bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Status of Engagement and Commitment of Faculty Members in Extension Services in BulSU External Campuses: Basis for an Action Plan
Authors: Sierto Maricel E. , Navarro Ricky J.
Published: November 2023

The main objective of this study is to determine the level of commitment of external campus faculty members to the implementation of extension services. In particular, this study sought answers to the following questions: (1) What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of gender, employment status, years in service, years in doing extension, and number of extension involvement? (2) What is the level of engagement of faculty members in external campuses in conducting extension services? (3)What is the level of commitment of faculty members in external campuses in conducting extension services? (4) What action plan may be developed to improve the involvement of faculty members in external campuses in conducting extension services? This study used a descriptive study using a questionnaire to collect relevant data. The results show that (1) More female faculty members provide extensions compared to male faculty members. Full-time faculty must provide extension services as one of their primary responsibilities; irregular may collaborate with permanent faculty. Because tenured faculty are aware of their core responsibilities, they must commit hours of extension activities even when they are available for teaching responsibilities. Regular faculty continue to be committed to extension services. (2) Faculty members show great appreciation in providing extension services and considering the efforts of the partner community because they believe that they are their potential partners in community development. (3) Faculty members provide extension services not only for accreditation purposes, but also to promote sustainable development, especially in marginalized areas.
Check Out or Call Out: Attitude-Driven Boycott Intention in The Fashion Industry
Authors: Balatbat Maricel S. , Ang Andrea Jean C. , Castillo Kharylle Camilla O. , Nañoz John Emmanuel R. , Blasa-Cheng Angelique C. , Vergara Raymond Allan G. , Vergara Kimberly Christie S.
Published: November 2023

Purpose – This paper aims to contribute to the study of the factors of consumers’ attitudes toward boycott intention. This examines how behavioral beliefs and attitudes are statistically related to boycott intention through the modified conceptual framework of Ajzen’s Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior.

Design/methodology/approach – Human behavior concerning boycott intentions is studied using a sequential explanatory research design. Data are obtained from 90 valid respondents through questionnaires and 8 interviewees from focus group discussions. It was analyzed using regression analysis and Baheiraei's points of integration.

Findings – Animosity, legitimacy, and boycott attitude significantly affect boycott intention. Boycott attitude served as a mediator between legitimacy and boycott intention. Weak evidence shows that ethical relativism and animosity significantly affect boycott attitudes.

Research Limitations/Implications – The study is limited to millennials and Generation Z Filipino fashion consumers who have substantial purchasing power and awareness of social events.

Practical/Social Implications – This paper shall help companies and researchers better understand the motives behind boycott intentions for ethical decision-making processes and further engage in social and moral involvements within the community.

Originality/value – The study proposes the addition of relevant variables to studies on boycott intention in the fashion industry. This may help increase the understanding of consumer attitudes leading to boycotts and aid a company in countering boycotts.
A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of School-Based Physical Activity Research
Authors: Dofredo Kyla H. , Pinlac Jelene T. , Pineda Kylah R. , Gatus Lovely L. , Briñas Norlito Nickson N. , Miranda John Paul P. , Tolentino Julius Ceazar G.
Published: November 2023

Physical activity has captured considerable interest from international academic scholars due to its fundamental role in maintaining optimal health. Thus, this study sought to examine the scholarly articles on school-based physical activity, employing a comprehensive bibliometric analysis extracted from the Scopus database spanning 2013 to 2023. A filtering protocol was utilized to guide the selection of articles, and analyses were facilitated solely by Python programming. This research yielded extensive insights encompassing document type, publication rates, citation rates, prevalent keywords, and geographic distribution. The results revealed the prominence of "Articles" as the primary document category. Notably, the year 2020 was observed as the highest publication count, with 2014 being the peak year for citation rates. However, both publication and citation patterns exhibited substantial fluctuations. These analyses collectively identify the United States as the largest contributor among the top ten countries, accompanied by substantial contributions from European nations. The analysis of the top 50 most-cited journal articles indicates a prevalence of articles authored by one to five individuals, with a peak in publications during 2014, followed by a gradual decline. Notably, the keyword "children" prominently emerges across the datasets, underscoring its frequent utilization in the context of school-based physical activity research.
Buku Pintar Diabetes Melitus Tipe 1 pada Anak
Authors: Tjahjono Harjoedi Adji , Ariani Ariani , Handayani Dian , Salim Irfan Agus , Mutaqin Fadilah , Kusumastuty Inggita , Putri Fara Felisa , Oktavia Nur Intan , Miamaretta Alifia , Salsabiila Syahidah , Astami Cahya Pandya , Rachman Manarul Iman Alfafa , Habibi Muhammad Luqman , Permata Angeline Asti Shiela
Published: November 2023

