bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long Non-Coding RNA GAS5 Promotes BAX Expression by Competing with microRNA-128-3p in Response to 5-Fluorouracil
Authors: Lee Heejin , Kang Hoin , Kim Chongtae , Ku Ja-Lok , Nam Sukwoo , Lee Eun Kyung
Published: December 2022

The acquisition of drug resistance is a major hurdle for effective cancer treatment. Although several efforts have been made to overcome drug resistance, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) in drug resistance. GAS5 was found to be downregulated in colon cancer cell lines that are resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Downregulation of GAS5 decreased the viability of HCT116 cells and the level of the pro-apoptotic BAX protein, while GAS5 overexpression promoted cell death in response to 5-FU. The interaction between GAS5 and BAX mRNA was investigated using MS2-tagged RNA affinity purification (MS2-trap) followed by RT-qPCR, and the results showed that GAS5 bound to the 3′-untranslated region of BAX mRNA and enhanced its expression by interfering with the inhibitory effect of microRNA-128-3p, a negative regulator of BAX. In addition, ectopic expression of GAS5 increased the sensitivity of resistant cells in response to anti-cancer drugs. These results suggest that GAS5 promoted cell death by interfering with miR-128-3p-mediated BAX downregulation. Therefore, GAS5 overexpression in chemo-resistant cancer cells may be a potential strategy to improve the anti-cancer efficacy of drugs.
Atrial Fibrillation Risk and Urate-Lowering Therapy in Patients with Gout: A Cohort Study Using a Clinical Database
Authors: Liu Ching-Han , Huang Shih-Chung , Yin Chun-Hao , Huang Wei-Chun , Chen Jin-Shuen , Chen Yao-Shen , Gan Su-Ting , Tzou Shiow-Jyu , Hsu Ching-Tsai , Wu Hao-Ming , Wang Wen-Hwa
Published: December 2022

Individuals of Asian descent are at higher risk for developing hyperuricemia and gout as compared to Western populations. Urate-lowering therapy (ULT) is an effective treatment for hyperuricemia and gout. It was reported that febuxostat, one of the ULTs, raises the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in elderly populations. Nevertheless, this association has not been properly investigated in Asian populations. We aimed to investigate the development of AF after ULT with different drugs in an Asian population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the clinical database at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. Patients newly diagnosed with gout between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2020 and with a documented baseline serum uric acid (sUA) level but no prior diagnosis of AF were identified. Patients were divided into three groups—allopurinol, benzbromarone, and febuxostat users. During the follow-up period, the risks of incident AF following the initiation of ULT with different drugs were assessed. Development of incident AF was noted in 43 (6%) of the 713 eligible patients during the follow-up period (mean, 49.4 ± 26.6 months). Febuxostat-treated patients had a higher prevalence of certain comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease) and higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Compared with allopurinol, neither febuxostat nor benzbromarone was associated with increased adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for incident AF (HR: 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43–3.34; HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.22–2.08). There was no difference in the risk of incident AF among Asian patients with gout who received febuxostat, allopurinol, or benzbromarone. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients receiving different ULT drugs.
Investigating Foot Morphology in Rock Climbing Mammals: Inspiration for Biomimetic Climbing Shoes
Authors: Spurrier Stephen , Allen Tom , Grant Robyn A.
Published: December 2022

The sporting goods sector can serve as a proving ground for new technologies. We propose that climbing shoes are an excellent case study for showcasing a systematic approach to bio-inspired design. Foot adaptations to climbing have been described before in some animals and have even been incorporated into bio-inspired products. However, there has not yet been a systematic description of climbing adaptations in mammals, and especially in rock climbing species. We present a description of foot morphology in mammals and compare rock climbing species to those with other locomotion types. Our results show that rock climbing species in our sample had fewer digits and larger anterior pads than arboreal species. Rock climbing species often had hooves or, if they had foot pads, these were relatively smooth. These examples look a bit like current climbing shoe designs, perhaps suggesting convergent evolution. However, there was also variation, with rock climbing species having pads varying in shape, placement and texture. Much of this variation is likely to be dependent on the relatedness of species, with those that are more related having more similar feet. We suggest that incorporation of novel textures and compliant pads might be an interesting focus for future climbing shoe designs.
Implementation of Digital Technologies in Construction Companies: Establishing a Holistic Process which Addresses Current Barriers
Authors: Schnell Peter , Haag Phillip , Jünger Hans Christian
Published: December 2022

Digital technologies are being introduced in all areas of the construction industry with the overarching goals of increasing productivity while simultaneously simplifying work and reducing errors. Nevertheless, their use and the associated implementation in construction companies is currently still inhibited. One reason for this is the lack of a holistic implementation process for digital technologies. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to deliver a concept for such a holistic digital-technology-implementation-process which addresses current barriers. For this purpose, a qualitative literature analysis was conducted first, which reveals the current focus of research on digital technologies. In a second step, current barriers regarding the implementation of digital technologies were identified by conducting interviews with experts from German construction companies. The interview concept combined and adapted the survey instruments Technology Commitment by Neyer et al. and Technophobia by Sinkovics. Based on the findings of the qualitative literature research and the expert interviews, a holistic implementation process for the introduction of digital technologies for construction companies was developed, which specifically addresses the currently prevailing barriers. Therefore, the barriers Acceptance, Control and Competence were classified in a temporal context within the implementation process and recommendations for action are presented for the individual process steps of implementing digital technologies.
Recent Advances on Nano-Catalysts for Biological Processes
Authors: Dikshit Pritam Kumar , Kim Beom Soo
Published: December 2022

