bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Service Experience Evaluation Tool for Visiting Nurses of Public Health Center in Korea
Authors: Kim Jiwon
Published: June 2023

Objectives: The objective of this study is to develop an evaluation tool for clients’ experience of visiting nursing service provided by visiting nurses of public health center in Korea.Methods: This study is built upon Clark’s theory (2008) of community nurse role model and the 8-stage tool development methodology suggested by DeVellis (2012).Results: Major findings are as follows. First, a tentative list of questionnaires with forty two measurable items were derived through several rounds of focus group interviews with nursing professors, health policy experts and visiting nursing staff, and later twenty five items were determined as a preliminary test set after a series of revision and removal from the aforementioned tentative set. Second, the 25-item preliminary survey tool comprised five dimensions of service quality, which include 4 items for Tangibles, 9 items for Reliability, 3 items for Responsiveness, 7 items for Assurance, and 2 items for Empathy. Third, after factor analysis and reliability analysis, only 14 items survived, being categorized into five dimensions of the SERVPERF model: The final version of evaluation tool to measure service experience for visiting nurse of public health center is comprised of 18 items.Conclusions: This study tried to develop a valid and reliable tool for evaluating the clients’ experience of visiting nursing service provided by visiting nurses of public health center in Korea for the first time.
Competency Survey of Caregivers in Medical Tourism Special Zone and Other Regions
Authors: Lee Dong-Yeop , Lee Sang-Bong , Park Yeong-Im , Lee Jin-Geun , Park Yoon Hee , Lee So Young , Kang Dong-Yoon
Published: June 2023

Objectives: With the designation of Seo-gu in Busan as a medical tourism special zone, the influx of hospitalized patients requiring caregivers is expected to increase, and it is necessary to secure and verify the expertise of caregivers. In this study, we surveyed the competencies of caregivers in the Seo-gu in Busan and compared them to other regions.Methods: This study surveyed the knowledge, skills, professionalism, and job satisfaction of caregivers at tertiary general hospitals and general hospitals in Busan, South Korea. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS Statistics 27.0 and included frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and crosstabulation.Results: In the end, 132 caregivers from Seo-gu in Busan and 132 caregivers from other regions were included in the analysis. The knowledge, skills, and job satisfaction of caregiver in Seo-gu were higher than those in other regions, and they were positive about the need for continuing education regardless of the region.Conclusions: The competency of caregivers in the Seo-gu in Busan was evaluated as excellent compared to other regions, and in order for the region to operate effectively as a medical tourism special zone, it will be necessary to provide them with continuing education and improve their working environment.
Cardiocerebrovascular Disease or Fatty Liver Incidence Associated with Pattern of Metabolic Risk Factors and Nutritional Status of Korean Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Park Pil Sook , Li Mei Sheng , Ding Chong Yu , Park Mi Yeon
Published: June 2023

Objectives: To determine the nutrient intake according to patterns of metabolic risk factors, and examine the relationship between patterns of metabolic risk factors and incidence of cardiocerebrovascular disease or fatty liver in Korean adults.Methods: Data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were used to analyze 7,019 adults aged 50-64 years old. Depending on patterns of metabolic risk factors, participants were classified into four categories: ‘normal, NOR’, ‘obesity risk factors, ORF’ , ‘vascular risk factors, VRF’, ‘cluster risk factors, CRF’. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the incidence of cardiocerebrovascular disease or fatty liver.Results: The mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of VRF pattern women was significantly lower than that of the normal women. In Model 3, the incidence of cardiovascular disease or fatty liver decreased by 64.4% (hazard ratio (HR), 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.15-0.84) in MAR Q3 women compared to MAR Q1 women. In Model 2 adjusted for age and energy intake, the incidence of cardiovascular disease or fatty liver increased by 87.6% (HR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.01-3.48) in CRF pattern women compared to NOR women, but there was no significant difference in Model 3.Conclusions: The study showed that among women, VRF patterns were associated with poor nutrient intake. There was an association between nutrient intake levels and metabolic risk factor patterns in women. Therefore, these findings can be used a basis to emphasize the need to establish nutrition management strategies tailored to individual’s metabolic risk status, for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome complications.
Panel Data for Healthcare Research: Reviews and Suggestions
Authors: Park Nayoung , Min Sanghee , Woo Hyekyung
Published: June 2023

Objectives: Several panel surveys have recently been accumulated for various purposes in Korea, and vast amounts of data have been built over a long period of time. However, there are still no networks or platforms that can provide integrated information about existing panel data. In this paper, panel data, which is widely used on healthcare research, was reviewed and future suggestions were proposed in establishing panel data. Methods: This study classified and analyzed 9 types of panel data commonly used in healthcare research according to their status, sample composition, sample retention rate, survey items, and other characteristics.Results: The use of panel data is particularly useful for longitudinal analyses, such as examining health trajectories or identifying causal relationships with influencing factors. To utilize panel data effectively for healthcare research, efforts are needed to establish links between panel data and administrative data, provide post-survey management support, and ensure continuous quality improvement.Conclusions: It is very important to establish the integration platform for various panel data and administration data. If we develop strategies for quality management for it, the value of panel data and utilization of researchers will be enhanced.
Supporting Students at the Transition to University with a Self-Paced, Online Mathematics Induction Course
Authors: Parkes Abigail , Naughton Liam , Karodia Nazira , Brennan Jordan , Rodden Emily
Published: June 2023

