bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traumatic Brain Injury Patients in the Emergency Unit of a Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Ramdinal Aviesena Zairinal  , Chandrika Najwa Malufti  , Yetty Ramli  , Diatri Nari Lastri  , Adre Mayza  , Pukovisa Prawiroharjo
Published: December 2023

Highlights:
1. The main focus of this study was to underscore the importance of exploring the characteristics of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, which have not been extensively investigated, to help establish effective clinical procedures and decisions.2. Three out of every four trauma patients in the emergency unit had mild TBIs, and those who did not survive showed a significant trend of rapid deterioration.3. It is crucial to consistently conduct a thorough and comprehensive head-to-toe examination for all trauma patients.
 
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prevalent neurological condition in emergency units. TBI cases are frequently diagnosed with severe conditions. Underdiagnosis is common in mild TBI cases. As a result, physicians have an uncomprehensive understanding of the patients' characteristics in their daily practice. This study aimed to discuss the characteristics of trauma patients who were diagnosed with TBIs in an emergency unit. We conducted a retrospective cohort observational study to examine the adult population of TBI patients from April 2022 to March 2023. This study collected several data points, including demographics, clinical characteristics, surgical procedures, and disposition distribution. All variables were compiled and summarized using descriptive statistics and analyzed by calculating frequencies and percentages. During the period of this study, 483 trauma patients were admitted to the emergency unit. A total of 361 (74.7%) of these cases were identified as TBIs. Most of the traumatic brain injuries occurred in men (75.6%), with the predominant age range being 18–22 years (22.4%). Mild TBI cases (74.5%) were the most prevalent, followed by moderate (20.2%) and severe (5.3%) TBI cases. The average score from the Glasgow Coma Scale assessment was 15. Most patients (80.9%) had no hypotension, while a greater number of patients (98.1%) did not exhibit hypoxia as a comorbidity. The Injury Severity Score revealed that the highest percentage of TBIs was categorized as minor (62.3%). It was found that 53.5% of the patients were discharged, while 36% of the patients were hospitalized. However, 7 patients (1.9%) passed in the emergency unit, and 30 patients (8.3%) opted to be discharged against medical advice. Only 21 patients (5.8%) received neurosurgical management. As the most prevalent trauma, TBI necessitates careful management to handle the implications of clinical decision-making. It is crucial to investigate the underlying risk of mortality in TBI cases because the majority of patients do not require neurosurgical intervention.
Efficacy, Safety, and Clinical Outcomes of Splenorenal Shunt Surgery as a Therapeutic Intervention for Portal Hypertension Patients
Authors: Yan Efrata Sembiring  , Heroe Soebroto  , Ito Puruhito  , Dhihintia Jiwangga Suta Winarno  , I Gusti Agung Made Adnyanya Putra2  , Sri Pramesthi Wisnu Bowo Negoro  , Ketut Putu Yasa  , Jeffrey Jeswant Dillon
Published: December 2023

Highlights:
1. This study systematically reviewed the efficacy, clinical outcomes, and safety of the splenorenal shunt procedure with a comprehensive and meticulous approach.2. The splenorenal shunt procedure is an innovative surgical intervention that offers a viable option for the management of portal hypertension.
 
Abstract
Portal hypertension is the second most common gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis patients. The splenorenal shunt surgery is a potential intervention that may be considered for portal hypertension patients with clinical symptoms such as upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by the rupture of gastro-esophageal varices. In this study, the researchers aimed to analyze the efficacy, clinical outcomes, and safety of splenorenal shunt surgery in portal hypertension patients. The sources were obtained from electronic search databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, using the keywords "Efficacy," "Safety," and "Clinical Outcomes." in relation to splenorenal shunt surgery in portal hypertension patients. The researchers set specific criteria for inclusion and exclusion to select the articles. This systematic review revealed the efficacy of the splenorenal shunt procedure with favorable outcomes. The success rate of splenorenal shunt surgery in reducing the clinical symptoms of portal hypertension varied between 66% and 100%. The prevailing complications observed in this study were shunt thrombosis, rebleeding, and thrombocytopenia. However, notable improvements could be achieved with general treatment. In terms of short- and long-term clinical outcomes, the splenorenal shunt procedure demonstrated favorable results. It can be concluded that splenorenal shunt surgery provides excellent clinical outcomes and should be considered a viable treatment option for patients with both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.
Book review The Age of Unpeace: How Connectivity Causes Conflict by Mark Leonard, Bantam Press, 2021, 240 pages
Authors: Nastasiu Cătălina
Published: December 2023

The book The Age of Unpeace: How Connectivity Causes Conflict by Mark Leonard, published in 2021, outlines one major thought: the context that offered us more connection, is the same that drove us apart, into an era of “unwar” and “unpeace”. As the author stresses, in this current state, connections that bound the world together are also driving it apart (p.11), leading to a blurred distinction between the notion of war or peace, while connections between people and countries are weaponized in various ways.
EFFECTS OF A NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRONIC NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. Systematic review
Authors:   Federal research institute for Health organization and informatics of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, Shelgunov Vladimir , Zubko Aleksandr ,   Federal research institute for Health organization and informatics of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, Kungurtsev Oleg ,   Federal research institute for Health organization and informatics of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, Zaporozhchenko Vyacheslav ,   Federal research institute for Health organization and informatics of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
Published: December 2023

