bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community perspectives on the appropriateness and importance of support goals for young autistic children
Authors: Waddington Hannah , Minnell Hannah , Patrick Lee , van Der Meer Larah , Monk Ruth , Woods Lisa , Whitehouse Andrew JO
Published: May 2023

There is little research regarding autistic adult, parent and professional perspectives on support goals for young autistic children. A total of 87 autistic adults, 159 parents of autistic children, and 80 clinical professionals living in New Zealand and Australia completed a survey about the appropriateness and importance of common support goals for young autistic children. Goals related to the adult supporting the child, the reduction and replacement of harmful behaviours, and improving child quality of life were the highest priority across participant groups, while goals related to child autism characteristics, play and academic skills were the lowest priority. Compared to parents and/or professionals, autistic adults gave lower priority ratings for play skills, autism characteristics and participation goals and were more likely to rate these goal domains as inappropriate. More research is needed to understand the underlying reasons for these similarities and differences.

Lay abstract

Researchers do not know much about what autistic adults, parents and professionals think about support goals for young autistic children. People’s views of support goals might also be influenced by their beliefs about early support more generally. This survey involved 87 autistic adults, 159 parents of autistic children and 80 clinical professionals living in New Zealand and Australia. We asked participants questions about themselves and what they thought about early support for young autistic children in general. We then asked participants to rate whether different support goals were appropriate for young autistic children and, if they were appropriate, to rate their level of priority. We found that autistic adults, parents and professionals all rated goals about the adult changing to better support the child, reducing and replacing harmful behaviours and improving the child’s quality of life as the highest priorities. They all rated goals about autism characteristics, play skills and academic skills as the lowest priorities. Compared to parents and/or professionals, autistic adults gave lower priority ratings for play skills, autism characteristics and participation goals. Autistic adults were also more likely to rate goals related to play skills and autism characteristics as inappropriate. While these three participant groups generally agreed on the order of priority of early support goals for young autistic children, autistic adults found goals related to autism characteristics, play and/or participation to be an even lower priority and less appropriate than parents and professionals.
Study on vibration isolation performance of wave impeding block in unsaturated soil foundation under an underground dynamic load
Authors: Zhang Meng , Ma Qiang
Published: May 2023

Based on single-phase medium theory and unsaturated porous medium theory, the vibration isolation effect of setting a single-phase solid wave impeding block (WIB) in the unsaturated soil foundation under an underground dynamic load is investigated. Using the Fourier integral transform and Helmholtz vector decomposition, the calculation formula of the dynamic response of unsaturated soil foundation under an underground dynamic load is established by combining the boundary conditions. The influence of physical and mechanical parameters such as saturation, load frequency, embedded depth of WIB, thickness of WIB, and elastic modulus of WIB on the vibration isolation performance in unsaturated soil foundation is analyzed. The results show that in the case of underground dynamic load, setting a WIB in unsaturated soil foundation could achieve a better vibration isolation effect. The surface displacement amplitude decreases significantly with the increase of saturation, load frequency, embedded depth, thickness, and elastic modulus of WIB.
A sensor review for human detection with robotic systems in regular and smoky environments
Authors: Gelfert Sebastian
Published: May 2023

Search and rescue robots gained a significant attention in the past, as they assist firefighters during their rescue missions. The opportunity to move autonomously or remotely controlled with intelligent sensor technology, to detect victims in unknown fire smoke environments, introduces a growing technology in fire engineering. Since sensor systems are a component of mobile robots, there is a demand for intelligent robot vision, especially for human detection in fire smoke environments. In this article, an overview of sensor technologies and their algorithms for human detection in regular and smoky environments is presented. These sensor technologies are categorized into single sensor and multi-sensor systems. Novel sensor approaches are led by artificial intelligence, 3D mapping and multi-sensor fusion. The article provides a contribution for future research directions in algorithms and applications and supports decision-makers in fire engineering to get knowledge in trends, novel applications and challenges in this field of research.
Overview of modern approaches for identifying and evaluating heterogeneous treatment effects from clinical data
Authors: Lipkovich Ilya , Svensson David , Ratitch Bohdana , Dmitrienko Alex
Published: May 2023

There has been much interest in the evaluation of heterogeneous treatment effects (HTE) and multiple statistical methods have emerged under the heading of personalized/precision medicine combining ideas from hypothesis testing, causal inference, and machine learning over the past 10-15 years. We discuss new ideas and approaches for evaluating HTE in randomized clinical trials and observational studies using the features introduced earlier by Lipkovich, Dmitrienko, and D’Agostino that distinguish principled methods from simplistic approaches to data-driven subgroup identification and estimating individual treatment effects and use a case study to illustrate these approaches. We identified and provided a high-level overview of several classes of modern statistical approaches for personalized/precision medicine, elucidated the underlying principles and challenges, and compared findings for a case study across different methods. Different approaches to evaluating HTEs may produce (and actually produced) highly disparate results when applied to a specific data set. Evaluating HTE with machine learning methods presents special challenges since most of machine learning algorithms are optimized for prediction rather than for estimating causal effects. An additional challenge is in that the output of machine learning methods is typically a “black box” that needs to be transformed into interpretable personalized solutions in order to gain acceptance and usability.
Flame dynamics of an injection element operated with LOX/H2, LOX/CNG and LOX/LNG in a sub- and supercritical rocket combustor with large optical access
Authors: Martin Jan , Armbruster Wolfgang , Stützer Robert , Suslov Dmitry , Hardi Justin , Oschwald Michael
Published: May 2023