In this article we report on the design, development, and delivery of an online, self-paced, Mathematics Induction Course given to all incoming students in the Faculty of Science Engineering at the University of Wolverhampton. We outline the background to the project, and we report on some preliminary findings which will be used to inform the future delivery of this course.
Editorial
Authors: Rowlett Peter
Published: June 2023

Editorial
Characteristics and Geological Implications of Lacustrine Carbonate of Nantun Formation in Hailar Basin
Authors: Lin Tong , Sha Zonglun , Zhu Kedan , Nan Jinhao , Ren Yanguang , Li Baoshuai
Published: June 2023

Globally, lacustrine carbonate rocks are often found in rift lake basins. Because they often do not form large-scale conventional or unconventional reservoirs, they have not received enough attention in previous oil and gas exploration. Recent years, exploration examples in China show that lacustrine carbonate has close relationship with unconventional oil and gas. Mudstone with carbonate deposits always has a good exploration effect in the area. However, the genesis of lacustrine carbonate is still controversial. The sediment environment difference between carbonate and mudstone and its effects on unconventional hydrocarbon accumulation are not yet clear. This paper focuses on lacustrine carbonate found in the Nantun Formation in Hailar Basin. Through the analysis of lithofacies, geochemistry, and logging data, several findings have been obtained in the current study. (a) Two kinds of lacustrine carbonates, micrite dolomite and marlstone, which represent semideep to deep lake environments, have been identified in the research area. (b) Lacustrine dolomite (LD), whose genesis may relate to magmatic movement and deep hydrothermal processes, shows an extremely dry, hot paleoclimate and a saline, anaerobic ancient water condition. (c) Carbonate deposition in mudstone is related to the condensation section, and marlstone and micrite dolomite represent the beginning and end of the condensation section, respectively. Compared with mudstone around carbonate rocks, LD represents a drier, hotter, and saltier environment, which is of significance for sedimentary environment identification. In addition, the mudstone with lacustrine carbonate deposits has better organic matter characteristics and can form good unconventional oil and gas reservoirs that are of great significance for further exploration.
Experimental Evaluation of Blends Containing Lineal Alkylbenzene Sulfonates for Surfactant Flooding in Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Somoza A. , Rodríguez-Cabo B. , Barrio I. , García-Mayoral M. F. , Soto A.
Published: June 2023

About one-half of the proven conventional oil reserves are in carbonate reservoirs. However, conducting surfactant flooding in these reservoirs presents several challenges, including formation heterogeneities, surfactant retention, high temperature and salinity, and oil-wet/mixed-wet conditions. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LASs) are low-cost anionic surfactants that tend to precipitate in high-salinity environments and show high adsorption values in carbonate material. In this paper, the possibility of using petrochemical LASs of different alkyl chain lengths and isomer content to extract oil from carbonate reservoirs was tested using blends with the ionic liquid cocosalkylpentaethoximethylammonium methylsulfate (C1EG). Phase behavior, stability in the presence of divalent ions, and interfacial tension (IFT) measurements were the criteria used to design several optimal formulations containing 36–45% LASs. The structure-performance relationship was further assessed via static adsorption and wettability tests. LASs enriched in isomers with the benzenesulfonic group in external positions of the alkyl chain resulted in lower IFT but significantly higher adsorption, so those surfactants were discarded for the application. Additional oil recoveries achieved with tested formulations ranged from 36.7% to 43.5% of the residual oil in place. The longer the alkyl chain length, the higher the oil recovery. The main mechanism associated with improved oil recovery is IFT reduction. The use of a cost-effective ionic liquid derived from natural raw materials, the stability of the blends, the low adsorption of the chemical, and a significant oil recovery ensure the overall feasibility of the proposal.
Automated Exploration of Economical and Safe Well Trajectories in Brown Oil and Gas Fields
Authors: Pathan Rizwan , Singh Umesh , Joshi Amol Dilip , Cavé Adrien , Fouchard Cédric , Baume Antonin
Published: June 2023

Due to volatile and uncertain oil and gas prices, the need to reduce well planning and drilling cost is a crucial concern in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. Therefore, the focus has increased on brownfield sites for new oil and gas explorations. However, the presence of previously drilled wellbores, also known as legacy wells, in brownfield sites increases the risk of collision incidents during the drilling process. Thus, avoiding collisions is also an important objective in the well trajectory design process. Moreover, designing well trajectories is a challenging and time-consuming process. Such designs demand multiple interdependent iterations to arrive at a required cost-effective solution that meets the drillability and safety requirements. In this study, we developed a novel framework to automate the well trajectory design process, including a well trajectory optimization technique to generate safer and more economical well trajectories. The developed framework was tested on two live oil- and gasfield cases. The first field case involved designing a single well trajectory in a crowded field, and the second field case involved designing 36 well trajectories in a field that consists of 13 legacy wells. The developed framework has a high impact on reducing the well trajectory design time and drilling length of trajectories. For example, in the second field case study, the obtained solution resulted in total length savings of 2.3% compared to an existing industry-standard tool solution, and it avoided collision with 13 wells. Also, the total time taken for designing 36 collision-free optimized wells was reduced from months (as per the industry standard) to a couple of days.
Factors Affecting Capital Structure Decisions of Banks: A Systematic Literature Review Evidence from Commercial Banks of Ethiopia
Authors: Gofe Tesfaye Eresso , Asfaw Arega Seyoum
Published: June 2023

