bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improve your skills with virtual reality
Authors:   , Alsem Sophie Catharina
Published: February 2023

Aggressive behavior problems in school-aged children are of high concern, given the high prevalence and risk for adverse outcomes later in life. Intervention programs therefore target these problems as they arise in childhood, however, treatment effects are modest and do not benefit all children. The overall aim of this dissertation was to enhance and better understand treatment effects for children with aggressive behavior problems. The first part of this dissertation focuses on whether treatment effects for children with aggressive behavior problems can be enhanced using interactive virtual reality. The new cognitive behavioral therapy ‘YourSkills’ was developed, in which children actively practice new skills. Findings indicate that virtual reality can be an effective method to enhance treatment outcomes. Practicing in an emotionally emerging and immersive real-life environment yielded not only improvements in effectiveness but also higher levels of children’s treatment appreciation. In the second part of this dissertation, we aimed to increase our understanding of potential treatment mechanisms. Findings provided within-person evidence for anger regulation and hostile intent attribution as treatment mechanisms to reduce aggressive behavior problems. In conclusion, this dissertation showed that a new treatment using active practice is effective for children with aggressive behavior problems. In addition, virtual reality enabled children to enjoy practicing their new skills within the intervention.
Design Provisions for Anchorages and Laps in the Revised EC2
Authors: Cairns John
Published: February 2023

The second generation of the Structural Eurocodes is expected to be published by 2026. This article describes design provisions for laps and anchorages of normal ribbed reinforcement in Sections 11.4 and 11.5 of the final draft of the forthcoming version of Eurocode 2, the European Code for Design of Concrete Structures. This article outlines why and how design provisions have been modified, demonstrates the physical rationale for the rules and notes the evidence on which the justification is based. It also indicates the impact of the revisions.

The article gives an overview of the factors influencing anchorage and lap strength and presents a historic perspective on the development of the revised rules. The influence of each factor as represented in current and revised are then compared.  The revised rules are then validated against test databases for anchorages and for tension and compression laps, and the impact of the revisions on design practice for selected situations are briefly examined.
Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Review of Technique and Outcomes
Authors: Kargi Taner , Sener Nevzat Can
Published: February 2023

There has been an increase in the incidence of prostate cancer over time, and it now constitutes 15% of all male cancers in developed countries and 4% in developing countries. Radical prostatectomy is the gold-standard treatment choice in cases determined with organ-confined prostate cancer and life expectancy is >10 years. Currently in the USA, 80% of radical prostatectomy operations are robot-assisted. Although there is an additional financial burden in comparison with open surgery radical prostatectomy, the early recovery of functional status of continence and potency seem to be major advantages of the robotic method. However, there is clearly a need for future prospective studies of large patient series with longer follow-up to further clarify the financial issues, and the oncological and functional status.
A sokarcú oxitocin: a reprodukciótól a türelemig
Authors: Varga Katalin
Published: February 2023

A tanulmány célja, hogy az oxitocinnal kapcsolatos összefoglaló tanulmányok alapján áttekintést adjon arról, mit tudunk ma az oxitocin termelődésérôl és mű­kö­dé­séről, szerepéről az emberi szervezetben. A jelenlegi összkép az oxitocin rendkívül szerteágazó hatáskörével kapcsolatban az, hogy az oxitocin koordináló funkciót tölt be az emberi fejlődésben, katalizátorként működik a társas interakciókban.
Penerapan Kombinasi Metode MAUT dan ROC Dalam Seleksi Karyawan
Authors: Sholihaningtias Dian Nur
Published: February 2023

Karyawan sebagai aset yang sangat berharga karena merupakan salah satu faktor penting berjalannya suatu perusahaan, dengan mempunyai karyawan memiliki keahlian/kompetensi yang   sesuai dengan standar kualifikasi serta kriteria -kriteria yang sesuai standar dibutuhkan oleh perusahaan untuk stabilitas perusahaan, proses dalam seleksi yang masih belum objektif sesuai dengan kriteria yang dibutuhkan, sehingga akan berakibat salah dalam mengambil keputusan seleksi karyawan. Dengan adanya sistem pendukung keputusan ini yang menggunakan metode Multi Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) dan juga untuk pembobotannya menggunakan metode Rank Order Centroid (ROC), sedangkan untuk kriteria dalam proses seleksi karyawan yaitu skill/keahlian, tingkat pendidikan,usia, pengalaman kerja, tes tertulis dan wawancara, maka diharapkan untuk pengambilan keputusan menjadi lebih objektif, cepat, dan tepat sesuai dengan standar kriteria yang telah ditentukan. Dalam proses perhitungan didapatkan hasil bahwa alternatif A2 yaitu atas nama Dodi Pasaribuan mendapatkan nilai tertinggi dengan jumlah nilai 0,732.
Determinants of Agricultural Credit Utilization among Small Farm Holders: An Evidence from Southern Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Javed Iqbal , Yasin Mudassar , Hayat Muhammad M. , Raza Manzoor , Ahmad Shahbaz , Gilani Durdana Q.
Published: February 2023

