bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breastfeeding performance of late preterm newborns with hyperbilirubinemia undergoing phototherapy: Controlled Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Neves Ana Paula Sabino de Medeiros , Yamamoto Raquel Coube de Carvalho , Camargo Juliana Dantas de Araújo Santos , Junior Hipólito Virgilio Magalhães
Published: November 2023

Background: Prematurity is a risk factor for eating disorders. However, late preterm newborns are generally cared for in a rooming-in unit, with no different management from term newborns. Hyperbilirubinemia is considered physiological, but can be potentially neurotoxic at high levels. Phototherapy is the most widely used treatment, but it can lead to adverse events, such as circadian rhythm changes. Preterm infants are at greater risk of neurotoxicity due to hyperbilirubinemia and feeding difficulties are a risk factor for increased serum bilirubin levels. In view of this, it is necessary to evaluate the breastfeeding performance of late preterm infants in order to provide data that will enable appropriate management in the face of possible difficulties and guarantee that preterm infants undergoing phototherapy will have an effective feed and adequate intake.
Methods: Controlled cross-sectional study. Conducted in a public maternity hospital, the sample was based on convenience and consisted of 60 mother/late preterm newborn dyads, assisted in the Joint Lodging, divided into two groups. One group comprised of 30 mother/newborn dyads in which the newborns had hyperbilirubinemia that required phototherapy (case group) and another group with 30 dyads in which the newborns did not require phototherapy (control group). Data characterizing the sample was obtained through anamnesis and medical/hospital records. Breastfeeding performance was assessed using the Breastfeeding Observation Form proposed by UNICEF. The analyses were carried out using Jamovi (version 2.4.1). The significance level of 5% was adopted for all analyses. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. All participants/guardians signed the Free and Informed Registration Form.
Results: Newborns in the case group had a higher occurrence of "fair" and "poor" scores in all the protocol categories.
Conclusion: The study concluded that late preterm newborns undergoing phototherapy have more difficulties in breastfeeding compared to late preterm newborns who do not require the treatment, and therefore need careful and individualized attention in the management of breastfeeding.
Continuous or interrupted pledgeted suture technique in stented bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement: A comparison of in-hospital outcomes
Authors: Arabkhani Bardia , Gonthier Sebastien , Deschamps Samuel , Jahanyar Jama , Boute Marin , Vancrayenest David , Mastrobuoni Stefano , Khoury Gebrine El , de Kerchove Laurent
Published: November 2023

Background
There is ambiguity in the literature regarding the continuous suture technique (CST) for aortic valve replacement (AVR). At our center, there has been a gradual shift towards CST over the interrupted pledgeted technique (IPT). This study aims at comparing outcomes for both techniques.
Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of a single-center study of patients undergoing AVR between January 2011 and July 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: Continuous suture technique and interrupted pledget-reinforced sutures. The pre-operative and In-hospital clinical characteristics and echocardiographic hemodynamics (i.e. transvalvular gradients and paravalvular leakage) were compared between CST and IPT.
Results
We compared 791 patients with CST to 568 patients with IPT (median age: 73 and 74 years, respectively, p = 0.02). In CST there were 35% concomitant procedure vs 31% in IPT (p = 0.16). Early mortality was 3.2% in CST versus 4.8% in IPT (p = 0.15), and a second cross-clamp due to a paravalvular-leak in 0.5% vs. 1.2%, respectively (p = 0.22). The CST was not associated with new-onset conduction-blocks mandating pacemaker implants(OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.54–2.14; P = 0.85). The postoperative gradients on echocardiography were lower in CST compared to IPT, especially in smaller annuli (peak gradients: 15.7mmHg vs 20.5mmHg, in valve size < 23mm, p < 0.001)
Conclusions
The continuous suture technique was associated with lower postoperative gradients and shorter cross-clamp time compared to interrupted pledgeted technique. Differences in paravalvular leaks were non-significant, although slightly less in the continuous suture technique. There were no further differences in valve-related complications. Hence, continues suture technique is safe, with better hemodynamics compared to the interrupted pledgeted technique. This may be of clinical importance, especially in smaller size annular size.
Causal association total bilirubin and albumin levels with lung cancer risk: a mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Qian
Published: November 2023

Our study aim was to examine the causal effect between levels of Total Bilirubin and Albumin and the risk of developing lung cancer (LC). Previous observational studies have suggested that these two biomarkers may have anti-oxidative properties that could potentially inhibit cancer development. However, the existing evidence regarding the association between Total Bilirubin and Albumin levels and LC risk has been inconsistent. To address this, we conducted a two sample Mendelian randomization(TSMR) study to further investigate this association and assess causality. As the exposure, we utilized the publicly accessible summary statistics datasets of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for bilirubin and albumin. The outcome, in this case, was a GWAS for lung cancer.Our results indicate that bilirubin and albumin levels may be causally associated with an increased risk of LC.[bilirubin:odds ratio (OR) = 1.341%, confidence interval (CI): 1.076–1.672, P= 0.009;albumin: OR=1.582%, CI:1.077-2.323,P = 0.019].
ATI-driven SAR Remote Collaboration Platform for Manufacturing in a Training Task
Authors: Li Xiuling , Zhang Ruikun , Li Fusheng , Yue Limin , Wang Peng , Yang Huan
Published: November 2023

