bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chinese sociotechnical imaginaries of Earth observation: From sight to foresight
Authors: Bennett Mia M
Published: September 2023

Although Earth observation (EO) is considered a universal scientific technique with a hegemonic gaze, national sociotechnical imaginaries shape its practice. Historically established and organized by national governments, EO, which is commonly pursued via satellite remote sensing, depends on domestic perceptions of the technique's scope and applications. EO is also a political technology with the capacity to mediate and potentially regulate life on Earth at a range of scales. In China, the state and scientists endeavor to transform EO into a data-driven, inductive, and predictive method with a focus on social coordination, especially in cities—a key scale for scientific study and the organization and reproduction of state power. Contributing to China's reimagining of EO as a governance and governmentality tool are advances in social sensing, which leverages big data continuously generated by individuals’ devices. By analyzing big EO and social data, rather than only observe past and present changes to the Earth's surface, the Chinese state and scientists seek to predict future social events. While these changes are narrated as a popularization of remote sensing enabling more responsive, human-centric governance, they may augur the rise of antipolitical technologies that attempt to prevent dissent by determining and even guiding future behavior. As China, a satellite power, aims to export its services for observing and predicting Earth and upscale them through global governance, critique of their associated sociotechnical imaginaries is crucial. Such research reveals the heterogeneity of the satellite gaze and may identify where and how people hold power within EO systems.
Mapping sidewalks on a neighborhood scale from street view images
Authors: Hamim Omar Faruqe , Kancharla Surendra Reddy , Ukkusuri Satish V
Published: September 2023

Although reliable and accurate inventorying of sidewalks is time consuming, it can aid urban planners in decision making for infrastructure development. Recent advancements in computer vision and machine learning algorithms have improved the reliability and accuracy of automated inventorying. This research uses a deep learning architecture-based semantic segmentation model (i.e., HRNet + OCR) to automate sidewalk identification using Google Street View (GSV) images. The results show that retraining the model using local training images yields 114.16% and 178.11% higher performance in terms of intersection over union (IoU) metric compared to pretrained model using Cityscapes and Mapillary datasets, respectively. The developed model showed excellent performance in predicting the presence of sidewalks in an image by achieving high accuracy (0.9557), precision (0.9447), recall (0.9900), and F1- score (0.9668). Further, in comparison with EfficientNet, a computationally efficient image classification model, the present model showed superior performance in predicting sidewalk presence at the image level. Therefore, integrating local training images containing minimum required labels (in this study, roads, sidewalks, buildings, and walls) with publicly available training datasets can help increase the performance of the semantic segmentation model for extracting the required features (in this study, roads and sidewalks) from GSV images, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. This study generates sidewalk maps on a neighborhood scale, which can be useful visualization tools for researchers and practitioners to understand the existing pedestrian infrastructure and plan for future improvements.
Negotiating cultural relevance from within therapy conversations
Authors: Sametband Inés , Chiara Giacomo , Gaete-Silva Joaquín , Strong Tom
Published: September 2023

Culturally-laden understandings permeate all social interactions, including therapy conversations, and have been referred to as cultural background(s) providing context to the task-at-hand. Historically, cultural backgrounds have been conceptualized as separated from the individual, in pictorial or essentialized ways. Therapists training for multicultural competence tend to focus solely on using a-priori knowledge of clients’ cultural background as a guide to understand clients’ identities. In this article, we show how therapists can explore, understand, and recognize cultural backgrounds from within therapy conversations. We contend that cultural backgrounds are performed or made evident by clients through their use of language, and are evolving dynamic, and socio-historically situated. We provide examples of a session between a therapist, a mother and her two daughters, showing how they coordinate their talking, turn-by-turn, showing what is relevant to them in regards to aspects/structures of their cultural backgrounds that help them deal with the task-at-hand.
Minasgeraisite-(Y) discredited as an ordered intermediate between datolite and hingganite-(Y)
Authors: Atencio Daniel
Published: September 2023

Minasgeraisite-(Y) is discredited on the basis of it being an ordered intermediate between datolite and hingganite-(Y) (IMA-CNMNC Proposal 23-F). An idealised formula is (Ca2Y2)□2(Be2B2)Si4O16(OH)4, which corresponds to Ca2□B2Si2O8(OH)2 (datolite) + Y2□Be2Si2O8(OH)2 (hingganite-(Y)). The type material is rich in Bi, the Bi-richest portion yet discovered from the type locality is shown to be an intermediate member between datolite, hingganite-(Y) and a hypothetical end-member phase yet to be found of composition Bi2□Be2Si2O8(OH)2. Minasgeraisite-(Y) has a different space group to datolite and hingganite-(Y). This lowering of symmetry to an acentric triclinic system is caused by different element occupancies on the A site of the gadolinite supergroup structure, which for minasgeraisite-(Y) becomes four individual sites. Such an order–disorder of elements is not considered as species-defining criteria despite the change in space group. Therefore, minasgeraisite-(Y) is discredited.
UGCG modulates heart hypertrophy through B4GalT5-mediated mitochondrial oxidative stress and the ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Cui Shengyu , Zhang Xutao , Li Yuhua , Hu Shan , Wu Bing , Fang Zhao , Gao Jixian , Li Ming , Wu Haoliang , Tao Bo , Xia Hao , Xu Lin
Published: September 2023

