bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiologic investigation and genetic characterization of canine respiratory coronavirus in the Southeastern United States
Authors: De Luca Eliana , Álvarez-Narváez Sonsiray , Baptista Rodrigo P. , Maboni Grazieli , Blas-Machado Uriel , Sanchez Susan
Published: November 2023

Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) is one of the main causative agents of canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), an illness whose epidemiology is poorly understood. We assessed the prevalence, risk factors, and genetic characterization of CRCoV in privately owned dogs in the Southeastern United States. We PCR-screened 189 nasal swabs from dogs with and without CIRD clinical signs for 9 CIRD-related pathogens, including CRCoV; 14% of dogs, all diagnosed with CIRD, were positive for CRCoV, with a significantly higher rate of cases in younger dogs and during warmer weather. Notably, the presence of CRCoV, alone or in coinfection with other CIRD pathogens, was statistically associated with a worse prognosis. We estimated a CRCoV seroprevalence of 23.7% retrospectively from 540 serum samples, with no statistical association to dog age, sex, or season, but with a significantly higher presence in urban counties. Additionally, the genomes of 6 CRCoVs were obtained from positive samples using an in-house developed targeted amplicon-based approach specific to CRCoV. Subsequent phylogeny clustered their genomes in 2 distinct genomic groups, with most isolates sharing a higher similarity with CRCoVs from Sweden and only 1 more closely related to CRCoVs from Asia. We provide new insights into CIRD and CRCoV epidemiology in the Southeastern United States and further support the association of CRCoV with more severe cases of CIRD. Additionally, we developed and successfully tested a new amplicon-based approach for whole-genome sequencing of CRCoV that can be used to further investigate the genetic diversity within CRCoVs.
Relative dose intensity of taxane-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients in a tertiary hospital
Authors: Helwani Amira M , Al Suleimani Yousuf M , Al Baimani Khalid , Abdelrahman Aly M
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed tumor among women worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and causes of low relative dose intensity (RDI) < 85% for taxane-based chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of BC in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH).

Methods

This was a retrospective study that included 303 BC patients, treated with taxane-based chemotherapy protocols at SQUH. RDI was calculated for each chemotherapy regimen and causes and predictors of low RDI < 85% were identified. Prophylactic and therapeutic supportive measures for certain toxicities were studied.

Results

50.8% of the patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 38% had adjuvant chemotherapy, and 11.2% of patients were given palliative treatment. AC-T and AC-THP were the most used regimens (40.3% and 17.2%). Mean RDI of used taxane-based chemotherapy regimens was 93.4%. Dose delays, dose reductions, and treatment discontinuation occurred in 36.6%, 14.8%, and 11.5%, respectively. Thirty-eight patients (12.5%) had low RDI < 85% which was reduced to 9.9% after the use of an alternative taxane. Age and chemotherapy intent were significant risk factors. 83.8% received primary granulocyte colony stimulating factor.

Conclusion

An optimal RDI greater than 85% was achieved in most cases. Furthermore, prophylactic and therapeutic supportive measures were widely used.
On the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem in the Presence of Banks and a Reserve Requirement
Authors: Batina Raymond G. , Ihori Toshihiro
Published: November 2023

We study the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem in the presence of a reserve requirement. Banks pay depositors the deposit rate and receive the borrowing rate on loans. Equivalence fails because the reserve requirement drives a wedge between the deposit and borrowing rates implying that government faces a different intertemporal tradeoff than savers. A tax cut financed by an increase in government debt causes an increase in savings but only increases the supply of loanable funds by a fraction because of the reserve requirement. This causes interest rates to rise and consumption to fall. We also show that if the central bank pays interest on reserves at the borrowing rate, the various rates are equal, however, equivalence still fails. The reason is that future taxes to pay down the debt must be higher for the central bank to pay interest and consumption will fall in response.
The Effects of Comparative Reviews on Product Sales
Authors: Zhang Min , Li Yuzhuo , Sun Lin , Wang G. Alan , Du Jiangang
Published: November 2023

