bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects on Children’s Physical and Mental Well-Being of a Physical-Activity-Based School Intervention Program: A Randomized Study
Authors: Marsigliante Santo , Gómez-López Manuel , Muscella Antonella
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of physically active breaks of a total duration of 10 min a day, introduced during curricular lessons, together with a 10 min physical activity intervention during the daily school recess period on obesity prevention, fitness, cognitive function, and psychological well-being in school-aged children. A sample of 310 children (139 boys vs. 171 girls), aged between 8 and 10 years (9.82 ± 0.51), was selected. Our strategy was implemented over a 6-month period and the participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 157) or the non-intervention (control) group (n =153). In the intervention group, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in body mass index, waist circumference, waist–height ratio, and relative body fat mass was achieved after the intervention (T1) compared to the values measured before intervention (T0); in the control group, no differences emerged between T0 and T1 for any of the parameters considered. We found a significant increase in the intervention group in standing long jump, Ruffier, and sit and reach test scores (p < 0.001 for all). At T0, cognitive test scores did not differ between the girls and boys or between the intervention and control groups; instead at T1, significant differences were observed in the two groups regarding the total number of responses and the concentration performance scores (p < 0.001). Consistently, in the intervention group, well-being levels significantly increased between T0 and T1 (p < 0.001). Finally, the intervention had significant effects on the children regardless of gender. We may therefore conclude that schools should create more opportunities for teachers and students to introduce intervention strategies to promote regular PA during school recess.
Clinical Application of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire in Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Kakaraparthi Venkata Nagaraj , Vishwanathan Karthik , Gadhavi Bhavana , Reddy Ravi Shankar , Tedla Jaya Shanker , Alshahrani Mastour Saeed , Dixit Snehil , Gular Kumar , Zaman Gaffar Sarwar , Gannamaneni Vamsi Krishna , Sirajudeen Mohamed Sherif , Nambi Gopal
Published: January 2023

Assessment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) has become widely accepted and reported in the literature. The objectives of this study are to (1) recognize and describe the topmost 50 cited scientific articles in WMSDs using the RULA and NMQ and (2) explore the factors that contribute to making an article influential. In this bibliometric study, we used the Web of Science and MEDLINE databases to identify the top 50 cited articles published from 1993 to 2022. The data collected were the title of the journal, number of citations, year of publication, type of the study, institution where the work was conducted, level of evidence, contribution of primary authors, and country of origin of the work. Our results showed that the top 50 cited articles were published between 1980 and 2010. The 2000s was the most valuable decade. Regarding journals, the Work journal had the highest number of articles concerning the use of RULA and NMQ in healthcare professionals. The maximum number of citations regarding RULA occurred in the Journal of Robotic Surgery (n = 50) and the maximum for NMQ occurred in the Journal of Safety Research (n = 106). Most articles originated from the United States, followed by England and the Netherlands. Eight authors had two publications published in the top 50 list. The majority of the topmost cited research articles were cross-sectional studies. Most of these studies were level III evidence. The bibliometric analysis from this study provides insights to researchers to choose the most appropriate and influential journal for submitting work on WMSDs.
Efficacy of Low-Cost Sensor Networks at Detecting Fine-Scale Variations in Particulate Matter in Urban Environments
Authors: Heintzelman Asrah , Filippelli Gabriel M. , Moreno-Madriñan Max J. , Wilson Jeffrey S. , Wang Lixin , Druschel Gregory K. , Lulla Vijay O.
Published: January 2023

The negative health impacts of air pollution are well documented. Not as well-documented, however, is how particulate matter varies at the hyper-local scale, and the role that proximal sources play in influencing neighborhood-scale patterns. We examined PM2.5 variations in one airshed within Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN, USA) by utilizing data from 25 active PurpleAir (PA) sensors involving citizen scientists who hosted all but one unit (the control), as well as one EPA monitor. PA sensors report live measurements of PM2.5 on a crowd sourced map. After calibrating the data utilizing relative humidity and testing it against a mobile air-quality unit and an EPA monitor, we analyzed PM2.5 with meteorological data, tree canopy coverage, land use, and various census variables. Greater proximal tree canopy coverage was related to lower PM2.5 concentrations, which translates to greater health benefits. A 1% increase in tree canopy at the census tract level, a boundary delineated by the US Census Bureau, results in a ~0.12 µg/m3 decrease in PM2.5, and a 1% increase in “heavy industry” results in a 0.07 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentrations. Although the overall results from these 25 sites are within the annual ranges established by the EPA, they reveal substantial variations that reinforce the value of hyper-local sensing technologies as a powerful surveillance tool.
Impacts of Wildfire Smoke and Air Pollution on a Pediatric Population with Asthma: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Moore Linn E. , Oliveira Andre , Zhang Raymond , Behjat Laleh , Hicks Anne
Published: January 2023

