bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Alterations in the Gut Resistome in Medically Treated Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients
Authors: Lindstrøm Jonas Christoffer , Gjerdrum Hilde Synnøve Vollan , Brynildsrud Ola B , Tannæs Tone Møller , Kristoffersen Anja Bråthen , Ricanek Petr , Leegaard Truls M , Bjørnholt Jørgen Vildershøj , Jørgensen Silje Bakken , Tunsjø Hege S , Olbjørn Christine , Detlie Trond Espen , Jansen Jørgen , Kristensen Vendel A , Høivik Marte Lie , Hov Johannes R , Moen Aina E Fossum
Published: July 2024

Introduction
The members of the human gut microbiota contain a large diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), antiseptic resistance genes and heavy metal resistance genes, collectively known as the gut resistome. The resistome is susceptible to alterations when compositional changes occur in the gut microbiome. Medical treatment may affect members of the gut microbiota. This study hypothesizes that medication used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) leads to an increased prevalence and diversity of ARGs in the gut and a corresponding change in the taxonomic composition of the fecal microbiome.
Methods
Fecal samples from 16 Crohn’s Disease (CD) and 16 Ulcerative Colitis (UC) patients, and 13 symptomatic controls were subjected to metagenomic sequencing. The samples were collected before initiation of IBD medication, and after one year of treatment. Patients were treated with 5- Amino Salicylic Acid, Biological treatment, and Corticosteroids, or a combination of the three. Resistance Gene Identifier Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (RGI CARD) and regression modelling was used to analyze the abundance and diversity changes in the ARGs and the taxonomy.
Results
We found significant associations with medicine use and abundance changes for eight resistance genes (Antibiotic Resistance Ontology (ARO) terms), three AMR gene families and 16 AMR drug classes. The use of 5-ASA was associated with abundance changes in tetracyclin inactivating enzyme tet(X6) and the efflux pump efpA. This medication was also associated with significant changes in the “pyrazinamide resistant rpsA” gene family and with six drug classes (cephamycin, diaminopyrimidine, mupirocin, penem , pyrazinamide and rifamycin). Biological treatment was associated with abundance of six drug classes (Zoliflodacin, lincosamide, macrolide, pactamycin, streptogramin and tetracycline). Corticosteroids was associated with changes in ARO terms sul2, OXA beta-lactamase AMR gene family, and four drug classes (carbapenem, glycylcycline, penam and triclosan). However, the changes in ARGs were not reflected in the taxonomic composition of the microbiome.
Conclusions
All IBD medication groups were found to be associated with significant abundance changes within the fecal gut resistome between inclusion and follow-up, where corticosteroid treatment resulted in less resistance in the microbiota compared to in the persons not treated with corticosteroids.
Comparison of Sexual Identity in Identical Twins: A Systematic Review
Authors: WATSON SABRINA LEE , PARKER RICARDO
Published: July 2024

Objective
The aim and scope of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact nature and nurture have in influencing sexual identity, with a specific focus on the concordance or discordance of sexuality in identical twins.
Design:
Systematic literature review.
Methods
Utilizing the National University Library, Google Scholar, Credo Reference, and National Institutes of Health (NIH), twenty-three articles were collected for review. Inclusion criteria: (a) peer-reviewed texts from 1990 to 2023; (b) quantitative and qualitative studies and educational pieces categorized: Alluded to Genetics, Alluded to Environment, Nature Versus Nurture Interplay, and Human Biology, Sexuality, Behavior and History (c) written in English; descriptive details (e.g., title, data source, sample size, type of siblings, age); and core aspects (e.g., main findings, limitations, conclusion).
Results
Strong allusion, particularly to genetics, is made regarding the origin(s) of sexual identity. However, due to its multifaceted nature, conclusive evidence has not been established. Even identical twins raised in the same environment may develop different sexual identities due to individual differences (e.g,, IQ, reactions, social circles, hobbies, preferences, and beliefs).
Conclusion
Further exploratory research, quantitative analysis, methodological improvements, and integrated collaboration will provide knowledge to facilitate more impactful interventions, destigmatization initiatives, and policy development aimed at fostering equality and well-being for individuals of all identities (e.g., educational programs and training, human rights advocacy, community outreach, funding allocations, and support services).
Effect of heart rate on B-type natriuretic peptide in sinus rhythm
Authors: Fukushima Keisuke , Ogawa Kazuo , Kawai Makoto , Yoshimura Michihiro
Published: July 2024

