bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet nursing guidance can help prevent lymphedema of affected upper limb after breast cancer surgery
Authors: Chen Rui , Wang Rongrong , Yao Jia , Yang Li , Xu Haiping
Published: December 2022

Background: Lymphedema is a serious complication due to its physical and psychological effects on women having breast cancer surgery. Lymphedema can not be totally cured; therefore, early prevention is particularly crucial. This study was performed to examine whether adequate internet nursing guidance can help prevent the occurrence of affected upper limb lymphedema in breast cancer patients after surgery.
Methods: Female patients diagnosed with breast cancer and accepted normal breast and nodal surgery were enrolled at a single institution from January 2020 to July 2021. Univariate analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with lymphedema of affected upper limb. Significant factors (defined as P < 0.05) were then incorporated into multivariate logistic regression models to assess the independent influencing factors.
Results: The analysis revealed that the independent influencing factors between lymphedema and non-lymphoedema patients were BMI, type of axillary surgery, place of residence, radiotherapy, and frequency of receiving internet nursing guidance.
Conclusion: Receiving adequate internet nursing guidance will help prevent lymphedema and can be recommended for patients after breast cancer surgery.
Young and undamaged recombinant albumin alleviates T2DM by improving hepatic glycolysis through EGFR and protecting islet β cells in mice
Authors: Liu Hongyi , Ju Anji , Dong Xuan , Luo Zongrui , Tang Jiaze , Ma Boyuan , Fu Yan , Luo Yongzhang
Published: December 2022

Background
Albumin is the most abundant protein in serum and serves as a transporter of free fatty acids (FFA) in blood vessels. In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, the reduced serum albumin level is a risk factor for T2DM development and progression, although this conclusion is controversial. Moreover, there is no study on the effects and mechanisms of albumin administration to relieve T2DM. We examined whether the administration of young and undamaged recombinant albumin can alleviate T2DM in mice.
Methods
The serum albumin levels and metabolic phenotypes including fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance tests, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were studied in db/dbmice or diet-induced obesity mice treated with saline or young, undamaged, and ultrapure rMSA. Apoptosis assays were performed at tissue and cell levels to determine the function of rMSA on islet β cell protection. Metabolic flux and glucose uptake assays were employed to investigate metabolic changes in saline-treated or rMSA-treated mouse hepatocytes and compared their sensitivity to insulin treatments.
Results
In this study, treatment of T2DM mice with young, undamaged, and ultrapure recombinant mouse serum albumin (rMSA) increased their serum albumin levels, which resulted in a reversal of the disease including reduced fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and alleviated islet atrophy. At the cellular level, rMSA improved glucose uptake and glycolysis in hepatocytes. Mechanistically, rMSA reduced the binding between CAV1 and EGFR to increase EGFR activation leading to PI3K-AKT activation. Furthermore, rMSA extracellularly reduced the rate of fatty acid uptake by islet β-cells, which relieved the accumulation of intracellular ceramide, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis. This study provided the first clear demonstration that injections of rMSA can alleviate T2DM in mice.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that increasing serum albumin levels can promote glucose homeostasis and protect islet β cells, which alleviates T2DM.
Effect of dietary protein, vitamin E, and vitamin C levels on the growth and gonad development of hybrid male abalone (Haliotis fulgens ♂×H. discus hannai ♀) by the orthogonal array design
Authors: Wang Linyue , Yao Yanyu , Zhao Zhen , Li Lu , Gan Hanlin , Desouky Hesham , Wang Xuexi , Zhang Ziping
Published: December 2022

A natural feed of fresh seaweed and sixteen diets designed by L16 (43) orthogonal array were formulated to contain differentlevels of protein (200, 250 g, 300, 350 g/kg), α- Vitamin E (VE) (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 g/kg) and Vitamin E (VC) (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 g/kg) to evaluate the effects of dietary protein, VE, VC and their combination on growth and gonadal development of hybrid male abalone (Haliotis fulgens ♂×H. discus hannai ♀). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 18 abalones (34.27±2.93 g) that were stocked in sea cages for eight weeks. Results showed that the maximum weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were obtained in hybrid male abalone fed D10 diets. The highest gonad somatic index (GSI) value was found in the D14 diet. Moreover, the ANOVA results showed that only dietary protein could significantly affect the GSI of hybrid male abalones (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of vasa in the testis of D14 abalone was the lowest. Abalones fed the D14 diet had higher testosterone level and sperm in testis than those fed other diets. In conclusion, protein of 300 g/kg, VE of 0.1 g/kg and VC of 1.5 g/kg (D10) and protein of 350 g/kg, VE of 0.1 g/kg and VC of 1 g/kg (D14) might be the optimal combinations in the diet for growth and gonadal development of hybrid male abalones respectively.
CD3+/CD8+ Lymphocyte Intensity Score as Prognostic Predictor of Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Srini Samyuktha , Sree Saraswathy
Published: December 2022