Global events such as pandemics and wars have prompted many individuals to reassess the significance of remote collaboration for training, providing assistance, maintenance, and education. While video conferencing has gained popularity, numerous opportunities still exist for more sophisticated methods of Augmented Reality (AR) remote interaction. Hand-drawn AR sketches/annotations (AAS) are commonly used for expressing visual instructions. However, these freehand drawings are not enough to communicate the specific instructions required for industrial applications. Therefore, oral communication always serves as a critical supplement for addressing misinterpretations and language barriers. In such cases, our work is dedicated to sharing clear instructions based on AAS by the adaptive transformation of instructions (ATI) method. As a result, we present a Spatial AR(SAR) remote collaborative platform that can support converting AAS into standard symbols which provides clear guidance and has been widely accepted by the public. We conduct a formal user study to evaluate the prototype platform concerning performance time, general collaborative experience, usability based on ranking, and users’ preferences. The results indicated that ATI-based cues have a positive rule on remote collaborative training tasks in terms of user experience. More significantly, our work provides valuable implications on the way for further study of gesture-based interaction in AR remote collaboration on training tasks.
Methyl jasmonate application downregulates red drupelet reversion by modulating the antioxidant potential and maintains fruit quality of ‘Elvira’ blackberries
Authors: Shah Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib , Singh Zora , Hasan Mahmood Ul , Kaur Jashanpreet , Afrifa-Yamoah Eben , Woodward Andrew
Published: November 2023

Red drupelet reversion (RDR) shortens the marketing window for blackberries by reducing cosmetic appearance of the fruit. Blackberry plants were sprayed with methyl jasmonate (MJ 0, 1, 2 or 3 mM), two weeks before tentative harvest maturity, to evaluate effects on RDR, antioxidant capacity and fruit quality in cold stored blackberry fruit for up to 12 days. MJ significantly reduced RDR while maintaining higher anthocyanins, phenolics and flavonoids during cold storage for 12 days. Fruit treated with 1 mM MJ showed higher total antioxidants, ascorbic acid, and glutathione content. Additionally, MJ treated raspberries displayed higher activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate oxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase enzymes, than controls for 12 days. In conclusion, the preharvest spray application of MJ (1 mM) has the potential to reduce RDR, improve antioxidant capacity and maintain fruit quality of cold stored blackberries.
Role of conventional dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and ultrafast MRI in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy: prediction of pathologic complete response and radiopathologic correlation using microvessel density
Authors: Choi Sung-Eun , PARK Ah Young , Kim Gwang Il , Jung Hae Kyoung , Ko Kyung Hee , Kim Yunju
Published: November 2023

Background
We investigated the potential of ultrafast MRI and conventional dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients and correlated the kinetic MRI parameters with histologic microvessel density (MVD).
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 61 breast cancer patients who underwent NAC and surgery between August 2020 and August 2022. Ultrafast and conventional DCE-MRI features and pathologic results were compared between pCR and non-pCR group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors for pCR. MRI kinetic parameters were correlated with histologic MVD.
Results
Seventeen out of 61 patients achieved pCR (27.9%). Significant differences were observed in tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, delayed washout component, angiovolume, and molecular subtype between pCR and non-pCR groups. Tumor size (odds ratio [OR] = .875, p = .02), axillary lymph node metastasis (OR = .032, p = .01), and HER2-enriched or triple-negative cancer types (OR = 47.530 or 751.991, p = .003 or .006) were independent predictive factors for pCR. In HER2-enriched cancer, low initial enhancement value and angiovolume were associated with pCR (p = .04). Ultrafast MRI parameters were not predictive of pCR, but maximum slope was higher in high MVD group compared to low MVD group (68.6%/sec ± 50.3 vs 40.4%/sec ± 39.3, p = .049).
Conclusion
Tumor size, axillary lymph node status, molecular subtypes were predictive factors for pCR in breast cancer, but ultrafast MRI parameters were not. Maximum slope on ultrafast MRI can reflect histologic MVD.
mbDecoda: A debiased approach to compositional data analysis for microbiome surveys
Authors: Zong Yuxuan , Zhao Hongyu , Wang Tao
Published: November 2023