Wildfires are increasing yearly in number and severity as a part of the evolving climate crisis. These fires are a significant source of air pollution, a common driver of flares in cardiorespiratory disease, including asthma, which is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Poorly controlled asthma leads to significant societal costs through morbidity, mortality, lost school and work time and healthcare utilization. This retrospective cohort study set in Calgary, Canada evaluates the relationship between asthma exacerbations during wildfire smoke events and equivalent low-pollution periods in a pediatric asthma population. Air pollution was based on daily average levels of PM2.5. Wildfire smoke events were determined by combining information from provincial databases and local monitors. Exposures were assumed using postal codes in the health record at the time of emergency department visits. Provincial claims data identified 27,501 asthma exacerbations in 57,375 children with asthma between 2010 to 2021. Wildfire smoke days demonstrated an increase in asthma exacerbations over the baseline (incidence rate ratio: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.24); this was not seen with air pollution in general. Increased rates of asthma exacerbations were also noted yearly in September. Asthma exacerbations were significantly decreased during periods of COVID-19 healthcare precautions.
Adolescent Victimization during COVID-19 Lockdowns and Its Influence on Mental Health Problems in Seven Countries: The Mediation Effect of Resilience
Authors: Bravo-Sanzana Mónica , Miranda Rafael , Oriol Xavier
Published: January 2023

The objective of this study was to test the differences between the mean scores of victimization, an indicator of depression, stress, and anxiety (DASS), across seven countries (Australia, Chile, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, and the Russian Federation) during the COVID-19 lockdowns. In addition, this study sought to analyze the mediator role of resilience in these relationships in the different countries. To this end, a structural equation model (SEM) was tested and differences across countries were considered through a multigroup analysis. Data for adolescent students from seven countries (n = 7241) collected by the Global Research Alliance showed that levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among adolescents were different in the countries assessed; all of them presented values above the mean of the indicator, with Chile and Russia having the highest values. Regarding the prevalence of exposure to violence, the mean across all countries studied was 34%, with the highest prevalence in Russia and India. At the global level, an adequate adjustment was observed in the SEM mediation model considering all countries. However, a mediator effect of resilience was only observed in the relationship between victimization and the indicator of DASS in Chile, Indonesia, and Russia. The results are discussed, analyzing the relevance of resilience as a protective factor for mental health during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Cannabidiol Modulates Alterations in PFC microRNAs in a Rat Model of Depression
Authors: Bright Uri , Akirav Irit
Published: January 2023

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a potential antidepressant agent. We examined the association between the antidepressant effects of CBD and alterations in brain microRNAs in the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model for depression. UCMS male rats were injected with vehicle or CBD (10 mg/kg) and tested for immobility time in the forced swim test. Alterations in miRNAs (miR16, miR124, miR135a) and genes that encode for the 5HT1a receptor, the serotonergic transporter SERT, β-catenin, and CB1 were examined. UCMS increased immobility time in a forced swim test (i.e., depressive-like behavior) and altered the expression of miRNAs and mRNA in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), raphe nucleus, and nucleus accumbens. Importantly, CBD restored UCMS-induced upregulation in miR-16 and miR-135 in the vmPFC as well as the increase in immobility time. CBD also restored the UCMS-induced decrease in htr1a, the gene that encodes for the serotonergic 5HT1a receptor; using a pharmacological approach, we found that the 5HT1a receptor antagonist WAY100135 blocked the antidepressant-like effect of CBD on immobility time. Our findings suggest that the antidepressant effects of CBD in a rat model for depression are associated with alterations in miR-16 and miR-135 in the vmPFC and are mediated by the 5HT1a receptor.
Zirconia Nanoparticles as Reinforcing Agents for Contemporary Dental Luting Cements: Physicochemical Properties and Shear Bond Strength to Monolithic Zirconia
Authors: Beketova Anastasia , Tzanakakis Emmanouil-Georgios C. , Vouvoudi Evangelia , Anastasiadis Konstantinos , Rigos Athanasios E. , Pandoleon Panagiotis , Bikiaris Dimitrios , Tzoutzas Ioannis G. , Kontonasaki Eleana
Published: January 2023

Nanofillers in resin materials can improve their mechanical and physicochemical properties. The present work investigated the effects of zirconia nanoparticles (NPs) as fillers in commercial dental luting cements. Two dual-cured self-adhesive composites and one resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI) luting cement were employed. Film thickness (FT), flexural strength (FS), water sorption (Wsp), and shear bond strength (SBS) to monolithic zirconia were evaluated according to ISO 16506:2017 and ISO 9917-2:2017, whereas polymerization progress was evaluated with FTIR. Photopolymerization resulted in double the values of DC%. The addition of 1% wt NPs does not significantly influence polymerization, however, greater amounts do not promote crosslinking. The sorption behavior and the mechanical performance of the composites were not affected, while the film thickness increased in all luting agents, within the acceptable limits. Thermocycling (TC) resulted in a deteriorating effect on all composites. The addition of NPs significantly improved the mechanical properties of the RMGI cement only, without negatively affecting the other cements. Adhesive primer increased the initial SBS significantly, however after TC, its application was only beneficial for RMGI. The MDP containing luting cement showed higher SBS compared to the RMGI and 4-META luting agents. Future commercial adhesives containing zirconia nanoparticles could provide cements with improved mechanical properties.
Kappa Opioid Receptors Reduce Serotonin Uptake and Escitalopram Efficacy in the Mouse Substantia Nigra Pars Reticulata
Authors: West Alyssa M. , Holleran Katherine M. , Jones Sara R.
Published: January 2023

