bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religious othering in Nigeria’s electoral discourse: Towards a critical religious tolerance
Authors: Chigbu Godswill Uchechukwu , Aboh Sopuruchi Christian , Ganaah John
Published: June 2024

Religion is a main characteristic of Nigerian identity and influences the algorithm of its public life. The study explores online religious othering in Nigeria’s electoral discourse. The study utilises a critical discourse analytic approach and examines a dataset of over 14,000 Facebook comments from Nigerians from different religious groups. The analysis revealed that religious othering in the electoral discourse was indexed using three major strategies, namely: demonisation, ingroup ostracisation and stereotyping. The study demonstrates, among others, an emergent intra-religious discord in the online electoral discourse, mainly among the Christian group. Members who displayed favouritism to an outgroup cause, in this case, the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, are framed as Other. They are denied the membership of being a Christian. The study concludes with imperative advocacy for the cultivation of critical religious tolerance, a model and practice for engendering a respectful and inclusive political environment beyond religious affiliations.
Bronchial Basaloid Papillary Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential: A Case Report
Authors: Nie Ling , Zhang Biao , Li Min , Guan Wenyan , Meng Fanqing
Published: June 2024

Bronchial papillomas are benign tumors, which can be divided into different subtypes based on the cellular features. So far, no bronchial papilloma with basaloid cell features has been reported. We report a bronchial basaloid papillary tumor in a 67-year-old woman. Tumor recurrence and malignant transformation were observed after a long-term follow-up. The clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, and genetic features were reappraised. The primary tumor was characterized by papillary growth pattern and basaloid neoplastic cells, only a small amount of neoplastic cells showed mature characteristics. The tumor originated from respiratory epithelium and had a low proliferation index by Ki-67. Keratin (KRT) 5/6 and KRT7 showed patchy or partial positivity. Myoepithelial markers were negative. P63 was diffusely positive, but it was negative in the small amount of tumor cells with mature characteristics. The common genetic alterations ( EGFR, KRAS, BRAF V600E, HER2, and ALK) of lung cancers were not detected. However, tumor recurrence was observed in the mediastinum and esophagus 12 years after surgery. The recurrent tumor had a morphology overlapping with that of the primary tumor; however, it displayed significantly malignant characteristics. The recurrent tumor was not related to high-risk HPV. A high variant allele frequency was observed in tumor suppressor gene BRCA1, TP53, oncogene GNA11, and KIT, which were all missense mutations. Considering the bland features of the primary tumor and the fact of tumor recurrence and undisputed malignant transformation, the basaloid papillary tumor was considered a tumor with uncertain malignant potential.
Helicopter vibration control employing superelastic pitch link with shape memory alloy
Authors: Oliveira Andersson Guimarães , Silva Antônio Almeida , Rodrigues Marcelo Cavalcanti , Dantas Grassi Estephanie Nobre , de Araújo Carlos José , Batista do Reis Romulo Pierre
Published: June 2024

One of the main applications of shape memory alloy (SMA) concerns vibration control, especially superelastic SMA (SMA-SE), which presents a significant stress hysteresis and can work as a damper while adding minimal weight to the structure. In helicopters, vibration is a phenomenon inherent to their operation, and although cannot be eliminated, must be minimized to acceptable levels of safety and comfort. In this context, this paper aims to present the design, testing, and dynamic behavior of a new device entitled smart pitch link, a device with superelastic material for passive vibration control. The paper depicts the design process, assembly, and device testing using a whirl tower that simulates a helicopter rotor in hover. The approach adopts a comparative analysis of the dynamic response on the prototype in reference condition, with a stiff pitch link, with the modified prototype, and with the superelastic pitch link installation. In addition, beyond hover tests, cyclic commands and an asymmetrical lateral gust were employed to observe the output response of the device under transient loadings. Contrary to the literature data about the low time response of SMA, the device presents satisfactory time response and attenuation in frequencies close to main rotor frequencies, with signal attenuations between 2 to 4 dB without any external energy consumption, which, in a comparative analysis, may exceed more than 50% of vibrational amplitude attenuation.
A method worth telling: Using story completion to understand social work responses to discriminatory abuse
Authors: Mason Karl
Published: June 2024

