bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing Racial/Ethnic Disparities with a Three-Year Case Management Program for Mothers with Problematic Prenatal Substance Use, Washington State, 2006-2017
Authors: Stoner Susan A. , Graham J. Christopher , Grant Therese M.
Published: March 2023

Background. Well-designed public health interventions ideally aspire to reduce health disparities between racial and ethnic groups. Yet, there remains virtually no research examining racial/ethnic disparities in interventions for marginalized perinatal populations with substance use disorders (SUD). We sought to examine whether there were racial/ethnic differences at intake, in retention, and in program outcomes among pregnant or postpartum women with problematic prenatal substance use enrolled in a three-year intensive case management intervention. We hypothesized that: 1) at baseline, numerous racial/ethnic disparities in well-being, health, and health care would be observed, and 2) after the three-year intervention few racial/ethnic disparities in maternal and child health and welfare would be found.
Methods. We used self-reported data from 3,165 women aged 18 to 45 years enrolled in the Parent-Child Assistance Program in Washington State between May 10, 2006, and September 21, 2017. We used Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact Tests and t-tests to compare racial/ethnic groups at program enrollment and exit and logistic regression to examine likelihood of completing the intervention by group, controlling for other factors.
Results. Despite numerous racial/ethnic differences at enrollment, there were no such differences in outcomes among those who finished the program and completed an exit interview. Different racial/ethnic groups received comparable case manager time. American Indians/Alaska Natives were less likely to finish the program (Adjusted Odds=0.66).
Conclusions. Participants who finished the program achieved comparable outcomes regardless of race/ethnicity. More work is needed to understand why American Indian/Alaska Native women were less likely than the others to finish the program and to close this service gap.
Trial Registration: Not applicable
Two Simple and Efficient Methods for a Class of Composite Functions Optimization
Authors: Wang Jinjiang , Hu Yanhong , Song Wen
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we focus on optimizing the optimization problems with the objective function formed as a sum of three terms: one is smooth, and the other two are simple convex functions with known structures. This problem is challenging to solve, as the last two functions are both non-smooth and non-separable. Existing algorithms have high computational complexity and do not deal with large-size problems. To efficiently solve this problem, we propose two ways to simplify it. One way is to introduce an additional variable to reformu-late it as an equivalent two-block separable convex minimization model. Then we apply an approximate alternating direction method of multipliers(ADMM) to solve the equivalent model and establish a worst-case O(1/k) convergence rate for this method. Another way is to research the dual of the equivalent problem, and use an optimal first-order method to solve the dual problem. Furthermore, we show that this method achieves a faster convergence rate of O(1/k2). Finally, we also demonstrate an application called the fused Lasso problem.
A linear and circular dual-conformation noncoding RNA involves in oxidative stress tolerance of Bacillus altitudinis
Authors: He Ting-Ting , Xu Yun-Fan , Li Xiang , Wang Xia , Li Jie-Yu , Ou-yang Dan , Cheng Han-Sen , Li Hao-Yang , Qin Jia , Huang Yu , Wang Hai-Yan
Published: March 2023

Functional circular RNAs have been extensively studied in eukaryotes and progressively discovered in archaea, but not been identified in bacteria except some byproducts of self-spliced introns, devoid of biological function. In this study, using an experimental and computational pipeline, we confirm that a regulatory noncoding RNA DucS exists in both linear and circular conformations in Bacillus altitudinis. The 3’ end sequences of linear RNA are critical to RNA circularization. DucS promotes the tolerance of host to H2O2 stress through its linear forms, partly due to upregulating the translation of a stress-responsive gene htrA, whereas its circular forms can promote the degradation of linear cognates. Through re-evaluating published RNA-seq data from 30 bacteria and experimental identification, we demonstrate that circular RNAs also exist in other bacteria, occurred unexpectedly in some well-known noncoding RNAs. Our results reveal firstly a functional circular RNA in bacteria, highlighting the universal existence of functional circular RNAs in all three domains of life.
Intrinsic capacity and readmission and other adverse outcomes in older hypertensive patients in China: a one-year follow up study
Authors: Zhang Qizhe , Shen Shanshan , chen Xujiao
Published: March 2023

Background: The relationship between intrinsic capacity (IC) and adverse events in older adults has attracted concerns. However, it’s little known in hypertensive patients. Our study sought to assess the decline of IC and adverse events among older hypertensive patients in China.
Methods It’s an observational study. All patients completed the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) through interview and physical examination. The impairment of IC was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between IC at baseline and adverse outcomes.
Results: The study consisted of 971 hypertensive participants at baseline. And Patients in the IC impairment group were older and had lower BMI, hobbies, and education levels. IC impairment was a risk factor for readmission, frailty, and falls (OR, 95% CI=1.17(1.00-1.36), p = 0.046), (OR, 95% CI=2.04(1.78-2.34; P<0.001), (OR, 95% CI=1.38 (1.21-1.58; P<0.001). Meanwhile, the follow-up records showed that the number of patients who met the requirements of locomotion, cognition, vitality, psychological, and sensory of five IC domains was 60.11%, 39.66%, 45.91% 11.02%, and 76.36%. Among them, the sensory domain decreases most obviously, but the motor function domain does not.
Conclusions: IC impairment is common among hypertensive old inpatients in China. In the future, the evaluation and intervention of IC ought to be further carried out to improve the quality of life and reduce the incidence of adverse events.
A PETase enzyme synthesised in the chloroplast of the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is active against PET and polystyrene
Authors: Rocco Giulia Di , Taunt Henry N. , Berto Marcello , Jackson Harry O. , Piccinini Daniele , Carletti Alan , Purton Saul
Published: March 2023