The serotonin and kappa opioid receptor (KOR) systems are strongly implicated in disorders of negative affect, such as anxiety and depression. KORs expressed on axon terminals inhibit the release of neurotransmitters, including serotonin. The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) is involved in regulating affective behaviors. It receives the densest serotonergic innervation in the brain and has high KOR expression; however, the influence of KORs on serotonin transmission in this region is yet to be explored. Here, we used ex vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to investigate the effects of a KOR agonist, U50, 488 (U50), and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, escitalopram, on serotonin release and reuptake in the SNr. U50 alone reduced serotonin release and uptake, and escitalopram alone augmented serotonin release and slowed reuptake, while pretreatment with U50 blunted both the release and uptake effects of escitalopram. Here, we show that the KOR influences serotonin signaling in the SNr in multiple ways and short-term activation of the KOR alters serotonin responses to escitalopram. These interactions between KORs and serotonin may contribute to the complexity in the responses to treatments for disorders of negative affect. Ultimately, the KOR system may prove to be a promising pharmacological target, alongside traditional antidepressant treatments.
Protection of Mice from Controlled Cortical Impact Injury by Food Additive Glyceryl Tribenzoate
Authors: Rangasamy Suresh B. , Poddar Jit , Pahan Kalipada
Published: January 2023

Despite intense investigations, no effective therapy is available to halt the pathogenesis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major health concern, which sometimes leads to long-term neurological disability, especially in war veterans and young adults. This study highlights the use of glyceryl tribenzoate (GTB), a flavoring ingredient, in ameliorating the disease process of controlled cortical impact (CCI)-induced TBI in mice. Oral administration of GTB decreased the activation of microglia and astrocytes to inhibit the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in hippocampus and cortex of TBI mice. Accordingly, GTB treatment protected and/or restored synaptic maturation in the hippocampus of TBI mice as revealed by the status of PSD-95, NR-2A and GluR1. Furthermore, oral GTB also reduced the size of lesion cavity in the brain of TBI mice. Finally, GTB treatment improved locomotor functions and protected spatial learning and memory in TBI mice. These results outline a novel neuroprotective property of GTB which may be beneficial in treatment of TBI.
Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori and Related Risk Factors in Yangzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Yun , Feng Xinyi , Bian Lijun , Zhang Yan , Li Qian , Xu Yemin , She Qiang , Yan Caiwang , Lu Guotao , Wu Jian , Xiao Weiming , Ding Yanbing , Deng Bin
Published: January 2023

Background: The antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common cause of treatment failure. Previous studies showed that H. pylori resistance may be related to some characteristics of patients. This study intended to investigate the resistance of H. pylori to five commonly used antibiotics and risk factors in Yangzhou, China. Methods: We recruited the subjects who joined the endoscopic screening program organized by the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University between April 2018 and September 2019 and endoscopists would take biopsy samples from the antrum and the corpus of the stomach. The antrum biopsy specimens were used to culture H. pylori. Next, we extracted DNA from H. pylori strains and performed the specific DNA amplification. Finally, we use gene chip technology to test the susceptibility to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, amoxicillin and tetracycline. Multivariate logistic analyses were also performed to determine the risk factors for antibiotic resistance of H. pylori. Results: A total of 461 H. pylori strains were finally collected. The resistance rate of H. pylori to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, amoxicillin and tetracycline was 41.0%, 44.9%, 38.8%, 6.3% and 1.1%, respectively. In addition, 16 multi-resistance patterns were detected, and strains resistant to all five antibiotics were not found. Multivariate analysis showed that past medical history and clinical outcomes were significantly associated with the resistance to clarithromycin. Drinking, gastrointestinal symptoms and a family history of gastric cancer were significantly associated with the resistance of H. pylori to levofloxacin. Especially gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly associated with the resistance of H. pylori to any antibiotic. Conclusion: The resistance rates of H. pylori to clarithromycin, levofloxacin and metronidazole were very high in Yangzhou, China, various factors were related to bacterial resistance, and grasping these influencing factors can guide treatment.
Impact of Insulin Resistance on Ovarian Sensitivity and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Undergoing IVF
Authors: Luo Zhuoye , Wang Lili , Wang Yizhuo , Fan Yanli , Jiang Lei , Xu Xin , Du Yuanjie , Hao Guimin
Published: January 2023

