bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early intervention to prevent adverse child emotional and behavioural development following maternal depression in pregnancy: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Milgrom Jeannette , Hirshler Yafit , Holt Charlene , Skouteris Helen , Galbally Megan , East Christine , Glover Vivette , Reece John , O'Donnell Kieran J. , Walker Susan P. , Malloy Shannon , Gemmill Alan W.
Published: July 2023

Background Substantial evidence indicates that maternal depression during pregnancy (i.e., antenatal depression) is associated not only with maternal wellbeing but also with child emotional and behavioural development. Children of antenatally depressed women are at risk of emotional and behavioural problems, including internalising problems (e.g., anxiety and depression) and externalising problems (e.g., attention problems), that may last at least to adolescence. These enduring effects also constitute an enormous economic cost. Despite the seriousness of this problem, until recently there existed very few controlled studies evaluating whether active psychological treatment for antenatal depression can prevent adverse child outcomes. Our previous pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) exploring the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for antenatal depression on child outcomes showed promising results. We aim to assess whether treating antenatal depression with an evidence-based 8-week structured CBT program can prevent or ameliorate adverse child developmental outcomes at 2 years of age.Methods Pregnant women ≤ 30 weeks gestation diagnosed with a depressive disorder are recruited and randomised to CBT or treatment as usual (TAU). The target sample size is 230 and the primary outcome measure is the infant Internalising scale of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) at 24 months of age. Secondary infant outcome measures at 24 months are the Externalising scale of the CBCL and the motor and cognitive development subscales of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Additional secondary outcome measures are subscales of the Revised Infant Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ-R), ASQ-3 and the ASQ-Socio-Emotional (ASQ-SE) at 3 and 12 months of age and the quality of mother-infant interaction at 3 and 24 months. Maternal measures, including demographic data, depression diagnosis, depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress and parenting stress, are collected across all time points.Discussion The trial is ongoing and recruitment was slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If results suggest a beneficial effect of antenatal depression treatment on infant outcomes, the project could have repercussions for standard antenatal care, for maternal and infant health services and for preventing the intergenerational transmission of mental health disorders.Trial registration: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register: ACTRN12618001925235 Date Registered: 27 November 2018.
Effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage in intensive phase I therapy of breast cancer-related lymphedema
Authors: Kasseroller Renato G. , Brenner Erich
Published: July 2023

Background: The standard therapy for lymphedema of any origin is complex physical decongestive therapy. It comprises manual lymph drainage (MLD), compression therapy, exercise therapy, skincare, and patient education. However, the contribution of MLD to decongestion is repeatedly questioned.
Patients and Methods: This study re-analyses a previous study during a three-week decongestion period comparing two different types of compression bandaging at the weekend. Sixty-one patients with unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema were included. The patients received the same therapy except for the different weekend compression bandaging. MLD was performed twice a day on weekdays. The volume of the affected arm was measured on days 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19 and 22. For the analysis, the data of both study groups were pooled.
Results: During the working day, the patients showed a significant volume reduction with a high effect size. On the weekends without MLD, they showed a slight increase with a medium effect size.
Conclusions: We showed a strong effect of MLD on volume reduction. Differences from other studies are the larger study population and the more intensive application of MLD. If applied intensively, MLD is strongly decongestive during a three-week decongestion therapy for breast cancer-related lymphedema.
Pharmacokinetics of Oral Spironolactone in Infants Up to 2 Years of Age
Authors: Lass Jana , Leroux Stephanie , Kõrgvee Lenne-Triin , Varendi Heili , Kipper Karin , Takkis Kalev , Aro Rudolf , Metsvaht Tuuli , Oselin Kersti , Pfister Marc , Soeorg Hiie , Anker Johannes van den , Lutsar Irja
Published: July 2023

Purpose
Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic used for decades. Until now, pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of spironolactone have not been conducted in infants and therefore pediatric dosing is based on expert opinion. We aimed to describe the PK profiles of spironolactone and its main metabolites (7 alpha- thiomethylspironolactone (TMS) and canrenone (CAN)) in infants up to two years of age.
Methods
The PK of spironolactone and its main metabolites were evaluated following an oral administration of spironolactone (1 mg/kg/dose) to pediatric patients with chronic heart failure, ascites and/or oedema. The plasma concentration of spironolactone and metabolites (TMS and CAN) was determined using an ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Based on rich sampling PK data, the estimation of population PK parameters was performed using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling software Monolix 2018R2. Clinical trial Registration Number 2013-001189-40.
Results
A total of 150 spironolactone, 158 TMS and 158 CAN concentrations from 23 patients (ages: 3 days – 21 months; median weight 4.3kg (2.2–12.6) were available for PK analysis. A one-compartment model for spironolactone, TMS and CAN best fitted the data. The median (range) of individual estimated apparent clearance values were 47.7 (11.9–138.1) L/h for spironolactone, 9.7 (1.5–66.9) L/h for TMS, and 1.0 (0.2–5.9) L/h for CAN. The disposition of spironolactone and metabolites was mainly affected by size (body weight) of the patient. None of the undesirable effects of spironolactone was documented during the study period.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of this study, the current practice of administering oral spironolactone according to body weight appears to be justified in infants less than 24 months of age.
Temporal Meta-optimiser based Sensitivity Analysis (TMSA) for Agent-Based Models: A Children’s Services Application
Authors: White Luke , Basurra Shadi , Alsewari AbdulRahman A. , Saeed Faisal , Addanki Sudhamshu Mohan
Published: July 2023

