bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Driving ability and predictors for driving performance in Multiple Sclerosis: A systematic review
Authors: Seddiq Zai Susan , Heesen Christoph , Buhmann Carsten , das Nair Roshan , Pöttgen Jana
Published: November 2022

Objective

To provide an overview of the evidence on driving ability in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), specifically to (i) study the impact of MS impairment on driving ability and (ii) evaluate predictors for driving performance in MS.

Methods

To identify relevant studies, different electronic databases were screened in accordance with PRISMA guidelines; this includes reference lists of review articles, primary studies, and trial registers for protocols. Furthermore, experts in the field were contacted. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full-texts to identify relevant articles targeting driving in people with MS that investigated driving-related issues with a formal driving assessment (defined as either an on-road driving assessment; or naturalistic driving in a car equipped with video cameras to record the driving; or a driving simulator with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, and an accelerator).

Results

Twenty-four publications, with 15 unique samples (n = 806 PwMS), were identified. To assess driving ability, on-road tests (14 papers) and driving simulators (10 papers) were used. All studies showed moderate to high study quality in the CASP assessment. About 6 to 38% of PwMS failed the on-road tests, showing difficulties in different areas of driving. Similarly, PwMS showed several problems in driving simulations. Cognitive and visual impairment appeared to most impact driving ability, but the evidence was insufficient and inconsistent.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for more research and standardized guidelines for clinicians as one in five PwMS might not be able to drive safely. On-road tests may be the gold standard in assessing driving ability, but on-road protocols are heterogeneous and not infallible. Driving simulators assess driving ability in a standardized way, but without standardized routes and driving outcomes, comparability between studies is difficult. Different aspects, such as cognitive impairment or vision problems, impact driving ability negatively and should be taken into consideration when making decisions about recommending driving cessation.

Systematic review registration

Identifier [10.17605/OSF.IO/WTG9J].
Dynamic functional and structural remodeling during retinal regeneration in zebrafish
Authors: Barrett Lindsey M. , Mitchell Diana M. , Meighan Peter C. , Varnum Michael D. , Stenkamp Deborah L.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Zebrafish regenerate their retinas following damage, resulting in restoration of visual function. Here we evaluate recovery of retinal function through qualitative and quantitative analysis of the electroretinogram (ERG) over time following retinal damage, in correlation to histological features of regenerated retinal tissue.

Methods

Retinas of adult zebrafish were lesioned by intravitreal injection of 10 μM (extensive lesion; destroys all neurons) or 2 μM (selective lesion; spares photoreceptors) ouabain. Unlesioned contralateral retinas served as controls. Function of retinal circuitry was analyzed at selected timepoints using ERG recordings from live zebrafish, and whole eyes were processed for histological analyses immediately thereafter.

Results

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of waveforms during retinal regeneration revealed dynamic changes that were heterogeneous on an individual level within each sampling time, but still followed common waveform recovery patterns on a per-fish and population-level basis. Early in the regeneration period (13–30 days post injury; DPI), for both lesion types, b-waves were essentially not detected, and unmasked increased apparent amplitudes, implicit times, and half-widths of a-waves (vs. controls). In control recordings, d-waves were not obviously detected, but apparent d-waves (OFF-bipolar responses) from regenerating retinas of several fish became prominent by 30DPI and dominated the post-photoreceptor response (PPR). Beyond 45DPI, b-waves became detectable, and the ratio of apparent d- to b-wave contributions progressively shifted with most, but not all, fish displaying a b-wave dominated PPR. At the latest timepoints (extensive, 90DPI; selective, 80DPI), recordings with measurable b-waves approached a normal waveform (implicit times and half-widths), but amplitudes were not restored to control levels. Histological analyses of the retinas from which ERGs were recorded showed that as regeneration progressed, PKCa + ON-bipolar terminals and parvalbumin + amacrine cell processes became more stereotypically positioned within the deep sublaminae of the INL over recovery time after each lesion type, consistent with the shift in PPR seen in the ERG recordings.

Discussion

Taken together, these data suggest that photoreceptor-OFF-bipolar component/connectivity may functionally recover and mature earlier during regeneration compared to the photoreceptor-ON-bipolar component, though the timeframe in which such recovery happens is heterogeneous on a per-fish basis. Collectively our studies suggest gradual restoration of ON-bipolar functional circuitry during retinal regeneration.
Association between grip strength and cognitive impairment in older American adults
Authors: Huang Jian , Wang Xinping , Zhu Hao , Huang Dong , Li Weiwang , Wang Jing , Liu Zhirong
Published: November 2022

Background and aims

Exponential population aging has led to an increased prevalence of cognitive impairment worldwide. Hand grip strength, which may be associated with physical activity, could be a useful predictor of cognitive impairment. However, few studies have reported the association, if any, between hand grip strength and cognitive function.

