bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of potential drug-drug interactions and associated factors among hospitalized pediatric patients in Adigrat general hospital, Tigrai, north Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Hailesilase Gebretekle Gebremichael , Kidane Abrahaley Mulu , Gebrezgabiher Haylay Araya
Published: April 2024

Background
Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are associated with increased adverse and decreased therapeutic effects. Hospitalized pediatric patients are exposed to a number of potential DDIs (pDDIs). There are limited studies on pDDIs among pediatric patients in Ethiopia. This study was carried out to evaluate the pDDIs and associated factors among hospitalized pediatric patients in Adigrat general hospital, Tigrai, northern Ethiopia.
Methods
A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out among hospitalized pediatric patients in Adigrat general hospital from 01 July to 31 August 2020. A simple random sampling technique was used to select medical charts. Micromedex 2.0 database was used to screen pDDIs. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social science version 21 and a P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Of the total 146 patients studied, 100 (68.5%) were exposed for at least one pDDI. A total of 158 pDDIs consisting of 33 distinct interacting drug pairs were identified, with a mean number of 4.79 (1\(-\)6) pDDIs per patient in this subpopulation. About 19.3% of the patients had at least one major pDDI, 6.7% at least one moderate and 68.9% at least one minor pDDIs; 63.3% were minor and 25.9% major while 3. 8% were contraindicated pDDIs with 15.2% fair and 81.6% good level of documentation. On the other hand, majority (62.0%) of the pDDIs were of delayed onset. The overall mean duration of pDDIs exposure was about 4.9 (1\(-\)23) days. Infant/toddler age group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 31.961, 95% CI: 1.117\(-\)914.528), number of diseases (AOR = 0.255, 95% CI: 0.069\(-\)0.939) and polypharmacy (AOR = 0.276, 95% CI: 0.091\(-\)0.838) were associated with the occurrence of pDDIs.
Conclusions
A substantial number of the pediatric patients were exposed to a various pDDIs. Age, number of diseases and polypharmacy predicted for the occurrence of pDDIs. Clinicians should remain vigilant to the pDDIs in order to prevent the potential clinical consequences of pDDIs. Moreover, computerized drug interaction screening programs should be practiced to improve patients’ safety and outcomes of therapy.
Chinese visceral adipose index is more closely associated with risk of arterial stiffness than traditional obesity indicators: a cohort study
Authors: Sun Huayu , Tian Yan , Wu Hao , Zhu Chenrui , Lin Liming , Chen Shuohua , Wu Shouling , Wu Yuntao
Published: April 2024

Background
The Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) was a new index to evaluate visceral adipose tissue in the Chinese population. Arterial stiffness (AS) is a kind of degeneration of the large arteries, and obesity is an essential contributing factor to AS. Our study aimed to explore the longitudinal association between CVAI and the risk of AS and to compare the predictive power of CVAI, Body Mass Index (BMI), and Waist Circumference (WC) for AS.
Methods
Between 2010 and 2020, a total of 14,877 participants participating in at least two brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurements from the Kailuan study were included. The Cox proportional hazard regression models were performed to evaluate the longitudinal association between CVAI and the risk of AS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to compare the predictive power of CVAI, BMI, and WC for AS.
Results
After adjusting for potential confounding factors, CVAI was significantly associated with the risk of AS. Compared with the first CVAI quartile, the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI of the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 1.30 (1.09–1.56), 1.37 (1.15–1.63), and 1.49 (1.24–1.78), respectively. The area under ROC curve of CVAI was 0.661, significantly higher than BMI (AUC: 0.582) and WC (AUC: 0.606).
Conclusion
CVAI may be a reliable indicator to identify high-risk groups of AS in the Chinese general population, and the predictive power of CVAI for AS was better than BMI and WC.
Ilizarov technique used for humeral lengthening in adults：a case report
Authors: Tang Ziyi , Kang Liheng , Shi Wei , Zhang Dawei , Huang Wantong , Qin Yunzhi , Zhang Chengqi
Published: April 2024

Rationale: This study presents a case with humerus shortening deformity, which was eventually treated with humeral lengthening. Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis and integration were conducted.
Patient concerns: A 24-year-old female patient gradually exhibited with shortening of the humerus as a result of a childhood injury to her right shoulder. The patient presented with the complaint of the deformity of the right upper limb affecting daily life and work, and was accompanied by serious psychological and emotional challenges such as low self-worth. Therefore, a surgical intervention of using an Ilizarov external fixator was conducted to lengthen the humerus.
Diagnoses: The patient experienced a childhood injury to the right shoulder and did not have any specialized medical intervention subsequent to the incident. Following this, there was a steady development of shortening in the humerus of the right upper limb. Full-length X-ray examination of both upper limbs showed that the right humerus was about 13.6 centimeters shorter than the left humerus.
Outcomes: The patient had humeral lengthening with the Ilizarov external fixator, resulting in a cumulative extension of 10.8 cm. The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score of patient’s right upper limb shown a decrease from 23.03 points prior to the surgery to 12.5 points throughout the 5-year follow-up period. The function experienced a substantial enhancement, resulting in a high level of patient satisfaction.
Lessons: This case demonstrated that the Ilizarov technique holds promising potential for upper limb lengthening in adult patients.
Identification of Glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase as a potent modifier of α-Synuclein-induced toxicity
Authors: Lim Kah Leong , Ren Mengda , Lim Gui Yin Grace , Tang Willcyn
Published: April 2024

