bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fracture Resistance and Failure Mode of Three Esthetic Cad-cam Post and Core Restorations
Authors: Fathey Islam T. , Azer Amir S. , Raheem Islam M. Abdel
Published: May 2024

Background: The rising demand for improved aesthetics has driven the utilization of recently introduced aesthetic materials for creating custom post and core restorations. However, information regarding the fracture resistance of these materials remains unclear, which limits their practical use as custom post and core restorations in clinical applications.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the fracture resistance of three non-metallic esthetic post and core restorations and their modes of failure.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine single-rooted human maxillary central incisors were endodontically treated. A standardized post space preparation of 9mm length was performed to all teeth to receive custom-made post and core restorations. The prepared teeth were randomly allocated to receive a post and core restoration made of one of the following materials (n=13): glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (PICN). An intraoral scanner was used to scan all teeth including the post spaces. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) was used to fabricate post and core restorations. Post and core restorations were cemented using self-adhesive resin cement. All specimens were subjected to fracture resistance testing using a universal testing machine. Failure mode analysis was assessed using a stereomicroscope and SEM. The data was statistically analyzed using One-Way ANOVA test followed by multiple pairwise comparisons using Bonferroni adjusted significance level.
Results: Custom PEEK post and core restorations displayed the least fracture load values at 286.16 ± 67.09 N. In contrast, FRC exhibited the highest average fracture load at 452.60 ± 105.90 N, closely followed by PICN at 426.76 ± 77.99 N. In terms of failure modes, 46.2% of specimens with PICN were deemed non-restorable, while for PEEK and FRC, these percentages were 58.8% and 61.5%, respectively.
Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, both FRC and PICN demonstrated good performance regarding fracture resistance, surpassing that of PEEK.
Analysis of Transient Turbulent Flow in the Pilot Stage of a Deflector Jet Servo Valve
Authors: Wu Lin , Zou Xian
Published: May 2024

The performance of a deflector jet servo valve is highly affected by the characteristics of the pilot stage flow field. In this paper, the transient results of the large eddy simulation (LES)-based numerical simulation of the pilot stage flow field are presented. The LES results are validated against particle image velocimetry, showing that the LES method can predict the transient turbulent flow. The length of the potential core of the jet assuming from the nozzle and the position of the jet impinging on the V-groove have great relations with the inlet pressure. Traveling cavitation in the deflector begins to appear when the inlet pressure reaches 6 MPa. The increment in inlet pressure enhances cavitation and cavitation shedding. Snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition(snapshot POD) analysis, based on LES, is applied to decompose the instantaneous velocity fluctuation into coherent structures and turbulent velocity components. The relationships between each coherent structure and wall attachment flow, cavitation phenomena, and vortex pairs are discussed. The vortex in Mode 2 contributes to deflecting the jet from the nozzle and causing part of the fluid to flow along the side wall in the V-groove. Through the fast Fourier transform (FFT) result of the POD coefficient, it is known that the traveling cavitation near the side wall of the V-groove is related to Mode 4. This research contributes to the mathematical modeling and improving the stability of the flow field.
Study on rail weld attenuation based on ultrasonic guided wave technology
Authors: Wang Xiaocen
Published: May 2024

Based on the elaboration of the technical principle of ultrasonic guided wave and its application in rail, this paper analyzes the attenuation principle of ultrasonic guided wave and the attenuation types considered in practice. Using the experimental data, comprehensively considering the influence of different attenuation, a more appropriate attenuation function is obtained, which provides guidance for the judgment of the rail damage size and the installation of related ultrasonic guide wave rail detection equipment.
A multicenter, retrospective study of the current status of antidepressant prescription use in outpatient settings in China
Authors: Zhao Mengqiang , Chang Luyao , Yu Jing , Wang Jianxin , Song Yang , Su Shi , Chen Chaoli , Lun Yang , Cheng Fangfang , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zhou Chunhua
Published: May 2024

Background: Antidepressant prescribing has increased dramatically worldwide in recent years. Analyzing antidepressants in real-world settings can provide valuable data to support clinicians and health policymakers.
Aim: This study used an extensive data set to examine the status and trends in antidepressant prescribing among the Chinese Han population from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2022.
Method: A retrospective study was conducted in three hospitals. Data were collected 2.5 years before and 2.5 years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed the number of patients diagnosed with depression and the corresponding antidepressant prescriptions. To explore the characteristics of antidepressant use across different ages and sexes, stratified analyses were performed using the chi-square test.
Results: The study included 124,355 patients, and 400,840 antidepressant prescriptions were collected. Fluctuating upward trends were observed in the number of patients and antidepressant drugs. The three most frequently prescribed antidepressants were citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline. Significant differences in antidepressant use were observed by sex and age. The number of patients after the COVID-19 pandemic increased by 37.1% compared to the pre-pandemic period, and the number of antidepressant prescriptions rose by 88.3%. Antidepressant monotherapy represented 76.6% of the prescriptions. The most common combination involved antidepressants and anxiolytics.
Conclusion: Over the past five years, the number of patients and antidepressant prescriptions has shown upward trends. Citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline are currently the leading antidepressants used in outpatient treatment of depressive disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected clinic visits and antidepressant prescriptions for patients with depression.
Acoustic Insights into Facies-Dependent Pattern and Characterization for Aiding Exploration and Sequestrations Efforts in Bassein Carbonate Formations
Authors: Kalita Hirakjyoti , Sharma Ravi , Dhiman Ashish , Pandey Prabhat , Panwar Neha
Published: May 2024

