bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SLFN11 is a BRCA Independent Biomarker for the Response to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer and Clear Cell Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Akashi Hidehiko , Yachida Nozomi , Ueda Haruka , Yamaguchi Manako , Yamawaki Kaoru , Tamura Ryo , Suda Kazuaki , Ishiguro Tatsuya , Adachi Sosuke , Nagase Yoshikazu , Ueda Yutaka , Ueda Masashi , Abiko Kaoru , Kagabu Masahiro , Baba Tsukasa , Nakaoka Hirofumi , Enomoto Takayuki , Murai Junko , Yoshihara Kosuke
Published: September 2023

BRCA1/2 mutations are robust biomarkers for platinum-based chemotherapy in epithelial ovarian cancers. However, BRCA1/2 mutations in clear cell ovarian carcinoma (CCC) are less frequent compared with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). The discovery of biomarkers that can be applied to CCC is an unmet need in chemotherapy. Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) has attracted attention as a novel sensitizer for DNA-damaging agents including platinum. In this study, we investigated the utility of SLFN11 in HGSC and CCC for platinum-based chemotherapy. SLFN11 expression was analyzed retrospectively by IHC across 326 ovarian cancer samples. The clinicopathologic significance of SLFN11 expression was analyzed across 57 advanced HGSC as a discovery set, 96 advanced HGSC as a validation set, and 57 advanced CCC cases, all of whom received platinum-based chemotherapy. BRCA1/2 mutation was analyzed using targeted-gene sequencing. In the HGSC cohort, the SLFN11-positive and BRCA mutation group showed significantly longer whereas the SLFN11-negative and BRCA wild-type group showed significantly shorter progression-free survival and overall survival. Moreover, SLFN11-positive HGSC shrunk significantly better than SLFN11-negative HGSC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Comparable results were obtained with CCC but without consideration of BRCA1/2 mutation due to a small population. Multivariate analysis identified SLFN11 as an independent factor for better survival in HGSC and CCC. The SLFN11-dependent sensitivity to platinum and PARP inhibitors were validated with genetically modified non-HGSC ovarian cancer cell lines. Our study reveals that SLFN11 predicts platinum sensitivity in HGSC and CCC independently of BRCA1/2 mutation status, indicating that SLFN11 assessment can guide treatment selection in HGSC and CCC.
Over dyeing of Lyocell fabric with natural indigo and rhubarb
Authors: Ke Guizhen , Zhang Jian , Li Wenbin , Liu Keshuai
Published: September 2023

In order to enrich the range of natural dye chromatography, this study used rhubarb to dye indigo dyed Lyocell fabric to obtain green Lyocell fabric. Firstly, the Lyocell fabric was dyed with indigo using a typical reduction method. The K/S and b* values of dyed fabrics were used as evaluation indicators to determine indigo concentration of 1.2 g/l before the over dyeing. The effects of rhubarb concentration, pH value, and dyeing temperature on the K/S value and color characteristic value of rhubarb dyed Lyocell fabric are discussed. The results showed that acidic solution, higher rhubarb concentration, and lower dyeing temperature were beneficial to obtain higher K/S and b* values for the rhubarb dyed Lyocell. Finally, these three factors were taken as independent variables in over dyeing, and the red-green value of dyed fabric was taken as response value for response surface analysis. The response surface analysis of three factors and three levels showed that the pH value of the dye solution had a significant impact on the a* value. The a* value of the dyed fabric decreased with the increase in rhubarb concentration and the decrease in the pH value and dyeing temperature. The optimization process suggested by the regression model statistical analysis was as follows: rhubarb concentration was 2.67 g/l, dye bath pH 3.5, and dyeing temperature 57°C. The verification result showed that a* value of the over dyed fabric was –10.75, which was close to the predicted value –10.98. The infrared results showed that the cellulose characteristic groups of the undyed and dyed Lyocell fabrics were almost same. The Lyocell fabric dyed with indigo and rhubarb showed a blue-green color, and 50+ ultraviolet protection factor. The washing color fastness of the over dyed Lyocell fabric was 2–3 and the rubbing fastness was above 3. This over dyeing method may enrich the chromatogram of Lyocell fabric dyed with natural dyes.
The good, the bad and the tenant: Rental platforms renewing racial capitalism in the post-apartheid housing market
Authors: Migozzi Julien
Published: September 2023

