bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ZMENY V CIVILNEJ EXEKÚCII – DONUCOVACIE OPATRENIA
Authors: Koľveková Viktória
Published: March 2024

Cieľom predkladaného článku je poukázať na najvýznamnejšie legislatívne zmeny v exekučnom práve účinné od 1.4.2023, ktoré sa týkajú najmä zavedenia tzv. donucovacích opatrení, ako aj zmien v oblasti vymáhania nepeňažných plnení. Predkladaný článok sa vo vzťahu k ostatnej novele Exekučného poriadku obmedzuje výlučne na analýzu inštitútu donucovacích opatrení, podstatou ktorých je možnosť exekučných orgánov vynucovať plnenie parciálnych procesných povinností povinného a ďalších subjektov vymedzených Exekučným poriadkom, čím sa má dosiahnuť efektívnejšie vedenie exekučného konania, a jeho čo najrýchlejšie skončenie. Úmyslom autorky je preto poukázať na vplyv aktuálnych legislatívnych zmien na realizáciu rýchlej a efektívnej civilnej exekúcie podľa Exekučného poriadku a overiť hypotézu, či ostatná novela Exekučného poriadku je spôsobilá naplniť zámer prezentovaný zákonodarcom v dôvodovej správe.
Survei kekuatan otot lengan, koordinasi mata-tangan dan kemampuan smash pada peserta ekstrakurikuler bolavoli SMA Negeri 1 Bululawang
Authors: Prayoga Fatih , Tomi Agus , Yudasmara Dona Sandy
Published: March 2024

Permasalahan penelitian yang peneliti ambil ialah masih terdapat kurang di teknik kemampuan smash bola voli peserta putra ekstrakurikuler SMAN 1 Bululawang. Penelitian dilakukan untuk mendeskripsikan tingkat power otot lengan, koordinasi mata-tangan dan kemampuan smash. Penelitian bertujuan untuk melihat tingkat power otot lengan, koordinasi mata-tangan dan kemampuan smash. Penelitian menggunakan penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif dengan metode survei tes. Sampel penelitian ialah 15 siswa dengan teknik pengambilan purposive sampling. Instrumen menggunakan tes, saat melaksanakan kegiatan tes direkam dan ditambah dokumentasi. Tes yang dilaksanakan meliputi power otot lengan, koordinasi mata dan tangan dan kemampuan smash. Dari hasil penelitian menunjukan power otot lengan peserta secara keseluruhan memiliki persentase sebesar 51% termasuk dalam kategori kurang, selanjutnya pada koordinasi mata-tangan memiliki persentase sebesar 28% termasuk dalam kategori kurang sekali, sedangkan  kemampuan smash memiliki persentase sebesar 64% termasuk dalam kategori cukup. Penelitian ini bisa disimpulkan maka kekuatan otot lengan belum signifikan terhadap kemampuan smash, koordinasi mata dan tangan belum signifikan terhadap kemampuan smash dan kekuatan otot lengan dan koordinasi mata-tangan terdapat hubungan yang signifikan terhadap kemampuan smash.
Five Considerations when Selecting Adjunctive Treatment for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: EMJ
Published: March 2024

This infographic explores five key considerations when adjunctive treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) are added to an existing regimen. Shedding light on treatment options, including non-pharmacological interventions and neurostimulation, this infographic compiles data from anti-seizure medication prescribing information, and highlights that adding another therapy may not be as simple as it seems in patients with DRE.
A MORTE EM UTI NEONATAL SOB A VISÃO DE SEUS PROFISSIONAIS, UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA
Authors: Silvestre Rafaelly Kultz , Dolinski Dirleia Aparecida , Aggio Cristiane de Melo
Published: March 2024

Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura com busca realizada na base de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Após o uso dos descritores (UTI Neonatal, Morte) e aplicação dos filtros foram encontrados 97 artigos. Avaliaram-se os tí­tulos, resumos e por fim foi realizada a leitura de um artigo que respondeu a questão norteadora e critérios de inclusão e foi utilizado no estudo. Como resultado verificou-se que os profissionais de enfermagem que atuam nas UTIs Neonatais diante da morte de pacientes vivenciam sentimentos como: tristeza, impotência, incapacidade e frustração. Os profissionais assemelham o cuidado ao paciente com o prestado a um ente querido, sendo a morte uma das situações mais difí­ceis para a enfermagem. Com esse estudo verificou-se a necessidade de outras pesquisas que contribuirão nessa área de conhecimento, pois ainda há poucos estudos relacionando o sentimento do profissional à morte do paciente internado em UTI Neonatal.
APROXIMAÇÃO ENTRE ARTE E MATEMÁTICA NO 6º ANO DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL
Authors: Fagundes da Silva Jennifer Priscila
Published: March 2024