We are honored to serve as the Guest Editors of this Special Issue entitled “Recent Advances on Nano-Catalysts for Biological Processes” for the journal Catalysts [...]
Nitrogen Reduction Reaction Catalyzed by Diatomic Metals Supported by N-Doped Graphite
Authors: Huo Jinrong , Wei Haocong , Zhang Kai , Zhao Chenxu , He Chaozheng
Published: December 2022

In this article, for the transition metal-nitrogen ligand Mn-M@N6-C (M = Ag, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hf, Ir, Mo, Nb, Ni, Os, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, Ru, Sc, Ta, Tc, V, Y, Zn, Zr, Ti, W), by comparing the amount of change in the length of the N-N triple-bond, and calculating the adsorption energy of N2 and the change of charge around N2, it is shown that the activation effect of Sc, Ti, Y, Nb-Mn@N6-C on the single-atomic layer of graphite substrate is relatively good. The calculation of structural stability shows that the Mn-M@N6-C (M = Sc, Ti, Y) load is relatively stable when it is on the single-atomic layer of the graphite substrate. Through calculations, a series of data such as the adsorption free energy and reaction path are obtained, and the final results show that the preferred reaction mechanism of NRR is the alternating path on Mn-Ti@N6-C, and the reaction limit potential is only 0.16 eV, Mn-Ti@N6-C and has good NRR activity. In addition, the vertical path on Mn-Y@N6-C has a reaction limit potential of 0.39 eV. Mn-Y@N6-C also has good NRR catalyzing activity.
Microbiome Changes in Children Treated under General Anesthesia for Severe Early Childhood Caries: Pilot Study
Authors: Ratson Tal , Dagon Nurit , Blumer Sigalit , Sterer Nir
Published: December 2022

A full-mouth radical dental treatment under general anesthesia is a common approach for treating severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). However, previous study showed recurrence of the disease in 80% of cases within 12 months. The aim of the present study was to examine the changes in microbial composition of the dental biofilm of these children following treatment. Dental biofilm samples from five children (mean age 45.4 ± 10.1 months) were taken before and three months after treatment and analyzed for microbial composition using Next Generation Sequencing of the microbial DNA extracted from these samples. Although some reductions in the abundance of caries-pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Rothia dentocariosa and Scardovia wiggisiae) were seen in the post-treatment follow up samples, these reductions were for the most part not statistically significant, and these bacteria remained well above detection levels. Taken together, the results of the present pilot study suggest that the dental treatment alone is not enough to reduce the caries risk status of these children and that a more comprehensive approach should be considered.
Why Do They Leave? The Counterplans to Continue Working among Preschool Workers in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Matsuo Moemi , Higashijima Misako
Published: December 2022

Three institutions predominantly care for preschool children in Japan: kindergartens, authorized childcare institutions, and nursery centers. Recently, the turnover rates of preschool workers in these institutions have been high, and Japan has been facing a shortage of kindergarten teachers. The study aimed to provide concrete counterplans to reduce preschool workers’ turnover rate. To determine the causes of turnover, we conducted a cross-sectional survey. We recruited preschool workers from several kindergartens, authorized childcare institutions, and nursery centers in Japan to fill out a survey regarding counterplans for employment. Of the 1002 surveys, 551 (541 women; 10 men) complete surveys were received (response rate: 55%). A total of 295 participants answered that they were unwilling to continue working for longer than five years and completed the questionnaires. The Jiro Kawakita method was used to categorize and analyze the four sections of the counterplan questionnaires. The results showed that the main reasons for high turnover were overtime work, low salary, and difficult human relations. To solve these issues, the counterplan ideas such as workshop ideas and conditions conducive to continuing working longer were related to human relations, work conditions, and mental health.
Persistent Asthma at School Age: Associated Factors in Preschool Children with Asthma
Authors: Sirianansopa Kantisa , Ruangnapa Kanokpan , Prasertsan Pharsai , Saelim Kantara , Anuntaseree Wanaporn
Published: December 2022