The agricultural credit has a significant impact on agricultural productivity. Credit constraints should be reasonably minimized so that small farmer can easily get loans. This study investigates the determinants of utilization of agricultural credit among small farm holders in southern Punjab, Pakistan. A total sample of 200 small farmers is selected for data collection. An appropriate pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. The data collection was done by tanking direct interviews by using a convenient sampling technique. District Multan was selected from the southern Punjab of Pakistan. A binary logit model was used to examine the effect of various factors on the adoption of agricultural credit utilization among small farm holders. The binary logit model's results showed that the variables of farmers' qualification, farming experience, family members, agricultural income, and tenant cum owner positively and significantly impact agricultural credit utilization. Agricultural land has a negative and significant influence on agricultural credit utilization. The study's results suggest that government should educate small farmers about the positive impact of credit utilization on their agricultural production.
RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM INFORMASI MANAJEMEN PROYEK INFRASTRUKTUR JARINGAN KOMPUTER DI CV. MULTI SOLUSI INTEGRASI SURABAYA
Authors: Fathoni Kholid , Sa'adah Umi , Pangestuti Ayu Musayyadah
Published: February 2023

Manajer proyek memiliki tugas menjalankan aktivitas proyek mulai dari tender sampai dengan hasil proyek diserahterimakan kepada pelanggan. Dan ketika kontrak tercipta, seorang manajer proyek bertanggung jawab untuk mengelola proyek yang sedang berlangsung, kegiatan tersebut diantaranya membuat planning, scheduling, kemudian reporting dan lain-lain. Seorang manajer proyek memiliki keterbatasan waktu untuk mengawasi pelaksanaan aktivitas proyek yang berjalan bersamaan antara proyek yang satu dengan yang lainnya. Untuk memberikan kemudahan dalam mengelola dan manajemen kegiatan proyek yang ada dalam perusahaan, khususnya perusahaan kontraktor yang sedang berkembang, maka penulis membuat sistem informasi untuk manajemen kegiatan proyek, terutama kegiatan dibawah naungan manajer proyek, sehingga pekerjaan akan lebih mudah terselesaikan dan bisa termanajemen dengan baik. Sistem ini terdiri dari fungsi-fungsi: pengelolan keuangan proyek, penjadwalan proyek, laporan kemajuan proyek, manajemen tugas proyek, pengelolan penagihan dan sebagainya. Hasil ujicoba menunjukkan bahwa fitur-fitur sistem ini berjalan dengan baik sehingga memudahkan manajer proyek dalam mengelola proyek infrastruktur jaringan komputer.
PERANCANGAN SISTEM INFORMASI PEMESANAN JASA BERBASIS DESKTOP VISUAL BASIC.NET DI CV. SURYA GEMILANG STEEL
Authors: Afrianto Yuggo , Jaenudin Jejen
Published: February 2023

Perkembangan sistem informasi mampu menjadi solusi diberbagai bidang, salah satunya adalah wirausaha. Perusahaan Surya Gemilang Steel merupakan perusahaan yang bergerak di bidang penjualan produk jasa pembuatan tralis, kanopi, ralling balkon, ralling tangga, pagar.  Namun dalam pengolahan data masih menggunakan secara manual dan pengolahan dalam transaksi uang muka hanya dicatat dan kemudian diketik dalam bentuk word untuk dikirim ke konsumen. Oleh sebab itu, dalam penelitian ini perlu membangun sistem informasi pemesanan jasa berbasis desktop, sehingga dapat mempermudah pihak manajemen dalam melakukan pekerjaan dan dapat meningkatkan efektivitas dan efisien dari penggunanya. Metode pengembangan sistem yang digunakan adalah model ADDIE (Analisis, Desain, Development, Implementasi dan Evaluasi) menggunakan bahasa pemrograman visual basic .net. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah aplikasi desktop sistem informasi pemesanan jasa telah dibuat dan dapat diimplementasikan berdasarkan hasil pengujian fungsional setiap menu telah sesuai dan memenui kebutuhan dari pengguna CV. SURYA GEMILANG STEEL.
JAK/STAT pathway: Extracellular signals, diseases, immunity, and therapeutic regimens
Authors: Hu Qian , Bian Qihui , Rong Dingchao , Wang Leiyun , Song Jianan , Huang Hsuan-Shun , Zeng Jun , Mei Jie , Wang Peng-Yuan
Published: February 2023

Janus kinase/signal transduction and transcription activation (JAK/STAT) pathways were originally thought to be intracellular signaling pathways that mediate cytokine signals in mammals. Existing studies show that the JAK/STAT pathway regulates the downstream signaling of numerous membrane proteins such as such as G-protein-associated receptors, integrins and so on. Mounting evidence shows that the JAK/STAT pathways play an important role in human disease pathology and pharmacological mechanism. The JAK/STAT pathways are related to aspects of all aspects of the immune system function, such as fighting infection, maintaining immune tolerance, strengthening barrier function, and cancer prevention, which are all important factors involved in immune response. In addition, the JAK/STAT pathways play an important role in extracellular mechanistic signaling and might be an important mediator of mechanistic signals that influence disease progression, immune environment. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanism of the JAK/STAT pathways, which provides ideas for us to design more drugs targeting diseases based on the JAK/STAT pathway. In this review, we discuss the role of the JAK/STAT pathway in mechanistic signaling, disease progression, immune environment, and therapeutic targets.
A bioconjugate vaccine against Brucella abortus produced by engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Li Shulei , Huang Jing , Wang Kangfeng , Liu Yan , Guo Yan , Li Xiang , Wu Jun , Sun Peng , Wang Yufei , Zhu Li , Wang Hengliang
Published: February 2023

