bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Children are precious cargo; we don’t let them take any risks!”: Hearing from adults on safety and risk in children’s active play in schools: a systematic review
Authors: Jerebine Alethea , Fitton-Davies Katie , Lander Natalie , Eyre Emma L. J. , Duncan Michael J. , Barnett Lisa M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Understanding determinants of children’s outdoor play is important for improving low physical activity levels, and schools are a key setting for both. Safety concerns shape children’s opportunity to play actively outdoors, therefore, this qualitative evidence synthesis aimed to i) examine adult (e.g., parent, teacher, yard supervisor, principal) perspectives on safety and risk in children’s active play during recess in elementary and/or middle schools, and ii) identify how safety and risk influence playground supervision and decision making in this setting.

Methods

Six electronic databases were systematically searched in March 2021, with an updated search in June 2022. Records were screened against eligibility criteria using Covidence software, and data extraction and synthesis were performed using predesigned coding forms in Microsoft Excel and NVivo. Framework synthesis methodology was employed, guided by a conceptual framework structured on the socio-ecological model (SEM) and affordance theory.

Results

From 10,370 records, 25 studies were included that represented 608 adults across 89 schools from nine countries. The synthesis identified 10 constraining and four affording factors that influenced whether school staff were risk-averse or risk tolerant during recess, and, in turn, the degree to which children’s play was managed. Constraining factors stemmed from fears for children’s physical safety, and fear of blame and liability in the event of playground injury, which shaped parent, school staff and institutional responses to risk. Interrelated factors across SEM levels combined to drive risk-averse decision making and constraining supervision. Emerging evidence suggests children’s active play in schools can be promoted by fostering a risk tolerant and play friendly culture in schools through play facilitation training (e.g., risk-reframing, conflict resolution) and engaging stakeholders in the development of school policies and rules that balance benefits of play against potential risks.

Conclusions

Findings show several socio-cultural factors limited the ability of school staff to genuinely promote active play. Future work should seek to foster risk tolerance in schools, challenge the cultural norms that shape parent attitudes and institutional responses to risk in children’s play, and explore novel methods for overcoming policy barriers and fear of liability in schools.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration: CRD42021238719.
Strengthening implementation of diet-related non-communicable disease prevention strategies in Fiji: a qualitative policy landscape analysis
Authors: Mounsey Sarah , Waqa Gade , McKenzie Briar , Reeve Erica , Webster Jacqui , Bell Colin , Thow Anne Marie
Published: September 2022

Background

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a comprehensive policy package for their prevention and control. However, implementing robust, best-practice policies remains a global challenge. In Fiji, despite political commitment to reducing the health and economic costs of NCDs, prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease remain the highest in the region. The objective of this study was to describe the political and policy context for preventing diet-related NCDs in Fiji and policy alignment with WHO recommendations and global targets. We used a case study methodology and conducted (1) semi-structured key informant interviews with stakeholders relevant to diet-related NCD policy in Fiji (n = 18), (2) documentary policy analysis using policy theoretical frameworks (n = 11), (3) documentary stakeholder analysis (n = 7), and (4) corporate political activity analysis of Fiji’s food and beverage industry (n = 12). Data were sourced through publicly available documents on government websites, internet searches and via in-country colleagues and analysed thematically.

Results

Opportunities to strengthen and scale-up NCD policies in Fiji in line with WHO recommendations included (1) strengthening multisectoral policy engagement, (2) ensuring a nutrition- and health-in-all policy approach, (3) using a whole-of-society approach to tighten political action across sectors, and (4) identifying and countering food industry influence.

Conclusion

Diet-related NCD policy in Fiji will be strengthened with clearly defined partner roles, responsibilities and accountability mechanisms, clear budget allocation and strong institutional governance structures that can support and counter industry influence. Such initiatives will be needed to reduce the NCD burden in Fiji.
Effect of baby food marketing exposure on infant and young child feeding regimes in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Cetthakrikul Nisachol , Kelly Matthew , Baker Phillip , Banwell Cathy , Smith Julie
Published: September 2022

Background

Baby food marketing undermines breastfeeding by influencing women’s attitudes and decision-making favourably toward commercial baby food. This study aimed to explore the effects of various baby food marketing techniques on Thai mothers’ opinions about commercial milk formulas (CMF) and commercial complementary foods (CCF) and their infant and young child feeding behaviours.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional survey employing the World Health Organization (WHO) NetCode Toolkit Protocol for Periodic Assessment, and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey to collect data on mothers’ experience with and their opinion on the various types of marketing of CMF and CCF, and their feeding behaviour. Data collection used structured interviews of mothers with children aged two years or below attending 33 health facilities in Bangkok. Univariable and multivariable regression analysis then investigated links between mothers’ reported exposure to baby food marketing and their infant and young child feeding behaviours, employing a semantic scale and considering key sociodemographic and other variables.