Most carbonate formations offer challenges for comprehensive characterization and, therefore, optimized exploration and recovery of hydrocarbon resources and for the sequestration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to meet sustainable climate goals. The Bassein Formation in India's Western Offshore has been a prolific oil and gas producer for the last three decades. However, due to the lack of understanding about the distribution of heterogeneous facies, the recovery of hydrocarbon often proves discouraging. An insight into the patterns of seismic rock properties of such heterogenous reservoirs has promise not only for the recovery of the resources but also for the use of the formations for geological sequestration of GHG. This study investigates laboratory-measured ultrasonic velocity and attenuation behaviors in these formations and identifies a pattern between estimated elastic properties to linked facie heterogeneity and associated saturation. The interplay between rock composition, pore structure, and fluid saturation provides crucial insights for the optimized recovery of hydrocarbon from this formation. Dry ultrasonic measurements established the baseline velocity data for the samples grouped under homogeneous, intermediate, and heterogeneous categories. Upon brine saturation, while the homogeneous samples show a modest increase in velocity, the intermediate and the heterogeneous samples exhibit more pronounced velocity alterations. Also, the compressive (Vp) to shear (Vs) velocity ratio registers notable changes post-saturation, particularly in intermediate and heterogeneous samples. Amplitude attenuation analysis highlights intensified post-saturation attenuation in heterogeneous samples, with marginal changes in homogeneous samples. Additionally, this study introduces a novel approach by integrating amplitude attenuation analysis alongside velocity measurements, providing a comprehensive understanding of the seismic rock properties in carbonate formations. These findings are instrumental in quickly detecting heterogeneity and helped develop input parameters for the rock physics models to forecast elastic properties and fluid behavior in complex formations such as carbonates. This enhanced understanding of seismic rock property behavior (attenuation) will contribute to optimizing reservoir property prediction for time-lapse scenarios and identify favorable zones for hydrocarbon recovery and storage of GHGs and hydrogen in the Bassein formation.
LLA Approach for Building a Climate Resilient Migrant-Friendly Town Model
Authors: Tahsin Munia , Tahsin Munia , Mahmud Md Juel , Mahmud Md Juel , Rahman Hafizur , Rahman Hafizur , Sakib Nazmus , Sakib Nazmus , Reeda Farhin , Reeda Farhin
Published: May 2024

Rapid urbanization cupped with climate-induced migration making the cities more exposed to recurrent climate extremes. Most rural to urban migrants move towards mega/primary cities for better livelihood opportunities creating an overburden on the existing dense population. This study developed a framework for building climate-resilient secondary cities to divert the displaced people rather than overcrowded megacities. To develop a town/city-wide climate adaptation plan by the citizens, the study has used a Locally-Led Adaptation (LLA) approach. This paper proposes a comprehensive seven-step approach for the implementation of a climate-resilient migrant-friendly town model. The steps outlined include city selection, establishment of a local adaptation center, identification of climate-vulnerable migrant hotspots, formulation of Local Climate Action Plans (LCAP), Ward-level Climate Action Plans (WCAP), and Town-level Climate Action Plans (TCAP), and scaling up. This structured approach will help to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change-induced migration and foster sustainable development in vulnerable communities. Acknowledging the diverse geographical and economic contexts of different locations, the model emphasizes the need for tailor-made strategies.
Construction of a Nomogram Prediction Model for the Risk of Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Li Lei , Yang Jing , Jiang Sheng
Published: May 2024

Objective Development and validation of a nomogram to predict the risk of developing diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods A total of 706 patients with T2DM who met the criteria were included in this study. They were divided into a training group (n = 521) and a validation group (n = 185) in a ratio of 3:1. Clinical data were collected and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to identify independent risk factors. A nomogram prediction model was then established based on the results, and its feasibility was evaluated using the validation group. The discriminative power, accuracy, and clinical utility of the predictive models were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively.Results In this study, a total of 706 patients with T2DM were found to have DPN in 414 cases, resulting in an incidence rate of 58.64%. The results of stepwise regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, duration of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and body mass index (BMI) were identified as significant factors influencing the development of DPN in T2DM patients (P < 0.05). The nomogram model used to predict the risk of DPN demonstrated a consistency index of 0.780, indicating a good degree of discrimination. The calibration curve showed a mean absolute error of 0.013 between the predicted and actual occurrence of DPN. Additionally, the ROC curve revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.780 (95% CI: 0.740 to 0.819) for the nomogram model's ability to predict DPN. Lastly, the DCA demonstrated that the model exhibited good accuracy and clinical utility.Conclusion This study successfully established and validated a high-precision nomogram prediction model, which can help improve the ability of early identification and screening of high-risk patients with DPN.
Association between Statin use and the risk of atrial fibrillation in community-dwelling older people in Shanghai, China：a propensity score-matched study
Authors: Deng Tiantian , Sheng Fei , Zhang Ziqiang
Published: May 2024