Purpose
Gastric Adenocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. The role of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes as an anti-tumor response has become increasingly evident. The Immunoscore System (IS), based on the quantification of CD8 + and CD3 + T-cell densities, demonstrates the prevalence of immune lymphocytic infiltrates in the center and margins of the tumor. We have used IS to evaluate the immune status and prognosis of patients with Gastric Adenocarcinoma.
Methods
This retrospective study consisted of fifty histopathological samples of Gastrectomies. Immunohistochemistry with CD3 + and CD8 + antibodies in center and invasive margin of tumor was analyzed to quantify the T-cell densities. Ratio of CD3+/CD8 + was obtained and Intensity Score was calculated, which was correlated with several clinicopathological characteristics and survival time.
Results
A significant co-relation between Immunoscore and histopathological characteristics of tumor and survival time was not obtained. This could be attributed to the higher stages of disease in our center and the distinct tumor micro environment and immune status in gastric carcinomas.
Conclusion
With a larger cohort study including biopsies along with digital software, more significance of IS in gastric cancers can be brought out. Fine tuning and validation of the manual method devised in this study might prove to be a cost-effective method for assessment of tumor immune status in other organs, and in initial diagnostic biopsies of cancers, which could help in planning neoadjuvant therapies. The adjunct practice of immunoscoring is set to play a significant role in the context of individualized immune therapy, in the future.
Characterization of Patients with Brain Metastases Referred to Palliative Care
Authors: Harrison Rebecca Anne , Tang Michael , Shih Kaoswi Karina , Khan Maria , Pham Lily , De Moraes Aline Rozman De Moraes Rozman , O’Brien Barbara J , Bassett Roland , Bruera Eduardo
Published: December 2022

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to assess the clinical characteristics, reasons for referral, and outcomes of patients with brain metastases (BM) referred to the supportive care center.
Methods: Equal numbers of patients with melanoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer with (N=90) and without (N=90) BM were retrospectively identified from the supportive care database for study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic, disease, and clinical data. Kaplan Meier method was used to evaluate survival outcomes.
Results: While physical symptom management was the most common reason for referral to supportive care for both patients with and without BM, patients with BM had significantly lower pain scores on ESAS at time of referral (p=0.002). They had greater interaction with acute care in the last weeks of life, with higher rates of ICU admission, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations after initial SC visit. The median survival time from referral to SCC was 0.90 years (95% CI 0.73, 1.40) for the brain metastasis group and 1.29 years (95% CI 0.91, 2.29) for the group without BM.
Conclusions: Patients with BM have shorter survival and greater interaction with acute care in the last weeks of life. This population also has distinct symptom burdens from patients without BM. Strategies to optimize integration of SC for patients with BM warrant ongoing study.
WITHDRAWN: Porous biomass gel beads SA/CS/GO construction and bifunction tuning on adsorption and antibacterial properties
Authors: Wang Songtao , Feng Xiaohua
Published: December 2022

The organic dye molecules and pathogenic microorganisms exist widely in printing and dyeing wastewater which will bring severe harm to human beings and the water environment if they are not properly treated. A novel SA/CS/GO gel beads with both adsorption and antibacterial functions are synthesized in the special ways. NaHCO3 is selected as porogen to control the density of gel beads formed by the cross-linking of Ca2+. Ag+ is fixed on outside the beads to optimize the inactivation rate of typical strains. The morphology and composite of the beads are characterized through SEM and FT-IR spectrometer. The adsorption properties of the beads accord with the Langmuir isotherm and quasi-secondary model, that means, the adsorption is monolayer behavior and the reaction rate is controlled through the chemical reaction process. The theoretical adsorption liminal value of MB on the beads can reach 847.46 mg/g. In the range of pH value at 3–11, it also has good adsorption ability. After five rounds of adsorption-desorption experiments, the gel beads still remain favorable performance. At the same time, the sterilization rate of the beads is almost 100% for the selected typical strains, even after several adsorption-desorption cycles, it still has a good bactericidal function. So, this kind of new gel beads is easy to recycle, reusable, and has broad application foreground in the field of water purification, sterilization, and adsorption.
Real-Time Approximate and Combined 2D Convolvers for FPGA-based Image Processing
Authors: Ramezanzad Ali , Rezaei Mehran , Nikmehr Hooman , Kalbasi Mahdi
Published: December 2022

Convolution widely has been used as the main part of the improvement in digital image processing applications. In convolutional computations, a large number of memory accesses and a huge amount of computations challenge its performance. Many of the related proposed convolvers are based on exact computations. Although exact convolvers keep the accuracy of the convolution operation at the top level, sometimes by missing a negligible amount of accuracy, the performance can be improved. Approximate computing is a new technique for solving computation overhead problems. In this paper, approximate 2D convolvers are presented which minimize the memory access rate and computations by a special factor of Multiply-and-Accumulate (MAC) terms. On the other hand, to preserve the flexibility for supporting different required accuracy, the proposed approximate convolvers are combined with the exact designs with real-time pre-processing stages by exploiting innovative methods which manage the hardware overhead. In comparison to conventional convolvers, the proposed designs improve the number of active resources which causes a significant reduction in power consumption. For 3 × 3 kernel size, the evaluation results on the Xilinx Virtex-7 (XC7V2000t) FPGA device show 34% and 20% power optimization of the proposed approximate and combined convolvers respectively, in comparison to Exact Convolver (EC). Also, this improvement grows by increasing the kernel size. Finally, a comparison based on RMSE and PSNR for different sample images and filters reveals that the error rate and image quality reduction are acceptable for many real-time image processing applications.
Older Adults' User Experience with Introvert and Extravert Humanoid Robot Personalities
Authors: Zedda Eleonora , Manca Marco , Paternò Fabio , Santoro Carmen
Published: December 2022