Results

Three hundred and thirty mothers were surveyed in Bangkok. Around 90% reported experiencing exposure to at least one type of baby food marketing during the previous six months, mostly from electronic media. More than half of the women had positive opinions of CMF. Virtually all children had been breastfed initially, but 74.6% were given CMF and 72.8% stopped breastfeeding before six months. Multivariable analysis showed that mothers who lived in a couple were significantly less likely to favour CMF, and mothers in middle-income households and those who had received advice about CMF from others were more likely to have a favourable opinion. Mothers in formal employment were over six times more likely to feed formula than those not in employment. Women who experienced baby food marketing at health facilities were four times more likely to feed CMF to their children than those not experiencing such marketing.

Conclusions

Specific types of baby food marketing were strongly linked to mothers’ opinions on and use of CMF in Bangkok, Thailand. It is recommended that breastfeeding policies in health facilities and employment are fully implemented and enforced.
Do older surgeons have safer hands? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rizzo Victoria , Caruana Edward J. , Freystaetter Kathrin , Parry Gareth , Clark Stephen C.
Published: September 2022

Background

For complex surgical procedures a volume-outcome relationship can often be demonstrated implicating multiple factors at a unit and surgeon specific level. This study aims to investigate this phenomenon in lung transplantation over a 30-year period with particular reference to surgeon age and experience, cumulative unit activity and time/day of transplant.

Methods

Prospective databases identified adult patients undergoing isolated lung transplantation at a single UK centre between June 1987 and October 2017. Mortality data was acquired from NHS Spine. Individual surgeon demographics were obtained from the General Medical Council. Student t-test, Pearson’s Chi-squared, Logistic Regression, and Kaplan–Meier Survival analyses were performed using Analyse-it package for MicrosoftExcel and STATA/IC.

Results

954 transplants (55.9% male, age 44.4 ± 13.8 years, 67.9% bilateral lung) were performed, with a median survival to follow-up of 4.37 years. There was no difference in survival by recipient gender (p = 0.661), between individual surgeons (p = 0.224), or between weekday/weekend procedures (p = 0.327).

Increasing centre experience with lung transplantation (OR1.001, 95%CI: 1.000–1.001, p = 0.03) and successive calendar years (OR1.028, 95%CI: 1.005–1.052, p = 0.017) was associated with improved 5-year survival.

Advancing surgeon age at the time of transplant (mean, 48.8 ± 6.6 years) was associated with improved 30-day survival (OR1.062, 95%CI: 1.019 to1.106, p = 0.003), which persisted 5 years post-transplant (OR1.043, 95%CI: 1.014–1.073, p = 0.003).

Individual surgeon experience, measured by the number of previous lung transplants performed, showed a trend towards improved outcomes at 30 days (p = 0.0413) with no difference in 5-year survival (p = 0.192).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates a relationship between unit volume, increasing surgeon age and survival after lung transplantation. A transplant volume: outcome relationship was not seen for individual surgeons.
Prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling of a paternally inherited microduplication 18q11.1 to 18q11.2 in a chinese family
Authors: Chen Juan , Zhang Ying , Zhang Mingxi
Published: September 2022

Background

Copy number variants are a substantial source of pathogenic or normal genome variations. Chromosomal imbalances of several megabasepair are normally harmful for the affected person. Still, rarely reported are so-called “unbalanced chromosome abnormalities” (UBCAs), which are either losses or gains or equally large genomic regions, but the carrier is only minimally clinically affected even no clinically affected. The knowledge of such UBCAs is imperative also in noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or chromosomal microarray analysis.

Case presentation

A paternally inherited dup(18)(q11.1q11.2) was identified in a over two generations in a Chinese family. The affected region encompasses 25 genes, among which GATA6 is expressed in fetal endothelial cells and mesodermal cells. GATA6 duplications and /or mutations have been seen in cases with congenital heart disease but also non-affected individuals, suggesting incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity.

Conclusions

Duplications in the region of chromosome 18q11 have been rare reported previously in clinically healthy persons. Here a further family with an UBCA in 18q11 is added to the literature, suggesting a careful genetic counselling in prenatal diagnosis.
The role of LINC01419 in regulating the cell stemness in lung adenocarcinoma through recruiting EZH2 and regulating FBP1 expression
Authors: Chen Zhao , Tang Weijian , Zhou Yuhan , He Zhengfu
Published: September 2022

Background

Recent years have witnessed a growing academic interest in the effects of lncRNAs on tumors. LINC01419 is found to facilitate proliferation and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells, but there is a great deal of uncertainty about how LINC01419 works on LUAD cell stemness. For this reason, the focus of this research is centered on the regulatory impact of LINC01419 on LUAD cell stemness.

Methods

For the detection of the expression level of LINC01419 in LUAD, qRT-PCR was performed. And how oe-LINC01419 and sh-LINC01419 affected LUAD cell proliferation as well as stem cell sphere-formation were examined by CCK-8 and cell sphere-forming assays. In addition, whether LINC01419 could recruit EZH2 and regulate FBP1 expression were determined by bioinformatics analysis, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Western blot was utilized to detect the protein expression levels of FBP1, CD44, CD133, and ALDH-1 as well.