Although multiple cellular pathways have been implicated in a-Synuclein (a-syn)-associated Parkinson’s disease (PD), the role of lipid metabolism remains elusive. Using the Drosophila system as a genetic screening tool, we identified mino, which encodes the mitochondrial isoform of the lipid synthesis enzyme glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), as a potent modifier of a-syn. Silencing the expression of mino significantly suppresses a-syn-induced PD phenotypes in Drosophila, including dopaminergic neuronal loss and locomotion defects as well as circadian rhythm-related activities, whereas mino overexpression yields opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found that mino modulates the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen speciesand lipid peroxidation. Importantly, treatment of a-syn-expressing flies with FSG67, a GPAT inhibitor, reproduces the benefits of mino knockdown. FSG67 also inhibited a-syn aggregation and lipid peroxidation in mouse primary neurons transfected with a-syn preformed fibrils. Our study elucidates an important factor contributing to a-syn toxicity and offers a novel therapeutic direction for PD.
Association Between Allergic Rhinitis and Serum Lead in American Adults
Authors: Wang Jinchao , Zhou Xingqiang , Huang Ankun , Ye Shijie , Luo Zhengzheng , Cai Miaoting , He Fang
Published: April 2024

Background: Studies have shown a link between allergic rhinitis (AR) and serum lead, but large population-based studies are currently lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between AR and serum lead levels in adult samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1993 adults aged 20-85 years with complete inhalation allergen testing, serum heavy metal detection and model covariate information in the National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2005 to 2006. Participants were categorized into AR group and non-AR group based on self-reported allergy questionnaire and inhalation allergen-specific IgE level. The analysis was conducted using R ( http://www.R-project.org) and EmpowerStats software (www.empowerstats.com, X & Y solution.Inc.Boston MA ).
Results: The mean age of the study population was 48.75 years; 43.50% of the subjects were males, and 56.50% were females. Compared to individuals with low serum lead levels, those with high serum lead levels had a 36% higher odds ratio for AR (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.36, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.06-1.75), P = 0.0171). After adjusting for all other confounding factors, the association between serum lead levels and AR remained statistically significant (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02-2.54, P = 0.0411).
Conclusions: The present cross-sectional study identified a significant correlation between AR and serum lead levels, indicating that adults with elevated serum lead concentrations are at an increased risk of developing AR. Further research is needed to confirm the validity of this association.
Effectiveness of a Co-management Program With Internal Medicine on Hip Fracture Patients at a Regional Hospital in Northwest Spain. Co-inter-Monf Study
Authors: Álvarez Ana Rodríguez , Castro José López , Cotelo Javier Cambón , Vila Víctor Quevedo , López Álvaro Marchán
Published: April 2024

Background
Hip fractures represent a serious public health problem with a high burden of mortality, morbidity, and resource use. Co-management has proven to enhance the clinical outcomes of hip fracture patients hospitalized in various settings.
Aim
This study aims to evaluate whether the previously observed benefits of co-management can be achieved when such a program is implemented in a rural-based district hospital.
Methods
A prospective, single-center observational study was conducted on hip fracture patients hospitalized for hip fracture. Patients were either co-managed by an internal medicine specialist with part-time dedication or not co-managed. The study was conducted in a rural hospital located in Galicia, Northwestern Spain, which serves a population of 45,000.
Results
A total of 207 patients were included in the study, of whom 97 received co-management. The majority of the patients who were co-managed were female (69.1%) and had a median age of 88 years (interquartile range 83–92). The study showed a high burden of comorbidity with a median Charlson index of 6 points, along with high prevalence rates of dementia (46%), functional disability (50%), and chronic anticoagulant therapy (25%). Despite no differences in age, sex, or preadmission cognitive or functional status, the study found lower 30-day postdischarge mortality in co-managed patients (9.3%) compared with the 110 controls (20.0%). The prevalence of osteoporosis treatment, both calcium/vitamin D (87.8% vs. 60.7%) and bisphosphonates/denosumab/teriparatide (42.4% vs. 15.7%), was higher in the co-managed patients at 30 days after discharge. No differences were observed between the two groups in terms of in-hospital mortality and length of stay.
Conclusions
the implementation of internal medicine co-management for hip fracture patients resulted in enhanced outcomes, particularly in the reduction of mortality within 30 days of discharge as well as in the prevalence of osteoporosis treatment.
Research and application discussion of cranial bone model preparation method based on three-dimensional reconstruction and 3D printing technology
Authors: Peng Jing , Guo Wenjie , Yang Deqin , Yang Guohui , Shu Yanhong , Li Ying , Rao Libing , Yu Penghui , Li Li
Published: April 2024