Mechanical pressure overload and other stimuli often contribute to heart hypertrophy, a significant factor in the induction of heart failure. The UDP-glucose ceramide glycosyltransferase (UGCG) enzyme plays a crucial role in the metabolism of sphingolipids through the production of glucosylceramide. However, its role in heart hypertrophy remains unknown. In this study, UGCG was induced in response to pressure overload in vivo and phenylephrine stimulation in vitro. Additionally, UGCG downregulation ameliorated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, improved cardiomyocyte mitochondrial oxidative stress, and reduced the ERK signaling pathway. Conversely, UGCG overexpression in cardiomyocytes promoted heart hypertrophy development, aggravated mitochondrial oxidative stress, and stimulated ERK signaling. Furthermore, the interaction between beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 5 (B4GalT5), which catalyses the synthesis of lactosylceramide, and UGCG was identified, which also functions as a synergistic molecule of UGCG. Notably, limiting the expression of B4GalT5 impaired the capacity of UGCG to promote myocardial hypertrophy, suggesting that B4GalT5 acts as an intermediary for UGCG. Overall, this study highlights the potential of UGCG as a modulator of heart hypertrophy, rendering it a potential target for combating heart hypertrophy.
The effect of serum origin on cytokines induced killer cell expansion and function
Authors: Jabbarpour Zahra , Aghayan Seyed Sajjad , Moradzadeh Kobra , Ghaffari Sasan , Ahmadbeigi Naser
Published: September 2023

Background

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have shown promising results in adoptive immunotherapy. However, serum may play a determining role in the large-scale expansion of these cells for clinical applications. According to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines to reduce the use of animal products in cell-based therapies; therefore, this study sought to investigate the impact of serum origin and the reduced serum concentration on the pattern of cell expansion and function.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from a healthy donor were expanded based on the CIK cell expansion protocol. The cell culture medium was supplemented with three types of sera comprising fetal bovine serum (FBS), human serum (HS), or human-derived platelet lysate (hPL) at different concentrations (10%, 5%, and 2.5%). The proliferation kinetics for each group were investigated for 30 days of cell culture.

Results

Cell proliferation in 10% concentration of all sera (hPL, FBS, HS) was higher than their lower concentrations. Moreover, hPL was significantly associated with higher expansion rates than FBS and HS in all three concentrations. Furthermore, cells cultured in hPL showed higher viability, cytotoxicity effect, and CIK CD markers expression.

Conclusion

hPL at a concentration of 10% showed the best effect on CIK cell proliferation and function.
Incidence and influencing factors of acute gastrointestinal injury after cardiac surgery
Authors: Lu Ruolin , Yang Biwen
Published: September 2023

Background

To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) after cardiac surgery.

Methods

A total of 346 cases receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021 were enrolled and their basic information was collected, including age, gender, height, weight, past medical history, Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, Body Mass Index (BMI), total operation duration, stay in ICU, preoperative blood routine examination results, complete biochemical examination, diamine oxidase (DAO) on Day 1, D-lactic acid index, a postoperative gastrointestinal condition, other postoperative complications and death during hospitalization. Moreover, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors influencing the incidence of AGI after cardiac surgery.

Results

The incidence and mortality of AGI after cardiac surgery were 10.40% (36/346) and 25% (9/36), respectively. A dichotomous logistic regression multivariate analysis revealed that DAO on Day 1 (odd ratio = 1.062, p = 0.006) and stay in ICU (odd ratio = 1.192, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of AGI after cardiac surgery, and total protein is a protective factor (odd ratio = 0.914, p = 0.012).

Conclusions

Factors influencing AGI after cardiac surgery have been determined in this study. Our data suggest that patients with AGI after cardiac surgery have a decreased preoperative total protein, and elevated DAO on Day 1. Total protein and DAO on Day 1 were found to be correlated with AGI.
A systematic review of the clinical impact of small colony variants in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Ryan Harrigan , Ballard Emma , Stockwell Rebecca E. , Duplancic Christine , Thomson Rachel M. , Smith Kimberley , Bell Scott C.
Published: September 2023

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting disorder that is characterised by respiratory tract inflammation that is mediated by a range of microbial pathogens. Small colony variants (SCVs) of common respiratory pathogens are being increasingly recognised in CF. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the prevalence of SCVs, clinical characteristics and health outcomes for patients with CF, and laboratory diagnostic features of SCVs compared to non-small colony variants (NCVs) for a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative respiratory pathogens.

