bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized study of two different consent procedures on recall: a study within a digital alcohol intervention trial
Authors: Ulfsdotter Gunnarsson Katarina , Collier Elizabeth S. , McCambridge Jim , Bendtsen Marcus
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Individuals’ comprehension of the information provided in consent forms should fundamentally influence whether to participate initially in a study and later whether to remain a participant. Existing evidence, however, suggests that participants do not thoroughly read, comprehend, or recall the information in consent forms. This study aimed to better understand how well participants recalled trial procedure information in the consent materials they received prior to taking part in a trial of a digital alcohol intervention.

Method

This study was nested within an online effectiveness trial. The study included a contrast between two layout approaches to present the trial procedure information: one where all materials were shown on the same page (One page) and one where participants had to click on links to get materials for certain parts of the study information (Active request). Recall of trial procedures was measured 2 months post-randomization with four questions. Participants were also asked to leave a comment after each question.

Result

Of the 2437 individuals who registered interest in the parent trial, 1197 were randomized to One page and 1240 were randomized to Active request. Approximately 90% consented to participate and 53% of the participants responded to the recall questionnaire. Contrasting the consent layout showed no marked differences between groups in three out of the four questions on recall of trial procedures. There was, however, evidence that recall of aspects of how personal data would be handled during the trial did differ between the two groups, with the Active request group reporting less recall than the One page group. Free-text comments were used to give nuance to the quantitative analysis.

Conclusion

Participants exposed to different layouts of trial procedure information exhibited varying levels of information recall 2 months after consenting. The findings highlight the influence of the presentation of consent forms, which should be given attention when designing trials.

Trial registration

ISRCTN ISRCTN48317451. Registered 6 December 2018, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN48317451
PeRsOnaliSed care Planning for oldER people with frailty (PROSPER): protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Heaven Anne , Bower Peter , Day Florence , Farrin Amanda , Fernadez Catherine , Foster Marilyn , Foy Robbie , Hawkins Rebecca , Hulme Claire , Humphrey Sara , Lawton Rebecca , Parker Catriona , Thompson Ellen , West Robert , Clegg Andrew
Published: January 2024

Background

Frailty is common in older age and is characterised by loss of biological reserves across multiple organ systems. These changes associated with frailty mean older people can be vulnerable to sudden, dramatic changes in health because of relatively small problems. Older people with frailty are at increased risk of adverse outcomes including disability, hospitalisation, and care home admission, with associated reduction in quality of life and increased NHS and social care costs. Personalised Care Planning offers an anticipatory, preventative approach to supporting older adults to live independently for longer, but it has not been robustly evaluated in a population of older adults with frailty.

Methods

Following an initial feasibility study, this multi-centre, individually randomised controlled trial aims to establish whether personalised care planning for older people improves health-related quality of life. It will recruit 1337 participants from general practices across Yorkshire and Humber and Mid-Mersey in the North of England. Eligible patients will be aged 65 and over with an electronic frailty index score of 0.21 or above, living in their own homes, without severe cognitive impairment and not in receipt of end-of-life care. Following confirmation of eligibility, informed consent and baseline data collection, participants will be individually randomised to the PeRsOnaliSed care Planning for oldER people with frailty (PROSPER) intervention or usual care in a 2.6:1 allocation ratio. Participants will not be blinded to allocation, but data collection and analysis will be blinded. The intervention will be delivered over 12 weeks by a Personal Independence Co-ordinator worker based within a voluntary sector organisation, Age UK. The primary outcomes are health-related quality of life, measured using both the physical and mental components of the Short-Form 12 Item Health Questionnaire at 12 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes comprise activities of daily living, self-management capabilities and loneliness, admission to care homes, hospitalisations, and health and social care resource use at 12 months post randomisation. Parallel cost-effectiveness and process evaluations will be conducted alongside the trial.

Discussion

The PROSPER study will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a personalised care planning approach for older people with frailty and inform the process of its implementation.

Trial registration

mailto:ISRCTN16123291.  Registered on  28 August 2020.
A randomized, controlled clinical study of low-molecular-weight heparin improving pregnancy outcomes in PCOS women undergoing IVF: study protocol
Authors: Huang Ou , Ding Haixia , Wu Dandan , Zhang Qing , Li Wen
Published: January 2024

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), an incidence of 10–15% in women of reproductive age, shows sex hormone disorders, luteal insufficiency, and the tendency of placental villus space thrombus. The incidence of early pregnancy loss in women with PCOS is three to eight times higher than that in non-PCOS women. PCOS women were reported in a pre-thrombotic state, which was manifested by accelerated thrombin production, increased PAI-1 activity, and fibrinogen. Other research also found an over-activated state of women with PCOS in immune system. Therefore, changing the prethrombotic state of PCOS through anticoagulation may be a new way to improve the adverse pregnancy outcome of PCOS. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is the most common used anticoagulant drug in pregnancy, and it also was proposed for the prevention of recurrent abortion, although the application of LMWH in PCOS population during early pregnancy has not been reported. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of LMWH on pregnancy outcomes after invitro fertilization-frozen embryo transfer (IVF-FET) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods

A total of 356 PCOS women aged between 20 and 38 years which prepared for IVF followed with FET will be enrolled in the study. The patients, from four different hospitals stratified by age and body mass index (BMI), will be randomly divided into the study group who will be treated with LMWH started on the day of progesterone transformation (hormone therapy) during FET cycle and the control group without additional medicine. Serum or urine hCG test will be given 14 days after embryo transfer to confirm biochemical pregnancy. If pregnancy is positive, LMWH+ hormone therapy/hormone therapy will be continued for another 2 weeks. Transvaginal ultrasonography will be performed 14 days later to confirm intrauterine pregnancy. The primary outcome is the ongoing pregnancy, which is defined as intrauterine live fetus with ultrasound after 12 weeks of gestation.

Discussion

This is the first study protocol to investigate the efficacy of LMWH as an adjuvant drug for IVF-FET outcomes in PCOS women, by comparing differences in ongoing pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and early pregnancy loss rate between LMWH group and the control group.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR2000036527. Registered on August 24, 2020
A randomised clinical trial study assessing the efficacy of 5% losartan potassium loaded in ethosomal gel to treat human keloids: a trial protocol
Authors: Anggraini Yuni Eka , Trisnowati Niken , Martien Ronny , Danarti Retno
Published: January 2024

Background

Keloid is a skin disorder that results from excessive fibrous tissue growth in the area of the initial trauma. Treating keloids can be challenging since the success of various treatments varies from one study to another. Triamcinolone acetonide injection, a standard treatment, can cause undesirable side effects. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of existing topical therapies for keloids is not always reliable. The pro-inflammatory, pro-proliferative, and pro-fibrotic effects of angiotensin II in human skin contribute to keloid formation. Losartan potassium, an angiotensin II blocker, has the potential to act as an anti-keloid agent. Due to the thicker skin structure of a keloid and ease of application, ethosome gel is chosen as a safe and comfortable carrier for losartan potassium, making it a good choice for treating keloids.

Methods

In this randomised clinical trial, 46 adults with keloids were divided into two treatment groups. One group of 23 participants received 5% losartan potassium loaded in ethosomal gel, while the other group of 23 participants received intralesional injections of 10% triamcinolone acetonide. Over 12 weeks, changes in POSAS 3.0 scores, degree of erythema and pigmentation, surface area, thickness, and pliability of the keloids will be measured at four different times: baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Statistical analysis will be conducted using SPSS software version 24, with a significance level ofp< 0.05.

Discussion

Losartan potassium is believed to be beneficial for keloid management because it inhibits the angiotensin II receptor, which plays a role in inflammation, proliferation, and fibrosis. This study examines the efficacy of 5% losartan potassium loaded in ethosomal gel for human keloids.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrial.gov identifierNCT05893108. Registered on 7 June 2023.
A prevention program for binge drinking among students based on mindfulness and implementation intention (ALCOMEDIIT): a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mange Jessica , Mauny Nicolas , Montcharmont Charlotte , Legrand Eve , Lemercier-Dugarin Maud , Mortier Arnaud , Duvivier Martin , Leveneur Johnny , Lacherez Cédric , Cabé Nicolas , Le Berre Anne-Pascale
Published: January 2024

Background

The emergence of new problematic alcohol consumption practices among young people requires new dynamics in prevention strategies. In this context, the ADUC project (Alcohol and Drugs at the University of Caen) aims to develop a better understanding of alcohol consumption, and in particular the practice of binge drinking (BD) in students, in order to develop relevant and adapted prevention tools. The ALCOMEDIIT study (Rin Normandie and IRESP funding; Agreement 20II31-00 - ADUC part 3) is a randomized controlled trial that focuses on the specific determinant of impulsivity. The main objective of this experiment is to assess a program for the prevention of BD practices based on motivational interviewing (MI) associated with implementation intention (II) and mindfulness meditation (MBM) in a student environment.

Methods

This study will include 170 healthy subjects who will be students at the university, alcohol users, with a BD score > 1 in the month preceding the inclusion but not presenting any specific disorder. The trial will be proposed by e-mail and students who meet the inclusion criteria will join either a control group which will benefit from a MI or an experimental group which will additionally benefit from an initiation to MBM with II (initial visit T0). In order to measure the effectiveness of the prevention program in terms of BD decrease, a follow-up at 1 month (T1) as well as a follow-up at 6 months (T6; exploratory) will be proposed to all participants. The total duration of this research protocol is 21 months.

