bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transtibial amputelerde pozisyon hissi ile yürüyüş ve denge arasındaki ilişki
Authors: Baş Sevilay Seda , Anafaroğlu Külünkoğlu Bahar , Çerezci Duygu Senay
Published: April 2024

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, tek taraflı transtibial amputelerde gövde ve diz pozisyon hislerinin, yürüyüş parametreleri ve denge ile olan ilişkisinin incelenmesidir.  Yöntem: Bu kesitsel çalışmaya, tek taraflı transtibial amputasyon geçirmiş ve bağımsız yürüyebilen 18-65 yaş arası bireyler dahil edildi. Katılımcıların gövde ve diz pozisyon hisleri digital bir inklinometre ile, yürüyüşlerine ait zaman-mesafe parametreleri ve pelvik hareketlerine ait değişkenler yürüyüş sensörü ile, dinamik dengeleri ise 4 kare adım testi ile değerlendirildi.  Bulgular: Çalışmaya katılan bireylerin (22 E, 3 K) ortalama yaşları 43.32±13.75 yıl olarak kaydedildi. Katılımcıların ampute ve ampute olmayan diz pozisyon hislerinin arasında istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı fark bulundu. Ampute taraf diz eklem pozisyon hissi mutlak hatası ile ampute taraf pelvik internal/eksternal rotasyonu ve ampute olmayan taraf pelvik internal/eksternal rotasyonu  arasında negatif yönde orta dereceli korelasyon; ve gövde pozisyon hissi ile ampute taraf posterior pelvik tilt ve kadans arasında pozitif yönde orta derecede korelasyon, gövde pozisyon hissi ile ampute taraf pelvik eksternal rotasyon ve ampute olmayan taraf pelvik internal rotasyon arasında negatif yönde orta derecede korelasyon bulundu.  Sonuç: Ampute diz ve gövde pozisyon hissi ile yürüyüş parametreleri arasında ilişki tespit edildi. Bu ilişki yürüyüş deviasyonlarına, alt ekstremite ve gövdeye ait yapıların zorlanmasına ve bu yapılarda yaralanma riskinin ortaya çıkmasına neden olabilir. Ampute rehabilitasyon programlarına gövde ve diz eklem pozisyon hislerinin geliştirilmesine yönelik egzersizlerin eklenmesi bu riskleri azaltabilir.
Analisis Kelayakan Nasabah Dalam Pembiayaan Online Syariah Pada Aplikasi Berkah Fintek Syariah Surabaya
Authors: Amrullah A. Afif , Isâ€™adurrofiq Isâ€™adurrofiq
Published: April 2024

Artikel ini membahas mengenai praktik pinjam meminjam uang berbasis teknologi (financial technology) yang dilakukan secara online dan tidak mensyaratkan adanya agunan, praktik tersebut memungkinkan terjadinya kredit macet. Adapun hal tersebut dapat timbul dari faktor nasabah seperti tindakan secara sengaja untuk tidak membayar hutang ataupun karena faktor kesalahan pihak lembaga keuangan dan kurangnya ketelitian dari tim analisis. Maka dari itu perlu untuk dipahami pentingnya menganalisis kelayakan nasabah agar tidak terjadi lagi kredit macet atau risiko yang lainnya. Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk memberikan penjelasan bagaimana proses pengajuan pembiayaan pada aplikasi pinjaman kredit online Berkah Fintek Syariah Surabaya dan untuk mendapatkan kejelasan bagaimana penerapan kelayakan nasabah dalam pembiayaannya. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif. Dengan menggunakan dua sumber data, yaitu data primer (wawancara langsung) dan data sekunder (literatur buku-buku referensi) Dalam analisis data, penulis di sini menggunakan cara berpikir induktif yang berawal dari data dan informasi prosedur pengajuan pembiayaan dilanjutkan dengan menganalisis kelayakan nasabah dalam pemberian pembiayaan di aplikasi Berkah Fintek Syariah Surabaya. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa prosedur pemberian pembiayaan pada Aplikasi Berkah Fintek Syariah menggunakan 5 tahapan prosedur pembiayaan, yaitu proses pengajuan pembiayaan, proses analisis pengajuan pembiayaan, proses akad perjanjian, proses pencairan dana, dan pengembalian dana. Analisis kelayakan pembiayaan menggunakan metode 5C: Character, Capacity, Collateral, Capital dan Condition of Economy. Kelima metode tersebut digunakan dalam menganalisis kelayakan pembiayaan pada Aplikasi Berkah Fintek Syariah dengan mekanisme scoring by system.
Medical parole: Chinese experience and comparative legal analysis with Russian legislation
Authors: Myakhanova Aleksandra , Gunzinov Jargal , Skiba Andrey Petrovich
Published: April 2024

