bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of preparation and transformation of protoplasts from Populus simonii × P. nigra leaves and subcellular localization of the major latex protein 328 (MLP328)
Authors: Yang Ping , Sun Yao , Sun Xin , Li Yao , Wang Lei
Published: January 2024

Background

Populus simonii × P. nigra is an ideal material for studying the molecular mechanisms of woody plants. In recent years, research on Populus simonii × P. nigra has increasingly focused on the application of transgenic technology to improve salt tolerance. However, the rapid characterization of gene functions has been hampered by the long growth cycle and exceedingly poor transformation efficiency. Protoplasts are an important tool for plant gene engineering, which can assist with challenging genetic transformation and the protracted growth cycle of Populus simonii × P. nigra. This study established an optimized system for the preparation and transformation of protoplasts from Populus simonii × P. nigra leaves, making genetic research on Populus simonii × P. nigra faster and more convenient. Major Latex Protein (MLP) family genes play a crucial role in plant salt stress response. In the previous study, we discovered that PsnMLP328 can be induced by salt treatment, which suggested that this gene may be involved in response to salt stress. Protein localization is a suggestion for its function. Therefore, we conducted subcellular localization analysis using protoplasts of Populus simonii × P. nigra to study the function of the PsnMLP328 gene preliminarily.

Results

This study established an optimized system for the preparation and transformation of Populus simonii × P. nigra protoplasts. The research results indicate that the optimal separation scheme for the protoplasts of Populus simonii × P. nigra leaves included 2.5% cellulase R-10, 0.6% macerozyme R-10, 0.3% pectolyase Y-23, and 0.8 M mannitol. After enzymatic digestion for 5 h, the yield of obtained protoplasts could reach up to 2 × 107 protoplasts/gFW, with a high viability of 98%. We carried out the subcellular localization analysis based on the optimized transient transformation system, and the results indicated that the MLP328 protein is localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm; thereby proving the effectiveness of the transformation system.

Conclusion

In summary, this study successfully established an efficient system for preparing and transforming leaf protoplasts of Populus simonii × P. nigra, laying the foundation for future research on gene function and expression of Populus simonii × P. nigra.
Vemurafenib induces senescence in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome by activating the HIPPO signaling pathway: implications for potential targeted therapy
Authors: Zhou Qiao , Zhang Jiamin , Zhang Jingsong , Liang Simin , Cai Duo , Xiao Han , Zhu Yu , Xiang Wenqiong , Rodrigues-Lima Fernando , Chi Jianxiang , Guidez Fabien , Wang Li
Published: January 2024

Background

The outcome of Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) remain dismal despite the development of treatment. Targeted therapy is gaining more and more attention in improving prognosis.

Methods

Expression of BRAF was analyzed by RT-qPCR in AML and MDS patients. Cells viability treated by drugs was measured by CCK-8 assay. Network pharmacology and RNA-sequence were used to analyze the mechanism of drugs and verified in vitro and xenograft tumor model.

Results

Here we showed that BRAF was overexpressed in AML and MDS patients, and correlated with poor prognosis. The BRAF inhibitor-Vemurafenib (VEM) could significantly induce senescence, proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in AML cells, which can be enhanced by Bortezomib (BOR). This inhibitory effect was also verified in CD34 + cells derived from AML patients. Mechanistically, we showed that VEM combined with BOR could turn on HIPPO signaling pathway, thereby inducing cellular senescence in AML cells and xenograft mouse.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings demonstrate a significant upregulation of BRAF expression in AML and MDS patients, which is associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. We also discovered that the BRAF inhibitor Vemurafenib induces cellular senescence through activation of the HIPPO signaling pathway. Analysis of BRAF expression holds promise as a prognostic indicator and potential therapeutic target for individuals with AML and MDS.
Comparison of the effects of esketamine, sufentanil, or lidocaine combined with propofol on tussis reflection during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: study protocol for a randomised, two centre, three-blind, controlled trial
Authors: Hou Hai-jun , Liu Lu , Tian Ming , Xue Fu-shan
Published: January 2024

Background

Tussis, which increases the incidence of airway spasm, aspiration, nausea, and vomiting, is a common complication faced during upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. However, sedatives and analgesics exhibit inhibitory actions against airway reflexes to different degrees. Our assumption is a combination of propofol and small doses of sufentanil, esketamine, or lidocaine, especially the combination of propofol and esketamine, might reduce tussis incidence.

Method

The study will be performed as a randomised controlled three-blind, two-centre trial. Patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy, ≥ 18 years old, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I–III will be randomised to four groups: P group (single administration of propofol), P + S group (administration of propofol and sufentanil in combination), P + K group (administration of propofol and esketamine in combination), and P + L group (administration of propofol and lidocaine in combination) (N = 100 per group). The primary endpoints include the frequency of tussis, nausea and vomiting, and/or body movements observed at the insertion of the endoscope into the pharyngeal cavity or within 5 min of endoscope insertion. Secondary outcomes are recovery assessment, patients’ and endoscopists’ satisfaction with the procedure, MMSE scores, MET scores, sleep condition, and the number of sedation-related events. Data on sedation-related events are collected by recording of vital signs. Satisfaction parameters and mental states are collected by means of questionnaires and evaluation scales before and after the procedure and on different following days.

