bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preclinical comparison study of experimental peri‐implantitis between alveolar ridge preservation and spontaneous healing sites in infected and noninfected tooth: a randomized blinded in vivo study
Authors: Ko Young‐Chang , Lee Dongseob , Kwon Obin , Seol Yang‐Jo , Koo Ki‐Tae , Lee Yong‐Moo , Lee Jungwon
Published: June 2024

Background

This study compared the progression of experimental peri‐implantitis between alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) and spontaneous healing (SH) sites in infected (IT) and noninfected tooth (NIT).

Methods

Bilateral mandibular third or fourth premolars of six beagle dogs were randomly assigned to IT and NIT groups. Before extraction, chronic dehiscence defects were created at the mesial root of mid‐buccal area in IT group. Four weeks later, the mesial roots of the third and fourth premolars were extracted in all groups.ARP procedure was randomly conducted on one side of the extraction sockets using collagenated bovine bone substitutes and resorbable collagen membrane, and contralateral side was allowded spontaneous healing. After 12 weeks of healing, bone‐level implants (ϕ 3.6 × 8.0 mm) were placed at the extraction sockets. Three months of ligature induced peri‐implantitis and three months of spontaneous progression were allowed, with radiographs taken at each phase. Biopsies were retrieved at the implant site for histomorphometric, immunohistochemical, and polarized light‐microscopic analyses.

Results

Radiography demonstrated that the changes in the marginal bone level during the spontaneous progression period showed no significant differences between ARP and SH sites. Only small and/or nonsignificant differences in the progression of peri‐implantitis were observed between ARP and SH sites in histomorphometric, immunohistochemical, and polarized light microscopic analyses. Additionally, the IT and NIT groups exhibited similar outcomes for most parameters.

Conclusion

ARP with xenogenic bone substitutes might provide similarly robust results as SH sites regarding the progression of experimental peri‐implantitis, irrespective of the infected or noninfected nature of the site before tooth extraction.
Analysis of clinical and pathological characteristics of retroperitoneal paraganglioma and associated prognostic factors
Authors: Chun Caipu , Song Linxie , Xu Guixuan , Shi Qi , Li Feng , Jia Xingyuan
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study is to explore the long‐term prognostic risk factors associated with patients diagnosed with retroperitoneal paraganglioma (RPGL) and examine their clinical and pathological characteristics.

Methods

Expressions of biomarkers were identified using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and case databases were retrospectively searched. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan‐Meier and Cox risk regression to identify the factors that influence the postoperative progression‐free survival of patients with RPGL.

Results

A total of 105 patients, most of whom had tumors situated in the paraaortic region, and whose average tumor size was 8.6 cm, were enrolled in this study. The average follow‐up duration was 51 months, with a mortality rate of 19% and a recurrence and metastasis rate of 41.9%. Tumors were assessed using the modified Grading system for Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (GAPP), and SDHB, S‐100, and Ki‐67 were stained using IHC in all cases. Out of the total cases examined, negative in SDHB expression were observed in 18.1% of cases, S‐100 expression was negative in 36.2% of cases, and endovascular tumor enboluswas present in approximately 25.7% of cases. The results of the univariate analysis indicated that several factors significantly influenced the progression‐free survival of patients with PGL as follow: maximum tumor diameter (>5.5 cm), tumor morphological features, tumor grading (modified GAPP score > 6), SDHB negative, S‐100 negative, and expression of proliferation index Ki‐67 (>3%) (X2 = 4.217−27.420, p < 0.05). The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that negative of S‐100 (p = 0.021) and SDHB (p = 0.038), as well as intravascular tumor thrombus (p = 0.047) expression were independent risk factors for progression‐free survival in patients.

Conclusion

RPGL is characterized by diverse biological features and an elevated susceptibility to both recurrence and metastasis. Both SDHB and S‐100 can be employed as traditional IHC indicators to predict the metastatic risk of PGL, whereas the tumor histomorphology‐endovascular tumor enbolus assists in determining the metastasis risk of RPGL.
Diastasis Recti Abdominis
Authors: Shen Ye , Zhou Xiuling , He Kai , Cai Yehua , Zhu Yulan , Chen Hao , Ding Hong
Published: June 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to establish a simple and practical classification to guide the clinical treatment of diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) based on ultrasound characteristics with different severities of DRA, and to verify its clinical utility.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 301 DRA patients as pilot cohort and divided into Conservative Treatment Group and Surgical Group according to clinical outcomes. A new Width–Length classification was summarized based on ultrasound measurements of the width and length of midline separation. Then, 100 DRA patients were enrolled prospectively as validation cohort, and diagnostic performance was evaluated by clinical treatment.

Results

The Width–Length classification in pilot cohort was as follows: Type 1 (n = 108), open only at M3; Type 2 (n = 63), open at M3 and either M2 or M4 (inter‐rectus distance at M3 <47 mm); Type 3 (n = 44), open at M3 and either M2 or M4 (inter‐rectus distance at M3 ≥47 mm); Type 4 (n = 74), open at M3, along with other two sites of M1, M2, M4, or M5; Type 5 (n = 12), open at M2, M3, and M4, along with M1 or M5, or both. DRA patients in Type 1–2 were recommended for conservative treatment, and in Type 3–5 were recommended for surgical treatment (all P < .05). In the validation cohort, the accuracy of Width–Length classification in determining treatment strategy was 86.0%.

