bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of clinical and molecular profiling data to improve patient outcomes in psoriatic arthritis
Authors: FitzGerald Oliver , Behrens Frank , Barton Anne , Bertheussen Heidi , Boutouyrie-Dumont Bruno , Coates Laura , Davies Owen , de Wit Maarten , Fagni Filippo , Goodyear Carl S. , Gurke Robert , Hahnefeld Lisa , Huppertz Christine , Ioannidis Vassilios , Ibberson Mark , Katz Arnon , Klippstein Maximilian , Koehm Michaela , Korish Shimon , Mackay Sina , Martin David A. , O’Sullivan Denis , Patel Khadijah , Rueping Stefan , Schett Georg , Scholich Klaus , Schwenk Jochen M. , Siebert Stefan , Simon David , Vivekanantham Arani , Pennington Stephen R.
Published: September 2023

Achieving a good outcome for a person with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is made difficult by late diagnosis, heterogenous clinical disease expression and in many cases, failure to adequately suppress inflammatory disease features. Single-centre studies have certainly contributed to our understanding of disease pathogenesis, but to adequately address the major areas of unmet need, multi-partner, collaborative research programmes are now required. HIPPOCRATES is a 5-year, Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) programme which includes 17 European academic centres experienced in PsA research, 5 pharmaceutical industry partners, 3 small-/medium-sized industry partners and 2 patient-representative organizations. In this review, the ambitious programme of work to be undertaken by HIPPOCRATES is outlined and common approaches and challenges are identified. It is expected that, when completed, the results will ultimately allow for changes in the approaches to diagnosing, managing and treating PsA allowing for better short-term and long-term outcomes.
Ulnar Variance in Athletes: A Scoping Review
Authors: Scigliano Noah M. , McSweeny Kareena F. , Garcia Fleury Ignacio , Buckwalter Joseph A.
Published: September 2023

Context:

Ulnar variance (UV) is a measurement of the relative locations of the radius and ulna that may become perturbed in athletic populations. Positive UV can be associated with wrist pathologies often treated conservatively or surgically and may result in interruption of sports participation.

Objective:

This scoping review aims to summarize diagnostic measures of UV in athletes, describe its relation to separate wrist conditions, and present treatment strategies for symptomatic UV.

Data Sources:

A systematic search was created and modified for PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and SPORTDiscus including articles from inception until February 2, 2022.

Study Selection:

Articles including UV characterization, imaging modality style, and an athletic population were searched across multiple databases.

Study Design:

A scoping review was designed to identify the methods for imaging UV in athletic populations following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Data Extraction:

The specific athletic population, imaging modality, measurement style, wrist pathology association, and surgical management of UV were extracted.

Results:

A total of 4321 records were screened independently for eligibility: 22 met inclusion criteria. Eight sports comprised the analysis. All studies referenced conventional radiography to diagnose UV; 50% specified the posteroanterior, 18.2% anteroposterior, and 13.6% pronated, gripping radiographs. Hafner’s method (7×), Palmer’s technique (2×), and the method of perpendiculars (3×) were used to measure UV. Athletes displayed more positive UV than nonathletes and UV became more positive over time in longitudinal studies. Triangular fibrocartilage complex tears, focal lunate necrosis, and ulnar abutment were associated with positive UV. Ulnar shortening osteotomy was the most performed operation for positive UV.

Conclusion:

Conventional radiography is the gold standard for imaging UV in athletes. Hafner’s method is the most commonly used radiograph measurement technique. Wrist pathology in athletic populations may indicate positive UV in need for operative management.
Experimental evaluation of the thermal effect on dynamic behavior of travertine rock
Authors: Noorian-Bidgoli Majid , Behnia Behnam
Published: September 2023

When an engineering structure regarding a rock is affected by dynamic loads (due to the occurrence of natural hazards, such as earthquakes and landslides, or man-made hazards, such as explosions or impacts), correct prediction of changes in the strength behavior and deformability of the rock relative to its static state is necessary for reducing the damages and costs. On the other hand, rocks are always influenced by environmental conditions, such as temperature changes due to fire and weather during their lifetime, which should be considered when using them. In these cases, the mechanical behavior of the rock can usually be determined under different loading and environmental conditions using stress–strain curves. This study investigates rocks’ dynamic strength and deformability behavior at different loading rates and temperatures. For this purpose, 30 travertine rock samples from the Torshab mine, located in the Markazi province of Iran, were first heated up to 100°C, 200°C, 400°C, 800°C, and 1000°C (six temperatures), and then subjected under the impact pressure with different loading rates from (five) 11 m/s to 15 m/s using the split Hopkinson pressure bar test. Comparing the obtained dynamic stress–strain curve shows that at a constant loading rate, increasing the temperature, especially at higher temperatures, reduces the dynamic strength and increases the rock’s deformability. Moreover, in all cases, at a constant temperature, increasing the loading rate, especially at higher rates, increases the rock’s dynamic strength and deformability.
Improving mycetoma case detection through the training of community health workers in Northern Uganda: protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial
Authors: Kibone Winnie , Semulimi Andrew Weil , Kwizera Richard , Bongomin Felix
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

The World Health Organization acknowledges the need for countries to incorporate neglected tropical disease care into their routine health care system. However, low detection rates and late presentation of mycetoma to health facilities have been observed in endemic countries, including Uganda.