Methods

We used data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 to investigate the association between hand grip strength and cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), animal fluency (AF), and digit symbol substitution test (DSST) scores. Cutoff values of CERAD < 5, AF < 14, and DSST < 34 were used to define cognitive impairment. In this cross-sectional study, we used odds ratios to determine the potential usefulness of hand grip strength for the prediction of cognitive impairment.

Results

This study included 2,623 participants aged ≥60 years. The DSST results showed that hand grip strength was associated with a low risk of cognitive impairment and that subgroup analysis showed that male sex, 60–69 years of age, and the Non-Hispanic (NH)-White, NH Black, and Asian were associated with a significantly low risk of cognitive impairment. The CERAD test results showed that 70–79 years of age and the NH White were significantly associated with a low risk of cognitive impairment. By following full adjustment, we did not observe statistically significant differences between hand grip strength and cognitive impairment based on the CERAD test. The AF test results showed that >80 years of age, female sex, and the NH White were associated with a significantly low risk of cognitive impairment. The most important finding is that a linear association lies between grip strength and cognitive impairment, as well as a sex-based linear association. Machine learning of the XGBoost model suggests that grip strength is one of the top two most important negative predictor variables.

Conclusion

We observed an inverse relationship between hand grip strength and cognitive impairment, which might suggest a shared underlying mechanism that needs to be further investigated using a large-scale prospective clinical trial to validate our findings.
High-throughput analysis of polyethoxylated tallow amine homologs in citrus using a modified QuEChERS-HILIC-MS method
Authors: Li Minjie , Wang Hongping , Li Simeng , Chen Xueying , Jin Maojun , Shao Hua , Wang Jing , Jin Fen
Published: November 2022

A new method is described based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC) with electrospray mass spectrometry detection for comprehensive quantitative analysis of 66 polyethoxylated tallow amine (POE-tallowamine) homologs in citrus. Efficient separation, reduced band broadening, and high sensitivity were achieved by employing an acetonitrile-aqueous solution containing a 10 mM ammonium formate gradient on a hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) column with a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method. The quantitative accuracy and precision of the method were improved by the use of matrix-matched calibration standards. At spiked levels of (50 + 250) μg/kg, (200 + 1000) μg/kg, and (500 + 2500) μg/kg POE-5 and POE-15 (1:5), the average recoveries of the POE-tallowamine homologs ranged from 71.9 to 112%, with RSDs < 16.6%. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) for POE-tallowamine homologs were 0.01–2.57 and 0.03–8.58 μg/kg, respectively. The method was successfully applied to determine POE-tallowamine in citrus samples from typical Chinese regions in 2021. POE-tallowamine was detected in all 54 samples, and the highest concentration (143 μg/kg) of POE-tallowamine was found in Jelly orange from Zhejiang Province, which might indicate a higher usage and demand of glyphosate herbicides in Zhejiang.
Effect of maltodextrin on the oxidative stability of ultrasonically induced soybean oil bodies microcapsules
Authors: Li Zhimin , Sun Bingyu , Zhu Ying , Liu Linlin , Huang Yuyang , Lu Mingshou , Zhu Xiuqing , Gao Yuan
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Encapsulation of soybean oil bodies (OBs) using maltodextrin (MD) can improve their stability in different environmental stresses and enhance the transport and storage performance of OBs.

Methods

In this study, the effects of different MD addition ratios [OBs: MD = 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5, and 1:2 (v/v)] on the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of freeze-dried soybean OBs microcapsules were investigated. The effect of ultrasonic power (150–250 W) on the encapsulation effect and structural properties of oil body-maltodextrin (OB-MD) microcapsules were studied.

Results

The addition of MD to OBs decreased the surface oil content and improved the encapsulation efficiency and oxidative stability of OBs. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the sonication promoted the adsorption of MD on the surface of OBs, forming a rugged spherical structure. The oil-body-maltodextrin (OB-MD) microcapsules showed a narrower particle size distribution and a lower-potential absolute value at an MD addition ratio of 1:1.5 and ultrasonic power of 250 W (32.1 mV). At this time, MD-encapsulated OBs particles had the highest encapsulation efficiency of 85.3%. Ultrasonic treatment improved encapsulation efficiency of OBs and increased wettability and emulsifying properties of MD. The encapsulation of OBs by MD was improved, and its oxidative stability was enhanced by ultrasound treatment, showing a lower hydrogen peroxide value (3.35 meq peroxide/kg) and thiobarbituric acid value (1.65 μmol/kg).