Conclusions

This study proposes a Width–Length classification based on the width and length of midline separation on ultrasound, which was validated to be simple, practical and effective in guiding DRA treatment.
Changing phenology of benthic primary producers in inland waters: Current knowledge and future directions
Authors: Botrel Morgan , Maranger Roxane , Alirangues Nuñez Marta Maria , Kazanjian Garabet , Kosten Sarian , Velthuis Mandy , Hilt Sabine
Published: June 2024

Benthic primary producers (BPP) in inland waters, including aquatic macrophytes and periphyton, are foundational habitats that are highly sensitive to multiple human drivers of environmental change. However, long‐term seasonal monitoring of BPP is limited, leaving us with little information on the cause, directionality, and consequences of the potential shifts in timing of BPP life cycle events. Here, we review the literature on the phenological changes of BPP and show that BPP respond primarily to temperature, but also to other interactive drivers related to climate change and eutrophication. In addition, we present four rare case studies where BPP display strong and earlier shifts in event timing associated with increasing temperature and discuss potential impacts of these changes on ecosystem functioning. Given the responsive nature of BPP to multiple human drivers, we provide suggestions on how to improve basic monitoring to better understand the future impact of phenological changes of this critical habitat.
Visualization analysis of research progress and trends in coexistence of lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis using bibliometrics
Authors: Yang Ling , Ye Zhaoyang , Li Linsheng , Zhuang Li , Guan Jingzhi , Gong Wenping
Published: June 2024

Background

The incidence of lung cancer combined with pulmonary tuberculosis has been increasing, but there is relatively limited published literature on the topic of lung cancer combined with tuberculosis (LC‐PTB) from a bibliometric perspective. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to quantitatively analyze the LC‐PTB‐related literature to better understand the current status of this field and identify future research trends.

Methods

We searched for articles related to LC‐PTB using the Web of Science Core Collection (SCI‐E) and conducted a visual analysis of publication quantity, countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords using bibliometric software (CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica).

Results

As of January 8, 2024, a total of 460 publications related to LC‐PTB were included for analysis from 3705 retrieved records. The number of publications has been increasing almost yearly, with most from China (n = 123), followed by the United States (n = 77). Taipei Medical University contributed the most publications (n = 11). Jing‐Yang Huang and Yung‐Po Liaw (eight documents each) ranked first among the included authors. The Journal of Thoracic Oncology was the most productive academic journal on LC‐PTB. The aggregation of key nodes in the co‐citation network and the chronological sequence indicated that LC‐PTB research has shifted from initial hotspots such as lung diseases, bronchitis, and exposure to recent areas, including immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and nivolumab.

Conclusion

In this study, we visualized the current status of LC‐PTB research as well as future trends using bibliometric methods, providing new insights into the differential diagnosis of LC‐PTB and its related promoting mechanisms.
Comparing search algorithms on the retrosynthesis problem
Authors: Roucairol Milo , Cazenave Tristan
Published: June 2024

In this article we try different algorithms, namely Nested Monte Carlo Search and Greedy Best First Search, on AstraZeneca's open source retrosynthetic tool : AiZynthFinder. We compare these algorithms to AiZynthFinder's base Monte Carlo Tree Search on a benchmark selected from the PubChem database and by Bayer's chemists. We show that both Nested Monte Carlo Search and Greedy Best First Search outperform AstraZeneca's Monte Carlo Tree Search, with a slight advantage for Nested Monte Carlo Search while experimenting on a playout heuristic. We also show how the search algorithms are bounded by the quality of the policy network, in order to improve our results the next step is to improve the policy network.
What happened to my Index Medicus?
Authors: Banchik Lillian Harvey , Gray Brenda
Published: June 2024

From its first printing in 1879 to when publication ceased in 2004, the Index Medicus had proved invaluable for persons wishing to conduct healthcare‐related research. With the loss of this resource and the rapid expansion of alternative, online sources, it is vital that persons understand how to appropriately search for and use this information. The purpose of this review is to outline the information sources available, discuss how to use current search technology to best obtain relevant information while minimizing nonproductive references, and give the author's opinion on the reliability of the various informational sources available. Topics to be discussed will include Medical Subject Headings and PICO searches and sources ranging from the National Library of Medicine and Cochrane Reviews to Wikipedia and other sites, such as associations and commercial interest sites.
Clinical assessment of novel nanofibrous dressings for cutaneous leishmaniasis: A trial‐based study
Authors: Bagheri Amir , Norouzi Mohammad‐Reza , Ghasemi‐Mobarakeh Laleh , Hejazi Seyed Hossein , Fesharaki Mehrafarin
Published: June 2024

The burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis, characterized by skin lesions from Leishmania parasites, has prompted a shift from traditional antimonial treatments to alternative therapies due to concerns over drug resistance and toxicity. This study heralds a novel multi‐layered wound dressing embedded with amphotericin B (AMB) in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers, designed to deliver controlled drug release. Fabrication involved conventional and needleless electrospinning, with the latter producing nanofibers (N‐PVA‐AMB) with a larger diameter of 550 nm compared to 230 nm for conventional (PVA‐AMB), resulting in a more sustained release of 55% over 65% for PVA‐AMB after 50 min. A pilot clinical trial demonstrated significant healing in patients with non‐healing ulcers within 4 weeks of treatment using the AMB‐loaded dressing. The dressing's unique composition not only facilitates painless application but also promotes efficient moisture transfer, enhancing wound healing and providing a barrier against infection. This innovative dressing addresses the challenges of pain during dressing changes and microbial contamination, marking a significant advancement in cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment and offering a practical alternative to conventional therapies.
Asymmetric electronic deformation in graphene molecular capacitors
Authors: Salehfar S. , Azami S. M.
Published: June 2024

Asymmetric deformation density analysis is applied on bilayer graphene flakes as molecular capacitors to identify the extent of asymmetric distribution of electrons and holes when exposed to bias voltage. Three triangular, orthorhombic, and hexagonal symmetries for graphene flakes are considered in two sizes and electric field potential is applied along the vector perpendicular to graphene flakes' plane to simulate 1–4 V as the bias voltage applied to molecular‐scale capacitors The number of electrons responsible for asymmetric distribution of electrons and holes, and occupied to virtual transfer are calculated, and electric field deformation density analysis is also performed that shows distributions of electrons and holes are quite asymmetric for the orthorhombic symmetry, while for the other symmetries, they are almost image of each other. It was found that isosurfaces of deformation density distribution possess a multilayer structure and accretion and depletion of electrons can be taken place between flakes or outside the parallel flakes, and it is shown that bias voltage is able to significantly remove symmetry of electrons and holes distribution. Inspection of molecular orbitals showed that electric field could change the energetic order of molecular orbitals, so that occupancy inversion is occurred for the orthorhombic systems that is responsible for their extraordinary properties.
Self‐Sustained‐Release Strategy Realizes Colloid Oriented Assembly to Fabricate Prussian Blue with Hierarchical Structure
Authors: Li Hang , Hu Ye , Su Mengfei , Zhang Chunyan , Gao Feng , Lu Qingyi
Published: June 2024

The controlled self‐assembly of nanomaterials has been a great challenge in nanosynthesis, especially for hierarchical architectures with high complexity. Particularly, the structural design of Prussian blue (PB) series materials with robustness and fast nucleation is even more difficult. Herein, a self‐sustained‐release strategy based on the slow release of metal ions from coordination ions is proposed to guide the assembly of PB crystals. The key to this strategy is the slow release by ligand, which can create ultra‐low concentrations of metal ions so as to provide the possibility to realize the surface charge manipulation of PB primary colloids. By adding electrolyte or changing the polarity of the solution, the surface charge regulation of PB colloid is realized, and the PB hierarchical structures with branch fractal structure (PB‐BS), octahedral fractal structure, and spherical fractal structure are effectively constructed. This work not only achieves the designability of the PB structure, but also synchronizes the functionalization during the PB assembly growth process by in situ encapsulation of the effective catalytic active component L‐Ascorbic acid. As a result, the assembled PB‐BS exhibits greatly enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity in styrene oxidation with the selectivity of oxidized styrene increasing from 35.6% (PB) to 80.5% (PB‐BS).
Strategies for the Preparation of Single‐Atom Catalysts Using Low‐Dimensional Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Lu Yi , Ke Zhihai
Published: June 2024

As single‐atom catalysts are important energy materials, their preparation and synthesis methods have become particularly important. The unique structures of low‐dimensional metal‐organic frameworks and their derivatives provide various strategies for preparing single‐atom catalysts. This paper summarizes various strategies for the preparation of single‐atom catalysts based on low‐dimensional metal‐organic frameworks and their derivatives.
Managing Pb‐Related Imperfections via Rationally Designed Aniline Derivative with Bilateral Cyano and Acetyl Groups as Lewis Base for High‐Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells Exceeding 24%
Authors: He Zijie , Zhang Zuolin , Ding Jike , Gao Wenhuan , Li Mengjia , Chen Cong
Published: June 2024

Pb‐related imperfections (surface or halide vacancy induced uncoordinated Pb2+, Pb‐I antisite, and Pb2+ vacancy defects) of the ionic crystal perovskite film seriously restrict the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, an aniline derivative N‐(4‐cyanophenyl)acetamide (CAL) is rationally designed, incorporating bilateral functional sites of cyano and acetyl groups, acting as Lewis base molecule for managing the Pb‐related imperfections in perovskite surface through post‐treatment. Theoretical calculation and experimental verification together proved the reduced defect density, improved crystallinity, and inhibited ion migration in the CAL‐modified perovskite. Precisely, cyano as a side group and acetyl as another side group can both coordinate with Pb2+ for its low electrostatic potential energy. Further, the aniline core and the π‐π conjugate structure in the benzene ring of the ligand tend to form a dimer to improve the mobility for carrier transportation and collection. The strategy demonstrates a champion PCE of 24.35% for the air‐processed PSCs with over 1200 hours of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) stability. This study presents a comprehensive approach to overcoming the current Pb‐related imperfections induced limitations in PSCs, paving the way for their integration into mainstream solar technologies.
Weak-Type (1,1) Inequality for Discrete Maximal Functions and Pointwise Ergodic Theorems Along Thin Arithmetic Sets
Authors: Daskalakis Leonidas
Published: June 2024