Results

On the basis of the findings from those assays, an up-regulation of LINC01419 level was demonstrated in LUAD cell lines, and a remarkable upregulation of it in CD44 + LUAD cells. In LUAD cells, proliferation and stem cell sphere-formation that were attenuated by LINC01419 knockdown were discovered to be facilitated by LINC01419 overexpression. And a binding relationship between LINC01419 and EZH2 was determined by RIP assay. Besides, EZH2 was capable of binding to FBP1 promoter region, as found by ChIP-PCR assay. Finally, it was demonstrated by in vitro experiments that LINC01419 could inhibit FBP1 expression by recruiting EZH2, resulting in promotion of LUAD cell proliferation and stemness.

Significance

To summarize, our findings demonstrate a cancer-promoting role of LINC01419 in LUAD. LINC01419, by recruiting EZH2 and regulating FBP1 expression, contributes to LUAD cell stemness. According to these findings, the potential of LINC01419 to be the target for LUAD treatment is hence determined, which also adds more possibility to the enrichment of therapeutic strategies for lung cancer stem cells.
Dersimelagon, a novel oral melanocortin 1 receptor agonist, demonstrates disease-modifying effects in preclinical models of systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kondo Masahiro , Suzuki Tsuyoshi , Kawano Yuko , Kojima Shinji , Miyashiro Masahiko , Matsumoto Atsuhiro , Kania Gabriela , Błyszczuk Przemysław , Ross Rebecca L. , Mulipa Panji , Del Galdo Francesco , Zhang Yun , Distler Jörg H. W.
Published: September 2022

Background

Activation of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is known to exert broad anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of dersimelagon, a novel oral MC1R agonist, as a therapeutic agent for systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

The effects of dersimelagon phosphoric acid (MT-7117) on skin fibrosis and lung inflammation were evaluated in bleomycin (BLM)-induced SSc murine models that were optimized for prophylactic and therapeutic evaluation. Microarray-based gene expression analysis and serum protein profiling were performed in the BLM-induced SSc models. The effect of MT-7117 on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced activation of human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated in vitro. Immunohistochemical analyses of MC1R expression in the skin of SSc patients were performed.

Results

Prophylactic treatment with MT-7117 (≥ 0.3 mg/kg/day p.o.) significantly inhibited skin fibrosis and lung inflammation, and therapeutic treatment with MT-7117 (≥ 3 mg/kg/day p.o.) significantly suppressed the development of skin fibrosis in the BLM-induced SSc models. Gene array analysis demonstrated that MT-7117 exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via suppression of the activation of inflammatory cells and inflammation-related signals; additionally, vascular dysfunction was extracted as the pathology targeted by MT-7117. Serum protein profiling revealed that multiple SSc-related biomarkers including P-selectin, osteoprotegerin, cystatin C, growth and differentiation factor-15, and S100A9 were suppressed by MT-7117. MT-7117 inhibited the activation of human dermal fibroblasts by suppressing TGF-β-induced ACTA2 (encoding α-smooth muscle actin) mRNA elevation. MC1R was expressed by monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, blood vessels (endothelial cells), fibroblasts, and epidermis (keratinocytes) in the skin of SSc patients, suggesting that these MC1R-positive cells could be targets for MT-7117.

Conclusions

MT-7117 demonstrates disease-modifying effects in preclinical models of SSc. Investigations of its mechanism of action and target expression analyses indicate that MT-7117 exerts its positive effect by affecting inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and fibrosis, which are all key pathologies of SSc. The results of the present study suggest that MT-7117 is a potential therapeutic agent for SSc. A phase 2 clinical trial investigating the efficacy and tolerability of MT-7117 in patients with early, progressive diffuse cutaneous SSc is currently in progress.
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion for dysplastic lumbar spondylolisthesis with high-grade slippage in two adolescent siblings: two case reports
Authors: Tatsumura Masaki , Funayama Toru , Eto Fumihiko , Nagashima Katsuya , Takeuchi Yosuke , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: September 2022

Background

Lumbar spondylolisthesis is reported to present with a familiar pattern, with the dysplastic type of spondylolysis being minor but more hereditary than the isthmic type. Siblings presenting during adolescence with neurological symptoms owing to high-grade dysplastic-type spondylolisthesis are rare.

Case presentation

The older brother suffered from left leg pain and numbness and dysesthesia of the right posterior thigh and calf and could not walk without a crutch at the age of 15 years. He had canal stenosis with disc bulging and dysplastic bilateral facet joint at L5/S1. The L5 vertebral body was slipped anterior downward to S1, with a round-shaped S1 cranial endplate. We diagnosed dysplastic-type spondylolisthesis and performed posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5/S with mild reduction and sublaminar wiring at L4/5. The younger brother had no neurological symptoms at age 14 years but suffered from bilateral lower leg numbness at age 18 years. He had canal stenosis with disc bulging at L4/5 and L5/S1 and dysplastic bilateral facet joint at L5/S1 with right pars defect. The L5 vertebral body was vertically displaced anterior to the S1 vertebral body, with an S1 round-shaped cranial endplate. We diagnosed dysplastic-type spondylolisthesis, and posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4/5 and L5/S with reduction was performed. Their neurological symptoms of the lower legs disappeared, and interbody bone fusion was obtained.