Purpose The aim of this study was to find an alternative method to meet traditional human anatomy teaching and clinical needs in order to solve the problem of cranial specimen attrition and specimen resource shortage due to long-term use. Methods We performed a CT scan of a well-preserved male cranial specimen and used Mimics 19.0 software for 3D reconstruction and cranial block separation. Subsequently, we compared the recognition ability of the processed cranial digital model with that of the 3D body digital model and used 3D printing to create the cranial model and compare it with the physical specimen. Results Twenty-two cranial bone block models were obtained, excluding the hyoid bone. Their 3D reconstructed digital models had better bony landmark recognition than the 3D body human digital models, and the differences between the 3D printed models and the physical specimens were minimal. In addition, only one STL file was required to produce the cranial models, which facilitates repetitive printing at any time. Conclusion By isolating cranial bone blocks through 3D reconstruction techniques and preparing high-quality cranial models in combination with 3D printing techniques, this study solves the problem of shortage of cranial teaching specimens for the sustainable development of clinical and medical schools.
Integrated management and prognosis analysis of 30 cases of fetal pulmonary valve abnormalities during pregnancy and perinatal period
Authors: Xie Junshu , Yin Xiuju , Pei Qiuyan , Yan Lihuang , Zhang Lin , Liu Jie , Zhang Huili , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: April 2024

Objective

This study aims to investigate prenatal testing, integrated management methods, and the prognosis of fetal pulmonary valve abnormalities (PVA) detected by ultrasound during pregnancy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the integrated perinatal management and prognosis of 30 fetal PVA cases identified during pregnancy by ultrasound at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2019 to March 2023.

Results

The incidence of fetal PVA diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound during the study period was 0.25% (30/11,923). Among the 30 PVA fetuses, 6 (20.0%) had pulmonary valve atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS), and 24 (80%) had pulmonary valve stenosis (PS). Of the 6 PA/IVS fetuses, 5 (5/6) had no abnormalities detected via prenatal diagnosis, and 1 did not undergo prenatal diagnosis. Four (4/6) PA/IVS patients were delivered by Caesarean section (CS) at an average gestational week of (38.1 ± 1.2) weeks and an average birth weight of (3172.5 ± 265.5) g. All of them received alprostadil intravenous pumping (6.00~13.00 ng/min/kg) after birth, followed by transthoracic balloon (pulmonary) valvuloplasty(TBV) + modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (BT) + ligation of Ductus arteriosus within an average of (4.5 ± 1.7) days. All patients recovered well after follow-up. Among the 24 patients with PS, 4 had severe PS (4/24), 20 had mild PS (20/24), and 1 had SNP abnormalities (1/24). Of the 24 patients, 7 (7/24) opted for pregnancy termination. Among the 17 (17/24) PS patients who delivered, 7 (7/17) had spontaneous labor, 1 (1/17) had forceps, and 9 (9/17) had CS. The average gestational week of delivery was (37.8 ± 1.0) weeks, and the average birth weight of newborns was (3288.8 ± 404.6) g. Three (3/17) severe PS neonates underwent TBV+ modified BT + ligation of Ductus arteriosus within 7 days after birth and recovered well after follow-up. Among 14 mild PS patients (14/17), 1 died within 1 week after birth (1/14). Two cases (2/14) underwent surgical treatment and recovered well. Seven cases (7/14) diagnosed with fetal mild PS did not require surgical treatment after birth. Four cases (4/14) did not detect PS by echocardiography after birth. The positive predictive value of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis for mild PS is 71.4%.

Conclusion

For PVA fetuses identified by ultrasound during pregnancy, it is recommended to conduct chromosomal karyotype analysis and SNP-array, and make an individualized evaluation and management based on the condition of fetal PVA and related abnormalities. The mode of delivery can be selected according to the obstetric situation. When necessary, newborns should be administered alprostadil to keep the ductus arteriosus open and be timely transferred to pediatric cardiac surgery for surgery. If the newborns do not experience any other complications after birth, surgery can achieve a good prognosis.
Charitable Donations and Wealth: Effect of a Legal Reform of Tax Incentives on Regular Donors
Authors: Pittavino Marta , Lideikyte-Huber Giedre
Published: April 2024

The present study is the first large-scale analysis of tax incentives for charitable giving in Switzerland for constant donors. Using unique panel data of the entire Geneva taxpayers’ population from 2001 to 2011, which includes the rare information on individual wealth of donors, we analyze tax incentives for charitable giving: income tax deductions, focusing on the frequency of donations and the characteristics of regular donors. The latter are not primarily driven by the ceilings for income tax incentives, even though their donations rise over time. However, we find that wealth is an important variable characterizing the donations’ frequency based on linear regression estimates.
Full-length transcriptome-referenced analysis reveals developmental and olfactory regulatory genes in Dermestes frischii
Authors: Hu Gengwang , Li Liangliang , Li Yifei , Shao Shipeng , Zhang Ruonan , Gao Yundi , Guo Yi , Wang Yinghui , Gu Zhiya , Wang Yu
Published: April 2024