Humanoid robots can be an effective tool for the cognitive training of older adults. For this purpose, it is important that their interaction be engaging. In this study, we investigate whether proposing robots exhibiting extraverted or introverted personalities can improve user experience. For this purpose, we have designed and implemented a set of multi-modal cues for such personality traits in an application proposing typical exercises for cognitive training through a Pepper robot. We report on a user test with 24 older adults (65+), which provided interesting and positive feedback regarding how the robot personalities have been exhibited and their impact on the experience of such users.
Cytotoxicity Studies and Structural Analysis of Newly Synthesized Schiff Base Thiadiazole Derivatives and Its Metal Complexes
Authors: Al-Aghbari Sama , Obeid Abeer , Al-Taifi Elham , Al-Kabodi Ebrahim , Ragih Zianab , Al-Shuja'a Omar
Published: December 2022

A Schiff base ligand [(E)-4-(((5-ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)imino)methyl)benzene-1,2,3-triol] (ETIMB) has been synthesized by condensation of an equimolar mixture of 5-Ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-amino (0.01 mole) and 2,3,4-Trihydroxybenzaldehyde (0.01 mole) in absolute ethanol (25 ml). The ligand (ETIMB) was reacted with Ag(I), Ni(II), Cu(II) in ratio 1:1, 2:1, 2:1 respectively. The mixture was refluxed for 24 hrs. The Schiff base and its complexes were characterized by elemental (CHN) analysis, FTIR, electronic spectra,1HNMR spectra and Mass spectra. All complexes were screened for their in vitro anticancer potential using HeLa and PC3 cells. Cu(II) complex showed excellent cytotoxic activity towards HeLa cells.
First report on the presence of the huanglongbing vectors in Ghana
Authors: Aidoo Owusu Fordjour , Ablormeti Fred K. , Ninsin Kwodwo D. , Antwi-Agyakw Akua K. , Osei-Owusu Jonathan , Heve William K. , Dufour Aboagye K. , Soto Yovanna L. , Edusei George , Osabutey Angelina F. , Sosa Frederick L. , Aryee Clement O. , Alabi Olufemi J. , Setamou Mamoudou
Published: December 2022

As significant threats to global citrus production, Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama; Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio; Hemiptera: Triozidae) have caused considerable losses to citrus trees globally. Diaphorina citri vectors “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” and “Ca. L. americanus”, the causative agents implicated in Asian Huanglongbing (HLB), whereas T. erytreae transmits “Ca. L. africanus”, the pathogen responsible for the African form of the disease. Though HLB is the deadliest disease of citrus wherever it occurs, information on the occurrence and geographical distribution of its vectors in Africa is limited. In recent surveys to determine if HLB vectors are present in Ghana, we observed eggs, nymphs, and adults of insects suspected to be D. citri and T. erytreae. Using morphological traits and DNA analyses, the identity of the adult and nymphal stages of the suspected insects was confirmed to be D. citri and T. erytreae, respectively. Individuals of D. citri and T. erytreae were examined using qPCR for CLaf, CLam, and CLas, but none of them tested appositive for any of the Liberibacter species. Herein we report, for the first time, the presence of D. citri and T. erytreae in Ghana (West Africa). We discuss the implications of this new threat to the citrus industry to formulate appropriate management strategies.
Modelling the Energy Flow from Landscape Gradients to Mosaics via the First Law of Thermodynamics
Authors: CHENG Xinghua , LI Zhilin
Published: December 2022

Context: Thermodynamics is believed to be as the essential cornerstone for characterizing and understanding the dynamics of landscape ecology. The work and energy flow in the thermodynamic process of landscape ecology is studied with aid of the thermodynamic entropies of landscape gradients and mosaics that can now been computed.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the energy (information) flow from landscape gradients to mosaics. The first objective is to verify the feasibility of applying thermodynamic entropy to characterize the thermodynamic features of both landscape gradients and mosaics. The second objective is to generalize the first law of thermodynamics to model energy flow with thermodynamic entropy.
Methods: A kinetic-theory-based approach is employed to examine the usability of thermodynamic entropy to landscape modelling. The Jarzynski equation for the first law of thermodynamics is generalized to model the energy flow from landscape gradients to mosaics with thermodynamic entropy. Hypothesis-driven experiments were carried out to verify the generalized Jarzynski equation.
Results: The usability of thermodynamic entropy to describe the thermodynamic features of multispectral remotely sensed imagery (landscape gradients) and land use and land cover patterns (landscape mosaics) is substantiated. Upon such entropy, a generalized Jarzynski equation is formulated to describe the energy transformation from landscape gradients into mosaics, which takes a form of linear relationship between the free energy (information) change of landscape models and valid work by classifiers.
Conclusions: The energy flow from landscape gradients to mosaics is consistent with the first law of thermodynamics and can be expressed by a linear model expressing the relationship between thermodynamic entropy change of landscape models and valid work by classifiers. This study provides a case for linking thermodynamic laws and concepts with the characterization and understanding of heterogeneity of landscape structure.
Huangtu decoction alleviates chronic diarrhea of spleen-yang deficiency in mice by altering host metabolome and intestinal microbiota composition
Authors: chen wenwen , Huang Chunyan , Tang Dandan , Wan Jun , zhou xia , Wu Chunjie , yang xiao
Published: December 2022