Most patients with childhood asthma present their first symptoms at preschool age. Identifying modifiable risks and protective factors at an early age may help develop asthma prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to identify factors at preschool age that are associated with persistent asthma at school age. This retrospective observational study included preschool children with asthma from 2015 to 2020 at a university hospital in Southern Thailand. In total, 189 eligible participants (70.9% boys; median age, 7.6 [6.7, 8.5] years) were included. Wheeze characteristics included early transient wheeze, persistent wheeze, and late-onset wheeze that accounted for 55%, 27.5%, and 19.5% of the patients, respectively. Approximately 20% of the participants had persistent asthma. Breastfeeding was a protective factor (odds ratio [OR] 0.4 [0.2, 0.9], p = 0.04). The modifiable risk factors were siblings living in the same household (OR 2.6 [1.1, 6.2], p = 0.02) and residence in an industrial area (OR 3.8 [1.4, 10.5], p = 0.009). Additionally, presence of allergic rhinitis was associated with an increased risk of persistent asthma at school age (OR 3.6 [1.6, 8.2], p = 0.002). Early therapeutic interventions targeting modifiable factors provide a window of opportunity to prevent persistent asthma at school age.
Vestibular Morphological Alterations in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies
Authors: Cortés-Pérez Irene , Salamanca-Montilla Lourdes , Gámiz-Bermúdez Francisca , Obrero-Gaitán Esteban , Ibáñez-Vera Alfonso Javier , Lomas-Vega Rafael
Published: December 2022

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most frequent pediatric spinal deformity. Its treatment still shows limited results due to the existent lack of knowledge regarding etiopathogenesis. Thus, the purpose of the study is to check the existence of vestibular morphological alterations among idiopathic scoliosis patients. To meet the objective, we performed this systematic review searching studies in PubMed Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete and SciELO until 15 September 2022. Articles that analyzed the morphology of the vestibular apparatus were selected, comparing subjects with AIS versus healthy subjects. Variables were selected that measured the orientation of the channels as well as the general conformation of the vestibular apparatus. One hundred and eighty-five records were retrieved in the preliminary searches, of which five studies were finally included, providing data from 154 participants (83 cases and 71 healthy controls) with a mean age 16.07 ± 2.48 years old. Two studies conclude that the superior and lateral semicircular canals are longer and thinner in patients with AIS. One study concluded that the measure between centers of superior and lateral canals and the angle whose vertex is placed the center of posterior canal were significantly shorter in subjects with AIS than in healthy controls in the left-side of vestibular apparatus. Two studies found an asymmetry in the verticality of the lateral canals on both sides in subjects with AIS, although it is not clear whether the left canal is in a more horizontal or vertical position. Patients with AIS seem to present morphological asymmetries of the vestibular apparatus, fundamentally on the left side. These anomalies seem to correlate with the location of the curve but not with its laterality or severity.
Nutrition as Prevention of Diet-Related Diseases—A Cross-Sectional Study among Children and Young Adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Białek-Dratwa Agnieszka , Żur Sebastian , Wilemska-Kucharzewska Katarzyna , Szczepańska Elżbieta , Kowalski Oskar
Published: December 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the diet of children with Down syndrome (DS) and to identify potential dietary mistakes made by their parents. Materials and methods: The study was conducted among 195 parents of people with DS between November 2020 and March 2021. Data for the study were collected anonymously using the CAWI method. Results: 122 (62.6%) people with DS did not eliminate any nutrient from their diet. By contrast, in the study group, the following numbers of people reported the following dietary restrictions: 51 (26.2%) gluten, 56 (28.7%) lactose, 17 (8.7%) casein, 26 (13.3%) sucrose, 2 (1.0%) histamine, 2 (1.0%) lectins, and 1 (0.5%) dairy. The most frequent response for vegetable and fruit consumption was once a day, with 83 (42.6%) and 87 (44.6%) parents indicating this. The most frequent response for dairy product consumption was every day, with 72 (36.9%) parents indicating this, while 36 (20%) parents stated that their children do not eat dairy products at all. In the study group, the most frequent response for meat consumption was several times a week, this was indicated by 107 (54.9%) parents, while 1 (0.5%) of them said that their children do not eat meat products at all. The most frequent response for fish consumption was 1–2 times a week, this answer was indicated by 101 (51.8%) parents, while 13 (6.7%) said that their children do not eat these products at all. Conclusions: A majority of the subjects with DS are usually fed in a normal way, but nutritional mistakes are made by the parents. Special attention should be paid to prolonging the period of natural feeding.
Antibiotic Prescribing Practices and Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric Patients with Campylobacter Enterocolitis
Authors: Wi Dasom , Choi Soo-Han
Published: December 2022

Antibiotics are not routinely recommended for patients with Campylobacter enterocolitis. We conducted a retrospective review of hospitalized patients younger than 18 years diagnosed with Campylobacter enterocolitis from July 2015 to December 2019. This study aimed to investigate antibiotic prescribing practices and the clinical outcomes and to evaluate the factors associated with antibiotic use. A total of 157 patients (median age, 10.7 years) were included in this study. Most patients (93.0%) had a fever, and a quarter of the patients complained of bloody diarrhea. The overall antibiotic prescribing rate was 36.7% (57/157), 91.2% of the patients received antibiotics within hospital day 2. The semi-annual antibiotic prescribing rate ranged from 16.7 to 50.0%. There were no increasing or decreasing trends in antibiotic prescribing rates. Cephalosporins were the most prescribed antibiotics for initial antibiotic therapy. Azithromycin use increased significantly during the study period. The independent factors associated with early antibiotic therapy were leukocytosis (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 3.95; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.76–9.27), C-reactive protein ≥50 mg/L (aOR, 4.19; 95% CI, 1.84–10.21), and performing abdominal imaging studies (aOR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.55–7.99). There was no significance in defervescence between the early and no-antibiotic therapy groups (p = 0.232). A careful assessment of the need for antibiotic therapy in patients with acute diarrhea should be conducted to avoid unnecessary use. After identifying the causative pathogens, the appropriateness of antibiotic prescription should be evaluated.
Understanding Parental Perceptions of Content-Specific Barriers to Preventing Unintentional Injuries in the Home
Authors: Oono Mikiko , Nishida Yoshifumi , Kitamura Koji , Yamanaka Tatsuhiro
Published: December 2022