Polyethylene terephthalate hydrolases (PETases) are a newly discovered and industrially important class of enzymes that catalyze the enzymatic degradation of polyethylene terephatalate (PET), one of the most abundant plastics in the world. The greater enzymatic efficiencies of PETases compared to close relatives from the cutinase and lipase families have resulted in increasing research interest. Despite this, further characterization of PETases is essential, particularly regarding their possible activity against other kinds of plastic. In this study, we exploited for the first time the use of the microalgal chloroplast for the low-cost synthesis of a PETase enzyme. A photosynthetic-restoration strategy was used to generate a marker-free transformant line of the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in which the PETase from Ideonella sakaiensis was constitutively expressed in the chloroplast. Subsequently, the activity of the PETase against both PET and polystyrene (PS) was investigated via atomic force microscopy, revealing evidence of degradation of both plastics.
Does increasing intensity reduce the rate of nonresponders to endurance training when total energy expenditure remains constant?
Authors: Reuter Marcel , Rosenberger Friederike , Barz Andreas , Venhorst Andreas , Blanz Laura , Hecksteden Anne , Meyer Tim
Published: March 2023

Background
Standardized training prescriptions often result in large variation in training response with a substantial number of individuals that show little or no response at all. The present study examined whether the nonresponse in markers of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) to moderate intensity endurance training can be overcome through an increase in training intensity.
Methods
Thirty-one healthy, untrained participants (46 ± 8 years, BMI 25.4 ± 3.3 kg•m-2 and V̇O2max 34 ± 4 mL•min-1•kg-1) trained for 10 weeks with moderate intensity (3 d•wk-1 for 50 min per session at 55% HRreserve). Hereafter, the allocation into two groups was performed by stratified randomisation for age, gender and VO2max response. CON trained for another 16 weeks at moderate intensity, INC trained energy-equivalent for 8 weeks at 70% HRreserve and then performed high-intensity interval training (4x4) for another 8 weeks. Nonresponders were identified as participants with VO2max increase below the technical measurement error.
Results
There was a significant difference in V̇O2max response between INC (3.4±2.7mL•kg-1•min-1) and CON (0.4±2.9 mL•kg-1•min-1 ) after 26 weeks of training (P=.020). After 10 weeks of moderate training, in total 15 of 31 participants were classified as VO2max nonresponders (48%). After another 16 weeks continuous moderate intensity training, no further reduction of nonresponders was observed in CON. In contrast, the energy equivalent training with increasing training intensity in INC significantly (P=.008) reduced the number of nonresponders to 2 of 15 (13%). The energy equivalent higher training intensities eliminated the rate of nonresponders more effectively than continued moderate training intensities (P=.012).
Conclusion
Increasing exercise-intensity can reduce the rate of nonresponse in VO2max to endurance training even when the total energy expenditure is held constant. Maintaining moderate endurance training intensities might not be the best choice to optimize training gains.
Systematic analysis of microorganisms’ metabolism for selective targeting
Authors: Zare Habil , Manshadi Mehdi Dehghan , Setoodeh Payam
Published: March 2023

Since narrow-spectrum antibiotics specifically target the infection-causing organism, their negative side effects are reduced compared with their broad-spectrum counterparts. However, the design of these narrow-spectrum antibiotics requires accurate knowledge about drug targets in different microorganisms and their selectivity. Constraint-based metabolic models can provide this required knowledge using a mathematical framework for in-silico cell metabolism analysis and rewiring. Furthermore, competing against infectious pathogens, especially drug-resistant organisms, is more efficient by targeting multiple targets in each individual microorganism. Here, we combined the idea of synthetic lethality with selective drug targeting to obtain multi-target and organism-specific potential drug candidates for six different microorganisms and their various combinations. By considering each organism as targeted, conserved, or not included, we obtained 665 different cases for single essential reactions as well as double, triple, and quadruple synthetic lethal reaction sets. We found that conserving even one microorganism while attacking some targets reduces the number of potential cases tremendously. The number of solutions depends on how genomically far or close the microorganisms are in the phylogenetic tree. Furthermore, we statistically investigated how these potential drug targets attack different pathways in our studied cases, which reveals the importance of key routes such as cell envelope biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, membrane lipid metabolism, and nucleotide salvage pathway.
Can the current Mpox affect the heart? A Systematic Review of case series and case report
Authors: Sayad Reem , Siddiq Abdelmonem , Hashim Ahmed , Elsaeidy Ahmed Saad
Published: March 2023

