bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-treatment Visual Acuity Prediction Using Deep Learning in Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Kim Najung , Kim Hyung Chan , Chung Hyewon , Lee Hyungwoo
Published: July 2023

Purpose: To develop a deep learning model to predict visual acuity (VA) outcomes after 12 months of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment.Methods: A total of 330 treatment-naive eyes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients, who underwent anti-VEGF therapy between 2007 and 2020 at Konkuk University medical center, were included. The network was trained using VA at baseline, VA after three loading doses of anti-VEGF, and treatment regimen data. It was also trained using 12,300 augmented optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scan images at baseline and after three loading doses of anti-VEGF. We generated five deep learning models using sequentially input data (VA and OCT B-scan images at baseline and after three loading doses, and treatment regimen). Prediction of VA at 12 months was performed using deep learning algorithms, such as convolutional neural network and multilayer perceptron. The outcomes were dichotomized based on whether the decremental change in VA during the 12 months of treatment was more or less than logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.3. Predictive efficiency was assessed by comparing the performance of deep learning models.Results: The best performing model was trained using input data, including VA at baseline and after three loading doses, treatment regimen, and OCT B-scan images at baseline and after three loading doses. The decremental outcome in VA after 12 months of anti-VEGF treatment was predicted as an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79. The addition of OCT images at baseline and after three loading doses as input data improved the AUC, sensitivity, and negative predictive value (AUC 0.74-0.79, 0.58-0.86, and 0.90-0.95, respectively).Conclusions: Our deep learning model showed relatively good performance in classifying good or poor post-treatment VA based on combined clinical information including numerical and image data.
O ensino sobre Florence Nightingale mediado por tecnologias: Relato de experiência
Authors: Camacho Alessandra Conceição Leite Funchal , Monteiro Paola Paiva , Ferraz Victor Hugo Gomes , Silva Juliana de Oliveira Nunes da , Barroso Suellen de Almeida
Published: July 2023

Este artigo apresenta como objetivo descrever o ensino sobre Florence Nightingale mediado por tecnologias na disciplina de História da Enfermagem. É uma proposta de relato de experiência, com abordagem qualitativa do tipo descritiva com vistas ao compartilhamento de experiências no uso de tecnologias no ensino acadêmico do curso de graduação em Enfermagem da Universidade Federal Fluminense para discentes de enfermagem do 1º período. Este artigo está pautado nas seguintes discussões: o Ensino Mediado por Tecnologias (EMT) sobre Florence Nightingale; O Ambiente segundo Florence no EMT. O Ensino Mediado por Tecnologias possibilita uma compreensão sobre o conteúdo ministrado pelo docente tornando-o atrativo e atual facilitando a compreensão e participação discente no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Portanto, o docente como mediador do conhecimento tem a oportunidade de contextualizar conteúdos no ensino presencial mediado por tecnologias que estimulam o aluno a pesquisa e a visibilidade da Enfermagem como profissão através de Florence Nightingale no mundo atual.
Crimes virtuais e suas implicações biopsicossociais: Uma revisão da literatura
Authors: Travassos Rosana Maria Coelho , Cardoso Maria do Socorro Orestes , Milhomens Filho José Afonso , Melo Júnior Paulo Maurício de Reis
Published: July 2023

Nascida na década de 1960, a Internet tem se transformado no mais importante meio de comunicação social dos últimos tempos, sendo responsável pelo maior número de propagação de informação em todo mundo. Apesar da incontestável importância é necessário analisar seus benefícios e o que fica obscuro nessa descoberta que transformou a terra em uma grande aldeia global. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a realidade atual dos crimes virtuais no Brasil e como afetam as vítimas do ponto de vista biopsicossocial. Trata-se de uma revisão descritiva da literatura que é a análise crítica, meticulosa e ampla das publicações decorrentes de um determinado tema ou de uma determinada área do conhecimento através da consulta nas bases de dados online, livros, artigos científicos e publicações nacionais e internacionais, artigos internacionais indexados. A execução deste trabalho foi realizada com as três etapas que caracterizam a Revisão Descritiva: a primeira etapa consistiu no levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados; segunda etapa consistiu na leitura dos títulos e resumos dos artigos previamente selecionados. A terceira etapa foi feita a seleção dos artigos utilizados para este estudo. A Internet foi desenvolvida nos Estados Unidos em 29 de outubro de 1969 em consequência da Guerra Fria. A legislação brasileira para os cybercrime é constituída apenas da Lei 9.609/98 intitulada lei do Software; Lei 12.737/2012 conhecida como lei Carolina Dickmann e Lei 12.965/2014 conhecida como lei do Marco Civil da Internet.
Qualidade de vida de idosos que convivem com o Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana: Revisão integrativa
Authors: Silveira Taline Pereira , Santos Carmen Liêta Ressurreição dos , Barbosa Hayana Leal
Published: July 2023