Background: Preventable injuries are the leading cause of death in children around the world, including in Japan. As children under the age of 5 years spend most of their time at home, home injury prevention is critical for child safety. The purpose of this study was to identify specific, focused, and precise barriers against injury prevention practice. Methods: We conducted an online survey to examine the barriers faced by parents when taking actions to prevent home injuries. Results: The results revealed common reasons why parents do not or cannot take a recommended action across injury types, and that the magnitude of importance for a specific barrier depends on the type of injury. Conclusions: Identifying content-specific barriers could help researchers and educators understand parents’ needs, discuss what barriers are more important than others by injury type, and develop effective strategies based on the 3Es of injury prevention (enforcement, engineering, and education).
Risk Factors for Non-Adherence to Inhaled Corticosteroids in Preschool Children with Asthma
Authors: Bach Louise Mandrup , Rubak Sune , Holm-Weber Adam , Prahl Julie , Hermansen Mette , Hansen Kirsten Skamstrup , Chawes Bo
Published: December 2022

Non-adherence to asthma controllers increases morbidity among school-aged children. This study aimed to determine non-adherence risk factors in preschool children with asthma. We investigated 172 children <6 years diagnosed with asthma in 2018 and analyzed baseline characteristics and loss of control events extracted from the medical records for four years following diagnosis. At end of follow-up, 79 children had a prescription of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and were included in the analyses. Adherence was assessed in a two-year period through pharmacy claims using percentage of days covered (PDC) analyzed dichotomously with non-adherence defined as PDC < 80% and using adherence ratio (AR) defined as days with medical supply divided by days without. Of the 79 children, 59 (74.7%) were classified as non-adherent. In analyses adjusted for sex, age and exacerbations prior to inclusion, adherence was positively associated with having had a loss of control event requiring a step-up in asthma controller (aAR:2.34 [1.10;4.98], p = 0.03), oral corticosteroids (aAR:2.45 [1.13;5.34], p = 0.026) or redeeming a short-acting b2-agonist prescription (aAR:2.91 [1.26;6.74], p = 0.015). Further, atopic comorbidity was associated with increased adherence (aAR:1.18 [1.01;1.37], p = 0.039), whereas having a first degree relative with asthma was associated with worse adherence (aAR:0.44 [0.23;0.84], p = 0.015). This study found poor adherence to ICS among three quarters of preschool children with asthma. Increasing adherence was associated with atopic comorbidity and loss of control events, whereas lower adherence was associated with atopic predisposition. These findings should be considered to improve adherence in preschool children with asthma.
The Impact of Parental Migration on Multidimensional Health of Children in Rural China: The Moderating Effect of Mobile Phone Addiction
Authors: Zhou Mi , Bian Biyu , Zhu Weiming , Huang Li
Published: December 2022

Improving physical, mental and cognitive health is a strategic choice to help developing countries cross the middle-income trap. This paper used data from the 2019 China Rural Children Health and Nutrition Survey (n = 826), and used the Ordered Probit (Oprobit), Logit and ordinary least squares (OLS) analytical methods to systematically analyze the implications of parental migration on multidimensional health. The results indicate that parental migration significantly harms the physical and mental health of rural children, and that mobile phone addiction has a significant moderating effect. Moreover, parental migration has a greater impact on the physical health, mental health and cognitive ability of boys and rural children with low family income, while parents with higher nutrition knowledge and education can effectively improve the physical health and cognitive ability of their children. In conclusion, in order to improve the multidimensional health of rural children, the government should strengthen the policy of care and support for children whose parents migrate. Schools and families should pay attention to the supervision of rural children’s mobile phone addiction.
“We Absolutely Had the Impression That It Was Our Decision”—A Qualitative Study with Parents of Critically Ill Infants Who Participated in End-of-Life Decision Making
Authors: Beyer Maria Florentine , Kuehlmeyer Katja , Mang Pezi , Flemmer Andreas W. , Führer Monika , Marckmann Georg , de Vos Mirjam , Schouten Esther Sabine
Published: December 2022

