bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling land-use change using partitioned vector cellular automata while considering urban spatial structure
Authors: Yang Jing , Zhu Xinyu , Chen Wei , Sun Yizhong , Zhu Jie
Published: January 2023

While many published studies have explored the impact of spatial heterogeneity on land-use change, few have focused on regional differences in land-use transition rules caused by urban spatial structure. In this paper, we measured urban land-use diversity by developing self-adaptive kernel density estimation and entropy weight methods and determine the urban spatial structure (composed of urban regions, inner and outer urban-rural fringes, and a rural hinterland) by applying a spectral clustering method. Combining local neighborhood effects and environmental effects, the land-use transition rules of different types of regions were mined to construct a partitioned vector cellular automata (CA) model that zonally simulates urban land-use change. The proposed model was applied to the simulation of the land-use change process in Jiangyin City, China, from 2007 to 2017. The resulting simulation accuracy was higher than that of other well-accepted CA models that do not consider urban spatial structure, and the conventional neighborhood assimilation rule was found not to be applicable to the conversion of construction land. The results and findings demonstrate that the proposed model is an effective means for urban planners to simulate and analyze urban evolution processes of cities with urban spatial structures that fit a concentric circle model.
Do students like us because we teach well? The popularity of high school mathematics teachers
Authors: Bengre Taley Isaac
Published: January 2023

Mathematics is a highly esteemed discipline in high schools in Ghana; hence, mathematics teachers enjoy exceptionally high prestige, which by default makes them popular. However, not all mathematics teachers are popular, perhaps because such teachers do not provide quality mathematics instruction. Although the speculation that teaching quality can prompt teacher popularity, just as teachers’ popularity may be a candidate for teaching quality abounds, research studies that seek to relate mathematics teachers’ popularity to the quality of their instruction are scarce. Using closed and open-ended questionnaires, data on teacher popularity and instructional quality from 774 high school students was used to explore the predictability of teacher popularity from the quality of their mathematics instruction. The study found high school mathematics teachers to be generally popular and provided quality mathematics instruction. Although teacher popularity was predicted by quality instruction, teachers’ instructional practices of fostering mathematics explanation and providing feedback were not significant predictors of teachers’ popularity. Nevertheless, teachers’ adaptive support was the major reason students liked their mathematics teachers. This study also showed that the levels of popularity showed how different high school math teachers did different things to improve the quality of their lessons.
Evaluation of eGFP expression in the ChAT-eGFP transgenic mouse brain
Authors: Gamage Rashmi , Zaborszky Laszlo , Münch Gerald , Gyengesi Erika
Published: January 2023

Background

A historically definitive marker for cholinergic neurons is choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), a synthesizing enzyme for acetylcholine, (ACh), which can be found in high concentrations in cholinergic neurons, both in the central and peripheral nervous systems. ChAT, is produced in the body of the neuron, transported to the nerve terminal (where its concentration is highest), and catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from the coenzyme acetyl-CoA to choline, yielding ACh. The creation of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice that express promoter-specific fluorescent reporter proteins (green fluorescent protein—[GFP]) provided an enormous advantage for neuroscience. Both in vivo and in vitro experimental methods benefited from the transgenic visualization of cholinergic neurons. Mice were created by adding a BAC clone into the ChAT locus, in which enhanced GFP (eGFP) is inserted into exon 3 at the ChAT initiation codon, robustly and supposedly selectively expressing eGFP in all cholinergic neurons and fibers in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as in non-neuronal cells.

Methods

This project systematically compared the exact distribution of the ChAT-eGFP expressing neurons in the brain with the expression of ChAT by immunohistochemistry using mapping and also made comparisons with in situ hybridization (ISH).

Results

We qualitatively described the distribution of ChAT-eGFP neurons in the mouse brain by comparing it with the distribution of immunoreactive neurons and ISH data, paying special attention to areas where the expression did not overlap, such as the cortex, striatum, thalamus and hypothalamus. We found a complete overlap between the transgenic expression of eGFP and the immunohistochemical staining in the areas of the cholinergic basal forebrain. However, in the cortex and hippocampus, we found small neurons that were only labeled with the antibody and not expressed eGFP or vice versa. Most importantly, we found no transgenic expression of eGFP in the lateral dorsal, ventral and dorsomedial tegmental nuclei cholinergic cells.

Conclusion

While the majority of the forebrain ChAT expression was aligned in the transgenic animals with immunohistochemistry, other areas of interest, such as the brainstem should be considered before choosing this particular transgenic mouse line.
The status of emotional labour and its influence on job burnout among village doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Song Jia , Fan Chengxin , Li Qiusha , Wang Anqi , Wang Wanchen , Zhou Lifang , Lv Haiyuan , Ma Dongping , Chen Zhongming , Yin Wenqiang
Published: January 2023

Background

Village doctors in China are not only the gatekeepers of rural residents' health but also the net bottom of the medical security system. However, emotional labour is increasingly threatening the stability of the rural primary medical system. In addition, the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has further exposed the vulnerability of human resources in China's rural health system. This study aims to evaluate the current situation of emotional labour among village doctors and explore the impact of emotional labour on job burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in December 2021 in Shandong Province. We used structured questionnaires to collect data, including sociodemographic characteristics, emotional labour, and job burnout. Data were analysed by t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple linear regression.