Background: Huangtudecoction (HTD), a traditional Chinese medicine recipe, warms the spleen, nourishes the blood, and stops bleeding. It has been used to treat dysentery, gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, and other symptoms caused by spleen-yang deficiency for more than 2,000 years in China. However, the mechanism underlying the treatment of chronic diarrhea due to spleen-yang deficiency (CDSD) using HTD remains unclear.
Aims: This study investigated whether HTD could mediate intestinal flora and serum metabolites to improve CDSD symptoms using a mouse model.
Methods: A CDSD mouse model induced by senna and an abnormal diet was constructed. The regulatory effects of HTD at 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 g/kg/d on CDSD mice were assessed by measuring their bodyweight, diarrhea rate, loose stool rate, and histopathology. Changes inthe intestinal flora of CDSD mice were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Untargeted serum metabolomic analysis was performed using UHPLC-MS/MS.
Results: The results showed that HTD had a modulating effect on CDSD by reducing the weight loss, diarrhea rate, loose stool rate, and pathological damage. The intestinal flora analysis showed that HTD altered the community composition by decreasing the abundance of Allobaculum, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcus. Serum metabolomics revealed that the ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, platelet activation, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway, inositol phosphate metabolism, phosphatidylinositol signaling, galactose metabolism, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism were modulated after HTD treatment.
Conclusion: HTD may alleviate CDSD symptoms by reducing weight loss, diarrhea rate, loose stool rate, and pathological damage caused by modeling and regulating intestinal flora and serum metabolites in CDSD mice.
Distribution of volatile organic compounds around Ulsan Industrial Complexes and its possible health impact on the residents; a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kim A Ram , Bang Jin Hee , Oh Yeonsuh , Kim Yangho , Yoo Cheolin , Sim Changsun , Lee Jiho
Published: December 2022

Background

The Republic of Korea has undergone rapid industrialization, and still, the manufacturing sector mainly contributes to the economy. Ulsan is well known as the industrial city where two large-scale industrial complexes are located, and both have petrochemical and refining industries within them. Several studies have reported high ambient air pollution near petrochemical industries. Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are one of the air pollutants emitted from the petrochemical industry known to pose adverse health effects on workers. However, studies on the impact of chronic exposure to low VOCs level are lacking. Therefore, this study aims to see the VOCs level near the industrial complexes and analyze the health impact.

Method

The Database based on the third phase of The Environmental Health Study in the Korean National Industrial Complexes (EHSNIC) in Ulsan conducted from 2018 to 2021 by the Environmental Health Center of Ulsan university hospital was used. Subjects were divided into the exposure and control group according to the estimated pollution level and distances from the industrial complex. Variables collected from the survey questionnaire, laboratory data, measurement data, and biological monitoring data were collected and analyzed. The VOCs levels and urinary metabolite levels were log-transformed before the statistical analysis.

Result

Among the total 1,234 subjects, 718 belonged to the exposure group, and 516 were in the control group. Benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were significantly higher in the exposure group. Urinary methyl hippuric acid, trans,trans-muconic acid, and mandelic acid were significantly higher in the exposure group compared to the control group, even after adjustment of the confounders.

Conclusion

We found out that residents living near the industrial complexes are exposed to higher VOCs levels, which is confirmed by the urinary metabolites concentration and personal monitoring VOC level. These results can draw attention to people engaged with environmental plans and used as primary data when making policies to reduce pollutant levels around industrial complexes.
Trial registration: IRB No. 2018-08-020
Effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise on body composition and physical function in older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Meng Fanjing , Shu Dingbo , Chen Feng , Chen Yajiao , Wang Jianping , Liu Xiaochen , Wang Le , Xiao Xiangyue , Ding Jianping , Dai Siyu
Published: December 2022

Background and objective

The health impacts of combined aerobic and resistance training on older populations are largely unknown. Therefore, we carried out the current study to systematically investigate the effects of combined exercise on body composition and physical functions of elders.

Methodology

Literature was searched from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were: 1) healthy participants aged 55 years and above; 2) effects of combined exercise (aerobic combined with resistance training) examined; 3) effects on fat mass and lean mass reported. Research quality of the included studies was assessed by PEDro scale.