Consumers increasingly rely on online reviews to make their purchase decisions. Drawing from linguistics and sociology research, the authors posit that comparative reviews, which highlight the similarities and differences between a focal product and its alternatives, may influence consumers’ regulation systems and perceived credibility, thereby affecting product sales. The authors examined 61,480 reviews on e-commerce platforms to explore the effects of comparative reviews and their valence on product sales. By using a supervised learning approach, they identified positive and negative comparative reviews, as well as positive and negative regular reviews, and then applied a two-way fixed-effects model. The results show that comparative reviews positively impacted product sales. Specifically, positive comparative reviews had a greater effect than positive regular reviews, whereas negative comparative reviews had a lesser absolute effect than negative regular reviews on product sales. Moreover, positive comparative reviews exerted a greater absolute effect than negative ones. A follow-up controlled lab study further substantiated the authors’ results and insights. The findings offer new insights and practical guidance for marketers and practitioners in promoting more comparative review posts and optimizing online review presentations.
Determinants of an effective Instagram post for the hospitality industry
Authors: Roozen Irene
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study is to examine how important the respective roles of influencers, visual and textual post characteristics, and destination-unique selling point (USP) references are in Instagram marketing. We analyzed these factors’ relative effectiveness using a real-life case study in the hospitality industry. The findings – based on an externally valid dataset ( N = 457 Instagram posts) – indicated that influencers are a key asset for the hospitality business. Moreover, we find that visual and textual content characteristics and USP references also significantly influence the effectiveness of an Instagram post (i.e., the length of the text, a photo of a swimming pool, and an illustration of a couple). Therefore, this study suggests that the hospitality industry should focus on influencers and other factors such as textual and visual post characteristics and destination-unique selling points in its communication strategy on Instagram. These findings can aid the hospitality industry in calibrating and optimizing their advertising on Instagram, which may lead to a stronger external market position and higher revenues.
A systematic review of exercise studies for individuals hospitalized with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Focus on the principles of exercise training
Authors: Moecke Débora Petry , Zhu Kai , Gill Jagdeep , Brar Shanjot , Petlitsyna Polina , Kirkham Ashley , Girt Mirha , Chen Joel , Peters Hannah , Denson-Camp Holly , Crosbie Stephanie , Camp Pat G
Published: November 2023

Background

For exercise interventions to be effectively reproduced or applied in a “real world” clinical setting, clinical trials must thoroughly document all components of the exercise prescription and ensure that participants adhere to each component. However, previous reviews have not critically examined the quality of exercise prescription of inpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) programs.

Objective

The objectives of this review were to evaluate the (a) application of the principles of exercise training, (b) reporting of the frequency, intensity, time and type (FITT) components of exercise prescription, and (c) reporting of patient’s adherence to the FITT components in intervention studies for patients admitted to hospital for an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods

Relevant scientific databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared in-hospital PR with usual care for people hospitalized with AECOPD. Title and abstract followed by full-text screening were conducted independently by two reviewers. Data were extracted and synthesized to evaluate the application of the principles of exercise training and the reporting/adherence of the FITT components.

Results

Twenty-seven RCTs were included. Only two applied all principles of exercise training. Specificity was applied by 70%, progression by 48%, overload by 37%, initial values by 89% and diminishing returns and reversibility by 37% of trials. Ten trials adequately reported all FITT components. Frequency and type were the components most reported (85% and 81%, respectively), while intensity was less frequently reported (52%). Only three trials reported on the patient's adherence to all four components.

Conclusions

Studies have not adequately reported the exercise prescription in accordance with the principles of exercise training nor reported all the FITT components of the exercise prescription and patient’s adherence to them. Therefore, interpretation of the current literature is limited and information for developing exercise prescriptions to individuals hospitalized with an AECOPD is lacking.
The Mental Health and Social Implications of Nonconsensual Sharing of Intimate Images on Youth: A Systematic Review
Authors: Schmidt Felipa , Varese Filippo , Larkin Amanda , Bucci Sandra
Published: November 2023

In the past decade, the sending and sharing of sexual images among youth has become normalized. An associated risk of sharing sexual images is the images being nonconsensually shared among peers or uploaded online. This is the first review to systematically identify, summarize, and critically evaluate existing research on the mental health and social impact of nonconsensual sharing of sexual images (NCSSI) on youth. Database (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus) and manual searches were conducted to identify eligible studies. A narrative synthesis and a Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool were used for quality analysis. Of 4,013 articles retrieved, 13 met the eligibility criteria. The findings suggest that NCSSI is associated with negative mental health and social repercussions. Five quantitative studies found evidence suggestive of increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in young people following NCSSI. The identified qualitative evidence highlighted a range of adverse impacts in the social lives of those affected, including associated bullying, harassment, and victim-blaming attitudes that many individuals face following an experience of NCSSI, which may contribute to a negative sense of self and exacerbate distress. Some of the identified studies used unvalidated tools to assess mental health outcomes, and mainly measured depression and anxiety. Most studies more broadly discussed the sharing of sexual images rather than NCSSI specifically. Future research should adopt a narrow focus on the impact of NCSSI and use validated tools to measure various mental health outcomes.
Reducing Violence Against Women and Girls in the Arab League: A Systematic Review of Preventive Interventions
Authors: Owens Janine , Aboul-Enein Basil H. , Bernstein Joshua , Dodge Elizabeth , J. Kelly Patricia
Published: November 2023