O presente relato traz a experiência dos bolsistas do Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação à Docência – PIBID, da Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, alocados em uma escola estadual, no municí­pio de Novo Hamburgo/RS ao desenvolverem atividades em turmas de 6º ano do Ensino Fundamental no primeiro semestre de 2015. A fim de aproximar conceitos matemáticos da experiência artí­stica e embasados na contribuição teórica de diversos autores, entre eles Macedo (1997) que destaca nos jogos a construção do conhecimento através da análise e do raciocí­nio e Vasconcellos (2000) que acredita ser uma proposta pedagógica de qualidade e mobilizadora se o educador na condição de articulador do processo de ensino-aprendizagem conhecer a realidade com a qual trabalha. Neste artigo será descrita uma sequência de construções artí­sticas realizadas com os alunos a partir do material pedagógico composto por mosaicos geométricos, sendo os resultados obtidos a partir dos relatos dos alunos e das reflexões dos bolsistas Pibid.
Ultrafast spin-flip exciton conversion and narrowband sky-blue luminescence in a fused polycyclic selenaborin emitter
Authors: Keshri Sudhir K. , Liu Guanting , Yasuda Takuma
Published: March 2024

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials with high photoluminescence quantum yields and fast reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) capabilities are highly desirable for applications in high-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes. Herein, we report the synthesis as well as structural and photophysical properties of 5,9-diselena-13b-boranaphtho[3,2,1-de]anthracene (SeBSe) as a narrowband-emissive TADF material. The incorporation of two selenium atoms into the boron-fused pentacyclic π-core results in a small singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔEST) and thereby significant TADF properties. Moreover, theoretical calculations revealed a noticeable spin-orbit coupling enhancement between the singlet and triplet manifolds in SeBSe by virtue of the heavy-atom effect of selenium atoms. Consequently, SeBSe allows ultrafast spin-flip RISC with the rate constant surpassing 108 s−1, which far exceeds the corresponding fluorescence radiative decay rate (∼106 s−1), enabling an ideal singlet–triplet superimposed excited state.
Identification of kinase modulators as host-directed therapeutics against intracellular methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: van den Biggelaar Robin H. G. A. , Walburg Kimberley V. , van den Eeden Susan J. F. , van Doorn Cassandra L. R. , Meiler Eugenia , de Ries Alex S. , Meijer Annemarie H. , Ottenhoff Tom H. M. , Saris Anno
Published: March 2024

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), poses a threat to successful antibiotic treatment. Unsuccessful attempts to develop a vaccine and rising resistance to last-resort antibiotics urge the need for alternative treatments. Host-directed therapy (HDT) targeting critical intracellular stages of S. aureus emerges as a promising alternative, potentially acting synergistically with antibiotics and reducing the risk of de novo drug resistance. We assessed 201 ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors from Published Kinase Inhibitor Sets (PKIS1 and PKIS2) against intracellular MRSA. Seventeen hit compounds were identified, of which the two most effective and well-tolerated hit compounds (i.e., GW633459A and GW296115X) were selected for further analysis. The compounds did not affect planktonic bacterial cultures, while they were active in a range of human cell lines of cervical, skin, lung, breast and monocyte origin, confirming their host-directed mechanisms. GW633459A, structurally related to lapatinib, exhibited an HDT effect on intracellular MRSA independently of its known human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/(HER) kinase family targets. GW296115X activated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thereby enhancing bacterial degradation via autophagy. Finally, GW296115X not only reduced MRSA growth in human cells but also improved the survival rates of MRSA-infected zebrafish embryos, highlighting its potential as HDT.
Research trends on the gut microbiota in endocrine metabolism: a thematic and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Doğan Durmus , Çelik Taylan
Published: March 2024

Background

Gut microbiota studies in the field of endocrinology metabolism have attracted increasing attention in recent years. To comprehensively assess the evolving landscape of this research field, we conducted a thorough bibliometric analysis of gut microbiota studies in endocrinology metabolism indexed in the Web of Science database.

Methods

We collected and analyzed 3,339 original research articles and reviews published from 1972 to 2023. Using various bibliometric indicators, we investigated publication trends, country contributions, international collaborations, prolific authors, top journals, and influential articles.

Results

Our analysis revealed a significant upsurge in publications after 2010, indicating a growing scientific interest in microbiota and endocrinology metabolism. Keyword and thematic analyses have identified gut microbiota, obesity, diabetes, and inflammation as core research themes. Additionally, the roles of probiotics and prebiotics are increasingly researched for their therapeutic effects in shaping the microbiota.

Conclusion

This study reveals that research in endocrinology metabolism is increasingly decoding the connection between gut microbiota and diseases. There’s also a growing focus on microbiota manipulation, which points to a shift towards personalized medicine. Future research should focus on integrating these findings into clinical practice, moving from lab-based studies to real-world patient care.
The impact of dyslipidemia on prognosis of patients after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Luo Xin , Guo Qiang , Wang Jiarong , Li Yiyuan , Zhao Jichun , Huang Bin , Chen Xiyang
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Dyslipidemia is common in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, there is insufficient research on the impact of dyslipidemia on the postoperative outcomes of patients with AAA after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). This study aimed to determine the impact of dyslipidemia on the prognosis of patients with AAA treated with EVAR.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed patients with AAA who underwent EVAR at our hospital between 2010 and 2020. The baseline characteristics and prognoses of patients in the dyslipidemia and non-dyslipidemia groups were analyzed.

