and explore the effects of modifiable lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy on their PPD status, thereby providing a scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of PPD in rural China.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted on 261 women from four maternal health institutions situated in rural areas of Guangdong Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from October 2021 to December 2022. The questionnaires were administered to these women to obtain data about sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, physical activity during pregnancy, and sleep and dietary status during pregnancy, as well as depression status on the 42nd day after delivery. The lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy and the PPD status of the study population were analyzed. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the correlation between lifestyle behaviors and PPD status. Path analysis was performed to explore the interaction between various lifestyle behaviors.

Results

A total of 14.6% of women had a PPD status. Women who continued to work during pregnancy had an Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) score of 1.386 points higher than that of women who did not (В = 1.386, β = 0.141, p = 0.029). For every 1-point increase in the infant feeding-related knowledge score and pregnancy diet diversity score, the EPDS score decreased by 0.188 and 0.484 points, respectively, and for every 1-point increase in the Pittsburgh sleep quality index score, the EPDS score increased by 0.288 points. Age was related to infant feeding-related knowledge (indirect path coefficient = 0.023). During pregnancy, sedentary time was correlated with sleep quality (indirect path coefficient = 0.031) and employment status (indirect path coefficient = 0.043).

Conclusion

Employment status, infant feeding-related knowledge, sleep quality, and diet diversity during pregnancy directly influenced the PPD status, while age and sedentary time during pregnancy indirectly influenced the PPD status. Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, including reducing sedentary time, improving sleep quality, and increasing dietary diversity, may be effective in reducing PPD occurrence.
Factors influencing the 5-year survival rate of oral cancer patients in the Mongolian population: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Davaatsend Oyuntsetseg , Altannamar Munkhdul , Batbayar Badral , Jagdagsuren Urjinlkham
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The high mortality rate of head and neck cancers, particularly oral cancer, poses a significant health challenge in developing nations such as Mongolia. This retrospective survival analysis study was conducted to identify factors influencing the 5-year survival rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Methods

The study analyzed data from 173 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma, including multiple variables such as age, gender, residence, education, tobacco and alcohol consumption, oral health indicators, family history, precancerous conditions, cancer characteristics, treatment, rehabilitation, cancer recurrence, and 5-year survival. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method, and STATA was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The study revealed a 5-year survival rate of 50.3% for oral cancer patients, with a survival rate of 38% for tongue cancer patients. Age, residence, cancer stage, and cancer recurrence were identified as significant survival predictors. Compared to those aged 60 or younger, the hazard ratio (HR) for patients aged 61 or older was 1.52. Survival was associated with female gender (HR = 0.47, CI = 0.29–0.77). Urban residence was associated with decreased survival (HR = 1.92, CI = 1.22–3.05). Significantly worse survival was associated with the presence of cancer recurrence (HR = 1.99, CI = 1.15–3.04). Oral cancer patients in stage IV had a fourfold higher risk of mortality compared to those in stage I (HR = 4.08, CI = 1.2–13.84).

Conclusion

This research highlights the influence of age, urban habitation, and cancer recurrence on oral cancer survival. Age, urban residence, and cancer recurrence were all associated with decreased survival, whereas cancer at stage IV substantially increased the risk of death. The significance of early detection, treatment, and active surveillance to identify oral cancer at an early stage is highlighted by these findings. Compared to industrialized nations, Mongolia's lower oral cancer survival rates emphasize the need to increase public awareness and education. A comprehensive approach is required to improve oral cancer patient survival rates and quality of life, including emphasizing early detection through active surveillance, implementing preventive measures, and advancing cancer education initiatives.
Development and characterization of an immortalized swine respiratory cell line for influenza A virus research
Authors: Neasham Peter J. , Pliasas Vasilis C. , North J. Fletcher , Johnson Celeste , Tompkins S. Mark , Kyriakis Constantinos S.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Swine serve as an important intermediate host species for generating novel influenza A viruses (IAVs) with pandemic potential because of the host’s susceptibility to IAVs of swine, human and avian origin. Primary respiratory cell lines are used in IAV research to model the host’s upper respiratory tract in vitro. However, primary cell lines are limited by their passaging capacity and are time-consuming for use in industry and research pipelines. We were interested in developing and characterizing a biologically relevant immortalized swine respiratory cell line that could be used for efficient propagation and characterization of swine IAV isolates.