Background: Ovarian sensitivity index (OSI) is an accurate index to reflect the ovarian sensitivity to exogenous gonadotropins in in vitro fertilization (IVF). How insulin resistance (IR) affects OSI and pregnancy outcomes during IVF remains unclear. Methods: This was a large retrospective, cohort study. A total of 2055 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing the first fresh IVF cycle were enrolled. They were grouped into terciles based on the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values as control, medium and IR group for comparison. Multivariate regression analysis was also conducted. Results: HOMA-IR had a significantly negative impact on OSI (adjusted β = −0.24; 95% CI, −0.35 to −0.13), especially in lean patients with an adjusted β of −0.33 (95% CI, −0.51 to −0.16). The interaction analysis revealed an interactive association between HOMA-IR and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.017). IR was related to an increased early miscarriage risk independently with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.21 (95% CI, 1.13 to 4.33), without significant impact on pregnancy and live birth rate. Conclusion: IR decreased the ovarian response in PCOS patients undergoing IVF, especially in the lean subgroup. IR may result in a higher risk of early miscarriage, but did not impair pregnancy and live birth rate.
Longitudinal Strain Analysis and Correlation with TIMI Frame Count in Patients with Ischemia with No Obstructive Coronary Artery (INOCA) and Microvascular Angina (MVA)
Authors: Sucato Vincenzo , Novo Giuseppina , Madaudo Cristina , Di Fazio Luca , Vadalà Giuseppe , Caronna Nicola , D’Agostino Alessandro , Evola Salvatore , Tuttolomondo Antonino , Galassi Alfredo Ruggero
Published: January 2023

Background: The aim of the study is to evaluate the subclinical alterations of cardiac mechanics detected using speckle-tracking echocardiography and compare these data with the coronary angiography indices used during coronary angiography in a population of patients diagnosed with ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery (INOCA) and microvascular angina (MVA). Methods: The study included 85 patients admitted to our center between November 2019 and January 2022 who were diagnosed with INOCA compared with a control group of 70 healthy patients. A collection of anamnestic data and a complete cardiovascular physical examination, and echocardiogram at rest with longitudinal strain were performed for all patients. Furthermore, the TIMI frame count (TFC) for the three coronary vessels was calculated according to Gibson’s indications. All parameters were compared with a control population with similar characteristics. Results: Patients with INOCA compared to the control population showed statistically significant changes in the parameters assessed on the longitudinal strain analysis. In particular, patients with INOCA showed statistically significant changes in GLS (−16.71) compared to the control population (−19.64) (p = 0.003). In patients with INOCA, the total TIMI frame count (tTFC) correlated with the GLS value with a correlation coefficient of 0.418 (p = 0.021). Conclusions: In patients with angina, documented myocardial ischemia, the absence of angiographically significant stenosis (INOCA) and LVEF > 50%, the prevalence of microvascular dysfunction documented by TFC was extremely represented. A statistically significant reduction in GLS was observed in these patients. TFC and longitudinal strain, therefore, appear to be two reliable, sensitive and easily accessible methods for the study of alterations in coronary microcirculation and the characterization of patients with INOCA and microvascular angina.
Lesser Tuberosity Osteotomy Healing in Stemmed and Stemless Anatomic Shoulder Arthroplasty Is Higher with a Tensionable Construct and Affected by Body Mass Index and Tobacco Use
Authors: Phillips Cameron , Pasqualini Ignacio , Barros Hugo , Menendez Mariano E. , Horinek Jeffrey L. , Ardebol Javier , Denard Patrick J.
Published: January 2023

Background: This study compared the healing rates of lesser tuberosity osteotomy (LTO) for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), repaired with either standard knot tying or a tensionable construct. Second, we evaluated LTO healing in stemmed and stemless prostheses and identified the patient characteristics associated with healing. Methods: An analysis of consecutive primary TSAs approached with an LTO performed by a single surgeon between 2016 and 2020 was conducted. In the first two years of the study period, the LTOs were repaired with four #2 polyblend sutures passed through drill tunnels and around a short press-fit stem, followed by manual knot tying. Subsequently, a tensionable construct with suture tapes (TCB) was universally adopted. The radiographic appearance of the LTO was evaluated at a minimum of six months postoperatively. Results: A total of 340 patients met the study criteria, including 168 with manual knot tying, 84 TCB repairs with a stemmed implant, and 88 TCB repairs with a stemless implant. There was no difference in the baseline demographics between the groups. The LTO healing rate of the manual knot tying group (85%) was lower than that of the stemmed (95%) and stemless (98%) TCB groups (p < 0.001). When directly comparing the LTO healing between the stemmed and stemless TCB groups, the differences were not significant (p = 0.44). Across all constructs, the body mass index (BMI) was higher in the displaced nonunion group (p = 0.04), with a failure rate of 9.4% for a BMI between 30 and 40, 12.5% for a BMI between 40 and 50, and 28.6% for a BMI > 50. The rate of tobacco use was higher in the displaced nonunion group (p = 0.037). Conclusion: A tensionable construct improves LTO healing compared to manual knot tying, irrespective of the implant type. In addition to the surgical technique, the patient factors that influence tuberosity healing include a greater BMI and tobacco use. Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Brain Tumor Classification Using Meta-Heuristic Optimized Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Kurdi Sarah Zuhair , Ali Mohammed Hasan , Jaber Mustafa Musa , Saba Tanzila , Rehman Amjad , Damaševičius Robertas
Published: January 2023