Methods

A literature search was conducted (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus) in April 2020 to identify articles of interest. Data pertaining to demographic characteristics of participants, diagnostic criteria of SCVs, SCV prevalence and impact on lung function were extracted from included studies for analysis.

Results

Twenty-five of 673 studies were included in the systematic review. Individuals infected with SCVs of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were more likely to have had prior use of the broad-spectrum antibiotic trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (p < 0.001), and the prevalence of SCVs in patients infected with S. aureus was estimated to be 19.3% (95% CI: 13.5% to 25.9%). Additionally, patients infected with SCVs of Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens were identified to have a lower forced expiratory volume in one second percentage predicted (-16.8, 95% CI: -23.2 to -10.4) than those infected by NCVs. Gram-positive SCVs were commonly described as small and non-haemolytic, grown on Mannitol salt or blood agar for 24 h at 35°C and confirmed using tube coagulase testing.

Conclusion

The findings of this systematic review demonstrate that SCVs of S. aureus have a high prevalence in the CF community, and that the occurrence of SCVs in Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens is linked to poorer respiratory function. Further investigation is necessary to determine the effect of infection by SCVs on the CF population.
Venous thromboembolic prophylaxis: current practice of surgeons in Australia and New Zealand for major abdominal surgery
Authors: Lott Natalie , Senanayake Tharindu , Carroll Rosemary , Gani Jon , Smith Stephen R
Published: September 2023

Background

Surgical prophylaxis for venous thrombo-embolic disease (VTE) includes risk assessment, chemical prophylaxis and mechanical prophylaxis (graduated compression stockings [GCS] and/or intermittent pneumatic compression devices [IPCD]). Although there is overwhelming evidence for the need and efficacy of VTE prophylaxis in patients at risk, only about a third of those who are at risk of VTE receive appropriate prophylaxis.

Objective

There is debate as to the best combination of VTE prophylaxis following abdominal surgery due to lack of evidence. The aim of this survey was to understand this gap between knowledge and practice.

Methods

In 2019 and 2020, a survey was conducted to investigate the current practice of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis for major abdominal surgery, with a focus on colorectal resections. The study received ethics approval and involved distributing an 11-item questionnaire to members of two professional surgical societies: the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ) and the General Surgeons Australia (GSA).

Results

From 214 surgeons: 100% use chemical prophylaxis, 68% do not use a risk assessment tool, 27% do not vary practice according to patient risk factors while > 90% use all three forms of VTE prophylaxis at some stage of treatment. Most surgeons do not vary practice between laparoscopic and open colectomy/major abdominal surgery and only 33% prescribe post-discharge chemical prophylaxis. 42% of surgeons surveyed had equipoise for a clinical trial on the use of IPCDs and the vast majority (> 95%) feel that IPCDs should provide at least a 2% improvement in VTE event rate in order to justify their routine use.

Conclusion

Most surgeons in Australia and New Zealand do not use risk assessment tools and use all three forms of prophylaxis regardless. Therfore there is a gap between practice and VTE prophylaxis for the use of mechanical prophylaxis options. Further research is required to determine whether dual modality mechanical prophylaxis is incrementally efficacious. Trial Registration- Not Applicable.
Preferences and end of life care for residents of aged care facilities: a mixed methods study
Authors: Sarah Moberley , Jacqui Hewitt , John Attia , Janean Cole , Joelle Bevington , Christopher Oldmeadow , Zach Howard , Rachel Hughes
Published: September 2023

Background

Residential aged care facilities is one of the most common places to deliver of end of life care. A lack of evidence regarding preferred place for end of life care for residents of aged care facilities impacts on delivery of care and prevents assessment of quality of care. This paper reports the preferences, current status of end of life care and enablers and barriers of care being delivered in line with the wishes of residents of participating aged care facilities.

Methods

We collaborated with six equally sized aged care facilities from the Greater Newcastle area, New South Wales, Australia. An audit of the quality of end of life care for residents was conducted by retrospective medical record review (n = 234 deceased patients). A retrospective review of emergency department transfers was conducted to determine the rate of transfer and assign avoidable or not. Qualitative focus group and individual interviews were conducted and analysed for barriers and enablers to end of life care being delivered in accordance with residents’ wishes.

Results

Most residents (96.7%) wished to remain in their residential aged care facility if their health deteriorated in an expected way. Residents of facilities whose model of care integrated nurse practitioners had the lowest rates of emergency department transfers and timelier symptom management at end of life. Family decision making influenced location of death (either supporting or preventing care in place of patient preference).

