bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multidomain interventions for non-pharmacological enhancement (MINE) program in Chinese older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a multicenter randomized controlled trial protocol
Authors: Wu Xiaochu , Zhang Tianyao , Tu Yanhao , Deng Xueling , Sigen A , Li Yuxiao , Jing Xiaofan , Wei Lixuan , Huang Ning , Cheng Ying , Deng Linghui , Jia Shuli , Li Jun , Jiang Ning , Dong Birong
Published: September 2023

Background

Dementia is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and therefore early intervention could have the best chance of preserving brain health. There are significant differences in health awareness, living customs, and daily behaviors among Chinese older adults compared to Europeans and Americans. Because the synergistic benefits of multidomain non-pharmacological interventions are consistent with the multifactorial pathogenicity of MCI, such interventions are more appealing, easier to adhere to, and more relevant to daily life than single-mode interventions. One of the aims of this study is to verify the effect of multidomain intervention strategies for MCI patients based on Chinese population characteristics, and the other is to establish a biobank and image database to investigate the pathogenesis and pathways of cognitive impairment.

Methods

Our study was designed as a national multicenter, community-based randomized controlled trial (RCT). Twelve medical institutions in ten Chinese cities will participate in our study from 2020 to 2024, and 1080 community residents aged 50 and above will be enrolled as participants. Each sub-center will be responsible for 90 participants (30 people per community) across three communities (non-contact control group, health education group, and multidomain intervention group). The community will be the basic unit of the present study, and all participants in each community will receive the same intervention/control measure. Three working groups are set up in each sub-center to manage the three communities independently to minimize interference at the implementation level between the groups. The multidomain intervention group will receive integrated interventions including exercise, nutrition, sleep, health education and mindfulness meditation. All data generated by the research will be analyzed and processed by statistical software (such as SPSS 21.0, Python 3.0, etc.), and part of the research data will be displayed in the form of graphs and tables.

Discussion

In order to achieve a high-quality community intervention study, it is crucial to have a well-designed experimental protocol that follows rigorous scientific methodology. In addition, effective management of quality control measures and monitoring compliance throughout the study process are essential components. This study provides a detailed discussion of stakeholder compliance, research quality control, potential harm and mitigation, auditing, and future plans in order to better address research issues.

Trial registration

: ChiCTR2000035012 (July 27, 2020).
Early prediction of response to palliative chemotherapy in patients with stage-IV gastric and esophageal cancer
Authors: Ma Xiaoyuan , Pierce Eric , Anand Harsh , Aviles Natalie , Kunk Paul , Alemazkoor Negin
Published: September 2023

Background

The goal of therapy for many patients with advanced stage malignancies, including those with metastatic gastric and esophageal cancers, is to extend overall survival while also maintaining quality of life. After weighing the risks and benefits of treatment with palliative chemotherapy (PC) with non-curative intent, many patients decide to pursue treatment. It is known that a subset of patients who are treated with PC experience significant side effects without clinically significant survival benefits from PC.

Methods

We use data from 150 patients with stage-IV gastric and esophageal cancers to train machine learning models that predict whether a patient with stage-IV gastric or esophageal cancers would benefit from PC, in terms of increased survival duration, at very early stages of the treatment.

Results

Our findings show that machine learning can predict with high accuracy whether a patient will benefit from PC at the time of diagnosis. More accurate predictions can be obtained after only two cycles of PC (i.e., about 4 weeks after diagnosis). The results from this study are promising with regard to potential improvements in quality of life for patients near the end of life and a potential overall survival benefit by optimizing systemic therapy earlier in the treatment course of patients.
Effect of changes in sleeping behavior on skeletal muscle and fat mass: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Song Jihun , Park Sun Jae , Choi Seulggie , Han Minjung , Cho Yoosun , Oh Yun Hwan , Park Sang Min
Published: September 2023

Background

An association between sleep behaviors and muscle-fat mass is continuously interesting topic.

Methods

Based on the survey on sleep behaviors (quality and duration), the poor quality of sleep was evaluated when the subject did not feel satisfied after sleep, while the good quality was evaluated as they feel refreshed. A total of 19,770 participants were divided into the four groups according to changes in sleep quality: Good-to-Good (those who continuously maintained good quality), Good-to-Poor (those who reported initial good quality but subsequently reported a poor quality), Poor-to-Poor (those who continuously maintained poor quality), and Poor-to-Good (those who reported improved quality of sleep). As changes in skeletal muscle and fat mass index [kg/m2] were estimated by a validated prediction equation, multiple linear regression was used to calculate adjusted mean (adMean) of muscle and fat mass according to changes in sleep behavior.

Results

When sleep duration decreased and quality of sleep deteriorated (from good to poor), fat mass index significantly increased (adMean: 0.087 for the Good-to-Good group and 0.210 for the Good-to-Poor group; p-value = 0.006). On the other hand, as the quality of sleep deteriorated, skeletal muscle mass more decreased despite the maintained sleep duration (adMean: -0.024 for the Good-to-Good group and − 0.049 for the Good-to-Poor group; p-value = 0.009).

