bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology, Characteristics, and Prognostic Factors of Lymphoplasmacyte-rich Meningioma: a Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxi , Liu Yanhua , Guo Weiwei , Liang Qi , Pan Chengliang , Tan Bin , Yu Ying
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUNDS: Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma(LPM) is a rare subtype of meningioma with a low degree of malignancy and an overall preferable prognosis. The purpose of this article is to further understand the occurrence, imaging manifestations, pathological features, statistics, and prognosis to increase the understanding of the disease, reduce misdiagnosis, and improve prognosis. METHODS: A search was conducted in the PubMed database for English articles published from 1993 to 2023. The keywords were "lymphoplasmacyte-rich (all fields) and meningioma (all fields) and English (lang)" and "lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma (title/abstract) and English (lang)".The possible prognostic indicators were analyzed by Log-rank test and Pearson’s chi-squared test. RESULTS: Fourteen reports with 95 LPM patients were included in this report, including 47 males and 48 females who were diagnosed between the ages of 9 and 79, with an average age of 45 years. The most common clinical manifestations are headache and limb movement disorders. In most cases, the tumor occurred on the convex portion of the brain. All tumors showed significant enhancement, with homogeneous enhancement being more common, and most patients showed peritumoral edema. Postoperative pathological EMA, LCA, and vimentin positivity were helpful for the final diagnosis of the patient. We further analyzed the clinical manifestations, imaging manifestations, pathological features, treatment strategies, and prognosis of LPM. Log-rank tests showed a correlation between complete resection and better prognosis and recurrence. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of significant differences in the clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations of LPM compared to other diseases that need to be differentiated, and a clear diagnosis requires pathological examination. After standardized surgical treatment, the recurrence rate and mortality rate of LPM are both low. Complete surgical resection of tumors is associated with a better prognosis and lower recurrence rate.
Telephone hotlines for infectious disease outbreaks in Africa: a scoping review and qualitative study
Authors: Fongwen Noah T , Nchafack Almighty , Mercy Kyeng , Ong Jason J. , Tucker Joseph D. , Hughes Gwenda , Peeling Rosanna W
Published: October 2023

Background
Mobile health interventions like telephone hotlines face challenges that may threaten their use, adoption and sustainability in Africa. We sought to understand the barriers and facilitators for sustainability of telephone hotlines used in infectious disease outbreaks in Africa using a scoping review and qualitative study.
Methods
The scoping review was conducted using PRISMA checklist. Medline, Embase, Global Health, PsycINFO, Google Scholar were searched for articles published between 1 January 1995 and 30 September 2022. For the scoping review, articles were included if they mentioned the use of a telephone hotline in outbreak response and the barriers and/or facilitators in operating the hotline. Data on the barriers and facilitators were extracted. Thirty participants from 12 African countries were interviewed online from 15 July 2021 to 30 November 2021, one-on-one and through focus group discussions. Emerging themes from the review were identified and synthesized to focus on barriers and facilitators for the sustainability of the hotlines.
Results
The search identified 1153 citations and 25 studies were finally included. The articles were from 20 African countries. The government was the main source of funding in four countries. Barriers with calls and data management were the most frequent. Human resource barriers such as limited staff, high staff turnover, lack of incentives and motivation were also significant. Financial barriers were the high cost of operation and huge dependence on external funders. Technological and infrastructural hurdles included limited internet and phone coverage, malfunction, and lack of interoperability of softwares. Transitioning to either complete or shared government ownership with diversification and integration of the hotline into routine use was the main facilitator for sustainability.
Conclusion
Strengthening technical capacity in telephone hotlines and ensuring financial sustainability are critical. More government support is needed. More studies on costing will help in developing financial sustainability models for Africa.
Redefining Clinical Education: A Scoping Review of Nursing Faculty Practice Models for Enhanced Clinical Competency
Authors: Khowaja-Punjwani Sumaira , Baig Lubna , Ali Syeda Kauser
Published: October 2023

Background
The future of nursing education in Pakistan depends on faculty practice. Faculty practice is recognized as an important component of nursing education by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. There is no consensus on one definition of faulty practice or its advantages and disadvantages; therefore, more empirical data are needed to support faculty practice. New faculty practice models need to be identified/developed, as clinical teaching is not considered a part of faculty practice.
Objective
To identify, appraise, and synthesize evidence of faculty practice models that promote clinical competency in nursing education.
Methods
A scoping review methodology was used for this review, for which an extensive literature search was carried out comprehensively in April 2023. The PICO framework was used to develop the research question. The literature was systematically searched from Medline (EBSCO Host), PubMed, CINHAL, Google Scholar, and Pak Medinet from 1979 to 2023 using various keywords and Boolean operators. The inclusion criteria were developed, and only those research studies that focused on the faculty practice model in nursing education were eligible for inclusion. Thematic content analysis was performed to identify the faculty practice models that promote clinical competency in nursing education with key features of the model and its benefits and limitations.
Results
The initial search retrieved 61,107 studies, out of which 173 met the inclusion criteria for which full-text articles were accessed and reviewed; ultimately, 37 studies were selected for scoping review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, eight (8) basic models were identified, i.e., unification, collaboration or joint appointment, integration or nursing center, entrepreneurial or linkage, private practice, moonlighting, nurse-faculty group practice and dyad model.
Conclusion
The implementation of faculty practice models in nursing presents a number of challenges that must be addressed to improve patient care. A lack of resources, conflicts with physicians, and concerns about losing one's identity as a faculty member are just a few of the issues that must be addressed.
Effect of teneligliptin 20 mg twice daily on glucagon like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels and its influence on non-glycemic components in non-diabetic obese individuals
Authors: Pelluri Ranakishor , Kongara Srikanth , Nagasubramanian Vanitha Rani , MAHADEVAN SHRIRAAM , Chimakurthy Jithendra
Published: October 2023