Conclusion(s)

To better provide care in accordance with a person’s wishes, aged care facilities need to be supported to enable end of life care insitu through integrated care with relevant palliative care providers, education and communication strategies. Family and community health and death literacy interventions should accompany clinical innovation to ensure delivery of care in accordance with residents’ preferences.
Establishing entrustable professional activities for psychiatry residents in China
Authors: Yan Feng , Yang Xu , Zhang Ligang , Cheng Huaqin , Bai Luyuan , Yang Fude
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The authors established entrustable professional activities for psychiatry residents in China.

Methods

The authors conducted a literature research and two expert consultation rounds following the Delphi method in 2022 to screen and optimize entrustable professional activities for psychiatry residents.

Results

The effective questionnaire recovery rate in the two consultation rounds was 100% (44/44). The expert authority coefficients of the first and second consultation rounds were 0.861 and 0.881, respectively. The Kendall harmony coefficients of the first and second expert consultation rounds were 0.279 (χ2 = 405.43, P < .001) and 0.389 (χ2 = 3456.83, P < .001), respectively. The arithmetic means of the various indicators’ evaluation results in the two consultation rounds ranged between 3.61 and 4.93, and the full score rates were between 13.6% and 93.2%. The authors established 17 entrustable professional activities for psychiatry residents and their contents with phase-based modularization and formulated the entrustable level of each at various stages.

Conclusions

Combined with standardized psychiatry training characteristics, the authors preliminarily established phase-specific and modular entrustable professional activities for psychiatry residents. The formulated entrustable professional activities are suitable for the practice and clinical environment of standardized psychiatry training in China. The devised system has good observability and measurability and provides a simple and feasible competency evaluation method for standardized psychiatry resident training.
“Building the plane while flying it” Reflections on pandemic preparedness and response; an organisational case study
Authors: McKenna Karen , Bouchoucha Stéphane , Redley Bernice , Hutchinson Anastasia
Published: September 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to learn about acute health organisations experiences implementing a pandemic response plan in real-time. This study was conducted to explore organisational leader’s perspectives and experience activating a COVID-19 pandemic response plan in their health service and the impact of this on service provision, clinicians, and consumers.

Methods

This study was conducted at a large metropolitan health service in Australia that provides acute, subacute, and residential aged care services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 key participants from the COVID-19 leadership team between November-January 2021/2022. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to explore how the health service developed a clinical governance structure, policy and procedures and experience when operationalising each element within the Hierarchy of Controls Framework. Thematic analysis was used to code data and identify themes. A cross-sectional survey of frontline healthcare workers on the impacts and perceptions of infection control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, was also completed in 2021 with 559 responses.

Results

Twelve organisational leaders completed the semi-structured interviews. Key themes that emerged were: (1) Building the plane while flying it, (2) A unified communications strategy, (3) Clinicians fear ‘my job is going to kill me’, (4) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply and demand, and (5) Maintaining a workforce. When surveyed, front-line healthcare workers responded positively overall about the health services pandemic response, in terms of communication, access to PPE, education, training, and availability of resources to provide a safe environment.

Conclusion

Health service organisations were required to respond rapidly to meet service needs, including implementing a pandemic plan, developing a command structure and strategies to communicate and address the workforce needs. This study provides important insights for consideration when health service leaders are responding to future pandemics. Future pandemic plans should include detailed guidance for acute and long-term care providers in relation to organisational responsibilities, supply chain logistics and workforce preparation.
Comparing professional communities: Opioid prescriber networks and Public Health Preparedness Districts
Authors: Kaminski Patrick , Perry Brea L. , Green Harold D.
Published: September 2023

Problem opioid use and opioid-related drug overdoses remain a major public health concern despite attempts to reduce and monitor opioid prescriptions and increase access to office-based opioid treatment. Current provider-focused interventions are implemented at the federal, state, regional, and local levels but have not slowed the epidemic. Certain targeted interventions aimed at opioid prescribers rely on populations defined along geographic, political, or administrative boundaries; however, those boundaries may not align well with actual provider–patient communities or with the geographic distribution of high-risk opioid use. Instead of relying exclusively on commonly used geographic and administrative boundaries, we suggest augmenting existing strategies with a social network-based approach to identify communities (or clusters) of providers that prescribe to the same set of patients as another mechanism for targeting certain interventions. To test this approach, we analyze 1 year of prescription data from a commercially insured population in the state of Indiana. The composition of inferred clusters is compared to Indiana’s Public Health Preparedness Districts (PHPDs). We find that in some cases the correspondence between provider networks and PHPDs is very high, while in other cases the overlap is low. This has implications for whether an intervention is reaching its intended provider targets efficiently and effectively. Assessing the best intervention targeting strategy for a particular outcome could facilitate more effective interventions to tackle the ongoing opioid use epidemic.
Will the Russian war in Ukraine unleash larger epidemics of HIV, TB and associated conditions and diseases in Ukraine?
Authors: Friedman Samuel R. , Smyrnov Pavlo , Vasylyeva Tetyana I.
Published: September 2023

