bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term TNF-alpha therapy for preserving beta cell function in new onset type 1 diabetes: a case report
Authors: Rao Adya , Quinn Lauren M , Narendran Parth
Published: September 2024

Background

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease caused by destruction of pancreatic islet beta-cells. There is significant residual beta-cell function, measured through circulating C-peptide, present at the time of T1D diagnosis but this subsequently decreases with time. Higher residual beta-cell function at diagnosis associates with better glycaemic control and less glucose variability, and later in the disease course with less hypoglycaemia, lower glucose variability and fewer microvascular complications. There is therefore value in preserving residual beta cell function in new onset T1D Immunotherapeutic agents can protect residual beta-cell function in type 1 diabetes. However, clinical trials of such agents, whilst demonstrating C-peptide preservation in short term studies, have yet to be taken forward into routine clinical care due to concerns around safety and long-term efficacy. Here we report the case of a gentleman with newly diagnosed T1D whose glycaemic control and insulin requirement improved whilst on a five year infusion programme of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against TNF-alpha, for colitis.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old White Caucasian man was diagnosed with T1D in August 2018. Glucose was 25.6 mmol/L, HbA1c was 98mmol/mol and GAD antibodies were strongly positive. HbA1c marginally improved to 91mmol/mol following initiation of insulin detemir 5 units at night and 1:10 g of insulin aspart (November 2018). In June 2019, he developed rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. Following colonoscopy, he was diagnosed with “indeterminate colitis” and commenced on 6-weekly infusions of 400-450 mg infliximab. Thus far, he has received 32 doses and achieved colitis remission. Following infliximab initiation there was increased frequency of mild-moderate hypoglycaemia and he was gradually weaned off and discontinued detemir in June 2020. Since then, HbA1c improved from 57mmol/mol in August 2019 to 52mmol/mol in April 2022, remaining stable at 51mmol/mol. His most recent HbA1c is 54mmol/mol in February 2024. His c-peptide was 550pmol/L in October 2022 and 442pmol/L in February 2024, suggesting well-preserved beta-cell function almost 6 years post-diagnosis.

Conclusions

Our patient’s improvement in glycaemic control can be explained by immunomodulation and C peptide preservation from infliximab. With the growing focus on type 1 diabetes disease modulation and working towards an ‘insulin free T1D’, our findings strengthen the evidence base for the repurposing of and long-term treatment with anti-TNF-α agents to preserve beta-cell function in new onset T1D.
Equality in household labor allocation among married and cohabiting individuals in Italy: the role of unions history
Authors: Meggiolaro Silvia , Scioni Manuela
Published: September 2024

This study focuses on the allocation of household labor in Italy, finely differentiating between various forms of married and unmarried cohabiting unions. Specifically, currently married and cohabiting individuals are differentiated on the basis of the type of their first union. We employ data on individuals’ partnership histories from the 2016 “Families and Social Subjects” survey, which allows us to consider the role of previous (marital or non-marital) unions and, for currently or previously married individuals, whether or not they cohabited before marriage. A composite index measuring gender equality in household labor allocation is constructed based on different domestic tasks, weighting each task according to how time consuming the associated activity is. Results highlight the importance of considering the first union to explain the division of household labor even within later relationships. In particular, for men, cohabitation does not, as one might expect, mean a more egalitarian division of labor, once selection factors are taken into account and independently from the type of previous relationships. However, considering activities by gender, some signals of a greater participation in female-typed tasks are observed for married and cohabitating men who experienced previous (premarital) cohabitations. For women, instead, cohabitation implies a more egalitarian way to share household labor, if it is a first union or in any situation for which it was the first approach to life as a couple. Cohabitation does not imply a more egalitarian division of labor for women if their first union was a marriage. These differences in household labor allocation for women mainly follow from those observed in female-typed tasks, whereas couple differences in male-typed activities are weaker.
Universal coverage for oral health care in 27 low-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Luan Yiqun , Sardana Divesh , Jivraj Ashiana , Liu David , Abeyweera Nishmi , Zhao Yajin , Cellini Jacqueline , Bass Michelle , Wang Jing , Lu Xinran , Cao Zheyi , Lu Chunling
Published: September 2024

Background

Low-income countries bear a growing and disproportionate burden of oral diseases. With the World Health Organization targeting universal oral health coverage by 2030, assessing the state of oral health coverage in these resource-limited nations becomes crucial. This research seeks to examine the political and resource commitments to oral health, along with the utilization rate of oral health services, across 27 low-income countries.

Methods

We investigated five aspects of oral health coverage in low-income countries, including the integration of oral health in national health policies, covered oral health services, utilization rates, expenditures, and the number of oral health professionals. A comprehensive search was conducted across seven bibliographic databases, three grey literature databases, and national governments’ and international organizations’ websites up to May 2023, with no linguistic restrictions. Countries were categorized into “full integration”, “partial integration”, or “no integration” based on the presence of dedicated oral health policies and the frequency of oral health mentions. Covered oral health services, utilization rates, expenditure trends, and the density of oral health professionals were analyzed using evidence from reviews and data from World Health Organization databases.

