bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized-controlled trial comparing cosmetic results of midline incision versus off- midline incision for specimen-extraction in laparoscopic colectomy
Authors: Iwamoto Hiromitsu , Matsuda Kenji , Takifuji Katsunari , Tamura Koichi , Mitani Yasuyuki , Mizumoto Yuki , Nakamura Yuki , Sakanaka Toshihiro , Yokoyama Shozo , Hotta Tsukasa , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: June 2023

Purpose
A notable advantage of laparoscopic colorectal surgery is that only a small incision at the extraction site is necessary, which is considered to be cosmetically beneficial. Meanwhile, the optimal extraction site for the resected specimen in laparoscopic colectomy is controversial in terms of cosmetic benefit. This randomized controlled trial compares midline and off-midline extraction sites in laparoscopic colectomy in patients with colon cancer, with consideration of cosmetic benefits as the primary endpoint.
Methods
Included were patients that underwent elective laparoscopic colectomy at WMUH between October 2014 and February 2017. Patients were randomly assigned to either midline incision group or to off-midline incision group. Prospectively-collected data included cosmetic results (patients and observer assessment scale) and complications including incidence of incisional hernia, SSI and pain. This trial was registered with UMIN Clinical Trials (UMIN000028943).
Results
Finally, 98 patients with colorectal cancer were analyzed. No significant differences were found between the two groups in patient and observer assessment scales of cosmetic results (midline 8 ± 1.1 vs off-midline 11 ± 5.9 p = 0.16, midline 13.5 ± 6.6 vs off-midline 15 ± 11 p = 0.58, respectively) or in postoperative pain. However, incisional hernia occurred in four cases in the midline group (8%), which was significantly higher than that in the off-midline group (no cases, 0%).
Conclusion
There was no significant difference in terms of cosmetic benefit, the primary endpoint, between the two groups. In this study, only the extraction site location was compared; future studies will examine differences depending on the incisional direction, including the incidence of incisional hernia.
Alteration of HIF1a target genes led to 5FU resistance in gastric cancer MKN45 cells under hypoxic condition
Authors: Sharifi Hengameh , Khorashadizadeh Mohsen
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Gastric cancer (GC) is reported as the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer and is the fourth most common cause of cancer-associated death in the world. Tumor cell hypoxia is one of the main factors causing 5FU resistance in gastric cancer cells. Herein, we intend to evaluate the efficacy of the 5FU on the MKN45 cell line by establishing an in vitro hypoxic environment and comparing them with results from the normoxic condition. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the 5FU on the MKN45 cell line in normoxic and hypoxic conditions.

Methods

The MKN45 gastric cancer cell line was cultured in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The cells were treated with various concentrations of 5-FU for 72 h. Then, cell viability was analyzed by the MTT method. Also, the induction of apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression levels of HIF-1 a, P53, BAX, Bcl2, MRP1, and Casp3 genes were quantified by real-time PCR. A statistical analysis of the results was done using SPSS software.

Results

Our study showed that a hypoxic condition leads to a higher resistance against 5-FU toxicity in MKN45 cells compared to normoxia. As a result of this drug resistance, we also found significantly low apoptotic cells in hypoxic conditions. Data of gene expression in 5-FU treated MKN45 cells, indicated significant up-regulation of HIF1a in hypoxic conditions. We also showed an elevated level of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and casp3) in the normoxic and hypoxic groups, but this elevation was significantly lower in hypoxia. In contrast, significant down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl2) was detected just in the normoxic group, while the Bcl2 gene was significantly up-regulated in the hypoxia versus normoxia group. In the case of p53 and MRP1 genes, we found a higher level of gene expression in MKN45 cells treated under normoxic and hypoxic conditions compared to control, while this increase was more significant in hypoxic conditions. There was no significant difference in the level of expression of the MRP1 gene in hypoxic conditions compared to normoxia.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results demonstrated that the resistance to 5-FU in MKN45 gastric cancer cells might be due to the upregulation of the HIF-1α gene and its regulated downstream target gene under hypoxic conditions.
The association of gene expressions of MAP3K7, NF2, STK3 and STK4 therewith Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyzer (QRMA) in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Abdolyousefi Ehsan Nabi , Kahkesh Samaneh , Saadi Mahdiyar Iravani , Nabi Mehran
Published: June 2023