Results

A total of 1,093 village doctors from Shandong Province participated in the study. More than half of the participants were male (62.40%) and were between 41 and 50 years old (53.43%). The total mean score of emotional labour was 3.17 ± 0.67, of which the surface acting (SA) score was 2.28 ± 0.90, and the deep acting (DA) score was 3.91 ± 0.93. There were significant differences in SA according to gender and work content (P < 0.05) and in DA according to gender, age, education level, and work content (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that SA was positively correlated with job burnout (P < 0.001), and DA was negatively correlated with job burnout (P < 0.001). Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 29% of the variance in job burnout is attributable to SA (β = 0.530, P < 0.001) and DA (β = -0.154, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Village doctors in Shandong Province performed moderate levels of emotional labour during the COVID-19 pandemic. SA had a significant positive effect on job burnout, while DA had a significant negative effect on job burnout among village doctors. Administrators should enhance training on emotional labour for village doctors to play a positive role in alleviating their job burnout.
Short-term and long-term increased mortality in elderly patients with burn injury: a national longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Cords Charlotte I. , van Baar Margriet E. , Pijpe Anouk , Nieuwenhuis Marianne K. , Bosma Eelke , Verhofstad Michael H. J. , van der Vlies Cornelis H. ,   FRAIL group, Roukema G. , Lucas Y. , Gardien K. , Middelkoop E. , Polinder S. , Scholten S. M. H. J. , Damen J. , Boudestein K. , van Zuijlen P. P. M. , Mattace-Raso F. U. S. ,   Dutch Burn Repository group, Boekelaar A. , Roodbergen D. , Stoop M. M. , van Zuijlen P. P. M. , Lucas Y. , van Es A. , Eshuis H. , Hiddingh J. , Scholten-Jaegers S. M. H. J. , Middelkoop E. , Novin A.
Published: January 2023

Background

The population of elderly patients with burn injuries is growing. Insight into long-term mortality rates of elderly after burn injury and predictors affecting outcome is limited. This study aimed to provide this information.

Methods

A multicentre observational retrospective cohort study was conducted in all three Dutch burn centres. Patients aged ≥65 years, admitted with burn injuries between 2009 and 2018, were included. Data were retrieved from electronic patient records and the Dutch Burn Repository R3. Mortality rates and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess predictors for in-hospital mortality and mortality after discharge at 1 year and five-year. Survival analysis was used to assess predictors of five-year mortality.

Results

In total, 682/771 admitted patients were discharged. One-year and five-year mortality rates were 8.1 and 23.4%. The SMRs were 1.9(95%CI 1.5–2.5) and 1.4(95%CI 1.2–1.6), respectively. The SMRs were highest in patients aged 75–80 years at 1 year (SMRs 2.7, 95%CI 1.82–3.87) and five-year in patients aged 65–74 years (SMRs 10.1, 95%CI 7.7–13.0). Independent predictors for mortality at 1 year after discharge were higher age (OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.0–1.1), severe comorbidity, (ASA-score ≥ 3) (OR 4.8, 95%CI 2.3–9.7), and a non-home discharge location (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.1–3.8). The relative risk of dying up to five-year was increased by age (HR 1.1, 95%CI 1.0–1.1), severe comorbidity (HR 2.3, 95%CI 1.6–3.5), and non-home discharge location (HR 2.1, 95%CI 1.4–3.2).

Conclusion

Long-term mortality until five-year after burn injury was higher than the age and sex-matched general Dutch population, and predicted by higher age, severe comorbidity, and a non-home discharge destination. Next to pre-injury characteristics, potential long-lasting systemic consequences on biological mechanisms following burn injuries probably play a role in increased mortality. Decreased health status makes patients more prone to burn injuries, leading to early death.
Morphology of paraspinal muscles in frail and non-frail older adults evaluated through FRAIL scale
Authors: Huang Rufeng , Pan Fumin , Kong Chao , Lu Shibao
Published: January 2023

Background

Frailty is a condition characterized by the progressive deterioration of physiological functioning, which is closely related to adverse events. Multiple previous investigations applied frailty scales for spine research, and the purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in the morphology of the paraspinal muscles in frail and non-frail older adults evaluated through FRAIL scale.

Methods

The sample of this retrospectively cross-sectional study consisted of individuals who were ≥ 60 years of age and with lumbar degenerative disease. We divided patients into two groups (0–2 = non-Frail, 3–5 = Frail) according to the FRAIL scale. The cross-sectional area (CSA) and percentage of the fatty infiltration (FI%) of the paraspinal muscles were compared between the two groups.