Brucellosis, mainly caused by Brucella, is a widespread zoonotic disease worldwide, with no available effective vaccine for human use. Recently, bioconjugate vaccines against Brucella have been prepared in Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 (YeO9), whose O-antigen structure is similar to that of Brucella abortus. However, the pathogenicity of YeO9 still hinders the large-scale production of these bioconjugate vaccines. Here, an attractive system for the preparation of bioconjugate vaccines against Brucella was established in engineered E. coli. Briefly, the OPS gene cluster of YeO9 was modularized into five individual fragments and reassembled using synthetic biological methods through standardized interfaces, then introduced into E. coli. After confirming the synthesis of targeted antigenic polysaccharides, the exogenous protein glycosylation system (PglL system) was used to prepare the bioconjugate vaccines. A series of experiments were conducted to demonstrate that the bioconjugate vaccine could effectively evoke humoral immune responses and induce the production of specific antibodies against B. abortus A19 lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, the bioconjugate vaccines provide protective roles in both lethal and non-lethal challenge of B. abortus A19 strain. Using the engineered E. coli as a safer chassis to prepare bioconjugate vaccines against B. abortus paves the way for future industrial applications.
Compartmentalization engineering of yeasts to overcome precursor limitations and cytotoxicity in terpenoid production
Authors: Chen Lifei , Xiao Wenhai , Yao Mingdong , Wang Ying , Yuan Yingjin
Published: February 2023

Metabolic engineering strategies for terpenoid production have mainly focused on bottlenecks in the supply of precursor molecules and cytotoxicity to terpenoids. In recent years, the strategies involving compartmentalization in eukaryotic cells has rapidly developed and have provided several advantages in the supply of precursors, cofactors and a suitable physiochemical environment for product storage. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of organelle compartmentalization for terpenoid production, which can guide the rewiring of subcellular metabolism to make full use of precursors, reduce metabolite toxicity, as well as provide suitable storage capacity and environment. Additionally, the strategies that can enhance the efficiency of a relocated pathway by increasing the number and size of organelles, expanding the cell membrane and targeting metabolic pathways in several organelles are also discussed. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of this approach for the terpenoid biosynthesis are also discussed.
Polymerized human cord hemoglobin assisted with ascorbic acid as a red blood cell substitute alleviating oxidative stress for blood transfusion
Authors: Kong Weichen , Zhou Wentao , He Zeng , Zhang Xuejun , Li Shen , Zhong Rui , Liu Jiaxin
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Blood transfusion is widely used in clinical settings, where considerable efforts have been devoted to develop red blood cell substitutes to overcome blood shortage and safety concerns. Among the several kinds of artificial oxygen carriers, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers are promising due to their inherent good oxygen-binding and -loading properties. However, difficulties in prone to oxidation, production of oxidative stress, and injury in organs limited their clinical utility. In this work, we report a red blood cell substitute composed of polymerized human cord hemoglobin (PolyCHb) assisted with ascorbic acid (AA) that alleviates oxidative stress for blood transfusion.

Methods: In this study, the in vitro impacts of AA on the PolyCHb were evaluated by testing the circular dichroism, methemoglobin (MetHb) contents and oxygen binding affinity before and after the addition of AA. In the in vivo study, guinea pigs were subjected to a 50% exchange transfusion with PolyCHb and AA co-administration, followed by the collection of blood, urine, and kidney samples. The hemoglobin contents of the urine samples were analyzed, and histopathologic changes, lipid peroxidation, DNA peroxidation, and heme catabolic markers in the kidneys were evaluated.

Results: After treating with AA, there was no effect on the secondary structure and oxygen binding affinity of the PolyCHb, while the MetHb content was kept at 55%, which was much lower than that without AA treating. Moreover, the reduction of PolyCHbFe3+ was significantly promoted, and the content of MetHb could be reduced from 100% to 51% within 3 h. In vivo study results showed that PolyCHb assisted with AA inhibited the formation of hemoglobinuria, upgraded the total antioxidant capacity and downgraded the superoxide dismutase activity of kidney tissue, and lowered the expression of biomarkers for oxidative stress, e.g., malondialdehyde (ET vs ET+AA: 4.03±0.26 μmol/mg vs 1.83±0.16 μmol/mg), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (ET vs ET+AA: 0.98±0.07 vs 0.57±0.04), 8-hydroxy 2 deoxyguanosine(ET vs ET+AA: 14.81±1.58 ng/ml vs 10.91±1.36 ng/ml), heme oxygenase 1 (ET vs ET+AA: 1.51±0.08 vs 1.18±0.05) and ferritin (ET vs ET+AA: 1.75±0.09 vs 1.32±0.04). The kidney histopathology results also demonstrated that kidney tissue damage was effectively alleviated.

