bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual-motor integration in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: application of the computer-aided measure of visual-motor integration
Authors: Huang Wen-Feng , Chen Ren-Yu , Wang Tien-Ni , Chuang Po-Ya , Shieh Jeng-Yi , Chen Hao-Ling
Published: March 2024

Background

Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) are encouraged to participate in the regular school curriculum. However, even when using the less-affected hand for handwriting, children with UCP still experience handwriting difficulties. Visual-motor integration (VMI) is a predictor of handwriting quality. Investigating VMI in children with UCP is important but still lacking. Conventional paper-based VMI assessments is subjective and use all-or-nothing scoring procedures, which may compromise the fidelity of VMI assessments. Moreover, identifying important shapes that are predictive of VMI performance might benefit clinical decision-making because different geometric shapes represent different developmental stepping stones of VMI. Therefore, a new computer-aided measure of VMI (the CAM-VMI) was developed to investigate VMI performance in children with UCP and to identify shapes important for predicting their VMI performance.

Methods

Twenty-eight children with UCP and 28 typically-developing (TD) children were recruited. All participants were instructed to complete the CAM-VMI and Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery-VMI). The test items of the CAM-VMI consisted of nine simple geometric shapes related to writing readiness. Two scores of the CAM-VMI, namely, Error and Effort, were obtained by image registration technique. The performances on the Beery-VMI and the CAM-VMI of children with UCP and TD children were compared by independent t-test. A series of stepwise regression analyses were used to identify shapes important for predicting VMI performance in children with UCP.

Results

Significant group differences were found in both the CAM-VMI and the Beery-VMI results. Furthermore, Error was identified as a significant aspect for predicting VMI performance in children with UCP. Specifically, the square item was the only significant predictor of VMI performance in children with UCP.

Conclusions

This study was a large-scale study that provided direct evidence of impaired VMI in school-aged children with UCP. Even when using the less-affected hand, children with UCP could not copy the geometric shapes as well as TD children did. The copied products of children with UCP demonstrated poor constructional accuracy and inappropriate alignment. Furthermore, the predictive model suggested that the constructional accuracy of a copied square is an important predictor of VMI performance in children with UCP.
Unraveling the therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol in Alzheimer’s disease: an umbrella review of systematic evidence
Authors: Azargoonjahromi Ali , Abutalebian Fatemeh
Published: March 2024

Context

Resveratrol (RV), a natural compound found in grapes, berries, and peanuts, has been extensively studied for its potential in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD). RV has shown promise in inhibiting the formation of beta-amyloid plaques (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), protecting against neuronal damage and oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, promoting neuroprotection, and improving the function of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). However, conflicting results have been reported, necessitating a comprehensive umbrella review of systematic reviews to provide an unbiased conclusion on the therapeutic effectiveness of RV in AD.

Objective

The objective of this study was to systematically synthesize and evaluate systematic and meta-analysis reviews investigating the role of RV in AD using data from both human and animal studies.

Data sources and extraction

Of the 34 systematic and meta-analysis reviews examining the association between RV and AD that were collected, six were included in this study based on specific selection criteria. To identify pertinent studies, a comprehensive search was conducted in English-language peer-reviewed journals without any restrictions on the publication date until October 15, 2023. The search was carried out across multiple databases, including Embase, MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, utilizing appropriate terms relevant to the specific research field. The AMSTAR-2 and ROBIS tools were also used to evaluate the quality and risk of bias of the included systematic reviews, respectively. Two researchers independently extracted and analyzed the data, resolving any discrepancies through consensus. Of note, the study adhered to the PRIOR checklist.

Data analysis

This umbrella review presented robust evidence supporting the positive impacts of RV in AD, irrespective of the specific mechanisms involved. It indeed indicated that all six systematic and meta-analysis reviews unanimously concluded that the consumption of RV can be effective in the treatment of AD.

Conclusion

RV exhibits promising potential for benefiting individuals with AD through various mechanisms. It has been observed to enhance cognitive function, reduce Aβ accumulation, provide neuroprotection, protect the BBB, support mitochondrial function, facilitate synaptic plasticity, stabilize tau proteins, mitigate oxidative stress, and reduce neuroinflammation commonly associated with AD.

Graphical abstract
Safety and efficacy of Cox‐Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation during mitral valve surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Gao Yaxuan , Luo Hanqing , Yang Rong , Xie Wei , Jiang Yi , Wang Dongjin , Cao Hailong
Published: March 2024

Background

Cox‐Maze procedure is currently the gold standard treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data on the effectiveness of the Cox‐Maze procedure after concomitant mitral valve surgery (MVS) are not well established. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of Cox-Maze procedure versus no-maze procedure n in AF patients undergoing mitral valve surgery through a systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis.

Methods

A systematic search on PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (Cochrane Library, Issue 02, 2017) databases were performed using three databases from their inception to March 2023, identifying all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Cox-Maze procedure versus no procedure in AF patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Data were extracted and analyzed according to predefined clinical endpoints.