Background and aims: Teneligliptin is an oral anti-diabetic agent, it can persevere GLP-1 by inhibiting DPP-4 enzyme. Also had rare incidence of hypoglycemia. Hence, the present study was aimed to test the effect of teneligliptin 20 mg twice daily along with low carbohydrate diet and physical exercise on change of body weight, insulin resistance in non-diabetic obese subjects.
Methods: It is a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled, parallel group study carried out at outpatient department of an endocrinology hospital over the period of 48 weeks. Teneligliptin 20 mg twice daily 30 min before food (Low carbohydrate diet) with regular physical exercise and control group was kept with only LCD diet and regular physical exercise. The present Study was registered in clinical trial registry of India [CTRI/2020/02/023329].
Results: A total of 150 non diabetic obese subjects were randomized into test (n=75) and control group (n=75). At the end of the 48th weeks significant improvement of GLP-1, SNAQ score, HOMA-IR, Triglycerides, and body weight. The mean difference and 95% CI of GLP-1 (pg/mL) was 76.42 (44.42, 148.41) (p 0.37); SNAQ score, -1.64 (-2.48, -0.81) (p 0.000); HOMA-IR, -0.9 (-0.59, -0.38) (p 0.000); Triglycerides (mg/dL) - 29.37 (-44.46, -14.07) (p 0.000); reduction of body weight (kg) -3.09 (-6.11, -0.07) (p 0.043).
Conclusion: Findings of this study reveals that teneligliptin treated group showed significant improvement of GLP-1 levels, reduced insulin resistance, body weight, triglycerides, appetite, and metabolic syndrome. Teneligliptin is well tolerated, except upper respiratory tract infections.
Evaluation of the Effect of Pet/ct Fdg Inclusion on Mortality and Survival in Operated Thymoma Patients
Authors: sanli bahar agaoglu , Duman Elif , Gulmez Baris , Aguloglu Nursin , Yazgan Serkan , Ceylan Kenan Can , Ucvet Ahmet
Published: October 2023

Purpose: Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) constitute 50% of anterior mediastinal masses and are divided into three groups as thymoma, thymic carcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors. The most common TET is thymoma. In recent years, the use of Fuorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Computed Tomography (PET-CT) has become widespread to evaluate the diagnosis, metabolism, stage and distant metastases of thymoma. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the connection of malignancy potential, survival and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured by PET-CT before surgery according to the histological classification of the World Health Organization (WHO) in patients operated for thymoma. In addition, the predictive value of the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) generated by C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and albumin values on recurrence and survival was investigated and its potential as a prognostic biomarker was evaluated.
Materials & Methods: Forty-five patients who underwent surgical resection for thymoma and were examined with PET-CT in the preoperative period between January 2010 and January 2022 were included in the study. The relationship between WHO histological classification, tumor size and SUVmax values on PET-CT according to TNM classification of retrospectively analyzed patients’records were evaluated. Preoperative albumin and CRP values were used to determine GPS.
Results: The cut-off value for SUVmax was found to be 5.65 in the patients and the overall survival rate of low-risk (<5.65) and high-risk (>5.65) patients was compared according to the SUVmax threshold value (5.65) and found to be statistically significant. In addition, the power of PET/CT SUVmax value to predict mortality (according to ROC analysis) was statistically significant (p=0.048). Survival expectancy was 127.6 months in patients with mild GPS (O points), 96.7 months in patients with moderate GPS (1 point), and 25.9 months in patients with severe GPS (2 points).
Conclusions: PET/CT SUVmax values can be used to predict histological subtype in thymoma patients, and pre-operative SUVmax and GPS are parameters that can provide information about survival times and mortality in thymoma patients.
Genomic and metabolomic insights into potential mechanisms of plant growth promotion by Streptomyces rochei S32 in various crops
Authors: Wei Miao , Jiao Mengfan , Nie Xibin , Liu Yutao , Wei Xiaomin
Published: October 2023