Conclusion: In conclusion, these comprehensive results provide evidence for the potential role of AA in controlling oxidative stress and organ injury in the kidneys induced by PolyCHb, and suggest that PolyCHb assisted with AA has promising application for blood transfusion.
Computational exploration of molecular flexibility and interaction of meropenem analogs with the active site of oxacillinase-23 in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Ramachandran Balajee , Muthupandian Saravanan , Jeyaraman Jeyakanthan , Lopes Bruno Silvester
Published: February 2023

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections and is one of the biggest global threats according to the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly causing substantial morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: This study aimed at using computational approaches to screen meropenem and its analogs against OXA-23-positive Acinetobacter baumannii, analyzing the correlations between kinetic and phenotypic characteristics.

Methods: A total of 5,450 compounds were screened using virtual screening workflow (HTVS, Glide-SP, and Glide-XP) to identify the best compounds based on their binding energy and interactions against OXA-23 and OXA-27 as they had phenotypic data available. Molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory (DFT) studies were performed from the outcome of molecular docking analysis.

Results: During simulations, meropenem and its analogs exhibited high-level stable interactions with Ser79, Ser126, Thr217, Trp219, and Arg259 of OXA-23. Meropenem displayed a CovDock energy of about −3.5 and −1.9 kcal mol-1 against OXA-23 and OXA-27, respectively. Among the 5,450 compounds, Pubchem_10645796, Pubchem_25224737, and ChEMBL_14 recorded CovDock energy between −6.0 and −9.0 kcal mol-1. Moreover, the infra-red (IR) spectrophotometric analysis revealed C=O and C-N atoms showing bands at 1,800 and 1,125 cm-1, respectively. These observed data are in congruence with the experimental observations.

Conclusion: The identified compounds showed good agreement with the spectrophotometric analysis using DFT methods. In the earlier studies, meropenem’s MIC value was 32 μg mL−1 in OXA-23-positive isolate A2265 compared to the MIC of 1 μg mL−1 in ΔblaOXA-23 A2265. Comparing the CovDock energy and hydrogen-bonding interactions, the predicted results are in good agreement with the experimental data reported earlier. Our results highlight the importance of OXA-23 molecular docking studies and their compliance with the phenotypic results. It will help further in developing newer antibiotics for treating severe infections associated with carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.
Covalent adaptable networks using boronate linkages by incorporating TetraAzaADamantanes
Authors: van Hurne Simon , Kisters Marijn , Smulders Maarten M. J.
Published: February 2023

Boronic esters prepared by condensation of boronic acids and diols have been widely used as dynamic covalent bonds in the synthesis of both discrete assemblies and polymer networks. In this study we investigate the potential of a new dynamic-covalent motif, derived from TetraAzaADamantanes (TAADs), with their adamantane-like triol structure, in boronic ester-based covalent adaptable networks (CANs). The TetraAzaADamantane-boronic ester linkage has recently been reported as a more hydrolytically stable boronic ester variant, while still having a dynamic pH response: small-molecule studies found little exchange at neutral pH, while fast exchange occurred at pH 3.8. In this work, bi- and trifunctional TetraAzaADamantane linkers were synthesised and crosslinked with boronic acids to form rubber-like materials, with a Young’s modulus of 1.75 MPa. The dynamic nature of the TetraAzaADamantane networks was confirmed by stress relaxation experiments, revealing Arrhenius-like behaviour, with a corresponding activation energy of 142 ± 10 kJ/mol. Increasing the crosslinking density of the material from 10% to 33% resulted in reduced relaxation times, as is consistent with a higher degree of crosslinking within the dynamic networks. In contrast to the reported accelerating effect of acid addition to small-molecule TetraAzaADamantane complexes, within the polymer network the addition of acid increased relaxation times, suggesting unanticipated interactions between the acid and the polymer that cannot occur in the corresponding small-molecules analogues. The obtained boronate-TetraAzaADamantane materials were thermally stable up to 150°C. This thermal stability, in combination with the intrinsically dynamic bonds inside the polymer network, allowed these materials to be reprocessed and healed after damage by hot-pressing.
Comparison of multiple treatment regimens in children with Helicobacter pylori infection: A network meta-analysis
Authors: Liang Miaomiao , Zhu Chengbi , Zhao Peipei , Zhu Xiaohui , Shi Junwei , Yuan Bin
Published: February 2023

Background

Multiple regimens have been widely used in the eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in children. However, there is a lack of comparison and evaluation of their effectiveness in different regions of the world.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials were retrieved. Review Manager 5.4, Stata SE 15 and R 4.0.4 statistical software were used to analyze date. The ranking probability is assessed according to the surfaces under cumulative ranking (SUCRA).