Conclusion

Our results showed that changes in sleep quality and duration affect changes in muscle and fat mass. Thus, we suggest maintaining a good quality of sleep, even if sleep duration is reduced, to preserve muscle mass and inhibit the accumulation of fat.
Effectiveness of virtual reality in nursing education: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Kai , Zhang Weiwei , Li Wei , Wang Ting , Zheng Yanxue
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study aims to assess the transformative potential of Virtual Reality (VR) has shown significant potential in transforming nursing education by providing immersive and interactive learning experiences. Our objective is to systematically evaluate and conduct a meta-analysizes on the impact effect of virtual reality technology in teaching nursing students.

Methods

To achieve this, we conducted comprehensive computer searches on platforms including of PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, Zhiwang database, Wanfang database, and China Biomedical Literature Service (SinoMed), were conducted to collect randomized controlled trial studies on the use of virtual reality’s technology for teaching nursing students built up to until March 2023., and the Cochrane Furthermore, the quality of the included literature was assessed evaluated using the quality evaluation criteria specified for randomized controlled trial studies within the Cochrane provided in the evaluation handbook manual. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software.

Results

The aggregate outcomes from a total of 12 randomized controlled trials, encompassing including 1167 students, indicate were included. Meta-analysis results showed that virtual reality technology significantly enhances could better improve nursing students’’ theoretical knowledge [(SMD = 0.97, 95% CI [0.48, 1.46], p < 0.001)], practical skills (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI [0.33, 1.46], p < 0.001), skill retention, (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI [0.33, 0.71], p < 0.001), and satisfaction levels (SMD = 1.14, 95% CI [0.85, 1.43], p < 0.001), in comparison with traditional or alternative teaching methodologies. However, no statistically significant impact was observed on the enhancement of critical thinking skills (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI [-0.05, 1.64], p = 0.07) among nursing students.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore that compared to conventional teaching methods, virtual reality offers superior potential in advancing nursing students’ theoretical knowledge, practice proficiencies, and overall satisfaction, while not yielding a significant advantage in enhancing critical thinking skills. The incorporated literature consisted exclusively of randomized controlled trials, albeit a subset of these studies omitted descriptions of the allocation concealment strategy.
Achieving clinical outcomes with benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma patients in a real-world setting: ORBE II study
Authors: Padilla-Galo Alicia , Moya Carmona Isabel , Ausín Pilar , Carazo Fernández Luis , García-Moguel Ismael , Velasco-Garrido José Luis , Andújar-Espinosa Rubén , Casas-Maldonado Francisco , Martínez-Moragón Eva , Martínez Rivera Carlos , Vera Solsona Elisabet , Sánchez-Toril López Fernando , Trisán Alonso Andrea , Blanco Aparicio Marina , Valverde-Monge Marcela , Valencia Azcona Borja , Palop Cervera Marta , Nuevo Javier , Sánchez Tena Jesús , Resler Gustavo , Luzón Elisa , Levy Naon Alberto
Published: September 2023

Background

The ORBE II study aimed to describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) treated with benralizumab in a real-world setting in Spain.

Methods

ORBE II (NCT04648839) was an observational, retrospective cohort study in adult SEA patients who had been prescribed benralizumab. Demographic and clinical data of 204 SEA patients were collected 12 months prior to benralizumab initiation (baseline) and at follow-up. Exacerbation rate, asthma symptoms, maintenance oral corticosteroid (OCS) use and lung function were evaluated, among other variables.

Results

A total of 204 SEA patients were evaluated. Mean (standard deviation, SD) age of the study population was 56.4 (12.4) years, 62.3% were women and mean (SD) duration of asthma was 15.1 (12.7) years. Median (Q1–Q3) follow-up duration was 19.5 (14.2–24.2) months. At baseline, 72.6% of the overall population (OP) presented blood eosinophil counts ≥ 300 cells/µL; 36.8% had comorbid chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP); 84.8% reported at least one severe exacerbation, and 29.1% were OCS-dependent. At 1 year of follow-up, patients receiving benralizumab treatment had a 85.6% mean reduction in exacerbations from baseline, and 81.4% of patients achieved zero exacerbations. We also found a clinically relevant mean (SD) increase in pre-bronchodilator (BD) FEV1 of 331 (413) mL, with 66.7% of patients achieving a pre-BD FEV1 increase ≥ 100 mL, and 46.3% of patients achieving a pre-BD FEV1 ≥ 80% of predicted. Regarding symptom control, 73.8% of the OP obtained an ACT score ≥ 20 points. After 1 year of follow-up, mean reduction in the daily OCS dose was 70.5%, and complete OCS withdrawal was achieved by 52.8% of the OCS-dependent patients. Almost half (43.7%) of the OP on benralizumab met all four criteria for clinical remission. Patients with concomitant CRSwNP obtained similar or enhanced outcomes.

Conclusions

These data support the real-world benefits of benralizumab in SEA patients, and particularly in those with concomitant CRSwNP.