Discussion

This study showed that the encapsulation of soybean OBs by MD improved the stability of OBs microcapsules and decreased the degree of lipid oxidation during storage. Ultrasonic pretreatment further improved the encapsulation efficiency of MD on soybean OBs, and significantly enhanced its physicochemical properties and oxidative stability.
Cost-effectiveness of precision screening for esophageal cancer based on individualized risk stratification in China: Real-world evidence from the ESECC trial
Authors: Li Fuxiao , Liu Mengfei , Guo Chuanhai , Xu Ruiping , Li Fenglei , Liu Zhen , Pan Yaqi , Liu Fangfang , Liu Ying , Cai Hong , He Zhonghu , Ke Yang
Published: November 2022

Background

Conventional universal endoscopic screening with pathology-based endoscopic re-examination for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is in need of reform in China. We established a “two-step” precision screening strategy using two risk prediction models and have evaluated the cost-effectiveness of this precision strategy compared with the traditional strategy based on a large population-level randomized controlled trial from a healthcare provider’s perspective.

Methods

Four precision screening strategies with different risk cutoffs at baseline screening and endoscopic surveillance were constructed, and then compared with traditional strategy through modeling using subjects from the screening cohort of the ESECC (Endoscopic Screening for Esophageal Cancer in China) trial. Total screening costs and the number of SDA (severe dysplasia and above in lesions of the esophagus) cases were obtained to calculate the average screening cost per SDA detected, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and protection rates. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate uncertainties.

Results

Compared to traditional strategy, all precision screening strategies have much lower average costs for detection of one SDA case ($7,148~$11,537 vs. $14,944). In addition, precision strategies 1&2 (strategies 1,2,3,4 described below) achieved higher effectiveness (143~150 vs. 136) and higher protection rates (87.7%~92.0% vs. 83.4%) at lower cost ($1,649,727~$1,672,221 vs. $2,032,386), generating negative ICERs (-$54,666/SDA~-$25,726/SDA) when compared to the traditional strategy. The optimal strategies within different willingness-to-pay (WTP) ranges were all precision screening strategies, and higher model sensitivities were adopted as WTP increased.

Conclusions

Precision screening strategy for esophageal cancer based on risk stratification is more cost-effective than use of traditional screening strategy and has practical implications for esophageal cancer screening programs in China.
BPTF promotes the progression of distinct subtypes of breast cancer and is a therapeutic target
Authors: Bezrookove Vladimir , Khan Imran A. , Nosrati Mehdi , Miller James R. , McAllister Sean , Dar Altaf A. , Kashani-Sabet Mohammed
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To assess the biomarker and functional role of the chromatin remodeling factor, bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor (BPTF), in breast cancer progression.

Methods

BPTF copy number was assessed using fluorescence in situ hybridization. BPTF expression was regulated in breast cancer cells by shRNA/siRNA-mediated gene silencing and BPTF cDNA overexpression. The effects of regulating BPTF expression were examined on key oncogenic signaling pathways and on breast cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression, as well as in xenograft models. The consequences of pharmacological bromodomain inhibition, alone or in combination with other targeted agents, on breast cancer progression were assessed in culture and in xenograft models.

Results

BPTF copy number was gained in 34.1% and separately amplified in 8.2% of a breast cancer tissue cohort. Elevated BPTF copy number was significantly associated with increasing patient age and tumor grade and observed in both ER-positive and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes. BPTF copy number gain and amplification were also observed in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) breast cancer cohort. Stable shRNA-mediated silencing of BPTF significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in TNBC and ER-positive human breast cancer cell lines. BPTF knockdown suppressed signaling through the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) pathway, including reduced expression of phosphorylated AKT (Ser473), phosphorylated GSK-β (Ser9), and CCND1. These findings were confirmed following transient BPTF knockdown by a distinct siRNA in TNBC and ER-positive breast cancer cells. Stable suppression of BPTF expression significantly inhibited the in vivo growth of TNBC cells. Conversely, BPTF cDNA overexpression in TNBC and ER-positive breast cancer cells enhanced breast cancer cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis. BPTF targeting with the bromodomain inhibitor bromosporine, alone or in combination with the PI3K pathway inhibitor gedatolisib, produced significant anti-tumor effects against TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

These studies demonstrate BPTF activation in distinct breast cancer subtypes, identify pathways by which BPTF promotes breast cancer progression, and suggest BPTF as a rational target for breast cancer therapy.
Prognostic value of epithelial–mesenchymal transition circulating tumor cells in female breast cancer: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Qiang , Li Bingbing , Gao Qi , Luo Yang , Ming Liang
Published: November 2022

Background

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) conferred metastatic properties on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and was considered to be correlated with bad survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer. However, different studies have reported controversial results regarding the relationship between CTCs that have undergone EMT (EMT-CTCs) and prognosis of breast cancer. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prognostic role of EMT-CTCs in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

In total, 842 patients from nine studies that were screened from Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed were included. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were extracted or estimated by the Kaplan–Meier survival curve for the meta-analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed to characterize heterogeneity among the trials. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis was performed to present the effects of cancer stage, identification method, sampling volume, and region on the prognostic value of EMT-CTCs.