Background: Microbiome research aims to identify microbes that play crucial roles in both health and disease, with the potential of these microbes to serve as biomarkers for preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases. However, the presence of compositionality, sparsity, and over-dispersion presents formidable challenges for absolute abundance analysis, leading to potentially misleading results when classical data analysis methods are applied.
Results: To address these challenges, we introduced mbDecoda, a model-based approach for debiased analysis of sparse compositions of microbiomes. mbDecoda employs a zero-inflated negative binomial model, linking mean abundance to the variable of interest through a log link function, and it accommodates the adjustment for confounding factors. Through extensive simulation studies and analysis of real-world microbiome datasets, we demonstrated that mbDecoda compared favorably to state-of-the-art methods in terms of effectiveness, robustness, and reproducibility.
Conclusions: mbDecoda is an accurate and reliable method for absolute abundance analysis. It is expected to be a valuable contribution to the statistical toolbox for for analyzing and interpreting microbiome data.
Understanding the Relationship Between Neutrophil Function and Demographic Variables
Authors: Hickman Elise , Rebuli Meghan E. , Robinette Carole , Jaspers Ilona
Published: November 2023

Neutrophils play a crucial role in the body's defense against respiratory pathogens, and dysregulation is linked to airway diseases. The study presented here explores the association between demographic factors (age, BMI, and sex) and functional phenotypes (oxidative burst and bioenergetics) of neutrophils. We measured PMA-stimulated oxidative burst (Seahorse XF) and phagocytosis (pHrodo red S. aureus) of human peripheral blood neutrophils and determined whether there were significant demographic associations with cellular function. There were no significant associations between neutrophil oxidative burst bioenergetic parameters or phagocytosis and BMI or age. However, our data revealed sexual dimorphism in neutrophil phagocytosis, with males exhibiting significantly higher phagocytic capacity than females. Additionally, phagocytic capacity and bioenergetic parameters were correlated in males but not in females. The study indicates potential variations in neutrophil activation pathways between males and female and emphasizes the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in respiratory host defense research.
Emergent collective motion of self-propelled condensate droplets
Authors: Lin Marcus , Kim Philseok , Arunachalam Sankara , Hardian Rifan , Adera Solomon , Aizenberg Joanna , Yao Xi , Daniel Dan
Published: November 2023

Recently, there is much interest in droplet condensation on soft or liquid/liquid-like substrates. Droplets can deform soft and liquid interfaces resulting in a wealth of phenomena not observed on hard, solid surfaces (e.g., increased nucleation, inter-droplet attraction). Here, we describe a unique complex collective motion of condensate water droplets that emerges spontaneously when a solid substrate is covered with a thin oil film. Droplets move first in a serpentine, self-avoiding fashion before transitioning to circular motions. We show that this self-propulsion (with speeds in the 0.1–1 mm s−1 range) is fuelled by the interfacial energy release upon merging with newly condensed but much smaller droplets. The resultant collective motion spans multiple length scales from submillimetre to several centimetres, with potentially important heat-transfer and water-harvesting applications.
The vegetation characteristics of Pinus taiwanensis drive the changes in different components of soil respiration in Wuyi Mountain, Southeast China
Authors: Sun Jun , Li Jilong , Penuelas Josep , Sardans Jordi , Hu Dandan , Zhong Quanlin , Cheng Dongliang
Published: November 2023

Background and Aims
Many driving variables have been used to model different soil respiration components. However, large uncertainty exists in the annual fluxes of soil respiration related to vegetation characteristics and soil properties.
Methods
Here, five Pinus taiwanensis forests along different elevations in the Wuyi Mountain were used to explore how the annual fluxes of total soil respiration (RS), autotrophic respiration (RA), and heterotrophic respiration (RH) were regulated by vegetation characteristics, including vegetation carbon sequestration (Vco2), 0-20 cm root biomass (WR), litter production (PL), leaf area index (LAI), and also soil properties, including soil temperature (ST), soil moisture (SM), fungal PLFAs and bacterial PLFAs.
Results
The results indicate that (1) the RH was positively correlated with ST, PL, WR, and LAI, and negatively correlated with SM; and the RA was positively related to the Vco2 and LAI, and inversely correlated with fungal and bacterial PLFAs. (2) RH is mainly determined by WR, while RA can be comprehensively predicted through the Vco2, and LAI; besides, the redundancy analysis indicated that WR, Vco2, and LAI together explained 83.06% of RS, RH, and RA changes in different elevations.
Conclusion
Overall, our results suggested that vegetation characteristics attributes such as WR, Vco2, and LAI rather than soil properties and microbial community composition, were more important for explaining the annual fluxes of soil respiration components variance in five P. taiwanensis forests. Thus, soil respiration depends more on the plant capacity to fix organic carbon as an initial source of organic matter sustaining overall soil respiration.
Estimation of Spatio-Temporal Near Surface Air Temperature from Land Surface Temperature (LST) Generated by Landsat 8 Satellite Data
Authors: KARAKUŞ Nihat , SELİM Serdar , DÖNMEZ Burçin , KILÇIK Ali
Published: November 2023