The study intends to examine the literature on factors influencing capital structure decisions of commercial banks in Ethiopia in order to identify existing gaps and the degree of existing research in the subject, as well as to provide direction for future research. Due to a lack of studies for the stated review and access to the known database, the review was conducted utilizing eleven relevant and available scholarly papers that were published in any time period, primarily using open search engines and databases. To identify the articles, various key words were employed. The PRISMA framework was used to analyze the capital structure decisions study work. The review protocol outlined the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The descriptive analysis was performed based on different parameters to arrive at conclusions. The findings revealed that most of the variables of interest explored in the studies contradicted each other and the previous literature variables. The capital structure studies were conducted by considering few variables, and most of the studies were not cited. The findings regarding the theories supported by factors affecting the capital structure decisions of commercial banks in Ethiopia were contradictory and not justified. The banking literature still doesn't cover the capital structure of banks very much. There is currently a lack of clarity regarding how banks determine their capital structure and what variables affect their corporate financing behaviour. Therefore, it is recommended that the concerned body conduct an in-depth study of the decisions banks make about their capital structure by identifying pertinent elements.
Proteogenomic analysis of human cerebrospinal fluid identifies neurologically relevant regulation and informs causal proteins for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Cruchaga Carlos , Western Dan , Timsina Jigyasha , Wang Lihua , Wang Ciyang , Yang Chengran , Ali Muhammad , Beric Aleksandra , Gorijala Priyanka , Kohlfeld Patsy , Budde John , Levey Allan , Morris John , Perrin Richard , Ruiz Agustín , Marquié Marta , Boada Mercè , de Rojas Itziar , Rutledge Jarod , Oh Hamilton , Wilson Edward , Guen Yann Le , Alvarez Ignacio , Aguilar Miquel , Greicius Michael , Pastor Pau , Pulford David , Ibanez Laura , Wyss-Coray Tony , Sung Yun Ju , Phillips Bridget
Published: June 2023

The integration of quantitative trait loci (QTL) with disease genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has proven successful at prioritizing candidate genes at disease-associated loci. QTL mapping has mainly been focused on multi-tissue expression QTL or plasma protein QTL (pQTL). Here we generated the largest-to-date cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pQTL atlas by analyzing 7,028 proteins in 3,107 samples. We identified 3,373 independent study-wide associations for 1,961 proteins, including 2,448 novel pQTLs of which 1,585 are unique to CSF, demonstrating unique genetic regulation of the CSF proteome. In addition to the established chr6p22.2-21.32 HLA region, we identified pleiotropic regions on chr3q28 near OSTN and chr19q13.32 near APOE that were enriched for neuron-specificity and neurological development. We also integrated this pQTL atlas with the latest Alzheimer’s disease (AD) GWAS through PWAS, colocalization and Mendelian Randomization and identified 42 putative causal proteins for AD, 15 of which have drugs available. Finally, we developed a proteomics-based risk score for AD that outperforms genetics-based polygenic risk scores. These findings will be instrumental to further understand the biology and identify causal and druggable proteins for brain and neurological traits.
Earthworms do not increase greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 and N2O) in an ecotron experiment simulating a realistic three-crop rotation system
Authors: Forey Oswaldo , Sauze Joana , Piel Clément , Gritti Emmanuel , Devidal Sébastien , Faez Abdelaziz , Ravel Olivier , Nahmani Johanne , Rouch Laly , Blouin Manuel , Perez Guenola , Capowiez Yvan , Roy Jacques , Milcu Alexandru
Published: June 2023