Results

Nine RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria were included in this systematic review with 663 patients in total (341 concomitant Cox‐Maze with MVS and 322 MVS alone). Across all studies with included AF patients undergoing MV surgery, the concomitant Cox‐Maze procedure was associated with significantly higher sinus rhythm rate at discharge, 6 months, and 12 months follow‐up when compared with the no-Maze group. Results indicated that there was no significant difference between the Cox‐Maze and no-Maze groups in terms of 1 year all-cause mortality, pacemaker implantation, stroke, and thromboembolism.

Conclusions

Our systematic review suggested that RCTs have demonstrated the addition of the Cox‐Maze procedure for AF leads to a significantly higher rate of sinus rhythm in mitral valve surgical patients, with no increase in the rates of mortality, pacemaker implantation, stroke, and thromboembolism.
Smoking behavior associated upregulation of SERPINB12 promotes proliferation and metastasis via activating WNT signaling in NSCLC
Authors: Zheng Hong-Zhen , Miao Xiang , Chang Jing , Zhou Hai , Zhang Jing-Jian , Mo Hui-Min , Jia Qin
Published: March 2024

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of morality among all malignant tumors. Smoking is one of the most important causes of NSCLC, which contributes not only to the initiation of NSCLC but also to its progression. The identification of specific biomarkers associated with smoking will promote diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

Data mining was used to identify the smoking associated gene SERPINB12. CCK8 assays, colony formation assays, a mouse xenograft model and transwell assays were performed to measure the biological functions of SERPINB12 in NSCLC. GSEA, luciferase reporter assays and immunofluorescence were conducted to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of SERPINB12 in NSCLC.

Results

In this study, by data mining the TCGA database, we found that SERPINB12 was greatly upregulated in NSCLC patients with cigarette consumption behavior, while the expression level was positively correlated with disease grade and poor prognosis. SERPINB12 is a kind of serpin peptidase inhibitor, but its function in malignant tumors remains largely unknown. Functionally, knockdown of SERPINB12 observably inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, downregulation of SERPINB12 attenuated Wnt signaling by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, which explained the molecular mechanism underlying tumor progression.

Conclusions

In conclusion, SERPINB12 functions as a tumorigenesis factor, which could be a promising biomarker for NSCLC patients with smoking behavior, as well as a therapeutic target.
Clinicopathological factors associated with sentinel lymph node detection in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Wollbrett Christophe , Seitlinger Joseph , Stasiak Florent , Piccoli Juliette , Streit Arthur , Siat Joelle , Gauchotte Guillaume , Renaud Stéphane
Published: March 2024

Background

Mapping of the pulmonary lymphatic system by near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging might not always identify the first lymph node relay. The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathologic factors allowing the identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) by NIR fluorescence imaging in thoracic surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 92 patients treated for suspected or confirmed cN0 lung cancer with curative intent who underwent an intraoperative injection of indocyanine green (ICG) either by direct peritumoral injection or by endobronchial injection using electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB). After exclusion of patients for technical failure, benign disease and metastasis, we analyzed the clinicopathologic findings of 65 patients treated for localized-stage NSCLC, comparing the group with identification of SLNs (SLN-positive group) with the group without identification of SLNs (SLN-negative group).

Results

Forty-eight patients (73.8%) were SLN-positive. Patients with SLN positivity were more frequently female (50%) than the SLN-negative patients were (11.8%) (p = 0.006). The mean value of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was lower among the patients in the SLN-negative group (64.7% ± 16.7%) than the SLN-positive group (77.6% ± 17.2%, p < 0.01). The ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FCV) was higher in the SLN-positive group (69.0% vs. 60.8%, p = 0.02). Patients who were SLN-negative were characterized by a severe degree of emphysema (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in pathologic characteristics. On univariate analyses, age, female sex, DLCO, FEV1/FVC, degree of emphysema, and tumor size were significantly associated with SLN detection. On multivariate analysis, DLCO > 75% (HR = 4.92, 95% CI: 1.27–24.7; p = 0.03) and female sex (HR = 5.55, 95% CI: 1.25–39.33; p = 0.04) were independently associated with SLN detection.

Conclusions

At a time of resurgence in the use of the sentinel lymph node mapping technique in the field of thoracic surgery, this study enabled us to identify, using multivariate analysis, two predictive factors for success: DLCO > 75% and female sex. Larger datasets are needed to confirm our results.
Network analysis of maternal parenting practices and adolescent mental health problems: a longitudinal study
Authors: Sun Xinlu , Yuan Ting , Chen Feifei , Li Yan , Jiang Nengzhi
Published: March 2024

Background

An extensive literature has shown a strong connection between maternal parenting practices and adolescent mental health problems. However, it has been difficult for previous research to map a dynamic concurrent and prospective relationships within and between types of parenting practices and adolescent mental health problems. The present study addressed these issues using a network analysis approach and a longitudinal design.