Results

A total of 641 patients were included; the prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients with AAA was 42.3% (271/641), and the mean follow-up time was 63.37 ± 26.49 months. The prevalence of diabetes (10.0% vs. 15.1%, P = 0.050), peripheral arterial disease (17.3% vs. 25.8%, P = 0.018), and chronic kidney disease (3.0% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.043) was higher in the dyslipidemia group. The three-year all-cause mortality rate after EVAR was 9.98% (64/641), and there was no difference in the incidence of all-cause mortality (10.27% vs. 9.59%, P = 0.778) between the two groups. A total of 36 (5.62%) major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were observed within 3 years and were more common in patients with dyslipidemia (2.97% vs. 9.59%, P < 0.001). The incidence of stent-related complications in all patients was 19.97% (128/641), and there was no difference in the incidence of stent-related complications between the two groups (22.16% vs. 16.97%, P = 0.105); however, the incidence of type I endoleak in the dyslipidemia group was lower than that in the non-dyslipidemia group (9.19% vs. 4.06%, P = 0.012). Cox-regression analysis showed that high level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was the protective factor (HR, 0.203, 95% CI, 0.067–0.616, P = 0.005) for MACCES, but it was the risk factor for type I endoleak (HR, 2.317, 95% CI, 1.202–4.466, P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Dyslipidemia did not affect the mortality of patients with AAA who underwent EVAR; however, it may increase the incidence of MACCEs. Dyslipidemia may decrease the incidence of type I endoleaks after EVAR; however, further studies are warranted. We should strengthen the postoperative management of patients with dyslipidemia, prevent the occurrence of MACCEs.
Comparison of the RF-CL and CACS-CL models to estimate the pretest probability of obstructive coronary artery disease and predict prognosis in patients with stable chest pain and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chen Tao , Shao Dujing , Zhao Jia , Xiu Mingwen , Li Yaoshuang , He Miao , Tan Yahang , An Yanchun , Zhang Xiangchen , Zhao Jia , Zhou Jia
Published: March 2024

Background

The most appropriate tool for estimating the pretest probability (PTP) of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and stable chest pain (SCP) remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to validate and compare two recent models, namely, the risk factor-weighted clinical likelihood (RF-CL) model and coronary artery calcium score (CACS)-weighted clinical likelihood (CACS-CL) model, in these patient populations.

Methods

A total of 1,245 symptomatic patients with DM, who underwent CACS and coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) scan, were identified and followed up. PTP of obstructive CAD for each patient was estimated using the RF-CL model and CACS-CL model, respectively. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to assess the performance of models. The associations of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with risk groups were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Compared with the RF-CL model, the CACS-CL model revealed a larger AUC (0.856 vs. 0.782, p = 0.0016), positive IDI (12%, p < 0.0001) and NRI (34%, p < 0.0001), stronger association to MACE (hazard ratio: 0.26 vs. 0.38) and less discrepancy between observed and predicted probabilities, resulting in a more effective risk assessment to optimize downstream clinical management.

Conclusion

Among patients with DM and SCP, the incorporation of CACS into the CACS-CL model resulted in a more accurate estimation for PTP and prediction of MACE. Utilizing the CACS-CL model, instead of the RF-CL model, might have greater potential to avoid unnecessary and omissive cardiovascular imaging testing with minimal cost.
Exploring the boundaries of authorship: a comparative analysis of AI-generated text and human academic writing in English literature
Authors: Amirjalili Forough , Neysani Masoud , Nikbakht Ahmadreza
Published: March 2024

As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly permeates educational landscapes, its impact on academic writing has become a subject of intense scrutiny. This research delved into the nuanced dimensions of authorship and voice in academic writing, specifically focusing on the application of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. In this study, the research team compared and contrasted an essay written by one second-year English student for a course on English literature with a similar essay produced by ChatGPT. The current research also, tried to clarify whether artificial intelligence can satisfy the formal requirements of academic writing and maintain the distinctive voice inherent in human-authored content. The examination hinges on parameters such as assertiveness, self-identification, and authorial presence. Additionally, the researchers shed light on the challenges inherent in producing AI-generated academic text. While ChatGPT presented an ability to generate contextually relevant content, the results highlighted its need for support in guaranteeing factual accuracy and capturing the complex aspects of authorship that are common in human writing. Notably, when compared to human-generated text, the AI-generated text was deficient in terms of specificity, depth, and accurate source referencing. While AI has potential as an additional tool for academic writing, this study’s findings indicated that its current capabilities—particularly in producing academic text are limited, and remain constrained. This study emphasizes upon the imperative for continued refinement and augmentation of AI models to bridge the existing gaps in achieving a more seamless integration into the academic writing landscape.
Exploring the association between regional fat distribution and atrial fibrillation risks: a comprehensive cohort study
Authors: Wu Chenkai , Xu Yuefei , Xing Zhenhua
Published: March 2024

Background

The contribution of total fat mass and regional fat distribution to the risk of AF has rarely been studied.

Methods

This prospective cohort study(N=494,063) evaluated the association of total fat mass measured by fat percentage (FP) and regional fat measured by arm fat percentage (AFP), trunk fat percentage (TFP), and leg fat percentage (LFP) with incident AF. A subgroup (N = 25,581) underwent MRI, which allowed us to further assess whether visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) of the trunk fat exert different effects on AF incidence.