Results

The fCSA (functional cross-sectional area) of the non-Frail group (32.78 [28.52, 38.28]) (cm2) was significantly greater than that of the Frail group (28.50 [24.11, 34.77]) (p < 0.001). The ES FI% (erector spinae fatty infiltration rate) (24.83 ± 6.61 vs. 29.60 ± 7.92, p < 0.001) and MF FI% (multifidus fatty infiltration rate) (31.68 ± 5.63 vs. 41.12 ± 7.04, p < 0.001) of the non-Frail group were significantly lower than that of Frail group.

Conclusions

The paraspinal muscles of elderly Frail patients screened by the FRAIL scale are worse than those of the non-Frail patients, and the ability of the FRAIL scale to distinguish paraspinal muscle morphology has important clinical significance.
Finite element analysis of stress in oral mucosa and titanium mesh interface
Authors: Wang Chen-Xi , Rong Qi-Guo , Zhu Ning , Ma Ting , Zhang Yu , Lin Ye
Published: January 2023

Background

The stiffness of titanium mesh is a double-blade sword to repair larger alveolar ridges defect with excellent space maintenance ability, while invade the surrounding soft tissue and lead to higher mesh exposure rates. Understanding the mechanical of oral mucosa/titanium mesh/bone interface is clinically meaningful. In this study, the above relationship was analyzed by finite elements and verified by setting different keratinized tissue width in oral mucosa.

Methods

Two three-dimensional finite element models were constructed with 5 mm keratinized tissue in labial mucosa (KM cases) and 0 mm keratinized tissue in labial mucosa (LM cases). Each model was composed of titanium mesh, titanium screws, graft materials, bone, teeth and oral mucosa. After that, a vertical (30 N) loadings were applied from both alveolar ridges direction and labial mucosa direction to stimulate the force from masticatory system. The displacements and von Mises stress of each element at the interfaces were analyzed.

Results

Little displacements were found for titanium mesh, titanium screws, graft materials, bone and teeth in both LM and KM cases under different loading conditions. The maximum von Mises stress was found around the lingual titanium screw insertion place for those elements in all cases. The keratinized tissue decreased the displacement of oral mucosa, decreased the maximum von Mises stress generated by an alveolar ridges direction load, while increased those stress from labial mucosa direction load. Only the von Mises stress of the KM cases was all lower than the tensile strength of the oral mucosa.

Conclusion

The mucosa was vulnerable under the increasing stress generated by the force from masticatory system. The adequate buccal keratinized mucosa width are critical factors in reducing the stress beyond the titanium mesh, which might reduce the titanium exposure rate.
Influence of past advanced behavior guidance experience on parental acceptance for autistic individuals in the dental setting
Authors: Manopetchkasem Apichaya , Srimaneekarn Natchalee , Leelataweewud Pattarawadee , Smutkeeree Apiwan
Published: January 2023

Background

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that poses challenges during dental treatment. Advanced behavior guidance techniques (BGTs) have been used to provide dental care for autistic people who have specific characteristics and complex dental treatment. This study was conducted to evaluate parental acceptance and analyze parents’ opinions of advanced BGTs during dental treatment in autistic people.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 141 parents of autistic people from the Mahidol Dental Hospital and the Autism online community. Informed consent was obtained before enrolling participants in the study. All parents were asked to rate their acceptance after watching VDO clips: passive restraint by device (PRBD), oral sedation (OS), and general anesthesia (GA) to evaluate parental acceptance of advanced BGTs through an online questionnaire survey. The online questionnaire included a visual analog scale (VAS) and open-ended questions to collect their opinions on each advanced BGT. Participants were categorized into two subgroups as follows: 81 in the “Experience group” and 60 in the “No experience group” according to their autistic people’ advanced BGT experience. Friedman’s two-way analysis of variance and the Mann–Whitney U test were used for statistical analyses. Open-ended questions were analyzed using quantitative content analysis.

Results

PRBD was ranked the highest, followed by GA and OS. Parents in the “Experience group” rated significantly higher acceptance of their BGT experience than parents in the “No experience group” in all the three advanced BGTs.

Conclusions

All advanced BGTs were particularly accepted in this study. Previous experience of advanced BGTs had an influence on parental acceptance. Parents commented on their opinions toward each advanced BGT with a variety of perspectives.

Trial registration: The protocol was approved by the ethical committee of the Faculty of Dentistry/Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University (COA.No.MU-DT/PY-IRB 2021/022.1702) and was registered with Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20220521001).
Changing epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Nouakchott, Mauritania: a six-year (2015–2020) prospective study
Authors: El Moustapha Inejih , Deida Jemila , Dadina Mariem , El Ghassem Abdellahi , Begnoug Mariem , Hamdinou Mariem , Mint Lekweiry Khadijetou , Ould Ahmedou Salem Mohamed Salem , Khalef Yacoub , Semane Amal , Ould Brahim Khyarhoum , Briolant Sébastien , Bogreau Hervé , Basco Leonardo , Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary Ali
Published: January 2023

Background

Plasmodium vivaxmalaria is one of the major infectious diseases of public health concern in Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania and the biggest urban setting in the Sahara. The assessment of the current trends in malaria epidemiology is primordial in understanding the dynamics of its transmission and developing an effective control strategy.

