bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of crisis and COVID-19 on Syrian children growth, health awareness and nutritional practices. a cross-sectional study
Authors: Harphoush Seba , Shahood Bashar , Harphoush Ihab , Awudi Doris Abra , Ahmad Shakeel , Zaitoun Margaret , Weeto Makhala Mary , Li Zhong
Published: June 2023

Background

Despite the great steadfastness that Syria has achieved in the face of more than a decade of stifling crisis followed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the heavy impacts of these long rough years are certain and crucial on the health and nutrition levels, specially on vulnerable groups like women and children. Moreover, the lack of research and data on health and nutritional status of children within Syria makes it very difficult to draw conclusions and act effectively. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate growth development and give an insight about the public health awareness and nutritional practices among Syrian primary schools children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among private and public primary schools’ students aged 6 to 9 years old in Homs governorate in January to April 2021, anthropometric measures were taken and data assessment of socioeconomic background, nutritional practices, and health awareness was achieved by conducting two surveys answered by parents and students.

Results

We defined the total prevalence of obesity (11.8%), underweight (5.6%) and stunting (13.8%), with a significant increased in underweight and stunting prevalence ,(9%, 21.6%) respectively, among public schools’ students compared to private schools’ students. Differences in nutritional practices and health awareness were recorded between public and private schools’ students under socioeconomic impact.

Conclusions

This study contributes to evaluate the burden of crisis and COVID-19 pandemic on Syrian children growth and health practices in Syria. Improving health awareness and nutritional support among Syrian families to help children meet their growth needs is recommended. Moreover, additional research should be conducted to evaluate micro-nutrients deficiencies and provide appropriate medical support effectively.
Outcomes of patent foramen ovale greater than 3 mm at birth in extremely low birthweight infants
Authors: Gaffar Sheema , Siassi Bijan , Cayabyab Rowena , Ebrahimi Mahmood , Barton Lorayne , Uzunyan Merujan , Ramanathan Rangasamy
Published: June 2023

Background

Foramen ovale (FO) is an obligate fetal shunt that typically resolves after birth, although patency throughout life is not uncommon. The natural history of patent FO (PFO) is known in term infants, but less is known about its course in extremely preterm infants. We describe the echocardiographic changes in FO size from birth to discharge in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants in this retrospective study.

Methods

Cohort was divided based on size of FO at birth. Size of FO at discharge was measured and evaluated relative to postnatal weight gain. Demographics and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

Of the 54 ELBW infants, 50 were born with FO less than 3 mm in diameter (small), and 4 were born with FO greater than 3 mm (large). Of small defects, the majority (44/50, 88%) did not increase in size with weight gain, and minority (6/50, 12%) increased in size, and three of these 6 patients, FO grew to be slightly larger than 3 mm. In contrast, all large defects (4 of 4, 100%) nearly doubled in size with postnatal growth. These 4 ELBW infants with enlargement of FO had a flap valve evident on echocardiogram obtained prior to discharge, and subsequently closed on outpatient follow-up echocardiograms, although time to resolution was variable (6 months – 3 years). One infant had presumptive resolution because of the presence of flap valve.

Conclusion

No maternal or neonatal demographic characteristics were predictive of FO enlargement, although, demonstrable flap valve on discharge echocardiogram correlated with resolution of FO on outpatient follow-up echocardiogram. Therefore, based on our data, we recommend that ELBW infants born with large FO should have echocardiographic re-evaluation of the atrial septal opening prior to discharge, to specify the presence of a flap valve or lack thereof, which is an important detail that can help a neonatologist determine the need for outpatient cardiac follow-up.
Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal study
Authors: Wong Stephanie MY , Chen Eric YH , Suen YN , Ho Winky , Chan Sherry KW , Lee Edwin HM , Chan KT , Lui Simon SY , Wong Michael TH , Hui Christy LM
Published: June 2023

Background

Despite over two years of COVID-19 worldwide, the outbreak of the Omicron variant has given rise to an unprecedented surge of infection with diverse lockdown measures implemented globally. Whether the emergence of a new wave of COVID-19 could further affect mental health in the population after nearly two years of the pandemic remains to be addressed. Furthermore, whether changes in smartphone overuse behaviours and physical activity – both of which are particularly relevant to young people – would together contribute to changes in distress symptoms during this wave of COVID-19 was also examined.

Methods

A total of 248 young people from an ongoing household-based epidemiological study in Hong Kong who completed their baseline assessments prior to the Omicron variant outbreak, i.e., fifth wave of COVID-19 (July–November 2021), were invited for a 6-month follow-up study during this wave of infection (January–April 2022) (mean age = 19.7 years, SD = 2.7; 58.9% females). At both time points, levels of global distress symptoms, perceived stress, smartphone overuse, frequency of engagement in vigorous physical activity, and other potential risk and protective factors were assessed.