Results

A total of 4242 peer-reviewed and 3345 grey literature texts were screened, yielding 12 and 84 files respectively to be included in the final review. Nine countries belong to “full integration” and thirteen countries belong to “partial integration”, while five countries belong to “no integration”. Twelve countries collectively covered 26 types of oral health care services, with tooth extraction being the most prevalent service. Preventive and public health-based oral health interventions were scarce. Utilization rates remained low, with the primary motivation for seeking care being dental pain relief. Expenditures on oral health were minimal, predominantly relying on domestic private sources. On average, the 27 low-income countries had 0.51 dentists per 10,000 population, contrasting with 2.83 and 7.62 in middle-income and high-income countries.

Conclusions

Oral health care received little political and resource commitment toward achieving universal health coverage in low-income countries. Urgent action is needed to mobilize financial and human resources, and integrate preventive and public health-based interventions.
Efficacy of compressed sensing and deep learning reconstruction for adult female pelvic MRI at 1.5 T
Authors: Ueda Takahiro , Yamamoto Kaori , Yazawa Natsuka , Tozawa Ikki , Ikedo Masato , Yui Masao , Nagata Hiroyuki , Nomura Masahiko , Ozawa Yoshiyuki , Ohno Yoshiharu
Published: September 2024

Background

We aimed to determine the capabilities of compressed sensing (CS) and deep learning reconstruction (DLR) with those of conventional parallel imaging (PI) for improving image quality while reducing examination time on female pelvic 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

Fifty-two consecutive female patients with various pelvic diseases underwent MRI with T1- and T2-weighted sequences using CS and PI. All CS data was reconstructed with and without DLR. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of muscle and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between fat tissue and iliac muscle on T1-weighted images (T1WI) and between myometrium and straight muscle on T2-weighted images (T2WI) were determined through region-of-interest measurements. Overall image quality (OIQ) and diagnostic confidence level (DCL) were evaluated on 5-point scales. SNRs and CNRs were compared using Tukey’s test, and qualitative indexes using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

SNRs of T1WI and T2WI obtained using CS with DLR were higher than those using CS without DLR or conventional PI (p < 0.010). CNRs of T1WI and T2WI obtained using CS with DLR were higher than those using CS without DLR or conventional PI (p < 0.003). OIQ of T1WI and T2WI obtained using CS with DLR were higher than that using CS without DLR or conventional PI (p < 0.001). DCL of T2WI obtained using CS with DLR was higher than that using conventional PI or CS without DLR (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

CS with DLR provided better image quality and shorter examination time than those obtainable with PI for female pelvic 1.5-T MRI.

Relevance statement

CS with DLR can be considered effective for attaining better image quality and shorter examination time for female pelvic MRI at 1.5 T compared with those obtainable with PI.

Key Points

Patients underwent MRI with T1- and T2-weighted sequences using CS and PI.

All CS data was reconstructed with and without DLR.

CS with DLR allowed for examination times significantly shorter than those of PI and provided significantly higher signal- and CNRs, as well as OIQ.

Graphical Abstract
Predictors of chronic migraine remission
Authors: Rageh Tarek A. , Abdelazez Mostafa O. , Hamed Ahmed A. , Farweez Hassan M.
Published: September 2024

Background

Chronic migraine is a debilitating neurological condition that significantly impairs both individual and socioeconomic outcomes. The aim of the present study was to estimate the remission rates of chronic migraine to episodic migraine, and to identify potential predictors of chronic migraine remission. In addition, to assess impact of chronic migraine remission on headache related disability.

Results

Out of 300 individuals with chronic migraine (CM) who attended to our institution and continued for follow up in the period from the 1st of January 2021 up to the end of December 2022, approximately 82 cases (27.3%) had remitting CM, while 117 cases (39.0%) had persistent CM, and 101 cases (33.7%) had transitional CM. On multivariate model for detection of potential predictors of CM remission revealed that patients with lowest headache frequency (15–19 frequency/month) were much more likely to remit (OR = 577.826, 95% CI: 15.259 to 21,881.228, P = 0.001) than those with high-frequency CM (25–30 frequency/month), patients with non CM with allodynia (0–2) were more likely to remit (OR = 139.374, 95% CI: 4.634 to 419.879, P = 0.004) compared to those with moderate to severe CM with allodynia (≥ 6). Additionally, those using Topiramate or beta-blockers were more likely to achieve remission (OR = 23.325, 95% CI: 3.289 to 165.400, P = 0.002, and OR = 34.205, 95%CI: 3.591 to 325.842, P = 0.002, respectively), and also non-smokers were 11 times more likely to achieve remission compared to smokers (OR = 11.370, 95% CI: 1.702 to 75.934, P = 0.012).