Methods

A 6 year (2015–2020) prospective study was carried out in Nouakchott. Febrile outpatients with a clinical suspicion of malaria presenting spontaneously at Teyarett Health Centre or the paediatric department of Mother and Children Hospital Centre were screened for malaria using a rapid diagnostic test, microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood films, and nested polymerase chain reaction. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism and InStat software.

Results

Of 1760 febrile patients included in this study, 274 (15.5%) were malaria-positive by rapid diagnostic test, 256 (14.5%) were malaria-positive by microscopy, and 291 (16.5%) were malaria-positive by PCR.Plasmodium vivaxaccounted for 216 of 291 (74.2%) PCR-positive patients; 47 (16.1%) and 28 (9.6%) hadP. falciparummonoinfection orP. vivax–P. falciparummixed infection, respectively. During the study period, the annual prevalence of malaria declined from 29.2% in 2015 to 13.2% in 2019 and 2.1% in 2020 (P < 0.05). Malaria transmission was essentially seasonal, with a peak occurring soon after the rainy season (October–November), andP. vivaxinfections, but notP. falciparuminfections, occurred at low levels during the rest of the year. The most affected subset of patient population was adult male white and black Moors. The decline in malaria prevalence was correlated with decreasing annual rainfall (r = 0.85;P = 0.03) and was also associated with better management of the potable water supply system. A large majority of included patients did not possess or did not use bed nets.

Conclusions

Control interventions based on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment should be reinforced in Nouakchott, andP. vivax-specific control measures, including chloroquine and 8-aminoquinolines (primaquine, tafenoquine) for treatment, should be considered to further improve the efficacy of interventions and aim for malaria elimination.
Screening for genes, miRNAs and transcription factors of adipogenic differentiation and dedifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Ou-yang Yi , Dai Miao-miao
Published: January 2023

Background

The purpose of present study was to reveal the molecular mechanisms responsible for both adipogenic differentiation and dedifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Methods

Microarray data GSE36923 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between adipogenically differentiated cells vs undifferentiated bone marrow-derived MSCs, adipogenically differentiated cells vs dedifferentiated cells samples at day 7 and adipogenically differentiated cells vs dedifferentiated cells samples at day 35 were screened, and overlapped DEGs across the three groups were analyzed. The underlying functions of the upregulated and downregulated DEGs were investigated by Gene ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. The protein–protein interaction network was constructed, and hub genes were obtained subsequently. Hub genes were verified with GSE113253 dataset, and then miRNA-gene network and TF-gene network were constructed.

Results

A total of 284 upregulated DEGs and 376 downregulated DEGs overlapped across the three groups. PPAR signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, carbon metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, biosynthesis of amino acids, citrate cycle (TCA cycle) and 2-Oxocarboxylic acid metabolism were the top 10 pathways involving in the upregulated DEGs, and graft-versus-host disease, allograft rejection, viral myocarditis, cell adhesion molecules, phagosome, type I diabetes mellitus, antigen processing and presentation, autoimmune thyroid disease, intestinal immune network for IgA production and rheumatoid arthritis were the top 10 pathways in downregulated DEGs. After validation, the 8 hub genes were IL6, PPARG, CCL2, FASN, CEBPA, ADIPOQ, FABP4 and LIPE. Ten key miRNAs were hsa-mir-27a-3p, hsa-mir-182-5p, hsa-mir-7-5p, hsa-mir-16-5p, hsa-mir-1-3p, hsa-mir-155-5p, hsa-mir-21-3p, hsa-mir-34a-5p, hsa-mir-27a-5p and hsa-mir-30c-5p, and 10 key TFs were TFDP1, GTF2A2, ZNF584, NRF1, ZNF512, NFRKB, CEBPG, KLF16, GLIS2 and MXD4.

Conclusion

Our study constructed miRNA-gene network and TF-gene network involved in both adipogenic differentiation and dedifferentiation of MSCs, contributing to enhancing the efficiency of MSCs transplantation in soft tissue defect repair and developing more potent remedies for adipogenesis-related skeletal disorders.
The effect of machine learning tools for evidence synthesis on resource use and time-to-completion: protocol for a retrospective pilot study
Authors: Muller Ashley Elizabeth , Berg Rigmor C. , Meneses-Echavez Jose Francisco , Ames Heather M. R. , Borge Tiril C. , Jardim Patricia Sofia Jacobsen , Cooper Chris , Rose Christopher James
Published: January 2023

Background

Machine learning (ML) tools exist that can reduce or replace human activities in repetitive or complex tasks. Yet, ML is underutilized within evidence synthesis, despite the steadily growing rate of primary study publication and the need to periodically update reviews to reflect new evidence. Underutilization may be partially explained by a paucity of evidence on how ML tools can reduce resource use and time-to-completion of reviews.

Methods

This protocol describes how we will answer two research questions using a retrospective study design: Is there a difference in resources used to produce reviews using recommended ML versus not using ML, and is there a difference in time-to-completion? We will also compare recommended ML use to non-recommended ML use that merely adds ML use to existing procedures. We will retrospectively include all reviews conducted at our institute from 1 August 2020, corresponding to the commission of the first review in our institute that used ML.