This article examines how racial capitalism intersects with platform capitalism through the rise of rental platforms and corporate landlords in the post-apartheid housing market. Combining 18 months of fieldwork in Cape Town with the spatial analysis of sales and longitudinal census data, I demonstrate how rental platforms enabled the consolidation of the private rental sector and the emergence of corporate landlords through the classification of tenants centered upon credit scoring. To automate tenant screening solutions, rental platforms leveraged and extended the information dragnet knitted by credit bureaus. This dragnet of unprecedented depth and volume is built upon the infrastructures and devices that enabled the for-profit, racial classification of people, housing and neighborhoods during colonialism and apartheid, notably ID numbers. In the context of racialized indebtedness and housing inequalities engineered by racial property regimes, the use of platforms to sort the “good” from the “bad” tenant and manage rental portfolios shifts mechanisms of segregation and reproduces racialized patterns of capital accumulation across the post-apartheid city. The article argues that rental platforms extend the extractive logic of racial capitalism through two joint rentier mechanisms: the transformation of rental housing into a new asset class; the extraction and assetization of rental data.
Characterizing cerebrospinal fluid mobility using heavily T2-weighted 3D fast spin echo (FSE) imaging with improved multi-directional diffusion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (iMDDSDE) preparation
Authors: Ran Lusen , He Yuqin , Zhu Jiayu , Long Fan , Dong Yijing , Song Xiaopeng , Wang Wei , Wang Minghuan
Published: September 2023

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow patterns and their relationship with arterial pulsation can depict the function of glymphatic system (GS). We propose an improved multi-directional diffusion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (iMDDSDE) prepared heavily T2-weighted 3D FSE (iMDDSDE-HT2) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method to noninvasively assess the mobility (MO) of CSF distributed in the ventricles and perivascular spaces (PVS). This method could obtain 3D high resolution (1 mm isotropic) imaging of CSF MO with full brain coverage within five min and distinguish the CSF MO across different pulse phases using a peripheral pulse unit (PPU). The MO curves had the largest amplitude value in the PVS of middle cerebral artery (11.11 × 10−9 m2/s) and the largest amplitude growth rate in the posterior cerebral artery (189%). The average coefficient of variations (CVs) in non-pulse trigger and pulse phase 1 and 3 were 0.11, 0.10 and 0.09 respectively. The MO in older healthy participants was lower compared to the young participants, and the MO in cerebral major artery stenosis patients with acute ischemia stroke (AIS) were lower compared to those without AIS in several ventriclar ROIs (P < 0.05). This sequence is a clinically feasible method to effectively evaluate CSF flow patterns in human brain.
Risk factors for mortality in severe COVID-19: Exploring the interplay of immunomodulatory therapy and coinfection
Authors: Howard-Jones Annaleise R , Huang Stephen , Orde Sam R , Branley James M
Published: September 2023

Patients with severe clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present particular diagnostic and management challenges to critical care physicians, including identifying and responding to concurrent bacterial and fungal coinfections. This study evaluates risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe COVID-19 during circulation of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, including the impact of immunomodulators and bacterial and/or fungal coinfection. This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with severe COVID-19. A Cox proportional hazard ratio analysis identified risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Outcomes were also compared between patients receiving and not receiving immunomodulatory therapy alongside standard care. Ninety patients admitted to the intensive care unit were enrolled. On multivariate analysis, the greatest risk factors for in-hospital mortality were invasive mechanical ventilation (hazard ratio (HR) = 15.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.29–71.0; P < 0.001), elevated body mass index (HR = 1.07 per unit; 95% CI 1.02–1.13; P = 0.007) and older age (HR = 1.53 per decade; 95% CI 1.05–2.24; P = 0.028). Bacterial and/or fungal coinfection occurred at equal frequency in patients receiving and not receiving immunomodulatory therapy. However, in patients receiving immunomodulators, coinfection carried a significantly higher mortality risk (63.0%) compared with those without coinfection (15.4%; P = 0.038). Mortality from severe COVID-19 is significantly higher in older patients and those with elevated body mass index and requiring mechanical ventilation. Immunomodulatory therapy necessitates vigilance towards evolving coinfection in the intensive care setting.
Expert consensus on the surgical evaluation and management of upper extremity spasticity in adults
Authors: Crowe Christopher S. , Pino Paula A. , Rhee Peter C. ,   Upper Extremity Spasticity Working Group, Boyce Dean , Fridén Jan , Horwitz Maxim , Lam Wee Leon , Leclercq Caroline , Luria Shai , McArthur Paul , Sturbois-Nachef Nadine , Obdeijn Miryam , Panciera Paolo , Pickard Simon , Pontén Eva , Rajaratnam Vaikunthan , Sabapathy Raja
Published: September 2023