Earthworms are known to stimulate soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but previous studies have used simplified models or had limited measurements. To address this, we conducted a two-year study using large lysimeters in an ecotron facility, continuously measuring ecosystem-level CO2, N2O, and H2O fluxes. We investigated the impact of endogeic and anecic earthworms on GHG emissions and ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) in an agricultural setting. Although we observed transient stimulations of carbon fluxes in the presence of earthworms, cumulative fluxes over the study indicated no significant increase in CO2 emissions. Endogeic earthworms marginally reduced N2O emissions during the wheat culture (-44.6%), but this effect was not sustained throughout the experiment. No consistent effects on ecosystem evapotranspiration or WUE were found. Our study suggests that earthworms do not significantly contribute to GHG emissions over a two-year period in experimental conditions that mimic an agricultural setting. These findings highlight the need for realistic experiments enabling continuous GHG measurements.
Preventing recurrence in Sonic Hedgehog Subgroup Medulloblastoma using OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179
Authors: Li Yuchen , Lim Chaemin , Dismuke Taylor , Malawsky Daniel , Oasa Sho , Bruce Zara , Offenhäuser Carolin , Baumgartner Ulrich , D'Souza Rochele , Edwards Stacey , French Juliet , Ock Lucy , Nair Sneha , Sivakumaran Haran , Harris Lachlan , Tikunov Andrey , Hwang Duhyeong , Pauneto Coral Del Mar Alicea , Maybury Mellissa , Hassall Timothy , Wainwright Brandon , Kesari Santosh , Stein Gregory , Piper Michael , Johns Terrance , Sokolsky-Papkov Marina , Terenius Lars , Vukojevic Vladana , Day Bryan , Gershon Timothy
Published: June 2023

Recurrence is the primary life-threatening complication for medulloblastoma (MB). In Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup MB, OLIG2-expressing tumor stem cells drive recurrence. We investigated the anti-tumor potential of the small-molecule OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179, using SHH-MB patient-derived organoids, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors and mice genetically-engineered to develop SHH-MB. CT-179 disrupted OLIG2 dimerization, DNA binding and phosphorylation and altered tumor cell cycle kinetics in vitro and in vivo, increasing differentiation and apoptosis. CT-179 increased survival time in GEMM and PDX models of SHH-MB, and potentiated radiotherapy in both organoid and mouse models, delaying post-radiation recurrence. Single cell transcriptomic studies (scRNA-seq) confirmed that CT-179 increased differentiation and showed that tumors up-regulated Cdk4 post-treatment. Consistent with increased CDK4 mediating CT-179 resistance, CT-179 combined with CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib delayed recurrence compared to either single-agent. These data show that targeting treatment-resistant MB stem cell populations by adding the OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179 to initial MB treatment can reduce recurrence.
Non-genetic variables influence disposal patterns in Murrah and Nili-Ravi buffaloes
Authors: Tamboli Pooja , Bharadwaj Anurag , CHAURASIYA Amit Kumar , Bangar Yogesh , Khanna Sudhir , Singh Kunwar Pal
Published: June 2023

The current study was carried out to look into the disposal patterns of Murrah and Nili-Ravi buffaloes kept at ICAR-CIRB, Hisar and Sub-Campus Nabha, Punjab, respectively. The purpose of the investigation was to estimate the various non-genetic factors affecting culling and mortality patterns in buffaloes to suggest suitable health management practices, selection, and breeding strategies for enhancing genetic gain in buffaloes. From 1983 to 2017, 1180 data of 679 Murrah and 501 Nili-Ravi were used to calculate the frequency of culling and death. The impacts of several parameters on disposal were explored, including breed, period of disposal, season of disposal, and lactation completed. The findings revealed that in Murrah, 90.72% of buffaloes were disposed of due to culling and 9.28% due to mortality. While, in the instance of Nili-Ravi, animal disposal due to culling accounted for 89.62% of the total, with mortality accounting for 10.38%. The main reason for culling was old age and low production, while the majority of buffaloes died from cardiovascular, digestive, and respiratory problems. Furthermore, the effect of season was highly significant (p < 0.001) on the pattern of culling in buffaloes. Additionally, majority of the animals culled in the winter season, followed by summer and most of the animals culled were old aged (45 and 22%), low yielder (35 and 27%) and affected with mastitis (30 and 28%), respectively in both the winter and summer seasons. Moreover, the effect of period of disposal was highly significant (p < 0.001) on the both pattern of mortality and culling in buffaloes. Further, maximum (34%) number of animals culled in the period 1994-98 due to old age whereas lowest culling rate (3%) was seen during 2014 to 2018. In this sequence, it may be determined that the reason for disposal differs depending on the breed, period, season and lactation completed.As a result, our efforts should be directed towards improving management practices with the goal of lowering the rate of culling and mortality, which leads to higher lifetime performance and, as a result, the overall efficiency of the dairy farm.
Evaluation of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Glioma Patients: Correlation with Tumor Grading
Authors: Jadhav Nithin Kumar , Sangaraju Rajendra , Mudumba Vijayasaradhi , Ara Dilkash , Dheeravath Srinivas , Alugolu Rajesh , Gowda Pavan Swamy , Kedasi Raghuram , Pishe Vishal Manohar , Sinha Sukesh Narayan , Gouda Balaji , Mungamuri Sathish Kumar
Published: June 2023