Objective:

To empower community health workers (CHWs) in Northern Uganda to recognize and refer suspects of mycetoma to health facilities.

Design:

This will be a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial based in Gulu and Pader districts over a period of 9 months with sequential crossover from intervention phase to the control phase at different time points until both districts are exposed to the intervention.

Methods and Analysis:

The study will leverage on the ongoing partnership between Northern Uganda Medical Mission and the Uganda Ministry of Health that has trained over 300 CHWs in Gulu and Pader. The study evaluation will be done using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. The expected outcome of the study is increased detection and referral of suspects of mycetoma. Data will be analyzed using STATA 17.0 and Friedman statistics or Analysis of Variance to determine increase in case identifications and referrals.

Ethics and Registration:

The study was approved by Mulago Hospital Research and Ethics Committee (MHREC 2406) and registered with Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202301534749787).

Dissemination:

The results from this trial will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. In addition, the findings will be shared at conferences, with funders, and at other research meetings.
The Evolution of #MeToo: A Comparative Analysis of Vernacular Practices Over Time and Across Languages
Authors: Mendes Kaitlynn , Hollingshead William , Nau Charlotte , Zhang Jinman , Quan-Haase Anabel
Published: September 2023

Drawing from a thematic analysis of 960 tweets for English, 960 tweets for German, and 753 tweets for Mandarin, this article explores how the #MeToo movement was taken up and used in different ways in the first 12 months. The article achieves this by drawing on the concept of platform vernacular, identifying three new, at times overlapping, vernacular practices: spotlighting, interconnectivity, and meta conversations. We argue that these vernacular practices function more than simply as the dominant “grammars of communication” in #MeToo but connect individual experiences of sexual violence to broader political structures such as patriarchy, homophobia, xenophobia, and racism. Yet, as our analysis uncovered, while the vernacular practices enabled #MeToo to be politicized, these systems of oppression were not always challenged, but at times, reinforced. As such, while previous research has shown how (affective) vernacular practices shape what we know and feel about sexual violence, this article highlights how vernacular practices fundamentally shape how the public contextualizes and (mis)understands sexual violence as a political issue. Overall, the article contributes to scholarship in the field of new media, feminism, and communication by showing how hashtags are taken up by the public in different ways and how shared vernacular practices emerge across languages, even when the content, focus, or rhetoric may diverge.
Impact of the COVID-19 on asthma control among children: A systematic review
Authors: Hamadneh Mai , Alquran Alaa , Manna Rami
Published: September 2023

In December 2019, the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan, China. Asthmatic patients are thought to be more vulnerable to the more severe form of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their weakened immune systems and increased risk of respiratory exacerbation when infected with respiratory viruses; however, there is little evidence to support this theory. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown during the pandemic on asthma management outcome measures among children and adolescents. To conduct the search, we used five bibliographic databases. The results were limited to those articles published between December 2019 and February 2022, selecting only articles published in English that included the study population (children aged 0–18 years). All study designs were considered. Independent assessments of the included studies’ quality were made and reported. Among the 945 results of the bibliographic search, only 21 articles were found to fit our eligibility criteria We organized the results from the studies according to the effect of the lockdown at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on common outcomes, including the Pediatric Emergency Department Visits, hospitalization rates of pediatric asthmatic patients during the pandemic, asthma control, asthma exacerbations, psychological effects on patients, and caregivers’ concerns. The management of pediatric asthma improved more during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown than in previous years.
Correlations of demographic factors and hygiene factors with face mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggestion for future research: A cross-sectional study of adults in Malaysia
Authors: Looi Kim Hoe
Published: September 2023

Background:

Despite the many touted benefits of community-wide face mask wearing, numerous communication campaigns and mandates, some people still refuse or fail to wear face masks in public settings. Hence, exposing themselves and others to the risk of infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and raise the potential for public healthcare systems to become overwhelmed once again. This study investigates demographic and hygiene factors related to propensity of face mask wearing in public settings.

Design and methods:

The self-administered online questionnaire contained the independent variables (demographic and hygiene factors) and the outcome variable (frequency of face mask wearing). Participants were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Seven hundred and eight responses were collected from Malaysian adults between May and June 2020. The demographic characteristics of participants, differences in the frequency of face mask wearing across demographic factors and hierarchical multiple regression were analyzed.