Conclusions

The surgical technique for high-grade dysplastic spondylolisthesis remains controversial in terms of in situ fusion versus reduction. We recommend that surgery be performed promptly at the end of bone maturation because neurological symptoms often appear at the end of bone maturation. Because high-grade slips are rare but siblings may be present, the sibling should also be screened when dysplastic spondylolisthesis is detected.
Spatial optimization of genetic thinning in seed orchards
Authors: Chaloupková Kateřina , Lstibůrek Milan
Published: September 2022

Key message

We provide a mathematical model to determine which trees should be ruled out from the grid to promote random mating in seed orchards under genetic thinning.

Context

Genetic thinning (roguing) is a common practice in forest tree breeding to remove inferior genotypes in seed orchards, thus boosting the genetic worth of the seed crop.

Aims

To develop a general methodology for spatial optimization of genetic thinning. It should promote random mating and consider any existing seed orchard layout.

Methods

The model is based on the Optimum-Neighborhood Allocation algorithm (Chaloupková et al., Forests 10:1-6, 2019). The algorithm’s efficiency was evaluated using computer simulation. A fully randomized scheme was used as a reference. In addition, the study provides a demonstration on an actual seed orchard.

Results

Simulations confirm the method’s efficiency in promoting random mating compared to the fully randomized allocation across a wide range of selection intensities. We suggest Linear Deployment as a preferred method for calculating optimum deployment contributions at higher thinning intensities. The algorithm was programmed in R and is publicly available.

Conclusion

Breeders can use the software and follow the example to implement genetic thinning in different practical scenarios assuming any seed orchard layout. The approach enhances random mating while maximizing genetic response to selection.
An inverse problem of fourth-order partial differential equation with nonlocal integral condition
Authors: Huntul M. J. , Abbas Muhammad
Published: September 2022

In this study, the time-dependent potential coefficient in a higher-order PDE with initial and boundary conditions is numerically constructed for the first time from a nonlocal integral condition. Even though the inverse identification problem investigated in this study is ill-posed, it has a unique solution. For discretizing the direct problem and finding stable and accurate solutions, we employ the Quintic B-spline (QBS) collocation and Tikhonov regularization methods, respectively. The following nonlinear minimization problem is solved using MATLAB. The collected findings demonstrate that accurate and stable solutions can be found.
ABOT: an open-source online benchmarking tool for machine learning-based artefact detection and removal methods from neuronal signals
Authors: Fabietti Marcos , Mahmud Mufti , Lotfi Ahmad , Kaiser M. Shamim
Published: September 2022

Brain signals are recorded using different techniques to aid an accurate understanding of brain function and to treat its disorders. Untargeted internal and external sources contaminate the acquired signals during the recording process. Often termed as artefacts, these contaminations cause serious hindrances in decoding the recorded signals; hence, they must be removed to facilitate unbiased decision-making for a given investigation. Due to the complex and elusive manifestation of artefacts in neuronal signals, computational techniques serve as powerful tools for their detection and removal. Machine learning (ML) based methods have been successfully applied in this task. Due to ML’s popularity, many articles are published every year, making it challenging to find, compare and select the most appropriate method for a given experiment. To this end, this paper presents ABOT (Artefact removal Benchmarking Online Tool) as an online benchmarking tool which allows users to compare existing ML-driven artefact detection and removal methods from the literature. The characteristics and related information about the existing methods have been compiled as a knowledgebase (KB) and presented through a user-friendly interface with interactive plots and tables for users to search it using several criteria. Key characteristics extracted from over 120 articles from the literature have been used in the KB to help compare the specific ML models. To comply with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principle, the source code and documentation of the toolbox have been made available via an open-access repository.
Effect of risk factors for acneiform rash induced by anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody drugs on survival: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Takahashi Hiroaki , Yaegashi Yukiko , Saito Yoko , Nihei Satoru , Tairabune Tomohiko , Ujiie Haruki , Asaka Junichi , Kudo Kenzo
Published: September 2022

Background

We previously reported that high body weight was a risk factor affecting the onset of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody drug-induced acneiform rash. The current study investigated the relationship between risk factors for anti-EGFR antibody drug-induced acneiform rash and survival probability in colorectal cancer patients, as well as effects of drug withdrawal, dose reduction, or treatment discontinuation on treatment continuation.

Methods

This retrospective study included 67 patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer treated with anti-EGFR antibody drugs for the first time.