Trial registration

NCT04648839.
Emergency resection is an independent risk factor for decreased long-term overall survival in colorectal cancer: a matched-pair analysis
Authors: Esswein Katharina , Ninkovic Marijana , Gasser Elisabeth , Barenberg Lars , Perathoner Alexander , Kafka-Ritsch Reinhold
Published: September 2023

Background

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant neoplasms worldwide. Up to 30% of the patients present in an emergency setting despite an established screening program. Emergency colorectal resection is associated with increased mortality and morbidity as well as worse oncological outcome. This study aims to analyze the impact on tumor recurrence and survival in patients with an emergency colorectal resection, independent of sex, age, and tumor stage.

Methods

Patients, who underwent an oncological resection for colorectal cancer at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, between January 2003 and December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively and screened for emergency resections. Matched pairs were formed to analyze the impact of emergency operations on long-term outcomes, considering tumor stage, sex, and age, comparing it with elective patients.

Results

In total, 4.5% out of 1297 patients underwent surgery in an emergency setting. These patients had higher UICC (Union internationale contre le cancer) stages than elective patients. After matching the patients for age, sex, and tumor stage, emergency patients still had higher mortality. The incidence of recurrence was higher (47.5% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.003) and the 5-year overall survival decreased (35.6% vs. 64.4%, p < 0.001) compared to the matched patients with elective resection. Correcting for 90-day mortality still a reduction in the 5-year overall survival was demonstrated (44% vs. 70%, p = 0,001). The left-sided colon tumors were more common in the emergency group (45.8% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.006) and the rectal tumors in the elective one (21.2% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing emergency resection for colorectal cancer have a decreased tumor-specific and overall survival compared to patients after elective resection, independent of age, sex, and tumor stage, even after correcting for 90-day mortality. These findings confirm the importance of colorectal cancer awareness and screening to reduce emergency resections.
Association of personality traits with dental visit procrastination by Japanese university students
Authors: Hoshino Yukitaka , Kataoka Shota , Ansai Toshihiro
Published: September 2023

Background

Procrastination is a psychological trait that causes individuals to put off doing things that need to be done. It has recently shown to result in the worsening of symptoms due to delays in seeking medical care. However, it is not clear how perception of dental disease influences dental visits. This study examined the associations of procrastination and personality traits with delayed dental visits for both acute and chronic conditions.

Methods

Of 599 university students queried, the data of 549 subjects (mean age 19.7 years) were analyzed. A general procrastination scale (GPS), the Big Five personality traits, and oral hygiene habits were used for analysis. The participants were asked about illness awareness conditions related to dental disease, perception of pain in the oral region due to acute oral symptoms and chronic symptoms. The participants were asked the number of days until they decided that treatment was required. Based on the bimodal shape of the distribution, those who answered at least eight days for acute or chronic conditions were classified as the procrastination (P) group and the others as the non-procrastination (Non-P) group.

Results

Significant differences in GPS scores were found between the groups for both acute and chronic conditions, with significant differences in the Big Five traits of extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism for an acute condition and extraversion, openness, and neuroticism for a chronic condition. There were no significant differences regarding oral hygiene habits between the groups for either condition. Next, using a Bayesian network, the probabilistic causal relations among procrastination, the Big Five traits, and delays in dental visits for both acute and chronic conditions were analyzed. Among the Big Five traits, conscientiousness and neuroticism were directly related to GPS score. Interestingly, agreeableness was directly related to delays in dental visits only for an acute condition and showed a negative effect, while dental student status had a positive effect on delays in dental visits.

Conclusions

The results showed that procrastination and dentistry department are factors that directly influence delays in dental visits, while agreeableness, a Big Five trait, has a negative effect on individuals with an acute condition.
Challenges of aortic valve tissue culture – maintenance of viability and extracellular matrix in the pulsatile dynamic microphysiological system
Authors: Dittfeld Claudia , Winkelkotte Maximilian , Scheer Anna , Voigt Emmely , Schmieder Florian , Behrens Stephan , Jannasch Anett , Matschke Klaus , Sonntag Frank , Tugtekin Sems-Malte
Published: September 2023

Background

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) causes an increasing health burden in the 21st century due to aging population. The complex pathophysiology remains to be understood to develop novel prevention and treatment strategies. Microphysiological systems (MPSs), also known as organ-on-chip or lab-on-a-chip systems, proved promising in bridging in vitro and in vivo approaches by applying integer AV tissue and modelling biomechanical microenvironment. This study introduces a novel MPS comprising different micropumps in conjunction with a tissue-incubation-chamber (TIC) for long-term porcine and human AV incubation (pAV, hAV).

Results

Tissue cultures in two different MPS setups were compared and validated by a bimodal viability analysis and extracellular matrix transformation assessment. The MPS-TIC conjunction proved applicable for incubation periods of 14–26 days. An increased metabolic rate was detected for pulsatile dynamic MPS culture compared to static condition indicated by increased LDH intensity. ECM changes such as an increase of collagen fibre content in line with tissue contraction and mass reduction, also observed in early CAVD, were detected in MPS-TIC culture, as well as an increase of collagen fibre content. Glycosaminoglycans remained stable, no significant alterations of α-SMA or CD31 epitopes and no accumulation of calciumhydroxyapatite were observed after 14 days of incubation.