Results

Over, a median 12.9 ± 1.86 years of follow-up, 29,658 participants (cumulative rate: 6.0%) developed AF. Each 1-standard deviation (SD) increase in LFP was associated with a 16% lower risk of AF (HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.85). The association between FP and AF was weaker than that between LFP and AF (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.89, 0.92). AFP and TFP only had a marginal association with a lower incidence of AF. Both the VAT and ASAT showed a U-shaped relationship with incident AF.

Conclusions

Fat mass, mainly leg fat mass, was associated with a lower risk of AF. ASAT did not exert protective effects.
Editorial: Ecological restoration in drylands: toward land degradation neutrality
Authors: Deng Jifeng , Xie Shengbo , Gao Guanglei , Gholami Hamid
Published: March 2024

Land degradation neutrality (LDN) has been defined as “a state whereby the amount and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services remains stable or increases within specified temporal and spatial scales and ecosystems.” In practice, the application and success of LDN in drylands vary greatly depending on the targeted ecosystem services and the impacts of environmental conditions and various restoration methods on the efficacy and sustainability of restoration. In this editorial, we summarize the most viewed and downloaded articles contributing to the Research Topic “Ecological Restoration in Drylands: Toward Land Degradation Neutrality” of the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science.
Case report: unprecedented case of infantile cerebral infarction following COVID-19 and favorable outcome
Authors: Zheng Shuhong , Chen Hairui , Xu Weiwei , Li Haifeng , Chen Zhongyu , Li Jianhua , Tao Enfu
Published: March 2024

The 2019 novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was highly prevalent in China as of December 2022, causing a range of symptoms, predominantly affecting the respiratory tract. While SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is generally mild, severe cases, especially in infants, are rare. We present a case of a previously healthy 7-month-old infant who developed cerebral infarction and coagulation dysfunction three days after COVID-19 onset. Clinically, the infant had weakness in the left limbs and pinpoint bleeding spots. A cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed ischemic strokes in the right basal ganglia and thalamus. Laboratory tests indicated thrombocytopenia and coagulation dysfunction. Inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-10 were elevated, with increased CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes but decreased CD3- CD16+ CD56+ natural killer cells. Treatment included mannitol, dexamethasone, oral aspirin, and vitamins B1 and B6 for reducing intracranial pressure, antiinflammation, anticoagulation, and nerve support, respectively. During the recovery phase, rehabilitation therapy focused on strength training, fine motor skills, and massage therapy. The infant gradually improved and successfully recovered. While rare, such cases can lead to severe complications. These combined efforts were instrumental in achieving significant functional recovery in the patient, demonstrating that even in severe instances of pediatric cerebral infarction due to COVID-19, positive outcomes are attainable with early and comprehensive medical response.
The interplay of inflammation and placenta in maternal diabetes: insights into Hofbauer cell expression patterns
Authors: Tauber Zdenek , Burianova Adela , Koubova Katerina , Mrstik Max , Jirkovska Marie , Cizkova Katerina
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Inflammation of the placenta is harmful to both the fetus and the mother. Inflammation is strongly associated with diabetes, a common complication of pregnancy. Hofbauer cells (HBCs), unique immune system cells of fetal origin in the placenta, play complex roles, including growth of placental villi and their branching, stromal remodelling, and angiogenesis.

Methods

Our study investigated the expression of IL-1β, IL-10, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2J2 and sEH in HBCs from patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to healthy controls using immunohistochemistry. We also assessed the structure of the villus stroma using Masson´s trichrome.

Results

In T1DM, HBCs showed inflammatory activation characterised by increased IL-1β and decreased CYP epoxygenase expression compared to normal placentas. Conversely, significant inflammation in HBCs appeared less likely in GDM, as levels of IL-1β and CYP epoxygenases remained stable compared to normal placentas. However, GDM showed a significant increase in sEH expression. Both types of diabetes showed delayed placental villous maturation and hypovascularisation, with GDM showing a more pronounced effect.

Conclusion

The expression profiles of IL-1β, CYP epoxygenases and sEH significantlly differ between controls and diabetic placentas and between T1DM and GDM. These facts suggest an association of the CYP epoxygenase-EETs-sEH axis with IL-1β expression as well as villous stromal hypovascularisation. Given the stable high expression of IL-10 in both controls and both types of diabetes, it appears that immune tolerance is maintained in HBCs.
Impact of patient-centered communication on patient satisfaction scores in patients with chronic life-limiting illnesses: an experience from Kenya
Authors: Sirera Betty , Naanyu Violet , Kussin Peter , Lagat David
Published: March 2024

Background

Patient satisfaction remains a key area of interest worldwide; utilizing a patient-centered communication approach, particularly with patients with chronic life-limiting illnesses may be one way to achieve this. However, there is a dearth of empirical information on the effect of patient-centered communication strategies in patients with chronic life-limiting illnesses in Kenya on patient satisfaction.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of patient-centered communication on patient satisfaction.

Methods

We conducted our study at a tertiary teaching and referral hospital in Kenya. We utilized a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test study design and engaged 301 adult medical in-patients with chronic life limiting conditions. We randomized them to receive patient-centered communication, and evaluated the change in patient satisfaction scores using an adapted Medical Interview satisfaction Scale 21 (MISS 21).