Discussion

Esketamine can reduce tussis occurrence with good tolerability and relax the bronchus and also provides high clearance rates and low possibility of adverse reactions. We aim to demonstrate that the combination of esketamine with propofol for sedation in patients subjected to upper GI procedure is nevertheless superior to only administration of propofol or a combination of propofol with other anaesthetics, such as opioids or lidocaine.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05497492, Registered 09 August 2022.
Interventions in preconception and pregnant women at risk of gestational diabetes; a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Quotah Ola F. , Andreeva Daria , Nowak Katarzyna G. , Dalrymple Kathryn V. , Almubarak Aljawharah , Patel Anjali , Vyas Nirali , Cakir Gözde S. , Heslehurst Nicola , Bell Zoe , Poston Lucilla , White Sara L. , Flynn Angela C.
Published: January 2024

Background

Women at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) need preventative interventions.

Objective

To evaluate targeted interventions before and during pregnancy for women identified as being at risk of developing GDM.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis conducted following PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library in addition to reference and citation lists were searched to identify eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) utilising risk stratification during the preconception period or in the first/early second trimester. Screening and data extraction were carried out by the authors independently. Quality assessment was conducted based on the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Random effects meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were performed.

Results

Eighty-four RCTs were included: two during preconception and 82 in pregnancy, with a pooled sample of 22,568 women. Interventions were behavioural (n = 54), dietary supplementation (n = 19) and pharmacological (n = 11). Predictive factors for risk assessment varied; only one study utilised a validated prediction model. Gestational diabetes was reduced in diet and physical activity interventions (risk difference − 0.03, 95% CI 0.06, − 0.01; I2 58.69%), inositol (risk difference − 0.19, 95% CI 0.33, − 0.06; I2 92.19%), and vitamin D supplements (risk difference − 0.16, 95% CI 0.25, − 0.06; I2 32.27%). Subgroup analysis showed that diet and physical activity interventions were beneficial in women with ≥ 2 GDM risk factors (risk difference − 0.16, 95% CI 0.25, − 0.07; I2 11.23%) while inositol supplementation was effective in women with overweight or obesity (risk difference − 0.17, 95% CI 0.22, − 0.11; I2 0.01%). Effectiveness of all other interventions were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

This review provides evidence that interventions targeted at women at risk of GDM may be an effective strategy for prevention. Further studies using validated prediction tools or multiple risk factors to target high-risk women for intervention before and during pregnancy are warranted.
Bacteremia from streptococcus constellatus revealing a gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Authors: Chessa Salvatore , Belfiori Elena , Mandis Giulia , Urru Enrico , Manconi Giovanna , Scuteri Angelo
Published: January 2024

Background

Pyogenic Liver Abscesses (PLA) are the most common type of visceral abscess. They generally develop in a context of biliary disease or hematogenous seeding, but a complete diagnostic work-up is always required in order not to miss other important causes, including above all malignancies of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Case presentation

Herein, we report a particular case of a 80 years-old immunocompetent woman hospitalized for sepsis. At the end of the diagnostic process, Streptococcus constellatus (Sc) was identified as the cause of sepsis, multiple PLA were found together with a previous unknown ileal malignancy. We speculated about a possible correlation among these three entities (i.e. sepsis from Sc, PLA and tumors).

Conclusions

Detection of Sc in blood should raise red flags in clinicians as aggressive clinical presentation are possible.
Development and validation of the provider assessed quality of consultations with language interpretation scale (PQC-LI)
Authors: Müller Frank , Ngo Julie , Arnetz Judith E. , Holman Harland T.
Published: January 2024

Objective

With the growing immigrant communities in the western world, there is an urgent need to address language barriers to care, and health disparities as a whole. Studies on limited English proficiency patients (LEP) have focused on patient perspectives of office visits, however little is known about health care provider perspectives of medical visits using interpretive services. We aimed to develop a pragmatic brief questionnaire for assessing providers’ views of the quality of communication in outpatient visits with patients with LEP. The questionnaire was validated in a cross-sectional study (n = 99) using principal component analyses (PCA) with oblimin rotation. Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha.

Results

Based on theory and literature, a seven-item scale was developed that captures two relevant concepts: (1) Provider - patient interaction during the consultation and (2) perceived quality of translation. The questionnaire was used to assess 99 LEP consultations and demonstrated good feasibility in a clinical setting. PCA revealed the two theory-based components with good factor loadings and internal consistency of α = 0.77. These preliminary results indicate that the questionnaire provides medical professionals with a validated tool to evaluate LEP patient encounters. Further confirmatory validation of the Provider-assessed Quality of Consultations with Language Interpretation (PQC-LI) in larger samples is warranted.
Outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and coronary artery disease and heart failure: findings from the Philippine CORONA study
Authors: Espiritu Adrian I. , Pilapil John Christopher A. , Aherrera Jaime Alfonso M. , Sy Marie Charmaine C. , Anlacan Veeda Michelle M. , Villanueva Emilio Q. III , Jamora Roland Dominic G.
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart failure (HF) are more likely to have poor outcomes. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with CAD/HF across various institutions in the Philippines.

