bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Shrinkage-Induced Cracking in Oilwell Cement Sheaths
Authors: Alberdi-Pagola P. , Fischer G.
Published: April 2023

Ensuring the zonal isolation of hydrocarbon reservoirs is one of the main tasks of the cement sheath, but the development of cracks and debonding between the interfaces might lead to underground water pollution and leaks of oil and gas to the environment. Restrained shrinkage of the cement sheath is one of the most significant causes of cracking, and an experimental investigation has been conducted to quantify how extensive shrinkage-induced cracking might be due to changes in ambient humidity conditions, confinement levels, and mixture compositions. The presence of lateral confinement due to the presence of shale provided an 80% reduction in the cracked area compared to unconfined specimens, but still radial cracks as wide as 200 µm, microannuli up to 100 µm, and cracked areas of 50 mm2 in a representative well section were observed. Additionally, a reduction in crack widths and potential leak paths was obtained by reinforcing the cement slurry with synthetic fibers. A detailed quantification of shrinkage-induced cracking is reported in this study, providing crack information such as position, width, and orientation as a function of time.
Perspectives on ankle-foot technology for improving gait performance of children with Cerebral Palsy in daily-life: requirements, needs and wishes
Authors: Bayón Cristina , Hoorn Marleen van , Barrientos Antonio , Rocon Eduardo , Trost Joyce P. , Asseldonk Edwin H.F. van
Published: April 2023

Background
Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are extensively used as a primary management method to assist ambulation of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). However, there are certain barriers that hinder their prescription as well as their use as a mobility device in all kinds of daily-life activities. This exploratory research attempts to further understand the existing limitations of current AFOs to promote a better personalization of new design solutions.

Methods
Stakeholders' (professionals in CP and end-users with CP) perspectives on AFO technology were collected by two online surveys. Respondents evaluated the limitations of current assistive solutions and assessment methods, provided their expectations for a new AFO design, and analyzed the importance of different design features and metrics to enrich the gait performance of these patients in daily-life. Quantitative responses were rated and compared with respect to their perceived importance. Qualitative responses were classified into themes by using content analysis.

Results
130 survey responses from ten countries were analyzed, 94 from professionals and 36 from end-users with CP. The most highly rated design features by both stakeholder groups were the comfort and the ease of putting on and taking off the assistive device. In general, professionals preferred new features to enrich the independence of the patient by improving gait at functional levels. End-users also considered their social acceptance and participation.
Health care professionals reported a lack of confidence concerning decision-making about AFO prescription. To some degree, this may be due to the reported inconsistent understanding of the type of assistance required for each pathological gait. Thus, they indicated that more information about patients' day-to-day walking performance would be beneficial to assess patients' capabilities.

Conclusion
This study emphasizes the importance of developing new approaches to assess and treat CP gait in daily-life situations. The stakeholders' needs and criteria reported here may serve as insights for the design of future assistive devices and for the follow-up monitoring of these patients.
Topological Reorganization of Functional Hubs in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease With Freezing of Gait.
Authors: Sreeniva Karthik , Bayram Ece , Zhuang Xiaowei , Longhurst Jason , Yang Zhengshi , Cordes Dietmar , Ritter Aaron , Caldwell Jessica , Cummings Jeffrey , Mari Zoltan , Litvan Irene , Bluett Brent , Mishra Virendra
Published: April 2023

Background and Purpose: Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) studies in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with freezing of gait (FOG) have implicated dysfunctional connectivity over multiple resting-state networks. While these findings provided network-specific insights and information related to the aberrant or altered regional functional connectivity, whether these alterations have any effect on topological reorganization in PD-FOG patients is incompletely understood. Understanding the higher-order functional organization, which could be derived from the ‘hub’ and the ‘rich-club’ organization of the functional networks could be crucial to identifying the distinct and unique pattern of the network connectivity associated with PD-FOG.
Methods: In this study, we use rs-fMRI data and graph theoretical approaches to explore the reorganization of resting-state network topology in PD-FOG when compared to those without FOG (PD-nFOG). We also compared the higher-order functional organization derived using the hub and rich-club measures in the functional connectivity networks of these PD-FOG patients to understand whether there is a topological reorganization of these hubs in PD-FOG.
Results: We found that the PD-FOG patients showed a noticeable reorganization of hub regions. Regions that are part of the prefrontal cortex, primary somatosensory, motor, and visuomotor coordination areas showed were some of the regions exhibiting altered hub measures in PD-FOG patients. We also found a significantly altered feeder and local connectivity in PD-FOG.
Conclusions: Overall our findings demonstrate a widespread topological reorganization and disrupted higher-order functional network topology in PD-FOG which may further assist in improving our understanding of functional network disturbances associated with PD-FOG.
Combining the light-demanding Araucaria angustifolia with the shade-tolerant Cabralea canjerana: mixed plantations to produce tropical timber trees outside the Atlantic rainforest
Authors: Olguin Flavia Yesica , Moretti Ana Paula , Pinazo Martín Alcides , Goya Juan Francisco , Gortari Fermín , Bahima José Vera , Graciano Corina
Published: April 2023