Results

Two hundred and seventy-eight out of 301 recruited participants completed the study. The baseline characteristics of the participants randomized to the control and intervention arms were similar. Although both the control and intervention arms had a decline in the mean difference scores, the intervention arm recorded a larger decline, −15.04 (−20.6, −9.47) compared to −7.87 (−13.63, −2.12), with a statistically significant mean difference between the two groups at −7.16 (−9.67, −4.46). Participants in the intervention arm were less likely to: understand the cause of their illness (p < 0.001), understand aspects of their illness (p < 0.001), understand the management plan (p < 0.001), receive all the relevant information on their health (p < 0.001), and to receive adequate self-care information (p < 0.001). They were also less likely to acknowledge a good interpersonal relationship with the healthcare providers (p < 0.001), to feel comfortable discussing private issues (p < 0.004), and to feel that the consultation time was adequate (p < 0.001).

Conclusion and recommendation

Contrary to expectation, patient-centered communication did not result in improved patient satisfaction scores. Further studies can evaluate factors affecting and explaining this relationship and assess intermediate and long-term effects of provision of a patient-centered communication in diverse global contexts.
Association between early spontaneous abortion and homocysteine metabolism
Authors: Lei Fangliang , Zhang Lili , Wang Li , Wu Wentao , Wang Fei
Published: March 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of homocysteine (HCY) metabolism and related factors on early spontaneous abortion.

Methods

We conducted a hospital-based case–control study and included a total of 500 cases and 1,000 controls in Shaanxi China. Pregnant women waiting for delivery in the hospital were interviewed to report their characteristics and other relevant information during pregnancy. The unconditional Logisitic regression model was applied to assess the association between early spontaneous abortion and HCY metabolism and related factors. The multiplicative model was applied to assess the effects of interaction of HCY metabolism and related factors on early spontaneous abortion. The logit test method of generalized structural equation model (GSEM) was used to construct the pathway diagram of HCY metabolism and related factors affecting early spontaneous abortion.

Results

Folic acid supplementation and adequate folic acid supplementation during periconception were the protective factors of early spontaneous abortion (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.38–0.65; OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.35–0.54). The serum folate deficiency, higher plasma HCY in early pregnancy, the women who carried the MTHFR 677TT genotype were the risk factors of early spontaneous abortion (OR = 5.87, 95% CI: 1.53–22.50; OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.14–7.57; OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.20–4.50). The women’s educational level and maternal and child health care utilization affected the occurrence of early spontaneous abortion by influencing the folic acid supplementation during periconception. The folic acid supplementation during periconception affected the occurrence of early spontaneous abortion by influencing the level of serum folate or plasma HCY in early pregnancy. The maternal MTHFR 677 gene polymorphism affected the occurrence of early spontaneous abortion by influencing the level of serum folate in early pregnancy. In terms of the risks for early spontaneous abortion, there was multiplicative interaction between higher plasma HCY in early pregnancy, serum folate deficiency in early pregnancy and maternal MTHFR 677TT genotype (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.17–4.03), and there was multiplicative interaction between higher plasma HCY and serum folate deficiency in early pregnancy (OR = 3.46, 95% CI: 2.49–4.81), and there was multiplicative interaction between serum folate deficiency in early pregnancy and maternal MTHFR 677TT genotype (OR = 3.50, 95% CI: 2.78–5.18). The above interactions are all synergistic. The occurrence risk of early spontaneous abortion was significantly increased if multiple factors existed at the same time.

Conclusion

Our study is the first time to construct the pathway of HCY metabolism and related factors affecting early spontaneous abortion, and provides a comprehensively new idea to prevent and reduce the occurrence of spontaneous abortion.
Exploring the association between serum phosphate levels and mortality in patients hospitalized with infectious diseases: a nationwide study
Authors: Frenkel Amit , Shiloh Adi , Vinokur Victoria , Boyko Matthew , Binyamin Yair , Dreiher Jacob
Published: March 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine associations of serum phosphate levels with mortality, target organ damage and length of hospital stay in adults with infectious diseases hospitalized outside of the intensive care unit.

Methods

This nationwide retrospective cohort study comprised patients admitted with infections, to medical and surgical departments in eight tertiary hospitals during 2001–2020. The main exposure variable was the first serum phosphate levels at admission (up to 1 week). The analysis included multivariable logistic regression models and quantile regression.

Results

Of 126,088 patients (49% males, mean age: 69.3 years), 24,809 (19.7%) had decreased phosphate levels, 92,730 (73.5%) normal phosphate levels, and 8,549 (6.8%) elevated phosphate levels on admission. Overall- and in-hospital mortality rates were highest among those with hyperphosphatemia (74.5 and 16.4%, respectively), followed by those with normophosphatemia (57.0 and 6.6%), and lastly the hypophosphatemia group (48.7 and 5.6%); p < 0.001 for all. After adjusting for confounders, the lowest predicted mortality rate was observed in the normophosphatemia group. In the multivariable model, hyperphosphatemia conferred a higher probability of target organ damage (OR [95% CI]: 2.43 [2.06–2.86]), while moderate hypophosphatemia conferred a lower probability (OR [95% CI]: 0.73 [0.65–0.82]), compared to normal phosphate levels and extreme hypophosphatemia showed a non-significant association (OR [95% CI]: 0.87 [0.57–1.28]). The associations were independent of renal failure. In a multivariable model, hyperphosphatemia was associated with a slight increase of 0.33 days in length of stay compared to normal phosphate levels.