Results:

The propensity of face mask wearing differs by gender. The hierarchical multiple regression revealed that being female, having personal protective equipment available and frequently washing hands were positively correlated with the frequency of face mask wearing. Moreover, the availability of personal protective equipment and the frequency of hand washing accounted for greater variation of the frequency of face mask wearing than gender.

Conclusion:

Future studies should adopt established psychosocial models in conjunction with normative and cultural factors for a better understanding of underlying motivations to engage in preventive health behaviors to shape improved hygienic and societal precautionary protective behaviors in different contexts.
Effect of nanosized bioactive glass addition on some physical properties of biodentine
Authors: Guneser Mehmet Burak , Ozturk Tugce Yuca , Sahin Asiye Nur Dincer , Uysal Betul Aycan , Eldeniz Ayce Unverdi
Published: September 2023

The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate some physical properties of Biodentine (BD) (Septodont, France) that has been modified by adding nanosized bioactive glass (nBG) particles to it in different ratios. The cement was modified by adding 1% (7 mg) and 2% (14 mg) nBG powder to BD. BD was used as the control group in its commercial form. A total of 240 cement samples ( n = 80) were prepared according to the standard measurements for each test. Subsequently, tests to determine compressive strength, microhardness, initial setting time, and solubility of the samples were performed. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HDS tests, and the significance level was found to be 0.05. The compressive strength values of the samples modified with 1% and 2% nBG were higher than those of the unmodified BD; however, no statistically significant difference was found between them [BD + nBG (2 wt%) ⩾ BD+nBG (1 wt%) ⩾ control BD], ( p > 0.05). The microhardness values of the samples modified with 1% and 2% nBG were found to be significantly higher than those of the control group [BD + nBG (2 wt%) > BD+nBG (1 wt%) > control BD], p < 0.05. Initial setting times were determined as 14 min for unmodified BD, 13 min for BD + nBG (1 wt%), and 12 min for BD + nBG (2 wt%). The addition of nBG to BD significantly reduced the initial setting time of BD ( p < 0.05). A significant decrease was observed in the solubility of the BD modified with nBG samples compared to that of the control group [control BD > BD+nBG (1 wt%) >BD+nBG (2 wt%)], p < 0.05. Within the limitations of this study, it was found that the addition of certain amounts of nBG to BD positively affected some physical properties of the cement. Future in vitro and in vivo studies should be performed to prove the clinical applicability of the cements used in this study.
Social Support for Training Effectiveness: Mediating Training Transfer Motivation and Moderating Transfer Design
Authors: Gautam Prakash Kumar , Gautam Dhruba Kumar , Basnet Dinesh
Published: September 2023

Organizations invest in training and development to enhance their productivity. But, evidence proved the low effectiveness of the training because of the poor training transfer. Thus, training effectiveness is a permanent issue in developing human competencies and organizational performance. This study examined the effect of social support, that is, supervisor and peer support on training effectiveness, that is, training transfer, training maintenance, and training generalization with the moderated mediation effect of training transfer design and training transfer motivation. This study followed positivist epistemology on cross-section survey data collected from banking employees using multi-stage sampling. Hayes’s approach was used to test hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed a significant positive effect of social support on training effectiveness. Results revealed that peer support is vital in comparison to supervisory support to enhance training effectiveness. Training transfer motivation mediated the effect of peer support and transfer motivation predicting training effectiveness. The study concluded that optimal positive support from peers and supervisors is essential to enhance training effectiveness; the higher training transfer motivation of trainees further supports the relationship. This study emphasizes the significance of workplace factors to increase training transfer effectiveness, providing practical and theoretical implications.
Perceived Use Behavior of Social Networking Sites Among the Healthcare Students in India
Authors: Sobaih Abu Elnasr E. , Baquee Abdul , Palla Ishfaq Ahmad , Munshi Shamim Aktar
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The use of social networking sites (SNSs) is growing among higher education students, including healthcare students. Nonetheless, limited research has examined the perceived use behavior among healthcare students in developing countries such as India.

Objective

This study attempts to assess the use behavior of SNSs by undergraduate students in the fields of nursing and pharmacy in India through the lens of Connectivism and New Social Learning theories.

Method

The study used a Google form to collect data through an online questionnaire. A sample of 483 participants included 258 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, 161 General Nursing and Midwifery students, and 64 Bachelor of Pharmacy students from various Indian nursing and pharmacy schools.

Results

The majority of the respondents prefer to use SNSs for several purposes such as watching academic videos on YouTube, sharing their ideas, thoughts, and current development in their respective fields through WhatsApp, getting job-related information from different Facebook pages, etc. A substantial number of nursing students believed that these SNSs help them build relationships with professionals across the country. At the same time, many students also indicated that extensive use of SNSs might cause sleep difficulties, data privacy concerns, and a lack of focus while studying.