Results

The pooled HRs for PFS were 1.97 (univariate: 95% CI, 1.19–3.24; p = 0.008) and 2.23 (multivariate: 95% CI, 1.29–3.86; p = 0.004). The pooled HRs for OS were 2.03 (univariate: 95% CI, 1.07–3.84; p = 0.029) and 1.70 (multivariate: 95% CI, 1.14–2.52; p = 0.009). Subgroup analysis showed that EMT-CTCs were associated with PFS in the primary breast cancer group (pooled HR = 2.58, 95% CI, 1.66–4.00, p < 0.001), the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) group (pooled HR = 2.69, 95% CI, 1.66–4.35, p < 0.001), the sampling volume of the >7.5-ml group (pooled HR = 1.93, 95% CI, 1.36–2.73, p < 0.001), and the Asia group (pooled HR = 1.92, 95% CI, 1.13–3.29, p = 0.017) and with OS in the primary breast cancer group (pooled HR = 3.59, 95% CI, 1.62–7.95; p = 0.002).

Conclusion

The meta-analysis showed that EMT-CTCs were associated with poorer survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer. More accurate methods and designed clinical trials with unified standards are essential to establish the real role of EMT-CTCs in disease progression in women with breast cancer.
RETRACTED: COL10A1-DDR2 axis promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer by regulating MEK/ERK signal transduction
Authors: Wen Zhihui , Sun Jingbo , Luo Junjie , Fu Yun , Qiu Yue , Li Yanyan , Xu Yangwei , Wu Hongmei , Zhang Qingling
Published: November 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors with a poor prognosis. Type X collagen α 1 chain (COL10A1), a member of the collagen family, is a gene associated with the progression of a variety of human tumors, but the specific function and molecular mechanism of COL10A1 in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Our study found that COL10A1 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues, and its high expression is related to poor prognosis and some clinicopathological features, such as tumor size and differentiation. Biological functional experiments showed that overexpression of COL10A1 enhanced the proliferation and migration of PDAC cells. Interestingly, discoid protein domain receptor 2 (DDR2), the receptor of COL10A1, is regulated by COL10A1. We found that the COL10A1-DDR2 axis activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, which leads to epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and accelerates the progression of pancreatic cancer. In summary, COL10A1 regulates PDAC cell proliferation and MEK/ERK signaling pathways by binding to DDR2 to promote migration, invasion and EMT. Our study suggested that COL10A1 might be a critical factor in promoting PDAC progression. More research is needed to confirm COL10A1 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for PDAC.
Significance of exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang GuoYun , Luo GaiXiang , Zhao MeiJing , Miao HuiLai
Published: November 2022

Among the most prevalent cancers in the world, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high mortality rate. The diagnosis and management of HCC are presently hindered by difficulties in early detection and suboptimal treatment outcomes. Exosomes have been shown to play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis and can also be used for diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we discussed the research progress on exosomes in hepatocarcinogenesis development, tumor microenvironment remodeling, treatment resistance, and immunosuppression. HCC can be diagnosed and treated by understanding the pathogenesis and identifying early diagnostic markers. This review will be a significant reference for scholars with an initial understanding of the field to fully understand the role of exosomes in the organism.
DPP6 and MFAP5 are associated with immune infiltration as diagnostic biomarkers in distinguishing uterine leiomyosarcoma from leiomyoma
Authors: Ke Yumin , You LiuXia , Xu YanJuan , Wu Dandan , Lin Qiuya , Wu Zhuna
Published: November 2022

Objective

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is the most common subtype of uterine sarcoma and is difficult to discern from uterine leiomyoma (ULM) preoperatively. The aim of the study was to determine the potential and significance of immune-related diagnostic biomarkers in distinguishing ULMS from ULM.

Methods

Two public gene expression profiles (GSE36610 and GSE64763) from the GEO datasets containing ULMS and ULM samples were downloaded. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected and determined among 37 ULMS and 25 ULM control samples. The DEGs were used for Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Disease Ontology (DO) enrichment analyses as well as gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The candidate biomarkers were identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) analyses. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was applied to evaluate diagnostic ability. For further confirmation, the biomarker expression levels and diagnostic value in ULMS were verified in the GSE9511 and GSE68295 datasets (12 ULMS and 10 ULM), and validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate the compositional patterns of 22 types of immune cells in ULMS.

Result

In total, 55 DEGs were recognized via GO analysis, and KEGG analyses revealed that the DEGs were enriched in nuclear division, and cell cycle. The recognized DEGs were primarily implicated in non−small cell lung carcinoma and breast carcinoma. Gene sets related to the cell cycle and DNA replication were activated in ULMS. DPP6 and MFAP5 were distinguished as diagnostic biomarkers of ULMS (AUC = 0.957, AUC = 0.899, respectively), and they were verified in the GSE9511 and GSE68295 datasets (AUC = 0.983, AUC = 0.942, respectively). The low expression of DPP6 and MFAP5 were associated with ULMS. In addition, the analysis of the immune microenvironment indicated that resting mast cells were positively correlated with DPP6 and MFAP5 expression and that eosinophils and M0 macrophages were negatively correlated with DPP6 expression (P<0.05).