Dermestes frischii Kugelann, 1792 is a storage pest worldwide, and is important for estimating the postmortem interval in forensic entomology. However, because of the lack of transcriptome and genome resources, population genetics and biological control studies on D. frischii have been hindered. Here, single-molecule real-time sequencing and next-generation sequencing were combined to generate the full-length transcriptome of the five developmental stages of D. frischii, namely egg, young larva, mature larva, pupa, and adult. A total of 41665 full-length non-chimeric sequences and 59385 non-redundant transcripts were generated, of which 42756 were annotated in public databases. By comparing the transcripts from adjacent developmental stages, 24376, 11802, 20726, and 13262 differentially expressed genes were identified, respectively. Using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis, gene co-expression modules related to the five developmental stages were constructed and screened, and the genes in these modules subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. The expression patterns of the DEGs related to olfaction and insect hormone biosynthesis were also explored. Transcription of most odorant binding proteins was up-regulated in the adult stage, suggesting they are important for foraging in adults. Many genes encoding for the ecdysone-inducible protein were up-regulated in the pupal stage. The results of the qRT-PCR were consistent with the RNA-seq results. This is the first full-length transcriptome sequencing of dermestids, and the data obtained here is vital for understanding the stage-specific development and olfactory system of D. frischii, providing valuable resources for storage pest and forensic research.
Validating the DIVERT Scales, CARS, and EARLI for Predicting Emergency Department Visits in Home Health Care in Japan: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ono Takao , Watase Hiroko , Ishihara Takuma , Watase Taketo , Kang Kiho , Iwata Mitsunaga
Published: April 2024

Background
The Detection of Indicators and Vulnerabilities for Emergency Room Trips (DIVERT） scale, the Community Assessment Risk Screen (CARS), and the Emergency Admission Risk Likelihood Index (EARLI) are scales that assess the risk of emergency department (ED) visits among home health care patients. This study validated these scales and explored factors that could improve their predictive accuracy among Japanese home health care patients.
Methods
This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome of unplanned ED visits was used to assess the validity of the DIVERT scale, CARS, and EARLI. Additionally, we examined whether the addition of patient age and receipt of advanced care planning as variables on these assessments could enhance their precision.
Results
Of the 224 eligible patients, 40 (17.8%) had at least one ED visit during the 6-month study period. In these patients, the DIVERT scale was superior compared with CARS and EARLI (both p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the DIVERT scale, CARS, and EARLI were 0.62, 0.59, and 0.60, respectively. Adding patient age and receipt of advance care planning improved the AUC in all three scales.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that these assessment scales could be applicable to home health care patients in Japan. Furthermore, adding age and receipt of advanced care planning as variables was found to enhance the predictive accuracy of the scales.
A novel MOEMS gyroscope based on a two-dimensional photonic crystal array
Authors: Li Jinhui , Xia Dunzhu , Fu Bo , Yang Xiuhua
Published: April 2024

Currently, most MEMS (Micro-electromechanical systems) gyroscopes use capacitive detection solution to measure the displacement due to angular velocity for its simplicity. However, this method has many unavoidable errors which will decrease the gyroscopes’ precision, such as parasitic capacitance, electromagnetic interference. Recently, different optical detection structures are introduced into the structure of MEMS gyroscopes due to their great sensitivity and strong anti-interference capabilities, known as MOEMS (Micro-opto-electromechanical systems) gyroscopes. However, different forms of gyroscope structures have different modes of motion, and their integration with optical detection structures still presents significant challenges. In this paper, a x-axis gyroscope with a two-dimensional photonic crystal array optical detection structure is designed. A novel dual-decoupled coupling beams are incorporated and their decoupling ability is analyzed using simulation tools. Besides, a double-layer two-dimensional photonic crystal array is designed and its detection capability and anti-interference level are simulated and analyzed. Simulation results show that the dual-decoupled coupling beams can suppress perturbative forces in non-sensitive directions by 3.9 and 5.7 times, and the two-dimensional photonic crystal array has good in-plane consistency and high cross-coupling error suppression, capable of realizing 32 times coupling error suppression. Finally, the sensitivity of the designed prototype is verified by simulation to reach 21.2377 mV/(°/s). This demonstrates that the designed gyroscope has a large sensitivity while maintaining good anti-interference capability.
A copper-organic framework/Graphene modified electrode for sensitive electrochemical detection of bisphenol A
Authors: Zhang Lina , Ma Hainan , Sun Haolin , Zhang Xiaoyu , Sun Ruimeng , Zheng Haoran , Wang Han , Wang Yurou , Guo Jiayu , Liu Yanqi , Qi Yanfei
Published: April 2024

Bisphenol A (BPA), a substance that interferes with hormones, has faced extensive prohibition in the context of food packing and baby bottles. It is desirable to detect them in toxicity estimate, food and environmental monitoring. Herein, an electrochemical sensor for BPA was constructed based on copper-organic framework (Cu-MOF), CTAB and graphene (GN) as electrode modified materials. The modified composite, GN-Cu-MOF, was effectively synthesized and characterized by SEM, FT-IR, XPS, XRD, Zeta and Size. The successful integration of Cu-MOF, CTAB and GN synergistically improved the electron transport rate and accumulation efficiency for BPA, resulting in amplified signals in differential pulse voltammetry and large electroactive surface area (0.0310 cm2). The proportion linear response is from 0.100 μM to 800 μM with the detection limit of 35.0 nM (signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The sensitivity is 0.89 μA·μM-1 cm-2 in the concentration range of 25 - 800 μM and 8.87 μA·μM−1 cm-2 in the range of 0.1-10 μM. The developed sensor demonstrated stable and satisfactory recovery rates ranging from 96.56% to 103.88% when the determining BPA in various plastic samples, indicating its potential for real applications.
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 and 2 Mutations Predicts Better Outcome in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: a study of the ALWP of the EBMT
Authors: Mohty Razan , Bazarbachi Abdul-Hamid , Labopin Myriam , Esteve Jordi , Kröger Nicolaus , CORNELISSEN Jan , Blaise Didier , Socie Gerard , Maury Sébastien , Ganser Arnold , Gedde-Dahl Tobias , Borne Peter von dem , Bourhis Jean , BULABOIS Claude-Eric , Yakoub-Agha Ibrahim , Pabst Caroline , Nguyen Stéphanie , Chevallier Patrice , Huynh Anne , Bazarbachi Ali , Nagler Arnon , Ciceri Fabio , Mohty Mohamad
Published: April 2024