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #5 (Gender Equity) includes violence against women and girls (VAWG), considering it as a violation of the rights of women and girls. The variety of risk factors for VAWG in Arab countries suggests the need to identify effective interventions to guide practitioners and policy makers. A systematic review of preventive interventions across the Arab League examined the outcomes of VAWG. Authors registered the study on the prospective register of systematic reviews database. Authors conducted the search for evidence up to 2023. Database searching identified 1,502 studies and after application of the eligibility criteria, 17 studies remained for inclusion. Quality appraisal used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Evidence emerged from eight Arab countries. Interventions occurred at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention. However, only two studies employed interventions using more than one level of prevention, which considered systems strengthening and the development of community solidarity networks. The evidence revealed a lack of clear evaluation and evidence for the effectiveness of interventions and prevention alongside reactive approaches, with no evidence as to how systems may reduce or prevent VAWG. One main issue is patriarchal dominance in Arab countries creating the lack of a collective female voice in any of the evidence. However, Arab countries can change with support. Achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #5 by 2030 means interventions and programs need to include more than one prevention level, consider systems and include the collective female voice.
The Role of Parent–Child Attachment, Hostile Attribution Bias in Aggression: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Xu Xizheng , Wu Yunpeng , Xu Yawen , Ding Miaomiao , Zhou Senlin , Long Simin
Published: November 2023

Parent–Child Attachment (PCA) and Hostile Attribution Bias (HAB) are closely related to aggression, but findings regarding their relationships are inconsistent. There is a lack of understanding of the underlying mechanism between PCA and aggression. This review employed meta-analysis approaches to investigate the associations between PCA and aggression, as well as between HAB and aggression, and the mechanism for the PCA–aggression association. An article search was conducted in CNKI, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Totally, 118 studies involving general populations and those at high risk for aggression were included. Results revealed negative associations between Parent–Child Attachment Security (PCAS) and aggression (ρ = −.267, p < .001) and positive associations between Parent–Child Attachment Insecurity (PCAI) and aggression (ρ = .240, p < .05). HAB and aggression were found to be positively associated (ρ = .303, p < .001). As for the PCAS–aggression association, a larger effect size was found in females than in males. The HAB–reactive aggression association was stronger than the HAB–proactive aggression association. In Eastern culture, the association between HAB and aggression was stronger than in Western culture. HAB mediated the association between PCAS and aggression. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the occurrence and development of aggression by establishing an association between attachment theory and the social information processing model. The practical implications include interventions targeting cultivating PCAS and alleviating HAB, which might serve as effective ways to reduce aggression, yet aggression type, gender, and cultural background should be taken into consideration.
The vascular locked-in and locked-in-plus syndrome: A retrospective case series
Authors: Schnetzer Laura , Steinbacher Jürgen , Bauer Gerhard , Kunz Alexander Baden , Bergmann Jürgen , Kronbichler Martin , Trinka Eugen , McCoy Mark
Published: November 2023

The locked-in syndrome (LiS) is defined as the loss of most voluntary muscle movements with preserved cognitive abilities due to a ventral pontine lesion. However, some patients may also have severe impairment of consciousness [locked-in plus syndrome (LiPS)]. Here we aimed to explore structural differences between LiS and LiPS patients of vascular aetiology, focusing on lesion patterns and locations to better delineate the clinical spectrum of LiS and LiPS. In this retrospective case series study, we report nine patients (two women), ages 29–74 years (median 50) with LiS and LiPS who were diagnosed between 2007 and 2021. Clinical parameters, MRI findings including the lesioned structures, and a shape feature calculation are presented for every patient. The lesioned structures were determined by a senior neuroradiologist. Two of nine patients had fully retained consciousness (LiS) and seven showed various degrees of impaired consciousness (LiPS). Lesions of LiS patients are round and confined to the pons, whereas lesions of LiPS patients are more elongated and reach neighbouring areas such as the mesencephalon, thalamus or ascending reticular activating system. Lesions involving the mesencephalon and the thalamus are strong indicators of LiPS, whereas for lesions restricted to the pons, the dorsal extension and the associated damage to the ascending reticular activating system are crucial to differentiate LiS from LiPS. Recognizing LiPS using clinical and radiological findings is important as these patients may need different therapies and care and, most importantly, should not be mistaken as unresponsive wakefulness syndrome.
The EU and Kazakhstan in the latest geopolitical and geoeconomic conditions: New dimensions of partnership
Authors: Muratova Mariya , Sadri Houman , Medeubayeva Zhanar , Issayeva Ainur
Published: November 2023