Conclusion

These findings indicated that DPP6 and MFAP5 are diagnostic biomarkers of ULMS, thereby offering a novel perspective for future studies on the occurrence, function and molecular mechanisms of ULMS.
Predicting resolution of hypoglycemia with and without dextrose infusion in newborn infant of gestational diabetic mothers
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed , Hou Wei , Decristofaro Joseph , Maduekwe Echezona T.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Neonatal hypoglycemia (NH) may lead to significant neurological impairment if left untreated. Infants of gestational diabetic mothers (IGDM) are at increased risk of early NH and need to be screened. However, it is challenging to predict management with or without intravenous dextrose once hypoglycemia is identified. We evaluated the association between hypoglycemia risk scores at 1-hour of life and the need for intravenous dextrose for hypoglycemia resolution in IGDM.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of IGDM born at a gestational age ≥35 weeks from January 2015 to December 2017. NH was the disease of interest. The outcomes were the association of hypoglycemia risk score (HRS) with and without intravenous dextrose for hypoglycemia resolution. Each infant's hypoglycemia risk score (HRS) was calculated using data extracted from the maternal and neonatal electronic medical records. Resolution of hypoglycemia with and without intravenous dextrose was compared between the low HRS (0–1) group and the high HRS (2–5) group.

Results

Sixty-five infants were included in the study with a mean gestational age of 38.2 ± 1 weeks for low HRS and 38.0 ± 2 weeks for high HRS. While more children with high HRS were delivered by cesarean section (p = 0.04), hypoglycemia resolved more frequently without intravenous dextrose in infants with low HRS (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

IGDM is at increased risk of NH. The resolution of hypoglycemia without dextrose infusion is frequently associated with low HRS at 1-hour of life. Early identification using HRS of IGDM whose hypoglycemia will resolve with or without intravenous dextrose may help clinicians triage newborns to either stay in the nursery or transfer for more invasive care.
Optimizing antimicrobial therapy in urinary tract infections: A focus on urine culture and sensitivity testing
Authors: Alkhawaldeh Rama , Abu Farha Rana , Abu Hammour Khawla , Alefishat Eman
Published: November 2022

Objectives: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Jordan university hospital to evaluate the impact of microbial culture data and sensitivity results on optimizing UTI treatment.

Methods: All positive urine cultures requested for adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to Jordan University Hospital (JUH) within the period from January 2019–July 2021 were evaluated. The antibiotics prescribed before and after culture data and sensitivity results were compared to evaluate the impact of these diagnostic measures on optimizing UTI treatment.

Results: During the study period, 2400 urine cultures revealed positive results. Among those patients, 1,600 (66.7%) were discharged before the availability of culture results and excluded. Of the remaining 800 patients, 701 patients (87.6%) received empiric treatment. After culture and sensitivity results were available, overall, 84 (10.5%) patients had optimization (improvement) in their UTI management after culture results were known, while 6 (0.8%) patients had a worsening in their treatments. Based on the culture results, we found that only 12.4% of patients were appropriately treated before and after the culture results. Moreover, our results revealed that 31.9% were inappropriately treated for their UTIs before and after culture results.

Conclusion: This study revealed an alarmingly high rate of inappropriate treatment of UTIs despite the availability of urine culture and sensitivity data, and that culture results were not used to optimize treatment strategies for UTI. This practice can potentially result in poor health-related outcomes and adversely affects efforts to battle AMR. Multifaceted strategies must be implemented to help clinicians follow the best current evidence and current guidelines in their selection of antibiotics for the management of UTIs.
Prenylated phenolics from Morus alba against MRSA infections as a strategy for wound healing
Authors: Škovranová Gabriela , Čulenová Marie , Treml Jakub , Dzurická Lucia , Marova Ivana , Sychrová Alice
Published: November 2022