Background: Guidelines recommend shared decision making (SDM) between neonatologists and parents when a decision has to be made about the continuation of life-sustaining treatment (LST). In a previous study, we found that neonatologists and parents at a German Level-III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit performed SDM to a variable but overall small extent. However, we do not know whether parents in Germany prefer an extent of more or sharing. Methods: We performed a qualitative interview study with parents who participated in our first study. We analyzed the semi-structured interviews with qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz. Results: The participation in medical decision making (MDM) varied across cases. Overall, neonatologists and parents conducted SDM in most cases only to a small extent. All parents appreciated their experience independent of how much they were involved in MDM. The parents who experienced a small extent of sharing were glad that they were protected by neonatologists from having to decide, shielding them from a conflict of interest. The parents who experienced a large extent of sharing especially valued that they were able to fulfil their parental duties even if that meant partaking in a decision to forgo LST. Discussion: Other studies have also found a variety of possibilities for parents to partake in end-of-life decision making (EOL-DM). Our results suggest that parents do not have a uniform preference for one specific decision-making approach, but rather different parents appreciate their individual experience regardless of the model for DM. Conclusion: SDM is apparently not a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, neonatologists and parents have to adapt the decision-making process to the parents’ individual needs and preferences for autonomy and protection. Therefore, SDM should not be prescribed as a uniform standard in medico-ethical guidelines, but rather as a flexible guidance for DM for critically ill patients in neonatology.
Febrile Urinary Tract Infections in Children: The Role of High Mobility Group Box-1
Authors: Chimenz Roberto , Chirico Valeria , Cuppari Caterina , Sallemi Alessia , Cardile Davide , Baldari Sergio , Ascenti Giorgio , Monardo Paolo , Lacquaniti Antonio
Published: December 2022

Background: Differentiating between febrile lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) and acute pyelonephritis (APN) is crucial for prompt clinical management. We investigated whether the high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) could be a useful biomarker in differentiating between LUTI or APN. Methods: We enrolled seventy-four pediatric patients with suspected LUTI/APN, according to the positive or negative renal scintigraphy (DMSA) scan. If the first DMSA findings were abnormal, a second DMSA was performed after six months. Voiding cystourethrography ruled out vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Results: Higher serum (s) HMGB1 levels characterized the APN group when compared to LUTI patients (13.3 (11.8–14.3) versus 5.9 (5.2–6.8) ng/mL, p: 0.02), whereas there were no differences according to urine (u) HMGB1 values. sHMGB1 correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (β = 0.47; p: 0.02). Receiver operating characteristic curves identified the best diagnostic profile for detecting APN. sHMGB1 area under the curve was different from CRP (p: 0.01) and white blood cells (p: 0.003). After multivariate analyses, VUR (HR:4.81) and sHMGB1 (HR 1.16; p: 0.006) were independently associated with the risk of renal scarring development. Conclusions: sHMGB1 could represent a marker to differentiate APN from LUTI. Measurement of sHMGB1 could select children for early intervention or long-term follow-up.
Sorry Parents, Children Consume High Amounts of Candy before and after a Meal: Within-Person Comparisons of Children’s Candy Intake and Associations with Temperament and Appetite
Authors: Hernandez Erika , Moore Amy M. , Rollins Brandi Y. , Tovar Alison , Savage Jennifer S.
Published: December 2022

Candy provides little nutritional value and contributes to children’s energy intake from added sugars. Factors influencing children’s candy intake remain largely unknown. This study describes children’s total candy intake (kcal) before and after a meal and examines associations of candy intake in both conditions with children’s temperament and appetite among a predominantly White, highly educated sample. Children (n = 38, age 5–8 years) were given free access to 11 candies (5 chocolate, 6 non-chocolate) and non-food alternatives during a pre-meal and a post-meal condition. Parents completed the Child Behavior Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Total candy intake was less when offered after a meal (209.3 kcal; SD = 111.25) than before a meal when still hungry (283.6 kcal; SD = 167.3), but not statistically different. Individual differences in candy intake between conditions was calculated to categorize children into three groups: “Better Regulators” consumed more candy before a meal (39%), “Consistent/Poorer Regulators” consumed similar amounts before and after a meal regardless of hunger (32%), and “Most Disinhibited” children consumed more candy after a meal when not hungry (29%). The “Better Regulators” group was lowest in negative affect and the “Consistent/Poorer Regulators” group was highest in food responsiveness. Children’s candy intake was high relative to daily energy needs both before and after a meal. Child negative affect and food responsiveness appear to be child characteristics that predispose children to poor self-regulation of candy intake before and after a meal.
Systemic Bevacizumab for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Scoping Review from 2009 to 2022
Authors: Torres-Canchala Laura , Cleves-Luna Daniela , Arias-Valderrama Oriana , Candelo Estephania , Guerra María Angelica , Pachajoa Harry , Olaya Manuela
Published: December 2022