In the article, the authors analyze the state of relations between the EU and Kazakhstan in recent times, taking into account the adjustments in global economic relations, transport, and logistics routes in Eurasia, resulting from the war in Ukraine. The difficulties in their partnership stem primarily from the lack of an alternative to the Northern route. The authors examine these challenges and the prospects of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) to provide that alternative. Special attention is paid to the EU’s “Global Gateway” program, initiated at the end of 2022, representing a new milestone in the relations between the EU and the Central-Asian countries, especially Kazakhstan. This program is in direct competition with China’s “Belt and Road” project, such that a comparison will reveal its opportunities. As will be discussed, one of the most important areas for such cooperation is Kazakhstan’s energy sector, including the development of green hydrogen, by which the EU aims to diversify its suppliers. The article concludes that while the consequences of the war in Ukraine have challenged the economic partnership between Kazakhstan and the EU, they have opened up new areas for its strengthening. The European Union, for its part, is deepening its involvement in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, focusing on regionalization, the ecologization of economic systems and relations, and quality management.
Temporalizing Internal Consistency: Using the Futures Triangle as an Organizing Device for the Emplotment of Anticipatory Narrative Ecosystems
Authors: Cowart Adam
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this paper is to propose the application of the futures triangle as an organizing device for emplotting future-oriented narrative ecosystems and that the plausibility of a particular future can be explicitly reframed through a storytelling lens as the internal consistency of the story about the future. The paper draws on research on futures and storytelling, as well as the application of the futures triangle in academic and organizational settings beyond the traditional mapping phase of the six pillars. The paper then provides examples of applications of the futures triangle in three case study vignettes, as a method for surveying assumptions of change in narrative systems, audience reception in experiential futures stories or “sparks” and transition design stakeholder persona creation. The paper concludes by arguing that re-employing the futures triangle as an organizing device for contested story systems can support richer and more nuanced narratives about the future to emerge that are both plausible and challenge audiences and stakeholders by maintaining internal consistency.
Left anterior descending artery disease in a 27-year-old with multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2A: A case report
Authors: Al Salihi Mohammed Omar , Iyyani Murali K , Koilpillai Sarina , Quintero Gerson , Parellada Jorge , Carlan SJ
Published: November 2023

Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, and primary hyperparathyroidism. Coronary artery disease is associated with the disorder, but the mechanism is unclear. A 27-year-old female presented with chest pain and palpitations. A left heart catheterization was performed and showed 80% stenosis of the left anterior descending artery. Imaging and workup also revealed primary hyperparathyroidism associated with a parathyroid adenoma and elevated serum and urine metanephrines and norepinephrines. A computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large heterogeneous right adrenal mass measuring 7.9 cm × 6.8 cm × 8 cm consistent with a pheochromocytoma. The patient subsequently underwent adrenal mass resection and a complete thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. Early recognition and treatment of multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A can possibly reduce the risk of lethal heart disease in addition to the other associated endocrine disturbances.
Testing Okun’s Law: Evidence From the Western Balkan Countries
Authors: Arifi Dritero , Xhixha Hajdi , Aliu Florin
Published: November 2023

Sustainable economic growth and reducing unemployment stood at the heart of each monetary policy. Despite controversial discussions among scholars, Okun’s Law remains a valuable tool for measuring the relationship between economic growth and the unemployment rate. The study covers the six Western Balkan (WB) countries using quarterly unemployment and economic growth data from 2005 to 2019. The results were obtained from the Vector Autoregressive Model, Granger Causality Test, and Impulse Response Function. The findings show that the GDP growth rate has no influence on the unemployment rate in the case of six Western Balkan countries. From the policy perspective, the outcomes of this study provide valuable indications for the policymakers in WB countries on the importance of economic growth in reducing the unemployment rate.
The Truth About Mendacity: The Role of Deception Motives in Perception of Deceptive Communication in Pakistan
Authors: Mubashra Saima , Kausar Ghazala
Published: November 2023

Deception scholarship is becoming increasingly interested in knowing how findings located predominantly in the North American context travel over diverse cultural contexts. Feeding into this line of inquiry, the study predicted that people’s perception of deceptive communication is always commensurate with their cultural understanding of deception as moral evil or a social necessity. Furthermore, the study also proposed that the perceived deceptiveness of a deceitful statement is the function of the deception goal it sets out to achieve. To test this assumption for Pakistani culture, the study used the theoretical guidelines and experimental design proposed in Information Manipulation Theory (IMT). Using Buller and Burgoon’s typology of deception motives, three deception motives (i.e., instrumental, interpersonal and identity) were identified and situational prompts were created in each category. The participants ( N = 753) read the situational prompts and rated five different types of information manipulations on four 7-point semantic differential scales. The results indicated that the motive type had a significant effect on the perception of deceptive communication. The information manipulation carried out for instrumental purposes was rated more deceptive than the interpersonal and identity-based manipulations. Nevertheless, completely disclosive messages and falsifications were consistently rated the most honest and the most deceptive respectively. The results indicate that Pakistani culture places a high premium on the value of truth and treats indirect messages as less honest than completely truthful messages. The findings bring insights about an understudied collectivist culture and help to make empirical profiling of deceptive communication more robust.
Relational Reprojection Platform: Non-linear distance transformations of spatial data in R
Authors: Payne Will B. , McGlynn Evangeline
Published: November 2023