Background
Till now all symptoms of the Mpox virus aren’t known, and we still discover new symptoms associated with Mpox. Accordingly, we aimed to summarize evidence about cardiac complications associated with the Mpox virus.
Methods
On 1st Dec. 2022, a systematic search of the literature was done to locate papers that discuss any cardiac complications associated with Mpox, then data were analyzed qualitatively.
Results
Seven articles including eleven cases that reported cardiovascular complications of the disease were included in the review, it was reported that six cases previously had sex with men that reveals the importance of the sexual route in the disease transmission. All cases have different forms of cardiac complications such as acute myocarditis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and myopericarditis.
Conclusion
The first study summarizes cardiac complications of Mpox infection. It indicates the possibility of cardiac complications of Mpox infection. The clinical suspicion is based primarily upon the temporal relationship. Further research is needed to identify the pathological mechanism underlying Mpox-associated heart injury.Cases with pericarditis are treated with Colchicine 1–2 mg as an initial dose that will be decreased gradually. Cases with myocarditis are treated by supportive care, or cardioprotective treatment with bisoprolol and ramipril. Tecovirimat is used as an antiviral drug for a 14-day duration.
An overview of biological functions of natural polysaccharides: influence factors, mitochondria and signaling pathways
Authors: Du Junxi , Li Lu , Guo Xiaofeng , Tong Xueli , Xu Weijie , Ye Huiling , Li Di , Li Jiejing
Published: March 2023

Natural polysaccharide is a type of functional carbohydrate polymer under heated investigation. The structure of natural polysaccharides is in close relationship with their actual biological functions such as antioxidant, immunoregulation and antitumor effects. Herein, we have identified numerous factors that significantly affect the biological functions of polysaccharides, including molecular weight, degree of polymerization, hydrophilicity and metabolic capability. Mitochondria, as a key polysaccharide-targeting organelle, undergo a number of alterations during the treatment, which includes morphological changes, ROS production, membrane potential and permeability, ETC activity and ATP production. Intriguingly, polysaccharides exhibit protective effects and maintain mitochondrial function on normal cells, while in cancer cells, polysaccharides tend to accelerate apoptosis and exacerbate mitochondrial dysfunction. Numerous signaling pathways, including antioxidant signaling pathway, anti-inflammatory signaling pathway and apoptotic signaling pathway are activated correspondingly. This review underlines the significance of the structural features of the polysaccharide, and thereafter indicates the modes of physiological function.
Single cell and spatial alternative splicing analysis with long read sequencing
Authors: Zhang Nancy , Fu Yuntian , Kim Heonseok , Adams Jenea , Grimes Susan M , Huang Sijia , Lau Billy , Sathe Anuja , Hess Paul , Ji Hanlee
Published: March 2023

Long-read sequencing has become a powerful tool for alternative splicing analysis. However, technical and computational challenges have limited our ability to explore alternative splicing at single cell and spatial resolution. The higher sequencing error of long reads, especially high indel rates, have limited the accuracy of cell barcode and unique molecular identifier (UMI) recovery. Read truncation and mapping errors, the latter exacerbated by the higher sequencing error rates, can cause the false detection of spurious new isoforms. Downstream, there is yet no rigorous statistical framework to quantify splicing variation within and between cells/spots. In light of these challenges, we developed Longcell, a statistical framework and computational pipeline for accurate isoform quantification for single cell and spatial spot barcoded long read sequencing data. Longcell performs computationally efficient cell/spot barcode extraction, UMI recovery, and UMI-based truncation- and mapping-error correction. Through a statistical model that accounts for varying read coverage across cells/spots, Longcell rigorously quantifies the level of inter-cell/spot versus intra-cell/ spot diversity in exon-usage and detects changes in splicing distributions between cell populations. Applying Longcell to single cell long-read data from multiple contexts, we found that intra-cell splicing heterogeneity, where multiple isoforms co-exist within the same cell, is ubiquitous for highly expressed genes. On matched single cell and Visium long read sequencing for a tissue of colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver, Longcell found concordant signals between the two data modalities. Finally, on a perturbation experiment for 9 splicing factors, Longcell identified regulatory targets that are validated by targeted sequencing.
Identification of exosomal microRNA panel as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for small cell lung cancer
Authors: Rho Jin Kyung , Kim Dong Ha , Park Hyojeong , Choi Yun Jung , Im Kyungtaek , Lee Chae Won , Kim Da-Som , Pack Chan-Gi , Kim Hyun-Yi , Choi Chang-Min , Lee Jae Cheol , Ji Wonjun
Published: March 2023

