bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting drug characteristics using biomedical text embedding
Authors: Shtar Guy , Greenstein-Messica Asnat , Mazuz Eyal , Rokach Lior , Shapira Bracha
Published: December 2022

Background

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are preventable causes of medical injuries and often result in doctor and emergency room visits. Previous research demonstrates the effectiveness of using matrix completion approaches based on known drug interactions to predict unknown Drug–drug interactions. However, in the case of a new drug, where there is limited or no knowledge regarding the drug’s existing interactions, such an approach is unsuitable, and other drug’s preferences can be used to accurately predict new Drug–drug interactions.

Methods

We propose adjacency biomedical text embedding (ABTE) to address this limitation by using a hybrid approach which combines known drugs’ interactions and the drug’s biomedical text embeddings to predict the DDIs of both new and well known drugs.

Results

Our evaluation demonstrates the superiority of this approach compared to recently published DDI prediction models and matrix factorization-based approaches. Furthermore, we compared the use of different text embedding methods in ABTE, and found that the concept embedding approach, which involves biomedical information in the embedding process, provides the highest performance for this task. Additionally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of leveraging biomedical text embedding for additional drugs’ biomedical prediction task by presenting text embedding’s contribution to a multi-modal pregnancy drug safety classification.

Conclusion

Text and concept embeddings created by analyzing a domain-specific large-scale biomedical corpora can be used for predicting drug-related properties such as Drug–drug interactions and drug safety prediction. Prediction models based on the embeddings resulted in comparable results to hand-crafted features, however text embeddings do not require manual categorization or data collection and rely solely on the published literature.
Combined application of dinitrofluorobenzene and ovalbumin induced AD-like dermatitis with an increase in helper T-cell cytokines and a prolonged Th2 response
Authors: Jiang Pengju , Wu Yaguang , Liu Lu , Zhang Lian , Song Zhiqiang
Published: December 2022

Background

The progression of acute-to-chronic atopic dermatitis is accompanied by multiple helper T-cell cytokine responses, but the mechanisms and relative importance of these changes remain unclear. There is no animal model for atopic dermatitis that recapitulates these cytokine responses.

Objective

We sought to build a novel mouse model for atopic dermatitis (AD) that recapitulates these helper T-cell responses and some dynamic changes in cytokine responses in the progression of AD.

Methods

Female BALB/c mice were subjected to the application of dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and ovalbumin (OVA) to induce AD-like dermatitis. Skin lesions and serum were collected from mice in the acute and chronic phases to detect changes in cytokine responses and other features of AD.

Results

Combined application of DNFB and OVA successfully induced AD-like dermatitis and histological changes as well as epidermal barrier dysfunction. In the acute phase of AD-like dermatitis, Th2-associated cytokines were mainly increased in serum and skin lesions. In the chronic phase of AD-like dermatitis, Th2-associated cytokines were still highly expressed, while Th1- and Th17-associated cytokines were also gradually increased. Compared with the acute phase, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway was highly expressed in the chronic phase of AD-like dermatitis.

Conclusion

The combined application of DNFB and OVA could be used to build a new mouse model for atopic dermatitis. This mouse model recapitulates the helper T-cell responses and some dynamic changes in cytokine responses in the progression of acute-to-chronic in human AD. The JAK-STAT signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the chronicity of AD.
Comparison of the red blood cell indices based on accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to predict one-year mortality in heart failure patients
Authors: Hosseinpour Morteza , Hatamnejad Mohammad Reza , Montazeri Mohammad Nima , Bazrafshan drissi Hamed , Akbari Khezrabadi Ali , Shojaeefard Ehsan , Khanzadeh Shokoufeh
Published: December 2022

Background

Various investigations have specified the role of each RBC indices separately [including hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW)] to predict the prognosis of acute heart failure (AHF) patients. However, in the current study, these variables were compared based on accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to determine the best prognostic factor.

Methods

Of 734 heart failure patients referred to the emergency department, 400 cases were enrolled based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data of them were documented, and patients were followed for one year. Eventually, the association of clinical variables and RBC indices with one-year mortality was explored.

Results

The study included 226 (56%) men and 174 (44%) women with a median age of 66 years. Body Mass Index (HR 1.098, p = 0.016), Hb (HR 0.728, p = 0.024), HTC (HR 0.875, p = 0.066), MCHC (HR 0.795, p = 0.037), and RDW-CV (HR 1.174, p = 0.006) were confirmed as predictors of long-term mortality. Despite confirming the predictive role of these variables by ROC curves, their sensitivity and specificity were reported as follows: [72% and 50% for Hb], [75% and 52% for  HCT], [88% and 27% for MCHC], and [49% and 81% for RDW]. In addition, stratified groups of patients, based on normal cut-off values obtained from scientific literature, had significantly different survival in Kaplan–Meier analyses.