The article, based on the study of Chinese legislation and the explanations of the Supreme People’s Court of China, concludes that in fact the state of health of convicts is one of the grounds for their parole. This Chinese approach emphasizes the preventive importance of the institution of parole and seems justified, since it allows taking into account both the behavior of a convicted person to imprisonment and his state of health when deciding on his early release (in contrast to the Russian experience). A list of numerous diseases is given, in the presence of which in China it is possible to release convicts on parole for medical reasons.
Translocation of water and nutrients during growth and fructification of Agaricus bisporus
Authors:   , Herman Koen Clement
Published: April 2024

Fungi need water for all stages of life. In fact, mushrooms consist of 90 % of water. Fungi degrade organic matter by secreting enzymes. These enzymes need water to break down the substrate. For instance, when the substrate is too dry, fungi are known to transport water from moist areas to arid areas by hydraulic redistribution. Once nutrients are freed from the substrate, they are taken up by transporters lining the cell membrane. Thereby, an intracellular osmotic potential is created that is greater than that of the substrate, and water follows by osmosis. Aquaporins facilitate water uptake at cold temperatures. Since fungi possess a cell wall, the cell volume will not increase by water uptake, but the cytoplasm will exert higher pressure on the cell wall, thereby building up turgor. Fungi have tightly coordinated osmotic regulatory controls via the HOG pathway. When water is getting scarce, this pathway makes sure enough osmolytes are synthesized to allow sufficient water uptake for maintaining turgor homeostasis. The fungal network is interconnected and allows water flow when small pressure differences exist. These pressure differences can be the result of growth, differential osmolyte uptake/synthesis or external osmotic conditions. Overall, the water potential of the substrate and fungal tissues determine whether water will flow, since water flows from an area of high- to a low water potential area. In this review we aim to give a comprehensive view on how fungi obtain and translocate water needed for their development. We have taken Agaricus bisporus growing on compost and casing soil as a case study, to discuss water relations during fruiting in detail. Using the current state-of-the-art we found that there is a discrepancy between the models describing water transport to mushrooms and the story that water potentials tell us.
Petite proteins shaping cell membranes
Authors:   , el Mazouni Dounia
Published: April 2024

Membrane proteins play pivotal roles in diverse biological functions, including cell-cell communication and the formation and maintenance of specialized membrane structure. Despite advances in structural biology and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), challenges persist in studying small membrane proteins. This thesis focuses on tetraspanins, small membrane proteins crucial for organizing complex structures within cell membranes. From purification to structural analysis, the presented work provides fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms of tetraspanins and for future research and applications in the field of membrane protein structural biology.
Is Lack of Consensus on the Management of Chronic Active Antibody-Mediated Rejection Harming Renal Transplant Recipients?
Authors: Rostaing Lionel
Published: April 2024

In 2022, over 92,000 kidney transplants were performed globally. With advancements in transplant science, 1-year graft survival rates have reached 94.3% for deceased donor kidney transplant recipients, and 97.8% for living recipients. However, 5-year graft survival remains at 76.3% and 86.5%. Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is one of the most common causes of immune-related allograft rejection. Chronic active AMR (CABMR) typically develops 6–12 months post-transplant; 76% of kidney transplant recipients with CABMR experience graft loss 1.9 years after diagnosis. Despite these alarming figures, consensus guidelines on the management of post-transplant patients have not been updated with advancements in testing and protocol biopsies, and there is currently no consensus in Europe on CABMR management.
Prompting Change: ChatGPT’s Impact on Digital Humanities Pedagogy – A Case Study in Art History
Authors: Guo Qiuzi
Published: April 2024

This article explores the transformative impact of ChatGPT, a Generative Pre-trained Transformers model, on humanities methodologies and its integration into a digital humanities (DH) course. The advent of ChatGPT enhances the capacity of people without coding experience to acquire, process, analyse and interpret art historical data, fostering a unique blend of generative AI development and humanistic inquiries. The article presents pedagogical experiences in incorporating ChatGPT, into a digital humanities course, with a focus on learning prompt engineering, a vital skill in handling art historical data. The iterative process of crafting prompts, receiving responses and refining prompts again enables the model to generate custom solutions tailored to individual inquiries. The practices of processing and analysing data are no longer arcane, exclusive to certain fields; they open up new avenues for research hypotheses that go beyond traditional qualitative and quantitative methods. The article underscores the immense significance of the prompts we input for the tasks at hand and the continuous nature of refinement and improvement in AI.
Digital Humanities at the Service of Remembrance: The Creation of Digital Archive-based Activities within the Project ‘Remembering the Past, Learning for the Future’
Authors: Gombár Zsófia , Martins Cláudia , Ferro Maria João , Fernandes Ana Raquel , Szőnyi Andrea , Xavier Catarina , Komoly Gabriella , Mezei Mónika
Published: April 2024