We establish weak-type (1, 1) bounds for the maximal function associated with ergodic averaging operators modeled on a wide class of thin deterministic sets B. As a corollary we obtain the corresponding pointwise convergence result on $$L^1$$

L
1

. This contributes yet another counterexample for the conjecture of Rosenblatt and Wierdl from 1991 asserting the failure of pointwise convergence on $$L^1$$

L
1

of ergodic averages along arithmetic sets with zero Banach density. The second main result is a multiparameter pointwise ergodic theorem in the spirit of Dunford and Zygmund along B on $$L^p$$

L
p

, $$p>1$$

p
>
1

, which is derived by establishing uniform oscillation estimates and certain vector-valued maximal estimates.
Free-energy calculations in condensed matter: from early challenges to the advent of umbrella sampling
Authors: Macuglia Daniele
Published: June 2024

The investigation of condensed matter transformations hinges on the precision of free-energy calculations. This article charts the evolution of molecular simulations, tracing their development from the techniques of the early 1960s, through the emergence of free-energy calculations toward the end of the decade, and leading to the advent of umbrella sampling in 1977. The discussion explores the inherent challenges and limitations of early simulational endeavors, such as the struggle with accurate phase-space sampling and the need for innovative solutions like importance sampling and multistage sampling methods. Taken together, the initial hurdles and subsequent adoption of advanced techniques exemplify the leap from analytical methods to effective computational strategies that enabled more reliable simulations. Further analysis of this narrative reveals the methodological breakthroughs as well as the setbacks that transformed the theoretical and practical understanding of condensed matter phenomena. A follow-up study will examine the shifts in free-energy calculations from the late 1970s into the 1980s.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts: heterogeneity and their role in the tumor immune response
Authors: Xiao Yuxuan , Wang Ziyu , Gu Meng , Wei Panjian , Wang Xiaojue , Li Weiying
Published: June 2024

In recent decades, many reports have been published on the composition and function of the tumor microenvironment (TME), among which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have received much attention. CAFs have different degrees of heterogeneity in terms of their origin, phenotype, and function and can be divided into different subpopulations. These subgroups may play different roles in the occurrence and development of tumors. In addition, CAFs are closely associated with tumor immunity and have been found to regulate immune cell activity and to suppress the tumor immune response. In this review, we systematize the heterogeneity and characteristics of CAFs, discuss how specific CAF subgroups contribute to cancer progression by inducing an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and finally, we examine the future clinical applications of CAF subgroups.
Advanced 3D seismic hazard analysis for active compression in the Adriatic Thrust Zone, Italy
Authors: Pandolfi Claudia , Taroni Matteo , de Nardis Rita , Lavecchia Giusy , Akinci Aybige
Published: June 2024

The probabilistic seismic hazard assessment contains two ingredients: (1) the seismic source model with earthquake rates and rupture parameters for specification of the statistical distribution of earthquakes in time and space and (2) the ground motion model, for estimation of ground shaking level at a site for each earthquake rupture. The selection of these models significantly impacts the resulting hazard maps, and it can be challenging, particularly in seismotectonic regions where overlapping structures, sited at different depths, coexist. Eastern Central Italy is a well-known active compressional environment of the central Mediterranean with a complex tectonic structure with a lithospheric double shear zone. In this study, we propose a seismic hazard assessment to analyze the contribution of these two shear zones as overlapping multi-depth seismogenic volumes to ground motion at a given hazard level. We specifically focus on selecting relevant and applicable parameters for earthquake rate modeling, emphasizing the importance of defining rate computation and rupture-depth parametrization in hazard analysis. To achieve this, we utilized a seismotectonic- and catalog-based 3D adaptive smoothed seismicity approach following the methodology given by (Pandolfi et al. in Seismol Res Lett 95: 1–11, 2023). Finally, we demonstrated how this innovative 3D approach can identify with high resolution the individual sources' contribution with particular attention to the depth location of structures that strongly influence the ground motion. Moreover, combining seismotectonic data with seismicity avoids the challenges associated with structures with scarce geologic, geodetic, or paleoseismological data. Our result provides detailed insights into the seismic hazard within the Adriatic Thrust Zone.
Multi-objective stochastic scheduling of inpatient and outpatient surgeries
Authors: Bernardelli Ambrogio Maria , Bonasera Lorenzo , Duma Davide , Vercesi Eleonora
Published: June 2024