Introdução: O perfil epidemiológico de prevalência ao HIV modificou-se, e houve o aumento de incidência a partir dos 50 anos, assim, os indivíduos tornam-se mais suscetíveis ao contágio dessa infecção. Objetivo: Analisar as evidências científicas a respeito da QV da pessoa idosa que convive com o HIV. Metodologia: Trata-se de revisão integrativa, realizada no mês de agosto e setembro de 2021 na LILACS, MEDLINE, SCIELO, BDENF e PUBMED, mediante a seguinte questão norteadora: Quais as evidências científicas a respeito da qualidade de vida de idosos portadores do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana (HIV)? Selecionaram-se como Descritores em Ciência da Saúde (DECS): “Idoso”, “HIV”, “qualidade de vida”, “educação em saúde” e “saúde do idoso”, no idioma inglês, mediante o operador booleano AND. Resultados: Após a seleção dos artigos, foram categorizados os dados em três amplas dimensões: (1) Aspectos que interferem na saúde mental em idosos que convivem com o HIV conforme os domínios de QV; (2) Compreendendo a vida sexual e o nível de independência dos idosos com HIV; (3) A relevância da atuação do profissional de saúde no acompanhamento ao idoso convivendo com o HIV. Considerações finais: É primordial os profissionais de saúde conhecer e aplicar as escalas de mensuração de QV em PVHIV, no intuito de subsidiar a prática profissional e apoiar sua atuação nas dimensões de qualidade de vida diminuída.
Professional responsibility and patient safety in Dentistry
Authors: Idrovo Campoverde María Coralía , Bacuilima Ñauta Erika Susana , Cordero Morales Micaela Salomé , Bravo Calderón Manuel Estuardo
Published: July 2023

Objective: To analyze the importance of professional responsibility and patient safety during dental procedures performed at the dental school of the University of Cuenca. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out using a validated questionnaire based on the key dimensions of the SERVQUAL model to 50 patients between 18 and 65 years of age, who attend the undergraduate clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Cuenca during the period March 2023-August 2023, where questions aimed at finding out the management of professional responsibility and patient safety during dental care were addressed. Results: Results were obtained from 50 surveys; in which it was determined that patients are satisfied with the biosafety management offered by students during dental procedures. On the other hand, the patients expressed dissatisfaction with the technological advances used by the students in the different areas during dental care. Conclusion: It is recommended to improve the technological advances during dental procedures, since the patients were able to indicate that there is a deficiency in this area.
PENGARUH DIVERSIFIKASI PRODUK, LEVERAGE, PROFITABILITAS, DAN UKURAN PERUSAHAAN TERHADAP PENGUNGKAPAN SUMBER DAYA MANUSIA
Authors:   Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya, Sibarani Gillian Pauli , Shanti Shanti ,   Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya
Published: July 2023

This study seeks to reveal the relationship between product diversification, leverage, profitability, and company size on human resource disclosure. These variables were chosen since they were included as factors influencing disclosure on human resources. This study used quantitative research with hypothesis testing. This study used secondary data in the form of company data taken from the annual report of manufacturing companies listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange during the period of 2016-2019. Based on the predetermined criteria, the number of research samples used was 186 data. The data analysis technique in this study used multiple linearregression.The results showed that product diversification had a positive effect on human resources disclosure. Leverage has no effect on human resources disclosure. Profitability has a positive effect on human resources disclosure. Company size has no effect on human resources disclosure.
Perbedaan Efek Madu Akasia dengan Madu Multiflora terhadap Peningkatan Kadar Hemoglobin Remaja Putri
Authors: Rahayu Rejeki Ratri , Widowati Retno , Dahlan Febry Mutiariami
Published: July 2023

Anemia remaja putri karena defisiensi zat besi mengakibatkan menurunnya prestasi belajar. Dibutuhkan asupan makanan tinggi zat besi seperti sayuran, protein hewani, protein nabati dan madu. Madu diketahui mengandung nutrisi yang lengkap dan dapat mengatasi anemia. Tujuan: Mengetahui perbedaan pemberian madu Akasia dan madu Multiflora terhadap peningkatan kadar hemoglobin remaja putri. Metode: Desain penelitian quasi eksperimen dengan pre test dan post test dengan grup kontrol. Penelitian pada bulan November 2022 – Januari 2023 di Posyandu remaja  dengan populasi 49 remaja putri yang menderita anemia. Sampel dengan teknik purposive sampling berjumlah 40 orang. Kelompok intervensi akan diberikan madu Akasia dan pada kelompok kontrol diberikan madu Multiflora selama 14 hari dengan dosis 2x10 ml dan tetap minum tablet tambah darah 1x seminggu. Hasil: Rerata kadar hemoglobin sebelum dan sesudah pemberian madu Aksia sebesar 11,5 mg/dl dan 12,46 mg/dl. Rerata kadar hemoglobin sebelum dan sesudah pemberian madu Multiflora sebesar 11,39 mg/dl dan 12,46 mg/dl. Hasil uji Mann Whitney untuk melihat perbedaan didapatkan p value 0,567 > 0,05, sehingga tidak ada perbedaan kenaikan kadar hemoglobin pada remaja putri sesudah pemberian madu Akasia dan madu Multiflora. Kesimpulan : Tidak ada perbedaan kenaikan kadar hemoglobin pada madu Akasia dan Multiflora, keduanya memiliki pengaruh signifikan untuk menaikkan kadar hemoglobin.
RASopathies and cardiac manifestations
Authors: Hilal Nazia , Chen Zi , Chen Ming Hui , Choudhury Sangita
Published: July 2023