Many trees of high timber value require canopy cover to become established and at present, they are only harvested from native rainforests. Other species require high radiation to establish and can be planted in monospecific stands. The main question was if the canopy generated by a light demanding rainforest species could protect mid-successional timber species from high radiation and extreme temperatures. We evaluated the establishment of Cabralea canjerana under the canopy of Araucaria angustifolia stands. We related growth with the number of neighbors to determine the better positions to plant C. canjerana. In one stand, we measured environmental and physiological traits and we determined that seedling did not suffer light or water stress. C. canjerana plants establishment was successful in stands of different basal areas and trees reached the highest growth with up to two A. angustifolia neighbors within a 5m radius. Therefore, the number of neighbors is a tool to choose the planting location to convert even-aged to uneven-aged mixed stands. In this way, valuable native timber species that requires canopy protection during the first years can be planted outside the rainforest. This is the first report of an uneven-aged mixed plantation of two Atlantic Forest timber species.
Novel Blood-Based RNA Profiles can Predict Human Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Authors: Zheng Zhen-zhong , Chen Jia-lin , Xu Jing-hong , Jiang Bin , Dai Yu-liang , Li Lei , Li Ya-wei , Wang Bing
Published: April 2023

BackgroundDegenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord injury and factors leading to worse prognosis are a longer symptoms duration and a higher myelopathy severity. However, no studies have identified serological biomarkers for the early diagnosis of patients with DCM.MethodsA total of 46 participants were enrolled in the study, and peripheral blood was collected for subsequent analysis. Further, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in DCM, healthy controls (HCs) and patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR, as DCM mimics) were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was performed on DEGs. DEGs enriched in neurological disabilities by DisGeNET ontology category were used to diagnosis DCM and predict severity. Proportions of immune cell types were selected to predict injury levels in DCM.ResultsThe results showed that DEGs enriched terms were mainly related to neurological disabilities with 128 genes included, such as muscle weakness, dystonia, myopathy, skeletal muscle atrophy, and peripheral nervous system diseases. LASSO analysis was used for candidate genes selection to construct a multinomial logistic regression model based on the 128 DEGs. A five-gene model was constructed to diagnose DCM from CSR and HC with an accuracy of 93.5%. The model had good specificity and sensitivity with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of 0.939. As for DCM severity, one gene model was constructed to distinguish mild DCM and severe DCM with 83.3% accuracy (AUC: 0.769) and 76.7% accuracy (AUC: 0.770), respectively. Using the same method of model building, signatures of two immune cell types distinguished single-level and multi-level injury with 80% accuracy (AUC: 0.895). Our results suggest that mRNAs extracted from peripheral blood could serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of DCM and can predict severity and injury levels in DCM.ConclusionBlood RNA biomarkers could diagnose DCM and predict the severity of DCM as well as the level of injury in DCM. Our results may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of DCM and aid in designing treatment.
Effect of pyrite/sulfur ratio on nitrogen removal in autotrophic denitrification dynamic membrane bioreactor
Authors: Zhang Xue , Jin Chunji , Sun Nan , Ji Junyuan , Zhao Yangguo , Gao Mengchun , Zhang Zhiming , She Zonglian
Published: April 2023

In this study, pyrite and sulfur were used as electron donors to form a pyrite/sulfur autotrophic dynamic membrane bioreactor (SP-DMBR). The effect of pyrite/sulfur (P/S) ratio on pollutant removal and membrane pollution was studied. Our findings showed that 3 was optimal P/S ratio for SP-DMBR. The NH4+-N, COD, and NO3−-N removal efficiencies were 93.81%, 95.85%, and 90.27% respectively, and the NO2−-N accumulation was 0.46 mg/L. However, the production of SO42− was significantly reduced, and the pH was stable at 7.3–7.8. At this ratio, the transmembrane pressure (TMP) increases steadily. Microorganisms associated with nitrogen and sulfur cycle mainly belongs to the Desulfuromusa, Desulillus, Denitratisoma, Ellin6067, Desulfuromusa, Thauera, Desulitalea, Prolixibacteraceae and Caldithrix genera. P/S ratio affected the denitrifying microorganism species and the abundance of desulphurizing microorganisms. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to investigate the significant differences in microbial community structure.
The collagen enhancement by Spirulina extract in intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging in albino rat
Authors: Sharafeldein Khaled , Ayesh Hanan , Salama Safwat , Marei Azza
Published: April 2023

