bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Contemporary Management and Coronary Angioplasty Outcomes in Young Patients with ST- Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) age < 40 years old: The Insight from Nation-wide Registry
Authors: Porapakkham Pornwalee , Porapakkham Pramote , Srimahach Suphot , Limpijankit Thosaphol , Kiatchoosakun Songsak , Chandavimol Mann , Kanoksilp Anek , Chantadansuwan Thamarath , Thakkinstian Ammarin , Sansanayudh Nakarin
Published: April 2024

Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the major causes of death around the world in which ST elevation MI (STEMI) is in the lead. Although the mortality rate from STEMI seems to decline, this result might not be demonstrated in young adults who basically have different baseline characteristics and outcomes compared with older patients.
Methods
Data of the STEMI patients aged 18 years or older who underwent PCI during May 2018 to August 2019 from Thai PCI Registry, a prospective, multi-center, nationwide study, was included and aimed to investigate the predisposing factors and short-term outcomes of patients aged < 40 years compared with age 41–60, and > 61 years.
Results
Data of 5,479 STEMI patients were collected. The patients’ mean age was 62.6 (SD = 12.6) years, and 73.6% were males. There were 204, 2,154, and 3,121 patients in the youngest, middle, and oldest groups. The young patients were mainly male gender (89.2% vs 82.4% and 66.6%; p < 0.001), were current smokers (70.6%, 57.7%, 34.1%; p < 0.001), had BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 more frequently (60.8%, 44.1%, 26.1%; p < 0.001), and had greater family history of premature CAD (6.9%, 7.2%, 2.9%; p < 0.001). The diseased vessel in the young STEMI patients was more often single vessel disease with the highest percentage of proximal LAD stenosis involvement. Interestingly, there were trends of higher events of cardioversion/defibrillation, procedural failure, procedural complications, and prolonged median hospital stay in both youngest and oldest groups compared to the middle-aged group. In-hospital death was found in 3.4% in the youngest group compared to 3.3% in the middle-aged patients and 9.2% in the older patients (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
STEMI in young patients is not uncommon nowadays. Although the mortality rate of PCI in real-world practice was low, young patients had a trend of having higher procedural failure and complications of PCI when compared with middle-aged group. Their major modifiable factors were smoking and obesity.; Therefore, encouraging young people to quit smoking and control weight might be essential to prevent STEMI in the young.
Nuclear mechano-confinement induces geometry-dependent HP1α condensate alterations
Authors: Progida Cinzia , Hovet Oda , Nahali Negar , Halaburkova Andrea , Paulsen Jonas
Published: April 2024

Cells sense external physical cues through complex processes involving signaling pathways, cytoskeletal dynamics, and transcriptional regulation to coordinate a cellular response. A key emerging principle underlying such mechanoresponses is the interplay between nuclear morphology, chromatin organization, and the dynamic behavior of nuclear bodies such as HP1α condensates. Here, applying super-resolution live cell imaging, we report a hitherto undescribed level of mechanoresponse triggered by cell confinement below their resting nuclear diameter, which elicits changes in the number, size and dynamics of HP1α nuclear condensates. Utilizing biophysical polymer models, we find that HP1α condensates become radially redistributed in the nucleus, dependent on the combined effect of HP1α's crosslinking activity and nuclear flattening. These insights shed new light on the complex relationship between external forces and changes in nuclear shape and chromatin organization in cell mechanoreception.
FAM134B alleviates cisplatin-induced spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) damage by mediating ER-phagy
Authors: Wang Fan , Xu Yue , Wang Yajie , Liu Jisheng , Li Yanan , Zhang Weiwei , Nong Huiming , Zhang Junhong , Zhao Hao , Yang Huaqian , Guo Lingchuan , Li Jianfeng , Li Hong , Yang Qianqian
Published: April 2024

Aims
FAM134B, the first endoplasmic reticulum autophagy (ER-phagy) receptor identified, regulates certain ER-phagy-related processes. The present study was designed to determine whether FAM134B is expressed in cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) of C57BL /6 mice and, if so, to explore the underlying mechanisms of FAM134B in cisplatin-induced SGNs damage in vitro.
Methods
SGNs were treated with 30 µm cisplatin for 24 h. The expression of FAM134B, morphological changes of SGNs, and the colocalization of endoplasmic reticulum segments and lysosomes were measured by immunofluorescence. Apoptosis was measured by TUNEL staining. The expression of FAM134B, phosphorylated-inositol-requiring endoribonuclease 1α (P-IRE1α), LC3B, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-12 was detected by western blot. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by MitoSOX and 2',7'-D chlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe.
Results
We found that FAM134B expressed in the cytoplasm of SGNs, especially in the fourth postnatal day mice. Cisplatin resulted in a decrease in the number of SGNs and FAM134B expression, as well as increases in ROS levels, ER stress, ER-phagy, and apoptosis. Interestingly, we observed an increase in FAM134B expression, ER stress, and apoptosis when autophagy was inhibited, while, the opposite changes were observed when autophagy was activated. Additionally, co-treatment with the ROS scavenger, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), alleviated ER stress, ER-phagy, and apoptosis, but increased FAM134B expression.
Conclusions
The present study provides the first evidence of FAM134B expression in the SGNs. Importantly, FAM134B possesses the protective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity in SGNs by mediating ER-phagy, thereby providing new therapeutic targets and directions for sensorineural hearing loss.
Toward precise force control of soft hand grasping: The viscoelastic parameter estimation of pseudo-soft-rigid-model
by applying logarithmic decrement method
Authors: Zhang Haiyun , Heung Kelvin , Deshpande Ashish , Naquila Gabrielle , Hingwe Ashwin , Patki Parth
Published: April 2024

