bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Лечение и реабилитация после COVID-19 с помощью традиционной китайской медицины в КНР и РФ (взгляд медицинского антрополога)
Treatment and Rehabilitation after COVID-19 with Traditional Chinese Medicine in China and Russia (Medical Anthropologist’s Perspective)
Authors: Гарус О.
Published: December 2023

В статье на основе полевых материалов автора и научной антропологической и медицинской литературы анализируется специфика лечения и реабилитации после COVID-19 методами традиционной китайской медицины (ТКМ), рассматриваются сообщения информантов о побочных эффектах от перенесенного коронавируса и методы их устранения с помощью ТКМ, а также культурные составляющие данных процессов в Китае и в России. В китайской системе здравоохранения официально практикуется сочетание ТКМ и биомедицины, в частности, такая синергия применялась в лечении и реабилитации после COVID-19. В период реабилитации после перенесенного коронавируса также использовалось сочетание двух медицинских систем, что давало максимальный терапевтический эффект. В российском обществе есть значительный спрос на ТКМ, поскольку люди ищут альтернативные официальной системе пути лечения и реабилитации. Несмотря на то, что в РФ ТКМ не является официальной составляющей системы здравоохранения, она применяется в частных клиниках, число которых только Москве превысило 50. Пациентов привлекает индивидуальный подход и отсутствие побочных эффектов –– учитывается не только само заболевание, но и состояние больного, местоположение, его привычки и даже время года, когда проходит лечение. В этом плане ТКМ сильно отличается от биомедицины, в которой все манипуляции и назначения происходят по стандартизированным медицинским протоколам.

Based on the author’s field materials and academic anthropological and medical literature, the article analyzes the specifics of treatment and rehabilitation after COVID-19 using Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods, discusses informants’ experiences of side effects from the coronavirus and methods of their elimination using TCM, and the cultural components of these processes in China and Russia. The Chinese health care system officially practices a combination of TCM and biomedicine, in particular, such a synergy was applied in treatment and rehabilitation after COVID-19. During the rehabilitation period after coronavirus, a combination of the two medical systems was also used to maximize the therapeutic effect. There is a significant demand for TCM in Russian society as people seek alternative to the official medical system ways of treatment and rehabilitation. Although TCM is not an official part of the health care system in the Russian Federation, it is practiced in private clinics, the number of which exceeds 50 in Moscow alone. Patients are attracted by the individualized approach and lack of side effects — TCM takes into account not only the disease itself, but also the patient’s physical condition, location, habits, and even the time of year when treatment takes place. In this respect, TCM is very different from biomedicine, in which all manipulations and appointments follow standardized medical protocols.
О коллективной монографии «Содержательные основы российской идентичности. Региональный и этнокультурный контексты»
Review: The Collective Monograph “The Essential Basis of Russian Identity. Regional and Ethno-Cultural Contexts”
Authors: Снежкова И.
Published: December 2023

Рецензируемая монография «Содержательные основы российской идентичности. Региональный и этнокультурный контексты», авторами которой являются социологи Л. М. Дробижева, Е. М. Арутюнова, М. А. Евсеева, И. М. Кузнецов, С. В. Рыжова, П. В. Фадеев и Е. Ю. Щеголькова, посвящена исследованию понятий, которые люди разных национальностей и социального положения вкладывают, идентифицируя себя гражданами России. Для выяснения этого вопроса авторами монографии был проведен общероссийский опрос по репрезентативной выборке в центре и регионах России, а также экспертные и глубинные интервью в фокус-группах для изучения основных компонентов российской идентичности, таких как гражданство, русский язык, история, культура, представления о том, что такое «наша страна», а также изучались эмоции и чувства россиян по отношению к ней. Отдельно рассмотрено межэтническое согласие как ресурс российской идентичности в ряде республик. Проанализированы смыслы российской идентичности во властном дискурсе и в пространстве школьного образования.
The reviewed monograph "The Essential Basis of Russian Identity" (Authors: Drobizheva, L. M., E. M. Arutyunova, M. A. Evseeva, I. M. Kuznetsov, S. V. Ryzhova, P. V. Fadeev and E. Yu. Shchegolkova) is devoted to the concepts that serve to people of different ethnic groups and social status to identify themselves as citizens of Russia. The authors of the monograph surveyed a representative nationwide sample in the center and regions of Russia, and conducted expert and in-depth interviews in focus groups to study the main components of Russian identity such as citizenship, Russian language, history, culture, ideas about what “our country” is, emotions and feelings of Russians in relation to it. Interethnic consent as a resource of Russian identity is separately considered. The authors also analyze the notion of Russian identity in the political discourse and in the space of school education.
Патриотизм в региональном измерении (на примере Карачаево-Черкесской Республики) (The Regional Dimension of Patriotism (the Case of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic)
Authors: Щербина Е.
Published: December 2023