As binary switches, RAS proteins switch to an ON/OFF state during signaling and are on a leash under normal conditions. However, in RAS-related diseases such as cancer and RASopathies, mutations in the genes that regulate RAS signaling or the RAS itself permanently activate the RAS protein. The structural basis of this switch is well understood; however, the exact mechanisms by which RAS proteins are regulated are less clear. RAS/MAPK syndromes are multisystem developmental disorders caused by germline mutations in genes associated with the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, impacting 1 in 1,000–2,500 children. These include a variety of disorders such as Noonan syndrome (NS) and NS-related disorders (NSRD), such as cardio facio cutaneous (CFC) syndrome, Costello syndrome (CS), and NS with multiple lentigines (NSML, also known as LEOPARD syndrome). A frequent manifestation of cardiomyopathy (CM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with RASopathies suggest that RASopathies could be a potential causative factor for CM. However, the current supporting evidence is sporadic and unclear. RASopathy-patients also display a broad spectrum of congenital heart disease (CHD). More than 15 genes encode components of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway that are essential for the cell cycle and play regulatory roles in proliferation, differentiation, growth, and metabolism. These genes are linked to the molecular genetic pathogenesis of these syndromes. However, genetic heterogeneity for a given syndrome on the one hand and alleles for multiple syndromes on the other make classification difficult in diagnosing RAS/MAPK-related diseases. Although there is some genetic homogeneity in most RASopathies, several RASopathies are allelic diseases. This allelism points to the role of critical signaling nodes and sheds light on the overlap between these related syndromes. Even though considerable progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of RASopathy with the identification of causal mutations and the functional analysis of their pathophysiological consequences, there are still unidentified causal genes for many patients diagnosed with RASopathies.
The role of cellular crosstalk in the progression of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Keying , Fu Zhangning , Zhang Yifan , Chen Xiangmei , Cai Guangyan , Hong Quan
Published: July 2023

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes, and its main manifestations are progressive proteinuria and abnormal renal function, which eventually develops end stage renal disease (ESRD). The pathogenesis of DN is complex and involves many signaling pathways and molecules, including metabolic disorders, genetic factors, oxidative stress, inflammation, and microcirculatory abnormalities strategies. With the development of medical experimental techniques, such as single-cell transcriptome sequencing and single-cell proteomics, the pathological alterations caused by kidney cell interactions have attracted more and more attention. Here, we reviewed the characteristics and related mechanisms of crosstalk among kidney cells podocytes, endothelial cells, mesangial cells, pericytes, and immune cells during the development and progression of DN and highlighted its potential therapeutic effects
Utilization of multiple genetic methods for prenatal diagnosis of rare thalassemia variants
Authors: Jiang Fan , Zhou Jianying , Zuo Liandong , Tang Xuewei , Li Jian , Li Fatao , Yang Tianhe , Qu Yanxia , Wan Junhui , Liao Can , Li Dongzhi
Published: July 2023

Background: Thalassemia is the most prevalent monogenic disorder caused by an imbalance between the α- and β-globin chains as a result of pathogenic variants in the α- or β-globin genes. Novel or complex structural changes in globin genes are major hurdles for genetic consulting and prenatal diagnosis.

Methods: From 2020 to 2022, genetic analysis was performed on 1,316 families suspected of having children with thalassemia major, including 42 pregnant couples suspected of being thalassemia carriers with rare variants. Multiple techniques including multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), Sanger sequencing, targeted next-generation sequencing, and single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing were used to diagnose rare thalassemia.

Results: The rate of prenatal diagnosis for rare thalassemia variants was 3.19% (42/1,316). The most prevalent alleles of α- and β-thalassemia are Chinese Gγ(Aγδβ)0and -- THAI deletion. In addition, ten rare complex genotypes include one Chinese Gγ(Aγδβ)0 deletion combined with HBG1-HBG2 fusion, two rare deletions at HBB gene (hg38, Chr11: 5224211-5232470, hg38, Chr11: 5224303-5227790), one complete 7,412 bp fusion gene for anti-Lepore Hong Kong, two complex rearrangements of the α-globin gene cluster, two novel duplications, and two rare large deletions in the α-globin gene cluster.