Significance. COVID-19, a severe acute respiratory syndrome–associated coronavirus disease, has quickly spread around the world, affecting millions of people in different countries. This infection has affected various organs and systems and increased the risk of complications of chronic non-communicable diseases, but also contributed to the emergence of new cases. The scale and consequences of COVID-19 necessitate medical professionals and health systems better understand COVID19 possible outcomes for the patient, including the development of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) that the virus can cause. However, not all of them are known to medical professionals; adequate response measures are unknown either. The purpose of the study was to analyze effects of COVID-19 on the NCD development and aggravation. Material and methods. The systematic review is based on 64 publications on the effect of COVID-19 on various organs and systems and aggravated NCD that were published from 01.04.2020 to 31.01.2023. The publications were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar и eLibrary. Results. Patients with concomitant diseases are at higher risks for severe COVID-19 with adverse outcomes. COVID-19 can cause NCD in healthy people and facilitate the development of comorbidities in patients under medical follow-up for another condition. Conclusion. Proceeding from the study results, it is important both to understand the degree of the COVID-19 impact on the development of chronic conditions in patients, and keep in mind the ever-increasing volume of medical care for such patients. Scope of application. The study results can be used to efficiently plan volumes of medical care within the framework of the program of state guarantees of free medical care.
Strengthening Land Law Reforms through Legal Pluralism in Indonesia
Authors: Damanik Pandapotan
Published: December 2023

This study explores the urgent need for reforms in Indonesia's land law system, specifically focusing on incorporating legal pluralism into the national legal framework. Utilizing a normative legal research method, the study scrutinizes primary and secondary legal documents, including the 1945 Indonesian Constitution, the Basic Agrarian Law, and the Job Creation Law, while also incorporating insights from related literature. The main finding indicates that although the Basic Agrarian Law (UUPA) has attempted to blend principles of customary and religious law into the national land law framework, its implementation still exhibits signs of weak legal pluralism, where state law dominates. This research suggests that adopting legal pluralism as a foundational principle in the UUPA could serve as a catalyst for fostering greater harmony between state and non-state laws, encouraging the development of policies that are more accountable and responsive to local realities. This holds significant implications in promoting agrarian justice and sustainability in land management in Indonesia, offering vital insights for ongoing legal reform efforts.
Highlights:

Inadequate integration of customary and religious law principles in the existing Basic Agrarian Law (UUPA).
The potential of legal pluralism as a foundation to foster greater harmony between state and non-state laws.
The urgent need for responsive policies that align with local realities to promote agrarian justice and sustainable land management in Indonesia.

Keywords: Legal Pluralism, Land Law Reform, Agrarian Justice, Policy Development, Indonesian Constitution
African identity and curriculum transformation at universities in South Africa
Authors: Mashilo Phafane Peter , Govender Logan
Published: December 2023

This paper argues for the notion of African identity to be placed at the centre of creating a new African university as part of the education decolonisation project. Defining the African university does not mean a total negation of Western ideas and epistemologies, but rather the foregrounding of African identity, traditions and culture. The paper recognises that Africa is part of a global economy, hence African university curricula must (among other phenomena) be responsive to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), pandemics and climate change. Drawing on recent African identity-driven curriculum transformation developments at four South African universities, the paper recognises differences in institutional initiatives, some with detailed curriculum transformation plans and others with no clear plans. Based on a literature review and document analysis methods, the results suggest that progress in curriculum transformation is mediated by context and history, as well as differences in institutional commitment to the decolonisation education project. The authors suggest that – with support from government and policymakers – a clear and detailed programme of curriculum transformation is needed, underpinned by a moral imperative to foreground African identity in the transition to the new African university.
Against the pedagogy of debt in South African higher education
Authors: Masutha Mukovhe
Published: December 2023

On the back of decades of austerity, marketisation, credentialization and related neoliberal conceptions of education and society, a student debt crisis has emerged in higher education (HE). Despite the well-documented history of government-guaranteed income contingent loans (ICLs) indenturing students and their present and future families, such loans continue to be canvassed by policymakers and interest groups as an ideal ladder of educational opportunity, particularly for students from traditionally excluded communities. In this paper, the author brings together insights from Jeffrey Williams’ Pedagogy of Debt, Carter G Woodson’s Miseducation, Ha-Joon Chang’s idea of Bad Samaritans, and Kwame Nkrumah’s theory of Sham Independence as conceptual building blocks to reinforce the wall of resistance against the orthodoxy of debt as a paradigm for HE funding in South Africa. To add to the student debt abolition movements and the voices calling for freeing public HE, this paper critically reviews the recommendations of South Africa’s 2017 Fees Commission Report. This is done to offer an analysis that makes explicit the likely impact of the proposed student loan policy on South Africa. As we imagine transitioning towards the new African University, this paper makes a case for freeing public HE for all, on the basis of mutual aid, transitional and reparative justice.
Plurilingual practices in Higher Education: An analysis of student perceptions from a South African University
Authors: Tshuma Lindiwe , Theledi Kgomotso
Published: December 2023