Diabetes Melitus Tipe 1 atau defisiensi insulin absolut yang terjadi pada anak saat ini semakin meningkat jumlahnya. Buku Pintar Diabetes Melitus (DM) Tipe 1 ini ditulis dengan harapan semakin meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat mengenai DM Tipe 1. Sayangnya di Indonesia, penegakan diagnosis diabetes pada anak ini terlambat dilakukan. Tidak jarang anak yang menderita DM Tipe 1 terdiagnosis saat sudah terjadi penyulit seperti Diabetes Ketoasidosis karena orang tua atau orang di sekitarnya tidak mengetahui tanda awal DM Tipe 1. Oleh karena itu, penting bagi keluarga dan masyarakat di sekitar anak mengetahui tanda klinis DM Tipe 1 dan apa yang harus dilakukan bila menemui kasus tersebut. Buku Pintar Diabetes Melitus Tipe 1 ini terdiri dari 8 Bab yang membahas tentang Materi Umum, Manajemen Diet, Aktivitas Fisik/Olahraga, Gangguan Pertumbuhan, Komplikasi Akut, Komplikasi Kronis, Puasa berkaitan dengan DM Tipe 1, dan Kualitas Hidup Anak dengan DM Tipe 1. Penulis berharap buku ini dapat memberikan manfaat untuk keluarga, volunteer pemerhati DM Tipe 1, dan masyarakat khususnya dalam mempelajari DM Tipe 1 yang jumlah kasusnya semakin kerap dijumpai.
Buku Pintar Merawat Orang Tua di Rumah
Authors: Sunarti Sri , Hayati Yati Sri , Hariyanti Tita
Published: November 2023

Buku ini semacam buku harian yang dapat diisi oleh keluarga yang membersamai orang tua di rumah. Aktivitas sehari-hari yang masih dapat dilakukan oleh orang tua hendaknya dituliskan dengan baik oleh keluarga. Hobi atau kesenangan yang masih ditekuni orang tua juga sebaiknya didokumentasikan. Keluhan yang diungkapkan atau adanya penyakit, kelainan, penurunan fungsi tubuh dan riwayat pengobatan lebih baik dicatat dengan baik, agar dapat membantu petugas kesehatan jika sewaktu-waktu membutuhkan data tersebut. Buku ini juga memandu keluarga untuk mengetahui kedaruratan yang terjadi dan penanganan sementara sebelum orang tua dibawa ke Rumah Sakit, serta di bagian akhir dari buku ini akan diberikan panduan sederhana mengenai beberapa penyakit kronis agar kondisi yang optimal dapat dicapai oleh orang tua kita. Kiranya buku sederhana ini dapat menjadi catatan penting bagi orang tua dan keluarga dalam menjalani hari- harinya dengan kualitas sebaik mungkin.
Ilmu dan Teknologi Pengolahan Madu Bubuk
Authors: Jaya Firman , Radiati Lilik Eka , Estiasih Teti , Rosyidi Djalal
Published: November 2023

Buku ini membahas mengenai ilmu dan teknologi pembuatan madu bubuk dimulai dengan menjelaskan mengenai karakteristik madu dan teknologi pascapanen madu sebagai persiapan bahan baku. Pembahasan mengenai madu bubuk dimulai dengan pemaparan dan permasalahan yang dihadapi dalam industri madu bubuk, teknologi pengolahan madu bubuk, transisi gelas pada madu bubuk, serta aplikasi madu bubuk dalam industri pangan. Selama ini beberapa buku yang terbit hanya membahas mengenai lebah dan produk madu saja, sedangkan olahan madu yang dibahas masih sebatas diversifikasi produk yang belum menyentuh teknologi yang secara detil menjelaskan seperti pada pembuatan madu bubuk ini. Hal inilah yang akan menjadi keistimewaan buku referensi berjudul “Ilmu dan Teknologi Pengolahan Madu Bubuk” karena memberikan informasi yang mendalam berdasarkan hasil-hasil penelitian dan jurnal nasional maupun internasional kepada para pembaca khususnya bagi mahasiswa, peneliti para peternak lebah madu di Indonesia, serta industri madu skala kecil atau besar.
Teori dan Praktik Kinematika Robot Lengan
Authors: Setiawan Eko , Budi Agung Setia
Published: November 2023

Robot makin banyak diterapkan dalam dunia industri dan kehidupan sehari-hari. Robot dimanfaatkan untuk membantu pekerjaan manusia agar manusia dapat menyelesaikan pekerjaan lebih efektif dan akurat. Dari berbagai jenis robot yang ada, robot lengan atau robot manipulator merupakan salah satu jenis robot yang paling banyak diterapkan, khususnya pada pekerjaan di industri. Agar dapat menggerakkan robot lengan sesuai dengan dengan keinginan, pengguna harus memahami kinematika robot lengan. Kinematika merupakan keilmuan untuk mempelajari pergerakan dari bagian-bagian robot tanpa memperhatikan gaya yang menyebabkan pergerakan itu. Perpindahan setiap bagian penyusun robot lengan akan menghasilkan perubahan posisi akhir dari robot lengan. Buku ini membahas keilmuan dasar yang diperlukan dalam mempelajari perpindahan lengan robot secara mendalam melalui teori dan praktik yang dihimpun dalam beberapa bab. Pokok bahasan yang dibahas meliputi jenis dan bagian robot, sistem koordinat, gerak rotasi dan translasi, kinematika maju, kinematika balik, serta praktik pemrograman pada perangkat robot lengan sederhana yang dikendalikan melalui mikrokontroler. Buku ini sangat cocok untuk mahasiswa, dosen, atau masyarakat umum yang tertarik untuk mempelajari pengetahuan dasar tentang robot lengan. Penjelasan terkait mekanisme pergerakan robot lengan pada titik koordinat disampaikan secara sederhana dengan dilengkapi gambar ilustrasi agar mudah dipahami. Penjelasan tentang kinematika robot lengan juga dituliskan dalam persamaan matematis yang jelas dan terstruktur. Selain itu, buku ini juga dilengkapi dengan contoh praktik pemrograman robot lengan menggunakan Arduino dan motor servo. Melalui praktik perangkat yang dibahas dalam buku ini, pembaca akan mendapatkan kemudahan dalam mempelajari dan memahami teori kinematika robot lengan.
On the Role of Morphological Information for Contextual
Lemmatization
Authors: Toporkov Olia , Agerri Rodrigo
Published: November 2023