This article explores the usage of testimonies in the Visual History Archive of the University of Southern California's Shoah Foundation to create learner-centred activities on the history of the Holocaust targeted at Portuguese students. We describe the project ‘Remembering the Past, Learning for the Future: Research-Based Digital Learning from Testimonies of Survivors and Rescuers of the Holocaust’, housed at the University of Lisbon Centre for English Studies (ULICES). Via the international partnership (USC Shoah Foundation, Zachor Foundation, and the University of Eötvös Loránd), the ULICES team developed materials using testimony from witnesses and survivors of the Holocaust through digital tools with an innovative pedagogical methodology. We introduce the constructivist theory of learning, stressing the powerful impact of survival testimonies on raising student awareness and developing a wide range of skills. We also describe the methodological process that underlay this project, namely the creation of the six learning activities for the IWitness educational platform and the IWalk visits, focusing on the translation tasks of the written materials and the audiovisual translation of the videos. We also report on how students received the activities by retrieving information from teachers’ and students’ reports, and an onsite experience with two groups of students.
Globalisation Occurred in Loch Craignish in 1720
Authors: Macinnes Allan I.
Published: April 2024

The arrival of a pirate ship in Loch Craignish in 1720 was an episodic occurrence, which introduced a local community in Argyllshire to the process of globalisation, a process marked by the transoceanic movements of people, goods and ideas. For literate Scots, the wider horizons of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries were opened up by novels, travel literature and newsprint. While reading material stimulated the mind and promoted discussion about matters of global interest, actual commodities from overseas variously engaged all the senses. Globalisation became an active rather than a passive experience. Sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste affected all, from the social, commercial and intellectual elites to the woman in the field and the man in the street in early modern Scotland. Nevertheless, public knowledge of where colonial commodities came from became distanced by time. A global awareness of place was retained in families and communities overtly engaged in mercantile and military adventuring, especially when accompanied by death whether through natural causes, misadventure or mortal combat. Illicit activities had a no less profound impact. Indeed, covert people trafficking, enslavement, smuggling, shipwrecking and piracy had a more local immediacy.
The torches’ songbook: representations of Honduran discontent in its protest music
Authors: Amador Valdez Darwin Ariel , Ketzer Umbach Rosani Úrsula
Published: April 2024

The 2009 coup d’état in Honduras marked the beginning of a period of ongoing social instability that persists to this day. Significant events have contributed to the current situation of the country: the presidential elections in 2013, the illegal reelection of Juan Hernández, the drug-trafficking-trial of “Tony” Hernández (the president’s brother) in the United States; and the recent extradition of the former president Juan Hernández. In this context, music becomes a weapon through which the people can protest and express their concerns, while also representing and creating a collective identity. This study focuses on the representations of this widespread discontent, which, over the years, has become more transparent and popularized through Honduran music. To achieve this, this article draws on the theories of Popular Culture, Popular Music, and Sociocritical Art.
A Needs Assessment of Mental Healthcare Among inmates in Madison County Jail: Recommendations for Improvement
Authors: Xin Huaibo , Bradley Denise J. , Humphrey Deborah L. , Alyson Siglock
Published: April 2024

The current study examined the inmates’ mental healthcare needs in local county jails in Madison County, Illinois and explored approaches for future improvement. It used a mixed method with both a quantitative descriptive study design and a qualitative case study design. Non-probability sampling was used to recruit study participants. Mental health screening data from 222 adult inmates at a local Madison County jail were included in the quantitative study, and 15 professionals working with Madison County’s criminal justice system participated in the qualitative case study to complete an online in-depth survey. Results indicated that at the initial screening, about 30.6% of inmates reported that they had a psychiatric history (n=68), and 69.4% did not think that they ever had a psychiatric history (n=154). However, at the second assessment, 50 (23%) more inmates showed psychiatric symptoms. Female inmates were more likely to report a psychiatric history than males (40% vs. 30%); inmates who were younger than 48 years old had a higher rate of psychiatric history than those at the age of 48 and above (43.7% vs. 33%); and Hispanic inmates had the highest rate of psychiatric history compared to other races (75.0%). Participants in the case study stated that there was a significant lack of mental healthcare services provided in diagnosis, treatment, and referral while a considerable proportion of jail inmates were suffering from serious mental illness. Recommendations were made for future improvement, such as strengthening partnerships with mental health professionals and agencies to ensure the adequate and prompt mental health services in jails; increasing facilities to host mentally ill inmates; improving the comprehensiveness and accuracy of mental health screening/assessment tools. The study advocated for structural/systemic changes and more innovative and evidence-based practice to address inmates’ mental health concerns.
The role of a complete clinical examination for the safety of wearing contact lenses for myopia control (literature review)
Authors: Makov I. N.
Published: April 2024

Introduction.In the light of E.S. Avetisov’s hereditary-physiological theory of the pathogenesis of myopia and works devoted to the infl uence of peripheral myopic and hyperopic defocus on refraction, it makes sense to consider myopia as a multifactorial disease, so patients with myopia should receive comprehensive monitoring and treatment from related specialists. However, in practice, the general somatic status of patients and the presence of concomitant diseases in them are often not studied.Purpose:to analyze literature data on the impact of patients’ comorbidities on their wearing of contact lenses, to assess potential risk factors in such patients, and to draw the attention of an ophthalmologist to the importance of a complete clinical examination. Materials and methods. An analysis was made of publications on such resources as Pubmed, eLibrary, Medline over the past 30 years. 43 literature sources were analyzed, of which 37 were published no later than 10 years.Results.The authors of these publications describe how taking drugs from the group of retinoids, the presence of allergic conjunctivitis, thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and the characteristics of the patient’s psycho-emotional state can infl uence the incidence of complications when using contact lenses.Conclusions.Taking into account numerous studies on the relationship between the progression of myopia and general somatic diseases, as well as the features of contact correction in childhood with comorbidities, we can say that a complete clinical examination of each patient is of high importance.
Case report: Cutaneous anthrax diagnosed using mNGS of a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sample
Authors: Zhang Jin , Hou Xin-Yi , Wang Jing-Yu , Lu Bin
Published: April 2024

The metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) method is preferred for genotyping useful for the identification of organisms, illumination of metabolic pathways, and determination of microbiota. It can accurately obtain all the nucleic acid information in the test sample. Anthrax is one of the most important zoonotic diseases, infecting mainly herbivores and occasionally humans. The disease has four typical clinical forms, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, inhalation, and injection, all of which may result in sepsis or meningitis, with cutaneous being the most common form. Here, we report a case of cutaneous anthrax diagnosed by mNGS in a butcher. Histopathology of a skin biopsy revealed PAS-positive bacilli. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sample was confirmed the diagnosis of anthrax by mNGS. He was cured with intravenous penicillin. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cutaneous anthrax diagnosed by mNGS using FFPE tissue. mNGS is useful for identifying pathogens that are difficult to diagnose with conventional methods, and FFPE samples are simple to manage. Compared with traditional bacterial culture, which is difficult to cultivate and takes a long time, mNGS can quickly and accurately help us diagnose anthrax, so that anthrax can be controlled in a timely manner and prevent the outbreak of epidemic events.
Biomechanics-mediated endocytosis in atherosclerosis
Authors: Wang Jinxuan , Xu Jianxiong , Liu Tianhu , Yu Chaoping , Xu Fengcheng , Wang Guixue , Li Shun , Dai Xiaozhen
Published: April 2024

Biomechanical forces, including vascular shear stress, cyclic stretching, and extracellular matrix stiffness, which influence mechanosensitive channels in the plasma membrane, determine cell function in atherosclerosis. Being highly associated with the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, endocytosis is the key point in molecule and macromolecule trafficking, which plays an important role in lipid transportation. The process of endocytosis relies on the mobility and tension of the plasma membrane, which is sensitive to biomechanical forces. Several studies have advanced the signal transduction between endocytosis and biomechanics to elaborate the developmental role of atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, increased plaque growth also results in changes in the structure, composition and morphology of the coronary artery that contribute to the alteration of arterial biomechanics. These cross-links of biomechanics and endocytosis in atherosclerotic plaques play an important role in cell function, such as cell phenotype switching, foam cell formation, and lipoprotein transportation. We propose that biomechanical force activates the endocytosis of vascular cells and plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis.
Application of machine learning to predict unbound drug bioavailability in the brain
Authors: Morales J. Francisco , Ruiz M. Esperanza , Stratford Robert E. , Talevi Alan
Published: April 2024

Purpose: Optimizing brain bioavailability is highly relevant for the development of drugs targeting the central nervous system. Several pharmacokinetic parameters have been used for measuring drug bioavailability in the brain. The most biorelevant among them is possibly the unbound brain-to-plasma partition coefficient, Kpuu,brain,ss, which relates unbound brain and plasma drug concentrations under steady-state conditions. In this study, we developed new in silico models to predict Kpuu,brain,ss.

Methods: A manually curated 157-compound dataset was compiled from literature and split into training and test sets using a clustering approach. Additional models were trained with a refined dataset generated by removing known P-gp and/or Breast Cancer Resistance Protein substrates from the original dataset. Different supervised machine learning algorithms have been tested, including Support Vector Machine, Gradient Boosting Machine, k-nearest neighbors, classificatory Partial Least Squares, Random Forest, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Deep Learning and Linear Discriminant Analysis. Good practices of predictive Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships modeling were followed for the development of the models.

Results: The best performance in the complete dataset was achieved by extreme gradient boosting, with an accuracy in the test set of 85.1%. A similar estimation of accuracy was observed in a prospective validation experiment, using a small sample of compounds and comparing predicted unbound brain bioavailability with observed experimental data.

Conclusion: New in silico models were developed to predict the Kpuu,brain,ss of drug candidates. The dataset used in this study is publicly disclosed, so that the models may be reproduced, refined, or expanded, as a useful tool to assist drug discovery processes.
Association between nomophobia and learning performance among undergraduate students: the mediating role of depression and anxiety
Authors: Abukhanova Azhar , Almukhambetova Bibigul , Mamekova Assem , Spatay Aygul , Danikeyeva Aigul
Published: April 2024

Background

There is a gap in the existing literature concerning the connection between nomophobia and diminished academic performance, potentially influenced by anxiety and depression. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between undergraduate students’ nomophobia and learning outcomes, and whether depression and/or anxiety mediate this potential link.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed. Nomophobia, anxiety, and depression were measured in 307 undergraduate students using validated self-report questionnaires. Learning performance was assessed based on participants’ grade point averages. Correlation analysis and mediation analysis were conducted to test the hypotheses.