Results

Among the involved 11 studies, 9 out of 11 found that combined exercise increased the amount of lean mass of the elders (0.3–7.4%), while the other 2 reported a decline (3.0% and 3.4%). As for fat mass, all the included studies found that combined exercise decreased the total fat mass (2.19–16.5%) or local fat mass (0.7–40.7%). Furthermore, 5 out of the 11 studies examined the impact of combined training on muscle strength and aerobic power, and exercise was found to increase the lower limb strength (knee flexion: 15.1–15.9%; knee extension: 11.6–16.9%; and leg press 1 RM: 17.6–54.3%). Moreover, 5 studies assessed and reported that combined exercise was associated with an increased VO2peak (1.0–145.6%).

Conclusions

This systematic review revealed that a 8–52 weeks’ combined exercise, such as cycling combined with weight-lifting machines training, was beneficial in a decrease in whole-body and localized fat mass, and increase in the amount of body lean mass among older populations. Combined exercise was also shown to be more effective in increasing lower extremity strength and VO2peak compared with aerobic or resistance ones solely.
An in silico approach for the identification of detrimental missense SNPs and their potential impacts on human CRY2 protein
Authors: Khan Auroni Semonti , Akter Mahmuda , Enni Mansura Akter , Khan Sumaiya Farah
Published: December 2022

CRY2 is one of the four central proteins of the cell-autonomous molecular clock in mammals. Numerous missense SNPs have been reported in the cry2 gene which results in missense variants of CRY2. These were correlated with diverse metabolic diseases as well as autism spectrum disorders. Thus, we performed in silico analysis of the human CRY2 (hCRY2) protein, assessing the structural stability and interaction of the protein with the FBXL3 and PER2. Multiple computational tools were used in each phase of the analysis assuring the reliability of the data. The computational study suggests that among 436 missense variants of hCRY2, variants: L74P, L274P, L309P, F315V and Y485H were the most destabilizing missense mutants. These variants were found to alter hCRY2 structure and FAD binding pocket that likely affects the binding of its cofactor FAD and interfering the binding mode of other CRY activating compounds. Structural alterations also reduce the binding affinity to regulatory proteins FBXL3 and PER2, which may cause imbalance in the circadian period length in cells as well as develop multiple abnormalities. These five missense variants warrant detailed in vitro and in vivo investigations to solidify their roles in damaging the protein structure, stability, interaction with protein partners.
WITHDRAWN: Mediating the Effects of Servant Leadership on Performance via Emotional and Intellectual Trust
Authors: Sevy John , Frank Terri , Henry Simon
Published: December 2022

In recent years, "servant leadership" has become increasingly popular as a management style for its emphasis on helping others succeed. It has been suggested in the literature that a more in-depth understanding of how servant leadership affects organizational performance would be beneficial. We investigate how trust in two dimensions—emotional and rational—serves as a mediator between servant leadership and employee productivity. We analyzed 233 pairs of employees and their superiors. Using a hierarchical linear model (HLM) for clustered data, we found that servant leadership was a robust predictor of subordinates' emotional trust, OCBs, and task performance. Furthermore, we found that subordinates' confidence in their leaders entirely mediated this relationship. The impact of servant leadership on OCB and task performance was not attenuated by the level of cognitive trust amongst team members. These results illustrate how affective trust acts as a mediator between servant leadership and improved behavior in the followers.
Prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection
Authors: Wang Ling , Zeng Chaoying , Li Xue , Li Yuqing , Liu Zhihua , Hu Jing
Published: December 2022

Background
The long-term epidemiological surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) bloodstream infection (BSI) is limited in China, and the impact of carbapenem resistance on mortality remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, factors and outcomes of CRKP BSI, and examine the attributable mortality of carbapenem resistance.
Methods
This retrospective study enrolled 87 patients with CRKP BSI and 321 patients with carbapenem-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae (CSKP) BSI from 2015 to 2020. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for infection and mortality. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting was applied to balance covariates. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the attributable mortality of carbapenem resistance.
Results
An alarming increasing trend of CRKP BSI was observed during the six years. Longer hospitalization stay, intensive care unit stay, blood purification and antibiotic exposure were risk factors for CRKP BSI, whereas primary BSI and underlying diabetes were factors for CSKP BSI. The crude 30-day mortality of CRKP BSI was independently associated with age ≥ 55 years, underlying hematological malignancies and blood purification, while the infection source from skin and soft tissue, urinary catheter and underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were predictors for CSKP BSI. The hazard ratios reflecting the impact of carbapenem resistance on 30-day mortality was 1.586 (0.791–3.182).
Conclusions
The 30-day mortality was not attributed to carbapenem resistance in KP BSI. Infection control policies for severely ill patients with prolonged hospitalizations and intensive care and patients with blood purification should be strengthened for CRKP BSI management.
Effect of precursor molecular structure on the facile synthesis of efficient red-emissive two-photon carbon dots: real-time cellular imaging and high-resolution deep-tissue imaging
Authors: Lesani Pooria , Hadi Aina Hazeera Mohamad , Khetarpaul Mansi , Lu Zufu , Zreiqat Hala
Published: December 2022