Conclusion

Whilst proving the predictive role of Hb,  HCT, MCHC, and RDW in AHF patients, the most sensitive measurement was MCHC and the most specific one was RDW; therefore, these variables should be considered for risk stratification purposes of AHF patients in daily clinical practice.
Factors affecting prescription of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with established cardiovascular disease/ chronic kidney disease in Hong Kong: a qualitative study
Authors: Ng Ngai Mui , Ng Yeung Shing , Chu Tsun Kit , Lau Phyllis
Published: December 2022

Background

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 I) has cardiorenal protective properties and are recommended for patients with diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although cardiorenal complications are high in diabetes and pose a significant financial burden on the Hong Kong health care system, the use of SGLT2 I in these populations remains low. And yet this issue has not been explored in Hong Kong primary care. This study aimed to explore factors affecting primary care doctors’ prescribing of SGLT2 I in patients with diabetes and established ASCVD/CKD in Hong Kong.

Methods

A phenomenological qualitative research using semi-structured interviews was conducted between January and May 2021 in one Hospital Authority cluster in Hong Kong. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit primary care doctors in the cluster. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) underpinned the study and guided the development of the interview questions. Data was analysed using both inductive and deductive approaches. The Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used to guide the reporting.

Results

Interviews were conducted with 17 primary care doctors. Four overarching themes were inductively identified: knowledge and previous practice patterns influence prescription, balancing risks and benefits, doctors’ professional responsibilities, and system barriers. The four themes were then deductively mapped to the nine specific domains of the TDF: knowledge; intention; memory; beliefs about capabilities; beliefs about consequences; goals; role and identity; emotion; and environmental constraints. Most interviewees, to varying extent, were aware of the cardio-renal advantages and safety profile of SGLT2 I but are reluctant to prescribe or change their patients to SGLT2 I because of their knowledge gap that the cardio-renal benefits of SGLT2 I was independent of glyacemic efficacy. Other barriers included their considerations of patients’ age and renal impairment, and patients’ perceptions and preferences.

Conclusions

Despite evidence-based recommendations of the utilisation of SGLT2 I in patients with established ASCVD/CKD, the prescription behaviour among primary care doctors was affected by various factors, most of which were amendable. Our findings will inform the development of structured interventions to address these factors to improve patients’ cardio-renal outcomes.
Psychiatric consultation in general practitioners’ daily practice: a qualitative study on the experience of consultation-liaison psychiatry interventions in primary care settings in French-speaking Switzerland
Authors: Tzartzas Konstantinos , Oberhauser Pierre-Nicolas , Marion-Veyron Régis , Saillant Stéphane
Published: December 2022

Background

Mental disorders are frequent in primary care settings, which is challenging for primary care physicians. In Neuchâtel (Switzerland), a Consultation-Liaison psychiatrist integrated three primary care group practices, proposing both clinical interventions and supervisions/psychiatric training. Primary care physicians’ experience regarding this collaboration was investigated.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted. Three focus groups were organized in each primary care group practice involved in the project (10 primary care physicians participated in focus groups). Data were analysed with thematic content analysis.

Results

Six major themes emerged from our analysis, describing primary care physicians’ collaboration with psychiatrists: 1) Impact on a difficult to reach and “reluctant to consult” population; 2) Fluidity of the intraprofessional collaboration; 3) Influence on the doctor-patient relationship; 4) Positive emotional experiences; 5) Psychiatric counselling and training; 6) Long-term prospects for the project.

Conclusions

Consultation-Liaison psychiatrist’s presence came as a relief for participating primary care physicians, facilitating accessibility to mental healthcare, introducing a common culture of care, and offering “in-situ” psychiatric training. Primary care physicians felt that their relationships with patients benefited from such interventions, being better able to deal with complex emotional experiences and found patients more confident regarding proposed care. Models of psychiatric intervention provided in primary care must establish settings of collaboration that reinforce relationships between primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and patients.
Case report of Salmonella derby septicemia complicated with co-occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Lin Yingxin , Huang Lei , Tu Yunliang , Huang Bin , Zhang Sheng , Chen Yingqun , Li Weijia
Published: December 2022

Background

Both disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombotic microangiopathy are complications of sepsis as Salmonella septicemia, respectively. They are related and have similar clinical characteristics as thrombopenia and organ dysfunctions. They rarely co-occur in some specific cases, which requires a clear distinction.

Case presentation

A 22-year-old woman had just undergone intracranial surgery and suffered from Salmonella derby septicemia with multiorgan involvement in the hospital. Laboratory workup demonstrated coagulation disorder, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury, leading to the co-occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation and secondary thrombotic microangiopathy. She received antibiotics, plasma exchange therapy, dialysis, mechanical ventilation, fluids, and vasopressors and gained full recovery without complications.

Conclusion

Disseminated intravascular coagulation and secondary thrombotic microangiopathy can co-occur in Salmonella derby septicemia. They should be treated cautiously in diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Thrombotic microangiopathy should not be missed just because of the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Proper and timely identification of thrombotic microangiopathy with a diagnostic algorithm is essential for appropriate treatment and better outcomes.
Spirulina as a daily nutritional supplement of young pre-school Cambodian children of deprived settings: a single-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial
Authors: Barennes Hubert , Houdart Laetitia , de Courville Caroline , Barennes Florent
Published: December 2022

Background

Spirulina (SP) is widely used as a nutritional supplement to enhance child nutrition in low-income countries. We assessed Spirulina’s efficacy of the current dose supplied by institutions in Cambodia on improving growth and anemia in a cross-over randomized controlled trial in preschool underprivileged children from similar settings.