Antimicrobial resistance is a public health threat and the increasing number of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major concern worldwide. Common antibiotics are becoming ineffective for skin infections and wounds, making the search for new therapeutic options increasingly urgent. The present study aimed to investigate the antibacterial potential of prenylated phenolics in wound healing. Phenolic compounds isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. were investigated for their antistaphylococcal potential both alone and in combination with commonly used antibiotics. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by microdilution and agar method. Synergy was investigated using the checkerboard titration technique. Membrane-disrupting activity and efflux pump inhibition were evaluated to describe the potentiating effect. Prenylated phenolics inhibited bacterial growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at lower concentrations (MIC 2–8 μg/ml) than commonly used antibiotics. The combination of active phenolics with kanamycin, oxacillin, and ciprofloxacin resulted in a decrease in the MIC of the antimicrobial agent. Kuwanon C, E, T, morusin, and albafuran C showed synergy (FICi 0.375–0.5) with oxacillin and/or kanamycin. Prenylated phenolics disrupted membrane permeability statistically significantly (from 28 ± 16.48% up to 73 ± 2.83%), and membrane disruption contributes to the complex antibacterial activity against MRSA. In addition, kuwanon C could be considered an efflux pump inhibitor. Despite the antibacterial effect on MRSA and the multiple biological activities, the prenylated phenolics at microbially significant concentrations have a minor effect on human keratinocyte (HaCaT) viability. In conclusion, prenylated phenolics in combination with commonly used antibiotics are promising candidates for the treatment of MRSA infections and wound healing, although further studies are needed.
Asparagus cochinchinensis: A review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and applications
Authors: Wang Meng , Wang Shuang , Hu Wenjing , Wang Zhibin , Yang Bingyou , Kuang Haixue
Published: November 2022

Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. (A. cochinchinensis) is a traditional herbal medicine that is used to treat constipation, fever, pneumonia, stomachache, tracheitis, rhinitis, cataract, acne, urticaria. More than 90 compounds have been identified from different structural types in A. cochinchinensis, including steroidal saponins, C21-steroides, lignans, polysaccharides, amino acids, etc. These bioactive ingredients make A. cochinchinensis remarkable for its pharmacological effects on anti-asthma, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, improving Alzheimer’s disease, neuroprotection, gut health-promoting and so on. Moreover, A. cochinchinensis also plays an important role in food, health product, cosmetic, and other fields. This review focused on the research publications of A. cochinchinensis and aimed to summarize the advances in the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and applications which will provide reference for the further studies and applications of A. cochinchinensis.
Weed25: A deep learning dataset for weed identification
Authors: Wang Pei , Tang Yin , Luo Fan , Wang Lihong , Li Chengsong , Niu Qi , Li Hui
Published: November 2022

Weed suppression is an important factor affecting crop yields. Precise identification of weed species will contribute to automatic weeding by applying proper herbicides, hoeing position determination, and hoeing depth to specific plants as well as reducing crop injury. However, the lack of datasets of weeds in the field has limited the application of deep learning techniques in weed management. In this paper, it presented a dataset of weeds in fields, Weed25, which contained 14,035 images of 25 different weed species. Both monocot and dicot weed image resources were included in this dataset. Meanwhile, weed images at different growth stages were also recorded. Several common deep learning detection models—YOLOv3, YOLOv5, and Faster R-CNN—were applied for weed identification model training using this dataset. The results showed that the average accuracy of detection under the same training parameters were 91.8%, 92.4%, and 92.15% respectively. It presented that Weed25 could be a potential effective training resource for further development of in-field real-time weed identification models. The dataset is available at https://pan.baidu.com/s/1rnUoDm7IxxmX1n1LmtXNXw; the password is rn5h.
Knockout of a papain-like cysteine protease gene OCP enhances blast resistance in rice
Authors: Li Yuying , Liu Pengcheng , Mei Le , Jiang Guanghuai , Lv Qianwen , Zhai Wenxue , Li Chunrong
Published: November 2022

Papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) play an important role in the immune response of plants. In Arabidopsis, several homologous genes are known to be involved in defending against pathogens. However, the effects of PLCPs on diseases that afflict rice are largely unknown. In this study, we show that a PLCP, an oryzain alpha chain precursor (OCP), the ortholog of the Arabidopsis protease RD21 (responsive to dehydration 21), participates in regulating resistance to blast disease with a shorter lesion length characterizing the knockout lines (ocp-ko), generated via CRISPR/Cas9 technology. OCP was expressed in all rice tissues and mainly located in the cytoplasm. We prove that OCP, featuring cysteine protease activity, interacts with OsRACK1A (receptor for activated C kinase 1) and OsSNAP32 (synaptosome-associated protein of 32 kD) physically in vitro and in vivo, and they co-locate in the rice cytoplasm but cannot form a ternary complex. Many genes related to plant immunity were enriched in the ocp-ko1 line whose expression levels changed significantly. The expression of jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) biosynthesis and regulatory genes were up-regulated, while that of auxin efflux transporters was down-regulated in ocp-ko1. Therefore, OCP negatively regulates blast resistance in rice by interacting with OsRACK1A or OsSNAP32 and influencing the expression profiles of many resistance-related genes. Moreover, OCP might be the cornerstone of blast resistance by suppressing the activation of JA and ET signaling pathways as well as promoting auxin signaling pathways. Our research provides a comprehensive resource of PLCPs for rice plants in defense against pathogens that is also of potential breeding value.
Effect of rejection sensitivity on the development of anxious-depressive attack in Japanese outpatients: The mediating roles of rumination, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms
Authors: Noda Shota , Masaki Mina , Kishimoto Tomokazu , Kaiya Hisanobu
Published: November 2022

Objective

Anxious-depressive attack (ADA) is a cluster of symptoms, including sudden and intense anxiety or depression, intrusive rumination about negative memories or future worries, prominent agitation, impatient behavior, and/or loneliness; in some cases, symptoms include a wide range of violent coping behaviors to manage emotional distress. Four characteristics—rejection sensitivity, rumination, social anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms—are thought to be associated with the development of ADA. However, the complex relationships among these factors have not been clarified. In this study, we aimed to examine the mechanism by which these four characteristics influence the development of ADA.