Objective: Whether statins prevent atrial fibrillation remains unclear. In particular, the data on the elderly are limited. Thus we investigated the association between statin use and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in community-dwelling older people in Shanghai ,China.
Methods: This registry-based cohort study was conducted in one community in Shanghai. Participants without history of AF were enrolled in this study, then new-onset of AF was recorded and evaluated in the followed three years. Poisson generalized linear models were conducted to examine the association between statin therapy and the incidence of AF. All analysis were performed with both conventional adjustment and propensity score matching methods. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed to evaluate the risk factor of AF in community-dwelling older people
Results: In the cohort of 5675 participants (43.5% men; median age, 68.0 years), 456 (8.0%) were treated with stains. Two propensity score-matched cohorts of 453 participants (with or without statin treatment) were analyzed, in respectively. Statin use did not reduce the proportion of atrial fibrillation incidence, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 0.982(0.948 to 1.018) (p＞0.05) in the unmatched cohort and 0.833 (0.459 to 1.512) (p＞0.05) in the matched cohort. The result of multivariate regression analysis showed that age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), BMI, Serum creatinine (Scr), total cholesterol (TC),were the independent risk factors of the new onset of AF.
Conclusion: Older age, SBP, BMI, Scr, TC, were independent predictors of AF onset. However, statin use was not associated with a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation incidence of AF in the elderly.
Study of Conductance in Graphene Nanochannels for Symmetric and Asymmetric Junction Configurations
Authors: Patra Simran , Sahu Ajit Kumar , Mishra Madhusudan , Swain Raghunandan , Sahoo Narayan
Published: May 2024

The transport properties of graphene nanochannels have been studied for symmetric and asymmetric junction configurations using an open-source Python based tool “Kwant”. In the design process, the arrangement of a narrow channel connected between the two wide graphene nanoribbons appeals to shapes like U and H. Both zigzag (ZNR) and armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNR) are considered as case studies, and the effect of side junctions on the conductance and density of states are analysed as a function of nanochannel width (WC). It is observed that, in all the shapes as WC increases the conductance enhances around the zero Fermi energy. Unity conductance is achieved with WC = 8, 12, and 16 atoms for unmodulated ZNR channels of length 60 Å. However, for U- and H-shapes with narrow channels (WC = 8 or 12 atoms), the scattering effect is prominent at the junction leading to reduction and fluctuation of the conductance. A wider channel (WC = 16 atoms), reduces the scattering effect and leads to unity conductance. On the other hand, for the AGNR based U-shaped structure though the channels with WC = 23, 29, and 35 atoms satisfying metallic conditions (WC = 3p + 2), the conductance is still zero. However, for the H-shaped structure, the channel with WC = 35 atoms gives rise to the unity conductance. Moreover, studying the effect of asymmetry in the junction alignment of the channel in the H-shape, the conductance fluctuates for the AGNR case but remains unchanged for the ZNR case.
“I don’t think people should die young”: Perspectives of parents with children diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Tsai Hsiao H. , Young Jennifer L. , Cherny Sara , Ahmed Cat Davis , Khan Sadiya S. , Duquette Debra
Published: May 2024

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder that significantly increases an individual’s risk of developing premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early intervention involving lifestyle modification and medication is crucial in preventing CVD. Prior studies have shown that lipid-lowering therapy in children is safe and effective. Despite FH being a treatable and manageable condition, the condition is still underdiagnosed and undertreated. Universal lipid screening (ULS) in children has been recommended by some medical experts in the United States as a strategy to identify cases of FH and maximize the benefits of early invention. However, lipid screening is not routinely offered in pediatric clinics. This study aimed to explore parental experience with FH diagnosis in their children, identify key facilitators and barriers in children’s diagnosis and care, and examine parental perspectives on ULS in children in the United States. A total of fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants recruited through the Family Heart Foundation. Thematic analysis identified three key themes: role of family history in facilitating child’s FH diagnosis, barriers and challenges in post-diagnosis care, and attitudes towards ULS in children. All participants supported ULS in children and emphasized the value of early diagnosis and treatment for FH. However, a lack of guidance or referral after the child's diagnosis was a concern raised by many participants. This underscores the need for accessible and comprehensive care amid ongoing efforts to increase pediatric diagnosis of FH.
Effect of leaf scald disease on a major Brazilian sugarcane cultivar and cultivar reaction to Xanthomonas albilineans
Authors: González Claudia Elizabeth Bogado , Júnior Antonio Ribeiro Fernandes , Liska Gilberto Rodriguez , Urashima Alfredo Seiiti
Published: May 2024