The aging of the skin is considered a cumulative process that is classed as intrinsic or extrinsic. Environmental factors like sun exposure and air pollution are considered the main cause of extrinsic aging. Mainly, intrinsic aging reflects the genetic background and depends on time. Spirulina platensis unicellular blue-green algae have a variety of biological and nutritional activities because of their high level of nutrients. The current study aims to investigate the mechanism by which spirulina extract (SE) may act anti-aging in female albino rats. Animals were received SE only, UV radiation only and both. In addition, two intrinsic groups as control old and old rats received SE. Spirulina extract (20mg/mL) was injected subcutaneously before UVA irradiation (2.16 J/cm2), daily for 7 days. The epidermal thickness and the collagen fibers layer were stained utilizing Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson. There were improvements in the activities of antioxidants including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH), downregulating in expressions of inflammatory cytokines; Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). As well as the recovery of collagen density, and reducing the production of matrix metalloproteinases were presented. The results found that spirulina extract may delay the signs of skin aging by enhancing collagen.
The Impact of Economic Growth, Tourism, Natural Resources, Technological Innovation on Carbon dioxide emission: Evidence from BRICS countries
Authors: Ullah Arif , Raza Kashif , Mehmood Usman
Published: April 2023

The main objective of this manuscript was to investigate the relationships among economic development, tourism, the use of natural resources, technical advancement, and carbon dioxide emissions in the BRICS group of nations. Data from the panel was gathered from 1995 to 2018. Modern methodology tools including the CS-ARDL tests, Westerlund cointegration tests, and panel data unit root tests have been used in this study. Results of the models show that all the variables were transformed to first difference to make it stationary. The Westerlund model test results suggest that dependent and independent variables have robust cointegration. Results of the CS-ARDL models reveal that all the variables signed, and significance are aligned with the economic theory. It indicates that except for tourism, the rest of the variables like technical innovation, natural resources, and economic growth have positive and significant effects on carbon dioxide emissions both in the short and long-run. Additionally, a 1% rise in economic growth, technical innovation, and natural resources over the long term would raise carbon dioxide emissions in the BRICS economies by 1.79%, 0.15%, and 0.10%, respectively. However, a 1% increase in tourism would result in a 0.39%decrease in carbon dioxide emissions among the nations in the panel data set. Therefore, the promotion of sustainable tourism and advancement in technological innovation is highly important in these countries, so the high impact of environmental degradation pressure may reduce to some extent.
Association between personality traits and smoking cessation among Chinese adults
Authors: Jin Weiyun , Xian Bensong , Li Changle
Published: April 2023

Background China is the largest producer and consumer of tobacco worldwide. However, little is known about the association between smoking cessation and personality traits in China. Moreover, although the association between smoking cessation and personality traits has been documented, thus far, only a few studies have analyzed this phenomenon using a nationally representative dataset.
Aim This study aimed to examine the association between successful smoking cessation and personality traits among Chinese adults.
Methods This cross-sectional study used data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies. Probit regression models were employed to analyze the association between successful smoking cessation and personality traits stratified by sex.
Results Lower scores for neuroticism (Coef.=-0.055, p<0.1), lower scores for extraversion (Coef.=-0.077, p<0.05), and higher scores for openness to experience (Coef.=0.045, p<0.1) predicted being a successful male quitter after adjusting for demographics. Moreover, lower scores for conscientiousness (Coef.=-0.150, p<0.1) predicted being a successful female quitter after adjusting for demographics.
Conclusion The empirical findings suggested that among Chinese men, lower levels of neuroticism, lower levels of extraversion, and higher levels of openness to experience were associated with a higher likelihood of smoking cessation. Moreover, lower levels of conscientiousness were associated with successful smoking cessation among Chinese women. These results showed that personality information should be included in smoking cessation interventions.
How does governance quality affect the shadow economy-sustainable development nexus: New insights from a dynamic threshold analysis
Authors: Assidi Nadia , Nouira Ridha , saafi sami
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we develop a novel and an alternative empirical approach based on the Seo and Shin’s (2016) dynamic FD-GMM panel threshold model to explore whether the impact of the size of the shadow economy on the three key pillars of sustainable development – economic growth, human development, and environmental quality – varies with the level of governance quality. We consider economic, political and institutional dimensions of governance to assess which of them are likely to moderate the shadow economy-sustainable development linkage. Employing panel data for 82 countries over the period 1996–2017, our evidence indicates the presence of a significant threshold, suggesting that the impact of shadow economy on each of the above-mentioned pillars is regime-specific, depending on the countries’ level of governance quality. Moreover, our findings show that the initially detrimental effect of the shadow economy on sustainable development would be attenuated and even turn into a beneficial one if countries reach a certain threshold level of governance quality.This pattern is shown to be robust to various indicators of governance and alternative measures of shadow economy. The findings in this paper therefore suggest that enhancing governance quality can serve as an effective policy tool for abating shadow economy activities and thereby reaping the benefits of economic, social and environmental sustainablility.
JEL classification: C33, E26, Q01, O17, O43
Dialysis flow rate in central venous catheters – A numerical analisys with experimental validation.
Authors: Gonçalves Saulo de Freitas , Costa Matheus Carvalho Barbosa , Silva Mario Luis Ferreira , Lucas Thabata Coaglio , Haniel Jonathas , Huebner Rudolf , Viana Edna
Published: April 2023