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1 and IDH2) mutations have uncertain prognostic implications in AML. We investigate the impact IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in AML patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in first complete remission (CR1). In total, 1515 adult patients were included, 15.91% (n = 241) carried IDH1 mutation (mIDH1), and 26.27% (n = 398) IDH2 mutation (mIDH2) and 57.82% (n = 876) had no-IDH mutation. NPM1 was frequently encountered with IDH1 mutation (no-IDH group, n = 217, 24.8%, mIDH1, n = 103, 42.7%, mIDH2, n = 111, 27.9%, p < 0.0001). At day 180, the cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was significantly lower in mIDH1 and mIDH2 compared to no-IDH groups (Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66 (95%CI 0.47–0.91), p = 0.011; HR = 0.73 (95%CI 0.56–0.96), p = 0.025, respectively). In the mIDH1 group, overall survival (OS) was improved compared to no-IDH (HR = 0.68 (95%CI 0.48–0.94), p = 0.021), whereas mIDH2 was associated with lower incidence of relapse (HR = 0.49 (95%CI 0.34–0.7), p < 0.001), improved leukemia free survival (LFS) (HR = 0.7 (95%CI 0.55–0.9), p = 0.004) and OS (HR = 0.74 (95%CI 0.56–0.97), p = 0.027). In the subgroup of NPM1 wild type, only IDH2 was associated with improved outcomes. In conclusion, our data suggest that IDH1 and IDH2 mutations are associated with improved outcomes in patients with AML undergoing allo-HCT in CR1.
Effects of Xhosa Specific Solute Carrier Family 22-member 2 Haplotypes on the Cellular Uptake of Metformin and Cimetidine
Authors: Abrahams-October Zainonesa , Kippie Yunus , Pearce Keenau , Johnson Rabia , Benjeddou Mongi
Published: April 2024

Background
Metformin remains the cornerstone for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although the mechanism in which this drug elicits its therapeutic effects is unknown, studies have shown that solute carrier transporters play an important role in the transport and distribution of metformin. Genetic variation(s) in solute carrier genes have been found to play an important role in the variation of metformin efficacy and disposition observed in populations. The aim of this study was to determine the cellular uptake efficiency of metformin in SLC22A2 coding haplotypes of an indigenous South African population.
Methods and Results
To determine metformin and cimetidine cellular uptake in transiently transfected HEK-293 cells, an ultra high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and used to quantitate substrate concentration(s). Haplotypes 3 and 4 showed decreased metformin uptake, and haplotypes 2 and 5 displayed increased metformin uptake in comparison to haplotype 1 (i.e. wildtype haplotype). Haplotypes 2–5 showed decreased uptake of cimetidine in comparison to haplotype 1, implying a reduced sensitivity to the inhibition of cimetidine. In all haplotypes, no significant transport was observed for metformin and cimetidine. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated a positive but non-significant correlation (rs = 0.60; p = 0.28) across haplotypes for the active uptake of metformin and cimetidine. Passive permeability of metformin is favoured in haplotypes 3 and 5, whilst the remaining haplotypes demonstrate higher passive permeability ratios in favour of cimetidine.
Conclusion
Haplotype 4, which is characterised by the non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms rs316019 and rs8177517, demonstrates potential impaired metformin transport.
Readiness To Manage Ebola Virus Disease Among Emergency Healthcare Workers in Uganda: A Nationwide Multicenter Survey
Authors: Olum Ronald , Ahaisibwe Bonaventure , Atuhairwe Irene , Balizzakiwa Thomas , Kizito Prisca , Apiyo Mirriam , Kalanzi Joseph , Nabawanuka Assumpta , Bahatungire Rony , Kerry Vanessa
Published: April 2024