Discussion

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the interest of associating mindfulness meditation practices and implementation of self-regulation strategies to optimize their use, with a motivational interview in an innovative prevention program aiming at reducing alcohol use and BD practice in the student population.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05565989, September 30, 2022.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05565989

Protocol version 2.0 (September 2022)

No. ID-RCB : 2022-A00983-40
Endovascular aortic repair with sac embolization for the prevention of type II endoleaks (the EVAR-SE study): study protocol for a randomized controlled multicentre study in Germany
Authors: Knappich Christoph , Kirchhoff Felix , Fritsche Marie-Kristin , Egert-Schwender Silvia , Wendorff Heiko , Kallmayer Michael , Haller Bernhard , Hyhlik-Duerr Alexander , Reeps Christian , Eckstein Hans-Henning , Trenner Matthias
Published: January 2024

Background

Beyond a certain threshold diameter, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are to be treated by open surgical or endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). In a quarter of patients who undergo EVAR, inversion of blood flow in the inferior mesenteric artery or lumbar arteries may lead to type II endoleak (T2EL), which is associated with complications (e.g. AAA growth, secondary type I endoleak, rupture). As secondary interventions to treat T2EL often fail and may be highly invasive, prevention of T2EL is desirable. The present study aims to assess the efficacy of sac embolization (SE) with metal coils during EVAR to prevent T2EL in patients at high risk.

Methods

Over a 24-month recruitment period, a total of 100 patients undergoing EVAR in four vascular centres (i.e. Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich, University Hospital Augsburg, University Hospital Dresden, St. Joseph’s Hospital Wiesbaden) are to be included in the present study. Patients at high risk for T2EL (i.e. ≥ 5 efferent vessels covered by endograft or aneurysmal thrombus volume <40%) are randomized to one group receiving standard EVAR and another group receiving EVAR with SE. Follow-up assessments postoperatively, after 30 days, and 6 months involve contrast-enhanced ultrasound scans (CEUS) and after 12 months an additional computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan. The presence of T2EL detected by CEUS or CTA after 12 months is the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints comprise quality of life (quantified by the SF-36 questionnaire), reintervention rate, occurrence of type I/III endoleak, aortic rupture, death, alteration of aneurysm volume, or diameter. Standardized evaluation of CTA scans happens through a core lab. The study will be terminated after the final follow-up visit of the ultimate patient.

Discussion

Although preexisting studies repeatedly indicated a beneficial effect of SE on T2EL rates after EVAR, patient relevant outcomes have not been assessed until now. The present study is the first randomized controlled multicentre study to assess the impact of SE on quality of life. Further unique features include employment of easily assessable high-risk criteria, a contemporary follow-up protocol, and approval to use any commercially available coil material. Overcoming limitations of previous studies might help SE to be implemented in daily practice and to enhance patient safety.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05665101. Registered on 23 December 2022.
Nailfold videocapillaroscopy in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis
Authors: Sullivan Megan M. , Abril Andy , Aslam Nabeel , Ball Colleen T. , Berianu Florentina
Published: January 2024

Objective

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of illnesses that cause inflammation and alterations to small vessels in the body. Some of the most common and detrimental manifestations, including alveolar hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis, are caused by this capillary inflammation. We sought to clarify whether patients with AAV would have abnormal nailfold capillaries when evaluated with nailfold videocapillaroscopy.

Methods

Patients with a current diagnosis of AAV and a control group were identified for enrollment. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy images were used for a semiquantitative analysis on capillary density, morphology, dilation, and microhemorrhage after review by 2 rheumatologists. Disease characteristics, occurrence of recent disease flare, and presence of ANCA were recorded.

Results

Thirty-three patients with a diagnosis of AAV and 21 controls were recruited. The AAV group had a median age of 59 and 17 (52%) were women. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis was the most common diagnosis (19 [58%]), followed by eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (7 [21%]) and microscopic polyangiitis (7 [21%]). Twenty-seven patients (82%) had positive ANCA tests. After assessment of capillary density, dilation, morphology, microhemorrhages, and disorganization, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

There was no evidence of differences in nailfold capillaroscopy abnormalities between those diagnosed with AAV and the control group. While this cohort was relatively small, we did not find a high enough prevalence or specific phenotype of capillary abnormalities that could aid in diagnosis or prognostication of these diseases in the clinical setting.
Fatigue effects on the knee flexors neuromuscular parameters during repeated sprinting
Authors: Pimenta Ricardo , Lopes Tomás , Veloso A. P.
Published: January 2024

Background

To identify at which point fatigue on neuromuscular parameters occurs in the knee flexors during a repeated sprint protocol.

Methods

Physical active males without previous hamstring strain injury were recruited. Neuromuscular parameters such as peak torque (PT) and rate of torque development (RTD) were assessed after every two sprints in a 5 × (2 x 30 m) repeated sprint protocol.

Results

Twenty physical active males participated in the study. A significant effect of sprint number was found (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.643) with a decreased sprint speed by 6.9% from fastest to slowest sprint. No significant differences were observed in the time between finishing the sprint and performing the first MVIC (46.3 ± 4.7s; p = 0.423), nor in the time between finishing a set and starting the next set (121.2 ± 7.6s; p = 0.503). Regarding neuromuscular parameters, the only significant difference found was in PT between before and after two sprints (117.95 ± 5.61 N⋅m vs. 110.64 ± 5.71 N⋅m; p = 0.048, d = 0.289) and on RTD 0-50ms before and after ten sprints (465.78 ± 223.76 N⋅m/s vs. 382.30 ± 189.56 N⋅m/s; p = 0.008; η2p = 0.149).