Objectives
COVID-19 is initiated by coronavirus infections and it can principally damage the cell’s function of the lung. Assessment of some important genes may capability more operational administration in patients. Therefore, in the recent study, we investigated mRNA and protein expression of MAP3K7, NF2, STK3 and STK4 in virus-infected patients compared with the control group. In addition, we used Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyzer (QRMA) in order to analyze blood lipids, basic physical quality, lung function and immune system which are divided into twenty-five different variables in patients compared to healthy individuals.
Materials and Methods
The statistical population was divided into two different groups: patients and healthy individuals. The Expression of the mRNA level of objective genes was assessed with the SYBR Green Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction method. The protein level expression of target genes was calculated by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Furthermore, in this study, we use QRMA to analyze some quantities such as blood lipids, basic physical quality, lung function and immune system in patients compared to healthy individuals. Statistical analyses were accomplished with SPSS software (version, 18) and Graph-Pad Prism software (Graph-Pad Prism, version 8.0.1).
Results
The mRNA and protein expressions level of NF2, MAP3K7, STK3 and STK4 genes in the group of patients decreased significantly compared to healthy individuals. The evaluation of blood lipids, basic physical quality, lung function and immune system in the study by QRMA showed that the Arterial oxygen content Paco2, low-density lipoprotein-C, tonsil immune index and immunoglobulin index were significantly higher in patients group compared to healthy individuals. In contrast, the amount of High-density lipoprotein-C, bone marrow index, respiratory immune index and gastrointestinal immune index were significantly lower in patients group compared to healthy individuals.
Conclusions
Compared to healthy individuals, the amount of mRNA and protein expressed by NF2, MAP3K7, STK3 and STK4 genes was reduced in COVID-19 patients. In truth, these genes have some critical function in some cellular and sub-cellular pathways. Accordingly, when the expression of genes decreased maybe it can increase the influence of coronavirus. Various mechanisms are involved in COVID-19, the increasing of the amount of the arterial oxygen content Paco2, low-density lipoprotein-C, tonsil immune index, immunoglobulin index and decreasing the amount of the High-density lipoprotein-C, bone marrow index, respiratory immune index and gastrointestinal immune index in COVID-19 patients, can be involved in the effects of coronavirus. Therefore, a deep perception of the relationship between these objective genes and QRMA therewith pathogenesis of COVID-19 infections in a larger population with longer supplements is required.
PROVISION OF FEEDBACK USING THE “4C/ID” MODEL FOR “Program Internsip Dokter Indonesia (PIDI)” ASSISTING PHYSICIANS: a mixed method research
Authors: Latief Shofiyah , Suhoyo Yoyo , Rahayu Gandes Retno , Royani Ida , Rahma Marliyanti Nur , Aisyah Windy Nur , Kartika Andy Visi , - Widyandana , Arguni Eggi , Utami Dian Fahmi
Published: June 2023

Objectives
The need of effective feedback is important to gain clinical performance improvement of new doctor. Evaluation carried out by the Komite Internsip Dokter Indonesia (KIDI) with the Asosiasi Institusi Pendidikan Kedokteran Indonesia (AIPKI) shows 38% of selected health care are not showing a maximum result in terms of giving feedback (less than 3 on a Likert scale). Thus, we would like to examine the impact of training on giving feedback using the "4C/ID" model on assisting physicians of the Program Internsip Dokter Indonesia (PIDI).
Methods
Mixed method study was employed. Structurized feedback using “4C/ID” model were trained to 14th assisting physicians from 3 hospital and 11 primary health care at Makassar, Gowa, and Maros. Questionnaire, Pre- and post-test, and check-lists were used to collect qualitative data followed by Kirckpatrick evaluation. Focus group discussions were organized twice to collect qualitative data and followed by an inductive thematic analysis.
Results
Kirkpatrick evaluation showed improvement of knowledge and skill on assisting physicians of PIDI after training on giving feedback using the "4C/ID" model. First FGD inductive thematic analysis offered 4 themes with 2 additional themes after the 2nd. All 6th themes were complimentary to quantitative data.
Conclusions
Training on giving feedback using the "4C/ID" model has a positive influence on knowledge and skill of assisting physicians of PIDI.
The application of epiphenotyping approaches to DNA methylation array studies of the human placenta
Authors: Khan Almas , Inkster Amy M , Peñaherrera Maria S , King Suzanne , Kildea Sue , Oberlander Tim F , Olson David M , Vaillancourt Cathy , Brain Ursula , Beraldo Ella O , Beristain Alexander G , Clifton Vicki L , Gobbo Giulia F Del , Lam Wan L , Metz Gerlinde AS , Ng Jane WY , Price E Magda , Schuetz Johanna M , Yuan Victor , Portales-Casamar Élodie , Robinson Wendy P
Published: June 2023

Background: Genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAme) profiling of the placenta with Illumina Infinium Methylation bead arrays is often used to explore the connections between in utero exposures, placental pathology, and fetal development. However, many technical and biological factors can lead to signals of DNAme variation between samples and between cohorts, and understanding and accounting for these factors is essential to ensure meaningful and replicable data analysis. Recently, “epiphenotyping” approaches have been developed whereby DNAme data can be used to impute information about phenotypic variables such as gestational age, sex, cell composition, and ancestry. These epiphenotypes offer avenues to compare phenotypic data across cohorts, and to understand how phenotypic variables relate to DNAme variability. However, the relationships between placental epiphenotyping variables and other technical and biological variables, and their application to downstream epigenome analyses, have not been well studied.
Results: Using DNAme data from 204 placentas across three cohorts, we applied the PlaNET R package to estimate epiphenotypes gestational age, ancestry, and cell composition in these samples. PlaNET ancestry estimates were highly correlated with independent polymorphic ancestry informative markers, and epigenetic gestational age, on average, was estimated within 4 days of reported gestational age, underscoring the accuracy of these tools. Cell composition estimates varied both within and between cohorts, but reassuringly were robust to placental processing time. Interestingly, the ratio of cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast proportion decreased with increasing gestational age, and differed slightly by both maternal ethnicity (lower in white vs. non-white) and genetic ancestry (lower in higher probability European ancestry). The cohort of origin and cytotrophoblast proportion were the largest drivers of DNAme variation in this dataset, based on their associations with the first principal component.
Conclusions: This work confirms that cohort, array (technical) batch, cell type proportion, self-reported ethnicity, genetic ancestry, and biological sex are important variables to consider in any analyses of Illumina DNAme data. Further, we demonstrate that estimating epiphenotype variables from the DNAme data itself, when possible, provides both an independent check of clinically-obtained data and can provide a robust approach to compare variables across different datasets.
Simulation of the sedimentary characteristics of braided deltas in a Paleogene salty lake, Qaidam Basin, China
Authors: Xiaojun Zhang , Yingchun Gou , Shiming Zhang , Juerong Fu , Pu Wang , Liangyu Wu
Published: June 2023

