bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive palliative treatment of malignant tracheoesophageal fistula using cardiac septal occluder: case series analysis
Authors: Teng Lin , Zhou Fei , Xiong Xiaoqi , Zhang Haoyu , Qiao Linchen , Zhang Zaiqiang , Qin Qin , Song Xinyu
Published: August 2023

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), especially advanced malignant TEF (mTEF), is commonly occurs in critically ill patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation and are not suitable candidates for surgical intervention due to their compromised health status. The Management of these mTEF patients remain a significant challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using a cardiac septal occluder for the closure of mTEF. 8 patients with mTEF underwent closure surgery using atrial/ventricular septal defect (ASD/VSD) septal occluders at the Respiratory Department of HuBei Yichang Central People's Hospital from 2021 to 2023. The procedure involved percutaneous placement of the occluder through the fistula to achieve closure. The study demonstrated that the use of cardiac septal occluder therapy in patients with mTEF can alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and enhance survival rates, with no significant complications observed. Furthermore, the study provided comprehensive details on surgical indications, preoperative evaluation and diagnosis, selection of occluder, methods of occlusion, and postoperative care. Our findings indicate that the application of cardiac septal occluder in the treatment of mTEF is a safe and effective palliative treatment. These findings provide valuable guidance for the clinical application of cardiac septal defect occluders in the management of TEF.
A Machine Learning Based Three-Step Framework for Malicious URL Detection
Authors: Chen Qisheng , Omote Kazumasa
Published: August 2023

In order to solve the shortcomings of using blacklist method to detect malicious URLs, such as slow update speed, the research of using machine learning to detect malicious URLs increasing. These research have proposed their own methods and obtained great accuracy, but the summary research on malicious URLs detection is insufficient. In this paper, we propose a three-step framework for malicious URLs detection, and we overview 14 related works by our three-step framework and find that almost all research on malicious URLs detection using machine learning can be classified by the three-step framework. We evaluate some machine learning models and context-considering methods and their suitability by our three-step framework. According to the results, we verify the importance of considering context and find that context-considering embedding methods are more important and the malicious URLs detection accuracy improved with context-considering methods.
Parity and later life adherence to healthy lifestyles concerning all-cause and cause-specific mortality
Authors: Luo Lan , Li Shen , Liu Yingshu , Li Mian , Wang Tiange , Qin Guijun , Chen Li , Lu Jieli , Xu Yu , Huo Yanan , Chen Lulu , Zeng Tianshu , Xu Min , Chen Yuhong , Zhao Zhiyun , Wang Shuangyuan , Shi Lixin , Tang Xulei , Su Qing , Yu Xuefeng , Yan Li , Wan Qin , Chen Gang , Wang Guixia , Shen Feixia , Luo Zuojie , Zhang Yinfei , Liu Chao , Wang Youmin , Hu Ruying , Ye Zhen , Wu Shengli , Deng Huacong , Yang Tao , Li Qiang , Qin Yingfen , Mu Yiming , Zhao Jiajun , Bi Yufang , Li Xinyu , Ning Guang , Wang Weiqing , Gao Zhengnan
Published: August 2023

Background and Aims: Whether parity related mortality risk can be mitigated by healthy lifestyles in later life remains unclear. We aimed to examine the combined association and interaction between parity and lifestyle factors in later life on all-cause and cause-specific mortality.
Methods: 96,170 women aged ≥ 40 years were included. Parity and lifestyle factors were obtained at baseline. Mortality status was assessed during a follow-up of up to 5 years.
Results: The multivariable adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was 1.40 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-1.81) among women with four births and 1.82 (95% CI, 1.38-2.41) among women with five births or more, compared with women with one birth. In parous women, four births or more was associated with the greatest risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.22-2.62; compared with 1-3 births) among women who with 0-1 healthy lifestyle factor, but such association was substantially attenuated among women with four healthy lifestyle factors (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.97; p-interaction=0.005).
Conclusions:Most mortality risk associated with high-level parity could be modified by a healthier lifestyle in later life among Chinese women.
Socio-economic conditions affect Health-Related Quality of Life, during recovery from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Benatti Simone Vasilij , Venturelli Serena , Buzzetti Roberto , Binda Francesca , Belottii Luca , Soavi Lura , Biffi Ave , Spada Maria Simonetta , Casati Monica , Rizzi Marco
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND Recovery from acute COVID-19 may be slow and incomplete: cases of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID (PASC) are counted in millions, worldwide. We aimed to investigate how the pre-existing Socio-economic-status (SES) influences such recovery.METHODS We analyzed a database of 1536 consecutive patients from the first wave of COVID-19 in Italy (February-September 2020), previously admitted to our referral hospital, and followed-up in a dedicated multidisciplinary intervention. We excluded those seen earlier than 12 weeks (the conventional limit for a possible PASC syndrome), and those reporting a serious complication from the acute phase (possibly accounting for symptoms persistence). We studied whether the exposition to disadvantaged SES (estimated through the Italian Institute of Statistics’s model – ISTAT 2017) was affecting recovery outcomes, that is: symptoms (composite endpoint, i.e. at least one among: dyspnea, fatigue, myalgia, chest pain or palpitations); Health-Related-Quality-of-Life (HRQoL- as by SF-36 scale); post-traumatic-stress-disorder (as by IES-R scale); and lung structural damage (as by impaired CO diffusion, DLCO).RESULTS Eight-hundred and twenty-five patients were included in the analysis (median age 59 years; IQR: 50–69 years, 60.2% men), of which 499 (60.5%) were previously admitted to hospital and 27 (3.3%) to Intensive-Care Unit (ICU). The ones still complaining of symptoms at follow-up were 337 (40.9%; 95%CI 37.5–42.2%), and 256 had a possible Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (31%, 95%CI 28.7–35.1%). DLCO was reduced in 147 (19.6%, 95%CI 17.0–22.7%). In a multivariate model, disadvantaged SES was associated with a lower HRQoL, especially for items exploring physical health (Limitations in physical activities: OR = 0.87; 95%CI = 0.80 to 0.94; p < 0.001; AUC = 0.74 - and Bodily pain: OR = 0.85; 95%CI = 0.78 to 0.93; p < 0.001; AUC = 0.74). We did not observe any association between SES and the other outcomes.CONCLUSIONS Recovery after COVID-19 appears to be independently affected by a pre-existent socio-economic disadvantage, and clinical assessment should incorporate SES and HRQoL measurements, along with symptoms. The socioeconomic determinants of SARS-CoV-2 disease are not exclusive of the acute infection: this finding deserves further research and specific interventions.
Practical Predefined-Time Adaptive Fuzzy Control for Nonlinear Systems With Input Saturation and Deferred Restriction
Authors: Chen peng , Tan jieqing , Yao yangang , Zhang xu , Yao yan
Published: August 2023