With current and predicted economic pressures within English Children's Services in the UK, there is a growing discourse around the development of methods of analysis using existing data to make more effective interventions and policy decisions. Agent-Based modelling shows promise in aiding in this, with limitations that require novel methods to overcome. This can include challenges in managing model complexity, transparency, and validation; which may deter analysts from implementing such Agent-Based simulations. Children's Services specifically can gain from the expansion of modelling techniques available to them. Sensitivity Analysis is a common step when analysing models that currently has methods with limitations regarding Agent-Based Models. This paper outlines an improved method of conducting Sensitivity Analysis to enable better utilisation of Agent-Based models (ABMs) within Children's Services. By using machine learning based regression in conjunction with the Nomadic Peoples Optimiser (NPO) a method of conducting sensitivity analysis tailored for ABMs is achieved. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach by drawing comparisons with common existing methods of sensitivity analysis, followed by a demonstration of an improved ABM design in the target use case.
Height and risk of liver fibrosis progression: A multivariable Mendelian randomization study
Authors: HUO Guangyuan , GAO Yueqiu
Published: July 2023

The relationship between liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and height has been an immensely controversial topic that is unclear. To accurately identify the causal relationship, Mendelian randomization research (MR) has been conducted. For the first time, we employed genome-wide significance (p < 5×10 − 8) levels of genetic variance for Standing height, and Sitting height (exposure) with liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis (outcome). A two-sample MR analysis of standing height, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis was performed. We discovered that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with standing and sitting height were both negatively causally related to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The ratio (OR) of 0.71 (p = 0.005**) was employed to determine the causal effect of elevated standing height level (per 1-SD) on the probability of liver fibrosis progression. A ratio (OR) of 0.70 (p = 0.012*) was calculated to represent the causative influence of elevated sitting height level (per 1-SD) on the probability of liver fibrosis progression. Our MR study hypothesized that the shorter the height, the higher the risk of liver fibrosis progression. These findings suggest early identification of short-stature populations and health education to prevent further development of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.
Population Frequency of Repeat Expansions Indicates Increased Disease Prevalence Estimates Across Different Populations
Authors: Tucci Arianna , Ibáñez Kristina , Jadhav Bharati , Facchini Stefano , Garg Paras , Zanovello Matteo , Martin-Trujillo Alejandro , Gies Scott , Deforie Valentina Galassi , Gagliardi Delia , Moss Davina Hensman , Moutsianas Loukas , Shoai Maryam , Consortium GEL Genomics England Research , network EUROSCA , Caulfield Mark , Cortese Andrea , Escott-Price Valentina , Hardy John , Houlden Henry , Sharp Andrew
Published: July 2023

Repeat expansion disorders (REDs) are a devastating group of predominantly neurological diseases. Together they are common, affecting 1 in 3,000 people worldwide with population-specific differences. However, prevalence estimates of REDs are hampered by heterogeneous clinical presentation, variable geographic distributions, and technological limitations leading to under-ascertainment. Here, leveraging whole genome sequencing data from 82,176 individuals from different populations we found an overall carrier frequency of REDs of 1 in 340 individuals. Modelling disease prevalence using genetic data, age at onset and survival, we show that REDs are up to 3-fold more prevalent than currently reported figures. While some REDs are population-specific, e.g. Huntington’s disease type 2, most REDs are represented in all broad genetic ancestries, including Africans and Asians, challenging the notion that some REDs are found only in European populations. These results have worldwide implications for local and global health communities in the diagnosis and management of REDs both at local and global levels.
A long non-coding RNA Leat1 mediates the hormone responsiveness of EfnB2 during male urogenital development
Authors: Pask Andrew , Mattiske Deidre , Bernard Pascal , Gradie Paul , Behringer Richard , Overbeek Paul , O'Neill Rachel , Phillips Tiffany , Tarulli Gerard
Published: July 2023

The novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Leat1 is extraordinarily conserved in both its location (syntenic with EfnB2, an essential gene in anogenital patterning) and sequence. Here we show that Leat1 is upregulated following the testosterone surge from the developing testis and directly interacts with EfnB2, positively regulating its expression. Leat1 expression is suppressed by estrogen, which in turn suppresses the expression of EfnB2. Moreover, the loss of Leat1 leads to reduced EfnB2, resulting in a severe hypospadias phenotype. The human LEAT1 gene is also co-expressed with EFNB2 in the developing human penis suggesting a conserved function for this gene in urethral closure. Together our data identify Leat1 as a novel molecular regulator of urethral closure and implicate it as a target of endocrine disruption in the etiology of hypospadias.
A Multisectoral and Multidisciplinary Endeavor: A Review of Diabetes Self-Management Apps in China
Authors: Chen Meifang , Weissglass Daniel , Li Chengyi , Li Di , Wu Zixuan , Zhang Li
Published: July 2023

Background
While the use of self-management apps has considerable promise to efficiently reduce the diabetes burden that disproportionally affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the multisectoral and multidisciplinary approaches have been encouraged to be used in diabetes management, little is known about the status of the integration of these approaches in the existing diabetes self-management apps. This review examines the diabetes apps in China as an indication of the current status of integrating multisectoral and multidisciplinary approaches in diabetes mHealth care in LMICs.
Methods
Eligible diabetes apps were searched on major Chinese app stores up to December 23, 2022. The app comprehensiveness index (ranging 0–80) regarding the app functions and diabetes management domains was created. The multisectoral and multidisciplinary features were summarized using indices derived from current guidance.
Results
Sixty-six apps were reviewed, all developed by private companies. The average comprehensiveness score was 16, with many major self-management domains and functions not represented among the reviewed apps. Forty apps (61%) involved multiple sectoral entities, with public/private and private/private collaborations being the most common collaborative combinations. Thirty-seven apps (56%) involved multiple disciplines, among which endocrinology/metabolism, nutrition, and cardiovascular medicine were the top three most common disciplines. Compared to non-multidisciplinary apps, multidisciplinary apps tended to provide more comprehensive services in apps (6.14 vs. 5.18, p = 0.0345). Different sectors and disciplines tended to work independently, without robust interactions, in providing diabetes management services in the reviewed apps.
Conclusion
Multisectoral and multidisciplinary features has presented in the current diabetes self-management apps in China; however, it is still in its infancy and significant limitations existed. More engagement of civil society organizations and community groups and innovative collaborations between sectors and disciplines are needed to provide comprehensive, continuous, and patient-centered mHealth care for patients with diabetes in LMICs like China. Clear guidance for integrating and evaluating the multisectoral and multidisciplinary efforts in self-management apps is necessary to ensure the effective use of mHealth solutions for diabetes management in LMICs.
Response of N2O emissions to different pH soils with biochar amendment
Authors: Lin Feng , Yang Bairen , Hu Zhiqiang , Song Juan , Zhang Yaojun
Published: July 2023

Biochar application has the potential for mitigating N2O emissions from agriculture soils and has been suggested as a management practice to ameliorate soil fertility and increase crop productivity. Nevertheless, the influence of biochar addition on N2O emissions in different pH soils compared at same time is not reported well, which result in poorly understand of the mechanisms as regard to biochar application on soil N2O mitigation. A 40-day incubation experiment was carried out to investigate the impact of biochar on N2O emissions from different natural pH soils in the present study. Four treatments (control, nitrogen fertilizer application (N), biochar amendment, N plus biochar amendment) were set up in soils separately with three different natural pH levels (acidic vegetable soil, neutral rice soil and alkaline soil). Our results showed that the addition of biochar significantly decreased N2O emissions by 20.8% and 47.6% in acidic vegetable soil for both N and no N addition treatments, respectively. For neutral and alkaline soils, the reduction of N2O emissions by biochar amendment was only significantly for N addition treatments in alkaline soil. Soil pH and NO3−-N concentrations were significantly affected by biochar amendment (soil pH increased by 1.43–1.56, 0.57–0.70 and 0.29–0.37 units for acidic vegetable soil, neutral rice soil and alkaline soil, respectively). Overall, biochar amendment could be used as an effective management practice for mitigating N2O emissions from acidic and alkaline soils.
Short-Time Work, Labor Hoarding, and Curtailed Hiring: Establishment-Level Evidence from Japan
Authors: Kuo Chiu-Wei
Published: July 2023

This study analyzes the mechanisms by which short-time work (STW) schemes affect firm’s employment adjustments, using establishment-level data during the Great Recession from Japan. The findings show that STW leads to a decrease in both hiring and separations, with no significant positive effect on net employment. The observed curtailed hiring can be attributed to STW’s function as a labor hoarding mechanism, stimulating firms to retain excess labor and hindering new hiring. Furthermore, through subsidizing labor hoarding, STW may exacerbate job security disparities between standard and non-standard workers, as firms generally lack the motivation to hoard non-standard workers. These findings have important implications for policy evaluation, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of STW effects on both separations and hiring.
JEL Classification: J08, J23, and J63
Construction and Analysis of Freezing Damage Indices for Winter Wheat During the Overwintering Period in Northern Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Zulian , Wang Mingquan , Huo Xunguo , Mao Weiyi , Gu Yawen , Cao Guanping , Aidaituli Mushajing
Published: July 2023