Objective and design:
In this case control observational study of glioma patients, using ELISA technique, we have examined the tissue cytokine profile of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-10, IL-4), and angiogenic factors (VEGF, FGF-2), and compared with the tumor type and stage. We found that a significant upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α), and a significant down regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, and IL-4) compared to control brain tissues. Similarly, when compared to control group, we found a significant increase in angiogenic cytokines (VEGF, FGF-2) in tumor tissues.
Methodology:
We have examined the tissue cytokine profile of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-10, IL-4), as well as angiogenic factors (VEGF, FGF-2), in order to evaluate tumoral aggressiveness by using ELISA technologies.
Result
Our results suggest that even though there is a significant alteration in the cytokines between the control and tumor samples, we found that the difference between various glioma grades and meningioma are not statistically significant. Based on our results we conclude that the cytokine levels alone may not be suitable enough for tumor staging.
Conclusion
These cytokines contribute to the development of pain associated with the disease as well as the growth and aggressiveness of tumours. With a focus on cytokines, our goal in this study is to investigate the microenvironment of gliomas. Pain is one of the main symptoms of glioblastoma, but it might be delayed or neglected. Cytokines might accelerate diagnosis and treatment.
Structural and biological characterization of shortened derivatives of the cathelicidin PMAP-36
Authors: Biondi Barbara , De Pascale Luigi , Mardirossian Mario , Stasi Adriana Di , Favaro Matteo , Scocchi Marco , Peggion Cristina
Published: June 2023

Cathelicidins, a family of host defence peptides in vertebrates, play an important role in the innate immune response, exhibiting antimicrobial activity against many bacteria, as well as viruses and fungi. This work describes the design and synthesis of shortened analogues of bovine cathelicidin PMAP-36, which contain structural changes to improve the pharmacokinetic properties. In particular, 20-mers based on PMAP-36 (residues 12–31) and 13-mers (residues 12–24) with modification of amino acid residues at critical positions and introduction of lipid moieties of different lengths were studied to identify the physical parameters, including hydrophobicity, charge, and helical structure, required to optimise their antibacterial activity. Extensive conformational analysis, performed by CD and NMR, revealed that the substitution of Pro25-Pro26 with Ala25-Lys26 increased the α-helix content of the 20-mer peptides, resulting in broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains. Interestingly, shortening to just 13 residues resulted in only a slight decrease in antibacterial activity. Furthermore, two sequences, a 13-mer and a 20-mer, did not show cytotoxicity against HaCat cells up to 64 µM, indicating that both derivatives are not only effective but also selective antimicrobial peptides. In the short peptide, the introduction of the helicogenic α-aminoisobutyric acid forced the helix toward a prevailing 310 structure, allowing the antimicrobial activity to be maintained. Preliminary tests of resistance to Ser protease chymotrypsin indicated that this modification resulted in a peptide with an increased in vivo lifespan. Thus, some of the PMAP-36 derivatives studied in this work show a good balance between chain length, antibacterial activity, and selectivity, so they represent a good starting point for the development of even more effective and proteolysis-resistant active peptides.
Multi-dose enteral L-citrulline administration in premature infants at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Aschner Judy , Avachat Charul , Birnbaum Angela , Sherwin Catherine , Fike Candice
Published: June 2023

Objective. Information is needed to guide the design of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating L-citrulline as a therapy for premature infants with pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD-PH). Our goal was to evaluate the tolerability and ability to achieve a target steady-state L-citrulline plasma concentration in prematures treated enterally with a multi-dose L-citrulline strategy based on our single-dose pharmacokinetic study.
Study Design. Six prematures received 60 mg/kg of L-citrulline every 6 hours for 72 hours. Plasma L-citrulline concentrations were measured before the first and last L-citrulline doses. L-citrulline concentrations were compared to concentration-time profiles from our previous study.
Results.Plasma L-citrulline concentrations agreed with the simulated concentration-time profiles. No serious adverse events occurred.
Conclusions. Simulations based on single-doses can be used to predict target multi-dose plasma L-citrulline concentrations. These results assist the design of RCTs evaluating the safety and effectiveness of L-citrulline therapy for BPD-PH. Clinical trials.gov ID: NCT03542812
Initiation time of double-filtration plasma apheresis affects the risk of persistent organ failure in hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis: a retrospective study
Authors: Su Wei , Gao Yuzhen , Wang Xiaoling , Wang Donghai , Feng Binbin , Wu Yinshan , Zheng Huijun , Guo Feng
Published: June 2023

Background
The effect of double filtration plasma apheresis (DFPP) on improving the outcomes of patients with hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the initiation time of DFPP and the risk of persistent organ failure (POF) in an HTG-AP cohort in China.
Methods
We retrospectively evaluated data from HTG-AP patients treated with DFPP 48 hours after diagnosis between January 2017 and January 2022. Comparisons across tertiles of the interval from diagnosis to completion of one DFPP session (DTD) were analysed. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to determine the correlation between the DTD time and risk of POF.
Results
Of the 89 patients enrolled, 46 patients (51.69%) suffered POF in the first week of HTG-AP. DFPP was initiated at a median of 17 hours after the diagnosis was confirmed. The patients in the highest tertile of DTD time had a significantly increased prevalence of POF. After multivariate adjustment, the logistic regression models found a significant decrease in the odds ratios (OR) of POF from the highest to the lowest DTD tertile (P for trend = 0.006). Moreover, the RCS curves showed a nonlinear relationship in the adjusted OR of POF and DTD time, which remained relatively low and flat during the early DTD time but increased sharply afterwards.
Conclusion
Early initiation of DFPP treatment correlates with a reduced risk of POF in HTG-AP patients.
Use of Conceptual Mapping in the Offshore Multiuse Setting: Implications for complex biosystems development
Authors: Capuzzo Elisa , Hemming Victoria , Grebe Gretchen , Stafford Richard , Burg Sander van den , Wood Daniel , Watson Gordon , Wells Victoria , Johnson Teresa , Erbs Stefan , Hal Jaap W. van , Binnerts Bas , Collins Alexandra , Howe Caroline , O´Shea Ryan
Published: June 2023