Results

The survival time and acneiform rash grade of patients with high body weight (≥ 67.2 kg) were significantly longer and higher than those of patients with low body weight (< 67.2 kg). Moreover, the treatment continuation time of patients with drug withdrawal or dose reduction was significantly longer than that of patients without drug withdrawal or dose reduction or with/without treatment discontinuation. Meanwhile, the treatment continuation time of patients with treatment discontinuation was significantly shorter than that of patients with drug withdrawal or dose reduction or those without drug withdrawal, dose reduction, or treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions

High body weight is a novel prognostic factor for patients receiving cancer drugs with anti-EGFR antibody drugs. Hence, the results of this study suggest that patients with high body weight should be carefully monitored for the development of acneiform rash when receiving anti-EGFR antibody drugs as cancer drug therapy.
Determinants of adolescents’ contraceptive uptake in Ethiopia: a systematic review of literature
Authors: Mekonnen Alemayehu Gonie , Odo Daniel Bogale , Nigatu Dabere , Amare Nakachew Sewnet , Tizazu Michael Amera
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Various studies have identified different factors that affect adolescent contraceptive uptake in different parts of Ethiopia. However, varying results were reported across primary studies and those results need to be systematically collated to inform policies. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to synthesize the findings of those primary studies to obtain more robust and representative evidence about adolescent contraceptive uptake in Ethiopia.

Methods

Five databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and CINAHL) were searched for papers published from January 2000 up to June 2021 in English. We limited our search to start on January 2000 as the health of adolescents have been given more attention after this period and to avoid time-lapsed biases. Seven studies were included in this systematic review. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool for quality assessment of the selected studies.

Results

Determinants of adolescent contraceptive utilization were focused on four levels: individual, socio-cultural, healthcare service and knowledge related factors. Individual-related factors that influence adolescents’ contraceptive uptake include; being in the age group of 10–15 years, not currently enrolled in school and being from low-income families, while socio-cultural factors include: lack of discussion with family members, arranged marriage, pressure from a partner, harmful traditional practices, discussion with peer groups and sexual partners. Healthcare service-related factors include; lack of information about contraceptives during health facility visits, lack of privacy during service provision and inconvenient service hours at health facilities, and not visiting health facilities, whereas, knowledge related factors include; having knowledge of contraceptive methods and being heard about contraceptives from media. Also, the proportion of adolescent contraceptive uptake ranged from 12 to 79%.

Conclusions

In this systematic, individual, socio-cultural, health-care-related, and knowledge-related characteristics have all been identified as influencing adolescents’ contraceptive uptake in Ethiopia. Hence, integrated interventions aimed at overcoming barriers to adolescent contraceptive uptake would be beneficial to improving adolescent contraceptive utilization in Ethiopia.
Influence of Pleistocene climate fluctuations on the demographic history and distribution of the critically endangered Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)
Authors: Wei Shichao , Sun Song , Dou Hongliang , An Fuyu , Gao Haiyang , Guo Ce , Hua Yan
Published: September 2022

Background

Pleistocene climate fluctuations have strongly modified species genetic diversity and distributions. The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) has been recognized as a critically endangered animal due to heavy poaching and trafficking. However, the effect of Pleistocene climate fluctuations on the genetic diversity and spatial distribution of the Chinese pangolin remains largely unknown. Here, we combined whole genome sequencing data, analysis of complete mitochondrial genomes, and a large amount of occurrence data from field surveys to infer the ancestral demographic history and predict the past spatial dynamics of the Chinese pangolin in Guangdong Province, China.

Results

Our results indicated that there were two subpopulations, which showed similar trends of population size change in response to past climatic changes. We estimated a peak effective population size (Ne) during the last interglacial (LIG), followed by a marked decrease (~ 0.5 to fivefold change) until the last glacial maximum (LGM) and a rebound to a small peak population size during the Mid-Holocene (MH). The estimated time of the separation event between two subpopulations was approximately 3,000–2,500 years ago (ka). We estimated that the distribution of suitable areas shrank by 14.4% from the LIG to LGM, followed by an expansion of 31.4% from the LGM to MH and has been stable since then. In addition, we identified an elevational shift and suitable area decreased significantly during the LGM, but that the geographic extent of suitable areas in the western region increased from the LIG to present. The eastern region of Guangdong Province had the highest habitat suitability across all the climate scenarios.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that Pleistocene climate fluctuations played an important role in shaping patterns of genetic diversity and spatial distribution, and that human stressors likely contributed to the recent divergence of two Chinese pangolin subpopulations sampled here. We argue that a key protected area should be established in the eastern region of Guangdong Province. As such, this study provides a more thorough understanding of the impacts of Pleistocene climate fluctuations impacts on a mammalian species in southern China and suggests more robust management and conservation plans for this Critically Endangered species of special interest.
Validation of age- and sex-dependent association of uric acid and incident hypertension in rural areas
Authors: Kim In Jae , Kim Woohyeun , Go Tae Hwa , Kang Dae Ryong , Kim Jang-Young , Kim Eung Ju
Published: September 2022

Background

A previous study based on urban areas suggested the age- and sex-dependent association of uric acid (UA) and incident hypertension. We aimed to investigate whether this association is valid even in rural areas with different lifestyle.