This study describes student perspectives on the teaching and learning of a newly introduced University language acquisition course. It identifies three basic components of teaching and learning, namely teaching approaches, teaching and learning resources, and assessment of learning. The study focuses on how students perceive these basic components of teaching and learning by investigating how 1st-year students at a university in South Africa perceive the teaching and learning of the Sesotho First Additional Language (FAL) course (a newly introduced course in the university). Hence the objectives of this study are to establish the views of 1st-year Sesotho FAL students regarding the teaching approaches used by the lecturers presenting the course; the teaching and learning resources used in the course; and the quality of assessments applied in the course. Guided by complex dynamic systems theory, the study employs a survey methodology. A questionnaire comprising both close-ended belief statements as well as open-ended statements for students to respond to was administered to 51 study participants purposefully selected. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS, while qualitative data were analysed by the researchers themselves. Results emerging from the data reveal that 1st-year students generally find their lecturers’ teaching approaches and assessment methods satisfactory; however, they perceive the teaching and learning resources used by their lecturers in teaching Sesotho as inadequate. This finding points to the need for further dialogue broadly on the quality of teaching and learning, quality of assessment criteria and the availability of teaching and learning resources provided for presenting newly introduced courses in higher education institutions (HEIs); and specifically on the level of preparation of lecturers in these courses tasked with the teaching and learning.
Factores asociados con anemia y deficiencia de micronutrimentos en mujeres mexicanas. Ensanut Continua 2022
Authors: Shamah-Levy Teresa , Mejía-Rodríguez Fabiola , García-Guerra Armando , Mundo-Rosas Verónica , De la Cruz-Gongora Vanessa
Published: December 2023

Objetivo. Identificar los factores asociados con anemia, deficiencias de hierro (DH) y vitamina B12 (DVB12) en mujeres de 12 a 49 años, participantes en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Continua 2022 (Ensanut Continua 2022). Material y métodos. La Ensanut es probabilística con representatividad nacional. Se recolectó sangre venosa de 1 141 mujeres para analizar hemoglobina, ferritina y vitamina B12, para estimar deficiencias según la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y modelos de regresión logística (módulo SVY/STATA). Resultados. Las prevalencias de anemia, DH y DVB12 fueron 15.7, 41.9 y 17.2%, respectivamente. Se asoció (p<0.5) anemia con agua de garrafón/botella (razón de momios [RM]=2.27; IC95% 0.99,5.17) y DH con no tener agua entubada (RM=2.86; IC95% 1.31, 6.22) y pertenecer al estrato urbano (RM=1.56; IC95% 0.98, 2.45). Conclusión. La anemia, DH y DVB12 fueron altamente prevalentes, por lo tanto se requiere profundizar en el tema del agua para beber y en la derechohabiencia en mujeres con mayores desventajas socioeconómicas.
Asociación entre inseguridad del agua y presencia de sintomatología depresiva en población mexicana de 20 años o más
Authors: Mundo-Rosas Verónica , Muñoz-Espinosa Alicia , Hernández-Palafox Corin , Vizuet-Vega Norma Isela , Méndez-Gómez Humarán Ignacio , Shamah-Levy Teresa , Villalobos-Hernández Aremis , Vázquez-Salas R Argelia
Published: December 2023

Objetivo. Analizar la asociación entre la inseguridad del agua (IA) y la presencia de sintomatología depresiva (SD) en población mexicana de 20 años o más. Material y métodos. Se analizó información de 11 806 adultos participantes en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2022 (Ensanut 2022). La IA se evaluó con la escala de las experiencias de inseguridad del agua (HWISE) en los hogares y la SD con la Escala de Depresión del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos (CESD-7). Se realizaron modelos de regresión logística multinomial ajustando por variables confusoras. Resultados. La IA se asocia con la presencia de SD en los adultos mexicanos (razón de momios [RM]=1.5; p<0.001). La prevalencia ajustada de SD fue 6.1 puntos porcentuales mayor en personas con IA. Otros factores asociados a SD en presencia de la IA fueron: mujer (RM=2.0; p<0.001), separada(o) o divorciada(o) (RM=1.5; p=0.001), sin escolaridad (RM=2.9; p<0.001), tercil bajo de condiciones de bienestar (RM=1.3; p=0.005) y 60 años o más de edad (RM=3.5; p<0.001). Conclusión. Los problemas con el agua afectan la salud mental de la población. Es relevante su monitoreo en proyectos donde el agua tiene un papel clave como en disminución de la pobreza, desarrollo económico y mitigación del cambio climático.
Contribución de diversas fuentes de exposición a la concentración de plomo en sangre en población infantil mexicana, Ensanut 2022
Authors: Trejo-Valdivia Belem , Lerma-Treviño Carolina , Tamayo-Ortiz Marcela , Cantoral Alejandra , Figueroa José Luis , Romero-Martínez Martín , Gómez-Acosta Luz María , Estrada-Sánchez Daniel , Peralta-Delgado Netzy , Bautista-Arreondo Luis F. , Téllez-Rojo Martha María
Published: December 2023