The offshore Multiuse Setting (MUS) is a concept that seeks to co-locate marine industrial activities including wind farms, aquaculture, and tourism. MUS are thought to be an innovative way to promote efficiency in resource use. Despite this contention, plans for MUS are plagued by an implementation gap whereby innovative ideas do not actualise into commercial operations. A suggested barrier to progression of MUS is the lack of understanding surrounding the consequences to economic, societal and environmental dimensions of the system that result from MUS designs and activities. The implementation of a MUS has the traits of a complex decision problem and thus will benefit from decision analysis to structure the decision-making process. Here we show the consequences resulting from implementation of the Multiuse Setting concept against multiple objectives - environmental, social, and economic – through the application of group-based cognitive mapping. The assessment involved the use of a hypothetical case study to introduce system boundaries and explored predictions about the outcomes of implementation using a modified Delphi method approach. The results demonstrate that there are a network of social-ecological changes with both positive and negative (and potentially costly) implications across and within sustainability dimensions. We illustrate how systemic views contradict existing claims about seaweed aquaculture and co-location with wind farms, such as carbon sequestration potential and spatial resource efficiency, considering the complexity of an MUS project. The methodology provides a route to recognise trade-offs and risks from, and provide alternative strategies for, the MUS and wider seaweed aquaculture within the context of the broader industrial strategy of Sustainable and Circular Bioeconomy transition.
Neuromuscular compartmentation of the subscapularis muscle: An anatomical study for botulinum neurotoxin injection
Authors: Cho Tae-Hyeon , Hong Ju-Eun , Yang Hun-Mu
Published: June 2023

In this study, using immunohistochemistry with fresh cadavers, deliberate histological profiling was performed to determine which fibers are predominant within each compartment. To verify the facial compartmentation of the SSC and elucidate its histological components of type I and II fibers using macroscopic, histological observation and cadaveric simulation for providing an anatomical reference of efficient injection of the BoNT into the SSC. Seven fixed and three fresh cadavers (six males and four females; mean age, 82.5 years) were used in this study. The dissected specimens revealed a distinct fascia demarcating the SSC into the superior and inferior compartments. The Sihler’s staining revealed that the upper and lower subscapular nerves (USN and LSN) innervated the SSC, with two territories distributed by each nerve, mostly corresponding to the superior and inferior compartments of the muscle, although there were some tiny communicating twigs between the USN and LSN. The immunohistochemical stain revealed the density of each type of fiber. Compared with the whole muscle area, the densities of the slow-twitch type I fibers were 22.26 ± 3.11% (mean ± SD) in the superior and 81.15 ± 0.76% in the inferior compartments, and the densities of the fast-twitch type II fiber were 77.74% ± 3.11% in the superior and 18.85 ± 0.76% in the inferior compartments. The compartments had different proportions of slow-fast muscle fibers, corresponding to the functional differences between the upper compartment as an early-onset internal rotator and the lower compartment as a durable stabilizer of the glenohumeral joint.
Tidal and seasonal controls on cold seep activity and the efficiency of water column methanotrophs
Authors: de Groot Tim , Menoud Malika , Bleijswijk Judith van , Hernando-Morales Victor , Czerski Helen , Maazallahi Hossein , Walter Sylvia , Rush Darci , Rockmann Thomas , Niemann Helge
Published: June 2023

The ocean’s methane emission to the atmosphere is dominated by continental shelves where cold seeps are globally common features. Seeps emit methane into the hydrosphere, but knowledge on variations and controls of seep activity and the efficiency of the microbial methane filter in the water column is scarce. Here we address this knowledge gap by measuring whole water column methane inventories and methanotrophic activity at a temporal resolution of 2 hours at a North Sea cold seep (Doggerbank) in summer and autumn. We found that methane inventories were 40% higher at low tide compared to high tide concurrent with an elevated activity of methanotrophs. The activity of methanotrophs was reduced during autumn when the water column was fully mixed and matched by higher methane emissions to the atmosphere. Our results show that tides are underappreciated controls on seepage, methanotrophic activity and sea–atmosphere fluxes.
Unveiling the dynamics of antimicrobial utilization and resistance in a large hospital network over five years: Insights from health record data analysis
Authors: Senok Abiola , Al-Dabal Laila , Khansaheb Hamda Hassan , Habous Maya , Alsuwaidi Hanan , Alsheikh-Ali Alawi , Moradigaravand Danesh
Published: June 2023