Hot fire tests were performed using a single-injector research combustor featuring a large optical access window ([Formula: see text] mm) for flame visualisation. Three test campaigns were conducted with the propellant combination of liquid oxygen and hydrogen, liquid oxygen and compressed-natural-gas, as well as liquid oxygen and liquefied-natural-gas at conditions relevant for main- and upper-stage rocket engines. The large optical access enabled synchronised flame imaging using ultraviolet and blue radiation wavelengths covering a large portion of the combustion chamber for various sets of sub- and supercritical operating conditions. Combined with temperature, pressure and unsteady pressure measurements, this data provides a high-quality basis for the validation of numerical modelling. Flame width, length and opening angle as features describing the flame topology were extracted from the imaging. The suitability of flame imaging using ultraviolet and blue radiation wavelengths as qualitative markers of heat release was evaluated. Two-dimensional distributions of the Rayleigh Index were calculated for intervals with and without high-amplitude, self-excited oscillations of the longitudinal acoustic resonance modes. The calculated Rayleigh Index values properly reflect the thermoacoustic state of the chamber, indicating that both types of imaging may be used for qualitative study of thermoacoustic coupling of high-pressure cryogenic flames.
7-Epi-30-Methyloscillatoxin D From an Okinawan Cyanobacterium Okeania hirsuta
Authors: Kanda Nao , Zhang Bo-Tao , Shinjo Akihisa , Kamiya Mitsunobu , Nagai Hiroshi , Uchida Hajime , Araki Yusuke , Nishikawa Toshio , Satake Masayuki
Published: May 2023

Some aplysiatoxin-related compounds have been isolated from an Okinawan cyanobacterium Okeania hirsuta. The structure of a natural product isolated as 30-methyloscillatoxin D (1a) from this cyanobacterium in our previous report was re-investigated and revised to be a 7-epimer of 30-methyloscillatoxin D (4a) using precise NMR analysis. The synthesis of O-Me-7- epi-30-methyloscillatoxin D (4b) led to confirmation of the stereochemistry of 4a. This is the first report of a 7- epi-type aplysiatoxin-related compound from a natural source.
The Innerworkings of the Learning Activities in the Executive Office of a Professional Association: A Conversation With Dr. Charlie Nutt
Authors: McGill Craig M.
Published: May 2023

This paper seeks to better understand the workplace learning that occurs in the executive office (henceforth referred to as EO) of the NACADA: The Global Community of Academic Advising through a conversation with the association’s Executive Director, Dr. Charlie Nutt. After providing a context of NACADA and its EO as well as my interview with Nutt, I summarize the interview and analyze it through the lens of important competencies of effective managers as described by Gilley and colleagues.
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis in a 63-Year-Old Woman Presenting as Generalized Choreoathetosis
Authors: Mondal Ritwick , Deb Shramana , Mahata Manoj , Saha Somesh , Lahiri Durjoy , Benito-León Julián
Published: May 2023

The persistence of measles virus infection in childhood and early adolescence can rarely lead to a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), characterized by behavioral disturbances and intellectual disability followed by myoclonic jerks and occasional negative myoclonus. Movement disorders are rarely presenting manifestations in SSPE. We herein report a 63-year-old woman with generalized choreoathetosis as the presenting manifestation of stage-I SSPE. Our case was atypical for the patient's age and clinical presentation with generalized choreoathetosis and bilateral putaminal and caudate nucleus signal hyperintensity. Though highly uncommon, neurologists should keep SSPE as a differential diagnosis among patients with movement disorders. Measles-endemic countries should be more vigilant to the atypical and rare presentations of SSPE, such as generalized choreoathetosis.
On the estimation of near-field air blast peak overpressure from cylindrical charges
Authors: Liu J , Gao CZ , Sun ZY , Yin JW
Published: May 2023

In the near field, the air blast peak overpressure from cylindrical charges may vary by several times with angles at the same scaled distance. We propose an estimation equation for the peak overpressure from cylindrical charges, which can predict the peak overpressure from cylindrical charges at any positions in the near field. The estimation equation is in the form of piecewise function which contains three variables of length-to-diameter ratio, angle and scaled distance, and the applicability of our estimation equation is verified by experiment and simulation. After preliminary verification, the application range of length-to-diameter ratio of cylindrical charge is [Formula: see text] and that of scaled distance is [Formula: see text]. The estimation equation can be rapidly applied to the assessment of near-field target damage and protection against air blast from cylindrical charges, which is a significant supplement to the traditional empirical equations for spherical charge.
Futuring geography’s pluralist pedagogy
Authors: van Meeteren Michiel
Published: May 2023