Results

163 studies were eligible for this study, involving 336 arms and 18,257 children, and 10 different interventions. The results showed that the eradication rates of sequential therapy with probiotics (SP), bismuth-containing quadruple (Quadruple) therapy, concomitant therapy and PCN therapy were at least 90%. Cumulative ranking showed that SP therapy had the best eradication effect (SUCRA 92.7%) whereas Bismuth-containing triple therapy (B) had the worst (SUCRA 3.5%). Subgroup analysis suggested that SP therapy ranked first in China and other regions, and the ranking of Triple therapy with probiotics therapy (TP) was equally stable (SUCRA 72.0% vs 76.4% respectively). The security of the SP and TP therapy had great advantages.

Conclusions

As for the eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in children, SP therapy ranks highest. SP and TP therapies are most safe.
The naturalness of Chinese online chatting: Organization and recontextualization
Authors: Chen Xinren , Chen Tiancheng
Published: February 2023

Two-party or multi-party typed chatting on social media platforms is becoming a popular object of study in pragmatic research nowadays. Apparently, such chatting is very often non-synchronous and non-spontaneous and thus is arguably not so naturally occurring. However, based on a close examination of some details of WeChat typed talk (WTT) among Chinese, the present study seeks to demonstrate that in terms of organization and recontextualization, WTT is naturally occurring in some common as well as distinctive ways and thus amenable to digital conversation analysis (CA). It is hoped that this study may contribute to the understanding of online typed chatting and provide further justification for adopting digital conversation analysis in the study of online typed chatting for performing social actions.
Assessing causality between different risk factors and pulmonary embolism: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wei Jian-ming , Song Yan-li , Zeng Huan , Yan Wen-wen , Liu Xue-bo
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to estimate the causal relationship between body mass index (BMI), ever smoked, heart failure, alcohol intake frequency, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and pulmonary embolism (PE). This study aimed to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between BMI, the presence of smoking, heart failure, frequency of alcohol intake, IBD, and PE.

Methods

Pooled data on PE from a published GWAS meta-analysis involving approximately 461,164 participants of European ancestry were selected. A publicly available pooled dataset of BMI (461,460), ever smokers (461,066), heart failure (977,323), IBD (75,000), and frequency of alcohol intake (462,346) was used from another independent GWAS. MR was performed using established analysis methods, including Wald ratios, inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median (WM), and MR-Egger. Also, the final expansion was validated with multivariate MR.

Results

In the IVW model, genetically elevated BMI was causally associated with PE [OR = 1.002, 95% CI (1.001, 1004), P = 0.039]. Cochran’s Q test was used to detect heterogeneity in the MR-Egger analysis (P = 0.576). Therefore, the effect of gene-level heterogeneity was not considered. In the MR analysis of other risk factors, we observed genes for ever smoking [IVW OR = 1.004, 95% CI (0.997, 1.012)], heart failure [IVW OR = 0.999, 95% CI (0.996, 1.001)], IBD [IVW OR = 1.000, 95% CI (0.999, 1.001)], and frequency of alcohol intake [IVW OR = 1.002, 95% CI (1.000, 1.004)] were not causally associated with PE. Analysis using multivariate MR expansion showed no causal effect of BMI on PE considering the effect of height as well as weight (P = 0.926).

Conclusion

In European populations, a causal relationship exists between BMI and PE: increased BMI leads to PE. In contrast, ever smoking, heart failure, frequency of alcohol intake, and IBD are not directly associated with PE. There was no causal effect of BMI with PE in multivariate Mendelian randomized analysis.
Sotatercept analog improves cardiopulmonary remodeling and pulmonary hypertension in experimental left heart failure
Authors: Joshi Sachindra R. , Atabay Elif Karaca , Liu Jun , Ding Yan , Briscoe Steven D. , Alexander Mark J. , Andre Patrick , Kumar Ravindra , Li Gang
Published: February 2023

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) is the most frequent manifestation of PH but lacks any approved treatment. Activin receptor type IIA-Fc fusion protein (ActRIIA-Fc) was found previously to be efficacious in experimental and human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here we tested the hypothesis that ActRIIA-Fc improves pulmonary vascular remodeling and alleviates PH in models of PH-LHD, specifically in subtypes of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (PH-HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF). Treatment with murine ActRIIA-Fc reduced cardiac remodeling and improved cardiac function in two mouse models of left heart disease without PH, confirming that this inhibitor of activin-class ligand signaling can exert cardioprotective effects in heart failure. In a mouse model of PH-HFrEF with prolonged pressure overload caused by transverse aortic constriction, ActRIIA-Fc treatment significantly reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension while exerting beneficial structural, functional, and histological effects on both the left and right heart. Additionally, in an obese ZSF1-SU5416 rat model of PH-HFpEF with metabolic dysregulation, therapeutic treatment with ActRIIA-Fc normalized SMAD3 overactivation in pulmonary vascular and perivascular cells, reversed pathologic pulmonary vascular and cardiac remodeling, improved pulmonary and cardiac fibrosis, alleviated PH, and produced marked functional improvements in both cardiac ventricles. Studies in vitro revealed that treatment with ActRIIA-Fc prevents an abnormal, glucose-induced, activin-mediated, migratory phenotype in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, providing a mechanism by which ActRIIA-Fc could exert therapeutic effects in experimental PH-HFpEF with metabolic dysregulation. Our results demonstrate that ActRIIA-Fc broadly corrects cardiopulmonary structure and function in experimental PH-LHD, including models of PH-HFrEF and PH-HFpEF, leading to alleviation of PH under diverse pathophysiological conditions. These findings highlight the important pathogenic contributions of activin-class ligands in multiple forms of experimental PH and support ongoing clinical evaluation of human ActRIIA-Fc (sotatercept) in patients with PH-HFpEF.
Is there any difference in the therapeutic effects of Levosimendan on advanced HFrEF patients with sinus rhythm or atrial fibrillation?
Authors: Wang Wenyan , Li Fawen , Huang Huihui , Wu Xin , Tian Weixiang , Yu Tao
Published: February 2023