Methods

This study involved 591 Chinese adolescents (249 males; mean age at T1 = 13.53) and their mothers (mean age at T1 = 39.71) at two time points (T1 and T2) with eighteen months apart. Mothers reported their parenting practices including warmth, monitoring, inductive reasoning, hostility, and harshness, while adolescents reported their mental health problems including anxiety, depression, aggression, and conduct problems. Network analysis was conducted for contemporaneous networks at T1 and T2 and temporal networks from T1 to T2.

Results

The contemporaneous networks revealed the negative association between monitoring and conduct problems served as the main pathway through which parenting practices and adolescent mental health mutually influenced each other, and further, warmth was the most influential parenting practice on adolescent mental health. The temporal network revealed that maternal hostility exerted the most influence on adolescent mental health problems, whereas adolescents’ depression was most influenced by maternal parenting practices. Moreover, maternal hostility was most predicted by maternal harshness.

Conclusions

This study presents a novel perspective to gain a better understanding of the dynamics between and within maternal parenting practices and adolescent mental health problems. Findings highlight maternal harshness and warmth as potential prevention and intervention targets for adolescent mental health problems.
Firefighters and police search dog handlers’ experiences working closely with paramedics in urban search and rescue incidents: a qualitative focus group study from Oslo
Authors: Westnes Erik , Hjortdahl Magnus
Published: March 2024

Background

Rescue operations are in Norway defined as situations where patients are difficult to access or that more resources are needed than the health services alone possess and can put in operation (Bull A, Redningshåndboken er endelig her! [Internet]. Hovedredningssentralen. 2018 [cited 2023 May 15]. Available from: https://www.hovedredningssentralen.no/redningshandboken-er-endelig-her/). Rescue operations after large incidents may include civil protection, military forces, non-governmental organizations and other resources, but the initial rescue effort must be performed by the emergency services as time often is of essence. The central area of an accident where special training and personal protection equipment is necessary or mandatory is called the Hot Zone. This study examines Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) firefighters and police officers reported experiences from ambulance personnel’s contribution in the Hot Zone.

Methods

We conducted five focus group interviews with USAR-trained firefighters and police officers. The interviewees were those on duty on the agreed dates. The interviews were taped, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis as described by Braun & Clarke.

Results

Three themes were identified; Feeling safe during missions, Building USAR capacity, and Trust-building within USAR-teams. The firefighters and police officers reported their and the patients’ safety are best managed by EMS-personnel, whose presence strongly contributes to their own feeling of safety in a dangerous area. When EMS handles victims and injured emergency workers, firefighters and police officers can focus on their own primary tasks. Indeed, interviewees reported that building a USAR capacity depends on having USAR-trained EMS-personnel in the Hot Zone. The interviewees have clear and consistent opinions on how to establish an interagency USAR capacity effectively. Trust is paramount to the interviewees, and they express a high degree of trust within USAR Oslo.

Conclusions

Firefighters and police officers regard USAR-trained EMS-personnel as a natural and integrated part in urban search and rescue teams. EMS-personnel in the dangerous area deliver safety and medical professional assistance to both rescue workers and patients. Informants in this study had clear opinions on how to establish and maintain such a service.
Effect of a self-developed fixation device on preventing endotracheal intubation-related pressure injury: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Zhang Qibing , You Jiqin , Xu Rong , Zhang Zhaojie , Shi Yunlan , Han Chunrong , Zhao Shiyan , Yao Bangtao , Geng Yan , Liu Songqiao
Published: March 2024

Objective

To evaluate the effects of our self-developed endotracheal tube fixation device in mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

In a dual-centre randomised controlled trial, patients who were expected to require mechanical ventilation for over 48 h were assigned to the observation group (using self-developed device) or the control group (using the traditional device). The primary endpoint was the incidence of endotracheal intubation-related pressure injury (EIRPI).

Results

Fifty-one patients in the observation group and 54 patients in the control group were analysed. The incidence of EIRPI was 7.8% in the observation group and 33.3% in the control group (p = 0.001). Lip pressure injury (PI) occurred in 0 versus 14 (25.9%) patients in the observation versus control groups (p < 0.001). Both oral–mucosal and facial PIs were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

The use of the novel device reduced the incidence of EIRPI, especially lip PI.

Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300078132. Registered on 29 November 2023
TMEM120B strengthens breast cancer cell stemness and accelerates chemotherapy resistance via β1-integrin/FAK-TAZ-mTOR signaling axis by binding to MYH9
Authors: Hu Ran , Cao Yu , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhao Tingting , Yang Kaibo , Fan Mingwei , Guan Mengyao , Hou Yuekang , Ying Jiao , Ma Xiaowen , Deng Ning , Sun Xun , Zhang Yong , Zhang Xiupeng
Published: March 2024

Background

Breast cancer stem cell (CSC) expansion results in tumor progression and chemoresistance; however, the modulation of CSC pluripotency remains unexplored. Transmembrane protein 120B (TMEM120B) is a newly discovered protein expressed in human tissues, especially in malignant tissues; however, its role in CSC expansion has not been studied. This study aimed to determine the role of TMEM120B in transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ)-mediated CSC expansion and chemotherapy resistance.