В статье представлено авторское видение патриотизма, жизненного принципа и социального явления, которое в современных условиях России, прежде всего, геополитических, перешло из плоскости теоретизирования в практико-политическую сферу. В настоящее время от рассмотрения патриотизма как основы национальной идеи, как маркера общероссийской идентичности, как приоритетной политической ценности, что было свойственно политической элите и ученым-гуманитариям в первое десятилетие двухтысячных, произошел переход к обсуждению патриотизма в контексте деятельностного подхода, связанного с защитой Отечества и его традиционных ценностей личностью и обществом в целом. Этот тренд сегодня является основным как в политической риторике, так и научно-публицистическом дискурсе. На основе региональной ситуации, на примере Карачаево-Черкесской Республики, автором дан краткий анализ республиканского закона о патриотическом воспитании, выделены региональные, этнонациональные особенности в вопросах патриотического воспитания в полиэтничной республике. На конкретных примерах показаны практики информационной подачи и обсуждения проблемы патриотизма. На базе результатов экспертных и массовых социологических опросов сделаны выводы об эффективности и проблемных точках патриотического воспитания в Карачаево-Черкесской Республике, показана роль образовательной и культурной стратегии в формировании ценностной сути общероссийской гражданской идентичности, одним из компонентов которой является патриотизм.
The article presents the author's vision of patriotism, which in the modern geopolitical situation of Russia has moved from the theoretical plane to the practical and political ones. At present, the political rhetoric and scientific and journalistic discourse of discussing patriotism has shifted from considering it as the basis of the national idea, a marker of the all-Russian identity or a priority political value, which was characteristic of the political elite and scholars in the first decade of the 2000s, to the activity approach related to the protection of the Fatherland and its traditional values. Based on the regional approach, the paper gives a brief analysis of the republican law on patriotic education, highlights regional and ethno-national specificity of patriotic education in a multi-ethnic republic. Examples show how the information is presented and how the problem of patriotism is discussed. Based on the results of expert and mass sociological surveys, conclusions are drawn about the effectiveness and problematic points of patriotic education in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, and the role of educational and cultural strategies in shaping the value basis of the all-Russian national identity, which includes patriotism, is shown.
Общероссийская идентичность и гражданская активность студенческой молодежи на примере Москвы, Кировской области и Северной Осетии
Russian Identity and Civic Engagement of Students. The Case of Moscow, Kirov region and North Ossetia
Authors: Зыкина О.
Published: December 2023

В статье автором рассматриваются особенности формирования гражданского общества в нашей стране через анализ становления в студенческой среде двух его основополагающих элементов — гражданской идентичности и гражданской активности. В качестве эмпирической базы были использованы материалы массовых опросов, проведенных в декабре 2020 г. в Москве, Кировской области и Республике Северная Осетия — Алания. Согласно полученным данным государственная самоидентификация является ведущей среди территориальных и объединяет от двух третей до 80% опрошенных студентов, соответственно можно говорить о наличии сформированного российского самосознания у молодого поколения. В качестве иллюстрации гражданской активности были выбраны для изучения волонтерская работа в ходе значимых государственных мероприятий и участие в голосовании о поправках в Конституцию России 2020 г. На этом этапе наблюдается заметная региональная специфика, которая выражена, в том числе, в некоторой политической индифферентности учащихся осетинских вузов в сравнении с более высокой активностью их сверстников из Москвы и Кирова, проявленной в ходе голосования и оценки содержательной части поправок в Конституцию. Тем не менее, по основным позициям студентами озвучены сходные мнения вне зависимости от региона обучения.
In the article the author considers the formation of civil society in Russia by analyzing the its two fundamental elements — national identity and civic activity in the student environment. The empirical base of the strudy consisted of the data of mass surveys conducted in December 2020 in Moscow, the Kirov region and the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. According to the obtained data, national identity is the leading among territorial self-identification components and unites from two thirds to 80% of the surveyed students, therefore suggesting formed Russian self-consciousness among the young generation. Volunteering at significant state events and participation in voting on the 2020 amendments to the Russian Constitution were selected for study as examples of civic engagement. At this stage there is a remarkable regional specificity, which is expressed, among other things, in a certain political indifference of Ossetian higher education students as compared to the higher activity of their peers from Moscow and Kirov displayed during the voting and assessment of amendments to the Constitution. Nevertheless, students have expressed similar opinions on the main positions regardless of the region of study.
A preoperative simulation of medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy for predicting postoperative realignment
Authors: Konda Shoji , Ishibashi Teruya , Tamaki Masashi , Tomita Tetsuya
Published: December 2023