Conclusions

A recovery time of 46s between sprints and testing neuromuscular parameters (due to experimental design) seems sufficient to restore the neuromuscular system. Therefore, it can be suggested that time recovery is the principal factor in detecting fatigue on neuromuscular parameters.
Accuracy validation of a wearable IMU-based gait analysis in healthy female
Authors: He Yi , Chen Yuxia , Tang Li , Chen Jing , Tang Jing , Yang Xiaoxuan , Su Songchuan , Zhao Chen , Xiao Nong
Published: January 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and test-retest reliability of a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) system for gait analysis in healthy female compared to a gold-standard optoelectronic motion capture (OMC) system.

Methods

In our study, we collected data from 5 healthy young females. Participants were attached with markers from both the OMC system and the IMU system simultaneously. Data was collected when participants walked on a 7 m walking path. Each participant performed 50 repetitions of walking on the path. To ensure the collection of complete gait cycle data, a gait cycle was considered valid only if the participant passed through the center of the walking path at the same time that the OMC system detected a valid marker signal. As a result, 5 gait cycles that met the standards of the OMC system were included in the final analysis. The stride length, cadence, velocity, stance phase and swing phase of the spatio-temporal parameters were included in the analysis. A generalized linear mixture model was used to assess the repeatability of the two systems. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables was used to compare the mean differences between the two systems. For evaluating the reliability of the IMU system, we calculated the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Additionally, Bland-Altman plots were used to compare the levels of agreement between the two systems.

Results

The measurements of Spatio-temporal parameters, including the stance phase (P = 0.78, 0.13, L-R), swing phase (P = 0.78, 0.13, L-R), velocity (P = 0.14, 0.13, L-R), cadence (P = 0.53, 0.22, L-R), stride length (P = 0.05, 0.19, L-R), by the IMU system and OMC system were similar. Which suggested that IMU and OMC systems could be used interchangeably for gait measurements. The intra-rater reliability showed an excellent correlation for the stance phase, swing phase, velocity and cadence (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, ICC > 0.9) for both systems. However, the correlation of stride length was poor (ICC = 0.36, P = 0.34, L) to medium (ICC = 0.56, P = 0.22, R). Additionally, the measurements of IMU systems were repeatable.

Conclusions

The results of IMU system and OMC system shown good repeatability. Wearable IMU system could analyze gait data accurately. In particular, the measurement of stance phase, swing phase, velocity and cadence showed excellent reliability. IMU system provided an alternative measurement to OMC for gait analysis. However, the measurement of stride length by IMU needs further consideration.
Variability of unilateral and bilateral isometric muscle strength of lower extremities extensors in young females and males
Authors: Kabacinski Jaroslaw , Murawa Michal , Wojtkowiak Tadeusz , Mackala Krzysztof , Dworak Lechoslaw B.
Published: January 2024

Background

The muscle strength of the lower extremity extensors can be evaluated in the closed kinetic chain (CKC) during unilateral or bilateral conditions. Factors such as the mass and length of the muscle, joint angle, type of contraction, and gender influence the magnitude of the muscle strength. The aim of this study was to compare the isometric strength of lower extremity extensors between the different knee extension angles (KEs) as well as between bilateral and unilateral conditions.

Methods

Nineteen female students (age: 20.2 ± 0.6 years) and nineteen male students (age: 20.3 ± 0.7 years) participated in the study. The muscle strength was evaluated in CKC using the strain gauge dynamometer. The analysis included values of the maximum muscle strength normalized to body mass (MS/BM) for the six KEs of 80°, 70°, 60°, 50°, 40° and 30°.

Results

A significant main effect in the MS/BM values for the angle factor (p < 0.001) and condition factor (p < 0.001) was found. Moreover, there was a non-significant interaction effect between the angle factor and gender factor (p = 0.476) as well as between the condition factor and gender factor (p = 0.770). Comparisons showed significant differences in the MS/BM values between the six KEs (p < 0.001). Furthermore, significantly lower MS/BM values for bilateral conditions than unilateral conditions at the 30° KE were observed (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The decrease in KE by 10° significantly increased the muscle strength of the lower extremity extensors. Gender did not affect the change in MS/BM values with the change in KE and conditions. Findings also revealed significant bilateral deficit, i.e., significantly a lower summed muscle strength during bilateral conditions than unilateral conditions. The study emphasized the importance of selecting the 30° KE as the optimal angle to assess the maximum strength developed in CKC.
Metronomic cyclophosphamide and metformin inhibited tumor growth and repopulated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in an experimental carcinoma model
Authors: Zaki Heba Mohamed , Ali Khadiga Mohamed , Abd Allah Mona Younis Youssef , Abouelnaga Amoura Mohamed , Abdraboh Mohamed Elsaid , Hussein Osama
Published: January 2024

