bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employees’ Resources, Demands and Health While Working from Home during COVID-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study in the Public Sector
Authors: Seinsche Laura , Schubin Kristina , Neumann Jana , Pfaff Holger
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic changed the working environment in Europe in March 2020, leading to an increase in working from home. In the German public sector, many employees experienced working from home for the first time. Despite the impact on employees’ daily working life, we know little about employees’ resources, demands and health while working from home. The aim of this study is to investigate how working from home is implemented in the public sector one year after the COVID-19 outbreak. In line with the job demand–resources model by Bakker and Demerouti (2007), potential resources, demands and health benefits of working from home are explored. (2) Methods: Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with twelve employees from different public sectors in Germany between December 2021 and February 2022. The semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the data was content-analyzed. (3) Results: Employees reported that personal resources, job autonomy, work task, collaboration, leadership, offers by the agency, work environment and equipment served as resources to buffer physical, social, psychological and organizational demands. (4) Conclusions: The research highlights job resources, job demands and potential health impacts of working from home in the public service. Furthermore, the study shows possible starting points for dealing with the health risks of working from home in the future.
Libanoridin Isolated from Corydalis heterocarpa Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Karadeniz Fatih , Oh Jung Hwan , Jang Mi Soon , Seo Youngwan , Kong Chang-Suk
Published: December 2022

Bone marrow adiposity is a complication in osteoporotic patients. It is a result of the imbalance between adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow cells. Phytochemicals can alleviate osteoporotic complications by hindering bone loss and decreasing bone marrow adiposity. Corydalis heterocarpa is a biennial halophyte with reported bioactivities, and it is a source of different coumarin derivatives. Libanoridin is a coumarin isolated from C. heterocarpa, and the effect of libanoridin on adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) was evaluated in the present study. Cells were induced to undergo adipogenesis, and their intracellular lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic markers were observed under libanoridin treatment. Results showed that 10 μM libanoridin-treated adipocytes accumulated 44.94% less lipid compared to untreated adipocytes. In addition, mRNA levels of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1c were dose-dependently suppressed with libanoridin treatment, whereas only protein levels of PPARγ were decreased in the presence of libanoridin. Fluorescence staining of adipocytes also revealed that cells treated with 10 μM libanoridin expressed less PPARγ compared to untreated adipocytes. Protein levels of perilipin and leptin, markers of mature adipocytes, were also suppressed in adipocytes treated with 10 μM libanoridin. Analysis of MAPK phosphorylation levels showed that treatment with libanoridin inhibited the activation of p38 and JNK MAPKs observed by decreased levels of phosphorylated p38 and JNK protein. It was suggested that libanoridin inhibited adipogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs via suppressing MAPK-mediated PPARγ signaling. Future studies revealing the anti-adipogenic effects of libanoridin in vivo and elucidating its action mechanism will pave the way for libanoridin to be utilized as a nutraceutical with anti-osteoporotic properties.
Path-Based Recommender System for Learning Activities Using Knowledge Graphs
Authors: Troussas Christos , Krouska Akrivi
Published: December 2022

Recommender systems can offer a fertile ground in e-learning software, since they can assist users by presenting them with learning material in which they can be more interested, based on their preferences. To this end, in this paper, we present a new method for a knowledge-graph-based, path-based recommender system for learning activities. The suggested approach makes better learning activity recommendations by using connections between people and/or products. By pre-defining meta-paths or automatically mining connective patterns, our method uses the student-learning activity graph to find path-level commonalities for learning activities. The path-based approach can provide an explanation for the result as well. Our methodology is used in an intelligent tutoring system with Java programming as the domain being taught. The system keeps track of user behavior and can recommend learning activities to students using a knowledge-graph-based recommender system. Numerous metadata, such as kind, complexity, and number of questions, are used to describe each activity. The system has been evaluated with promising results that highlight the effectiveness of the path-based recommendations for learning activities, while preserving the pedagogical affordance.
Using Job Demands–Resources Theory to Predict Work–Life Balance among Academicians in Private Universities in Egypt during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Selim Ingy , Kee Daisy Mui Hung
Published: December 2022

Employers are divided into those who support their employees to achieve work–life balance and others who believe that employees should devote anything in their life to fulfilling work obligations. Employees in different occupations struggle to balance their work and life adequately. Especially during the pandemic, the barriers between work and life diminished. This study proposes that self-efficacy could be a potential moderator under personal resources. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources Theory (JD–R) and Conservation of Resources Theory (COR), this study empirically tested the role of emotional demands and supervisor support in predicting the academicians’ perception of work–life balance in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 504 academicians employed in the top 10 private universities in Egypt. Results reveal that emotional demands and supervisor support were related to work–life balance. Self-efficacy moderated the relationship between supervisor support and work–life balance. However, self-efficacy did not moderate the relationship between emotional demands and work–life balance. Our findings provide new insights, contribute to the literature on the work–life balance topic among academicians during the pandemic, and enhance the universities’ understanding of implementing strategies to help achieve a work–life balance.
Facile Synthesis of Nb-Doped CoTiO3 Hexagonal Microprisms as Promising Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Tao , Yu Gengchen , Song Minghui , Zhang Qi , Li Yifan , Bai Xue
Published: December 2022