Conclusion

These findings identified several potential predictors of remission among patients with chronic headache. However, the majority of these prognostic factors are modifiable.
Progranulin mediates the onset of pristane induced systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: He Michun , Hettinghouse Aubryanna , Bi Yufei , Chen Yuehong , Liu Chuanju
Published: September 2024

Backgrounds

Progranulin (PGRN) is a growth factor-like molecule with diverse roles in homeostatic and pathogenic processes including the control of immune and inflammatory responses. Pathogenic inflammation is a hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and elevated serum levels of PGRN has been evaluated as a biomarker of disease activity in SLE. However, the role of PGRN in SLE has not been fully investigated. This study is aimed to determine the potential involvements of PGRN in SLE.

Methods

Wild type (WT) and PGRN knockout (PGRN-/-) C57BL/6 mice received intraperitoneal injection of pristane for induction of a murine model of SLE. Sera were collected every biweekly and levels of anti-dsDNA antibody, IgG, and inflammatory factors were measured. Mice were sacrificed 5 months later and the renal lesions, as well as the proportions of T cell subtypes in the spleen were analyzed.

Results

Following exposure to pristane, PGRN-/- mice generated significantly lower levels of anti-dsDNA antibody and IgG relative to WT mice. PGRN-/- mouse kidneys had less IgG and collagen deposition compared with WT mice after pristane injection.

Conclusion

The results indicate that PGRN participates in inflammatory response and renal damage in pristane induced SLE models, suggesting that PGRN mediates the onset of SLE.
Sacroiliac and spine imaging in spondyloarthritis: Does phenotype or sex matter?
Authors: Pereira Gabriel Caetano , Machado Natalia Pereira , Gomes André Francisco , Assad Rodrigo Luppino , Carneiro Fabio Henrique , Azevedo Valderílio Feijó
Published: September 2024

Background

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) encompasses a spectrum of immune-mediated inflammatory conditions primarily affecting the axial skeleton, including sacroiliitis and spondylitis, each with distinct features. This study aimed to investigate imaging disparities, focusing on sacroiliac magnetic resonance and spine radiography, across phenotypes and between males and females in axial SpA.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess clinical data, laboratory findings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores of sacroiliac joints using the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) and Sacroiliac Joint Structural Score (SSS), and cervical and lumbar spine radiographs utilizing the Modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS). The study aimed to compare these parameters between two groups: axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA, radiographic and non-radiographic) and axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA), as well as between males and females.

Results

Ninety-four patients were included, with 62 patients in the axSpA group and 32 patients in the axPsA group. There were no differences in disease activity, mobility, radiographic damage in the spine (Modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score– mSASSS), or sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores (Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Magnetic Resonance Imaging Index - SPARCC and Sacroiliac Joint Structural Score - SSS) between the two phenotypes. Regarding sex, in imaging exams, men had higher mSASSS (p = 0.008), SSS (p = 0.001), and fat metaplasia (MG) score based on SSS (p = 0.001), while women had significantly higher SPARCC scores (p = 0.039). In the male group, the presence of HLA-B27 allele had an impact on more structural lesions on MRI (SSS), p = 0.013.

Conclusion

In this study, imaging of sacroiliac joints and spine in patients with axial SpA did not show differences in phenotypes but did reveal differences based on sex, which may have an impact on future diagnostic recommendations. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Exploration on cold adaptation of Antarctic lichen via detection of positive selection genes
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Zhang Yaran , Li Rong , Qian Ben , Du Xin , Qiu Xuyun , Chen Mengmeng , Shi Guohui , Wei Jiangchun , Wei Xin-Li , Wu Qi
Published: September 2024

Lichen as mutualistic symbiosis is the dominant organism in various extreme terrestrial environment on Earth, however, the mechanisms of their adaptation to extreme habitats have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we chose the Antarctic dominant lichen species Usnea aurantiacoatra to generate a high-quality genome, carried out phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood and identify genes under positive selection. We performed functional enrichment analysis on the positively selected genes (PSGs) and found that most of the PSGs focused on transmembrane transporter activity and vacuole components. This suggest that the genes related to energy storage and transport in Antarctic U. aurantiacoatra were affected by environmental pressure. Inside of the 86 PSGs screened, two protein interaction networks were identified, which were RNA helicase related proteins and regulator of G-protein signaling related proteins. The regulator of the G-protein signaling gene (UaRGS1) was chosen to perform further verification by the lichen genetic manipulation system Umbilicaria muhlenbergii. Given that the absence of UmRgs1 resulted in elevated lethality to cold shock, the role for UaRgs1 in Antarctic U. aurantiacoatra resistance to cold can be inferred. The investigation of lichen adaptation to extreme environments at the molecular level will be opened up.
Horner’s syndrome caused by the first rib fracture sustained during coronary artery bypass grafting: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yasumura Hiroto , Tao Koji , Imada Ryo , Yamashita Yushi , Tateishi Naoki , Kinjo Tamahiro
Published: September 2024