Three-dimensional preoperative surgical simulation of the medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO), simplified as the rigid rotation around the hinge axis, has been performed to predict postoperative realignment. However, the practicality of this highly simplified simulation method has not been verified. This study aimed to investigate the validity of realignment simulation simplified as a rotation around a hinge axis compared with a postoperative CT model. A three-dimensional surface model of the tibia and femur was created from preoperative computed tomography (CT) images (preoperative model) of three patients. The simulation of medial OWHTO created sixty computer simulation models in each patient simplified as the rigid rotation of the proximal part of the tibia relative to the distal part from 1° to 20° around three types of hinge axes. The simulation models were compared with the actual postoperative model created from postoperative CT images to assess the reality of the simulation model. The average surface distance between the two models was calculated as an index representing the similarity of the simulation model to the postoperative model. The minimum value of average surface distances between the simulation and postoperative CT models was almost 1 mm in each patient. The rotation angles at which the minimum value of average surface distances was represented were almost identical to the actual correction angles. We found that the posterior tibial tilt and the axial rotation of the proximal tibia of the simulation model well represented those of the postoperative CT model, as well as the valgus correction. Therefore, the realignment simulation of medial OWHTO can generate realistic candidates for postoperative realignment that includes the actual postoperative realignment, suggesting the efficacy of the preoperative simulation method.
Three-dimensional mapping of ultrasound-derived skeletal muscle shear wave velocity
Authors: Götschi Tobias , Snedeker Jess G. , Fitze Daniel P. , Sarto Fabio , Spörri Jörg , Franchi Martino V.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: The mechanical properties of skeletal muscle are indicative of its capacity to perform physical work, state of disease, or risk of injury. Ultrasound shear wave elastography conducts a quantitative analysis of a tissue’s shear stiffness, but current implementations only provide two-dimensional measurements with limited spatial extent. We propose and assess a framework to overcome this inherent limitation by acquiring numerous and contiguous measurements while tracking the probe position to create a volumetric scan of the muscle. This volume reconstruction is then mapped into a parameterized representation in reference to geometric and anatomical properties of the muscle. Such an approach allows to quantify regional differences in muscle stiffness to be identified across the entire muscle volume assessed, which could be linked to functional implications.

Methods: We performed shear wave elastography measurements on the vastus lateralis (VL) and the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) muscle of 16 healthy volunteers. We assessed test-retest reliability, explored the potential of the proposed framework in aggregating measurements of multiple subjects, and studied the acute effects of muscular contraction on the regional shear wave velocity post-measured at rest.

Results: The proposed approach yielded moderate to good reliability (ICC between 0.578 and 0.801). Aggregation of multiple subject measurements revealed considerable but consistent regional variations in shear wave velocity. As a result of muscle contraction, the shear wave velocity was elevated in various regions of the muscle; showing pre-to-post regional differences for the radial assessement of VL and longitudinally for BFlh. Post-contraction shear wave velocity was associated with maximum eccentric hamstring strength produced during six Nordic hamstring exercise repetitions.

Discussion and Conclusion: The presented approach provides reliable, spatially resolved representations of skeletal muscle shear wave velocity and is capable of detecting changes in three-dimensional shear wave velocity patterns, such as those induced by muscle contraction. The observed systematic inter-subject variations in shear wave velocity throughout skeletal muscle additionally underline the necessity of accurate spatial referencing of measurements. Short high-effort exercise bouts increase muscle shear wave velocity. Further studies should investigate the potential of shear wave elastography in predicting the muscle’s capacity to perform work.
Development and internal validation of a novel predictive model for SDHB mutations in pheochromocytomas and retroperitoneal paragangliomas
Authors: Zhou Yue , Gao Yinjie , Ma Xiaosen , Li Tianyi , Cui Yunying , Wang Yu , Li Ming , Zhang Dingding , Tong Anli
Published: December 2023

Aim

To develop and internally validate a novel predictive model for SDHB mutations in pheochromocytomas and retroperitoneal paragangliomas (PPGLs).

Methods

Clinical data of patients with PPGLs who presented to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2013 to 2022 and underwent genetic testing were retrospectively collected. Variables were screened by backward stepwise and clinical significance and were used to construct multivariable logistic models in 50 newly generated datasets after the multiple imputation. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. A corresponding nomogram was generated based on the model. Sensitivity analyses were also performed.

Results

A total of 556 patients with PPGLs were included, of which 99 had a germline SDHB mutation. The prediction model revealed that younger age of onset [Odds ratio (OR): 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91-0.95], synchronous metastasis (OR: 6.43, 95% CI: 2.62-15.80), multiple lesion (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.09-0.54), retroperitoneal origin (OR: 5.72, 95% CI: 3.13-10.47), negative 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15-0.73), positive octreotide scintigraphy (OR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.25-8.43), elevated 24h urinary dopamine (DA) (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 0.93-3.17), NE secretory type (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.22- 6.59), normal secretory function (OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.04-8.85) and larger tumor size (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.99-1.20) were predictors of SDHB mutations in PPGLs, and showed good and stable predictive performance with a mean area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.865 and coefficient of variation of 2.2%.