Results

The proportion of young people presenting moderate-to-severe distress (6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ≥ 5) significantly increased from 45.6 to 54.4% during the fifth wave of COVID-19 (p < 0.010). Significantly increased levels of smartphone overuse and reduced days of vigorous physical activity were also observed during the fifth wave. Notably, increased smartphone overuse and reduced physical activity both additively and interactively contributed to elevated distress at 6 months, even after accounting for demographic characteristics, psychiatric history, childhood adversity, as well as baseline distress symptoms, resilience, and recent personal stressors.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the emergence of a new wave of COVID-19, specifically the Omicron outbreak, can further aggravate mental distress even after a protracted period of the pandemic. Awareness of the dynamic nature of COVID-19 is necessitated to address the pressing mental health needs of populations. Supporting young people in healthier patterns of smartphone use and physical activity can be helpful.
Warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers: a pilot randomized experiment among young adults in Mexico
Authors: López-Olmedo Nancy , Muciño-Sandoval Karla , Canto-Osorio Francisco , Vargas-Flores Adriana , Quiroz-Reyes Alai , Sabines Arturo , Malo-Serrano Miguel , Bautista-Arredondo Sergio , Colchero MArantxa , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh
Published: June 2023

Background

Little is known about the potential impacts of visible and up-to-date health warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers on a range of outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted an experimental study to test the potential impacts of visible health warning labels (on the principal panel of the package) on thinking about health risks, product attractiveness, visual avoidance, and intention to change alcohol use among students in Mexico aged 18–30 years.

Methods

A double-blind, parallel-group, online randomized trial was conducted from November 2021 to January 2022 in 11 states in Mexico. In the control group, participants were presented with the image of a conventional beer can with a fictional design and brand. In the intervention groups, the participants observed pictograms with a red font and white backgrounds (health warning label in red—HWL red) or with a black font and yellow backgrounds (health warning label in yellow—HWL yellow), located at the top, covering around one-third of the beer can. We used Poisson regression models -unadjusted and adjusted for covariates- to assess differences in the outcomes across study groups.

Results

Using intention-to-treat analysis (n = 610), we found more participants in groups HWL red and HWL yellow thought about the health risks from drinking beer compared to the control group [Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 1.43, CI95%:1.05,1.93 for HWL red; PR = 1.25, CI95%: 0.91, 1.71 for HWL yellow]. A lower percentage of young adults in the interventions vs control group considered the product attractive (PR 0.74, 95%CI 0.51, 1.06 for HWL red; PR 0.56, 95%CI 0.38, 0.83 for HWL yellow). Although not statistically significant, a lower percentage of participants in the intervention groups considered buying or consuming the product than the control group. Results were similar when models were adjusted for covariates.

Conclusions

Visible health warning labels could lead individuals to think about the health risks of alcohol, reducing the attractiveness of the product and decreasing the intention to purchase and consume alcohol. Further studies will be required to determine which pictograms or images and legends are most contextually relevant for the country.

Trial registration

The protocol of this study was retrospectively registered on 03/01/2023: ISRCTN10494244.
Effectiveness of using a chatbot to promote adherence to home physiotherapy after total knee replacement, rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Blasco José-María , Díaz-Díaz Beatriz , Igual-Camacho Celedonia , Pérez-Maletzki José , Hernández-Guilén David , Roig-Casasús Sergio
Published: June 2023

Background

Rehabilitation is essential to optimize outcomes after surgical procedures in musculoskeletal disorders. However, adherence to rehabilitation continues to be an important barrier, since compliance with the programs is not always as desired, which may have a negative impact on clinical results.

Methods

Randomized controlled trial aimed at to determining the effectiveness of using a virtual assistant (i.e., chatbot) to promote adherence to home rehabilitation. Overall, seventy patients under 75, undergoing total knee replacement, who have a personal smartphone and are familiar with its use, will be assigned into the control (standard care) or the experimental (standard care plus virtual assistant) group. Adherence (primary outcome) will be assessed three months after surgery. The WOMAC questionnaire, knee pain and system usability scale will be also outcomes of interest at three months and one year. Overall, an analysis of variance will look for possible time, group and time*group interactions.

Discussion

The expected result is to determine whether the use of a chatbot that interacts with the patient can increase adherence to post-surgical home physiotherapy, and result in better clinical results (functional and pain) than standard care.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov id. NCT05363137
A comparison between the impacts of lecturing and flipped classrooms in virtual learning on triage nurses’ knowledge and professional capability: an experimental study
Authors: Javadi Mostafa , Gheshlaghi Majid , Bijani Mostafa
Published: June 2023

Background

The quality of triage in emergency department depends on regular evaluation of triage nurses’ professional capabilities and development of programs to improve them. Flipped classrooms are a new approach to learning which can be employed to improve professional capabilities. The present study aims to compare the impact of lecturing to flipped classrooms in virtual learning on the knowledge and professional capabilities of triage nurses in the emergency departments of the state hospitals of Yazd province in south-western Iran in 2022.