Conclusion: Accurate gene diagnosis for probands with combined molecular biology techniques is the key to prenatal diagnosis of rare thalassemia.
Bacterial outer-membrane vesicles promote Vγ9Vδ2 T cell oncolytic activity
Authors: Firth Jack , Sun Jingjing , George Vaques , Huang Jian-Dong , Bajaj-Elliott Mona , Gustafsson Kenth
Published: July 2023

Background

Increasing evidence suggests the immune activation elicited by bacterial outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) can initiate a potent anti-tumor immunity, facilitating the recognition and destruction of malignant cells. At present the pathways underlying this response remain poorly understood, though a role for innate-like cells such as γδ T cells has been suggested.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were co-cultured with E. coli MG1655 Δpal ΔlpxM OMVs and corresponding immune activation studied by cell marker expression and cytokine production. OMV-activated γδ T cells were co-cultured with cancer cell lines to determine cytotoxicity.

Results

The vesicles induced a broad inflammatory response with γδ T cells observed as the predominant cell type to proliferate post-OMV challenge. Notably, the majority of γδ T cells were of the Vγ9Vδ2 type, known to respond to both bacterial metabolites and stress markers present on tumor cells. We observed robust cytolytic activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against both breast and leukaemia cell lines (SkBr3 and Nalm6 respectively) after OMV-mediated expansion.

Conclusions

Our findings identify for the first time, that OMV-challenge stimulates the expansion of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells which subsequently present anti-tumor capabilities. We propose that OMV-mediated immune activation leverages the anti-microbial/anti-tumor capacity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, an axis amenable for improved future therapeutics.
Untangling Alzheimer’s disease with spatial multi-omics: a brief review
Authors: Marshall Cody R. , Farrow Melissa A. , Djambazova Katerina V. , Spraggins Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of neurological dementia, specified by extracellular β-amyloid plaque deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, and cognitive impairment. AD-associated pathologies like cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) are also affiliated with cognitive impairment and have overlapping molecular drivers, including amyloid buildup. Discerning the complexity of these neurological disorders remains a significant challenge, and the spatiomolecular relationships between pathogenic features of AD and AD-associated pathologies remain poorly understood. This review highlights recent developments in spatial omics, including profiling and molecular imaging methods, and how they are applied to AD. These emerging technologies aim to characterize the relationship between how specific cell types and tissue features are organized in combination with mapping molecular distributions to provide a systems biology view of the tissue microenvironment around these neuropathologies. As spatial omics methods achieve greater resolution and improved molecular coverage, they are enabling deeper characterization of the molecular drivers of AD, leading to new possibilities for the prediction, diagnosis, and mitigation of this debilitating disease.
Reduced cingulate gyrus volume in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with syringomyelia and neuropathic pain revealed by voxel-based morphometry: a pilot study
Authors: Nitzsche Björn , Schulze Sabine , Boltze Johannes , Schmidt Martin J.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Pathomorphological alterations of the central nervous system in dogs, such as syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformation, can cause cranial and cervical hyperesthesia and neuropathic pain. The long-term activity of the pain network can induce functional alteration and eventually even morphological changes in the pain network. This may happen especially in the prefrontal and cingulate cortex, where atrophy of the gray matter (GM) was observed in humans with chronic pain, irrespective of the nature of the pain syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) with Chiari-like malformation and associated syringomyelia (SM) and pain show cerebral morphological differences compared to animals without signs of syringomyelia and pain.

Methods

Volumetric datasets of 28 different brain structures were analyzed in a retrospective manner, including voxel-based morphometry, using magnetic resonance imaging data obtained from 41 dogs.

Results

Volumetric analyses revealed a decrease in GM volumes in the cingulate gyrus (CG) in CKCS with SM and chronic pain when normalized to brain volume. This finding was supported by voxel-based morphometry, which showed a cluster of significance within the CG.

Conclusion

GM atrophy in the CG is associated with chronic pain and thus may serve as an objective readout parameter for the diagnosis or treatment of canine pain syndromes.
Assessment of disease severity and patient prognosis in anti-GABABR encephalitis with and without comorbid tumors
Authors: Gao Caiyun , Chen Zhongyun , Huang Huijin , Zhu Runxiu , Su Yingying
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the severity of the condition and prognosis of patients with anti-gamma-aminobutyric-acid type B receptor (anti-GABABR) encephalitis with tumors.

Methods

Patients with anti-GABABR encephalitis admitted to one of two hospitals from 2020 to 2022 were enrolled and divided into tumor and non-tumor groups. The clinical characteristics, condition severity, treatment options, and prognosis of the two groups of patients were compared and analyzed.

Results

Eighteen patients with anti-GABABR encephalitis were included, ten of whom had tumors. The comparison of clinical characteristics showed that rates of status epilepticus and coma were significantly higher in the group with tumors (P = 0.013 and P = 0.025, respectively); the incidences of pulmonary infection, respiratory failure, hyponatremia, and hypoproteinemia were also substantially more frequent in the tumor group (P = 0.054, P = 0.036, P = 0.015, and P = 0.025, respectively). The laboratory test result comparison showed that serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were present only in the group with tumors (P = 0.036 and P = 0.092, respectively), but there was no significant difference in the occurrence of elevated CEA between the two groups. Conversely, the percentage of serum systemic autoimmune antibodies was higher in the group without tumors than in the group with tumors (P = 0.043). Patients with tumors tended to have poor outcomes (P = 0.152, OR: 7.000).