The field of medical image processing plays a significant role in brain tumor classification. The survival rate of patients can be increased by diagnosing the tumor at an early stage. Several automatic systems have been developed to perform the tumor recognition process. However, the existing systems could be more efficient in identifying the exact tumor region and hidden edge details with minimum computation complexity. The Harris Hawks optimized convolution network (HHOCNN) is used in this work to resolve these issues. The brain magnetic resonance (MR) images are pre-processed, and the noisy pixels are eliminated to minimize the false tumor recognition rate. Then, the candidate region process is applied to identify the tumor region. The candidate region method investigates the boundary regions with the help of the line segments concept, which reduces the loss of hidden edge details. Various features are extracted from the segmented region, which is classified by applying a convolutional neural network (CNN). The CNN computes the exact region of the tumor with fault tolerance. The proposed HHOCNN system was implemented using MATLAB, and performance was evaluated using pixel accuracy, error rate, accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity metrics. The nature-inspired Harris Hawks optimization algorithm minimizes the misclassification error rate and improves the overall tumor recognition accuracy to 98% achieved on the Kaggle dataset.
Clinical Features and Paraclinical Findings in Patients with SARS CoV-2 Pneumonia and the Impact of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in POST-COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Postolache Paraschiva A. , Nechifor Alexandru , Buculei Ioana , Soare Ioana , Mocanu Horia , Petrariu Florin Dumitru
Published: January 2023

The functional sequelae grouped under the name “long COVID” most often bring the patient in front of a team of specialists in pulmonary rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features and paraclinical findings in patients with SARS CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2) pneumonia and to also evaluate the impact of rehabilitation in this category of patients. This study included 106 patients diagnosed with SARS CoV-2. The division of the patients into two groups was performed based on the presence of SAR-CoV-2 pneumonia. Clinical symptoms, biochemical parameters, and pulmonary functional and radiological examinations were recorded and analyzed. The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale was applied to all patients. Patients in group I were included in the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Among demographic characteristics, age over 50 years (50.9%; p = 0.027) and the female sex (66%; p = 0.042) were risk factors for pneumonia in patients with SARS CoV-2. Over 90% of the 26 patients included in the rehabilitation program were less able to feed, bathe, dress, and walk. After 2 weeks, approximately 50% of patients were able to eat, wash, and dress. It is important to provide longer rehabilitation programs in cases of moderate, severe, and very severe COVID-19 patients, in order to significantly improve patients’ participation in daily activities and their quality of life.
Deep Learning-Based Segmentation and Volume Calculation of Pediatric Lymphoma on Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomographies
Authors: Klimont Michał , Oronowicz-Jaśkowiak Agnieszka , Flieger Mateusz , Rzeszutek Jacek , Juszkat Robert , Jończyk-Potoczna Katarzyna
Published: January 2023

Lymphomas are the ninth most common malignant neoplasms as of 2020 and the most common blood malignancies in the developed world. There are multiple approaches to lymphoma staging and monitoring, but all of the currently available ones, generally based either on 2-dimensional measurements performed on CT scans or metabolic assessment on FDG PET/CT, have some disadvantages, including high inter- and intraobserver variability and lack of clear cut-off points. The aim of this paper was to present a novel approach to fully automated segmentation of thoracic lymphoma in pediatric patients. Manual segmentations of 30 CT scans from 30 different were prepared by the authors. nnU-Net, an open-source deep learning-based segmentation method, was used for the automatic segmentation. The highest Dice score achieved by the model was 0.81 (SD = 0.17) on the test set, which proves the potential feasibility of the method, albeit it must be underlined that studies on larger datasets and featuring external validation are required. The trained model, along with training and test data, is shared publicly to facilitate further research on the topic.
The Effect of Interventions on Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries Related to Nurses Work: Systematic Review
Authors: Sousa Armando David , Baixinho Cristina Lavareda , Presado Maria Helena , Henriques Maria Adriana
Published: January 2023