Conclusion

The results of this study will allow us to quantitatively estimate the effect of ML adoption on resource use and time-to-completion, providing our organization and others with better information to make high-level organizational decisions about ML.
ArcHives—combined palynological, genomic and lipid analysis of medieval wax seals
Authors: Kasso Tuuli M. , Enevold Renée , Johns Samuel , Rangel-Piñeros Guillermo , Taurozzi Alberto J. , Sutherland Alister , Ramsøe Max , Angelova Lora V. , Roffet-Salque Mélanie , Collins Matthew J. , Carøe Christian
Published: January 2023

Beeswax is a product of honeybees (Apis mellifera) and has been used extensively through time, especially as the primary component in medieval sealing wax for authenticating millions of documents. Today, these seals form large collections which, along with the historical information in the documents that the seals are attached to, could be a potential biomolecular archive for honeybees. Here, we investigate the possibility of obtaining biological information from medieval wax seals by performing a palynological and shotgun metagenomic analysis on eight medieval wax seal fragments. Our palynological results show that some pollen and fungal spores remain in the seals, albeit very little. Only one out of eight samples yielded enough DNA for sequencing. Moreover, only minor parts of the DNA reads could be taxonomically identified and were identified as plant and fungal DNA. These results demonstrate some potential for using wax seals as biological archives, but most importantly provides a framework for future studies, in addition to understanding further the degradation of seals as cultural heritage objects. We emphasize that future analyses should focus on other methodologies to retrieve data for historical context or alternatively improve molecular methods and screen sample collections broadly.
Automated deep-learning system in the assessment of MRI-visible prostate cancer: comparison of advanced zoomed diffusion-weighted imaging and conventional technique
Authors: Hu Lei , Fu Caixia , Song Xinyang , Grimm Robert , von Busch Heinrich , Benkert Thomas , Kamen Ali , Lou Bin , Huisman Henkjan , Tong Angela , Penzkofer Tobias , Choi Moon Hyung , Shabunin Ivan , Winkel David , Xing Pengyi , Szolar Dieter , Coakley Fergus , Shea Steven , Szurowska Edyta , Guo Jing-yi , Li Liang , Li Yue-hua , Zhao Jun-gong
Published: January 2023

Background

Deep-learning-based computer-aided diagnosis (DL-CAD) systems using MRI for prostate cancer (PCa) detection have demonstrated good performance. Nevertheless, DL-CAD systems are vulnerable to high heterogeneities in DWI, which can interfere with DL-CAD assessments and impair performance. This study aims to compare PCa detection of DL-CAD between zoomed-field-of-view echo-planar DWI (z-DWI) and full-field-of-view DWI (f-DWI) and find the risk factors affecting DL-CAD diagnostic efficiency.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 354 consecutive participants who underwent MRI including T2WI, f-DWI, and z-DWI because of clinically suspected PCa. A DL-CAD was used to compare the performance of f-DWI and z-DWI both on a patient level and lesion level. We used the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics analysis and alternative free-response receiver operating characteristics analysis to compare the performances of DL-CAD using f- DWI and z-DWI. The risk factors affecting the DL-CAD were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

DL-CAD with z-DWI had a significantly better overall accuracy than that with f-DWI both on patient level and lesion level (AUCpatient: 0.89 vs. 0.86; AUClesion: 0.86 vs. 0.76; P < .001). The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of lesions in DWI was an independent risk factor of false positives (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12; P < .001). Rectal susceptibility artifacts, lesion diameter, and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were independent risk factors of both false positives (ORrectal susceptibility artifact = 5.46; ORdiameter, = 1.12; ORADC = 0.998; all P < .001) and false negatives (ORrectal susceptibility artifact = 3.31; ORdiameter = 0.82; ORADC = 1.007; all P ≤ .03) of DL-CAD.

Conclusions

Z-DWI has potential to improve the detection performance of a prostate MRI based DL-CAD.

Trial registration

ChiCTR, NO. ChiCTR2100041834. Registered 7 January 2021.
Engineered exosomes enriched in netrin-1 modRNA promote axonal growth in spinal cord injury by attenuating inflammation and pyroptosis
Authors: Lu Xiao , Xu Guangyu , Lin Zhidi , Zou Fei , Liu Siyang , Zhang Yuxuan , Fu Wei , Jiang Jianyuan , Ma Xiaosheng , Song Jian
Published: January 2023

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) brings a heavy burden to individuals and society, and there is no effective treatment at present. Exosomes (EX) are cell secreted vesicles containing molecules such as nucleic acids and proteins, which hold promise for the treatment of SCI. Netrin-1 is an axon guidance factor that regulates neuronal growth. We investigated the effects of engineered EX enriched in netrin-1 chemically synthetic modified message RNA (modRNA) in treating SCI in an attempt to find a novel therapeutic approach for SCI.