Story completion methods have not yet been used in social work research, but the method has significant potential in this area. This paper reports on findings of a qualitative story completion study, which set out to understand professional responses to discriminatory abuse in English safeguarding adults practice. Fifty-six social worker and social care worker participants responded to a ‘story stem’, which refers to the opening lines of a story, continuing a story they choose to tell in response. In this instance, the story stem introduces a fictional scenario involving a social worker who is visiting an adult who has experienced discriminatory abuse. Story completion was chosen because it does not require self-report and this was useful given the under-reporting of discriminatory abuse. Story completion is appropriate for studying taboo or sensitive topics because it is less exposing, producing stories rather than accounts of one’s practice. Story completion also allowed contrast and comparison across different characteristics that might be targeted in discriminatory abuse, spotlighting divergent responses to discrimination based on transgender identity, race and mental ill-health. Dramaturgical narrative analysis was used to make sense of the resulting stories and three narratives were identified: anxious allies, affirmative advocates and administrative assessors. There were a small number of outliers who did not complete stories based on the guidelines provided. The results suggest workforce development needs in relation to discriminatory abuse. The article concludes with a reflection on the ways in which social work research can draw on story completion methods in the future.
Maximizing the Effectiveness of Anti-Smoking Campaigns With Targeted Framing Strategies: Evidence From Behavioral and Neurological Studies
Authors: Ghods Hadi , Aghayari Mehrdad , Golbazi Mahdipour Ali , Arabi Zanjani Reza , Aghayari Hanieh , Soparnot Richard , Bonyadi Naeini Ali
Published: June 2024

Background

The global prevalence of smoking remains a significant public health concern, necessitating the development of effective anti-smoking campaigns to promote smoking cessation and discourage smoking initiation. Understanding the factors that influence individual responses to anti-smoking messages is critical for tailoring campaigns to different populations.

Focus of the Article

This study substantially exhibits the concepts of audience segmentation and targeting, informed by theory and formative research, and monitoring and evaluation research in the context of anti-smoking campaigns.

Research Question

The article aims to answer how smoking behavior and message framing influence individuals’ counterarguing responses to anti-smoking advertisements and the implications for ad effectiveness.

Approach

The research investigates the role of smoking behavior (smokers vs. non-smokers) and message framing (positive vs. negative) in shaping individuals’ counterarguing responses to anti-smoking advertisements, using two studies involving behavioral and neuroscientific methods.

Methods

Study 1 employed an online video task with 1920 participants, examining the effects of smoking behavior and message framing on ad effectiveness. Study 2 used electroencephalography (EEG) to record brain activity from 31 participants while they viewed anti-smoking video advertisements, focusing on the neural correlates of counterarguing and their effect on anti-smoking ad effectiveness.

Results

Study 1 found that smokers report lower ad effectiveness compared to non-smokers, and observed an interaction between smoking behavior and message framing. Study 2 found that smoking behavior significantly influenced brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) regions in response to anti-smoking ads. Additionally, a significant interaction was observed between smoking behavior and ad framing on brain activity in all three regions.

Recommendations for Research or Practice

The findings suggest that anti-smoking campaigns should be tailored to the specific needs and attitudes of smokers and non-smokers, with separate campaigns for each group. Future research could explore the role of other individual differences in shaping counterarguing responses, the long-term effects of exposure to different types of anti-smoking messages on smoking behavior, and using more advanced neuroimaging techniques to investigate the neural processes that underlie counterarguing responses to anti-smoking messages for better flow.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Automation Failure
Authors: Schraagen Jan Maarten , Roth Emilie
Published: June 2024

This brief Introduction provides an overview and clustering of the invited commentaries to the Skraaning and Jamieson target article, as well as implications for future research in the area of automation failure.
Antimalarial Studies and Phytochemical Profiling of Laportea aestuans (L.) Chew Extractives
Authors: Faloye Kolade O. , Oguntimehin Samuel A. , Adesida Stephen A. , Olufolabo Katherine O. , Bello Oyenike I. , Oguntimehin Israel A. , Ugwo Jeremiah P. , Babaagba Tolulope B. , Okunribido Blessing I. , Aladesanmi Joseph A.
Published: June 2024

Background and objectives

This study validated the antimalarial efficacy of Laportea aestuans extract using chemosuppressive and curative models, identified its most active fraction, and performed chemical profiling of the active fraction.

Methodology

The aerial part of L. aestuans (LA) was extracted with 80% methanol and assayed for its chemosuppressive and curative antimalarial activities through the oral administration of the extract (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) to groups consisting of five mice each. The extract was thereafter suspended in water and partitioned with dichloromethane to afford the dichloromethane (DLA) and aqueous (ALA) fractions. The fractions (10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) were thereafter tested for their antimalarial activity followed by GC-MS analysis of the most active fraction.

Results

The toxicity level was found to be above 2000 mg/kg. The activity recorded for the four-day chemosuppressive antimalarial tests showed a dose-dependent activity up to 400 mg/kg. The activity was significantly lower than that of chloroquine. The antimalarial activity of the extract at the lowest dose of 100 mg/kg was 42%. In the curative test, the extract of LA gave a dose-dependent activity that was significantly higher than the negative control. The DLA and ALA fractions gave a comparable curative activity across all doses. At 10 mg/kg, ALA and DLA gave percentage clearance of 81.25 ± 1.84 and 87.45 ± 1.35, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the negative control (0.00 ± 0.00) and significantly lower than that of the positive control (94.93 ± 0.26). The chemical profiling revealed the presence of non-polar and medium-polar constituents in the dichloromethane fraction.