The future of geography has to accommodate a constraint: academia's intellectual responsibility for school geography. This constraint can be utilized creatively, as it invites definitions of geography that grasp the bigger picture and accommodate difference, while also integrating prior conceptions of the discipline. This essay imagines a future where the resulting synthesis of ‘geography as an open pluralist pedagogy’ has potential far beyond schools to carry the discipline forward.
Socio-musical acculturation in Igbe and Iyayi religious movements among the Urhobo and Esan of Nigeria
Authors: Aluede Charles , Ekewenu Bruno Dafe
Published: May 2023

This study traces the spread of the Igbe religion of the Urhobo people of Delta State in Nigeria to other ethnic cultures in the Benin Province in Nigeria where Igbe became known as the Osenughegbe and Iyayi religions. In doing this, it examines the religious, social, and musical transitions in this cross-cultural migration. This study adopts descriptive and historical approaches by deploying qualitative research methods; it elicited much of its data from interviews and non-participant observation. Ten temples were studied; five temples each were selected from the Delta and Edo states. The data drawn is descriptively presented and interpreted. The study found that Iyayi borrowed a lot from Igbe in terms of ritual practices, dressing, vocabulary, music, and dance. These greatly facilitated Igbe’s cross-cultural migration to other ethnic cultures. It concludes that Igbe music has a social value which has greatly accounted for Igbe’s influences in its cross-cultural migration with Iyayi as one of the recipients.
Classed Beginnings: Status Socialization in Two Preschool Classrooms
Authors: Espy Hannah W. , Lynn Freda B.
Published: May 2023

Research on class inequality in education shows how the hidden curriculum—the tacit yet systematic lessons taught alongside the official curriculum—tends to favor the cultural capital that class-advantaged students bring from home over that of their less advantaged peers. This ethnography instead explores variation in what schools implicitly teach and how organizations potentially class their members. Comparing one Head Start with one tuition-charging preschool, the authors document how Head Start implicitly treats preschoolers, who are from predominantly disadvantaged backgrounds, as students who lack decision-making power and occupy the lowest position in a rigid status hierarchy. In contrast, the advantaged preschoolers were implicitly encouraged to take ownership of their actions, make the curriculum work for them, and activate support from teachers and administrators. Insofar as this “internal control” mindset of the tuition-charging preschool is favored in later academic and professional arenas, the authors argue that organizations can be agents of class socialization.
Trauma-informed care (TIC) best practices for improving patient care in the emergency department
Authors: Ashworth Henry , Lewis-O’Connor Annie , Grossman Samara , Brown Taylor , Elisseou Sadie , Stoklosa Hanni
Published: May 2023

A patient’s current or previous experience of trauma may have an impact on their health and affect their ability to engage in health care. Every year, millions of patients who have experienced physically or emotionally traumatic experiences present to emergency departments (ED) for care. Often, the experience of being in the ED itself can exacerbate patient distress and invoke physiological dysregulation. The physiological reactions that lead to fight, flight, or freeze responses can make providing care to these patients complex and can even lead to harmful encounters for providers. There is a need to improve the care provided to the vast number of patients in the ED and create a safer environment for patients and healthcare workers. One solution to this complex challenge is understanding and integrating trauma-informed care (TIC) into emergency services. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) six guiding principles of TIC offer a universal precaution framework that ensures quality care for all patients, providers, and staff in EDs. While there is growing evidence that TIC quantitatively and qualitatively improves ED care, there is a lack of practical, emergency medicine-specific guidance on how to best operationalize TIC. In this article, using a case example, we outline how emergency medicine providers can integrate TIC into their practice.
TACE responser NDRG1 acts as a guardian against ferroptosis to drive tumorgenesis and metastasis in HCC
Authors: Tang Bufu , Wang Yajie , Zhu Jinyu , Song Jingjing , Fang Shiji , Weng Qiaoyou , Yang Yang , Tu Jianfei , Zhao Zhongwei , Chen Minjiang , Xu Min , Chen Weiqian , Ji Jiansong
Published: May 2023

Background

The treatment efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies widely between individuals. The aim of this study was to identify subtype landscapes and responser related to TACE, and further clarify the regulatory effect and corresponding mechanism of NDRG1 on HCC tumorgenesis and metastasis.

Methods

The principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm was used to construct a TACE response scoring (TRscore) system. The random forest algorithm was applied to identify the TACE response-related core gene NDRG1 of HCC, and its role in the prognosis of HCC was explored. The role of NDRG1 in the progression and metastasis of HCC and functional mechanism were confirmed using several experimental methods.