When mapping relationships across multiple spatial scales, prevailing visualization techniques treat every mile of distance equally, which may not be appropriate for studying phenomena with long-tail distributions of distances from a common point of reference (e.g., retail customer locations, remittance flows, and migration data). While quantitative geography has long acknowledged that non-Cartesian spaces and distances are often more appropriate for analyzing and visualizing real-world data and complex spatial phenomena, commonly available GIS software solutions make working with non-linear distances extremely difficult. Our Relational Reprojection Platform (RRP) fills this gap with a simple stereographic projection engine centering any given data point to the rest of the set, and transforming great circle distances from this point to the other locations using a set of broadly applicable non-linear functions as options. This method of reprojecting data allows users to quickly and easily explore how non-linear distance transformations (including square root and logarithmic reprojections) reveal more complex spatial patterns within datasets than standard projections allow. Our initial release allows users to upload comma separated value (CSV) files with geographic coordinates and data columns and minimal cleaning and explore a variety of spatial transformations of their data. We hope this heuristic tool will enhance the exploratory stages of social research using spatial data.
Synthetic population data for small area estimation in the United States
Authors: Lin Yue
Published: November 2023

Small area estimation is critical for a wide range of applications, including urban planning, funding distribution, and policy formulation. Individual-level population data, which typically include each individual’s socio-demographic characteristics and small area location, are a rich source of information for small area estimation. However, individual-level population data are often not made public due to confidentiality concerns. This paper describes the development of a public-use synthetic individual-level population dataset in the United States that can be useful for small area estimation. This dataset contains characteristics of housing type, age, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino origin for all 308,745,538 individuals in the United States at the census block group level, based on publicly available aggregated data from the 2010 Census. Experimental results suggest the validity of the synthetic data by comparing it to different data sources, and we show examples of how this dataset can be used in small area estimation.
Salient aspects on micro-electrical discharge machining of nitinol for cardiovascular applications
Authors: Purushothaman S. , Srinivas M. S. , Venkaiah N. , Sankar M. R.
Published: November 2023

Micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) is a widely used technique for producing complex geometries with high precision in metals, including nitinol (NiTi) alloys. This review provides insights into the process parameters, electrode material, and surface integrity for the micro-EDM of NiTi. The pulse duration, pulse frequency, and discharge current are critical parameters that affect the machining performance of NiTi. Copper-tungsten and tungsten carbide are commonly used electrode materials for micro-EDM of NiTi. The surface integrity of the machined surface is an essential consideration for biomedical applications. There is a pressing need for the investigation of the microstructure and phase transformation of NiTi after micro-EDM to understand the influence of machining on the material properties. This review provides valuable information for researchers and engineers to optimize the machining performance and improve the material properties of NiTi for biomedical applications.
Changing Practice Through Nursing Leadership: A Pediatric Oncology Unit in Delhi, India
Authors: Dabas Preeti , Malhotra Payal , Sharma Geetanjali , Challinor Julia , Galassi Annette , Sukumara Surya
Published: November 2023

The pediatric oncology unit at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center (RGCI & RC), a nonprofit medical facility and research institute based in Delhi, India, sought to improve clinical nursing practice through nurse leadership training supported by international nursing mentorship. A nursing team leadership program with a goal to strengthen practice was designed in collaboration with the RGCI & RC nurse education department and pediatric oncology physicians on the unit. Two expert oncology nurses from the United States made multiple visits from 2017 to 2019 to support the development of the leadership program and the resulting practice changes. Specific areas of nursing addressed through these efforts included attention to education, practice, and leadership. Selected processes were improved by the following: (a) development of a pediatric oncology nursing orientation program to follow general onboarding by the nursing education department, (b) strengthening and updating standard operating procedures for nursing, and (c) development of a nursing Team Leads program. Four team leads completed training, and staff nurses are now active members in the care of patients and opining themselves when decision-making occurs during rounds. RGCI & RC nurses have written abstracts and posters accepted at national and international conferences, which further strengthens their profile in the larger pediatric oncology professional community.
RUBic: rapid unsupervised biclustering
Authors: Sriwastava Brijesh K. , Halder Anup Kumar , Basu Subhadip , Chakraborti Tapabrata
Published: November 2023

Biclustering of biologically meaningful binary information is essential in many applications related to drug discovery, like protein–protein interactions and gene expressions. However, for robust performance in recently emerging large health datasets, it is important for new biclustering algorithms to be scalable and fast. We present a rapid unsupervised biclustering (RUBic) algorithm that achieves this objective with a novel encoding and search strategy. RUBic significantly reduces the computational overhead on both synthetic and experimental datasets shows significant computational benefits, with respect to several state-of-the-art biclustering algorithms. In 100 synthetic binary datasets, our method took $$\sim 71.1$$