Conclusion

Severe brain damage and complications occur in patients with anti-GABABR encephalitis and comorbid tumors. Early screening for serum NSE and CEA helps in the early diagnosis and treatment of tumors. The prognosis is much worse for anti-GABABR encephalitis with tumors.
Effect of weekend versus weekday admission on the mortality of acute ischemic stroke patients in China: an analysis of data from the Chinese acute ischemic stroke treatment outcome registry
Authors: Huang Diandian , Lu Yuxuan , Sun Yongan , Sun Wei , Huang Yining , Tai Liwen , Li Guozhong , Chen Huisheng , Zhang Guiru , Zhang Lei , Sun Xuwen , Qiu Jinhua , Wei Yan , Jin Haiqiang
Published: July 2023

Background

Due to disparities in medical resources in rural and urban areas as well as in different geographic regions in China, the effect of weekend versus weekday admission on the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients is unknown. Our aim was to investigate whether the outcomes of AIS patients differ according to the day of admission in China.

Methods

The data were extracted from the Chinese Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Outcome Registry (CASTOR), a multicenter prospective study database of patients diagnosed with AIS. The chi-square test (χ2) and logistic regression were used to assess mortality for weekday and weekend admissions among AIS patients stratified by rural or urban status and geographic region (including the eastern, northeastern, central, and western regions).

Results

In total, 9,256 patients were included in this study. Of these patients, 57.2% were classified as urban, and 42.8% were classified as rural. A total of 6,760 (73%) patients were admitted on weekdays, and 2,496 (27%) were admitted on weekends. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate among patients admitted on weekends compared with those admitted on weekdays in urban (7.5% versus 7.4%) or rural areas (8.8% versus 8.1%; p > 0.05). The mortality rate was the highest among patients admitted on weekends and weekdays (11.6% versus 10.3%) in the northeastern area, without statistical significance before and after adjusting for the patients’ background characteristics (p > 0.05). In addition, regression analysis revealed that the mortality of patients admitted on weekdays was more likely to be influenced by regional subgroup, hospital level and intravenous thrombolysis than that of patients admitted on weekends.

Conclusion

The weekend effect was not observed in the mortality of patients with AIS regardless of rural–urban status or geographic region in China.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation effects on cognitive enhancement in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Yixin , Tian Minjie , Wang Tong , Wang Xixi , Wang Yingying , Shi Jingping
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive intervention that holds promise for improving cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the effectiveness of this therapy and the optimal TMS parameters has not reached a consensus. The purpose of the meta-analysis was to systematically discern the effectiveness of different components of TMS protocols on cognitive improvement in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD.

Methods

The meta-analysis was preregistered on Prospero (registration number: CRD42022345482). PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library databases were used to search, screen and identify eligible studies with the following keywords: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation OR TMS OR theta burst stimulation AND Alzheimer OR Alzheimers OR Alzheimer's OR mild cognitive impairment OR MCI. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of participants with accepted standardized diagnostic criteria were searched by two authors independently. The risk of bias was assessed using an adapted Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the influential factors.

Results

A total of 21 studies and 25 trials were included in this meta-analysis. The findings revealed a significant overall cognition improvement of real stimulation compared with sham stimulation (short-term effects: SMD, 0.91; 95% CI 0.44–1.38; P < 0.01; long-lasting effects: SMD, 0.91; 95% CI 0.27–1.55; P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and bilateral cerebellums, as well as moderate frequency stimulation (5 Hz and 10 Hz) on mild and moderate cognitive impairment patients, were more effective than other TMS protocols. However, the additional application of cognitive training showed no significant improvement.

Conclusion

Cognitive improvement effect of TMS was demonstrated in MCI and AD patients in both short-term assessment and long-lasting outcomes, and the efficiency of TMS is affected by the stimulation frequency, stimulation site, and participant characteristics. Further RCTs are needed to validate the findings of our subgroup analysis.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022345482, identifier: CRD42022345482.
Generalizability of muscle synergies in isometric force generation versus point-to-point reaching in the human upper extremity workspace
Authors: Pham Katherine , Portilla-Jiménez Manuel , Roh Jinsook
Published: July 2023