Freezing damage indices of winter wheat during snowfall in the overwintering period in northern Xinjiang, China, were constructed using six climate factors: the negative accumulated temperature, average temperature, maximum cooling range, average snow depth, extreme minimum temperature, and average wind speed. A snow depth data processing method was designed. The principal component method was used to construct the freezing damage indices. The freezing damage indices were constructed and analyzed separately using three different sources of data: freezing damage conditions recorded by 49 meteorological stations during 1960 − 2020; freezing damage conditions recorded by 11 wheat observation stations during 1960 − 2020; and freezing damage conditions recorded by 83 meteorological observation stations during 2016 − 2020. Before the analysis of disaster factors, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett's test of sphericity were applied to test the suitability of factor selection. The results were analyzed to determine freezing damage according to a Mann–Kendall mutation test. Historical freezing damage data were used to test the freezing damage indices. The results showed that the indices did reflect the freezing damage in northern Xinjiang. In the last 60 years, the interannual variation of the freezing damage indices in northern Xinjiang displayed a significant downward trend.The freezing damage indices changed abruptly around 1985, and the frequency, extent, and scope of severe freezing damage in northern Xinjiang significantly decreased under climate warming. At the same time, instability was apparent due to climate change, with an increase in freezing damage from 1990 to 2009, a decrease from 2010 to 2020, and an increase in the area over which mild and moderate freezing damage occurred in the past 5 years. The analysis of wheat observation stations showed that the maximum cooling range and extreme minimum temperature during the overwintering period had the greatest influence on freezing damage of winter wheat. A large part of the winter wheat crop experienced frequent freezing damage, and it is therefore necessary to predict and prevent freezing damage in advance, and adjust the regional planting regime according to climate change.
To construct a prognostic model and identify target gene of macrophage polarization by machine learning for predicting immune responses in osteosarcoma and pan- cancer
Authors: Wang Dong , Peng Yi , Tong ZhaoChen , Li zixin , Huang LiPing , Zeng Jin , Li JinSong , Miao JingLei , Chen Shijie
Published: July 2023

Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with surgical resection improved the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma, there was no significant effect on metastatic and recurrent osteosarcoma. Immunotherapy seems to have turned the corner. However, as an important target of immunotherapy, the relationship between the phenotype of Tumor-associated macrophages and the prognosis of osteosarcoma remains unclear. In single-cell RNA sequencing, the relationship between macrophages and immunotherapy in the osteosarcoma microenvironment was analyzed, and the hub genes closely related to macrophage polarization were revealed. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to constructed long-term survival predictive strategies which was further validated in the GEO cohort. Multiple machine learning algorithms were then used to screen for target gene, which was then used for pan-cancer analysis. Finally, immunotherapy predictions were made using TIDE and TCIA databases. We found that macrophages are closely related to immune checkpoint inhibitors and identified 141 genes regulating macrophage polarization, from which 8 genes were selected to construct prognostic models. Significant variations between high-risk and low-risk groups were found in the activation of immune cells, immune-related signaling pathways and immune function. Lastly, the prognostic model and the identified target-gene (BNIP3) may provide more precise immunotherapy options for osteosarcoma and other tumors. In general, the constructed prognostic model of genes that regulating macrophage polarization can provide precise immunotherapy regimen and the quintessential insights into follow-up mechanisms in existing studies. Furthermore, BNIP3 may be a potential immunotherapeutic intervention target for tumors including osteosarcoma.
Interaction Between CETP Taq1B Polymorphism and Dietary Patterns on Lipid Profile and Severity of Coronary Arteries Stenosis in Patients under Coronary Angiography: A Cross Sectiona Study
Authors: AhmadiVasmehjani Azam , SeyedHosseini SeyedMostafa , Khayyatzadeh SayyedSaeid , Madadizadeh Farzan , Mazaheri-Naeini Mahta , Yavari Mahdie , Darabi Zahra , Beigrezaei Sara , Taftian Marzieh , Arabi Vahid , Motallaei Maryam , Salehi-Abargouei Amin , Nadjarzadeh Azadeh
Published: July 2023

