bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental discourses of transition in the Indian transport sector: A corpus linguistic survey of the literature
Authors: Mitchell Andrew S. , Kerr Daniel , Rowlatt John , Bhattacharyya Subhes
Published: April 2023

India is a large nation state facing the twin challenges of economic development and the need to transition away from its path dependence on coal towards a low-carbon infrastructure. By applying corpus linguistics to a sampled literature on decarbonising India's transport sector, we explore three motifs of difference, viz. ‘change’, ‘decarbonisation’ and ‘transition’, and how these motifs are applied within the context of this academic literature to refer to potential opportunities to transform India's developmental trajectory. We find that rather than exploring such opportunities, the sampled papers tend to recirculate discourses influenced by eco-modernisation which, although proposing change to India's carbon footprint, leave the fundamental structure of India's neo-liberal economic model unchallenged, even though, from a developmental discourse perspective, this lies at the root of climate change, and for meaningful change to occur it must be addressed.
Diagnosis, Treatment and Follow-Up of Sinonasal Leiomyomas: A Systematic Review
Authors: Runge Annette , Randhawa Avneet , Mayo-Patiño Melissa , Santer Matthias , Hartl Roland , Dejaco Daniel , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: April 2023

Background

Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors that are rarely diagnosed in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Objective

This systematic review summarizes the histopathologic and clinical tumor characteristics, surgical management, and follow-up of sinonasal leiomyomas.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature on sinonasal leiomyoma was performed by applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were assessed for level of evidence. Patient demographics, clinical and pathological tumor characteristics, primary intervention, and results of follow-up were evaluated.

Results

Forty studies including 84 patients with sinonasal leiomyoma were identified. The tumor was most often located in the nasal cavity (47/84, 56%) originating from the inferior turbinate (32/84, 38%). Patients mostly presented with symptoms originating from an intranasal mass, including recurrent epistaxis (41/84, 49%), nasal obstruction (43/84, 51.2%), and localized facial or head pain (25/84, 29.8%). Surgery was performed in all cases. An endoscopic approach was most frequently chosen. Recurrence occurred only twice (2.4%). Morbidity was noted in 2 cases (2.4%) following postoperative bleeding and 1 (1.2%) case following a CSF leak.

Conclusion

Sinonasal leiomyomas are neoplasms of the smooth muscle manifesting clinically with recurrent epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Management goal is total resection with clear margins to avoid local recurrence.
Perceived Inequality Increases Support for Structural Solutions to Climate Change
Authors: Klebl Christoph , Jetten Jolanda
Published: April 2023

Economic inequality is fuelling climate change. The question, however, remains whether the degree to which people perceive their country as unequal influences their motivation to support climate policies. Across three studies ( N = 1,459), we investigated whether perceived inequality influences people’s support for structural climate policies over policies aimed at individual-level behavior change. In an Australian (Study 1) and a United Kingdom (Study 2) sample, we found that perceived inequality positively predicts people’s support for structural (vs. individual-level behavior) change policies, even after controlling for political orientation. In an experimental study (Study 3), people who imagined living in an unequal (vs. equal) country more strongly wanted their country to implement structural (vs. individual-level behavior) change policies. These effects were mediated by a greater desire for drastic changes. This suggests that recognizing one’s country’s unequal wealth distribution may act as a catalyst for the structural change urgently needed to limit climate change.
Test program on stiffened column bases subjected to cyclic loading
Authors: Behboud Niloufar , Zareian Farzin , Rezaeian Alireza
Published: April 2023