Metformin is a widely used antidiabetic biguanide. Retrospective data demonstrated the association of metformin use with survival benefit in multiple tumor types. Interest in repurposing metformin to treat cancer has not been translated into encouraging clinical benefit. In animal models, metformin activated cytotoxic T cells and exerted an immune-mediated anticancer effect. The current research was conducted to investigate the possible therapeutic benefit of metformin in combination with metronomic cyclophosphamide in an experimental cancer model. Ehrlich ascites carcinoma was injected into the subcutaneous tissue to induce solid tumors in syngeneic mice. Exponential solid tumor growth ensued and was effectively arrested with the administration of a cytotoxic dose of parenteral cyclophosphamide. Alternatively, oral metformin and continuous, low-dose cyclophosphamide significantly inhibited tumor growth relative to untreated mice. The drug combination was well tolerated. Histopathological examination of the tumor showed an increased number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and enhanced expression of granzyme B by this drug combination. The current data suggests a potential role of metformin and metronomic chemotherapy that warrants further investigation.
Trust in adolescence and depression and anxiety symptoms in young adulthood: findings from a Swedish cohort
Authors: Låftman Sara Brolin , Raninen Jonas , Östberg Viveca
Published: January 2024

Objective

Trust and health are both fundamental elements of a socially sustainable society. While much research has shown that trust is associated with better mental health outcomes in adults, studies of young people are relatively scarce, despite the fact that mental health problems are common in young ages. In particular, there are few longitudinal studies that cover different dimensions of trust. Building on a previous study on trust and psychosomatic complaints in adolescents, the aim was to examine the links between generalised and institutional trust in adolescence and depression and anxiety symptoms in young adulthood. Data was obtained from a Swedish cohort study with self-reported information on generalised and institutional trust at ages 15–16 and 17–18 and depression and anxiety symptoms at age 20–21 (n = 2,668). Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics and indicators of prior mental health status.

Results

Binary logistic and linear regressions showed that higher levels of generalised trust at ages 15–16 and 17–18 were inversely associated with depression and anxiety symptoms at age 20–21. Institutional trust was however not linked with subsequent depression and anxiety symptoms when adjusting for generalised trust and covariates. The findings indicate that generalised trust is a social determinant for mental health in young people.
Tangshen formula improves diabetic nephropathy in STZ-induced diabetes rats fed with hyper-methionine by regulating the methylation status of kidney
Authors: Jiang Yongwei , Deng GuoXiong , Liu Chengyin , Tang Han , Zheng Jing , Kong Xiaomu , Zhao Meimei , Liu Yi , Gao Peng , Li Tianbao , Zhao Hailing , Cao Yongtong , Li Ping , Ma Liang
Published: January 2024

Background

The objective of this study was to examine and analyze differential methylation profiles in order to investigate the influence of hyper-methioninemia (HM) on the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Male Wistar rats, aged eight weeks and weighing 250–300 g, were randomly assigned into four groups: a control group (Healthy, n = 8), streptozocin-induced rats (STZ group, n = 8), HM + STZ group (n = 8), and the Tangshen Formula (TSF) treatment group (TSF group, n = 8). Blood glucose levels and other metabolic indicators were monitored before treatment and at four-week intervals until 12 weeks. Total DNA was extracted from the aforementioned groups, and DNA methylation landscapes were analyzed via reduced representative bisulfite sequencing.

Results

Both the STZ group and HM + STZ group exhibited increased blood glucose levels and urinary albumin/creatinine ratios in comparison with the control group. Notably, the HM + STZ group exhibited a markedly elevated urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (411.90 ± 88.86 mg/g) compared to the STZ group (238.41 ± 62.52 mg/g). TSF-treated rats demonstrated substantial reductions in both blood glucose levels and urinary albumin/creatinine ratios in comparison with the HM + STZ group. In-depth analysis of DNA methylation profiles revealed 797 genes with potential therapeutic effects related to TSF, among which approximately 2.3% had been previously reported as homologous genes.

Conclusion

While HM exacerbates DN through altered methylation patterns at specific CpG sites, TSF holds promise as a viable treatment for DN by restoring abnormal methylation levels. The identification of specific genes provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of DN pathogenesis and offers potential therapeutic targets for further investigation.
Interest in genetic susceptibility testing and disclosure of AD dementia risk in cognitively normal adults: a survey study
Authors: Waterink Lisa , Masselink Larissa A. , van der Lee Sven J. , Visser Leonie N. C. , Cleutjens Solange , van der Schaar Jetske , van Harten Argonde C. , Scheltens Philip , Sikkes Sietske A. M. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Zwan Marissa D.
Published: January 2024

Background

Apolipoprotein-E (APOE) genetic testing for Alzheimer’s disease is becoming more important as clinical trials are increasingly targeting individuals carrying APOE-ε4 alleles. Little is known about the interest in finding out one’s genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease in the general population. Our objective was to examine this in a sample of cognitively normal (CN) adults within a population-based online research registry with the goal to implement APOE-ε4 status for trial recruitment.