Objetivo. Analizar la asociación entre fuentes de exposición al plomo (FEPb) y la concentración en sangre capilar (PbS) en menores de 1 a 4 años de edad a nivel nacional y regional, así como cuantificar la contribución relativa de las distintas FEPb. Material y métodos. Se utilizaron datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut 2022). Las FEPb consideradas fueron uso de loza de barro vidriada con plomo (LBVPb), residencia cercana a sitios contaminados y exposición paraocupacional. Se estimaron prevalencias de intoxicación (PbS ≥ 5.0 mg/dL) y medias geométricas de PbS. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión para PbS (escala logarítmica) y la descomposición Shapley-Owen de R2 para evaluar la contribución relativa de cada FEPb. Resultados. Las FEPb estudiadas explican el 6% de la variabilidad de PbS a nivel nacional; de este, el 87.3% lo explica el uso de LBVPb, el 4.2% otras FEPb ambiental y 1.3% FEPb paraocupacionales. La contribución relativa del uso de LBVPb varía entre regiones, desde 38.1 a 76.8%. Algunas regiones destacan la FEPb ambiental, pero no paraocupacional. Conclusiones. Los resultados confirman que el uso de LBVPb es la principal fuente de exposición reportada y sugieren que la población no identifica las principales FEPb documentadas hasta ahora.
La Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición: hacia una nueva etapa de innovación, estudios longitudinales y obtención de información biomédica
Authors: Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo
Published: December 2023

Las encuestas poblacionales de salud proporcionan información valiosa para orientar las políticas públicas e identificar la eficiencia de los procesos de atención y de los perfiles epidemiológicos de diversas exposiciones y entidades mórbidas. El uso adecuado de datos demográficos de alta calidad, representativos y oportunos, puede ayudar indirectamente a los ciudadanos a vivir vidas más sanas y más largas. Por esta razón, los datos de las encuestas nacionales de salud, al contar con estándares de elevada calidad, son muy útiles para la formulación de políticas de salud, la utilización de indicadores para realizar investigación operativa y para la monitorización de la calidad de los procesos de atención. Consecuentemente, hacer alusión a la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut) que implementa el Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP) es asociarla con un proyecto emblemático de la Secretaría de Salud de México.
Oil-Water Flowing Experiments and Water-Cut Range Classification Approach Using Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Authors: Liu Junrong , Han Yanhui , Jia Qingsheng , Zhang Lei , Liu Ming , Li Zhigang
Published: December 2023

The accurate measurement of dynamic water cut is of great interest for analyzing reservoir performance and optimizing oilwell production. Downhole water-cut measurement is a very challenging work. Moreover, the surface-measured water cut is a comprehensive indicator of commingled producing well and it is difficult to use this parameter to deduce the downhole water cut of each contributing layer. In this paper, we propose to use distributed fiber-optic acoustic sensing (DAS) technology for the classification of water-cut range. DAS can dynamically monitor the entire wellbore by “listening” to the acoustic signals during flow. A large number of laboratory experimental data from DAS have been collected and analyzed using wavelet time scattering transform and short-time Fourier transform (STFT). The extracted low-variance scattering feature, short time-frequency feature, and fusion feature (combination of two extracted features) were learned with backpropagation (BP) neural network, decision tree (DT), and random forest (RF) algorithm. Then, a classification method of water-cut range in oil-water flow was established with machine learning. Field DAS data were collected from two oil wells to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The classification accuracies for the vertical well (Well A) are 92.4% and 87.4% by DT and RF model, respectively. For the horizontal well (Well B), the average classification accuracy exceeds 90% for all three methods. Water shutoff measure was conducted in Well B, and an obvious water decrease was realized. The result shows that the fusion feature overweighs single feature in machine learning with DAS data. This study provides a novel way to identify downhole water-cut range and detect water entry location in horizontal, vertical, and deviated oil-producing wells.
An improved analysis method for time-varying mesh stiffness of herringbone planetary gear system considering the crack-pitting coupling faults
Authors: dong hao , Ren Bing-xing , Liang Gang , Li Yue
Published: December 2023