Lemmatization is a natural language processing (NLP) task that consists of producing, from a given inflected word, its canonical form or lemma. Lemmatization is one of the basic tasks that facilitate downstream NLP applications, and is of particular importance for high-inflected languages. Given that the process to obtain a lemma from an inflected word can be explained by looking at its morphosyntactic category, including fine-grained morphosyntactic information to train contextual lemmatizers has become common practice, without considering whether that is the optimum in terms of downstream performance. In order to address this issue, in this article we empirically investigate the role of morphological information to develop contextual lemmatizers in six languages within a varied spectrum of morphological complexity: Basque, Turkish, Russian, Czech, Spanish, and English. Furthermore, and unlike the vast majority of previous work, we also evaluate lemmatizers in out-of-domain settings, which constitutes, after all, their most common application use. The results of our study are rather surprising. It turns out that providing lemmatizers with fine-grained morphological features during training is not that beneficial, not even for agglutinative languages. In fact, modern contextual word representations seem to implicitly encode enough morphological information to obtain competitive contextual lemmatizers without seeing any explicit morphological signal. Moreover, our experiments suggest that the best lemmatizers out-of-domain are those using simple UPOS tags or those trained without morphology and, lastly, that current evaluation practices for lemmatization are not adequate to clearly discriminate between models.
From al-ʿAṭṭār to Mušāqa: On the Music- Theoretical Debates in Damascus in the First Half of the 19th Century
Authors: Maraqa Salah Eddin
Published: November 2023

This article deals with the life and music-theoretical writings of the Damascene scholar Muḥammad al-ʿAṭṭār (1764–1828). The re-identification of a small treatise on music theory entitled Nubḏa mina l-mūsīqī as the latter’s Risāla that was mentioned and quoted by his student Mīḫāʾīl Mušāqa (1800–88) and the detailed analysis of it and his Rannat al-awtār led to a reconsideration of the emergence of the commonly called “modern” Arabic music theory, and to a reassessment of the role of al-ʿAṭṭār and Mušāqa in the establishment of the 24-tone equal temperament. A critical edition of the Nubḏa is attached to the article.
Space and Belonging in Suparto Brata’s Donyane Wong Culika (The World of the Untrustworthy)
Authors: Bogaerts Els
Published: November 2023

Exploring the representation of space and belonging in Javanese literature, I will use Suparto Brata’s novel Donyane wong culika (The World of the Untrustworthy, 2004) as a case study. Firstly, I will focus on how literary, linguistic and epistemological features shape and give meaning to Javanese spatiality and on how the references to Javanese customs, literary and cultural traditions, and the Javanese mind in the twentieth century may address and evoke feelings of belonging. Secondly, as the novel features historical events as a kind of backdrop, I will pay attention to what Le Juez and Richardson (2019) call the perceptions of associated loci and on how these loci articulate individual and collective memories of the 1965–66 events, a traumatic period in postcolonial Indonesian history.
The Influence of Personality Disorder Symptoms on Treatment Outcomes in Bipolar Disorder: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial: L’influence des symptômes du trouble de la personnalité sur les résultats du traitement dans le trouble bipolaire : Une analyse secondaire d’un essai randomisé contrôlé
Authors: Sarmiento Alessandra , Dean Olivia M. , Kavanagh Bianca E. , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Berk Michael , Dodd Seetal , Cotton Sue M. , Malhi Gin S. , Ng Chee H. , Turner Alyna
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Many people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder also have comorbid personality disorder. Few studies have explored how personality disorder may influence pharmacological treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to conduct a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial of adjunctive nutraceutical treatments for bipolar depression, to determine whether maladaptive personality traits influence treatment outcomes.

Methods

Scores on the Standardised Assessment of Personality – Abbreviated Scale screener were used to classify participants as having bipolar disorder with ( n = 119) and without ( n = 29) above threshold personality disorder symptoms (personality disorder). Outcome measures included: The Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impressions and Improvement Severity Scales, Patient Global Impressions–Improvement scale, Bipolar Depression Rating Scale, Range of Impaired Functioning Tool, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale and Quality of Life and Enjoyment Scale (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form). Generalised estimated equations examined the two-way interactions of personality disorder by time or treatment and investigated personality disorder as a non-specified predictor of outcomes.