Conclusions

The presented ex vivo MPS allows long-term AV tissue incubation and will be adopted for future investigation of CAVD pathophysiology, also implementing human tissues. The bimodal viability assessment and ECM analyses approve reliability of ex vivo CAVD investigation and comparability of parallel tissue segments with different treatment strategies regarding the AV (patho)physiology.
Age-associated sex difference in the expression of mitochondria-based redox sensitive proteins and effect of pioglitazone in nonhuman primate brain
Authors: Jamwal Sumit , Blackburn Jennifer K. , Elsworth John D.
Published: September 2023

Background

Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) and neuronal uncoupling proteins (UCP4 and UCP5) possess antioxidant, anti-apoptotic activities and minimize accumulation of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria. While age and sex are risk factors for several disorders that are linked with oxidative stress, no study has explored the age- and sex-dependent expression of PON2 isoforms, UCP4 and UCP5 in primate brain or identified a drug to activate UCP4 and UCP5 in vivo. Preclinical studies suggest that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, pioglitazone (PIO), can be neuroprotective, although the mechanism responsible is unclear. Our previous studies demonstrated that pioglitazone activates PON2 in primate brain and we hypothesized that pioglitazone also induces UCP4/5. This study was designed to elucidate the age- and sex-dependent expression of PON2 isoforms, UCP4 and UCP5, in addition to examining the impact of systemic PIO treatment on UCP4 and UCP5 expression in primate brain.

Methods

Western blot technique was used to determine the age- and sex-dependent expression of UCP4 and UCP5 in substantia nigra and striatum of African green monkeys. In addition, we tested the impact of daily oral pioglitazone (5 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 1 or 3 weeks on expression of UCP4 and UCP5 in substantia nigra and striatum in adult male monkeys. PIO levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were determined using LC–MS.

Results

We found no sex-based difference in the expression of PON2 isoforms, UCP4 and UCP5 in striatum and substantia nigra of young monkeys. However, we discovered that adult female monkeys exhibit greater expression of PON2 isoforms than males in substantia nigra and striatum. Our data also revealed that adult male monkeys exhibit greater expression of UCP4 and UCP5 than females in substantia nigra but not in striatum. PIO increased UCP4 and UCP5 expression in substantia nigra and striatum at 1 week, but after 3 weeks of treatment this activation had subsided.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate a sex-, age- and region-dependent profile to the expression of PON2, UCP4 and UCP5. These data establish a biochemical link between PPARγ, PON2, UCP4 and UCP5 in primate brain and demonstrate that PON2, UCP4 and UCP5 can be pharmacologically stimulated in vivo, revealing a novel mechanism for observed pioglitazone-induced neuroprotection. We anticipate that these outcomes will contribute to the development of novel neuroprotective treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other CNS disorders.
New generalized Halanay inequalities and relative applications to neural networks with variable delays
Authors: Wang Chunsheng , Chen Han , Lin Runpeng , Sheng Ying , Jiao Feng
Published: September 2023

The asymptotic behavior of solutions for a new class of generalized Halanay inequalities is studied via the fixed point method. This research provides a new approach to the study of the stability of Halanay inequality. To make the application of fixed point method in stability research more flexible and feasible, we introduce corresponding functions to construct an operator according to different characteristics of coefficients. The results obtained in this paper are applied to the stability study of a neural network system, which has high value in application. Moreover, three examples and simulations are given to illustrate the results. The conclusions in this paper greatly improve and generalize the relative results in the current literature.
Evaluating safety risks of whole-body cryotherapy/cryostimulation (WBC): a scoping review from an international consortium
Authors: Legrand Fabien D. , Dugué Benoît , Costello Joe , Bleakley Chris , Miller Elzbieta , Broatch James R. , Polidori Guillaume , Lubkowska Anna , Louis Julien , Lombardi Giovanni , Bieuzen François , Capodaglio Paolo
Published: September 2023

Over the two last decades, whole-body cryotherapy/cryostimulation (WBC) has emerged as an exciting non-pharmacological treatment influencing inflammatory events at a cellular and physiological level, which can result in improved sleep quality, faster neuromuscular recovery after high-intensity exercise, and chronic pain relief for patients suffering different types of diseases (fibromyalgia, rheumatism, arthritis). Some evidence even suggests that WBC has benefits on mental health (depression, anxiety disorders) and cognitive functions in both adults and older adults, due to increased circulating BDNF levels. Recently, some safety concerns have been expressed by influential public health authorities (e.g., FDA, INSERM) based on reports from patients who developed adverse events upon or following WBC treatment. However, part of the data used to support these claims involved individuals whose entire body (except head) was exposed to extreme cold vaporized liquid nitrogen while standing in a narrow bathtub. Such a procedure is known as partial-body cryotherapy (PBC), and is often erroneously mistaken to be whole-body cryotherapy. Although having similarities in terms of naming and pursued aims, these two approaches are fundamentally different. The present article reviews the available literature on the main safety concerns associated with the use of true whole-body cryotherapy. English- and French-language reports of empirical studies including case reports, case series, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science electronic databases. Five case reports and two RCTs were included for a total of 16 documented adverse events (AEs). A critical in-depth evaluation of these AEs (type, severity, context of onset, participant’s medical background, follow-up) is proposed and used to illustrate that WBC-related safety risks are within acceptable limits and can be proactively prevented by adhering to existing recommendations, contraindications, and commonsense guidelines.
The argument against the use of dupilumab in patients with limited polyp burden in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP)
Authors: Hardison Scott A. , Senior Brent A.
Published: September 2023