In the last decade there has been incredible interest and advancement in the surgical care of adult patients with upper motor neuron (UMN) injuries. Spasticity represents a prevalent and debilitating feature of UMN syndrome, which can result from cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular accident and traumatic or anoxic brain injury. While several diagnostic tools and management strategies have been described for upper limb spasticity, evidence-based practice guidelines do not currently exist due to low patient volume and a paucity of surgeons routinely performing surgeries in UMN syndrome patients. As such, expert consensus may help provide guidance for patients, therapists and clinicians alike. In this article an expert panel was assembled, and the Delphi method was utilized to present diagnostic considerations, define operative indications, discuss surgical treatment modalities and encourage a standard set of outcome measures for patients with upper extremity spasticity.
Hereditary neuropathy associated with liability to pressure palsies: a 24-year experience with carpal and cubital tunnel surgery
Authors: François Théo , Davion Jean-Baptiste , Deken-Delannoy Valérie , Chantelot Christophe , Saab Marc
Published: September 2023

The aim of this single-centre retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of carpal tunnel release surgery in patients with hereditary neuropathy with pressure palsies (HNPP). The secondary aims were to identify prognostic factors for the outcome of carpal tunnel release and to assess the outcome of cubital tunnel release. Our primary hypothesis was postoperative improvement. In total, 18 patients (26 carpal tunnel releases) with at least one symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome were included. At a median follow-up of 8.5 years, more than 73% of the patients were satisfied with the results. The visual analogue scale (0 to 10) for discomfort decreased by 2.2 points ( p < 0.001). The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptom severity scale decreased by 1.3 points ( p < 0.001). The decrease in the Functional Status Scale was not significant. No significant prognostic factor for outcome was identified. A total of 12 patients also underwent cubital tunnel release, and three patients underwent just this procedure (23 procedures). Despite the lack of preoperative data, cubital tunnel release provided encouraging results.

 Level of evidence: III
Regulation of sexually dimorphic placental adaptation in LPS exposure-induced intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Jeong Da Som , Lee Ji-Yeon , Kim Myoung Hee , Oh Ji Hoon
Published: September 2023

Background

Sexual dimorphism in placental physiology affects the functionality of placental adaptation during adverse pregnancy. Defects of placental function compromise fetal programming, affecting the offspring’s adult life. However, studies focusing on the relationship between sex-specific placental adaptation and consequent fetal maldevelopment under sub-optimal uterus milieu are still elusive.

Methods

Here, we investigated the effects of maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure between placental sex. Pregnant ICR mice received intraperitoneal injection of phosphate-buffered saline or 100, 200, and 400 µg/kg LPS on the gestational day (GD) 15.5. To determine whether prenatal maternal LPS exposure resulted in complicated pregnancy outcomes, survival rate of embryos was calculated and the growth of embryos and placentas was examined. To elucidate global transcriptomic changes occurring in the placenta, total RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed in female and male placentas.