This paper concentrates upon the practical predefined-time adaptive fuzzy tracking control issue of strict-feedback nonlinear systems subjected to input saturation and deferred restriction. On account of intrinsic physical constraints and performance demands, input saturation and deferred restriction are common problems in practical engineering systems. To solve these issues, a smooth function is utilized to estimate the actuator saturation, and then an improved auxiliary system is introduced to counterbalance the influence of input saturation. Moreover, the Lyapunov function incorporating the deferred-errordependence function is created to work out the issue of deferred restriction. Combining backstepping technology with practical predefined-time stability theorem, a practical predefined-time adaptive fuzzy control algorithm is constructed, under which the boundary of convergence time is capable of being arbitrarily set ahead of schedule by designers, such freedom can be used to improve the finite/fixed-time control results. Two simulation outcomes are offered to validate the usefulness of the control algorithm.
Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes and Barriers of undergraduate Healthcare students towards Scientific Research: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Alwhaibi Reem M. , Omer Asma B , Alamri Lama M. , Alyousef Basmah F. , Aljumaah Nouf K. , Alqahtani Raghad K. , Khan Ruqaiyah
Published: August 2023

Research plays an important role in the development of countries, which positively impacts all sectors, especially health and education. In Saudi Arabia, there are insufficient studies that evaluate knowledge, attitude, and barriers (KAB) towards research among Physical Therapy (PT) undergraduate students. Therefore, this cross-sectional study evaluated the attitude, knowledge and barriers towards research among PT students in five Saudi universities as well as the effects of the socio-demographic characteristics on the above three variables. An online questionnaire for measuring KAB towards research was circulated to PT students in five Saudi universities. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used for analysis. The outcomes revealed a positive attitude towards research, but the students lacked research knowledge, and majority of responses to barriers were related to lack of research applications in personal life and professional job. It was found that females have higher knowledge than males (P = 0.021), whereas School of education and household monthly income showed no significant effect on AKB towards research. This study concludes that PT students in Saudi Arabia have moderate positive attitude, lower knowledge, and high barriers towards research.
Association between adherence to Life’s Simple 7 metrics and risk of obstructive sleep apnea among adults in the United States
Authors: Wu Shuang , Yang Yan-min , Zhu Jun , Wang Lu-lu , Xu Wei , Lyu Si-qi , Wang Juan , Shao Xing-hui , Zhang Han
Published: August 2023