Methods

Lung tissue for the generation of primary swine respiratory cells were isolated from the bronchi of an 8-week-old Yorkshire/Hampshire pig, which were immortalized by transduction of the SV40 T antigen using a lentivirus vector. The transduction of the SV40 T antigen was confirmed by Real Time RT-PCR in cells passaged greater than twenty times.

Results

Immortalized swine respiratory cells expressed primarily α2,6 sialic acid receptors and were susceptible to both swine and human IAVs, with swine viruses exhibiting higher replication rates. Notably, infection with a swine H3N2 isolate prompted increased IL-6 and IL-1α protein secretion compared to a seasonal human H3N2 virus. Even after 20 passages, the immortalized cells maintained the primary respiratory cell phenotype and remained permissive to IAV infection without exogenous trypsin.

Discussion

In summary, our developed immortalized swine respiratory cell line offers an alternative in vitro substrate for studying IAV replication and transmission dynamics in pigs, overcoming the limitations of primary respiratory cells in terms of low passage survivability and cost.
Preclinical research in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain: a systematic review
Authors: Bacalhau Carolina , Costa-Pereira José Tiago , Tavares Isaura
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common consequence of cancer treatment and pain is a frequent complaint of the patients. Paclitaxel, a cytostatic drug, generates a well-described peripheral nerve injury and neuroinflammation, which may be experimentally mimicked in animal models. We conducted a systematic review analyzing the experimental design, reporting and mechanisms underlying paclitaxel-induced neuropathy in the included studies to establish the perspectives of translation of the current literature in models of CIPN.

Methods

We elected studies published in Pubmed and Scopus between 1 January 2018 and 3 December 2022.

Results

According to a defined mesh of keywords searched, and after applying exclusion and inclusion criteria, 70 original studies were included and analyzed in detail. Most studies used male Sprague-Dawley rats to induce paclitaxel-induced neuropathy, used low doses of paclitaxel, and the analyzed studies mainly focused at 14-28 days of CIPN. Mechanical nociceptive tests were preferred in the behavioral evaluation. The mechanisms under study were mainly neuroinflammation of peripheral nerves. The overall methodological quality was considered moderate, and the risk of bias was unclear.

Discussion

Despite the ample preclinical research in paclitaxel-induced neuropathy, this systematic review alerts to some flaws in the experimental design along with limitations in reporting, e.g., lack of representation of both sexes in experimental work and the lack of reporting of the ARRIVE guidelines. This may limit the reproducibility of preclinical studies in CIPN. In addition, the clinical features of CIPN should be considered when designing animal experiments, such as sex and age of the CIPN patients. In this way the experimental studies aiming to establish the mechanisms of CIPN may allow the development of new drugs to treat CIPN and translation in the research of CIPN could be improved.
Gender and Age Influence on Emergency Department Visits for Non-Suicidal Self-Injuries in School Aged Children in Italy: An 11 Years Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Paladini Giovanni , Sciurpa Elena , Onorati Roberta , Elhadidy Heba Safwat Mhmoued Abdo , Giacomini Gianmarco , Mamo Carlo , Borraccino Alberto
Published: December 2023

Objectives: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) poses a threat in developmental ages, yet there is a scarcity of studies on NSSI trends, especially those in emergency departments (ED).

Methods: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to describe trends in ED visits for NSSI among young people aged between 5 and 19 years in Italy from 2011 to 2021 in Piedmont. From the ministerial ED discharge information system, all occurring NSSIs were identified by medical report and/or ICD9CM code and reported as a population rate and a visit rate on all ED requests.

Results: The general rate of ED visits remained stable, with around 210,000 (55% males) visits each year, along the whole period from 2011 to 2019, then halved during 2020 and 2021. The NSSI population and visits rates increased from 2013, peaking in 2019 at a rate of around 25 and 23 NSSI visits (girls) and 76 and 69 NSSI (boys) per 100,000 ED visits. In 2020 and 2021, the rate of NSSI visits increased, particularly in girls and among older adolescents.