Methods

The present study is an experimental work of research. Seventy-four triage nurses participated in the study. Seventy-four triage nurses were randomly allocated to the two groups, including flipped classrooms (group B) and lecturing (group A). The data collection instruments were an emergency department triage nurses’ professional capability questionnaire and a triage knowledge questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v.22 using independent t-test, chi-squared test, and repeated measures analysis of variance. Level of significance was set atp ≥ 0.05.

Results

The participants’ mean age was 33.1 ± 4.3 years. As measured one month after the education, the triage knowledge mean score of the nurses who were educated using the flipped classroom method (9.29 ± 1.73) was higher than that of the nurses who were educated via lecturing (8.45 ± 1.788), and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Also, measured one month after the education, the professional capability mean score of the nurses who were educated using the flipped classroom method (140.27 ± 11.744) was higher than that of the nurses who were educated via lecturing (132.84 ± 10.817), and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

There was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest knowledge and professional capability mean scores of both groups immediately after the education. However, measured one month after the education, the mean and standard deviation of the knowledge and professional capability scores of the triage nurses who had been educated via flipped classrooms were higher than those of the nurses in the lecturing group. Thus, virtual learning using flipped classrooms is more effective than lecturing in improving triage nurses’ knowledge and professional capability in the long run.
Molecular mechanisms of tumor resistance to radiotherapy
Authors: Wu Yu , Song Yingqiu , Wang Runze , Wang Tianlu
Published: June 2023

Background

Cancer is the most prevalent cause of death globally, and radiotherapy is considered the standard of care for most solid tumors, including lung, breast, esophageal, and colorectal cancers and glioblastoma. Resistance to radiation can lead to local treatment failure and even cancer recurrence.

Main body

In this review, we have extensively discussed several crucial aspects that cause resistance of cancer to radiation therapy, including radiation-induced DNA damage repair, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis escape, abundance of cancer stem cells, modification of cancer cells and their microenvironment, presence of exosomal and non-coding RNA, metabolic reprogramming, and ferroptosis. We aim to focus on the molecular mechanisms of cancer radiotherapy resistance in relation to these aspects and to discuss possible targets to improve treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

Studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for radiotherapy resistance and its interactions with the tumor environment will help improve cancer responses to radiotherapy. Our review provides a foundation to identify and overcome the obstacles to effective radiotherapy.
Latozinemab, a novel progranulin-elevating therapy for frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Kurnellas Michael , Mitra Ananya , Schwabe Tina , Paul Robert , Arrant Andrew E. , Roberson Erik D. , Ward Michael , Yeh Felix , Long Hua , Rosenthal Arnon
Published: June 2023

Background

Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin (PGRN) gene (GRN) cause a reduction in PGRN and lead to the development of frontotemporal dementia (FTD-GRN). PGRN is a secreted lysosomal chaperone, immune regulator, and neuronal survival factor that is shuttled to the lysosome through multiple receptors, including sortilin. Here, we report the characterization of latozinemab, a human monoclonal antibody that decreases the levels of sortilin, which is expressed on myeloid and neuronal cells and shuttles PGRN to the lysosome for degradation, and blocks its interaction with PGRN.

Methods

In vitro characterization studies were first performed to assess the mechanism of action of latozinemab. After the in vitro studies, a series of in vivo studies were performed to assess the efficacy of a mouse-cross reactive anti-sortilin antibody and the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of latozinemab in nonhuman primates and humans.

Results

In a mouse model of FTD-GRN, the rodent cross-reactive anti-sortilin antibody, S15JG, decreased total sortilin levels in white blood cell (WBC) lysates, restored PGRN to normal levels in plasma, and rescued a behavioral deficit. In cynomolgus monkeys, latozinemab decreased sortilin levels in WBCs and concomitantly increased plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PGRN by 2- to threefold. Finally, in a first-in-human phase 1 clinical trial, a single infusion of latozinemab caused a reduction in WBC sortilin, tripled plasma PGRN and doubled CSF PGRN in healthy volunteers, and restored PGRN to physiological levels in asymptomatic GRN mutation carriers.