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels accurately reflect the degree of cardiac overload in heart failure. Considering cardiac morphology and intracardiac pressure, including the left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), is essential for cardiac overload assessment. These indexes influence plasma BNP levels, and an elevated heart rate affects cardiac morphology. However, the direct relationship between elevated heart rate and plasma BNP levels remains unknown. In this study, we simultaneously measured various hemodynamic parameters and BNP levels during cardiac catheterization in 5,429 inpatients with sinus rhythm at our hospital. Furthermore, we examined how heart rate affects cardiac morphology, intracardiac pressure, and plasma BNP levels via regression analysis and structure equation modeling (SEM). Univariate regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between heart rate and log BNP levels. The path model with SEM revealed significant positive relationships of heart rate and LVESVI with left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, in addition to a significant negative relationship of heart rate and LVEDVI with log BNP. Collectively, these findings suggest no positive relationship (rather, a negative relationship) between heart rate and log BNP and that elevated heart rate indirectly increases plasma BNP levels by altering cardiac morphology and intracardiac pressure.
B2M or CIITA knockdown decreased the alloimmune response of dental pulp stem cells: an in vitro study
Authors: Hu Mingxin , Zhang Yuchen , Liu Junqing , Chen Yihan , Kang Jun , Zhong Jialin , Lin Shulan , Liang Ye , Cen Rong , Zhu Xiaofei , Zhang Chengfei
Published: July 2024

Background
Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have acquired noteworthy attention for their application in treating ischemic diseases and facilitating tissue regeneration. However, the host’s immune response following allogenic DPSC transplantation often handicaps the long-term survival of transplanted cells, thereby limiting the application of DPSCs in cell therapy. This study aims to investigate whether genetic modification can alleviate the immunogenicity of DPSCs.
Methods
Beta 2-microglobulin (B2M) and the class II histocompatibility complex transactivator (CIITA) were individually knocked down in DPSCs by lentiviral particles encoding short hairpin (sh) RNAs. The self-renewal capacity and pluripotency of DPSCs-shB2M (B2M silenced DPSCs) and DPSCs-shCIITA (CIITA silenced DPSCs) were evaluated by CCK8 and differentiation assays including osteogenesis, adipogenesis, and neurogenesis. The expression of HLA-I and HLA-II in DPSCs-shB2M and DPSCs-shCIITA after IFN-γ treatment were analyzed by western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. The function of genetically modified cells were assessed by leukocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and T cell proliferation assays.
Results
Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry revealed that DPSCs-shB2M and DPSCs-shCIITA exhibited impaired IFN-γ inducible HLA-I and HLA-II expression. There were no significant differences in the self-renewal capacity and pluripotency among DPSCs-shB2M, DPSCs-shCIITA, and control groups (p > 0.05). Lower leukocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and higher cell survival rates were found in DPSCs-shB2M and DPSCs-shCIITA groups compared to the control (p < 0.05). T cell proliferation was significantly inhibited in both DPSCs-shB2M and DPSCs-shCIITA groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Genetic knockdown of B2M or CIITA in DPSCs substantially reduced their immunogenicity without compromising their stemness, thereby broadening the clinical application of DPSCs in cell therapy and tissue regeneration.
Synergistic Effects of UV-B and UV-C in Suppressing Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Infection in Tomato Plants
Authors: Kean Cheang Wey , Wong Gwo Rong , Rahim Aida Nabila , Kethiravan Dharane , Harikrishna Jennifer Ann , Tan Boon Chin , Ramakrishnan Narayanan , Mazumdar Purabi
Published: July 2024

Ultraviolet radiation has emerged as an eco-friendly biocontrol agent. However, since high doses of UV are biocidal, it is crucial to determine the effects and optimal doses of UV both for fungal pathogens and host plants to maximise the benefits of such treatments. This study investigated the effects of UV-B, UV-C, and their combination treatments on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a major fungal pathogen, and tomato plants infected with S. sclerotiorum. Our results showed that the optimised cumulative UV dosage suppressed in vitro sclerotia germination, inhibited mycelial growth, increased reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation accumulation and suppressed superoxide dismutase activity in plants. In S. sclerotiorum-inoculated tomato plants, combining UV-B (3600 J/m2) and UV-C (930 J/m²) or applying UV-C (930 J/m²) alone was more effective in suppressing the pathogen (81%) compared to the UV-B (3600 J/m²) alone. The combination treatment also significantly improved fruit yield (1.83-11.88-fold), biomass (2.03-3.46-fold), bioactive compound contents [total phenolic content (1.28-6.03-fold), total flavonoid content (1.29-5.39-fold), and ascorbic acid (1.30-7.70-fold)]. Additionally, the expression of defence genes (PR1, PR2, PR5, PDF1.2, VSP2, PR3, and PR4) in combination treatment was significantly higher than in non-treated plants and individual UV-B or UV-C treatments. This is the first report demonstrating the synergistic effect of UV-B and UV-C as an effective tool for suppressing plant disease, enhancing yield, and improving the quality of agricultural produce, suggesting its potential as a combinatorial treatment for suppressing fungal diseases in crop plants.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Uncovered in Fecal Immunochemical Test Positive Patients in a Canadian Provincial Colon Cancer Screening Program
Authors: Bedi Harjot , Telford Jennifer , Penner Robert , Atkinson Kenneth , Karim Zamil , Wiesinger Holly , Fu Nancy , Rioux Kevin , Schaeffer David , MBChB Baljinder Salh
Published: July 2024