Conclusion: The gradual increase of NSSI over the last decade is a rising public health issue, which deserves wider attention to ensure early detection and prevention.
Autizmus spektrum zavaros (ASD) páciens komprehenzív fogászati ellátása
Authors: Németh Anna , Borbély Judit , Hermann Péter
Published: December 2023

A mai modern digitális fogászat célja a kiszámítható végeredmény, amelyet a digitális munkafolyamatok, az arcanalízisvezérelt gondos tervezés („facially driven treatment planning”), a prototípuskészítés és a folyamatos digitális minőség-ellenőrzéstesz lehetővé. Továbbá a fogászat komprehenzív jellegének köszönhetően funkcionális, esztétikai, gnatológiaiés parodontális szempontokat együttesen figyelembe véve kielégítő végeredményt kapunk.Esetünkben egy autizmus spektrum zavarban (ASD) szenvedő páciens protetikai rehabilitációját mutatjuk be, melybenharapásemelést végezve monolitikus cirkónium-dioxid és fémkerámia hidak készültek.41 éves nő páciens, anamnézisében ASD és súlyos szellemi retardáció szerepelt. Dysgnath harapási forma, mély-,és keresztharapás volt megfigyelhető. Professzionális szájhigiénés kezelést és konzerváló fogászati beavatkozásokatkövetően kétdimenziós digitális mosolytervet, majd digitális wax-up-ot készítettünk. A virtuális terveket 3D nyomtatássalelőállítva önkötő akrilátból mock-up készítésére használtuk. A centrális relációs helyzet meghatározására hagyományostámasztócsavaros regisztrátumot, valamint digitális arcívet alkalmaztunk. Az új harapási magasságnak megfelelően prototípuskénthosszú távú ideiglenes fogpótlásokat készítettünk. A végleges fogpótlások tervezéséhez az ideiglenes fogpótlásokatintraorális szkenner segítségével ún. copy-paste (másolásos) technikával lemásoltuk. A minták beartikulálásáhozés a rögzített fémkerámia fogpótlások leplezéséhez szilikon harapásrögzítőt használtunk. A kész fogpótlásokatrezinmódosított üvegionomer cementtel rögzítettük.A napjainkra kialakult digitális munkafolyamat lépéseit gondosan követve, szükség esetén analóg munkafázisokkalkiegészítve és folyamatos minőség-ellenőrzést végezve kiszámítható végeredményt kapunk, amely kielégítő a páciensés a fogorvos számára.
Stress Analysis and Structural Improvement of LNG Tank Container Frames under Impact from Railway Transport Vehicles
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Qian Caifu , Wu Zhiwei
Published: December 2023

As the stress of the frame, especially the bottom side rail supports and bottom inclined supports, of a traditional LNG tank container could be significantly greater than its allowable stress, and the container cannot meet the strength requirement of the specification when it is impacted by a transport vehicle during railway transportation, three improved frame structures were suggested, which removed or changed the side rails or bottom inclined supports; the stress and deformation of these improved frames and the tank container were analyzed using the finite element method under the impact test. The results show that all three improved frames can meet the strength requirement, i.e., the maximum Mises stress is less than the allowable stress and the deformation requirement of the diagonal length difference is less than the allowable value, meaning that the tank containers with improved frames can pass the impact test. Moreover, for the FRP support rings and impact side heads, although the maximum values are different, they are still less than the respective allowable stresses. In addition, the maximum value of the middle cross section of the outer vessel in the direction of gravity does not increase with the change in the frame, and the deformation of the outer vessel remains within the elastic range. Therefore, the improvements of the frames have little effect on the stress and deformation of the other components of the tank container, in particular, the inner vessel and outer vessel. Compared to the frame of the traditional tank container, removing the side rails partially or completely can reduce the weight of the frame by 17.99% and 38.34%, respectively, greatly reducing manufacturing and transportation costs. It can also reduce the maximum Mises stress by 38.89% and 39.24% and the maximum diagonal difference by 57.95% and 61.16%.