Methods

Netrin-1 modRNA was transfected into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to obtain EX enriched with netrin-1 (EX-netrin1). We built an inflammatory model in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro to study the therapeutic effect of EX-netrin1 on SCI. For experiments in vitro, ELISA, CCK-8 assay, immunofluorescence staining, lactate dehydrogenase release experiments test, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blot were conducted. At the same time, we constructed a rat model of SCI. MRI, hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining were used to assess the extent of SCI in rats.

Results

In vitro experiments showed that EX had no effect on the viability of oligodendrocytes and PC12 cells. EX-netrin1 could attenuate LPS-induced inflammation and pyroptosis and accelerate axonal/dentritic growth in PC12 cells/oligodendrocytes. In addition, netrin-1 could activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway upon binding to its receptor unc5b. When Unc5b and PI3K were inhibited, the effect of EX-netrin1 was weakened, which could be reversed by PI3K or mTOR activator. Our in vivo experiments indicated that EX-netrin1 could promote recovery in rats with SCI.

Conclusion

We found that EX-netrin1 regulated inflammation, pyroptosis and axon growth in SCI via the Unc5b/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which provides a new strategy for the treatment of SCI.
The effect of overseas investors on local market efficiency: evidence from the Shanghai/Shenzhen–Hong Kong Stock Connect
Authors: Meng Yan , Xiong Lingyun , Xiao Lijuan , Bai Min
Published: January 2023

Using a recent stock market liberalization reform policy in China—the Stock Connect—as a quasi-natural experiment, this study examines the effect of stock market liberalization on market efficiency. Employing a dataset of 17,086 Chinese listed firms covering 2009 to 2018, we find that stock market liberalization improves the market efficiency of the Chinese mainland stock market. We further explore the potential channels through which the Stock Connect can enhance the efficiency of the A-share (A-shares refer to shares issued by Chinese companies incorporated in mainland China, traded in the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. They are denominated in Chinese RMB (the local currency). A-shares were restricted to local Chinese investors before 2003, are open to foreign investors via the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor, RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor, or the Stock Connect programs.) market. The findings show that liberalizing capital markets could benefit local market efficiency by increasing stock price informational efficiency and improving corporate governance quality. The additional analysis shows that stock market liberalization has a significant and positive impact on local market efficiency, enhancing firm value and reducing stock crash risk. We conduct various robustness checks to corroborate our findings. This study provides important policy implications for emerging countries liberalizing capital markets for foreign investors.
Industry return lead-lag relationships between the US and other major countries
Authors: Monteiro Ana , Silva Nuno , Sebastião Helder
Published: January 2023

In this study, we analyze the lead-lag relationships between the US industry index and those of six other major countries from January 1973 to May 2021. We identify the leading role played by the US internationally by showing that the weekly returns of US industries, especially the US basic materials and energy industries, significantly Granger cause the returns of most other countries’ industries, suggesting that non-US industries react with some delay to new information. This delayed reaction is even more noticeable during periods of recession in the US when cross-country correlations are higher. This implies that the ability of the lagged returns of US industries to predict industries’ returns from other countries is even more pronounced when the US experienced an economic recession. A similar asymmetric relationship is found between the volatility of US industries and that of industries in other markets. The analysis of causality in the distribution of returns and volatility shows that causality runs mainly from the US to other countries, particularly in the presence of extreme negative shocks. Finally, we demonstrate that our predictions are valuable to real-world investors. Long-short strategies generate sizable and statistically significant alphas, and a constant relative risk-averse investor obtains certainty equivalent returns well above the risk-free rate.
What can implementation science offer civil society in their efforts to drive rights-based health reform?
Authors: Uberoi Diya , Ojo Tolulope , Sriharan Abi , Lau Lincoln
Published: January 2023

Over the years, civil society organizations (CSOs) have made tremendous efforts to ensure that state policies, programmes, and actions facilitate equitable access to healthcare. While CSOs are key actors in the realization of the right to health, a systematic understanding of how CSOs achieve policy change is lacking. Implementation science, a discipline focused on the methods and strategies facilitating the uptake of evidence-based practice and research can bring relevant, untapped methodologies to understand how CSOs drive health reforms. This article argues for the use of evidence-based strategies to enhance civil society action. We hold that implementation science can offer an actionable frame to aid CSOs in deciphering the mechanisms and conditions in which to pursue rights-based actions most effectively. More empirical studies are needed to generate evidence and CSOs have already indicated the need for more data-driven solutions to empower activists to hold policymakers to account. Although implementation science may not resolve all the challenges CSOs face, its frameworks and approaches can provide an innovative way for organizations to chart out a course for reform.
Diagnostic value of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis
Authors: Darweesh Ahmed Abdelmonem , Barakat Ashraf F. , Dawoud Mohamed Fathy , Shaban Ekhlas Abdelmonem
Published: January 2023

Background

The diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis is challenging and can be difficult to detect with imaging, especially the detection of small-sized peritoneal lesions. The presence of peritoneal neoplastic spread alters tumour staging and is one of the most significant prognostic indicators in several malignancies, and the purpose of this study was to highlight the diagnostic value of PET/CT in detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with malignant neoplastic disease.