Objectives:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory condition that usually affects younger adults but has a second incidence peak in the older population. Most patients are diagnosed at colonoscopy to investigate symptoms but some are asymptomatic and discovered while participating in a colon screening program. We aimed to identify the incidence and outcome of subclinical IBD in Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) positive patients in the British Columbia Colon Screening Program (BCCSP).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who had colonoscopies for a positive FIT and were found to have colitis based on endoscopic and confirmed on histological assessment. Patient demographic, disease severity, and management data was collected.
Results:
Of 93,994 patients who were FIT positive and underwent screening colonoscopy between 2009 and 2017, 608 (0.6%) were found to have colitis. Data was extracted from 11 sites where 208 patients had colitis, and 191 of those met the inclusion criteria. 58 patients (30.4%) were diagnosed with UC, 109 patients (57.1%) with CD, and 24 (12.6%) with IBD unclassified (IBDU). Patients with CD and IBDU had higher terminal ileal intubation rates. 124 patients (64.9%) received treatment, of which 34 (17.8%) patients received biologics and 4 (2.1%) required surgery.
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrated a significant overall incidence of subclinical IBD. The predominance of CD in this population was a novel finding in our study, which is the largest of its kind in North America. Further research is needed to guide management of initially asymptomatic older patients with varying rates of IBD progression diagnosed during screening colonoscopies.
A versatile strategy to develop sequence-defined conjugated macromolecules: a powerful tool towards tunable optoelectronic properties
Authors: Koeckelberghs Guy , Milis Wout , Peeters Janine , Erkens Robin , Gerbaux Pascal , De Winter Julien
Published: July 2024

Conjugated sequence-defined polymers represent a cutting-edge area of polymer science, merging the precision of biological macromolecules with the versatility of synthetic polymers and the unique properties of conjugated systems. While early reports focused on activation/deactivation strategies, this article presents the first orthogonal approach to developing sequence-defined conjugated macromolecules (CMs), incorporating a new monomer at each reaction step. In CMs, the primary monomer sequence meticulously determines the optoelectronic properties. Step-by-step, features such as structural defects, chain length, dispersity, functional groups, topology, and monomers used in the backbone, are carefully considered and controlled, with optical data provided to support the necessity of sequence-defined approaches in CMs. Additionally, a beyond state-of-the-art and repeatable modular approach is introduced, connecting different orthogonally developed sequences. This method enhances efficiency and accelerates the synthesis process, facilitating comprehensive structure-property analyses, paving the way for tunable materials with record-breaking properties.
Effectiveness of Various General large language models in Clinical Consensus and Case Analysis in Dental Implantology: A Comparative Study
Authors: Wu Yuepeng , Zhang Yukang , Xu Mei , jinzhi Chen , Zheng Yuchen
Published: July 2024

Background
This study evaluates and compares ChatGPT-4.0, Gemini 1.5, Claude 3, and Qwen 2.1 in answering dental implant questions. The aim is to help doctors in underserved areas choose the best LLMs(Large Language Model) for their procedures, improving dental care accessibility and clinical decision-making.
Methods
Two dental implant specialists with over twenty years of clinical experience evaluated the models. Questions were categorized into simple true/false, complex short-answer, and real-life case analyses. Performance was measured using precision, recall, and Bayesian inference-based evaluation metrics.
Results
ChatGPT-4 exhibited the most stable and consistent performance on both simple and complex questions. Gemini performed well on simple questions but was less stable on complex tasks. Qwen provided high-quality answers for specific cases but showed variability. Claude-3 had the lowest performance across various metrics. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences between models in diagnostic performance but not in treatment planning.
Conclusions
ChatGPT-4 is the most reliable model for handling medical questions, followed by Gemini. Qwen shows potential but lacks consistency, and Claude-3 performs poorly overall. Combining multiple models is recommended for comprehensive medical decision-making.
Analysis of prognostic-related risk factors in ovarian clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Xie Xingyun , wei Yuting , Chen Wenjuan , Wu Rongrong , Liu Chenying
Published: July 2024

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma and to explore the prognostic-related risk factors.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 102 patients diagnosed with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) in Fujian Cancer Hospital from January 2007 to December 2018. Progression-free survival time (PFS) and overall survival time (OS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier curve, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were summarized for the clinical outcomes.Results The median follow-up time of 102 patients was 89.62 months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 59.2% and 50.0%. Cox regression univariate analysis showed that stages, concurrent endometriosis, chemotherapy, standardized treatment, platinum chemoresistance, CA-125 normalization, the last CA125 ≤ 20U/ml, and venous thrombosis were associated with OS and PFS (P<0.05). The lymph node status was only related to OS (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that stage (HR = 3.475, 95%CI: 1.559–7.744, P = 0.002), standardized treatment (HR = 0.298, 95%CI༚0.137–0.648, P = 0.002) and platinum resistance (HR = 9.325, 95%CI༚4.076–21.334, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Standard treatment (HR = 0.347, 95%CI༚0.161–0.750, P = 0.007) and platinum resistance (HR = 62.709, 95%CI༚18.687-210.431, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors for PFS.Conclusion Stage ,platinum resistance and platinum-based chemotherapy are important prognostic factors in patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma. CA125 levels ,endometriosis, lymph node status and venous thrombosis are also associated with prognosis.
Pharmacovigilance study of the association between progestogen and depression based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)
Authors: Gao Hui , Zhai Xiaohan , Hu Yan , Wu Hang
Published: July 2024