Bimetallic oxides are demonstrated to show better electrochemical performance than single transition metal oxides. Recently, ilmenite-type transition metal titanate (MTiO3, M = Fe, Co, Ni, etc.) is emerging as a promising anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its comparable theoretical capacity and small volumetric change during cycling. However, the practical electrochemical performance is still harmed by its poor electronic conductivity. Herein, for the first time, a Nb-doping strategy is adopted to modify CoTiO3 hexagonal microprisms by a facile solvothermal method combined with an annealing treatment. Benefiting from the unique 1D morphology and the ameliorated conductivities induced by Nb-doping, the optimized Nb-doped CoTiO3 anode exhibits an improved lithium-storage capacity of 233 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles and excellent rate capability, which are superior to that of pure CoTiO3. This work sheds light on the potential application of titanium containing bimetallic oxide in the next-generation advanced rechargeable LIBs.
Cadmium Depth Separation Method in Polymetallic Sulfate Solution: Flow-Electric Field Enhanced Cementation Combined with M5640 Extraction
Authors: Ding Wenjie , Zeng Weizhi , Wang Yunyan , Xu Hui , Chen Bingxin , Zheng Xie
Published: December 2022

An efficient and controllable process for separating copper and cadmium was required to be developed due to the high cost of the long separation process of copper cadmium slag generated from the zinc smelting process. Therefore, a new process for the application and deep separation of copper and cadmium was developed by combining the Circulating Flow Electric (CFE) cadmium cement method and the 2-hydroxy-5-nonyl formaldehyde oxime (M5640) copper extract method. The process firstly removed copper ions utilizing M5640 and obtained a primary purification solution, followed by CFE method to extract cadmium in depth. The effects of extractant volume fraction, pH, Oil phase/Aqueous phase (O/A) ratio and reaction time on the removal of copper ions were investigated. The results showed that the removal of copper was above 97%, while the removal of zinc and cadmium was below 1.6%, respectively, proved that the selectivity of M5640 for copper was significantly higher than that for metals such as cadmium and zinc. The characterization results indicate that the oxygen on the hydroxyl group and the nitrogen on the oxime group co-ligated with the copper ions and subsequently formed chelated extracts. That was the mechanism of the copper ion purification by M5640. Furthermore, the extraction of high purity cadmium was carried out in the extraction residual liquid. A novel method of cadmium removal enhanced by coupling an electric field with a circulating flow field was developed and applied to the cement cadmium from sulfate solutions. The optimal process conditions of the method were explored, which were further fitted into statistical equations and optimized by response surface analysis. Since the fitted theoretical results were close to the experimental results, the optimization was considered as effective. The optimized experimental parameters were 6.23 mL/s of flow rate, 48.14 mA/cm2 of current density, 2.25 of pH, and 0.93 of anode/cathode area ratio, respectively. Next, the extraction electrical efficiency, purity and its weight distribution in the cell of cadmium sponge under different flow fields were calculated and measured. The results were analyzed to prove the existence of an optimal interval for the distribution of cadmium under high-speed flow field.
Assessment of Various Colors Combined with Insecticides in Devising Ovitraps as Attracting and Killing Tools for Mosquitoes
Authors: Khan Adam , Ullah Misbah , Khan Gul Zamin , Ahmed Nazeer , Shami Ashwag , El Hadi Mohamed Rania Ali , Abd Al Galil Fahd Mohammed , Salman Muhammad
Published: December 2022

Dengue virus, transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is the most important emerging viral disease, infecting more than 50 million people annually. Currently used sticky traps are useful tools for monitoring and controlling Ae. aegypti. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the attraction of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes using various colors, materials and insecticides. The laboratory and field assessed the four different colors of ovitraps (blue, green, black and transparent). Among the tested ovitraps, the black ovitraps showed the highest number of eggs (348.8) in the laboratory and maximum eggs (80.0) in field trials. In addition, six different materials (casein, urea, yeast, fish meal, chicken meal and water) were also used to evaluate mosquito’s attraction. In our results, the highest number of eggs were collected with fish meal having 0.5% concentration in both laboratory (195.17) and the field (100.7). In laboratory trials, the Deltamethrin treated ovitraps (treated with Deltamethrin) significantly trapped and killed the highest percent of female Ae. aegypti (91.5%) compared to untreated (not-treated with Deltamethrin) ovitraps (3.3%). In field trials, the lethality was determined by installing 10 lethal ovitraps in one block and 10 untreated ovitraps in another block. The results indicate a significant reduction in eggs collected from the treated block (727 eggs) as compared to the untreated block (1865 eggs). The data also reveal that the ovitrap positive index (50) and egg density index (24.3) were also low in treated areas than in untreated areas, 83.3 and 37.3, respectively. It is concluded that the lethal ovitraps significantly reduced the Ae. aegypti population and thus could be considered an integral part of the integrated vector management (IVM) program.
D2D Communication Underlaying UAV-Enabled Network: A Content-Sharing Perspective
Authors: Aslam Saad , Harris Muhammad , Siddiq Salman
Published: December 2022