Results

Based on the GSE14520 and GSE104580 cohorts, we identified 2 TACE response-related molecular subtypes for HCC with significant differences in clinical features, and the TACE prognosis of Cluster A was significantly better than that of Cluster B (p < 0.0001). We then established the TRscore system and found that the low TRscore group showed a higher probability of survival and a lower rate of recurrence than the high TRscore group (p < 0.05) in both the HCC and TACE-treated HCC cohorts within the GSE14520 cohort. NDRG1 was determined to be the the hub gene associated with the TACE response of HCC and its high expression suggested a poor prognosis. Furthermore, The suppression of NDRG1 konckdown in tumorgenesis and metastasis of HCC was clarified in both vivo and vitro, which was importantly achieved through inducing ferroptosis in HCC cells, especially contributing to RLS3-induced ferroptosis.

Conclusion

The constructed TACE response-related molecular subtypes and TRscores can specifically and accurately predict TACE prognosis for HCC. In addition, the TACE response-related hub gene NDRG1 may act as a guardian against ferroptosis to drive tumorgenesis and metastasis in HCC, which laid a new foundation for the development of new potential targeted therapy strategies to improve disease prognosis in HCC patients.
DePolymerase Predictor (DePP): a machine learning tool for the targeted identification of phage depolymerases
Authors: Magill Damian J. , Skvortsov Timofey A.
Published: May 2023

Biofilm production plays a clinically significant role in the pathogenicity of many bacteria, limiting our ability to apply antimicrobial agents and contributing in particular to the pathogenesis of chronic infections. Bacteriophage depolymerases, leveraged by these viruses to circumvent biofilm mediated resistance, represent a potentially powerful weapon in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Such enzymes are able to degrade the extracellular matrix that is integral to the formation of all biofilms and as such would allow complementary therapies or disinfection procedures to be successfully applied. In this manuscript, we describe the development and application of a machine learning based approach towards the identification of phage depolymerases. We demonstrate that on the basis of a relatively limited number of experimentally proven enzymes and using an amino acid derived feature vector that the development of a powerful model with an accuracy on the order of 90% is possible, showing the value of such approaches in protein functional annotation and the discovery of novel therapeutic agents.
Plant trait networks reveal adaptation strategies in the drylands of China
Authors: Wang Xiaoting , Ji Mingfei , Zhang Yahui , Zhang Liang , Akram Muhammad Adnan , Dong Longwei , Hu Weigang , Xiong Junlan , Sun Ying , Li Hailin , Degen Abraham Allan , Ran Jinzhi , Deng Jianming
Published: May 2023

Background

Plants accomplish multiple functions by the interrelationships between functional traits. Clarifying the complex relationships between plant traits would enable us to better understand how plants employ different strategies to adapt to the environment. Although increasing attention is being paid to plant traits, few studies focused on the adaptation to aridity through the relationship among multiple traits. We established plant trait networks (PTNs) to explore the interdependence of sixteen plant traits across drylands.

Results

Our results revealed significant differences in PTNs among different plant life-forms and different levels of aridity. Trait relationships for woody plants were weaker, but were more modularized than for herbs. Woody plants were more connected in economic traits, whereas herbs were more connected in structural traits to reduce damage caused by drought. Furthermore, the correlations between traits were tighter with higher edge density in semi-arid than in arid regions, suggesting that resource sharing and trait coordination are more advantageous under low drought conditions. Importantly, our results demonstrated that stem phosphorus concentration (SPC) was a hub trait correlated with other traits across drylands.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that plants exhibited adaptations to the arid environment by adjusting trait modules through alternative strategies. PTNs provide a new insight into understanding the adaptation strategies of plants to drought stress based on the interdependence among plant functional traits.
Molecular insights into the responses of barley to yellow mosaic disease through transcriptome analysis
Authors: Zhang Mengna , Hong Yi , Zhu Juan , Pan Yuhan , Zhou Hui , Lv Chao , Guo Baojian , Wang Feifei , Xu Rugen
Published: May 2023

Background

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) represents the fourth most essential cereal crop in the world, vulnerable to barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and/or barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV), leading to the significant yield reduction. To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms regarding barley crop tolerance to virus infection, we employed a transcriptome sequencing approach and investigated global gene expression among three barley varieties under both infected and control conditions.

Results

High-throughput sequencing outputs revealed massive genetic responses, reflected by the barley transcriptome after BaYMV and/or BaMMV infection. Significant enrichments in peptidase complex and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum were clustered through Gene ontology and KEGG analysis. Many genes were identified as transcription factors, antioxidants, disease resistance genes and plant hormones and differentially expressed between infected and uninfected barley varieties. Importantly, general response genes, variety-specific and infection-specific genes were also discovered. Our results provide useful information for future barley breeding to resist BaYMV and BaMMV.