Background: Progestogen commonly used in clinic include levonorgestrel, etonogestrel, medroxyprogesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, desogestrel, megestrol. Progestogenare widely used in the treatment of contraception, endometriosis, threatened abortion and other diseases. However, the correlation between progestogenand depression is not clear. Therefore, this study used the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to assess the relationship between progestogenand depression.
Methods:In this study, all data from the first quarter of 2004 to the secondquarter of 2024were extracted and imported into SAS9.4 software for data cleaning and analysis. Report Odds ratio (ROR), Proportional Report ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) and Multi-item Gamma Poisson Contraction-machine (MGPS) were used for Bayesian analysis and disproportionation analysis.
Results: Levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, etonogestrel and desogestrel showed positive signs of depression, and medroxyprogesterone also showed positive signs of major depression. Although none of the progestogenshowed a positive sign for suicide and self-harm, medroxyprogesterone showed a positive sign for suicidal thoughts.
Conclusion: Analysis of data from FAERS database showed that levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, etonogestrel, desogestrel were correlated with depression. These findings provide real-world evidence of the potential risk of progestogen-related depression.
From Risk to Reward: Japan's Potential for Health and Economic Improvements
Authors: Saito Eiko , Podestà Federico
Published: July 2024

This study examines the relationship between risky consumption behaviors, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and socioeconomic costs in Japan using the Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME). We assess the potential impact of healthier lifestyle choices on NCD incidences and costs in 2019.
Japan's rising healthcare expenditures threaten its economic future. Excessive intake of salt, tobacco, and alcohol, along with insufficient fiber and fruit consumption, significantly contribute to high NCD rates. Our analysis shows that healthier behaviors could have prevented 564,000 NCD cases, potentially saving $35 billion in health costs and economic losses in 2019.
We consider scenarios where smokers switch to heated tobacco products (HTPs), applying conservative risk reduction estimates. Higher risk reduction levels could triple smoking-attributable savings. Projecting these savings over ten years would increase economic benefits tenfold.
The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive public health strategies promoting healthier lifestyles. Targeted interventions, such as stricter regulation of high-risk products and incentives for healthier alternatives, could reduce NCD incidences and healthcare costs. While PRIME provides valuable insights, further research is needed to refine our understanding of risk factor-disease relationships.
Longitudinal pre-diagnostic samples allow early osteoporosis diagnosis
Authors: Villesen Palle , Lassen Johan , Nielsen Kirstine , Hindhede Lotte , Mikkelsen Susan , Kjerulff Bertram , Ostrowski Sisse , Sørensen Erik , Mikkelsen Christina , Pedersen Ole , Bruun Mie Topholm , Aagaard Bitten , Johannsen Mogens , Erikstrup Christian
Published: July 2024

Biomarker discovery for degenerative diseases is challenging due to low statistical power, selection bias, and biological variability. To address these problems, we introduced pre-diagnostic longitudinal sampling using samples from the Danish Blood Donor Study. We obtained up to six longitudinal metabolomics profiles using one-year intervals with the latest profile within one year before osteoporosis diagnosis, including 99 cases and 99 controls. We matched the patients with controls based on sex, age, sampling site, disease history, body mass index, analytical batch, and sample storage time. Our longitudinal model of molecular changes improved the signal from non-significant in single-sample modeling between patient cases and controls to an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.75. This pilot study demonstrates the advantages of longitudinal data in biomarker research, including robustness to day-to-day biological variance, inter-individual variance, and post-diagnostic biases.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Risk Prediction and Diagnosis of Vertebral Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Namireddy Srikar R , Gill Saran S , Peerbhai Amaan , Kamath Abith G , Ramsay Daniele S. C. , Ponniah Hariharan Subbiah , Salih Ahmed , Jankovic Dragan , Kalasauskas Darius , Neuhoff Jonathan , Kramer Andreas , Russo Salvatore , Thavarajasingam Santhosh G.
Published: July 2024