Conclusion

To have an impact on how SNSs are used in healthcare education, more attention should be paid to build connectivism between educators and their students on social learning environment, which the findings of this study's suggestions could be put into practice.
The Effects of Head Start on Low-Income Mothers
Authors: Yeh Catherine T. H. , Wodtke Geoffrey T.
Published: September 2023

Head Start is a federal antipoverty program that provides free childcare, preschool, and related services to disadvantaged families. Research on Head Start has focused almost exclusively on impacts among children. Using data from the Head Start Impact Study, a nationally representative field experiment, the authors estimate treatment effects on maternal employment, economic hardship, and depression. The authors find that Head Start admission generates some improvements among Black mothers but not among other subpopulations. In analyses accounting for treatment intensity, noncompliance, and program substitution, the authors find suggestive evidence that Head Start participation may lead to even greater improvements in these outcomes specifically among Black mothers who would otherwise look after their children at home and when they participate in the program full-time. In conclusion, Head Start likely improves outcomes for some groups of low-income mothers, but these effects are heterogeneous, and they may be small, dose-dependent, or otherwise difficult to detect for many women.
How (Not) to Use Risk Ratios in Sociological Research
Authors: Karlson Kristian Bernt , Quillian Lincoln
Published: September 2023

A small but growing literature uses the risk ratio as an association or effect measure. Unlike odds ratios, risk ratios are unaffected by rescaling or noncollapsibility bias and are straightforward to interpret. However, the risk ratio has one unattractive property that researchers need to be aware of: it is not symmetric with respect to the outcome definition. The ratio between two groups’ probability of success does not equal the inverse of the ratio between the two groups’ probability of failure. Choosing the category of a binary outcome to use as the “success” category can significantly affect substantive conclusions, particularly in research comparing risk ratios with highly different base rates of the “success” outcome. The authors give examples from discrimination and social mobility studies that illustrate this point and present rules of thumb for the use of the risk ratio depending on the base rate of the outcome.
Protection of the environment in relation to armed conflict—50 years of effort, and no end in sight
Authors: Bothe Michael
Published: September 2023

The debate about environmental protection in relation to armed conflict began around 1970 due to the meeting of two political movements: on the one hand, becoming aware of the environmental problem including concern for future generations and, on the other, a need to develop the law of armed conflict, filling some loopholes left by the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and reflecting experiences of conflicts which had happened since that time. There was (and is) a tension between the military interest of winning a war and the environmental interest of preserving the planet for future generations. Protocol I additional to the Geneva Convention adopted in 1977 constituted a victory for the military interest by defining the threshold of impermissible environmental damage in a way which is a far cry from satisfying the need of environmental preservation. But a lively discourse had started which has brought progress, but is far from yielding satisfactory final results. Major elements are the application of the rules concerning the protection of the civilian population and civilian objects to environmental protection, the principle of due regard for the environment, the recognized need to establish zones protected for the sake of environmental preservation, intensive activities of environmental fact-finding, the challenge of maintaining necessary environmental governance under the condition of armed conflict and environmental restoration as part of peacebuilding after the conflict.
In vitro and in vivo toxicity of carbon dots with different chemical compositions
Authors: Kuznietsova Halyna , Géloën Alain , Dziubenko Nataliia , Zaderko Alexander , Alekseev Sergei , Lysenko Vladimir , Skryshevsky Valeriy
Published: September 2023

Carbon dots (CDs) are easy-obtained nanoparticles with wide range of biological activity; however, their toxicity after prolonged exposure is poorly investigated. So, in vitro and in vivo toxicity of CDs with the surfaces enriched with hydroxylated hydrocarbon chains and methylene groups (CD_GE), carboxyl and phenol groups accompanied with nitrogen (CD_3011), trifluoromethyl (CDF19) or toluidine and aniline groups (CDN19) were aimed to be discovered. CDs’ in vitro toxicity was assessed on A549 cells (real-time cell analysis of impedance, fluorescence microscopy) after 24 h of incubation, and we observed no changes in cell viability and morphology. CDs’ in vivo toxicity was assessed on C57Bl6 mice after multiple dosages (5 mg/kg subcutaneously) for 14 days. Lethality (up to 50%) was observed in CDN19 and CD_3011 groups on different days of dosing, accompanied by toxicity signs in case of CD_3011. There were no changes in serum biochemical parameters except Urea (increased in CDF19 and CD_3011 groups), nor substantial kidney, liver, and spleen injuries. The most impactful for all organs were also CD_3011 and CDF19, causing renal tubule injury and liver blood supply violation. Thus, CDs with a surface enriched with oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups might be toxic after multiple everyday dosing, without, however, significant damages of internal organs in survived animals.
Associations between velamentous or marginal cord insertion and risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wen Li , Zhong Qimei , Mei Lingwei , Gao Li , Lan Xia , Xiong Jing , Luo Shujuan , Wang Lan
Published: September 2023

Background

Velamentous cord insertion (VCI) and marginal cord insertion (MCI) are well-known risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies. However, the potential links between VCI or MCI and perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies have yet to be systematically evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between VCI or MCI and perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies.