Patients with advanced heart failure have a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and develop into heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and require higher doses of inotropes. However, it is uncertain about the differences in the effects of levosimendan in HFrEF patients with sinus rhythm or AF. A total of 63 advanced HFrEF subjects (ejection fraction < 40%) were divided into sinus rhythm (SR, n = 34) and atrial fibrillation (AF, n = 29) cohorts. All patients received six cycles of intermittent repeated levosimendan infusion. After 3 months of treatment, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), estimated glomerular filtration rate, resting heart rate (rHR), creatinine, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic diameter and blood pressure body weight, NYHA classification were measured. After completing the course of treatment, LVEF, BNP, and rHR were significantly decreased (p < 0.0.5), and no significant differences between the two groups were observed (p > 0.05). The NYHA classification improved in the SR group but not in the AF group. There was no significant difference between patients with different rHRs (≤70 bpm vs. >70 bpm) in the SR group (p > 0.05) or in the AF group (rHR ≤ 90 bpm vs. rHR >90 bpm) (p > 0.05). This study showed no difference in the therapeutic effect of intermittent repeated levosimendan infusion on advanced HFrEF with different heart rhythms (SR or AF); Advanced HFrEF patients receive levosimendan treatment without taking the inference of heart rhythm.
Case report: An unusual case of phrenic nerve stimulation in a patient with single chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Authors: De Innocentiis Carlo , Astore Pasquale , Buonpane Angela , Santamaria Antonia Pia , Patragnoni Francesco , Santamaria Matteo
Published: February 2023

Background

Phrenic nerve stimulation is a well-recognized complication related to cardiac implantable electronic devices, in particular with left ventricular coronary sinus pacing leads for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Case presentation

We report an unusual case of symptomatic phrenic nerve stimulation due to inadvertent placement of a right ventricular defibrillation lead in coronary sinus posterior branch in a patient with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction with a recently implanted single-chamber cardioverter defibrillator.

Discussion

Phrenic nerve stimulation is a relatively common complication of left ventricular pacing. Inadvertent placement of a right ventricular lead in a coronary sinus branch is a rare but possible cause of phrenic nerve stimulation. Careful evaluation of intraprocedural fluoroscopic and electrocardiographic appearance of pacing and defibrillation leads during implantation may prevent inadvertent placement of a right ventricular lead in the coronary sinus.
Dynamic evolution of left ventricular strain and microvascular perfusion assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography and myocardial contrast echocardiography in diabetic rats: Effect of dapagliflozin
Authors: Liu Juan , Wang Yixuan , Zhang Jun , Li Xin , Tan Lin , Huang Haiyun , Dai Yang , Shang Yongning , Shen Ying
Published: February 2023

Background

This experimental study aimed to determine the dynamic changes in myocardial strain and microvascular perfusion in diabetic rats by comprehensive echocardiography while evaluating the effect of dapagliflozin (DAPA).

Materials and methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 128) were randomly divided into four groups based on the presence or absence of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetes with or without DAPA treatment (n = 32/group). Serial conventional ultrasound, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) were performed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), myocardial blood flow velocity (MBFV), myocardial blood flow (MBF), and myocardial blood volume (MBV) were determined. All animals were sacrificed immediately after the last echo measurement for histopathological assessment.

Results

Despite similar conventional Doppler-echo indexes among the groups at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks (p > 0.05), left ventricular GLS, MBFV, MBF, and MBV were decreased at 8 weeks in diabetic rats (p < 0.05) as detected by both 2D-STE and MCE. These indexes were significantly improved at 6 and 8 weeks after treatment with DAPA for diabetic rats (p < 0.05), reaching similar values observed in non-diabetic controls. DAPA treatment was associated with increased myocardial vacuolization and microvessel density and reduced interstitial fibrosis in diabetic rats.

Conclusions

Combined 2D-STE and MCE is sensitive for detecting left ventricular deformity and impaired microvascular perfusion in prediabetes and the early stage of diabetes mellitus. DAPA exerts a beneficial effect on protecting myocardial perfusion in diabetic rats.
Xerogenic medications may contribute to decreased unstimulated salivary flow in patients with oral burning and/or gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Authors: Sangalli Linda , Eldomiaty Walied , Miller Craig S.
Published: February 2023

Background

Patients who complain of mucosal burning sensations (i.e., glossodynia and gastro-esophageal reflux disease, GERD) often take multiple medications. However, the relationship between xerogenic medication intake and salivary flow in these patients has not been thoroughly examined.