Time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS) is a significant excitation source in a herringbone planetary gear system (HPGS). This study aims to investigate the effect of crack-pitting coupling faults on the TVMS of the HPGS. An analytical model (AM) is developed using the energy method to consider different crack scales and the degree of pitting influence on each gear pair of the HPGS. The integral method is employed to solve the AM. The effects of crack-pitting coupling faults on the TVMS of the HPGS are separately examined for the sun, planet, and ring gear. The calculated results of the TVMS are analyzed and compared for perfect, single fault, and crack-pitting coupling fault conditions. Furthermore, the TVMS of the HPGS under crack-pitting coupling faults at four different degrees is determined using the finite element method (FEM), and the results are compared with the AM. The findings reveal that coupling a 10% crack with 7 pits reduces the TVMS by 4% compared to the perfect gear. Coupling a 30% crack with 14 pits reduces the TVMS by 32.5%. When a 60% crack is coupled with 7 pits, the change in TVMS is predominantly influenced by the crack fault, similar to the calculated value of TVMS under a single crack fault. The maximum error compared to the FEM results is 2.63%, confirming the accuracy of the results. Additionally, the TVMS of the external meshing pair is found to be the most sensitive to coupling faults. The results of the study can provide a theoretical basis for the dynamic stability and fault diagnosis of the HPGS.
Mucopolysaccharidosis type II zebrafish model exhibits early impaired proteasomal-mediated degradation of the axon guidance receptor Dcc
Authors: Moro Enrico , Manzoli Rosa , Badenetti Lorenzo , Bruzzone Matteo , Macario Maria Carla , Rubin Michela , Maschio Marco Dal , Roveri Antonella
Published: December 2023

Most patients affected by neuronopathic forms of Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), a rare lysosomal storage disorder, exhibit early neurological defects associated with white matter lesions and progressive behavioural abnormalities. While neuronal degeneration has been largely described in experimental models and human patients, more subtle neuronal pathogenic defects remains still underexplored. In this work we discovered that the axon guidance receptor Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (Dcc) is significantly dysregulated in the brain ofidsmutant zebrafish since embryonic stages. In addition, thanks to the establishment of neuronal-enriched primary cell cultures from embryonic dissected brains, we identified defective proteasomal degradation as one of the main pathways underlying Dcc upregulation inidsmutant conditions. Furthermore,idsmutant fish-derived primary neurons displayed higher levels of polyubiquitinated proteins and P62, suggesting a wider defect in protein degradation. Finally, we show thatidslarvae display atypical response to anxiety-like stimuli, hence mimicking one of the characteristic features of MPS II patients. Our study provides an additional relevant frame to MPS II pathogenesis, supporting the concept that multiple developmental defects concur to early childhood behavioural abnormalities.
Microsecond time-resolved X-ray scattering by utilizing MHz repetition rate at second-generation XFELs
Authors: Westenhoff Sebastian , Konold Patrick , Monrroy Leonardo , Bellisario Alfredo , Filipe Diogo , Adams Patrick , Alvarez Roberto , Bean Richard , Bielecki Johan , Bódizs Szabolcs , Ducroq Gabriel , Grubmueller Helmut , Kirian Richard , Kloos Marco , Koliyadu Jayanat , Koua Faisal , Larkiala Taru , Letrun Romain , Lindsten Fredrik , Maihöfer Michael , Martin Andrew , Mészáros Petra , Mutisya Jennifer , Nimmrich Amke , Okamoto Kenta , Round Adam , Sato Tokushi , Valerio Joana , Westphal Daniel , Wolter August , Yenupuri Tej , You Tong , Maia Filipe
Published: December 2023

Detecting microsecond structural perturbations in biomolecules has wide relevance in biology, chemistry, and medicine. Here, we show how MHz repetition rates at X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) can be used to produce microsecond time-series of protein scattering with exceptionally low noise levels of 0.001%. We demonstrate the approach by deriving new mechanistic insight into Jα helix unfolding of a Light-Oxygen-Voltage (LOV) photosensory domain. This time-resolved acquisition strategy is easy to implement and widely applicable for direct observation of structural dynamics of many biochemical processes.
Thoracic paravertebral block versus local infiltration anesthesia for percutaneous kyphoplasty to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures combined with intercostal neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Yimin , Xia Haijie , Chen Shucheng , Qian Yunfan , Shen Guangjie , Zhong Xiqiang , Jia Zhiqiang , Tang Chengxuan , He Shaoqi
Published: December 2023