Methods

Preschool children cared by a not-for-profit institution were randomly and blindly allocated (2 to 1) to spirulina or placebo: 100 g in total, given in 2 g per day. After 5 weeks of wash-out, participants were crossed-over to the other group. Anthropometric gain and selected hematological data (blood cell count, ferritin, and C-reactive protein) were assessed at each phase.

Results

A total of 179 children completed the trial, 149 (83.2%) completed all the anthropometrics, and 99 (55.3%) all hematological measures. Mean BMI was 14.18 (95%CI: 14.00–14.37) and 31(20.8%) children had thinness. Mean blood hemoglobin was 11.9 g/dL (95%CI: 11.8–12.1). The weight gain of the SP group showed a modest higher trend compared to placebo (0.63 kg; 95%CI: 0.54–0.72 and 0.46 kg; 95%CI: 0.33–0.58, respectively; p = 0.07). Height increased similarly in both groups. The number of anemic children decreased by 6 (6.06%) and 11 (11.11%) on Placebo or SP, respectively (p = 0.004). Tolerance was good.

Conclusion

SP may be recommended to improve childhood anemia. The analysis of the usual daily dose (2 g) provided by organizations in Cambodia shows a tendency to improve weight gain in the group supplemented with SP very close to significance, but no trend in height. Increased doses and longer supplementation should be evaluated further.

Trial registration

The study was retrospectively registered at ISRCTN under number 11696165 on 12/12/2018.
Education level has an effect on the recovery of total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhou Yuan-yuan , Zhang Bo-kai , Ran Tian-fei , Ke Song , Ma Tian-ying , Qin Yin-yin , Zhang Yuan , Xu Yuan , Wang Min
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study aimed to observe the relationship between education level and outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

One thousand two hundred sixty four patients after TKA in our hospital from April 2016 to April 2020 were reviewed. These patients were divided into 4 groups (A who were illiterate, B who had elementary school degree, C who had junior high school degree, D who had senior high school degree or higher) by the educational level, which was blinded to the observers. The postoperative outcomes of KSS score, pain, joint extension and flexion function were observed 1 year after discharged from hospital.

Results

Among 1253 patients met the inclusion criteria, the average age was 68.63 years, the average body mass was 57.73 kg. There are no distinctions among 4 groups one day after the surgery. However, the outcomes of the follow up were that, the KSS score was: 77.84 ± 10.635; 80.70 ± 8.956; 87.92 ± 8.123;91.27 ± 8.262, with significant differences (P < 0.05). The mean VAS scores were: 1.97 ± 1.60; 2.07 ± 1.66; 1.197 ± 1.5265, 1.044 ± 1.4662. Patients in Group C and D had significantly less pain than that in Group A and B (P < 0.05). The knee flexion range of motion (ROM) was: 91.21 ± 11.69°; 91.77 ± 11.95°; 102.12 ± 11.38°; 109.96 ± 10.64°, Group D performed best, with significant differences (P < 0.05). The knee extension ROM were: – 2.41 ± 4.49°; – 0.91 ± 2.82°; – 0.83 ± 2.87°; – 0.35 ± 1.60°, with significant difference between Group D and the others (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Education level affects the outcomes such as VAS score, KSS score, the extension and flexion ROM of the knee after TKA. The patients with higher education level have better outcomes.
Elevated serum Meteorin-like levels in patients with hyperthyroidism
Authors: Wen Xiaohui , Ding Xiaoyu , Chang Xiaona , Wang Jiaxuan , Wang Qiu , Liu Jia , Wang Guang
Published: December 2022

Background

Meteorin-like (Metrnl) is a newly discovered adipomyokine that regulates systemic energy homeostasis. Both thyroid hormones and Metrnl increase energy expenditure and induce browning of adipose tissue. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate serum Metrnl levels in hyperthyroid patients and the association of serum Metrnl levels with hyperthyroidism.

Methods

The study included 88 patients with newly diagnosed untreated overt hyperthyroidism and 100 age- and sex- matched healthy controls. Serum Metrnl levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

Results

Serum Metrnl levels were significantly elevated in patients with hyperthyroidism compared with controls. Linear regression analyses indicated that serum Metrnl levels were independently associated with FT3 (β = 0.324, P = 0.001), FT4 (β = 0.293, P = 0.001), and TSH (β = -0.234, P = 0.006) after full adjustment. Additionally, further logistic regression analyses revealed that the highest Metrnl tertile was significantly associated with hyperthyroidism compared with the lowest tertile (P for trend < 0.001). The relationship remained significant even after adjusting for potential confounders. Meanwhile, each one-unit increase in circulating Metrnl was independently associated with hyperthyroidism (OR 1.021, 95%CI 1.007–1.036, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Serum Metrnl levels were elevated in patients with hyperthyroidism and were independently associated with hyperthyroidism.
Analysis of the disease burden trend of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system in China from 2006 to 2020
Authors: Han Xiting , Wang Zhihong , Huang Dongmei , Deng Kehong , Wang Qian , Li Cancan , Zhu Jicun
Published: December 2022

Background

Malignant tumors of reproductive system seriously threaten women’s life and health. We analyzed the changes in mortality and disease burden of cervical cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer in China from 2006 to 2020 to provide a basis for formulating scientific prevention and control measures.