In recent years, the development of carbon dot-based fluorescent nanoparticles for bioimaging applications has attracted the attention of scientific community. However, the functionality of the majority of these developed fluorescent systems is confined in to the blue-to-green region of the light spectrum, limiting their application as bioimaging agents. Here, we report the facile design and development of highly efficient two-photon excitable red-emissive carbon dots (D-CD) and demonstrate their high performance in bioimaging applications. Our comprehensive study on the effects of synthesis parameters on the photophysical and physicochemical properties of carbon dots demonstrated the importance of precursor selection and consideration of its molecular structure in developing red-emissive carbon dots. The developed D-CD is highly biocompatible and non-toxic, with remarkable photostability in cells under two-photon near-infrared excitation. The present study point to the great potential of D-CD as an efficient bioimaging agent for cellular biolabeling, long-term and real-time cellular imaging, and high-resolution deep-tissue imaging in complex biological systems.
Individual hematotoxicity prediction of further chemotherapy cycles by dynamic mathematical models in patients with gastrointestinal tumors
Authors: Topf Vivien , Kheifetz Yuri , Daum Severin , Ballhausen Alexej , Schwarzer Andreas , Trung Kien VU , Stocker Gertraud , Aigner Achim , Lordick Florian , Scholz Markus , Knödler Maren
Published: December 2022

Purpose
Hematotoxicity is a common side-effect of cytotoxic gastrointestinal (GI) cancer therapies. An unsolved problem is to predict the individual risk in order to decide on treatment adaptions. We applied an established biomathematical prediction model and primarily evaluated its predictive value in patients undergoing chemotherapy for GI cancers in curative intent.
Methods
In a prospective, observational multicenter study on patients with gastro-esophageal or pancreatic cancer (n = 28) receiving myelosuppressive adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FLO(T) or FOLFIRINOX), individual model parameters were learned based on patients’ observed laboratory values during the first chemotherapy cycle and further external data resources. Grades of hematotoxicity of subsequent cycles were predicted by model simulation and compared with observed data.
Results
The most common high-grade hematological toxicity was neutropenia (19/28 patients (68%)). For the FLO(T) regimen, individual grades of thrombocytopenia and leukopenia could be well predicted for cycles 2–4, as well as grades of neutropenia for cycle 2. Prediction accuracy for neutropenia in the third and fourth cycle differed by one toxicity grade on average. For the FOLFIRINOX-regimen, thrombocytopenia predictions showed a maximum deviation of one toxicity grade up to the end of therapy (8 cycles). Deviations of predictions were less than one degree on average up to cycle 4 for neutropenia, and up to cycle 6 for leukopenia.
Conclusion
The biomathematical model showed excellent short-term and decent long-term prediction performance for all relevant hematological side effects associated with FLO(T)/FOLFIRINOX. Clinical utility of this precision medicine approach needs to be further investigated in a larger cohort.
Disentangling the impact of cerebrospinal fluid formation and neuronal activity on solute clearance from the brain
Authors: Segeroth Martin , Wachsmuth Lydia , Gagel Mathias , Albers Franziska , Hess Andreas , Faber Cornelius
Published: December 2022

Background
Despite recent attention, pathways and mechanisms of fluid transposition in the brain are still a matter of intense discussion and driving forces underlying waste clearance in the brain remain elusive. Consensus exists that net solute transport is a prerequisite for efficient clearance. The individual impact of neuronal activity and liquor production, which both vary with brain state and anesthesia, remain unclear.
Methods
To separate conditions with high and low neuronal activity and high and low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) formation, different anesthetic regimens in naive rat were established, using Isoflurane (ISO), Medetomidine (MED), acetazolamide or combinations thereof. With dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, after application of low molecular weight contrast agent (CA) Gadobutrol to cisterna magna, tracer distribution was monitored as surrogate for solute clearance. Simultaneous fiber-based Ca2+-recordings informed about the state of neuronal activity under different anesthetic regimen. T2-weighted MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) provided size of subarachnoidal space and aqueductal flow as surrogates for CSF formation. Finally, a pathway and mechanism-independent two-compartment model was introduced to provide a measure of efficiency for solute clearance from the brain.
Results
Anatomical imaging, DWI and Ca2+-recordings confirmed that conditions with distinct levels of neuronal activity and CSF formation were achieved. A sleep-resembling condition, with reduced neuronal activity and enhanced CSF formation was achieved using ISO + MED and an awake-like condition with high neuronal activity using MED alone. CA distribution in the brain correlated with the rate of CSF production. The cortical brain state had major influence on tracer diffusion. Under conditions with low neuronal activity, extracellular space was enlarged and solutes permeated deeper into brain parenchyma. Under conditions with high neuronal activity, solutes mostly remained in paravascular spaces and were cleared from the brain fast. Exclusively based on the measured time signal curves, the two-compartment model provided net exchange ratios, which were significantly larger for the sleep-resembling condition than for the awake-like condition.
Conclusions
Efficiency of solute clearance in brain is crucially dependent on both neuronal activity and CSF formation. Our clearance pathway and mechanism agnostic kinetic model informs about net solute transport, solely based on the measured time signal curves. This rather simplifying approach largely accords with preclinical and clinical findings.
Effect of Trisomy 21 on Long-term Gastrointestinal Outcomes in Duodenal Atresia
Authors: Zrinyi Anna , Min Suyin A. Lum , Bello Emmanuel A. , Singh Charanpal , Keijzer Richard
Published: December 2022