Background: The 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to work (MDRW) in nurses rests between 71.8% to 84%, so it is urgent to develop preventive intervention programs with the purpose of avoiding negative physical, psychological, socioeconomic, and working aspects. There are several intervention programs aimed at preventing musculoskeletal disorders related to work for nurses, but few have successfully proven results. Despite the evidence pointing to the benefits of multidimensional intervention programs, it is essential to determine which interventions have positive effects on the prevention of this kind of disorder to create an effective intervention plan. Aim: This review intends to identify the different interventions adopted in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders related to work in nurses and to compare the effectiveness of these interventions, providing the appropriate and scientific basis for building an intervention to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in nurses. Method: This Systematic Review was guided by the research question, “What are the effects of musculoskeletal disorders preventive interventions on nursing practice?” and carried out in different databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, and Science Direct). Later, the results were submitted to the eligibility criteria, the appraisal quality of the papers, and the data synthesis was performed. Results: 13 articles were identified for analysis. The interventions implemented to control the risk were: training patient-handling devices; ergonomics education; involving the management chain; handling protocol/algorithms; acquiring ergonomics equipment; and no-manual lifting. Conclusions: The studies associated two or more interventions, the majority of which (11 studies) were training-handling devices and ergonomics education, therefore emerging as the most effective instruments in the prevention of MDRW. The studies did not associate interventions that cover all risk factors (individual, associated with the nature of the work, organizational, and psychological aspects). This systematic review can help with making recommendations for other studies that should associate organizational measures and prevention policies with physical exercise and other measures aimed at individual and psychosocial risk factors.
Different Leaf Anatomical Responses to Water Deficit in Maize and Soybean
Authors: Mano Noel Anthony , Madore Bethany , Mickelbart Michael V.
Published: January 2023

The stomata on leaf surfaces control gas exchange and water loss, closing during dry periods to conserve water. The distribution and size of stomatal complexes is determined by epidermal cell differentiation and expansion during leaf growth. Regulation of these processes in response to water deficit may result in stomatal anatomical plasticity as part of the plant acclimation to drought. We quantified the leaf anatomical plasticity under water-deficit conditions in maize and soybean over two experiments. Both species produced smaller leaves in response to the water deficit, partly due to the reductions in the stomata and pavement cell size, although this response was greater in soybean, which also produced thicker leaves under severe stress, whereas the maize leaf thickness did not change. The stomata and pavement cells were smaller with the reduced water availability in both species, resulting in higher stomatal densities. Stomatal development (measured as stomatal index, SI) was suppressed in both species at the lowest water availability, but to a greater extent in maize than in soybean. The result of these responses is that in maize leaves, the stomatal area fraction (fgc) was consistently reduced in the plants grown under severe but not moderate water deficit, whereas the fgc did not decrease in the water-stressed soybean leaves. The water deficit resulted in the reduced expression of one of two (maize) or three (soybean) SPEECHLESS orthologs, and the expression patterns were correlated with SI. The vein density (VD) increased in both species in response to the water deficit, although the effect was greater in soybean. This study establishes a mechanism of stomatal development plasticity that can be applied to other species and genotypes to develop or investigate stomatal development plasticity.
Survival Analysis in Patients with Laryngeal Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Molina-Fernández Elena , Palacios-García José M. , Moreno-Luna Ramón , Herrero-Salado Tomás , Ventura-Díaz Julio , Sánchez-Gómez Serafín , Vilches-Arenas Ángel
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The worldwide incidence rate of laryngeal cancer is declining. However, the 5-year survival for these patients has decreased in recent years from 66% to 63%. This may be due to changes in the treatment of the disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the survival rate of patients with LC according to the stage of the disease and the treatment applied. For this purpose, surgical versus organ preservation protocols (OPP) based on chemoradiotherapy were evaluated. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. The study included adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of primary LC. Patients with LC and systemic metastases and those with synchronous tumors at diagnosis were excluded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association between exposure to LC treatment and the time to event (death). Overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated. Results: Patients with advanced tumors (stages III and IV) had almost three times the risk of LC death than those in the initial tumor stages (I and II) [HR CCS = 2.89 (95%CI 1.30–6.39)]; [HR OS = 2.01 (95%CI 1.35–2.98)]. Patients who underwent surgical treatment had a higher chance of survival than those who were treated according to OPP [HR = 0.62; 95%CI (0.38–1.02)] in CSS, 0.74 [95%CI (0.50–1.90)] in OS, and 0.61 [95%CI (0.40–0.91)] in DFS. Discussion: OPP changed the management of patients with advanced stages of LC, establishing CRT as an alternative to surgery. Our data did not reveal clinically relevant differences in OS between patients treated with OPP and those who underwent surgery; however, we reported differences in the DFS rate after five years of follow-up in favor of the surgery-treated group of patients. Conclusion: Surgical treatment improves CSS and DFS at five years in patients with initial LC with respect to radiation therapy alone. Furthermore, surgical treatment associated with complementary radiation therapy offers better CSS and DFS in patients with advanced LC.
(Na, Zr) and (Ca, Zr) Phosphate-Molybdates and Phosphate-Tungstates: II–Radiation Test and Hydrolytic Stability
Authors: Karaeva M. E. , Savinykh D. O. , Orlova A. I. , Nokhrin A. V. , Boldin M. S. , Murashov A. A. , Chuvil’deev V. N. , Skuratov V. A. , Issatov A. T. , Yunin P. A. , Nazarov A. A. , Drozdov M. N. , Potanina E. A. , Tabachkova N. Y.
Published: January 2023