The Russian war in Ukraine poses many risks for the spread of HIV, TB and associated conditions, including possible increases in the numbers of people who inject drugs or engage in sex work in the years ahead. Ukrainian civil society and volunteer efforts have been able to maintain and at times expand services for HIV Key Populations. The extent of mutual-aid and volunteer efforts as well as the continued strength and vitality of harm reduction organizations such as the Alliance for Public Health and the rest of civil society will be crucial resources for postwar efforts to assist Key Populations and prevent the spread of HIV, TB and other diseases. The postwar period will pose great economic and political difficulties for Ukrainians, including large populations of people physically and/or psychically damaged and in pain who might become people who inject drugs. Local and international support for public health and for harm reduction will be needed to prevent potentially large-scale increases in infectious disease and related mortality.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a possible choice for patients with resistant thin endometrium during frozen embryo transfer treatments
Authors: Chen Jingjing , Huang Fangling , Fu Jing , Zhao Jianjuan , Li Jinsheng , Peng Zhengrong , Zhao Jing , Xu Bin , Li Shuyi , Zhang Qiong , Liang Shaolin , Li Yanping
Published: September 2023

Background

Thin endometrium is considered suboptimal for embryo implantation, leading to compromised pregnancy rates without effective therapies. While some studies have reported promoted endometrial growth after a period of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with intrauterine adhesion, there have been no reports in patients with resistant thin endometrium. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of HBOT on endometrium growth and pregnancy outcomes in patients with resistant thin endometrium during frozen embryo transfer (FET) treatments.

Methods

This prospective pre-post cohort study was conducted at a university-affiliated assisted reproductive medical center between October 2021 and December 2022. Patients who had experienced at least one canceled transfer cycle due to a thin endometrium(< 7 mm) on the endometrium transformation day, despite the use of standard therapies as well as adjuvant therapies, were enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned voluntarily to either the HBOT group or the concurrent control group. The HBOT group received daily HBOT for at least 10 days during the proliferative phase, in addition to the routine endometrium preparation methods and the concurrent control group underwent cycles without HBOT. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to ensure comparability between the groups. Both self-control and case-control comparisons were conducted. The primary outcome measured was endometrial thickness (ET) on the day of endometrium transformation. Secondary outcomes included intrauterine pregnancy rate (IPR), embryo implantation rate (IR), miscarriage rate, and others.

Results

Patients in the HBOT group demonstrated a significantly thicker endometrial thickness on the day of endometrium transformation after undergoing therapy (5.76 ± 1.66 vs. 6.57 ± 1.23, P = 0.002). This improvement was accompanied by a decreased rate of cycle cancellations. Baseline parameters and endometrial thickness were comparable between the HBOT group and the concurrent control group during the cycle. The IPR was similar in patients who received cleavage-stage embryos (0.0% vs. 6.7%, P = 1.00), but significantly higher in patients in the HBOT group who received blastocysts (53.8% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.017).

Conclusions

A period of HBOT prior to endometrium transformation contributes to increased endometrial thickness and facilitates blastocyst implantation in patients with resistant thin endometrium during FET treatments.

Trial registration

The trial was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration no. ChiCTR2300072831, retrospectively registered).
Diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers to detect acute mesenteric ischaemia in adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Reintam Blaser Annika , Starkopf Joel , Björck Martin , Forbes Alastair , Kase Karri , Kiisk Ele , Laisaar Kaja-Triin , Mihnovits Vladislav , Murruste Marko , Mändul Merli , Voomets Anna-Liisa , Tamme Kadri
Published: September 2023

Background

Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a disease with different pathophysiological mechanisms, leading to a life-threatening condition that is difficult to diagnose based solely on clinical signs. Despite widely acknowledged need for biomarkers in diagnosis of AMI, a broad systematic review on all studied biomarkers in different types of AMI is currently lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of all potential biomarkers of AMI studied in humans.

Methods

A systematic literature search in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus was conducted in December 2022. Studies assessing potential biomarkers of AMI in (at least 10) adult patients and reporting their diagnostic accuracy were included. Meta-analyses of biomarkers’ sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and the study quality was assessed with the QUADAS-2 tool.