In recent years, oil reservoirs have been discovered in the large-scale delta sedimentary system of a salty lake in the Lower Ganchaigou Formation (E31) and the Lower Youshashan Formation (N21) in the western part of the Qaidam Basin. This discovery represented the start of an oil and gas exploration breakthrough in the Qaidam Basin. In this study, a braided delta deposition model of the salty lake was developed, and the regular patterns of sand accumulation from three source areas of Alar, Niubiziliang, and Tiemulike were investigated. These areas were then selected as sedimentary prototypes to conduct physical simulation experiments to examine large flume deposition, dynamic braided delta deposition processes, and models of sand accumulation. The results showed that the braided delta had sedimentary characteristics of a small delta front, with a large delta plain, underwater distribution channels, and a mouth bar in a saltwater environment. The lake salinity controlled the grain size, thickness, regularity of the spatial distribution, and particle transport distance, as well as the scale of development for the underwater distribution channels and the mouth bar. Due to the dynamic complexity of the lake inputs caused by the vertical stratification of salinity, the braided branch channels of the braided delta plain and the mouth bar of the braided delta front may hold good reservoirs.
Environmental regulation, Energy consumption structure and industrial pollution emissions
Authors: chen fangli , shao mimi , chen weitong , wang furu
Published: June 2023

China has become the world's largest carbon emitter due to its high-investment, low-efficiency development model. It is urgent to reduce industrial pollution emissions. This study analyzes the impact of environmental regulation intensity and energy consumption structure on industrial SO2 pollution emissions by establishing a fixed-effect regression model based on panel data from 2009 to 2018 in China. The results show that the overall environmental regulation intensity in China has a significant negative effect on industrial pollution emissions. In other words, increasing the level of environmental regulation is conducive to reducing industrial pollution emissions. The proportion of coal consumption in the overall national energy consumption structure has a positive correlation with the concentration of industrial pollution emissions. Due to the differences in economic development and industrial foundation, the pollution emissions effect shows significant heterogeneity in the eastern and western regions of China under the constraint of environmental regulation. Based on these conclusions, this article proposes policy recommendations from four aspects: strengthening environmental regulation, improving energy consumption structure, promoting industrial structure adjustment and upgrading, and improving the foreign investment access system.
Molecular phylogenetic analyses identify the process of speciation of endemic willow species in the Japanese Archipelago
Authors: Kikuchi Satoshi , Setsuko Suzuki , Nagamitsu Teruyoshi , Suzuki Wajiro
Published: June 2023

Here we examine the evolutionary history of Salix in Japan, and in particular the subg. Vetrix/Chamaetia complex. To do so, we performed molecular phylogenetic analyses covering all available native species, using multilocus datasets of low-copy nuclear genes and chloroplast sequences. Using phylogenetic network analysis and divergence time estimation, we identified three major lineages within Japanese subg. Vetrix, confirmed the polyphyly of subg. Chamaetia, and further resolved the taxonomic status of various taxa at the section to species levels. Moreover, this study also highlighted the speciation processes for many endemic species. These include S. hukaoana, a novel monotypic section of Hukaoana that distinctly shows ancient divergence and not hybrid speciation, and S. miyabeana (sect. Helix), which shows evidence of genomic and morphological differentiation from subsp. miyabeanavia intersectional hybridization and introgression with the sympatric species S. schwerinii (sect. Viminella). Finally, we also identified local endemics classified into sect. Hastatae(i.e., S. rupifraga, S. shiraii, and S. japonica) which show evidence of radiative speciation from a single lineage descended from S. vulpina(sect. Cinerella).
Racially Fair Pupillometry Measurements for RGB Smartphone Cameras using the Far Red Spectrum
Authors: Barry Colin , Wang Edward
Published: June 2023