Objectives We aimed to explore the impact of adherence to Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics on risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the impact of inflammation on the association, in adults in the United States.Methods Data from 13,825 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 20 years recruited in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2005–2008, 2015–2018 was analyzed. The LS7 score was calculated based on the AHA definition of LS7 metrics. The diagnosis of OSA was based on self-reported symptoms of sleep disturbance using a standard questionnaire. The Multivariable Apnea Prediction (MAP) Index score was also calculated to assess the risk of OSA. Log-binominal regression and negative binomial regression were performed to estimate the associations between LS7 and OSA and MAP index, with odds ratios (ORs) and prevalence ratios (PRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. Mediation analysis was performed to estimate the mediating effects of inflammatory indicators on the associations.Results A total of 4473 participants (32.4%) had OSA, and the mean MAP index was 0.39. In fully adjusted log-binominal regression models, with total score < 6 as the reference, the ORs (95% CIs) for risk of OSA were 0.90 (0.73, 1.10), 0.76 (0.65, 0.89), 0.78 (0.64, 0.95), and 0.45 (0.38, 0.54) for total score = 6, total score = 7, total score = 8, and total score > 8, respectively (P for trend < 0.001). When LS7 score was analyzed as a continuous variable, each 1-point increase in LS7 score was associated with a 15% decrease in OSA risk (P < 0.001). In negative binominal regression models, the adjusted PRs (95% CIs) for the MAP index were 0.93 (0.90, 0.97), 0.87 (0.84, 0.91), 0.80 (0.77, 0.84), and 0.55 (0.53, 0.57) for total score = 6, total score = 7, total score = 8, and total score > 8, respectively (P for trend < 0.001). For each 1-point increase in LS7 score, the risk of OSA decreased by 13% (P < 0.001). Consistent results were observed in subgroup analysis. Mediation analysis indicated that inflammatory factors, including blood cell count, neutrophil count, and C-reactive protein, positively mediated the association of LS7 with OSA, with a mediation proportion of 0.022 (P = 0.04), 0.02 (P = 0.04), and 0.02 (P = 0.02), respectively.Conclusions In a nationally representative sample of US adults, adherence to LS7 metrics was independently associated with reduced OSA risk. Inflammation plays a mediating role in the association between LS7 and OSA.
Identification of novel bacterial species in the blood of patients with neonatal sepsis
Authors: WU YI , Gong Weiming , Wang Zhenni
Published: August 2023

Background
The clinical diagnosis of neonatal sepsis remains difficult because of various challenges, such as culturing the bacteria and avoiding contamination. Therefore, this study aimed to identify bacterial pathogens in patients with clinically diagnosed neonatal sepsis by next-generation sequencing (NGS).
Methods
High-throughput NGS and traditional culture identification were performed by comparing samples from newborns with neonatal sepsis with healthy control infants. All blood samples were separately inoculated into anaerobic and aerobic bottles and incubated for 7 days at 37°C; the positive specimens were then identified. Novel bacteria identified through high-throughput NGS were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR); PCR products were verified by Sanger sequencing. Wilcoxon rank-sum and chi-square tests were performed to assess the significance of differences in species abundance between groups. Subjects were clinically diagnosed and hospitalized at the Pediatrics Department of Yantian Hospital of the Southern University of Science and Technology and Pediatrics Department of the Longhua Branch of Shenzhen People’s Hospital. Experiments were performed at the Shenzhen Seventh People’s Hospital. The experimental group comprised 45 newborns clinically diagnosed with neonatal sepsis (age: 0–28 days; 28 males, 17 females). Fifteen normal newborns aged 0–28 days (7 males, 8 females) were included as the control group.
Results
High-throughput NGS showed a positivity rate of 44% (20/45) for bacteria in patients clinically diagnosed with neonatal sepsis, whereas traditional bacterial culture identification showed a positivity rate of 0% (0/45). The four main bacterial species identified were Anoxybacillus kestanbolensis, Geobacillus vulcani, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Acinetobacter guillouiae.
Conclusions
A. kestanbolensis, G. vulcani, K. oxytoca, and A. guillouiae, newly discovered bacteria in patients with neonatal sepsis, were identified with high-throughput NGS. Owing to a lack of methods to culture these bacteria, their role in neonatal sepsis remains unclear. A definite diagnosis cannot rely solely on bacterial culture identification for patients with a suspected diagnosis and clinical diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and should involve other effective diagnostic techniques.
The Determinants of Suicidal Ideation in Workers: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Palma Tarciso F. , Araújo Tânia M. , Teixeira Jules R. B.
Published: August 2023

Objective: To analyze the direct and indirect effects of the determinants of suicidal ideation in workers, focusing on global dissatisfaction as the main exposure.
Methods: A cross-sectional study, with secondary data from a cohort of a population aged 15 or over, and resident in the urban zone of a large municipality of Bahia, Brazil. We applied a structured questionnaire, including socio-demographic and work data. Leisure activities and occupational stressors were evaluated; we measured global dissatisfaction and suicidal ideation. We processed the structural equation modeling, with consideration of complex samples.
Results:The frequency of suicidal ideation (SI) was 5% in the sample of 1,629 workers studied. Significant direct effects for SI were observed for global dissatisfaction (β=0.72; p-value=0.001), and a high emotional demand of work (β=0.27; p=0.007). Being female, having a low monthly income, the absence of leisure activities, excessive commitment to work, and a high emotional demand of work presented significant indirect effects, mediated by global dissatisfaction.
Conclusion:The surveillance of workers’ health depends on information which enables protective intervention actions to be planned. The paths indicated by this study provide an understanding of a chain of events which leads workers to an unbearable level of suffering, and to consider suicide as the solution to their problems.
Cognitive ageing and perceptual complexity interact to challenge compensatory strategies in road crossing decisions
Authors: Nicholls Victoria I. , Wiener Jan , Meso Andrew Isaac , Miellet Sebastien
Published: August 2023