Methods

Both bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemistry assays were performed to examine expression patterns of TMEM120B in lung, breast, gastric, colon, and ovarian cancers. Clinicopathological factors and overall survival were also evaluated. Next, colony formation assay, MTT assay, EdU assay, transwell assay, wound healing assay, flow cytometric analysis, sphere formation assay, western blotting analysis, mouse xenograft model analysis, RNA-sequencing assay, immunofluorescence assay, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were performed to investigate the effect of TMEM120B interaction on proliferation, invasion, stemness, chemotherapy sensitivity, and integrin/FAK/TAZ/mTOR activation. Further, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis, GST pull-down assay, and immunoprecipitation assays were performed to evaluate the interactions between TMEM120B, myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9), and CUL9.

Results

TMEM120B expression was elevated in lung, breast, gastric, colon, and ovarian cancers. TMEM120B expression positively correlated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis. Overexpression of TMEM120B promoted breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and stemness by activating TAZ-mTOR signaling. TMEM120B directly bound to the coil-coil domain of MYH9, which accelerated the assembly of focal adhesions (FAs) and facilitated the translocation of TAZ. Furthermore, TMEM120B stabilized MYH9 by preventing its degradation by CUL9 in a ubiquitin-dependent manner. Overexpression of TMEM120B enhanced resistance to docetaxel and doxorubicin. Conversely, overexpression of TMEM120B-∆CCD delayed the formation of FAs, suppressed TAZ-mTOR signaling, and abrogated chemotherapy resistance. TMEM120B expression was elevated in breast cancer patients with poor treatment outcomes (Miller/Payne grades 1–2) than in those with better outcomes (Miller/Payne grades 3–5).

Conclusions

Our study reveals that TMEM120B bound to and stabilized MYH9 by preventing its degradation. This interaction activated the β1-integrin/FAK-TAZ-mTOR signaling axis, maintaining stemness and accelerating chemotherapy resistance.
Multi-slice spatial transcriptome domain analysis with SpaDo
Authors: Duan Bin , Chen Shaoqi , Cheng Xiaojie , Liu Qi
Published: March 2024

With the rapid advancements in spatial transcriptome sequencing, multiple tissue slices are now available, enabling the integration and interpretation of spatial cellular landscapes. Herein, we introduce SpaDo, a tool for multi-slice spatial domain analysis, including modules for multi-slice spatial domain detection, reference-based annotation, and multiple slice clustering at both single-cell and spot resolutions. We demonstrate SpaDo’s effectiveness with over 40 multi-slice spatial transcriptome datasets from 7 sequencing platforms. Our findings highlight SpaDo’s potential to reveal novel biological insights in multi-slice spatial transcriptomes.
The IMPROVE trial: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of using lay health workers to improve uptake and completion of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Gilworth Gill , Harris Katherine , Morgan Toby L. , Ayis Salma , Fox-Rushby Julia , Godfrey Emma , Hopkinson Nicholas S. , Lewin Simon , Lim Ka Keat , Spinou Arietta , Taylor Stephanie J. C. , White Patrick
Published: March 2024

Background

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a programme of exercise and education and the most effective treatment for the symptoms and disability associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the benefits of PR are limited by poor uptake and completion. This trial will determine whether using trained volunteer lay health workers, called “PR buddies,” improves uptake and completion of PR and is cost-effective. This trial protocol outlines the methods for evaluating effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability.

Methods

The IMPROVE trial is a pragmatic, open, cluster randomised controlled trial planned in 38 PR services across England and Wales. PR services will be randomised to either intervention arm—offering support from PR buddies to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—or to usual care as the control arm. PR staff in trial sites randomised to the intervention arm will receive training in recruiting and training PR buddies. They will deliver training to volunteers, recruited from among people who have recently completed PR in their service. The 3-day PR-buddy training programme covers communication skills, confidentiality, boundaries of the PR-buddy role and behaviour change techniques to help patients overcome obstacles to attending PR. An internal pilot will test the implementation of the trial in eight sites (four intervention sites and four in control arm). The primary outcome of the trial is the uptake and completion of PR. A process evaluation will investigate the acceptability of the intervention to patients, PR staff and the volunteer PR buddies, and intervention fidelity. We will also conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Discussion

Improving outcomes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and access to PR are priorities for the UK National Health Service (NHS) in its long-term plan. The trial hypothesis is that volunteer PR buddies, who are recruited and trained by local PR teams, are an effective and cost-effective way to improve the uptake and completion rates of PR. The trial is pragmatic, since it will test whether the intervention can be incorporated into NHS PR services. Information obtained in this trial may be used to influence policy on the use of PR buddies in PR and other similar services in the NHS.