Results

Over time, the Patient Global Impressions–Improvement scores were significantly higher in those in the personality disorder group. No other significant differences in the two-way interactions of personality disorder by treatment group or personality disorder by time were found. Personality disorder was a significant but non-specific predictor of poorer outcomes on the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale, Range of Impaired Functioning Tool, and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, regardless of time or treatment group.

Conclusions

This study highlights the potential impact of maladaptive personality traits on treatment outcomes and suggests that the presence of comorbid personality disorder may confer additional burden and compromise treatment outcomes. This warrants further investigation as does the corroboration of these exploratory findings. This is important because understanding the impact of comorbid personality disorder on bipolar disorder may enable the development of effective psychological and pharmacotherapeutic options for personalised treatments.
Assessing the Feasibility of a Faith-Based Colorectal Cancer Education and Screening Intervention for Latino Men in Pennsylvania
Authors: Luquis Raffy R. , Rodriguez-Colon Sol M. , Ramirez Sarah Ines , Lengerich Eugene J.
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Limited health knowledge, literacy, engagement in preventive health services, participation in health promotion behaviors, and cultural factors place Latino men at high risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a faith-based cancer education intervention focusing on Latino men between 45 and 74 years old. Methods: This pilot study used a single group pre- and post-intervention research design to compare changes in knowledge, perceived benefit of screening, perceived susceptibility and severity of CRC, and the completion of CRC screening after the intervention. Results: In this study, Latino men were willing to participate in a CRC educational intervention supported by a faith-based institution. The participants had limited knowledge about CRC, yet most recognized that screening is beneficial and that getting CRC is serious. Sixty percent of the participants completed the fecal immunochemical screening test, which showed that the intervention impacted the screening uptake among this group. Conclusion: The findings of this study support the further development of faith-based interventions focusing on Latino men.
Pharmacological profiling of a berbamine derivative for lymphoma treatment
Authors: Xu Senlin , Wu Shunquan , Zhang Mingfeng , Xie Jun , Lin Min , Jin Lihua , Zhang Jiawei , Wang Yangmeng , Fan Mingjie , Fang Zhipeng , Li Weini , Ouyang Ching , Kwon David , Que Natalie , Li Zhirou , Mao Jinge , Chen Haonan , Harris Josephine , Wu Xiwei , Wu Jun , Yin Hongwei , Chan Wing C. , Horne David , Huang Wendong
Published: November 2023

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II γ (CAMKIIγ) has been identified as a potential target for treating cancer. Based on our previous study of berbamine (BBM) as a CAMKIIγ inhibitor, we have synthesized a new BBM derivative termed PA4. Compared with BBM, PA4 showed improved potency and specificity and was more cytotoxic against lymphoma and leukemia than against other types of cancer. In addition to indirectly targeting c-Myc protein stability, we demonstrated that its cytotoxic effects were also mediated via increased reactive oxygen species production in lymphoma cells. PA4 significantly impeded tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft T-cell lymphoma mouse model. Pharmacokinetics studies demonstrated quick absorption into plasma after oral administration, with a maximum concentration of 1680 ± 479 ng/mL at 5.33 ± 2.31 hours. The calculated oral absolute bioavailability was 34.1%. Toxicity assessment of PA4 showed that the therapeutic window used in our experiments was safe for future development. Given its efficacy, safety, and favorable pharmacokinetic profile, PA4 is a potential lead candidate for treating lymphoma.
Deep learning predicts therapy-relevant genetics in acute myeloid leukemia from Pappenheim-stained bone marrow smears
Authors: Kockwelp Jacqueline , Thiele Sebastian , Bartsch Jannis , Haalck Lars , Gromoll Jörg , Schlatt Stefan , Exeler Rita , Bleckmann Annalen , Lenz Georg , Wolf Sebastian , Steffen Björn , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Schliemann Christoph , Risse Benjamin , Angenendt Linus
Published: November 2023

The detection of genetic aberrations is crucial for early therapy decisions in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and recommended for all patients. Because genetic testing is expensive and time consuming, a need remains for cost-effective, fast, and broadly accessible tests to predict these aberrations in this aggressive malignancy. Here, we developed a novel fully automated end-to-end deep learning pipeline to predict genetic aberrations directly from single-cell images from scans of conventionally stained bone marrow smears already on the day of diagnosis. We used this pipeline to compile a multiterabyte data set of >2 000 000 single-cell images from diagnostic samples of 408 patients with AML. These images were then used to train convolutional neural networks for the prediction of various therapy-relevant genetic alterations. Moreover, we created a temporal test cohort data set of >444 000 single-cell images from further 71 patients with AML. We show that the models from our pipeline can significantly predict these subgroups with high areas under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic. Potential genotype-phenotype links were visualized with 2 different strategies. Our pipeline holds the potential to be used as a fast and inexpensive automated tool to screen patients with AML for therapy-relevant genetic aberrations directly from routine, conventionally stained bone marrow smears already on the day of diagnosis. It also creates a foundation to develop similar approaches for other bone marrow disorders in the future.
Comparison of in-gel and in-solution proteolysis in the proteome profiling of organ perfusion solutions
Authors: Snashall Corinna M. , Sutton Chris W. , Faro Letizia Lo , Ceresa Carlo , Ploeg Rutger , Shaheed Sadr ul
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The organ perfusion solution (perfusate), collected at clinically and temporally significant stages of the organ preservation and transplantation process, provides a valuable insight into the biological status of an organ over time and prior to reperfusion (transplantation) in the recipient. The objective of this study was to assess two bottom-up proteomics workflows for the extraction of tryptic peptides from the perfusate.