The last era has witnessed an unprecedented demand for digital content. To meet these rigorous demands, researchers have been busy developing content-sharing applications and services. The advancement in technology has aided this process. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained a lot of attention in assisting cellular networks since they play a paramount role in disaster management, capacity enhancement, on-demand communication, and content dissemination. In this study, we consider content-centric UAV communication underlaid device-to-device (D2D) users. Different from the current research trends, this study considers clustering the D2D users (i.e., ground users) and UAV only deliver the requested content to the cluster heads. We considered the clustering approach since the UAV is an energy constraint device and the aim is to reduce the energy consumed by the UAV during the communication phase. Clustering the ground nodes will allow the UAV to communicate to only cluster heads as compared with a bigger group of users. Cluster heads are then responsible to forward the cached contents to their respective cluster members. A comprehensive performance evaluation of the proposed scheme was conducted by benchmarking it against state-of-the-art research works and considering various performance parameters such as throughput, energy consumption, and content delivery delay. The proposed scheme produced promising results for all parameters and against other research works as well.
Jacobsen Syndrome with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Outcome after Cardiac Transplantation
Authors: Ferrigno Federica , Franceschini Alessio , Kirk Richard , Amodeo Antonio
Published: December 2022

Jacobsen syndrome (JS) is a rare syndrome caused by a deletion of chromosome 11q. We report a patient with JS and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who required cardiac transplantation. She had many of the recognized morphological features in addition to immunological (lymphopenia) and hematological (thrombocytopenia) issues. The patient underwent a Norwood procedure with a modified Blalock–Taussig shunt (MBTS) and subsequently a Glenn procedure at six months of age. She developed desaturation, with severe tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular dysfunction, and underwent heart transplantation at 7 months of age. After the transplant, she was hospitalized several times for severe infections. The diagnosis of Jacobsen syndrome came 2 months after transplant. Now, 5 years post-transplant, she is in relatively good health—her heart is functioning normally, her hospitalization rate is getting lower, and her immunological profile is stable.
Real-World Evidence on Disease Burden and Economic Impact of Sickle Cell Disease in Italy
Authors: De Franceschi Lucia , Castiglioni Chiara , Condorelli Claudia , Valsecchi Diletta , Premoli Eleonora , Fiocchi Carina , Perrone Valentina , Esposti Luca Degli , Forni Gian Luca ,   on behalf of the GREATalyS Study Group
Published: December 2022

A real-world analysis was conducted in Italy among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients to evaluate the epidemiology of SCD, describe patients’ characteristics and the therapeutic and economic burden. A retrospective analysis of administrative databases of various Italian entities was carried out. All patients with ≥1 hospitalization with SCD diagnosis were included from 01/2010-12/2017 (up to 12/2018 for epidemiologic analysis). The index date corresponded to the first SCD diagnosis. In 2018, SCD incidence rate was 0.93/100,000, the prevalence was estimated at 13.1/100,000. Overall, 1816 patients were included. During the 1st year of follow-up, 50.7% of patients had one all-cause hospitalization, 27.8% had 2, 10.4% had 3, and 11.1% had ≥4. Over follow-up, 6.1–7.2% of patients were treated with SCD-specific, 58.4–69.4% with SCD-related, 60.7–71.3% with SCD-complications-related drugs. Mean annual number per patient of overall treatments was 14.9 ± 13.9, hospitalizations 1.1 ± 1.1, and out-patient services 5.3 ± 7.6. The total mean direct cost per patient was EUR 7918/year (EUR 2201 drugs, EUR 3320 hospitalizations, and EUR 2397 out-patient services). The results from this real-world analysis showed a high disease burden for SCD patients with multiple hospitalizations during the follow-up. High healthcare resource utilization and costs were associated with patient’ management and were most likely underestimated since indirect costs and Emergency Room admissions were not included.
Treatment of Primary Nummular Headache: A Series of 183 Patients from the NUMITOR Study
Authors: García-Iglesias Cristina , Puledda Francesca , Echavarría-Íñiguez Ana , González-Osorio Yesica , Sierra-Mencía Álvaro , Recio-García Andrea , González-Celestino Ana , Valle-Peñacoba Gonzalo , Irimia Pablo , Guerrero-Peral Ángel Luis , García-Azorín David
Published: December 2022

Nummular headache (NH) is a primary headache characterized by superficial coin-shaped pain. NUMITOR (NCT 05475769) is an observational study evaluating the responder rate of preventive drugs in NH patients. The treatment response was assessed between weeks 8 and 12 compared with the baseline. Patients were included between February 2002 and October 2022. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed; treatment response was estimated by 50%, 30%, and 75% responder rates and treatment discontinuation due to inadequate tolerability. A total of 183 out of 282 patients fulfilled eligibility criteria and completed the study. Patients were aged 49.5 (standard deviation (SD): 16.8) years, and 60.7% were female. NH phenotype was a parietal circular pain of four centimeters’ diameter, moderate intensity, and oppressive quality. At baseline, patients had 25 (interquartile range) pain days per month. Preventive treatment was used by 114 (62.3%) patients. The highest 50% and 75% responder rates corresponded to onabotulinumtoxinA (62.5%, 47.5%), followed by gabapentin (43.7%, 35.2%). Oral preventive drugs were not tolerated by 12.9–25%. The present study provides class IV evidence of the effectiveness of oral preventive drugs and onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of primary NH. OnabotulinumtoxinA was the most effective and best-tolerated drug, positioning it as first-line treatment of NH.
Which Surgery for Stage II–III Empyema Patients? Observational Single-Center Cohort Study of 719 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Ricciardi Sara , Giovanniello Delia , Carleo Francesco , Di Martino Marco , Jaus Massimo O. , Mantovani Sara , Treggiari Stefano , Tritapepe Luigi , Cardillo Giuseppe
Published: December 2022