Aim: Evidence indicates there are still conflicts regarding CETP Taq1B polymorphism and coronary artery disease risk factors. Current knowledge about whether dietary patterns can change the relationship of the Taq1B on lipid profile and the severity of coronary arteries stenosis is limited. Present research aimed to investigate this hypothesis.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 453 male and female participants, with a mean age of 57 years. A validated 178-item food frequency questionnaire ( FFQ ) used to assess dietary usual intake. Dietary patterns extracted through principal component analysis (PCA). Taq1B variant genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Two-way ANOVA was used to test the interaction between Taq1B polymorphism and dietary patterns.
Results: Two dietary patterns were detected: the western dietary pattern (WDP) and the traditional dietary pattern (TDP). The frequency of Taq1B genotypes was 10.4, 72.4, and 17.2% for B1B1, B1B2, and B2B2, respectively. Carriers of the B2 allele who adhered highly to either TDP or WDP had lower levels of TG and a lower ratio of TG to HDL-C. Taq1B had a significant interaction with TDP for modulating TG in both unadjusted and adjusted models (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively), and also in TG/HDL-C ratio in the adjustment model (P = 0.04). No significant difference or interaction observed in the other variables among Taq1B genotypes and diets.
Conclusion: TDP may alter the relationship between CETP Taq1B and TG and TG/HDL among subjects under coronary angiography. Longitudinal and interventional studies suggest for a better understanding of the role of diets and Taq1B variant in cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Timing of surgery in patients with synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastases undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Wang Yaoqun , Wen Ningyuan , Xiong Xianze , Lu Jiong , Li Bei
Published: July 2023

Background:The optimal timing of surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastases (SLM) remains controversial. We plan to analyze whether the choice of different surgical timings will have different effects on the perioperative and oncologic outcomes of patients.
Method: We retrospectively collected all patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from 2010 to 2020 in west china hospital . Patients were grouped according to time interval (TI) after NAC to surgery. The perioperative and oncologic outcomes of the two groups were compared after propensity score matching. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were used to screen factors associated with prognosis.
Result: Among 255 enrolled patients, 188 were matched with comparable baseline (94 each group). Patients in the 6≦TI≦8 group had longer operation time, less intraoperative blood loss and less postoperative complications than those in the 4≦TI<6 group. However, the OS (p=0.012) and DFS (p=0.013) of the patients in the 4≦TI<6 group were better than those in the 6≦TI≦8 group. Multivariate analysis showed that the prolongation of TI after NAC to surgery was an independent prognostic risk factor for OS and DFS, while postoperative complications were not related to the prognosis of patients.
Conclusions: Patients with SLM may be a better choice for surgery within 4-6 weeks after receiving NAC. Although patients with SLM undergoing surgery 4–6 weeks after NAC has a higher rate of postoperative complications, radical surgery is still recommended for a better survival benefit.
Effects of dietary valine chelated zinc supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestine health in weaned piglets
Authors: Zhang Tuan , Zhang Nan , Peng Shuyu , Zhang YaWei , Wang Huakai , Huang ShiYu , Zhu Min , Ma Yongxi
Published: July 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary valine chelated zinc (ZnVal) supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestine health in weaned piglets. A total of 240 healthy 35-day-old weaned piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), average weight 10.70 ± 0.14 kg] were randomly divided into five groups with six replicate pens and eight piglets per pen. Dietary treatments were a corn–soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg ZnVal, respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Results showed that average daily gain (ADG) was increased (P < 0.05) by ZnVal with 75–100 mg/kg supplementation on days 15–28 and with 50–100 mg/kg supplementation on days 1–28. Supplementation of 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal reduced (P < 0.01) the diarrhea rate of weaned piglets at 1 to 14 days and 1 to 28 days. Dietary supplementation with 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased (P < 0.05) copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) activities in the serum on day 14 and 28. Supplementation of 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased (P < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum on day 14. In addition, supplementation of 75 mg/kg ZnVal increased (P < 0.05) the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver and Cu/Zn-SOD, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) with 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal supplementation in liver increased (P < 0.05). Higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of IgG in the serum were measured from piglets supplemented with 75–100 mg/kg ZnVal on day 14 and dietary supplementation with 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum on in serum day 28 (P < 0.05). In addition, higher (P < 0.05) concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the duodenum and ileum were measured from piglets supplemented with 75 mg/kg ZnVal and the supplementation of 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal also showed a higher (P < 0.05) concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in duodenum. Supplementation of 50–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased the villus height and villus height/crypt depth of jejunum (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementation with 75–100 mg/kg ZnVal showed a higher (P < 0.05) concentration of zinc in liver and supplementation of 50–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of zinc in the heart, spleen and kidney. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with ZnVal improves ADG, antioxidant ability, and immunity in weaned piglets.
Reliable and accurate prediction of basic pKa values in nitrogen compounds: The pKa shift in supramolecular systems as a case study
Authors: Alcázar Jackson J. , Saide Alessandra C. Misad , Campodónico Paola R.
Published: July 2023