Background

Horner’s syndrome is a rare complication of cardiovascular surgery. A bone fragment and hematoma due to rib fracture after cardiac surgery may cause injury to the brachial nerve plexus and sympathetic nerve trunk, leading to neurologic disorders and Horner’s syndrome. However, few reports have revealed the etiology of Horner’s syndrome after cardiovascular surgery based on imaging. Herein we present a case in which a plain CT scan confirmed the etiology of Horner’s syndrome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), reviewing 139 CABG cases retrospectively in our hospital and 6 case reports of Horner’s syndrome associated with cardiovascular surgery.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old woman with a history of percutaneous coronary intervention and total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy had chest pain on exertion. Coronary angiography showed severe triple vessel disease. She underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A median sternotomy was performed, and the split sternums were widened using a sternal retractor. The bilateral internal thoracic arteries were harvested. A triple CABG was performed. She had left shoulder pain after surgery. She complained of anhidrosis involving the left face and hyperhidrosis involving the right face from postoperative day (POD) 6. Left ptosis and blurry vision appeared after discharge from the hospital, for which she saw a neurologist in our hospital on POD 48. Miosis could not be clearly confirmed. She was diagnosed with Horner’s syndrome. A plain CT scan revealed displaced fractures of the bilateral first ribs and left second rib. The bone fragment of the left first rib head was displaced 3 mm anteriorly compared to the left first rib head before surgery, which suggested that the fragment affected the stellate ganglion in the sympathetic trunk. The patient had regular follow-up evaluations. The anhidrosis persisted, but the ptosis improved, and the miosis was not confirmed at the 6-month follow-up evaluation.

Conclusions

We should recognize that Horner’s syndrome is one of the complications of cardiovascular surgery, especially CABG. Fracture of the first rib head with a displaced bone fracture was shown to be a contributor to ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome. When symptoms of Horner’s syndrome and other neurologic symptoms are noted after open heart surgery, a plain CT examination should be obtained.
There is no limitation for CO2 excretion across the lung in exercising American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)
Authors: Crossley Janna L. , Elsey Ruth , Crossley Dane A. , Wang Tobias , Hicks James W.
Published: September 2024

Vertebrates utilize various respiratory organs such as gills, lungs and skin in combination with diverse cardiovascular structures, including single-, three- and four-chambered hearts, to enable oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal. They also exhibit differences in aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during exertion, but the cardiorespiratory gas transport of all vertebrates is a four-step process governed by Fick's Principle and Fick's Law of Diffusion over the entire range of metabolic rates. Hillman et al. (2013) suggested that previous exercise studies have focused too narrowly on mammals and proposed that the cardiorespiratory system's excess capacity serves an evolutionary role in enhancing CO2 excretion in non-mammalian vertebrates. In contrast, an analysis by Hicks and Wang (2021) concluded that vertebrates maintain effective gas exchange even at peak activity, finding no evidence of arterial hypercapnia at maximal oxygen consumption and thus challenging the proposal of significant limitations to pulmonary or branchial CO2 efflux. In the present study, we investigated the limits for CO2 exchange in exercising American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and provide evidence that the cardiorespiratory system is adequately built to sustain CO2 excretion during strenuous exercise and maintain arterial PCO2, with no evidence of diffusion limitation for pulmonary CO2 excretion.
Regulatory interplay between SR proteins governsCLK1kinase splice variants production
Authors: Shkreta Lulzim , Delannoy Aurélie , Toutant Johanne , Chabot Benoit
Published: September 2024

The CLK1 kinase phosphorylates SR proteins to modulate their splicing regulatory activity. Skipping of alternative exon 4 on theCLK1pre-mRNA produces a CLK1 variant lacking the catalytic site. Here, we aimed to understand how various SR proteins integrate into the regulatory program that controlsCLK1exon 4 splicing. Previously, we observed that the depletion of SRSF10 promoted the inclusion ofCLK1exon 4. Using the expression of tagged proteins and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockouts in HCT116 cells, we now identify TRA2β, TRA2α, SRSF4, SRSF5, SRSF7, SRSF8, and SRSF9 as activators of exon 4 inclusion. In contrast, SRSF3, SRSF10, and SRSF12 elicit exon 4 skipping. Using CRISPR/dCas13Rx and RNA immunoprecipitation assays, we map an enhancer in exon 4 interacting with TRA2β. Notably, CLK1 kinase inhibitors antagonized the repressor activity of HA-SRSF10, HA-SRSF12, and HA-SRSF3. Our results suggest thatCLK1exon 4 inclusion is determined primarily by a balance between the activities of TRA2 proteins and CLK-phosphorylated SRSF3. CLK-phosphorylated SRSF10 and SRSF12 would interact with TRA2 proteins to prevent their enhancer activity, allowing SRSF3 to enforce exon 4 skipping more efficiently. Our study provides insight into the complex regulatory network controlling the alternative splicing ofCLK1, which uses CLK1-mediated phosphorylation of SR proteins to regulate the inclusion of catalytic exon 4 inCLK1transcripts.
tRNAValallows four-way decoding with unmodified uridine at the wobble position inLactobacillus casei
Authors: Sugita Riko , Guérineau Vincent , Touboul David , Yoshizawa Satoko , Takai Kazuyuki , Tomikawa Chie
Published: September 2024