Aims
The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in crop production necessitates an understanding of the underlying mechanisms. We investigated the potential mechanisms of plant growth promotion by Streptomyces rochei S32 in wheat and tomato crops.
Methods
The effects of S. rochei S32 on plant growth and its antagonistic activity against soil-borne pathogenic fungi were tested in petri dishes. The underlying molecular mechanisms were identified based on whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The results of genomic analysis were verified by widely targeted metabolomics and mechanism studies of plant growth promotion.
Results
The growth of crop seedlings treated with the cell-free fermentation broth of S. rochei S32 was markedly improved in 15 d. This effect was demonstrated by increased plant height (24.7%) and root length (17.4%) of wheat (400-fold dilution), as well as extended root length (40.9%) of tomato (200-fold dilution). S. rochei S32 showed antagonistic activity against multiple pathogenic fungi, especially Macropoma kawatsukai. The bacterial genome contains an 8,041,158-bp chromosome and two plasmids. A total of 7486 annotated genes were classified into 31 Gene Ontology functional categories. Genomic analysis revealed the potential for the production of indole-3-acetic acid, fungal cell wall hydrolases, antibiotics (e.g., candicidin, streptothricin, borrellin, albaflavenone), and siderophores. Thirty-nine phytohormones and 2205 secondary metabolites were detected, including indole-3-acetic acid, phytosphingosine, haloprogin, acivicin, and corynebactin. Normal bacterial growth occurred on a nitrogen-free medium.
Conclusion
S. rochei S32 can promote plant growth directly or indirectly through nitrogen fixation and production of phytohormones, extracellular hydrolases, antibiotics, and siderophores.
A Potent Athero-protective Nanovaccine Cocktail by Two-Pronged Intracellular Delivery of Antigen and Adjuvant for Dendritic Cell Activation
Authors: Sun Dongping , Zhang Lei , AL-Ammari Abdulrahman , Zhu Danxuan , Zhang Hongsong , Zhou Peng , Zhi Xu , Ding Weixiao , Li Xinmeng , Yu Qingqing , Gai Yuwen , Ma Xiaoling , Chen Chuntao , Zuo Chao , Zhang Jiaan , Zhu Wanying
Published: October 2023

Current clinical therapies for atherosclerosis primarily consist of surgical interventions or medical therapeutics but lack prophylactic treatments. Vaccines against atherosclerosis show great promise in managing the disease, particularly those capable of eliciting both effector T cell and antibody responses, requiring effective delivery of antigen and adjuvant to activate dendritic cells. Different from the commonly adopted co-delivery strategy by nanovaccines, we individually conjugate antigen p210 and adjuvant CpG-ODN as mannose and TLR ligands, respectively, onto superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as a nanovaccine cocktail against atherosclerosis to incorporate multiple immune-stimulatory components. Indeed, the model nanovaccine SP-D1+P1, made from SPIONs coated with p210 (SP-P) and CpG-ODN (SP-D) at a mixing ratio of 1:1, enters dendritic cells (DCs) via mannose and scavenger receptor, respectively, which favors the cross-presentation of antigens and induces significantly higher levels of co-stimulatory molecules and cytokines compared to the counterpart nanoformulation containing both p210 and CpG-ODN (SP-D1/P1). After intradermal administration of three doses of SP-D1+P1, the ApoE-/- mice exhibited a mitigated development of atherosclerosis with reduced and stabilized plaques. SP-D1+P1 modulates the DCs in the draining lymph nodes (dLNs), generates regulatory responses in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, elicits memory responses, and induces both anti-p210 IgM and IgG antibodies to achieve the atheroreduction effect. We, therefore, have developed a potent nanovaccine formulation that was able to provoke both cellular and humoral regulatory responses in hypercholesterolemic ApoE–/– mice, which is not only a potential vaccine candidate but also offers further clinical translation opportunities for nanobiomaterials.
Infectious complications after modified purse-string stoma closure
Authors: Hao Scarlett , Bridges Lindsey , Sutton Tia , Honaker Michael D
Published: October 2023

Purpose: Current society guidelines recommend purse-string closure technique for stoma reversal, which has been shown to reduce but not eliminate the risk of deep surgical site infection (SSI) at the original stoma site, a complication associated with increased morbidity and cost. We studied an adjunctive technique to further reduce the risk of SSI.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on adult patients who underwent stoma reversal between May 2016 - July 2022. Stoma reversal was performed with purse-string closure, and placement of a strip of povidone-iodine soaked non-adherent pad in the remaining two cm opening at the prior stoma site. This pad was taken out on post-operative day one and changed to wet-to-dry saline moistened gauze.
Results: 82 patients were identified. The cohort had a median BMI 26.5 [IQR 23.0-31.0] and median age 57.5 [IQR 45.8-67.0]. Mean time from original surgery to reversal was nine months. 59.8% identified as female, 24.4% were currently smoking, 18.3% were had diabetes. The cohort experienced a 11.0% readmission rate and 18.3% rate of stoma site hernia with a mean follow up of 17 months. No patient developed an SSI.
Conclusion: In this cohort study with known risk factors for SSI, no patients undergoing stoma reversal experienced a post-operative SSI. The adjunctive technique of a povidone-iodine soaked non-adherent pad in addition to purse-string closure should be further examined in conjunction with surgical bundles to reduce the risk of SSI and overall morbidity of stoma reversal surgery.
Assimilating Human Feedback from Autonomous Vehicle Interaction in Reinforcement Learning Models
Authors: Fox Richard , Ludvig Elliot A.
Published: October 2023