Pupillometry is a measurement of pupil dilation commonly performed as part of neurological assessments. Prior work have demonstrated the potential for pupillometry in screening or diagnosing a number of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's Disease, Schizophrenia, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Unfortunately, the expense and inaccessibility of specialized pupilometers that image in the near infrared spectrum limit the measurement to high resource clinics or institutions. Ideally, this measurement could be available via ubiquitous devices like smartphones or tablets with integrated visible spectrum imaging systems. In the visible spectrum of RGB cameras, the melanin in the iris absorbs light such that it is difficult to distinguish the pupil aperature that appears black. In this paper, we propose a novel pupillometry technique to enable smartphone RGB cameras to effectively differentiate the pupil from the iris. The proposed system utilizes a 630nm long-pass filter to image in the red to far red spectrum, where the melanin in the iris reflects light to appear brighter in constrast to the dark pupil. Using a convolutional neural network, the proposed system measures pupil diameter as it dynamically changes in a frame by frame video. Comparing across 4 different smartphone models, the pupil-iris contrast of N=12 participants increases by an average of 451% with the proposed system. In a validation study of N=11 participants comparing the relative pupil change in the proposed system to a Neuroptics PLR-3000 Pupillometer during a pupillary light response test, the prototype system acheived a mean absolute error of 2.4%.
Ovarian serous borderline tumors with recurrent or extraovarian lesions: a Japanese, retrospective, multi-institutional, population-based study
Authors: Baba Tsukasa , Koshiyama Masafumi , Kagabu Masahiro , Mikami Yoshiki , Minamiguchi Sachiko , Moritani Suzuko , Ishikawa Mitsuya , Okamoto Aikou , Terao Yasuhisa , Nakanishi Toru , Katabuchi Hidetaka , Tokunaga Hideki , Satoh Toyomi , Konishi Ikuo , Yaegashi Nobuo
Published: June 2023

Background
Ovarian serous borderline tumors (SBT) are typically unilateral and are primarily treated using hysterectomy and bilateral salpingooophorectomy (SO). However, most young patients prefer fertility-sparing surgeries (FSS) with tumorectomy or unilateral SO. Micropapillary morphology and invasive implants have been designated as histopathological risk indicators for recurrence or metastasis, but their clinical impact remains controversial because of limitations like diagnostic inconsistency and incomplete surgical staging.
Methods
A nationwide multi-institutional population-based retrospective surveillance was conducted with a thorough central pathology review to reveal the clinical features of SBT. Of 313 SBT patients enrolled in the Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology's Surveillance of Gynecologic Rare Tumors, 289 patient records were reviewed for clinical outcomes. The glass slides of patients at stage II–IV or with recurrence or death were reevaluated by three gynecological pathologists.
Result
The 10-year overall and progression free survival (PFS) rates were 98.6% and 92.3%. A recurrence of 77.0% was observed in the contralateral ovary within a few years. Patients aged ≤ 35 years underwent FSS more frequently and relapsed more (p<.001). A clinic-pathological analysis revealed diagnosis during pregnancy, FSS, and treatment at non-university institutes as well as advanced stage and large diameter were independent risk factors of recurrence. Among patients having pathologically-confirmed SBTs, PFS was not influenced by the presence of micropapillary pattern or invasive implants.
Conclusion
The recurrence rate was lower in this cohort than previous reports, but the clinical impacts of incomplete resection and misclassification of the tumor were still significant on the treatment of SBT.
Type III interferon inhibits bladder cancer progression by reprogramming macrophage-mediated phagocytosis and orchestrating effective immune responses
Authors: Wang Bo , Zhou Bingkun , Chen Junyu , Sun Xi , Yang Wenjuan , Yang Tenghao , Yu Hao , Chen Peng , Chen Ke , Huang Xiaodong , Fan Xinxiang , He Wang , Huang Jian , Lin Tianxin
Published: June 2023

Background
Interferons (IFNs) are essential for activating an effective immune response and play a central role in immunotherapy-mediated immune cell reactivation for tumor regression. Type III IFN (λ), related to type I IFN (α), plays a crucial role in infections, autoimmunity, and cancer. However, the direct effects of IFN-λ on the tumor immune microenvironment have not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods
We used mouse MB49 bladder tumor models, constructed a retroviral vector expressing mouse IFN-λ3, and transduced tumor cells to evaluate the antitumor action of IFN-λ3 in immune-proficient tumors and T cell-deficient tumors. Furthermore, human bladder cancer samples (Cohort 1, n = 15) were used for IHC and mIF analysis to assess the expression pattern of IFN-λ3 in human bladder cancer and correlate it with immune cells’ infiltration. IHC analysis was performed in neoadjuvant immunotherapy cohort (Cohort 2, n = 20) to assess the correlation between IFN-λ3 expression and the pathologic complete response rate.
Results
In immune-proficient tumors, ectopic Ifnl3 expression in tumor cells significantly increased the infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, Th1 cells, natural killer cells, M1-like macrophages, and dendritic cells. Transcriptomic analyses revealed significant upregulation of many genes associated with effective immune response, including lymphocyte recruitment, activation, and phagocytosis, consistent with increased antitumor immune infiltrates and tumor inhibition. Furthermore, IFN-λ3 activity sensitized immune-proficient tumors to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. In T cell-deficient tumors, increased Ly6G–Ly6C+I-A/I-E+ phagocytic macrophages still enhanced tumor cell phagocytosis in Ifnl3 over-expressing tumors. IFN-λ3 is expressed by tumor and stromal cells in human bladder cancer, and high IFN-λ3 expression was positively associated with effector immune infiltrates and the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
Conclusions
Our study indicated that IFN-λ3 enables macrophage-mediated phagocytosis and antitumor immune responses and suggests a rationale for using Type III IFN as a predictive biomarker and potential immunotherapeutic candidate for bladder cancer.
How National Health Insurance Coverage Policy Changed the Use of Lenvatinib for Adult Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis with Real World Big Data
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Bao Yuwen , Huang Yaxin , Zhang Mengdie , Xin Li
Published: June 2023