Background: Respiratory recurrent papillomatosis (RRP) is a fatal disease with no known cure. In severe RRP cases, systemic bevacizumab (SB) could be used as adjuvant therapy. Objective: This study aims to determine the extent and type of evidence in relation to the clinical outcomes of RRP after SB treatment. Methods: Participants with RRP of all genders are included in this scoping review. There were no exclusion criteria (country, language, or document type). The information sources included experimental, quasi-experimental, and analytical observational studies. Unpublished data will not be covered, but gray literature was covered. Screening, paper selection, and data extraction were all done by two independent reviewers. This procedure was performed blindly. Results: Of the 175 unique records found, 15 were eligible for inclusion. Fourteen studies were included after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty-four patients in these studies came from the United States, India, Germany, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Spain. In total, 17 and 34 patients were below 18 years old and were adults respectively. The most commonly reported dose was 10 mg/kg, which was received by 25 (73.5%) patients. According to reports, 58.8% of patients completed the questionnaire. Twelve (35%) patients did not require a repeat surgery. The time interval between surgical procedures has increased for patients who require them. Conclusion: SB may be a promissory treatment and control option for RRP. More research is needed to evaluate the efficiency and adverse effects in various populations.
The Function of BDNF and Its Receptor in the Male Genitourinary System and Its Potential Clinical Application
Authors: Tan Xiaoli , Zhao Liangyu , Tang Yuxin
Published: December 2022

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as a member of the nerve growth factor family, has been mentioned more and more frequently in recent literature reports. Among them, content about the male genitourinary system is also increasing. Objective and Rationale: BDNF plays an important role in the male genitourinary system. At the same time, the literature in this field is constantly increasing. Therefore, we systematically summarized the literature in order to more intuitively show the function of BDNF and its receptor in the male genitourinary system and its potential clinical application. Search Methods: An electronic search of, e.g., PubMed, scholar.google and Scopus, for articles relating to BDNF and its receptor in the male genitourinary system. Outcomes: In the male genitourinary system, BDNF and its receptors TrkB and p75 participate in a series of normal physiological activities, such as the maturation and morphogenesis of testes and epididymis and maintenance of isolated sperm motility. Similarly, an imbalance of the circulating concentration of BDNF also mediates the pathophysiological process of many diseases, such as prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, male infertility, diabetes erectile dysfunction, penile sclerosis, and bladder fibrosis. As a consequence, we conclude that BDNF and its receptor are key regulatory proteins in the male genitourinary system, which can be used as potential therapeutic targets and markers for disease diagnosis.
Changes in Sleep Regularity and Perceived Life Stress across the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis of a Predominately Female United States Convenience Sample
Authors: Bottary Ryan , Fields Eric C. , Ugheoke Loren , Denis Dan , Mullington Janet M. , Cunningham Tony J.
Published: December 2022

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on sleep and psychological well-being for individuals worldwide. This pre-registered investigation extends our prior study by tracking self-reported social jetlag (SJL), social sleep restriction (SSR), and perceived life stress from May 2020 through October 2021. Using web-based surveys, we collected self-reported sleep information with the Ultrashort Munich Chronotype Questionnaire at three additional timepoints (September 2020, February 2021 and October 2021). Further, we measured perceived life stress with the Perceived Stress Scale at two additional timepoints (February 2021 and October 2021). In a subsample of 181, predominantly female (87%), United States adults aged 19–89 years, we expanded our prior findings by showing that the precipitous drop in SJL during the pandemic first wave (May 2020), compared to pre-pandemic (February, 2020), rapidly rose with loosening social restrictions (September 2020), though never returned to pre-pandemic levels. This effect was greatest in young adults, but not associated with self-reported chronotype. Further, perceived life stress decreased across the pandemic, but was unrelated to SJL or SSR. These findings suggest that sleep schedules were sensitive to pandemic-related changes in social restrictions, especially in younger participants. We posit several possible mechanisms supporting these findings.
Recognition of Corrosion State of Water Pipe Inner Wall Based on SMA-SVM under RF Feature Selection
Authors: Zhao Qian , Li Lu , Zhang Lihua , Zhao Man
Published: December 2022

To solve the problem of low detection accuracy of water supply pipeline internal wall damage, a random forest algorithm with simplified features and a slime mold optimization support vector machine detection method was proposed. Firstly, the color statistical characteristics, gray level co-occurrence matrix, and gray level run length matrix features of the pipeline image are extracted for multi-feature fusion. The contribution of the fused features is analyzed using the feature simplified random forest algorithm, and the feature set with the strongest feature expression ability is selected for classification and recognition. The global search ability of the slime mold optimization algorithm is used to find the optimal kernel function parameters and penalty factors of the support vector machine model. Finally, the optimal parameters are applied to support the vector machine model for classification prediction. The experimental results show that the recognition accuracy of the classification model proposed in this paper reaches 94.710% on the data sets of different corrosion forms on the inner wall of the pipeline. Compared with the traditional Support Vector Machines (SVM) classification model, the SVM model based on differential pollination optimization, the SVM model based on particle swarm optimization, and the back propagation (BP) neural network classification model, it is improved by 4.786%, 3.023%, 4.030%, and 0.503% respectively.
Performance and Verification of High-Modulus Asphalt Modified by Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene Block Copolymer (SBS) and Rock Asphalt
Authors: Li Yuxin , Yan Xiangpeng , Guo Jianmin , Wu Wenjuan , Shi Wencheng , Xu Qinsheng , Ji Zhengjun
Published: December 2022