Results

The Pearson correlation analysis and multiple parallel mediation modeling suggest that anxiety plays a significant role as a causal pathway through which nomophobic behavior leads to lower grades among university students compared to their less anxious peers. Depression had no significant mediation effect.

Conclusion

The findings support the notion that nomophobia is linked to poor academic achievement. The detrimental impact of nomophobia on learning performance appears to be more closely tied to anxiety rather than depression. This research contributes to the understanding of the complex interplay between technology use, psychological well-being, and educational outcomes in the higher education context. The study’s implications include the validation of the measurement scales in a non-English population and the recognition of the influence of technology on mental health and academic outcomes.
Prediction of glycosylated hemoglobin level in patients with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus with respect to anti-diabetic medication
Authors: Ikramov Alisher , Mukhtarova Shakhnoza , Trigulova Raisa , Alimova Dilnoza , Abdullaeva Saodat
Published: April 2024

Blood glycosylated hemoglobin level can be affected by various factors in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Frequent measurements are expensive, and a suitable estimation method could improve treatment outcomes.

Patients and methods

93 patients were recruited in this research. We analyzed a number of parameters such as age, glucose level, blood pressure, Body Mass Index, cholesterol level, echocardiography et al. Patients were prescribed metformin. One group (n=60) additionally was taking sitagliptin. We applied eight machine learning methods (k nearest neighbors, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Extra Trees, XGBoost, Linear Regression including Lasso, and ElasticNet) to predict exact values of glycosylated hemoglobin in two years.

Results

We applied a feature selection approach using step-by-step removal of them, Linear Regression on remaining features, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient on the validation set. As a result, we got four different subsets for each group. We compared all eight Machine Learning methods using different hyperparameters on validation sets and chose the best models. We tested the best models on the external testing set and got R2 = 0.88, C Index = 0.857, Accuracy = 0.846, and MAE (Mean Absolute Error) = 0.65 for the first group, R2 = 0.86, C Index = 0.80, Accuracy = 0.75, and MAE = 0.41 for the second group.

Conclusion

The resulting algorithms could be used to assist clinical decision-making on prescribing anti-diabetic medications in pursuit of achieving glycemic control.
Stigma associated with genetic testing for rare diseases—causes and recommendations
Authors: Baynam Gareth , Gomez Roy , Jain Ritu
Published: April 2024

Rare disease (RD) is a term used to describe numerous, heterogeneous diseases that are geographically disparate. Approximately 400 million people worldwide live with an RD equating to roughly 1 in 10 people, with 71.9% of RDs having a genetic origin. RDs present a distinctive set of challenges to people living with rare diseases (PLWRDs), their families, healthcare professionals (HCPs), healthcare system, and societies at large. The possibility of inheriting a genetic disease has a substantial social and psychological impact on affected families. In addition to other concerns, PLWRDs and their families may feel stigmatized, experience guilt, feel blamed, and stress about passing the disease to future generations. Stigma can affect all stages of the journey of PLWRDs and their families, from pre-diagnosis to treatment access, care and support, and compliance. It adversely impacts the quality of life of RD patients. To better explore the impact of stigma associated with genetic testing for RDs, we conducted a literature search on PubMed and Embase databases to identify articles published on stigma and RDs from January 2013 to February 2023. There is a dearth of literature investigating the dynamics of stigma and RD genetic testing. The authors observed that the research into the implications of stigma for patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and potential interventions is limited. Herein, the authors present a review of published literature on stigma with a focus on RD genetic testing, the associated challenges, and possible ways to address these.
Therapeutic potential of interleukin-21 in cancer
Authors: Isvoranu Gheorghita , Chiritoiu-Butnaru Marioara
Published: April 2024

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is an immunostimulatory cytokine which belongs to the common gamma-chain family of cytokines. It plays an import role in the development, differentiation, proliferation, and activation of immune cells, in particular T and natural killer (NK) cells. Since its discovery in 2000, IL-21 has been shown to regulate both adaptive and immune responses associates with key role in antiviral and antitumor responses. Recent advances indicate IL-21 as a promising target for cancer treatment and encouraging results were obtained in preclinical studies which investigated the potency of IL-21 alone or in combination with other therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitory molecules, oncolytic virotherapy, and adoptive cell transfer. Furthermore, IL-21 showed antitumor effects in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, with minimal side effects in several clinical trials. In the present review, we will outline the recent progress in IL-21 research, highlighting the potential of IL-21 based therapy as single agent or in combination with other drugs to enhance cancer treatment efficiency.
Low dose aspirin prevents endothelial dysfunction in the aorta and foetal loss in pregnant mice infected with influenza A virus
Authors: Coward-Smith Madison , Liong Stella , Oseghale Osezua , Erlich Jonathan R. , Miles Mark A. , Liong Felicia , Brassington Kurt , Bozinovski Steven , Vlahos Ross , Brooks Robert D. , Brooks Doug A. , O’Leary John J. , Selemidis Stavros
Published: April 2024