Trial registration

ISRCTN12658458. Registered on 23/01/2023.
Effectiveness of telerehabilitation intervention to improve pain and physical function in people with patellofemoral pain syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Amirabadi Negar , Hessam Masumeh , Monjezi Saeideh , Molhemi Farshad , Mehravar Mohammad , Hosseinpour Pardis
Published: March 2024

Background

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal condition in young and active adults. Exercise therapy is an essential part of rehabilitation in people with PFPS (PwPFPS). Telerehabilitation is an innovative treatment approach that has been used in several musculoskeletal conditions. This study aims to investigate the non-inferiority of telerehabilitation through a smartphone application, the Vito App, compared to face-to-face physical therapy on reducing pain and improving physical function, quality of life, and psychological factors.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial will include 60 PwPFPS. to a control group (face-to-face physical therapy) or an experimental group (telerehabilitation). The intervention for both groups consists of stretching, strengthening, balance, and functional exercises for 6 weeks and three sessions per week. The primary outcomes are pain intensity by visual analog scale (VAS), physical function by the Kujala questionnaire and functional tests including the bilateral squat, anteromedial lunge, and step down, and quality of life by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire quality of life subscale. Secondary outcomes are psychological factors such as anxiety and depression assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, kinesiophobia assessed with the Tampa scale, and pain catastrophizing assessed with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Assessments will be held in 3 phases: pre-test (before the intervention), post-test (after the 6 weeks of intervention), and follow-up (1 month after the end of the intervention).

Discussion

We expect that both the control group and experimental group will show similar improvements in clinical and psychological outcome measures. If our hypothesis becomes true, PwPFPS can use telerehabilitation as a practical treatment approach. Telerehabilitation can also enhance accessibility to rehabilitation services for active adults and for people living in remote and rural areas.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) IRCT20201112049361N1. Registered on 29 October 2022.
A gender-specific geodatabase of five cancer types with the highest frequency of occurrence in Iran
Authors: Faramarzi Sharareh , Kiani Behzad , Hoseinkhani Mohammedreza , Firouraghi Neda
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Cancer is a global health challenge with complex characteristics. Despite progress in research and treatment, a universally effective prevention strategy is lacking. Access to reliable information, especially on occurrence rates, is vital for cancer management. This study aims to create a database containing individual and spatially integrated data on commonly diagnosed cancers in Iran from 2014 to 2017, serving as a valuable resource for spatial-epidemiological approaches.

Data description

This database encompasses several files related to cancer data. The first file is an Excel spreadsheet, containing information on newly diagnosed cancer cases from 2014 to 2017. It provides demographic details and specific characteristics of 482,229 cancer patients. We categorized this data according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reporting rules to identify cancers with the highest incidence. To create a geodatabase, individual data was integrated at the county level and combined with population data. Files 2 and 3 contain gender-specific spatial data for the top cancer types and non-melanoma skin cancer. Each file includes county identifications, the number of cancer cases for each cancer type per year, and gender-specific population information. Lastly, there is a user’s guide file to help navigate through the data files.
Acetyl genistin modulates myotube differentiation and attenuates dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy through the FoxO1/3 signaling pathway in C2C12 myotubes
Authors: Jeong Won Min , Kwag Seung-Jin , Ha Jun Young , Lee Seung-Jun , Choe Yeong-In , Lee Dong Yeol , Jeong Dong Kyu , Bae Hwan Hee , Seo Jin-Hee , Hah Young-Sool , Kim Sang Gon
Published: March 2024

Muscle atrophy, a debilitating condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength, is a major concern in various clinical settings. Acetyl genistin (AG), a bioactive compound, was evaluated for its role in muscle cell differentiation and its potential protective effects against dexamethasone (dexa)-induced muscle atrophy. Our study demonstrated that AG significantly promoted C2C12 myotube differentiation, as evidenced by enhanced myotube width and increased fusion index. Notably, AG treatment upregulated the expression of myogenic markers, including MHC, MyoD, and MyoG. Moreover, AG displayed protective properties by attenuating dexa-induced muscle atrophy, mainly by suppressing the expression of the atrophy-related genes MAFbx and MuRF1. AG's protective effects are mechanistically attributed to its regulation of the AMPK/FoxO-dependent signaling pathway. Our results highlighted the dual benefits of AG in fostering muscle differentiation and safeguarding against muscle atrophy, positioning it as a promising agent for muscle health and therapeutic applications.
Temperament impact on eating disorder symptoms and habit formation: a novel model to inform treatment
Authors: Hill Laura
Published: March 2024

Background

Temperament has long been described as the biological dimension of personality. Due to advancing brain-imaging technology, our understanding of temperament has deepened and transformed over the last 25 years. Temperament combines genetic, neurobiological and trait research. Temperament has been included peripherally in some eating disorder (ED) treatment approaches but has been ignored by most. Temperament fills a fundamental treatment gap by clarifying who is more vulnerable to develop ED and why some individuals are susceptible to specific ED symptoms while others are not. In addition, temperament targets possible treatment solutions.

Main text

There is a need for a novel model that incorporates and explores the role of temperament in ED treatment intervention. This paper is a metaphoric temperament model to inform treatment intervention. It describes how temperament traits influences new decisions which impact new behavioural responses. In turn, it neurobiologically tracks how and why the brain efficiently transforms new decisions into new habits. This model integrates both temperament and habit research to explore (a) what temperament is; (b) how new decisions develop into habits neurobiologically; (c) that the brain wires destructive symptoms into habits in the same way that it wires healthy/productive behaviours into habits; (d) traits that trigger ED symptoms are the same traits that influence productive behaviours; and in regard to treatment implications (e) when treatment structure and intervention target client temperaments, the potential for new healthy “trait-syntonic” habits could develop.