Results

Seventy-five studies including a total of 9914 patients assessed 18 different biomarkers in serum/plasma and one in urine (each reported in at least two studies), which were included in meta-analyses. None of the biomarkers reached a conclusive level for accurate prediction. The best predictive value overall (all studies with any type and stage of AMI pooled) was observed for Ischaemia-modified albumin (2 studies, sensitivity 94.7 and specificity 90.5), interleukin-6 (n = 4, 96.3 and 82.6), procalcitonin (n = 6, 80.1 and 86.7), and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) measured in serum (n = 16, 73.9 and 90.5) or in urine (n = 4, 87.9 and 78.9). In assessment of transmural mesenteric ischaemia, urinary I-FABP (n = 2, 92.3 and 85.2) and D-dimer (n = 3, 87.6 and 83.6) showed moderate predictive value. Overall risk of bias was high, mainly because of selected study populations and unclear timings of the biomarker measurements after onset of symptoms. Combinations of biomarkers were rarely studied, not allowing meta-analyses.

Conclusions

None of the studied biomarkers had sufficient sensitivity and specificity to diagnose AMI, although some biomarkers showed moderate predictive accuracy. Future studies should focus on timing of measurements of biomarkers, distinguishing between early stage and transmural necrosis, and between different types of AMI. Additionally, studies on combinations of biomarkers are warranted.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42022379341.
Targeting ubiquitin specific proteases (USPs) in cancer immunotherapy: from basic research to preclinical application
Authors: Gao Hongli , Yin Jianqiao , Ji Ce , Yu Xiaopeng , Xue Jinqi , Guan Xin , Zhang Shuang , Liu Xun , Xing Fei
Published: September 2023

Tumors have evolved in various mechanisms to evade the immune system, hindering the antitumor immune response and facilitating tumor progression. Immunotherapy has become a potential treatment strategy specific to different cancer types by utilizing multifarious molecular mechanisms to enhance the immune response against tumors. Among these mechanisms, the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is a significant non-lysosomal pathway specific to protein degradation, regulated by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that counterbalance ubiquitin signaling. Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), the largest DUB family with the strongest variety, play critical roles in modulating immune cell function, regulating immune response, and participating in antigen processing and presentation during tumor progression. According to recent studies, the expressions of some USP family members in tumor cells are involved in tumor immune escape and immune microenvironment. This review explores the potential of targeting USPs as a new approach for cancer immunotherapy, highlighting recent basic and preclinical studies investigating the applications of USP inhibitors. By providing insights into the structure and function of USPs in cancer immunity, this review aims at assisting in developing new therapeutic approaches for enhancing the immunotherapy efficacy.
Investigation on sleep quality and psychological distress in patients with pulmonary nodules
Authors: Wu Junhan , Zhuang Weitao , Xu Haijie , Tang Yong , Li Shaopeng , Xu Wei , Sun Xuefeng , Li Xianglin , Qiao Guibin
Published: September 2023

Background

Patients with pulmonary nodules (PNs) often suffer from the psychological burden of their disease and trap in sleep problems. This is insufficiently identified and addressed in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological distress and sleep quality among PN patients and identify potential risk or protective factors for sleep quality.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study, which included 731 PN patients who visited the thoracic clinic of Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital. Each participant completed a structured questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The reliability of the HADS (Cronbach’s α = 0.944) and PSQI (Cronbach’s α = 0. 0.757) in this study was satisfactory.

Results

A total of 328 patients (44.9%) had PSQI global scores > 5, indicating poor quality of sleep. Age ≥ 50 years (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.35–2.58; P < 0.001), female (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.05–2.33; P = 0.028), detection of nodule for 7–12 months (vs for more than 24 months, OR 2.14, 95%CI 1.18–3.89, P = 0.013), anxiety (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.17–2.71; P = 0.007) and depression (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.16–2.92; P = 0.010) were independent risk factors for impaired sleep quality. A significant correlation revealed that sleep quality was positively correlated with both anxiety and depression (Spearman r = 0.342, P < 0.001 and Spearman r = 0.314, P < 0.001, respectively). All dimensions of the PSQI scale were significantly decreased in both anxiety group and depression group compared to the psychologically normal group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Impaired sleep quality is highly prevalent among patients with PNs and associated with age, gender, time from the date of detection, anxiety and depression. Based on the finding of impaired sleep quality and psychological health, screening for psychological and sleep problems in PN patients will be of great clinical benefit.
Social sustainability in brick decoration and architectural space of Qajar houses in Dezful by Delphi method
Authors: Sarrafzadeh Ahmad , Sotoude Sajjad , Sarrafzadeh Meena
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Social sustainability is one of the influential concepts in architecture and urban planning that is formed under the influence of individual and physical factors. In such a way that its effects on the spatial architecture and decorations can be studied. The issue of social sustainability also plays an important role in the quality of life and examines the place of thinking of a society. On the other hand, the study of this issue in the historical cities is a subject that provides the basis for studying the city of Dezful as a bed with a valuable historical background. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explain and evaluate the components of social sustainability in the historical architecture.