Introduction:
With the increasing prevalence of vertebral fractures, accurate diagnosis and prognostication are essential. This study assesses the effectiveness of AI in diagnosing and predicting vertebral fractures through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Method
A comprehensive search across major databases selected studies utilizing AI for vertebral fracture diagnosis or prognosis. Out of 14,161 studies initially identified, 79 were included, with 40 undergoing meta-analysis. Diagnostic models were stratified by pathology: non-pathological vertebral fractures, osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and vertebral compression fractures. The primary outcome measure was AUROC.
Results
AI showed high accuracy in diagnosing and predicting vertebral fractures: predictive AUROC = 0.82, osteoporotic vertebral fracture diagnosis AUROC = 0.92, non-pathological vertebral fracture diagnosis AUROC = 0.85, and vertebral compression fracture diagnosis AUROC = 0.87, all significant (p < 0.001). Traditional models had the highest median AUROC (0.90) for fracture prediction, while deep learning models excelled in diagnosing all fracture types. High heterogeneity (I² > 99%, p < 0.001) indicated significant variation in model design and performance.
Conclusion
AI technologies show considerable promise in improving the diagnosis and prognostication of vertebral fractures, with high accuracy. However, observed heterogeneity and study biases necessitate further research. Future efforts should focus on standardizing AI models and validating them across diverse datasets to ensure clinical utility.
Accurate determination of creep cavity nucleation rate and growth rate with considering the partial coalescence prior to rupture and its impact on creep lifetime prediction
Authors: Abdelrehim Mohamed , Lu Joan , Xu Qiang
Published: July 2024

In high-temperature applications such as power generation and aerospace, understanding material failure due to creep deformation is crucial, especially for components like jet engine compressor blades and steam turbines. This study investigates the evolution of creep cavitation damage, focusing on cavity nucleation, growth, and coalescence in the material's microstructure. Beyond nucleation and growth, this study investigates cavity coalescence, an inevitable process leading to microcracks and macrocracks. It captures the evolution of exact cavity measurements. This mechanism is associated with an increasing nucleation rate and a decreasing growth rate of individual cavities. Enhancing the accuracy of tensile creep behaviour models, this study extends the cavitation model initially proposed by Riedel and calibrated by Qiang Xu. It addresses cavity coalescence during late-stage rupture using high-fidelity experimental data and a modelling approach. A spherical reconstruction hypothesis for cavity coalescence is proposed and validated with cavitation data from the brass alloy Cu-40Zn-2Pb. The model demonstrates accuracy for lifetime modelling with an increase of accuracy from traditionally 45–83% and a coefficient of determination from 0.767 to 0.997, highlighting its robustness for describing coalescence and aiding in design and maintenance assessments.
Serum high sensitive C-reactive protein level and its correlation with lipid profile among dyspeptic patients in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Baye Gelagey , Wondmneh Bayu , Ashenef Baye , Jemal Mohammed , Baylie Temesgen
Published: July 2024

Introduction:
Dyspepsia is a group of symptoms located in the gastroduodenal area of the upper gastrointestinal tract characterized by epigastric pain, postprandial completeness, or early satiety and occasionally related to heartburn. Helicobacter pylori is the major causative agent of dyspepsia and gastric-related disorders; besides, it alters different metabolic processes in the human body, such as lipid metabolism and inflammatory processes. Even though dyslipidemia and inflammation are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disorders, we are assessing the interaction between serum lipids and highly sensitive C reactive protein levels among dyspeptic patients to predict potential cardiovascular disorders.
Objectives
To assess serum high sensitive C reactive protein levels and its correlation with lipid profile among dyspeptic patients.
Methods
A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2022 to March 2023 in East Gojjam, Ethiopia. One hundred helicobacter pylori-positive and 100 helicobacter pylori-negative dyspeptic patients were included. Data were checked for completeness and entered into SPSS version 26.0 software and analyzed. The association between variables was determined by Pearson correlation analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result
The mean serum high sensitive C reactive protein was 8.09 ± 7.84 mg/L, and serum high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were (35.35 ± 7.5, 105.07 ± 87.63, 142.31 ± 71.31, 160.07 ± 43.06) mg/dL, respectively, for helicobacter pylori positive dyspeptic patients. Among these values, high-density lipoprotein is negatively correlated with high sensitive C reactive and total cholesterol is positively correlated with high sensitive C reactive levels among helicobacter pylori-infected dyspeptic patients with a p-value < 0.05, but in helicobacter pylori negative dyspeptic patients, there is no significant correlation between lipid profile and high sensitive C reactive levels.
Conclusion
Serum high sensitive C reactive levels had a negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein and a positive correlation with total cholesterol among Helicobacter pylori-positive dyspeptic patients. Therefore, the significant interaction between serum lipid levels and inflammation exacerbates the potential risk of cardiovascular disorders among Helicobacter pylori-positive dyspeptic patients.
Exploring enjoyment while playing “Temple Lego”- A virtual reality cultural heritage serious game for architecture students.
Authors: Maji Sneha , Saha Amritansh , Pal Harsh
Published: July 2024