Methods

We utilized the data from the Philippine CORONA Study and compared the outcomes of admitted COVID-19 patients with CAD/HF versus those without. The Student’s t test, Mann-Whitney U test, binary logistic regression and multivariate regression analysis were utilized. Odds ratios (OR) and Kaplan-Meier curves were generated.

Results

We included a total of 512 patients with COVID-19 had CAD/HF and 10,369 were without. CAD/HF was significantly associated with COVID severity, all-cause mortality, death from cardiac causes, respiratory failure, and prolonged hospitalization. After adjusting for confounders, the presence of CAD/HF was still associated with death from a cardiac cause (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.49–3.3, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The presence of CAD or HF was significantly associated with severity of COVID disease, all-cause mortality, death from cardiac causes, respiratory failure, and prolonged hospitalization.
The association between social camouflage and mental health among autistic people in Japan and the UK: a cross-cultural study
Authors: Oshima Fumiyo , Takahashi Toru , Tamura Masaki , Guan Siqing , Seto Mikuko , Hull Laura , Mandy William , Tsuchiya Kenji , Shimizu Eiji
Published: January 2024

Background

To examine the relationship between social camouflage and mental health in Japanese autistic adults and make an international comparison with a sample from the UK.

Methods

This study analysed secondary data of participants with a self-reported diagnosis of autism from Japan (N = 210; 123 men and 87 women) and the UK (N = 305; 181 women, 104, men, and 18 nonbinary). The relationships between the quadratic term of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire and mental health scales, including depression and anxiety, were assessed.

Results

The UK sample showed linear relationships, whereas the Japanese sample showed significant nonlinear relationships. The quadratic terms of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire slightly explained generalised anxiety (β = .168, p = .007), depression (β = .121, p = .045), and well-being (β = − .127, p = .028). However, they did not explain the association between social anxiety and the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire.

Limitations

Participants had self-reported diagnoses, and while the autism-spectrum quotient provides a cut-off value for screening, it does not enable confirming diagnoses. Mean scores of the Japanese version of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire were lower as compared to the original CAT-Q, which implies that the social camouflage strategy types used by autistic people in Japan and the UK could differ. The cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.

Conclusion

In the UK, more social camouflage was associated with poorer mental health scores, whereas too little or too much social camouflage was associated with a low mental health score in Japan. The Japanese population is seemingly less aware of and educated on autistic characteristics and considers ‘average’ behaviour a good thing. This could influence Japanese autistic people’s social camouflage use, differing from that of autistic people in the UK. The differences in the relationship between social camouflage and mental health between Japan and the UK could be associated with national-level divergence regarding the culture of autism.
ABYOLOv4: improved YOLOv4 human object detection based on enhanced multi-scale feature fusion
Authors: Li Rui , Zeng Xin , Yang Shiqiang , Li Qi , Yan An , Li Dexin
Published: January 2024

The purpose of human object detection is to obtain the number of people and their position in images, which is one of the core problems in the field of machine vision. However, the high missing detection rate from small- and medium-sized human bodies due to the large variety of human scale in human object detection tasks still influences the performance of human object detection. To solve the above problem, this paper proposed an improved ASPP_BiFPN_YOLOv4 (ABYOLOv4) method to detect human object detection. In detail, Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) module was used to replace the original Spatial Pyramid Pooling module to increase the receptive field level of the network and improve the perception ability of multi-scale targets. Then, the original Path Aggregation Network (PANet) multi-scale fusion module was replaced by the self-built bi-layer bidirectional feature pyramid network (Bi-FPN). Meanwhile, a new feature was imported into the proposed model to reuse the mid- and low-level features, which could enhance the ability of the network to express the characteristics of small- and medium-sized targets. Finally, the standard convolution in Bi-FPN was replaced by depth-separable convolution to make the network achieve the balance of accuracy and the number of parameters. To identify the performance of the proposed ABYOLOv4 model, the human object detection experiment is carried out by using the public data set of VOC2007 and VOC2012, the improved YOLOv4 algorithm is 0.5% higher than the original AP algorithm, and the weight file size of the model is reduced by 45.3 M. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed ABYOLOv4 network has higher accuracy and lower computational cost for human target detection.
Implementation of highly isolation OLR: based microstrip full-duplex Tx/Rx antenna systems with low insertion loss for contemporary wireless system applications
Authors: Elabd Rania H. , Hussein Amr H. , Mousa Marwa E. , A.Kabeel Ahmed
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a Highly Isolation open-loop resonators (OLR)—based microstrip full-duplex Tx/Rx antenna systems with low insertion loss for contemporary wireless system applications. Through a T-junction combiner, the proposed diplexer is accomplished by combining two OLR—based band-pass filters tuned at two distinct frequencies. The system is implemented on a Rogers TMM4 substrate with a loss tangent of 0.002, a dielectric constant of 4.7, and a thickness of 1.52 mm. The suggested full duplex has dimensions of (90 × 70) mm2. It achieves a modest frequency space ratio ofR = 0.1646 in both transmit and receive modes by having two resonance frequencies of$${f}_{t}$$ft= 2.191 GHz and$${f}_{r}$$fr= 2.584 GHz, respectively. The simulated structure displays good insertion losses (IL) of approximately 1.2 dB and 1.79 dB for the two channels, respectively, at fractional bandwidths of 1.24% at 2.191 GHz and 0.636% at 2.584 GHz. The simulated isolation values for 2.191 GHz and 2.584 GHz are 53.3 dB and 66.5 dB, respectively.
Barriers and facilitators to the HPV vaccine: a multicenter qualitative study of French general practitioners
Authors: Tron Arthur , Schlegel Vincent , Pinot Juliette , BRUEL Sébastien , Ecollan Marie , Bel Josselin Le , Rossignol Louise , Gauchet Aurélie , Gagneux-Brunon Amandine , Mueller Judith , Banaszuk Anne-Sophie , Thilly Nathalie , Gilberg Serge , Partouche Henri
Published: January 2024