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has an exceptionally poor prognosis; as most of the cases are initially diagnosed as extensive disease with hematogenous metastasis. Therefore, the early diagnosis of SCLC is very important and may improve its prognosis. To investigate the feasibility of early diagnosis of SCLC, we examined exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) present in serum obtained from patients with SCLC. First, exosomes were isolated in serum from patients with SCLC and healthy individuals and were characterized using particle size and protein markers. Additionally, miRNA array was performed to define SCLC-specific exosomal miRNAs. From the miRNA array results, we selected 51-miRNAs based on p-values and top 10 differentially expressed genes, and 25-miRNAs were validated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Second, the 25-miRNAs were further validated employing a large cohort. Among them, 7-miRNAs showed significant differences. Furthermore, 6-miRNAs (miR-3565, miR-3124-5p, miR-200b-3p, miR-6515, miR-3126-3p and miR-9-5p) were up-regulated and 1-miRNA (miR-92b-5p) was down-regulated. Finally, the ability to diagnose SCLC of the 7-miRNAs was estimated by area under the curve (AUC). The AUC value of each miRNA sets between 0.64 and 0.76, however the combined application of 3-miRNAs (miR-200b-3p, miR-3124-5p and miR-92b-5p) remarkably improved the diagnostic value (AUC=0.93). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the 3-miRNA panel is linked to various oncogene pathways and nervous system development. When the 3-miRNAs were introduced to cells, the resulting changes in total mRNA expression strongly indicated the presence of lung diseases, including lung cancer. In addition, the 3-miRNA panel was significantly associated with a poorer prognosis, although individual miRNAs have not been validated as prognostic markers. In conclusion, our study identified SCLC-specific exosomal miRNAs, and the 3-miRNAs panel (miR-200b-3p, miR-3124-5p and miR-92b-5p) may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for SCLC.
To identify spatial social contact processes related to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB): weighted networks model
Authors: Amoori Neda , Amini Payam , Cheraghian Bahman , Alavi Seyed mohammad
Published: March 2023

Background:Tuberculosis is known as one of the main health problems, especially in developing countries.This study aimed to visualize, statistically model and describe the weighted networks of MTB cases to identify MTB-related social contact processes.Methods:In this case-control study, we applied weighted network analysis to assess the network of person-time spent in stores, workplaces, restaurants, mosques, Police bases, homes, hospitals, colleges, hairdressers', schools, contact homes, health centers, cinemas, parks, and markets.Results:The result shows the extracted modules of locations based on the connectivity followed by the person-time at each location. The correlation (p-value) between TB and the turquoise, blue, and brown modules were 0.058 (0.351), 0.004 (0.943), and 0.117 (0.039) respectively. Among the modules, the brown is the most important one in which homes, contact homes, health centers and hospitals have a significant connection with each other. Therefore, it was found that the person time in 4 places is related to the occurrence of tuberculosis.Conclusion:In this study, it was found that most transmission of tuberculosis infection occurs in home, contact homes, health centers and hospitals. These place evaluations allow identification of people with more contact and in need of screening, and it critically leads to the identification of more patients with active TB.
Acute exacerbation of ocular graft-versus-host disease and anterior uveitis after COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Lin Chen-Yu , Chien Hung-Jen
Published: March 2023

Background: To report a case of acute exacerbation of ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and anterior uveitis following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination.
Case presentation: A 60-year-old man with primary myelofibrosis and GVHD after receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), developed acute exacerbation of ocular GVHD and anterior uveitis after receiving first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Erythema of the eyelids, conjunctival hyperemia, superficial punctate keratopathy, and prominent anterior chamber inflammation in both eyes were revealed. Ocular GVHD and anterior uveitis were managed with mainly topical corticosteroid, antibiotics, and systemic corticosteroid, but were difficult to control. Successful treatment was achieved with intravitreal injection of dexamethasone 6 months later.
Conclusions: Clinicians should beware of the rare refractory anterior uveitis and acute exacerbation of ocular GVHD after COVID-19 vaccination in patients undergoing HSCT. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment should be considered to reduce the likelihood of severe complications.
Energy production features of Miscanthus pellets blended with Pine sawdust
Authors: Mohammadi Ali , Anukam Anthony Ike , Ojemaye Mike , Nyamukamba Pardon , Yamada Toshihiko
Published: March 2023

The energy production features of pine sawdust-blended miscanthus pellets were investigated in this study in accordance with physicochemical, combustion and morphological characteristics. The aim was to determine the conditions in which blended biofuel pellets made from a mix of miscanthus and wood residues can meet energy production requirements and other desired features of a biofuel source. Thus, milled samples of each material were blended in various proportions of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% represented as M0, M25, M50, M75, and M100 where ‘M’ denotes miscanthus. About 6% of water was added to each blend to achieve a final moisture content of 10% on wet basis. Thereafter, the pure and blended materials were subjected to pressure agglomeration from a single pellet press to obtain homogeneously sized fuel pellets. The pellets were subsequently analyzed to determine compositional changes and characteristics relevant to their use as a source of green energy. The results indicated that the miscanthus pellet blended with up to 75% pine sawdust (M25) generally showed superiority in properties, exhibiting better thermal stability, reactivity and lower ash content in comparison to other blends. Although, as expected, pure miscanthus pellet displayed the highest ash percentage (5%), which was attributed to its biogenic nature, its content of ash was substantially reduced by blending with pine sawdust whose ash content was much lower (1%). Based on these findings, we can confirm that pine sawdust is an interesting material for blending with miscanthus for the manufacture of miscanthus pellets with enhanced properties.
Parkinsonism is a new pattern onset of CADASIL patients carrying with R544C Mutation: a case report
Authors: Wang Xuemei , Ke Man , Fan Pin , Ding Yuting , Zhang Yu
Published: March 2023