Background: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) presents a pressing public health challenge globally which has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Elucidation of the impact of the pandemic on AMR evolution using population-level data that integrates clinical, laboratory and prescription data remains lacking.
Methods: Data was extracted from the centralized electronic platform which captures the health records of 60,551 patients across the network of public healthcare facilities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For all inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with bacterial infection between 01/01/2017 and 31/05/2022, structured and unstructured Electronic Health Record data, microbiological laboratory data including antibiogram, molecular typing and COVID-19 testing information as well as antibiotic prescribing data were extracted curated and linked. Various analytical methods, including time-series analysis, natural language processing (NLP) and unsupervised clustering algorithms, were employed to investigate the trends of antimicrobial usage and resistance over time, assess the impact of prescription practices on resistance rates, and explore the effects of COVID-19 on antimicrobial usage and resistance.
Results: Our findings identified a significant impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial prescription practices, with short-term and long-lasting over-prescription of these drugs. Resistance to antimicrobials increased the odds ratio of mortality to an average of 2.5 and the effects of prescription practices on resistance were observed within one week of initiation. Significant trends in antimicrobial resistance, exhibiting fluctuations for various drugs and organisms, with an overall increasing trend in resistance levels, particularly post-COVI D-19 were identified.
Conclusion: This study provides a population-level insight into the evolution of AMR in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The findings emphasize the long-term effect of COVID-19 on the AMR crisis and the critical need for improved antimicrobial stewardship to tackle AMR evolution.
An individualized protein-based prognostic model to stratify pediatric patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Wang Zhihong , Wang He , Zhou Yan , Li Lu , Lyu Mengge , Wu Chunlong , He Tianen , Tan Lingling , Zhu Yi , Guo Tiannan , Wu Hong-Kun , Zhang Hao , Sun Yaoting
Published: June 2023

Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinomas (PPTCs) are with high inter-tumor heterogeneity and currently lack widely adopted recurrence risk stratification criteria. Hence, we propose a machine learning-based objective method to individually predict their recurrence risk. We retrospectively collected and evaluated the clinical factors and proteomes of 83 pediatric benign (PB), 85 pediatric malignant (PM) and 66 adult malignant (AM) nodules, and quantified 10,426 proteins by mass spectrometry. We found 243 and 121 significantly dysregulated proteins from PM vs. PB and PM vs. AM, respectively. Function and pathway analyses showed the enhanced activation of the inflammatory and immune system in PM patients compared with the others. Nineteen proteins were selected to predict recurrence using a machine learning model with an accuracy of 88.24%. Our study generated a protein-based personalized prognostic prediction model that can stratify PPTC patients into high- or low-recurrence risk groups, providing a reference for clinical decision-making and individualized treatment.
COVID-19-Related Distress, Body Image, and Eating Behaviors: A Cross-sectional Explanatory Model
Authors: Rodrigue Christopher , Rodgers Rachel , Carbonneau Noémie , Bégin Catherine , Dion Jacinthe
Published: June 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors in adolescents. To better understand these associations, this study tested an explanatory model in which appearance-focused social media use, internalisation of social media pressure, and mindfulness abilities mediated the relationship between COVID-related distress and body dissatisfaction, which in turn was associated with dietary restraint and binge eating episodes.
Methods: Adolescents (N =498, Mage= 16.7, 47.2% girls) recruited within high schools completed online measures.
Results: A final well-adjusted model was revealed using path analyses, confirming the proposed mediational effects.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that mindfulness, media use and the internalisation of social media pressure are potential key processes explaining body dissatisfaction and eating disorders among adolescents who experienced higher level of COVID-related distress.
Association between Latent profile of dietary intake and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); Results from Fasa Adults , Cohort Study (FACS)
Authors: Ariya Mohammad , Sharafi Mehdi , Afrashteh Sima
Published: June 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been among the most significant non-communicable diseases. Dietary risks account for the most cause of CVDs mortalities. Evaluating overall dietary patterns (through the Latent profile of dietary intake) can provide a more accurate prediction regarding the prevalence of CVDs. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between the latent profile of dietary intake and CVDs prevalence. The population of the Fasa Adults Cohort Study (FACS) (Fars Province, Iran) was employed to gather the data (n = 8319). A modified 125-item FFQ was employed to assess eating behaviors. Minerals, as well as the quantity of energy and total fiber, were measured using Nutritionist IV software (version 7.0). To estimate the prevalence of CVDs, accurate records of patients' histories were made. Individuals were clustered according to their dietary intake using latent profile analysis. The individuals who consume the highest, medium, and lowest amounts of food intake were classified and named according to their groups. 63.9% of people with low socioeconomic status were in the low-intake profile (P < 0.001). The low-intake group had the lowest amount of physical activity (Met) (P < 0.001). The result of multivariate logistic regression revealed that categorized in the low-intake group significantly increased the development of CVDs (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07–1.63, P = 0.010). The mean micronutrients and total fiber, in individuals with a low intake profile, were significantly lower than other groups (P < 0.001). Overall, we estimated that a low intake of all food groups increases the risk of developing CVDs significantly.
Remote sensing evidence for population growth of isolated indigenous societies in Amazonia
Authors: Walker Robert S. , Flinn Mark V. , Prall Sean P. , Hamilton Marcus J.
Published: June 2023