Background

In France, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage is low, with 30.7% of 17-year-old girls having received a complete HPV vaccination schedule in 2020.

Aim

To determine the perspective and behaviors of general practitioners (GPs) regarding HPV vaccination with their patients and if a reluctance is observed.

Design and setting

A qualitative study based on semi-directed individual interviews was conducted between December 2019 and December 2020. A representative sample of GPs with various profiles were included in 4 French regions.

Method

A purposive sampling was used and interviews were continued until data saturation was reached. The analysis was based on the grounded theory.

Results

Twenty-six GPs aged 29–66 years were interviewed. The measures taken by the French health authorities (lowering the target age, reimbursing the vaccine, extending the target population to boys) were perceived as facilitators. The reported barriers were organizational, due to low attendance of adolescents, and relational, mainly due to parental vaccine hesitancy. Physicians had to deal with fears about the perceived risks and concerns about sexuality conveyed by HPV vaccination and linked to the socio-cultural characteristics of the families. Physicians developed strategies, including scientific knowledge mobilization, empowerment of families by promoting health through prevention, repetition of the vaccination proposals, personal experience and relationship. Different practices were identified according to three GP typologies: effective, convinced but unpersuasive, and reluctant physicians.

Conclusion

Based on these results, specific interventions, including communication techniques, especially for hesitant or unpersuasive physicians, are needed to enable GPs to become more effective.
The relationship between loneliness and problematic social media usage in Chinese university students: a longitudinal study
Authors: Wu Peibo , Feng Rong , Zhang Jindan
Published: January 2024

Background

A significant number of cross-sectional studies have explored the correlation between loneliness and problematic social media use. However, the causal relationship between these two key variables remains controversial, and the developmental relationship over time is unclear.

Methods

We conducted a one-year longitudinal study with 538 Chinese college students using questionnaires and employing cross-lagged and latent growth models to investigate the causal relationship and developmental dynamics between loneliness and problematic social media use.

Results

The results indicate that (a) loneliness and problematic social media use mutually and positively influence each other, establishing a bidirectional causal relationship; (b) Chinese college students experience a gradual increase in levels of loneliness and problematic social media use during their time in college; and (c) the intercept and slope of loneliness significantly and positively affect the intercept and slope of problematic social media use, and conversely, the intercept and slope of problematic social media use significantly and positively influence the intercept and slope of loneliness.

Conclusion

These findings reveal the longitudinal relationship between loneliness and problematic social media use among Chinese college students and offer insights for researchers and educators to intervene in college students' loneliness and problematic social media use from a developmental perspective.
Anther-derived microspore embryogenesis in pepper hybrids orobelle and Bomby
Authors: Sahana K. P. , Srivastava Arpita , Khar Anil , Jain Neelu , Jain P. K. , Bharti Hemlata , Harun Mohd , Mangal Manisha
Published: January 2024

Background

Traditional breeding methods have long been employed worldwide for the evaluation and development of pepper cultivars. However, these methods necessitate multiple generations of screening, line development, evaluation, recognition, and crossing to obtain highly homozygous lines. In contrast, in vitro anther-derived microspore culture represents a rapid method to generate homozygous lines within a single generation. In the present study, we have optimized a protocol for microspore embryogenesis from anther cultures of pepper hybrids Orobelle and Bomby.

Results

We achieved early and successful embryo formation from both genotypes by subjecting the buds to a cold pretreatment at 4 °C for 4 days. Our optimized culture medium, comprised of MS medium supplemented with 4 mg/L NAA, 1 mg/L BAP, 0.25% activated charcoal, 2.6 g/L gelrite, 30 g/L sucrose, and 15 mg/L silver nitrate, exhibited the highest efficiency in embryo formation (1.85% and 1.46%) for Orobelle and Bomby, respectively. Furthermore, successful plant regeneration from the anther derived microspore embryos was accomplished using half-strength MS medium fortified with 2% sucrose and 0.1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), solidified with 2.6 g/L gelrite. The ploidy status of the microspore-derived plantlets was analyzed using flow cytometry technique. Notably, the haploid plants exhibited distinct characteristics such as reduced plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and shorter internode length when compared to their diploid counterparts derived from seeds.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the potential of anther culture and microspore embryogenesis as an advanced method for accelerating pepper breeding programs, enabling the rapid production of superior homozygous lines.
Comparative effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training, mirabegron, and trospium among older women with urgency urinary incontinence and high fall risk: a feasibility randomized clinical study
Authors: Fisher Steve R. , Villasante-Tezanos Alejandro , Allen Lindsay M. , Pappadis Monique R. , Kilic Gokhan
Published: January 2024