Objective: Recent guidelines support the use of thoracoscopic surgery in stage II-III empyema; however, there is still debate regarding the best surgical approach. The aim of our study is to compare postoperative outcomes of VATS and open surgical approaches for the treatment of post-pneumonic empyema. Methods: Observational cohort study on prospectively collected cases of post-pneumonic empyema surgically treated in a single center (2000–2020). Patients were divided into an open group (OT, posterolateral muscle sparing thoracotomy) and VATS group (VT, 2 or 3 port ± utility incision). The primary outcome of the study was empyema resolution, assessed by the recurrence rate. Secondary outcomes were mortality, complications, pain and return to daily life. All patients were followed up at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery in the outpatient clinic with a chest radiograph/CT scan. Results: In total, 719 consecutive patients were surgically treated for stage II–III empyema, with 644 belonging to the VT group and 75 to the OT group. All patients had a clinical history of pneumonia lasting no more than 6 months before surgery, and 553 (76.9%) had stage II empyema. Operative time was 92.7 ± 6.8 min for the OT group and 112.2 ± 7.4 for the VT group. The conversion rate was 8.4% (46/545) for stage II and 19.2% (19/99) for stage III. Twelve patients (1.86%) in the VT group and four patients (5.3%) in the OT group underwent additional surgery for bleeding. Postoperative mortality was 1.25% (9/719): 5.3% (4/75) in OT and 0.77% (5/644) in VT. Postoperative stay was 10 ± 6.5 days in OT and 8 ± 2.4 in VT. Overall morbidity was 14.7% (106/719): 21.3% (16/75) in OT and 13.9% (90/644) in VT. In VT, six patients (0.93%) showed recurrent empyema: five were treated with chest drainage and one with additional open surgery. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the VATS approach, showing a 99% success rate, shorter length of stay and lower postoperative morbidity, should be considered the treatment of choice for thoracic empyema.
ABO-Incompatible Liver Transplantation under the Desensitization Protocol with Rituximab: Effect on Biliary Microbiota and Metabolites
Authors: Xiao Min , Wan Zhenmiao , Lin Xin , Wang Di , Chen Zhitao , Gu Yangjun , Ding Songming , Zheng Shusen , Li Qiyong
Published: December 2022

Background: ABO-incompatible liver transplantation (ABOi LT) under the desensitization protocol with rituximab had excellent survival outcomes comparable to those of ABO-compatible liver transplantation (ABOc LT). In this work, we explored the effect of ABOi LT on recipients from the perspective of biliary microbiota and metabonomics. Methods: Liver transplant (LT) recipients treated at our center were enrolled in the study. In total, 6 ABOi LT recipients and 12 ABOc LT recipients were enrolled, and we collected their bile five times (during LT and at 2 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month after LT). The collected samples were used for 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Results: We obtained 90 bile samples. Whether in group ABOi LT or ABOc LT, the most common phyla in all of the samples were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. The most common genera were Lactobacillus, Weissella, Klebsiella, Pantoea and Lactococcus. There was no significant difference in the diversity between the two groups at 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month after LT. However, the biggest disparities between the ABOi LT recipients and ABOc LT recipients were observed 2 days after LT, including increased biodiversity with a higher ACE, Chao1, OBS and Shannon index (p < 0.05), and more Staphylococcus in ABOi LT and binary–Jaccard dissimilarity, which indicated varying β-diversity (p = 0.046). These differences were not observed at 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month after LT. The principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed that the composition of the bile microbiota did not change significantly within 1 month after LT by longitudinal comparison. In an analysis of the bile components, the metabolites were not significantly different every time. However, four enrichment KEGG pathways were observed among the groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ABOi LT under the desensitization protocol with rituximab did not significantly affect the biliary microbiota and metabolites of recipients.
Efficacy of Bromhexine versus Standard of Care in Reducing Viral Load in Patients with Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19 Disease Attended in Primary Care: A Randomized Open-Label Trial
Authors: Vila Méndez María Luz , Antón Sanz Carmen , Cárdenas García Alicia del Rocío , Bravo Malo Amparo , Torres Martínez Francisco Javier , Martín Moros José María , Real Torrijos María , Vendrell Covisa José Francisco Javier , Guzmán Sierra Olga , Molina Barcena Verónica , Viejo Pinero Nuria , Fernández Díaz Carlos , Arroyo Burguillo Purificación , Blanco Gallego Ana María , Guirao Sánchez Carmen , Montilla Bernabé Aránzazu , Villanueva Morán María del Pilar , Juárez Antón Salvador , Fernández Rodríguez Ángela , Somoza Calvo María Ángeles , Cerrada Ernesto Cerrada , Pérez Mañas Gemma , Sánchez Calso Antonio , Vallejo Somohano Frida , Cauqui Díaz Carmen , Viñas Fernández Gloria , Molina París Jesús , González Godoy Marina , Lumbreras García Gonzalo , Rosado Martín Javier , Rodríguez Hernández Aida , López Antúñez Sara , Vázquez Perfecto Gabriel , Marcello Andrés María Concepción , Puente García Nieves Marina , Gil Carmen , Martínez Ana , Soler López Begoña
Published: December 2022