Results

PET/CT has 76.2% sensitivity, 88.9% specificity, 94.1% PPV, 61.5% NPV and 80% accuracy in detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Different patterns of FDG uptake of peritoneal carcinomatosis were found such as focal nodular uptake, diffuse abdominal uptake and liver surface focal or diffuse uptake. From all these different patterns, focal nodular uptake was the most frequent pattern. The best cut-off value of SUVmax was 5 for diagnosis.

Conclusions

The study affirms the significant role of PET/CT in the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis and its important value in the staging, management and follow-up of patients with secondary peritoneal malignancies, especially in case of unavailable or inappropriate peritoneal biopsy. Therefore, PET/CT could help reduce the number of laparotomies and a better selection of patients who are candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Pilonidal sinus of external auditory canal as unpredicted lesion: rarest case presentation and review of literatures
Authors: Bofares Khaled Mohamed , Abdallah Hassan Huda M. , Ali Mohammed Faraj
Published: January 2023

Background

Pilonidal sinus (PNS) is considered as a benign lesion of hair-bearing areas, particularly at the sacrococcygeal area. It is presented as a hole or tunnel in the skin. It may be filled with fluid or pus resulting in the formation of a cyst or abscess. Although PNS is a well-established lesion in general surgery as well as dermatology specialties by its occurrence at the sacrococcygeal region, but the surprising presentation of PNS is that at ENT specialty by its appearance at the external auditory canal (EAC), which is deemed unpredicted lesion at this particular region.

Case presentation

Nine years female Libyan child has been presented with a history of persistent offensive bloody stained yellowish discolored left ear otorrhea a few months before her presentation. The local examination including the microscopic examination revealed evidences of a grayish-pinkish pedunculated polypoidal mass raised from the junction of the superior wall with the anterior wall of the EAC, at the site of the junction between the cartilaginous and bony portions of EAC. The temporal bone CT scan revealed evidences of radiolucent soft tissue density mass arising from the wall of the EAC at its anterior-superior junction, with the intact tympanic membrane as well as the middle ear cavity. This was most probably in favor of the suggestion of granulation tissue or aural polyp. The mass was completely excised as one piece from its pedicle and sent for histopathological evaluation, which was in favor of the diagnosis of PNS.

Conclusion

We consider this case for reporting because of its scarcity and unexpected lesion at EAC. To the best of our knowledge, our case constitutes the second case of the EAC specifically, and the third case of external ear generally reported in the world. Thus, we tried to illustrate this unique and rare EAC lesion concerning how it is clinically as well as pathologically presented. In addition, we tried to review the literatures to elucidate whether this rare lesion has been reported before.
Common-transmission gather for direct seismic attenuation indication
Authors: Liu Lu , Fei Tong , Luo Yi
Published: January 2023

When seismic waves illuminate the subsurface medium and propagate back to the surface geophones, they bring back attenuation information (in terms of quality factor [Formula: see text]) related to the subsurface viscoelastic features. Such information can be reflected by high-frequency component loss, phase change, and amplitude decay. We develop a novel method of common-transmission gather (CTG) to directly indicate the subsurface seismic attenuation features. The CTG is defined as a group of traces with a range of subsurface offsets that contain all the seismic signals transmitting the same subsurface location. We first focus the surface seismic data backward on one selected horizon, such as one reservoir seal, using the wave equation redatuming approach. This simulates a new data set that can be assumed to be acquired by setting many virtual sources on the selected horizon and the associated receivers on the surface. The CTG is generated by isolating all the seismic events passing through the targets after computing the transmitted arrivals from the redatumed source to the related surface receivers. Because the wavepaths corresponding to the CTG are all influenced by the targets below the selected horizon, we can compute frequency-dependent attributes, such as frequency spectrum ratio, to evaluate the attenuation feature of the targets. Numerical tests on synthetic and field data sets validate that the CTG can be used to directly indicate the seismic attenuation.
Characteristics and genesis of reef-bank complexes in deep shelf facies: A case study of the Middle-Late Jurassic in the northern Amu Darya Basin, Central Asia
Authors: Zhang Liangjie , Yu Bingsong , Wang Hongjun , Jiang Lingzhi , Gong Xinglin , Xing Yuzhong , Li Hongxi , Li Ming , Shi Haidong , Chen Pengyu
Published: January 2023