This article presents a Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) approach for predicting the acid dissociation constant (pK \(_a\) ) of nitrogenous compounds, including those within supramolecular complexes based on cucurbiturils. The model combines low-cost quantum mechanical calculations with QSAR methodology and linear regressions to achieve accurate predictions for a broad range of nitrogen-containing compounds. The model was developed using a diverse dataset of 130 nitrogenous compounds and exhibits excellent predictive performance, with a high coefficient of determination (R \(^2\) ) of 0.9905, low standard error (s) of 0.3066, and high Fisher statistic (F) of 2142. The model outperforms existing methods, such as Chemaxon software and previous studies, in terms of accuracy and its ability to handle heterogeneous datasets. External validation on pharmaceutical ingredients, dyes, and supramolecular complexes based on cucurbiturils confirms the reliability of the model. To enhance usability, a script-like tool has been developed, providing a streamlined process for users to access the model. This study represents a significant advancement in pK$_a$ prediction, offering valuable insights for drug design and supramolecular system optimization.
Blood biomarkers of neurodegeneration associate differently with amyloid deposition, medial temporal atrophy, and cerebrovascular changes in APOE ε4-enriched cognitively unimpaired elderly
Authors: Koivumäki Mikko , Ekblad Laura , Lantero-Rodriguez Juan , Ashton Nicholas J. , Karikari Thomas K. , Helin Semi , Parkkola Riitta , Lötjönen Jyrki , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Rinne Juha O. , Snellman Anniina
Published: July 2023

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tau tangles, and neurodegeneration in the brain parenchyma. Here, we aimed to i) assess differences in blood and imaging biomarkers used to evaluate neurodegeneration among cognitively unimpaired APOE ε4 homozygotes, heterozygotes, and non-carriers with varying risk for sporadic AD, and ii) to determine how different cerebral pathologies (i.e., Aβ deposition, medial temporal atrophy, and cerebrovascular pathology) contribute to blood biomarker concentrations in this sample.
Methods: Sixty APOE ε4 homozygotes (n = 19), heterozygotes (n = 21), and non-carriers (n = 20) ranging from 60–75 years, were recruited in collaboration with Auria biobank (Turku, Finland). Participants underwent Aβ-PET ([11C]PiB), structural brain MRI including T1-weighted and T2-FLAIR sequences, and blood sampling for measuring serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), plasma total tau (t-tau), plasma N-terminal tau fragments (NTA-tau) and plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). [11C]PiB standardized uptake value ratio was calculated for regions typical for Aβ accumulation in AD. MRI images were analysed for regional volumes, atrophy scores, and volumes of white matter hyperintensities. Differences in biomarker levels and associations between blood and imaging biomarkers were tested using uni- and multivariable linear models (unadjusted and adjusted for age and sex).
Results: Serum NfL concentration was increased in APOE ε4 homozygotes compared with non-carriers (mean 21.4 pg/ml (SD 9.5) vs. 15.5 pg/ml (3.8), p = 0.013), whereas other blood biomarkers did not differ between the groups (p > 0.077 for all). From imaging biomarkers, hippocampal volume was significantly decreased in APOE ε4 homozygotes compared with non-carriers (6.71 ml (0.86) vs. 7.2 ml (0.7), p = 0.029). In the whole sample, blood biomarker levels were differently predicted by the three measured cerebral pathologies; serum NfL concentration was associated with cerebrovascular pathology and medial temporal atrophy, while plasma NTA-tau associated with medial temporal atrophy. Plasma GFAP showed significant association with both medial temporal atrophy and Aβ pathology. Plasma t-tau concentration did not associate with any of the measured pathologies.
Conclusions: Only increased serum NfL concentrations and decreased hippocampal volume was observed in cognitively unimpaired APOEε4 homozygotes compared to non-carriers. In the whole population the concentrations of blood biomarkers were affected in distinct ways by different pathologies.
Experience with Dalbavancin Use in Various Gram-positive Infections within Aberdeen Royal Infirmary OPAT Service
Authors: McSorley James C. , Reyes Darshini , Tonna Ivan , Bateman Vhairi
Published: July 2023

Purpose: dalbavancin, approved in 2014 for Gram-positive acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), has pharmacokinetics enabling treatment with one or two doses. Dalbavancin might be useful in outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) of deep-seated infections otherwise requiring inpatient admission. We documented our experience with pragmatic dalbavancin use to assess its effectiveness for varied indications, on and off label, as primary or sequential consolidation therapy.
Methods: patients prescribed dalbavancin between 1st December 2021 and 1st October 2022 were screened for demographics of age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), allergies, pathogens, doses of dalbavancin, other antibiotics administered and surgery. Where available, infection markers were recorded. Primary outcome was cure at end of treatment. Secondary outcomes were adverse events and for treatment failures, response to salvage antibiotics.
Results: Sixty seven percent of patients were cured. Cure rates by indication were 93 % for ABSSSI, 100 % for bacteraemia, 90 % for acute osteomyelitis, 0 % for chronic osteomyelitis, 75 % for native joint septic arthritis and 33 % for prosthetic joint infection. Most bone and joint infections not cured did not have source control and the goal of treatment was suppressive. Successful suppression rates were greater at 48 % for chronic osteomyelitis and 66 % for prosthetic joint infections. Adverse events occurred in 14 of 102 patients.
Conclusion: This report adds to clinical experience with dalbavancin for off label indications whilst further validating its role in ABSSSI. Dalbavancin as primary therapy in deep seated infections merits investigation in formal clinical trials.
Human wastewater tracking in tropical Hawaiian island streams using qualitative and quantitative assessments of combined fecal indicating bacteria and sucralose, an organic micropollutant of emerging concern.
Authors: Berg Carl J , Alderete John P. , Alderete Ethan A.
Published: July 2023