Predicting air temperature with high accuracy is useful for many agricultural, environmental, hydrological, and ecological applications, especially for global climate change studies. Air temperature is traditionally obtained from measurements at mobile or stationary meteorological stations and their distribution is determined by applying various interpolation methods. However, using of these data is limited and insufficient in regions such as Türkiye where the spatial distribution of stations is limited, containing many micro-climatic regions, and where the air temperature is very important, especially for agricultural applications. In this respect, being able to predict the near-surface air temperature with high accuracy with satellite-based observations constitutes the motivation of this study. Many studies tried to estimate air temperature using surface temperature data. However, the obtained accuracies were limited as medium or low-resolution satellite data were used and varied according to the regions. The aim of this study is to predict the land surface temperature and air temperature with high accuracy to be produced from high spatial resolution Landsat 8 images. For this purpose, two data sets were used, namely the LST data obtained from Landsat 8 and the air temperature data measured with the meteorological station. Linear regression models were created by comparing these two data sets and Pearson correlation was applied to determine the correlation between them. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the produced LST and the predicted air temperature for all stations, this relationship was estimated in the 95% standard deviation range, and the difference between the two values was mostly below 1°C. This result showed that the applied method is suitable for estimating the air temperature near the surface. It has been observed that this method can be used with high accuracy, especially in regions with insufficient number of meteorological stations, variable air temperatures in short distances, and different altitudes.
Galangin cooperates with oxaliplatin to inhibit the proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by targeting CBX3
Authors: Chu Bowei , Lou Yuanmei , Yu Qifeng
Published: November 2023

Objective
Examining the potential mechanism underlying the effect of galangin combined with oxaliplatin on the invasion and proliferation of colorectal cancer.
Methods
The effects of galangin combined with oxaliplatin on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell invasion and proliferation were assessed using CCK8 and Transwell assays. Using WB and qPCR, the expression of CBX3 in several CRC cell lines was identified. The levels of CBX3 in normal colorectal tissues and CRC tissues were compared using HPA and GEPIA, and the impact of CBX3 on the prognosis of CRC patients was investigated using GEPIA. To determine whether galangin targets CBX3 to influence the growth and invasion of CRC cells, cell assays were employed. The levels of ROS in HCT116 were measured by immunofluorescence following galangin treatment. The impact of CBX3 on immune cell infiltration in CRC was examined using TIMER. GEPIA produced a list of CBX3-related genes, and R was utilized to perform GO/KEGG enrichment analysis.
Results
We found that galangin combined with oxaliplatin inhibited the proliferation and invasion of CRC cells and down-regulated the expression of CBX3, which was rescued by overexpression of CBX3. DFS was shorter in those with elevated CBX3 expression. The level of ROS in HCT116 was significantly increased after galangin treatment. The invasion of CD8 + T cells and macrophages in the immunological microenvironment of CRC is favorably linked with increased expression of CBX3. Nuclear chromatin, histone binding, and covalent chromatin modification are enriched regions in CBX3 and related genes.
Conclusion
Galangin combine with oxaliplatin can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by down-regulating the expression of CBX3, and CBX3 is highly expressed in colorectal cancer and is related to short DFS.
Effect of cereal-legume intercropping on advance soil nutriments under semi-arid climate
Authors: Attallah Amal , hamdi wissem , Souid Amira , Farissi Mohamed , l'taif boulbaba , Zagrarni Mohamed Faouazi
Published: November 2023

Intercropping is known to improve the available resource usage and increase yield compared to sole cropping. Field experiments were carried out in 2020-2021 (EXP-A) and 2021-2022 (EXP-B) in Medenine, Tunisia, to compare at the flowering stage of plant growth, the agronomic performance of cereals (durum wheat) intercropped with a legume (chickpea) to their monoculture and to the soil bulk such as microbial mass C and N, nitrogen nutrition, and carbon availability. In this study, we found no significant differences between the proportions of Ntot for sole or intercropped Chickpea, with a difference of 4 and 6% for two seasons of culture (2020-2021 and 2021-2022). On the other hand, durum wheat grown in intercrops (DuWh-IR) significantly (p<0.05) acquired more Ntot than durum wheat grown in mono-crops (DuWh-MC) with an augmentation of 20% in 2020-2021 and 18% in 2021-2022. At the same time, the N concentration of durum wheat roots increases significantly under the effect of intercropping with 20% in 2020-2021 and 28% in 2021-2022. However, it is noted that the N content for chickpeas was comparatively lower for the intercrops as compared to sales crops i.e., eight percent in the years 2020 to 2021 and seven percent in the year 2021 to 2022, for both the shoots. In semi-arid regions of Southern Tunisia, cereals-legumes (Chickpea-Durum wheat) intercropping can influence the N and C soil fertility, which improves crop production while respecting the environment by reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizers.
Effect of the cereal-legume intercropping on Phosphatases and Phytase activity under alkaline soil.
Authors: Souid Amira , hamdi wissem , Attallah Amal , Farissi Mohamed , l'taif boulbaba , Zagrarni Mohamed Faouazi
Published: November 2023