Modifications at the wobble position (position 34) of tRNA facilitate interactions that enable or stabilize non-Watson–Crick base pairs. In bacterial tRNA, 5-hydroxyuridine (ho5U) derivatives xo5U [x: methyl (mo5U), carboxymethyl (cmo5U), and methoxycarbonylmethyl (mcmo5U)] present at the wobble positions of tRNAs are responsible for the recognition of NYN codon families. These modifications of U34 allow base-pairing not only with A and G but also with U, and in some cases, C. mo5U was originally found in Gram-positive bacteria, and cmo5U and mcmo5U were found in Gram-negative bacteria. tRNAs ofMycoplasmaspecies, mitochondria, and chloroplasts adopt four-way decoding in which unmodified U34 recognizes codons ending in A, G, C, and U.Lactobacillus casei, Gram-positive bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria lack the modification enzyme genes for xo5U biosynthesis. Nevertheless,L. caseihas only one type of tRNAValwith the anticodon UAC [tRNAVal(UAC)]. However, the genome ofL. caseiencodes an undetermined tRNA (tRNAUnd) gene, and the sequence corresponding to the anticodon region is GAC. Here, we confirm that U34 inL. caseitRNAValis unmodified and that there is no tRNAUndexpression in the cells. In addition, in vitro transcribed tRNAUndwas not aminoacylated byL. caseivalyl-tRNA synthetase, suggesting that tRNAUndis not able to accept valine, even if expressed in cells. Correspondingly, native tRNAVal(UAC) with unmodified U34 bound to all four valine codons in the ribosome A site. This suggests thatL. caseitRNAValdecodes all valine codons by four-way decoding, similarly to tRNAs fromMycoplasmaspecies, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
Utility of diffusion weighted Magnetic Resonance Imagining to detect non-palpable undescended testis
Authors: Naz Nasreen , Walid Ayesha , Rahim Anila , Lajpat Komal
Published: September 2024

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in the detection of non-palpable undescended testis (NPUT) and to compare DW-MRI results with surgical findings.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at Dow Institute of Radiology, Dow University of Health Sciences. Karachi on a cohort of patients who underwent DW-MRI for suspected NPUT between 15th September, 2022 to 16th March, 2023. The study included 175 boys below the age of 16 years with history of clinically non-palpable testes. MRI scans were acquired using additional DWI sequence. Two radiology faculty of more than five years of experience independently evaluated the DW-MRI images for the presence or absence of testes in its normal anatomical position, abnormal location, side and size of testes.
Results: Out of the 175 patients, DW-MRI successfully detected 128 (73.1%) non-palpable undescended testes. Statistical analysis in clinically detected cases of showed sensitivity of NPTU 0.8%, specificity of 92.5%, diagnostic accuracy 94.29%, positive predictive value 97.7%, and negative predictive value 84.1% for localizing undescended testes with Diffusion Weighted DW-MRI taking surgical findings as gold standard.
Conclusion: DWI sequences complement the conventional MRI, increasing its sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy. By facilitating early and accurate diagnosis, DW-MRI has the potential to streamline patient management, reduce unnecessary surgical exploration, and ultimately improve the long-term reproductive health and quality of life for individuals with undescended testes.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.8905
How to cite this: Naz N, Walid A, Rahim A, Lajpat K. Utility of diffusion weighted Magnetic Resonance Imagining to detect non-palpable undescended testis. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(9):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.8905
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical effect of psychological nursing and nutritional intervention in radiopharmaceutical therapy of patients with thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jing , Liu Yuanzheng
Published: September 2024

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of psychological nursing and nutritional intervention in radiopharmaceutical therapy of patients with thyroid carcinoma.
Methods: This was retrospective study. One hundred and twenty patients with thyroid carcinoma were included at Baoding No.1 Central Hospital from May 10, 2021 to July 10, 2023 to as subjects and randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group (n=60 each group). Patients in the control group were given conventional nursing, while those in the experimental group received psychological nursing and nutritional intervention. The differences in quality of life, compliance, satisfaction and cognitive level between the two groups before and after intervention were compared.
Results: After intervention, the scores of emotional functions, role function, cognitive function, physical function and social function of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P= 0.00); The compliance of the experimental group was 100%, which was significantly higher than 90% of the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P= 0.01). Moreover, the scores of SAS and SDS in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group after intervention, with a statistically significant difference (P= 0.00).
Conclusion: Psychological nursing and nutritional intervention may result in a variety of benefits for patients with thyroid carcinoma receiving radiopharmaceutical therapy, such as effectively ameliorating the quality of life of patients, improving the cognitive level of patients with the disease and treatment compliance, reducing anxiety and depression, and enhancing patient satisfaction with nursing.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.9020
How to cite this: Chen J, Liu Y. Clinical effect of psychological nursing and nutritional intervention in radiopharmaceutical therapy of patients with thyroid carcinoma. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(9):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.9020
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
„Calizna”. Z osobliwości idiolektu Stanisława Pigonia (na materiale pamiętnika „Z Komborni w świat”)
Authors: Koziara Stanisław
Published: September 2024