Conclusions

This study provided a novel and useful tool for predicting SDHB mutations by integrating easily obtained clinical data. It may help clinicians select suitable genetic testing methods and make appropriate clinical decisions for these high-risk patients.
Effects of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic parameters, serum irisin and obesity values in women with subclinical hypothyroidism: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Safari Sara , Rafraf Maryam , Malekian Mahsa , Molani-Gol Roghayeh , Asghari-Jafarabadi Mohammad , Mobasseri Majid
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Subclinical hypothyroidism is an early, mild form of hypothyroidism that may progress to overt hypothyroidism if untreated. The current study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on hormonal (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and free thyroxine) parameters, lipid profiles, serum irisin, and obesity indices in women with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Methods

The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out on 44 women with subclinical hypothyroidism. The participants were allocated to two groups (22 patients in each group) that received vitamin D (50,000 IU/week) or placebo for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric and body composition measurements, physical activity levels, and dietary intakes were collected at baseline and at the end of the study.

Results

Vitamin D supplementation significantly decreased TSH, total cholesterol, and fat mass percentage, and significantly increased serum vitamin D and irisin levels and fat-free mass percentage compared to the control group (all, p<0.05). Changes in thyroid hormones, other lipid profiles, and anthropometric indices were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that vitamin D administration improves serum TSH, total cholesterol, irisin, and body composition in women with subclinical hypothyroidism. More well-designed clinical trials are required to confirm these findings and clarify the effects of vitamin D supplementation on both genders of patients.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.irct.ir/trial/57482, Identifier IRCT20100408003664N25.
Thyroid markers and body composition predict LDL-cholesterol change in lean healthy women on a ketogenic diet: experimental support for the lipid energy model
Authors: Cooper Isabella D. , Sanchez-Pizarro Claudio , Norwitz Nicholas G. , Feldman David , Kyriakidou Yvoni , Edwards Kurtis , Petagine Lucy , Elliot Bradley T. , Soto-Mota Adrian
Published: December 2023

Introduction

There is a large heterogeneity in LDL-cholesterol change among individuals adopting ketogenic diets. Interestingly, lean metabolically healthy individuals seem to be particularly susceptible, with an inverse association between body mass index and LDL-cholesterol change. The lipid energy model proposes that, in lean healthy individuals, carbohydrate restriction upregulates systemic lipid trafficking to meet energy demands. To test if anthropometric and energy metabolism markers predict LDL-cholesterol change during carbohydrate restriction.

Methods

Ten lean, healthy, premenopausal women who habitually consumed a ketogenic diet for ≥6 months were engaged in a three-phase crossover study consisting of continued nutritional ketosis, suppression of ketosis with carbohydrate reintroduction, and return to nutritional ketosis. Each phase lasted 21 days. The predictive performance of all available relevant variables was evaluated with the linear mixed-effects models.

Results

All body composition metrics, free T3 and total T4, were significantly associated with LDL-cholesterol change. In an interaction model with BMI and free T3, both markers were significant independent and interacting predictors of LDL-cholesterol change. Neither saturated fat, HOMA-IR, leptin, adiponectin, TSH, nor rT3 was associated with LDL-cholesterol changes.

Discussion

Among lean, healthy women undergoing carbohydrate restriction, body composition and energy metabolism markers are major drivers of LDL-cholesterol change, not saturated fat, consistent with the lipid energy model.
The impact of E-government on air quality: new evidence from China
Authors: Han Huichao , Wu Tianqi , Hai Chenxi , Zhou Nianchi
Published: December 2023

Air pollution has become an increasing concern in China. At the same time China has undergone a rapid shift from traditional government to E-government. Our study contributes to the existing literature by exploring the relationship between E-government and air pollution. This study investigates the impact of E-government on PM2.5 in 226 cities between 2012 and 2016. The results show that E-government has a significantly positive effect on air quality, the PM2.5 concentration will decrease by 6.71 percent with one percent increase in the E-government score. Furthermore, we find the impacts of E-government on air quality vary across cities. E-government has stronger effects of air quality improvements on more market-oriented cities and non-capital provincial cities, which illustrates although the government plays a leading role in the construction of E-government, its impact on the environment depends more on market dynamics. We also tested there exist three channels through which E-government affects air quality, namely, promoting innovation, improving total factor productivity, and optimizing industrial structure. This study provides important references for the green transformation in the context of E-government.
Daylength effects on black spruce bud dormancy release change during endo- and ecodormancy
Authors: Colombo Stephen J. , Man Rongzhou
Published: December 2023