Methods

This retrospective single-center cohort study included women with twin pregnancies who gave birth in a tertiary hospital in Southwest, China between January 2017 and December 2022. VCI and MCI were identified by abdominal ultrasound and confirmed after placental delivery. Logistic regression, multinomial logit regression and generalized estimation equation models were used to evaluate the association between VCI or MCI and perinatal outcomes.

Results

A total of 3682 twin pregnancies were included, including 100 (2.7%) pregnancies with VCI and 149 (4.0%) pregnancies with MCI. Compared to pregnancies with normal cord insertion, both monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies with VCI were associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery 32–34 weeks (aRRR 2.94, 95% CI 1.03–8.39; aRRR 2.55, 95% CI 1.19–5.46, respectively), while pregnancies with MCI were not associated with preterm delivery. VCI was associated with a higher incidence of placental previa (aOR 6.36, 95% CI 1.92–21.04) in monochorionic pregnancies and placental accreta (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.06–3.23) in dichorionic pregnancies. MCI was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (aOR 3.07, 95% CI 1.49–6.32), intertwin birthweight discordance ≥ 20% (aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.08–5.60) and selective fetal growth restriction (aOR 2.46, 95% CI 1.08–5.60) in monochorionic pregnancies and small-for-gestational age neonates (aOR 1.97, 95% CI 1.24–3.14) in dichorionic pregnancies.

Conclusions

VCI was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery in twin pregnancies irrespective of chorionicity, whereas MCI was associated with an increased preeclampsia risk, significant intertwin birthweight discordance in monochorionic pregnancies and small-for-gestational age neonates in dichorionic pregnancies.
A rare presentation of orbital spindle cell carcinoma a case report and brief review of the literature
Authors: Tehrani Mansooreh Jamshidian , Rashidinia Ali , Amoli Fahimeh Asadi , Esfandiari Amirreza
Published: September 2023

Background

To describe a case of orbital spindle cell carcinoma which presented with limbal ischemia and briefly review the literature.

Methods

Retrospective case report and brief literature review.

Results

A 61-year old man presented with blepharoptosis, periorbital pain, decreased vision and limbal ischemia. He did not mention any previous illness and did not take any kind of drugs. Imaging revealed an orbital mass that was positive for SMA, Vimentin and CD99 and negative for S100. We treated the patient with chemotherapy and followed him for other complications that occurred throughout disease course.

Conclusion

Spindle cell carcinomas are a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with dual malignant histologic differentiation of squamous and mesenchymal cells. Few cases of orbital spindle cell carcinoma have been reported, which have been either secondary to distant metastasis or regional spread. In this study, we have reported the first case of primary orbital spindle cell carcinoma presenting with limbal ischemia. Further studies are needed to describe the different clinical presentations and management strategies of this rare clinical entity.
A comparative observational study on intrasphincteric injections with Botulinum toxin vs. enteral neuromodulation in chronic refractory constipation
Authors: Walther Mona , Müller Hanna , Weiß Christel , Carbon Roman , Diez Sonja , Besendörfer Manuel
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Botulinum toxin injections in the anal sphincter apparatus (Botox) and enteral neuromodulation (ENM) are options for treatment of refractory chronic constipation. We present a retrospective comparative observational study.

Patients and methods

From 2014 to 2022, pediatric patients with chronic constipation were either treated with Botox or ENM with continuation of conservative treatment. Comparison was conducted regarding the primary outcome variables defecation frequency, stool consistency, and abdominal pain. Secondary outcomes were fecal incontinence, enuresis, change of medication and safety of treatment.

Results

19 Botox patients (10 boys, 9 girls, 12 patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD), 7 patients with functional constipation (FC)) were compared to 24 ENM patients (18 boys, 6 girls, 12 HD patients, 7 FC patients). Groups differed significantly in age (5.0 years (Botulinum toxin) and 6.5 years (ENM), mean values, p-value 0.008). Improvement of constipation was seen in 68% (n = 13/19) of Botox and 88% (n = 21/24) of ENM patients (p = 0.153). Influence of etiology on therapeutic effects was not observed. Complications were minor.

Conclusions

Botox and ENM can be considered as valuable and effective treatment options in refractory chronic constipation. Prospective, large-population studies should be designed to enable improved evidence.
Gender-specific associations between abdominal adipose mass and bone mineral density in the middle-aged US population
Authors: Cao Xueqin , He Leilei , Sun Rong , Chen Siyu
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The relationship between abdominal adipose tissue and osteoporosis is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of abdominal adipose tissue with bone mineral density (BMD) among a nationally representative sample of US middle-aged adults.