Background

Untreated, urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and overactive bladder (OAB) can precipitate a vicious cycle of decreasing physical activity, social isolation, fear of falling, and falls. Structured behavioral interventions and medications are common initial treatment options, but they elicit their effects through very different mechanisms of action that may influence fall-related outcomes differently. This study will determine the feasibility of conducting a comparative effectiveness, three-arm, mixed methods, randomized clinical trial of a behaviorally based pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) intervention versus two recent drug options in older women with UUI or OAB who are also at increased risk of falling.

Methods

Forty-eight women 60 years and older with UUI or OAB who screen positive for increased fall risk will be recruited through the urogynacology and pelvic health clinics of our university health system. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three 12-week treatment arms: (1) a course of behavioral and pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) provided by physical therapists; (2) the beta-3 agonist, mirabegron; and (3) the antimuscarinic, trospium chloride. Study feasibility will be established through objective metrics of evaluability, adherence to the interventions, and attrition. We will also assess relevant measures of OAB symptom severity, quality of life, physical activity, incident falls, and concern about falling.

Discussion

The proposed research seeks to ultimately determine if linkages between reduction in UI symptoms through treatment also reduce the risk of falling in this patient population.

Trial registration

NCT05880862. Registered on 30 May 2023.
Optimizing juice extraction in sugar mills: application of time delay compensation with intelligent controllers
Authors: Saidahmed Mohamed T. F. , Attiya Ibrahim Ahmed M. , Elkilany Basma Gh.
Published: January 2024

The juice extraction process plays a crucial role in the sugar production industry, but it often faces challenges due to time delays that can negatively impact efficiency and quality. This paper introduces a Time Delay Compensation (TDC) technique aimed at mitigating this issue. The TDC technique is specifically designed to minimize the adverse effects of time delays, thereby improving control performance. The primary objective of this research is to enhance the efficiency and quality of the juice extraction process, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability for sugar mills. To achieve this goal, we conducted an extensive review of existing solutions, highlighting their limitations and associated challenges. In response, we propose a unique and practical solution that can be implemented using MATLAB Processes. Through simulation results, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the TDC technique in suppressing time delay and enhancing control performance, resulting in a significant improvement in extraction efficiency. This work contributes to the field of sugar production by introducing a specialized TDC technique tailored for the juice extraction process in sugar mills.
Study of serum calprotectin level in rheumatoid arthritis: unexpected low level and possible explanations
Authors: El-Tawab Sarah Sayed , Moharram Lamya Mohamed , Younis Gihan Abdellatif , EL Dabah Nermeen Ahmed , Adel-Naby Hoda Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Background

Assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is crucial to optimize the response to treatment and prevent radiographic progression. DAS28 is the most commonly used disease activity index, which incorporates either erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP). Several studies showed that using ESR and/or CRP in assessing disease activity falls short of detecting a significant portion of patients with active disease. Calprotectin (CLP) is an interesting protein that was found to be a promising biomarker of disease activity in RA patients’ sera when CRP is normal. This study aimed to measure serum CLP level in 50 RA patients with different grades of disease activity and compare its level with age- and sex-matched control.

Results

In this case–control study, the mean serum CLP level was significantly lower in RA patients (25.94 ± 25.87 ng/ml) compared to the control group values (53.02 ± 77.93 ng/ml), p < 0.001. The measured serum CLP in RA patients was lower than its level in other published studies. No significant difference was found between patients with different disease activity grades in the serum CLP level (H = 4.28, p = 0.23). Serum samples were collected and stored from RA patients over 4 months and from the control subjects over 1.5 months and were stored at –80 °C until analysis was performed according to the manufacturer’s instruction.

Conclusion

The low level of serum CLP among RA patients is most probably due to proteolysis related to storage conditions. Pre-analytic factors like the type of blood sample, whether the sample is fresh or frozen, and duration of storage exert an effect on serum CLP level when measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Sensitivity to light in bipolar disorder: implications for research and clinical practice
Authors: Roguski Amber , Ritter Philipp , Smith Daniel J.
Published: January 2024

Circadian dysfunction is a core feature of bipolar disorder and may be due, at least in part, to abnormalities of non-visual photoreception. We critically review the evidence for light hypersensitivity in bipolar disorder and discuss how this may shape future research and clinical innovation, with a focus on a possible novel mechanism of action for lithium.
Positive thinking about negative studies
Authors: Petkova Eva , Ciarleglio Adam , Casey Patricia , Poole Norman , Kaufman Kenneth , Lawrie Stephen M. , Malhi Gin , Siddiqi Najma , Bhui Kamaldeep , Lee William
Published: January 2024