Methods

We conducted a structured interview about ADA with 332 outpatients, who completed several self-report measures, to assess rejection sensitivity, rumination, social anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms.

Results

A structural equation model showed goodness-of-fit with the data. These findings suggest that rejection sensitivity may demonstrate a direct effect on the occurrence of ADA. Furthermore, rejection sensitivity might affect depressive symptoms through rumination and social anxiety symptoms and consequently contribute to the development of ADA.

Conclusion

These results provide preliminary evidence that rejection sensitivity contributes to the development of ADA.
Changes in mental health levels among Chinese physical education college students from 1995 to 2019
Authors: Li Fengzhan , Liu Jinxiao , Qiu Fanshuo , Liu Huitao , Xin Sufei , Yang Qun
Published: November 2022

To explore the changes in the mental health levels of Chinese physical education college students, the present study conducted a cross-temporal meta-analysis of 43 papers that adopted the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) from 1995 to 2019. The results showed that the average scores of the seven SCL-90 factors were negatively correlated with the year of data collection. The socioeconomic indicators (GDP, per capita GDP and household consumption level) were significantly negatively correlated with the eight dimension scores of the SCL-90 (except for phobic anxiety). The mean effect sizes of the sex differences in the seven dimension scores (except depression and phobic anxiety) were lower than the small effect size. In conclusion, Chinese physical education college students’ mental health levels have increased in the past 25 years. This phenomenon may be related to Chinese socioeconomic growth, the implementation of national sports policies, and the provision of mental health education for college students. In addition, although the increasing trend in the mental health level of female students was more obvious, there were no significant sex differences.
The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) effectively discriminates between MCI and dementia within the clinical spectrum of neurochemically confirmed Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Aiello Edoardo Nicolò , Verde Federico , Milone Ilaria , Giacopuzzi Grigoli Eleonora , Dubini Antonella , Carelli Laura , Ferrucci Roberta , Priori Alberto , Ratti Antonia , Torresani Erminio , Ticozzi Nicola , Silani Vincenzo , Poletti Barbara
Published: November 2022

Background

This study aimed at testing the ability of the frontal assessment battery (FAB) to differentiate between patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as well as comparing its discriminative power to that of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Methods

The present retrospective cohort includedN= 107 Aβ-positive patients diagnosed with either MCI due to AD (N= 40) or probable AD dementia (ADD;N= 67). A two-step multiple logistic regression (MLR) was run to predict an MCI vs. ADD diagnosis based on FAB scores. Within the baseline step, demographics, disease duration, MMSE scores, and information on cognitive phenotypes were entered, with the FAB being added within the second step. Receiver-operating characteristics analyses were also run to derive intrinsic and post-test diagnostics.

Results

Within the baseline MLR step, only lower MMSE scores predicted the occurrence of ADD; by adding the FAB, which likewise was able to discriminate between MCI and ADD (p= 0.016), a significant increase in model fit was detected (p= 0.007). The diagnostic efficiency of the FAB (AUC = 0.85) was comparable (p= 0.583) to that of the MMSE (AUC = 0.82), also yielding good intrinsic and post-test diagnostics, which were comparable to those of the MMSE.

Discussion

The FAB is a diagnostically sound screener to discriminate between MCI and ADD, independently of patients’ overall cognitive profile. In doing so, the FAB is comparable to the MMSE, and the complementation of the latter with the former is advisable in order to increase the accuracy in differentiating between MCI and ADD within screening sessions.
Promotion strategy for online healthcare platform during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Spring Rain Doctor in China
Authors: Zhang Lanting , Lv Dan , Li Weijia , Xing Zeyu
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Online healthcare platform (OHP) is a new form of medical treatment that solves the problems of an unbalanced distribution of medical resources in China. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, OHP has greatly reduced the medical pressure of the hospital and the risk of cross-infection.

Methods

Based on self-determination theory (SDT) (Ryan and Deci, 2000), privacy calculus theory (PCT) (Culnan, 1999) and perceived value theory (PVT) (Choi, 2004), this study uses evolutionary game theory to analyze behavioral strategies and their dynamic evolution in the promotion of OHP. Moreover, we conduct numerical simulations with the help of program compilation.