A significant challenge for real-world automated vehicles (AVs) is their interaction with human pedestrians. This paper develops a methodology to directly elicit the AV behaviour pedestrians find suitable by collecting quantitative data that can be used to measure and improve an algorithm's performance. Starting with a Deep Q Network (DQN) trained on a simple Pygame/Python-based pedestrian crossing environment, the reward structure was adapted to allow adjustment by human feedback. Feedback was collected by eliciting behavioural judgements collected from people in a controlled environment. The reward was shaped by the inter-action vector, decomposed into feature aspects for relevant behaviours, thereby facilitating both implicit preference selection and explicit task discovery in tandem. Using computational RL and behavioural-science techniques, we harness a formal iterative feedback loop where the rewards are repeatedly adapted based on human behavioural judgments. Experiments were conducted with 124 participants that showed strong initial improvement in the judgement of AV behaviours with the adaptive reward structure. The results indicate that the primary avenue for enhancing vehicle behaviour lies in the predictability of its movements when introduced. More broadly, recognising AV behaviours that receive favourable human judgments can pave the way for enhanced performance.
A study within a trial (SWAT) of clinical trial feasibility and barriers to recruitment in the United Kingdom – the CapaCiTY programme experience
Authors: Stevens Natasha , Taheri Shiva , Grossi Ugo , Emmett Chris , Bannister Sybil , Norton Christine , Yiannakou Yan , Knowles Charles
Published: October 2023

Background: Recruitment is the Achilles heel of clinical trials. Failure to recruit the planned sample jeopardises reliability of results and wastes significant time and resources. Site feasibility assessments are a common tool employed by sponsors to assess a site’s recruitment potential and ability to undertake the trial protocol. The purpose of this study was to evaluate site feasibility procedures as a tool for predicting recruitment potential.
Methods: We conducted site feasibility assessments with thirty-nine sites across the UK. Twenty-seven were selected to participate in the CapaCiTY programme: three randomised controlled trials (01; ISRCTN11791740; 16/07/2015, 02; ISRCTN11093872; 11/11/2015, 03; ISRCTN11747152; 30/09/2015) aiming to develop an evidence based adult chronic constipation treatment pathway. We compared site feasibility-based predicted recruitment rates with actual recruitment rates and conducted a telephone survey (n=24) to understand barriers to recruitment.
Results: Sites failed to accurately predict their recruitment potential during site feasibility. Conducting site feasibility did not result in the trials recruiting the required sample. At the time of survey, 17% of sites in CapaCiTY01 were meeting recruitment targets, 83% were recruiting half or less of their target. Of these, 17% recruited no participants. In CapaCiTY02, 13% of sites were recruiting to target, 87% were recruiting half or less; of these, 25% recruited no participants. In CapaCiTY03, 14% of sites were recruiting to target, 86% recruited half or less of the target, of these 43% recruited none. The main barriers to recruitment were lack of resources, high workloads, lack of suitable participants and study design not being compatible with routine care.
Conclusions: Improving the reliability of site feasibility assessment could potentially save hundreds of millions of pounds each year in failed research investments and speed up the time to delivery of new treatments for patients. We recommend 1) conducting site feasibility assessment at the pre-award stage; 2) investment in training researchers in conducting and completing site feasibility; 3) funders to include clinical trial feasibility specialists on peer review and grants panels; 4) development of a national database of sites’ previous trial recruitment performance; 5) data-driven site level assessment of recruitment potential.
Trial registration:
ISRCTN11791740; 16/07/2015, ISRCTN11093872; 11/11/2015, ISRCTN11747152; 30/09/2015.
Association between different obesity indices and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes assessed by a decision tree model and logistic regression: A cross-sectional study
Authors: CUI Qian , HE Wenxia , fang Dan , YE Xinhua , YANG Ping , YAO Ping , CHEN Xiaodong , SUN Zhenzhen , YUAN Xiaodan
Published: October 2023

Objective To explore the relationship between different obesity indicators and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), so as to provide a scientific basis for the selection of early warning indicators for CIMT thickening.Methods The samples were collected from patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who visited the department of endocrinology of two Grade A tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2022. A decision tree model combined with logistic regression analysis were used to compare the effects of different obesity indicators on CIMT thickening in T2DM. And subgroup analysis was performed by patient age to explore the association between obesity indicators and CIMT in the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups.Results A total of 2676 patients with T2DM were enrolled, and 900 cases of CIMT thickening were detected. The CHAID decision tree model screened 7 significant factors influencing CIMT thickening, the most significant one was age. Binary Logistic regression showed that after adjusting for confounding variables, VFA [OR = 1.023, 95%CI (1.011,1.036)], NC [OR = 1.231, 95%CI (1.074,1.411)] and VAI [OR = 2.500, 95%CI (1.392,4.488)] in the young group, High CAVI [OR = 1.041, 95%CI (1.024,1.059)] and low SFA [OR = 0.994, 95%CI (0.989,0.999)] in the middle-aged group, and high NC [OR = 1.041, 95% CI (1.024,1.059)] in the elderly group had a statistically effect on CIMT thickening.Conclusion The traditional obesity indicators are not good predictors of CIMT thickening. VFA, NC and VAI in the youth, CAVI and SFA in the middle-aged, and NC in the elderly T2DM patients independently influenced CIMT.
A Bayesian Update of Kotha et al. (2020) Ground-Motion Model Using Résif Dataset
Authors: Kotha Sreeram Reddy , Traversa Paola
Published: October 2023