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection in pregnancy resembles a preeclamptic phenotype characterised by vascular dysfunction and foetal growth retardation. Given that low dose aspirin (ASA) is safe in pregnancy and is used to prevent preeclampsia, we investigated whether ASA or NO-conjugated aspirin, NCX4016, resolve vascular inflammation and function to improve offspring outcomes following IAV infection in pregnant mice. Pregnant mice were intranasally infected with a mouse adapted IAV strain (Hkx31; 104 plaque forming units) and received daily treatments with either 200µg/kg ASA or NCX4016 via oral gavage. Mice were then culled and the maternal lungs and aortas collected for qPCR analysis, and wire myography was performed on aortic rings to assess endothelial and vascular smooth muscle functionality. Pup and placentas were weighed and pup growth rates and survival assessed. IAV infected mice had an impaired endothelial dependent relaxation response to ACh in the aorta, which was prevented by ASA and NCX4016 treatment. ASA and NCX4016 treatment prevented IAV dissemination and inflammation of the aorta as well as improving the pup placental ratios in utero, survival and growth rates at post-natal day 5. Low dose ASA is safe to use during pregnancy for preeclampsia and this study demonstrates that ASA may prove a promising treatment for averting the significant vascular complications associated with influenza infection during pregnancy.
Navigating uncertain distribution problem: a new approach for resolution optimization of transportation with several objectives under uncertainty
Authors: Joshi Vishwas Deep , Sharma Medha , Kumar Ajay , Cepova Lenka , Kumar Rakesh , Dogra Namrata
Published: April 2024

Amidst uncertainty, decision-making in manufacturing becomes a central focus due to its complexity. This study explores complex transportation constraints and uses novel ways to guide manufacturers. The Multi-objective Stochastic Linear Fractional Transportation Problem (MOSLFTP) is a crucial tool for managing supply chains, manufacturing operations, energy distribution, emergency routes, healthcare logistics, and other related areas. It adeptly addresses uncertainty, transforming efficiency and effectiveness in several domains. Stochastic programming is the process of converting theoretical probabilities into concrete certainties. The artistic compromise programming technique acts as a proficient mediator, reconciling opposing objectives and enabling equitable decision-making. This novel approach also addresses the Multi-objective Stochastic Linear plus Linear Fractional Transportation Problem (MOSLPLFTP), which involves two interconnected issues. The effectiveness of these principles is clearly shown with the help of the LINGO® 18 optimization solver. This study uses a ranking method to compare the similar methods to solve the current problems. A meticulously designed example acts as a significant achievement, shedding light on our method in a practical setting. It serves as a distinctive instrument, leading manufacturers through the maze of uncertainty and assisting them in determining the most advantageous course of action. This journey involves subtle interactions between complexity and simplicity, uncertainty is overcome by decisiveness, and invention is predominant.
Toward a new personalized psycho-social approach for the support of prostate cancer and their caregivers dyads: a pilot study
Authors: Cincidda Clizia , Pizzoli Silvia Francesca Maria , Oliveri Serena , Guiddi Paolo , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Prostate cancer patients (PCP) often struggle with a significant emotional, physical, and social burden during the care-flow pathway. Noteworthy, PCP should not be considered a standalone patient, but someone who is connected with a relevant social environment and that is usually supported by a beloved one, the caregiver. The involvement of the caregivers through the care pathway might bring significant benefits both on the psychological and the treatment and decision-making side. The present pilot study aimed at preliminarily assessing quantitatively the psychological impact of a prostate cancer diagnosis on the degree of agreement of PCPs and their caregivers on medical decisions, coping resources and psychological distress levels.

Methods

16 PCP and their caregivers were enrolled in the study and fulfilled a battery of standardized questionnaires.

Results

Results showed low concordance in decision making styles and preferences in patients and their caregivers and that the dyads showed similar depression symptoms levels. Relevant features of the psychological needs of the analyzed dyads, such as need for information and support, also emerged.

Conclusion

On the basis of these preliminary results, guidelines for the construction of tailored brief psychological support interventions for PCP dyads are provided.
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease: historical overview and potential gaps
Authors: Pineda Carlos , Sandoval Hugo , Pérez-Neri Iván , Soto-Fajardo Carina , Carranza-Enríquez Fabián
Published: April 2024

CPPD disease can affect patients’ quality of life through its various clinical presentations. This mini-review discusses the evolution of CPPD from its discovery to current knowledge of its pathogenesis, genetic associations, diagnostics, and treatment options. Despite extensive research, the exact mechanisms of CPPD are not well understood, and there is a notable lack of knowledge about psychosocial impacts and patient experiences. This study aims to present a CPPD Disease Timeline identifying gaps in current knowledge and potential directions for future research. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of CPPD disease and emphasize the importance of continued research and innovation in this field.
Elucidating the mechanism of corneal epithelial cell repair: unraveling the impact of growth factors
Authors: Gong Jinjin , Ding Gang , Hao Zhongkai , Li Yuchun , Deng Aijun , Zhang Chenming
Published: April 2024