This study presents the design, development, and evaluation of a Virtual reality (VR) based serious game for learning about Dravidian temple architecture using Brihadeshwara temple as an example. The design and development are conducted using the LM-GM framework, which is found suitable for designing games based on cognitive and affective learning outcomes. The immersive experience engages the gamified content and enables learning activities through exploratory play. Players are required to assemble back a broken temple complex in VR environment to learn spatial, factual, and operating knowledge. We conducted various user studies to understand the learning effectiveness and enjoyment playing with Temple Lego-VR game and explore its influence on learning outcomes. We discuss the findings and pedagogical implications that can be applied to developing serious VR games to learn about similar historical structures and contexts.
Study on the Combined Vortex Characteristics of Cavity Vortex in the Sediment Transport Pipe of the Desilting Channel with a Swirling Flow Generator
Authors: Nan Jun hu , Hu Hong ling , Li Wei , Xu Chao , Du Shang wu
Published: July 2024

To clarify the internal flow field characteristics of cavity vortex in the sediment transport pipe (STP) of the desilting channel with a swirling flow generator (DCSFG), this study adopted a method combining model test, numerical simulation, and theoretical analysis to investigate flow field characteristics such as water flow regime, cavity morphology, pressure, flow velocity and vorticity, analyze the distribution of combined vortex indexes and radial pressure difference of cavity vortex, and discuss the motion feature differences between the combined vortex in the cavity vortex and the ideal combined vortex. The results show that large eddy simulation (LES) exhibits higher accuracy than the Realizable k–ε model, the distribution of combined vortex n values along typical cross-sections inside the STP ranges from − 0.901 to 0.913 radially, indicating quasi-forced vortex motion on the inner side of the vortex area and quasi-free vortex motion on the outer side, the theoretical values of radial pressure difference align well with the simulation results, with a maximum relative error of 15%, confirming that the flow characteristics of the vortex are in accordance with the motion features of combined vortex, the distribution of radial pressure, tangential velocity, and vorticity in the cavity vortex conform to the distribution pattern of ideal combined vortex, whereas significant differences exist in terms of fluid force conditions, structural composition, and generation mechanism. The research findings may provide reference for further analyzing the sediment transport mechanism in the cavity vortex and for the practical engineering design and application of the DCSFG.
Mobile Typing with Intelligent Text Entry: A Large-Scale Dataset and Results
Authors: Leino Katri , Laine Markku , Kurimo Mikko , Oulasvirta Antti
Published: July 2024

A large proportion of text is produced using mobile devices. However, very little research looks at the special characteristics of how this happens and, importantly, how it is affected by the design of the language model (LM). The operating systems of modern devices offer a number of LM-based intelligent text entry methods (ITEs) such as Autocorrection (AC) and Suggestion Bar (SB) to aid typing.It is not known how the keyboard and performance of the ITEs influences the typing strategies in the wild.LMs are operating system and language-specific, therefore, in this paper, we release and analyse a large-scale dataset of mobile typing in two languages: English (46755 participants) and Finnish (8661 participants). Typing data was collected with the participants' own iPhone and Android devices resulting a diverse data on the ITE method performance.By analysing the typing speed and the information on which letters and operations happen in each keystroke, we found that iPhone and Android devices encourage the use of two different typing styles. IPhone users used utilise mainly AC and are able to achieve the highest typing speed among the participants when the balance between AC accuracy and threshold to correct user error are adequately balanced. Android users prefer SB to avoid and correct typing errors instead of utilising AC. Especially Finnish participants, who had low ITE accuracy, used SB often to correct typing errors. To develop and evaluate LMs for typing applications, it is essential to study which factors affect the user. The typing dataset that we have prepared and opened for the public, allows for analysing the factors thus aiding the development of the most useful LMs.
Nitrification inhibitors and their relationship with N2O emission in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivation in Colombia
Authors: valencia aura , Valencia Manuel. C. , Menjivar Juan Carlos
Published: July 2024

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming potential 277 times stronger than CO2, is emitted as a by-product of microbial activity during the anaerobic phase of the nitrogen cycle. The objective of this work was to analyze the influence of the use of nitrification inhibitors during nitrogen fertilization and its relationship with N2O emission under specific conditions for sugarcane cultivation typical of the Cauca River valley. A randomized complete block experimental design was used with a 2X3 factorial arrangement with 4 replications, the first factor corresponds to the fractionation of the dose (single or fractionated dose), the second corresponds to the use of inhibitors (without inhibitor; N-[n-butyl] thiophosphoric triamide or mixture of NBPT with dicyandiamide), a total of 7 treatments were evaluated. For monitoring N2O emissions, manual stationary cameras were used for field sampling and the gas chromatography technique was used to determine the N2O concentration of these samples. Differences between treatments were observed, the N2O emissions generated during the application of a fractional dose without inhibitors; single dose + NBPT and single dose without inhibitors were significantly higher compared to the other treatments. This research improves our ability to understand the benefits of using nitrification inhibitors during fertilizer applications on sugarcane crops in this region. N2O emissions in most of the treatments with nitrification inhibitor application were lower. Further research is needed on the mechanisms of action of the inhibitors to increase their efficiency and other possible effects on the agroecosystem.
Psychometric validation of an Arabic-language version of the Pictorial Empathy Test (PET) and the single-item empathy scale (SITES) for adults
Authors: Fekih-Romdhane Feten , Amouchi Ghada , Ali Amira Mohammed , Cheour Majda , Hallit Souheil
Published: July 2024