A large-rimmed carbonate platform was developed in the Amu Darya Basin during the Middle-Late Jurassic Callovian-Oxfordian period. What distinguishes it from typical carbonate platforms is that a series of reef-bank complexes had extensively developed in the deep shelf depositional zone of the basin. However, only a few studies have reported on the classification, characteristics, and genesis of these reef-bank complexes in relatively deep water, greatly limiting the development of deep-water carbonate sedimentology. To address this issue, the types and the genesis of reef-bank complexes in the deep shelf environment have been clarified based on the systematic petrography, seismic sedimentology, and geomorphology study of the Callovian-Oxfordian carbonate rocks in the northern Amu Darya Basin during the Middle-Late Jurassic period. The results find that the reef-bank complexes are widely distributed in the deep shelf environment in the study area with laminar, reticulated, and zonal distributions. The reef-bank complexes include barrier-bonding reef-bank complexes, lime-mud mounds (LMMs), and granular shoals (GSs). The deep shelf environment can be further divided into an inner shelf, shelf margin, and shelf slope. The inner shelf and shelf margin have a relatively shallow water body and a strong sedimentary hydrodynamic force, mainly developing reticulated reef-bank complexes and laminar GSs, whereas the shelf slope mostly develops zonal LMM deposits in strips. The scale of the reef-bank complexes is mainly controlled by basement paleogeomorphology and water energy. Relatively high-energy reef-bank complex bodies are developed on the seaward side of the paleouplift limb with relatively turbulent hydrodynamic conditions, whereas low-energy LMMs are mostly developed on the high position of paleouplift and landward side. The obtained findings can deepen our understanding of relatively deep-water carbonate sedimentation and enrich the carbonate sedimentation theory.
Evaluation of the Sensitivity to Endocrine Therapy Index and 21-Gene Breast Recurrence Score in the SWOG S8814 Trial
Authors: Speers Corey W. , Symmans W. Fraser , Barlow William E. , Trevarton Alex , The Stephanie , Du Lili , Rae James M. , Shak Steven , Baehner Rick , Sharma Priyanka , Pusztai Lajos , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Hayes Daniel F. , Albain Kathy S. , Godwin Andrew , Thompson Alastair
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE

Chemotherapy has not demonstrated benefit over adjuvant endocrine therapy alone for postmenopausal patients with node-positive breast cancer with a 21-gene breast recurrence score (RS) of 25 or below (RS ≤ 25). We tested whether combined results from RS and the sensitivity to endocrine therapy (SET2,3) index of endocrine-related transcription (SETER/PR) adjusted for baseline prognostic index (BPI) improve prognostic assessment, and whether SET2,3 predicted benefit from anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

METHODS

A blinded retrospective clinical validation of SET2,3 in two randomized treatment arms from the SWOG S8814 trial comparing adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen endocrine therapy for 5 years, versus tamoxifen alone. SET2,3 assay was calibrated and measured using whole-transcriptome RNA sequence of tumor samples already tested for RS. The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

There were 106 events in 283 patients over a median follow-up of 8.99 years. Proportional hazards assumptions were met during the first 5 years only. SET2,3 index and RS were not correlated (r = –0.04) and were independently prognostic (SET2,3: hazard ratio [HR], 0.48 per unit; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.68; P < .001; RS: HR, 1.28 per 10 units; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.44; P < .001). SET2,3 index did not predict chemotherapy benefit (interaction P = .77). SET2,3 was high in 93/175 (53%) patients with RS ≤ 25 (concordant low-risk), with 5-year DFS 97%. SET2,3 was low in 55/108 (51%) patients with RS > 25 (concordant high-risk), with 5-year DFS 53%. Both components of SET2,3 index were prognostic after adjustment for RS: SETER/PR (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.92) and BPI (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.64).

CONCLUSION

SET2,3 index was not correlated with RS, demonstrated additive prognostic performance, and was not chemopredictive in this subset of patients from S8814. The SETER/PR and BPI components of SET2,3 each added prognostic information to RS.
Insurance Coverage and Forgoing Medical Appointments Because of Cost Among Cancer Survivors After 2016
Authors: Barnes Justin M. , Graboyes Evan M. , Adjei Boakye Eric , Schootman Mario , Chino Junzo P. , Moss Haley A. , Mowery Yvonne M. , Osazuwa-Peters Nosayaba
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE:

The uninsured rate began rising after 2016, which some have attributed to health policies undermining aspects of the Affordable Care Act. Our primary objectives were to assess the changes in insurance coverage and forgoing medical care because of cost in cancer survivors from pre-enactment (2016) through postenactment of those policies (2019) and determine whether there were subgroups that were disproportionately affected.

METHODS:

The 2016-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys were queried for 18- to 64-year-old cancer survivors. Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to assess temporal changes in (1) insurance coverage and (2) forgoing medical appointments because of cost in the preceding 12 months.

RESULTS:

A total of 62,669 cancer survivors were identified. The percentage of insured cancer survivors decreased from 92.4% in 2016 to 90.4% in 2019 (odds ratio for change in insurance coverage or affordability per one-year increase [ORyear], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.98; P = .01), translating to 161,000 fewer cancer survivors in the United States with insurance coverage. There were decreases in employer-sponsored insurance coverage (ORyear, 0.89) but increases in Medicaid coverage (ORyear, 1.17) from 2016 to 2019. Forgoing medical appointments because of cost increased from 17.9% in 2016 to 20.0% in 2019 (ORyear, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.1; P = .025), affecting an estimated 169,000 cancer survivors. The greatest changes were observed among individuals with low income, particularly those residing in nonexpansion states.

CONCLUSION:

Between 2016 and 2019, there were 161,000 fewer cancer survivors in the United States with insurance coverage, and 169,000 forwent medical care because of cost.