Conclusions

This paper introduces a metaphoric model that synthesizes and integrates temperament neurobiological and trait findings with ED symptoms, habits, and client trait-based solutions. The model synthesizes and integrates different research domains to establish a brain-based foundation to inform treatment intervention. The model targets clients’ temperament traits as central collections of innate self-expressions that could be utilized as tools to redirect client trait-syntonic ED responses into trait-syntonic productive outcomes. The brain bases of temperament and habit formation serve as a biological foundation for ED treatment intervention.
Guillain–Barre syndrome: small-volume plasmapheresis versus intravenous immunoglobulin—3rd level hospital experience
Authors: Balili Khaoula , Louhab Nissrine , Adarmouch Latifa , Chraa Mohamed , Hachimi Abdelhamid , Belbachir Anass , Kissani Najib
Published: March 2024

Background

Specific treatment for Guillain–Barre syndrome is based on plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg). In developing countries such as Morocco, we are often confronted with constraints in terms of price and availability of substitutes. Comparative studies of these two therapeutic modalities have been conducted particularly in severely extensive forms.

Results

Our study compared small-volume plasmapheresis (SVP) with intravenous Immunoglobulin over a nine-year period in the neurology department of the University Hospital Center of Marrakech in terms of efficacy and safety in Moroccan patients with GBS of varying degrees of severity.

We included 76 patients who were hospitalized for GBS. Forty-six patients were treated with SVP and 30 were treated with IvIg. The therapeutic choice depended on contraindications, socioeconomic considerations, patient choice, and availability of treatment. The clinical and paraclinical evaluations of the two groups were statistically comparable, including factors that may influence the prognosis (p > 0.05). The efficacy of IvIg and SVP did not show a statistically significant difference except for a longer neurology department stay with plasmapheresis (p < 0.001). This efficacy is evaluated by the evolution of the Hughes and MRC sum scores one month after treatment, length of hospital stay, use of mechanical ventilation and its duration, and mortality rate.

Conclusion

The results selected further encourage the use of SVP because of its efficacy and safety, which are comparable to those of IvIg. And the review of the literature confirms our recommendations.
Craniofacial anthropometric measurements of the cohort of Egyptian male school children and their utility in detection of abnormalities
Authors: Elhadidi Sahar Mostafa , Hassan Mohamed Ossama , Soliman Nadia Lashin , Abouel-Ezz Eman Hassan , ElBatran Mona Mahmoud , El-Kamah Ghada Y. , Amr Khalda Sayed
Published: March 2024

Background

Anthropology is a scientific discipline which applies scientific methods to identify and quantitate inter-individual variations in body structure and function. Anthropometry assesses craniofacial dysmorphology in genetic disorders and helps to detect phenotypic differences in diseases with common underlying cause. This study is part of a comprehensive cross-sectional study of craniofacial and oral findings in Egyptian school children. This paper focused on establishing the norms of Egyptian male school children and its utility in determining the differences in facial measurements of a child with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). Thirty craniofacial measurements were taken from 55 healthy Egyptian school children aged 12–14 years with mean age $$13\pm 0.64$$

13
±
0.64

and a PWS child aged 13.6 years. The PWS measurements were compared with healthy children of the same age using computed Z-score.

Results

Morphological face height of the PWS child was within the normal range. However, upper face height and nose height were significantly lower with Z-scores of $$-$$
-
 3.18 and $$-$$
-
 2.7, respectively; right and left mandibular body length and upper lip height were significantly higher than the mean of healthy children with corresponding Z-scores of 2.95, 2.48, and 2.33.

Conclusions

By establishing the norms of Egyptian male school children and utilizing these data, we can identify the difference in facial measurements among children with abnormalities like PWS. This information can be used during periodic checkups as a simple, non-invasive, and economical method for the detection of these abnormalities.
Controlled circular dichroism with graphene-based metamaterial for terahertz wave
Authors: Jalal Abdul , Qasim Muhammad , Qureshi Ubaid Ur Rahman , Hu Bin
Published: March 2024

This article explores the design and analysis of a metal-graphene hybrid metamaterial structure tailored for tunable circular dichroism (CD) effects in the terahertz (THz) frequency regime. Chiral metamaterials have garnered considerable interest in photonics due to their versatile applications, including sensing, polarization manipulation, and chiral imaging. The proposed metamaterial unit cell features four meta-atoms with C4 rotational symmetry, composed of gold on a polyimide substrate. By strategically integrating the graphene sheets above the gold patterns, selective control over the absorption efficiency for the incident wave of left-handed circularly polarized (LCP) and right-handed circularly polarized (RCP) light is achieved. The study demonstrates that adjusting graphene chemical potential enables precise modulation of CD from 0.80 to 0.10 across a wide THz frequency spectrum. Furthermore, the article investigates the structure optical response for incident angles ranging up to 75°, revealing stable CD behavior up to 30° and intriguing dual-band effects beyond 50°. These findings underscore the potential of the proposed metamaterial for practical applications in photonics, sensing, and chiral imaging, offering tunable control over the CD effects in the THz regime.
Scarred Flesh and the X of Law
Authors: Hall Chris
Published: March 2024