Background
The lack of information on the damage caused by leaf scald disease (LSD) hinders the sugarcane industry to adopt measures to control it. One distinct feature of LSD is its latent stage where diseased canes are symptomless enabling nurseries be formed from asymptomatic materials. The chance to find two commercial sugarcane fields of RB966928, with similar characteristics grown side by side, but contrasting in phytosanitary status, gave a rare opportunity to examine the importance of LSD in Brazil scientifically. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to quantify the damage caused by LSD in a real-world condition in the most important Brazilian cultivar as well as to examine reaction of different cultivars to the disease.
Results
Data showed visual incidence varying from 21 to 72% whereas lab-based incidence ranged from 50 to 72%, a comparison between the two fields showed a significant difference in percentage of stalk death (above 42%), stalk weight (above 14%) and stool weight loss (above 54%). Five out of ten cultivars were classified as susceptible or moderately susceptible, where RB966928 and RB92579 were the most susceptible. Clean seedcane proved to be an effective means to control LSD since the field employed as gold standard was originated from different nursery and remained symptomless throughout the crop season.
Conclusion
Leaf scald disease caused severe damage in a commercial sugarcane field and lab-based diagnostic of seedcanes is paramount to control the disease.
Google Cloud vs. Azure: Sentiment Analysis Accuracy for Polish and English Across Content Types
Authors: Pawlik Łukasz
Published: May 2024

This study investigated the comparative performance of two popular sentiment analysis tools, Azure Sentiment Analysis and Google Cloud Sentiment Analysis, applied to Polish and English text data. The analysis focused on two content types: hotel reviews and tweet comments. The findings demonstrate that the type of text and language analyzed significantly influence the accuracy of sentiment detection. Sentiment analysis tools performed worse on informal and unstructured text like tweet comments compared to structured and formal text like hotel reviews. Additionally, language can influence the performance of sentiment analysis tools. In this study, English showed a slight edge over Polish, particularly for tweet comments. When analyzing tweet comments, the Google Cloud Sentiment Analysis function outperformed Azure Sentiment Analysis in both Polish and English, suggesting better handling of informal and ambiguous language. Furthermore, this research addressed the limitations of relying solely on pre-assigned sentiment labels from analysis tools. A custom labeling method was developed that effectively captures the nuances of sentiment in both Polish and English content. This method provides a more granular and objective approach to sentiment classification and offers a valuable framework for further research in sentiment analysis. By highlighting the challenges associated with informal and unstructured text, as well as the importance of considering language variations, this research contributes to the field of sentiment analysis. The findings and the proposed labeling method present valuable opportunities for future research along promising directions, particularly in sentiment-based decision-making for social media data analysis.
Short –Term Weight Management Programs Improve the Quality of Life of Attendees of the Dietetic Centers in the West Bank
Authors: Abu-Alwafa Umaymah , Tamimi Mohammad Al , Badrasawi Manal
Published: May 2024

Obesity is a primary health issue. This study aimed at assessing health related quality of life (HRQOL) among overweight/obese adults. Participants were referred to Nutri Health centers in the West Bank for weight management programs during the period between 1 of May 2019 to 30 November 2020. A total of 466 participants were involved in the study. Body composition, anthropometric measurements, socio-demographic data, and HRQOL were determined at baseline and after 3 months. The results showed a significant decline in the mean weight of participants from 93.9 ± 17.2Kg to 83.9 ± 15.7 kg. More than half (51.3%) of participants had weight reduction more than 10%. Participants reported significant improvement in all components of (36-SF) HRQOL after 3 months compared to baseline scores. Moreover, participants with ≥ 10% loss of baseline weight had a greater improvement in the overall HRQOL scores by 14.6 ± 17.6 (mean ± SD) compared to 9.7 ± 15.0 for those who lost < 10% baseline body weight. Moreover, the Role limitation due to physical health achieved the highest score after 3 months by (mean ± SD) of 93.0 ± 20.7 compared to baseline score of 80.8 ± 32.2. The highest improvement was reported in Physical functioning with 18.9 ± 27.3 and 10.9 ± 27.3 for participants who lost ≥ 10% and < 10%, respectively. In conclusion, weight management programs seemed to be not only effective to induce weight loss but also to improve HRQOL. The mechanism behind this improvement should be investigated in light of decreased levels of inflammation and changes in gut microbiota.
Early Cystography before Catheter Removal after Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Cheng Wan-Yu , Hsieh Chia-Chih , Tseng Wen-Hsin , Lim Chye-Yang , Su Chia-Cheng , Lee Kau-Han , Liu Chien-Liang , Huang Steven K. , Chiu Allen W.
Published: May 2024