Background
No instrument could be considered and recommended as the gold standard assessment method for empathy based on desirable validity and reliability indices. Recently, two new measures were developed to address previous gaps in measuring empathy, i.e. the Pictorial Empathy Test (PET) to assess affective empathic reactions and the Single Item Trait Empathy Scale (SITES) to assess general trait empathy. The PET stands out from the existing self-report measures that use text-based items because it proposes a novel approach to conceptualize the empathy construct from an ecological perspective using photographs as emotional stimuli, while the SITES stands out because it consists of a single item. This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the PET and SITES in a sample of Arabic-speaking young adults from the general population of Tunisia.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study carried out from March to May 2024 using a snowball spread method. A total of 502 participants (mean age of 21.74 years, 64.9% females) filled an online anonymous survey. The PET and SITES were translated into Arabic using the forward-backward translation method.
Results
Exploratory Factor Analysis showed that the PET’s unidimensionality was supported with an acceptable goodness-of-fit, and that good congruence of the factor structure of the SITES was supported across sex. Besides, the PET and the SITES exhibited satisfactory reliability coefficients. Positive correlations were observed between PET and SITES scores. The SITES, but not the PET, scores correlated significantly and positively with psychological distress. Both the SITES and the PET showed no significant correlations with self-esteem scores. Comparison of empathy levels between sexes showed no significant differences between males and females, both when using the PET or the SITES.
Conclusion
While the present validation study leaves further work to be completed, it provides to practitioners and researchers two validated measures of empathy in the Arabic language. The two scales are brief, cost-effective, well-accepted, and can be easily understood by participants. We thus recommend their use in future clinical and research practices, in particular in settings where resources and time can be limited.
Effect of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Sulfonylurea Consumption on risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Case-Control Study of tow tertiary referral hospital
Authors: Rezazadeh Mohammad , Agah Shahram , Kamyabi Amirreza , Akbari Abulfazl , Pisheh Ramtin Ghamkhari , Eshraghi Amirhosein , babakhani Alireza , Ahmadi Alireza , Paseban Melika , Heidari Parnian , shirinkam ilia , Mehrdad Amirabas
Published: July 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, with studies projecting a rise in new cases to 2.5 million by 2035. Known risk factors include diet, lifestyle, and family history, while protective factors include physical activity and certain medications. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is also a growing issue, with an estimated 642 million adults affected by 2040. However, the relationship between T2D, its medications, and CRC risk and pathological features remains unclear. This study in the Iranian population aimed to investigate this association. This case-control study involving 684 colorectal cancer cases and 811 controls found a significant positive association between type 2 diabetes and the risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.39). Sulfonylurea use was also associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer among diabetic patients (OR = 2.35). The study also observed insignificant association between diabetes and pathological features of tumors. While limitations exist, these findings suggest the need for enhanced screening in diabetic patients, especially those on sulfonylureas. Further research is necessary to establish causality and understand the impact of individual medications on CRC risk. These results have implications for clinical practice and public health strategies in colorectal cancer prevention for diabetic patients.
Modeling and LQR Control of Insect Sized Flapping Wing Robot
Authors: Dhingra Daksh , Kaheman Kadierdan , Fuller Sawyer B.
Published: July 2024

Flying insects can perform rapid, sophisticated maneuvers like backflips, sharp banked turns, and in-flight collision recovery. To emulate these in aerial robots weighing less than a gram, known as flying insect robots (FIRs), a fast and responsive control system is essential. To date, these have largely been, at their core, elaborations of proportional-integral-derivative (PID)-type feedback control. Without exception, their gains have been painstakingly tuned by hand. Aggressive maneuvers have further required task-specific tuning. Optimal control has the potential to mitigate these issues, but has to date only been demonstrated using approxiate models and receding horizon controllers (RHC) that are too computationally demanding to be carried out onboard the robot. Here we used a more accurate stroke-averaged model of forces and torques to implement the first demonstration of optimal control on an FIR that is computationally efficient enough to be performed by a microprocessor carried onboard. We took force and torque measurements from a 150 mg FIR, the UW Robofly, using a custom-built sensitive force-torque sensor, and validated them using motion capture data in free flight. We demonstrated stable hovering (RMS error of about 4 cm) and trajectory tracking maneuvers at translational velocities up to 25 cm/s using an optimal linear quadratic regulator (LQR). These results were enabled by a more accurate model and lay the foundation for future work that uses our improved model and optimal controller in conjunction with recent advances in low-power receding horizon control to perform accurate aggressive maneuvers without iterative, task-specific tuning.
Prevalence of antiemetic administration after abdominal surgery with or without a regional anesthesia under general anesthesia: A nation-wide population-based study
Authors: Yoshimura Manabu , Tanemoto Takaaki , Shiramoto Hiroko , Koga Mami , Morimoto Yasuhiro
Published: July 2024