The effects of daylength on bud dormancy release varied throughout the dormant period in black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) seedlings. In phase one of this trial, seedlings exposed to 8 h photoperiods to induce terminal buds were then intermittently transferred to 12, 16, 18 or 24 h photoperiods to determine dormancy status, evaluated by observing rates of terminal budburst. Buds were in a state of endodormancy initially after short-day induction, as indicated by their inability to quickly break bud when placed in longer daylengths. The time required for budburst decreased as time after bud initiation increased. Time to terminal budburst also decreased linearly with longer photoperiods. In phase two of the investigation, beginning 9 weeks after terminal bud initiation, seedlings began receiving chilling at +5°C to promote the transition from endo- to ecodormancy. During chilling, groups of seedlings were periodically removed from the cold and placed into warm temperatures at 8, 12, 16, 18 or 24 h photoperiods to observe the rate of budburst. Time to budburst in an 8 h photoperiod decreased logarithmically with the duration of chilling, decreasing more rapidly over the first four weeks of chilling and thereafter more slowly. Photoperiod always affected the rates of budburst: with eight weeks of chilling, longer photoperiods resulted in faster rates of budburst; in contrast, after 16 weeks of chilling, budburst was faster in shorter photoperiods. These results are of practical significance in tree nurseries where controlling bud dormancy release is important. In addition, this trial provides empirical observations of bud dormancy release that contribute to the understanding of environmental control of this aspect of the tree developmental cycle, which may affect tree phenology as the climate changes.
Interpretable spatio-temporal modeling for soil temperature prediction
Authors: Li Xiaoning , Zhu Yuheng , Li Qingliang , Zhao Hongwei , Zhu Jinlong , Zhang Cheng
Published: December 2023

Soil temperature (ST) is a crucial parameter in Earth system science. Accurate ST predictions provide invaluable insights; however, the “black box” nature of many deep learning approaches limits their interpretability. In this study, we present the Encoder-Decoder Model with Interpretable Spatio-Temporal Component (ISDNM) to enhance both ST prediction accuracy and its spatio-temporal interpretability. The ISDNM combines a CNN-encoder-decoder and an LSTM-encoder-decoder to improve spatio-temporal feature representation. It further uses linear regression and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) techniques for clearer spatio-temporal visualization of ST. The results show that the ISDNM model had the highest R2 ranging from 0.886 to 0.963 and the lowest RMSE ranging from 6.086 m3/m3 to 12.533 m3/m3 for different climate regions, and demonstrated superior performance than all the other DL models like CNN, LSTM, ConvLSTM models. The predictable component highlighted the remarkable similarity between Medium fine and Very fine soils in China. Additional, May and November emerged as crucial months, acting as inflection points in the annual ST cycle, shaping ISDNM model’s prediction capabilities.
Current annotation strategies for T cell phenotyping of single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Mullan Kerry A. , de Vrij Nicky , Valkiers Sebastiaan , Meysman Pieter
Published: December 2023

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has become a popular technique for interrogating the diversity and dynamic nature of cellular gene expression and has numerous advantages in immunology. For example, scRNA-seq, in contrast to bulk RNA sequencing, can discern cellular subtypes within a population, which is important for heterogenous populations such as T cells. Moreover, recent advancements in the technology allow the parallel capturing of the highly diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) sequence with the gene expression. However, the field of single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis is still hampered by a lack of gold-standard cell phenotype annotation. This problem is particularly evident in the case of T cells due to the heterogeneity in both their gene expression and their TCR. While current cell phenotype annotation tools can differentiate major cell populations from each other, labelling T-cell subtypes remains problematic. In this review, we identify the common automated strategy for annotating T cells and their subpopulations, and also describe what crucial information is still missing from these tools.
Evaluation of an OSCE’s implementation and a two-step approach for a theoretical and practical training program in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Authors: Plöger Ruben , Abramian Alina , Egger Eva Katharina , Mustea Alexander , Sänger Nicole , Plöger Hannah , Weber Eva , Gembruch Ulrich , Walter Adeline , Strizek Brigitte , Recker Florian
Published: December 2023

Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a well-known assessment method to evaluate clinical skills and competence in healthcare. Following the recently reformed National Competence-Based Catalog of Learning Objectives in Medicine, the implementation of this assessment method in the training program for medical students is now obligatory in Germany. This major change requires a reorganization not only of the training programs but also of the students themselves and the way they learn. We performed a poll evaluating the students’ opinions regarding these major changes and the implementation of the OSCE with a new training program. To implement this assessment method and to evaluate the OSCE, Kern’s six-step approach comprising (1) problem identification and general needs assessment, (2) needs assessment of the targeted learners, (3) goals and objectives, (4) educational strategies, (5) implementation, and (6) evaluation and feedback was applied. To evaluate and gather feedback, a poll was used to analyze the student’s opinions regarding OSCE in gynecology and obstetrics and OSCE in general, in addition to the regular analysis of the students’ results. To reform the educational strategy, a two-step approach was developed: First, the students completed the regular training program and a written examination, and second, they participated in a 1-week clerkship, in small group teaching, and in the OSCE. The OSCE stations were developed primarily based on the National Competence-Based Catalog and the German Catalog of Learning Objectives in Medicine, as well as on the feedback of experts reflecting their expectations for physicians beginning their careers. The students performed well in the OSCE and gave positive feedback regarding this examination method. Furthermore, they welcomed the upcoming changes by considering OSCE a valuable assessment tool, and they showed appreciation for the two-step approach by supporting the combination of an OSCE and a written examination. Thus, this article presents the implementation of an OSCE and a strategy for the adaptation of the curriculum to fulfill the new OSCE requirements and—to our knowledge—reveals students’ primary opinions regarding the changes in their medical training program for the first time.
Association between red blood cell distribution width and psoriasis among the US adults
Authors: Zhang Yunqi , Lv Zheng , Peng Peng , Zhao Tie
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The association between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and psoriasis among the US adults is still unknown. We aimed to assess whether RDW is associated with psoriasis in the US adults.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of 14,089 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2014. Psoriasis status were assessed by self-reported questionnaire. We evaluated the association between RDW and risk of psoriasis using multivariate regression models. Subgroup and interaction analysis were performed.