High asphalt grade and poor high-temperature performance are the primary reasons for the permanent rutting deformation of asphalt pavement. However, the low grade of asphalt and the poor low-temperature performance and fatigue life of the mixture can easily lead to the low-temperature cracking of asphalt pavement. With the rapid increase in road traffic, volume, and traffic load, the performance requirements of road asphalt materials are becoming higher and higher. High-modulus asphalt has excellent temperature stability and good fatigue resistance. However, high-modulus asphalt is expensive, so its use can greatly increase the pavement cost, restricting its wide application in road engineering. It is necessary to find an economical way to produce modified asphalt to meet the current road requirements. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) and rock asphalt on the road performance of modified high-modulus asphalt, in which the replacement level of SBS and rock asphalt below 8 wt.% are compared. Apart from the conventional performance measurements, such as softening point, penetration, ductility and viscosity, thermal storage stability and rheological properties are also measured. The test results show that the composite modification of SBS and North American rock asphalt can effectively improve the high-temperature resistance and reduce the temperature sensitivity of 50# matrix asphalt, but it has no obvious improvement on its low-temperature performance. The preferred ternary blending system containing 4~6 wt.% SBS and 6~8 wt.% rock asphalt was obtained by performance analysis. It was verified that the performances of high-modulus asphalt mixture with the ternary blending asphalt above all meet the requirements of high-modulus asphalt mixture performance index.
Structural Features of Cellulose and Cellulose Nanocrystals via In Situ Incorporation of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Modification and Characterization
Authors: Evans Suter Kiplagat , Wesley Omwoyo Nyaigoti , Koech Lawrence , Nelana Simphiwe Maurice , Rutto Hilary Limo
Published: December 2022

This work reports on the structural modification of cellulosic materials with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles through the co-precipitation method. Cellulose is one of the most abundant natural polymers with chemical variability brought about by the presence of several hydroxyl groups, allowing its surface modifications through the insertion of several chemical groups to impact its cellulosic characteristics. Thus, the objective of this study was to synthesize magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) through co-precipitation, followed by in situ incorporation of MNPs onto chemically purified cellulose (CPC) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). The composites were characterized for thermal properties using TGA, molecular structure using FTIR, surface morphology using SEM, elemental composition using electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), and crystallinity using XRD. The prepared composites presented improved crystal, thermal, and surface properties. CNC-MNPs and CPC-MNPs bore particle sizes of 26.94 and 37.72 nm, respectively, whereas MNPs’ particle size was 10.3 nm. EDS analysis indicated that Fe, C, and Cl were the main elements present in the composites. Surface modification of the cellulosic materials presented excellent sorption surface properties and can be used in several industrial processes, such as wastewater purification, air filtration, and various environmental remediation processes.
Compound Characterization of a Mucuna Seed Extract: L-Dopa, Arginine, Stizolamine, and Some Fructooligosaccharides
Authors: Hernández-Orihuela Ana Lilia , Castro-Cerritos Karla Viridiana , López Mercedes Guadalupe , Martínez-Antonio Agustino
Published: December 2022

Human societies demand sustainable alternatives for goods and services. Plants are sustainable sources of important metabolites with beneficial impacts on human health. There are many reported methodologies and commercial suppliers for extract preparations from Mucuna sp. They usually claim the plant is enriched with L-dopa, its distinctive metabolite. However, many present poor characterizations of the extract’s components. Here, we present polar metabolites characterization of a Mucuna seed extract, emphasizing L-dopa identification and quantification. To obtain the extracts, we follow a green and sustainable extraction protocol. The lyophilized extract is subjected to liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify its primary metabolites. Additionally, we follow thin-layer chromatography to identify carbohydrates in the sample. The resultant extract has 56% L-dopa. Other main components in the extract are arginine, stizolamine, and the fructooligosaccharides sucrose and nystose. The characterized Mucuna extract can be easily standardized using powder preparation and used in several biomedical applications.
A New Modeling Approach for Viscous Dampers Using an Extended Kelvin–Voigt Rheological Model Based on the Identification of the Constitutive Law’s Parameters
Authors: Vasile Ovidiu , Bugaru Mihai
Published: December 2022

In addition to elastomeric devices, viscous fluid dampers can reduce the vibration transmitted to dynamic systems. Usually, these fluid dampers are rate-independent and used in conjunction with elastomeric isolators to insulate the base of buildings (buildings, bridges, etc.) to reduce the shocks caused by earthquakes by increasing the damping capability. According to the EN 15129 standard, the velocity-dependent anti-seismic devices are Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVDs) and Fluid Spring Dampers (FSDs). Based on experimental data from a dynamic regime of a fluid viscous damper of small dimensions, for which not all the design details are known, to determine the law of behavior for the viscous damper, the characteristics of the damper are identified, including the nonlinear parameter α (exponent of velocity V) of the constitutive law. Note that the magnitude of the fluid damper force depends on both velocity (where the maximum value is 0.52 m/s) and amplitude displacement (±25 mm). Using the Kelvin–Voigt rheological models, the dynamic response of a structure fixed with a fluid viscous device is analyzed, presenting the reaction force and displacement during the parameterized application of an external shock. This new approach for FVDs/FSDs was validated using the standard deviation between the experimental data and the numerical results of the extended Kelvin–Voigt model offering researchers in the field of seismic devices a reliable method to obtain a constitutive law for such devices.
The Difference in Wave Dynamics between SARS-CoV-2 Pre-Omicron and Omicron Variant Waves
Authors: Fuss Franz Konstantin , Weizman Yehuda , Tan Adin Ming
Published: December 2022

Compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, the Omicron variant exhibited different epidemiological features. The purpose of this study was to assess the wave dynamics of pre-Omicron and Omicron waves in terms of differences and similarities. We investigated the COVID-19 waves since the beginning of the pandemic up to 28 August 2022, 1000 waves in total, as to their effectiveness for flattening the curve, calculated from the first and second time derivative of the daily case data. The average number of Omicron waves per month (42.78) was greater than the one of pre-Omicron waves per month (25.62). Omicron waves steepen and flatten the curve significantly faster, more effectively and with sharper peaks. Omicron waves generated more daily case data than pre-Omicron waves; the pre-Omicron trend showed increasing numbers over time, whereas the Omicron trend showed decreasing numbers. In denser populated countries, pre-Omicron waves were managed more effectively, in contrast to Omicron waves which were managed less effectively (but more effectively in less densely populated countries). This study provides the evidence for a different behaviour of Omicron waves in terms of wave dynamics, and thereby confirms that the Omicron variant is not only genetically different but even more so in terms of epidemiological dynamics.
Combination of Durvalumab and Chemotherapy to Potentially Convert Unresectable Stage IV Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma to Resectable Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Chen Hao Xiang , Lin Ching-Chan , Lin Che-Hung , Yang Chi-Rei
Published: December 2022

Penile squamous cell carcinoma is a rare disease entity with poor overall survival in an advanced stage. Few studies have investigated the role of immunotherapy in advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we report a case of stage IV unresectable penile squamous cell carcinoma presenting with anal bleeding and urethra obstruction who responded dramatically to combination therapy of durvalumab and cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The patient had HPV-positive penile squamous cell carcinoma, cT3N3M0, with concomitant anus squamous cell carcinoma. After 2 months of the combination treatment, almost all bulky inguinal lymph nodes shrank, and the main tumor of the anus and penis responded completely. A durable response was seen 16 months after initiating the combination therapy. This case report highlights the potential role of the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with advanced penile cancer. The promising results of this combination resulted in the conversion of unresectable disease to a potentially curable disease.
RIOK2 Contributes to Cell Growth and Protein Synthesis in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Matsuzaki Yusuke , Naito Yutaka , Miura Nami , Mori Taisuke , Watabe Yukio , Yoshimoto Seiichi , Shibahara Takahiko , Takano Masayuki , Honda Kazufumi
Published: December 2022

Ribosomes are responsible for the protein synthesis that maintains cellular homeostasis and is required for the rapid cellular division of cancer cells. However, the role of ribosome biogenesis mediators in the malignant behavior of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is unknown. In this study, we found that the expression of RIOK2, a key enzyme involved in the maturation steps of the pre-40S ribosomal complex, was significantly associated with poorer overall survival in patients with TSCC. Further, multivariate analysis revealed that RIOK2 is an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 3.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–10.91). Inhibition of RIOK2 expression by siRNA decreased cell growth and S6 ribosomal protein expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. RIOK2 knockdown also led to a significant decrease in the protein synthesis in cancer cells. RIOK2 has potential application as a novel therapeutic target for TSCC treatment.
One-Year Follow-Up Lung Ultrasound of Post-COVID Syndrome—A Pilot Study
Authors: Altersberger Martin , Grafeneder Anna , Cho Yerin , Winkler Roland , Zwick Ralf , Mathis Gebhard , Genger Martin
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: Millions of people worldwide were infected with COVID-19. After the acute phase of the disease, many suffer from prolonged symptoms, the post-COVID syndrome, especially the phenotype with lung residuals. Many open questions regarding lung ultrasound (LUS) have to be answered. One essential question is the means for optimal following-up of patients with post-COVID-19 residuals with LUS; (2) Methods: A retrospective data analysis of patients after acute COVID-19 infection diagnosed with post-COVID syndrome in the state hospital of Steyr and the rehabilitation center of Hochegg was performed. LUS examinations following a 12-zone scanning protocol were performed, and the LUS score quantified comet tail artifacts. A total of 16 patients were evaluated twice with LUS from May 2020 until June 2021. (3) Results: All patients’ reverberation artifacts were reduced over time. The initial LUS score of 17.75 (SD 4.84) points was decreased over the duration of the second rehabilitation to 8,2 (SD 5.94). The difference in the Wilcoxon test was significant (p < 0.001); (4) Conclusions: Lung ultrasound was a valuable tool in the follow-up of post-COVID-syndrome with lung residuals in the first wave of COVID-19. A reduction in reverberation artifacts was demonstrated. Further studies about the clinical significance have to follow.