Artykuł jest próbę zwrócenia uwagi na charakterystyczne właściwości języka pism Stanisława Pigonia – wybitnego historyka literatury i zarazem pisarza twórczo odwołującego się do ludowych zasobów polszczyzny. Opracowanie ma charakter mikroanalizy, polegającej na prześledzeniu rodzaju oraz statusu semantycznego wybranych jednostek leksykalnych w tekście wspomnieniowego utworu Stanisława Pigonia Z Komborni w świat, powszechnie uważanego za klasyczny gatunek polskiej literatury pamiętnikarskiej. Obiektem szczegółowej prezentacji i analizy autor artykułu uczynił pojedynczy leksem calizna, którego obecność w twórczości memuarystycznej Stanisława Pigonia pośrednio wskazuje na o wiele szerzej pojęte właściwości Jego języka i warsztatu pisarskiego. W końcowej części opracowania znalazły się także zarysowo ujęte wytyczne wychodzące naprzeciw potrzebie bardziej całościowego opisu idiolektu Pigonia – uczonego i pisarza.
apresentação
Authors: Kohan Walter omar , Rojas Victor , Kennedy David
Published: September 2024

Ao XIX Congresso foram apresentadas 166 propostas de comunicações, 43 de oficinas e 17 de pôsteres. Das 136 propostas aceitas de comunicações, foram selecionados os 19 textos que compõem o presente Dossier. Mesmo eles tendo sido aprovados por dois pareceristas para o colóquio, passaram por dupla avaliação cega de pares para ser aqui publicados. Assim, integram o Dossier 19 artigos, dos quais 11 em inglês, 5 em castelhano e 3 em português. Dentre eles, o texto vencedor do 2019 ICPIC Prêmio à Excelência em interpretar Filosofia para/com crianças, outorgado pelo Conselho Internacional para a Investigação Filosófica com Crianças, “Intersubjetividade: um olhar sobre a comunidade de investigação filosófica”, de Paula Alexandra Vieira. Todos os trabalhos têm resumos em português, inglês e espanhol. Nos próximos parágrafos apresentaremos uma sinopse dos trabalhos.
Empowering the next generation: how nurses can champion student success
Authors: Wanogho Aghogho
Published: September 2024

Final-year student Aghogho Wanogho explains what registered nurses can do to ensure that student nurses gain the most from their clinical placements
CULTURE, SPACE, AND GEOGRAPHY: THE TRANSFORMATION OF A DISCIPLINE IN TÜRKİYE
Authors: Koç Yasin , Derinöz Bekir
Published: September 2024

The roots of geography as a spatial science in Turkey extend far beyond the Republican era. Geography, due to its examination of the distribution of both natural environment and human activities, is a multidimensional discipline. Especially in the last 20 years, issues such as migration, earthquakes, global warming, and climate change, which have come to the forefront more intensively, once again emphasize the importance of geography. Additionally, within the discipline of geography, it is also important to reflect the culture's perspective on space. The aim of this study is to examine the historical development of Turkish geography in the context of the interaction between culture and space; to reveal the main developmental trends of geography in Turkey within the dominant paradigms; and to identify the new trends in the discipline today. It should be noted that since the beginning of the 20th century, Turkish geography has embarked on an effort of establishment and organization, during which the effects of environmental determinism in geography were observed. Starting from the 1930s, the teaching of foreign geographers at universities in Turkey and their academic contribution in training students have facilitated the emergence of an important tradition, accompanying the modernization of Turkish geography to world standards. The fact that these foreign geographers were generally physical geographers has ensured significant progress in physical geography in Turkish geography until the 1970s. The period from the mid-20th century to the end of the 20th century witnessed a period of rise, especially in the field of physical geography in Turkish geography. From the late 20th century to the present, Turkish Geography has entered into new quests and orientations. In this recent period, the importance of the relationship between space, culture, and geography has further increased. In line with the requirements brought by this increasing importance, Turkish geography is continuing its efforts towards a new definition and direction.
Identification of age-related genes in rotator cuff tendon
Authors: Liu Yibin , Li Xing , Jiang Lei , Ma Jinjin
Published: September 2024

Aims

Rotator cuff tear (RCT) is the leading cause of shoulder pain, primarily associated with age-related tendon degeneration. This study aimed to elucidate the potential differential gene expressions in tendons across different age groups, and to investigate their roles in tendon degeneration.

Methods

Linear regression and differential expression (DE) analyses were performed on two transcriptome profiling datasets of torn supraspinatus tendons to identify age-related genes. Subsequent functional analyses were conducted on these candidate genes to explore their potential roles in tendon ageing. Additionally, a secondary DE analysis was performed on candidate genes by comparing their expressions between lesioned and normal tendons to explore their correlations with RCTs.

Results

We identified 49 genes in torn supraspinatus tendons associated with advancing age. Among them, five age-related genes showed DE in lesioned tendons compared to normal tendons. Functional analyses and previous studies have highlighted their specific enrichments in biological functions, such as muscle development (e.g. myosin heavy chain 3 (MYH3)), transcription regulation (e.g. CCAAT enhancer binding brotein delta (CEBPD)), and metal ion homeostasis (e.g. metallothionein 1X (MT1X)).