Conclusion

The good antimalarial activity elicited by LA extractives supports its usage in ethnomedicine as an antimalarial agent.
Effects of High-Velocity Versus Low-Velocity Resistance Training on Muscle Echo Intensity in Healthy Young Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Zimin , Taniguchi Masashi , Saeki Junya , Ichihashi Noriaki
Published: June 2024

Background:

Improving muscle quality to prevent and treat muscle dysfunction is critical. However, effective measures to improve muscle quality remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of high- and low-velocity resistance training (RT) on muscle quality, mass, and function before and after an 8-week intervention.

Hypothesis:

High-velocity RT would improve muscle quality more effectively than low-velocity RT.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Level of Evidence:

Level 1.

Methods:

A total of 33 healthy young women (23.1 ± 2.2 years) were assigned randomly to high-velocity (n = 16) or low-velocity (n = 17) groups. Both groups underwent concentric knee extension RT with a 60% 1-repetition maximum (1RM) load, performing 10 repetitions of 4 sets, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The high-velocity group was instructed to complete each repetition as quickly as possible (mean repetition duration of 0.5 seconds), while the low-velocity group was required to execute each repetition in 3 seconds. Before and after the 8-week intervention, quadriceps femoris echo intensity (EI), muscle thickness (MT), isokinetic peak torque (60 and 300 deg/s), rate of velocity development (RVD) at 300 deg/s, and 1RM were assessed. Split-plot factorial design analysis of variance was used to compare the group × time interaction.

Results:

A group×time interaction was observed for EI ( P < 0.01). Only the high-velocity group showed a significant reduction in EI after the intervention. MT revealed a main effect of time ( P < 0.01), with both groups significantly increasing MT. RVD showed a group × time interaction ( P < 0.05), with significant increase only in the high-velocity group. Isokinetic peak torque and 1RM showed main effects of time ( P < 0.01), with significant increases in both groups.

Conclusion:

High-velocity RT may be superior to low-velocity RT in enhancing muscle quality and RVD.

Clinical Relevance:

These results emphasize the importance of RT velocity for muscle quality improvement.
Engineered phalangeal grafts for children with symbrachydactyly: A proof of concept
Authors: Schaller Romain , Moya Adrien , Zhang Gangyu , Chaaban Mansoor , Paillaud Robert , Bartoszek Ewelina M , Schaefer Dirk J , Martin Ivan , Kaempfen Alexandre , Scherberich Arnaud
Published: June 2024

Tissue engineering approaches hold great promise in the field of regenerative medicine, especially in the context of pediatric applications, where ideal grafts need to restore the function of the targeted tissue and consider growth. In the present study, we aimed to develop a protocol to engineer autologous phalangeal grafts of relevant size for children suffering from symbrachydactyly. This condition results in hands with short fingers and missing bones. A previously-described, developmentally-inspired strategy based on endochondral ossification (ECO)—the main pathway leading to bone and bone marrow development—and adipose derived-stromal cells (ASCs) as the source of chondroprogenitor was used. First, we demonstrated that pediatric ASCs associated with collagen sponges can generate hypertrophic cartilage tissues (HCTs) in vitro that remodel into bone tissue in vivo via ECO. Second, we developed and optimized an in vitro protocol to generate HCTs in the shape of small phalangeal bones (108–390 mm3) using freshly isolated adult cells from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue, associated with two commercially available large collagen scaffolds (Zimmer Plug® and Optimaix 3D®). We showed that after 12 weeks of in vivo implantation in an immunocompromised mouse model such upscaled grafts remodeled into bone organs (including bone marrow tissues) retaining the defined shape and size. Finally, we replicated similar outcome (albeit with a slight reduction in cartilage and bone formation) by using minimally expanded pediatric ASCs (3 × 106 cells per grafts) in the same in vitro and in vivo settings, thereby validating the compatibility of our pediatric phalanx engineering strategy with a clinically relevant scenario. Taken together, these results represent a proof of concept of an autologous approach to generate osteogenic phalangeal grafts of pertinent clinical size, using ASCs in children born with symbrachydactyly, despite a limited amount of tissue available from pediatric patients.
Telda: Send, spend, and save money through the app
Authors: Ahmed Jashim U. , Talukdar Amreen , Gani Mohammad O. , Attar Razaz W.
Published: June 2024

The case Telda is an innovative financial brand dedicated to revolutionizing financial services in Egypt. Telda, a brand created with innovative mobile applications, is designed specifically for Millennials and Gen Z, aiming to enhance peer-to-peer payments and solve the complexities associated with traditional banking systems. By prioritizing ease, simplicity, and speed, Telda is here to transform the landscape of financial transactions, providing a user-centric platform that empowers individuals to manage their finances with unique convenience and efficiency.
Stress Management Among Working Mothers in an Institution of Higher Learning in Nigeria: Implication for Social Work Practice
Authors: Ikpeama Chikasie Ruth
Published: June 2024