Purpose:Evaluate early cystography post robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer (PCa), aiming to expedite discharge, compare leakage incidence, and assess associated factors.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective review between January 2017 and December 2022 of 316 RARP patients at Chi Mei Medical Center. Grouped by postoperative day (POD) for cystography (≤ 3 vs. > 3 days). Assessed pre-op characteristics, hospitalization, catheter duration, leakage, and complications.
Results: 142 (44.9%) underwent cystography on POD ≤ 3 and 174 (55.1%) on POD > 3. Shorter catheter indwelling (3 vs. 6 days) and hospitalization (4 vs. 7 days) in early group (p < 0.0001). Postoperative leakage rates similar (14.08% vs. 12.07%) but higher acute urine retention (9.15% vs. 3.45%, p = 0.0338) and Foley re-insertions (13.38% vs. 5.17%, p = 0.0106) in early group. Postoperative leakage associated with prolonged catheterization and hospitalization (p < 0.0001). Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with bladder neck reconstruction (BNR) history and increased blood loss linked to higher leakage risk (p = 0.0309 and p = 0.0221, respectively), confirmed by both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Conclusion: Early cystography post RARP reduces hospitalization and catheter duration without increased leakage risk. Caution needed for higher acute urine retention with early catheter removal. TURP with BNR history and increased blood loss require careful monitoring for leakage. These findings guide postoperative care for RARP patients.
YOLOv8-FCS: A more focused YOLOv8 model for defect detection in images of steel surface
Authors: Hu Bingtao , Lu Rongsheng , Wan Dahang , Wang Sailei , Yin Jiajie
Published: May 2024

Defect detection in steel surface is crucial for engineering quality control. Traditional methods for detecting surface defects on steel materials have issues such as low detection accuracy, slow speed, low level of intelligence, and insufficient utilization of images. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes an improved YOLOv8 model for efficient and accurate detection of defects on steel surface. Firstly, we introduce a single-channel adversarial input strategy (AIS) to enhance the utilization of single-channel images and improve the network's detection effectiveness. Secondly, we utilize various attention modules to enhance the Neck and detection head of the network, thereby further improving the network's expressive power and detection performance. Finally, experiments were conducted on three open datasets, achieving a mAP (mean average precision) of 77.3% on the NEU-DET dataset, outperforming YOLOv8 at 74.1%, a mAP of 65.5% on the GC10 dataset, outperforming YOLOv8 at 64.0%, and a mAP of 73.8% on the Magnetic-tile-defect-datasets, outperforming YOLOv8 at 71.2%. Additionally, the average detection speed of this model is 93 frames per second, effectively balancing detection accuracy and efficiency.
Necrotizing Anterior Scleritis with kertouveitis in a Patient with Psoriasis: A Case Report
Authors: See Wengail , Siazon Richmond , Paz Maria Fideliz
Published: May 2024

Objective: To present a rare case of necrotizing anterior scleritis with keratouveitis in a patient with psoriasis and to emphasize the importance of early recognition and aggressive systemic therapy to prevent its sequelae.
Necrotizing anterior scleritis is a rare and severely debilitating condition in patients with psoriasis. We present the case of a 60-year-old man with a one-week onset of right eye redness, severe eye pain, and tenderness, accompanied by headache, photophobia, and foreign body sensation. The patient had a history of psoriasis for >20 years and was maintained on methotrexate and topical medications, with poor compliance. He was admitted two weeks prior due to COVID-19 infection. Examination of the right eye showed signs of anterior scleritis and kerato-uveitis. Autoimmune and infection screens yielded negative results. He was administered a regimen of topical cyclosporine BID, atropine TID, and oral prednisone at 1 mg/kg/day that was tapered accordingly after clinical response. Follow-up over the course of three weeks revealed decreased eye pain and improved visual acuity from 20/100 to 20/30 in the right eye. This case of necrotizing sclerotic sclerosis occurred in a setting of long-standing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with chronic methotrexate use and various environmental triggers. Early recognition and aggressive treatment with systemic and topical immunomodulators are required to prevent the sequelae of this disease.
Role of Immune Cell in Mendiating the Effect of Lipids on Female Infertility
Authors: Xie Yafei , Zhang Zhelin , Yin Qiaozhi
Published: May 2024