Background
To establish a long-term mechanism to control the cost burden of drugs, the Chinese government organized seven rounds of price negotiations for the national reimbursement drug list (NRDL) from 2016 to the end of 2022. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the National Health Insurance Coverage (NHIC) policy on the use of lenvatinib as the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within a specific medical insurance region from the micro perspective of individual patient characteristics.
Methods
The data of HCC patients that received lenvatinib from September 2019 to August 2022 was retrieved from the Medical and Health Big Data Center and longitudinally analyzed. Chi-square statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were used to compare the differences in the categorical variables. Interrupted time-series (ITS) regression analysis was performed to evaluate the changes in the utilization of lenvatinib over 36 months. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the impact of receiving lenvatinib on the total hospitalization expenses of hospitalized patients with advanced HCC.
Results
A total of 12,857 patients with advanced HCC were included in this study. The usage rate of lenvatinib increased from 6.09–15.05% over 36 months (P < 0.001). By controlling the other factors, consistent with this, the probability of patients with advanced HCC receiving lenvatinib increased by 2.8-fold after the implementation of the NHIC policy (OR = 2.800,95% CI:2.465–3.180, P < 0.001. Older, residency in rural areas, lack of fixed income, treatment at hospitals below the tertiary level, and coverage by urban-rural residents’ basic medical insurance (URRBMI) were risk factors for the use of lenvatinib among patients with advanced HCC (P < 0.05). After the implementation of the NHIC policy, the total hospitalization expenses increased (Beta=-0.039, P < 0.001). However, compared to patients who received lenvatinib, the total hospitalization expenses were higher for those who did not receive the drug (33549.83 ± 36738.35 vs. 24893.28 ± 29123.74, Beta = 0.059, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
The NHIC policy has significantly increased the utilization of lenvatinib. In addition, we speculate that establishing multi-level medical insurance systems for economically disadvantaged patients would be beneficial in improving the effectiveness of the NHIC policy in the real world.
Denoising watermarked images using Bidirectional Recurrent Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Agarwal Pragya , Kumar Somesh , Yadav Chandra Shekhar
Published: June 2023

Recurrent Neural Networks are being widely used for examining and learning sequential motion as well as stationary data, like video, audio, speech, images, etc. In this paper, a Bidirectional convolutional Recurrent Neural Network is being used, for the purpose of image denoising for watermarked images. A Bidirectional network has two parallel channels and can store and memorize information from both forward and backward directions. Because of the information taken from an extended time zone, it can learn and predict more accurate results and can model better visual-temporal dependency. Moreover, instead of considering a fully connected recurrent neural network from input to hidden layer, a weight-sharing convolutional neural network is employed, which is less costly and that’s why the model can become more computationally efficient. The input for this denoising technique is a watermarked image, which is overall the greatest challenge. There are many other existing image and video denoising methods, based on Convolutional Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks, and some other traditional methods. But none of them is able to denoise a watermarked image/video effectively, because they consider the inserted watermark as a sequence of noise and try to destroy it. In this paper, the performances of RNN and CNN based techniques are analyzed and compared with the proposed image denoising technique, which is based on BRCNN. It has been observed experimentally that the proposed technique’s accuracy rate is much more (95 percent) than its counterpart techniques RNN and CNN (89 percent and 67 percent respectively). Moreover, the time taken for removing noise is less (9.35 Seconds) as compared to RNN based techniques (15.29 seconds) and CNN-based techniques (12.67 seconds).
Competing Risk Models for Predicting Prognosis of Cervical Cancer Patients based on Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Database
Authors: Ou YuYi , Huang Liying , Chong Siomui , Wu Lixia , Lyu Jun
Published: June 2023

Background: The objective of this investigation was to ascertain precise prognostic determinants for cervical cancer through the utilization of a competing-risks model that relied on data procured from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.
Methods: This study abstracted data related to cervical cancer patients from 2000 to 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The univariate analysis used a cumulative incidence function with the Gray test and a Fine-Gray specific cause (CS) and Cox proportional risk model.
Results: Among the 11424 eligible cervical cancer patients, 2603 patients were found to have died of cervical cancer, while 1153 patients were found to have died from other causes. Meanwhile, a univariate Gray test established age, race, marital status, pathological type, primary site, degree of differentiation, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging, T stage, lymph node involvement, metastasis, tumor size, regional lymph nodes examined, regional lymph nodes positive, surgical status, regional lymphadenectomy, radiation status, and chemotherapy status all significantly influenced the amassed incidence of events of interest (P<0.05). Multifactorial competing risks analysis demonstrated that age, race, marital status, pathology type, Grade, AJCC stage, T stage, lymph node involvement, metastasis, surgery, regional lymphadenectomy, and chemotherapy status were independent risk factors affecting postoperative prognosis in patients with cervical cancer (P<0.05). Multifactorial Cox regression results differed: lymph node involvement was not an independent risk factor.
Conclusions: It was found that prognostic factors for cervical cancer were identified more accurately using competing risk models than traditional methods.
The effect of different posterior inclinations of tibial component on tibio-femoral contact pressures after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Authors: Yuan Bo , MO Zhongjun , ZHANG Kuan , ZHU Xu , YAN Songhua , ZENG Jizhou
Published: June 2023