Conclusions

Our study elucidates transcriptomic adaptations in barley response to BaYMV/BaMMV infection through high-throughput sequencing technique. The analysis outcome from GO and KEGG pathways suggests that BaYMV disease induced regulations in multiple molecular-biology processes and signalling pathways. Moreover, critical DEGs involved in defence and stress tolerance mechanisms were displayed. Further functional investigations focusing on these DEGs contributes to understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant response to BaYMV disease infection, thereby offering precious genetic resources for breeding barley varieties resistant to BaYMV disease.
Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis as a rare cause of kidney graft dysfunction: case report and review of literature
Authors: El-Husseiny Moustafa Fatma , Nagy Eman , Elwasif Salwa Mahmoud , Sobh Mohamed
Published: May 2023

Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis (KIN) is a rare cause of chronic interstitial nephritis characterized by enlarged renal tubular epithelial nuclei. The first case of KIN reported in a kidney graft was in 2019. Here, we report the first case of KIN in 2 brothers receiving kidneys from 2 different unrelated living donors. A male kidney transplant recipient with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis as the original kidney disease presented with graft impairment and proteinuria, and graft biopsy revealed KIN. This patient had a brother who was also a kidney transplant recipient and had one episode of graft impairment and was diagnosed with KIN as well.
Exploring trends of severe postpartum haemorrhage: a hospital-based study
Authors: Pettersen Silje , Falk Ragnhild Sørum , Vangen Siri , Nyfløt Lill Trine
Published: May 2023

Background

Over the past two decades several high-income countries have reported increased rates of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Many of the studies are registry studies with limited access to detailed information. We aimed to explore trends of severe PPH in the largest labour ward in Norway during a 10-year period with a hospital based study. Our population constituted all women who gave birth after week 22 at Oslo University Hospital between 2008 and 2017. The main outcome measure was severe PPH, defined as registered blood loss greater than 1500 ml, or transfusion of blood products due to PPH.

Methods

We estimated the incidence of severe PPH and blood transfusions, and performed temporal trend analysis. We performed Poisson regression analysis to investigate associations between pregnancy characteristics and severe PPH, presented using crude incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)s. We also estimated annual percentage change of the linear trends.

Results

Among 96 313 deliveries during the 10-year study period, 2621 (2.7%) were diagnosed with severe PPH. The incidence rate doubled from 17.1/1000 to 2008 to 34.2/1000 in 2017. We also observed an increased rate of women receiving blood transfusion due to PPH, from 12.2/1000 to 2008 to 27.5/1000 in 2017. The rates of invasive procedures to manage severe PPH did not increase, and we did not observe a significant increase in the number of women defined with maternal near miss or massive transfusions. No women died due to PPH during the study period.

Conclusion

We found a significant increasing trend of severe PPH and related blood transfusions during the 10-year study period. We did not find an increase in massive PPH, or in invasive management, and we suspect that the rise can be at least partly explained by increased awareness and early intervention contributing to improved registration of severe PPH.
Work participation in adults with rare genetic diseases - a scoping review
Authors: Velvin Gry , Dammann Brede , Haagensen Trond , Johansen Heidi , Strømme Hilde , Geirdal Amy Østertun , Bathen Trine
Published: May 2023

Background

Work participation is a crucial aspect of health outcome and an important part of life for most people with rare genetic diseases. Despite that work participation is a social determinant of health and seems necessary for understanding health behaviours and quality of life, it is an under-researched and under-recognized aspect in many rare diseases. The objectives of this study was to map and describe existing research on work participation, identify research gaps, and point to research agendas in a selection of rare genetic diseases.

Methods

A scoping review was performed by searching relevant literature in bibliographic databases and other sources. Studies addressing work participation in people with rare genetic diseases published in peer reviewed journals were assessed using EndNote and Rayyan. Data were mapped and extracted based on the research questions concerning the characteristics of the research.

Results

Of 19,867 search results, 571 articles were read in full text, and 141 satisfied the eligibility criteria covering 33 different rare genetic diseases; 7 were reviews and 134 primary research articles. In 21% of the articles the primary aim was to investigate work participation. The extent of studies varied between the different diseases. Two diseases had more than 20 articles, but most had only one or two articles. Cross-sectional quantitative studies were predominant, with few utilizing prospective or qualitative design. Nearly all articles (96%) reported information about work participation rate, and 45% also included information about factors associated with work participation and work disability. Due to differences in methodologies, cultures and respondents, comparison between and within diseases are difficult. Nevertheless, studies indicated that many people with different rare genetic diseases experience challenges related to work, closely associated to the symptoms of the disease.

Conclusion

While studies indicate high prevalence of work disability in many patients with rare diseases, the research is scarce and fragmented. More research is warranted. Information about the unique challenges of living with different rare diseases is crucial for health and welfare systems to better facilitate work participation. In addition, the changing nature of work in the digital age, may also open up new possibilities for people with rare genetic diseases and should be explored.
Using the precaution adoption process model and the health belief model to understand radon testing and mitigation: a pre-post quasi-experimental study
Authors: Maier Allison , Hayes Erin , Munday Lisa
Published: May 2023

Background

Despite being the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers, few Canadians take action to test for and mitigate radon. This study’s aim was twofold: (1) to investigate predictors of radon testing and mitigation using the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) and Health Belief Model (HBM); and (2) to assess the impact on beliefs of receiving radon results above health guidelines.