Prevalence of cesspools on tropical islands suggests that high concentrations of enteric bacteria in streams and coastal waters are an indicator of groundwater contamination by human wastewater. But enterococci bacteria may also be from homeothermic animals common to these watersheds, or bacteria living in sediments. Sucralose, a manufactured chemical not destroyed in passage through the human gut, cesspools, septic systems, or wastewater treatment facilities was used to test for the presence of human wastewater in streams on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Effluent from six municipal wastewater treatment plants showed an average concentration of 39,167 ng/L of sucralose, roughly back-calculated to 9 ng/L per person, enough to present itself in cesspool effluent contaminated waters. Of 24 streams tested, 79% were positive for sucralose at least once in four sets of sampling. All streams tested positive for enterococci bacteria above established standards. Serial testing of the pair of indicators in the same location over time and applying the Multiplication Rule to the independent samples, provides a probabilistic certainty level that the water is chronically polluted by human waste. When repeatedly paired with tests for enterococci, sucralose testing is a cost-effective means for assessing human health risk and developing proper waste management programs that has been underutilized in under-developed tropical and island settings.
Exploring the Impact of Air Pollution Sources on Incident Lung Cancer in a Northern Swedish Cohort
Authors: Sommar Johan , Raza Wasif , Flanagan Erin , Segersson David , Åström Daniel Oudin , Oudin Anna
Published: July 2023

Background
Exposure to particulate air pollution seem to be a contributing cause to lung cancer incidence; however, the role of the size and composition of the particles is still unclear. The objective was to assess the association between source-specific concentrations of ambient particulate air pollution and lung cancer incidence in a Swedish cohort in a low-level area.
Methods
Participants in the Västerbotten intervention programme cohort from Northern Sweden were recruited between January 1990 and December 2014 and followed until diagnosis for lung cancer, as defined by Swedish national hospital, cause of death and pharmaceutical registers. Exposure to total particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10) and ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) as well as source-specific PM concentrations from traffic (PM10-traffic), exhaust (PM2.5-exhaust) and wood burning (PM2.5-wood burning) was estimated at each individual’s home address using dispersion models with high spatial resolution (down to 35 x 35 m2). For the years of follow-up, the moving average of source-specific pollutants was calculated for the time windows 1–5 years (lag 1–5) and 6–10 years (lag 6–10) preceding the outcome. Cox regression models were used to assess Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for the association between air pollution exposure and lung cancer incidence, adjusted for relevant potential confounding factors.
Results
The median age of the 51,064 participants was 40 years at baseline. During 421,466 person-years of follow-up, 253 incident cases of lung cancer were observed. Non-statistically significant risk increases associated with PM10, PM2.5, PM10-traffic, PM2.5-exhaust and PM10-wood burning, respectively in single-pollutant unadjusted models. The risk estimates changed considerably by adjustment for individual-level baseline covariates as well as area-level socioeconomics. The HR for incident lung cancer associated with a 1 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5-exhaust was 1.20 (95% Confidence Interval, CI: 0.65–2.23), whereas the corresponding HR associated with PM2.5-wood burning was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.70–1.57), in single-pollutant models.
Conclusions
There was some evidence for an association between exposure to particles from traffic, but not wood burning, and incidence of lung-cancer in this register-based study, but not for with particles from wood burning.
WITHDRAWN: Masked face recognition with BF-FaceNet and multi-view features
Authors: Su Xueping , Sun Dandan , Li Yunhong , Yao Lina , Ratsch Matthias
Published: July 2023

Wearing masks in accordance with scientific guidelines is the most economically-effective protective measure for preventing respiratory diseases, such as COVID-19 and influenza, by interrupting viral transmission and safeguarding one's own health. In fact, researchers found that wearing masks can effectively reduce the infection rate of COVID-19 by 65%. However, this brings great inconvenience to face recognition, and human face recognition accuracy under occlusion conditions is low.
Therefore, this paper proposes masked face recognition with BF-FaceNet and multi-view features. Firstly, in order to extract fine-grained features of the face region, ResNet50 is replaced by BoTNet as the backbone network of FaceNet. Secondly, a non-masked map is generated to accurately locate the non-masked area. Meanwhile, the face attention augmentation model (FAAM) is designed to extract local face features of the non-masked map. Thirdly, by combining loss function Ltriplet with Lattention, joint loss function Lface is proposed to improve the accuracy of masked recognition. Finally, experimental results on the publicly-available masked face dataset, SMFRD, demonstrate a significant improvement in recognition accuracy using our proposed algorithm compared to other methods.
Association between dietary intake patterns and pterygium morbidity
Authors: Kabura Ryota , Iwasaki Rumi , Fukuda Rikako , Matsumoto Kanon , Furushima Kyoka , Takeshita Tetsuji
Published: July 2023