∼
71.1

 s to extract 494,872 biclusters. In the human PPI database of size $$4085\times 4085$$

4085
×
4085

, our method generates 1840 biclusters in $$\sim 48.6$$

∼
48.6

 s. On a central nervous system embryonic tumor gene expression dataset of size 712,940, our algorithm takes   101 min to produce 747,069 biclusters, while the recent competing algorithms take significantly more time to produce the same result. RUBic is also evaluated on five different gene expression datasets and shows significant speed-up in execution time with respect to existing approaches to extract significant KEGG-enriched bi-clustering. RUBic can operate on two modes, base and flex, where base mode generates maximal biclusters and flex mode generates less number of clusters and faster based on their biological significance with respect to KEGG pathways. The code is available at (https://github.com/CMATERJU-BIOINFO/RUBic) for academic use only.
Elucidation of the genetic determination of clutch traits in Chinese local chickens of the Laiwu Black breed
Authors: Wang Jie , Liu Zhansheng , Cao Dingguo , Liu Jie , Li Fuwei , Han Heguo , Han Haixia , Lei Qiuxia , Liu Wei , Li Dapeng , Wang Jianxia , Zhou Yan
Published: November 2023

Background

Egg laying rate (LR) is associated with a clutch, which is defined as consecutive days of oviposition. The clutch trait can be used as a selection indicator to improve egg production in poultry breeding. However, little is known about the genetic basis of clutch traits. In this study, our aim was to estimate genetic parameters and identify quantitative trait single nucleotide polymorphisms for clutch traits in 399 purebred Laiwu Black chickens (a native Chinese breed) using a genome-wide association study (GWAS).

Methods

In this work, after estimating the genetic parameters of age at first egg, body weight at first egg, LR, longest clutch until 52 week of age, first week when the longest clutch starts, last week when the longest clutch ends, number of clutches, and longest number of days without egg-laying until 52 week of age, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and potential candidate genes associated with clutch traits in Laiwu Black chickens. The restricted maximum likelihood method was used to estimate genetic parameters of clutch pattern in 399 Laiwu Black hens, using the GCTA software.

Results

The results showed that SNP-based heritability estimates of clutch traits ranged from 0.06 to 0.59. Genotyping data were obtained from whole genome re-sequencing data. After quality control, a total of 10,810,544 SNPs remained to be analyzed. The GWAS revealed that 421 significant SNPs responsible for clutch traits were scattered on chicken chromosomes 1–14, 17–19, 21–25, 28 and Z. Among the annotated genes,NELL2,SMYD9,SPTLC2,SMYD3andPLCL1were the most promising candidates for clutch traits in Laiwu Black chickens.

Conclusion

The findings of this research provide critical insight into the genetic basis of clutch traits. These results contribute to the identification of candidate genes and variants. Genes and SNPs potentially provide new avenues for further research and would help to establish a framework for new methods of genomic prediction, and increase the accuracy of estimated genetic merit for egg production and clutch traits.
Long-term humoral and cellular immunity after primary SARS-CoV-2 infection: a 20-month longitudinal study
Authors: Hvidt Astrid Korning , Guo Huaijian , Andersen Rebecca , Lende Stine Sofie Frank , Vibholm Line Khalidan , Søgaard Ole Schmeltz , Schleimann Marianne Hoegsbjerg , Russell Victoria , Cheung Angela Man-Wei , Paramithiotis Eustache , Olesen Rikke , Tolstrup Martin
Published: November 2023

Background

SARS-CoV-2 remains a world-wide health issue. SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity is induced upon both infection and vaccination. However, defining the long-term immune trajectory, especially after infection, is limited. In this study, we aimed to further the understanding of long-term SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response after infection.

Results

We conducted a longitudinal cohort study among 93 SARS-CoV-2 recovered individuals. Immune responses were continuously monitored for up to 20 months after infection. The humoral responses were quantified by Spike- and Nucleocapsid-specific IgG levels. T cell responses to Spike- and non-Spike epitopes were examined using both intercellular cytokine staining (ICS) assay and Activation-Induced marker (AIM) assay with quantification of antigen-specific IFNγ production. During the 20 months follow-up period, Nucleocapsid-specific antibody levels and non-Spike-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cell frequencies decreased in the blood. However, a majority of participants maintained a durable immune responses 20 months after infection: 59% of the participants were seropositive for Nucleocapsid-specific IgG, and more than 70% had persisting non-Spike-specific T cells. The Spike-specific response initially decreased but as participants were vaccinated against COVID-19, Spike-specific IgG levels and T cell frequencies were boosted reaching similar or higher levels compared to 1 month post-infection. The trajectory of infection-induced SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity decreases, but for the majority of participants it persists beyond 20 months. The T cell response displays a greater durability. Vaccination boosts Spike-specific immune responses to similar or higher levels as seen after primary infection.