Isometric force generation and kinematic reaching in the upper extremity has been found to be represented by a limited number of muscle synergies, even across task-specific variations. However, the extent of the generalizability of muscle synergies between these two motor tasks within the arm workspace remains unknown. In this study, we recorded electromyographic (EMG) signals from 13 different arm, shoulder, and back muscles of ten healthy individuals while they performed isometric and kinematic center-out target matches to one of 12 equidistant directional targets in the horizontal plane and at each of four starting arm positions. Non-negative matrix factorization was applied to the EMG data to identify the muscle synergies. Five and six muscle synergies were found to represent the isometric force generation and point-to-point reaches. We also found that the number and composition of muscle synergies were conserved across the arm workspace per motor task. Similar tuning directions of muscle synergy activation profiles were observed at different starting arm locations. Between the isometric and kinematic motor tasks, we found that two to four out of five muscle synergies were common in the composition and activation profiles across the starting arm locations. The greater number of muscle synergies that were involved in achieving a target match in the reaching task compared to the isometric task may explain the complexity of neuromotor control in arm reaching movements. Overall, our results may provide further insight into the neuromotor compartmentalization of shared muscle synergies between two different arm motor tasks and can be utilized to assess motor disabilities in individuals with upper limb motor impairments.
Cellular mechanisms of fibrin (ogen): insight from neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Wen Tingting , Zhang Zhaohui
Published: July 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases are prevalent and currently incurable conditions that progressively impair cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric functions of the central or peripheral nervous system. Fibrinogen, a macromolecular glycoprotein, plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response and tissue repair in the human body and interacts with various nervous system cells due to its unique molecular structure. Accumulating evidence suggests that fibrinogen deposits in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. By regulating pathophysiological mechanisms and signaling pathways, fibrinogen can exacerbate the neuro-pathological features of neurodegenerative diseases, while depletion of fibrinogen contributes to the amelioration of cognitive function impairment in patients. This review comprehensively summarizes the molecular mechanisms and biological functions of fibrinogen in central nervous system cells and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Vascular dementia, Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Additionally, we discuss the potential of fibrinogen-related treatments in the management of neurodegenerative disorders.
Enzyme-assisted extraction, characterization, and in vitro antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Potentilla anserina L.
Authors: Guo Penghui , Chen Hong , Ma Jinpu , Zhang Yuxuan , Chen Hongfu , Wei Ti , Gao Dandan , Li Jiansheng
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Potentilla anserina (Potentilla anserina L.), also known as ginseng fruit, is a plant that can be used as both medicine and food. Potentilla anserina L. has high medical value in Chinese medicine, such as strengthening the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi and blood, and astringing hemostasis.

Methods

In this study, polysaccharides of Potentilla anserina L. were extracted from the root using an enzyme-assisted extraction method. According to the principle of Box–Behnken design, response surface methodology was designed to optimize the extraction conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the structure and appearance of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides. The monosaccharide composition of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activities were also studied.

Results

Under the optimal extraction conditions (the ratio of solid to liquid, 1:15; ratio of cellulase to pectinase, 1:2; extraction pH, 8.0; enzyme reaction temperature, 60°C), the extraction yield of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides was 19.80 ± 0.01%, equal to the model prediction value 19.84%. The data of Fourier transform infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography showed that the Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharide was a kind of α-pyran polysaccharide, mainly consisting of galactose, glucose, rhamnose, and arabinose. The antioxidant results showed that Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides had a strong hydroxyl radical scavenging ability (IC50 = 0.367 mg/mL), superoxide anion scavenging ability (IC50 = 45.017 mg/mL), and a certain degree of total reducing ability.

Discussion

Enzyme-assisted extraction is an efficient method to extract Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides. The Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides could have potential use in functional foods as a natural antioxidant.
Evaluating large language models on a highly-specialized topic, radiation oncology physics
Authors: Holmes Jason , Liu Zhengliang , Zhang Lian , Ding Yuzhen , Sio Terence T. , McGee Lisa A. , Ashman Jonathan B. , Li Xiang , Liu Tianming , Shen Jiajian , Liu Wei
Published: July 2023

Purpose

We present the first study to investigate Large Language Models (LLMs) in answering radiation oncology physics questions. Because popular exams like AP Physics, LSAT, and GRE have large test-taker populations and ample test preparation resources in circulation, they may not allow for accurately assessing the true potential of LLMs. This paper proposes evaluating LLMs on a highly-specialized topic, radiation oncology physics, which may be more pertinent to scientific and medical communities in addition to being a valuable benchmark of LLMs.

Methods

We developed an exam consisting of 100 radiation oncology physics questions based on our expertise. Four LLMs, ChatGPT (GPT-3.5), ChatGPT (GPT-4), Bard (LaMDA), and BLOOMZ, were evaluated against medical physicists and non-experts. The performance of ChatGPT (GPT-4) was further explored by being asked to explain first, then answer. The deductive reasoning capability of ChatGPT (GPT-4) was evaluated using a novel approach (substituting the correct answer with “None of the above choices is the correct answer.”). A majority vote analysis was used to approximate how well each group could score when working together.

Results

ChatGPT GPT-4 outperformed all other LLMs and medical physicists, on average, with improved accuracy when prompted to explain before answering. ChatGPT (GPT-3.5 and GPT-4) showed a high level of consistency in its answer choices across a number of trials, whether correct or incorrect, a characteristic that was not observed in the human test groups or Bard (LaMDA). In evaluating deductive reasoning ability, ChatGPT (GPT-4) demonstrated surprising accuracy, suggesting the potential presence of an emergent ability. Finally, although ChatGPT (GPT-4) performed well overall, its intrinsic properties did not allow for further improvement when scoring based on a majority vote across trials. In contrast, a team of medical physicists were able to greatly outperform ChatGPT (GPT-4) using a majority vote.