A 28-day randomized open-label multicenter study was conducted to assess the efficacy of bromhexine plus standard of care (SOC) (n = 98) vs. SOC alone (n = 93) in 191 outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in the primary health care setting. Bromhexine three daily doses of 10 mL (48 mg/day) were administered for seven days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the reduction of viral load estimated as the cycle thresholds (Ct) to detect ORF1ab, N Protein, and S Protein genes by RT-qPCR in saliva samples on day 4 as compared with baseline. Ct values of the three genes increased from baseline throughout days 4 to 14 (p < 0.001) but significant differences between the study groups were not found. Differences in the percentages of patients with low, medium, and high viral loads at 4, 7, and 14 days were not found either. In summary, treatment with bromhexine plus SCO was associated with a viral load reduction of ORF1ab, N Protein, and S Protein genes at day 4, which was not significantly different than similar viral load reductions observed with SOC alone. The present findings do not seem to favor the use of bromhexine as an antiviral in patients with COVID-19.
Application of Deep Learning to Retinal-Image-Based Oculomics for Evaluation of Systemic Health: A Review
Authors: Wu Jo-Hsuan , Liu Tin Yan Alvin
Published: December 2022

The retina is a window to the human body. Oculomics is the study of the correlations between ophthalmic biomarkers and systemic health or disease states. Deep learning (DL) is currently the cutting-edge machine learning technique for medical image analysis, and in recent years, DL techniques have been applied to analyze retinal images in oculomics studies. In this review, we summarized oculomics studies that used DL models to analyze retinal images—most of the published studies to date involved color fundus photographs, while others focused on optical coherence tomography images. These studies showed that some systemic variables, such as age, sex and cardiovascular disease events, could be consistently robustly predicted, while other variables, such as thyroid function and blood cell count, could not be. DL-based oculomics has demonstrated fascinating, “super-human” predictive capabilities in certain contexts, but it remains to be seen how these models will be incorporated into clinical care and whether management decisions influenced by these models will lead to improved clinical outcomes.
Osteoporosis Assessment among Adults with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Ionele Claudiu Marinel , Turcu-Stiolica Adina , Subtirelu Mihaela Simona , Ungureanu Bogdan Silviu , Sas Teodor Nicusor , Rogoveanu Ion
Published: December 2022

Osteopenic bone disease occurs frequently in patients with chronic liver cirrhosis, which most frequently presents with hepatic osteodystrophy. Thus, the relationship between nutritional status and bone mineral density has been poorly measured in liver cirrhosis. This single-center study consisted of a group of 70 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. The nutritional status was evaluated with the Controlling Nutritional Status index, and volumetric vertebral bone mineral density was measured with quantitative computed tomography. Among the 70 patients included, osteopenia and osteoporosis were found in 71% and 24.3%, respectively. Malnutrition assessed with the Controlling Nutritional Status index was observed in 56 (80%) patients and was more frequent in alcoholic cirrhosis patients than viral cirrhosis patients (87.24% vs. 65.22%). Significant positive correlation with Controlling Nutritional Status score was found with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (rho = 0.576, p-value < 0.0001), Child–Pugh score (rho = 0.670, p-value < 0.0001), International Normalized Ratio (rho = 0.517, p-value = 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (rho = 0.293, p-value = 0.045), and bilirubin (rho =0.395, p-value = 0.02). Among the liver cirrhosis patients, 15 had osteoporosis and 49 had osteopenia at the lumbar spine (L1-L4 vertebrae), as determined by bone mass density via quantitative computed tomography. A non-significant relationship between Controlling Nutritional Status index-assessed nutritional status and bone mass density was documented. Regarding osteoporosis, no differences were found between the viral and alcohol types of liver cirrhosis patients (p-value = 0.870). Age, obesity, grade of varices, Child–Pugh score, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score were associated with osteoporosis in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Prognostic Values of METTL3 and Its Roles in Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Pan-Cancer
Authors: Guo Yang , Heng Yu , Chen Hui , Huang Qiang , Wu Chunping , Tao Lei , Zhou Liang
Published: December 2022