Background
Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) and provides effective pain relief; however, its efficacy is questionable in patients with thoracic OVCF combined with intercostal neuralgia (IN). This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) and local infiltration (LI) anesthesia for PKP to treat thoracic OVCF combined with IN.
Methods
Patients with OVCF combined with IN scheduled to undergo PKP between January 2021 and June 2022 were randomized into the following groups: TPVB and LI. Intraoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Follow-up consultations were scheduled at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, recording the demographic characteristics, including surgical information, and complications observed in both groups. The clinical evaluation parameters included the VAS score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Short Form (SF)-36 score. Radiological evaluation parameters included the anterior vertebral body height ratio (AVBHR) and Cobb’s angle of the injured vertebra.
Results
Sixty patients were enrolled (30 in each group), with similar clinical and demographic characteristics. The mean intraoperative VAS scores from time points T1 to T5 were significantly lower in the TPVB group [2 (1–2), 3 (2–3), 3 (3–4), 3 (2–3), and 2 (2–2)] than in the LI group [2 (2–3), 4 (3–4), 4 (3–5), 3.5 (3–4), and 3 (3–3)]. The TPVB group demonstrated significantly better clinical outcomes than that of the LI group at 1 day postoperatively, as evidenced by higher VAS, ODI, and SF-36bp scores. The corresponding scores in the TPVB group were 2 (2–2), 20.47 ± 3.14, and 84 (84–84), respectively, and in the LI group were 3 (3–3), 22.53 ± 4.20, and 84 (74–84), respectively (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences in radiological terms were observed between the two groups. No postoperative complications were observed in either group.
Conclusions
Compared to LI, TPVB provided better intraoperative and postoperative short-term analgesia with an equivalent safety profile when administered to patients with OVCF combined with IN.
Trial registration
ChiCTR2000035034, 28/07/2020, Title: “Thoracic paravertebral block versus local infiltration anesthesia for percutaneous kyphoplasty to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures combined with intercostal neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial”. Website: https://www.chictr.ogr.cn
Pembrolizumab plus Chemotherapy in Advanced Endometrial Cancer: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Zhao Xinqiang , She Longjiang , Liu Xiaoning , Bi zhenggang
Published: December 2023

Objectives
Recently, NRG-GY018 clinical trial have demonstrated that adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy led to significantly longer progression-free survival than chemotherapy alone in the first-line treatment of advanced endometrial cancer (aECs). This analysis aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (PC) as the first-line treatment for aECs in the US and China.
Methods
A Markov model based on the data from NRG-GY018 trial was established to estimate the cost and efficacy of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy and chemotherapy groups for aECs in mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) and mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) populations. The main outcomes were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), incremental monetary benefit (INMB), and incremental net-health benefit (INHB). Direct medical costs and utility values were collected from the government databases, local databases, and published literatures. The robustness of the model was assessed using one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.
Results
Treatment with PC gained an additional 1.06 QALYs (1.34 LYs) in pMMR and 4.10 QALYs (5.14 LYs) in the dMMR population. In the US, the ICERs of PC compared to chemotherapy were 346,720 $/QALY in pMMR and 125,006 $/QALY in dMMR patients, respectively. In China, the ICERs of PC compared to chemotherapy were 176,313 $/QALY and 71,645 $/QALY in pMMR and dMMR populations. The results of sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of our models.
Conclusions
For patients with aECs, PC was cost-effective compared with chemotherapy in the first-line treatment for dMMR populations in the US. However, to reach the traditional cost-effectiveness threshold in China, a price reduction of pembrolizumab is required.
Age-Specific Association Between Meal-Skipping Patterns and the Risk of Hyperglycemia in Korean adults: a national cross-sectional study using the KNHANES data
Authors: Kang Yeonji , Kang Minji , Lim Hyunjung
Published: December 2023

Background
Glucose metabolism regulation is influenced by age and meal skipping, although research on their interplay with hyperglycemia remains limited. This study aims to explore the intricate relationship between meal-skipping patterns and hyperglycemia risk across distinct age groups in South Korean adults.
Methods
Utilizing data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted from 2013 to 2020, comprising 28,530 individuals aged 19 years and older, this study employed multivariate logistic regression models to examine the associations between meal-skipping patterns and the risk of hyperglycemia.
Results
Meal-skipping patterns were categorized into three groups: no skipping (NS), skipping breakfast (SB), and skipping dinner (SD). Age groups were defined as “young” (aged 19–44), “middle-aged” (aged 45–64), and “elderly” adults (over 65 years old). Among “young” adults, SB was associated with a 1.32-fold higher risk of hyperglycemia (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.14–1.53) compared to NS. Conversely, in “elderly” adults, SD was linked to a 0.48-fold reduced risk (95% CI = 0.28–0.83) when compared to NS. Additionally, we observed that the Korean Health Eating Index (KHEI) scores, representing the quality of diet on a scale of 0 to 100, were consistently lower in SB compared to NS across all age groups. Intriguingly, specifically among the “elderly” group, this score was higher in SD compared to NS (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
This study demonstrates age-specific variations in the association between meal-skipping patterns and the risk of hyperglycemia.
Bacopa monnieri extract (CDRI-08) recovers recognition memory impairment by upregulation of GluR2 AMPA receptor subunit expression and reduced methylation of its cognate promoter in the hippocampus of rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease mouse model
Authors: Chandra Garima , Prasad S.
Published: December 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD), an age-dependent neurodegenerative movement disorder, is attributed to the lossof dopaminergic neurons in the striatal SNPc, abnormal α-Synuclein accumulation that leads to complex movement disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia in later stage, however, its precise molecular underpinning is not well known. In the proposed study, we aim to explore the effects of PD on the expression of the synaptic plasticity associated with AMPA receptor subunit GluR2, its epigenetic regulation, and investigate the possible therapeutic role of a well-characterized extract of an ancient Indian medicinal plantBacopa monniericalled CDRI-08 on the PD and memory impairment in rotenone-PD mouse model as presently there is no successful treatment available for curing the PD-induced pathologies. Our immunoblotting and qPCR data showed a significant upregulation of the GluR2 expression in the hippocampus of rotenone-treated mice as compared to the vehicle control group. Our MeDIP-qPCR data revealed that the increased GluR2 expression was significantly correlated with a decline in its promoter CpG methylation in the hippocampus of rotenone-treated mice. CDRI-08 treatment to the rotenone-treated mice significantly lowered the PD pathologies, and GluR2 expression with a subsequent increase in the GluR2 promoter methylation towards the control values in the hippocampus. The current study suggests one of the precise molecular events underlying PD, its effects on memory impairment, and the neurotherapeutic potential of Bacopa monnieri extract, CDRI-08, which might be useful for the treatment of PD-induced movement and cognitive impairments.
Transcriptome analysis of Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) at different growth rates
Authors: Gao Yang , Huang Xuming , Liu Yanli , Lv Huirong , Yin Xiaolong , Li Weiye , Chu Zhangjie
Published: December 2023