Background: Observational and retrospective studies suggest that liposomes may be associated with female infertility. The exact relationship between different liposomes and female infertility remains difficult to determine. In addition, modulation of the immune system is a key measure of the impact of lipids on disease development, but it remains uncertain whether the causality of this association is mediated by immune cells.
Method:In this study, we performed a two-step two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal role of lipids on female infertility and the mediating role of immune cells between lipids and female infertility. The inverse variance weighting method was employed as the primary estimator, complemented by MR-Egger, Weighted median, Simple mode, and Weighted mode approaches. To address potential bias from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we utilized MR-PRESSO. Additionally, Cochran's Q test and MR-Egger intercept analysis were performed to detect heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.
Results: MR analysis identified a causal relationship between 18 lipid species and female infertility. In addition,14 immune cell traits suggested an association with female infertility. Notably, mediated MR showed that the causal effect of phosphatidylcholine on female infertility (Total effect IVW: OR=1.069,95% CI [1.008,1.134], P=0.030) was largely mediated by HLA DR++ monocyte AC (OR=0.888,95% CI [0.790,0.998] , P=0.046).
Conclusion:This study demonstrates a causal relationship between liposomes and female infertility, which may be mediated by HLA DR++ monocyte AC, thereby identifying novel drug targets for the prevention and treatment of this condition.
Biometrics-based Generation of Diffie-hellman Key Exchange Parameters
Authors: Kovacevic Aldin , Saracevic Muzafer
Published: May 2024

When two parties need to securely communicate over an insecure channel, Diffie-Hellman is often employed as the key exchange algorithm. This paper presents two novel approaches to generating Diffie-Hellman parameters for key exchange based on user biometrics, namely their fingerprint data. Fingerprint templates are extracted as bit strings via a fingerprint scanner and later used as inputs. In one approach, the whole fingerprint template is utilized as a user’s private key. In the second approach, fingerprint data is scrambled into smaller chunks and rearranged into two strings that serve as the user’s private key and the basis for prime p. Both approaches were implemented and tested experimentally. After analysis, the second approach that uses scrambled fingerprint data shows better execution times and improved security and usability considerations. http://cs.stanford.edu/people/widom/paper-writing.html
Ethnicity and Knee Osteoarthritis: A comparative analysis of pain, function, and pain catastrophizing between South Florida Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Adults
Authors: Quintero Daniel , Jose MS DO Jean , Kholodovsky Eric , Jahn Jacob , Travis Levi M. , II Joseph P. Costello , Perez Olivia , Caban-Martinez PhD DO Alberto J. , Best
Published: May 2024

Objective:
Race is associated with reporting of pain, coping mechanisms, and disease severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, few studies have evaluated its importance in ethnicity, particularly the Hispanic population. We compare pain perception (VAS), function (WOMAC), and pain catastrophizing (PCS) between Hispanic (HP) and non-Hispanic (NHWP) patients stratified by socio-economic status (SES) and K-L grade.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of patients from a tertiary care clinic between July 2021 and December 2022 was performed. Patients with knee pain, radiographs, and doctor-diagnosis of KOA completed questionnaires in English or Spanish. Descriptive statistics characterized demographic differences between NHWP and HP in VAS, PCS, and WOMAC. Two one-way analyses of variance evaluated the effect of both ethnicity and sex, with subgroup analyses stratifying by K-L grade. Multivariate general linear models assessed primary outcomes while controlling for confounders.
Results:
HP exhibited higher VAS, PCS, and WOMAC scores compared to NHWP. PCS was higher in HP (p = 0.004, mean = 8.89) than NHWP (mean = 4.58), as was VAS (p < 0.001, mean = 4.28 vs. 2.74) and WOMAC (p = 0.029, mean = 27.86 vs. 21.58). These differences remained when controlled for SES and K-L grade. Stratifying by sex and comparing primary outcomes between HP and NHWP, male HP had greater VAS (p = .021, mean = 3.83 vs. 2.42) and PCS (p = .008, mean = 8.83 vs. 3.35), while female HP had greater VAS (p = .019, mean = 4.62 vs. 3.08) and nonsignificantly greater PCS (p = .164, mean = 8.94 vs. 5.92).
Conclusion:
HP with KOA reported greater pain intensity, functional limitation, and PCS compared with NHWP, even after adjusting for SES and K-L grade.
Methodenbericht zur Befragung "Nachhaltige Mobilität in der Lincoln-Siedlung" : Darstellung der ersten beiden Erhebungen einer mehrstufigen Panelstudie in den Jahren 2020 und 2021
Authors: Kalbhenn Johann , Klein Marcus
Published: May 2024