Isolated indigenous societies who actively avoid sustained peaceful contact with the outside world are critically endangered. Last year “Tanaru”, the lone surviving man of his tribe for at least 35 years, died in Southwest Amazonia marking the latest cultural extinction event in a long history of massacres, enslavement, and epidemics. Yet in the upper reaches of the Amazon Basin, dozens of resilient isolated tribes still manage to survive. Remote sensing is a reliable method of monitoring the population dynamics of uncontacted populations by quantifying the area cleared for gardens and villages, along with the fire detections associated with the burning of those clearings. Remote sensing also provides a method to document the number of residential structures and village fissioning. Only with these longitudinal assessments can we better evaluate the current no-contact policies by governments and the United Nations, along with the prospects for the long-term survival of isolated tribes. While the world’s largest isolated indigenous metapopulation, Pano speakers in Acre, Brazil, appears to be thriving, other smaller isolated populations disconnected from metapopulations, such as the single village of isolated Yanomami in northern Brazil, continue being extremely vulnerable to external threats. Our applied anthropological conservation approach is to provide analyses of publicly available remote sensing datasets to help inform policies that enhance survival and well-being of isolated cultural groups.
Empagliflozin induces the transcriptional program for nutrient homeostasis in skeletal muscle in normal mice
Authors: Kawakami Ryo , Matsui Hiroki , Matsui Miki , Iso Tatsuya , Yokoyama Tomoyuki , Ishii Hideki , Kurabayashi Masahiko
Published: June 2023

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve heart failure (HF) outcomes across a range of patient characteristics. A hypothesis that SGLT2i induce metabolic change similar to fasting has recently been proposed to explain their profound clinical benefits. However, it remains unclear whether SGLT2i primarily induce this change in physiological settings. Here, we demonstrate that empagliflozin administration under ad libitum feeding did not cause weight loss but did increase transcripts of the key nutrient sensors, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), and the master regulator of mitochondrial gene expression, PGC-1a, in quadriceps muscle in healthy mice. Expression of these genes correlated with that of PPARa and PPARd target genes related to mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress response, and also correlated with serum ketone body b-hydroxybutyrate. These results were not observed in the heart. Collectively, this study revealed that empagliflozin activates transcriptional programs critical for sensing and adaptation to nutrient availability intrinsic to skeletal muscle rather than the heart even in normocaloric condition. As activation of PGC-1a is sufficient for metabolic switch from fatigable, glycolytic metabolism toward fatigue-resistant, oxidative mechanism in skeletal muscle myofibers, our findings may partly explain the improvement of exercise tolerance in patients with HF receiving empagliflozin.
Ischemia and reperfusion-injured liver-derived exosomes elicit acute lung injury through miR-122-5p regulated alveolar macrophage polarization
Authors: Lyu Jingshu , Sheng Mingwei , Jia Lili , Cao Yingli , Zhang Chen , Weng Yiqi , Yu Wenli
Published: June 2023

Background Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common postoperative complication, particularly in pediatric patients after liver transplantation. Exosomes(Exos) are novel regulator of intercellular communications that play important roles in the pathogenesis of ALI. We previously demonstrated that hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) induces increased release of exosomes (IR-Exo) in the peripheral circulation. Aim We aimed to explore the role of exosomes derived from ischemia-reperfusion-injured liver in the development of ALI. Methods ALI was induced by HIR or IR-Exo, accompanied by the applications of inhibitor of exosomal secretion (GW4869), or miR−122−5p inhibitor in vivo. Lung injury scores, pulmonary edema, inflammatory mediators and macrophage polarization were examined. In vitro, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and alveolar macrophages (AMφ) were induced by IR-Exo or miR−122−5p mimic, along with the applications of miR−122−5p inhibitor. RNA sequencing, dualluciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to clarify the mechanisms of exomal miR−122−5p in ALI. Results We found that intravenous injection of IR-Exo caused lung inflammation in naive rats, while pretreatment with an inhibitor of exosomal secretion (GW4869) attenuated HIR-related lung injury. In vivo and in vitro results show that IR-Exo promoted pro-inflammatory responses and M1 macrophage polarization. Furthermore, miRNA profiling of serum identified miR−122−5p as the highest increased exosomal miRNA of young rats suffering from HIR compared with controls. In addition, IR-Exo transferred miR−122−5p to macrophages and promoted pro-inflammatory responses and M1 phenotype polarization by targeting suppressor of cytokine signaling protein 1 (SOCS−1)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Importantly, the pathogenic role of exosomal miR−122−5p in initiating lung inflammation was reversed by inhibition of miR−122−5p. Clinically, higher levels of miR−122−5p were found in serum and correlated with the severity of lung injury in pediatric living-donor liver transplant recipients with ALI. Conclusion Taken together, our findings reveal that IR-Exo transfers liver-specific miR−122−5p to alveolar macrophages and elicits ALI by inducing M1 macrophage polarization via the SOCS−1/NF-κB signaling pathway.