Purpose
A growing body of research suggests the effects of diet on ocular diseases. However, dietary effects on pterygium remain largely unexplored. We aimed to assess the association between pterygium and dietary patterns by evaluating the independent effects of various food groups.
Methods
This study included 1,219 participants who underwent a health screening in Kamiamakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, between 2018 and 2020. Dietary intake was assessed using a brief, self-administered dietary history questionnaire, and dietary patterns were detected through a factor analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association of pterygium with dietary patterns (tertile) and nutrients (quartile).
Results
The factor analysis identified healthy dietary patterns, which included the intake of vegetables, fruits, and seafood. The highest tertile was negatively associated with pterygium compared with the lowest tertile after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio [OR]: 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22–0.82). In addition, the highest quartile of vitamin A intake was negatively associated with pterygium compared with its lowest quartile before and after adjusting for covariates (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25–0.95).
Conclusion
Apart from the reduction of ultraviolet exposure by wearing sunglasses and hats, which is the gold standard for pterygium prevention, insufficient vitamin A intake should also be addressed through a healthy diet. Careful monitoring of dietary intake may be of value in preventing pterygium in community residents at risk of this disease.
Employee Silence: Commitment to Status Quo among Liberals and Conservatives with High Social Dominance
Authors: Sania Usmani  , T. Ramayah
Published: July 2023

Many employees want to either retain their jobs or attain promotion. In doing so, they remain silent and conform to all the decisions taken by the top management. Most studies have treated the causes of this silence as unobserved intervening mechanisms and named them black boxes. The current study therefore, aims to explore those unobserved psychological characteristics of employees. More specifically, it examines the employee’s psychological ideology, namely liberalism and conservatism in affecting commitment to status quo mediated by employee silence and moderated by social dominance. This study proposes that employee ideologies (liberalism and conservatism) affect their voicing behaviour and ultimately their resistance or acceptance to the status quo. Data from 219 faculty members from different universities in Karachi, Pakistan was gathered. The study hypothesised that liberals will tend to voice their opinions and resist the managements status quo while conservatives tend not to voice their opinions and endorse status quo, and they accept management’s decision and will not question their actions. The results showed that liberals have an indirect relationship with silence, namely they do not remain silent. Additionally, silence had an indirect relationship with status quo. Even though they are silent it does not mean they endorse status quo. Further, it was found that silence mediates the relationship between liberals and commitment to status quo. It was also found that conservatives also endorsed status quo but there was no relationship between conservatives and silence. Further, silence did not mediate the relationship between conservatives and status quo. Moreover, social dominance orientation strengthens or moderates the relationship between silence and status quo.
Factors Influencing Internet Giving Behaviour and Altruism among Young Graduates in Malaysia
Authors: Hanudin Amin  , Dwi Suhartanto  , Mohd Fahmi Ghazali  , Muhammad Ali  , Hamid Rizal  , Dzuljastri Abdul Razak
Published: July 2023

This research investigates the factors affecting the internet giving behaviour among young graduates in Malaysia. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was employed as a baseline theory to examine the effects of altruism, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control. The analysis was based on 230 respondents surveyed and the results showed that all factors examined were instrumental in determining the internet giving behaviour. The study contributions are narrowed to the variables studied, specific geographical location and the context as well. The results provide valuable insights for university management to better plan charitable contributions drawn from the platform of internet giving. Similarly, the results help to improve the role of bank managers to stimulate internet banking use among young graduates for charitable giving purposes. This study extends the TPB’s applicability to include internet giving behaviour in a Malaysian context.
MAPAS CONCEITUAIS: UMA PROPOSTA DE INTERVENÇÃO NO ENSINO DE QUÍMICA COM ALUNOS DA 2ª SÉRIE DO ENSINO MÉDIO
Authors: Passos Blanchard Silva , Silva Brenno Ramy Teodósio da , Silveira Felipe Alves , Vasconcelos Ana Karine Portela
Published: July 2023

Muitos estudantes apresentam dificuldade e, consequentemente, frustração por não se acharem capazes de aprender Química e por não perceberem a importância dessa disciplina no seu dia a dia. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor uma sequência didática utilizando mapas conceituais, como método a ser aplicado em sala de aula. Nessa proposta de ensino, será abordado o estudo das Soluções, conteúdo trabalhado na 2ª série do Ensino Médio. A sequência didática proposta tem como principais aspectos a leitura, a análise e a discussão do conteúdo, bem como a elaboração e a exposição de mapas conceituais pelos estudantes. Espera-se que o trabalho contribua para que os professores possam usá-lo como ferramenta no âmbito escolar, cujo propósito é possibilitar uma melhor compreensão da temática proposta de forma dinâmica e diferente, haja vista os métodos tradicionais de ensino, que são veementemente criticados.