Methods

Data from the cardiovascular disease association study, a prospective cohort study based on rural residents, was analyzed. A total of 4,592 subjects (mean age, 60.1 ± 9.5 years; men, 37.7%) without hypertension were included. We first investigated whether UA was a risk factor for incident hypertension using Cox regression, and then compared the relative risk by stratification according to age and sex.

Results

During the follow-up period (mean, 2.0 years), 579 subjects (12.6%) were newly diagnosed with hypertension. The risk factors for incident hypertension were age (Hazard ratios [HR] for ≥ 65, 1.26), systolic blood pressure (HR per 1 mmHg increase, 1.07), and serum UA concentration (HR per 1 mmHg increase, 1.10). The risk of UA-related incident hypertension was higher in the non-elderly than in the elderly for both men and women (HR, 1.74 for non-elderly men; 1.88 for non-elderly women; 1.66 for elderly men; 1.10 for elderly women). Even after adjusting for multiple confounders, the risk of UA-related incident hypertension was significantly higher in non-elderly women (HR, 1.59;P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Age- and sex-dependent association of UA with incident hypertension suggested in cohort study based on urban areas was consistently found in rural areas as well. In particular, non-elderly women were at a higher risk for UA-related incident hypertension.
Technical transfer and commercialisation of lyophilised biopharmaceuticals — application of lyophiliser characterisation and comparability
Authors: Cullen Sean , Walsh Emma , Gervasi Valeria , Khamar Dikshitkumar , McCoy Timothy R.
Published: September 2022

A holistic approach was taken to characterise lyophilisers at both laboratory and commercial scale to design a focused validation strategy for commercialising parenteral drug products. Vial heat transfer coefficients (Kv) and equipment mass transfer boundaries were generated for a Lyostar II and three commercial scale IMA Lyomax lyophilisers. Kv studies were performed using gravimetric methodologies. Kv calculated for the Lyostar II was equivalent to the commercial equipment at 133 µBar however trended higher below 133 µBar and lower above 133 µBar potentially impacting primary drying product temperature during scale-up depending on the chamber pressure recipe set point. Kv profiles were consistent within and across the commercial equipment. Edge effect was most prominent at commercial scale with minimal shielding of the edge vials in contrast to the presence of a metal ring around the vial pack in the Lyostar II. Equipment capability studies for mass transfer showed commercial scale equipment could achieve lower chamber pressure and greater sublimation rates when compared to the Lyostar II. Furthermore, differences were also measured between large-scale lyophilisers based on condenser orientation (horizontal vs vertical). The results demonstrate greater equipment capability of the two-storey vertical configuration with respect to choked flow regime. Worst-case locations within a commercial lyophiliser were identified providing rationale for reduced sampling for product shelf-mapping locations. This work provides guidance on execution of commercial scale characterisation studies and application of the data to enhance scale-up, technical transfer and focused process validation strategies.
Video-based simulations in teacher education: the role of learner characteristics as capacities for positive learning experiences and high performance
Authors: Nickl Michael , Huber Sina A. , Sommerhoff Daniel , Codreanu Elias , Ufer Stefan , Seidel Tina
Published: September 2022

Assessing students on-the-fly is an important but challenging task for teachers. In initial teacher education, a call has been made to better prepare pre-service teachers for this complex task. Advances in technology allow this training to be done through authentic learning environments, such as video-based simulations. To understand the learning process in such simulations, it is necessary to determine how cognitive and motivational learner characteristics influence situative learning experiences, such as the perception of authenticity, cognitive load, and situational motivation, during the simulation and how they affect aspects of performance. In the present study, N = 150 pre-service teachers from German universities voluntarily participated in a validated online video-based simulation targeting on-the-fly student assessments. We identified three profiles of learner characteristics: one with above average knowledge, one with above average motivational-affective traits, and one with below average knowledge and motivational-affective traits. These profiles do not differ in the perception of the authenticity of the simulation. Furthermore, the results indicate that the profiled learners navigate differently through the simulation. The knowledgeable learners tended to outperform learners of the other two profiles by using more learning time for the assessment process, also resulting in higher judgment accuracy. The study highlights how learner characteristics and processes interact, which helps to better understand individual learning processes in simulations. Thus, the findings may be used as a basis for future simulation research with a focus on adaptive and individual support.
The effect of preprocessing filters on predictive performance in radiomics
Authors: Demircioğlu Aydin
Published: September 2022

Background

Radiomics is a noninvasive method using machine learning to support personalised medicine. Preprocessing filters such as wavelet and Laplacian-of-Gaussian filters are commonly used being thought to increase predictive performance. However, the use of preprocessing filters increases the number of features by up to an order of magnitude and can produce many correlated features. Both substantially increase the dataset complexity, which in turn makes modeling with machine learning techniques more challenging, possibly leading to poorer performance. We investigated the impact of these filters on predictive performance.