The rapid advancement in physical human-robot interaction (HRI) has propelled the growth of soft robot design and, in parallel, soft robot controllers. Controlling soft robots is complex due to their wide range of movements, prompting the use of simplified model-based controllers to provide sufficient information for real-time high dynamic response control performance. However, most modeling techniques face computational efficiency and complexity of parameter identification issues and are hard to apply to real-time controls. To alleviate this, we employ a coupled analytical modeling approach based on Pseudo-Rigid Body Modeling and the Logarithmic Decrement Method for parameter estimation (PRBM+LDM). Using a soft robot hand test bed, we demonstrate the accuracy of PRBM+LDM to model position and force output as a function of pressure input and benchmark its performance. We, then, apply the PRBM+LDM model as a basis for a closed-loop position controller and compare its performance against a simple PID controller. Furthermore, we apply the PRBM+LDM model as a closed-loop force controller and compare its performance with simple constant pressure grasping control by performing small contact areas pinching tasks on low-weight, small objects - a screwdriver, a potato chip, and a brass coin. The PRBM+LDM-based position controller (Average Max. Error across all fingers: 4.37°) outperformed the simple PID position controller (Average Max. Error across all fingers: 20.38°). Furthermore, the PRBM+LDM-based force controller (Potato chip: 86%, Screwdriver: 74.42%, Brass coin: 64.75%) achieved a higher success rate than the constant pressure grasping control (Potato chip: 82.5%, Screwdriver: 70%, Brass coin: 35%) in the pinching tasks. We conclude that the PRBM+LDM modeling technique proves to be a convenient and efficient way to model the dynamic behavior of soft actuators closely and can be used to build high-precision position and force controllers. In application, it realizes stable, flexible grasping of small objects by exerting precise contact force on contact areas.
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS): A family with five affected sibs from Turkey
Authors: Gokcay Figen , Baskan Gulcan Nesem , Sahbaz Irmak , Koc Muge Kovancılar , Basak A. Nazlı , Celebisoy Nese
Published: April 2024

Background
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is one of the more common causes of late-onset progressive ataxia. The genetic background was disclosed by the identification of biallelic pentanucleotide AAGGG repeat expansion in intron 2 of the replication factor complex subunit 1 (RFC1) gene.
Case presentation:
In this article, the first molecularly confirmed Turkish family with CANVAS with five affected siblings has been described. The family comprised seven siblings born from healthy non-consanguineous parents. CANVAS phenotype was present in five of them. Chronic cough was present in all and it was the first symptom followed by sensory symptoms, oscillopsia and imbalance. Clinical head-impulse test (HIT) was positive in all and video-HIT performed on three patients revealed very low vestibulo-ocular reflex gains bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging and nerve conduction studies revealed cerebellar atrophy and sensory neuronopathy. The RP-PCR confirmed the homozygous presence of the AAGGG repeat expansion in the index case and his four affected sibs.
Conclusion
Genetic screening for CANVAS should be considered in all patients with late-onset ataxia, when sensory disturbances and vestibular involvement has been detected especially in the presence of chronic cough.
A Chinese patient with cardiogenic stroke and warfarin resistance: A case report
Authors: Du Xiaoyan , Zhang Peng , Hu Linhai , Chen Qiu , Cheng Shuang , Qiu Xinyu , Zhao Libo
Published: April 2024

Background
Warfarin is the most commonly used oral anticoagulant drug in clinical practice due to its effective anticoagulant effect and low cost. Warfarin plays a crucial role in the anticoagulant treatment of patients with thrombotic diseases such as atrial fibrillation, heart valve replacement, and deep vein thrombosis. In general, low-dose warfarin can effectively achieve the optimal international normalized ratio (INR) for patients requiring anticoagulation therapy. In some cases, patients may require significantly higher doses of warfarin to achieve an INR in the desired range; failure to achieve this is commonly referred to as warfarin resistance. We report a rare case of cerebral infarction caused by atrial fibrillation and warfarin resistance in China.
Case presentation
A Chinese patient with atrial fibrillation complicated by cerebral infarction had been taking warfarin for 2 years, and the dose was gradually increased to 12.5 mg per day; however, the INR remained below the standard. The patient was considered to be resistant to warfarin. The cause of warfarin resistance in this patient is unknown, but we speculate that pharmacodynamic and genetic factors may be involved. Finally, we chose to replace warfarin with rivaroxaban to avoid the risk of bleeding at high doses. To date, there has been no bleeding or infarcts since the patient was discharged. In cases where the cause of warfarin resistance cannot be determined, alternative drugs may be more appropriate.
Conclusions
When considering warfarin resistance, it is important to actively search for the cause of resistance early on. If the cause is determined, appropriate measures should be taken. If the cause is not determined or cannot be resolved, the dose can be gradually increased under close monitoring, alternatives can be actively adopted, and patients can be informed and educated.
An ACS-Stacking Prediction Model Based on Interpretable Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Gaiqin , Liu Jingyi , Wang Xiaoyun
Published: April 2024