Methods

Annual death data for cervical cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer were collected from the Chinese Cause of Death Surveillance. The crude mortality rate (CMR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), annual percentage change (APC), and average APC (AAPC) were applied to analyze the trend of mortality. Loss of life expectancy (LLE) and years of life lost (YLL) were used to assess disease burden.

Results

From 2006 to 2020, there was no significant change in the total ASMR and standardized YLL rates of malignant tumors of the reproductive system, leading to an average LLE of 0.18 years. The YLL rate was the highest in the 55–59 age group. The mortality rate and disease burden of the three types of cancer have changed from uterine cancer higher than cervical cancer and ovarian cancer in 2006 to cervical cancer higher than ovarian cancer and uterine cancer in 2020. The ASMR and standardized YLL rate of uterine cancer showed a downward trend, and AAPC was − 5.21% (− 9.31% ~  − 0.91%) and − 6.07% (− 9.45% ~  − 2.58%), respectively. The mortality rates of cervical cancer and ovarian cancer remain high.

Conclusion

The mortality and disease burden of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system in China are still at a high level. It is necessary to improve screening and prevention strategies as soon as possible, improve the techniques of diagnosis and treatment, and take adequate measures to protect women's life and health.
Medium- to long-term outcomes of vaginally assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the treatment of stage III–IV pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Deng Tuo , Wang Su , Liang Xuezao , Chen Liquan , Wen Yanli , Zhang Xiaowei , Xu Lizhen
Published: December 2022

Background

Vaginally assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (VALS) refers to the placement of synthetic meshes through the vagina in addition to traditional laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the medium- to long-term efficacy and safety of VALS for treating stage III–IV pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods

The study was designed as a case series at a single center. Patients with stage III–IV POP in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2018 were included. Perioperative parameters, objective and subjective outcomes, and complications were assessed.

Results

A total of 106 patients completed the follow-up and were included in our study. Within a median follow-up duration of 35.4 months, the objective cure ratio of VALS reached 92.45% (98/106), and the subjective success rate was 99.06% (105/106). Patients reported significant improvements in subjective symptoms. In eight patients suffering anatomic prolapse recurrence, two posterior POP cases were treated by posterior pelvic reconstruction surgery, while six anterior POP cases did not need surgical therapies. The reoperation rate was 1.89% (2/106). No intraoperative complications occurred. Three patients (2.83%) had postoperative fever, and one (0.94%) had wound infection during hospitalization. Six patients (5.66%) had mesh exposure on the vaginal wall, and de novo urinary incontinence occurred in two patients (1.89%) during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

VALS is an effective and safe surgical method for treating severe POP. Therefore, VALS should be considered in the treatment of severe POP due to its favorable subjective and objective outcomes, relatively low rate of infection and acceptable rate of mesh exposure.
Frequency, types, and factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine use among patients on maintenance haemodialysis
Authors: Mambap Alex Tatang , Ukum Gwendoline Enda , Teuwafeu Denis G. , Maimouna Mahamat , Ashuntantang Gloria Enow
Published: December 2022

Background

Despite progress in haemodialysis and conventional medicine approaches, many patients still struggle to maintain an acceptable quality of life and turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to address their unmet needs.

Objective

This study aims to determine the prevalence, types, indications, and factors associated with CAM use by patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) in Cameroon.

Materials and methods

This was a multicentric cross-sectional study involving MHD patients in Cameroon from February 2019 to May 2019. We included all consenting participants on MHD for at least 3 months and excluded participants with cognitive and behavioral problems. Face-to-face interviews were conducted.

Results

A total of 224 participants (145 males) with a mean age of 56.5 ± 14.2 years and a median haemodialysis vintage of 34.5 [IQR: 17.3–64.4] months were recruited. In all, 89.7% (n = 201) reported having used CAM before, while 71.6% (n = 144) were still using it. Biologically based therapies were the most popular (94%, n = 189), with herbal medicine (81.5%, n = 154) and Calabar chalk (52.4%, n = 99) being the most common. Physical well-being (57.2%), nausea (52%), and insomnia (42.7%) were the main indications for CAM use. Most respondents did not disclose their CAM use to their physicians (61.2%). Long haemodialysis vintage was associated with CAM use (AOR: 7.9; CI = 2.8–22.3; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The use of CAM is common among Cameroon’s haemodialysis population, with herbal medicines and Calabar chalk being the most frequent. The high symptom burden makes CAM attractive to them. Healthcare teams should be aware of these practices, initiate an open discussion, and appropriately advise patients about dangers, risks, and safety associated with their use.