Conclusion

This study suggests a great potential for LLMs to work alongside radiation oncology experts as highly knowledgeable assistants.
Autonomic and vascular function testing in collegiate athletes following SARS-CoV-2 infection: an exploratory study
Authors: Luck J. Carter , Blaha Cheryl , Cauffman Aimee , Gao Zhaohui , Arnold Amy C. , Cui Jian , Sinoway Lawrence I.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection alters autonomic and vascular function in young, otherwise healthy, adults. However, whether these alterations exist in young competitive athletes remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the effects of COVID-19 on cardiac autonomic control and vascular function in collegiate athletes who tested positive for COVID-19, acknowledging the limitations imposed by the early stages of the pandemic.

Methods: Sixteen collegiate athletes from various sports underwent a battery of commonly used autonomic and vascular function tests (23 ± 9, range: 12–44 days post-infection). Additionally, data from 26 healthy control participants were included.

Results: In response to the Valsalva maneuver, nine athletes had a reduced early phase II blood pressure response and/or reduced Valsalva ratio. A depressed respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitude was observed in three athletes. Three athletes became presyncopal during standing and did not complete the 10-min orthostatic challenge. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, when allometrically scaled to account for differences in baseline diameter, was not different between athletes and controls (10.0% ± 3.5% vs. 7.1% ± 2.4%, p = 0.058). Additionally, no differences were observed between groups when FMD responses were normalized by shear rate (athletes: 0.055% ± 0.026%/s-1, controls: 0.068% ± 0.049%/s-1, p = 0.40).

Discussion: Few atypical and borderline responses to autonomic function tests were observed in athletes following an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most meaningful autonomic abnormality being the failure of three athletes to complete a 10-min orthostatic challenge. These findings suggest that some athletes may develop mild alterations in autonomic function in the weeks after developing COVID-19, while vascular function is not significantly impaired.
Perceptions and attitudes of users and non-users of mental health services concerning mental illness and services in Japan
Authors: Uchino Takashi , Fukui Eriko , Takubo Youji , Iwai Momoko , Katagiri Naoyuki , Tsujino Naohisa , Imamura Haruhiko , Fujii Chiyo , Tanaka Kuniaki , Shimizu Tetsuo , Nemoto Takahiro
Published: July 2023

Objectives

There is a global movement to develop and implement community-based integrated mental health systems. The present study attempted to clarify the perceptions and attitudes of users and non-users of mental health services concerning mental illness and services in Japan.

Methods

A new questionnaire was developed for this internet survey. Data from 500 outpatients with depression and 500 healthy subjects were sampled according to the demographics of the Japanese population.

Results

Over 90% of healthy subjects and over 70% of patients were unaware of the common age of onset or lifetime prevalence of mental illness. Over 90% of the healthy subjects and about 70% of the patients could not describe any services where they would feel comfortable discussing mental health problems. In both groups, “adolescents and young adults” were ranked first as a target population for mental health and illness policies. The top requirement for the integrated care systems was the promotion and awareness of correct knowledge of mental illness in both the healthy subjects and patients.

Conclusion

Societal requirements could include disseminating correct knowledge, awareness-raising actions for society, and implementing services where people, especially young people, can easily consult and receive support in the community.
Exploring the impact of childhood maltreatment and BPD on impulsivity in crimes of passion
Authors: Jin Michelle , Wang Zhongrui , Zhou Ying , Zhong Jie
Published: July 2023

Background

Crimes of passion, characterized as unpremeditated impulsive aggression, have garnered increasing attention in recent years. Impulsivity, a major factor in crimes of passion, is also a common feature of various health conditions, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Childhood maltreatment is considered a significant precursor to BPD and is closely related to impulsivity. Although prior research has affirmed the relationship between impulsivity, childhood maltreatment, BPD, and criminal behavior, few studies have examined these variables’ interconnections within the context of crimes of passion. This study seeks to explore the relationship between childhood maltreatment, BPD, and impulsivity in crimes of passion, assessing the former’s impact on the latter.

Method

Our research examined 133 crimes of passion offenders and 149 other offenders from the Shenzhen male prison in China. All 282 participants completed The Abbreviated Version of The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (ABIS), The UPPS Impulsivity Scale (Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking), The McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD), and The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).

Results

Our findings indicated that (1) crimes of passion offenders scored significantly higher in emotional neglect, physical neglect, and overall childhood maltreatment than did other offenders, and childhood maltreatment scores were notably higher in the high BPD trait group. (2) Crimes of passion offenders demonstrated significantly elevated impulsivity in attention and nonplanning scales compared to other offenders. Impulsivity scores across all scales were also significantly higher in the high BPD trait group. (3) Emotional neglect was found to significantly influence the urgency scale in crimes of passion offenders. An interaction effect was noted between physical abuse and high BPD traits, leading to increased impulsivity in crimes of passion offenders.