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is among the most prevalent RNA modifications regulating RNA metabolism. The roles of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a core catalytic subunit, in various cancers remain unclear. Methods: The expression levels of METTL3 in pan-cancer were profiled and their prognostic values were examined. We assessed the relationships between METTL3 expression levels and tumor immune infiltration levels, immune checkpoint gene expression, immune neoantigens, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, and DNA mismatch repair gene expression. Furthermore, a protein–protein interaction network was drawn, and gene set enrichment analysis was conducted to explore the functions of METTL3. Results: METTL3 expression levels were elevated in most cancers, with high expression associated with poorer overall and disease-free survival. METTL3 levels were significantly related to immune cell infiltration, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, mismatch repair genes, and immune checkpoint gene levels. METTL3 was enriched in pathways related to RNA modification and metabolism and correlated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Conclusions: METTL3 serves as an oncogene in most cancer types and shows potential as a prognostic biomarker. Additionally, our comprehensive pan-cancer analysis suggested that METTL3 is involved in regulating the tumor immune microenvironments and epithelial–mesenchymal transition via modulating RNA modification and metabolism, making it a potential therapeutic target.
Splenic Metastatic Choriocarcinoma with Nontraumatic Splenic Rupture: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Chu Yifan , Xu Fulan , Ren Zhengguang , Hu Xinyao , Wang Luyao , Yue Jing
Published: December 2022

Choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant trophoblastic tumor that occurs mostly in women of childbearing age. The main mode of metastasis is hematogenous metastasis. The most common sites of metastasis are the lung, vagina and brain, while splenic metastasis is rare. Because of its rapid development, extensive metastasis can occur in a short period, and some patients only show metastatic symptoms, which are often missed or misdiagnosed as ectopic pregnancy or other diseases. We describe a rare case of splenic metastatic choriocarcinoma with acute abdominal pain caused by nontraumatic splenic rupture. In addition, we review the previous literature on splenic metastasis of choriocarcinoma and summarize the clinical manifestations, management measures and prognoses. Our case and literature review indicate that splenic metastatic choriocarcinoma is rare and difficult to distinguish from splenic ectopic pregnancy and other diseases. Clinicians should strengthen their understanding of this disease and avoid misdiagnosis.
Sleep Problems, Social Anxiety and Stuttering Severity in Adults Who Do and Adults Who Do Not Stutter
Authors: Mohammadi Hiwa , Maazinezhad Soroush , Lorestani Elaheh , Zakiei Ali , Dürsteler Kenneth , Brühl Annette , Sadeghi-Bahmani Dena , Brand Serge
Published: December 2022

Background: While there is sufficient evidence that children and adolescents who stutter reported more impaired sleep compared to children and adolescents who did not stutter, findings among adults who stutter (AWS) were scarce. Furthermore, stuttering is associated with issues related to verbal communication in a social context. As such, it was conceivable that AWS reported higher scores for social anxiety, compared to adults who do not stutter (AWNS). In the present study, we tested whether AWS reported higher sleep complaints compared to AWNS. We further tested whether scores for social anxiety and stuttering independently predicted sleep disturbances. Methods: A total of 110 AWS (mean age; 28.25 years, 27.30% females) and 162 AWNS (mean age; 29.40 years, 51.20% females) completed a series of self-rating questionnaires covering sociodemographic information, sleep disturbances and social anxiety. Adults with stuttering further completed a questionnaire on stuttering. Results: Compared to AWNS, AWS reported a shorter sleep duration, a lower sleep efficiency, higher scores for drug use in terms of sleep-promoting medications (significant p-values and medium effect sizes), and an overall higher PSQI score (significant p-values and large effect size), when controlling for age and social anxiety. Next, while p-values were always significant for subjective sleep quality, sleep disturbances, and daytime functioning, when controlling for age and social anxiety, their effect sizes were trivial or small. For sleep latency, the p-value was not significant and the effect size was trivial. Among AWS, higher scores for stuttering and older age, but not social anxiety, predicted higher sleep disturbances. The association between higher sleep disturbances and higher stuttering severity was greatest among those AWS with highest scores for social anxiety. Conclusions: When compared to AWNS, AWS self-reported higher sleep disturbances, which were associated with older age, and higher scores for stuttering severity, but not with social anxiety. Adults who stutter might be routinely asked for their sleep quality.
How to Perform Intravesical Chemotherapy after Second TURBT for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Li Zhen , Qi Nienie , Gao Zhimin , Ding Li , Zhu Jiawei , Guo Qingxiang , Wang Junqi , Wen Rumin , Li Hailong
Published: December 2022