Trial registration

The institutional review board of the University of Bamenda. Reference: 2019/0038H/UBa/IRB UPM/TNCPI/RMC/1.4.18.2.
Dimensionality, psychometric properties, and population-based norms of the Turkish version of the Chalder Fatigue Scale among adults
Authors: Adın Rıdvan M. , Ceren Ali Naim , Salcı Yeliz , Fil Balkan Ayla , Armutlu Kadriye , Ayhan Kuru Çiğdem
Published: December 2022

Background

Fatigue is emerging as a major public health problem that is highly associated with poor health-related quality of life and disability. Among adults, fatigue has become increasingly common because of workload or lifestyle changes. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS) into Turkish, to investigate its psychometric properties, and to establish normative data in healthy adults by age and gender.

Methods

The validity of the CFS was tested with a total sample of 476 healthy adults aged 20–40 years (264 males and 212 females) and test–retest/measurement error analyses were performed with 161 participants (94 males and 67 females). The test–retest reliability was examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and internal consistency was determined using Cronbach's α-coefficient. Predictive validity was assessed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic to validate the cut-off value of the CFS for non-fatigued and fatigued participants. Factor analyses and hypothesis testing were conducted to assess construct validity. Hypothesis testing examined convergent and known-group validity by testing 14 predefined hypotheses.

Results

The mean (SD) and median (25–75%) CFS scores were 10.7 (4.9) and 11 (7–14) for the total sample (n = 476). The cut-off point for CFS was set at ≥ 12 with a sensitivity of 65.8% and a specificity of 85.9%. The CFS provided evidence of excellent fit of the two-factor structure (CFI = 0.963, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.02). There was evidence of strong internal consistency demonstrated by Cronbach's α = 0.863 and good test–retest reliability by ICC = 0.76. Thirteen out of 14 hypotheses (92.9%) were confirmed and the scale showed low to moderate correlation with other measurement instruments (r = 0.31–0.51).

Conclusions

The CFS has been shown to be a reliable and valid instrument that can be used in various populations for the assessment of fatigue.

Level of evidence

Level II.
Augmented-Medication CardioPulmonary Resuscitation Trials in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim June-sung , Ryoo Seung Mok , Kim Youn-Jung , Sohn Chang Hwan , Ahn Shin , Seo Dong Woo , Hong Seok In , Kim Sang-Min , Chae Bora , Kim Won Young
Published: December 2022

Background

Previously conducted physician-centered trials on the usefulness of vasopressin have yielded negative results; thus, patient-oriented trials have been warranted. We hypothesize that Augmented-Medication CardioPulmonary Resuscitation could be helpful for selected patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

This is a double-blind, single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in the emergency department in a tertiary, university-affiliated hospital in Seoul, Korea. A total of 148 adults with non-traumatic OHCA who had initial diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 20 mm Hg via invasive arterial monitoring during the early cardiac compression period were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients received a dose of 40 IU of vasopressin or placebo with initial epinephrine. The primary endpoint was a sustained return of spontaneous circulation. Secondary endpoints were survival discharge, and neurologic outcomes at discharge.

Results

Of the 180 included patients, 32 were excluded, and 148 were enrolled in the trial. A sustained return of spontaneous circulation was achieved by 27 patients (36.5%) in the vasopressin group and 24 patients (32.4%) in the control group (risk difference, 4.1%; P = .60). Survival discharge and good neurologic outcomes did not differ between groups. The trial group had significantly higher median DBPs during resuscitation than the control group (16.0 vs. 14.5 mm Hg, P < 0.01). There was no difference in end-tidal carbon dioxide, acidosis, and lactate levels at baseline, 10 min, and end-time.

Conclusion

Among patients with refractory vasodilatory shock in OHCA, administration of vasopressin, compared with placebo, did not significantly increase the likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation.
Hif-2α regulates lipid metabolism in alcoholic fatty liver disease through mitophagy
Authors: Wu Mei-fei , Zhang Guo-dong , Liu Tong-tong , Shen Jun-hao , Cheng Jie-ling , Shen Jie , Yang Tian-yu , Huang Cheng , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2022

Background

Disordered lipid metabolism plays an essential role in both the initiation and progression of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), and fatty acid β-oxidation is increasingly considered as a crucial factor for controlling lipid metabolism. Hif-2α is a member of the Hif family of nuclear receptors, which take part in regulating hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation. However, its functional role in AFLD and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Results

Hif-2α was upregulated in EtOH-fed mice and EtOH-treated AML-12 cells. Inhibition or silencing of Hif-2α led to increased fatty acid β-oxidation and BNIP3-dependent mitophagy. Downregulation of Hif-2α activates the PPAR-α/PGC-1α signaling pathway, which is involved in hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation, by mediating BNIP3-dependent mitophagy, ultimately delaying the progression of AFLD.