Background
Emerging infectious diseases like the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) pose significant global public health threats. Uganda has experienced multiple EVD outbreaks, the latest occurring in 2022. Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk, yet there isn't sufficient evidence of existing knowledge of EVD of these health workers. We aimed to assess the readiness of Uganda's emergency healthcare workers to manage Ebola virus disease (EVD) and identify their training needs to inform targeted capacity-building interventions for future outbreaks.
Methods
This multicentre nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2023 among 691 HCWs providing emergency care in 14 secondary and tertiary hospitals across Uganda. Participants were consecutively recruited using the probability-proportional-to-size sampling technique, and data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire. Factors associated with EVD knowledge were identified through a mixed-effect linear model.
Results
Data from 691 eligible HCWs with a median age of 32 (IQR: 28–38) was analyzed (response rate: 92%). Only one-third (34.4%, n = 238) had received EVD training in the past year. The median EVD knowledge score was 77.4% (IQR: 71.2% − 83.4%). EVD knowledge was associated with longer professional experience in years (β: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.39, p = 0.024) and higher level of education: diploma (β: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.49 to 5.25, p < 0.001), undergraduate degree (β: 6.45, 95% CI: 4.11 to 8.79) and postgraduate degree (β: 7.13, 95% CI: 4.01 to 10.25, p < 0.001). Being a doctor (β: 2.55, 95% CI: 0.35 to 4.74, p = 0.023), providing care in the obstetrics/gynecology department (β: −1.90, 95% CI: −3.47 to − 0.32, p = 0.018), previous EVD training (β: 2.27, 95% CI: 0.96 to 3.59, p = 0.001) and accessing EVD information through social media (β: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.17 to 3.88, p < 0.001) were also significantly associated with EVD knowledge.
Conclusion
Our study reveals that Ugandan HCWs' EVD response readiness varies by individual factors and information sources. We recommend targeted training and suggest future research on educational innovations and social media's potential to fill knowledge gaps.
Static behaviour of 3D porous metal foam shells
Authors: Tharwan Mohammed Y. , Daikh Ahmed Amine , Assie Amr E. , Alnujaie Ali , Eltaher Mohamed A. , Abdraboh Azza M.
Published: April 2024

Metal foams represent a groundbreaking generation of composite materials, distinguished by their high surface area-to-volume ratio and exceptional properties including porosity, lightweight construction, and heightened thermal conductivity, making them indispensable across industries such as thermal management, filtration, catalysis, and energy storage due to their remarkable versatility and performance capabilities. The study focuses on overcoming challenges in theoretical research related to the modelling of complex structures. It introduces a more accurate approach to model novel tri-directionally-coated porous structures with varying microstructures, incorporating intrinsic characteristic lengths and spatial variations in material properties. The study examines the static behaviour of multidirectional functionally graded porous metal foam shells, employing higher-order shear deformation theory and the principle of virtual work. The investigation utilizes the Galerkin method to address various boundary conditions. Two types of porous shells, categorized as Softcore (SC) and Hardcore (HC), are analyzed, with five distribution patterns: tri-directional (Type-A), two bidirectional (Type-B and Type-C), transverse unidirectional (Type-D), and axial unidirectional (Type-E).
Concept Design and Data-Reduction Algorithms for a 20-hole Omnidirectional Probing Sphere
Authors: Zhang Qian , An Guangfeng
Published: April 2024

Multi-hole pressure probe measurement method is the only way to measure velocity, static and total pressure at the same time in three-dimensional flows. This study presents the construction of a 20-hole omnidirectional pressure probe model with a high enough frequency response to measure an angular range that is really omnidirectional, while the measurement angle range of the pneumatic probe is limited. The probing sphere is suitable for both steady and unsteady three-dimensional flow measurement with a cutoff frequency of 2000Hz approximately. A data-reduction algorithm is developed for the 20-hole pressure probing sphere, which is based on interpolation method for conventional multi-hole probe by using maximal pressure zone detection technique, one set of well-behaved pressure coefficients are defined and presented. Then, the performance of the developed coefficients and data-reduction procedures is demonstrated. The standard deviations of the predicted errors are on the order of degree for the flow angles and for the velocity magnitude, which satisfies Gaussian distribution approximately.
Burden of invasive pneumococcal disease, non-invasive all-cause pneumonia, and acute otitis media in hospitalized US children: a retrospective multi-center study from 2015-2020
Authors: Mohanty Salini , Cossrow Nicole , White Meghan , Yu Kalvin C. , Ye Gang , Feemster Kristen A. , Gupta Vikas
Published: April 2024

Background Despite effective pneumococcal vaccines, pneumococcal disease (PD) exerts a substantial burden on children. This study explored the clinical and economic burden of invasive PD (IPD), non-invasive all-cause pneumonia (ACP), and acute otitis media (AOM) in hospitalized children, including those with antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Methods Data from the BD Insights Research Database of hospitalized children (<18 years) in the US were analyzed retrospectively. The study cohort included patients with an ICD10 code for IPD, ACP, or AOM and/or a positive culture for S. pneumoniae. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses evaluated the following outcomes: length of stay [LOS], hospital cost per admission, hospital margin per admission [costs – payments], and in-hospital mortality.
Results The study included 4575 pediatric patients with IPD, ACP, or AOM admitted to 57 US hospitals from October 2015 to February 2020. Approximately half (50.7%) were under 2 years of age. The in-hospital mortality rate was 0.6% (n=28). The observed median (interquartile range) LOS was 4 (3, 5) days, cost per admission was $4,240 ($2,434, $8,311) US dollars, and hospital margin per admission was -$63 (‑$2,118, $2,025). Forty-one patients had S. pneumoniae-positive cultures and 56.1% of those cultures were resistant to ≥1 antibiotic class. Key variables associated with poor outcomes were having a moderate- or high-risk condition (chronic or immunocompromising), intensive care unit admission, and prior 90-day admission.
Conclusions IPD, ACP, and AOM are associated with substantial clinical and economic burden in hospitalized pediatric patients in the US. S. pneumoniae isolates also showed high rates of resistance to antibiotics. Our data indicate the need for ongoing prevention efforts including vaccination and antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Aconitine promotes myocardial damage in rats by activating JNK1/2 pathway
Authors: Hu Changdong , Huang Yongjie , Hu Wen , Yang Rongrong , Wu Haiying
Published: April 2024