The repair mechanism for corneal epithelial cell injuries encompasses migration, proliferation, and differentiation of corneal epithelial cells, and extracellular matrix remodeling of the stromal structural integrity. Furthermore, it involves the consequential impact of corneal limbal stem cells (LSCs). In recent years, as our comprehension of the mediating mechanisms underlying corneal epithelial injury repair has advanced, it has become increasingly apparent that growth factors play a pivotal role in this intricate process. These growth factors actively contribute to the restoration of corneal epithelial injuries by orchestrating responses and facilitating specific interactions at targeted sites. This article systematically summarizes the role of growth factors in corneal epithelial cell injury repair by searching relevant literature in recent years, and explores the limitations of current literature search, providing a certain scientific basis for subsequent basic research and clinical applications.
Bioinformatics-driven identification of prognostic biomarkers in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Verma Varinder Madhav , Puri Sanjeev , Puri Veena
Published: April 2024

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), particularly the clear cell subtype (ccRCC), poses a significant global health concern due to its increasing prevalence and resistance to conventional therapies. Early detection of ccRCC remains challenging, resulting in poor patient survival rates. In this study, we employed a bioinformatic approach to identify potential prognostic biomarkers for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). By analyzing RNA sequencing data from the TCGA-KIRC project, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with ccRCC were identified. Pathway analysis utilizing the Qiagen Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) tool elucidated key pathways and genes involved in ccRCC dysregulation. Prognostic value assessment was conducted through survival analysis, including Cox univariate proportional hazards (PH) modeling and Kaplan–Meier plotting. This analysis unveiled several promising biomarkers, such as MMP9, PIK3R6, IFNG, and PGF, exhibiting significant associations with overall survival and relapse-free survival in ccRCC patients. Cox multivariate PH analysis, considering gene expression and age at diagnosis, further confirmed the prognostic potential of MMP9, IFNG, and PGF genes. These findings enhance our understanding of ccRCC and provide valuable insights into potential prognostic biomarkers that can aid healthcare professionals in risk stratification and treatment decision-making. The study also establishes a foundation for future research, validation, and clinical translation of the identified prognostic biomarkers, paving the way for personalized approaches in the management of KIRC.
Total sleep deprivation alters spontaneous brain activity in medical staff during routine clinical work: a resting-state functional MR imaging study
Authors: Peng Cong , Guo Dingbo , Liu Liuheng , Xiao Dongling , Nie Lisha , Liang Huilou , Guo Dajing , Yang Hua
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To assess the effect of total sleep deprivation (TSD) on spontaneous brain activity in medical staff during routine clinical practice.

Methods

A total of 36 medical staff members underwent resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) scans and neuropsychological tests twice, corresponding to rested wakefulness (RW) after normal sleep and 24 h of acute TSD. The rs-fMRI features, including the mean fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (mfALFF), z-score transformed regional homogeneity (zReHo), and functional connectivity (zFC), were compared between RW and TSD. Correlation coefficients between the change in altered rs-fMRI features and the change in altered scores of neuropsychological tests after TSD were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of significantly altered rs-fMRI features in distinguishing between RW and TSD states.

Results

Brain regions, including right superior temporal gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, left medial superior frontal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, right precentral gyrus, and left precuneus, showed significantly enhanced rs-fMRI features (mfALFF, zReHo, zFC) after TSD. Moreover, the changes in altered rs-fMRI features of the right superior temporal gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and left precuneus were significantly correlated with the changes in several altered scores of neuropsychological tests. The combination of mfALFF (bilateral postcentral gyrus) and zFC (left medial superior frontal gyrus and left precuneus) showed the highest area under the curve (0.870) in distinguishing RW from TSD.

Conclusion

Spontaneous brain activity alterations occurred after TSD in routine clinical practice, which might explain the reduced performances of these participants in neurocognitive tests after TSD. These alterations might be potential imaging biomarkers for assessing the impact of TSD and distinguishing between RW and TSD states.
Effect of docosahexaenoic acid and olive oil supplementation on pup weight in alcohol-exposed pregnant rats
Authors: Yadav Deepak , Ostrea Enrique M. , Cheng Charlie T. , Kisseih Esther , Maddipati Krishna R. , Thomas Ronald L.
Published: April 2024

Background

Low birth weight has been observed in offspring of alcoholic mothers due likely to unresolved inflammation and oxidative injury. Dietary lipids play a role in inflammation and its resolution. The primary objective was to investigate the effect of DHA and olive oil on the birth weight of pups born to alcohol-exposed dams.

Methods

Pregnant rats were randomized to the control or three treatment (alcohol) groups. From gestational days (GD) 8–19, the control group received daily olive oil and malto/dextrose, whereas groups 2 and 3 received olive oil and low-dose alcohol or high-dose alcohol, respectively. Group 4 received daily DHA and high-dose alcohol. The dam's blood was collected on GD 15 and 20 for cytokine analysis. Dams were sacrificed on GD 20. The mean birth weight of pups was compared by one-way ANOVA with post hoc Duncan's test.