This article presents the recorded data from an experimental campaign on stiffened steel column bases. The connection configuration comprises an exposed base plate on which vertical stiffeners are welded to strengthen the assembly. Using stiffened column bases is common in several countries where providing thick steel plates is not practical. However, despite their broad application in existing steel structures, there was rare experimental data collected exclusively on their hysteresis response to seismic excitations. The designed testing program intends to document the connection behavior under cyclic loading. This article describes the data collection process, including specimen geometry, material properties, construction details, test setup, instrumentation, and loading history. The qualitative observations are reported to support the data application, and the recorded data set is deposited publicly for future use (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7058873).
Intrinsic tumor resistance to CAR T cells is a dynamic transcriptional state that is exploitable with low-dose radiation
Authors: Kim Alexander B. , Chou Ssu-Yu , Kang Solomon , Kwon Eric , Inkman Matthew , Szymanski Jeff , Andruska Neal , Colgan Cian , Zhang Jin , Yang Joanna C. , Singh Nathan , DeSelm Carl J.
Published: April 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy represents a major advancement for hematologic malignancies, with some patients achieving long-term remission. However, the majority of treated patients still die of their disease. A consistent predictor of response is tumor quantity, wherein a higher disease burden before CAR T-cell therapy portends a worse prognosis. Focal radiation to bulky sites of the disease can decrease tumor quantity before CAR T-cell therapy, but whether this strategy improves survival is unknown. We find that substantially reducing systemic tumor quantity using high-dose radiation to areas of bulky disease, which is commonly done clinically, is less impactful on overall survival in mice achieved by CAR T cells than targeting all sites of disease with low-dose total tumor irradiation (TTI) before CAR T-cell therapy. This finding highlights another predictor of response, tumor quality, the intrinsic resistance of an individual patient’s tumor cells to CAR T-cell killing. Little is known about whether or how an individual tumor’s intrinsic resistance may change under different circumstances. We find a transcriptional “death receptor score” that reflects a tumor’s intrinsic sensitivity to CAR T cells can be temporarily increased by low-dose TTI, and the timing of this transcriptional change correlates with improved in vivo leukemia control by an otherwise limited number of CAR T cells. This suggests an actionable method for potentially improving outcomes in patients predicted to respond poorly to this promising therapy and highlights that intrinsic tumor attributes may be equally or more important predictors of CAR T-cell response as tumor burden.
Candidate variants in DNA replication and repair genes in early-onset renal cell carcinoma patients referred for germline testing
Authors: Demidova Elena V. , Serebriiskii Ilya G. , Vlasenkova Ramilia , Kelow Simon , Andrake Mark D. , Hartman Tiffiney R. , Kent Tatiana , Virtucio James , Rosen Gail L. , Pomerantz Richard T. , Dunbrack Roland L. , Golemis Erica A. , Hall Michael J. , Chen David Y. T. , Daly Mary B. , Arora Sanjeevani
Published: April 2023

Background

Early-onset renal cell carcinoma (eoRCC) is typically associated with pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in RCC familial syndrome genes. However, most eoRCC patients lack PGVs in familial RCC genes and their genetic risk remains undefined.

Methods

Here, we analyzed biospecimens from 22 eoRCC patients that were seen at our institution for genetic counseling and tested negative for PGVs in RCC familial syndrome genes.

Results

Analysis of whole-exome sequencing (WES) data found enrichment of candidate pathogenic germline variants in DNA repair and replication genes, including multiple DNA polymerases. Induction of DNA damage in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) significantly elevated numbers of $$\gamma$$
γ
H2AX foci, a marker of double-stranded breaks, in PBMCs from eoRCC patients versus PBMCs from matched cancer-free controls. Knockdown of candidate variant genes in Caki RCC cells increased $$\gamma$$
γ
H2AX foci. Immortalized patient-derived B cell lines bearing the candidate variants in DNA polymerase genes (POLD1, POLH, POLE, POLK) had DNA replication defects compared to control cells. Renal tumors carrying these DNA polymerase variants were microsatellite stable but had a high mutational burden. Direct biochemical analysis of the variant Pol δ and Pol η polymerases revealed defective enzymatic activities.

Conclusions

Together, these results suggest that constitutional defects in DNA repair underlie a subset of eoRCC cases. Screening patient lymphocytes to identify these defects may provide insight into mechanisms of carcinogenesis in a subset of genetically undefined eoRCCs. Evaluation of DNA repair defects may also provide insight into the cancer initiation mechanisms for subsets of eoRCCs and lay the foundation for targeting DNA repair vulnerabilities in eoRCC.
Response to letter for critiques on our published article: Effect of tracheal tube cuff inflation with alkalinized lidocaine versus air on hemodynamic responses during extubation and post-operative airway morbidities in children: prospective observational cohort study, Ethiopia
Authors: Assefa Biniam , Samuel Hirbo , Fentie Fissiha , Daniel Tenbite , Hika Assefa , Aberra Bacha , Alemu Belete
Published: April 2023

Endotracheal tube with an inflated cuff was used to manage and maintain the airway during general anesthesia in children. When the lateral pressure exerted by an inflated Endotracheal tube cuff on tracheal mucosa exceeds capillary perfusion pressure, patients may complain of cough, sore throat, and hoarseness in the postoperative period.
Ischemic optic neuropathy as first presentation in patient with m.3243 A > G MELAS classic mutation
Authors: Scarcella Simone , Dell’Arti Laura , Gagliardi Delia , Magri Francesca , Govoni Alessandra , Velardo Daniele , Mainetti Claudia , Minorini Valeria , Ronchi Dario , Piga Daniela , Comi Giacomo Pietro , Corti Stefania , Meneri Megi
Published: April 2023

Background

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a systemic disorder in which multi-organ dysfunction may occur from mitochondrial metabolism failure. Maternally inherited mutations in the MT-TL1 gene are the most frequent causes for this disorder. Clinical manifestations may include stroke-like episodes, epilepsy, dementia, headache and myopathy. Among these, acute visual failure, usually in association with cortical blindness, can occur because of stroke-like episodes affecting the occipital cortex or the visual pathways. Vision loss due to optic neuropathy is otherwise considered a typical manifestation of other mitochondrial diseases such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