Dupilumab and other biologics have revolutionized the management of recalcitrant polyps in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). Despite strong evidence for the efficacy of dupilumab in treating polyps, factors such as cost and uncertain efficacy over surgery have limited its use to patients who have failed the use of topical nasal steroids and initial surgical management. Likewise, the use of this drug is often directed towards patients with greater polyp burdens. Recent studies, however, have investigated the use of dupilumab and other biologics in expanded patient populations, including those with limited polyp burden. The overall trend in the literature suggests a future move towards the use of biologics as first-line therapy for all patients with CRSwNP. The arguments against widespread, routine use of dupilumab and biologics in all patients with CRSwNP are threefold. First, endoscopic sinus surgery has been found to provide similar symptomatic benefit to dupilumab in the treatment of these patient populations. The surgical improvement of patients’ sinonasal anatomy offers a rapid elimination of sources of ongoing inflammation that contribute to long-term polyp formation and symptoms. Medical non-compliance in this specific patient population is known to be an issue, with surgery offering a much greater long-term prospect of symptomatic relief in non-compliant patients. The second concern revolves around the potential for side effects of dupilumab and other biologics. Initial studies have shown an acceptable safety profile, but trials assessing the use of dupilumab for a separate indication revealed a higher rate of conjunctivitis. Long-term safety data is limited for biologics, and we must be prepared for the possibility of severe, unanticipated adverse events in the future. Our third and most profound concern is the significant cost of dupilumab. This medication is enormously expensive, and all current literature suggests that treatment would need to be life-long to remain effective. Studies comparing endoscopic sinus surgery to various biologics, including dupilumab, have shown comparable overall quality of life metrics with biologics, all while delivering considerably higher anticipated lifetime costs. As our knowledge progresses regarding the efficacy of dupilumab and other biologics in a variety of clinic situations, it is important to understand the context in which these advances are being made. While dupilumab and other biologics offer undeniable efficacy in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis which has failed to respond to standard therapies, we argue that biologics remain only a component of effective management in this patient population. Endoscopic sinus surgery and topical nasal steroids offer equal efficacy and substantially lower costs than biologics, and these factors should be considered when selecting treatment options for patients.
Mincing bovine articular cartilage with commercially available shavers reduces the viability of chondrocytes compared to scalpel mincing
Authors: Moser Lukas B. , Bauer Christoph , Otahal Alexander , Kern Daniela , Dammerer Dietmar , Zantop Thore , Nehrer Stefan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The study aimed to compare the effect of mincing bovine articular cartilage with different shaver blades on chondrocyte viability.

Methods

Bovine articular cartilage was harvested either with a scalpel or with three different shaver blades (2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, or 4.2 mm) from a commercially available shaver. The cartilage harvested with a scalpel was then minced into fragments smaller than 1 mm3 with a scalpel. All four conditions were cultivated in a culture medium for seven days. After Day 1 and Day 7, the following measurements were performed: metabolic activity, RNA isolation, and gene expression of anabolic (COL2A1 and ACAN) and catabolic genes (MMP1 and MMP13), live/dead staining and visualization using confocal microscopy, and flow cytometric characterization of minced cartilage chondrocytes.

Results

Mincing the cartilage with shavers significantly reduced metabolic activity after one and seven days compared to scalpel mincing (p < 0.001). Gene expression of anabolic genes (COL2A1 and ACAN) was reduced, while catabolic genes (MMP1 and MMP13) were increased after day 7 in all shaver conditions. Confocal microscopy showed a thin line of dead cells at the lesion side with viable cells beneath for the scalpel mincing and a higher number of dead cells diffusely distributed in the shaver conditions. After seven days, there was a significant decrease in viable cells in the shaver conditions compared to scalpel mincing (p < 0.05). Flow cytometric characterization revealed fewer intact cells and proportionally more dead cells in all shaver conditions compared to the scalpel mincing.

Conclusion

Mincing bovine articular cartilage with commercially available shavers reduces the viability of chondrocytes compared to scalpel mincing immediately after harvest and after seven days in culture. This suggests that mincing cartilage with a shaver should be considered a matrix rather than a cell therapy.

Level of evidence

Level II therapeutic study.
Leveraging computer vision for adaptive learning in STEM education: effect of engagement and self-efficacy
Authors: Wu Ting-Ting , Lee Hsin-Yu , Wang Wei-Sheng , Lin Chia-Ju , Huang Yueh-Min
Published: September 2023