Methods

Using seven publicly available radiomic datasets, we measured the impact of adding features preprocessed with eight different preprocessing filters to the unprocessed features on the predictive performance of radiomic models. Modeling was performed using five feature selection methods and five classifiers, while predictive performance was measured using area-under-the-curve at receiver operating characteristics analysis (AUC-ROC) with nested, stratified 10-fold cross-validation.

Results

Significant improvements of up to 0.08 in AUC-ROC were observed when all image preprocessing filters were applied compared to using only the original features (up to p = 0.024). Decreases of -0.04 and -0.10 were observed on some data sets, but these were not statistically significant (p > 0.179). Tuning of the image preprocessing filters did not result in decreases in AUC-ROC but further improved results by up to 0.1; however, these improvements were not statistically significant (p > 0.086) except for one data set (p = 0.023).

Conclusions

Preprocessing filters can have a significant impact on the predictive performance and should be used in radiomic studies.
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in adults with congenital heart disease
Authors: Ban Ji-Eun
Published: September 2022

Despite an improved survival rate, cardiovascular accidents including thromboembolic events are a common cause of death in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Therefore, many adult patients with CHD require long-term oral anticoagulants depending on disease complexity, atrial tachyarrhythmia, residual intracardiac shunt, ventricular dysfunction, and the presence of a prosthetic valve. Although prevention of stroke and pulmonary embolism has traditionally been managed with vitamin K antagonists (VKA), recent guidelines suggest the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with adult CHD presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, or pulmonary embolism. NOACs are an efficient alternative to VKA with reduced bleeding propensity, relatively low dietary and drug interactions, and the potential to eliminate the need for international normalized ratio monitoring in patients with nonvalvular AF. Recently, several multicenter studies reported the indication for thromboprophylaxis and the potential role of NOACs in adult CHD patients. In this review, we aim to assess the efficacy and safety of NOACs in adult CHD patients and to pursue adequate anticoagulation strategies in this special population.
Assessment of left atrial remodeling using speckle tracking echocardiography after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure in adult patients
Authors: Choi Ji-Hoon , Kim Ju Youn , Hwang Jin Kyung , Kim Hye Ree , Chung Tae Wan , Kim Juwon , Park Seung Woo , Kang I-Seok , Song Jinyoung , Park Seung-Jung , Park Kyoung-Min , On Young Keun , Kim June Soo , Huh June
Published: September 2022

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-known, long-term complication of atrial septal defect (ASD) in adults, even after device closure. Left atrial (LA) strain rate applied to the analysis of chamber function has been demonstrated to be an important predictor of LA reverse remodeling. This study aimed to determine the changes in chamber function after device closure of ASD.

Methods

This prospective study enrolled adults with secundum ASD undergoing transcatheter device closure from December 2016 to August 2017. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and LA strain rate before and six months after ASD closure.

Results

A total of 11 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 42.6 ± 9.9 years, and six (54.5%) were females. There was no significant change of conventional echocardiographic parameters after ASD closure. The mean global LA reservoir strain rate before ASD closure was 1.17 ± 0.34 and 0.85 ± 0.30 after ASD closure (p = 0.030). The median global LA conduit strain rate was 0.68 (0.42–1.16) and 0.41 (0.16–0.79) before and after ASD closure (p = 0.213), respectively. The mean global LA contractile strain rate at the six-month follow-up showed significant improvement compared with pre-procedural strain rate (0.33 ± 0.65 vs. − 0.43 ± 0.38, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

LA functional changes occurred during the six-month follow-up, while LA and right atrial (RA) geometric changes were not significant. LA reverse remodeling was proved by restoration of LA late diastolic contractile function.
Probing nutritional and functional properties of salted noodles supplemented with ripen Banana peel powder
Authors: Pasha Imran , Basit Abdul , Ahsin Muhammad , Ahmad Farah
Published: September 2022

Banana peel is appreciated for higher dietary fiber, phenolics, flavonoid contents, and minerals (particularly iron, calcium, and potassium), despite being a waste product. After drying, it can be processed into powder/flour to be combined with wheat flour (WF) for development of value-added products. In this study, we substituted WF with banana peel powder (BPP) at supplementation rates of 5, 10, and 15%, and evaluated their suitability to develop salted noodles. The results showed that the composite flour with 15% BPP had significantly higher protein, ash, and crude fiber content as compared to control. Higher antioxidant capacity was observed in composite flour noodles: total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing power (FRAP) and DPPH reducing power were increased up to 278, 260, 143 and 13 percent respectively in the noodles containing 15% BPP as compared to control (100% WF). On the other hand, values for viscosity decreased up to 22% with addition of BPP in WF. Furthermore, water absorption capacity and cooking losses were increased up to 15 and 13 percent respectively with 15% BPP incorporation in WF. Results for sensory evaluation demonstrated that noodles with 10% BPP scored highest for sensory profile.