Purpose: The objective of this study aimed to explore whether the original IVC regimen should be continued after the second TURBT or whether the IVC induction phase should be restarted from the beginning. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 137 patients who underwent a second TURBT at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between April 2014 and June 2022. Based on the pathological findings, patients were divided into two groups: group A patients, who did not have a residual tumor on pathological examination after the second TURBT; and group B patients, who had residual tumor. Recurrence was determined using cystoscopy and imaging every three months. The endpoint was recurrence-free survival. Result: In the entire cohort, there was a statistically significant difference in the RFS between patients in the two IVC regimens (p = 0.029). The RFS of patients in group B1 was significantly lower than that of patients in group B2 (p = 0.009). There was no significant difference in RFS between the subgroups A1 and A2 (p = 0.560). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that the IVC regimen after a second TURBT (p = 0.012) and T stage after a second TURBT (p = 0.005) were both independent predictors for patient RFS. Conclusion: If the pathological findings of the second TURBT specimen is benign, patients can continue their previous treatment regimen without restarting an IVC induction phase. Unnecessary IVC can be avoided in these patients. In contrast, for patients with residual tumors in the second TURBT specimen, the need to restart the IVC induction phase should be emphasized to improve patient prognosis.
Analysis of the Variability in Different Criteria to Define the Success of Bariatric Surgery: Retrospective Study 5-Year Follow-Up after Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Sanchez-Cordero Sergi , Garcia Ruiz de Gordejuela Amador , Vilallonga Ramon , Gonzalez Oscar , Ciscar Ana , Ciudin Andreea , Zabalegui Alba , Armengol Manuel
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: The current criteria for defining good or bad responders to bariatric surgery based on the percentage of weight loss do not properly reflect the therapeutic impact of the main bariatric techniques. At present there is an urgent need to fill this gap and provide scientific evidence that better define the success or failure of bariatric surgery in the long term. (2) Methods: This is a retrospective database study of a prospective cohort with 5-year follow-up. We established the success or failure of bariatric surgery in terms of weight loss according to a selected criterion: (1) Halverson and Koehler; (2) Reinhold modified by Christou; (3) Biron; (4) TWL > 20%; (5) percentage of changeable weight (AWL > 35%). We analyzed sensitivity and specificity for successful weight loss. (3) Results: 223 (38.7%) patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and 353 (61.2%) underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). The success rates at 5 years are: EWL > 50% 464 (80%), Reinhold 436 (75.6%), Biron 530 (92%), TWL > 20% 493 (85.5%), AWL < 35% 419 (72.7); ≥50% EWL and alterable weight loss AWL > 35 were the most adequate criteria as their specificities and sensibility were far above >80%. (4) Conclusions: The present study shows how the different definitions of success or failure are inconsistent in relation to the outcomes of BS. However, there are some criteria that associate statistically significant differences for the resolution of comorbidities and show the highest sensitivity and specificity rates.
Complete Uterine Septum, Double Cervix and Vaginal Septum (U2b C2 V1): Hysteroscopic Management and Fertility Outcomes—A Systematic Review
Authors: Parodi Luca , Hoxhaj Ilda , Dinoi Giorgia , Mirandola Mariateresa , Pozzati Federica , Topouzova Ghergana , Testa Antonia Carla , Scambia Giovanni , Catena Ursula
Published: December 2022

Background: complete uterine septum, double cervix and vaginal septum is a rare complex Müllerian anomaly affecting patients’ quality of life in terms of fertility and pelvic pain. The aim of our review is to gather the studies concerning the diagnosis and treatment this complex malformation and to describe the related fertility outcomes. Methods: this study was conducted in 2022, according to the criteria of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and the protocol was submitted to the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases were searched to find eligible articles. In total, 538 articles were identified through literature research. A total of ten articles satisfied the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. Results: 86 affected women were evaluated, and 71 of them were treated. Almost all patients included in our research presented with primary infertility or with a history of recurrent miscarriages; half of all patients also reported dyspareunia. After surgical treatment, 47 pregnancies were achieved: 41 live birth and ongoing pregnancies and six spontaneous miscarriages occurred; a significantly lower miscarriage rate was reported after surgical treatment. Conclusion: hysteroscopic treatment of U2b C2 V1 anomaly can be safely performed, leading to favorable fertility outcomes, measured as the achievement of pregnancy and a reduction in miscarriage rate.
Questionnaire-Based Study Evaluating the Hand Hygiene Practices and the Impact of Disinfection in the COVID-19 Pandemic on Hand Skin Conditions in Poland
Authors: Polecka Agnieszka , Owsianko Natalia , Awchimkow Andrzej , Baran Anna , Hermanowicz Justyna , Flisiak Iwona
Published: December 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, disinfection became an integral part of everybody’s life in order to avoid spreading the coronavirus. In 2021, an original anonymous online survey was carried out. The questions concerned the usage of disinfectants. The study population included 56 subjects diagnosed by a physician with hand eczema (HE-derm group) and 114 subjects with no hand skin disease diagnosed by a specialist (non-derm). The HE and non-HE groups were distinguished. Nearly 80% of the HE group, and 10% of the non-HE group, experienced worsening of hand skin lesions caused by increased skin disinfection. HE-group respondents more often declared the occurrence of new hand skin symptoms, over 80% of the subjects of this group had more than 1 new symptom (compared to nearly 40% of the non-HE group). Exacerbations of the skin disease were more frequently observed by the HE group during the pandemic. There was a statistically significant decrease of the quality of life in the HE group compared to the non-HE group during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in the prevalence of hand skin symptoms and deterioration of the skin condition. Education on appropriate disinfection techniques and skincare, as well as early dermatological intervention, might allow us to limit the development of hand skin diseases.
Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility of 3D Printing Acrylic Material with Bioactive Components
Authors: Raszewski Zbigniew , Chojnacka Katarzyna , Kulbacka Julita , Mikulewicz Marcin
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to create a 3D printing material with bioactive properties that potentially could be used for a transparent removable orthodontic appliance. Materials and methods. To acrylic monomers, four bioactive glasses at 10% concentration were added, which release Ca, P, Si and F ions. The materials were printed on a 3D printer and tested for flexural strength (24 h and 30 days), sorption and solubility (7 days), ion release to artificial saliva pH = 4 and 7 (42 days) and cytotoxicity in the human fibroblast model. The released ions were determined by plasma spectrometry (Ca, P and Si ions) and ion-selective electrode (F measurement)s. Results: The material obtained released Ca2+ and PO43− ions for a period of 42 days when using glass Biomin C at pH 4. The flexural strength depended on the direction in which the sample was printed relative to the 3D printer platform. Vertically printed samples had a resistance greater than 20%. The 10% Biomin C samples post-cured for 30 min with light had a survival rate of the cells after 72 h of 85%.Conclusions. Material for 3D printing with bioactive glass in its composition, which releases ions, can be used in the production of orthodontic aligners.
Experimental Investigation of Wave Loads on U-OWC Breakwater
Authors: Romolo Alessandra , Timpano Bruna , Laface Valentina , Fiamma Vincenzo , Arena Felice
Published: December 2022