Cognitive abilities decline with healthy ageing which can have a critical impact on day-to-day activities. One example is road crossing where older adults (OAs) disproportionally fall victim to pedestrian accidents. The current research examined two virtual reality experiments that investigated how the complexity of the road crossing situation impacts OAs and younger adults (YAs) with a range of executive functioning abilities (EFs). Overall, we found that OAs were able to make safe crossing decisions, and were more cautious than YAs. This continued to be the case in high cognitive load situations. In these situations, safe decisions were associated with an increase in head movements for participants with poorer attention switching than participants with better attention switching suggesting these groups developed compensation strategies to continue to make safe decisions. In situations where participants had less time to make a crossing decision all participants had difficulties making safe crossing decisions which was amplified for OAs and participants with poorer EFs. Our findings suggest more effort should be taken to ensure that road crossing points are clear of visual obstructions and more speed limits should be placed around retirement or care homes, neither of which are legislated for in the UK and Australia.
Strengthening Surgical Care through Adoption of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Gasoma ElMuhtadi B. Y. , Marouf Mohamed A.
Published: August 2023

Background:
Globally, surgical care plays a vital role in healthcare. Unfortunately, complications arise in approximately 5-18% of surgical procedures. However, research has shown that following the surgical safety checklist provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) can significantly reduce these complications and surgery-related fatalities. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and completion of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.
Method:
From September 3, 2022, to February 28, 2023, a comprehensive observational study was conducted involving 300 patients who underwent elective and emergency surgeries. The completion rates for the different stages of surgery, namely sign-in, time-out, and sign-out, were determined using the SPSS 22.0 software.
Result:
In our research, we specifically examined the completion of the checklist for 300 patients who underwent important procedures within a span of five months. For each patient, we ensured that their identities, procedures, and consent were verified with a 100% success rate. Additionally, we thoroughly checked the anesthesia equipment and drugs for safety in every case. Furthermore, all essential images were consistently displayed for each patient, achieving a 100% adherence to this crucial aspect of the process.
Conclusion:
In general, the level of completeness of the checklist was satisfactory across the sign-in, time-out, and sign-out phases. While this study did not assess the specific outcomes, it is presumed that incomplete data may have exposed patients to potential perioperative complications.
Global Prevalence and Burden of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Lv Hengliang , Zhang Xin , Bai Junzhu , You Shumeng , Li Xuan , Li Shenlong , Wang Yong , Zhang Wenyi , Xu Yuanyong , Zhang Xueli
Published: August 2023

Background:Tuberculosis(TB) has already threat to public health, especially drug-resistant TB, however, recent literature on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) from a global perspective is scarce. This study aims to provide comprehensive epidemiological evidence regarding the prevalence and burden of MDR-TB worldwide from 1990 to 2019.Methods:Estimates and 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) for the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASR of DALYs), and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of MDR-TB were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database. The prevalence and burden of MDR-TB in 2019 were illustrated in the population and regional distribution. Temporal trends were analyzed by using Joinpoint regression analysis to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) , average annual percentage change (AAPC) and its 95% confidence interval(CI).Results: The estimates of the number of cases were 687,839(95% UI: 365,512 to 1223,262), the ASPR were 8.26 per 100,000 (95% UI: 4.61 to 15.20), the ASR of DALYs were 52.38 per 100,000 (95% UI: 22.64 to 97.60) and the ASDR were 1.36 per 100,000 (95% UI: 0.54 to 2.59) of MDR-TB at global in 2019. Substantial burden was observed in Africa and Southeast Asia. Males exhibited higher ASPR, ASR of DALYs, and ASDR than females across most age groups, with the burden of MDR-TB increasing with age. Additionally, significant increases were observed globally in the ASIR (AAPC = 5.8; 95% CI: 5.4 to 6.1;P< 0.001), ASPR (AAPC = 5.9; 95% CI: 5.4 to 6.4;P< 0.001), ASR of DALYs (AAPC = 4.6; 95% CI: 4.2 to 5.0;P< 0.001) and ASDR (AAPC = 4.4; 95% CI: 4.0 to 4.8;P< 0.001) of MDR-TB from 1990 to 2019.Conclusions:This study underscores the persistent threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis to public health. It is imperative that countries and organizations worldwide take immediate and concerted action to implement measures aimed at significantly reducing the burden of TB.
Quantifying the Processes and Events of Psychotherapy at Scale
Authors: Solomon Todd M. , Jemison Jamileh , Deschamps Alexander , Hajduk Matus , Kolar Adam , Majernik Martin , Pinheiro Miguel Amável , Muir Owen , Tinkelman Amanda , Kimmel Duncan J. , Karlin Daniel R.
Published: August 2023

BackgroundIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic telemedicine usage increased in the United States, especially in the field of mental health. The study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting recordings of telemedicine psychotherapy, relevant electronic health records (EHR), and matched real-world data to create an aligned, multimodal dataset. We examine possible ways to use this dataset to train machine learning models, intending to explore the creation of tools that could assist psychotherapists.MethodsThis study was conducted through an outpatient, telemedicine-enabled, clinic in New York City. Participants were recruited from the existing treatment population and were already undergoing psychotherapy. After participants provided informed consent, each subsequent psychotherapy session was recorded, however, a participant could request that any individual session not be recorded without impact on study participation. Only sessions that occurred via telehealth were eligible for recording. This study also collected participants’ electronic health record (EHR) data from the study clinic as well as participants’ de-identified real-world data from aggregated records providers using a tokenized de-identification process provided by a third-party organization.ResultsWe successfully collected 34 psychotherapy session recordings from 19 participants across seven different providers as well as EHR and other real-world health data from all participants. Preliminary machine learning analyses were applied to the data, and a further plan for data analysis is discussed.ConclusionEstablishing this unique dataset is the first step to developing machine learning tools that can assist psychotherapists in their practice. This study demonstrates the feasibility of collecting more data of this nature, illustrates potential analyses that can be applied to the data, and how they may be used to help improve psychotherapy.
Design, synthesis and evaluation of N-arylmethylamide derivatives as cholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Guo Xin-Yuan , Shang Pan-Pan , Wei Ben-Ben , Du Wen-Rong , Lan Yong , Ma Zhengyue
Published: August 2023

A series of N-arylmethylamide derivatives were designed and synthesized as cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Furthermore, the compounds were assayed for their inhibitory activity to cholinesterase in vitro, and the results indicated that most of the compounds had moderate inhibitory activity to cholinesterase. Among them, compound 22j showed the best inhibitory activity against BuChE (IC50 = 0.46 µM) and moderate inhibitory activity against AChE (IC50 = 6.52 µM); remarkably, compound 22c was found to be a dual inhibitor of AChE (IC50 = 1.11 µM) and BuChE (IC50 = 1.14 µM). In addition, the results of molecular docking studies exhibited that 22j could simultaneously bind to both CAS and PAS of BuChE, which was consistent with the mixed mode of inhibition shown by enzyme kinetic studies of 22j. Moreover, the molecular properties of all compounds were predicted by the molinspiration server, and the compounds 22j and 22c matched the most properties of orally administered drugs. All these suggested that 22j and 22c could be considered as a lead compound for the development of AD drugs.
A transcriptomic analysis of skeletal muscle tissues reveals promising candidate genes and pathways accountable for different daily weight gain in Hanwoo Cattle
Authors: Sheet Sunirmal , Jang Sun Sik , Kim Jae Hwan , Park Woncheoul , Kim Dahye
Published: August 2023

Cattle traits like average daily weight gain (ADG) greatly impact profitability. Selecting based on ADG considering genetic variability can lead to economic and genetic advancements in cattle breeding. This study aimed to unravel genetic influences on ADG variation in Hanwoo cattle at the skeletal muscle transcriptomic level. RNA sequencing was conducted on longissimus dorsi (LD), semimembranosus (SB), and psoas major (PM) muscles of 14 steers assigned to same feed, grouped by low (≤ 0.78 kg) and high (≥ 0.88 kg) ADG. At P ≤ 0.05 and log2fold > 1.5, distinct gene expression patterns were identified with 200, 172, and 210 differentially expressed genes in LD, SB, and PM muscles, respectively. Tissue-specific responses to ADG variation were evident, with myogenesis and differentiation associated JAK-STAT signaling pathway and prolactin signaling pathways enriched in LD and SB muscles, while adipogenesis-related PPAR signaling pathways were enriched in PM muscle. Key hub genes (AXIN2, CDKN1A, MYC, PTGS2, FZD5, SPP1) were upregulated and functionally significant in muscle growth and differentiation. Notably, DPP6, CDKN1A, and FZD5 emerged as potential candidate genes linked to ADG variation. These findings enhance our understanding of genetic factors behind ADG variation in Hanwoo cattle, illuminating skeletal muscle mechanisms influencing ADG.
Stochastic approach to study the properties of the complex patterns observed in cytokine and T-cells interaction process
Authors: Singh Moirangthem Shubhakanta , Singh Mairembam Kelvin , Singh R.K. Brojen
Published: August 2023

Patterns in complex systems store hidden information of the system which is needed to be explored. We present a simple model of cytokine and T-cells interaction and studied the model within stochastic framework by constructing Master equation of the system and solving it. The solved probability distribution function of the model show classical Poisson pattern in the large population limit $N,Z\rightarrow large$ indicating the system has the tendency to attract a large number of small-scale random processes of the cytokine population towards the basin of attraction of the system by segregating from non-random processes. Further, in the large $\langle Z\rangle$ limit, the pattern transform to classical Normal pattern, where, uncorrelated small-scale fluctuations are wiped out to form a regular but memoryless spatiotemporal aggregated pattern. The estimated noise using Fano factor shows clearly that the cytokine dynamics is a Poisson process
Preliminary Outcome of Immediate Effect of Photobiomodulation on PH and Salivary Flow
Authors: Fernandes Juliana Terra , Barros Ana Carolina Santos Menezes , Santos Heloísa Rafaela Lira Ramos , Iora Luísa Mazzeo Buchara , Rocha Samantha Patrícia Matuck , Santos Rosana Ferreira , Nammour Samir , Júnior Aldo Brugnera , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Motta Lara Jansiski
Published: August 2023