Background: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease of cerebral small vessels. It is the most frequent heritable disease that causes stroke and vascular dementia. In China, patients carrying c.1630C>T (p.Arg544Cys) accounted for large proportion, typical symptoms including migraine with aura, transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric disturbance. Parkinsonism, as an advanced non-rare symptom of CADASIL, is rarely found in clinical CADASIL patients with it onset.
Case presentation: This essay details a case of parkinsonism, which finally be identified as CADASIL with c.1630C > T (p. Arg544cys) mutation in the exon 11 of NOTCH3 gene. The patient, a 65-year-old male, presented with progressive gait instability, rigidity and mild emotional disorder. Head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed white matter (hyperintensity) signal in the bilateral periventricular and semiovale center. 3,4-Dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine (FDOPA) positron emission tomography (PET) revealed bilateral striatal FDOPA uptake was normal.
Conclusions: Parkinsonism may be a new form of onset of CADASIL patients with c.1630C >T (p. Arg544cys) variants. Clinicians should systematically explore the possible cause of disease for patients with parkinsonism, and considering the potential diagnosis of CADASIL.
Telephone-based evaluation of cognitive impairment and mood disorders among out-of- hospital cardiac arrest survivors with good neurologic outcome: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kim June-sung , Kim Youn-Jung , Ryoo Seung Mok , Ahn Shin , Kim Won Young
Published: March 2023

This study determined the incidence of the cognitive impairments and mood disorders by telephone-based evaluation using previously mentioned scoring systems in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival with good neurologic outcome. Retrospective, cross-sectional, single-center study was performed, and a total of 97 patients were analyzed. Telephone version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Alzheimer’s disease-8 were used for evaluating cognitive dysfunctions, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used for assessing mood disorders. Quality of life was measured with the European Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-Levels questionnaire. About one fourth patients experienced cognitive impairments (n = 23, 23.7%) or mood disorders (n = 28, 28.9%). Combined mood disorders (adjusted OR 21.36, 95% CI 5.14–88.84) and hospital length of stay (adjusted OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.08) were independent risk factors. In case of mood disorders, combined cognitive impairments (adjusted OR 9.94, 95% CI 2.83–35.97) and non-cardiac cause of cardiac arrest (adjusted OR 11.51, 95% CI 3.15–42.15) were risk factors. Furthermore, the quality of life was significantly low in the group with both cognitive impairments and mood disorders. Cognitive impairments and mood disorders were common among patients with good neurologic recovery.
Evaluating the effect of body mass index and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level on basal cell carcinoma: a Mendelian randomization research
Authors: Chen Xuezhao , Song Shan , Wang Xiaobing , Shi Jinyu , Wang Zhiyao , Song Wenyu , Wang Jiaxin , Wang Guoyan
Published: March 2023

Objectives
To assess the independent causal effect of body mass index (BMI) and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) level on basal cell carcinoma(BCC), we performed univariable and multivariable two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
Methods
We used overlapping genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) for BMI and 25(OH)D as instrumental variables and selected effective SNPs to applied a series of MR methods including inverse variance weighted (IVW),MR Egger,and Weighted median. After that, we employed sensitivity analysis to make sure the results were reliable and robust.
Results
In the univariable two-sample MR analysis, higher BMI was related to lower risk for BCC (Odds ratio(OR)=0.90; 95%confidence interval (CI),[0.81,0.99]; p = 0.02). In the multivariable MR, the causal effect of BMI on BCC after adjusting for 25(OH)D level still remained(OR=0.88; 95% CI,[−0.22; −0.03], p-value=0.008).However,our results suggest that 25(OH)D level was not associated with BCC(OR=1.02; 95%CI,[0.94,1.09],p-value=0.67).
Conclusion
Similar to the conclusions of previous observational studies, the MR results suggest that BMI is an independent protective factor for BCC. While, vitamin D levels may not be causally associated with the risk of basal cell carcinoma and increasing vitamin D supplementation is unlikely to reduce the risk.
Probiotics Supplementation in Reduction of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Quazi Sameer
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Probiotic supplementations have become a recent area of interest among the many treatment options for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Therefore, the systematic review sought to answer the question; in very low birth weight infants (VLBW), how can probiotic supplementation reduce necrotizing enterocolitis?
Methodology: This is a systematic analysis conducted using trials obtained from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Randomized trials from the last decade were considered for inclusion in the study. A literal, systematic analysis of the included studies was performed to investigate outcomes such as feeding tolerance and resumption to full enteral feeding, weight gain, length of hospitalization, and increase in gut colonization and microbiota count.
Results: A total of 10 studies investigating 2480 VLBW infant participants were randomized as follows; 1217 VLBW infants receiving probiotics and 1263 VLBW infants as control. Four outcome measures were used to indicate a reduction of NEC in the patients; feeding tolerance and resumption to full enteral feeding, weight gain, length of hospitalization, and increase in gut colonization and microbiota count. Each outcome was significantly positive in favour of supplemental probiotics.
Conclusions: There is evidence from a systematic analysis of 10 studies that supplementing the feeds of VLBW infants with probiotics increases their chances of surviving NEC. In the future, randomized trials should concentrate on elucidating this niche by conducting direct comparisons of probiotics to determine the most effective among the available.
Within Group Earnings Inequality in Pakistan: The Role of Education
Authors: Wu Guoyong , Riaz Noman , Sarwar Ghulam
Published: March 2023