Methods

A convenience sample within Southeastern Ontario households was recruited to test their homes for radon (N = 1,566) for a pre-post quasi-experimental study. Prior to testing, participants were surveyed on risk factors and HBM constructs. All participants whose homes tested above the World Health Organization’s radon guideline (N = 527) were surveyed after receiving their results and followed for up to 2 years after. Participants were classified into PAPM stages and regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors between different stages (from deciding to test onwards). Paired bivariate analyses compared responses before and after receiving results.

Results

Perceived benefits from mitigating was associated with progressing through all stages in the study’s scope. Perceived susceptibility to and severity of illness and perceptions of cost and time to mitigate were associated with progression through some PAPM stages. Homes with smokers or individuals under 18 were associated with not progressing through some stages. Home radon level was associated with mitigation. Attitudes towards many HBM constructs significantly decreased after receiving a high radon result.

Conclusions

Public health interventions should target specific radon beliefs and stages to ensure households test and mitigate for radon.
Laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing resections for solid pseudopapillary tumors located in the head of pancreas
Authors: Zou Zhengdong , Feng Lu , Peng Bing , Liu Jianhua , Cai Yunqiang
Published: May 2023

Background

Solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is a rare low-grade malignant tumor. Here, we aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy for SPT located in the pancreatic head.

Methods

From July 2014 to February 2022, 62 patients with SPT located in the pancreatic head were operated laparoscopically in two institutions. These patients were divided into two groups according to the operative strategy: laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy (27 patients, group 1) and laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (35 patients, group 2). The clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed in terms of demographic characteristics, perioperative variables, and long-term follow-up outcomes.

Results

The demographic characteristics of the patients in the two groups were comparable. Compared to the patients in group 2, those in group 1 required less operative time (263.4 ± 37.2 min vs. 332.7 ± 55.6 min, p < 0.001) and experienced less blood loss (105.1 ± 36.5mL vs. 188.3 ± 150.7 mL, p < 0.001). None of the patients in group 1 had tumor recurrence or metastasis. However, 1 (2.5%) patient in group 2 showed liver metastasis.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy is a safe and feasible approach for SPT located in the pancreatic head, with favorable long-term functional and oncological results.
Concerns about stone free rate and procedure events of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) for 2–4 cm kidney stones by standard-PCNL vs mini-PCNL- comparative randomised study
Authors: Wishahi Mohamed , El Feel Ahmed , Elkhouly Amr , Fahmy Abdullah , Roshdy Mamdouh , Elbaz Ahmed G , Kamel Ahmed I , Badawy Mohamed , Elesaily Khaled , Eldahshan Samir , Ali Ayman , Meheina Ahmed , Abdelwahed Mohamed
Published: May 2023

Background

To compare the efficacy and safety of standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with mini- PCNL for kidney stones 2–4 cm.

Methods

Eighty patients were enrolled in a comparative study, they were randomly divided into mini-PCNL group (n = 40) and standard-PCNL (n = 40). Demographic characteristics, perioperative events, complications, stone free rate (SFR) were reported.

Results

Both groups showed no significant difference in clinical data about age, stone location, back pressure changes, and body mass index. The mean operative time was (95 ± 17.9 min) in mini-PCNL, and (72.1 ± 14.9 min). Stone free rate were 80% and 85% in mini-PCNL and standard-PCNL respectively. Intra-operative complications, post-operative need for analgesia, hospital stay were significantly higher in standard-PCNL compared to mini-PCNL (85% vs. 80%). The study followed CONSORT 2010 guidelines for reporting parallel group randomization.

Conclusion

Mini-PCNL is an effective and safe treatment of kidney stones 2–4 cm, it has the advantage over standard-PCNL being has less intra-operative events, less post-operative analgesia, shorter hospital stay, while operative time and stone free rate are comparable when considering multiplicity, hardness, and site of stones.
Yields and product comparison between Escherichia coli BL21 and W3110 in industrially relevant conditions: anti-c-Met scFv as a case study
Authors: Arauzo-Aguilera Klaudia , Buscajoni Luisa , Koch Karin , Thompson Gary , Robinson Colin , Berkemeyer Matthias
Published: May 2023

Introduction

In the biopharmaceutical industry, Escherichia coli is one of the preferred expression hosts for large-scale production of therapeutic proteins. Although increasing the product yield is important, product quality is a major factor in this industry because greatest productivity does not always correspond with the highest quality of the produced protein. While some post-translational modifications, such as disulphide bonds, are required to achieve the biologically active conformation, others may have a negative impact on the product’s activity, effectiveness, and/or safety. Therefore, they are classified as product associated impurities, and they represent a crucial quality parameter for regulatory authorities.

Results

In this study, fermentation conditions of two widely employed industrial E. coli strains, BL21 and W3110 are compared for recombinant protein production of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) in an industrial setting. We found that the BL21 strain produces more soluble scFv than the W3110 strain, even though W3110 produces more recombinant protein in total. A quality assessment on the scFv recovered from the supernatant was then performed. Unexpectedly, even when our scFv is correctly disulphide bonded and cleaved from its signal peptide in both strains, the protein shows charge heterogeneity with up to seven distinguishable variants on cation exchange chromatography. Biophysical characterization confirmed the presence of altered conformations of the two main charged variants.