Conclusions

For most participants, the response persists 20 months after infection, and the cellular response appears to be more long-lived compared to the circulating antibody levels. Vaccination boosts the S-specific response but does not affect the non-S-specific response. Together, these findings support the understanding of immune contraction, and with studies showing the immune levels required for protection, adds to the knowledge of durability of protection against future SARS-CoV-2.
Design, implementation, and inferential issues associated with clinical trials that rely on data in electronic medical records: a narrative review
Authors: Leviton Alan , Loddenkemper Tobias
Published: November 2023

Real world evidence is now accepted by authorities charged with assessing the benefits and harms of new therapies. Clinical trials based on real world evidence are much less expensive than randomized clinical trials that do not rely on “real world evidence” such as contained in electronic health records (EHR). Consequently, we can expect an increase in the number of reports of these types of trials, which we identify here as ‘EHR-sourced trials.’ ‘In this selected literature review, we discuss the various designs and the ethical issues they raise. EHR-sourced trials have the potential to improve/increase common data elements and other aspects of the EHR and related systems. Caution is advised, however, in drawing causal inferences about the relationships among EHR variables. Nevertheless, we anticipate that EHR-CTs will play a central role in answering research and regulatory questions.
The value of endoscopically-placed metal clips for transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of recurrent acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Zhu Yinong , Yang Wenjuan , Zhang Yuyan , Ye Liansong , Hu Bing
Published: November 2023

Objective

Acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ANVUGIB) is a common clinical emergency. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is usually used to locate the bleeding site and provide interventional embolization. During TAE, there is a low positive rate of angiography, and localization of the culprit vessel is difficult. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the role of preplaced metal clips in TAE for ANVUGIB patients.

Materials and methods

Patients with ANVUGIB in whom bleeding sites were identified endoscopically and treated with TAE from January 1st, 2005 to July 1st, 2021 were retrospectively included. According to the presence or absence of preplaced metal clips, they were divided into two groups. The main outcome measurements included the clinical success rate and rebleeding rate. Secondary outcome measurements included the mortality rate and the need for surgery. Predictors of the clinical success rate were assessed with univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 102 patients were included in this study, and all of them had undergone arterial embolization. There were 73 cases in the group with metal clips and 29 cases in the group without metal clips with consistent baseline information. The group with metal clips had a higher clinical success rate (82.2% vs. 45.0%, P < 0.001), lower rebleeding rate (8.2% vs 27.6%, P = 0.039) and additional surgery rate (11.0% vs 20.7%, P < 0.001) than the group without metal clips. In univariate analysis, ROCKALL score and preplaced metal clip marking were shown to affect clinical success rate. In multivariate analysis, metal clip marking was found to facilitate clinical success (OR = 3.750, 95CI = 1.456–9.659, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

In ANVUGIB patients, preplaced metal clips could improve the clinical success rate of TAE and reduce the mortality rate and the risk of rebleeding.
Exploration of related factors of suicide ideation in hospitalized older adults
Authors: Liao Su-Jung , Fang Yu-Wen , Liu Tse-Tsung
Published: November 2023

Background

With the rapid aging of the population structure, and the suicide ideation rate also increasing year by year, the ratio of people over 65 to the total number of deaths is increasing yearly. The study provides a reference for researchers interested in older adults’ care to explore SI further affecting older adults in the future and provide a reference for qualitative research methods or interventional measures.

Objective

The objective of this study is to explore the influence of mental health status, life satisfaction, and depression status on suicidal ideation (SI) among hospitalized older adults.

Methods

In a cross-sectional correlation study, taking inpatients over 65 years old in a regional teaching hospital in eastern Taiwan, and the BSRS-5 ≧ 5 points of the screening cases, a total of 228 older adults agree to conduct data analysis in this study. Mainly explore the influence of personal characteristics, mental health status, life satisfaction, and depressed mood on SI among the hospitalized older adults. The basic attributes of the cases used in the data, mental health status, cognitive function, quality of life, depression, and suicide ideation, the data obtained were statistically analyzed with SPSS 20/Windows, and the descriptive statistics were average, standard deviation, percentage, median, etc. In the part of inference statistics, independent sample t-test, single-factor analysis of variance, Pearson performance difference correlation, and logistic regression analysis were used to detect important predictors of SI.