Conclusion

This study underscores the predictive roles of childhood maltreatment and BPD in determining impulsivity within the context of crimes of passion.
Application of the Rasch measurement model in rehabilitation research and practice: early developments, current practice, and future challenges
Authors: Tennant Alan , Küçükdeveci Ayse A.
Published: July 2023

The application of the Rasch measurement model in rehabilitation is now well established. Both its dichotomous and polytomous forms provide for transforming ordinal scales into interval-level measures, consistent with the requirements of fundamental measurement. The growth of applying the model in rehabilitation spans 30 years, during which both the protocol has steadily developed and several software packages have emerged that provide for analysis, together with the “R” language that has an increasing set of codes for applying the model. This article reviews that development and highlights current practice requirements, including those for providing the relevant information for the methods, and what is expected of the analysis. In addition, this provides a worked example and looks at the remaining issues and current developments of its application.
Revealing diversity among narratives of agricultural transformation: insights from smallholder farmers in the Northern Kilombero Valley, Tanzania
Authors: Lala Margherita , Sallu Susannah M. , Lyimo Francis , Moore Eleanor , Shirima Deo D. , Nnyiti Petro , Mwanga Lilian , Pfeifer Marion
Published: July 2023

The discourse of transformation, as currently adopted in policy arenas, has given scarce attention to diverse knowledges, plural pathways, and politics. Narratives about change and agricultural transformation in African landscapes are diverse. However, failure to recognise diversity among narratives of the predominant food producers—smallholder farmers—in planning and policy processes limits potential to achieve just agricultural transformation. To progress understanding on diverse knowledges, plural pathways, and politics of agricultural transformation in this paper we present smallholder visions of future farms and their narratives of agricultural transformation in an African landscape subject to rapid ecological and livelihood change. We present smallholder narratives of transformation alongside those promoted by national and private-sector blueprints, and critically reflect on the social justice of transformation. From nine participatory workshops conducted with smallholder farmers in the northern Kilombero Valley of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), four main narratives of transformation were identified: (1) land ownership, (2) expansion of agricultural activities, (3) diversification, and (4) access to water for irrigation. The view of transformation presented by smallholders appears incompatible with national blueprint policies and plans. Despite “win-win” narratives of transformation and the outgrower scheme approach to expansion of sugarcane cultivation promoted by SAGCOT, the national government and the Kilombero Sugar Company, we found that land ownership and expansion remains challenging for smallholders in the present and represents a key aspiration for the future, along with diversification and access to adequate amounts of water for irrigation. These visions of bigger, more diverse farms with access to water, are not necessarily compatible with the expansion of sugarcane cultivation in the area and does not appear, as yet, to be sufficiently recognised in sugarcane expansion plans, creating potential to exacerbate injustice. Given this lack of recognition, smallholders advocate for a stronger role in protecting their interests as citizens in relation to the SAGCOT private-public partners. We demonstrate the need for greater effort among actors in rural African landscapes to realise and recognise the diversity and contextuality of envisaged desirable futures in plans and polices, and the importance of progressing understanding on inclusive planning and policy-making processes to achieve inclusive negotiation leading to more just transformation pathways.
Examining the Role of the Health Belief Model Framework in Achieving Diversity and Equity in Organ Donation Among South Asians in the United Kingdom
Authors: Pradeep Agimol , Augustine Titus , Randhawa Gurch , Ormandy Paula
Published: July 2023

Organ donation continues to be low among ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom (UK), especially within the South Asian community, with a disproportionate number of patients of South Asian ethnicity awaiting organ transplants. In 2020/21, Minority Ethnic (ME) patients comprised almost a third of the national transplant waiting list, highlighting the continued imbalance between the need for transplants in South Asian communities and the availability of suitable organs. Median waiting times for transplants show that, generally, white patients wait less time than ME patients; Only 39.5% of ME families consented to proceed with deceased organ donation when approached compared to 69% of white families. How to increase awareness among the South Asian community on the scarcity of organ donors continues to be a growing challenge facing the healthcare system in the UK and globally. This article reflects on the education strategy implemented using the Health Belief Model. It provides a detailed framework with which to consider the rationale that led to a specific behaviour, in this case organ donation among the three major ethnicities (i.e., Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) within the South Asian community as part of a single study.
Chatbots for Cultural Venues: A Topic-Based Approach
Authors: Bouras Vasilis , Spiliotopoulos Dimitris , Margaris Dionisis , Vassilakis Costas , Kotis Konstantinos , Antoniou Angeliki , Lepouras George , Wallace Manolis , Poulopoulos Vassilis
Published: July 2023

Digital assistants—such as chatbots—facilitate the interaction between persons and machines and are increasingly used in web pages of enterprises and organizations. This paper presents a methodology for the creation of chatbots that offer access to museum information. The paper introduces an information model that is offered through the chatbot, which subsequently maps the museum’s modeled information to structures of DialogFlow, Google’s chatbot engine. Means for automating the chatbot generation process are also presented. The evaluation of the methodology is illustrated through the application of a real case, wherein we developed a chatbot for the Archaeological Museum of Tripolis, Greece.