Conclusions

These findings support the development of latozinemab for the treatment of FTD-GRN and other neurodegenerative diseases where elevation of PGRN may be beneficial.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03636204. Registered on 17 August 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03636204.
H19X-encoded microRNAs induced by IL-4 in adipocyte precursors regulate proliferation to facilitate differentiation
Authors: Munkhzul Choijamts , Lee Ji-Min , Kim Boseon , Nguyen Thi Thanh My , Ginting Rehna Paula , Jeong Dahee , Kim Young-Kook , Lee Min-Woo , Lee Mihye
Published: June 2023

Adipose tissue, an organ critical for systemic energy homeostasis, is influenced by type 2 immunity in its development and function. The type 2 cytokine interleukin (IL)-4 induces the proliferation of bipotential adipocyte precursors (APs) in white fat tissue and primes these cells for differentiation into beige adipocytes, which are specialized for thermogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been comprehensively examined. Here, we identified six microRNA (miRNA) genes upregulated upon IL-4 stimulation in APs, miR-322, miR-503, miR-351, miR-542, miR-450a, and miR-450b; these are encoded in the H19X locus of the genome. Their expression is positively regulated by the transcription factor Klf4, whose expression also increases upon IL-4 stimulation. These miRNAs shared a large set of target genes, of which 381 genes were downregulated in mRNA expression upon IL-4 stimulation and enriched in Wnt signaling pathways. Two genes with downregulated expression, Ccnd1 and Fzd6, were repressed by H19X-encoded miRNAs. Additionally, the Wnt signaling activator LiCl downregulated the expression of this group of miRNAs in APs, indicating that Wnt signaling–related genes and these miRNAs form a double-negative feedback regulatory loop. This miRNA/Wnt feedback regulation modulated the elevated proliferation of APs induced by IL-4 stimulation and contributed to priming them for beige adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, the aberrant expression of these miRNAs attenuates the differentiation of APs into beige adipocytes. Collectively, our results suggest that H19X-encoded miRNAs facilitate the transition of APs from proliferation to differentiation in the IL-4-mediated regulation.
On the use of non-concurrent controls in platform trials: a scoping review
Authors: Bofill Roig Marta , Burgwinkel Cora , Garczarek Ursula , Koenig Franz , Posch Martin , Nguyen Quynh , Hees Katharina
Published: June 2023

Background

Platform trials gained popularity during the last few years as they increase flexibility compared to multi-arm trials by allowing new experimental arms entering when the trial already started. Using a shared control group in platform trials increases the trial efficiency compared to separate trials. Because of the later entry of some of the experimental treatment arms, the shared control group includes concurrent and non-concurrent control data. For a given experimental arm, non-concurrent controls refer to patients allocated to the control arm before the arm enters the trial, while concurrent controls refer to control patients that are randomised concurrently to the experimental arm. Using non-concurrent controls can result in bias in the estimate in case of time trends if the appropriate methodology is not used and the assumptions are not met.

Methods

We conducted two reviews on the use of non-concurrent controls in platform trials: one on statistical methodology and one on regulatory guidance. We broadened our searches to the use of external and historical control data. We conducted our review on the statistical methodology in 43 articles identified through a systematic search in PubMed and performed a review on regulatory guidance on the use of non-concurrent controls in 37 guidelines published on the EMA and FDA websites.

Results

Only 7/43 of the methodological articles and 4/37 guidelines focused on platform trials. With respect to the statistical methodology, in 28/43 articles, a Bayesian approach was used to incorporate external/non-concurrent controls while 7/43 used a frequentist approach and 8/43 considered both. The majority of the articles considered a method that downweights the non-concurrent control in favour of concurrent control data (34/43), using for instance meta-analytic or propensity score approaches, and 11/43 considered a modelling-based approach, using regression models to incorporate non-concurrent control data. In regulatory guidelines, the use of non-concurrent control data was considered critical but was deemed acceptable for rare diseases in 12/37 guidelines or was accepted in specific indications (12/37). Non-comparability (30/37) and bias (16/37) were raised most often as the general concerns with non-concurrent controls. Indication specific guidelines were found to be most instructive.

Conclusions

Statistical methods for incorporating non-concurrent controls are available in the literature, either by means of methods originally proposed for the incorporation of external controls or non-concurrent controls in platform trials. Methods mainly differ with respect to how the concurrent and non-concurrent data are combined and temporary changes handled. Regulatory guidance for non-concurrent controls in platform trials are currently still limited.
GO-Tibia: a masked, randomized control trial evaluating gentamicin versus saline in open tibia fractures
Authors: Haonga Billy T. , O’Marr Jamieson M. , Ngunyale Patrick , Ngahyoma Joshua , Kessey Justin , Sasillo Ibrahim , Rodarte Patricia , Belaye Tigist , Berhaneselase Eleni , Eliezer Edmund , Porco Travis C. , Morshed Saam , Shearer David W.
Published: June 2023

Background

The rate of open tibia fractures is rapidly increasing across the globe due to a recent rise in road traffic accidents, predominantly in low- and low-middle-income countries. These injuries are orthopedic emergencies associated with infection rates as high as 40% despite the use of systemic antibiotics and surgical debridement. The use of local antibiotics has shown some promise in reducing the burden of infection in these injuries due to increasing local tissue availability; however, no trial has yet been appropriately powered to evaluate for definitive evidence and the majority of current studies have taken place in a high-resource countries where resources and the bio-burden may be different.