Conclusions

The findings indicated that BL21 is more productive for this specific scFv than W3110. When assessing product quality, a distinctive profile of the protein was found which was independent of the E. coli strain. This suggests that alterations are present in the recovered product although the exact nature of them could not be determined. This similarity between the two strains’ generated products also serves as a sign of their interchangeability. This study encourages the development of innovative, fast, and inexpensive techniques for the detection of heterogeneity while also provoking a debate about whether intact mass spectrometry-based analysis of the protein of interest is sufficient to detect heterogeneity in a product.
The efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines around the world: a mini-review and meta-analysis
Authors: Soheili Marzieh , Khateri Sorour , Moradpour Farhad , Mohammadzedeh Pardis , Zareie Mostafa , Mortazavi Seyede Maryam Mahdavi , Manifar Sima , Kohan Hamed Gilzad , Moradi Yousef
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This meta-analysis evaluated the Efficacy and Effectiveness of several COVID-19 vaccines, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Bharat, and Johnson & Johnson, to better estimate their immunogenicity, benefits, or side effects.

Methods

Studies reporting the Efficacy and Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines from November 2020 to April 2022 were included. The pooled Effectiveness/Efficacy with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) with Metaprop order was calculated. The results were presented in forest plots. Predefined subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed.

Results

A total of twenty articles were included in this meta-analysis. After the first dose of the vaccine, the total effectiveness of all COVID-19 vaccines in our study was 71% (95% CI 0.65, 0.78). The total effectiveness of vaccines after the second dose was 91% (95% CI 0.88, 0.94)). The total efficacy of vaccines after the first and second doses was 81% (95% CI 0.70, 0.91) and 71% (95% CI 0.62, 0.79), respectively. The effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine after the first and second dose was the highest among other studied vaccines ((74% (95% CI, 0.65, 0.83) and 93% (95% CI, 0.89, 0.97), respectively). The highest first dose overall effectiveness of the studied vaccines was against the Gamma variant (74% (95% CI, 0.73, 0.75)), and the highest effectiveness after the second dose was observed against the Beta variant (96% (95% CI, 0.96, 0.96)). The Efficacy for AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines after the first dose was 78% (95% CI, 0.62, 0.95) and 84% (95% CI, 0.77, 0.92), respectively. The second dose Efficacy for AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Bharat was 67% (95% CI, 0.54, 0.80), 93% (95% CI, 0.85, 1.00), and 71% (95% CI, 0.61, 0.82), respectively. The overall efficacy of first and second dose vaccination against the Alfa variant was 84% (95% CI, 0.84, 0.84) and 77% (95% CI, 0.57, 0.97), respectively, the highest among other variants.

Conclusion

mRNA-based vaccines against COVID-19 showed the highest total efficacy and effectiveness than other vaccines. In general, administering the second dose produced a more reliable response and higher effectiveness than a single dose.
Dysbiosis of gut microbiota inhibits NMNAT2 to promote neurobehavioral deficits and oxidative stress response in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Yu Jianjun , Meng Jianhong , Qin Zhengwei , Yu Yuan , Liang Yingxin , Wang Yanjun , Min Dongmei
Published: May 2023

Background

New data are accumulating on gut microbial dysbiosis in Parkinson’s disease (PD), while the specific mechanism remains uncharacterized. This study aims to investigate the potential role and pathophysiological mechanism of dysbiosis of gut microbiota in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rat models.

Methods

The shotgun metagenome sequencing data of fecal samples from PD patients and healthy individuals were obtained from the Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database. The diversity, abundance, and functional composition of gut microbiota were further analyzed in these data. After the exploration of the functional pathway-related genes, KEGG and GEO databases were used to obtain PD-related microarray datasets for differential expression analysis. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed to confirm the roles of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and upregulated NMNAT2 in neurobehavioral symptoms and oxidative stress response in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.

Results

Significant differences were found in the diversity, abundance, and functional composition of gut microbiota between PD patients and healthy individuals. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota could regulate NAD+ anabolic pathway to affect the occurrence and development of PD. As a NAD+ anabolic pathway-related gene, NMNAT2 was poorly expressed in the brain tissues of PD patients. More importantly, FMT or overexpression of NMNAT2 alleviated neurobehavioral deficits and reduced oxidative stress in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.

Conclusions

Taken together, we demonstrated that dysbiosis of gut microbiota suppressed NMNAT2 expression, thus exacerbating neurobehavioral deficits and oxidative stress response in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, which could be rescued by FMT or NMNAT2 restoration.
Ultrastructural study confirms the formation of single and heterotypic syncytial cells in bronchoalveolar fluids of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Chaudhary Shikha , Yadav Ravi P. , Kumar Shailendra , Yadav Subhash Chandra
Published: May 2023

Background

SARS-CoV-2 was reported to induce cell fusions to form multinuclear syncytia that might facilitate viral replication, dissemination, immune evasion, and inflammatory responses. In this study, we have reported the types of cells involved in syncytia formation at different stages of COVID-19 disease through electron microscopy.