Experimental design

Two different kinds of perfusate samples from kidney and liver trials were profiled using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The preparation of clean peptide mixtures for downstream analysis was performed considering different aspects of sample preparation; protein estimation, enrichment, in-gel and urea-based in-solution digestion.

Results

In-solution digestion of perfusate allowed identification of the highest number of peptides and proteins with greater sequence coverage and higher confidence data in kidney and liver perfusate. Key pathways identified by gene ontology analysis included complement, coagulation and antioxidant pathways, and a number of biomarkers previously linked to ischemia-reperfusion injury were also observed in perfusate.

Conclusions

This study showed that in-solution digestion is a more efficient method for LC-MS/MS analysis of kidney and liver organ perfusion solutions. This method is also quicker and easier than in-gel digestion, allowing for greater sample throughput, with fewer opportunities for experimental error or peptide loss.
The incidence of chronic diarrhea decreases with increasing serum calcium levels: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2005–2010
Authors: Li Xiaotong , Li Jiali , Cao Zhiqun , Kang Nan
Published: November 2023

Background

Chronic diarrhea is difficult to prevent and treat due to its complex etiology and pathogenesis. It places a huge burden on patients and public healthcare. It is known that the regulation of body homeostasis relies heavily on calcium. However, in the general population, the relationship between calcium and chronic diarrhea remains uncertain.

Methods

We assessed the association between serum calcium and diarrhea using data from the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Serum calcium level was measured from collected blood samples. Diarrhea was assessed using the Bristol Stool Scale (BSFS) (types 1–7). The stability of the results was assessed using logistic regression and sensitivity analysis. The dose–response association between serum calcium and the risk of diarrhea was analyzed using a restricted cubic spline plot.

Results

This study included 12,342 participants. In each of the five models, an increased calcium level was negatively associated with the incidence of diarrhea (OR[95%CI]:0.26 [0.13–0.53], 0.28 [0.14–0.58], 0.4 [0.19–0.82], 0.27 [0.11–0.64] and 0.24 [0.10–0.59], respectively). When serum calcium was analyzed as a categorical variable, a significant association between serum calcium and diarrhea prevalence was found. The restricted cubic spline plot showed a linear relationship between serum calcium and diarrhea. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that the results were stable.

Conclusion

The results of our cross-sectional study suggest that a higher level of serum calcium may reduce the incidence of diarrhea. In the future, this finding should be further validated in a randomized controlled trial.
Different lumbar fusion techniques for lumbar spinal stenosis: a Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Li Wei , Wei Haibin , Zhang Ran
Published: November 2023

Objective

To comprehensively compare and assess the effects of different lumbar fusion techniques in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched up to December 24, 2022 in this network meta-analysis. Outcomes were pain (pain, low back pain, and leg pain), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), complications, reoperation, and fusion. Network plots illustrated the direct and indirect comparisons of different fusion techniques for the outcomes. League tables showed the comparisons of any two fusion techniques, based on both direct and indirect evidence. The efficacy of each fusion technique for LSS was ranked by rank probabilities.

Results

Totally 29 studies involving 2,379 patients were eligible. For pain, percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) was most likely to be the best technique, followed by minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Percutaneous endoscopic posterior lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-PLIF) had the greatest likelihood to be the optimal technique for low back pain, followed sequentially by MIS-TLIF, minimally invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-PLIF), XLIF, Endo-TLIF, TLIF, oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), and posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF). MIS-PLIF was ranked the most effective technique concerning leg pain, followed by Endo-TLIF, MIS-TLIF, TLIF, Endo-PLIF, PLIF, OLIF, PLF, and XLIF. As regards JOA scores, Endo-TLIF had the maximum probability to be the best technique, followed by MIS-TLIF and TLIF. Endo-PLIF had the greatest likelihood to be the optimum technique for complications, followed by TLIF, MIS-TLIF, Endo-TLIF, OLIF, and XLIF.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive fusion techniques may be effective in the treatment of LSS, compared with traditional techniques. Minimally invasive techniques were likely non-inferior with regards to postoperative complications.
Selection of M7G-related lncRNAs in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma and their putative diagnostic and prognostic role
Authors: Zhong Shuangze , Chen Shangjin , Lin Hansheng , Luo Yuancheng , He Jingwei
Published: November 2023

Background

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system. This study aims to develop new biomarkers for KIRC and explore the impact of biomarkers on the immunotherapeutic efficacy for KIRC, providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of KIRC patients.