Results

Research results in (1) 89.5% of hospitalized older adults have a tendency to depression. 2.26.3% of the older adults had SI. (2) Here are significant differences in the scores of SI among hospitalized older adults in different economic status groups and marital status groups. (3) The age, marital status, and quality of life of the hospitalized older adults were negatively correlated with SI; economic status, self-conscious health, mental health, and depression were positively correlated with SI. (4) The results of the mental health status and SI is (r = .345, p < .001), higher the score on the BSRS-5 scale, the higher the SI. The correlation between the depression scale score (SDS-SF) and SI was (r = .150, p < .05), the higher the depression scale score, the higher the SI.

Conclusion

The results of the study found that there was a statistically significant correlation between SI in older adults and age, marital status, economic status, mental health, quality of life, and depression, and also showed that they might interact with each other; the older adults in BSRS-5, GDS-SF, quality of life scale scores have statistically significant differences as essential predictors of SI. The results of this study suggest that medical staff can use the BSRS-5 scale to quickly screen and evaluate the mental health status of older adults, hoping to detect early and provide preventive measures, thereby improving the quality of life of older adults.
Evaluation of graded recession of inferior oblique muscle for correction of different grades of V-pattern strabismus
Authors: Sokeer Shaimaa Hady , Ali Ahmed L. , Arafa El-Sayed S. , Awara Amr M. , Shafik Heba M.
Published: November 2023

Background

V pattern identification is essential for proper strabismus management. Graded recession is a tailored approach to treat inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of graded recession of inferior oblique muscle for correction of different grades of V pattern.

Methods

Forty patients from 3 to 18 years old with V pattern strabismus and primary IOOA were evaluated by prism cover test to assess the grade of IOOA and amplitude of V-pattern. Graded recession of IO muscle depends on the amplitude of the V-pattern and degree of IOOA. Eight mm recession for amplitude 15 PD to 20 PD and mild IOOA (10 PD-15 PD or + 1) ,10 mm recession for amplitude 20–30 PD and moderate IOOA (15–25 PD or + 2) and maximum recession for amplitude more than 30 PD and marked IOOA (≥ 25 PD or + 3). Simultaneous correction of the horizontal deviation was performed. Follow up after I week,1 month ,3 month and 6-month. Trial Registration Number (TRN) (NCT05786053) on 23/3/2023.

Results

The mean age of the study patients was 9 ± 4.261. Twenty patients (50%) had V-pattern esotropia, 12 (30%) exotropia, 4 (10%) orthotropic and four (10%) had Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD). Four cases 10% were of grade 1, 20 cases (50%) grade 2 and 16 cases (40%) were of grade 3. Of eighty eyes, 66 eyes (82.5%) were fully corrected with no residual IOOA, and 14 eyes (17.5%) were under corrected. V-pattern was corrected in 28 cases 70% and only 12cases (30%) had residual V-pattern grade 1.

Conclusions

Graded recession is an effective procedure for correction of V pattern strabismus with various grades of primary inferior oblique overaction. It can be tailored according to the the degree of IO overaction which is significantly related to the grade of V pattern. The 8 mm recession for IO was significantly related to recurrence or inadequate break of the V pattern in our studied cases. The grade of IOOA correlates with the amplitude of V-pattern. The amount of recession was planned according to preoperative IOOA and grade of V-pattern with frequent undercorrections obtained by the standard 8 mm recession. A + 2 overaction merits a 10-mm recession of the inferior oblique. A + 3 or + 4 overaction merits a 14-mm maximal recession.
Toxic posterior segment syndrome with retinal vasculitis likely caused by intraocular cotton fiber after vitreoretinal surgery – a case report
Authors: Jayadev Chaitra , Gupta Aditi , Gadde Santosh Gopikrishna , Venkatesh Ramesh
Published: November 2023

Background

Intraocular inflammation is common after anterior or posterior segment surgery. They typically manifest either as non-infectious inflammation of the anterior or posterior segment, known as toxic anterior or posterior segment syndrome (TPSS), or as sterile or infective endophthalmitis. In this report, we describe a rare case of TPSS following vitreoretinal surgery, presenting as hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old male diagnosed with a left eye acute rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent an uneventful primary pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil endotamponade on the same day of presentation. At presentation, there were no signs of intraocular inflammation, and his visual acuity in the affected eye was 20/200.

Results

The retina was well-attached with silicone oil in place on the first post-operative day. Along the inferior retinal periphery, a hemorrhagic occlusive vasculitis was observed. Clinical examination revealed retained intraocular cotton fiber along the inferotemporal quadrant over the retinal surface. In addition to the standard post-operative medications, a course of systemic steroids (40 mg per day of Prednisolone tablets) was started. At the end of the first post-operative week, clinical signs of hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis were beginning to resolve, and by the end of the fourth post-operative week, they had completely resolved.

Conclusion

This report describes an unusual diagnosis of TPSS after vitreoretinal surgery, most likely due to the presence of an intraocular cotton fiber. This excessive inflammation of the posterior segment usually responds to a course of topical and systemic steroids.