Conclusions

Hif-2α induces liver steatosis, which promotes the progression of AFLD. Here, we have described a novel Hif-2α-BNIP3-dependent mitophagy regulatory pathway interconnected with EtOH-induced lipid accumulation, which could be a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of AFLD.
Gut microbiome of helminth-infected indigenous Malaysians is context dependent
Authors: Tee Mian Zi , Er Yi Xian , Easton Alice V. , Yap Nan Jiun , Lee Ii Li , Devlin Joseph , Chen Ze , Ng Kee Seong , Subramanian Poorani , Angelova Angelina , Oyesola Oyebola , Sargsian Shushan , Ngui Romano , Beiting Daniel P. , Boey Christopher Chiong Meng , Chua Kek Heng , Cadwell Ken , Lim Yvonne Ai Lian , Loke P’ng , Lee Soo Ching
Published: December 2022

Background

While microbiomes in industrialized societies are well characterized, indigenous populations with traditional lifestyles have microbiomes that are more akin to those of ancient humans. However, metagenomic data in these populations remains scarce, and the association with soil-transmitted helminth infection status is unclear. Here, we sequenced 650 metagenomes of indigenous Malaysians from five villages with different prevalence of helminth infections.

Results

Individuals from villages with higher prevalences of helminth infections have more unmapped reads and greater microbial diversity. Microbial community diversity and composition were most strongly associated with different villages and the effects of helminth infection status on the microbiome varies by village. Longitudinal changes in the microbiome in response to albendazole anthelmintic treatment were observed in both helminth infected and uninfected individuals. Inference of bacterial population replication rates from origin of replication analysis identified specific replicating taxa associated with helminth infection.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that helminth effects on the microbiota were highly dependent on context, and effects of albendazole on the microbiota can be confounding for the interpretation of deworming studies. Furthermore, a substantial quantity of the microbiome remains unannotated, and this large dataset from an indigenous population associated with helminth infections is a valuable resource for future studies.
Thrombospondin-2 promotes the proliferation and migration of glioma cells and contributes to the progression of glioma
Authors: Huang Tian-Lan , Mei Yi-Wen , Li Yang , Chen Xin , Yu Si-Xun , Kuang Yong-Qin , Shu Hai-Feng
Published: December 2022

Background

Gliomas, especially high-grade gliomas, are highly malignant with a poor prognosis. Although existing treatments have improved the survival rate of patients with glioma, the recurrence and mortality rates are still not ideal. The molecular mechanisms involved in the occurrence and development of glioma are still poorly understood. We previously reported that thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) expression was increased in tumor specimens from rat models, promoting excitatory synapse formation. However, little is known about the effect of TSP2 on the biological characteristics of glioma.

Methods

Glioma and cerebral cortex tissues were collected from 33 patients, and the expression of TSP2 in them was analyzed. Next, the proliferation and migration of TSP2 on glioma cells were analyzed in vitro. At last, a glioma transplantation model was constructed to explore the growth of TSP2 on glioma in vivo.

Results

The expression of TSP2 in surgical glioma specimens was increased compared to that in the normal cortex. Interestingly, the TSP2 protein level was higher in high-grade glioma (HGG, World Health Organization (WHO) grades 3–4) than in low-grade glioma (LGG, WHO grades 1–2) tissues. Exogenous addition of the TSP2 protein at an appropriate concentration promoted the migration of glioma cells but did not significantly affect their proliferation. Surprisingly, overexpression of TSP2 promoted both the migration and proliferation of cultured glioma cells. Moreover, in vivo experimental data implied that overexpression of TSP2 in C6 cells promoted the malignant growth of gliomas, while knockout of TSP2 slowed glioma growth.

Conclusions

TSP2 promotes the migration and proliferation of glioma cells, which may provide new ideas for blocking glioma progression.
Tailoring the properties of epoxy/silicone blends for high-voltage capacitor applications
Authors: khan Arooba , Hassan Mannan , Shaikh Muhammad Suhail , Farhan Muhammad , Ullah Asad
Published: December 2022

In recent decades, high dielectric constant (k) polymer nanocomposites have proved excellent potential in dielectric and energy storage applications. Epoxy/silicon rubber composite materials have shown promising properties in applications such as high-voltage insulation. Three types of nanomaterials (SiO2, TiO2, and TiO2@SiO2) with distinct intrinsic properties are carefully chosen to build high-k epoxy/silicone polymer nanocomposites in this study. To raise the value of K, this work tailored the polarizing ability or permittivity of dielectric material by inserting different weight ratios of nano-fillers (SiO2, TiO2, TiO2@SiO2) in the base matrix of dielectric material in epoxy and silicon rubber blends. With a base matrix containing 75% epoxy and 25% liquid silicone rubber concentration, the maximum value of K obtained is K = 158 for 5% TiO2 and there is an increase in the dielectric strength to 398 kV/mm. The obtained results indicate that, among the three different kinds of epoxy/silicone, TiO2@SiO2 has the most potential in enhancing the energy storage capabilities of the proposed nanocomposites, owing to the largest increase in k while maintaining low dielectric loss and leakage current.
Causality in string field theory
Authors: Shabir Arshid , Shah Naveed Ahmad , Wani Salman Sajad , Faizal Mir , Jan Kousar , Rubab Seemin
Published: December 2022

In this letter, we will investigate causality in string field theory using pp-wave light-cone gauge string field theory. We will generalise the Ramsey scheme to string field theory, and use it to analyze string field theoretical processes. An explicit characteristic function for interactive string field theory will be built using this string field theoretical Ramsey scheme. The average of the difference between the initial and final values of any operator described in string field theory will be obtained using this characteristic function. We will use the quantum information theoretical technique based on quantum Fisher information to extract information about such string field theoretical processes.
The Specter of Materialism
Authors: Liu Petrus
Published: December 2022