The non-reporting of negative studies results in a scientific record that is incomplete, one-sided and misleading. The consequences of this range from inappropriate initiation of further studies that might put participants at unnecessary risk to treatment guidelines that may be in error, thus compromising day-to-day clinical practice.
Antiviral Therapy Utilization and 10-Year Outcomes in Resected Hepatitis B Virus– and Hepatitis C Virus–Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Daniel Q. , Hoang Joseph K. , Kamal Rubayet , Tsai Pei-Chien , Toyoda Hidenori , Yeh Ming-Lun , Yasuda Satoshi , Leong Jennifer , Maeda Mayumi , Huang Chung-Feng , Won Jun Dae , Ishigami Masatoshi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Uojima Haruki , Ogawa Eiichi , Abe Hiroshi , Hsu Yao-Chun , Tseng Cheng-Hao , Alsudaney Manaf , Yang Ju Dong , Yoshimaru Yoko , Suzuki Takanori , Liu Joanne K. , Landis Charles , Dai Chia-Yen , Huang Jee-Fu , Chuang Wan-Long , Schwartz Myron , Dan Yock Young , Esquivel Carlos , Bonham Andrew , Yu Ming-Lung , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: January 2024

PURPOSE

There are limited data on antiviral treatment utilization and its impact on long-term outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV)– and hepatitis C virus (HCV)–related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatic resection. We aimed to determine the utilization and impact of antivirals in HBV- and HCV-related HCC.

METHODS

This cohort study included 1,906 participants (1,054 HBV-related HCC and 852 HCV-related HCC) from 12 international sites. All participants had HBV- or HCV-related HCC and underwent curative surgical resection. The primary outcome was the utilization of antiviral therapy, and the secondary outcome was long-term overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The mean (±standard deviation [SD]) age was 62.1 (±11.3) years, 74% were male, and 84% were Asian. A total of 47% of the total cohort received antiviral therapy during a mean (±SD) follow-up of 5.0 (±4.3) years. The overall antiviral utilization for participants with HBV-related HCC was 57% and declined over time, from 65% before 2010, to 60% from 2010 to 2015, to 47% beyond 2015, P < .0001. The overall utilization of antivirals for HCV-related HCC was 35% and increased over time, from 24% before 2015 to 74% from 2015 and beyond, P < .0001. The 10-year OS was lower in untreated participants for both HBV (58% v 61%) and HCV participants (38% v 82%; both P < .0001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for relevant confounders, antiviral therapy initiated before or within 6 months of HCC diagnosis was independently associated with lower mortality in both HBV- (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.60 [95% CI, 0.43 to 0.83]; P = .002) and HCV-related HCC (aHR, 0.18 [95% CI, 0.11 to 0.31]; P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Antiviral therapy is associated with long-term survival in people with HBV- or HCV-related HCC who undergo curative resection but is severely underutilized.
Physician Disruptive Behavior Compromising Safe Care Delivery
Authors: Kumar Monika , Das Devika , Mulvey Therese M. , Sadeghi Navid
Published: January 2024

The negative impact and management of disruptive behavior are discussed in the article by Monika Kumar, et al.
A Mosaic Variant in CTNNB1/β-catenin as a Novel Cause for Osteopathia Striata With Cranial Sclerosis
Authors: Huybrechts Yentl , Appelman-Dijkstra Natasha M , Steenackers Ellen , Van Beylen Wouter , Mortier Geert , Hendrickx Gretl , Van Hul Wim
Published: January 2024

Context

Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis (OSCS) is a rare bone disorder with X-linked dominant inheritance, characterized by a generalized hyperostosis in the skull and long bones and typical metaphyseal striations in the long bones. So far, loss-of-function variants in AMER1 (also known as WTX or FAM123B), encoding the APC membrane recruitment protein 1 (AMER1), have been described as the only molecular cause for OSCS. AMER1 promotes the degradation of β-catenin via AXIN stabilization, acting as a negative regulator of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, a central pathway in bone formation.

Objective

In this study, we describe a Dutch adult woman with an OSCS-like phenotype, namely, generalized high bone mass and characteristic metaphyseal striations, but no genetic variant affecting AMER1.

Results

Whole exome sequencing led to the identification of a mosaic missense variant (c.876A > C; p.Lys292Asn) in CTNNB1, coding for β-catenin. The variant disrupts an amino acid known to be crucial for interaction with AXIN, a key factor in the β-catenin destruction complex. Western blotting experiments demonstrate that the p.Lys292Asn variant does not significantly affect the β-catenin phosphorylation status, and hence stability in the cytoplasm. Additionally, luciferase reporter assays were performed to investigate the effect of p.Lys292Asn β-catenin on canonical WNT signaling. These studies indicate an average 70-fold increase in canonical WNT signaling activity by p.Lys292Asn β-catenin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study indicates that somatic variants in the CTNNB1 gene could explain the pathogenesis of unsolved cases of osteopathia striata.
Χρονική κατανομή οξειδωτικών μεταβολών του εντερικού βλεννογόνου σε αποφρακτικό ίκτερο
Authors: Αγγέλης Απόστολος
Published: January 2024