Case presentation

Here we describe a 55-year-old woman, sister of a previously described patient with MELAS harbouring the m.3243A > G (p.0, MT-TL1) mutation, with otherwise unremarkable medical history, that presented with subacute, painful visual impairment of one eye, accompanied by proximal muscular pain and headache. Over the next weeks, she developed severe and progressive vision loss limited to one eye. Ocular examination confirmed unilateral swelling of the optic nerve head; fluorescein angiography showed segmental perfusion delay in the optic disc and papillary leakage. Neuroimaging, blood and CSF examination and temporal artery biopsy ruled out neuroinflammatory disorders and giant cell arteritis (GCA). Mitochondrial sequencing analysis confirmed the m.3243A > G transition, and excluded the three most common LHON mutations, as well as the m.3376G > A LHON/MELAS overlap syndrome mutation. Based on the constellation of clinical symptoms and signs presented in our patient, including the muscular involvement, and the results of the investigations, the diagnosis of optic neuropathy as a stroke-like event affecting the optic disc was performed. L-arginine and ubidecarenone therapies were started with the aim to improve stroke-like episode symptoms and prevention. The visual defect remained stable with no further progression or outbreak of new symptoms.

Conclusions

Atypical clinical presentations must be always considered in mitochondrial disorders, even in well-described phenotypes and when mutational load in peripheral tissue is low. Mitotic segregation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) does not allow to know the exact degree of heteroplasmy existent within different tissue, such as retina and optic nerve. Important therapeutic implications arise from a correct diagnosis of atypical presentation of mitochondrial disorders.
Meta-analysis of Osteopontin splice variants in cancer
Authors: An Yu , Fnu Gulimirerouzi , Xie Changchun , Weber Georg F.
Published: April 2023

Background

The cytokine Osteopontin is a mediator of tumor progression and cancer metastasis. In 2006, we reported that (in addition to the full-length form -a) splice variants of Osteopontin (forms -b and -c) are produced selectively by transformed cells. Through June 2021, 36 PubMed-indexed journal articles have studied Osteopontin splice variants in various cancer patients.

Methods

Applying a categorical approach previously developed by us, here we conduct a meta-analysis of the pertinent literature. We supplement this with evaluation of the relevant entries in the TSVdb database, which focusses on splice variant expression, thus including the additional variants -4 and -5. The analysis covers 5886 patients across 15 tumors from the literature and 10,446 patients across 33 tumors from TSVdb.

Results

The database yields positive results more frequently than the categorical meta-analysis. The two sources are in agreement on the elevation of OPN-a, OPN-b, and OPN-c in lung cancer and the elevation of OPN-c in breast cancer as compared to healthy tissue. Specific splice variants are associated with grade, stage, or patient survival pertaining to various cancers.

Conclusions

There are cases of persisting discrepancies, which require further investigation to clarify the Osteopontin splice variant utilization, so that their diagnostic, prognostic and potentially predictive potential can be brought to fruition.
Clinical profile of children under 5 years of age with rotavirus diarrhoea in a hospital setting in Kisangani, DRC, after the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gbebangi-Manzemu Didier , Kampunzu Véronique Muyobela , Vanzwa Hortense Malikidogo , Mumbere Mupenzi , Bukaka Gaspard Mande , Likele Bibi Batoko , Kasai Emmanuel Tebandite , Mukinayi Benoit Mbiya , Tonen-Wolyec Serge , Dauly Nestor Ngbonda , Alworong’a Opara Jean Pierre
Published: April 2023

Background

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the countries with the highest rotavirus mortality rate in the world. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of rotavirus infection after the introduction of rotavirus vaccination of children in the city of Kisangani, DRC.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of acute diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age admitted to 4 hospitals in Kisangani, DRC. Rotavirus was detected in children’s stools by an immuno-chromatographic antigenic rapid diagnostic test.

Results

A total of 165 children under 5 years of age were included in the study. We obtained 59 cases of rotavirus infection, or 36% CI95 [27, 45]. The majority of children with rotavirus infection were unvaccinated (36 cases) and had watery diarrhoea (47 cases), of high frequency per day/per admission 9.6 ± 3.4 and accompanied by severe dehydration (30 cases). A statistically significant difference in mean Vesikari score was observed between unvaccinated and vaccinated children (12.7 vs 10.7 p-value 0.024).