Graphical abstract
Depressive symptoms and its correlates among medical students in Upper Egypt
Authors: Mohammed Heba M. , Soliman Sara M. , Abdelrahman Ahmed A. , Ibrahim Ahmed K.
Published: September 2022

Background

Medical students are at high risk of developing depressive symptoms rather than their age-matched group as medical education is stressful and medical students have psychological and academic stressors. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the most important correlates associated with it among Assiut University Medical Students in the academic year 2019–2020. It is a cross sectional study conducted among 766 medical students at Assiut University in the academic year 2019–2020, screening for depressive symptoms was by patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Results

The mean age of students was 21.27 ± 1.9, 55.5% of them have depressive symptoms. Female students had statistically significantly higher percent of depressive symptoms compared with males (58.9% vs 51.2%), there was statistically significant lower mean socio-economic score among students having depressive symptoms compared to students with no depressive symptoms (5.73 ± 2.46 and 6.22 ± 2.5 respectively). Students having depressive symptoms had higher mean scores of stresses. The multivariable regression revealed that younger age of the students (OR = 0.797; p < 0.001), having a chronic disease (OR = 3.174; P = 0.024), lower life satisfaction score (OR = 0.908; p < 0.001), students with higher medical stress score (OR = 3.596, P < 0.001), and high sense of control score (OR = 2.323; p < 0.001) were the significant correlates of depressive symptoms among medical students.

Conclusions

Female gender, low socio-economic status, having chronic disease, presence of family history of either mental illness or depressive symptoms, low satisfaction with life, higher total medical stressors, and low sense of control were the most important correlates of depressive symptoms among medical students.
Value of apparent diffusion coefficient factor in correlation with the molecular subtypes, tumor grade, and expression of Ki-67 in breast cancer
Authors: Hegazy Rania , Azzam Heba
Published: September 2022

Background

Breast cancer is known to be the most common cancer in women; in the last decade, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging has become an important tool in the diagnosis of cancer breast. Numerous studies have analyzed associations between imaging and histopathological features as well as the proliferation potential of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and expression of Ki-67 as well as tumor molecular subtype in breast cancer.

Results

No significant difference between the mean ADC value of tumors of grade I, II, and III was found. However, there was a significant difference between the mean ADC value of tumors of molecular type A and molecular type B (P = 0.000), HER2 overexpression (P = 0.018), and TN (P = 0.000), respectively. However, there was no significant difference between molecular type B, HER2 overexpression and TN. Also, no significant difference was found between the Ki-67 value of tumors of grade I, II, and III. Yet there was a significant difference between the mean ADC value of tumors of molecular type A and molecular type B (P = 0.000), HER2 overexpression (P = 0.014), and TN (P = 0.000), respectively. However, there was no significant difference between molecular type B, HER2 overexpression, and TN.

Conclusions

There is a significant inverse correlation between ADC values and Ki-67 expression. DWI and Ki-67 could be a good discriminator between tumors of molecular subtype A from other subtypes, yet it did not show a correlation with the tumor grade.
Memorial
Authors: Pšenčík Ivan , Treitel Sven
Published: September 2022

Vlastislav Červený, 1932–2022
Memorial
Authors: Greve Gordon , Trembly Lynn
Published: September 2022

William S. French, 1940–2022
β-Cell Cre Expression and Reduced Ins1 Gene Dosage Protect Mice From Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Skovsø Søs , Overby Peter , Memar-Zadeh Jasmine , Lee Jason T C , Yang Jenny C C , Shanina Iryna , Sidarala Vaibhav , Levi-D’Ancona Elena , Zhu Jie , Soleimanpour Scott A , Horwitz Marc S , Johnson James D
Published: September 2022

A central goal of physiological research is the understanding of cell-specific roles of disease-associated genes. Cre-mediated recombineering is the tool of choice for cell type–specific analysis of gene function in preclinical models. In the type 1 diabetes (T1D) research field, multiple lines of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice have been engineered to express Cre recombinase in pancreatic β cells using insulin promoter fragments, but tissue promiscuity remains a concern. Constitutive Ins1tm1.1(cre)Thor (Ins1Cre) mice on the C57/bl6-J background have high β-cell specificity with no reported off-target effects. We explored whether NOD:Ins1Cre mice could be used to investigate β-cell gene deletion in T1D disease modeling. We studied wild-type (Ins1WT/WT), Ins1 heterozygous (Ins1Cre/WT or Ins1Neo/WT), and Ins1 null (Ins1Cre/Neo) littermates on a NOD background. Female Ins1Neo/WT mice exhibited significant protection from diabetes, with further near-complete protection in Ins1Cre/WT mice. The effects of combined neomycin and Cre knockin in Ins1Neo/Cre mice were not additive to the Cre knockin alone. In Ins1Neo/Cre mice, protection from diabetes was associated with reduced insulitis at age 12 weeks. Collectively, these data confirm previous reports that loss of Ins1 alleles protects NOD mice from diabetes development and demonstrates, for the first time, that Cre itself may have additional protective effects. This has important implications for the experimental design and interpretation of preclinical T1D studies using β-cell-selective Cre in NOD mice.