Recent updates of pan-European seismic hazard and risk maps adopted the partially non-ergodic Kotha et al. (2020) ground-motion model. This model was regressed from the Engineering Strong Motion dataset, containing ground-motion data of 𝑀𝑊 ≥ 3 events mostly from Italy, Turkey, Greece, and in smaller fractions from rest of the active shallow crustal tectonic regions of Europe. Through mixed-effects regressions, the non-ergodic model partially resolved the spatial variability of attenuation characteristics across most of seismically active Europe, but not in France due to the then lack of a regional dataset. With the availability of a manually processed dataset from Résif network, and a computationally viable Bayesian inferencing algorithm, this study extends the non-ergodic applicability of the model to 𝑀𝑊 < 3 earthquakes, attenuating regions, tectonic localities, and sites located in France. In process, a few important decisions had to be made concerning the updating methodology, and the interpretation of spatial variability of attenuation – specifically, that of the tectonic localities producing earthquakes. The methodology and results are discussed, emphasising the need to revise the current ground-motion regionalisation approach, and to tailor the updating procedure to be application specific. This study anticipates and supports a shift from frequentist to Bayesian approach of ground-motion modelling, in order to maintain continuity of knowledge regressed from various ground-motion datasets.
Status of trace metals contamination and ecological risk assessment in intertidal sediments along the Gulf of Guinea.
Authors: Kouassi Kouamé Moïse , Kinimo Kakou Charles , Yao Koffi Marcellin , Coulibaly Aoua Sougo
Published: October 2023

Surface sediments from the intertidal area of Côte d’Ivoire were sampled to investigate trace metals (Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As) concentrations to illustrate their spatial distribution and ecological risk of pollution. The average total organic carbon content was 2.04 ± 0.01%. Except for Cr and Zn, the spatial distribution exhibited a similar pattern for TOC, Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, and As. The average concentrations of trace metals were less than their corresponding UCC values, except for Cd and Cr. The pollution indices indicated that sediment quality in the studied area has been impacted by Cd and the Assinie and Bleron sites were the most contaminated. A few ecological risks were posed by Hg, Cd, Cr, and Cu, based on sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). The Pearson correlation showed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation between As, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Hg, suggesting a common origin in sediments. Although this study presents the current status of littoral trace metals contamination level in sediments, further studies should integrate the statistical multivariate approach to determine the anthropogenic sources of the trace metals in the intertidal area of Côte d’Ivoire.
Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in Diagnosing Unexplained Pulmonary Infection
Authors: Yu Jinpeng , Gao Wei
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of clinical of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosing unexplained pulmonary Infection. A total of 99 patients with pulmonary infection were selected, and their specimens were collected and sent to traditional methods for detection, and at the same time, they were sent out for pathogen mNGS detection. The detection sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficiency of pathogenic microorganisms were analyzed by comparing the results of traditional detection method and mNGS sequencing. In 99 patients, pathogens were detected in 75.76% (75/99) samples by traditional assay and 95.96% (95/99) samples by mNGS. A total of 154 pathogens were detected by mNGS and 29 by traditional methods. The number and species of pathogens detected by mNGS were significantly higher than those detected by traditional culture, and the difference was statistically significant.The positive rates of bacteria, viruses, fungi and atypical pathogens detected by mNGS were 87.37%, 85.37%, 83.02% and 100%, respectively. The positive rates of bacteria, viruses, fungi and atypical pathogens detected by traditional methods were 66.32%, 19.51%, 26.42% and 14.29%, respectively.The differences were statistically significant. mNGS is superior to traditional methods in the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficiency of clinical etiological detection, and has high diagnostic value of disease, thus further guiding the rational use of antibacterial drugs.
Exploring the Impact of Taurine on the Biochemical Properties of Urate Oxidase: Response Surface Methodology and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Shahmoradi Parisa , Zaboli Maryam , Torkzadeh-Mahani Masoud
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates the impact of taurine as an additive on the structural and functional stability of urate oxidase. First, the effect of the processing parameters for the stabilization of Urate Oxidase (UOX) using taurine was examined using the response surface methodology (RSM) and the central composite design (CCD) model. The maximum stabilization of UOX with taurine was examined under various experimental conditions, including taurine concentration, temperature, and incubation time. Also, the study examines thermodynamic and kinetic parameters as well as structural changes, including intrinsic and ANS fluorescence, of urate oxidase with and without taurine. The results indicate that taurine treatment enhances the thermostability of uricase, with a longer half-life (135.91 min) compared to untreated urate oxidase (38.08 min) at 40°C. Thermo-inactivation experiments conducted at 40, 55, and 60°C demonstrate that the taurine-treated uricase has lower inactivation rate constants (Kinact) than untreated uricase. The examination of the inactivation process reveals that the increased thermostability of UOX-Taurine can be attributed to elevated activation energy (Ea) as well as greater values of ΔG# and ΔH# at a specific temperature. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation is conducted in order to get insights into the alterations in the structure of urate oxidase in the absence and presence of taurine under optimal conditions.
Using camera traps to estimate habitat preferences and occupancy patterns of vertebrates in boreal wetlands
Authors: Feldman Mariano , Mazerolle Marc , Imbeau Louis , Fenton Nicole
Published: October 2023