Methods

A retrospective study of 192 consecutive patients diagnosed with glossodynia (ICD-10-CM) at a regional center over a six-year period was performed. Data from electronic health records were extracted and relationships between medication intake, unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (UWSFR), xerostomia, and GERD were determined by chi-square, t-test, and correlation analysis.

Results

Of 134 records that met inclusion criteria, 87.1% of patients reported daily intake of one or more xerogenic medications. Two or more xerogenic medications were taken significantly more often by patients with glossodynia reporting GERD than those with glossodynia without GERD (p = .02). UWSFR was negatively correlated with number of medications [r(103) = −.277, p = .005] and xerogenic medications [r(103) = −.195, p = .049]. The lowest UWSFR was observed with use of trazodone and cyclobenzaprine.

Conclusions

Daily xerogenic medication intake, hyposalivation, and xerostomia were commonly present and potentially interrelated in patients who suffer from glossodynia and/or GERD.

Practical implications

Clinicians should be aware of the consequences of prescribing multiple and certain xerogenic medications in reducing UWSFR, especially in patients physiologically at risk of hyposalivation such as those suffering from GERD and/or glossodynia.
Research on disaster mechanism and correlation of natural earthquake and coal and gas outburst
Authors: Rong Hai , Yu Shiqi , Song Weihua , Tang Guoshui , Wang Yadi , Sun Dequan , Huo Bingjie
Published: February 2023

In recent years, with the increasing of mining depth and mining intensity, coal and gas outburst has become one of the most destructive and harmful dynamic disasters in coal mines. Natural earthquakes are the most destructive natural disasters in the earth’s crust. Both of coal and gas outbursts and natural earthquakes are caused by geo-dynamic processes. In order to research the correlation between coal and gas outburst and natural earthquake, in this manuscript, we took Pingdingshan eastern mining area as the research object. The principles of disaster prevention, seismology, statistics and geophysics were taken as the research basis, both the characteristics and laws of natural earthquakes, and the occurrence laws and characteristics of coal and gas outburst were systematically analyzed by geo-dynamic division method. At the same time, the relationship between the two disasters were established. The research results show that natural earthquake is the accumulation and release process of elastic properties in rock mass, which can induce the abnormal emission of gas in coal mines under specific conditions. Especially the “weak plane structure” in geological structure, which is more likely to lead to the occurrence of coal and gas outburst accidents. Tectonic activities and stress field changes have a unified mechanism for the occurrence of natural earthquake and coal and gas outburst, there are correlations between space and intensity. The research results can also provide new ideas for the prediction work of these two kinds of disasters.
The influence of students’ problem-solving understanding and results of students’ mathematics learning
Authors: Sinaga Bornok , Sitorus Jonni , Situmeang Tiurmaida
Published: February 2023

Problem-solving is the ability to understand issues and steps that will affect students’ mathematics learning results. The research goals are: describing students’ problem-solving understanding and mathematics learning results; testing the influence of gender and grade level on students’ problem-solving understanding and mathematics learning results; and testing the influence of students’ problem-solving understanding on mathematics learning results. The population is all students in the fourth through sixth grades at two primary schools (263 respondents). The sample consists of 244 respondents, with female and male respondents of 123 and 121, and low- and high-grade students of 74 and 170, respectively. The researchers calculated and converted scores into values. Statistical tests were carried out by means of analysis of linear regression and the t-test. The Me of students’ mathematics learning results and problem-solving understanding are 69.679 and 66.889. The female students’ problem-solving understanding Me is greater than male ones’, but male students’ mathematics learning results Me is greater than female ones. The low-grade students’ problem-solving understanding Me is greater than high-grade students, but high-grade students’ mathematics learning results Me is greater than low-grade students. Gender has no influence on students’ mathematics problem-solving understanding or learning results. The grade level has a significant influence on students’ problem-solving understanding but no significant influence on mathematics learning results. The students’ problem-solving understanding has a significant influence on mathematics learning results, with a p value of 0.000. The research findings and results have implications for and contribute to assisting students in processing information and building mathematical knowledge.
An exploratory analysis of divergent patterns in reading progression during a tablet-based literacy program
Authors: Bardack Sarah , Lopez Celeste , Levesque Karen , Chigeda Antonie , Winiko Symon
Published: February 2023