Conclusion

This study uncovered molecular aspects of tendon ageing and their potential links to RCT development, offering insights for targeted interventions. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of tendon degeneration, allowing potential strategies to be made for reducing the incidence of RCT.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(9):474–484.
Developments in Early Eucharistic Praying in Light of Changes in Early Christian Meeting Spaces
Authors: Chase Nathan P.
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Performance criticism (Tambiah) and the Egyptian textual and material evidence strongly suggest that there is a correlation between the size of Christian worship spaces and the length of early Eucharistic prayers that likely holds outside of Egypt as well. Liturgy as an embodied experience not only includes liturgical texts, but also art, architecture, sounds, smells, gestures, and movements. Attending to the non-textual dimensions of the liturgical celebration provides a fuller picture of how Christians, especially in the early Church, celebrated their liturgies. This article looks at the way Eucharistic texts and spaces related to one another in the early church in order to evaluate and substantiate the theory that the shift from house churches to basilicas in the fourth century meant that the short and often improvised Eucharistic prayers of the pre-Nicene period were no longer suitable to the larger purpose-built liturgical spaces that emerged in the post-Nicene period. Despite the abundance of Eucharistic texts and spaces in the early church, no one has attempted to corollate changes in space and liturgical texts. Egypt is the ideal region to serve as a case study since there are a number of early Christian meeting spaces and Eucharistic texts preserved in that region. This article will test the theory that larger spaces required longer liturgical prayers and show that the expansion of Christian congregations, their meeting spaces, and their prayers was part of a broader process of ritual involution that we would expect to find in other aspects of their rituals as well.
Measuring linear birefringence via rotating-sample transmission Stokes spectropolarimetry
Authors: Lima Ruan L. S. , Silva Eric S. , Araujo Paulo T. , Barbosa Neto Newton M.
Published: September 2024

Linear birefringence is a fundamental property of optically anisotropic
media, defined by the difference in refractive index experienced by
light polarized along orthogonal directions. It is usually manifested
in microscopically aligned molecular systems, where a preferential
direction of light–matter interaction is created. For instance, the
anisotropic structure of calcite crystal causes the famous
double-refraction phenomenon. Another common example is commercial
adhesive tapes, which are polymeric materials possessing birefringent
properties due to their manufacturing processes. The intrinsic
relation between birefringence and molecular alignment forges a new
analytical route to study materials such as polymeric thin films.
Therefore, the capacity of measuring linear birefringence and its fast
axis is of paramount importance for the science of anisotropic
molecular systems. In this contribution, a comprehensive approach to
acquire linear birefringence using rotating-sample transmission Stokes
spectropolarimetry is presented and applied to transparent adhesive
tapes as a case study. The experimental setup comprises a thermal
light source and a spectropolarimeter capable of determining
wavelength distributions of Stokes parameters. The samples are
carefully aligned in a rotating mount and subjected to a fixed
broadband vertically polarized light beam. Then, the transmitted light
is analyzed using a rotating retarder type of spectropolarimeter.
Through systematic variation of the sample’s angular position, the
Stokes parameters of transmitted light are measured for each
transmitted wavelength as a function of the sample’s angular position.
The linear retardance and fast axis direction relative to the tape’s
long axis are then determined from the modulation of Stokes parameters
over sample rotation. The model derivation, experimental procedure,
and signal processing protocol are described in detail, and the
approach is verified with a simple correlation between linear
retardance and the number of stacked layers of tape.
Simple near-monostatic Mueller polarimeter
Authors: Field Nathaniel J. , Shaw Joseph A.
Published: September 2024

Inferring material properties from active or passive polarimetric remote sensing requires knowledge of the polarized bidirectional reflectance distribution function (P-BRDF). To encourage and simplify the process of measuring the P-BRDF of materials in the monostatic or near-monostatic configurations seen in lidar and other active remote sensing systems, we describe the design, build, and operating procedure for a simple near-monostatic polarimeter. The described system operates at 1064 nm and with a transmitter-receiver separation of about 4°, but the design principles, alignment procedure, and measurement procedure can be directly applied to systems at other wavelengths or separation angles. Also included are the control and data analysis software for the instrument we deployed, and a small selection of retrievals from the instrument.
On the ratios and the logarithms of dark colors in image processing
Authors: Lee Hsien-Che , Lee Joyce F.
Published: September 2024

In image processing and color science, colors are often specified by their luminance and chromaticity (such as Yxy). Chromaticities are color ratios, which can be difficult to compute reliably due to noise, when the tristimulus values are small, e.g., for dark colors. A detailed statistical analysis of ratio distributions shows that below a certain signal/noise ratio, the computed color ratios are very noisy and often wrong. This contrasts with human vision, where a given chromaticity viewed at high luminance will appear to the viewer as having a distinct color, but when that same chromaticity is viewed at low luminance, it will be seen as dark and almost hue-less. Therefore, dark color processing can take advantage of the perceptual characteristics to avoid producing excessive color noise and unnatural colors. In this study, we perform a detailed analysis of ratio distributions and propose a method to handle dark colors in image processing, using a logarithmic-like transformation (called plog) that maps dark colors to reduced excitation purity. A color ratio 0/0 is mapped to 1 (as the neutral). The plog transformation removes the singularity of the logarithmic transformation and allows us to estimate and process the ratios of dark colors in a manner consistent with human color perception without increasing color noise. It also offers the additional benefit of reducing the dynamic range of dark colors for tone reproduction.
Integrated optical wave analyzer using the discrete fractional Fourier transform
Authors: Urzúa A. R. , Ramos-Prieto I. , Moya-Cessa H. M.
Published: September 2024