Methods

This is a prospective randomized, masked, placebo-controlled superiority trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of locally administered gentamicin versus placebo in the prevention of fracture-related infection in adults (age > 18 years) with primarily closeable Gustillo-Anderson class I, II, and IIIA open tibia fractures. Eight hundred ninety patients will be randomized to receive an injection of either gentamicin (treatment group) or saline (control group) at the site of their primarily closed open fracture. The primary outcome will be the occurrence of a fracture-related infection occurring during the course of the 12-month follow-up.

Discussion

This study will definitively assess the effectiveness of local gentamicin for the prevention of fracture-related infections in adults with open tibia fractures in Tanzania. The results of this study have the potential to demonstrate a low-cost, widely available intervention for the reduction of infection in open tibia fractures.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05157126. Registered on December 14, 2021.
Indole-carbohydrazide linked phenoxy-1,2,3-triazole-N-phenylacetamide derivatives as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors: design, synthesis, in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition, and computational studies
Authors: Emadi Mehdi , Mosavizadeh-Marvest Fahimeh , Asadipour Ali , Pourshojaei Yaghoub , Hosseini Samanesadat , Mojtabavi Somayeh , Faramarzi Mohammad Ali , Larijani Bagher , Mohammadi-Khanaposhtani Maryam , Mahdavi Mohammad
Published: June 2023

Background

A new series of indole-carbohydrazide-phenoxy-1,2,3-triazole-N-phenylacetamide hybrids 11a–o was designed based on molecular hybridization of the active pharmacophores of the potent α-glucosidase inhibitors. These compounds were synthesized and evaluated against α-glucosidase.

Methods

The 15 various derivatives of indole-carbohydrazide-phenoxy-1,2,3-triazole-N-phenylacetamide scaffold were synthesized, purified, and fully characterized. These derivatives were evaluated against yeast α-glucosidase in vitro and in silico. ADMET properties of the most potent compounds were also predicted.

Results

All new derivatives 11a–o (IC50 values = 6.31 ± 0.03–49.89 ± 0.09 µM) are excellent α-glucosidase inhibitors in comparison to acarbose (IC50 value = 750.0 ± 10.0 µM) that was used as a positive control. Representatively, (E)-2-(4-((4-((2-(1H-indole-2-carbonyl)hydrazono)methyl) phenoxy)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide 11d with IC50 = 6.31 µM against MCF-7 cells, was 118.8-times more potent than acarbose. This compound is an uncompetitive inhibitor against α-glucosidase and showed the lowest binding energy at the active site of this enzyme in comparison to other potent compounds. Furthermore, computational calculations predicted that compound 11d can be an orally active compound.

Conclusion

According to obtained data, compound 11d can be a valuable lead compound for further structural development and assessments to obtain effective and potent new α-glucosidase inhibitors.
Immediate word recall in cognitive assessment can predict dementia using machine learning techniques
Authors: Fayemiwo Michael Adebisi , Olowookere Toluwase Ayobami , Olaniyan Oluwabunmi Omobolanle , Ojewumi Theresa Omolayo , Oyetade Idowu Sunday , Freeman Shannon , Jackson Piper
Published: June 2023

Background

Dementia, one of the fastest-growing public health problems, is a cognitive disorder known to increase in prevalence as age increases. Several approaches had been used to predict dementia, especially in building machine learning (ML) models. However, previous research showed that most models developed had high accuracies, and they suffered from considerably low sensitivities. The authors discovered that the nature and the scope of the data used in this study had not been explored to predict dementia based on cognitive assessment using ML techniques. Therefore, we hypothesized that using word-recall cognitive features could help develop models for the prediction of dementia through ML techniques and emphasized assessing the models’ sensitivity performance.

Methods

Nine distinct experiments were conducted to determine which responses from either sample person (SP)’s or proxy’s responses in the “word-delay,” “tell-words-you-can-recall,” and “immediate-word-recall” tasks are essential in the prediction of dementia cases, and to what extent the combination of the SP’s or proxy’s responses can be helpful in the prediction of dementia. Four ML algorithms (K-nearest neighbors (KNN), decision tree, random forest, and artificial neural networks (ANN)) were used in all the experiments to build predictive models using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS).