Methods

Transcriptome data for KIRC was obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified KIRC-related modules of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Intersection analysis was performed differentially expressed lncRNAs between KIRC and normal control samples, and lncRNAs associated with N(7)-methylguanosine (m7G), resulting in differentially expressed m7G-associated lncRNAs in KIRC patients (DE-m7G-lncRNAs). Machine Learning was employed to select biomarkers for KIRC. The prognostic value of biomarkers and clinical features was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. A nomogram was constructed based on biomarkers and clinical features, and its efficacy was evaluated using calibration curves and decision curves. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to investigate the functional enrichment of biomarkers. Correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between biomarkers and immune cell infiltration levels and common immune checkpoint in KIRC samples.

Results

By intersecting 575 KIRC-related module lncRNAs, 1773 differentially expressed lncRNAs, and 62 m7G-related lncRNAs, we identified 42 DE-m7G-lncRNAs. Using XGBoost and Boruta algorithms, 8 biomarkers for KIRC were selected. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed significant survival differences in KIRC patients with high and low expression of the PTCSC3 and RP11-321G12.1. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that AP000696.2, PTCSC3 and clinical characteristics were independent prognostic factors for patients with KIRC. A nomogram based on these prognostic factors accurately predicted the prognosis of KIRC patients. The biomarkers showed associations with clinical features of KIRC patients, mainly localized in the cytoplasm and related to cytokine-mediated immune response. Furthermore, immune feature analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in immune cell infiltration levels in KIRC samples compared to normal samples, with a negative correlation observed between the biomarkers and most differentially infiltrating immune cells and common immune checkpoints.

Conclusion

In summary, this study discovered eight prognostic biomarkers associated with KIRC patients. These biomarkers showed significant correlations with clinical features, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoint expression in KIRC patients, laying a theoretical foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of KIRC.
The validity of Engagement and Feedback Assessments (EFAs): identifying students at risk of failing
Authors: Kemp Paul R. , Bradshaw Jacob M. , Pandya Brijmohan , Davies Daniel , Morrell Mary J. , Sam Amir H.
Published: November 2023

Background

Imperial College School of Medicine, London UK, introduced a new curriculum in 2019, with a focus on the GMC outcomes for graduates, and pedagogy best practice. The new curriculum included formative assessments, named engagement and feedback assessments (EFAs), to support learning, and attainment in the summative examinations. The aims of this study were to assess the validity of EFAs and to determine whether they have utility as a modified form of programmatic assessment to inform decision-making regarding possible interventions by measuring and analysing attendance at and performance in these formative events.

Methods

Seven hundred and sixty-one students were included in the study and assessment results were included for academic years 2019/20 to 2020/21. Forty-one data points per student, (27 in Year 1 and 14 in Year 2) were used, to compare EFA scores with the summative performance. Attendance was monitored through engagement with the EFAs.

Results

Cohort 1 (enrolled 2019): In year 1, EFAs were associated with summative exam scores (overall r = 0.63, p < 0.001). Year 2, EFA scores were also associated with summative scores (overall r = 0.57, p < 0.001), including the clinical practical assessment (r = 0.45, p < 0.001).

Missing two or more EFAs was associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of failing one or more summative examinations in the first year (OR: 7.97, 95% CI 2.65–34.39) and second year (OR: 3.20, 95% CI 1.74–5.95). Missing more than two EFAs in their first year was also associated with a higher risk of failing a summative examination in the second year (OR: 2.47, 95% CI 1.33–4.71). Students who increased their attendance between year 1 and 2 fared better in summative assessment than those who maintained poor attendance, whereas those that reduced their attendance fared worse than those that maintained high attendance.

Cohort 2 (enrolled 2020): Analysis of cohort 2 supported these findings and in this cohort missing two or more EFAs was again associated with an increased likelihood of failing a summative examination (OR = 4.00, 95% CI = 2.02–7.90).

Conclusion

Our EFA model has validity in predicting performance in summative assessments and can inform prospective interventions to support students’ learning. Enhancing attendance and engagement can improve outcomes.
Proto-oncogene mutations in middle ear cholesteatoma contribute to its pathogenesis
Authors: Satoh Chisei , Yoshiura Koh-ichiro , Mishima Hiroyuki , Yoshida Haruo , Takahashi Haruo , Kumai Yoshihiko
Published: November 2023

Background

Chronic inflammation causes bone destruction in middle ear cholesteatomas (MECs). However, the causes of their neoplastic features remain unknown. The present study demonstrated for the first time that neoplastic features of MEC are based on proto-oncogene mutations.

Results

DNA was extracted from MEC and blood samples of five patients to detect somatic mutations using depth-depth exome sequencing. Exons with somatic variants were analyzed using an additional 17 MEC/blood test pairs. Variants detected in MECs but not in blood were considered pathogenic variant candidates. We analyzed the correlation between proto-oncogene (NOTCH1 and MYC) variants and the presence of bone destruction and granulation tissue formation. MYC and NOTCH1 variants were detected in two and five of the 22 samples, respectively. Two of the NOTCH1 variants were located in its specific functional domain, one was truncating and the other was a splice donor site variant. Mutations of the two genes in attic cholesteatomas (n = 14) were significantly related with bone destruction (p = 0.0148) but not with granulation tissue formation (p = 0.399).