With the advancement of surgery and anesthesiology in recent years, surgical clinical pathways have changed significantly, with an increase in outpatient surgeries. However, the surgical scheduling problem is particularly challenging when inpatients and outpatients share the same operating room blocks, due to their different characteristics in terms of variability and preferences. In this paper, we present a two-phase stochastic optimization approach that takes into account such characteristics, considering multiple objectives and dealing with uncertainty in surgery duration, arrival of emergency patients, and no-shows. Chance Constrained Integer Programming and Stochastic Mixed Integer Programming are used to deal with the advance scheduling and the allocation scheduling, respectively. Since Monte Carlo sampling is inefficient for solving the allocation scheduling problem for large size instances, a genetic algorithm is proposed for sequencing and timing procedures. Finally, a quantitative analysis is performed to analyze the trade-off between schedule robustness and average performance under the selection of different patient mixes, providing general insights for operating room scheduling when dealing with inpatients, outpatient, and emergencies.
Network Analysis of Childhood Maltreatment, Anxiety, and Addictive Non-Suicidal Self-injury in Adolescents
Authors: Zhang MingGang , Liu XiaoLi , Xia WeiLi , Zhang WenWu , Yu HaiHang , Ma Hong , Yin YuanYuan , Peng ZiYang , Yang Ying , Yuan TiFei , Zhou DongSheng , Wang XiaoChun
Published: June 2024

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents is becoming a widespread health issue. Recent studies have suggested that repetitive NSSI is crucial in NSSI adolescents and can be conceptualized as an “addictive behavior.” The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the network relationships among child maltreatment, anxiety, and addictive NSSI in adolescents. In total, 542 adolescents (14.07 ± 2.15 years old, 18.6% males) with NSSI behavior completed the related questionnaires. Two types of psychometric approaches were used to analyze the data. First, the network analysis showed that emotional abuse (Expected Influence: 1.20) had the most central role among the networks, and the edges of emotional abuse–anxiety (weight: 0.25), emotional abuse-addictive NSSI (weight: 0.20), and anxiety–addictive NSSI (weight: 0.19) showed stronger positive associations of trans-symptom edges. Second, the network comparison test was used to examine the network differences between the male and female groups; however, no network differences were found. Overall, among all types of childhood maltreatment, our results suggest that emotional abuse should be more emphasized to prevent long-term mental adverse outcomes and addictive NSSI, and that anxiety may also mediate emotional abuse and addictive NSSI in NSSI adolescents.
Percutaneous left stellate ganglion block for refractory ventricular tachycardia in structural heart disease: our single-centre experience
Authors: van der Pas Vincent R. , van Opstal Jurren M. , Scholten Marcoen F. , Monteiro de Oliveira Nelson P. , Speekenbrink Ron G. H. , van Dessel Pascal F. H. M.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

When electrical storm (ES) is amenable to neither antiarrhythmic drugs, nor deep sedation or catheter ablation, autonomic modulation may be considered. We report our experience with percutaneous left stellate ganglion block (PSGB) to temporarily suppress refractory ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in patients with structural heart disease.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed at our institution of patients with structural heart disease and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) who had undergone PSGB for refractory VA between January 2018 and October 2021. The number of times antitachycardia pacing (ATP) was delivered and the number of ICD shocks/external cardioversions performed in the week before and after PSGB were evaluated. Charts were checked for potential complications.

Results

Twelve patients were identified who underwent a combined total of 15 PSGB and 5 surgical left cardiac sympathetic denervation procedures. Mean age was 73 ± 5.8 years and all patients were male. Nine of 12 (75%) had ischaemic cardiomyopathy, with the remainder having non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 35% (± 12.2%). Eight of 12 (66.7%) patients were already being treated with both amiodarone and beta-blockers. The reduction in ATP did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.066); however, ICD shocks (p = 0.028) and ATP/shocks combined were significantly reduced (p = 0.04). At our follow-up electrophysiology meetings PSGB was deemed ineffective in 4 of 12 patients (33%). Temporary anisocoria was seen in 2 of 12 (17%) patients, and temporary hypotension and hoarseness were reported in a single patient.

Discussion

In this limited series, PSGB showed promise as a method for temporarily stabilising refractory VA and ES in a cohort of male patients with structural heart disease. The side effects observed were mild and temporary.
Research on lncRNA CTBP1-DT as a potential therapeutic target to regulate cell function in colorectal cancer
Authors: Fan Ruizhi , Xu Teng , Kuang Yuting
Published: June 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer, which originates from the human colon or rectum, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Timely diagnosis and interventional therapy can significantly improve the prognostic survival of colorectal cancer patients, making regular screening and early detection essential.

Aim

To investigate the regulatory function of lncRNA CTBP1-DT (CTBP1-DT) on colorectal cancer cells and to assess its diagnostic significance.

Methods

A total of 102 patients with colorectal cancer and 92 healthy individuals were selected. The levels of CTBP1-DT and microRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a-5p) in serum and cell samples of the above subjects were compared by RT-qPCR. The effects of CTBP1-DT and miR-30a-5p dysregulation on the biological functions of colorectal cancer cells were analyzed via CCK-8, flow cytometry and Transwell assays. In addition, the ability of CTBP1-DT and miR-30a-5p to early identify colorectal cancer patients was determined through ROC curve.