Results

There was a significant increase in the pups' mean birth weight in the high-dose alcohol/DHA and high-dose alcohol/olive oil. Higher pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-12p70) were noted in the alcohol-exposed dams.

Conclusions

DHA and olive oil supplementation in alcohol-exposed pregnant rats significantly increased their pups' birth weight despite having high pro-inflammatory cytokines. The mechanism of this effect remains to be determined.
Transcriptional and functional predictors of potato virus Y-induced tuber necrosis in potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Authors: Manasseh Richard , Sathuvalli Vidyasagar , Pappu Hanu R.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), the fourth most important food crop in the world, is affected by several viral pathogens with potato virus Y (PVY) having the greatest economic impact. At least nine biologically distinct variants of PVY are known to infect potato. These include the relatively new recombinant types named PVY-NTN and PVYN-Wi, which induce tuber necrosis in susceptible cultivars. To date, the molecular plant-virus interactions underlying this pathogenicity have not been fully characterized. We hypothesized that this necrotic behavior is supported by transcriptional and functional signatures that are unique to PVY-NTN and PVYN-Wi.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, transcriptional responses of cv. Russet Burbank, a PVY susceptible cultivar, to three PVY strains PVY-O, PVY-NTN, and PVYN-Wi were studied using mRNA-Seq. A haploid-resolved genome assembly for tetraploid potato was used for bioinformatics analysis.

Results

The study revealed 36 GO terms and nine KEGG 24 pathways that overlapped across the three PVY strains, making them generic features of PVY susceptibility in potato. Ten GO terms and three KEGG pathways enriched for PVY-NTN and PVYN-Wi only, which made them candidate functional signatures associated with PVY-induced tuber necrosis in potato. In addition, five other pathways were enriched for PVYNTN or PVYN-Wi. One carbon pool by folate was enriched exclusively in response to PVY-NTN infection; PVYN-Wi infection specifically impacted cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, and monoterpenoid biosynthesis.

Discussion

Results suggest that PVYN-Wi-induced necrosis may be mechanistically distinguishable from that of PVY-NTN. Our study provides a basis for understanding the mechanism underlying the development of PVY-induced tuber necrosis in potato.
The concrete processing of Chinese action metaphors: an ERP study
Authors: Zhang Yuqing , Chen Shifa , Peng Yule , Yang Xin
Published: April 2024

The present research adopts ERP (Event-Related Potentials) technology to investigate whether there exists a concreteness effect in the processing of Chinese action verbs within metaphorical context. The mean amplitudes of N400 activated by action metaphors were compared with those activated by literal verbs and abstract verbs. The findings indicated that the Met verbs evoked a significantly larger N400 response at frontal brain region compared to the Abs verbs at a time window 200–500 ms, while the Met verbs elicited a notably greater N400 amplitude specifically at the posterior brain region in comparison to the Lit verbs at 300–500 ms time window. These results may be interpreted as indicating that the comprehension of the Met verbs is based on the concrete action semantics.
Projecting trends in the disease burden of adult edentulism in China between 2020 and 2030: a systematic study based on the global burden of disease
Authors: Qin Xiaofeng , Chen Li , Yuan Xihua , Lin Dan , Liu Qiulin , Zeng Xiaojuan , Ma Fei
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study was based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database and aimed to analyze the trend of disease burden for complete edentulism in Chinese adults between 1990 and 2030, and to provide valuable information for the development of more effective management and preventive measures.

Methods

Data on Chinese adults with complete edentulism from 1990 to 2019 was analyzed using GHDx data. Descriptive analyses were used to analyze changes in the prevalence and burden of complete edentulism, gender and age distribution between 1990 and 2019. In addition, we used an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to predict the trend of disease burden for Chinese adults with complete edentulism between 2020 and 2030.

Results

The incidence, prevalence, and rate of YLDs in adults with complete edentulism in China showed an increasing trend from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, the incidence was 251.20 per 100,000, the prevalence was 4512.78 per 100,000, and the YLDs were 123.44 per 100,000, marking increases of 20.58, 94.18, and 93.12% from 1990. Males experienced a higher increase than females. However, the standardized rates decreased over the same period. The ARIMA model predicts a subsequent upward and then downward trend for all indicators between 2019 and 2030, except for the standardized incidence rate which remained essentially unchanged. Specifically, the incidence is predicted to decrease from 388.93 to 314.40 per 100,000, prevalence from 4512.78 to 3049.70 per 100,000, and YLDs from 123.44 to 103.44 per 100,000. The standardized prevalence and YLDs rates are also expected to decrease.

Conclusion

The burden of complete edentulism in China is projected to show an increasing trend from 2020 to 2022 and a decreasing trend from 2023 to 2030. Despite the decline in the burden of disease associated with complete edentulism in China, many problems remain to be solved.