The growing number of working mothers, dual career couples, and working single parents raises concerns about the impact of work stress on family lifestyles and their ability to balance work and family obligations. The aim of this study is to examine the role of social workers in promoting work-life balance among working mothers at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The cross-sectional survey design involving the mixed-methods approach was adopted for the study. A total of 604 questionnaires were distributed to the participants; of those, 99.3% ( n = 596) were correctly completed and returned, 0.7% were not, and eight were selected at random for IDI. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while frequency and percentages were used to present the data. According to the study, 83.6% of working mothers experience work-related stress. The results also showed that working mothers’ stress levels depend on their level of education, the size of their family, and their income, as well as on their desire to publish in order to advance in their careers. The study concludes that, in order to reduce the stress experiences of working mothers, attention should be paid to their understanding of the stressors confronting them, while also recommending the establishment of an occupational social work office anchored by professional social workers, whose duties will be to offer professional advice on appropriate coping mechanisms to adopt while ensuring the welfare of university students and staff, particularly mothers.
Segmental Spinal Aplasia: Anatomical Variations and Treatment Insights
Authors: Sergeenko Pavlova Olga M. , Savin Dmitry M. , Burtsev Alexander V. , Saifutdinov Marat S. , Ryabykh Sergey O. , Evsyukov Alexey V.
Published: June 2024

Study Design

Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective

The study aimed to analyze anatomical variants of segmental spinal aplasia (SSA) and investigate factors influencing surgical treatment outcomes, with a specific focus on the incidence of complications.

Methods

The study focused on patients with SSA treated at a single medical center, with over two years of follow-up. Neurological function changes were evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Scale (mJOA). Functional independence was measured using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM/WeeFIM) scale, and complications, well-being, and reoperation instances were documented. Statistical analyses used ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results

The predominant localization of SSA in 36 own cases occurs near or at the level of the thoracolumbar junction, often accompanied by significant spinal cord narrowing and a low position of the conus medullaris. Additionally, it frequently presents with aplasia of the lower ribs. Cervicothoracic SSA was more commonly associated with segmentation disorders ( P = .04). The most common early complications were wound problems (17%) and neurological deterioration (17%); the most common late complications were: non-fusion (34%); 38% of patients required one or more revision surgery. The type, age of surgery, level of surgery, and initial neurological deficient did not significantly influence the incidence of complications or neurological and functional outcomes.

Conclusion

SSA, a range of anomalies appearing early in childhood, progresses gradually. Surgery involves vertebrectomy followed by interbody fusion and screw fixation, guided by neurophysiological monitoring. Surgery is recommended for worsening neurological symptoms, but conservative options like bracing can be considered, due to a high risk of complications.
Pediatric Care Volunteerism: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kellett Megan , Baek Hannah , Sewell Taylor B.
Published: June 2024

This article explores the deep impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric care volunteerism and specifically highlights the innovative responses and adaptations made by Project Sunshine, an international nonprofit organization headquartered in New York, NY. Prior to the pandemic, Project Sunshine's in-person volunteers played a critical role in providing comfort and support to hospitalized children and their families, bridging the gap between clinical treatment and patient satisfaction. However, COVID-19 brought unprecedented challenges to hospitals around the world, including widespread interruption of volunteer activities due to safety concerns and visitation restrictions. In response, Project Sunshine swiftly pivoted to virtual volunteering by launching TelePlay, an online playroom offering live interactive sessions between trained volunteers and pediatric patients. This approach addressed the immediate volunteering needs of patients during the pandemic and also extended support beyond traditional hospital settings, allowing Project Sunshine to reach children at home facing isolation and socialization challenges. Early pilot data is very encouraging: TelePlay participants were noted by their caregivers to be less anxious after a TelePlay session compared to before (p < 0.001). Additionally, the flexibility and accessibility of TelePlay have opened new avenues for volunteers to engage with their communities, transcending geographical barriers and accommodating varied schedules. As the healthcare landscape transitions back to in-person volunteerism, Project Sunshine embraces a hybrid model, offering both in-person and virtual volunteering opportunities. This flexible approach reflects the organization's commitment to helping shape the future of volunteerism to meet the evolving needs of pediatric patients and volunteers alike.
Characteristics and prediction of urban interaction networks from the perspective of traffic flow and text information flow
Authors: Liu Lin , Sun Yi , Li Wanwu
Published: June 2024