Despite a great number of studies regarding the favorable correlation between higher dialysis dose and the clinical efficiency of the hemodialysis treatment, the effect dialyses flow rate inside the catheter has been few investigated in the perspective of the hemodynamics modifications in central venous access for hemodialysis. This study proposes the numerical simulation and na in-vitro experimental validation of this model to assess the hemodynamic behavior and the thrombogenic potential in central venous access for hemodialysis, using different flow rates values in the central venous catheter (200, 250, 300, 350 and 400 mL/min). A mathematical model based in the Eulerian formulation was implemented in the solver subroutine to calculate the platelet lysis index (PLI). The pressure drop values obtained by numerical and experimental models were compered in order to validate the numerical model. The maximum percentage difference between those models was less than 13%. The flow rates values of 250, 300 and 350 mL/min resulted in larger recirculation zones in the flow field. It was possible to conclude that, in general, shear stresses and turbulence intensity increased in a quadratic manner with dialysis dose. The platelet lysis index increased with the dialysis flow rate and showed higher values in instants of time associated with major recirculation zones.
The distribution and the influencing factors of the teeth with residual pockets in periodontitis stage III–IV treated by non- surgical periodontal treatment
Authors: Yang Xue , Liu Peicheng , Fan Xiaomiao , Yu Shiwen , Chen Chen , Pan Yaping , Lin Li , Tang Xiaolin , Li Chen
Published: April 2023

Background Periodontitis is a chronic multi-factorial infectious disease, and there is a significant difference in the prognosis of severe periodontitis patients after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted to find common and specific factors affecting the prognosis of periodontitis stage III-IV after non-surgical periodontal treatment according to various tooth sites.Methods A total of 977 teeth from 266 patients of periodontitis stage III-IV were enrolled, including 330 anterior teeth, 362 maxillary posterior teeth and 285 mandibular posterior teeth. The enrolled teeth were divided into two groups according to the residual pockets (PD ≥ 5 mm) at 3 months post-treatment. The association of risk factors with the prognosis of periodontitis stage III-IV were analyzed with multivariate analysis. All tests were two-sided and parameters were statistically significant (P < 0.05).Results The PD values of each site and the deepest PD values of each tooth were significantly decreased at 3 months post-treatment, and the residual pockets were mainly distributed in mesio/disto-buccal and mesio/disto-lingual. The multivariate analysis revealed that gender, probing depth (PD), sulcus bleeding index (SBI) and plaque index (PLI) at baseline and crown-root ratio in anterior teeth had significant correlation with periodontitis stage III-IV (P < 0.05). In maxillary posterior teeth the significant factors were smoking, PD, PLI and furcation involvement (FI) at baseline, PLI at 3 months post-treatment, grades of periodontitis and crown-root ratio. And PD, PLI and FI at baseline, PLI at 3 months post-treatment and crown-root were significant in mandibular posterior teeth.Conclusions The mean PD and PLI at baseline and crown-root ratio were common prognostic factors of anterior teeth, maxillary posterior teeth and mandibular posterior teeth. The gender and SBI at baseline were specific prognostic factors of anterior teeth. The common prognostic factors of posterior teeth were FI at baseline and PLI at 3 months post-treatment. While the specific prognostic factors of maxillary posterior teeth were smoking and the grades of periodontitis compared with mandibular posterior teeth .
Mitochondrial UQCC3 controls angiogenesis during embryonic development and tumor growth
Authors: zhang guiming , Yang Yun , Xie Shuo , Chen Lingcheng , luo hui , Zhong Jian , Wei Yinhao , Guo Fengzhu , Gan Jia , Zhu Fan , Xu Lin , li qiqi , liu binrui , shen yuge , Zhang Huajing , Liu Yan , Li Rong , Yang Hanshuo
Published: April 2023

Angiogensis during embryonic development and tumor growth requires the crucial involvement of mitochondria, which provide energy for cell proliferation, produce angiogenic signaling molecules, and exhibit a different functional profile in these cells. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying the regulatory role of mitochondria in angiogenesis remain elusive and warrant. Here, we reported that a small assembly factor of complex III, ubiquitin-cytochrome c reductase complex assembly factor 3 (UQCC3), is indispensable for angiogenesis during embryonic development and tumor growth. Homozygous deletion of UQCC3 caused early embryonic lethality and impaired vascular development. UQCC3 knockout in tumor cells impaired tumor angiogenesis and inhibits tumor growth. Mechanistically, UQCC3 expression was significantly upregulated in a hypoxic environment, which stabilised hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and provoked a significantly higher expression of VEGF. UQCC3 knockout reduced the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), stabilzed HIF-1α, and VEGF expression, but supplementation of ROS can restore HIF-1α and VEGF levels, and vice versa. Finally, based on the analysis of TCGA database, having high levels of UQCC3 is associated with unfavorable outcomes across various types of tumors, indicating a significant role for UQCC3 in tumor progression.
Multi-country CO2 emission forecasting based on background value optimized Nonlinear Grey Bernoulli and BP neural network combined model
Authors: Wu Sixuan , Zeng Xiangyan , Li Chunming , Cang Haoze , Tan Qiancheng , Xu Dewei
Published: April 2023