Background
Different posterior inclinations of tibial component after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) may lead to different biomechanical characteristics of knee joint. This finite element study was designed to investigate the tibio-femoral contact pressures after UKA with different posterior inclinations of tibial component.
Methods
Finite element model of a healthy knee joint was constructed and MB UKA models with 5 different posterior inclinations (3°, 5°, 7°, 9° and 11°) of tibial components were simulated. The maximum contact pressures of tibial plateau cartilage in the lateral compartment and polyethylene insert in the medial compartment were calculated based on the ground reaction force and the angle of the knee flexion obtained by 3D motion capture system.
Results
The loading ratio of medial and lateral compartment during standing stance (medial 54.49%, lateral 45.51%) and tibial anterior displacement (134N, 3.89mm) of healthy knee were basically consistent with the previous experimental data. The maximum contact pressures of the medial and lateral tibial plateau cartilage of the healthy knee during standing stance are 2.14Mpa and 1.57Mpa.At the static standing phase, the maximum contact pressures of the polyethylene insert decreased from 17.90 MPa to 17.29 MPa, and the maximum contact pressures of the tibial plateau cartilage in the lateral compartment increased from 0.81MPa to 0.92 MPa with the increase of the posterior inclination of the tibial component. At the first peak of ground reaction force, the maximum contact pressures of polyethylene insert increased from 22.37 Mpa to 25.16 Mpa, and the maximum contact pressures of tibial plateau cartilage in the lateral compartment increased from 3.03 Mpa to 3.33 Mpa with the increase of the posterior inclination of the tibial component. At the second peak of ground reaction force, the maximum contact pressures of polyethylene insert decreased from 2.34Mpa to 2.22Mpa with the increase of posterior inclination of tibial component with the increase of the posterior inclination of the tibial component.
Conclusions
The preoperative and postoperative finite element models of MB UKA were well established. The results showed that the maximum contact pressures of the polyethylene insert did not change significantly with the increase of the posterior inclination of the tibial prosthesis, while the maximum contact pressures of the tibial plateau cartilage of the lateral compartment increased when the posterior inclination of the tibial prosthesis was > 7°. Our results also show that the maximum contact pressures were greater with an excessive inclination angle (11°) of the tibial component, and the pressures of the tibial plateau cartilage in the lateral compartment were more concentrated on the posterior area.We suggested that excessive osteotomy should be avoided.
Paving the Way for Effective Decision Support: Understanding and Overcoming Obstacles in Integrating Tools with Health Information Systems in Tanzania
Authors: Mwogosi Augustino , Mambile Cesilia
Published: June 2023

This systematic review examines the obstacles hindering the integration of decision support tools (DST) with health information systems (HIS) in developing countries, contributing to developing efficient strategies that foster DST and HIS integration, ultimately raising the standard of healthcare in Tanzania. The study focuses on understanding the contextual factors contributing to these obstacles and identifies potential strategies to overcome them. The review adopts a comprehensive approach by analyzing relevant literature from various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Emerald and Google Scholar. Key findings reveal common challenges such as limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, lack of technical expertise, and contextual barriers specific to each country. The review also highlights successful DST and HIS integration instances in developing countries, emphasizing the importance of understanding contextual issues for effective integration. The results of this review provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals seeking to enhance the integration of DST with HIS in Tanzania.
Methanol poisoning caused by adulteration of alcohol at the production stage in a factory in northwestern Uganda, August 2022
Authors: Zavuga Robert , Kiggundu Thomas , Ninsiima Mackline , Kawungezi Peter Chris , Oonyu Lawrence , Agaba Brian , Migisha Richard , Gonahasa Doreen Nsimiire , Kadobera Daniel , Kwesiga Benon , Okello Paul Edward , Bulage Lilian , Aceng Freda Loy , Bambeiha Mugume Innocent , Kayiwa Joshua , Makumbi Issa , Ario Alex Riolexus , Harris Julie R.
Published: June 2023