Οι ασθενείς με αποφρακτικό ίκτερο, ιδιαίτερα όταν εκτίθενται στο επιπρόσθετο στρες ενός επεμβατικού διαγνωστικού ή θεραπευτικού χειρισμού, είναι επιρρεπείς στην ανάπτυξη σηπτικών επιπλοκών και νεφρικής δυσλειτουργίας που οδηγούν σε υψηλά ποσοστά νοσηρότητας και θνητότητας. Πειραματικές και κλινικές μελέτες έχουν δείξει ότι ο αποφρακτικός ίκτερος προκαλεί δυσλειτουργία του εντερικού βλεννογόνου και κατ’ επέκταση του εντερικού φραγμού, οδηγώντας σε ενδοτοξιναιμία η οποία φαίνεται να διαδραματίζει σημαντικό ρόλο στην ανάπτυξη των επιπλοκών αυτών. Η απουσία χολής μεταβάλει τη λειτουργία του εντερικού φραγμού χωρίς να διασπά την συνέχεια του επιθηλίου. Οι μοριακοί μηχανισμοί που συμβάλουν στου φαινόμενο αυτό δεν έχουν αποσαφηνιστεί. Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή επιχειρεί να διερευνήσει την επίδραση του πειραματικού αποφρακτικού ικτέρου στα επίπεδα οξειδωτικού στρες στον εντερικό βλεννογόνο στην πάροδο του χρόνου. Προηγούμενες μελέτες έχουν δείξει ότι η απουσία χολής ενδοαυλικά, αποστερεί τον εντερικό βλεννογόνο από τις βακτηριοστατικές, αντί-ενδοτοξινικές και τροφικές της ιδιότητες, οδηγώντας σε αύξηση των βακτηριδίων και της ενδοτοξίνης ενδοαυλικά και σε εντερική ατροφία. Οι μεταβολές αυτές προάγουν την μετακίνηση βακτηρίων και ενδοτοξινών στην πυλαία φλέβα και ακολούθως, μέσω μιας κατασταλμένης εκκαθαριστικής ικανότητας των κυττάρων Kupffer, εξαιτίας της χολόστασης, στη συστηματική κυκλοφορία. Τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας μελέτης επιβεβαίωσαν ότι ο αποφρακτικός ίκτερος οδήγησε σε αύξηση του οξειδωτικού στρες στο έντερο, όπως τεκμηριώνεται από την αύξηση της υπεροξείδωσης των λιπιδίων (PrMDA) και των πρωτεϊνών (PrC=O). Για την οξείδωση των λιπιδών η μέγιστη τιμή φτάνει στις 7 ημέρες και για τις πρωτεΐνες στις 14 ημέρες, διότι σαν πιο σταθερές δομές χρειάζεται περισσότερος χρόνος για να επιδράσουν οι μεταβολίτες του οξυγόνου πάνω τους. Η ενδοτοξιναιμία και οι αυξημένες συγκεντρώσεις χολικών αλάτων αποτελούν σημαντικούς διεγέρτες της παραγωγής δραστικών μεταβολιτών οξυγόνου. Η παρουσία οξειδωτικού στρες στο έντερο συνεισφέρει στην προαγωγή της αποπτωτικής διεργασίας και στην αναστολή του κυτταρικού πολλαπλασιασμού στις κρύπτες, οδηγώντας σε ατροφία του βλεννογόνου. Συμπερασματικά, τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας μελέτης δείχνουν ότι το οξειδωτικό στρες αυξάνεται στον αποφρακτικό ίκτερο σε σχέση με την πάροδο του χρόνου σε συγκεκριμένη χρονική περίοδο. Οπωσδήποτε απαιτούνται περαιτέρω μελέτες για τη διευκρίνιση των μηχανισμών δράσης και πιθανής χρήσης αντιοξειδωτικών ουσιών για την αναστροφή της επίδρασης του οξειδωτικού στρες στον εντερικό βλεννογόνο πριν την περαιτέρω ένταξη των παραμέτρων αυτών στην κλινική πράξη.
Case Report: Anorexia as a new type of adverse reaction caused by the COVID-19 vaccination: a case report applying detailed personal care records
Authors: Osozawa Soichi
Published: January 2024

Background: In Japan, more than 1,000 participants died shortly after receiving the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, but the causal relation between the injection and death remains uncertain. Methods: Applying long-term personal vital care data for 28 months for an elderly patient, I investigated and evidenced adverse reactions after the first dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination. Results: The precise, detailed, and continuous data statistically clarified the long-term fevers associated with no meals or drinks. Interrupted time series analysis showed significant and fluctuating increases of body temperatures, pressures, and pulses, although solely long-term plots showed an abrupt and timely increase in these vital data after the vaccine. Conclusions: Anorexia was fatal, and newly reported in the present care records since the patient received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Hybrid Optimization for High Aspect Ratio Wings with Convolutional Neural Networks and Squirrel Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Li Pengfei
Published: January 2024