Conclusion

Rotavirus infection in hospitalized children under 5 years of age is characterized by a severe clinical manifestation. Epidemiological surveillance is needed to identify risk factors associated with the infection.
Dissecting the causal relationship between household income status and genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular-related diseases: Insights from bidirectional mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zheng Xifeng , Yang Yu , Chen Jianying , Lu Bing
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Observational studies have revealed that socioeconomic status is associated with cardiovascular health. However, the potential causal effect remains unclear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the causal relationship between household income status and genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular-related diseases using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods

An MR study based on a large-sample cohort of the European population from a publicly available genome-wide association study datasets was conducted using a random-effects inverse-variance weighting model as the main standard. Simultaneously, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and maximum likelihood estimation were used as supplements. Sensitivity analysis, consisting of a heterogeneity test and horizontal pleiotropy test, was performed using Cochran’s Q, MR-Egger intercept, and MR-PRESSO tests to ensure the reliability of the conclusion.

Results

The results suggested that higher household income tended to lower the risk of genetic susceptibility to myocardial infarction (OR: 0.503, 95% CI = 0.405–0.625, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR: 0.667, 95% CI = 0.522–0.851, P = 0.001), coronary artery disease (OR: 0.674, 95% CI = 0.509–0.893, P = 0.005), type 2 diabetes (OR: 0.642, 95% CI = 0.464–0.889, P = 0.007), heart failure (OR: 0.825, 95% CI = 0.709–0.960, P = 0.013), and ischemic stroke (OR: 0.801, 95% CI = 0.662–0.968, P = 0.022). In contrast, no association was evident with atrial fibrillation (OR: 0.970, 95% CI = 0.767–1.226, P = 0.798). The reverse MR study suggested a potentially negative trend between heart failure and household income status. A sensitivity analysis verified the reliability of the results.

Conclusions

The results revealed that the population with higher household income tended to have a lower risk of genetic susceptibility to myocardial infarction and hypertension.
Exploring the potential of mobile health interventions to address behavioural risk factors for the prevention of non-communicable diseases in Asian populations: a qualitative study
Authors: Mair Jacqueline Louise , Castro Oscar , Salamanca-Sanabria Alicia , Frese Bea Franziska , von Wangenheim Florian , Tai E Shyong , Kowatsch Tobias , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk
Published: April 2023

Background

Changing lifestyle patterns over the last decades have seen growing numbers of people in Asia affected by non-communicable diseases and common mental health disorders, including diabetes, cancer, and/or depression. Interventions targeting healthy lifestyle behaviours through mobile technologies, including new approaches such as chatbots, may be an effective, low-cost approach to prevent these conditions. To ensure uptake and engagement with mobile health interventions, however, it is essential to understand the end-users’ perspectives on using such interventions. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions, barriers, and facilitators to the use of mobile health interventions for lifestyle behaviour change in Singapore.

Methods

Six virtual focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 34 participants (mean ± SD; aged 45 ± 3.6 years; 64.7% females). Focus group recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach, followed by deductive mapping according to perceptions, barriers, facilitators, mixed factors, or strategies.

Results

Five themes were identified: (i) holistic wellbeing is central to healthy living (i.e., the importance of both physical and mental health); (ii) encouraging uptake of a mobile health intervention is influenced by factors such as incentives and government backing; (iii) trying out a mobile health intervention is one thing, sticking to it long term is another and there are key factors, such as personalisation and ease of use that influence sustained engagement with mobile health interventions; (iv) perceptions of chatbots as a tool to support healthy lifestyle behaviour are influenced by previous negative experiences with chatbots, which might hamper uptake; and (v) sharing health-related data is OK, but with conditions such as clarity on who will have access to the data, how it will be stored, and for what purpose it will be used.

Conclusions

Findings highlight several factors that are relevant for the development and implementation of mobile health interventions in Singapore and other Asian countries. Recommendations include: (i) targeting holistic wellbeing, (ii) tailoring content to address environment-specific barriers, (iii) partnering with government and/or local (non-profit) institutions in the development and/or promotion of mobile health interventions, (iv) managing expectations regarding the use of incentives, and (iv) identifying potential alternatives or complementary approaches to the use of chatbots, particularly for mental health.
Pre-treatment oral microbiome analysis and salivary Stephan curve kinetics in white spot lesion development in orthodontic patients wearing fixed appliances. A pilot study
Authors: Catunda Raisa Queiroz , Altabtbaei Khaled , Flores-Mir Carlos , Febbraio Maria
Published: April 2023

Background

White spot lesions (WSLs) are a formidable challenge during orthodontic treatment, affecting patients regardless of oral hygiene. Multifactorial in nature, amongst potential contributors to their development are the microbiome and salivary pH. The aim of our pilot study is to determine if pre-treatment differences in salivary Stephan curve kinetics and salivary microbiome features correlate with WSL development in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances. We hypothesize that non-oral hygiene determined differences in saliva could be predictive of WSL formation in this patient population through analysis of salivary Stephan curve kinetics, and that these differences would further manifest as changes in the oral microbiome.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, twenty patients with initial simplified oral hygiene index scores of “good” that were planning to undergo orthodontic treatment with self-ligating fixed appliances for at least 12 months were enrolled. At pre-treatment stage, saliva was collected for microbiome analysis, and at 15-minute intervals after a sucrose rinse over 45 min for Stephan curve kinetics.