Conclusion

A J-shaped relation was found between phosphate levels and prognosis in patients hospitalized with infectious diseases, regardless of their renal function.
The role of PI3k/AKT signaling pathway in attenuating liver fibrosis: a comprehensive review
Authors: Shamsan Emad , Almezgagi Maged , Gamah Mohammed , Khan Naveed , Qasem Abdulkareem , Chuanchuan Liu , Haining Fan
Published: March 2024

Excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components within the liver leads to a pathological condition known as liver fibrosis. Alcohol abuse, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune issues, and viral hepatitis cause chronic liver injury. Exploring potential therapeutic targets and understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in liver fibrosis are essential for the development of effective interventions. The goal of this comprehensive review is to explain how the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway contributes to the reduction of liver fibrosis. The potential of this pathway as a therapeutic target is investigated through a summary of results from in vivo and in vitro studies. Studies focusing on PI3K/AKT activation have shown a significant decrease in fibrosis markers and a significant improvement in liver function. The review emphasizes how this pathway may prevent ECM synthesis and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, ultimately reducing the fibrotic response. The specific mechanisms and downstream effectors of the PI3K/AKT pathway in liver fibrosis constitute a rapidly developing field of study. In conclusion, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway plays a significant role in attenuating liver fibrosis. Its complex role in regulating HSC activation and ECM production, demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo, underscores its potential as a effective therapeutic approach for managing liver fibrosis and slowing disease progression. A comprehensive review of this field provides valuable insights into its future developments and implications for clinical applications.
Enterococcus casseliflavus regulates amino acid metabolism in edible insect Clanis bilineata tsingtauica: a functional metagenomics study
Authors: Qian Lei , Wang Yanhui , Deng Pan , Zhang Jia , Qin Yi , Li Zongnan , Liao Huaijian , Chen Fajun
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The soybean hawkmoth, Clanis bilineata tsingtauica, is an edible insect that possesses high nutritional, medicinal and economic value. It has developed into a characteristic agricultural industry in China.

Methods

The dominant gut bacterium in diapause larvae of soybean hawkmoths was identified by metagenomics, and the effect of diapause time on gut microbiome composition, diversity and function was investigated.

Results

Enterococcus and Enterobacter were measured to be the dominant genera, with Enterococcus casseliflavus and Enterococcus pernyi being the dominant species. Compared to the controls, the relative abundance of E. casseliflavus and E. pernyi on day 14 was lower by 54.51 and 42.45%, respectively. However, the species richness (including the index of Chao and ACE) of gut microbiota increased on day 28 compared to controls. The gene function was mainly focused on carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Metabolic pathways annotated for amino acids on day 14 increased by 9.83% compared to controls. It is speculated that diapause soybean hawkmoths may up-regulate amino acid metabolism by reducing E. casseliflavus abundance to maintain their nutritional balance. Additionally, tetracycline, chloromycetin and ampicillin were screened as the top three antibiotics against E. casseliflavus.

Discussion

This study not only extends our knowledge of gut microbiome in soybean hawkmoths at the species level, but also provides an initial investigation of gene functionality in interaction with insect hosts.
Comparison of B cells' immune response induced by PEDV virulent and attenuated strains
Authors: Yuan Chen , Zhao Xue , Feng Yawen , Chen Ligong , Lin Yidan , Li Tanqing , Song Qinye
Published: March 2024

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an acute, highly contagious enterovirus that infects pigs of all ages. The B cells are important for antigen presentation, antibody production, and cytokine secretion to resist infection. However, the role of B cells in PEDV infection remains unclear. In this study, the effects of PEDV virulent (QY2016) and attenuated strains (CV777) on B cells sorted from neonatal piglets, nursery piglets, and gilts were investigated. The results showed that PEDV-QY2016 and PEDV-CV777 could significantly increase the expression of CD54 and CD27 in B cells from neonatal piglets. The percentages of CD80, MHC II, and IgM expressed on neonatal piglet B cells infected with PEDV-QY2016 were significantly lower than those expressed on the B cells infected with PEDV-CV777. Both PEDV-QY2016 and PEDV-CV777 could stimulate IFN-α and GM-CSF secretions in neonatal piglet B cells; IL-1, IFN-α, and IL-4 secretion in nursery piglet B cells; and IL-1, TGF-β secretion, and GM-CSF in gilt B cells. Furthermore, both PEDV-QY2016 and PEDV-CV777 could induce the secretion of IgA, IgM, and IgG in nursery piglet B cells but could not induce the secretion of IgA, IgM, and IgG in neonatal piglet B cells. The secretion of IgA, IgM, and IgG was significantly higher by the PEDV-CV777 strains infected B cells than those by the PEDV-QY2016 strains infected gilt B cells. In conclusion, the surface molecule expression, cytokine secretion, and antibody production of B cells induced by PEDV are closely related to the ages of pigs and the virulence of the PEDV strain.
Genetically predicted causal effects of gut microbiota on spinal pain: a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Hong Shuangwei , Chen Longhao , Zhou Xingchen , Huang Yuanshen , Tian Yu , Hu Huijie , Yu Bei , Wu Hongjiao , Yang Chao , Lv Zhizhen , Lv Lijiang
Published: March 2024

Background

Observational studies have hinted at a correlation between the gut microbiota and spinal pain (SP). However, the impact of the gut microbiota on SP remains inconclusive.