The degree of urban development depends on the degree of closeness between cities, which is reflected in the strength of interactions between cities, such as traffic and information flows. In this research, we compare and analyze the characteristics of urban interaction networks (UINs) at two spatial scales in Shandong Province and the whole country from two different perspectives of traffic flow and information flow and validate the spatial interaction characteristics reflected in the material space traffic flow from the perspective of textual spatial information flow. The UIN is constructed based on Tencent migration big data, and the assortative coefficient method is introduced to explore the assortative and interaction characteristics between core cities and edge cities in the traffic flow network. Introducing deep learning methods on a larger scale, the GCN_CD model is proposed for semi-supervised classification of nodes to realize community discovery for both traffic flow and information flow networks. The spatial interaction intensity prediction model [Formula: see text] is constructed taking into account geographic features, which improves the prediction accuracy. The results show that from the perspectives of traffic flow and text information flow, the urban interactive network in Shandong Province has the characteristics of Scale-Free and Small-World, showing certain homogeneity and strong spatial interaction. Shandong Province’s UIN formed Jinan, Qingdao, and other cities as the core, satellite cities around, the east and west ends of the remote echo structure. From the perspective of traffic flow, the national urban interactive network presents a jumping distribution, with a single core city as the dominant distribution structure. From the perspective of information flow, the dividing line between the eastern and western communities is obvious, and the internal aggregation of the community is strong. Distance attenuation effects have an impact on the strength of spatial interactions.
A Survey of Rural Special Education Teachers’ Professional Development Experiences
Authors: Toman George , Maag John W.
Published: June 2024

Opportunities for professional development (PD) are the key for teachers to improve their skills in a variety of areas and situations, including, but not limited to, technology in the classroom, positive behavior management strategies, effective collaboration, and making instructional accommodations for students with disabilities. These areas of PD are especially important for special education teachers. However, opportunities to access PD may vary greatly, especially for special educators who work in rural locations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to survey special education teachers serving rural or non-rural (i.e., suburban or urban) communities in the U.S. state of Nebraska about their unique PD experiences. Results indicated that special educators in rural areas often use their regional service agency to access PD opportunities and perceive those experiences positively. Suggestions for improving PD include providing relevant content during training and allocating resources to increase PD attendance. Recommendations for improvements are provided.
Identifying therapeutic target genes for migraine by systematic druggable genome-wide Mendelian randomization
Authors: Zhang Chengcheng , He Yiwei , Liu Lu
Published: June 2024

Background

Currently, the treatment and prevention of migraine remain highly challenging. Mendelian randomization (MR) has been widely used to explore novel therapeutic targets. Therefore, we performed a systematic druggable genome-wide MR to explore the potential therapeutic targets for migraine.

Methods

We obtained data on druggable genes and screened for genes within brain expression quantitative trait locis (eQTLs) and blood eQTLs, which were then subjected to two-sample MR analysis and colocalization analysis with migraine genome-wide association studies data to identify genes highly associated with migraine. In addition, phenome-wide research, enrichment analysis, protein network construction, drug prediction, and molecular docking were performed to provide valuable guidance for the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic drugs.

Results

We identified 21 druggable genes significantly associated with migraine (BRPF3, CBFB, CDK4, CHD4, DDIT4, EP300, EPHA5, FGFRL1, FXN, HMGCR, HVCN1, KCNK5, MRGPRE, NLGN2, NR1D1, PLXNB1, TGFB1, TGFB3, THRA, TLN1 and TP53), two of which were significant in both blood and brain (HMGCR and TGFB3). The results of phenome-wide research showed that HMGCR was highly correlated with low-density lipoprotein, and TGFB3 was primarily associated with insulin-like growth factor 1 levels.

Conclusions

This study utilized MR and colocalization analysis to identify 21 potential drug targets for migraine, two of which were significant in both blood and brain. These findings provide promising leads for more effective migraine treatments, potentially reducing drug development costs.
An intelligent and self-assembled nanoscale metal organic framework (99mTC-DOX loaded Fe3O4@FeIII-tannic acid) for tumor targeted chemo/chemodynamic theranostics
Authors: Swidan Mohamed M. , Wahba Nehal S. , Sakr Tamer M.
Published: June 2024

Background

Recent advances in clinical transformation research have focused on chemodynamic theranostics as an emerging strategy for tackling cancer. Nevertheless, its effectiveness is hampered by the tumor's glutathione antioxidant effect, poor acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) and inadequate endogenous H2O2. Hence, we designed an activatable theranostics (99mTc-DOX loaded AA-Fe3O4@FeIII-TA) that effectively boost the catalytic efficiency of the Fenton-reaction-induced ROS production and augment the chemotherapeutic efficacy combined with diagnostic action.