Das Ziel der BMBF-finanzierten Forschungsprojekte „Nachhaltige Mobilität in Lincoln 1“ und „Nachhaltige Mobilität in Lincoln 2“ ist es, Erkenntnisse zu Veränderungen im Mobilitätsverhalten von Personen zu erlangen, die in ein autoreduziertes Quartier umziehen. Dazu wurden zwei aufeinander aufbauende Vollbefragungen der erwachsenen Bewohner*innen der autoreduzierten Lincoln-Siedlung in Darmstadt durchgeführt. Im Rahmen der ersten Befragung im Jahr 2020 wurden 1.140, im Rahmen der zweiten Befragungswelle, 2021, 1.614 Fragebögen verteilt. Der Rücklauf belief sich 2020 auf n = 166 (14,6 %), in 2021 auf n = 231 (14,3 %). Der vorliegende Bericht beschreibt das methodische Vorgehen im Rahmen der Befragungen. Hierfür wird auf das besondere Panel-Design der Studie eingegangen. Dieses ermöglicht sowohl Einblicke in den Umzug in die Siedlung, als auch in das Leben in der Siedlung im Verlauf eines Jahres, und die damit einhergehenden Veränderungen im individuelle Mobilitätsverhalten. Der Bericht stellt dazu die zentralen Inhalte des Fragebogens vor und erläutert die Durchführung der Befragungen. In deren Rahmen wurden die Bewohner*innen der Lincoln-Siedlung insgesamt dreimal kontaktiert. Um die Bereitschaft zur Teilnahme zu steigern, wurden im Vorfeld der Erhebungen mittels einer Pressemitteilung auf die Befragung aufmerksam gemacht und Ankündigungsschreiben in die Briefkästen der Bewohner*innen verteilt. Eine Woche nach der eigentlichen Fragebogenverteilung wurden Erinnerungsschreiben verteilt. Ferner geht der Methodenbericht auf den Umgang mit dem Rücklauf sowie auf die Datenaufbereitung und - eingabe ein, bevor die soziodemographischen Daten der Teilnehmer*innen auf ihre Repräsentativität geprüft werden.
Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Double Loop Problem Solving terhadap Kemampuan Penalaran Adaptif dan Disposisi Matematis pada Materi Trigonometri
Authors: Khoirunnisa Risma Arum , Rahma Nadya Alvi
Published: May 2024

This study was motivated by the low quality of education in Indonesia based on the results of PISA 2018, the implementation of the 2013 Curriculum which did not follow the use of appropriate learning models, as well as the low adaptive mathematical reasoning abilities and mathematical disposition of students. This research aims to determine the influence of the Double Loop Problem-Solving cooperative learning model on the adaptive reasoning abilities and mathematical disposition of class X students at SMA Negeri 1 Karangan on Trigonometry material. This research was conducted using a quantitative approach with a Quasi-Experimental research type and a Nonequivalent Posttest-Only Control Group Design. As for sampling, non-probability sampling was used with the Purposive Sampling technique with class X MIPA 3, totaling 35 students, as the experimental class and X MIPA 4, totaling 36 students, as the control class. Data collection techniques using tests, questionnaires, and documentation. The data analysis technique in this research uses the Manova test. The research results show that there is a significant influence due to the application of the Double Loop problem-solving cooperative learning model on students' adaptive reasoning abilities and mathematical disposition.
A rare clinical case of malignant ectopic retrosternal goiter of a large size in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery
Authors: Pikin O. V. , Alexandrov O. A. , Glushko V. A. , Levshakova A. V.
Published: May 2024

Background. Ectopic goiter accounts for only 0.2 % to 1 % of all mediastinal goiters. The aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) is an extremely rare anomaly of the major vessel, with a prevalence not exceeding 0.3 % in the general population. This paper presents the first case of malignant ectopic retrosternal goiter of a large size in combination with the aberrant right subclavian artery. Clinical case description. A 61-year-old male presented to the thoracic surgery department of P. Herzen Moscow oncology Research institute with a large posterior mediastinal mass measuring 108×106×79 mm and adjacent to the right lobe of the thyroid gland. The tumor displaced the trachea and esophagus. Open biopsy through a thoracotomy incision revealed thyroid gland cells without signs of atypia. A detailed examination revealed mediastinal vascular anomaly – retrotracheal position of the right subclavian artery. a complete longitudinal sternotomy, complemented by a right-sided thoracotomy at the 3rd intercostal space, served as the surgical approach. The operation lasted 320 minutes, with a blood loss of 3500 ml. The postoperative period was uneventful. The morphological examination of the surgical specimen revealed nodular hyperplasia of the ectopic thyroid tissue with the growth of well-differentiated follicular carcinoma without metastatic involvement of removed lymph nodes. Considering the identified follicular carcinoma, total thyroidectomy was performed. Conclusion. In surgical planning, it is crucial to assess the location of major mediastinal vessels and their relationship with the goiter. Therefore, all patients with mediastinal lesions should undergo preoperative contrast-enhanced ct. Retrosternal goiter predisposes to a higher rate of malignancy compared to cervical goiter. If the lower edge of the goiter is at the level of or below the aortic arch, cervical access should be supplemented with sternotomy. In cases of a massive thoracic component, additional thoracotomy is justified.
Isolated liver chemoperfusion in a patient with mesenteric leiomyosarcoma and liver metastasis
Authors: Reshetov I. V. , Manukovsky V. A. , Demko A. E. , Cheremisov V. V. , Osipov A. V. , Taniya S. Sh. , Privalov M. A. , Babich A. I.
Published: May 2024