Methods

In this study, we employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and SP, encompassing neck pain (NP), thoracic spine pain (TSP), low back pain (LBP), and back pain (BP). The compiled gut microbiota data originated from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted by the MiBioGen consortium (n = 18,340). Summary data for NP were sourced from the UK Biobank, TSP from the FinnGen Biobank, and LBP from both the UK Biobank and FinnGen Biobank. Summary data for BP were obtained from the UK Biobank. The primary analytical approach for assessing causal relationships was the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by various sensitivity analyses to ensure result robustness.

Results

The IVW analysis unveiled 37 bacterial genera with a potential causal relationship to SP. After Benjamini-Hochberg corrected test, four bacterial genera emerged with a strong causal relationship to SP. Specifically, Oxalobacter (OR: 1.143, 95% CI 1.061–1.232, P = 0.0004) and Tyzzerella 3 (OR: 1.145, 95% CI 1.059–1.238, P = 0.0007) were identified as risk factors for LBP, while Ruminococcaceae UCG011 (OR: 0.859, 95% CI 0.791–0.932, P = 0.0003) was marked as a protective factor for LBP, and Olsenella (OR: 0.893, 95% CI 0.839–0.951, P = 0.0004) was recognized as a protective factor for low back pain or/and sciatica. No significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was observed through alternative testing methods.

Conclusion

This study establishes a causal relationship between the gut microbiota and SP, shedding light on the “gut-spine” axis. These findings offer novel perspectives for understanding the etiology of SP and provide a theoretical foundation for potential interventions targeting the gut microbiota to prevent and treat SP.
Post-COVID postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): a new phenomenon
Authors: Cantrell Christopher , Reid Conor , Walker Claudia S. , Stallkamp Tidd Samantha J. , Zhang Ryan , Wilson Robert
Published: March 2024

Background

The impact of COVID-19 has been far-reaching, and the field of neurology is no exception. Due to the long-hauler effect, a variety of chronic health consequences have occurred for some post-COVID patients. A subset of these long-hauler patients experienced symptoms of autonomic dysfunction and tested positive for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) via autonomic testing.

Methods

We conducted a chart review of a convenience sample from patients seen by neurologists at our tertiary care center for suspicion of post-COVID POTS. Patients included in our study had clearly defined POTS based on clinical criteria and positive tilt table test, were 81.25% female, and had an average age of approximately 36. Out of 16 patients, 12 had a confirmed positive COVID test result, with the remaining 4 having strong clinical suspicion for COVID infection. Our analysis examined the most bothersome 3 symptoms affecting each patient per the neurologist’s note at their initial visit for post-COVID POTS, clinical presentation, comorbidities, neurological exam findings, autonomic testing results, and COMPASS-31 autonomic questionnaire and PROMIS fatigue survey results.

Results

Palpitations (68.75%) and fatigue (62.5%) were the most common of the impactful symptoms reported by patients in their initial Cleveland Clinic neurology visit. The most frequent comorbidities in our sample were chronic migraines (37.5%), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (18.75%), and Raynaud’s (18.75%). Neurological exam findings and autonomic testing results other than tilt table yielded variable findings without clear trends. Survey results showed substantial autonomic symptom burden (COMPASS-31 autonomic questionnaire average score 44.45) and high levels of fatigue (PROMIS fatigue survey average score 64.64) in post-COVID POTS patients.

Conclusion

Our sample of post-COVID POTS patients are similar to the diagnosed POTS general population including in comorbidities and autonomic testing. Fatigue was identified by patients as a common and debilitating symptom. We hope that our study will be an early step toward further investigation of post-COVID POTS with focus on the trends identified in this chart review.
AA-RGTCN: reciprocal global temporal convolution network with adaptive alignment for video-based person re-identification
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Lin Yanru , Yang Xu
Published: March 2024

Person re-identification(Re-ID) aims to retrieve pedestrians under different cameras. Compared with image-based Re-ID, video-based Re-ID extracts features from video sequences that contain both spatial features and temporal features. Existing methods usually focus on the most attractive image parts, and this will lead to redundant spatial description and insufficient temporal description. Other methods that take temporal clues into consideration usually ignore misalignment between frames and only focus on a fixed length of one given sequence. In this study, we proposed a Reciprocal Global Temporal Convolution Network with Adaptive Alignment(AA-RGTCN). The structure could address the drawback of misalignment between frames and model discriminative temporal representation. Specifically, the Adaptive Alignment block is designed to shift each frame adaptively to its best position for temporal modeling. Then, we proposed the Reciprocal Global Temporal Convolution Network to model robust temporal features across different time intervals along both normal and inverted time order. The experimental results show that our AA-RGTCN can achieve 85.9% mAP and 91.0% Rank-1 on MARS, 90.6% Rank-1 on iLIDS-VID, and 96.6% Rank-1 on PRID-2011, indicating we could gain better performance than other state-of-the-art approaches.
Nutritional support therapy for liver transplantation in an adult-onset type II citrullinemia patient: a case report
Authors: Du Yao , Fu Yang-Yang , Yue Yang , Han Bing , Zhang Wen-Jie , Yu De-Cai , Bian Xiao-Jie
Published: March 2024