Results

The higher RDW level was associated with an increased risk of psoriasis (OR = 1.10 [95% CI, 1.01, 1.19]; p = 0.025) after adjusting for confounders in female. However, there is no significant association between RDW and risk of psoriasis among male (OR = 0.99 [95% CI, 0.87, 1.15]; p = 0.992). Subgroup and interaction analysis found that the strongest positive association mainly exists in female participants with BMD greater than 29.9 kg/m2 (OR = 1.20 [95% CI, 1.09, 1.32], Pint = 0.004).

Discussion

In conclusion, we found that increased RDW levels were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in females, which could provide clinicians with auxiliary data for the early diagnosis of psoriasis.
Metagenomic analysis unveils the microbial landscape of pancreatic tumors
Authors: Khan Sheema , Banerjee Goutam , Setua Saini , Jones Daleniece Higgins , Chauhan Bhavin V. , Dhasmana Anupam , Banerjee Pratik , Yallapu Murali Mohan , Behrman Stephen , Chauhan Subhash C.
Published: December 2023

The composition of resident microbes in the human body is linked to various diseases and their treatment outcomes. Although studies have identified pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-associated bacterial communities in the oral and gut samples, herein, we hypothesize that the prevalence of microbiota in pancreatic tumor tissues is different as compared with their matched adjacent, histologically normal appearing tissues, and these microbial molecular signatures can be highly useful for PDAC diagnosis/prognosis. In this study, we performed comparative profiling of bacterial populations in pancreatic tumors and their respective adjacent normal tissues using 16S rRNA-based metagenomics analysis. This study revealed a higher abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinomycetota in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Interestingly, the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) scores unambiguously revealed an enrichment of Delftia in tumor tissues, whereas Sphingomonas, Streptococcus, and Citrobacter exhibited a depletion in tumor tissues. Furthermore, we analyzed the microbial composition between different groups of patients with different tumor differentiation stages. The bacterial genera, Delftia and Staphylococcus, were very high at the G1 stages (well differentiated) compared with G2 (well to moderate/moderately differentiated) and G3/G4 (poorly differentiated) stages. However, the abundance of Actinobacter and Cloacibacterium was found to be very high in G2 and G3, respectively. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation of programmed death-ligand (PDL1) expression with the abundance of bacterial genera in tumor lesions. Our results indicated that three genera such as Streptomyces, Cutibacterium, and Delftia have a positive correlation with PD-L1 expression. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that PDAC lesions harbor relatively different microbiota compared with their normal tumor adjacent tissues, and this information may be helpful for the diagnosis and prognosis of PADC patients.
Plectasin: from evolution to truncation, expression, and better druggability
Authors: Li Xuan , Hao Ya , Yang Na , Mao Ruoyu , Teng Da , Wang Jianhua
Published: December 2023

Non-computational classical evolution analysis of plectasin and its functional relatives can especially contribute tool value during access to meet requirements for their better druggability in clinical use. Staphylococcus aureus is a zoonotic pathogen that can infect the skin, blood, and other tissues of humans and animals. The impact of pathogens on humans is exacerbated by the crisis of drug resistance caused by the misuse of antibiotics. In this study, we analyzed the evolution of anti-Staphylococcus target functional sequences, designed a series of plectasin derivatives by truncation, and recombinantly expressed them in Pichia pastoris X-33, from which the best recombinant Ple-AB was selected for the druggability study. The amount of total protein reached 2.9 g/L following 120 h of high-density expression in a 5-L fermenter. Ple-AB was found to have good bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging between 2 and 16 μg/mL. It showed good stability and maintained its bactericidal activity during high temperatures, strong acid and alkali environments. Notably, Ple-AB exhibited better druggability, including excellent trypsin resistance, and still possessed approximately 50% of its initial activity following exposure to simulated intestinal fluids for 1 h. In vitro safety testing of Ple-AB revealed low hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes and cytotoxicity against murine-derived macrophages. This study successfully realized the high expression of a new antimicrobial peptide (AMP), Ple-AB, in P. pastoris and the establishment of its oral administration as an additive form with high trypsin resistance; the study also revealed its antibacterial properties, indicating that truncation design is a valuable tool for improving druggability and that the candidate Ple-AB may be a novel promising antimicrobial agent.
One-pass deep brain stimulation of subthalamic nucleus and ventral intermediate nucleus for levodopa-resistant tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Liu Bin , Xu Junpeng , Feng Zhebin , Hui Rui , Zhang Yanyang , Liu Di , Chang Qing , Yu Xinguang , Mao Zhiqi
Published: December 2023