Income distribution plays a significant role in economic development of a country. Income equality help in improving socioeconomic condition of a country. In Pakistan, earning inequality increase due to increase in the level of education. Also, Pakistani income controlled by only 20% families of Pakistan. The aim of this paper is to provide evidence and some explanations for within-group earning inequality in three broadly defined educational groups in Pakistan during 1998–2018. Based on six surveys data sets, study indicates that growth in within groups’ inequality is mainly due to an increase in the earnings gap at the upper half of distribution for primary and secondary group. One surprising finding is a decline of inequality at the lower as well as upper half of earnings distribution within tertiary group. Using quantile regressions, we discovered that within-group inequality is lowest in the primary group and highest in the tertiary group in all years. Furthermore, earnings inequalities within all educational groups have increased, while episodes of within-group inequality differ across periods and groups. The main explanatory factors are capital-skills complementarity, technological change, and labour market flexibility.
JEL classification: J23, J31
Evidence of Zelkova carpinifolia as a potential host of Tuber uncinatum in Hyrcanian temperate forests
Authors: Azar Saeed Mirzavash , Riahi Hossein
Published: March 2023

Tuber uncinatum (Tuberaceae, Pezizales) is a commercially important ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal species that associates with many deciduous EcM host species belonging to Fagales lineage. Because of its host multiplicity among deciduous species, we hypothesized that it may associate with other plant lineages including Rosids which is the most recent common ancestral of the ectomycorrhizae (MRCA-EcM) of Ulmaceae radiated prior to Fagaceae. The host plant specimens, ascomata and soil were collected from homogeneous Caucasian elm populationsof Hyrcanian temperate forests of Iran. Caucasian elm species diagnosis was performed using available botanical sources. The EcM symbiosis evidences and EcMF identity was illustrated by surveying gleba, spore shape and EcM root anatomy using SEM, light and stereo-microscopy, followed by molecular analysis. The micrographs obtained from root examination demonstrated the Hartig net penetration among cortical and epidermal cells and the presence of mantle as the EcM sheath. This study supports the EcM symbiosis of T. uncinatum with Zelkova carpinifolia.
Online grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic ﹣ a national survey of adolescents and young adults
Authors: Brandt Eric , Hadler Nicole , Locher Ione , Hoffs Charlie T , Waselewski Marika E , Chang Tammy
Published: March 2023

We sought to understand online grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among youth, rural residents, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. We completed a national text-messaging poll of youth (14-24 years-old) (n=867). We found that during the pandemic online grocery shopping was used frequently (46.7%). Safety and convenience were the primary reasons for preferring a shopping mode (in-person or online). Most online shoppers had positive experiences (59.4%), primarily due to convenience; negative experiences (28.3%) were from inaccuracies, inconveniences of the process, and delivery costs. Rural and suburban residence was associated with higher pickup (OR 2.02 and 1.51, respectively, p=.03) and lower delivery use (OR 0.33 and 0.72, respectively, p=.003) compared to urban residence. SNAP participation was not associated with any type of online grocery shopping. In conclusion, online grocery shopping is common among youth and their families regardless of rurality or SNAP participation, but there are several youth-identified areas for improvement.
Otolith biogeochemistry reveals impact of extreme climate events on population connectivity of a highly migratory fish
Authors: Pan Xindong , Chen Yong , Yang Jian , Tian Yongjun
Published: March 2023