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of intercropping systems cereals (Durum/hard Wheat)-legume (Cicer arietinum) on phosphorus (P) acquisition, pH soil variation, and the variation in enzymatic activity, through root-induced processes in semi-arid soil of South Tunisia. Split plot experiments with triplicate repetitions were carried out in southern Tunisia during two years of field (2020–2021 and 2021–2022). These comprise mono-crop chickpea (CK) and mono-crop durum wheat/ wheat durum (DW/WD), durum wheat intercropping (DW-C), and chickpea intercropping (CK-C). At the complete vegetation stage of durum wheat and chickpea, three soil samples were carried in layer surface for each experimental plot. For the analyses of soil, the P total, Olsen-P, phytase, acid phosphatases, and pH were carried out in the experiment. The obtained findings show a significant amelioration in P total contents in DW-C by 28% and 26% to DW, and 94% and 93% than BS during the two years of field experiment (2020–2021 and 2021–2022) respectively. Furthermore, the Study reported an increase of Olsen-P in the rhizosphere of DW-C by around 5%, 42% than DW, and 36%, 65% to bulk soil (BS) during the two-year experiment. Likewise, these results revealed an increase in A-Phase rates in the DW-C rhizosphere during the two agricultural seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2021), of approximately 26%, 8% than DW and 33%, 67% than BS respectively. As well as the phytase activity indicated an increase in the DW-C rhizosphere by 67% and 69% than in BS and only by 8% and 7% than in DW for the two seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2021). Indeed, the rhizosphere acidification of rhizosphere was found very much high in CK-C (0.63 pH units and 0.55 units lower than in the BS).
Effects of combined training with different intensities on cardiac structure and function in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: he jianghua , wang yang , zhang jianhong , gao can , ma yahong , Dong Chen , Chen Liang
Published: November 2023

Background
Regular exercise is a well-accepted strategy to improve cardiovascular system function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The results of trials assessing the impact of exercise training on cardiac function in T2DM have been inconsistent. Whether combined exercise training improve subclinical cardiac dysfunction in people with T2DM, however, is not known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with resistance training (RT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) combined with RT on cardiac structure and function in patients with type 2 diabetes. The impact of HIIT + RT and MICT + RT on cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic control was also investigated.
Methods
54 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to the HIIT + RT group, MICT + RT group, and control group (CG). With 18 participants in each group, for 12 weeks, three times per week exercise intervention. Patients underwent echocardiographic cardiac function and structure, metabolic and clinical evaluation at baseline and 3 months.
Results
(1) There was a significant difference between groups for changes on VO2peak. Greater increases on VO2peak were achieved for HIIT + RT in comparison to CG group, with significant difference between HIIT + RT and MICT + RT. VO2peak significantly increased for both HIIT + RT and MICT + RT (P༜0.01). (2) After 12 weeks of intervention, HIIT + RT significantly changed EF, LVPWT, LVEDD and LVESD and LVM (P༜0.01). MICT + RT only had significant effects on EF, LVPW (P༜0.01), and LVM (P༜0.05). Compared with CG, HIIT + RT significantly improve EF, LVEDD (P༜0.01), and LVM (P༜0.05) in T2DM patients. Compared with MICT + RT, HIIT + RT was more effective in improving LVEDD (P༜0.05).
Conclusions
(1) 12 weeks of HIIT + RT and MICT + RT significantly improved body weight and blood glucose control in T2DM patients, which would be beneficial to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in T2DM patients. (2) 12 weeks of HIIT + RT and MICT + RT significantly improved peak oxygen uptake and cardiac structure and function in T2DM patients; However, HIIT + RT was more effective in improving cardiopulmonary fitness and cardiac structure and function in T2DM patients.
Tablet-based cognitive training as an early intervention tool for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Cai Zhaona , Li Jiaxiao
Published: November 2023