In this work, we detail a proposal for optical signals to be represented and analyzed in phase-space. Our proposal aims to integrate a series of operations in waveguide realization, as a compact all-together platform that takes an initial wavefield and returns a two-dimensional representation of the information. We show, step by step, that the quantum harmonic oscillator can be considered as a propagator of initial fields, and when a discretized version is implemented, the fractional order Fourier transform emerges. This last is crucial, since the Wigner-Radon theorem is used to establish a path between the propagated wavefield and the phase-space representation. We show by example that this integration offers a direct and efficient method for characterizing optical signals by reconstructing their Wigner phase-space in the scope of integrated optics.
Type-II Bragg gratings with a 300 nm period fabricated using tightly focused femtosecond pulses and the phase mask technique
Authors: Hnatovsky Cyril , Rahnama Abdullah , Lausten Rune , Silva Manjula De , Mihailov Stephen J.
Published: September 2024

1000°C-resistant Bragg gratings (i.e., Type-II Bragg gratings) with a 300 nm period are fabricated in non-photosensitized silica-based optical fibers using tightly focused ultraviolet/visible (400 nm) femtosecond pulses and a phase mask. Five millimeter-long Bragg gratings with a -10 dB transmission dip and -0.1 dB off-resonance insertion loss are demonstrated. Inscription of such gratings is also possible through protective acrylate coatings on the fiber. The Bragg wavelength drift and changes in the transmission of the fiber Bragg gratings are monitored in the course of isothermal annealing performed at 1000°C for 120 hours.
Nineteen years of radiographic screening: Impact of sepsis and evolution of osteochondrosis dissecans prevalence in Walloon sport horses born between 2004 and 2022
Authors: Van Cauter Raphaël , Caudron Isabelle , Lejeune Jean-Philippe , Rousset Alycia , Serteyn Didier
Published: September 2024

Osteochondrosis dissecans is a particularly common developmental orthopaedic disorder in equines. Among its causes, the hereditary component is no longer a matter of debate, and, for several decades, the various studbooks for sport horses have been selecting stallions in order to limit the prevalence of this condition in the population. However, to our knowledge, no study has evaluated changes in the prevalence of osteochondrosis dissecans over time through longitudinal monitoring of a population of sport horses. The study presented here is part of a large screening programme for developmental orthopaedic pathologies in Wallonia (Belgium) and assessed the presence of these lesions over a period of 19 years in the Walloon sport horse population according to constant and standardised sampling and diagnostic criteria. The effects of breeding conditions and infection in foals were also assessed by means of questionnaires. The results showed no significant change in the prevalence of osteochondrosis dissecans in a population of 1099 individuals born between 2004 and 2022. Furthermore, individuals who had suffered from sepsis during their growing period were very significantly predisposed (p < 0.001) to the development of osteochondrosis dissecans compared to a control group, with respectively 14/21 (67%) and 103/364 (28%) of individuals affected. This study suggests that the selection programmes applied to the population studied are not sufficiently strong or adapted to reduce the prevalence of osteochondrosis dissecans in the population over a period of 19 years. Moreover, this study confirms that foals with sepsis and concurrent osteochondrosis dissecans lesions should not necessarily be excluded from breeding programmes on this basis.
The Impact of Job Automation On Workers In Indonesia’s Garment Companies
Authors: Pita Ardanareswari Ayu , Ariyani Luthfina , Indraprahasta Galuh Syahbana
Published: September 2024

JJob automation through the adoption of more advanced technologies under the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) has significantly impacted many countries, including Indonesia. In particular, the abundance of Indonesia’s human resources, given the country’s demographic bonus, is challenged by the skills of workers. In this study, our departure is the potential conflict of the human-technology nexus in Indonesia’s garment industry, a labor-intensive line of industry. The objectives of this study are twofold. First, it aims to dissect the multi-level factors in the adoption of Industry 4.0 technology in Indonesia’s garment industry. Second, it aims to understand the impact of job automation on labor-intensive workers in Indonesia’s garment industry. Based on a number of semi-structured interviews supported by relevant secondary data, this study reveals that multi-level factors do affect the adoption of Industry 4.0 technology and its entailing shift in workers’ utilization in Indonesia’s garment industry. Instead of replacing workers, Indonesia’s garment companies tend to utilize technology as a complementary element. However, there is a need to shift the state of industrial workers, in terms of their mindset and skills   

 
Keywords: Job Automation, Garment Industry, Labour Intensive, Indonesia