In the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, which aims to cultivate problem-solving skills, accurately assessing learners' engagement remains a significant challenge. We present a solution to this issue with the Real-time Automated STEM Engagement Detection System (RASEDS). This innovative system capitalizes on the power of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and the Interactive, Constructive, Active, and Passive (ICAP) framework. RASEDS uses You Only Learn One Representation (YOLOR) to detect and map learners' interactions onto the four levels of engagement delineated in the ICAP framework. This process informs the system's recommendation of adaptive learning materials, designed to boost both engagement and self-efficacy in STEM activities. Our study affirms that RASEDS accurately gauges engagement, and that the subsequent use of these adaptive materials significantly enhances both engagement and self-efficacy. Importantly, our research suggests a connection between elevated self-efficacy and increased engagement. As learners become more engaged in their learning process, their confidence is bolstered, thereby augmenting self-efficacy. We underscore the transformative potential of AI in facilitating adaptive learning in STEM education, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between engagement and self-efficacy.
Liver function test (SGPT) abnormality in 319 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh
Authors: Yesmin Mahbuba , Biswas Nirmol Kumar , Alam Afroja
Published: September 2023

Background

Deranged liver function abnormalities are well-recognized sequela of COVID-19 infection. Globally, there are studies dedicated to evaluate spectrum of liver injury by COVID-19. In this study, we have described the impact of COVID-19 on liver function tests in 319 confirmed COVID cases in Bangladesh. Our study aimed to determine the liver function alteration by COVID-19 in our population.

Methods

This study included all adult inpatients (> 18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed (RT-PCR) COVID-19 from March to April, 2020 in a tertiary COVID-dedicated hospital. We assessed liver function test and categorized patients according to COVID severity. This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study.

Results

Among 319 patients with COVID-19, 36% had normal and 64% had abnormal liver function test. Out of this, 18% had 1–2 times, 42% had 2–3 times, and 19% had > 3 times upper limit of normal SGPT during admission. Fifty-seven (18%) patients presented with mild illness, 83 (26%) with moderate, 124 (39%) patients with severe, and 54 (17%) with critical COVID-19 during admission. Significant correlation was found between severity of COVID-19 and raised SGPT level.

Conclusion

More than half of patients presented during admission with abnormal liver function. COVID-19 has a significant impact on liver function derangement in this population.
Lactobacillus intestinalis/Lactobacillus rhamnosus protects against AFB1-induced liver damage: involvement of intestinal mucosal barrier
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Liu Honglin , An Tianhui , Wu Qian , Zhang Hongtao , Loor Juan J. , Cheng Jiaxin , Wang Junqi , Sun Jian
Published: September 2023

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a widely spread mycotoxin that poses a threat to the healthy to human and animals. The liver is the main target organ for AFB1-induced damage, primarily causing inflammatory injury and oxidative stress. When AFB1 enters the body, it can damage the intestinal barrier function, and its metabolites are transported to the liver. Therefore, the damage to the liver is closely associated with intestinal barrier impairment. Lactobacillus plays a crucial role in mitigating liver damage by improving the intestinal barrier function. In our previous report, we reported that Lactobacillus reduces liver damage caused by AFB1. However, it is still unclear how the intestinal barrier contributes to the protective effects of Lactobacillus against AFB1. To investigate the protective effects and intestinal barrier mechanisms of Lactobacillus intestinals /rhamnosus against AFB1-induced liver damage, we orally administered AFB1 and Lactobacillus intestinals/rhamnosus to male SD rats. Then the body weight, organ index, histopathological changes in the liver and gut, liver and kidney function indicators, intestinal mucosal barrier indicators, serum AFB1 content and inflammatory factors, liver oxidative stress index, and short-chain fatty acids content were analyzed. Our findings demonstrate that exposure to AFB1 resulted in changes in liver histopathology and biochemical functions, altered inflammatory response and oxidative stress, compromised the intestinal mucosal barrier, and induced the accumulation of inflammatory factor and inflammation in the liver. However, supplementation with Lactobacillus intestinals or Lactobacillus rhamnosus significantly prevented AFB1-induced liver injury, alleviated histopathological changes and hepatic injury by the maintenance of intestinal mucosal barrier integrity.
Natural Language Processing for the Identification of Incidental Lung Nodules in Computed Tomography Reports: A Quality Control Tool
Authors: Basilio Rodrigo , Carvalho Alysson Roncally , Rodrigues Rosana , Conrado Marco , Accorsi Stefânia Anselmini , Forghani Reza , Machuca Tiago , Zanon Matheus , Altmayer Stephan , Hochhegger Bruno
Published: September 2023

NLP tool accurately identifies ILNs in chest CT reports, enabling early lung cancer detection and reducing patient loss to follow-up.
Targeted Molecular Profiling of Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Cowzer Darren , White Jessica B. , Chou Joanne F. , Chen Pin-Jung , Kim Tae-Hyung , Khalil Danny N. , El Dika Imane H. , Columna Katrina , Yaqubie Amin , Light Joseph S. , Shia Jinru , Yarmohammadi Hooman , Erinjeri Joseph Patrick , Wei Alice C. , Jarnagin William , Do Richard K.G. , Solit David B. , Capanu Marinela , Shah Ronak H. , Berger Michael F. , Abou-Alfa Ghassan K. , Harding James J.
Published: September 2023

NGS of cfDNA in HCC represents an alternative to tissue-based profiling, given the high tumor-plasma NGS concordance.
How Do Households Respond to Job Loss? Lessons from Multiple High-Frequency Datasets
Authors: Andersen Asger Lau , Jensen Amalie Sofie , Johannesen Niels , Kreiner Claus Thustrup , Leth-Petersen Søren , Sheridan Adam
Published: September 2023