Background. Treatment for inoperable secondary liver cancer remains challenging especially in patients with colorectal cancer. Traditional systemic drug therapy is often ineffective, and the use of transarterial chemoembolization is limited due to the systemic toxicity of some drugs. Combining high efficacy and low systemic toxicity, isolated chemoperfusion is a promising treatment option for patients with liver metastasis. Case report. A patient with mesentery leiomyosarcoma underwent several surgeries and chemotherapy courses, but liver metastases continued to grow. Isolated liver chemoperfusion with melphalan was performed after resection of liver segment and mobilization of liver vessels. To reduce the tumor volume and prevent complications, atypical liver resection was also performed. Conclusion. Isolated liver chemoperfusion for the treatment of liver cancer remains a subject of debate and is not included in the standards for treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors. This technique was shown to be safe and promising in treating liver metastasis from leiomyosarcoma. However, further research is required to assess the role of this procedure in overall survival.
Use of selpercatinib in a patient with RET-mutated non-small cell lung cancer: case report
Authors: Kazakov A. M. , Laktionov K. K. , Vorobyeva V. O. , Sarantseva K. A.
Published: May 2024

Background. The use of the modern targeted drugs in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with certain somatic alterations (genetic alterations in EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, RET genes, etc.) provides a significant increase in overall and disease-free survival with an acceptable toxicity profile. The use of RET inhibitors, such as selpercatinib, has significantly improved prognosis in NSCLC patients with RET gene translocation, since chemotherapy and immunotherapy in this cohort of patients are ineffective options. The RET gene translocation occurs rarely (2–3 % of cases among lung adenocarcinoma), but detection of this genetic alteration with subsequent administration of targeted therapy significantly improves the prognosis of the disease. Case report. We present a clinical case of the efficacy of targeted therapy with selpercatinib in a 60-year-old patient with RET-positive NSCLC. Methods to eliminate toxicity after selpercatinib therapy and therapy response are described. Results. Second-line selpercatinib therapy resulted in partial response in our patient with lung adenocarcinoma and the presence of translocation in RET gene. Adverse effects from targeted therapy were minimized or eliminated by the use of concomitant therapy, temporary cancellation of targeted therapy with subsequent dose reduction and gradual return to full therapeutic doses. Conclusion. This case demonstrates the high significance and importance of genetic testing in patients with lung adenocarcinoma not only for the most common mutations, but also for rarer somatic alterations, such as translocation in the RET gene. Detection of this translocation and subsequent administration of appropriate targeted therapy significantly improves the prognosis of patients.
HRD-negative high-grade carcinoma of the ovary in BRCA2 pathogenic variant carrier
Authors: Sokolenko A. P. , Poletaeva S. V. , Shestakova A. D. , Gorodnova T. V. , Berlev I. V. , Imyanitov E. N.
Published: May 2024

Background. Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is a valuable molecular marker for predicting response to platinum agents and poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Germline and somatic alterations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the major cause of HRD in ovarian cancer. However, in some cases, tumors arising in carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variants do not lose the normal copy of the corresponding gene and are not deficient for homologous recombination. Aim of the study was to present a case of high-grade ovarian carcinoma without HRD phenotype developed in a BRCA2 mutation carrier. Case report. A 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with multiple primaries: HER2-positive high-grade ovarian cancer and colorectal adenocarcinoma. analysis of the coding BRCA1/BRCA2 sequences revealed the germline BRCA2 c.658_659delgt [rs80359604] pathogenic variant. Given the unusual histological features, namely the absence of serous or endometrioid markers and high HER2 expression, we performed additional molecular analysis of the metastatic lesions in the lymph nodes. In all samples, the pattern of chromosomal instability did not match the HRD profile and there was loss of the mutant copy of the BRCA2 gene. Therefore, this tumor lacked the BRCAness phenotype. Conclusion. Tumors arising in HRR gene mutation carriers require additional molecular analysis for a comprehensive assessment of HRD.
The use of a thoracodorsal flap in the surgical treatment of squamous cell skin cancer (case report)
Authors: Zakharkina Т. V. , Kulikov E. P. , Nurieva A. I. , Zaitsev M. B. , Allakhyarov T. Ch. , Grigoriev A. V.
Published: May 2024

We report a case of successful surgical treatment of a patient with locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell cancer (cSCC) originating from a burn scar. The burn scar cSCC tends to be more aggressive in nature than conventional skin SCC. treatment of patients with cSCC arising from a burn scar is complicated by the fact that the extensive defects formed after tumor removal are almost impossible to close with local tissues. Purpose: to demonstrate the feasibility of performing surgery for locally advanced cSCC using a thoracodorsal flap. Clinical case description. A 70-year old man presented with cSCC of the right shoulder. The patient had experienced a severe burn covering 70 % of his body surface area at a young age. To repair a large skin defect after tumor resection in the right shoulder, a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap was used. there were no complications in the postoperative period. At a follow-up of 7 months, no evidence of tumor recurrence was observed. Conclusion. The thoracodorsal artery perforator flap has contributed to the efficient reconstruction of extensive soft tissue defects in patients with locally advanced cSCC originating from a burn scar.