Results

50% of patients developed a mean 5.7 (SEM: 1.2) WSLs. There were no differences in saliva microbiome species richness, Shannon alpha diversity or beta diversity between the groups.Capnocytophaga sputigenaexclusively andPrevotella melaninogenicapredominantly were found in WSL patients, whileStreptococcus australiswas negatively correlated with WSL development.Streptococcus mitisandStreptococcus anginosuswere primarily present in healthy patients. There was no evidence to support the primary hypothesis.

Conclusions

While there were no differences in salivary pH or restitution kinetics following a sucrose challenge and no global microbial differences in WSL developers, our data showed change in salivary pH at 5 min associated with an abundance of acid-producing bacteria in saliva. The results suggest salivary pH modulation as a management strategy to inhibit the abundance of caries initiators. Our study may have uncovered the earliest predecessors to WSL/caries development.
The application of a fully digital approach in the treatment of skeletal class III malocclusion: a preliminary study
Authors: Li Meng , Shen Shunyao , Zhao Zhiyang , Wang Bo , Yu Hongbo
Published: April 2023

Background

Skeletal malocclusion patients have facial malformations and occlusal dysfunctions that require orthodontic-orthognathic joint treatment, while the combination treatment takes time and requires close communication between surgeons and orthodontists. Thus, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the combination treatment is necessary, and it is still a challenge. Now, digital technology provides us with an excellent alternative. Despite the widespread use of digital technology in orthognathic surgery simulation and clear aligner orthodontic therapy, it has not been fully integrated into the combined orthognathic and orthodontic treatment process, and the components remain independent.

Methods

A fully digital approach to seamlessly integrating various parts of the combined treatment through digital technology was investigated in this study in order to achieve an efficient transition. Five patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion were enrolled, and all made fully digital treatment plans at the beginning of actual implementation, which included the design of pre-surgical orthodontic, orthognathic surgery, and post-surgical orthodontic. Then, every aspect of the clinical operation was carried out in accordance with the fully digital routine. After the entire treatment process was completed, the skeleton and dentition discrepancy between virtual planning and the actual result was evaluated.

Results

All participants completed the fully digital treatment process, and no complication was observed. The linear deviation of the skeletal anatomy was less than 1 mm, and the angular deviation was less than 1 degree. Except in one case in the lower dentition, the deviation of the virtual dental design from the real alignment was less than 2 mm. Furthermore, with one exception of maxillary anterior-posterior dimension, the linear deviations of the skeleton were not statistically significant. Therefore, the simulation accuracy of the fully digital approach was clinically acceptable.

Conclusions

The digital treatment approach is clinically feasible and has achieved satisfactory results. The discrepancy between virtual design of the entire digital process and actual post-treatment situation was acceptable in clinic. A fully digital approach was proved effective in the treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion, with which the efficient transition of treatment procedures was realized.
Untargeted lipidomic analysis and network pharmacology for parthenolide treated papillary thyroid carcinoma cells
Authors: Huang Le-Tian , Li Tie-Jun , Li Ming-Lin , Luo Han-Yong , Wang Yi-Bing , Wang Jia-He
Published: April 2023

Background

With fast rising incidence, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common head and neck cancer. Parthenolide, isolated from traditional Chinese medicine, inhibits various cancer cells, including PTC cells. The aim was to investigate the lipid profile and lipid changes of PTC cells when treated with parthenolide.

Methods

Comprehensive lipidomic analysis of parthenolide treated PTC cells was conducted using a UHPLC/Q-TOF–MS platform, and the changed lipid profile and specific altered lipid species were explored. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were performed to show the associations among parthenolide, changed lipid species, and potential target genes.

Results

With high stability and reproducibility, a total of 34 lipid classes and 1736 lipid species were identified. Lipid class analysis indicated that parthenolide treated PTC cells contained higher levels of fatty acid (FA), cholesterol ester (ChE), simple glc series 3 (CerG3) and lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG), lower levels of zymosterol (ZyE) and Monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) than controlled ones, but with no significant differences. Several specific lipid species were changed significantly in PTC cells treated by parthenolide, including the increasing of phosphatidylcholine (PC) (12:0e/16:0), PC (18:0/20:4), CerG3 (d18:1/24:1), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) (18:0), phosphatidylinositol (PI) (19:0/20:4), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) (28:0), ChE (22:6), and the decreasing of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (16:1/17:0), PC (34:1) and PC (16:0p/18:0). Four key targets (PLA2G4A, LCAT, LRAT, and PLA2G2A) were discovered when combining network pharmacology and lipidomics. Among them, PLA2G2A and PLA2G4A were able to bind with parthenolide confirmed by molecular docking.