Background
Methanol ingestion can cause vision loss, severe illness, and death. Poor regulation of alcohol production can lead to methanol contamination of alcohol and methanol poisoning outbreaks. In August 2022, multiple sudden deaths occurred in Arua City and Madi-Okollo District, Uganda among persons who consumed a gin (Gin X) produced by a local manufacturer (Manufacturer A). We investigated to determine the scope of the problem, identify risk factors, and recommend control and prevention measures.
Methods
We defined a suspected case as acute onset of blurred vision with abdominal pain, weakness, headache, or profuse sweating in a resident of Arua City or Madi-Okollo District from 16–26 August 2022. We conducted a retrospective cohort study and used modified Poisson regression analysis to evaluate the association between quantity of Gin X consumed and risk of death, and conducted key informant interviews to identify possible sources of adulteration. We conducted a site visit to Manufacturer A and collected Gin X samples for toxicology analysis at the Government Analytical Laboratory. Autopsies were carried out on 8 deceased case-patients.
Results
Among 48 cases (47 males and 1 female), 18 (38%) died; median case-patient age was 32 (IQR 26–46) years. Onsets ranged from 17–24 August 2022. The risk of death was 11 times higher (RR = 10.7, 95% CI: 1.5–75, p = 0.02) among case-patients consuming ≥ 3-200ml bottles of Gin X than those consuming ≤ 1 bottle. Out of the eight samples of Gin X tested, five were positive, with a mean methanol concentration of 594 mg/L (range 259–809 mg/L), higher than the maximum ‘safe’ limit of 50mg/L. All eight autopsies showed signs consistent with methanol poisoning. Cases were clustered around the four bars that received Gin X from the unauthorized manufacturer A who had been denied a production license by Uganda National Bureau of Standards in April 2022. The chemist responsible for Gin X production had disappeared after a dispute with the proprietor, four days before the outbreak and immediately after the last production.
Conclusion
Gin adulterated with methanol, likely during production, caused a methanol poisoning outbreak in Uganda. Stricter enforcement of laws around alcohol production might prevent similar outbreaks.
Role of Interleukin 6 and Its Soluble Receptor on the Diffusion Barrier Dysfunction of Alveolar Tissue
Authors: Sui Chao , Lee Woo
Published: June 2023

During respiratory infection, barrier dysfunction in alveolar tissue can result from “cytokine storm” caused by overly reactive immune response. Particularly, interleukin 6 (IL-6) is implicated as a key biomarker of cytokine storm responsible for and further progression to pulmonary edema. In this study, alveolar-like tissue was reconstructed in a microfluidic device with: (1) human microvascular lung endothelial cells (HULEC-5a) cultured under flow-induced shear stress and (2) human epithelial cells (Calu-3) cultured at air-liquid interface. The effects of IL-6 and the soluble form of its receptor (sIL-6R) on the permeability, electrical resistance, and morphology of the endothelial and epithelial layers were evaluated. The diffusion barrier properties of both the endothelial and epithelial layers were significantly degraded only when IL-6 treatment was combined with sIL-6R. As suggested by recent review and clinical studies, our results provide unequivocal evidence that the barrier dysfunction occurs through trans-signaling in which IL-6 and sIL-6R form a complex and then bind to the surface of endothelial and epithelial cells, but not by classical signaling in which IL-6 binds to membrane-expressed IL-6 receptor. This finding suggests that the role of both IL-6 and sIL-6R should be considered as important biomarkers in developing strategies for treating cytokine storm.
Modelled broad-scale shifts on seafloor ecosystem functioning due to microplastic effects on bioturbation
Authors: You Yuxi , Penna Alice Della , Thrush Simon
Published: June 2023

Many studies have found that microplastic (MP) is increasing in marine sediments and threatening benthic species' health. However, the links to changes in ecosystem function have yet to be made. The study investigates this linkage between MP contamination and ecosystem functions using experimental observations to parametrize bioturbation coefficients (Db) in a simplified transport-reaction model. Bioturbating species play an essential role in regulating nutrient cycling in marine sediments, and their interaction with MP can be upscaled to an ecological level. In the MP-contaminated sediment, organic matter accumulates in the oxic sediment zone leading to a cascading effect that stimulates aerobic respiration by 18%. The composition of bioturbators modulates this shift in the ecosystem functioning. Maldanid worms, typically classified as deep burrowing upward-conveyor belt feeders, became less active, and the Db was reduced by 30% with the additive of 0.02 g MP cm− 2 at surface sediment. The tellinid bivalve, usually classified as a medium-depth burrower, surface deposit feeder, and bioirrigator, retained its particle mixing behaviour in MP-contaminated systems. This study provides a mechanistic insight into the impact of MP and indicates that the functional role of bioturbating species should be involved in assessing the global impact of MP.
Organizing Pneumonia in a Patient following Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B with Pegylated Interferon alfa-2b: A Case Report
Authors: Tian Bing , Wang Pan , Shan Chun , Gao Cheng , Zhang Qun
Published: June 2023

Background
Chronic hepatitis B is a major cause of liver disease in China. One of the treatments currently recommended is interferon (IFN). Our case report is of a patient who acquired organizing pneumonia after he was treated for hepatitis B with pegylated IFN alfa-2b. To the best of our knowledge, such a case has never been reported in the literature.
Case presentation
A 49-year-old male with a 15-day history of nonproductive cough, fever and shortness of breath was admitted to our fever outpatient department. Prior to admission, he has been receiving IFN alfa-2b (180mcg/week/SC) for ten months to treat chronic hepatitis B. High-throughput gene detection of pathogenic microorganisms in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was negative. After completing lung CT and lung biopsy, the organizing pneumonia was diagnosed. The patient recovered with the use of corticosteroids.
Conclusion
We aim to raise awareness of the potential pulmonary toxicity associated with the increasing use of interferon in China for treating patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Environmental heterogeneity across habitats within a tropical urban landscape influences butterfly community compositions
Authors: Ombugadu A. , Hassan Z. A. , Ibrahim J. I. , Atabo L. O. , Ayim J. O. , Attah S. A. , Maikenti J. I. , Parlato B.P. , Deme G.G.
Published: June 2023