Results

LPS administration induced placental inflammation in both sexes at GD 17.5. Prenatal infection resulted in growth retardation in both sexes of embryos, and especially more prevalently in male. Impaired placental development was observed in a sex-specific manner. LPS 400 µg/kg reduced the percentage area of the labyrinth in females and junctional zone in males, respectively. RNA-sequencing revealed widespread sexually dimorphic transcriptional changes in placenta. In particular, representative changes were involved in biological processes such as trophoblast differentiation, nutrient/ion transporter, pregnancy, and immune system.

Conclusions

Our results present the sexually dimorphic responses of placental physiology in intrauterine growth restriction model and provide tentative relationship further to be elucidated between sex-biased placental functional change and long-term effects on the offspring’s later life.
Quality of life in children suffering from headaches: a systematic literature review
Authors: Ombashi S. , Tsangaris E. , Heeres A. G. , van Roey V. , Neuteboom R. F. , van Veelen-Vincent M. L. C. , Jansson K. , Mathijssen I. M. J. , Klassen A. F. , Versnel S. L.
Published: September 2023

Background

Headaches are the most common complaints among pediatric populations. Determining the cause and appropriate treatment for headaches may be challenging and costly, and the impact of headaches on the lives of patients and their families is not well understood.

Objective

A systematic literature review was conducted to examine what PROMs are currently used, and to identify quality of life (QoL) concepts important to children suffering from headaches and any known determinants of QoL.

Methods

Embase, Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCOhost, PsychINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL and Google Scholar were searched from their inception through to June 2021. Studies investigating QoL, using a validated outcome measure in pediatric patients with headaches, were included. Relevant studies were identified through title and abstract screening and full text review by two independent reviewers. A citation review of included studies was performed. QoL concepts were extracted from the outcome measures that were used in each study to develop a preliminary conceptual model of QoL in children suffering from headaches. Determinants of QoL were also identified and categorized.

Results

A total of 5421 studies were identified in the search. Title and abstract screening resulted in the exclusion of 5006 studies. Among the 415 studies included for full text review, 56 were eligible for final analysis. A citation review resulted in the addition of five studies. Most studies were conducted in high-income countries and included a patient-sample accordingly (n = 45 studies). Sixteen different PROMs were identified in the included studies, of which the PedsQL was used the most often (n = 38 studies).

The most common health concepts reported were physical functioning (n = 113 items), social and psychological wellbeing (N = 117, n = 91 resp.). Twenty-five unique determinants of QoL were extracted from the included studies.

Conclusion

There is a need for a condition-specific PROM to facilitate the measurement of QoL outcomes in the pediatric headache population. A conceptual model was developed based on the findings from the health concepts. Findings from this review could be used for future qualitative interviews with pediatric patients with headaches to elicit and refine important QoL concepts.
Global, regional, and national epidemiology of migraine and tension-type headache in youths and young adults aged 15–39 years from 1990 to 2019: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019
Authors: Li Xin-yu , Yang Cheng-hao , Lv Jia-jie , Liu Hui , Zhang Lu-yu , Yin Min-yi , Guo Zhi-lin , Zhang Ru-hong
Published: September 2023

Background

In recent years, headache disorders have garnered significant attention as a pressing global health issue. This concern is especially pronounced in low- to middle-income countries and exhibits a notable increase in prevalence among adolescents and young adults. Such a surge in these disorders has invariably diminished the quality of life for affected individuals. Despite its global impact, comprehensive studies exploring the ramifications of headache disorders in the younger population remain scant. Our study endeavored to quantify the global prevalence of headache disorders in individuals between the ages of 15 and 39, over a three-decade span from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

Our study, conducted from 1990 to 2019, evaluated the impact of headache disorders, specifically migraines and tension-type headaches (TTH), in 204 different countries and territories. This comprehensive assessment included a detailed analysis of incidence rates, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) across various demographics such as age, gender, year, geographical location, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI).