Results

A cross-linked matrix of tannic acid-ferric salt (FeIII-TA) as a pH-responsive shell onto ascorbic acid-decorated iron-oxide nanoparticles (AA-Fe3O4NPs) was prepared demonstrating a metal–organic- framework (MOF) nanostructure, followed by loading of 99mTc-labelled DOX. The platform (99mTc-DOX loaded AA-Fe3O4@FeIII-TA) displayed suitable physical–chemical properties, including 69.8 nm particle size, 94.8 nm hydrodynamic size, − 21 mV zeta potential, effective FeIII-TA shell crosslinking onto AA-Fe3O4NPs and 94% loading efficiency for 99mTc-DOX. The results of the in-vitro release investigations showed that the platform exhibited a pH-dependent release manner with 98.3% of the 99mTc-DOX being released at pH 5 (simulating the tumor’s pH) and only 10% being released at the physiological pH (pH 7.4). This indicates that there was negligible payload leakage into the systemic circulation during the platform's passive accumulation inside tumor. Due to the acidic TME nature, the MOF shell might be degraded releasing free FeIII, TA and a sustained release of 99mTc-DOX. Besides its chemotherapeutic impact and capacity to raise intracellular H2O2 content, the released 99mTc-DOX might be used as SPECT imaging tracer for concurrent tumor diagnosis. Furthermore, the mild acidity of the tumor may be overcome by the released TA, which might raise the acidification level of cancer cells. The released FeIII, TA and the endogenous GSH could engage in a redox reaction that depletes GSH and reduces FeIII to FeII ions which subsequently catalyze the elevated concentration of H2O2 to reactive •OH via Fenton-like reaction, increasing the effectiveness of chemodynamic therapy. Moreover, the in-vivo evaluation in tumor-bearing mice showed significant radioactivity accumulation in the tumor lesion (16.8%ID/g at 1 h post-injection) with a potential target/non-target ratio of 8.

Conclusions

The 99mTc-DOX loaded AA-Fe3O4@FeIII-TA could be introduced as an effective chemo/chemodynamic theranostics.

Graphical Abstract
ExonSurfer: a web-tool to design primers at exon–exon junctions
Authors: Monfort-Lanzas Pablo , Rusu Elena Cristina , Parrakova Lucia , Karg Cornelia A. , Kernbichler Dorina-Elina , Rieder Dietmar , Lackner Peter , Hackl Hubert , Gostner Johanna M.
Published: June 2024

Background

Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) with intercalating dyes is one of the main techniques to assess gene expression levels used in basic and applied research as well as in diagnostics. However, primer design for RT-qPCR can be complex due to the high demands on primer quality. Primers are best placed on exon junctions, should avoid polymorphic regions, be specific to the target transcripts and also prevent genomic amplification accurately, among others. Current software tools manage to meet all the necessary criteria only insufficiently. Here, we present ExonSurfer, a novel, user-friendly web-tool for qPCR primer design.

Results

ExonSurfer combines the different steps of the primer design process, encompassing target selection, specificity and self-complementarity assessment, and the avoidance of issues arising from polymorphisms. Amplification of potentially contaminating genomic DNA is avoided by designing primers on exon-exon junctions, moreover, a genomic alignment is performed to filter the primers accordingly and inform the user of any predicted interaction. In order to test the whole performance of the application, we designed primer pairs for 26 targets and checked both primer efficiency, amplicon melting temperature and length and confirmed the targeted amplicon by Sanger sequencing. Most of the tested primers accurately and selectively amplified the corresponding targets.

Conclusion

ExonSurfer offers a comprehensive end-to-end primer design, guaranteeing transcript-specific amplification. The user interface is intuitive, providing essential specificity and amplicon details. The tool can also be used by command line and the source code is available. Overall, we expect ExonSurfer to facilitate RT-qPCR set-up for researchers in many fields.
Application of artificial neural networks to classify Avena fatua and Avena sterilis based on seed traits: insights from European Avena populations primarily from the Balkan Region
Authors: Oveisi Mostafa , Sikuljak Danijela , Anđelković Ana A. , Bozic Dragana , Trkulja Nenad , Piri Ramin , Poczai Peter , Vrbnicanin Sava
Published: June 2024

Background

Avena fatua and A. sterilis are challenging to distinguish due to their strong similarities. However, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) can effectively extract patterns and identify these species. We measured seed traits of Avena species from 122 locations across the Balkans and from some populations from southern, western, and central Europe (total over 22 000 seeds). The inputs for the ANN model included seed mass, size, color, hairiness, and placement of the awn attachment on the lemma.

Results

The ANN model achieved high classification accuracy for A. fatua and A. sterilis (R2 > 0.99, RASE < 0.0003) with no misclassification. Incorporating geographic coordinates as inputs also resulted in successful classification (R2 > 0.99, RASE < 0.000001) with no misclassification. This highlights the significant influence of geographic coordinates on the occurrence of Avena species. The models revealed hidden relationships between morphological traits that are not easily detectable through traditional statistical methods. For example, seed color can be partially predicted by other seed traits combined with geographic coordinates. When comparing the two species, A. fatua predominantly had the lemma attachment point in the upper half, while A. sterilis had it in the lower half. A. sterilis exhibited slightly longer seeds and hairs than A. fatua, while seed hairiness and mass were similar in both species. A. fatua populations primarily had brown, light brown, and black colors, while A. sterilis populations had black, brown, and yellow colors.