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an important disease threatening human health, and the rapid differential diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction still requires further studies.
Purpose: This study aims to establish an interpretable machine learning (ML) model and perform visual and interpretable analysis to the prediction results using SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanation). Then significant correlation indicators are determined to assist clinicians in providing rapid and effective identification for ACS patients.
Method: This study involves the clinical data of 813 patients from the Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital , which is described by 24 predictor variables in relation to demography/comorbidity characteristics and in-hospital complications. Taking the binary variables of “Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and Unstable Angina (UA)” as target variables, we have trained and evaluated the performance of seven ML models in this study and fused Adaboost, Xgboost and Randomforest with better performance in the test set into the best interpretable Stacking fusion model (named as: ACS-Stacking prediction model).
Results: The ACS fusion prediction model achieves an AUC value of 0.96562 in the test set and an accuracy of 89% under 10-fold cross-validation. This study interprets the model using SHAP. Among the related continuous variables, neutrophil and admission heart rate have a positive effect on the mode while LVEF, BMI, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure have a negative effect on the model. However, age is not significantly correlated with target variables. For the classified variables, the patients with smoking history are predisposed to myocardial infarction; sex and history of hypertension are not significantly correlated with target variables.
Conclusion: This study shows that the interpretable ACS-Stacking prediction model has a good differential prediction effect on myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, and the Summary Plot shows the specific effect of ten significant correlation indicators on the output of the model. This conclusion helps clinicians to rapidly identify ACS patients in clinical diagnosis based on the model prediction result, model visualization and clinical experience.
Exploring the effects of selenite treatment on pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seedlings by physiology and transcriptome analysis
Authors: wang yong , Sun Shouru , Wang Longyu , Mushtaq Naveed , Zhang Tao , Li Yanman , Wang Jingwen , Yang Luming , Zhu Lei
Published: April 2024

Pumpkin is widely used as a functional food for people and rootstock for other Cucurbitaceae crops. Se-enriched pumpkin can be used as an important Se source for humans. However, the boundary between beneficial and phytotoxic levels of Se is narrow. Here, effects of selenite with different concentrations (2–80 μM) on pumpkin growth and Se accumulation in pumpkin seedlings were explored. Our results revealed that Se accumulations in both shoots and roots of C. moschata were closely related to selenite doses. Selenite seemed to have no positive effects on C. moschata growth. The root activity increased at 2–20 μM of selenite, but significantly decreased at higher doses. High concentrations of selenite (above 40 μM) resulted in serious O2•– accumulation, growth inhibiting and even symptoms of toxicity, which could be alleviated by melatonin. Transcriptome analysis revealed that a series of defense mechanisms, including Ca2+ signaling, ET and JA signaling, antioxidant defense systems, MAPK cascade, proteostasis protection, could be activated in roots of C. moschata in response to 40 μM selenite. Additionally, we identified some important genes probably involved in Se absorption and conversion in C. moschata, such as PHT, SULTR, APS, APK, APR, SiR, GR, and CS genes. These results may help our understanding of the physiological and molecular mechanisms of Se accumulation and tolerance to Se toxicity in C. moschata, which may provide genetic resources and a theoretical basis for the breeding and cultivation of Se-rich pumpkin or rootstocks.
The determinants of patient perceptions of integrated care: Evidence from tightly-knit county medical community in China
Authors: Cao Hengkui , YIN Gang , Bao Xinyu , Tao HongBing
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Integrated care services have been initiated in China for several years, yet there remains a notable dearth of substantial evidence and research elucidating the service’s efficacy. This study assesses the efficacy of integrated care services, particularly from the patients’ vantage point. We aim to identify the key influencing factors and pathways, providing invaluable insights into integrated service. Additionally, we aspire to delineate strategies for enhancing healthcare delivery systems’ quality, efficiency, and continuity.
Methods
The Patient Perceptions of Integrated Care (PPIC) and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) scales were employed to gather information on patients’ perceptions of integrated care and their self-rated health status. A total of 1093 respondents from two pilot areas were selected for data collection. T-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were, additionally, the study utilized multiple linear regression models to examine the specific impact of various factors on the effectiveness of integrated care services.
Results
The average score for the effectiveness of integrated healthcare services from the patients’ perspective was 67.72 (SD = 14.443), indicating a discrepancy between patient expectations and the actual delivery of care. The individual health status and socioeconomic factors significantly influence patients’ perceptions. As individual health status (B = -0.073, P = 0.024) declines, so does the perception of service effectiveness. Furthermore, health intervention factors, including intervention duration (B = 3.244, P < 0.001) and frequency (B = 5.346, p < 0.001), had a pronounced impact on patients with elevated health demands. Notably, age (B = 1.298, P = 0.009), marital status (B = 1.623, p = 0.002), and occupational category (B = -7.546, P = 0.002), also exert a nuanced influence on patients’ perceptions of integrated services.
Conclusions
This study identified a significant disparity between patients’ perceptions and expectations of integrated services, underscoring the imperative of patient-centered care in integrating services, and emphasizing the need for personalized health services tailored to individual needs. Furthermore, priority should be given to residents with chronic diseases or comorbidities. Additionally, there is a call for establishing more robust communication and management mechanisms to foster collaboration among healthcare teams.
Numerical analysis of the influence of side slot and fin heights in a hypervapotron channel on heat transfer
Authors: Kim Iljin , Kang In-Yeop , Lee Gubin , Kim Hyungdae
Published: April 2024