Objective Xerostomia, a common side effect of radiotherapy, can significantly impact patients' quality of life. This study aimed to compare the immediate effects of infrared light photobiomodulation on salivary flow and pH in individuals experiencing xerostomia. Twenty adults with xerostomia participated in the study, divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1) received extraoral photobiomodulation treatment, and Group 2 (G2) received both intra and extraoral treatment. Stimulated saliva was collected before and immediately after light application. In G1, the photobiomodulation was applied using a cluster with 3 spots (808 nm, 120 mW, 24J), while G2 received treatment with a pointer (808 nm, 100mW, 6J per point). The results confirmed our hypothesis, showing a statistically significant increase in immediate salivary flow stimulation with the headgear technique (G1) (p = 0.037). However, no significant change in salivary flow was observed in G2. Analyzing the percentage of volume variation (ml) per minute, the average salivary flow increased from 0.86 ml/min to 1.2 ml/min after extraoral application with an infrared laser cluster, representing a 7% increase. No significant change in pH was observed in either group. In conclusion, the protocol involving only extraoral application was effective in stimulating salivary flow, while the protocol combining intra and extraoral application did not yield the same results. Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms behind these differences and optimize photobiomodulation techniques for xerostomia management Clinical trial registration: NCT05413993 / 2022-06-10
Migrant Remittances, Income Inequality and Energy Poverty: A Pseudo Panel Approach
Authors: Wijayarathne J. M. D. Sandamali , Hassan Gazi M. , Holmes Mark J.
Published: August 2023

Energy poverty is a widespread issue that prevents billions of people from accessing affordable, modern, and eco-friendly energy services. Energy poverty is difficult to alleviate because it is directly related to income; as a result, low-income households use more solid fuels, which harms human health, educational quality, and well-being. This will further reduce the income of low-income households and increase the income gap between low and high-income earners, resulting in income inequality. Therefore, income inequality would be the major impediment to eradicating energy poverty. Income inequality in developing countries is now highly influenced by foreign exchange earnings, particularly migrant remittances. As a result, migrant remittances would be a significant source of reducing income inequality and, thereby, energy poverty. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of migrant remittances on energy poverty and the mediating effect of income inequality on this relationship. The data comprises the four waves of the Sri Lankan Household Income and Expenditure Survey from over 84,000 households. An instrumental variable approach was used to address the endogeneity of remittances. The empirical analysis entails two-stage least squares (2SLS) and instrumental variable mediation analysis. Our key results suggest that a 10% increase in migrant remittances reduces energy poverty by 0.042 units, while income inequality significantly mediates this relationship. The findings have significant implications for policymakers and stakeholders interested in reducing income inequality and energy poverty.
JEL Classification: C36, D63, F24, I32, O15
Comparison of tacrolimus with or without prednisone therapy in primary membranous nephropathy : A retrospective clinical study
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Dou Jingyu , Gao Ge , Sheng Xiaoxiao , Shen Ya , Feng Yuhua , Wu Xueying , Zhang Zhen , Cheng Genyang
Published: August 2023

Objective: Previous studies have shown tacrolimus monotherapy and dual therapy with tacrolimus and low-dose prednisone as effective treatment modalities in managing membranous nephropathy. However, few studies have compared these therapeutic regimens. We compared the safety and efficacy and relapse rates of following these treatment regimens in primary membranous nephropathy in this study.
Methods: One hundred and thirty-two patients(a total of 302 patients were excluded) diagnosed with MN viarenal needle biopsy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2015 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment regimen: (1) tacrolimus and prednisone dual therapy (T+P group, n = 67) treatment group; and (2) tacrolimus monotherapy (T group, n = 65) or the control group. High titer (PLA2Rab>150 RU / ml) may affect the outcome of PMN patients and therefore may be confounding factors, we performed a subgroup analysis to eliminate the bias in the relationship between the treatment regimen and the outcomes. Nineteen patients had a high titer in the T + P group, and 21 patients in the T group had a high titer. Patients were treated for approximately 48 weeks; observations were noted.
Results: The T group had a remission rate of 64.62%, while the T + P group had a remission rate of 88.06%; the mean remission times were 21.82±2.66 weeks and 10.80±1.91 weeks, respectively. The relapse rate for the T group was 23.08%, and that for the T + P group was 4.48%. The PLA2Rab levels and 24-hour urine proteinuria levels were significantly different between the two groups.There were no significant differences in serum creatinine levels or glomerular filtration rates between the groups. In addition, the groups had no significant differences in complications, including infection, gastrointestinal syndrome, hepatic dysfunction, hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, and new-onset hypertension.
Conclusions: Tacrolimus and low-dose prednisone dual therapy is efficacious in managing MN and lowers the recurrence rate in clinical practice.
Integration and Risk Transmission across Supply, Demand, and Prices in China's Housing Market
Authors: Nong Huifu
Published: August 2023