Background Aconitine (Acon) poisoning can cause arrhythmia and myocardial damage, but the specific mechanism of myocardial damage caused by acon poisoning is still unclear. This study explored the mechanism of myocardial damage caused by acute acon poisoning by constructing a rat acuteacon poisoning model.
Methods First, the rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 9): control group, Acet group, Acon-1 mg group, and Acon-2 mg group (Detect 3 rats in each group at 1/2/3 h; 36 rats in total), When conducted the second part of the experiment to examine the role of the JNK pathway in acon poisoning, the rats were divided into 5 groups (n=3): control group, Acon-2 mg group, DMSO group, Acon-2 mg+SP600125 group, and Acon-2 mg+Anis group (15 rats in total). Rat model of acute acon poisoning was constructed by intragastric administration. Electrocardiogram tracings were used to record rat heart rhythm changes, and H&E staining Masson staining were performed to evaluate myocardial pathological damage and myocardial fibrosis. The expression levels of cardiac enzymes and cardiac proteins in venous blood were detected by ELISA Kits. The expression levels of JNK1 / 2 phosphorylation proteins were detected by Western blotting.
Results In this study, 1/3/6 hour after Acon-1mg and Acon-2mg was perfused to the rats, the electrocardiogram results showed that the rats in theAcon group (the Acon-1mg group and the Acon-2mg group) developed one or more ventricular arrhythmias. In myocardial tissue, the arrangement of myocardial fibers and myocardial cells is disordered, myocardial cells are swollen and degenerated, and the cytoplasm of myocardial fibers is rounded and vacuolated; myocardial collagen hyperplasia is abnormal, and myocardial fibrosis occurs. At the same time, the expression levels of cardiac enzymes and cardiac proteins in venous blood increased. In addition, JNK1/2 phosphorylation levels increased. Further study showed that use of a JNK inhibitor (SP600125) partially reversed Acon's damage to rat myocardium.
Conclusions Taken together, these results indicate that JNK1 / 2 phosphorylation is involved in the development of myocardial damage induced by acute Acon poisoning. In addition, the intervention effect of JNK specific inhibitor on myocardial damage induced by acute Acon poisoning was obvious, which may provide new insights into the important role of inhibiting the JNK1/2 pathway in alleviating myocardial damage caused by acute Acon intoxication.
Professional Values of Public Relations Specialists
Authors: Avakova E. B. , Kuznetsov A. A.
Published: April 2024

The article is devoted professional values of public relations specialists in the context of the formation and management of public opinion in the context of current social challenges. The media space of media specialists is associated with certain professional risks. The high level of media activity of students increases the level of such risks. Negative consequences are associated with the possible occurrence of professional deformation, violation of a specialist’s psycho-emotional state of a (professional burnout, etc.), the destabilization of his system of value orientations. The analysis of theoretical and empirical material, including the results of the author’s research of future public relations specialists’ media literacy, indicates that there are certain concerns about the understanding and formation of professional value among future media specialists. Public relations specialists are directly involved in the formation and filling of the information space and its agenda. They have a significant impact on the mood in society and social reality, on the preferences and views of the target audience. The results of the study allow the authors to assert that in modern conditions it is necessary to create a system for the development of professional values of public relations specialists, taking into account the new risks of modern social reality. Such system should be aimed at creating a safe information space, protected from fake and deliberately false information, negative manipulation of public consciousness, destabilization of political, social, economic and other processes and the values of citizens.
Gamification as an Aesthetic Trend in Communication of Russian Brands
Authors: Radiontseva E. S.
Published: April 2024

The article is devoted to the issues of communication of brands with the audience and identifies the trends in technologies for creating communication messages. The empirical data is received based on the review of 71 advertising projects – winners of ADCR Awards 2023 – Russian professional competition in the field of creativity, design, and advertising, established in 2004. Of these, 26 communication solutions are labeled as created on the basis of gamification – an approach characteristic of computer games used in software tools and non-game content to attract audiences and increase their involvement. The author makes an attempt to classify gamified solutions based on technological solutions in order to identify the main trends in the organization of communication messages in the advertising industry. The review showed that advertising practitioners are adopting different techniques: AR technology, MR reality technology, modeling a special event as a format for creating a viral environment, and the active introduction of artificial intelligence into advertising practice. It is concluded that gamification techniques are aimed at generating creative solutions that are similar in values to target audiences of brands.
Symmetries and anomalies of Kitaev spin-S models: Identifying symmetry-enforced exotic quantum matter
Authors: Liu Ruizhi , Lam Ho Tat , Ma Han , Zou Liujun
Published: April 2024