Hypervapotron is a water-cooled device which relies on internal fins and boiling heat transfer to sustain ultra-high heat flux in the range of 10–30 MW/m2 from thermonuclear fusion reactor. This study investigates the design optimization of hypervapotron cooling channels using multiphase computational fluid dynamic simulation. With focus on geometric variations in fin heights and side slots installed to the cooling channel, their effects on the cooling performance and internal flow pattern of these channels were evaluated. The obtained results revealed that the incorporation of side slots significantly enhances cooling performance by promoting bidirectional fluid inflow and optimizing heat dissipation. It was also found that adjusting fin heights significantly contributes to improved thermal management by ensuring smoother liquid ingress and effective heat exchange. This work establishes a link between design variations and cooling performance, providing insights and guidelines for advanced engineering of hypervapotron systems.
S-D HFFM: A Network Shallow-Deep Improvement Mechanism for Ship Detection in Low-light Channel Scenarios
Authors: Chen Yantong , Ren Jianzhao , Li Jiabao , Shi Yuxin
Published: April 2024

Detecting ships with high precision in low-light conditions poses a critical challenge to maritime safety. Under such conditions, ship boundaries become blurry, and overall contrast diminishes, resulting in missed and false detections in detection algorithms. Many existing solutions rely on applying deep learning networks for low-light enhancement. However, these methods often lack adequate mechanisms to integrate shallow spatial and deep semantic information within the network. This paper proposes two improvement strategies for video ship detection. In the first scheme, for the shallow layer of the backbone network, we design a block to enhance the model's attention to boundary information(SABlock). SABlock enhances the model's attention to boundary information, allowing it to determine the ship's position and shape accurately. In the second scheme, for the deep layers of the backbone network, we design a block to preserve detailed features by increasing contrast (DPBlock). DPBlock aims to preserve detailed features by increasing contrast, introducing differences that retain deep-level details. This enables the model to identify the ship's category better. We present a shallow-deep hybrid feature fusion mechanism (S-D HFFM) to integrate shallow spatial and deep semantic information effectively. SABlock and DPBlock are strategically embedded in the mainstream network to form a feature extraction chain. This chain hierarchically incorporates two types of information. We validate these strategies through experiments conducted on YOLOv5s and YOLOv8s, demonstrating the feasibility of our approach. Experimental results show that S-D HFFM significantly enhances the model's ability to recognize ship positions, shapes, and categories under low-light conditions.
Decoding the Genetic Tapestry of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus: Exploring Evolutionary Adaptation and Codon Usage Bias
Authors: Ghorbani Abozar
Published: April 2024

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) poses a significant threat to tomato production worldwide, prompting extensive research into its genetic diversity, evolutionary dynamics, and adaptive strategies. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of ToBRFV at the codon level, focusing on codon usage bias, selection pressures, and evolutionary patterns across multiple genes. Our analysis revealed distinct patterns of codon usage bias and selection pressures within the ToBRFV genome, with varying levels of genetic diversity and evolutionary constraints among different genes. We observed a transition/transversion bias of 2.07 across the entire ToBRFV genome, with the movement protein (MP) gene exhibiting the highest transition/transversion bias and SNP density, suggesting potential evolutionary pressures or a higher mutation rate in this gene. Furthermore, our study identified episodic positive selection primarily in the MP gene, highlighting specific codons subject to adaptive changes in response to host immune pressures or environmental factors. Comparative analysis of codon usage bias in the coat protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes revealed gene-specific patterns reflecting functional constraints and adaptation to the host's translational machinery. Our findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms driving ToBRFV evolution and adaptation, with implications for understanding viral pathogenesis, host-virus interactions, and the development of control strategies. Future research directions include further elucidating the functional significance of codon usage biases, exploring the role of episodic positive selection in viral adaptation, and leveraging these insights to inform the development of effective antiviral strategies and crop protection measures.
A Randomized Controlled Trial: Short-Segment Posterior Fixation and Transpedicular Bone Grafting combined with rhBMP-2 for the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture
Authors: Cheng Minghuang , Pan Xiaohan , Li Dongxu , Liu Zeyu , Tang Yucheng , Yao Qi , Wu Junjie , Hao Jie , Jiang Wei , Zhang Xiaojun , Hu Zhengming
Published: April 2024