This study explores the dynamic integration and risk transmission in the Chinese (residential) housing market using variance decompositions from the vector autoregression model. Our study covers the period from January 2000 to September 2022. The study’s results indicate that total connectedness changes over time, suggesting that it is sensitive to time-specific developments and short-run events. The new construction area is more likely to lead, while the construction area, especially the completed area, acts as a follower in the supply side of China’s housing market. Directional connectedness indicates that supply-side shocks generally lead demand-side shocks. Moreover, shocks usually run from housing prices to the supply side, and from the demand side to housing prices. This study also supports the predictive ability of connectedness measures for macroeconomic conditions, suggesting meaningful implications for investors, real estate developers, and policymakers.
JEL Classifications: R21, R31
Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Injury in Brazil
Authors: Furtado Leopoldo Mandic Ferreira , Filho José Aloysio da Costa Val , Pereira Victor da Silva , Coimbra Yasmin Sotero , Magalhães Anne Ribeiro , Moreira Saulo Guimarães , Teixeira Antônio Lúcio , de Miranda Aline Silva
Published: August 2023

Purpose
Globally, governments have implemented measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures raised social psychological concerns, causing increased stress among parents and restricted children’s freedom of movement. These factors might led to increased exposure of children to violence, which might result in abusive head trauma. Whether pandemic-related socioeconomic and environmental changes significantly affected the incidence and severity of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unexplored. We aimed to investigate the consequences of the pandemic on the mechanisms and severity of pediatric TBI and related mortality in Brazil.
Materials and methods
We investigated the patients with TBI aged <18 years who visited a tertiary trauma center in Brazil in 2019 and 2020.The variables included TBI classification, mechanism of trauma, clinical manifestations, need for neurosurgical intervention, and rates of morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, we used a nationwide databank to collect information on mortality from external causes of trauma and violence in the pediatric population both before and during the pandemic.
Results
Of the patients with traumatic brain injury, 1371 visited the trauma center in 2019 and 1052 in 2020. No difference was noted in the incidence rate of abusive head trauma between these periods (P= 0.142) or in mortality from violence in Brazil. Falls from bicycles significantly increased during the pandemic (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
In Brazil, rates of abusive head trauma did not increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, but recreational mechanisms of pediatric TBI did increase. A program to educate the population about recreational safety should be implemented.
Gut microbiota promoting propionic acid production accompanies diet-induced intentional weight loss in cats
Authors: Rowe J. C. , Winston J. A. , Parker V. J. , McCool K. E. , Suchodolski J. S. , Lopes R. , Steiner J. M. , Gilor C. , Rudinsky A.J.
Published: August 2023

Rodent models and human clinical studies have shown gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play roles in obesity and insulin resistance. These roles have been minimally explored in cats, where in the USA an estimated 60% of cats are overweight or obese. Overweight/obese research cats (n = 7) were transitioned from a maintenance diet to a reduced calorie diet fedad libitumfor seven days, then calories were restricted to achieve 1–2% weight loss per week for an additional 77 days. Cats then received their original maintenance diet again for 14 days. Significant intentional weight loss was noted after calorie restriction (adjusted p < 0.0001). 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and targeted SCFA metabolomics were performed on fecal samples. Fecal microbial community structure significantly differed between the four study phases (PERMANOVA p = 0.011). Fecal propionic acid was significantly higher during diet-induced weight loss (adjusted p < 0.05). Spearman correlation revealed the relative abundances ofPrevotella 9 copri(ρ = 0.6385, p = 0.0006) andBlautia caecimuris(ρ = 0.5269, p = 0.0068) were significantly correlated with propionic acid composition. Like humans, obese cats experienced an altered microbial community structure and function, favoring propionic acid production, during diet-induced weight loss.
Investigation of optimization model for predicting immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment efficacy on contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of hepatocellular carcinoma using deep learning
Authors: Nakao Yasuhiko , Nishihara Takahito , Sasaki Ryu , Fukushima Masanori , Miuma Satoshi , Miyaaki Hisamitsu , Akazawa Yuko , Nakao Kazuhiko
Published: August 2023

Background & Aims Although the use of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICIs)-targeted agents for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is promising, individual response variability exists. Therefore, we developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based model to predict treatment efficacy using pre-ICI contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics.
Approach & Results We evaluated the efficacy of atezolizumab and bevacizumab or lenvatinib in 43 patients at the Nagasaki University Hospital from 2020–2022) using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. A total of 197 Progressive Disease (PD), 271 Partial Response (PR), and 342 Stable Disease (SD) contrast CT images of HCC were used for training. We used ResNet18 as the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model and YOLOv7 as the You Only LookOnce (YOLO) model with precision-recall curves and class activation maps (CAMs) for diagnostic performance evaluation and model interpretation, respectively. The 3D t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding was used for image feature analysis. The CNN model had a PD prediction sensitivityof 84 %. However, the CAMs sites did not align with the tumors, suggesting the possible overlearning of non-tumor CT features. In contrast, the YOLO model demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.995 on the precision–recall curve for PD, providing accurate and clinically versatile predictions by identifying decisive points.
Conclusions Preparing substantial training data for tumor drug effect prediction models is challenging compared to general tumor diagnosis models; hence, large-scale validation using an efficient YOLO model is warranted.
The (in)visible Grid: Households’ Sensemaking of a Changing Power System
Authors: Brauer Hanna Björner , Håkansson Maria , Willermark Sara
Published: August 2023