Methodology

This research is a combination of Delphi and descriptive-analytical methods that have been identified using field studies, libraries and interviews. Also, the effective components in social sustainability are evaluated by Delphi and then the subject is explained by describing each component.

Result

Findings based on the research framework show that there is a different level of social sustainability. This issue is based on the macro criteria of social participation, security and quality of life and has different components.

Conclusion

The conclusion of the research shows that the effective components in the sustainability of historical houses in Dezful, plays a significant role in personal and physical relationships and create satisfaction and attachment to the architectural structure. This issue is created by strategies based on sustainability of components and preserves the identity of architecture.
Ethnobotanical study of nutraceutical plants used to manage opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS in Acholi sub-region, Northern Uganda
Authors: Ikinyom Norah , Lamwaka Alice Veronica , Malagala Aloysius Tenywa , Ndyomugyenyi Elly Kurobuza
Published: September 2023

Background

Nutraceutical plants play a potential role as supportive treatment with antiretroviral drugs in the management of opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS. There is limited documentation of nutraceutical plants in Northern Uganda and limited literature addressing processes to be adopted for quality assurance of herbal formulations in Uganda. This study aimed to document plant species with nutritional and medicinal properties used for managing opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs), who included professional herbalists, herbal farmers and herbal sellers in Acholi sub region, Northern Uganda.

Methods

An ethnobotanical study was carried out in Amuru, Gulu and Pader districts, Northern Uganda. Cross-sectional data were collected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. A total of four hundred (378 women and 22 men) informants were selected. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, familiarity index (FI), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF).

Results

This study recorded a total of 84 nutraceutical plant species, which are used to manage opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS. Most abundant families were Leguminoceae, Asteraceae and Solanaceae. Six nutraceutical plants that had higher fidelity level and familiarity index values included Momordica foetida Schumach, Erigeron floribundus (Kunth) Sch. Bip, Mangifera indica L, Cajanus cajan L. Millsp, Eucalyptus globulus Labill and Cucurbita pepo L. Respondents’ knowledge on nutraceutical plants had a positive significant correlation with age (R2 = 0.0524, p ≤ 0.01). The popular mode of preparation are decoctions/boiling in water (70%), while the most used route of administration is oral (76%). TMPs tried to ensure that during collection and processing, plant materials were free from contamination. TMPs reported limited knowledge on preservation techniques.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the availability and diversity of nutraceutical plants in Uganda and reports methods of processing and administration used by TMPs. Both men and women used nutraceutical plants to manage opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS and showed great extent of their traditional knowledge. Most of the nutraceutical plants in study area are wild and abundant; however, high percentage use of plant roots and bark threatens the sustainable use from the wild.
Safety and efficacy of tocilizumab in critically ill patients with COVID-19: an observational study
Authors: Youssef Ghada A. , Wagih Khalid M. , Hamid Hossam M. Abdel
Published: September 2023

Background

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has rapidly propagated with a high mortality rate, it is currently considered a global emergency. Worldwide, the number of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 is steadily rising. Pneumonia, severe symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiple organ failure can all occur in COVID-19 patients.

Aim of the work

To compare the clinical symptoms and inflammatory markers before and after the administration of 2 doses of tocilizumab, acknowledging that the second dose is given within 24–48 h following the first dose.

Patients and methods

Baseline CBC with differential, liver function tests, kidney function tests, D dimer, serum ferritin, and CRP were withdrawn. Two doses of tocilizumab were given over 2 days; the first dose was 8 mg/kg diluted in 100 cc saline 0.9% administered over 1 h while the second dose (4 mg/kg diluted in 100 cc saline 0.9%) was given after 24 h. Follow-up inflammatory markers were withdrawn after 3 days following the second dose of tocilizumab. Clinical symptoms were evaluated 48 h following the second dosage of tocilizumab. Oxygen therapy was evaluated on the second and the thirtieth days following tocilizumab administration.

Results

The administration of tocilizumab highly and significantly improves some clinical symptoms (bony aches, fatigue, fever), oxygen therapy, and PO2/FiO2 ratio. Also, its administration showed no significant effect on the inflammatory markers other than CRP which showed a marked increase. Tocilizumab treatment resulted in worsened expectoration. Tocilizumab showed neither effect on patients’ fate and mortality nor on hospital stay. A mean age of 61 was statistically and highly significant in increased patient mortality. Renal impairment significantly affected the length of hospital stay. The effect of timing of tocilizumab administration on patients’ fate and mortality showed non-statistically significant improvement when given from day 6 to day 10 since the onset of symptoms.