How much and through which channels do households self-insure against job loss? Combining data from a large bank and from government sources, we quantify a broad range of responses to job loss in a unified empirical framework. Cumulated over a two-year period, households reduce spending by 30 percent of their income loss. They mainly self-insure through adjustments of liquid balances, which account for 50 percent of the income loss. Other channels—spousal labor supply, private transfers, home equity extraction, mortgage refinancing, and consumer credit—contribute less to self-insurance. Both overall self-insurance and the channels vary with household characteristics in intuitive ways. (JEL D12, G21, G51, J64, J65)
The Effect of Hospital Postpartum Care Regulations on Breastfeeding and Maternal Time Allocation
Authors: Lawler Emily C. , Yewell Katherine G.
Published: September 2023

We study the effects of state hospital regulations intended to increase breastfeeding by requiring certain standards of care during the immediate postpartum hospital stay. We find that these regulations significantly increased breastfeeding initiation by 3.8 percentage points (5.1 percent) and the probability of breastfeeding at 3 and 6 months postpartum by approximately 7 percent. We also provide evidence that these breastfeeding-promoting policies significantly increased maternal time spent on child care, crowding out time spent on formal work. Observed reductions in employment are concentrated among mothers with infants between zero and three months of age. (JEL H75, I11, I18, J13, J16, J22)
Πληκτρολογώ και Σχετίζομαι
Authors: Λαμπροπούλου Αικατερίνη , Γαζή Αγγελική
Published: September 2023

Οι προσεγγίσεις των σπουδών των μέσων συνομιλούν με την κλασική ψυχολογική έρευνα αναφορικά με τα ζητήματα των επιδράσεων και της επιρροής. Εντούτοις οι πολιτισμικές θεωρίες των μέσων ενίοτε απορρίπτουν άκριτα την ψυχολογική θεωρία και έρευνα αναφορικά με βασικά μοντέλα συσχέτισης του ατόμου με τα μέσα και την τεχνολογία. Σε μια προσπάθεια να προχωρήσουμε πέραν των συγκεκριμένων επιστημολογικών περιορισμών, που φαίνεται να μην καταφέρνουν να αποτρέψουν τη θεωρητική και εμπειρική μεροληψία αφενός αλλά και τον τεχνολογικό ντετερμινισμό αφετέρου, το παρόν άρθρο επιχειρεί μια συζήτηση για τη χρήση της τεχνολογίας από τα παιδιά και τους εφήβους, για το κοινωνικό νόημα της τεχνολογίας καθώς όμως και για τους κινδύνους που απορρέουν από την ανάγκη των νέων για την εμπειρία εντός του κυβερνοχώρου. Ο ηθικός πανικός, που διασπείρεται από τα μέσα επικοινωνίας αναφορικά με την επιβλαβή χρήση της τε-χνολογίας φαίνεται να παραμένει το ίδιο προβληματικός με την άκριτη απόρριψη της τεκμηριωμένης ψυχολογικής έρευνας.Λαμβάνοντας υπόψιν το αυξανόμενο ενδιαφέρον της έρευνας για το θέμα των νέων και του κυβερνοχώρου, χρησιμοποιούμε ως παράδειγμα για την επιστημολογική μας συζήτηση δυο επίκαιρα ζητήματα που αφορούν αφενός την ψηφιακή κειμενική συζήτηση δύο ή περισσότερων ατόμων με στόχο τη σεξουαλική διέγερση (sexting) (Γαζή, Αρβανίτης 2020) και αφετέρου τον διαδικτυακό εκφοβισμό (cyberbullying).
Αριστοτελιστές – Το Συνεργατικό Corpus+ του Αριστοτέλη
Authors: Κουζέλης Γεράσιμος
Published: September 2023

Αριστοτελιστές – Το Συνεργατικό Corpus+ του Αριστοτέλη
Δυνητικά εργαστήρια: Συνεργατική μετάφραση, ερμηνεία, και αξιοποίηση του Αριστοτελικού έργου
Oncofertility awareness among primary care physicians in India
Authors: Tholeti Prathima , Uppangala Shubhashree , Jayaram Rajesh Kumar , Udupa Karthik S , Kalthur Guruprasad , Spears Norah , Woodruff Teresa , Adiga Satish K
Published: September 2023

Background:

Primary care physicians not only coordinate referrals to oncology services but can play a crucial role in successful fertility preservation referrals in cancer-diagnosed patients. Hence, it is important to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards fertility preservation.

Methods:

An eighteen-item oncofertility survey was administered to primary care physicians between May 2019 to September 2020. 

Results:

A total of forty-six responses were received and analysed. About 60% of primary care physicians did not have adequate knowledge about available fertility preservation options and only 26-32% were aware of international guidelines recommending fertility preservation in cancer patients. 