Conclusions

This is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between neoplastic features of MEC and proto-oncogene mutations.
Identification and validation of autophagy-related genes in primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Xu Wanjing , Sun Yuhao , Zhao Shuang , Zhao Jun , Zhang Juanmei
Published: November 2023

Background

As the most common type of glaucoma, the etiology of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) has not been unified. Autophagy may affect the occurrence and development of POAG, while the specific mechanism and target need to be further explored.

Methods

The GSE27276 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and the autophagy gene set from the GeneCards database were selected to screen differentially expressed autophagy-related genes (DEARGs) of POAG. Hub DEARGs were selected by constructing protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and utilizing GSE138125 dataset. Subsequently, immune cell infiltration analysis, genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and other analyses were performed on the hub genes. Eventually, animal experiments were performed to verify the mRNA levels of the hub genes by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

A total of 67 DEARGs and 2 hub DEARGs, HSPA8 and RPL15, were selected. The hub genes were closely related to the level of immune cell infiltration. GWAS analysis confirmed that the causative regions of the 2 hub genes in glaucoma were on chromosome 11 and chromosome 3, respectively. GSEA illustrated that pathways enriched for highly expressed HSPA8 and RPL15 contained immunity, autophagy, gene expression and energy metabolism-related pathways. qRT-PCR confirmed that the expression of Hspa8 and Rpl15 in the rat POAG model was consistent with the results of bioinformatics analysis.

Conclusions

This study indicated that HSPA8 and RPL15 may affect the progression of POAG by regulating autophagy and provided new ideas for the pathogenesis and treatment of POAG.
Development and psychometric evaluation of item banks for memory and attention – supplements to the EORTC CAT Core instrument
Authors: Rogge AA , Petersen MA , Aaronson NK , Conroy T , Dirven L , Fischer F , Habets EJJ , Reijneveld JC , Rose M , Sleurs C , Taphoorn M , Tomaszewski KA , Vachon H , Young T , Groenvold M ,   on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Published: November 2023

Background

Cancer patients may experience a decrease in cognitive functioning before, during and after cancer treatment. So far, the Quality of Life Group of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLG) developed an item bank to assess self-reported memory and attention within a single, cognitive functioning scale (CF) using computerized adaptive testing (EORTC CAT Core CF item bank). However, the distinction between different cognitive functions might be important to assess the patients’ functional status appropriately and to determine treatment impact. To allow for such assessment, the aim of this study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate separate item banks for memory and attention based on the EORTC CAT Core CF item bank.

Methods

In a multistep process including an expert-based content analysis, we assigned 44 items from the EORTC CAT Core CF item bank to the memory or attention domain. Then, we conducted psychometric analyses based on a sample used within the development of the EORTC CAT Core CF item bank. The sample consisted of 1030 cancer patients from Denmark, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom. We evaluated measurement properties of the newly developed item banks using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory model calibration.

Results

Item assignment resulted in 31 memory and 13 attention items. Conducted CFAs suggested good fit to a 1-factor model for each domain and no violations of monotonicity or indications of differential item functioning. Evaluation of CATs for both memory and attention confirmed well-functioning item banks with increased power/reduced sample size requirements (for CATs ≥ 4 items and up to 40% reduction in sample size requirements in comparison to non-CAT format).

Conclusion

Two well-functioning and psychometrically robust item banks for memory and attention were formed from the existing EORTC CAT Core CF item bank. These findings could support further research on self-reported cognitive functioning in cancer patients in clinical trials as well as for real-word-evidence. A more precise assessment of attention and memory deficits in cancer patients will strengthen the evidence on the effects of cancer treatment for different cancer entities, and therefore contribute to shared and informed clinical decision-making.
Measurement properties of the EQ-5D-5L and PROPr in patients with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Xu Richard Huan , Ma Bin , Xin Huanping , Zhang Huanyu , Zeng Yan , Luo Nan , Dong Dong
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare monogenic neuromuscular disorder caused by loss of function mutations. Measuring health-related quality of life to support economic evaluations in this population is encouraged. However, empirical evidence on the performance of preference-based measures (PBMs) in individuals with SMA is limited. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-5L and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measure Information System Preference measure (PROPr) in individuals with SMA.

Methods

The data used in this study were obtained via a web-based, cross-sectional survey. All participants completed the self-reporting EQ-5D-5L and PROMIS-29 questionnaires. Information about their socioeconomic and health status was also obtained. Ceiling and floor effects, convergent and divergent validity, known-group validity, and the agreement between the two measures were assessed.

Results

Strong ceiling and floor effects were observed for four dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L and three subscales, including pain intensity, pain interference, and physical function, of the PROMIS-29. All hypothesized associations between EQ-5D-5L/PROMIS-29 and other neuromuscular questions were confirmed, supporting good convergent validity. Moreover, both EQ-5D-5L and PROPr scores differentiated between impaired functional groups, demonstrating good discriminative ability. Poor agreement between the EQ-5D-5L and PROPr utility scores was observed.

Conclusions

The EQ-5D-5L and PROPr both appear to be valid PBMs for individuals with SMA. However, PROPr yielded considerably lower utility scores than EQ-5D-5L and their agreement was poor. Therefore, these two PBMs may not be used interchangeably in economic evaluations of SMA-related interventions.
Immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 variants to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies: a system review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Huichun , Sun Jiajia , Zeng Yigang , Wang Xiaomeng , Liu Shanshan , Zhang Lijun , Shao Enming
Published: November 2023

Background

Omicron's high transmissibility and variability present new difficulties for COVID-19 vaccination prevention and therapy. In this article, we analyzed the sensitivity of vaccine-induced antibodies as well as the effect of booster vaccinations against Omicron sublineages.