This paper introduces the results of hydrolytic stability tests and radiation resistance tests of phosphate molybdates and phosphate tungstates Na1−xZr2(PO4)3−x(XO4)x, X = Mo, W (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5). The ceramics characterized by relatively high density (more than 97.5%) were produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS) of submicron powders obtained by sol–gel synthesis. The study focused on hydrolytic resistance of the ceramics in static mode at room temperature. After 28 days of testing in distilled water, the normalized leaching rate was determined. It was found that the ceramics demonstrated high hydrolytic resistance in static mode: the normalized leaching rates for Mo- and W-containing ceramics were 31·10−6 and 3.36·10−6 g·cm−2·day−1, respectively. The ceramics demonstrated high resistance to irradiation with 167 MeV Xe+26 multiple-charged ions at fluences ranging from 1·1012 to 6·1013 cm−2. The Mo-containing Na0.5Zr2(PO4)2.5(XO4)0.5 ceramics were shown to have higher radiation resistance than phosphate tungstates. Radiation was shown to trigger an increase in leaching rates for W and Mo in the crystal structure of NZP ceramics.
Application of Lightweight Structure in Automobile Bumper Beam: A Review
Authors: Du Bing , Li Qichang , Zheng Changqi , Wang Suozhu , Gao Cong , Chen Liliang
Published: January 2023

The bumper beam is an important device to ensure the safety of the car, which can effectively alleviate the force and absorb energy when the car collides. Traditional bumper beams are mostly made of high-strength steel, which has high strength and a low production cost but a heavy weight. With the requirement of being lightweight, high-strength steel is not able to meet the needs of lightweight cars, and composite materials have become the answer to the problem of a light weight in cars due to their excellent performance of being lightweight and high strength. This article introduces the case study on materials of bumper beams and presents the application of traditional materials and composite materials in bumper beams. Then, the fabrications and processes of bumper beams, a performance assessment, experimental tests, and a finite element analysis of the bumper beam are carried out. This paper also represents the study of optimization in automobile bumper beams.
Removal of Organics with Ion-Exchange Resins (IEX) from Reverse Osmosis Concentrate
Authors: Devaisy Sukanyah , Kandasamy Jaya , Aryal Rupak , Johir Md Abu Hasan , Ratnaweera Harsha , Vigneswaran Saravanamuthu
Published: January 2023

Reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) produced as the by-product of the reverse osmosis process consists of a high load of organics (macro and micro) that potentially cause eco-toxicological effects in the environment. Previous studies focused on the removal of such compounds using oxidation, adsorption, and membrane-based treatments. However, these methods were not always efficient and formed toxic by-products. The impact of ion-exchange resin (IEX) (Purolite®A502PS) was studied in a micro-filtration–IEX hybrid system to remove organics from ROC for varying doses of Purolite® A502PS (5–20 g/L) at a flux of 36 L/m2h. The purolite particles in the membrane reactor reduced membrane fouling, evidenced by the reduction of transmembrane pressure (TMP), by pre-adsorbing the organics, and by mechanically scouring the membrane. The dissolved organic carbon was reduced by 45–60%, out of which 48–81% of the hydrophilics were removed followed by the hydrophobics and low molecular weight compounds (LMWs). This was based on fluorescence excitation-emission matrix and liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection. Negatively charged and hydrophobic organic compounds were preferentially removed by resin. Long-term experiments with different daily replacements of resin are suggested to minimize the resin requirements and energy consumption.
Noncoding RNA Regulation of Hormonal and Metabolic Systems in the Fruit Fly Drosophila
Authors: Chan Ki-Kei , Chan Ting-Fung , Bendena William , Hui Jerome H. L.
Published: January 2023

The importance of RNAs is commonly recognised thanks to protein-coding RNAs, whereas non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) were conventionally regarded as ‘junk’. In the last decade, ncRNAs’ significance and roles are becoming noticeable in various biological activities, including those in hormonal and metabolic regulation. Among the ncRNAs: microRNA (miRNA) is a small RNA transcript with ~20 nucleotides in length; long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is an RNA transcript with >200 nucleotides; and circular RNA (circRNA) is derived from back-splicing of pre-mRNA. These ncRNAs can regulate gene expression levels at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels through various mechanisms in insects. A better understanding of these crucial regulators is essential to both basic and applied entomology. In this review, we intend to summarise and discuss the current understanding and knowledge of miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in the best-studied insect model, the fruit fly Drosophila.
A Four-Step Platform to Optimize Growth Conditions for High-Yield Production of Siderophores in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Kundu Karishma , Teta Roberta , Esposito Germana , Stornaiuolo Mariano , Costantino Valeria
Published: January 2023