An efficient hybrid optimization algorithm is introduced in this paper to optimize the lightweight design of high-aspect-ratio wings, tackling the complexities associated with the mixed optimization design of layout and size variables within these wing structures. A hybrid binary unified coding description facilitates the optimization process for layout and size variables. The study influences one-dimensional convolutional neural networks to establish an aeroelastic surrogate model, primarily chosen for their exceptional performance in handling multi-parameter aeroelastic regression problems. Additionally, the squirrel optimization algorithm is chosen over the genetic algorithm for the mixed optimization problem, leading to notable savings in computational costs. The research demonstrates that the proposed hybrid optimization method, integrating the one-dimensional convolutional neural network and the squirrel optimization algorithm, offers superior performance in optimizing high aspect ratio wings. Specifically, it results in a reduction of 4.1% in the weight of the wing structure. Moreover, the study highlights the necessity of this hybrid approach due to the observed coupling between the layout variables of the wing ribs and the size variables of the wing beams.
Research on Intelligent Transformation Platform of Scientific and Technological Achievements Based on Topic Model Algorithm and Its Application
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Kai , Chang Yanfei
Published: January 2024

Being an integral component of the national scientific and technological innovation structure, the conversion of scientific and technological breakthroughs shifts these discoveries from mere theoretical concepts to practical applications. However, this transformation process encounters issues concerning suboptimal efficiency and standards. This research investigates into the LDA theme model to extract pivotal terms and thematic phrases representing scientific and technological advancements. The aim is to ensure precise representation and endorsement, consequently enhancing the efficiency and quality of the conversion process for academic institutions and businesses. Subsequently, this paper establishes a platform for converting scientific and technological breakthroughs while examining the subsystems of information management, retrieval, and recommendations about these breakthroughs. This platform also includes aspects such as transactions and the delivery of achievements. Additionally, an analysis is conducted on the application effects of the scientific and technological achievement (STA) transformation platform, considering the transformation results and the operational evaluation of these scientific and technological innovations.
Research on the Application of Project Teaching Method in the New Model of Software Engineering Course
Authors: Ma Li , Huang Lei
Published: January 2024

Software engineering course is one of the core courses of computer science. The students trained in the current teaching mode can no longer meet the market demand for high-technology talents. Based on this, the research attempts to optimize the traditional software engineering teaching mode by using the project teaching method (PTM). According to the basic concept of PTM and course characteristics, the reform path of PTM in software engineering course is explored in the experiment. Then in the experiment, the indicators that affect teaching reform effect is selected and a evaluation model is built. And GA-BP algorithm is used to evaluate the effect of the evaluation model. To verify the performance of the built model and the final evaluation effect, the research results are tested from the fitness of the algorithm, error performance, prediction in the data set and other aspects. GA-BP algorithm converged when it iterated to the 18th generation, and the final fitness value was 0.61. The average error square value of GA-BP was 0.35 and the minimum error square sum of GA-BP was 0.48. Its prediction accuracy in test set and training set was 93.4% and 94.1% respectively. The maximum prediction error in the training sample was only 0.015, and the performance of the above data was better than the other three algorithms. To sum up, applying PTM to software engineering curriculum reform can achieve better teaching results.
Clustering Algorithm in Digital Management and Sustainable System Construction for Urban Rail Transportation Student Education
Authors: Li Yijia
Published: January 2024

With the rapid growth of the national economy, people's demand for transportation is becoming increasingly strong. The rail transit business is booming in large and medium-sized cities, and the education management of urban rail transit students needs further reform. At the same time, digital information technology is widely used in various fields, and digital management of education has become one of the major development directions of education reform. The study proposes a specific construction path based on the analysis of the necessity of digital management of education for urban rail transportation majors, and then optimizes the K-medoids algorithm in the clustering algorithm and validates its education digital management effect. The outcomes show that the clustering precision of the upgraded K-medoids algorithm in the selected dataset is up to 92.68%, and the running time is all below 5s, with the lowest value being 3.9s; In the digital management of urban rail transit majors in universities, the precision obtained by the algorithm is all maintained at around 95%, and the satisfaction rate is all higher than 90%. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been verified, providing a new method for the management of digital education systems for urban rail transit students. It can better understand the needs and characteristics of students, help improve their learning effectiveness and educational quality, and achieve more targeted allocation of educational resources.
Construction and Application of MOOC + Flipped Classroom Mixed Teaching Model in Volleyball Teaching in Colleges and Universities
Authors: Zhang Jubin , Yu Jie
Published: January 2024

MOOC+Flipped Classroom (MFC) is a new model that make the online learning and offline learning integrated. And it also shows a new way in developing the teaching reform. Based on MFC, a mixed teaching mode suitable for college volleyball was studied and established. And a reasonable evaluation index system was developed. It fosters educational fairness and improvements in volleyball learning performance. To be applicable to many kinds of problems, the support vector machine (SVM) is improved to obtain the DBT-SVM based quality evaluation model of college volleyball mixed teaching. The average score of students in the mixed teaching mode was higher than that in the traditional teaching mode. The comprehensive performance scores of the former and the latter after the experiment are 9.12 ± 0.75 and 7.63 ± 0.56 respectively. The mixed teaching mode results in higher student attendance. Among the prediction results of DBT-SVM, BT-SVM and SVM, DBT-SVM has higher accuracy, less training and testing time, and smaller error. This shows that DBT-SVM can accurately evaluate the teaching effect and quality.