This essay responds to and expands the concept of the X for trans studies, theorized by Marquis Bey, as a graphic tool for thinking the intersection of gender, race, law, and crime. In doing so, the essay reads Howard Hawks's 1932 film Scarface, a work crossed throughout by the symbology of the X. Rather than providing a simple visual cue for death and closure, the X is vitalized, through a reading of Bey and Scarface together, as the (un)graphing of law that both inscribes and defaces the biopolitical state, which predicates itself on legislating the difference between genders, races, species, spaces, and criminals and law enforcement. The essay thereby moves toward a criminal reading of the Law, in which it becomes possible to see how the state's apparatus betrays its populous and itself, and to sketch out a vision of pluralized life otherwise, figured in the transgressions of a film in which crime becomes law, law becomes crime, and the riotously raced and gendered protagonist weave together the terms that the biopolitical state desperately attempts to hold apart.
Lulu “Works the Trapeze”
Authors: Walker Adin
Published: March 2024

This article is a historical analysis of two nineteenth-century aerialists: Lulu, a cross-gender performer who went on to become a prolific photographer, and Zazel, who is said to be the first performer shot from a cannon. Working with image-based posters, audience accounts, and a document by E. K. Stimson (ca. 1885) narrativizing Lulu's life up until the age of thirty, this article employs film theory as well as queer and transgender historiography to develop two interconnecting arguments: first, the aerial apparatus during the late nineteenth century is a critical tool for teaching audiences how to perceive a body, thereby facilitating the movement of a body into the grammar of a sex/gender system. Second, with these aerial apparatuses testing the boundaries of gravity, space, and time, the aerialist Lulu specifically tested the boundaries of a sex/gender system to create a spectacle of gender multiplicity rather than merely an exploitation of femininity. This article offers the notion that aerial arts stage the art of the precipice—the art of not quite falling, yet not quite flying—and concludes by suggesting that looking toward other performances of the precipice is useful for further work in queer and transgender historiography.
The Failure of Cis Feminism
Authors: Tudisco Jordan J.
Published: March 2024

Faced with the proliferation of TERF rhetoric outside academia, this article proposes a case study of an anti-trans, anti-gender, anti–sex work graduate student at a progressive American institution to challenge feminism to address the ways in which it is providing a space of unchallenging silence for TERF views to remain a nonissue and receive academic support and accreditation. An examination of this specific student highlights a narrative of radicalization occurring during her studies at the university. A challenge for cis feminists to self-reflect and step up, this article argues that cis feminism has for now failed to address the transphobia in its midst, thus forcing trans students and scholars to lose faith in feminism and to find care and support elsewhere.
Cross-species modeling of muscular dystrophy in Caenorhabditis elegans using patient-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Shalash Rewayd , Levi-Ferber Mor , Cohen Coral , Dori Amir , Brodie Chaya , Henis-Korenblit Sivan
Published: March 2024

Reliable disease models are critical for medicine advancement. Here, we established a versatile human disease model system using patient-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), which transfer a pathology-inducing cargo from a patient to a recipient naïve model organism. As a proof of principle, we applied EVs from the serum of patients with muscular dystrophy to Caenorhabditis elegans and demonstrated their capability to induce a spectrum of muscle pathologies, including lifespan shortening and robust impairment of muscle organization and function. This demonstrates that patient-derived EVs can deliver disease-relevant pathologies between species and can be exploited for establishing novel and personalized models of human disease. Such models can potentially be used for disease diagnosis, prognosis, analyzing treatment responses, drug screening and identification of the disease-transmitting cargo of patient-derived EVs and their cellular targets. This system complements traditional genetic disease models and enables modeling of multifactorial diseases and of those not yet associated with specific genetic mutations.
Assessing the predictive validity of Provincial Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT)
Authors: Rahim Saira , Arooj Mahwish
Published: March 2024

Objective: To assess the predictive validity of Punjab Provincial Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).

Methods: A retrospective correlational study was conducted at the Fatima Memorial Hospital College of Medicine & Dentistry in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were analysed from 415 medical students who had completed the MBBS program from 2018-2020. Bivariate and multivariable regression models were used to adjust for confounders such as age, gender, city of origin, and pre-medical performance. A novel performance-trajectory analysis was used to evaluate whether students with different preadmission MDCAT scores had different performance trajectories in medical school.