In response to Iron deprivation and in specific environmental conditions, the cyanobacteria Anabaena flos aquae produce siderophores, iron-chelating molecules that in virtue of their interesting environmental and clinical applications, are recently gaining the interest of the pharmaceutical industry. Yields of siderophore recovery from in vitro producing cyanobacterial cultures are, unfortunately, very low and reach most of the times only analytical quantities. We here propose a four-step experimental pipeline for a rapid and inexpensive identification and optimization of growth parameters influencing, at the transcriptional level, siderophore production in Anabaena flos aquae. The four-steps pipeline consists of: (1) identification of the promoter region of the operon of interest in the genome of Anabaena flos aquae; (2) cloning of the promoter in a recombinant DNA vector, upstream the cDNA coding for the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) followed by its stable transformation in Escherichia Coli; (3) identification of the environmental parameters affecting expression of the gene in Escherichia coli and their application to the cultivation of the Anabaena strain; (4) identification of siderophores by the combined use of high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry and molecular networking. This multidisciplinary, sustainable, and green pipeline is amenable to automation and is virtually applicable to any cyanobacteria, or more in general, to any microorganisms.
Qualitative and Quantitative Mass Spectrometry in Salivary Metabolomics and Proteomics
Authors: Grocholska Paulina , Kowalska Marta , Bąchor Remigiusz
Published: January 2023

The metabolomics and proteomics analysis of saliva, an excellent biofluid that is a rich source of biological compounds, allows for the safe and frequent screening of drugs, their metabolites, and molecular biomarkers of various diseases. One of the most frequently used analytical methods in saliva analysis is liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry. The low ionisation efficiency of some compounds and a complex matrix makes their identification by MS difficult. Furthermore, quantitative analysis by LC-MS frequently cannot be performed without isotopically labelled standards, which usually have to be specially synthesised. This review presented reports on qualitative and quantitative approaches in salivary metabolomics and proteomics. The purpose of this manuscript was to present the challenges, advances, and future prospects of mass spectrometry, both in the analysis of salivary metabolites and proteins. The presented review should appeal to those interested in the recent advances and trends in qualitative and quantitative mass spectrometry in salivary metabolomics and proteomics, which may facilitate a diagnostic accuracy, the evaluation of treatment efficacy, the early diagnosis of disease, and a forensic investigation of some unapproved drugs for any medical or dietary administration.
Internet of Things (IoT) for Soil Moisture Tensiometer Automation
Authors: Abdelmoneim Ahmed Ali , Khadra Roula , Derardja Bilal , Dragonetti Giovanna
Published: January 2023

Monitoring of water retention behavior in soils is an essential process to schedule irrigation. To this end, soil moisture tensiometers usually equipped with mechanical manometers provide an easy and cost-effective monitoring of tension in unsaturated soils. Yet, periodic manual monitoring of many devices is a tedious task hindering the full exploitation of soil moisture tensiometers. This research develops and lab validates a low cost IoT soil moisture tensiometer. The IoT-prototype is capable of measuring tension up to −80 Kpa with R2 = 0.99 as compared to the same tensiometer equipped with a mechanical manometer. It uses an ESP32 MCU, BMP180 barometric sensor and an SD card module to upload the measured points to a cloud service platform and establishes an online soil water potential curve. Moreover, it stores the reading on a micro-SD card as txt file. Being relatively cheap (76 USD) the prototype allows for more extensive measurements and, thus, for several potential applications such as soil water matric potential mapping, precision irrigation, and smart irrigation scheduling. In terms of energy, the prototype is totally autonomous, using a 2400 mAh Li-ion battery and a solar panel for charging, knowing that it uses deep sleep feature and sends three data points to the cloud each 6 h.
Spectral Characteristics of Unique Species of Burmese Amber
Authors: Shi Zhaotong , Xin Chenxing , Wang Yamei
Published: January 2023

Special species of Burmese amber are highly valued within the gemological market due to their fancy optical characteristics. However, some ordinary amber species are misidentified as precious species, which has disrupted consumers’ purchasing behavior and the market order. In this study, seven Burmese amber species (golden, golden-blue, blood-tea, black-tea, green-tea, brownish-red, and ‘chameleon’ amber) were collected and investigated. By using conventional gemological tests, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), three-dimensional (3D) fluorescence, and photoluminescence (PL) spectrometers, detailed analyses were performed on unique species. The FTIR spectra identified that there are three groups of peaks that can distinguish Burmese amber from any other origin. Additionally, the ‘Chameleon’ amber exhibited special patterns in the third group, which might be due to its internal aromatic hydrocarbons structures that are different from any other species. The 3D fluorescence spectra displayed that all seven species presented similar fluorescence behavior—the 334 or 347 nm emission wavelength could be optimally excited by 240 or 294 nm excitation wavelength in the ultraviolet region and the 380 ± 10 nm or 400 ± 10 nm excitation wavelength optimally excited the 430 nm emission wavelength in the violet region. In the red region, green-tea amber, black-tea amber, and brownish-red amber presented totally different fluorescence behavior, which could be regarded as a reference feature for differentiation. Obvious pink fluorescence on the surface of the tea amber was efficiently found under PL spectra, and we firstly suggest this test could be used as an effective way to distinguish black-tea amber from green-tea amber and some ordinary species (such as blood-tea amber). Both the PL and 3D fluorescence measurements demonstrated the different luminescence behavior of tea amber in the red region, which might be related to the type and content of red fluorescent substances in the tea amber.