Background In recent years, with the development of the digital society, tablet/computer-based digital therapies have gradually been applied to assist in the learning, cognition, and social communication of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This will help address the limitations of offline interventions and provide more diverse treatment options for children with autism. In this article, we describe the basic framework of an innovative digital cognitive intervention software developed for toddlers and preschool children with ASD based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Additionally, we conducted a preliminary test study to explore the usage and attitudes of Chinese children with autism and their parents towards digital cognitive therapy. Methods In the preliminary test study, 6 Chinese children with ASD aged 3 to 6 were first recruited for a six-week usage test, and the patterns and performance of digital-assisted therapy software used by ASD children were quantitatively analyzed. Subsequently, 12 more ASD children aged 3–6 were recruited for a 3-month test study. A parent questionnaire was distributed after the test and a qualitative analysis of usage and primary caregivers' attitudes towards the digital software was conducted. Results The results of the training data preliminary confirmed the feasibility of the developed cognitive intervention software and the effectiveness of using the software for cognitive skills training in Chinese children with ASD. At the same time, the results of questionnaire interviews with 18 parents of autistic children who were treated with the cognitive intervention software also showed positive outcomes. Conclusion The autism digital intervention tool used in this study is feasible and has certain potential benefits. In the future, formal clinical control studies need to be conducted to recruit subjects from a wide range of backgrounds to further validate the effectiveness of this digital cognitive intervention software.
Evaluation of effect of phytoremediation of heavy metal pollution in farmland soils around a lead-zinc mine, Southwest China
Authors: Liu Wenting , Li Ming , Tamehe Landry Soh , Hong Tangyu , Shi Yujiao , Huang Lishan
Published: November 2023

Environmental pollution by heavy metals in mining areas is a major concern worldwide since it affects surrounding farmland soils as well as the food chain and human health. Phytoremediation is amongst the low cost and environment friendly method proposed to clean up heavy metals from contaminated soils. In this study, we investigate the farmland soils of the Sidi village in Xingping Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which were contaminated by nearby abandoned lead-zinc mine. The contents of heavy metals (As, Cd, and Pb) in these soils have severely exceeded the threshold local values according to the China national standard GB15618-2018. It is therefore urgent to carry out effective remediation of soils polluted by heavy metals to ensure safety of crop production in farmland soils of this region. Hyperaccumulator plants and plant barrier were adopted to reduce the content of heavy metals in soils of slightly polluted areas. The contents of As, Cd, and Pb in soils of moderately polluted areas were reduced by using passivator combined with low heavy metal accumulation crops. Rotation of oilseed rape and oil sunflower has continuously prevented metal pollution in heavily polluted areas. After 15 months of remediation, the pH values of soils in all polluted areas were gradually changing from weakly acidic to near-neutral pH, which met the requirements for crop planting. This study provides a scientific reference to apply remediation methods for polluted soils by heavy metals for the restoration of ecological environment of farmland soils around lead-zinc mine.
The Causal Relationship between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiovascular Diseases: Role of Systemic Inflammation and NF-κB/COX-2 Pathway
Authors: Wu You , Zhang Houwen , Yu Jialin , Cai Wanru
Published: November 2023

Background
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a significant global health issue that often coexists with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between COPD and these diseases, with a focus on the role of systemic inflammation and the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway.
Methods
The Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization (TSMR) approach was used to analyze the genetic correlation between COPD and the risks of ischemic stroke (IS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using data from several large biobanks. In addition, in vivo experiments with ApoE knockout mice and in vitro assays with primary mouse aorta endothelial cells were conducted to explore the role of the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway in COPD-related systemic inflammation.
Results
The MR analysis revealed a significant association between COPD and increased risks of IS (OR: 1.152) and AMI (OR: 1.001). In vivo findings showed exacerbated pulmonary dysfunction and atherogenesis in mice with both COPD and high-fat diet (HFD), with notable histological changes in lung and aortic tissues. Inflammatory markers and lipid profiles were significantly altered in these models. In vitro studies demonstrated that COPD-induced systemic inflammation impaired endothelial cell function. These changes were mitigated by inhibiting the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway.
Conclusions
This study provides strong evidence of a causal link between COPD and an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, mediated by systemic inflammation and the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway. These findings highlight the importance of addressing cardiovascular risks in COPD management and suggest that the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway could be a potential therapeutic target for reducing comorbid cardiovascular conditions in COPD patients.
Interactive virtual reality environments and emotions: a systematic review
Authors: Linares-Vargas Benjamin G.P. , Cieza-Mostacero Segundo E.
Published: November 2023

Emotions influence the way we react in different contexts. Virtual Reality (VR) makes it possible to generate environments that can resemble a real experience. These concepts were taken as the basis of the review, focusing on the use of VR on emotions. The search for information was carried out in the Scopus database (179) and other sources of information (17), and the selection criteria were applied to 196 results, such as the user's interaction with the environment and the application of a software development of VR applications, resulting in the analysis of 16 studies. Unity was found to be used in 81.25% of the articles, HTC Vive appears in 37.5% of the research. The minimum time of application of the experience is 1 minute contrasting with the maximum time of 30 minutes. Only theories of emotions were mentioned in 18.75% of the articles, most of the research uses VR to influence users (56.25%) and with the indicators only 1 article coincides with ISO 25000.
Exploring Genetic Testing Requests, Genetic Alterations and Clinical Associations in a Cohort of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Garrido-Torres Nathalia , Rodríguez Renata Marqués , Alemany-Navarro María , Sánchez-García Javier , García-Cerro Susana , Ayuso María Irene , González-Meneses Antonio , Martinez-Mir Amalia , Crespo-Facorro Benedicto , Ruiz-Veguilla Miguel
Published: November 2023