Wetlands are a critical habitat for boreal mammals and birds that rely on them for breeding, foraging, and resting. However, wetlands in boreal regions are under increasing natural and human pressure, leading to a reduction in habitat availability for these species. To inform management and conservation of wildlife, camera traps can help investigate habitat preferences. We aimed to evaluate the effect of habitat features on the occupancy of mammals and birds in boreal wetlands, namely beaver ponds and peatland ponds. We used a multispecies occupancy model to estimate the habitat associations of 11 mammals and 45 avian species detected at 50 ponds during the summers of 2018 and 2019 in Northern Quebec. The patterns of habitat response do not lend support to the hypothesis that beaver ponds host higher levels of occupancy of birds and mammals than peatland ponds. Our results suggest that certain mammals, such as Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and River Otters (Lontra canadensis), and birds including the American Pipit (Anthus rubescens), Common Raven (Corvus corax), Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), and Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) preferred peatland ponds, whereas the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) preferred beaver ponds. We found a few effects of distance to roads, but no effect of amount of forest cover on species occupancy. The occupancy of 27% of mammals and 24% of birds decreased with increasing latitude. These findings offer valuable insights for the preservation of different wetland types and their associated wildlife communities.
A comparison of different dosing regimen of intravenous paracetamol for hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus closure in premature neonates < 32 weeks: a prospective observational study
Authors: Goyal Nikita , Haribalakrishna Anitha , Krishnamurthy Bhaskar
Published: October 2023

Objectives
To compare the efficacy of low vs conventional dose intravenous paracetamol in closure of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.
Study design:
Preterm infants (< 32 weeks gestation) having echocardiographic evidence of hsPDA were given intravenous paracetamol at low dose (15mg/kg followed by 7.5 mg/kg 6 hourly) vs conventional dose (15 mg/kg 6 hourly) for five days.
Results
56 infants (28 in each group) were enrolled. Ductal closure was achieved in 96% infants in the low dose group and 100% infants in the conventional group (p = 1.00). Secondary outcomes including ductal reopening, need for second course of medical treatment, duration of hospital stay, cumulative oxygen requirement, mortality and other morbidities were comparable in both the groups. Mean paracetamol levels in both the groups were comparable (P = 0.67).
Conclusion
Low dose paracetamol was found to be equally effective compared to conventional dose paracetamol in closure of hsPDA.
Ultrastructural localization and characterization of P. gingivalis gingipain virulence factors in the substantia nigra of brains with and without Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Ermini Florian , Low Victoria F. , Song Jennifer J. , Tan Adelie Y.S. , Faull Richard L.M. , Dragunow Mike , Curtis Maurice A. , Dominy Stephen S.
Published: October 2023

Gingipains are protease virulence factors produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative bacterium best known for its role in chronic periodontitis. Gingipains were recently identified in the middle temporal gyrus of postmortem Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains, where gingipain load correlated with AD diagnosis and tau and ubiquitin pathology. Since AD and Parkinson’s disease (PD) share some overlapping pathologic features, including nigral pathology and Lewy bodies, the current study explored whether gingipains are present in the substantia nigra pars compacta of PD brains. In immunohistochemical techniques and multi-channel fluorescence studies, gingipain antigens were abundant in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of both PD and neurologically normal control brains. 3-dimensional reconstructions of Lewy body containing neurons revealed that gingipains associated with the periphery of alpha-synuclein aggregates but were occasionally observed inside aggregates. In vitro proteomic analysis demonstrated that recombinant alpha-synuclein is cleaved by lysine-gingipain, generating multiple alpha-synuclein fragments including the non-amyloid component fragments. Immunogold electron microscopy with co-labeling of gingipains and alpha-synuclein confirmed the occasional colocalization of gingipains with phosphorylated (pSER129) alpha-synuclein. In dopaminergic neurons, gingipains localized to the perinuclear cytoplasm, neuromelanin, mitochondria, and nucleus. These data suggest that gingipains may accumulate in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and interact with alpha-synuclein.
Dietary E. coli promotes age-dependent chemotaxis decline in C. elegans
Authors: Noma Kentaro , Suryawinata Nadia , Yokosawa Rikuou , Tan Ke Hui Cassandra , Lai Alison Lok , Mori Ikue , Sone Ryusei
Published: October 2023