Climate change, particularly extreme climate events, is likely to alter the population connectivity in diverse taxa. While the population connectivity for highly migratory species is expected to be vulnerable to climate change, the complex migration patterns has made the measurement difficult and studies rare. However, otolith biogeochemistry provides the possibility to evaluate these climate-induced impacts. Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius is a highly migratory fish that is widely distributed in the northwest Pacific. Otoliths biogeochemistry of age-1 spawning or spent individuals from three consecutive years (2016–2018), during which a very strong El Niño was experienced (2015–2016), were analyzed to evaluate the temporal variation of connectivity for S. niphonius population along the coast of China. The elemental concentrations of the whole otolith showed that Ba:Ca and Mg:Ca values were found to significantly increase in the El Niño year. The random forest classification and clustering analysis indicated a large-scale connectivity between East China Sea and the Yellow Sea in the El Niño year while the local mackerel assemblages in different spawning areas were more self-sustaining after the El Niño year. These findings lead to the hypothesis that environmental conditions associated with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in the Northern Pacific Ocean would likely influence the population connectivity of S. niphonius. If so, extreme climate events can result in profound changes in the extent, pattern and connectivity of migratory fish populations. Our study demonstrates that otolith biogeochemistry could provide insight towards revealing how fish population response to extreme climate events.
Knockdown of TFRC suppressed the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by downregulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Feng Guofei , Arima Yasushi , Midorikawa Kaoru , Kobayashi Hatasu , Oikawa Shinji , Zhao Weilin , Zhang Zhe , Takeuchi Kazuhiko , Murata Mariko
Published: March 2023

Background
The transferrin receptor (TfR) encoded by TFRC gene is the main cellular iron importer. TfR is highly expressed in many cancers and is expected to be a promising new target for cancer therapy; however, its role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unknown.
Methods
The TfR levels were investigated in NPC tissues and cell lines using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Knockdown of TFRC using two siRNA to investigate the effects on intracellular iron level and biological functions, including proliferation by CKK-8 assay, colony formation, cell apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry, migration and invasion, and tumor growth in vivo by nude mouse xenografts. RNA sequencing was performed to find possible mechanism after TFRC knockdown on NPC cells and further verify by western blotting.
Results
TfR is overexpressed in NPC cell lines and tissues. Knockdown of TFRC inhibited cell proliferation concomitant with increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and decreased intracellular iron, colony formation, migration, invasion, and epithelial mesenchymal transition in HK1-EBV cells. Western blotting showed that TFRC knockdown suppressed the levels of the iron storage protein FTH1, anti-apoptotic marker BCL-xL, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers. We confirmed in vivo that TFRC knockdown also inhibited NPC tumor growth and decreased Ki67 expression in tumor tissues of nude mouse xenografts. RNA sequencing and western blotting revealed that TFRC silencing inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Conclusions
These results indicated that TfR was overexpressed in NPC, and TFRC knockdown inhibited NPC progression by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Thus, TfR may serve as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for NPC.
Cervical cancer patient with deep venous thrombosis developing fatal ischemic stroke within 24 hours after surgery：a case report
Authors: Wang Xue , Liang Huo , Deng Xuhui , Cen Gengyu , Chen Shijian , Chen Xiaoling , Liu Yayuan , Liu Liuyu , Zhang Jian , Liang Zhijian
Published: March 2023

Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) including limber and pulmonary embolism is a common complication of cancer. DVT and ischemic stroke may independently or jointly lead to poor prognosis in cancer patients. Case presentation: A 36-year-old female patient, received insertion of inferior vena cava filter and oral rivaroxaban for deep venous thrombosis in limbers and pulmonary artery, was suspected of cervical cancer for a three-month history of vaginal discharge and was transferred to our hospital for further treatment. After cervical tissue biopsy and pelvic cavity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, she was diagnosed with cervical adenocarcinoma (stage Ⅱ A). She discontinued taking oral rivaroxaban two days before surgery. Within 24 hours after ovariohysterectomy, she suffered from ischemic stroke following by pulmonary embolism，and was transferred to the intensive care unit（ICU）and received therapies including mechanical ventilation, mannitol and nadroparin calcium. Nevertheless, she worsened for cerebral hernia. Eventually, her family refused further treatment for her.
Conclusions: It was still a challenge for clinicians to prevent arterial and venous thrombosis in cancer patients, especially in perioperative period with elevated risk for ischemic vascular events.
“One more chance to survive”The experiences of patients with advanced melanoma and their partners with Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy: a qualitative study and recommendations for future care
Authors: Egeler Mees , Boomstra Eva , Rohaan Maartje , Heuvel Noelle Van den , Fraterman Itske , Delfos Marjolein , de Poll-Franse Lonneke van , Borch Troels Holz , Svane Inge Marie , Haanen John , Retèl Valesca , Boekhout Annelies
Published: March 2023