Several studies show great heterogeneity in the type of genetic study requested and in the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with ASD. Objective: The following study aims, firstly, to explore the factors that might influence professionals' decisions about the appropriateness of requesting genetic testing for their patients with ASD and, secondly, to determine the prevalence of genetic alterations in a representative sample of children with a diagnosis of ASD. Methods: We studied the clinical factors associated with the request for genetic testing in a sample of 440 children with ASD and the clinical factors of present genetic alterations. Results: Even though the main guidelines recommend genetic testing all children with an ASD diagnosis, only 56% of children with an ASD diagnosis were genetically tested. The prevalence of genetic alterations was 17.5%. These alterations were more often associated with intellectual disability and dysmorphic features. There are no objective data to explicitly justify the request for genetic testing, nor are there objective data to justify requesting one genetic study versus multiple studies. Remarkably, only 28% of males were genetically tested with the recommended tests (fragile X and CMA). As expected, children with dysmorphic features and organic comorbidities were more likely to be genetic tested than those without. Previous diagnosis of ASD (family history of ASD) and attendance at specialist services were also associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder Genetically tested GTASD. Conclusions: Our results reflect the need to develop algorithms that could make it possible to offer genetic testing not only to children with intellectual disability and dysmorphic features, but also to the whole ASD population.
Predictive Cross-sectional Study of religiosity, mental immunity, and psychological well-being of diabetes patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Eid Nawal A Al , Arnout Boshra A. , Al-Qahtani Thabet A. , Pavlovic Slavica , AlZahrani Mohammed R. , Abdelmotelab Abdalla S. , Abdelmotelab Youssef S.
Published: November 2023

This predictive cross-sectional study aimed to examine the levels of religiosity, mental immunity, and psychological well-being (PWB) in patients with diabetes, taking into consideration differences due to gender as well as the possibility of predicting the diabetic patients PWB through religiosity and psychological immunity variables. This study was conducted from May 2022 to February 2023 on a random stratified sample of 186 Saudis diagnosed with diabetes. After obtaining the consent of the participants in the study, they answered the scales of religiosity, psychological immunity, and PWB. Means and standard deviations were used to measure the levels of study variables, the t-test to detect differences, and linear regression analysis to validate the predictability of PWB from religiosity and psychological immunity variables. The results indicated average religiosity, psychological immunity, and PWB mean levels. Furthermore, the results indicated statistically significant differences between male and female participants in religiosity, psychological immunity, and PWB in favor of females. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups of patients under 50 years of age and those aged 50 and over in the given variables. However, the findings indicated that psychological immunity was a strong predictor of PWB in diabetic patients. These results confirm the necessity of examining the PWB and psychological immunity of diabetic patients periodically after they start drug treatment as well as the attitudes of health care providers in diabetes care centers who should pay more attention to providing psychological care alongside health care in order to enhance the PWB of diabetes patients, especially for male diabetics.
The impact of economic growth and energy consumption on CO2 emissions in Algeria
Authors: Allali Malika , Mouhadjer Samir
Published: November 2023

Whether there is a relationship between economic growth and energy consumption and the direction of this relationship is of great importance in energy policy decision making in countries where the state plays an active role in energy markets. If there is a relationship from energy to growth, conservative policies such as energy taxes, energy-saving, and energy prices will hurt growth.
This paper attempts to investigate the impact of economic growth and energy consumption on CO2 emissions in Algeria for the period 1990-2100, because energy-related CO2 constitutes over 80% of total emissions, the state energy-related CO2 emission levels provide a good indicator of the relative contribution of individual states to total greenhouse gas emissions.
Our empirical results show that the effect of the independent variables on carbon emissions is heterogeneous across quantities. Energy consumption increases the carbon dioxide emissions, with the strongest effects occurring at different quantities for sample group’s data. But the effects of energy consumption on carbon emissions for developed countries are greater than developing countries. In view of the economic development, developing countries and developed countries present the obvious stage characteristics. The empirical findings are in support of inverted U-shaped curve.
The use of a combined flap in closed-type tympanoplasty
Authors: Komarov M. V. , Dvorianchikov V. V. , Anikin I. A.
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Cartilage graft has been used in otosurgery since 1959. Cartilage resistance to pressure drops in the tympanic cavity and blood supply deficit in the early postoperative period favorably distinguish it from autofascia. When performing myringoplasty, it is important to create conditions for the formation of a neotympanic membrane that has the same three-dimensional spatial configuration as the native tympanic membrane with full contact of the membrane with the bone tympanic ring and the handle of the malleus. Also, the formation of the neotympanic membrane (myringoplasty) is a key step in tympanoplasty with ossiculoplasty, which ensures not only the restoration of the tightness of the tympanic membrane, but also the contact and proper fixation of the distal part of the prosthesis used to replace the lost elements of the auditory ossicular chain.