Purpose
We aimed to determine if Trisomy 21 (T21) affected gastrointestinal outcomes for children with duodenal atresia (DA).
Methods
We identified children born with DA between 1991-2017. Cases were divided into DA with T21 and DA without T21. Ten healthy controls per case were included.
Esophageal, ulcerative, obstructive and stomach complaints were assessed. Risk ratios (RR), rate ratios (RaR) and Cox models were constructed. Analyses were performed for cases versus controls, and for T21 cases versus non-T21 cases.
Results
DA cases totaled 52: 22 had T21 and 30 did not. There were 520 controls. DA cases had more gastrointestinal complaints than controls. T21 cases were at greater risk and frequency of esophageal disease than non-T21 cases (RR=4.08, p=0.002, RaR=69.8, p<0.001). T21 and non-T21 cases were equally likely to present with obstruction (RR=0.91, p=1), but T21 cases complained of obstructive symptoms less (RaR=0.57, p=0.003). T21 and non-T21 cases had the same risk of stomach diseases, but T21 cases complained more frequently (RaR=6.20, p<0.001). Cox models supported these observations. T21 did not affect ulcerative diseases.
Conclusion
DA cases had more gastrointestinal problems than controls. T21 increased esophageal and gastric complaints in DA cases but did not affect ulcerative and obstructive complaints.
The effect of COVID-19 on nuclear medicine: A global survey
Authors: Al-Saeedi Fatma , Rajendran Peramaiyan , Tipre Dnyanesh , Aladwani Hassan , Alenezi Salem , Alkhamis Abdullah , Redha Abdulmohsen , Mohammad Ahmed , Ahmad Fahad , Abdulnabi Yaaqoup , Alfadhly Altaf , Alresheedy Danah
Published: December 2022

Background: Globally, COVID-19 affected radiopharmaceutical laboratories. This study sought to determine the economic, service, and research impacts of COVID-19 on radiopharmacy. Methods: This online survey was conducted with the participation of employees from nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical companies. Results: The socioeconomic status of the individuals was collected. The study was participated by 145 medical professionals from 25 different countries. From this work, it is evident that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([¹⁸F]FDG), and Tc-99m macro aggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) were necessary radiopharmaceuticals 57% and 34% respectively for determining how COVID infections affect a patient's body. The normal scheduling procedure for the radiopharmacy laboratory was reduced by more than half (65%). In COVID-19, 70% of respondents followed the regulations established by the local departments. Throughout the pandemic, there was a 97% decrease in all staffing recruitment efforts. Conclusions: The field of nuclear medicine research as well as the radiopharmaceutical industry were both adversely affected by COVID-19.
The Enforcement Dilemma of the Global Minimum Tax *
Authors: Hindriks Jean , NISHIMURA Yukihiro
Published: December 2022

To tackle profit shifting, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework proposes a Global Minimum Tax which requires that, if a multinational enterprise (MNE) declares its operations in a jurisdiction taxing less than the global minimum tax, the headquarter country would have the right to tax the difference. The general presumption is that (uncon-strained) high-tax countries will gain and low-tax countries will lose because the constrained taxes will reduce their inward profit shifting. The purpose of this paper is to show, by means of a formal model of international tax competition with heterogeneous countries, that the consequences of the global minimum tax can be just the opposite. The key feature of our analysis is that the minimum tax will change the dynamics of tax competition together with the tax enforcement incentives. We show that in this broader framework, the low-tax country always gains and that there exists a critical threshold for the minimum tax beyond which international enforcement cooperation will break down making the high-tax country worse off with minimum tax. The minimum tax threshold is decreasing in the extent of the tax asymmetry. We call this new effect the enforcement dilemma.
JEL Classification: C72, F23, F68, H25, H87.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials on mindfulness training and mindful eating for emotional eating in adults
Authors: Sze Katherine YP
Published: December 2022

Introduction

This research investigates the role mindfulness and mindful eating programs play concerning emotional eating in adults. As disordered eating studies have extensively focused on younger-aged/student populations, the pervasiveness of emotional eating patterns in other age groups is comparatively under-examined. Hence, this study seeks to answer the research question of whether mindfulness or mindful eating is associated with a reduction in emotional eating.

Method

This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trial. The researcher performed searches on MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar to identify studies evaluating mindfulness and mindful eating training as a predictor of reduction in emotional eating. This study assessed the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions or mindful eating in reducing emotional eating behaviour. Search terms focused on mindfulness training and its effect on emotional eating. Standardized mean differences and 95% confidence interval were retrieved and analysed by pooled estimates according to Cochrane Handbook.