Methods

Bronchoalveolar fluids from the mild (n = 8, SpO2 > 95%, no hypoxia, within 2–8 days of infection), moderate (n = 8, SpO2 90% to ≤ 93% on room air, respiratory rate ≥ 24/min, breathlessness, within 9–16 days of infection), and severe (n = 8, SpO2 < 90%, respiratory rate > 30/min, external oxygen support, after 17th days of infection) COVID-19 patients were examined by PAP (cell type identification), immunofluorescence (for the level of viral infection), scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy to identify the syncytia.

Results

Immunofluorescence studies (S protein-specific antibodies) from each syncytium indicate a very high infection level. We could not find any syncytial cells in mildly infected patients. However, identical (neutrophils or type 2 pneumocytes) and heterotypic (neutrophils-monocytes) plasma membrane initial fusion (indicating initiation of fusion) was observed under TEM in moderately infected patients. Fully matured large-size (20–100 μm) syncytial cells were found in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS-like) patients of neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophage origin under SEM.

Conclusions

This ultrastructural study on the syncytial cells from COVID-19 patients sheds light on the disease’s stages and types of cells involved in the syncytia formations. Syncytia formation was first induced in type II pneumocytes by homotypic fusion and later with haematopoetic cells (monocyte and neutrophils) by heterotypic fusion in the moderate stage (9–16 days) of the disease. Matured syncytia were reported in the late phase of the disease and formed large giant cells of 20 to 100 μm.
Language considerations for children of parents with substance use disorders
Authors: Appleseth Hannah S. , Moyers Susette A. , Crockett-Barbera Erica K. , Hartwell Micah , Arndt Stephan , Croff Julie M.
Published: May 2023

Parents with substance use disorders are highly stigmatized by multiple systems (e.g., healthcare, education, legal, social). As a result, they are more likely to experience discrimination and health inequities [1, 2]. Children of parents with substance use disorders often do not fare any better, as they frequently experience stigma and poorer outcomes by association [3, 4]. Calls to action for person-centered language for alcohol and other drug problems have led to improved terminology [5–8]. Despite a long history of stigmatizing, offensive labels such as “children of alcoholics” and “crack babies,” children have been left out of person-centered language initiatives. Children of parents with substance use disorders can feel invisible, shameful, isolated, and forgotten—particularly in treatment settings when programming is centered on the parent [9, 10]. Person-centered language is shown to improve treatment outcomes and reduce stigma [11, 12]. Therefore, we need to adhere to consistent, non-stigmatizing terminology when referencing children of parents with substance use disorders. Most importantly, we must center the voices and preferences of those with lived experience to enact meaningful change and effective resource allocation.
Platelet-rich plasma injection for the treatment of ankle osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Laohajaroensombat Sukij , Prusmetikul Suwimol , Rattanasiri Sasivimol , Thakkinstian Ammarin , Woratanarat Patarawan
Published: May 2023

Background

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for ankle osteoarthritis (OA) treatment showed contradictory results. This review was aimed to pool individual studies which assessed the efficacy of PRP for ankle OA treatment.

Methods

This study was conducted following the preferred report items of systematic review and meta-analysis guideline. PubMed and Scopus were searched up to January 2023. Meta-analysis, or individual randomised controlled trial (RCT), or observational studies were included if they involved ankle OA with aged ≥ 18 years, compared before–after receiving PRP, or PRP with other treatments, and reported visual analog scale (VAS) or functional outcomes. Selection of eligible studies and data extraction were independently performed by two authors. Heterogeneity test using Cochrane Q test and the I2-statistic were assessed. Standardised (SMD) or unstandardised mean difference (USMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated and pooled across studies.

Results

Three studies from meta-analysis and two individual studies were included, which consisted of one RCT and four before–after studies with 184 ankle OAs and 132 PRP. The average age was 50.8–59.3 years, and 25–60% of PRP injected cases were male. The number of primary ankle OA was accounted to 0–100%. When compared to before treatment, PRP significantly reduced VAS and functional score at 12 weeks with pooled USMD of − 2.80, 95% CI − 3.91, − 2.68; p < 0.001 (Q = 82.91, p < 0.001; I2 96.38%), and pooled SMD of 1.73, 95% CI 1.37, 2.09; p < 0.001 (Q = 4.87, p = 0.18; I2 38.44%), respectively.

Conclusion

PRP may beneficially improve pain and functional scores for ankle OA in a short-term period. Its magnitude of improvement seems to be similar to placebo effects from the previous RCT. A large-scale RCT with proper whole blood and PRP preparation processes is required to prove treatment effects.

Trial registration PROSPERO number CRD42022297503.