Material and methods

This study included 1498 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014 and 2017–2018. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, as well as to assess abdominal adipose mass by categorizing total adipose tissue (TAT) into visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between abdominal adipose tissue and BMD, and logistic regression and generalized additive model were used to assess the associations of abdominal adipose tissue with the development of low BMD.

Results

In our study, men accounted for 51.3%, and the mean age and body mass index for men and women were 49.3 and 49.6 years, and 23.9 and 28.3 kg/m2, respectively. In the univariate model, we found that abdominal adipose mass was positively associated with BMD at femoral neck and spine in both genders. In the multivariate model, among men, a negative correlation was observed between TAT and SAT and BMD at the femoral neck. Additionally, higher masses of TAT, SAT, and VAT were found to significantly increase the risk of low BMD at both the femoral neck and lumbar spine. In contrast, there was no significant association between abdominal adipose mass and BMD in middle-aged women, regardless of menopausal status.

Conclusions

Our finding suggested that abdominal adipose tissue, regardless of its location (SAT or VAT), may have a negative impact on BMD in middle-aged men independently of body weight, but this relationship was not observed in women. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and investigate potential mechanisms underlying these associations.
Solubility of lamotrigine in age-specific biorelevant media that simulated the fasted- and fed-conditions of the gastric and intestinal environments in pediatrics and adults: implications for traditional, re-formulated, modified, and new oral formulations
Authors: Shawahna Ramzi , Saba’aneh Hala , Daraghmeh Amal , Qassarwi Yara , Franco Valentina , Declèves Xavier
Published: September 2023

Background

Lamotrigine is an effective antiseizure medication that can be used in the management of focal and generalized epilepsies in pediatric patients. This study was conducted to quantify and compare the solubility of lamotrigine in age-specific biorelevant media that simulated the fasted and fed conditions of the gastric and intestinal environments in pediatrics and adults. Another aim was to predict how traditional, re-formulated, modified, and new oral formulations would behave in the gastric and intestinal environments across different age groups.

Methods

Solubility studies of lamotrigine were conducted in 16 different age-specific biorelevant media over the pH range and temperature specified by the current biopharmaceutical classification system-based criteria. The age-specific biorelevant media simulated the environments in the stomach and proximal gastrointestinal tract in both fasted and fed conditions of adults and pediatric sub-populations. The solubility of lamotrigine was determined using a pre-validated HPLC-UV method.

Results

Lamotrigine showed low solubility in the 16 age-specific biorelevant media as indicated by a dose number of > 1. There were significant age-specific variabilities in the solubility of lamotrigine in the different age-specific biorelevant media. Pediatric/adult solubility ratios of lamotrigine fell outside the 80-125% range in 6 (50.0%) and were borderline in 3 (25.0%) out of the 12 compared media. These ratios indicated that the solubility of lamotrigine showed considerable differences in 9 out of the 12 (75.0%) of the compared media.

Conclusion

Future studies are still needed to generate more pediatric biopharmaceutical data to help understand the performances of oral dosage forms in pediatric sub-populations.
Critical thinking disposition of medical students in Anhui Province, China: a cross-sectional investigation
Authors: Zhai Jinxia , Zhang Haisheng
Published: September 2023

Objective

To investigate the critical thinking disposition of medical undergraduates.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 426 students from four majors, including preventive medicine, maternal and children’s health care medicine, health inspection and quarantine, and food quality and safety. The survey was completed in May 2019 using the California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory-Chinese version (CTDI-CV).

Results

A total of 435 questionnaires were distributed and 426 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective rate of 97.93%. The CTDI-CV overall average score was 262.02 ± 34.74 points indicating an ambivalent disposition in medical undergraduate students. Only one of the subscales (maturity in judgment) had mean scores of 43.35 ± 8.23 indicating the positive disposition of students. Among them, males scored 257.42 ± 35.06 lower than females’ 264.82 ± 34.32, the difference was statistically significant. The target scores of preventive medicine, maternal and children’s health medicine, health inspection and quarantine, and food quality and safety were 265.17 ± 30.10, 260.26 ± 37.05, 271.73 ± 33.55, and 252.11 ± 39.87, respectively. The difference was statistically significant. Among the three dimensions of seeking truth, open mind, and cognitive maturity, the scores of males were 38.26 ± 7.48, 38.78 ± 6.46 and 41.03 ± 8.69, which were lower than females’ 39.97 ± 7.11, 40.48 ± 6.48 and 44.91 ± 7.60, respectively. The scores of food quality and safety students were 37.23 ± 7.08, 36.61 ± 7.41 and 40.57 ± 8.60, respectively, which were lower than the preventive medicine (39.98 ± 7.07, 40.60 ± 5.96 and 44.44 ± 6.97, respectively).