Results

In the first scenario of experiments using “word-delay” cognitive assessment, the highest sensitivity (0.60) was obtained from combining the responses from both SP and proxies trained KNN, random forest, and ANN models. Also, in the second scenario of experiments using the “tell-words-you-can-recall” cognitive assessment, the highest sensitivity (0.60) was obtained by combining the responses from both SP and proxies trained KNN model. From the third set of experiments performed in this study on the use of “Word-recall” cognitive assessment, it was equally discovered that the use of combined responses from both SP and proxies trained models gave the highest sensitivity of 1.00 (as obtained from all the four models).

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the combination of responses in a word recall task as obtained from the SP and proxies in the dementia study (based on the NHATS dataset) is clinically useful in predicting dementia cases. Also, the use of “word-delay” and “tell-words-you-can-recall” cannot reliably predict dementia as they resulted in poor performances in all the developed models, as shown in all the experiments. However, immediate-word recall is reliable in predicting dementia, as seen in all the experiments. This, therefore, shows the significance of immediate-word-recall cognitive assessment in predicting dementia and the efficiency of combining responses from both SP and proxies in the immediate-word-recall task.
Refractory secondary pneumothorax complicated with lung cancer treated by bronchial occlusion: a case report
Authors: Kato Yuto , Okuda Miyuki , Fukuda Koji , Tanaka Nobuya , Nobuyama Seiichi
Published: June 2023

Background

Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity. Secondary pneumothorax usually occurs in patients with overt underlying lung disease, most commonly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with poor lung function often suffer from pneumothorax with a persistent air leak. Various strategies have been employed in the treatment of such refractory pneumothorax. Bronchial occlusion with an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (EWS) (Novatech, Grasse, France) has been shown to be useful in treating prolonged bronchopleural fistulas. Although the effects of bronchial occlusion with EWS are known, refractory pneumothorax often involves multiple affected bronchi, and in some cases the affected bronchi cannot be easily identified. In addition, secondary pneumothorax associated with advanced lung cancer often prolongs the treatment of pneumothorax, which can significantly reduce patients’ quality of life and prognosis.

Case presentation

We report a case of refractory pneumothorax where collateral ventilation was successfully treated by bronchial occlusion of the affected bronchi using multiple methods. In August 2019, an 80-year-old Japanese man with asthma and COPD overlap was admitted for exacerbation triggered by respiratory tract infection. During hospitalization, he presented with chest pain due to pneumothorax. Subsequently, a chest drain tube was inserted and pleurodesis was performed; however, the lung could not be sufficiently expanded and an air leak remained. Further investigation revealed a tumor suspicious for lung cancer at the entrance of the left upper lobe bronchus. Due to poor lung function, surgical treatments were deemed high risk. Therefore, we performed bronchial occlusion using the Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (EWS). Because we could not determine the affected bronchi by computed tomography (CT), we located the affected bronchi by balloon occlusion test and bronchography with iopamidol. After occlusion, the air leak decreased but still persisted. Thus, we performed pleurodesis twice, and the air leak ceased completely.

Conclusions

Refractory secondary pneumothorax, which affected multiple bronchi and developed into collateral ventilation due to lung cancer, was treated successfully with bronchial occlusion and EWS. In cases where the affected bronchi cannot be determined by the balloon occlusion test, bronchography with iopamidol might be an effective treatment.
Are we moving the dial? Canadian health research funding trends for women’s health, 2S/LGBTQ + health, sex, or gender considerations
Authors: Stranges Tori N. , Namchuk Amanda B. , Splinter Tallinn F. L. , Moore Katherine N. , Galea Liisa A. M.
Published: June 2023

Background

Sex and gender impacts health outcomes and disease risk throughout life. The health of women and members of the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (2S/LGBTQ +) community is often compromised as they experience delays in diagnosis. Distinct knowledge gaps in the health of these populations have prompted funding agencies to mandate incorporation of sex and gender into research. Sex- and gender-informed research perspectives and methodology increases rigor, promotes discovery, and expands the relevance of health research. Thus, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) implemented a sex and gender-based analysis (SGBA) framework recommending the inclusion of SGBA in project proposals in 2010 and then mandating the incorporation of SGBA into grant proposals in 2019. To examine whether this mandate resulted in increased mention of sex or gender in funded research abstracts, we searched the publicly available database of grant abstracts funded by CIHR to analyze the percentage of abstracts that mentioned sex or gender of the population to be studied in the funded research. To better understand broader health equity issues we also examined whether the funded grant abstracts mentioned either female-specific health research or research within the 2S/LGBTQ + community.

Results

We categorized a total of 8,964 Project and Operating grant abstracts awarded from 2009 to 2020 based on their study of female-specific or a 2S/LGBTQ + populations or their mention of sex or gender. Overall, under 3% of grant abstracts funded by CIHR explicitly mentioned sex and/or gender, as 1.94% of grant abstracts mentioned sex, and 0.66% mentioned gender. As one of the goals of SGBA is to inform on health equity and understudied populations with respect to SGBA, we also found that 5.92% of grant abstracts mentioned female-specific outcomes, and 0.35% of grant abstracts focused on the 2S/LGBTQ + community.