Under the background of green low-carbon economy, it is of great significance to accurately estimate the future CO2 emissions of countries with large CO2 emissions for the development of the world green economy. A new Nonlinear Grey Bernoulli and BP neural network combined model (BP-ONGBM (1,1) model) has been proposed to study the CO2 emissions of China, the United States, the European Union, India and Japan. Firstly, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is optimized by using the idea of Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm (AFSA), and then the background value of ONGBM (1,1) model is dynamically optimized. Based on the linearization of the model, the time response function is derived. Then, the ONGBM (1,1) model is combined with the BP neural network model. The combination weight and the background value coefficient are determined by improved PSO algorithm. Finally, according to the observation data from 2010 to 2021 in the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research 2022, the model is established to calculate the CO2 emissions of the selected countries from 2022 to 2026, and compared with the prediction results provided by multiple competitive models. The empirical application shows that the newly proposed BP-ONGBM (1,1) model is significantly better than other competitive models.
Characterization of different types of anxiety disorders in relation to structural integration of personality and adverse and protective childhood experiences in psychotherapy outpatients – a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nowak Jonathan , Nikendei Christoph , Rollmann Ivo , Orth Maximilian , Friederich Hans-Christoph , Kindermann David
Published: April 2023

Background:Current research has emphasized the role of structural integration of personality and childhood experiences for the understanding of anxiety disorders. In this study, we examined the relationship between anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder vs. panic disorder vs. phobic disorders), level of structural integration of personality, and negative and protective childhood experiences. Differences were characterized in comparison to patients with no anxiety disorders.Methods:The sample included a total of 1646 outpatient psychodynamic psychotherapy treatments, of which 695 treatments included the diagnosis of at least one anxiety disorder. Levels of structural integration of personality were assessed according to the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD-2) system. Self-reported negative and protective childhood experiences were examined by using the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Adverse and Protective Childhood Experiences (APC). Associations were tested using single factor ANOVAs.Results:Patients with anxiety disorders showed lower levels of structural integration of personality and reported more adverse childhood experiences than patients with no anxiety disorders. Regarding the subscales of structural integration of personality, phobic disorders were associated with impaired external communication, whereas for generalized anxiety disorder, an (uncorrected) association with impaired self-regulation was found. Also, generalized anxiety disorder was associated with sexual abuse and other traumatization (accidents etc.) during childhood, while panic disorder and phobic disorders were associated with emotional neglect, abuse, and fewer protective childhood experiences.Conclusions:Our findings emphasize the need of considering structural integration of personality and childhood experiences in order to understand and treat different types of anxiety disorders.
Liver fibrosis quantified by image morphometry predicts clinical outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Wang Zhengyi , Jeffrey Gary P , Huang Yi , De Boer Bastiaan , Garas George , Wallace Michael , Bertot Luis , Adams Leon A
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims: Liver fibrosis predicts adverse clinical outcomes such as liver-related death (LRD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to investigate the accuracy of semi-automated quantification of collagen proportionate area (CPA) as an objective new method for predicting clinical outcomes.Method Liver biopsies from patients with NAFLD underwent computerized image morphometry of Sirius Red staining with CPA quantification performed by ImageScope. Clinical outcomes including total mortality, LRD and combined liver outcomes (liver decompensation, HCC or LRD) which were determined by medical records and population-based data-linkage. Accuracy of CPA for predicting outcomes was compared with non-invasive fibrosis tests (Hepascore, FIB-4, APRI).Results A total of 295 patients (mean age 49 years) were followed for a median (range) of 9 (0.2–25) years totalling 3253 person-years. Patients with CPA ≥ 10% had significantly higher risks for total death [hazard ratio (HR): 5.0 (1.9–13.2)], LRD [19.0 (2.0–182.0)], and combined liver outcomes [15.6 (3.1–78.6)]. CPA and pathologist fibrosis staging (FS) showed similar accuracy (AUROC) for the prediction of total death (0.68 vs. 0.70), LRD (0.72 vs. 0.77) and combined liver outcomes (0.75 vs. 0.78). Non-invasive serum markers Hepascore, APRI and FIB-4 reached higher AUROC however they were not statistically significant compared to that of CPA except for Hepascore in predicting total mortality (0.86 vs. 0.68, P = 0.009).Conclusion Liver fibrosis quantified by CPA analysis was significantly associated with worse clinical outcomes including total mortality, LRD and HCC. The CPA achieved similar accuracy in predicting outcomes compared to traditional fibrosis staging and non-invasive serum markers.
A new prognostic signature based on cancer associated fibroblast-driven genes in breast cancer
Authors: Wu Zizheng , Wei Yuanjun , Liu Yinfeng , Zheng Jie , Yan Weitao , Liu， Jiani , Han Meng , Li Tong
Published: April 2023