Liver transplantation is an effective measure to treat adult-onset type II citrullinemia (CTLN2). Active and effective perioperative nutrition support is a very important treatment for the prognosis of such patients. In this paper, we analyzed the process, results, and outcome of nutritional support therapy in a case of CTLN2, and concluded that the perioperative nutritional support program for CTLN2 patients should be followed prior to surgery:1.because of the prevalence of severe malnutrition in CTLN2 patients, Enteral nutrition (EN) combined with Parenteral nutrition (PN) should be the first choice for nutritional support; 2. daily energy intake should be 35 ~ 40 kcal/kg; 3. the nutritional formula should be composed of low-carbohydrates and high medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). Postoperative: initiating EN as soon as possible is recommended to restore intestinal function and adjuvant PN might be taken into consideration in the early stage. The purpose of this case was to provide experience for the development and adjustment of the perioperative nutritional support regimen for CTLN2 patients.
Mechanisms of body fat distribution and gluteal-femoral fat protection against metabolic disorders
Authors: Alser Maha , Naja Khaled , Elrayess Mohamed A.
Published: March 2024

Obesity is a major health problem that affects millions of individuals, and it is associated with metabolic diseases including insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, Body fat distribution (BFD) rather than crude obesity is now considered as a more accurate factor associated with these diseases. The factors affecting BFD vary, from genetic background, epigenetic factors, ethnicity, aging, hormonal changes, to lifestyle and medication consumptions. The main goal of controlling BFD comes from the fact that fat accumulation in different depots has a different effect on the overall health and metabolic health of individuals. It is well established that fat storage in the abdominal visceral depot is associated with metabolic disorder occurrence, while gluteal-femoral subcutaneous fat depot seems to be protective against these diseases. In this paper, we will summarize the factors affecting fat distribution. Then, we will present evidence connecting gluteal-femoral fat depot with protection against metabolic disorders including IR, T2D, and CVDs. Finally, we will list the suggested mechanisms that lead to this protective effect. The abstract is visualized in Graphical Abstract.
Current status and progress of research on the ADP-dependent glucokinase gene
Authors: Guo Ningjing , Luo Qiong , Zheng Qixian , Yang Sheng , Zhang Suyun
Published: March 2024

ADP-dependent glucokinase (ADPGK) produces glucose-6-phosphate with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) as the phosphate group donor, in contrast to ATP-dependent hexokinases (HKs). Originally found in archaea, ADPGK is involved in glycolysis. However, its biological function in most eukaryotic organisms is still unclear, and the molecular mechanism of action requires further investigation. This paper provides a concise overview of ADPGK’s origin, biological function and clinical application. It aims to furnish scientific information for the diagnosis and treatment of human metabolic diseases, neurological disorders, and malignant tumours, and to suggest new strategies for the development of targeted drugs.
Multimodal ultrasound imaging: a method to improve the accuracy of sentinel lymph node diagnosis in breast cancer
Authors: Su Shanshan , Ye Jiayi , Ke Helin , Zhong Huohu , Lyu Guorong , Xu Zhirong
Published: March 2024

Aim

This study assessed the utility of multimodal ultrasound in enhancing the accuracy of breast cancer sentinel lymph node (SLN) assessment and compared it with single-modality ultrasound.

Methods

Preoperative examinations, including two-dimensional ultrasound (2D US), intradermal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), intravenous CEUS, shear-wave elastography (SWE), and surface localization, were conducted on 86 SLNs from breast cancer patients. The diagnostic performance of single and multimodal approaches for detecting metastatic SLNs was compared to postoperative pathological results.

Results

Among the 86 SLNs, 29 were pathologically diagnosed as metastatic, and 57 as non-metastatic. Single-modality ultrasounds had AUC values of 0.826 (intradermal CEUS), 0.705 (intravenous CEUS), 0.678 (2D US), and 0.677 (SWE), respectively. Intradermal CEUS significantly outperformed the other methods (p<0.05), while the remaining three methods had no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). Multimodal ultrasound, combining intradermal CEUS, intravenous CEUS, 2D US, and SWE, achieved an AUC of 0.893, with 86.21% sensitivity and 84.21% specificity. The DeLong test confirmed that multimodal ultrasound was significantly better than the four single-modal ultrasound methods (p<0.05). Decision curve analysis and clinical impact curves demonstrated the superior performance of multimodal ultrasound in identifying high-risk SLN patients.

Conclusion

Multimodal ultrasound improves breast cancer SLN identification and diagnostic accuracy.