An animal’s ability to sense odors declines during aging, and its olfactory drive is tuned by internal states such as satiety. However, whether internal states modulate an age-dependent decline in odor sensation is unknown. To address this issue, we utilized the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and compared their chemotaxis abilities toward attractive odorants when aged under different dietary conditions. Feeding with the standard laboratory diet, Escherichia coli attenuated the chemotaxis ability toward diacetyl, isoamyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde when aged. On the other hand, feeding with either the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri or food deprivation selectively maintained the chemotaxis ability toward diacetyl. Our results suggest that ingestion of E. coli causes age-dependent chemotaxis decline. The changes in chemotaxis behavior are attributed to the different expression of diacetyl receptor odr-10, and chemotaxis behavior of aged animals under food deprivation is shown to be dependent on daf-16. Our study demonstrates the molecular mechanism of how diet shapes the trajectory of age-dependent decline in chemosensory behaviors.
Seepage Characteristics and Stability Analysis of Bedding Slope Under Rainfall
Authors: Xu Fan , Liu Baohua , Liu Hongwei , Hu Huihua , Lin Hang
Published: October 2023

The soft interlayer and rock structure play a significant role in controlling the deformation of the bedding slope, while previous studies seldom consider the phenomenon of sudden change of local response in these key parts under rainfall conditions, and it is not clear about the mechanism of rainfall infiltration and damage mechanism of such slopes. In this paper, a large red-layered flat-dipping bedding landslide was selected as the research object, and numerical calculations based on the van Genuchten model for saturated-unsaturated flow were performed. The hydrological response and distribution patterns of pore water pressure and water content within the slope during rainfall were studied, stability analysis was performed based on the seepage field results, and the landslide evolution process was simulated and reproduced. The results showed that rainfall infiltration produces local saturated areas and forms stagnant layers on the rock layers in the slope, and the thickness and range gradually extend to the vicinity of the weak interlayer. Moreover, slope stability is affected by rainfall infiltration, and the transient safety factor gradually decreases with rainfall. According to the macroscopic deformation process of the slope model, three stages of instability and failure of rainfall-induced red-layered bedding slopes are generalized: slight uplift stage, strong uplift stage, and sliding-bending failure stage. The results of the study can provide a theoretical basis for the study of seepage, destabilization mechanism and stability evaluation of bedding slopes.
Risk factors for antimicrobial use in pig farms: a cross-sectional study in the Netherlands
Authors: Mallioris Panagiotis , Luiken Roosmarijn E.C. , Tobias Tijs , Vonk John , Wagenaar Jaap A. , Stegeman Arjan , Mughini-Gras Lapo
Published: October 2023

Background
Antimicrobial use (AMU) has decreased by 63% in Dutch pig farms since 2009. However, this decrease has stagnated in recent years. The problem mainly pertains to weaners, which have a six-fold higher AMU compared to sows/suckling piglets and fatteners. The aim of this study was to identify farm-level characteristics associated with i) total AMU among weaners, sows/sucklings and fatteners and ii) use of specific antimicrobial classes in the former two age groups.
Methods
In 2020, data from 154 Dutch pig farms were collected and analyzed in a cross-sectional study. These data included information on AMU and farm characteristics, focusing on weaners. A mixed-effects conditional Random Forest analysis was applied to select the subset of farm characteristics that was best associated with AMU.
Results
Overall, the main risk factors for total AMU in weaners were vaccination for PRRS vaccination in sucklings, being a conventional (vs organic or “The Better Life label”) farm, high within-farm pig density and early weaning. The largest protective effects for total AMU for sows/sucklings were E. coli vaccination of sows and having a search boar from own production. Regarding the other outcomes of those two age groups several risk factors overlapped such as farmer’s non-tertiary education, not having free-sow systems during lactation and conventional farming while another risk factor of interest for weaners were having fully slatted floors. In fatteners, the highest risk for their AMU was PRRS vaccination of sucklings.
Conclusions
Several on-farm characteristics associated with AMU in Dutch pig farms were identified. Some have been found elsewhere too, but others were novel, such as farmer’s education, lower pig aggression and free-sow systems, which were associated with decreased AMU. Certain farm practices can reduce structurally the need for AMU, as their effect is mediated through improvement of environmental conditions, biosecurity and animal welfare mitigating as such the risks of disease and stress in animals.
Natural and hybrid immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents
Authors: Rothoeft Tobias , Maier Christoph , Talarico Adriana , Hoffmann Anna , Schlegtendal Anne , Lange Berit , Petersmann Astrid , Denz Robin , Timmesfeld Nina , Toepfner Nicole , Vidal-Blanco Elena , Pfaender Stephanie , Lücke Thomas , Brinkmann Folke
Published: October 2023