Results

Serum CTBP1-DT was elevated in patients with colorectal cancer, which was obviously higher than in healthy controls. The expression of serum miR-30a-5p was downregulated in colorectal cancer. Both CTBP1-DT and miR-30a-5p have the value of distinguishing colorectal cancer, and the combined diagnostic ability is higher. Knockdown of CTBP1-DT directly targeted miR-30a-5p to repress cell activity and metastatic ability, whereas deregulation of miR-30a-5p eliminated the above inhibitory effects.

Conclusion

Overexpression of CTBP1-DT has a certain application potential in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and may be a therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
Sociopolitical Trends and Attitudes Towards Transgender People: A Validation Study of the Transgender Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs (T-KAB) Scale in a Portuguese Sample
Authors: Carvalho Sérgio A. , Lima Matheus , Pascoal Patrícia
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Attitudes towards transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals are associated with discrimination against TGD people and underly TGD minority stress. Despite Portugal’s progressive legal framework, anti-trans interactions and discourse are reported. Nonetheless, studies on trans attitudes are still incipient in Portugal. The Transgender Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs (T-KAB) scale is a psychometrically sound measure of transgender attitudes. However, its convergent validity with transphobia is yet to be tested, and its ability to study sociopolitical factors driving pro-trans attitudes is unexplored.

Methods

We explored the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of T-KAB in an online collected (February 2022 to May 2022) sample of Portuguese adults (N = 447), and tested differences (ANOVA; t-test) in T-KAB according to sociopolitical factors.

Results

Results from the Principal Axis Factoring and Parallel Analysis showed a two-factor measure of acceptance, comfort, and social tolerance towards trans people. Both factors presented an excellent internal consistency (α = .94 and α = .95) and were significantly associated with the Genderism and Transphobia Scale.

Conclusions

Results found that participants with a heterosexual orientation, less contact with TGD people, less educated, religious, and who endorsed a right-wing or conservative political ideology showed lower T-KAB scores. These results corroborate the psychometric validity of the T-KAB, as well as its ability to identify sociopolitical segments of the population according to their attitudes towards TGD people.

Policy Implications

This study informs future research on tailored interventions to increase transgender acceptance, comfort, and social tolerance in the general population.
Enhancing bariatric surgery safety for patients refusing blood transfusions: a specialized protocol with comprehensive technical measures
Authors: Dalkılıç Muhammed Said , Gençtürk Mehmet , Şişik Abdullah , Erdem Hasan
Published: June 2024

Bariatric surgery has become a leading treatment for obesity, with techniques such as Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) and Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB) demonstrating notable success in sustained weight loss and improved quality of life. Technological advancements and improved techniques have enhanced the safety of these procedures. The surgical procedures of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who refuse blood transfusions as part of their beliefs, pose unique challenges and have rarely been addressed in the context of bariatric surgery. This report aimed to investigate the safety of bariatric surgery in patients who refuse blood transfusion, with an established protocol to minimize the risk of bleeding. We examined the prospectively collected data of Jehovah’s Witness patients who underwent bariatric surgery from 2019 to 2023. The surgeries were conducted following a protocol that included specific measures to prevent bleeding. Data were reviewed for demographics, anthropometrics, comorbidities, preoperative medications, operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, hemoglobin level, drainage volume, tranexamic acid use, and postoperative 30-day complications. Eleven Jehovah’s Witness patients underwent bariatric surgery, including 10 LSG and 1 LRYGB. A patient with iron deficiency anemia underwent intravenous iron treatment before the surgery. There were no intraoperative complications or major postoperative complications. All patients maintained stable hemodynamics postoperatively. Only one patient encountered nausea–vomiting, classified as a minor complication. One patient experienced a small amount of hemorrhagic drainage, which transitioned to serous after tranexamic acid infusion. Bariatric surgery can be performed safely with established protocols in patients who refuse blood transfusions.
Toward an international standardisation roadmap for nanomedicine
Authors: Caputo Fanny , Favre Georges , Borchard Gerrit , Calzolai Luigi , Fisicaro Paola , Frejafon Emeric , Günday-Türeli Nazende , Koltsov Denis , Minelli Caterina , Nelson Bryant C. , Parot Jérémie , Prina-Mello Adriele , Zou Shan , Ouf François-Xavier
Published: June 2024

The French National Metrology Institute (LNE) initiated a series of events to identify priorities for test methods and their harmonisation that directly address regulatory needs in Nanomedicine. One of these workshops entitled “The International Standardisation Roadmap for Nanomedicine” held in October 2023 (Paris, France) brought together key experts in the characterisation of nanomedicines and medical products containing nanomaterials, including the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, SINTEF Industry and the metrology institutes of France, the UK, the USA and Canada, two flagship initiatives of the European Commission (PHOENIX and SAFE-n-MEDTECH Open Innovation Test Beds), representatives of a working party on mRNA vaccines at the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM) and members of international standardisation and pre-normative organisations (including CEN, ISO, ASTM, VAMAS). Two take-home message came out from the discussion. First, developing standard test methods and Reference Materials (RMs) for nanomedicines is a key priority for the European Commission and various stakeholders. Furthermore, there was a unanimous recognition of the need for a unified approach between standardisation committees, regulators and the nanomedicine community. At the USA, Canadian and European level, examples of success stories and of future initiative have been discussed. Future perspectives include the creation of a dedicated Working Group under CEN/TC 352 to consolidate efforts and develop a nanomedicine standardisation roadmap.