Purpose
The current study presents a novel treatment strategy involving short-segment posterior fixation and transpedicular bone grafting combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). The aimed is to investigate the clinical efficacy in treating thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF).
Methods
Patients with acute TLBF requiring surgical treatment were conducted. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control groups. All patients underwent short-segment posterior fixation treatment, with the intervention group receiving additional transpedicular bone grafting and rhBMP-2 into the fractured vertebral body using vertebroplasty instrumentation. In contrast, the control group did not undergo any bone implantation procedures. Preoperative and postoperative imaging indices, including Sagittal Cobb Angle (SCA) and Anterior Vertebral Height Ratio (A VHR), as well as fracture healing rate, were assessed. Treatment indices, such as the visual analog scale (VAS), were also measured. Furthermore, general information was compared between the two groups.
Results
There were 24 patients enrolled in the intervention group, and 36 patients in the control group. Demographic data showed no significant differences between groups (P > 0.05). One year after the operation, the SCA was significantly lower in both groups compared to the preoperative period. However, the intervention group exhibited less loss in SCA compared to the control group at the 1-year follow-up (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the anterior A VHR between the two groups at 7 days, 3 months, and 1 year after operation (P > 0.05). Regarding the fracture healing rate, the postoperative Lane-Sandhu scores of both groups increased significantly. At 3 months after surgery, the observation group showed a significantly higher score than the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
This RCT demonstrated that the short-segment posterior fixation and transpedicular vertebral bone graft combined with rhBMP-2 can effectively reduce the SCA and accelerate fracture healing.
Effect of prophylactic perphenazine on delirium after extubation in severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Chen# Min , Yu# Meiling , Zhang# Dayi , Chen Ying , Yang Zhitao , Chen Erzhen , Mao Enqiang , Ni Tongtian
Published: April 2024

Background: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a life-threatening condition that can require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. However, IMV can cause delirium, which negatively impacts patient outcomes. Perphenazine, an antipsychotic drug that blocks dopamine receptors, can alleviate symptoms such as irritability and restlessness that caused by delirium. This retrospective study aimed to identify risk factors associated with delirium in SAP patients after extubation and withdrawal from IMV, and to determine whether prophylactic use of perphenazine could reduce the incidence of delirium.
Methods: Patients with SAP aged 18-75 years who underwent IMV and were successfully extubated offline after treatment were included. The clinical data were compared between patients who received perphenazine prophylactically or not.
Results: A total of 40 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 42 years and a male to female ratio of 1.58:1. The incidence of delirium was 22.50%. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression showed that prophylactic use of perphenazine reduced the incidence of delirium. Fentanyl use was a risk factor for delirium in the univariate analysis. Patients in the delirium group were hospitalized longer than those in the non-delirium group. Prophylactic use of perphenazine might be helpful to reduce in-hospital mortality.
Conclusion:Perphenazine might have a potential effect on post-extubation delirium in SAP patients.
Physicochemical, nutritional, and functional properties of Javanese grasshopper (Valanga nigricornis Burm.) flour
Authors: Kristanti Dita , Iwansyah Ade Chandra , Setiaboma Woro , Setiaboma Woro Faisal , Ariani Dini , Herawati Ervika Rahayu Novita , Aditya I Gusti Made Raka Alpin , Pramareti Gradia Martin Jati , Indriati Ashri , Hamid Hazrulrizawati Abd
Published: April 2024

The flour prepared by the edible Javanese grasshopper (Valanga nigricornis Burm.) is an innovative and sustainable food source which is high in protein and other essential nutrients. The study focused on the pre-treatment effect on the nutritional and functional properties of Javanese grasshopper (JG) flour. The nutritional properties, protein digestibility, and amino profile of JG flour were evaluated. The physical properties, microstructure, and functional groups of JG flour were also measured. The results show that pre-treatment on JG flour significantly affected the yield, color, total solid, activity water, microstructure, ash, fat, and protein content (p < 0.05). Based on nutritional, physical, and functional properties of JG flour, pre-treatment using 0.3% sodium bicarbonate for 15 mins and blanched 2–3 mins has the highest ash, fat, and protein content with a complete essential amino acid such as histidine, threonine, methionine, valin, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine. The JG flour, with good pre-treatment, can be used as an alternative functional and fortifying ingredient food.
Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like elements (SETTLE): A diagnostic challenge with distinct therapeutic implication; case report
Authors: Chadha Prerna , Kamboj Meenakshi , Pasricha Sunil , Arora Vikas , Yadav Vishal , Gupta Manoj , Mehta Anurag
Published: April 2024

Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like elements (SETTLE) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland which is believed to arise from intrathyroidal thymic tissue. It predominantly affects young adults and children presenting with a thyroid mass of variable duration and rarely occurs in adults. It has a high overall survival with a tendency for delayed metastasis. SETTLE is a biphasic lobulated tumor composed of spindle shaped cells along with glandular formations seen on histopathological examination. Despite its typical morphology it is commonly misdiagnosed on histopathology due to its rarity and overlapping morphology with other close mimics such as a carcinoma, synovial sarcoma and thymoma. Herein we report such a case occurring in a middle aged female presenting with a neck mass. She had an initial diagnosis of metastatic poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma possibly with an orophayngeal primary in view of co expression of CK, p40 and p16 on immunohistochemistry. The patient underwent surgical resection with modified neck dissection. On review at our hospital it was diagnosed as SETTLE and she remains disease free after a follow-up period of 6 months. Diligent histopathological examination espoused with a judicious panel of IHC markers in conjunction with clinicoradiological findings forms the mainstay of diagnosis. Diffuse and strong p16 immunoexpression has not been documented or evaluated in literature so far, and needs to be explored for its diagnostic utility in this rare entity.
Loneliness during the last phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in China: Trajectories, predictors, and impact on adolescent mental health
Authors: Wang Jingyi , Zhang Wei , Wang Tingting , Yao Ye , Lin Haijiang , Yang Xiaoqi , Song Peige , Chen Xiaoxiao , Fu Chaowei
Published: April 2024

Background Little is known about the long-term courses of loneliness, associated risk factors and effect on mental health in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore the trajectories of loneliness among Chinese adolescents during the last phase of the pandemic. We also aimed to identify risk factors in each loneliness course and the impact of loneliness on emotional problems, peer problems, hyperactivity and conduct problems.
Methods We conducted longitudinal analyses using four waves of data from 2347 Chinese adolescents covering a period of 20 months (October 2021 – May 2023). Loneliness was assessed using the UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale. The self-reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was utilized to evaluate participants’ mental health outcomes. Growth mixture modelling was employed to identify latent classes of loneliness trajectories. Associated risk factors were investigated using multinomial logistic regression model. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were constructed to examine the long-term impact of loneliness classes on mental health outcomes.
Results Three courses of loneliness were identified: Decreasing Low Loneliness (58.71%), Increasing Medium Loneliness (36.52%), and Increasing High Loneliness (4.77%). Risk factors for poorer loneliness trajectories included lack of physical exercise habits, poorer mental health literacy, medium or low perceived social support, having study difficulties, being female, higher grades, and lower economic status. Loneliness courses were associated with the severity and variability of emotional problems, peer problems, hyperactivity and conduct problems. Individuals in the higher loneliness classes experienced a significant increase in these mental health problems over time.
Conclusions During the last phase of the pandemic, a large proportion of adolescents in our study endured medium to high levels of loneliness with no signs of improvement. Both unfavorable loneliness trajectories adversely affected internalizing and externalizing problems and displayed an upward trend in these difficulties. Results highlight the importance of considering how to tackle loneliness both within the context of COVID-19 and more generally.
The Effect of Positioning of Seismic Isolators in a Reinforced Concrete Building
Authors: Yurdakul Muhammet , Yıldız Mehmet Burak
Published: April 2024

Construction costs are increasing day by day. The importance of building the safest structures at the lowest cost is also increasing. For this purpose, it is necessary to design the structure in the best possible way without sacrificing safety. One way to ensure buildings are safe even during severe earthquakes is to include seismic isolation at the design stage. Judging by studies, seismic isolators are generally located at the lowest story of the building. However, the location of the seismic isolator on the lowest column has not been defined. In this study, the seismic isolator was located at the lower end and the top of the lowest story of the RC building to compare the effectiveness of its positioning. A high-damping rubber bearing (HDRB) was used as the seismic isolation device. Also, the effect of the absence of the diaphragm placed above the isolation level was investigated. As a result of the study, the necessary reinforcement of the RC building isolated at the top end of the column was less than 15% compared to the building isolated at the lower end of the columns for the beams. The base shear force of the building with seismic isolator located at the upper end of the column was 2.7% greater than that the building with the seismic isolator located at the lower end of the column.
A full numerical study of the strain based functionally graded rectangular plate finite element using the FSDT
Authors: CHENAFI Madjda , BOUREZANE Messaoud , ASSAS Taqiyeddine
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a full numerical analysis using the First order Shear Deformation Theory to evaluate the bending, free vibration, and buckling behaviors of a new Strain Based Functionally Graded Rectangular Plate finite element, denoted as SBFGRP24. Each node of this element has six degrees of freedom, acquired through the superposition of a membrane and a bending element. The notion of the neutral plane has been applied to prevent the coupling of membrane and bending. The plate consists of alumina and aluminum, with characteristics that vary continuously throughout its thickness. It experiences transversal loads that are either uniformly distributed or sinusoidal. To evaluate the impact of power law index, thickness, boundary constraints, side-to-thickness ratio, and aspect ratio on the FG plates behavior, a parametric study has been done. The results obtained show excellent alignment and swift convergence when compared to those obtained from the high-order shear deformation theory and analytical solutions found in the literature.
Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Natural Compounds as Potential Inhibitors of Serine/Threonine Kinase 16 for Anticancer Drug Discovery
Authors: Al-Fahad Dhurgham , Ropón-Palacios G , Omoboyowa Damilola A. , Singh Gagandeep , Patil Rajesh B.
Published: April 2024