In recent years, queer theory appears to have made a materialist turn away from questions of representation and performativity to those of dispossession, precarity, and the differential distribution of life chances. Despite this shift, queer theory finds itself constantly reabsorbed into the liberal project of diversity management. This theoretical and political weakness, Petrus Liu argues, stems from an incomplete understanding of capitalism’s contemporary transformations, of which China has been at the center. In The Specter of Materialism Liu challenges key premises of classic queer theory and Marxism, turning to an analysis of the Beijing Consensus—global capitalism’s latest mutation—to develop a new theory of the political economy of sexuality. Liu explores how relations of gender and sexuality get reconfigured to meet the needs of capital in new regimes of accumulation and dispossession, demonstrating that evolving US-Asian economic relations shape the emergence of new queer identities and academic theories. In so doing, he offers a new history of collective struggles that provides a transnational framework for understanding the nexus between queerness and material life.
Peptidergic modulation of a multi-functional central pattern generator in the pulmonate snail
Authors: Ramakrishnan Siddharth , Murphy A. Don
Published: December 2022

Egg laying in pulmonate snails is a well-orchestrated process that involves a period of reduced locomotion, followed by substrate cleaning with rhythmic rasping of the surface to make tiny grooves, into which eggs are deposited. Although the neurohormonal control of initiating egg laying has been well established, the signals that modulate the buccal central pattern generator to substrate cleaning during egg laying are not known. Neuropeptides of the invertebrate gonadotropin-releasing hormone/corazonin family (invGnRH/CRZ) have been shown to be involved in reproduction and allied behaviors in many vertebrates and invertebrates. Here, we show that the buccal motor pattern underlying substrate cleaning during egg laying is altered by a vertebrate GnRH agonist. Signals from the intestinal nerve innervating reproductive structures, previously shown to be both necessary and sufficient for egg-laying behaviors, are blocked by a vertebrate GnRH antagonist. Further, the vertebrate GnRH-triggered response elicits rhythmic, phase 2 and non-phase 2 activity in the buccal motor pattern, with a shutdown of phase 3, indicative of repetitive rasping without accompanied swallowing behavior. Using immunohistochemistry, intracellular electrophysiology and extracellular nerve stimulation, we show that a member of the invGnRH/CRZ family of neuropeptides could be the signal that contextually switches the multifunctional buccal CPG to a biphasic rasping rhythm that underlies substrate cleaning behavior during egg laying in the pulmonate snail Planorbella (Helisoma) trivolvis.
An open label, single arm, pilot study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of daily fluconazole 150 mg in subjects suffering from Tinea cruris and Tinea corporis
Authors: Saple Dattatray Gopal , Save Sushrut , Kumar Devesh , Sood Suneet
Published: December 2022

Background: Dermatophytes are the most common superficial fungal infections worldwide and are treated with prescribed regimens of terbinafine and itraconazole, or with weekly doses of fluconazole. Dermatologists are increasingly encountering treatment failures, and experts suggest that standard treatment regimens are not applicable anymore. We planned an open-label study to evaluate the results of fluconazole 150 mg daily for 8 weeks in patients with tinea cruris and tinea corporis.

Methods: Patients were enrolled from the La’Mer Clinic, Mumbai, India. We included adult subjects with uncomplicated dermatophytosis confirmed by microscopic examination of skin scrapings. Pregnancy, poor renal function, and recent exposure to anti-fungal therapy were exclusion criteria. Patients were reviewed on days 14, 28 and 56. The treating doctor scored the severity of erythema, scaling, and pruritus on a four-point scale: absent, mild, moderate, and severe. Of 107 subjects screened, 100 were finally included in the study. Eleven were lost to follow up and one subject withdrew consent.

Results: The site of disease was body alone in 29, groin alone in 7, and both body and groin in 64 cases. At 5 weeks, 98%, 100%, and 97% of patients had no scaling, erythema, and pruritus, respectively. Skin scrapings showed 100% mycological cure. In one patient the alanine transaminase level rose from 54.9 to 100.2 U/L, and qualified as a grade 1 adverse event not requiring intervention. No other significant adverse events were noted.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that fluconazole 150 mg daily for eight weeks effectively treats dermatophytosis. This regimen is safe and well-tolerated even in patients with co-morbidities. Fluconazole is about eight times less expensive than itraconazole or terbinafine and may be the preferred therapy.