Background
Breast cancer, a leading malignant disease, affects women all over the world. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) stimulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and induce chemoresistance and immunosuppression.
Objective
This study aims to establish a CAFs-associated prognostic signature to improve BC patient outcome estimation.
Methods
We retrieved the transcript profile and clinical data of 1072 BC samples from TCGA databases, and 3661 BC samples from the GEO. CAFs and immune cell infiltrations were quantified using CIBERSORT algorithm. CAF-associated gene identification was done by WGCNA. A CAF risk signature was established via univariate, LASSO regression, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to evaluate the predictability of the model. Subsequently, a nomogram was developed with the risk score and patient clinical signature. Using Spearman's correlations analysis, the relationship between CAF risk score and gene set enrichment scores were examined.
Results
Employing an 8-gene (IL18, MYD88, GLIPR1, TNN, BHLHE41, DNAJB5, FKBP14, and XG) signature, we attempted to estimate BC patient prognosis. Based on our analysis, high-risk patients exhibited worse outcomes than low-risk patients. Multivariate analysis revealed the risk score as an independent indicator of BC patient prognosis. ROC analysis exhibited satisfactory nomogram predictability. The AUC showed 0.805 at 3 years, and 0.801 at 5 years in the TCGA cohort. We also demonstrated that a reduced CAF risk score was strongly associated with enhanced chemotherapeutic outcomes. CAF risk score was significantly correlated with most hallmark gene sets.
Conclusion
We introduced a newly-discovered CAFs-linked gene signature, which served as an independent marker of BC patient prognosis.
Severity and Mortality of Acute Respiratory Failure in Pediatrics: A Prospective Cohort at 2,600 Meters Above Sea Level
Authors: Vargas-Acevedo Catalina , Marín Mónica Botero , Trujillo Catalina Jaime , Hernández Laura Jimena , Vanegas Melisa Naranjo , Moreno Sergio Mauricio , Rueda-Guevara Paola , Piñeros Juan Gabriel , Baquero Olga , Bonilla Carolina , Mesa María Lucía , Restrepo-Gualteros Sonia , Barrera Pedro , Varela Andrea Ramirez
Published: April 2023

Background: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the most frequent cause of cardiorespiratory arrest and subsequent death in children worldwide, therefore several efforts have been made to better understand its etiology and risk factors for further progression (1–4). The aim of this study was to calculate mortality and describe associated factors for severity and mortality in children with acute respiratory failure.
Methods: The study was conducted within a prospective multicentric cohort that evaluated the natural history of pediatric acute respiratory failure (ARF). For this analysis three primary outcomes were studied: mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, and pediatric intensive care unit length of stay.
Setting: Pediatric emergency, in-hospital, and critical care services in three hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, from April 2020 to June 2021.
Patients: Eligible patients were children older than 1 month and younger than 18 years of age with respiratory difficulty at time of admission. Patients who developed ARF were followed at time of ARF, 48 hours later, at time of admission and at 30 and 60 days after discharge.
Measurements and main results: Out of a total of 685 eligible patients, 296 developed ARF for a calculated incidence of ARF of 43.2%. Of the ARF group, ninety patients (30.4%) needed orotracheal intubation, for a mean of 9.57 days of ventilation (interquartile range = 3.00–11.5). Incidence of mortality was 6.1% (n= 18). The associated factors for mortality in ARF were a history of a neurologic comorbidity and a higher fraction of inspired oxygen at ARF diagnosis. For PICU length of stay associated factors were age between 2 and 5 years of age, exposure to smokers, and respiratory comorbidity. Finally, for mechanical ventilation, the risk factors were obesity and being unstable at admission.
Conclusions: ARF is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Understanding the factors associated with greater mortality and severity of ARF might allow earlier recognition and initiation of prompt treatment strategies.
Anesthesia management in elderly critically ill plateau area patients with severe craniocerebral injury caused by foreign body invasion: a case report
Authors: Sun Yongtao , Liu Yang , Liu Peng , Zhang Min , Liu Mengjie , Wang Yuelan
Published: April 2023

Background: Anesthesia management in elderly patients with long-term invasive plateau area severe craniocerebral injury is complex, rare, and high-risk.
Case: A 76-year-old male had a 26-year history of skull foreign body penetration and 20 days of local pus and pain. His diagnoses included right hypoplasia, a foreign body in the skull with infection, hypokalemia, hypoproteinemia, pulmonary fibrous foci, and bilateral pleural effusion. For almost six months, the patient suffered from recurring headaches, blurred vision, and sluggish movement. The patient had poor diet, and poor sleep quality. The right anterior ear had a 2 cm skin defect with yellow pus and a black metal foreign body tip. The left eyelid was red and swollen, and the left conjunctiva was hyperemic. The right eyelid showed no abnormality with light and adjustment reflexes.
Conclusion: To ensure the patient safety, close multidisciplinary collaboration, a precise surgical plan and anesthetic management strategy are essential.
Electronic Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (eIMCI): a randomized controlled trial to evaluate an electronic clinical decision-making support system for management of sick children in primary health care facilities in South Africa
Authors: Horwood Christiane , Haskins Lyn , Mapumulo Sphindile , Connolly Catherine , Luthuli Silondile , Jensen Cecilie , Pansegrouw Deirdre , McKerrow Neil
Published: April 2023