We conducted exploratory research on divergent patterns in reading progression among early grade learners in a low-resourced community to identify key determinants of high versus low reading progress. The sample comprised 30 learners who were purposively selected from participants in a 13-month tablet-based literacy program at a peri-urban Malawi primary school to represent high and low progressing readers. We employed stepwise logistic regression to test the independent contributions of (1) a composite measure of home literacy and language environment, and (2) a direct assessment of working memory skills, to a binary measure of reading progress status, controlling for children’s age. Our results showed that children’s working memory skills uniquely predicted high versus low progress in reading over and above other known predictors of early literacy development. These findings point to the importance of working memory skills as a key determinant of reading progress in the context of a tablet-based literacy program in a developing country. As education technology programs proliferate in low-income countries, results from our study offer an evidence-based strategy for identifying and supporting learners who are at risk for non-progress in reading during a tablet-based literacy intervention.
Independent value of PMOI on hCG day in predicting pregnancy outcomes in IVF/ICSI cycles
Authors: Sun Xingyu , Yao Fei , Yin Chengliang , Meng Muzi , Lan Yunzhu , Yang Ming , Sun Chenyu , Liu Ling
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine whether, on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection, the progesterone to number of mature oocytes index (PMOI) can be used alone or together with other parameters in a fresh embryo transfer in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle to predict pregnancy outcome.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of all couples who underwent a clinical pregnancy and received a fresh IVE/ICSI cycle at a single large reproductive medical center between June 2019 and March 2022. The study involved a total of 1239 cycles. To analyze risk factors associated with pregnancy outcomes on the day of HCG injection, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. The area under the curve (AUC) was determined, and PMOI and other factors were compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group A (60.76%) than in the other groups (Group B: 52.92% and Group C:47.88%, respectively, p =0.0306). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression revealed that PMOI levels were significantly correlated with the probability of pregnancy outcome, independent of other risk factors. More importantly, PMOI levels independently predict the occurrence of pregnancy outcome, comparable to the model combining age. The optimal serum PMOI cutoff value for pregnancy outcome was 0.063 ug/L.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that PMOI levels have an independent predictive value for pregnancy outcome in fresh IVF/ICSI cycles.
Coupling coordination degree and influencing factors of green science and technology innovation efficiency and digital economy level: Evidence from provincial panel data in China
Authors: Mingkai Zhang , Xinlan Chen , Guangming Yang
Published: February 2023

Green innovation and the digital economy are the new engine and driving force for Chinese high-quality development and will become the mainstream of China’s high-quality development. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the interaction between the two for the formulation of economic development policies. This paper constructed an evaluation system of green science and technology innovation efficiency (GSTIE) and digital economy level (DEL) based on 30 provinces in China. Through the corrected coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, this paper measured the coupling coordination degree of green science and technology innovation efficiency and DEL and analyzed its provincial differences and spatial effects. By employing the fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method, this paper further explored the influencing factors configuration affecting the coupling coordination degree of GSTIE and DEL. The research results are as follows. Compared with the development of green science and technology innovation, the development of the digital economy was relatively backward. The coupling coordination degree between China’s provincial GSTIE and DEL showed an overall increasing trend year by year, and there was obvious spatial heterogeneity in which the eastern region was the highest, followed by the western and central regions. A single influencing factor does not constitute a necessary condition for a high coupling coordination degree. There were four paths that improve the coordinated development level between GSTIE and DEL: HC + RD + OP-jointly driven, RD + OP-dual driven, HC + GS-dual driven, and GS-oriented. Finally, based on the research conclusions, this paper proposed corresponding policy suggestions.
Effects of riparian buffer and stream channel widths on ecological indicators in the upper and lower Indus River basins in Pakistan
Authors: Hira Amin , Arif Muhammad , Zarif Nowsherwan , Gul Zarmina , Xiangyue Liu , Yukun Cao
Published: February 2023

Riparian buffers and stream channel widths along river networks have extremely significant ecological influences on parameters and stressors associated with riparian health indicators (RHIs). It is imperative for countries that rely heavily on rivers for irrigation to protect RHIs such as habitat, plant cover, regeneration, exotics, and erosion. It is unclear which protection methods are most effective for RHIs in less developed countries, such as Pakistan. This study fills this gap by using a quick field-based technique that includes 273 transects and examines the response of RHIs in the upper and lower Indus River basins (IRB). In the lower Indus basin (LIB), riparian buffer and stream channel widths had the most considerable influence on RHIs using Pearson’s correlations, ranging from ̶ 0.47 < r < 0.71 and ̶ 0.41 < r < 0.32, respectively. There was a significant relationship between stressors and RHIs in the LIB when these widths were changed, and stressors had a significant influence on habitat ̶ 0.37 < r < 0.41, plant cover ̶ 0.32 < r < 0.38, regeneration ̶ 0.29 < r < 0.25, erosion ̶ 0.34 < r < 0.49, and exotics ̶ 0.39 < r < 0.24. In contrast, these stressors in the upper Indus basin (UIB) also adversely affected habitat ̶ 0.28 < r < 0.27, plant cover ̶ 0.34 < r < 0.26, regeneration ̶ 0.19 < r < 0.26, erosion ̶ 0.38 < r < 0.23, and exotics ̶ 0.31 < r < 0.30. It was found from the principal component analysis that the responses of RHIs and stressors varied considerably between the UIB and LIB. Additionally, the agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis of the RHIs and stressor indices revealed dissimilarities in the UIB and LIB. This study supports the need to examine riparian regions along long rivers, which are subject to the same administrative strategies. Large river ecosystems need revised standards to prevent further degradation based on ecological indicators.