Conclusions

The changed lipid profile and several significantly altered lipid species of parthenolide treated PTC cells were observed. These altered lipid species, such as PC (34:1), and PC (16:0p/18:0), may be involved in the antitumor mechanisms of parthenolide. PLA2G2A and PLA2G4A may play key roles when parthenolide treated PTC cells.
Perceptions of the key components of effective, acceptable and accessible services for children and young people experiencing common mental health problems: a qualitative study
Authors: Kirk Susan , Fraser Claire , Evans Nicola , Lane Rhiannon , Crooks Jodie , Naughton Georgia , Pryjmachuk Steven
Published: April 2023

Background

Children and young people’s (CYP) mental health is a major public health concern internationally and the recent Covid-19 pandemic has amplified these concerns. However, only a minority of CYP receive support from mental health services due to the attitudinal and structural barriers they and their families encounter. For over 20 years, report after report has consistently highlighted the shortcomings of mental health services for CYP in the United Kingdom and attempts to improve services have been largely unsuccessful. The findings reported in this paper are from a multi-stage study that aimed to develop a model of effective, high-quality service design for CYP experiencing common mental health problems. The aim of the stage reported here was to identify CYP’s, parents’ and service providers’ perceptions of the effectiveness, acceptability and accessibility of services.

Methods

Case studies were conducted of nine different services for CYP with common mental health problems in England and Wales. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 41 young people, 26 parents and 41 practitioners and were analysed using the Framework approach. Patient and Public Involvement was integrated throughout the study with a group of young co-researchers participating in data collection and analysis.

Results

Four key themes defined participants’ perceptions of service effectiveness, acceptability and accessibility. Firstly, open access to support with participants highlighting the importance of self-referral, support at the point of need and service availability to CYP/parents. Secondly, the development of therapeutic relationships to promote service engagement which was based on assessment of practitioner’s personal qualities, interpersonal skills and mental health expertise and underpinned by relational continuity. Thirdly, personalisation was viewed as promoting service appropriateness and effectiveness by ensuring support was tailored to the individual. Fourthly, the development of self-care skills and mental health literacy helped CYP/parents manage and improve their/their child’s mental health problems.

Conclusions

This study contributes to knowledge by identifying four components that are perceived to be central to providing effective, acceptable and accessible mental health services for CYP with common mental health problems irrespective of service model or provider. These components could be used as the foundations for designing and improving services.
How do healthcare providers use national audit data for improvement?
Authors: Antonacci Grazia , Whitney Julie , Harris Matthew , Reed Julie E.
Published: April 2023

Background

Substantial resources are invested by Health Departments worldwide in introducing National Clinical Audits (NCAs). Yet, there is variable evidence on the NCAs’ effectiveness and little is known on factors underlying the successful use of NCAs to improve local practice. This study will focus on a single NCA (the National Audit of Inpatient Falls -NAIF 2017) to explore: (i) participants’ perspectives on the NCA reports, local feedback characteristics and actions undertaken following the feedback underpinning the effective use of the NCA feedback to improve local practice; (ii) reported changes in local practice following the NCA feedback in England and Wales.

Methods

Front-line staff perspectives were gathered through interviews. An inductive qualitative approach was used. Eighteen participants were purposefully sampled from 7 of the 85 participating hospitals in England and Wales. Analysis was guided by constant comparative techniques.

Results

Regarding the NAIF annual report, interviewees valued performance benchmarking with other hospitals, the use of visual representations and the inclusion of case studies and recommendations. Participants stated that feedback should target front-line healthcare professionals, be straightforward and focused, and be delivered through an encouraging and honest discussion. Interviewees highlighted the value of using other relevant data sources alongside NAIF feedback and the importance of continuous data monitoring. Participants reported that engagement of front-line staff in the NAIF and following improvement activities was critical. Leadership, ownership, management support and communication at different organisational levels were perceived as enablers, while staffing level and turnover, and poor quality improvement (QI) skills, were perceived as barriers to improvement. Reported changes in practice included increased awareness and attention to patient safety issues and greater involvement of patients and staff in falls prevention activities.

Conclusions

There is scope to improve the use of NCAs by front-line staff. NCAs should not be seen as isolated interventions but should be fully embedded and integrated into the QI strategic and operational plans of NHS trusts. The use of NCAs could be optimised, but knowledge of them is poor and distributed unevenly across different disciplines. More research is needed to provide guidance on key elements to consider throughout the whole improvement process at different organisational levels.
Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda
Authors: Puleh Sean Steven , Ikwara Emmanuel Asher , Namutebi Syliviah , Nakero Lakeri , Mwesiga Godfrey , Isabirye Rogers , Acen Joy , Anyolitho Maxson Kenneth
Published: April 2023

Background

Investigations conducted among healthcare providers to assess their knowledge and perceptions towards the integration of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) related services in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study explored the knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards the integration of ART management services at departmental levels in health facilities in Lira district.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey that employed qualitative methods of data collection in four selected health facilities in Lira district between January and February 2022. The study involved in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. The study population consisted exclusively of primary healthcare providers; however, those who were not full-time employees of the participating health facilities were excluded. We used thematic content analysis.