Objective

Tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease (TD-PD) can be further separated into levodopa-responsive and levodopa-resistant types, the latter being considered to have a different pathogenesis. Previous studies indicated that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or the globus pallidus internus (GPi) individually was not sufficient for tremor control, especially for the levodopa-resistant TD-PD (LRTD-PD). The thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) has been regarded as a potent DBS target for different kinds of tremors. Therefore, we focused on the LRTD-PD subgroup and performed one-pass combined DBSs of STN and VIM to treat refractory tremors, aiming to investigate the safety and effectiveness of this one-trajectory dual-target DBS scheme.

Methods

We retrospectively collected five LRTD-PD patients who underwent a one-pass combined DBS of STN and VIM via a trans-frontal approach. The targeting of VIM was achieved by probabilistic tractography. Changes in severity of symptoms (measured by the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale part III, UPDRS-III), levodopa equivalent daily doses (LEDD), and disease-specific quality of life (measured by the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire, PDQ-39) were evaluated.

Results

Three-dimensional reconstruction of electrodes illustrated that all leads were successfully implanted into predefined positions. The mean improvement rates (%) were 53 ± 6.2 (UPDRS-III), 82.6 ± 11.4 (tremor-related items of UPDRS), and 52.1 ± 11.4 (PDQ-39), respectively, with a mean follow-up of 11.4 months.

Conclusion

One-pass combined DBS of STN and VIM via the trans-frontal approach is an effective and safe strategy to alleviate symptoms for LRTD-PD patients.
The role of sphingosine-1-phosphate in the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Wang Wang , Zhao Yang , Zhu Guoxue
Published: December 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) could be viewed as a proteinopathy caused by changes in lipids, whereby modifications in lipid metabolism may lead to protein alterations, such as the accumulation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn), ultimately resulting in neurodegeneration. Although the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is the major clinical manifestation of PD, the etiology of it is largely unknown. Increasing evidence has highlighted the important role of lipids in the pathophysiology of PD. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a signaling lipid, has been suggested to have a potential association with the advancement and worsening of PD. Therefore, better understanding the mechanisms and regulatory proteins is of high interest. Most interestingly, S1P appears to be an important target to offers a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of PD. In this review, we first introduce the basic situation of S1P structure, function and regulation, with a special focus on the several pathways. We then briefly describe the regulation of S1P signaling pathway on cells and make a special focused on the cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis, etc. Finally, we discuss the function of S1P as potential therapeutic target to improve the clinical symptoms of PD, and even prevent the progression of the PD. In the context of PD, the functions of S1P modulators have been extensively elucidated. In conclusion, S1P modulators represent a novel and promising therapeutic principle and therapeutic method for PD. However, more research is required before these drugs can be considered as a standard treatment option for PD.
Endolymphatic hydrops asymmetry distinguishes patients with Meniere’s disease from normal controls with high sensitivity and specificity
Authors: Noh Tae-Soo , Park Moo Kyun , Lee Jun Ho , Oh Seung Ha , Kim Ji-hoon , Song In Chan , Suh Myung-Whan
Published: December 2023

Background

Many endolymphatic hydrops (EH) MRI studies in the literature do not include a normal control group. Consequently, it remains unclear which outcome measure in EH MRI can most effectively distinguish between MD patients and normal controls.

Methods

Gadolinium-enhanced EH imaging was performed to quantitatively evaluate the extents of hydrops in MD patients and age−/sex-matched normal controls. Four hours after intravenous injection of contrast agent, MRI was performed using a 3-T MR platform fitted with a 32-channel phased-array coil receptor. MR images (10–15 slices) covering an inner ear were 3D-stacked. Analyses of all images that included the vestibule or the cochlea yielded the volumes (in μL) of the endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces.

Results

For the vestibule, they were significantly greater EH% in ipsilateral (52.4 ± 12.5) than in contralateral MD ears (40.4 ± 8.5, p = 0.001) and in ipsilateral MD ears than in control ears (42.4 ± 13.7, p = 0.025). For the cochlea, the values were slightly higher EH% in ipsilateral MD ears (49.7 ± 10.4, p = 0.061) but did not significantly differ from contralateral (41.3 ± 12.6) or control ears (39.6 ± 18.9, p = 0.858). In the MD group, the EH asymmetries were 12.0 ± 10.2% (vestibule) and 8.4 ± 8.6% (cochlea), significantly larger than those of controls.