Conclusions

Distinguishing A. fatua from A. sterilis based solely on individual characteristics is challenging due to their shared traits and considerable variability of traits within each species. However, it is possible to classify these species by combining multiple seed traits. This approach also has significant potential for exploring relationships among different traits that are typically difficult to assess using conventional methods.
Overexpression of PavHIPP16 from Prunus avium enhances cold stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco
Authors: Yu Runrun , Hou Qiandong , Deng Hong , Xiao Ling , Cai Xiaowei , Shang Chunqiong , Qiao Guang
Published: June 2024

Background

The heavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant protein (HIPP) is an important regulatory element in response to abiotic stresses, especially playing a key role in low-temperature response.

Results

This study investigated the potential function of PavHIPP16 up-regulated in sweet cherry under cold stress by heterologous overexpression in tobacco. The results showed that the overexpression (OE) lines’ growth state was better than wild type (WT), and the germination rate, root length, and fresh weight of OE lines were significantly higher than those of WT. In addition, the relative conductivity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the OE of tobacco under low-temperature treatment were substantially lower than those of WT. In contrast, peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), proline, soluble protein, and soluble sugar contents were significantly higher than those of WT. Yeast two-hybrid assay (Y2H) and luciferase complementation assay verified the interactions between PavbHLH106 and PavHIPP16, suggesting that these two proteins co-regulated the cold tolerance mechanism in plants. The research results indicated that the transgenic lines could perform better under low-temperature stress by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activity and osmoregulatory substance content of the transgenic plants.

Conclusions

This study provides genetic resources for analyzing the biological functions of PavHIPPs, which is important for elucidating the mechanisms of cold resistance in sweet cherry.
Prevalence of self-reported hearing difficulty on the Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory and associated factors
Authors: Dillard Lauren K. , Matthews Lois J. , Dubno Judy R.
Published: June 2024

Background

Hearing loss is common in aging adults and is an important public health concern. Self-reported measures of hearing difficulty are often used in research and clinical practice, as they capture the functional impacts of hearing loss on individuals. However, little research has evaluated the prevalence or factors associated with self-reported hearing difficulty. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported hearing difficulty, measured by the Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory (RHHI), and associated factors.

Methods

This study was conducted in a community-based cohort study based in Charleston, SC. We determined the prevalence of RHHI self-reported hearing difficulty (score ≥ 6 points) and evaluated associated factors with logistic regression models. Results are presented as odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

There were 1558 participants included in this study (mean age 63.7 [SD 14.4], 56.9% female, 20.0% Minority race). The prevalence of RHHI self-reported hearing difficulty was 48.8%. In a multivariable model, older age (per + 1 year; OR 0.97 [95% CI 0.96, 0.98]), Minority (vs. White) race (OR 0.68 [95% CI 0.49, 0.94]), and speech-in-noise scores that are better than predicted (OR 0.99 [95% CI 0.98, 1.00]) were associated with lower odds of RHHI self-reported hearing difficulty. Furthermore, female (vs. male) sex (OR 1.39 [95% CI 1.03, 1.86]), higher PTA in the worse ear (per + 1 dB; OR 1.10 [95% CI 1.09, 1.12]), more comorbid conditions (vs. 0; 1 condition: OR 1.50 [95% CI 1.07, 2.11]; 2 conditions: OR 1.96 [95% CI 1.32, 2.93]; 3 + conditions: OR 3.00 [95% CI 1.60, 5.62]), noise exposure (OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.16, 2.03]), bothersome tinnitus (OR 2.16 [95% CI 1.59, 2.93]), and more depressive symptoms (OR 1.04 [95% CI 1.01, 1.07]) were associated with higher odds of RHHI self-reported hearing difficulty.

Conclusions

The prevalence of RHHI self-reported hearing difficulty is high, and associated factors included demographics, audiometric hearing and other hearing-related factors, and physical and mental health. The RHHI likely captures functional impacts of hearing loss that are not captured by audiometry alone. Study findings can support the correct interpretation of the RHHI in research and clinical settings.
Pharmacist interventions in Asian healthcare environments for older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis on hospitalization, mortality, and quality of life
Authors: Kim In-Ja , Ryu Gina , Rhie Sandy Jeong , Kim Hwa-Jung
Published: June 2024

Background

Pharmaceutical interventions play a key role in the care of older people experiencing polypharmacy. Despite the rapid increase in the aging population in Asia, there is a lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of pharmacist interventions on older adult’s healthcare. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of pharmacist interventions in Asian health care environments on hospitalization, mortality, and quality of life (QoL) among older people in Asia.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across 5 databases, encompassing studies published from inception through June 2023. Only studies involving pharmacist interventions for people aged 65 years or older, residing in Asian countries, were considered. Studies without evidence of pharmacist involvement or conducted outside of Asia were excluded. Data extraction was performed by two reviewers, one reviewer (I.K.) performed the initial extraction, and another reviewer (G.R.) verified the extracted data. Forest plots were generated using a random effects model to obtain risk ratios or pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs).