Conclusion

Most medical students were found to have an ambivalent disposition which meant they were not disposed toward critical thinking. These findings suggested that more effective teaching methods should be taken to facilitate critical thinking disposition and problem-solving ability.
Integrated unbiased multiomics defines disease-independent placental clusters in common obstetrical syndromes
Authors: Barak Oren , Lovelace Tyler , Piekos Samantha , Chu Tianjiao , Cao Zhishen , Sadovsky Elena , Mouillet Jean-Francois , Ouyang Yingshi , Parks W. Tony , Hood Leroy , Price Nathan D. , Benos Panayiotis V. , Sadovsky Yoel
Published: September 2023

Background

Placental dysfunction, a root cause of common syndromes affecting human pregnancy, such as preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD), remains poorly defined. These common, yet clinically disparate obstetrical syndromes share similar placental histopathologic patterns, while individuals within each syndrome present distinct molecular changes, challenging our understanding and hindering our ability to prevent and treat these syndromes.

Methods

Using our extensive biobank, we identified women with severe PE (n = 75), FGR (n = 40), FGR with a hypertensive disorder (FGR + HDP;n = 33), sPTD (n = 72), and two uncomplicated control groups, term (n = 113), and preterm without PE, FGR, or sPTD (n = 16). We used placental biopsies for transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics data, and histological evaluation. After conventional pairwise comparison, we deployed an unbiased, AI-based similarity network fusion (SNF) to integrate the datatypes and identify omics-defined placental clusters. We used Bayesian model selection to compare the association between the histopathological features and disease conditionsvsSNF clusters.

Results

Pairwise, disease-based comparisons exhibited relatively few differences, likely reflecting the heterogeneity of the clinical syndromes. Therefore, we deployed the unbiased, omics-based SNF method. Our analysis resulted in four distinct clusters, which were mostly dominated by a specific syndrome. Notably, the cluster dominated by early-onset PE exhibited strong placental dysfunction patterns, with weaker injury patterns in the cluster dominated by sPTD. The SNF-defined clusters exhibited better correlation with the histopathology than the predefined disease groups.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that integrated omics-based SNF distinctively reclassifies placental dysfunction patterns underlying the common obstetrical syndromes, improves our understanding of the pathological processes, and could promote a search for more personalized interventions.
Urea molasses mineral block under various feeding systems improved nutrient digestibility, productive performance and blood biochemical profile of Yaks
Authors: Mobashar Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Tahir , Marjan Maria , Ahmad Shakoor , Farooq Umar , Khalid Muhammad Farooq , Mustafa Riaz , Khan Nadar , Sadiq Abu Bakkar , Shah Anwar , Abdel-Wareth Ahmed A. A.
Published: September 2023

Background

The study aimed to investigate the effect of urea molasses mineral blocks (UMMB) on nutrient digestibility, productive performance and blood biochemical profile of indigenous yaks under various feeding systems. A total of sixteen yaks were randomly divided into four groups (n = 4 animal per group) and offered the, following feeding systems: (A) stall feeding, (B), urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) + stall feeding, (C) yard feeding and (D) UMMB + yard feeding. Trial lasted for 40 days.

Results

Results showed that nutrients intake (g) and nutrient digestibility (%) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and crude fiber (CF) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in stall and yard feeding groups with UMMB licking. Blood zinc, cobalt, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), glucose and serum glutamate private transaminase (SGPT) significantly (p < 0.05) increased in stall and yard feeding with UMMB licking. Milk yield, Ca and monounsaturated fatty acid except milk composition improved significantly (p < 0.05) in stall and yard feeding groups with UMMB licking.

Conclusion

It was concluded that feeding of UMMB improved utilization of low-quality roughages and best results were obtained from stall and yard feedings with UMMB licking as compared to other groups.
Integrated bioinformatics analysis of dendritic cells hub genes reveal potential early tuberculosis diagnostic markers
Authors: Wu Xiao , Liu Kewei , Li Shanshan , Ren Weicong , Wang Wei , Shang Yuanyuan , Zhang Fuzhen , Huang Yingying , Pang Yu , Gao Mengqiu
Published: September 2023

Background

Dendritic cells (DCs) are most potent antigen-processing cells and play key roles in host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. In this study, hub genes in DCs during MTB infection were first investigated using bioinformatics approaches and further validated in Monocyte-derived DCs.

Methods

Microarray datasets were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Principal component analysis (PCA) and immune infiltration analysis were performed to select suitable samples for further analysis. Differential analysis and functional enrichment analysis were conducted on DC samples, comparing live MTB-infected and non-infected (NI) groups. The CytoHubba plugin in Cytoscape was used to identify hub genes from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The expression of the hub genes was validated using two datasets and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in human monocyte-derived DCs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to validate interferon (IFN) secretion. Transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) that interact with the hub genes were predicted using prediction databases. The diagnostic value of the hub genes was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) values.