Results

The results demonstrate that (1) both the qualification inspection of doctors and the investment in information protection influence doctors’ participation in and patients’ usage of OHP; (2) both the initial probabilities of doctor participation and patient usage influence the multi-game results; (3) the trend of doctors joining OHP is affected by registration cost, time cost, and reputation loss; and (4) the trend of patients using online healthcare is mainly decided by the cost.

Conclusion

This study takes the Spring Rain Doctor as an example to verify the game results. To further popularize online medical treatment among patients, the platform should attach importance to the inspection of doctors and the protection of privacy information and strengthen its publicity in remote places.
Study of purchasing behavior evolution of work-safety-service based on hierarchical mixed supervision
Authors: Jingjing Zhong , Wei Li
Published: November 2022

This paper explores the evolutionary rules of work-safety-service purchasing strategies of enterprises under hierarchical mixed supervision. Considering the influence of the central government’s inspection on local governments, an evolutionary game model is built which depicts the mutual interactions of work-safety-service purchasing strategies from enterprises and supervision strategies from local governments. The existence and stability of system equilibrium points are analyzed, and the influence of different parameters’ variation on the evolutionary results is demonstrated through numerical simulation. It is found that different ranges of parameters affect the number and stability of equilibrium points and the evolutionary trend. The system converges to two different patterns. In the first pattern, local governments choose to supervise enterprises strictly and enterprises choose to purchase work-safety service, which is a desired pattern. In the second pattern, local governments choose to supervise enterprises loosely and enterprises choose not to purchase work-safety service, which is an undesired pattern. When it has five equilibrium points, it is feasible to make the system converge to the desired pattern through modifying relative parameters, avoiding the undesired pattern. The system is more likely to converge to the desired pattern with the higher initial ratio of local governments opting for strict enterprise supervision; the system is more likely to converge to the desired pattern when the central government exerts a stricter inspection on local governments; the system is more likely to converge to the desired pattern when local governments exert stricter ex ante and ex post safety supervision on enterprises. The system is more likely to converge to the undesired pattern when the ex ante supervision costs of local governments get higher. Subsidies from local governments for the purchase of work-safety service barely affect the evolutionary trend of the system.
Does abstaining from alcohol in high school moderate intervention effects for college students? Implications for tiered intervention strategies
Authors: Tan Lin , Friedman Zachary , Zhou Zhengyang , Huh David , White Helene R. , Mun Eun-Young
Published: November 2022

Brief motivational intervention (BMI) and personalized feedback intervention (PFI) are individual-focused brief alcohol intervention approaches that have been proven efficacious for reducing alcohol use among college students and young adults. Although the efficacy of these two intervention approaches has been well established, little is known about the factors that may modify their effects on alcohol outcomes. In particular, high school drinking may be a risk factor for continued and heightened use of alcohol in college, and thus may influence the outcomes of BMI and PFI. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether high school drinking was associated with different intervention outcomes among students who received PFI compared to those who received BMI. We conducted moderation analyses examining 348 mandated students (60.1% male; 73.3% White; and 61.5% first-year student) who were randomly assigned to either a BMI or a PFI and whose alcohol consumption was assessed at 4-month and 15-month follow-ups. Results from marginalized zero-inflated Poisson models showed that high school drinking moderated the effects of PFI and BMI at the 4-month follow-up but not at the 15-month follow-up. Specifically, students who reported no drinking in their senior year of high school consumed a 49% higher mean number of drinks after receiving BMI than PFI at the 4-month follow-up. The results suggest that alcohol consumption in high school may be informative when screening and allocating students to appropriate alcohol interventions to meet their different needs.
A specific cognitive behavioral group therapy program for stimulant use disorder
Authors: Karsinti Emily , Vorspan Florence , Therribout Norman , Icick Romain , Bloch Vanessa , Fortias Maeva , Piani Kristel , Romo Lucia
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Stimulant use is an important health issue. In the US in 2018, 2.8% of males and 1.5% of females older than 18 had used cocaine in the preceding 12 months.

Objective

To intervene in a specific targeted group of Stimulant Use Disorder (SUD) patients according to CBT and relapse prevention theories, and to determine the program’s feasibility and attendance.

Method

Stimulant Use Disorder patients in addiction care were evaluated for addictive, psychological and psychiatric dimensions at baseline and conclusion in a 9-session CBT group program with several themes: define SUD, enhance motivation, involve close companions, cope with craving, decline a proposal, solve problems, invite expert patients, invest time and money, and review content.

Results

In total, 41 patients attended at least one session. They were mainly poly dependent, primarily cocaine users. Sixty percent of the population also suffered from another psychiatric comorbidity. Median attendance for participants was 7/9 sessions.

Conclusion

A specific targeted CBT group for stimulant dependent highly comorbid patients is feasible. These findings suggest that peers should be included in addiction care services.