Result

From 326 identified records, the result included a total of 9 articles. The standardised mean difference estimate was -0.29 (95% CI: -0.43 to -0.15) for reducing emotional eating behaviour after mindful eating or mindfulness training. There was no substantial heterogeneity for the aggregated estimates. Hence, mindfulness training and mindful eating effectively decrease emotional eating in populations engaging in this behaviour among adults.

Conclusion

The reduction in emotional eating behaviour among adults indicates the necessity of health promotion programs to increase mindfulness and mindful eating in this age group. Health professionals should implement behavioural modification programs to reduce emotional eating behaviours before the onset of advanced non-communicable diseases, particularly in those at high risk for poorer mental health.
A Review of the Predictive Modeling of Employee Attrition and its Extension for Talent Management in View of HR Disruption
Authors: Banerjee Pramit
Published: December 2022

This is a review paper of the different predictive models which have been developed for determining employee attrition and it also provides a strategic guideline that the human resource management team can consider implementing in the wake of digital disruption. In the first half of the paper, the introduction to predictive models of attrition has been discussed about the methodology used to refer to the different journal databases and years of publication along with the key variables that have been used. In the discussion section, the gaps have been identified as to why the existing models fail to establish the exact reasons and ascertain the level of attrition properly especially as we see in the case of the massive resignations that are taking place in the workplace through a set of questions which identify the specific areas, yet to be considered in the models. Finally, based on the review, the hybrid conceptual framework has been developed to provide a direction in the future as to how organizations can consider breaking down their structure and in turn capture their emotions and data and finally apply it to determine the reasons and levels of employee attrition.
Assessment of Research Ethics Knowledge of Pediatricians in Azerbaijan
Authors: Salayev Kamran , Aslanova Ulviyya , Guliyeva Narmin , Geraybeyli Geray , Munir Kerim
Published: December 2022

Background: To assess knowledge of pediatric research ethics in an Azerbaijan child healthcare community.
Methods: We translated the Test of Residents’ Ethics Knowledge for Pediatrics (TREK-P) in Azeri and administered it to four groups: (i) third-year medical students (n=21), (ii) pediatrics residents (n=24), (iii) experienced pediatricians (n=21), and (iv) fellows (n=9) of a Fogarty International Center National Institute of Health (Fogarty/NIH) R25 research ethics education program in Baku, Azerbaijan. The difference in the TREK-P score between the groups was evaluated. Within a joined group of pediatricians and fellows, we evaluated correlation between the TREK-P score and other factors.
Results: A previously funded Fogarty International Center/National Institute of Health (Fogarty/NIH) research education fellows scored significantly higher than the other groups (p = .006). There was no significant difference between the other three groups. Within a joined group of pediatricians and fellows, previous training on ethics was the only factor that correlated with the higher TREK-P scores (p < .05).
Conclusions: The higher scores on TREK-P in fellows support effectiveness of postgraduate Fogarty/NIH training programs in ethics. The low scores of the practicing pediatricians without previous ethics training as compared to students and residents reflect the lack of postgraduate education on ethical principles.
Development and validation of an integrated software framework for hybrid simulation
Authors: Tekeste Gidewon Goitom , Correia António A. , Costa Aníbal G.
Published: December 2022

Hybrid simulation combines numerical and experimental techniques to simulate the response of structures. In the last two decades, notable developments have been made to make hybrid testing platforms modular and versatile. The OpenSees-OpenFresco software framework for hybrid simulation is a typical example which can interface with various control software and hardware. This paper presents the development of a robust integrated hybrid testing software framework at the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, Portugal, which uses the National Instruments real-time and FPGA hardware. The software framework has a LabVIEW-based control and interface application for conducting hybrid tests using OpenFresco middleware. The OpenSees finite element software is also integrated into the framework and communicates with the middleware via a TCP/IP protocol. The software framework is designed to conduct slow to real-time hybrid tests assisted by a predictor-corrector algorithm which enables continuous movement of an actuator. It is also equipped with error tracking and delay compensation algorithms. New simulation tools can be simply added to it due to its modular and flexible nature. The capabilities of the software framework are first examined through simulated hybrid tests. It is then validated by conducting hybrid test of a two-bay one-story steel moment-resisting frame by physically testing one of its exterior columns.
A Rare Cancer in an Elderly Man with Cervical Radiculopathy: A case report
Authors: Sham Sunder
Published: December 2022

Chordomas are low-grade, locally invasive, frequently recurring, malignant bone tumor with poor prognosis. Cervical chordoma in adults is rare and often missed when patients present with cervical radiculopathy. They can mimic other malignant tumors and, hence require histologic distinction for prognostic risk stratification and optimal treatment. We present a 61-year-old male with chronic neck pain and sensory neuropathy in bilateral upper limbs. The patient underwent cervical discectomy and fusion which revealed a cystic mass arising from the right neural foramina at C5-C6 level. Histopathological examination of the mass was consistent with chordoma. Elderly patients with cervical radiculopathy should be evaluated for neoplasia including chordoma and differentiated from other etiologies. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce morbidity and mortality from chordoma.