Results

A total of 1835 common DEGs among three comparison groups (18 h, 48 h, 72 h after MTB infection) were identified. Six DEGs (IFIT1, IFIT2, IFIT3, ISG15, MX1, and RSAD2) were determined as hub genes. Functions enrichment analysis revealed that all hub genes all related to IFN response. RT-qPCR showed that the expression levels of six hub genes were significantly increased after DC stimulated by live MTB. According to the results of ELISA, the secretion of IFN-γ, but not IFN-α/β, was upregulated in MTB-stimulated DCs. AUC values of six hub genes ranged from 84 to 94% and AUC values of 5 joint indicators of two hub genes were higher than the two hub genes alone.

Conclusion

The study identified 6 hub genes associated with IFN response pathway. These genes may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers in tuberculosis (TB). The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the host immune response to MTB infection and highlight the diagnostic potential of these hub genes in TB.
LncRNA SNHG1: role in tumorigenesis of multiple human cancers
Authors: Zeng Huang , Zhou Shouang , Cai Weiqiang , Kang Mingqiang , Zhang Peipei
Published: September 2023

Small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) is an important member of the SNHG family. This family is composed of a group of host genes that can be processed into small nucleolar RNAs and play important biological functions. In an oncogenic role, the SNHG1 expression is increased in various cancers, which has immense application prospects in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of malignant tumors. In this review, we have summarized the role and molecular mechanism of SNHG1 in the development of various cancers. In addition, we have emphasized the clinical significance of SNHG1 in cancers in our article. This molecule is expected to be a new marker for potential usage in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer.
CircXRN2 suppresses tumor progression driven by histone lactylation through activating the Hippo pathway in human bladder cancer
Authors: Xie Bo , Lin Juntao , Chen Xianwu , Zhou Xuejian , Zhang Yan , Fan Mengjing , Xiang Jiayong , He Ning , Hu Zhenghui , Wang Feifan
Published: September 2023

Background

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the fourth most common malignant tumor with a poor prognosis worldwide. Further exploration and research are needed to unmask the underlying roles and molecular mechanisms of circular RNAs. In the current study, our findings showed that circXRN2 suppresses tumor progression driven by histone lactylation by activating the Hippo pathway in human bladder cancer.

Methods

RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) followed by circRNA sequencing confirmed circXRN2 as the research object. Overexpression of circXRN2 and knockdown of TAZ/YAP further verified the biological functions in T24 and TCCSUP cells. RIP, immunoprecipitation and coimmunoprecipitation were used to elucidate the interaction between circXRN2 and LATS1. A Seahorse metabolic analyzer was used to determine the glycolytic rate. Cleavage under targets and Tagmentation (CUT&Tag) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were employed to ensure the regulatory roles of H3K18 lactylation in the transcriptional activity of LCN2.

Results

CircXRN2 is aberrantly downregulated in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. CircXRN2 inhibits the proliferation and migration of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, circXRN2 serves as a negative regulator of glycolysis and lactate production. Mechanistically, circXRN2 prevents LATS1 from SPOP-mediated degradation by binding to the SPOP degron and then activates the Hippo signaling pathway to exert various biological functions. The circXRN2-Hippo pathway regulatory axis further modulates tumor progression by inhibiting H3K18 lactylation and LCN2 expression in human bladder cancer.

Conclusions

CircXRN2 suppresses tumor progression driven by H3K18 lactylation by activating the Hippo signaling pathway in human bladder cancer. Our results indicated novel therapeutic targets and provided promising strategies for clinical intervention in human bladder cancer.
Powering mesoporous silica nanoparticles into bioactive nanoplatforms for antibacterial therapies: strategies and challenges
Authors: Li Biao , Liao Yan , Su Xiaoyu , Chen Shuiyan , Wang Xinmin , Shen Baode , Song Hao , Yue Pengfei
Published: September 2023

Bacterial infection has been a major threat to worldwide human health, in particular with the ever-increasing level of antimicrobial resistance. Given the complex microenvironment of bacterial infections, conventional use of antibiotics typically renders a low efficacy in infection control, thus calling for novel strategies for effective antibacterial therapies. As an excellent candidate for antibiotics delivery, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) demonstrate unique physicochemical advantages in antibacterial therapies. Beyond the delivery capability, extensive efforts have been devoted in engineering MSNs to be bioactive to further synergize the therapeutic effect in infection control. In this review, we critically reviewed the essential properties of MSNs that benefit their antibacterial application, followed by a themed summary of strategies in manipulating MSNs into bioactive nanoplatforms for enhanced antibacterial therapies. The chemically functionalized platform, photo-synergized platform, physical antibacterial platform and targeting-directed platform are introduced in details, where the clinical translation challenges of these MSNs-based antibacterial nanoplatforms are briefly discussed afterwards. This review provides critical information of the emerging trend in turning bioinert MSNs into bioactive antibacterial agents, paving the way to inspire and translate novel MSNs-based nanotherapies in combating bacterial infection diseases.

Graphical Abstract