The unsynchronized growth of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea), which affects its growth efficiency, has become one of the problems for farmers. In present study, the juvenile large yellow croaker stock was sorted by size after culturing in offshore cage for 4 months, then individuals of fast-growing group (FG) and the slow-growing group (SG) were sampled respectively. High-throughput RNA-Seq was performed to explore the physiological mechanisms that influence its growth rate. Transcriptome analysis revealed 382 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 145 up-regulated genes and 237 down-regulated genes, compared with SG group. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that DEGs was mainly involved in signal transduction pathway and biochemical metabolic pathway. The results of RT-PCR shows that igf1, fgf19, idh1 and me1 were up-regulated in fast-growing fish, while fgf1,fgfr1 and gadd45b,g were down-regulated. Inclusion, the different growth rate of large yellow croaker is closely related to cell proliferation, metabolic rate of organism and immune regulation.These findings provide a new way to understand the molecular mechanism and regulation of the growth of large yellow croaker and enrich the understanding of growth-related genes.
Quality of Life of Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alghamdi Wardah A. , Almatrafi Montaha A. , Asiri Rimas A. , Almuraee Lama A. , Alsharif Sarah M. , Makhdoum Faizah M. , Alghamdi Malak A. , Althubaiti Alaa M. , Alghamdi Majed A.
Published: December 2023

Background
Cancer is a chronic and serious disease that has a wide range of effects on patients. Some of these effects extend to family members and primary caregivers (PCs), thereby impacting their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to evaluate the QOL of PCs of patients with cancer and to investigate the sociodemographic and other factors that impact PCs’ QOL.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Princess Noura Oncology Center (PNOC), King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah. A total of 235 PCs were included in this study. A short-form health survey, the SF-36, which includes eight domains, was used to measure the QOL of the patients’ caregivers. The relationship between the QOL of PCs and the characteristics of the patients and PCs was examined.
Results
The PCs’ QOL was associated with several variables. Results of the multiple regression analysis showed that age, sex of the patient and caregiver, and classification of cancer were independently and significantly associated with QOL. Older, female, and hematological patient’s PCs had lower QOL of life; whereas, PCs caring for a female patient experienced a better QOL of life.
Conclusion
These findings highlight the essential aspects of the QOL of Saudi caregivers and their influencing factors. To better understand the implications of these factors, future studies are required to demonstrate the effects of patient- and disease-related factors on PCs’ QOL.
An Efficient Signed SSL/Tls-Based Data Security in the Cloud Using Ltt-Ddbm and TECC
Authors: TIWARI CHANDRA Shekhar , Jha Vijay Kumar
Published: December 2023

Cloud data security is a set of strategies to secure data from security threats. Nevertheless, the prevention of multiple cloud security attacks has been ignored by the previous works. To overcome this issue, this paper proposes an efficient Signed Secure Socket Layer/ Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS) based Data Security in the cloud using Log Triangular Transfer function based Deep Drop Boltzmann Machines (LTT-DDBM) and Rivest, Shamir Adleman Session Key-based Twisted Edwards Curve Cryptography (RSASK-TECC) framework with Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA). The process is initiated by the web owner by sending a request to the SSL/TLS Certificate Authority Centre (CAC) to establish a website. The web owner will upload the php files to the web server if the CAC requirements are satisfied. Afterward, the data owner logs in to the browser. Thereafter, the signed SSL/TLS certificate is forwarded to the CAC for attack detection and verification by using LTT-DDBM. If the verification is successful, a public key is generated along with the signed SSL/TLS certificate. Nevertheless, a warning message will be generated if the verification fails. After successful verification, a session key is generated by the browser that is further utilized for encrypting the data. Then, the encrypted data along with the session keys undergo further encryption utilizing the public key via Advanced Encryption Standard Session key-based Twisted Edwards Curve Cryptography (AESS-TECC) for enhancing data security. The data user checks hash codes for data integrity before downloading. Data access is granted if the codes match; otherwise, it is declined. As per the experimental analysis, the proposed mechanism is superior to the prevailing approaches.
Enhancing AISI D2 Steel Milling: Balancing Surface Quality and Tool Life
Authors: González Luis Wilfredo Hernández , Ahmed Yassmin Seid , Sosa Dagnier A. Curra , Rodríguez Roberto Pérez
Published: December 2023