Methods

We looked for Randomized Controlled Trials and cohort studies that reported the COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron sublineages up to 28 July 2022 through PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Quantitative synthesis was carried out using Stata 16.0 and RevMa5.3, then the serum NT50 and antibody sensitivity to neutralize Omicron sublineages were assessed before and after booster vaccination. This study was registered with PROSPERO number CRD42022350477.

Results

This meta-analysis included 2138 patients from 20 studies, and the booster vaccination against Omicron sublineages showed a significant difference compared to 2 dosage: BA.1/BA.1.1 (SMD = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75–0.85, P = 0.00), BA.2/BA.2.12.1 (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.69–0.85, P = 0.00), BA.3 (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83–1.0, P = 0.00), and BA.4/5 (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.60–0.94, P = 0.00). The sensitivity of vaccines-induced antibodies decreased by at least 5-folds after booster vaccination, particularly in the case of BA.4/5 which had the most notable decline in vaccine effectiveness.

Conclusion

After the booster vaccination, the NT50 and the neutralization ability of vaccine-induced antibodies increased, but the susceptibility of antibodies decreased compared with the control virus, which may be a clue for future Omicron sublineages prevention.
Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of osteoporosis and its role in the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
Authors: Luo Yi , Xiang Yaolin , Lu Banghua , Tan Xiaoyan , Li Yanqiong , Mao HuiHui , Huang Qin
Published: November 2023

Background

Long-term glucocorticoid therapy may lead to osteoporosis (OP). Selenium (Se) is an essential microelement for human health and bone health. This study evaluated the association between dietary Se intake and the prevalence of OP and further explored the potential therapeutic effect of Se on glucocorticoid-induced OP (GIOP) in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

Data were collected from a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in our hospital. OP is diagnosed based on bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using compact radiographic absorptiometry. Dietary Se intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The association between dietary Se intake and OP prevalence was analyzed by multivariable logistic regression. In animal experiments, male Sprague–Dawley rats were intramuscularly injected with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) daily to induce GIOP, while different doses of Se were supplemented in rat drinking water for 60 d. BMD and biomechanical parameters of rat femur were measured. The histopathological changes of the femur were observed by HE staining, the number of osteoclasts was observed by TRAP staining, and OCN positive expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining. OPG, RANKL, Runx2, and BMP2 in rat femur were detected by Western blot. Bone turnover markers and oxidative stress markers were measured using commercial kits. MC3T3-E1 cells were induced to osteogenic differentiation, stimulated with DXM (100 μM), and/or treated with Se at different doses. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. ALP activity was detected by ALP staining and cell mineralization was observed by alizarin red staining.

Results

Participants with lower dietary Se intake had higher OP prevalence. Se supplementation improved BMD, biomechanical parameters, and histopathological changes of the femur in GIOP rats. Se supplementation also suppressed DXM-induced changes in bone turnover- and oxidative stress-related markers. Under DXM conditions, Se treatment induced MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, ALP activity, and mineralization.

Conclusion

Lower Dietary Se intake is associated with OP prevalence. Moreover, Se takes a position in bone protection and anti-oxidative stress in GIOP models. Therefore, Se may be a complementary potential treatment for GIOP.
Tumor blood vessel in 3D reconstruction CT imaging as an risk indicator for growth of pulmonary nodule with ground-glass opacity
Authors: Xue Wenfei , Kong Lingxin , Zhang Xiaopeng , Xin Zhifei , Zhao Qingtao , He Jie , Wu Wenbo , Duan Guochen
Published: November 2023

Objective

Despite the vital role of blood perfusion in tumor progression, in patients with persistent pulmonary nodule with ground-glass opacity (GGO) is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the relationship between tumor blood vessel and the growth of persistent malignant pulmonary nodules with ground-glass opacity (GGO).

Methods

We collected 116 cases with persistent malignant pulmonary nodules, including 62 patients as stable versus 54 patients in the growth group, from 2017 to 2021. Three statistical methods of logistic regression model, Kaplan–Meier analysis regression analysis were used to explore the potential risk factors for growth of malignant pulmonary nodules with GGO.

Results

Multivariate variables logistic regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier analysis identified that tumor blood vessel diameter (p = 0.013) was an significant risk factor in the growth of nodules and Cut-off value of tumor blood vessel diameter was 0.9 mm with its specificity 82.3% and sensitivity 66.7%.While in subgroup analysis, for the GGO CTR < 0.5[C(the maximum diameter of consolidation in tumor)/T(the maximum diameter of the whole tumor including GGO) ratio], tumor blood vessel diameter (p = 0.027) was important during the growing processes of nodules.

Conclusions

The tumor blood vessel diameter of GGO lesion was closely associated with the growth of malignant pulmonary nodules. The results of this study would provide evidence for effective follow-up strategies for pulmonary nodule screening.