Conclusions:

Imparting awareness and knowledge of fertility preservation and its options to primary care physicians could enable an integrated cancer care model while also facilitating successful oncofertility referrals in countries like India.
A bibliometric analysis of publication output in selected South American countries
Authors: Narayan Aparna , Chogtu Bharti , Janodia Manthan , Radhakrishnan Raghu , Venkata Santhosh K.
Published: September 2023

Research output provides an insight into the development of the scientific capability of a country. Budget allocation for research and development (R&D) is directly proportional to the research output of a country. Bibliometric analysis of South American countries has not been done in many studies. The purpose of this paper was to analyse research outputs from South American countries on various metrics. An analysis was done for a period of 11 years from 2010 to 2020. The analysis revealed that Brazil with highest percentage of research spend has lowest Field Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI). This contrasts with Uruguay, whose FWCI is high despite comparatively lower spend on R&D and lower publication output. Although Argentina has the highest percentage of researchers per million population (1202), it has the least papers per researchers (0.3 per year) among the countries studied. A huge disparity in terms of percentage of research spent, research output, papers per researcher, and output with national and international co-authorship was observed.
How resilient were family planning programs during the COVID-19 pandemic? Evidence from 70 countries
Authors: Hardee Karen , Rosenberg Rebecca , Ross John , Zosa-Feranil Imelda
Published: September 2023

Background: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic fears of severe disruptions to family planning (FP) and access to services abounded.  This paper uses a unique data source, a special Supplement added to the 2021 round of the National Composite Index for Family Planning (NCIFP), to assess in depth the resilience of FP programs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic across 70 countries spanning six regions.

Methods: The 2021 NCIFP included 961 key informants who were asked questions to assess interference in the countries’ ability to achieve objectives, ability to maintain commitment to FP, and availability of information and services. Open ended responses added context.

Results: All programs were affected; the magnitude of effects varies by region and country.  While the average resilience score, at 47 out of 100, implies middling levels of resilience, further analysis showed that despite interference in many components of programming, with some exceptions, the COVID-19 pandemic generally did not diminish government commitment to FP and programs remained resilient in providing access to services.  Common themes mentioned by 178 respondents (18.5% of respondents) included: fear of infection; disruption of services / difficulty with lockdown and travel restrictions; staff / facilities diverted to COVID-19; access to reproductive health services and contraceptive methods affected; shifts in services / outreach; interference with logistics & supplies, training & supervision, and M&E; lack of attention to FP/sexual reproductive health; financing reduced or diverted; and effects on existing partnerships.  A strong enabling environment for FP, which the NCIFP is designed to measure, was positively correlated with continued government commitment and access to contraceptive methods during COVID-19.

Conclusion: These findings are instructive for programming: it will face challenges and ‘interference’ when unanticipated shocks like COVID-19 occur, with strong FP programs best prepared to exhibit resilience.
Control of social status by sex steroids: insights from teleost fishes
Authors: Munley Kathleen M. , Alward Beau A.
Published: September 2023

Many animals live in highly social environments, in which individuals must behave in a way that enables them to survive and live harmoniously among conspecifics. Dominance hierarchies are typical among social species and are essential for determining and preserving stability within social groups. Although there is considerable evidence that sex steroid hormones regulate behaviors associated with dominance, such as aggression and mating, fewer studies have examined the role of these hormones in controlling social status, especially in species that exhibit social hierarchies. Furthermore, despite this research, we know remarkably little about the precise neural and molecular mechanisms through which sex steroids modulate traits associated with social rank. Here, we review the neuroendocrine regulation of social status by sex steroids in teleost fishes, the largest and most diverse vertebrate group that shows extensive variation in reproductive systems and social structures between species. First, we describe the function of sex steroids and novel steroid-related genes that teleost fishes possess due to a lineage-specific whole-genome duplication event. Then, we discuss correlational, pharmacological, and molecular genetic studies on the control of social status by sex steroids in teleost fishes, including recent studies that have implemented gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9. Finally, we argue that gene editing approaches in teleost studies, within both integrative and comparative frameworks, will be vital for elucidating the role of sex steroids in controlling social rank and characterizing their neural and molecular mechanisms of action. Collectively, ongoing and future research in these species will provide novel insight into the evolution of the regulation of social status by sex steroids and other neuroendocrine substrates across vertebrates.
ediblecity: an R package to model and estimate the benefits of urban agriculture
Authors: Pueyo-Ros Josep , Comas Joaquim , Corominas Lluís
Published: September 2023

Urban agriculture is gaining attraction to become one of the pillars of the urban ecological transition and to

increase food security in an urbanized planet. However, there is a lack of systematic quantification of the

benefits provided by urban agriculture solutions. In this paper, we present an R package to estimate several

indicators related to benefits of urban agriculture. The goal is to provide a tool for researchers and practitioners

interested in the impacts of urban agriculture. The ediblecity package provides functions to calculate 8

indicators: urban heat island, runoff prevention, green areas accessibility, NO2 sequestration, jobs created in

commercial gardens, volunteers involved in community gardens, green per capita and, finally, food production.

Moreover, the package also provides a function to generate scenarios with different implementations of urban

agriculture. We illustrate the use of the package by comparing three scenarios in a neighborhood of Girona

(Spain), which is included in the package as an example dataset. There, we compare scenarios with an

increasing amount of urban agriculture solutions. The ediblecity package is open-source software. This

allows other R developers to contribute to the package, providing new functionalities or improving the existing

ones.