Results: On simple bivariate analysis, there was a weak but significant (correlational coefficient 0.22-0.33, p<0.001) correlation between MDCAT scores and professional exam scores for all years of medical college. However, multivariable analysis of Matric/Fsc track showed no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between MDCAT and professional exam scores after the first two years. For O/A level students, there was no correlation between MDCAT and professional exam scores for any year of medical college (p>0.05). Trajectory analysis showed that students with exceptionally high MDCAT scores had a superior performance trajectory compared to those with the lowest quartile of MDCAT scores while students with average MDCAT scores had overlapping performance trajectories.

Conclusion: For students from the Matric/FSc track only, there is a weak but significant correlation between MDCAT scores and professional exam scores for the first two years. No such correlation exists for O/A level students. Exceptionally high MDCAT scores are predictive of higher achievement in professional exam scores.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.5.7766

How to cite this: Rahim S, Arooj M. Assessing the predictive validity of Provincial Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.5.7766

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Zawiadomienie podatnika o zawieszeniu biegu terminu przedawnienia wskutek wszczęcia postępowania karnego skarbowego w świetle teorii performatywów
Authors: Brzeziński Bogumił , Kalinowski Marek
Published: March 2024

W myśl art. 70 § 6 pkt 1 O.p. bieg terminu przedawnienia zobowiązania podatkowego nie rozpoczyna się, a rozpoczęty ulega zawieszeniu, z dniem wszczęcia postępowania w sprawie o przestępstwo skarbowe lub wykroczenie skarbowe, o którym podatnik został zawiadomiony, jeżeli podejrzenie popełnienia przestępstwa lub wykroczenia wiąże się z niewykonaniem tego zobowiązania. Natomiast zagadnienie zawiadomienia podatnika, o którym mowa w tym przepisie, zostało unormowane w art. 70c O.p. Przepis ten stanowi, że organ podatkowy właściwy w sprawie zobowiązania podatkowego, z którego niewykonaniem wiąże się podejrzenie popełnienia przestępstwa skarbowego lub wykroczenia skarbowego, zawiadamia podatnika o nierozpoczęciu lub zawieszeniu biegu terminu przedawnienia zobowiązania podatkowego.
Przedmiotem artykułu jest analiza tego ostatniego przepisu. Autorzy podejmują próbę ustalenia, jaki organ oraz w jaki sposób powinien powiadomić podatnika o nierozpoczęciu lub zawieszeniu biegu terminu przedawnienia. Przy tym w procesie analizy podjęto próbę wykorzystania teorii performatywów. Okazało się, że zastosowanie tej teorii do analizy instytucji zawiadomienia podatnika o zawieszeniu biegu terminu przedawnienia wskutek wszczęcia postępowania karnego skarbowego wspomogło istotnie proces wykładni przepisu art. 70c O.p. Ułatwiło bowiem wyselekcjonowanie tych wszystkich elementów, które mają istotne znaczenie dla ustalenia, czy czynność konwencjonalna, jaką jest zawiadomienie podatnika, została dokonana fortunnie, a więc czy w efekcie wywarła skutki w prawie.
W świetle art. 70c Ordynacji podatkowej do tych elementów należą:

warunek wstępny w postaci wszczęcia postępowania karnego skarbowego, którego celem ma być ustalenie, czy doszło do popełnienia przestępstwa lub wykroczenia skarbowego, nie zaś doprowadzenie do zawieszenia biegu terminu przedawnienia;
zawiadomienie przez organ, do którego kompetencji należy pobór podatku, o zawieszeniu biegu terminu przedawnienia; Zawiadomienie podatnika o zawieszeniu biegu terminu przedawnienia… 79
zawarcie w zawiadomieniu informacji, że doszło do zawieszenia biegu terminu przedawnienia wskutek wszczęcia postępowania karnego skarbowego;
sporządzenie zawiadomienia w formie pisemnej, a następnie doręczenie pisma podatnikowi zgodnie z zasadami unormowanymi w art. 144 i nast. Ordynacji podatkowej;
doręczenie zawiadomienia podatnikowi najpóźniej w terminie 5 lat od końca roku podatkowego, w którym upłynął termin płatności podatku;
skierowanie zawiadomienia bezpośrednio do podatnika.

Niespełnienie którejkolwiek z tych przesłanek powoduje, że dokonana czynność zawiadomienia nie wywiera skutku w postaci zawieszenia biegu terminu przedawnienia.
Przeciwdziałanie mobbingowi w placówkach oświatowych – wybrane aspekty prawne
Authors: Jadach Katarzyna
Published: March 2024

W tekście podjęto próbę charakterystyki zjawiska mobbingu z uwzględnieniem szczególnych uwarunkowań funkcjonowania zakładu pracy, jakim jest placówka oświatowa, ustalono obowiązki dyrektora w sferze przeciwdziałania, a następnie dokonano zestawienia i charakterystyki środków, jakimi dyrektor jako podmiot zarządzający dysponuje w ramach ścieżek pracowniczej i administracyjnej ochrony pracownika przed mobbingiem. Praca ma charakter przeglądowy. Wykorzystano w niej również metodę dogmatyczno-prawną, uwzględniając orzecznictwo sądów pracy dotyczące postępowań w sprawach o mobbing oraz dorobek piśmienniczy z obszaru nauk prawnych.