Purpose Patients with advanced melanoma refractory to first-line treatment have a need for effective second-line treatment options. A recent phase 3 trial showed promising results for adoptive cell therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as second-line therapy in patients with advanced melanoma. However, it remains unknown how patients and their partners experience TIL therapy, which is key to evaluate and improve the quality of care.
Methods Semi-structured interviews about the experience of TIL therapy were conducted with patients with advanced melanoma and their partners 2-4 weeks post-treatment (short-term) and >6 months after treatment (long-term).
Results In total, 25 interviews were conducted with advanced melanoma patients treated with TIL (n=13) and their partners (n=12), with the majority being short-term interviews (n=17). Overall, patients and partners experienced TIL therapy as intense (uncertainty of successful TIL culture, multiple treatment-related toxicities, and extensive hospitalization). Patients and partners with young children or other caregiving responsibilities encountered the most challenges during TIL therapy. All patients, however, reported a recovery of all treatment-related toxicities within 2-4 weeks (except fatigue).
Conclusion Clinical data justify the role of TIL therapy in the treatment of advanced melanoma. With the distinct nature of TIL therapy compared to the current standard of care, we have provided patient-centered recommendations that will further enhance the quality of TIL therapy. Implications for Cancer Survivors As more patients with advanced melanoma are expected to receive TIL therapy in the future, our findings could be incorporated into survivorship care plans for this novel group of advanced melanoma survivors treated with TIL.
Implications for Cancer Survivors
As more patients with advanced melanoma are expected to receive TIL therapy in the future, our findings could be incorporated into survivorship care plans for this novel group of advanced melanoma survivors treated with TIL.
Optimization of a rapid and sensitive nucleic acid lateral flow biosensor for hepatitis B virus detection
Authors: Husseini Abbas Ali , Baydar Serap Yeşilkır
Published: March 2023

Background and Objective
Rapid on-site testing with low sample volume and point-of-care diagnostics are very useful for preventive measures against hepatitis B virus. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective lateral flow biosensor for convenient HBV nucleic acid detection at the point-of-care.
Methods
Clinical serum samples with HBV-positive real-time PCR assays were used for the experiments. Spin column nucleic acid purification and serum heat treatment were used for sample preparation. A 250 bp fragment of the HBV polymerase gene was amplified with 3 pairs of specific biotin- and FITC-labeled LAMP primers. Different incubation temperatures (64-68° C) and times (30 min, 45 min, and 1 h) were explored for optimal LAMP assay, and results were assessed by fluorometric analysis, white turbidity, and lateral flow assay. Ready-to-use Milenia HybriDetect1 strips were used to visualize the LAMP amplicons. Subsequently, 10-fold serial dilutions of a secondary standard containing 108 IU/ml viral load were used to evaluate lateral flow biosensor performance.
Results
The LAMP reaction was optimized at 67 ◦C, and appreciable turbidity was achieved after 30 minutes of incubation. Templates from 108 IU/ml to 101 IU/ml exhibited distinct test bands when spin column approach was used as the purification method. However, the minimum viral load detectable by lateral flow was 103 IU/ml when serum samples were treated with heat and the supernatant was directly used for LAMP. The result shows that the developed LAMP-LF assay was able to detect a viral load of 101 IU/ml only in 66.6% of cases.
Conclusion
The LAMP-LF assay is a potential solution for HBV testing in resource-limited settings. Overall, our study demonstrated that the integration of LAMP - LF assay can be a plausible approach for point-of-care application with high sensitivity and accuracy. However, direct amplification without DNA purification is excluded and may lead to poor performance of the approach.
Acute care pathway assessed through performance indicators during the COVID-19 pandemic in OECD countries (2020-2021): a scoping review
Authors: Carvalho Ana Sofia V , Broekema Bente , Fernandes Óscar Brito , Klazinga Niek , Kringos Dionne
Published: March 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted health systems, leading to care disruptions for non-COVID patients. Performance indicators to continuously monitor acute care, timely reported and internationally accepted, lacked during the COVID-19 pandemic in OECD countries. Methods: Scoping review. Search in Embase and MEDLINE databases. Acute care performance indicators were collected and collated following the care pathway; indicators related to acute general surgery were analyzed separately. Results: A total of 152 studies were included. 2354 indicators regarding general acute care and 301 indicators related to acute general surgery were collected and collated. Indicators focusing on pre-hospital services reported a decreasing trend in the volume of patients: from 225 indicators, 110 (49%) reported a decrease. An increasing trend in pre-hospital treatment times was reported by most of the indicators (n=41;70%) and a decreasing trend in survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (n=61;75%). Concerning care provided in the emergency department, most of the indicators (n=752;71%) showed a decreasing trend in admissions, across all levels of urgency (n=26, 51% of highly urgent/level 1 indicators; n=20, 56% of level 2; n=31, 67% of level 3 and 4; and n=43, 78% of non-urgent/level 5 indicators). Indicators assessing the volume of diagnostic and treatment procedures signaled reductions: 65% (n=85) of the indicators and 51% (n=54) of the indicators, respectively. Concerning the mortality rate after admission, most of the indicators (n=23;53%) reported an increasing trend. The subset of indicators assessing acute general surgery showed a decreasing trend in the volume of patients reported by most of the indicators (n=50,49%), stability in clinical severity at admission (n=36,53%), and stability in the volume of surgeries (n=14,47%). Most of the indicators (n=28,65%) reported no change in treatment approach and stable mortality rate (n=11,69%). Conclusions: This review summarizes the performance indicators available in the literature to assess the quality of acute care in OECD countries and their trends during the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-July2021). These results highlight the relevance of assessing the acute care pathway more regularly and systematically across different clinical entities, to monitor care disruptions and improve the resilience of emergency services to crises.