Methods

An online survey was completed by 442 CN participants between the age of 49 and 75 years (56% female) from the Dutch Brain Research Registry. The survey assessed interest in participation in research into, and disclosure of, genetic risk for dementia. The survey assessed interest in participation in research into, and disclosure of, genetic risk for dementia and knowing their genetic risk in different hypothetical risk scenarios (10%, 30%, and 50% genetic risk for dementia at age 85, corresponding to APOEε2/ε2 or ε2/ε3, APOEε3/ε4 or ε2ε4, and APOE-ε4/ε4 genotypes). Cochran’s Q and post hoc McNemar tests were used to analyse differences in frequencies across scenarios.

Results

Most participants were interested in participating in research into and disclosure of their genetic risk (81%). The most reported reason was to contribute to scientific research (94%). Interest was higher in males, whilst lower-educated participants were more often undecided. When provided with different risk scenarios, interest in knowing their risk was somewhat higher in the scenarios with higher risk, i.e. in the 50% (79%) compared to the 10% scenario (73%;χ2(2) = 7.98; p = .005). Most individuals expected they would share their genetic risk with close relatives (77–89%), would participate in medication trials (79–88%), and would make long-term arrangements, e.g. retirement, health care, will (69–82%), with larger proportions for scenarios with higher hypothetical genetic risk.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the vast majority of CN adults participating in a research registry expresses interest in AD genetic risk research and disclosure. Interest in genetic risk disclosure is higher in scenarios corresponding to the APOE-ε4 genotype. This suggests APOE-ε4 screening within an online research registry is potentially a well-received method to accelerate inclusion for trials.
Successful therapy of complex regional pain syndrome after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: a case report
Authors: Twardy V. , von Eisenhart-Rothe R. , Banke I. J.
Published: January 2024

Background

Complex regional pain syndrome is a neuropathic pain disorder associated with ongoing pain that persists beyond the usual expected tissue healing time and that is disproportionate to the degree of tissue injury present. Complex regional pain syndrome after hip arthroscopy has not been reported before. Hip arthroscopy is a fast-growing domain that could lead to an increasing number of complex regional pain syndrome cases, probably owing to the high traction forces that are necessary.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 30-year-old German female semiprofessional tennis player who presented with complex regional pain syndrome type I in the lower leg 3 weeks after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome with suture anchor labral repair and femoroplasty. After 2 months of immediate multimodal conservative therapy including administration of gabapentin, prompt full weight-bearing, and intensified physiotherapy, complete recovery was achieved.

Conclusion

Complex regional pain syndrome does occur after elective hip arthroscopy. Disproportionate postoperative pain or other symptoms raising suspicion of complex regional pain syndrome should be promptly evaluated and treated through a multimodal approach. Postless hip arthroscopy may be advantageous.
CD317+ MSCs expanded with chemically defined media have enhanced immunological anti-inflammatory activities
Authors: Song Jun , Ma Qi , Li Yumeng , Wang Xianqi , Chen Si , Liang Bowei , Lin Xiaoqi , Chen Jieting , Xu Shiru , Shi Shaoquan , Zhang Jingting , Diao Lianghui , Zeng Yong , Xu Jianyong
Published: January 2024

Background

Although both preclinical and clinical studies have shown the great application potential of MSCs (mesenchymal stem/stromal cells) in treating many kinds of diseases, therapeutic inconsistency resulting from cell heterogeneity is the major stumbling block to their clinical applications. Cell population diversity and batch variation in the cell expansion medium are two major inducers of MSC heterogeneity.

Methods

Cell population diversity was investigated through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of human MSCs derived from the umbilical cord and expanded with fully chemically defined medium in the current study. Then, the MSC subpopulation with enhanced anti-inflammatory effects was studied in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Our data showed that MSCs contain different populations with different functions, including subpopulations with enhanced functions of exosome secretion, extracellular matrix modification and responses to stimuli (regeneration and immune response). Among them, CD317+ MSCs have improved differentiation capabilities and enhanced immune suppression activities. Underlying mechanism studies showed that higher levels of TSG6 confer enhanced anti-inflammatory functions of CD317+ MSCs.