Objective. Evaluate the effectiveness of closed-type tympanoplasty by using a combined autofascial-autocartilaginous flap.

Materials and methods. A study group was formed, including patients who underwent tympanoplasty of types 1–3 according to M. Tos according to the proposed method of using an autofascial-autocartilaginous flap (343 patients), and a comparison group, including patients who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty with using autofascia (54 patients).

Results. Long-term anatomical results showed greater stability of the neotympanic membrane formed by the proposed method (2% reperforations). Functional results in the range of speech frequencies had no significant differences. Comparison of functional results in the high frequency range demonstrated a significant advantage of the proposed technique.

Conclusion. The conclusion is drawn that the proposed method of forming a neotympanic membrane close in configuration to the native tympanic membrane provides a high functional result with a reduction in the gap in sound conduction between the diseased and healthy ear to 5–10 dB at frequencies of 0.5–16 kHz.
Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Lyamin A. V. , Zolotov M. O. , Kondratenko O. V. , Maksimova E. A. , Ismatullin D. D. , Bochkareva P. V.
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Violation of sputum evacuation in patients with cystic fibrosis leads to the persistence of microorganisms. Most often, the microorganisms are isolated from sputum in patients with cystic fibrosis: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia complex, etc. For the treatment of infections caused by P. aeruginosa, the following groups of antibiotics are used: aminoglycosides, carbapenems, polymyxins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, inhibitor-protected penicillins and fosfomycin.

Aim. To the study is to determine antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis.

Materials and methods. An analysis of 87 results of sputum, biomaterial from the posterior wall of the pharynx and nose was made.

Results and discussion. Biomaterial was taken from the nasal in 4.6% cases, from the posterior pharyngeal wall in 35.6% and sputum in 59.8%. The lowest level of resistance was registered in strains isolated from the nasal cavity. Microorganisms isolated from the posterior pharyngeal wall showed a higher level of antibiotic resistance. The sensitivity data of sputum isolates were similar to the results from the posterior pharyngeal wall. The highest level of resistance was obtained to aminoglycosides (19.3%) and carbapenems (14.8%). In addition, 12.5% of P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to sodium colistimethate, 10.2% to fluoroquinolones. The lowest level of insensitivity was found to cephalosporins (5.7%) and protected beta-lactams (4.5%). The revealed trend of decreasing sensitivity, in our opinion, is associated with a greater frequency of antibiotic use.

Conclusion. Chronic P. aeruginosa infection in patients with CF contributes to a more severe course of the disease and increases the risk of complications.
Differentiated approach to the treatment of infectious and inflammatory pathology of the pharynx and tonsils in adults
Authors: Gurov A. V. , Dubovaya Т. K. , Ermolaev A. G. , Murzakhanova Z. V. , Khalifaeva J. Z. , Klimov A. D.
Published: November 2023

Introduction. The problem of infectious pathology of the pharynx and tonsils, manifested by sore throat, does not lose relevance. In the absence of indications for systemic antibacterial therapy, the main role of etiotropic treatment passes to topical use of drugs, including in the form of gargling. One of these is hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide (Dioxidin®), which has recently received a new dosage form.

Aim. To present an overview of the efficacy and safety of two dosage forms of Dioxidin® in the treatment of infectious and inflammatory pathology of the pharynx and tonsils.

Materials and methods. The results of evaluating the efficacy and safety of 0.1% and 0.025% Dioxidine solutions for oropharyngeal rinsing in the treatment of adult patients with acute tonsillopharyngitis (ATP) or exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis (eCT) obtained during controlled comparative multicenter clinical trials conducted in 2017–2020 were analyzed.

Results. By day 9 ± 1 of follow-up, relief of all local signs of inflammation according to pharyngoscopy was observed in 87% of patients with ATP or eCT who used 0.1% solution for rinsing and in 84% of patients with ATP who used 0.025% Dioxidine solution for rinsing. The severity of sore throat, assessed using a visual analog scale, by the specified time decreased by 63 points in the group using 0.1% solution and by 50 points according to the study of the effectiveness of 0.025% Dioxidine. 0.1% Dioxidine solution was more effective than 0.02% nitrofuran solution, and at a concentration of 0.025%, the effectiveness of Dioxidine was comparable to 0.01% benzyldimethyl[3-(myristoylamino)solutionpropyl]ammonium chloride. Both studies demonstrated a high level of safety of the two dosage forms of Dioxidine, which has no statistically significant differences from the safety assessments of comparison drugs.

Conclusion. The presented data confirm the high efficacy and safety of 0.1% and 0.025% Dioxidin® solutions and suggest the possibility of implementing a differentiated approach to the treatment of inflammatory tonsillar pathology using two dosage forms of the drug.