Results

A significant proportion of staff (especially those who are not directly involved in ART) still lack full knowledge of ART services integration. There was generally a positive perception, with some suggesting ART integration can minimize stigma and discrimination. The potential barriers to integration included limited knowledge and skills for providing comprehensive ART services, insufficient staffing and space, funding gaps, and inadequate drug supplies, coupled with increased workload due to enlarged clientele.

Conclusion

Whereas healthcare workers are generally knowledgeable about ART integration, but their knowledge was limited to partial integration. The participants had a basic understanding of ART services being provided by different health facilities. Furthermore, participants viewed integration as critical, but it should be implemented in conjunction with ART management training. Given that respondents reported a lack of infrastructure, increased workload, and understaffing, additional investments in staff recruitment, motivation through training and incentives, and other means are needed if ART integration is to be implemented.
Hypoxia disrupt tight junctions and promote metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma via loss of par3
Authors: Kim Shihyun , Park Suyeon , Moon Eun-Hye , Kim Gi Jin , Choi Jongho
Published: April 2023

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly malignant tumor that is frequently associated with lymph node metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis and survival in patients. In the tumor microenvironment, hypoxia plays an important role in regulating cellular responses such as progressive and rapid growth and metastasis. In these processes, tumor cells autonomously undergo diverse transitions and acquire functions. However, hypoxia-induced transition of OSCC and the involvement of hypoxia in OSCC metastasis remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of hypoxia-induced OSCC metastasis and particularly, its impact on tight junctions (TJs).

Methods

The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) was detected in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 29 patients with OSCC using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The migration and invasion abilities of OSCC cell lines treated with small interfering (si)RNA targeting HIF-1α or cultured in hypoxic conditions were analyzed using Transwell assays. The effect of HIF-1α expression on in vivo tumor metastasis of OSCC cells was evaluated using lung metastasis model.

Results

HIF-1α was overexpressed in patients with OSCC. OSCC metastasis was correlated with HIF-1α expression in OSCC tissues. Hypoxia increased the migration and invasion abilities of OSCC cell lines by regulating the expression and localization of partitioning-defective protein 3 (Par3) and TJs. Furthermore, HIF-1α silencing effectively decreased the invasion and migration abilities of OSCC cell lines and restored TJ expression and localization via Par3. The expression of HIF-1α was positively regulated the OSCC metastasis in vivo.

Conclusions

Hypoxia promotes OSCC metastasis by regulating the expression and localization of Par3 and TJ proteins. HIF-1α positively correlates to OSCC metastasis. Lastly, HIF-1α expression could regulate the expression of Par3 and TJs in OSCC. This finding may aid in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of OSCC metastasis and progression and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for OSCC metastasis.
Application effect of an artificial intelligence-based fundus screening system: evaluation in a clinical setting and population screening
Authors: Cao Shujuan , Zhang Rongpei , Jiang Aixin , Kuerban Mayila , Wumaier Aizezi , Wu Jianhua , Xie Kaihua , Aizezi Mireayi , Tuersun Abudurexiti , Liang Xuanwei , Chen Rongxin
Published: April 2023

Background

To investigate the application effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-based fundus screening system in real-world clinical environment.

Methods

A total of 637 color fundus images were included in the analysis of the application of the AI-based fundus screening system in the clinical environment and 20,355 images were analyzed in the population screening.

Results

The AI-based fundus screening system demonstrated superior diagnostic effectiveness for diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and pathological myopia (PM) according to gold standard referral. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of three fundus abnormalities were greater (all > 80%) than those for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), referable glaucoma and other abnormalities. The percentages of different diagnostic conditions were similar in both the clinical environment and the population screening.

Conclusions

In a real-world setting, our AI-based fundus screening system could detect 7 conditions, with better performance for DR, RVO and PM. Testing in the clinical environment and through population screening demonstrated the clinical utility of our AI-based fundus screening system in the early detection of ocular fundus abnormalities and the prevention of blindness.
Cascade reaction triggering and photothermal AuNPs@MIL MOFs doped intraocular lens for enhanced posterior capsular opacification prevention
Authors: Hong Yueze , Fang Qiuna , Bai Ting , Zhao Peiyi , Han Yuemei , Lin Quankui
Published: April 2023

Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the most common complication after cataract surgery. Present strategies can’t meet the clinical needs of long-term prevention. This research reports a novel intraocular lens (IOL) bulk material with high biocompatibility and synergistic therapy. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) doped MIL-101-NH2 metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) (AuNPs@MIL) was firstly fabricated via in situ reductions. Then the functionalized MOFs were uniformly mixed with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate (EA) to form the nanoparticle doped polymer (AuNPs@MIL-PGE), and which was used to fabricate IOL bulk materials. The materials’ optical and mechanical properties with different mass contents of nanoparticles are investigated. Such bulk functionalized IOL material could efficiently remove residual human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) in the capsular bag in the short term, and can prevent PCO on demand in the long run by near-infrared illumination (NIR) action. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate the biosafety of the material. The AuNPs@MIL-PGE exhibits excellent photothermal effects, which could inhibit cell proliferation under NIR and doesn’t cause pathological effects on the surrounding tissues. Such functionalized IOL can not only avoid the side effects of the antiproliferative drugs but also realize the enhanced PCO prevention in clinical practice.
Automatic rape flower cluster counting method based on low-cost labelling and UAV-RGB images
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Enguo , Qiao Jiangwei , Li Yi , Li Li , Yao Jian , Liao Guisheng
Published: April 2023

Background

The flowering period is a critical time for the growth of rape plants. Counting rape flower clusters can help farmers to predict the yield information of the corresponding rape fields. However, counting in-field is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. To address this, we explored a deep learning counting method based on unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV). The proposed method developed the in-field counting of rape flower clusters as a density estimation problem. It is different from the object detection method of counting the bounding boxes. The crucial step of the density map estimation using deep learning is to train a deep neural network that maps from an input image to the corresponding annotated density map.

Results

We explored a rape flower cluster counting network series: RapeNet and RapeNet+. A rectangular box labeling-based rape flower clusters dataset (RFRB) and a centroid labeling-based rape flower clusters dataset (RFCP) were used for network model training. To verify the performance of RapeNet series, the paper compares the counting result with the real values of manual annotation. The average accuracy (Acc), relative root mean square error (rrMSE) and $$R^2$$

R
2

of the metrics are up to 0.9062, 12.03 and 0.9635 on the dataset RFRB, and 0.9538, 5.61 and 0.9826 on the dataset RFCP, respectively. The resolution has little influence for the proposed model. In addition, the visualization results have some interpretability.

Conclusions

Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the RapeNet series outperforms other state-of-the-art counting approaches. The proposed method provides an important technical support for the crop counting statistics of rape flower clusters in field.
Incidence and factors influencing neck shortening after screw fixation of femoral neck fractures with the femoral neck system
Authors: Wang Kai , Lin Dongze , Chen Peisheng , Lin Chaohui , Feng Tianxuan , Liu Jiajie , Zheng Shunze , Liang Yaqian , Ouyang Jirui , Cui Yubo , Lin Fengfei
Published: April 2023

Objective

To investigate the effects of postoperative femoral neck shortening in patients with femoral neck fractures fixed with femoral neck system screws (FNS) and to explore the factors influencing femoral neck shortening.

Method

To retrospectively analyze the data of 113 patients with femoral neck fractures admitted to the Second Hospital of Fuzhou City, affiliated with Xiamen University, between December 2019 and January 2022. Of these, 87 patients were followed up for more than 12 months, 49 men and 38 women: 36 cases of Garden I and II fractures and 51 cases of Garden III and IV fractures, to record the patient's hip Harris score at 12 months postoperatively. Patients were divided into femoral neck shortening group and femoral neck no shortening group according to their regular postoperative follow-up radiographic measurements. To count the incidence of femoral neck shortening, a comparison of postoperative complication rates and hip Harris scores between the two groups was made. Statistical comparison of the two groups and a multifactorial logistic regression analysis were also performed to analyze the factors affecting femoral neck shortening.

Results

All 87 patients were followed up for more than 12 months after surgery. In 34 of these cases, neck shortening occurred, and the incidence rate was 39.1%. 15 cases of severe shortening, incidence of 17.2%; fracture healing 84 cases, fracture healing rate of 96.5%. The hip Harris score was 83.99 (81.95, 89.20) in the neck shortening group at 12 months postoperatively, 90.87 (87.95, 94.80) for the group without neck shortening; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). 32 cases of fracture healing in the neck shortening group at 12 months after surgery, fracture healing rate of 94.1%; 52 cases healed without neck shortening group, fracture healing rate of 98.1%. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.337). High incidence of neck shortening after FNS fixation of femoral neck fractures, cortical comminution of the severed end, fracture fractionation and quality of reduction were significantly correlated with neck shortening.

Conclusion

High incidence of postoperative neck shortening after internal fixation of femoral neck fractures with the femoral neck system, the cortical comminution, the type of fracture, and the quality of fracture reduction are the influencing factors; femoral neck shortening can affect postoperative hip function, but does not affect fracture healing.