Background In affluent countries, essential infrastructures like power systems are often taken for granted and thus invisible to ordinary people. However, because of energy transitions and climate impacts, the power system in countries such as Sweden is changing. For example, variable renewable power sources and increasing demand call for a potential need to be able to deal with changing conditions including disruptions at an end-use level, which makes the energy system come to the foreground. As argued in the paper, deeper knowledge about people’s sensemaking of a changing energy system is needed to support households in taking new roles. In this study, 12 interviews were conducted with people from 7 households in detached houses in Sweden participating in a trial with remote-controlled heat pumps.The aim was to investigate how householders make sense of the changing power system and possible power deficit scenarios in the future. Social representations theory and the concept of household energy resilience were used as theoretical lenses.Results Householders direct their understanding of power deficiency and changes in power supply at four different levels: household level, supplier level, national system level, and finally as a shared responsibility between the three. These insights reveal opportunities where households anticipate taking more active roles in a changing enery system – however they also identify responsibilities that other energy actors need to communicate clearly that they are taking on, to support households and the energy transition overall.Conclusions Our results show that there is potential for more active and engaged electricity end-users, beyond for example flexibility programs. However, households’ active participation, including becoming more energy resilient, is conditioned by challenges of value, involvement, and reciprocity, which are important to address as households are opening the “black box” that is the power system. The results will be of interest to professionals involved in electricity supply-related matters including suppliers, policymakers, and researchers.
Optical stimulation of mitochondria reduces blood glucose levels
Authors: Powner Michael B , Jeffery Glen
Published: August 2023

Mitochondria regulate metabolism, but solar light influences its rate. Red light increases mitochondrial membrane potentials and ATP production and may increase glucose demand. Here we show, with a glucose tolerance test, that red light exposure in normal subjects significantly reduces blood sugar levels. A 15 min exposure to 670 nm light, reduced the degree of blood glucose elevation following glucose intake by 27.7%, over 2 h. Maximum glucose spiking was reduced by 5.1%. Decreased blood glucose correlated with increased exhaled end-tidal CO2 partial pressure at 1 h, indicating the mechanism includes an increased oxidation rate. Consequently, 670 nm light exposure can be used to reduce blood glucose spikes following meals. This may reduce damaging fluctuations of blood glucose on the body, a major risk factor for diabetic complications, offering a safe, non-invasive intervention for glucose management of diabetes at home.
Hypodense thymic lesions in Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Damek Adrian , Kurch Lars , Franke Friedrich , Attarbaschi Andishe , Beishuizen Auke , Cepelova Michaela , Ceppi Francesco , Daw Stephen , Dieckmann Karin , Fernández-Teijeiro Ana , Feuchtinger Tobias , Flerlage Jamie , Fosså Alexander , Georgi Thomas , Hasenclever Dirk , Hraskova Andrea , Karlen Jonas , Klekawka Tomasz , Kluge Regine , Körholz Dieter , Landman-Parker Judith , Leblanc Thierry , Mauz-Körholz Christine , Metzler Markus , Pears Jane , Steglich Jonas , Uyttebroeck Anne , Vordermark Dirk , Wallace William , Wohlgemuth Walter , Stoevesandt Dietrich
Published: August 2023

Hypodense volumes (HDV) in mediastinal thymic lesions can be visualized in a computed tomography scan in Hodgkin lymphoma.
We analyzed staging CT scans of 1178 patients with mediastinal involvement from the EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial and explored correlations of HDV with patient characteristics, mediastinal tumor volume and progression-free survival.
HDV occurred in 350 of 1178 patients (29.7%), typically in larger mediastinal volumes. There were different patterns in appearance with single lesions found in 243 patients (69.4%), multiple lesions in 107 patients (30.6%). Well delineated lesions were found in 248 cases (70.1%), diffuse lesions were seen in 102 cases (29.1%).
Clinically, B symptoms occurred more often in patients with HDV (47.7% compared to 35.0% without HDV (p=0.039)) and patients with HDV tended to be in higher risk groups. Inadequate overall early-18F-FDG-PET-response was strongly correlated with the occurrence of hypodense lesions (p<0.001).
Patients with total HDV > 40ml (n=80) had a 5-year PFS of 79.6% compared to 89.7% (p=0.01) in patients with HDV < 40ml or no HDV. This difference in PFS is not caused by treatment group alone.
HDV is a common phenomenon in HL with mediastinal involvement Further research should be considered for validation as an independent prognostic factor for PFS.