Background

Electronic clinical decision-making support systems (eCDSS) aim to assist clinicians making complex patient management decisions and improve adherence to evidence-based guidelines. Integrated management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) provides guidelines for management of sick children attending primary health care clinics and is widely implemented globally. An electronic version of IMCI (eIMCI) was developed in South Africa.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing management of sick children with eIMCI to the management when using paper-based IMCI (pIMCI) in one district in KwaZulu-Natal. From 31 clinics in the district, 15 were randomly assigned to intervention (eIMCI) or control (pIMCI) groups. Computers were deployed in eIMCI clinics, and one IMCI trained nurse was randomly selected to participate from each clinic. eIMCI participants received a one-day computer training, and all participants received a similar three-day IMCI update and two mentoring visits. A quantitative survey was conducted among mothers and sick children attending participating clinics to assess the quality of care provided by IMCI practitioners. Sick child assessments by participants in eIMCI and pIMCI groups were compared to assessment by an IMCI expert.

Results

Self-reported computer skills were poor among all nurse participants. IMCI knowledge was similar in both groups. Among 291 enrolled children: 152 were in the eIMCI group; 139 in the pIMCI group. The mean number of enrolled children was 9.7 per clinic (range 7–12). eIMCI consultations took longer than pIMCI consultations (median duration 28 minutes vs 25 minutes; p = 0.02). eIMCI participants were less likely than pIMCI participants to correctly classify children for presenting symptoms, but were more likely to correctly classify for screening conditions (TB, HIV and nutrition). However, this did not increase identification of children who screened positive. eIMCI participants were less likely to provide all required medications (124/152; 81.6% vs 126/139; 91.6%, p = 0.026), and more likely to prescribe unnecessary medication (48/152; 31.6% vs 20/139; 14.4%, p = 0.004) compared to pIMCI participants.

Conclusions

Implementation of eIMCI failed to improve management of sick children, with poor IMCI implementation in both groups. Further research is needed to understand barriers to comprehensive implementation of both pIMCI and eIMCI. (350)
Clinical Trials Registration: BFC157/19
3D bright-bright Peregrine triple-one structures in a nonautonomous partially nonlocal vector nonlinear Schr¨odinger model under a harmonic potential
Authors: Li Jitao , Yang Jing , Zhu Yu , Qin Wei , Wang Shaohui
Published: April 2023

Similar dynamical properties of coupled solitons have been heavily reported in previous literatures. This paper focuses on the different excitation management of two components for 3D bright-bright Peregrine triple-one structures in a nonautonomous partially nonlocal vector nonlinear Schr¨odinger model under a harmonic potential by contrasting the maximum accumulated time value with the the excited value for each Peregrine peak. Furthermore, the different diffraction values in two transverse directions affect the bright-bright Peregrine triple-one structure configurations and amplitude and width of the Peregrine structure. This study extends the management of rogue wave to the partially nonlocal phenomena of optical wave, matter wave and other nonlinear waves.
Design and fabrication of a potential biodetector based in gold nanoantennas array
Authors: Moreno Juan R. , Chiwo F. S. , Cabrera-Alonso R. , Aboytes-González JA. , Rosa-Zapata Ariel de la , de Leon Ramón Diaz , Garduño I. E. , González Francisco J. , Mendez-Lozoya Javier
Published: April 2023

The biotechnology sector is focusing on developing biosensors that allow us to detect and monitor substances in vivo using non-invasive methods. For example, in substances detection using the label-less method, radiation in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) has been used to obtain the vibrational fingerprint. In this work, we propose to use plasmonic nanoantennas called spaceship to develop a SEIRA substrate that can be used in disease detection. The spaceship nanoantennas were fabricated using electron beam lithography. A potential SEIRA device was fabricated with Au spaceship nanoantennas based on crop circles with dimensions of 5.5 µm long and 5 µm high. The resonance frequency (νres) was analyzed using gold nanoantennas absorbance as a function of frequency where one peak wasfound at 33THz. Additionally, these results were corroborated with a simulation where the magnitude of the electric field E = 7.79 V/m at 30.02 THz was found, and in E = 3.42 V/m at 79.97 THz is shown. These results allow us to propose spaceship nanoantennas as good candidates for the design of a SEIRA substrate.
Psychometric evaluation of nursing interns' Consciousness of Rights Scale in clinical practice
Authors: Zeng Yuting , Li Hongyu
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to translate the Awareness of Rights Scale into Chinese and test its psychometric properties among nursing students in clinical practice
METHODS: The original English scale was translated, synthesized, and back-translated according to the Brislin translation model: the translated scale was cross-culturally adapted through expert correspondence and pretesting to form the Chinese version of the scale; a convenience sampling method was used to survey 506 nursing interns in Liaoning, Guangdong, and Anhui regions to assess the reliability and validity of the scale.
RESULTS: The Chinese version of the scale consists of 14 items in three dimensions. The Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was 0.916 and the range of Cronbach's alpha coefficients was 0.768 to 0.894. The discounted half reliability was 0.867 and the retest reliability was 0.901. The scale content validity index (S-CVI) was 0.963. A total of three common factors were extracted for the exploratory factor analysis. The validated factor analysis indices fit well (χ2/df = 1.092, RMSEA = 0.014, CFI = 0.998, IFI = 0.998. TLI = 0.997), and the model fit was good.
CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the scale has good reliability and validity in the nursing intern population and can be used to assess nursing interns' awareness of their rights in clinical practice in mainland China.
Discovery and Exploration of Monosaccharide Linked Dimers of Galectin-3 Inhibitors to Target Fibrosis
Authors: Swidorski Jacob J. , Beno Brett R. , Liu Chunjian , Yoon David S. , Ghosh Kaushik , Sale Harinath , Shah Devang , Acharya Kriti , Yanchunas Joseph , Haldar Priyanka , Kalidindi Narasimharaju , Shukla Jinal K. , Argentieri Matthew , Ellsworth Bruce A. , Cheng Dong , Regueiro-Ren Alicia
Published: April 2023