The aspects of cutting tool life and the quality of machined workpiece surfaces are pivotal considerations within field of machining processes. While a thorough review of the existing literature has revealed a multitude of investigations about the milling of steels frequently employed in cold work tool manufacturing, there is a conspicuous lack of experimental studies that have effectively determined the optimal values for cutting speed and feed. This determination is imperative to ensure the concurrent minimization of surface roughness and maximization of the tool life. Hence, the primary objective of this research endeavor is to discern the most finely tuned parameters conducive to milling AISI D2 steel with a milling cutter equipped with GC1130 coated inserts to optimize the interdependent variables. The analytical process demanded the development of multiple regression models, the validity of which was assess through an examination of residual graphs. Also, an analysis of variance was conduct, shedding light on their individual and collective impacts. Besides, the relationship between the cutting parameters and the resultant output factors was meticulously examine through the employment of response surface plots. The quest for a multi-faceted optimization solution, the desirability technique was harness. In summary, the comprehensive analysis conducted in this study substantiates the assertion that a judiciously selected combination of low cutting speed and high feed rate has a pronounced positive impact on the specified output variables. This collective enhancement attains an admirable level of desirability, reflecting both acceptable and excellent outcomes across the myriad facets of the milling operation.
Effective utilisation of Geospatial Data for peer-to-peer communication among autonomous vehicles using Optimized Machine learning algorithm
Authors: Aruna T M , Kumar Piyush , Srini N N , Divyaraj G N , K Asha , Thirumalraj Arunadevi , E Naresh
Published: December 2023

The transportation infrastructure of the future will be based on autonomous vehicles. When it comes to transportation, both emerging and established nations are keen on perfecting systems based on autonomous vehicles. Transportation authorities in the United States report that driver error accounts for over 60% of all accidents each year. Almost everywhere in the world is the same. Since the idea of self-driving cars involves a fusion of hardware and software. Despite the rapid expansion of the software business and the widespread adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AI, ML, Data Science, Big Data, etc. However, the identification of natural disasters and the exchange of data between vehicles present the greatest hurdle to the development of autonomous vehicles. The suggested study primarily focused on data cleansing from the cars, allowing for seamless interaction amongst autonomous vehicles. This study's overarching goal is to look at creating a novel kind of Support Vector Machine kernel specifically for P2P networks. To meet the kernel constraints of Mercer's theorem, a newly proposed W-SVM (Weighted-SVM) kernel was produced by using an appropriately converted weight vector derived through hybrid optimization. It would be spectacular to combine the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) with the Elephant Herding Optimization (EHO) for hybridization, thanks to the former's strengths and the latter's talents. Combining the GWO algorithm with the EHO algorithm increases its convergence speed, as well as its exploitation and exploration performances. Therefore, a new hybrid optimization approach is proposed in this study for selecting weights in SVM optimally. When compared to other machine learning methods, the suggested model is shown to be superior in its ability to handle such issues and to produce optimal solutions.
Proliferating and migrating effects of regenerating sea anemone Aulactinia stella cells- derived exosomes on human skin fibroblasts
Authors: Jafari Nazanin , Afshar Alireza , Zare Afshin , Salehpour Aria , Hashemi Alireza , Zendehboudi Fatemeh , Farrar Zohreh , Mahdipour Mahdi , Khoradmehr Arezoo , Jahanfar Firouzeh , Mussin Nadiar M. , Kaliyev Asset A. , Sultangereyev Yerlan , Kameli Ali , Azari Hossein , Nabipour Iraj , Rahmanifar Farhad , Shirazi Reza , Zhilisbayeva Kulyash R. , Tamadon Amin
Published: December 2023

This study evaluated the possible regenerative effects of proliferating sea anemone cells-derived exosomes on human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF). Water-based extracts from sea anemone Aulactinia stella tissue 48 h after regeneration was collected. The sea anemone, species were wounded from the middle of the column and the exosomes were extracted from 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after wound induction. The extract and exosomes were separately analyzed on HFF using MTT for proliferation and in vitro wound healing for cell migration test. Additionally, an in-silico analysis was performed to investigate the protein-protein docking of regenerative Cnidarian exosomes protein contents with proliferation and migrations receptors present in HFF. The MTT showed extract or exosomes of sea anemone after 48 h of regeneration process had proliferation effects on HFF cells. At the cell migration test, both the extract and exosome had significant migratory effects on HFF cells after wound induction. Furthermore, our in-silico analysis identified potential binding affinities between the protein content of regenerative exosomes and receptors involved in HFF. Taken together, an optimized concentration of exosomes isolated from sea anemone A. stella could affect HFF regeneration and migration and accelerate wound healing in vitro.