Graphical Abstract
Friends or Foes: Is Unamendability the Answer to Democratic Backsliding?
Authors: Suteu Silvia
Published: June 2024

Unamendability is often viewed as a ‘lock on the door’ that can keep enemies of constitutional democracy out, at least for a time. Unsurprisingly, it has also been invoked as a potential bulwark democratic backsliding. While it may not entirely thwart authoritarian populist takeovers, unamendability – including in the form of basic structure doctrines or constitutional identity review – is said to at least delay them, buy some time for defenders of constitutional democracy to resist, and clearly signal to the outside world (including supranational institutions such as the European Union) that foul play is afoot. This article questions such easy assumptions about the nature and operation of unamendability, both in general and in an authoritarian populist context in particular. It argues, based on the examples of India and Hungary, that unamendability is a tool either too ineffective to be deployed against authoritarian populists in power, even while courts may not have been fully captured, or one they are just as comfortable wielding as their opponents. For example, the Indian Supreme Court’s hitherto celebrated basic structure doctrine has been useless in the face of the court’s refusal to hear or decide key challenges against the government. Additionally, drawing on the Hungarian case, the article shows the dark side of constitutional identity review includes captured courts defending majoritarianism and exclusion in the name of a national identity perceived as under attack. In other words, doctrines of unamendability may quickly and subversively turn into instruments of entrenching the very authoritarian populist projects proponents of such doctrines abhor.
A case study on phishing detection with a machine learning net
Authors: Bezerra Ana , Pereira Ivo , Rebelo Miguel Ângelo , Coelho Duarte , Oliveira Daniel Alves de , Costa Joaquim F. Pinto , Cruz Ricardo P. M.
Published: June 2024

Phishing attacks aims to steal sensitive information and, unfortunately, are becoming a common practice on the web. Email phishing is one of the most common types of attacks on the web and can have a big impact on individuals and enterprises. There is still a gap in prevention when it comes to detecting phishing emails, as new attacks are usually not detected. The goal of this work was to develop a model capable of identifying phishing emails based on machine learning approaches. The work was performed in collaboration with E-goi, a multi-channel marketing automation company. The data consisted of emails collected from the E-goi servers in the electronic mail format. The problem consisted of a classification problem with unbalanced classes, with the minority class corresponding to the phishing emails and having less than 1% of the total emails. Several models were evaluated after careful data selection and feature extraction based on the email content and the literature regarding these types of problems. Due to the imbalance present in the data, several sampling methods based on under-sampling techniques were tested to see their impact on the model’s ability to detect phishing emails. The final model consisted of a neural network able to detect more than 80% of phishing emails without compromising the remaining emails sent by E-goi clients.
Hyphal editing of the conserved premature stop codon in CHE1 is stimulated by oxidative stress in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Zou Jingwen , Du Yanfei , Xing Xiaoxing , Huang Panpan , Wang Zeyi , Liu Huiquan , Wang Qinhu , Xu JinRong
Published: June 2024

Although genome-wide A-to-I editing mediated by adenosine-deaminase-acting-on-tRNA (ADAT) occurs during sexual reproduction in the presence of stage-specific cofactors, RNA editing is not known to occur during vegetative growth in filamentous fungi. Here we identified 33 A-to-I RNA editing events in vegetative hyphae of Fusarium graminearum and functionally characterized one conserved hyphal-editing site. Similar to ADAT-mediated editing during sexual reproduction, majority of hyphal-editing sites are in coding sequences and nonsynonymous, and have strong preference for U at -1 position and hairpin loops. Editing at TA437G, one of the hyphal-specific editing sites, is a premature stop codon correction (PSC) event that enables CHE1 gene to encode a full-length zinc fingertranscription factor. Manual annotations showed that this PSC site is conserved in CHE1 orthologs from closely-related Fusarium species. Whereas the che1 deletion and CHE1TAA (G438 to A) mutants had no detectable phenotype, the CHE1TGG (A437 to G) mutant was defective in hyphal growth, conidiation, sexual reproduction, and plant infection. However, the CHE1TGG mutant was increased in tolerance against oxidative stress and editing of TA437G in CHE1 was stimulated by H2O2 treatment in F. graminearum. These results indicate that fixation of the premature stop codon in CHE1 has a fitness cost on normal hyphal growth and reproduction but provides a benefit to tolerance against oxidative stress. Taken together, A-to-I editing events, although rare (not genome-wide), occur during vegetative growth and editing in CHE1 plays a role in response to oxidative stress in F. graminearum and likely in other fungal pathogens.
Universities with standards but not standard universities: students and academics reflection of university operating standards in Tanzania
Authors: William Yohana
Published: June 2024