Galectin proteins have been targets of interest in numerous therapeutic areas for some time. Galectin-3 has been identified as a target of particular interest because of its unique structural characteristics and physiological profile. Recent literature indicates Gal-3 inhibition can decrease myofibroblast activation and procollagen expression with the potential to affect the progression of fibrosis in the lung, liver and kidney. Potential π-stacking interactions between one monosaccharide ligand bound to the carbohydrate recognition domain of a galectin-3 protein and a second ligand bound to a different galectin-3 protein molecule were observed in the extended crystalline lattice in an X-ray crystal structure obtained while studying the monosaccharide structure-activity relationship. The direct interaction between the ligands suggests a potential for dimeric galectin-3 inhibitors which bind to two galectin-3 molecules simultaneously. This work describes the exploration of dimers designed to further probe these observations and explore the potential of binding to dimeric or higher order multimeric galectin-3 assemblies.
The association between team job crafting and work engagement among nurses: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Iida Mako , Sakuraya Asuka , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Imamura Kotaro , Sawada Utako , Akiyama Hiroto , Komase Yu , Miyamoto Yuki , Kawakami Norito
Published: April 2023

Background
Team-level job crafting has been put forward as a method to promote nurses' mental health. However, a longitudinal association is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between team job crafting at baseline and work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave at three-month and six-month follow-ups among Japanese hospital nurses. Also, whether an increase in the team job crafting during 3 or 6 months was associated with an increase in the work engagement during 3 or 6 months of individual nurses was examined.
Methods
A multilevel prospective cohort study was conducted. Data were collected from nurses of five hospitals in Japan at baseline (T1) and follow-ups at 3-months (T2) and 6-months (T3). A total of 2,478 nurses were included. The team job crafting scale for nurses and its three subscales were measured for the independent variables. Ward-means were used as ward-level variables. The dependent variables were work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to examine the multilevel association.
Results
Data from 391 nurses nested in 30 wards were included in the analyses. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) at T1 were 0.02 for work engagement and 0.07 for team job crafting. The HLM revealed that ward-level team job crafting at T1 was not significantly associated with work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave at T2 or T3. The ward-level change (T3-T1) of “crafting for the task considering the team’s growth” (subscale for team job crafting) was significantly and positively associated with the change (T3-T1) in work engagement.
Conclusions
Ward-level team job crafting at baseline did not predict nurses' work engagement at the follow-ups. This finding contradicted previous cross-sectional and one-month follow-up studies in other countries. The impact of ward-level team job crafting on work engagement may be limited to more than a three-month follow-up.
Inquiry - Based Learning: Its Impact to Students Problem Solving Performance in Series
Authors: Chengay Frederick B.
Published: April 2023

This study sought to determine whether the use of Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) approach have an effect on the performance of students in solving word problems under series. It aimed to answer the following problems: 1) What is the level of performance of students in solving word problems when exposed to Inquiry – Based Learning approach and traditional approach? 2) What is the difference in the students’ level of performance in solving word problems when compared according to teaching approach their exposed to? 3) What are the coping mechanisms of students in solving word problems?
Matched pairs design was used in this study. Sixty (60) grade 10 students of Baguio City National High School-Hillside Annex during the school year 2017 – 2018 were the respondents of the study. Data were obtained through a survey questionnaire along with a teacher-made test in word problem.
Results revealed that students taught using the IBL approach registered a higher performance. However, further analysis revealed that there is no significant difference in the students’ level of performance in solving word problems when compared according to teaching approaches their exposed to. This indicates that both approaches have the same effect on the performance of students. Results also show that the coping mechanisms in solving word problems for students exposed to traditional approach was creating a systematic list while looking for a pattern to students exposed to IBL approach.
It is recommended that Mathematics teachers use varied teaching approaches such as IBL approach in teaching word problems to improve better performance of students. Also, more trainings and workshops should be conducted for the teachers to master the proper and effective use of IBL approach. This will enable them to deliver the lesson in a more creative, enjoyable and effective way. In addition, teachers may consider discussing the different strategies of solving word problems. Finally, similar study can be conducted in other topics in Mathematics and to consider other variables to verify results.