Conclusion

The administration of tocilizumab highly and significantly improves clinical symptoms, oxygen therapy, and PO2/FiO2 ratio, with no significant effect on inflammatory markers other than CRP which showed a marked increase, which may be attributed to early withdrawal of inflammatory markers. Tocilizumab shows neither the effect on patients’ fate and mortality nor on hospital stay although the mean age of 61 was statistically highly significant on increased patients’ mortality and renal impairment significantly affected length of hospital stay.
Earth Science Week explores innovations in the geosciences
Authors: Mossa Lindsay C. , Brase Lauren , Robeck Edward C. , McGee Sequoyah
Published: September 2023

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) invites teachers, students, the general public, and geoscience professionals to celebrate Earth Science Week (ESW) from 8–14 October 2023.
Erratum: On the doubly anharmonic oscillator in an elastic environment in the presence of a point-like defect
Authors: Vitória R. L. L. , da Silva Kleber Anderson T.
Published: September 2023

Original article:
EPL, 142 (2023) 22002.
Long-term Experience of LINAC Single-Dose Radiosurgery for Skull Base Meningiomas: A Retrospective Single-Center Study of 241 Cases
Authors: Ortiz García Isabel M. , Rodríguez Valero Paula , Jorques Infante Ana M. , Cordero Tous Nicolás , Expósito Hernández José , Olivares Granados Gonzalo
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is increasingly applied to treat meningiomas, attributable to their increased incidence in older individuals at greater surgical risk. To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with linear accelerator (LINAC)–based stereotactic radiosurgery in skull base meningiomas as either primary treatment or postresection adjuvant therapy.

METHODS:

This study included 241 patients diagnosed with skull base meningiomas treated by single-dose SRS, with a median age of 59 years. SRS was primary treatment in 68.1% (n = 164) and adjuvant treatment in 31.9% (n = 77), using LINAC (Varian 600, 6 MeV). The median tumor volume was 3.2 cm3, and the median coverage dose was 14 Gy. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictive factors for tumor progression, clinical deterioration, and complications. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival analysis.

RESULTS:

After the median follow-up of 102 months, the tumor control rate was 91.2% (n = 220). Progression-free survival rates were 97.07%, 90.1%, and 85.7% at 5, 10, and 14 years, respectively. Clinical improvement was observed in 56 patients (23.2%). In multivariate analysis, previous surgery (hazard ratio 3.8 [95%CI 1.136-12.71], P = .030) and selectivity (hazard ratio .21 [95%CI 0.066-0.677], P = .009) were associated with tumor progression and increased maximum dose (odds ratio [OR] 4.19 [95% CI 1.287-13.653], P = .017) with clinical deterioration. The permanent adverse radiation effect rate was 6.2% (n = 15) and associated with maximum brainstem dose >12.5 Gy (OR 3.36 [95% CI .866-13.03], P = .08) and cerebellopontine angle localization (OR 3.93 [95% CI 1.29-11.98], P = .016).

CONCLUSION:

Treatment of skull base meningiomas with single-dose SRS using LINAC is effective over the long term. Superior tumor control is obtained in patients without previous surgery. Adverse effects are related to localization in the cerebellopontine angle, and maximum brainstem radiation dose was >12.5 Gy.
Surgical Strategies in the Treatment of Giant Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Joshi Krishna C. , Kolb Bradley , Khalili Bobak F. , Munich Stephan A. , Byrne Richard W.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The management of giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) is challenging due to associated endocrinopathies and the close proximity of these tumors to critical structures, such as the optic nerves, structures of the cavernous sinus, and hypothalamus. The objective of this review article was to summarize the current management strategies for giant pituitary adenomas, including the role of open and endoscopic surgical approaches and the role of medical and radiation therapy in conjunction with surgery.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective review of GPAs operated at our institute between January 2010 and March 2023. Surgical approaches, extent of resection, and associated complications were documented. Furthermore, we conducted a thorough literature review to identify relevant studies published in the past decade, which were incorporated along with insights gained from our institutional case series of GPAs to analyze and integrate both the existing knowledge base and our institution's firsthand experience in the management of GPAs.

RESULTS:

A total of 46 giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) were operated on, using various surgical approaches. Transsphenoidal approach was used in 25 cases and a staged approach using transsphenoidal and pterional was used in 15 cases. Other approaches included transcortical-transventricular, transcallosal, pterional/orbitozygomatic, and subfrontal approaches. Complications and technical nuances were reported.

CONCLUSION:

The management of giant pituitary adenomas remains complex, often involving several modalities—open or endoscopic resection, radiosurgery, and medical management of both the tumor and associated endocrinopathies. Surgical resections are often challenging procedures that require careful consideration of several factors, including patient characteristics, tumor location, and size, and the experience and skill of the surgical team.