Conclusion

Compared to conventional semiquantitative grading or quantitative EH% analysis, EH asymmetry may better distinguish MD patients from normal controls. Quantitative hydrops volumetric analysis yields clinically relevant information on inner ear function.
Ferroptosis-related genes are considered as potential targets for CPAP treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Huang Jing , Zhang Hezi , Cao Lichao , Chen Fang , Lin Weinan , Lu Qinghua , Huang Xiao , Weng Qi , Yang Qin
Published: December 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common syndrome characterized by upper airway dysfunction during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most frequently utilized non-surgical treatment for OSA. Ferroptosis play a crucial role in the physiological diseases caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia, but its involvement in the development of OSA and the exact mechanisms have incompletely elucidated. GSE75097 microarray dataset was used to identify differentially expressed genes between OSA patients and CPAP-treated OSA patients. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, STRING database, and FerrDb database were conducted to analyze the biological functions of differentially expressed genes and screen ferroptosis-related genes. Finally, GSE135917 dataset employed for validation. There were 1,540 differentially expressed genes between OSA patients and CPAP-treated OSA patients. These differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the regulation of interleukin-1-mediated signaling pathway and ferroptosis-related signaling pathway. Subsequently, 13 ferroptosis-related genes (DRD5, TSC22D3, TFAP2A, STMN1, DDIT3, MYCN, ELAVL1, JUN, DUSP1, MIB1, PSAT1, LCE2C, and MIR27A) were identified from the interaction between differentially expressed genes and FerrDb database, which are regarded as the potential targets of CPAP-treated OSA. These ferroptosis-related genes were mainly involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis and MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, DRD5 and TFAP2A were downregulated in OSA patients, which showed good diagnostic properties for OSA, but these abnormal signatures are not reversed with short-term effective CPAP therapy. In summary, the identification of 13 ferroptosis-related genes as potential targets for the CPAP treatment of OSA provides valuable insights into the development of novel, reliable, and accurate therapeutic options.
Establishing a nomogram to predict refracture after percutaneous kyphoplasty by logistic regression
Authors: Zhang Aiqi , Fu Hongye , Wang Junjie , Chen Zhe , Fan Jiajun
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Several studies have examined the risk factors for post-percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) refractures and developed many clinical prognostic models. However, no prior research exists using the Random Forest (RF) model, a favored tool for model development, to predict the occurrence of new vertebral compression fractures (NVCFs). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the risk factors for the occurrence of post-PKP fractures, compare the predictive performance of logistic regression and RF models in forecasting post-PKP fractures, and visualize the logistic regression model.

Methods

We collected clinical data from 349 patients who underwent PKP treatment at our institution from January 2018 to December 2021. Lasso regression was employed to select risk factors associated with the occurrence of NVCFs. Subsequently, logistic regression and RF models were established, and their predictive capabilities were compared. Finally, a nomogram was created.

Results

The variables selected using Lasso regression, including bone density, cement distribution, vertebral fracture location, preoperative vertebral height, and vertebral height restoration rate, were included in both the logistic regression and RF models. The area under the curves of the logistic regression and RF models were 0.868 and 0.786, respectively, in the training set and 0.786 and 0.599, respectively, in the validation set. Furthermore, the calibration curve of the logistic regression model also outperformed that of the RF model.

Conclusion

The logistic regression model provided better predictive capabilities for identifying patients at risk for post-PKP vertebral fractures than the RF model.
Peripheral immune markers and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Hu Zhengwei , Zuo Chunyan , Mao Chengyuan , Shi Changhe , Xu Yuming
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The peripheral immune system changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the causal relationship between the two is still controversial.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to estimate the causal relationship between peripheral immune markers and ALS using a two-sample Mendelian randomization method. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on peripheral blood immune traits from European populations were used for exposure, and ALS summary statistics were used as the outcome. The causal relationship was evaluated by inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods and verified by multiple sensitivity analysis.

Results

We found that the increase of one standard deviation of lymphocyte count is related to reducing ALS risk. CD3 on effector memory CD4+ T cell, HLA DR+ CD4+ T cell, effector memory CD8+ T cell, terminally differentiated CD8+ T cell and CD28- CD8+ T cell is also a protective factor for ALS. Among the circulating immune protein, the increase of one standard deviation of α-2-macroglobulin receptor-associated protein (α-2-MRAP) and C4b showed associated with low risk of ALS, while Interleukin-21 (IL-21) increases the risk of ALS.

Discussion

Our study further reveals the important role of peripheral immune activity in ALS.