The difference in the effect of regional anesthesia (RA; peripheral nerve block or epidural anesthesia) combined with general anesthesia (GA) and that of GA alone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remains unclear. We used a national clinical database to evaluate whether the PONV incidence differed between GA with RA and GA alone during abdominal surgery. In retrospective cohort study, we compared the outcomes of patients who received GA with RA with those of patients who received GA alone during abdominal surgery between 2016 and 2019. The primary outcome was PONV, which was defined as antiemetic use within two days of surgery. Covariates were used to stabilize the inverse probability of treatment weighting. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed. Among the 566,819 patients who met the eligibility criteria, 249,433 received GA–RA and 317,386 received GA alone. The weighted hazard ratios of the univariable and multivariable models for PONV were 1.25 (95% CI, 1.24 to 1.26; P < 0.001) and 1.20 (95% CI, 1.19 to 1.21; P < 0.001), respectively, for GA–RA and GA alone. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness. GA–RA is associated with a slight increase in PONV. Therefore, opioids may be used sparingly when combined with RA.
The community food environment as an effect modifier of the relationship between racism and food insecurity among adults in Southern Brazil
Authors: de Vargas Emanuele Bottega , Dias Mariane da Silva , Schuch Ilaine , Zanini Priscila Barbara Rosa , Fanton Marcos , Canuto Raquel
Published: July 2024

Background
We analyzed the relationship between racism, community food environment, and food insecurity in adults of different socioeconomic status.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of 400 adults aged 20–70 years residing in the central area of ​​Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state. Racism was measured by self-reported race/skin color and by using the Experiences of Discrimination scale (EOD). Food environment was assessed using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S) tool. Food insecurity was assessed using the short version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA for short, in Portuguese). Poisson regression with robust variance was employed for the multivariate analysis.
Results
The prevalence of food insecurity was higher in areas with a poorer food environment (areas 1 and 3; 56.6% and 58.8%, respectively). Racial discrimination was associated with food insecurity, where every 1-point increase in the discrimination score increased the likelihood of food insecurity by 7% (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03–1.20). When stratifying the analyses by food environment, racial discrimination was associated with food insecurity only in areas with a poorer food environment (PR 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01–1.10).
Conclusions
Experiences of racial discrimination were associated with a higher prevalence of food insecurity in the study population. The community food environment was an effect modifier of this relationship, highlighting the relevance of interventions in the food environment focused on areas with a greater presence of Black people as a way of combating racism and food insecurity.
Clinical Significance of FLC Tests in Patients without Other Evidence of Hematologic Disorder
Authors: Shpitzer Dor , Cohen Yael C. , Perry Chava , Melamed Guy , Alapi Hillel , Reiner-Benaim Anat , Avivi Irit
Published: July 2024

The clinical significance of an abnormal Free Light Chain (FLC) test, performed due to unspecific complains in the absence of a known plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD) or lymphoproliferative disease (LPD), is not fully elucidated. We investigated the importance of an abnormal FLC ratio (FLC-R) in this setting. Patients registered in the Maccabi Healthcare Services database, tested for FLC during 2007–2023 without previously documented PCD/LPD or increased total protein (TP) level, were reviewed. Demographics, co-morbidities, and laboratory tests were recorded. FLC-R was defined as normal (0.26–1.65) or slightly (slAb 0.1–0.26/1.65-4), moderately (mAbn 0.1 − 0.05/4–8) and significantly abnormal (sigAb- <0.05 or > 8). Factors associated with PCD/LPD and overall survival were identified. In total, 8,661 patients, 2,215 (25.6%) with abnormal FLC-R [2,090 (24.1%)-slAb, 65 (0.75%)-mAbn and 60 (0.7%)-sigAb], were analyzed. Almost none had anemia nor acute renal failure. 14% had concomitant increased immunoglobulins. Within a median follow-up of 52 months, 943 were diagnosed with PCD (816-MGUS, 127-MM/Amyloidosis/plasmacytoma) and 48 with LPD. Median time to PCD and LPD were 19 and 28 months. Multivariate analysis found slAb (HR = 1.8, CI95%:1.53–2.12, p < 0.001), mAbn (HR = 6.3, CI95%:4.16–9.53, p < 0.001), and sigAb FLC (HR = 10.4, CI95%:7,0-15.35, p < 0.001), to be associated with PCD/LPD diagnosis. Decreased IgG, increased IgA, and concomitant comorbidities predicted PCD, whereas increased IgM predicted LPD. Older age, male gender, anemia, decreased albumin, increased IgG and concomitant comorbidities, predicted shorter survival. Our large study emphasizes the independent clinical significance of abnormal FLC-R as a predictor of PCD/LPD diagnosis even in patients with normal TP level, promoting early detection of PCD/LPD.