Registration: The trial was registered with Clinical Trials Registry, India (Registration number CTRI/2020/06/026110) on 24 June 2020. FDC Company, India, provided financial support for the study.
Deworming program for women of reproductive age implemented through national iron folate supplementation program reduces prevalence of anemia: evidence from a community trial in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Shomik Mohammad , Mondal Prasenjit , Huda M Mamun , Alam Md Ashraful , Hossain Md Morad , Hasnain Md Golam , Mondal Dinesh , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: December 2022

Background: Anemia causes debilitating outcomes for women and children, and can be of multifactorial etiology, soil transmitted helminth (STH) infection being one of them. The Bangladeshi government does not have any regular deworming program for women of reproductive age (WRAs), who constitute an important portion of the population. Hence, we conducted this study to generate evidence on the effect of regular deworming on STH infection status and anemia status of WRAs in rural Bangladesh.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in rural Bangladesh using existing healthcare delivery platform (Community Clinics) for mass deworming of WRAs. Catchment areas of two community clinics constituted the intervention arm, where the WRAs received two cycles of deworming four months apart on top of government recommended iron-folate supplementation (IFA), and catchment areas of two different community clinics were considered as the control arm where the study population received IFA but no deworming medication. Baseline and endline surveys were conducted on randomly selected participants to measure prevalence of anemia and STH infection using HemoCue 201+ and Kato-Katz respectively.

Results: The study area contained 4791 women aged 15-49 years. Among them, 2441 lived in the intervention area and 2350 lived in the control area. Compliance to deworming medication and IFA was 82% (2001 out of 2441) and 79% (1938 out of 2441) for the two cycles, respectively. In the baseline survey there was no significant difference in prevalence of anemia between the intervention and control arms (63.7% vs 65.7%; p=0.522). However, the endline survey yielded significant difference in anemia prevalence between the arms (47.5% vs 65.7%, p<0.001) rendering a 14% reduction in anemia due the intervention (p=0.004). Similarly, our intervention was shown to reduce STH infection by 16% (p<0.001)

Conclusions: Our study clearly showed that regular deworming of WRA benefits their anemia and STH infection status.
Power and Energy Efficiency of Multilevel Baseband Transmission Systems: Analysis, Optimization and Improvements
Authors:   Hochschule fiur Technik und Wirtschaft (HTW) Berlin, University of Applied Sciences, 103 13 Berlin, Germany, Lange Christoph , Ahrens Andreas
Published: December 2022

Power and energy consumption of communication net-works contribute to the resource demand and hence they impact the sustainability of the society. Transmission links form basic parts ofcommunication networks and thus they add to the overall communica-tio nnetworlks' resourcedemand. Therefore, it is important to optimize transmission links in order to support the energy-efficient design ot communication networks. In transmission systems the constellation size in general is a degnee of freedom when designing or adapting a transmission link. In this article, multilevel baseband transmission via additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels and over copper cables is optimized with respect to minimum power and energy demand, respectively - for the relevant case of given throughput and fixed transmission quality of a transmission link. The results are two-fold: In the AWGN case the minimum power and energy is utilized at the smallest possible constellation size. In case of band- limited base band transmission over twisted-pair copper wires with linear equalization the optimum constellation size increases as the band limitation becomes stronger, ie, as the cable gets longer al fixed bit rate or as the bit rate is increased at fixed link length. The optimization of the constellation size enables significant power and energy savings per link in the range of 25 % to approximately 90 % compared to a conventional two-level baseband system.
Bandwidth Enhancement of Bow-tie Microstrip Patch Antenna Using Defected Ground Structure for 5G
Authors:   Universitas Mercu Buana, Departemen of Engineering, Jakarta 11650, Indonesia, Astuti Dian Widi , Fadilah Rizki , Muslim Muslim , Rusdiyanto Dian , Alam Syah , Wahyu Yuyu
Published: December 2022

A microstrip antenna suffers from a narrow bandwidth because of the thickness of the substrate. This paper presents a wideband microstrip antenna by using Defected Ground Structure (DGS) on a bow-tie microstrip patch antenna. The cross-dumbbell shaped slot is used as DGS on the ground layer. The cross-dumbbell DGS slot is put on the backside of the transmission line. The antenna is designed using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) microwave studio and on the commercially printed circuit board substrate, i.e., the FR-4 substrate. The antenna is set for 5G applications, which use 3.67 GHz as the frequency center. By using DGS, the simulated reflection coefficient (S11) for VSWR ≤ 2 shows the fractional bandwidth increase from 2.6% to 10.45%. The measured reflection coefficient matches the simulated results where the measurement gives 13.37% for fractional bandwidth.
Intellectual Creativity, the Arts, and the University
Authors: Strauch Rebecca , King Nathan L.
Published: December 2022

As virtues of intellectual character are commonly discussed, they aim at propositional intellectual goods. But some creative works—especially those in music and the visual arts—are not primarily intended to gain, keep, or share propositional goods such as truth, knowledge, and understanding. They aim at something else. Thus, to conceive of intellectual creativity in a way that accords with standard discussions of intellectual virtue is to exclude paradigmatic works of the creative intellect. There is a kind of puzzle here: it appears that we cannot maintain both the commonly-discussed notion of intellectual virtue and the claim that, say, Beethoven’s Ninth, or Monet’s Water Lilies, are central cases of intellectually virtuous creativity. We provide a two-part solution to the puzzle. First, we suggest that some works of music and visual art can convey propositional goods. Second, we appeal to the notion of acquaintance as an epistemic good that is conveyed through creative artistic and musical to an extent not conveyed in standard prose works. In this respect, intellectual creativity is the virtue that breaks the propositional mold of much contemporary virtue epistemology.