Serine/threonine kinase 16 (STK 16) is involved in many facets of cellular regulation; activation of STK 16 plays a crucial role in the migration of cancer cells. Therefore, it is a novel target for the discovery of anticancer agents. Herein, virtual screeningand dynamics simulation were used to screen a large library of natural compounds against STK 16 using Schrodinger suit 2021-2 and GROMACS 2021.6. The results predicted five molecules with high binding affinity against the target, with NPC 132329 and NPC 160898 having higher binding affinity and molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM/GBSA),suggesting that it is better than the standard inhibitor. The MD simulation studies showed that the STK 16-NPC 132329 complex has the lowest root mean square deviation, and STK 16-NPC 160898 was the most stable compared with the standard drug and selective STK 16 inhibitor. The minimal fluctuation was observed in the STK 16-NPC 132329 and STK 16-NPC 160898 complexes based on the root mean square fluctuation trajectory with NPC 132329 and NPC 160898 forming 2 and 3 hydrogen bonds, respectively, with the amino acid residue of the target’s binding site. Overall, NPC 132329 and NPC 160898 are better STK 16 inhibitors than the standard drug and selective inhibitor, which can be further studied to discover novel anticancer drugs.
The Effectiveness of Faith-Based Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy for African Americans with PTSD
Authors: Pearson Kimberly , Mitchell Karl Vonzell , Hendricks LaVelle
Published: April 2024

This study examines the effectiveness of an adaptive version of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) with faith-based concepts for African Americans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The severity level was determined by a pre-test Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) score of 35 and above. Effectiveness was measured by a post-test PCL-5 score that changed by 5 degrees. The score is the criterion variable that will be measured using the PCL-5 scores. The predictive variable was religiosity which was determined by three levels of participation in religious activities. Participants who indicated they did not participate in religious activities were identified with an interval of 0. Participants who indicated they participated in religious activities weekly were identified with an interval of 1, and participants who indicated they participated in religious activities monthly were identified with an interval of 2. The study also determined if the early termination rate would indicate a statistically significant difference between levels of religiosity. Using a repeated measure ANOVA, the research found a statistically significant difference between pre-PCL-5 and post-PCL-5 scores. A one-way ANOVA was used to determine if religiosity influenced the termination rate and found no statistically significant difference in termination rate.
Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Discectomy Via Translaminar Approach for Highly Upward-migrated Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Technical Note and Preliminary Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Chen Wein-Chin , Wang Wei-Ting , Pao Jwo-Luen
Published: April 2024

Study Design: A technical note and retrospective case series
Objective: Highly upward-migrated lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is challenging due to its problematic access and incomplete removal. The most used interlaminar approach may cause extensive bony destruction. We developed a novel translaminar approach using the unilateral portal endoscopic (UBE) technique, emphasizing effective neural decompression, and preserving the facet joint’s integrity.
Methods: This retrospective study included six patients receiving UBE translaminar discectomy for highly upward-migrated LDHs from May 2019 to June 2021. The migrated disc was removed through a small keyhole on the lamina of the cranial vertebra. The treatment results were evaluated by operation time, hospital stays, complications, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and modified MacNab criteria.
Results: The mean pre-operative VAS for back pain (5.0 ± 4.9), VAS for leg pain (9.2 ± 1.0), JOA score (10.7 ± 6.6), and ODI (75.7 ± 25.3) were significantly improved to 0.3 ± 0.5, 1.2 ± 1.5, 27.3 ± 1.8, 5.0 ± 11.3 respectively at the final follow-up. Five patients had excellent, and one patient had good outcomes according to the Modified MacNab criteria. The hospital stay was 2.7 ± 0.5 days. No complication was recorded. The MRI follow-up showed complete disc removal, except for one patient with an asymptomatic residual disc.
Conclusions: UBE translaminar discectomy is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure for highly upward-migrated LDH with satisfactory treatment outcomes and nearly 100% facet joint preservation.
Spontaneous Avulsion of Left Internal Mammary Artery Graft a Complication of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Case Report and Review of the literature.
Authors: Nairat Moath , Akram Hamza , Alaqra Amro , Al-Khdour Issa , Othman Wafiq , Yaghi Nadine
Published: April 2024