Conclusions

Although there was an increased number of funded grants with abstracts that mentioned sex and 2S/LGBTQ + health across time, these increases were less than 2% between 2009 and 2020. The percentage of funded grants with abstracts mentioning female-specific health or gender differences did not change significantly over time. The percentage of funding dollars allocated to grants in which the abstracts mentioned sex or gender also did not change substantially from 2009 to 2020, with grant abstracts mentioning sex or female-specific research increasing by 1.26% and 3.47%, respectively, funding allocated to research mentioning gender decreasing by 0.49% and no change for 2S/LGBTQ +-specific health. Our findings suggest more work needs to be done to ensure the public can evaluate what populations will be examined with the funded research with respect to sex and gender to advance awareness and health equity in research.
Liver-specific in vivo base editing of Angptl3 via AAV delivery efficiently lowers blood lipid levels in mice
Authors: Zuo Yuanbojiao , Zhang Chen , Zhou Yuan , Li Haiwen , Xiao Weidong , Herzog Roland W. , Xu Jie , Zhang Jifeng , Chen Y. Eugene , Han Renzhi
Published: June 2023

Background

Gene editing has emerged as an exciting therapeutic development platform for numerous genetic and nongenetic diseases. Targeting lipid-modulating genes such as angiopoietin-related protein 3 (ANGPTL3) with gene editing offers hope for a permanent solution to lower cardiovascular disease risks associated with hypercholesterolemia.

Results

In this study, we developed a hepatocyte-specific base editing therapeutic approach delivered by dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) to enable hepatocyte-specific targeting of Angptl3 to lower blood lipid levels. Systemic AAV9-mediated delivery of AncBE4max, a cytosine base editor (CBE), targeting mouse Angptl3 resulted in the installation of a premature stop codon in Angptl3 with an average efficiency of 63.3 ± 2.3% in the bulk liver tissue. A near-complete knockout of the ANGPTL3 protein in the circulation were observed within 2–4 weeks following AAV administration. Furthermore, the serum levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were decreased by approximately 58% and 61%, respectively, at 4 weeks after treatment.

Conclusions

These results highlight the promise of liver-targeted Angptl3 base editing for blood lipid control.
A large-scale data security detection method based on continuous time graph embedding framework
Authors: Liu Zhaowei , Che Weishuai , Wang Shenqiang , Xu Jindong , Yin Haoyu
Published: June 2023

Graph representation learning has made significant strides in various fields, including sociology and biology, in recent years. However, the majority of research has focused on static graphs, neglecting the temporality and continuity of edges in dynamic graphs. Furthermore, dynamic data are vulnerable to various security threats, such as data privacy breaches and confidentiality attacks. To tackle this issue, the present paper proposes a data security detection method based on a continuous-time graph embedding framework (CTDGE). The framework models temporal dependencies and embeds data using a graph representation learning method. A machine learning algorithm is then employed to classify and predict the embedded data to detect if it is secure or not. Experimental results show that this method performs well in data security detection, surpassing several dynamic graph embedding methods by 5% in terms of AUC metrics. Furthermore, the proposed framework outperforms other dynamic baseline methods in the node classification task of large-scale graphs containing 4321477 temporal information edges, resulting in a 10% improvement in the F1 score metric. The framework is also robust and scalable for application in various data security domains. This work is important for promoting the use of continuous-time graph embedding framework in the field of data security.
Ensuring security in edge computing through effective blockchain node detection
Authors: Wang Shenqiang , Liu Zhaowei , Wang Haiyang , Wang Jianping
Published: June 2023

The rapid development of blockchain technology has garnered increasing attention, particularly in the field of edge computing. It has become a significant subject of research in this area due to its ability to protect the privacy of data. Despite the advantages that blockchain technology offers, there are also security threats that must be addressed. Attackers may manipulate certain nodes in the blockchain network, which can result in tampering with transaction records or other malicious activities. Moreover, the creation of a large number of false nodes can be utilized to gain control and manipulate transaction records of the blockchain network, which can compromise the reliability and security of edge computing. This paper proposes a blockchain node detection method named $$T^2A2vec$$

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that provides a more secure, credible, and reliable solution to address these challenges. In order to achieve $$T^2A2vec$$

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, a transaction dataset that is evenly distributed in both space and time was collected. The transaction dataset is constructed as a transaction graph, where nodes represent accounts and edges describe transactions. BP neural network is used to extract account features, and a random walk strategy based on transaction time, type, and amount is used to extract transaction features. The obtained account features and transaction features are fused to obtain account representation. Finally, the obtained node representation is fed into different classifiers to identify malicious nodes.
Effects of DIF in MST routing in ILSAs
Authors: Valdivia Medinaceli Montserrat , Rutkowski Leslie , Svetina Valdivia Dubravka , Rutkowski David
Published: June 2023