Conclusions

Thus, CD317+ MSCs might be a promising candidate for treating immunological disorder-related diseases.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on privacy and secure storage protection of personalized medical data based on hybrid encryption
Authors: Lv Jialu
Published: January 2024

Personalized medical data privacy and secure storage protection face serious challenges, especially in terms of data security and storage efficiency. Traditional encryption and storage solutions cannot meet the needs of modern medical data protection, which has led to an urgent need for new data protection strategies. Research personalized medical data privacy and secure storage protection based on hybrid encryption, in order to improve the security and efficiency of data storage. A hybrid encryption mechanism was proposed, which uses user attributes as keys for data encryption. The results show that the storage consumption of user attribute keys increases with the number of user attributes, but the consumption of hybrid encryption privacy storage technology is much smaller than that of traditional schemes. In the test, when the number of users increased to 30, the processing time first reached 1200 ms. During the increase in data volume, both test data and real data showed a brief decrease in attack frequency, but after the data volume reached 730–780, the attack frequency increased. It is worth noting that the performance of test data is better than that of real data. Personalized medical data privacy and secure storage protection based on hybrid encryption can not only effectively improve data security and reduce the risk of attack, but also greatly outperform traditional solutions in storage consumption and processing time. It has important practical significance for modern medical data storage protection.
The secretor status of blood group antigens in the saliva in people with oral cancers: a systematic review
Authors: Walpola T. , Jayawardene K. L. T. D. , Weerasekara I.
Published: January 2024

Background

Human ABO blood group type and the antigenic secretor status are hypothesized to associate with oral diseases including oral cancer. Secretor status is the ability of individuals to secrete blood group antigens into body fluids. This study aimed to evaluate the secretor status of ABO antigens of saliva in patients with oral cancers or oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) relative to healthy adults.

Methods

A systematic and comprehensive online search from inception to April 28, 2022, was carried out in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and Emcare. The language was limited to English. Yielded records were screened by two independent reviewers at the title and abstract phase and at full-text screening. Studies investigating adults (≥ 18 years) with oral cancers or oral potentially malignant disorders compared to adults free of oral cancer were included in this study. Data were extracted according to the planned objectives. Methodological quality was assessed, and the findings were analyzed narratively. Meta-analyses were conducted to pool the odds of the non-secretor status of oral cancers and OPMDs compared to healthy adults.

Results

The search included a total of 34 studies from three databases. Nine duplicates were removed. During the title and abstract screening, 11 irrelevant studies were excluded. Twelve studies were screened during the full-text screening, and eight articles were eligible to be included in the final analysis. A pooled odds ratio (OR) of 3.80 (95%CI, 1.53–9.44) was estimated when pooled 1254 oral cancers and oral potentially malignant disorders patients compared to 666 healthy adults.

Discussion and conclusion

The odds of being a non-secretor appear to be approximately 3.8 times higher in patients with oral cancers and oral potentially malignant disorders compared to healthy adults. The lack of ABO blood group antigens in body fluids of non-secretors is more exposed to exogenous antigens than secretors. The host-parasite interactions of secretors and non-secretors underlying oral cancer and other diseases may be evidence to support or refuse them. Clinicians may use the secretor status as a detection test during their regular oral check-ups for high-risk populations for oral cancers. Non-secretors can be given more attention considering them as high-risk groups, and in terms of prognosis, differences between these two groups may be expected.
A Transformer-based network intrusion detection approach for cloud security
Authors: Long Zhenyue , Yan Huiru , Shen Guiquan , Zhang Xiaolu , He Haoyang , Cheng Long
Published: January 2024

The distributed architecture of cloud computing necessitates robust defense mechanisms to secure network-accessible resources against a diverse and dynamic threat landscape. A Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) is pivotal in this context, with its efficacy in cloud environments hinging on its adaptability to evolving threat vectors while mitigating false positives. In this paper, we present a novel NIDS algorithm, anchored in the Transformer model and finely tailored for cloud environments. Our algorithm melds the fundamental aspects of network intrusion detection with the sophisticated attention mechanism inherent to the Transformer model, facilitating a more insightful examination of the relationships between input features and diverse intrusion types, thereby bolstering detection accuracy. We provide a detailed design of our approach and have conducted a thorough comparative evaluation. Our experimental results demonstrate that the accuracy of our model is over 93%, which is comparable to that of the CNN-LSTM model, underscoring the effectiveness and viability of our Transformer-based intrusion detection algorithm in bolstering cloud security.
Informing social media analysis for public health: a cross-sectional survey of professionals
Authors: White Becky K. , Wilhelm Elisabeth , Ishizumi Atsuyoshi , Abeyesekera Surangani , Pereira Alhassan , Yau Brian , Kuzmanovic Aleksandra , Nguyen Tim , Briand Sylvie , Purnat Tina D.
Published: January 2024

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of infodemic management has grown in response to urgent global need. Social listening is the first step in managing the infodemic, and many organizations and health systems have implemented processes. Social media analysis tools have traditionally been developed for commercial purposes, rather than public health, and little is known of the experiences and needs of those professionals using them for infodemic management.

Methods

We developed a cross sectional survey and distributed through global infodemic management networks between December 2022 and February 2023. Questions were structured over four sections related to work-practice and user needs and did not collect any personal details from participants. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the study results. Qualitative analysis was used to categorise and understand answers to open-text questions.