Quality of teaching and learning in higher education is explained by the teaching and learning milieus through which academic staff and students interact. Subsequently, governments across the globe have been establishing standards that aim at improving the teaching and learning milieus in universities as part of the efforts to facilitate the provision of quality university education that address national and global needs and contexts simultaneously. This paper draws evidence from the quantitative data gauging the reflection and experiences of academic staff and students regarding the extent to which milieus for the provision of education in post-1995 universities reflect the goals of the standards established to govern the operation of universities in Tanzania. Overall, the study found dissatisfactions from both academic staff and students regarding the extent to which the teaching and learning milieus in post-1995 universities in Tanzania reflect the standards. This poor reflection may have negative impacts on the realisation of the goals the standards intend to achieve. The study therefore underscores the need for the government to plan, design and enforce the appropriate standards that would have notable impacts on the academic experiences of academic staff and students and subsequently provision of education for national and global needs.
Frequency Channel Selection and Performance Simulation of a Microwave Radiometer for Temperature and Sulfuric Compound Profiling of the Venusian Lower Atmosphere
Authors: Zhang Zijin , Dong Xiaolong , Xu Jian , He Jieying , Wang Wenyu
Published: June 2024

Exploring the Venusian lower atmosphere is crucial for studying the atmospheric circulation, surface‐atmosphere interactions, and origin and evolution of the Venusian atmosphere and climate. In this study, we investigate the theoretical capabilities of a downward‐looking passive microwave sounder placed in low Venus orbit to measure the temperature, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and gaseous sulfuric acid (H2SO4(g)) profiles. A nonlinear iterative retrieval algorithm combining a radiative transfer (RT) model and an optimal‐estimation‐based inversion algorithm is established. With the RT model adapted to the Venusian atmosphere, simulations under different atmospheric conditions are performed to optimize the selection of frequency channels. The achievable altitude coverage, vertical resolution and corresponding expected precision of the temperature, SO2 and H2SO4(g) retrievals from the multi‐channel brightness temperature measurements are quantified via retrieval simulations. The temperature can be retrieved from the surface of Venus to an altitude of ∼61 km with a precision of 1–3.5 K and a vertical resolution of 6–15 km. A precision of 10%–35% is expected for SO2 in the ∼12–64 km altitude range and with a vertical resolution of 8–19 km. H2SO4(g) can be retrieved in the ∼36–54 km altitude range with a precision of 10%–30% and a vertical resolution of 6–13 km.
Humidity Effects on the Positive Leader Steps in Laboratory Long Spark Discharges
Authors: Li Dianhang , Chen Weijiang , Huang Shengxin , Qi Bo , Xiang Nianwen , Fu Yufei , Fu Zhong , Ding Yujian
Published: June 2024

The stepwise development of positive lightning leaders is still not well understood. A recent laboratory study indicated, at high absolute humidity, positive leaders can do steps due to the merging of a separate luminous structure and the primary leader channel, similar to the steps of negative leaders. The humidity may play a key role in the formation of positive leader steps, however, the humidity effect on the positive leader steps has never been explored. In this paper, we examine numerous positive long spark discharges at different humidity levels with the synchronized discharge current and high‐speed camera frames recording the evolution of leader channel. The positive leader propagation manners at different humidity levels are compared both morphologically and electrically. The effect of humidity on steps is further analyzed statistically. We found that the positive leader steps characterized by steep‐rise current pulse and abrupt channel elongation, which may be led by separate luminous structures, only appear under the condition that high absolute humidity is above a certain threshold. As the ambient humidity increases, these positive leader steps occur more frequently.
Toxic Ethylene Oxide May Exceed Safe Levels In Cancer Alley
Authors: van Deelen Grace
Published: June 2024

Concentrations of the cancer-causing chemical far surpass EPA threshold levels for safety in southeastern Louisiana.
CFC‐12 Emissions in China Inferred From Observation and Inverse Modeling
Authors: Ma Mengyue , Hu Xiaoyi , Yao Bo , Li Bowei , An Minde , Fang Xuekun
Published: June 2024

Dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC‐12) is an ozone‐depleting substance and potent greenhouse gas, which was required to be phased out after 2010 under the Montreal Protocol. CFC‐12 emissions need to be quantitatively traced. However, estimates of CFC‐12 emissions in China based on atmospheric inversions are unavailable after 2010. Here, using atmospheric observations at nine sites across China and inversion techniques, we quantify CFC‐12 emissions in China during 2011–2020 (on average 11.0 ± 0.6 Gg yr−1). The emissions derived from observations are 8.5 times larger than the previously reported inventories. Apart from emissions from eastern China revealed in previous studies, this study reveals that 71% of national total emissions were from other parts of China. Moreover, this study reconciled the global CFC‐12 emissions during 2011–2020: 28% were traced to China by this study, 9% of emissions were traced in previous studies, while 63% remain untraced, indicating the need for more regional emission inversion studies.