We analyze the internal symmetries and their anomalies in the Kitaev spin-SS models. Importantly, these models have a lattice version of a \mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2 1-form symmetry, denoted by \mathbb{Z}_2^{[1]}ℤ2[1]. There is also an ordinary 0-form \mathbb{Z}_2^{(x)}×\mathbb{Z}_2^{(y)}×\mathbb{Z}_2^Tℤ2(x)×ℤ2(y)×ℤ2T symmetry, where \mathbb{Z}_2^{(x)}×\mathbb{Z}_2^{(y)}ℤ2(x)×ℤ2(y) are \piπ spin rotations around two orthogonal axes, and \mathbb{Z}_2^Tℤ2T is the time reversal symmetry. The anomalies associated with the full \mathbb{Z}_2^{(x)}×\mathbb{Z}_2^{(y)}×\mathbb{Z}_2^T×\mathbb{Z}_2^{[1]}ℤ2(x)×ℤ2(y)×ℤ2T×ℤ2[1] symmetry are classified by \mathbb{Z}_2^{17}ℤ217. We find that for S∈\mathbb{Z}S∈ℤ the model is anomaly-free, while for S∈\mathbb{Z}+\frac{1}{2}S∈ℤ+12 there is an anomaly purely associated with the 1-form symmetry, but there is no anomaly purely associated with the ordinary symmetry or mixed anomaly between the 0-form and 1-form symmetries. The consequences of these symmetries and anomalies apply to not only the Kitaev spin-SS models, but also any of their perturbed versions, assuming that the perturbations are local and respect the symmetries. If these local perturbations are weak, generically these consequences still apply even if the perturbations break the 1-form symmetry. A notable consequence is that there should generically be a deconfined fermionic excitation carrying no fractional quantum number under the \mathbb{Z}_2^{(x)}×\mathbb{Z}_2^{(y)}×\mathbb{Z}_2^Tℤ2(x)×ℤ2(y)×ℤ2T symmetry if S∈\mathbb{Z}+\frac{1}{2}S∈ℤ+12, which implies symmetry-enforced exotic quantum matter. We also discuss the consequences for S∈\mathbb{Z}S∈ℤ.
GIS-based water inrush risk evaluation of the 10th coal seam floor in Zhuxianzhuang Coal Mine, northern Anhui Province, China
Authors: Jiang Qilin , Liu Qimeng , Chai Huichan , Hu Xianxiang
Published: April 2024

The problem of limestone karst water inrush from coal seam floors is becoming more and more prominent, and gradually becoming the focus of water control work in coal mines. Taking the floor of the 10th coal seam in the third mining area of Zhuxianzhuang Coal Mine as the research object, seven indicators were identified as the main controlling factors in three features – aquifer, water barrier, and geological structure. Subjective and objective weights were determined by the analytic hierarchy process and the entropy weighting method, and vulnerability zoning evaluation was carried out based on the geographic information system using the vulnerability index method. The study area was classified into five zones based on the graded thresholds calculated by statistical analysis. The study shows that the area of Taiyuan Formation limestone karst water outburst gradually transitions from the safe zone to the vulnerable zone from the north to the east. This study has a certain guiding effect on the water inrush of Taiyuan Formation limestone karst from the floor of the 10th coal seam in the study area.
Exploring the Mechanism of KLF15 on the Biological Activity and
Autophagy of Gastric Cancer Cells based on PI3K/Akt/Mtor Signaling
Pathway
Authors: Wang Xu , Liu Jiang , Xi Shihang , Pan Xuan , Fang Xiaosan
Published: April 2024

Objective:

To explore the mechanism of KLF15 on the biological activity and autophagy
of gastric cancer cells based on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Material and Methods:

The gastric cancer AGS cells were divided into the Con group, pcDNANC
group, pcDNA-KLF15 group, LY294002 group and IGF-1 group. RT-PCR was used to detect
the expression of KLF15 in human gastric mucosal cells and gastric cancer cells; MTT
method to detect cell proliferation; Transwell method to detect cell invasion; flow cytometry to
detect cell apoptosis; Western blotting to detect PI3K, Akt, mTOR in cells, LC3, Beclin1, p62
protein expression.P<0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance.

Results:

Compared with the human gastric mucosal cell line GES-1 cells, the expression of
KLF15 in human gastric cancer cell lines MKN-28, MFC, SCG-7901 and AGS cells was significantly
decreased, And the expression of KLF15 in AGS cells, was the lowest (P=0.006). Compared
with the Con group, The expression of KLF15 in the cells of the PCDNA-KLF15 group
was significantly increased (P=0.018); There was no significant difference in the expression of
KLF15 between the Con group and the PCDNA-NC group (P=0.225). Compared with the Con
group, the proliferation and invasion abilities of the cells in the pcDNA-KLF15 group were significantly
reduced, And the apoptosis ability was significantly increased (P=0.019). The ratio of
LC3II/LC31 and the expression of Beclin1 Protein in the control group were significantly higher
than those in the Con group (P=0.017).

Conclusion:

Overexpression of KLF15 can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of Gastric cancer
cells and promote cell apoptosis and autophagy, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation
of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.