Results

There were 417 participants, 162/417 who completed all survey questions, and 255/417 who completed some, all responses are included in analysis. Respondents came from all global regions and a variety of workplaces. Participants had an average of 4.4 years’ experience in the analysis of social media for public health. COVID-19 was the most common health issue people had conducted social media analysis for. Results reveal a range of training, technical capacity, and support needs.

Conclusions

This paper is the first we are aware of to seek and describe the needs of those using social media analysis platforms for public health purposes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are key areas for future work and research, including addressing the training, capacity building and leadership needs of those working in this space, and the need to facilitate easier access to better platforms for performing social media analysis.
Alkali Activation of Common Clay Deposits: Evaluation of the Suitability by an IR Spectroscopic Method
Authors: Dathe Felix , Dehn Frank
Published: January 2024

In the context of a sustainable use of resources with the aim of the reduction of the CO2 footprint, the development of alternative concrete materials has attracted a great deal of attention. In this context, geopolymers, obtained from common clay deposits, are found to be interesting construction materials with very versatile properties. In this paper, a completely novel approach for the evaluation of the suitability of clays for the geopolymer formation is investigated. The method is based on simple and easy-to-handle IR spectroscopic measurements, through which the surface area under the OH stretching band in the IR spectrum of the clay can directly be correlated to the amount of reactive clay components. These reactive components are required for the success of the alkali activation of the clays in order to access geopolymers. Based on the theoretical reaction pathway of the geopolymer formation, the linear relationship between the OH stretching band area and the reactive components can be used for the estimation of the required activator amount for the alkali activation of calcined clays and predict the quality of the casted geopolymer mortar in terms of strength. This new method not only gives an insight into the suitability of a common clay for the geopolymer formation, but also facilitates a straightforward alkali activation procedure without tedious preliminary testing of the required activator amount.
Defense responses and symbiotic functional initiation in trifoliate orange‒arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi interaction
Authors: Liu Xiao-Qing , Liu Zhen , Zou Ying-Ning , Alqahtani Mashael Daghash , Wu Qiang-Sheng
Published: January 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) trigger beneficial effects on their hosts, but it is unknown how plants modulate their defense responses during root colonization of AMF and the symbiotic benefits are initiated. The purpose of this study was to analyze the root mycorrhizal colonization process of trifoliate orange and the responsive patterns of plant growth, root peroxide hydrogen (H2O2), antioxidant enzymes and their encoding gene expression, and sugar, lipid and phosphate transporter protein gene expression at 7‒56 days of inoculation (doi) with Funneliformis mosseae (Fm). Fm developed appressoriums on the root surface at 7 doi, followed by abundant arbuscules in root cortical cells at 28 doi, intracellular vesicles at 42 doi, and root mycorrhizal colonization rate of 41.54% at 56 doi. Plant growth improvement by Fm started at 28 doi. The immune defense response of roots was initiated at 7 doi, as evidenced by the increase of H2O2 levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activity, as well as the up-regulation of PtMn-SOD, PtCu/Zn-SOD, PtPOD, and PtCAT expression, which lasted until 14 doi. Starting at 28 doi, a sugar transporter gene (PtSWEET), a lipid transporter gene (PtSTR), and a phosphate transporter gene (PtPT6) were initiated to be up-regulated, followed by the up-regulation of PtSTR2, PtPT3, and PtPT5 at 42 doi and PtFe-SOD at 56 doi. Arbuscule formation and plant growth improvement together at 28 doi suggested that arbuscules trigger improved growth responses of host plants. This study also reveals the initiation of host immune defense response and function in early root AMF colonization.

Graphical Abstract
$$\textrm{O}^+$$ density distribution in the nightside ionosphere reconstructed from ISS-IMAP/EUVI data
Authors: Nakano Shin’ya , Hozumi Yuta , Saito Akinori , Yoshikawa Ichiro , Yamazaki Atsushi , Yoshioka Kazuo , Murakami Go
Published: January 2024

The$$\textrm{O}^+$$O+density distribution in the nightside ionosphere has been reconstructed from extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images taken by the EUVI-B imager of the International Space Station Ionosphere, Mesosphere, upper Atmosphere, and Plasmasphere mapping (ISS-IMAP) cameras. The EUVI-B imager covers the wavelength range from about 70 nm to 110 nm and mainly observes the 91.1 nm emission from the recombination of$$\textrm{O}^+$$O+ions and electrons. Assuming that the electron density is equal to the$$\textrm{O}^+$$O+density in theF-region where the imager observes, the EUV intensity observed by EUVI-B is approximately proportional to the line-of-sight integral of the square of the$$\textrm{O}^+$$O+density. This enables us to estimate the$$\textrm{O}^+$$O+density distribution in theF-region from a sequence of EUVI-B data in each International Space Station (ISS) orbit with a Bayesian method. We demonstrate the reconstruction of the$$\textrm{O}^+$$O+distribution. In particular, the$$\textrm{O}^+$$O+density structure of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in the vicinity of an ISS orbit is obtained.

Graphical Abstract