Results

A total of 170 articles underwent thorough review, and ultimately, ten studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analyses. These studies encompassed diverse healthcare settings such as outpatient, inpatient, and nursing homes, with sample sizes ranging from 32 to 306 older people. Pharmacist interventions were found to significantly reduce hospitalization rates (n = 5, risk ratio = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.41–0.81) and mortality rates (n = 4, risk ratio = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.37–0.88) among older people. The analysis revealed less significant improvement in QoL in these patients than in those receiving usual care (n = 6, SMD = 0.36, P = 0.057).

Conclusions

These findings highlight the crucial role of pharmacists within healthcare teams in Asian countries. Pharmacist interventions have an impact on reducing hospitalization and mortality rates among the elderly people, underscoring the importance of optimizing patient outcomes in Asia.
Radiomics diagnostic performance for predicting lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Dong , Zhou Teli , Chen Jing , Chen Jun
Published: June 2024

Background

Esophageal cancer, a global health concern, impacts predominantly men, particularly in Eastern Asia. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) significantly influences prognosis, and current imaging methods exhibit limitations in accurate detection. The integration of radiomics, an artificial intelligence (AI) driven approach in medical imaging, offers a transformative potential. This meta-analysis evaluates existing evidence on the accuracy of radiomics models for predicting LNM in esophageal cancer.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searching Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science for English-language studies up to November 16, 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on preoperatively diagnosed esophageal cancer patients with radiomics predicting LNM before treatment. Exclusion criteria were applied, including non-English studies and those lacking sufficient data or separate validation cohorts. Data extraction encompassed study characteristics and radiomics technical details. Quality assessment employed modified Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) and Radiomics Quality Score (RQS) tools. Statistical analysis involved random-effects models for pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC). Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using Deek’s test and funnel plots. Analysis was performed using Stata version 17.0 and meta-DiSc.

Results

Out of 426 initially identified citations, nine studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing 719 patients. These retrospective studies utilized CT, PET, and MRI imaging modalities, predominantly conducted in China. Two studies employed deep learning-based radiomics. Quality assessment revealed acceptable QUADAS-2 scores. RQS scores ranged from 9 to 14, averaging 12.78. The diagnostic meta-analysis yielded a pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.72, 0.76, and 0.74, respectively, representing fair diagnostic performance. Meta-regression identified the use of combined models as a significant contributor to heterogeneity (p-value = 0.05). Other factors, such as sample size (> 75) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) usage for feature extraction, showed potential influence but lacked statistical significance (0.05 < p-value < 0.10). Publication bias was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Radiomics shows potential for predicting LNM in esophageal cancer, with a moderate diagnostic performance. Standardized approaches, ongoing research, and prospective validation studies are crucial for realizing its clinical applicability.
Prediction of cerebral infarction after bypass surgery in adult moyamoya disease: using pulsatility index on TCD
Authors: Ding Jiangbo , Chang Xuying , Ma Peiyu , Yang Guangwu , Zhang Ruoyu , Li Yuanyuan , Lei Ting , Mu Linjie , Zhang Xingkui , Li Zhigao , Tang Jinwei , Tang Zhiwei
Published: June 2024

Background

At present, the most effective treatment for symptomatic moyamoya disease (MMD) is surgery. However, the high incidence of postoperative complications is a serious problem plaguing the surgical treatment of MMD, especially the acute cerebral infarction. Decreased cerebrovascular reserve is an independent risk factor for ischemic infarction, and the pulsatility index (PI) of transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a common intuitive index for evaluating intracranial vascular compliance. However, the relationship between PI and the occurrence of ischemic stroke after operation is unclear.

Objective

To explore whether the PI in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) could serve as a potential predictor for the occurrence of ischemic infarction after bypass surgery in MMD.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 71 patients who underwent combined revascularization surgery, including superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis and encephalo-duro-myo-synangiosis (EDMS). The patients were divided into two groups according to the median of ipsilateral MCA-PI before operation, low PI group (MCA-PI < 0.614) and high PI group (MCA-PI ≥ 0.614). Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used to explore risk factors affecting the occurrence of postoperative cerebral infarction.

Results

Among the 71 patients with moyamoya disease, 11 patients had cerebral infarction within one week after revascularization. Among them, 10 patients’ ipsilateral MCA-PI were less than 0.614, and another one’s MCA- PI is higher than 0.614. Univariate analysis showed that the lower ipsilateral MCA-PI (0.448 ± 0.109 vs. 0.637 ± 0.124; P = 0.001) and higher Suzuki stage (P = 0.025) were linked to postoperative cerebral infarction. Multivariate analysis revealed that lower ipsilateral MCA-PI was an independent risk factor for predicting postoperative cerebral infarction (adjusted OR = 14.063; 95% CI = 6.265 ~ 37.308; P = 0.009).

Conclusions

A lower PI in the ipsilateral MCA may predict the cerebral infarction after combined revascularization surgery with high specificity. And combined revascularization appears to be safer for the moyamoya patients in early stages.