The advance and access to technology have allowed for the implementation of adaptive testing in international large-scale assessments (ILSAs). Multistage testing (MST) in ILSAs offers opportunities and advantages compared to linear testing. However, when dozens of highly heterogeneous systems participate in ILSAs, the sources of heterogeneity pose challenges to any cross-cultural measurement endeavor. With the recent implementation of adaptive designs in ILSAs, little is known about differential item functioning (DIF) effects, mainly when an MST design is used in an ILSA context. Through a simulation study grounded on the empirical basis of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) data, this paper examines the impact of DIF in MST routing in ILSA under different routing strategies. Results showed that Merit routing is highly accurate even when the amount and magnitude of DIF is high, whereas suboptimal routing showed poor accuracy across DIF conditions. As expected, Merit routing has better proficiency recovery parameters than a suboptimal routing mechanism. Implications and recommendations for test developers are included in the discussion section.
The effect of embedded structures on cognitive load for novice learners during block-based code comprehension
Authors: Hao Xiaoxin , Xu Zhiyi , Guo Mingyue , Hu Yuzheng , Geng Fengji
Published: June 2023

Background

Coding has become an integral part of STEM education. However, novice learners face difficulties in processing codes within embedded structures (also termed nested structures). This study aimed to investigate the cognitive mechanism underlying the processing of embedded coding structures based on hierarchical complexity theory, which suggests that more complex hierarchies are involved in embedded versus sequential coding structures. Hierarchical processing is expected to place a great load on the working memory system to maintain, update, and manipulate information. We therefore examined the difference in cognitive load induced by embedded versus sequential structures, and the relations between the difference in cognitive load and working memory capacity.

Results

The results of Experiment 1 did not fully support our hypotheses, possibly due to the unexpected use of cognitive strategies and the way stimuli were presented. With these factors well controlled, a new paradigm was designed in Experiment 2. Results indicate that the cognitive load, as measured by the accuracy and response times of a code comprehension task, was greater in embedded versus sequential conditions. Additionally, the extra cognitive load induced by embedded coding structures was significantly related to working memory capacity.

Conclusions

The findings of these analyses suggest that processing embedded coding structures exerts great demands on the working memory system to maintain and manipulate hierarchical information. It is therefore important to provide scaffolding strategies to help novice learners process codes across different hierarchical levels within embedded coding structures.
Thoracoscopic esophageal drainage for tracheal compression due to mucocele after esophagogastric bypass: a case report
Authors: Yamashita Takeshi , Otsuka Koji , Goto Satoru , Ariyoshi Tomotake , Motegi Kentaro , Kohmoto Masahiro , Saito Akira , Fujimasa Koichiro , Sato Yoshihito , Kato Rei , Sawatani Tetsuo , Murakami Masahiko
Published: June 2023

Background

Esophagogastric bypass is performed for esophageal strictures. Mucus retention, known as mucocele, sometimes occurs at the stricture oral side of the remnant esophagus. It is often asymptomatic and is expected to be naturally decompressed, but it may cause respiratory failure depending on the case. Herein, we report a case in which we successfully performed thoracoscopic esophageal drainage as emergency airway management due to tracheal compression by a mucocele after esophagogastric bypass for unresectable esophageal cancer with esophagobronchial fistula.

Case presentation

A 56-year-old man underwent esophageal bypass surgery for an unresectable esophageal carcinoma with an esophagobronchial fistula following chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Nine months after bypass surgery, he experienced severe dyspnea due to tracheal compression caused by mucus retention on the oral side of the esophageal tumor. We planned thoracoscopic surgery for mucus retention drainage through the right thoracic cavity to secure the airway as an emergency procedure under general anesthesia. Intubation can be performed safely by guiding bronchoscopy in the semi-supine position. Upper esophageal dilation was observed on the cranial side of the azygos arch. We dissected the mediastinal pleura of the upper thoracic esophagus and exposed its wall. A 12-Fr silicone drain was placed in the esophagus through the right chest wall and 120 ml of white fluid was aspirated. He was discharged 9 days after surgery without complications and resumed treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor 23 days after surgery. Thereafter, he continued chemotherapy for esophageal cancer, but died of tumor progression and lung metastasis 35 months after bypass surgery and 25 months after thoracoscopic surgery.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic esophageal drainage could be performed safely as emergency airway management, shorten the period of discontinuance, and allow cancer treatment to be resumed promptly. We believe that this thoracoscopic procedure is an effective and less invasive method if the percutaneous approach is difficult.