Purpose The immune protection in children and adolescents with natural or hybrid immunity (vaccination & infection) against SARS-CoV-2 remains an understudied field. Aim of this study was to analyze different immune compartments in different age groups and whether humoral immune reactions correlate with a cellular immune response.Methods 72 children and adolescents with a preceding SARS-CoV-2 infection were recruited. 37 were vaccinated with an RNA-vaccine (BNT162b2). Humoral immunity was analyzed 3 to 26 months (median 10 months) after infection by measuring Spike protein (S), nucleocapsid (NCP) and neutralizing antibodies (nAB). Cellular immunity was analyzed using a SARS-CoV-2 specific interferon-γ release assay (IGRA).Results All children and adolescents had S antibodies; titers were higher in those with hybrid immunity (14900 BAU/ml vs. 2118 BAU/ml). NCP antibodies were detectable in > 90%. Neutralizing antibodies (nAB) were more frequently detected (90%) with higher titers (1914 RLU) in adolescents with hybrid immunity than in children with natural immunity (62,5%, 476 RLU). Children with natural immunity were less likely to have reactive IGRAs (43,8%) than adolescents with hybrid immunity (85%). The amount of interferon-γ released by T cells was comparable in natural and hybrid immunity.Conclusion Spike antibodies are the most reliable markers to monitor an immune reaction against SARS-CoV-2. High antibody titers of Spike antibodies and nAB correlated with cellular immunity, a phenomenon found only in adolescents with hybrid immunity. Hybrid immunity is associated with markedly higher antibody titers (S and nAB) and a higher probability of a cellular immune response than a natural immunity.
Evaluation of Neuromuscular Morphometry of the Vaginal Wall Using Protein Gene Product 9.5 (Pgp 9.5) and Smooth Muscle α-Actin (Sma) in Patients with Posterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse
Authors: ÇETİN MUSTAFA , birge özer , güney güven , arslan emine
Published: October 2023

Objective: This study aims to compare the neuromuscular structure of the vagina in women with posterior vaginal wall prolapse with women without prolapse, to determine any differences, and to show the role of neuromuscular structure in the physiopathology of prolapse.
Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, women aged between 40 and 75 years without any vaginal surgery history and without any abdominal prolapse surgery history were included. The study group included 31 women diagnosed with rectocele on examination, and the control group included 31women who underwent vaginal intervention and hysterectomy for conditions other than rectocele (colposcopy, conization, etc.) without anterior or posterior wall prolapse. Biopsy material was obtained from the epithelium of the posterior wall of the vagina, including the fascia that fits the Ap point. Immunohistochemical staining with Protein Gene Product 9.5 and smooth muscle α-actin was performed in the pathology laboratory. The epithelial thickness measurement and smooth muscle density parameters obtained with these immunohistochemical staining were compared between the two groups. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 23 package program. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Findings: In the control group, muscle thickness and the number of nerves per mm2 of fascia were statistically significantly higher than in the study group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: We found that smooth muscle tissue and the number of nerves per mm2 of fascia were lower in posterior vaginal wall prolapse compared to the general population. Based on the correlation coefficients, age was the parameter that most affected the degree of prolapse, followed by the parity, the number of live births, and the number of vaginal deliveries.
Bioinformatics analyses of NET-related hub genes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their association with immune infiltration
Authors: Xu Yanxin , Qiang Lixia , Wu Feiyan , Liu Yuanyuan , Jin Shoude
Published: October 2023

The early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a chronic inflammatory disease, remains challenging. Immune metabolism plays a crucial role in COPD pathogenesis, with neutrophils playing a key role. Although neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a crucial function in preventing infection, irregular and excessive NETs creation can cause COPD to appear and progress. There is still confusion over the precise mechanism, thus more research is required. Herein, we aimed to determine the correlation and diagnostic markers of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) genes that contribute to immunoinfiltration in COPD. The comprehensive gene expression dataset GSE76925 in the Gene Expression Omnibus database was subjected to differential gene expression analysis. In total, 558 differentially expressed genes were identified, which were then subjected to gene set enrichment analysis. Additionally, the correlation between their expression and immune infiltration was analyzed, and then validated by cluster analysis. Furthermore, 30 differentially expressed NET-related genes were identified and used to construct diagnostic and risk prediction models by random forest and Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. Seven key genes, namely CLEC6A, CTSG, ENTPD4, IRAK4, MAPK1, PIK3CA, and SELPLG, were identified The diagnostic model was validated by generating a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) using the GSE38974 dataset. The results revealed that the model exhibited high discrimination ability. Additionally, the models exhibited high diagnostic and risk prediction abilities for COPD. Analysis of single-cell sequencing data from the GSE128033 and GSE163295 datasets revealed that the seven key genes are highly expressed in COPD. Notably, SELPLG and MAPK1 are primarily expressed in monocytes and T cells. Additionally, the genes TLR4, CTSG, IRAK4, SELP, ELPLG, and MAPK1 were revealed to be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD through immune infiltration that leads to NETs. The purpose of this study is to determine the hub genes related to NETs and their association with immune cell infiltration in COPD lung tissue, and provides potential targets for the treatment of COPD.