A small-scale field experiment was conducted on a U-OWC incorporated into a caisson breakwater at the NOEL laboratory of Reggio Calabria (Italy). The U-Oscillating Water Column (U-OWC) or REWEC (REsonant Wave Energy Converter) is a device belonging to the family of OWCs. Such a device is very innovative, being able to absorb a very high percentage of incoming sea waves energy and to produce electrical power via proper PTO. The focus of the paper has been the analysis of the impact wave loads acting on the modified U-OWC structure during extreme wave events. A total of 250 records of pure wind waves were analyzed to verify the behaviors of wave loads acting on a U-OWC breakwater during operating conditions. The occurrence of both “quasi-standing wave” loads due to non-breaking waves and “impulsive wave loads”, exerted by a wave breaking against the U-OWC model, were observed. Then, Goda’s model was applied to predict the wave pressure distribution on the external wall of the U-OWC pneumatic chamber, and the theoretical results were compared to those obtained via small-scale field experiment.
Marine GIS as a Tool to Support Backscatter Data Analysis for Zooplankton Investigations
Authors: Nardini Roberto , Picco Paola , Ciuffardi Tiziana , Bozzano Roberto , Demarte Maurizio , Raiteri Giancarlo , Bordone Andrea , Pensieri Sara
Published: December 2022

Echo-sounders and Vessel-Mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (VM-ADCP) are widely operating onboard research vessels with the aim of providing real-time backscatter and ocean current profiles along the route, while the vessel is moving. Backscatter data are exploited to infer important information about zooplankton presence and distribution. Nevertheless, as these organisms daily vertically migrate even below the depth of the instrument range, the combination of space and time variability make their mapping from a moving vessel quite complex. The objective of this work is to describe a GIS application developed for the management and analysis of these data. The GIS capability as a tool to facilitate zooplankton investigations is assessed by means of a test-case in the area of the Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean) by using VM-ADCP backscatter data made available during oceanographic campaigns. The system, which includes a high-resolution bathymetry, environmental parameters, ephemeris, allows to select and visualize data sorted according to all the possible layer combinations. Moreover, different backscatter profiles, characterizing the identified migration phases can be enlightened by means of false color scale representation.
An Approach for the Validation of a Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index: An Application in Sicily
Authors: Manno Giorgio , Azzara Grazia , Lo Re Carlo , Martinello Chiara , Basile Mirko , Rotigliano Edoardo , Ciraolo Giuseppe
Published: December 2022

In recent decades, coastal erosion phenomena have increased due to climate change. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme events and the poor sediment supply by anthropized river basins (dams, river weirs, culverts, etc.) have a crucial role in coastal erosion. Therefore, an integrated analysis of coastal erosion is crucial to produce detailed and accurate coastal erosion vulnerability information to support mitigation strategies. This research aimed to assess the erosion vulnerability of the Sicilian coast, also including a validation procedure of the obtained scenario. The coastal vulnerability was computed by means of the CeVI (Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index) approach, which considers physical indicators such as geomorphology and geology, coastal slope, sea storms, wave maxima energy flux and sediment supply to river mouths. Each indicator was quantified using indexes which were assessed considering transects orthogonal to the coastline in 2020. These transects were clustered inside natural compartments called littoral cells. Each cell was assumed to contain a complete cycle of sedimentation and not to have sediment exchange with the near cells. Physical parameters were identified to define a new erosion vulnerability index for the Sicilian coast. By using physical indexes (geological/geomorphological, erosion/sediment supply, sea storms, etc.), the CeVI was calculated both for each littoral cell and for the transects that fall into retreating/advancing coastal areas. The vulnerability index was then validated by comparing CeVI values and the coastline change over time. The validation study showed a direct link between the coastline retreat and high values of CeVI. The proposed method allowed for a detailed mapping of the Sicilian coastal vulnerability, and it will be useful for coastal erosion risk management purposes.