Background:
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is a common procedure for managing multi-vessel coronary artery disease to revascularize the myocardium. Among the various conduits used, the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is preferred due to its better long-term patency rate. However, CABG procedures involving LIMA may lead to rare but serious complications, such as avulsion of the LIMA post-CABG, which leads to disruption of blood flow to the myocardium and the development of fatal cardiac tamponade.
Case presentation:
We present a unique case of spontaneous avulsion of LIMA graft to left anterior descending artery (LAD) away from the site of anastomosis twenty-four hours following CABG surgery in 67-year-old male patient. Emergency re-exploration and repair of the LIMA with interposition vein graft were performed, which successfully stabilized the patient critical condition followed by a complicated recovery period involving atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, and wound infection.
Conclusion:
Avulsion of LIMA graft following CABG is rare, however a fatal complication that requires high clinical suspicion and prompt management. Avulsion has been reported few times in the literature following both minimal invasive and conventional CABG. Understanding the etiology, clinical presentation, and management of this complication is crucial to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
Characterization of mosquito host-biting networks of potential Rift Valley fever virus vectors in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Authors: Makhanthisa Takalani I. , Guarido Milehna M. , Kemp Alan , Weyer Jacqueline , Rostal Melinda K. , Karesh William B. , Thompson Peter N.
Published: April 2024

Background
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus with serious implications for livestock health, human health, and the economy in Africa, and is suspected to be endemic in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The vectors of RVFV in this area are poorly known although several species such as Aedes mcintoshi, Ae. circumluteolus, Ae. durbanensis and Culex poicilipes may be involved. The aim of the study was to determine the blood hosts of potential RVFV mosquito vectors in north-eastern KZN and to characterize the host-biting network.
Methods
Blood-fed mosquitoes were collected monthly (January 2022 – February 2023) using a backpack aspirator in the vicinity of water bodies and livestock farming households. Additional blood-fed mosquitoes were trapped monthly (November 2019-November 2022) using CO2-baited CDC miniature light traps and tent traps. Blood-fed mosquitoes were morphologically identified. DNA was extracted from individual mosquitoes and used as templates to amplify the vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes using conventional PCR. Amplicons were sequenced and queried in GenBank and the Barcode of Life Data systems to identify the blood meal sources and confirm mosquito identifications. All mosquitoes were screened for RVFV using real time RT-PCR.
Results
We identified the mammalian (88.8%) and avian (11.3%) blood hosts from 409 blood-fed mosquitoes. Aedes circumluteolus (n = 128) made up the largest proportion of collected mosquitoes. Cattle (n = 195) and nyala (n = 61) were the most frequent domestic and wild hosts, respectively. Bipartite network analysis showed that the rural network consisted of more host-biting interactions than the reserve network.
Conclusion
Several mosquito species including Ae. circumluteolus, and vertebrate blood host species including cattle and nyala could play a central role in RVFV transmission. Future research in this region should focus on these species to better understand RVFV amplification.
Improving onchocerciasis elimination surveillance: trials of odour baited Esperanza Window Traps to collect black fly vectors and real-time qPCR detection of Onchocerca volvulus in black fly pools
Authors: Adeleke M. A , Opara K.N , Mafuyai H.B , Nwoke B.E.B , Surakat O. A , Akinde S. B , Nwoke M , Chikieze F , Yaro C , Mmaduabuchi U. G , Igbe M , Makata E , Oyediran F , Anyaike C . , Tongjura J.D , Hawkes F. M , Iwalewa Z. O
Published: April 2024

Background Entomological data for onchocerciasis surveillance relies on sampling blackflies through human landing collectors in the field and laboratory testing of the flies for infection using pool screening O-150 PCR-ELISA assay. Both techniques require improvements. This study sought to take promising Esperanza Window Traps (EWT) for blackfly collections and test and optimize them to find alternative carbon dioxide (CO2) mimics, and to test new qPCR methods using mitochondrial DNA targets that have been suggested to improve sensitivity and specificity for Onchocerca volvulus infection in flies.
Methods Traps baited with low, medium and high release rates of either 2-butanone or cyclopentanone as CO2 mimics were field tested against traps baited with organically generated CO2 in Guinea savannah, derived savannah, rainforest and montane forest ecological zones in Nigeria. The performance of EWTs baited with CO2 or in combination with 2-butanone (low release) were subsequently evaluated against the human landing collection (HLC). Trap scaling was also pilot tested by comparing double traps to single HLCs. Collected blackflies were used to test detection of O. volvulus in blackflies using Ov ND5 real time PCR (qPCR) in comparison to the conventional pool screening O-150 PCR.
Results EWTs baited with 2-butanone caught similar numbers of blackflies to those baited with CO2, while cyclopentanone collected significantly fewer flies in all locations. The low release of 2-butanone was the most effective overall, although HLCs collected higher numbers of blackflies than EWT baited with CO2 either singly or in combination with low release 2-butanone. The combination of two EWTs baited with CO2 and deployed 100 m apart to each other collected similar numbers of flies as one HLC. More blackfly pools were positive for O. volvulus by Ov ND5 qPCR as compared with O-150 PCR in derived savannah (31.15% vs 15.57%), montane forest (11.54% vs 0%) and rainforest (23.08% vs 2.56%), with only one positive pool in Guinea savannah detected by both methods.
Conclusion 2-butanone has potential to be used in xenomonitoring as a standardized replacement to organically generated CO2. The positive pools found in foci hitherto considered to have interrupted/eliminated onchocerciasis highlights the need for more sensitive and specific methods that support programmatic assessments that can identify and combat recrudescence.