Increasing urbanisation and rapid climate change are causing organisms to redistribute across environments. However, the specific factors that influence local spatial community or population dynamics are often elusive, and even less is known about the impact of tropical urban landscapes on diverse species assemblages. In this study, we used a survey dataset with 510 fruit-feeding butterflies comprising 20 species to address this knowledge gap. To understand the butterfly community dynamics in the context of the daily environmental changes across two heterogenous habitats within a city in Nigeria, we assess species abundance, richness, and diversity indices along the thirty-six (36) spots where butterflies were sampled spanning two habitats, a savannah woodland and a gallery forest. We constructed generalised linear models to understand the differential responses of the butterfly community to daily changes in environmental conditions across habitats. Fruit-feeding butterflies’ diversity, richness, and abundance significantly differed between the two urban habitats, with butterfly species diversity, richness, and abundance being significantly higher in the savannah woodland when compared to the gallery forest. Furthermore, we found that butterfly community richness increased in the savannah woodland due to the warmer daily temperatures. In contrast, butterfly richness decreased in the gallery forest due to extreme environmental conditions. Thus, our study highlights that butterfly community changes in tropical urban landscapes may be shaped in response to changes in microclimates and spatial heterogeneity across habitats, with savannah woodland habitats, despite being the more open habitat types, may be serving as a refuge to certain butterfly species.
The FDTD-based study of the impact of cylindrical aluminum nanoparticles on organic solar cells
Authors: Sepahvand Nasrin , Bahrami Mohsen , Dezfuli Abdolmohammad Ghalambor
Published: June 2023

The present study deals with the effect of the presence of cylindrical aluminum nanoparticles on the parameters of short circuit current density and absorption in the active layer of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/ZnO/Al organic solar cell by means of the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method. The nanoparticles are located in a hexagonal pattern inside the P3HT:PCBM layer and on its border with ZnO. During the simulation, the AM1.5 standard sun spectral pattern has been used in the spectral range of 300-1200 nm. Calculations have shown that the presence of nanoparticles causes a considerable improvement in the values of the parameters. This increase is especially noticeable in the range of high wavelengths. Given the results, when the nanoparticle height is changed, the optimal thickness is also changed, where the short circuit current density and the absorption have the highest values, in a way that at the heights of 50, 100 and 150 nm for nanoparticles, the P3HT:PCBM layer is optimal in the thicknesses of 150, 200 and 250 nm. These results are independent of the radius of nanoparticles. Comparison of calculation results in different conditions shows that both the short circuit current density and the absorption will have the highest values for 150 nm thickness of P3HT:PCBM layer and for nanoparticles with 50 nm height.
How Genetic and Environmental Factors Influence Cardiometabolic Risk Factors? Findings from the Isfahan Twins Study
Authors: Gharipour Mojgan , Dianatkhah Minoo , Jahanfar Shayesteh , Rodrigues Ana Paula dos Santos , Eftekhari Ava , Mohammadifard Noushin , Sarrafzadegan Nizal , de Oliveira Cesar , Silveira Erika Aparecida
Published: June 2023

Background: Disease-discordant twins are excellent subjects for matched case-control studies since the confounding effects of age, sex, genetic background, intrauterine, and early environment factors are perfectly controlled. We aimed to investigate how genetic and environmental factors influence cardiometabolic risk factors in a sample of twins in Iran. Methods: Past medical history and physical examination were collected for all participants. Fasting venous blood samples were taken to measure fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipids levels. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to present the characteristics of twin pairs. Bivariate correlations between the same age- and gender-corrected parameters were separately analysed in monozygotic and dizygotic pairs. The ACE model i.e., the additive genetic (A) effects, and common (C), and unique (E) environmental influences on the trait was used to assess heritability as a structural equation model. Results: This cross-sectional study included 710 (210 monozygotic and 500 dizygotic) twin pairs (Range age: 2-52 years) (mean age: 11.67 ± 10.71 years) who enrolled in the Isfahan Twin Registry (ITR) in 2017. In early childhood (2-6 years), shared environmental influenced on height (by 76%), weight (by 75%), and body mass index (BMI) (by73%). In late childhood (7-12 years), hip circumference, waist circumference (WC), and LDL-cholesterol are highly heritable, 90%, 76%, and 64%, respectively. In adolescents, the following risk factors were highly or moderately heritable: height (94%), neck circumference (85%), LDL-cholesterol (81%), WC (70%), triglycerides (69%), weight (68%), and BMI (65%). In adult twins, arm circumference (97%), weight (86%), BMI (82%), and neck circumference (81%) were highly heritable.
Conclusion: In our study, we observed that various factors, both genetic and environmental, exert an impact on individuals at different stages of their lives. Particularly, we found that certain traits, such as obesity, are highly heritable during childhood but their heritability tends to decline as one progresses into adulthood.