Results

In 2019, there were an estimated 581,761,847.2 migraine cases globally (95% UI: 488,309,998.1 to 696,291,713.7), marking a 16% increase from 1990. Concurrently, TTH cases numbered at 964,808,567.1 (95% UI: 809,582,531.8 to 1,155,235,337.2), reflecting a 37% rise since 1990. South Asia reported the highest migraine prevalence with 154,490,169.8 cases (95% UI: 130,296,054.6 to 182,464,065.6). High SDI regions exhibited the most substantial migraine prevalence rates both in 1990 (22,429 per 100,000 population) and 2019 (22,606 per 100,000 population). Among the five SDI classifications, the middle SDI region recorded the highest tally of TTH cases in both 1990 (210,136,691.6 cases) and 2019 (287,577,250 cases). Over the past 30 years, East Asia experienced the most pronounced surge in the number of migraine cases. On the whole, there was a discernible positive correlation between the disease burden of migraine and TTH and the SDI.

Conclusion

Migraine and TTH represent formidable challenges in global health. The intensity of their impact exhibits marked disparities across nations and is distinctly elevated among women, individuals within the 30–39 age bracket, and populations characterized by a high SDI. The results of our research emphasize the imperative of assimilating migraine and TTH management into contemporary healthcare paradigms. Such strategic integration holds the potential to amplify public cognizance regarding pertinent risk factors and the spectrum of therapeutic interventions at hand.
Interaction analysis of high-risk pathological features on adjuvant chemotherapy survival benefit in stage II colon cancer patients: a multi-center, retrospective study
Authors: Li Kexuan , Zhao Fuqiang , Guo Yuchen , Wu Qingbin , Luo Shuangling , Zhang Junling , Li Heli , Hu Shidong , Wu Bin , Lin Guole , Qiu Huizhong , Niu Beizhan , Sun Xiyu , Xu Lai , Lu Junyang , Du Xiaohui , Wang Zheng , Wang Xin , Kang Liang , Wang Ziqiang , Wang Quan , Liu Qian , Xiao Yi
Published: September 2023

Background

We aimed to analyze the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk stage II colon cancer patients and the impact of high-risk factors on the prognostic effect of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

This study is a multi-center, retrospective study, A total of 931 patients with stage II colon cancer who underwent curative surgery in 8 tertiary hospitals in China between 2016 and 2017 were enrolled in the study. Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the risk factors of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) and to test the multiplicative interaction of pathological factors and adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). The additive interaction was presented using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). The Subpopulation Treatment Effect Pattern Plot (STEPP) was utilized to assess the interaction of continuous variables on the ACT effect.

Results

A total of 931 stage II colon cancer patients were enrolled in this study, the median age was 63 years old (interquartile range: 54–72 years) and 565 (60.7%) patients were male. Younger patients (median age, 58 years vs 65 years; P < 0.001) and patients with the following high-risk features, such as T4 tumors (30.8% vs 7.8%; P < 0.001), grade 3 lesions (36.0% vs 22.7%; P < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (22.1% vs 6.8%; P < 0.001) and perineural invasion (19.4% vs 13.6%; P = 0.031) were more likely to receive ACT. Patients with perineural invasion showed a worse OS and marginally worse DFS (hazardous ratio [HR] 2.166, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.282–3.660, P = 0.004; HR 1.583, 95% CI 0.985–2.545, P = 0.058, respectively). Computing the interaction on a multiplicative and additive scale revealed that there was a significant interaction between PNI and ACT in terms of DFS (HR for multiplicative interaction 0.196, p = 0.038; RERI, -1.996; 95%CI, -3.600 to -0.392) and OS (HR for multiplicative interaction 0.112, p = 0.042; RERI, -2.842; 95%CI, -4.959 to -0.725).

Conclusions

Perineural invasion had prognostic value, and it could also influence the effect of ACT after curative surgery. However, other high-risk features showed no implication of efficacy for ACT in our study.

Trial registration

This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03794193 (04/01/2019).
LAD1 promotes malignant progression by diminishing ubiquitin-dependent degradation of vimentin in gastric cancer
Authors: Jiang Yingming , Feng Yanchun , Huang Jintuan , Huang Zhenze , Tan Rongchang , Li Tuoyang , Chen Zijian , Tang Xiaocheng , Qiu Jun , Li Chujun , Chen Hao , Yang Zuli
Published: September 2023

Background

Ladinin-1 (LAD1), an anchoring filament protein, has been associated with several cancer types, including cancers of the colon, lungs, and breast. However, it is still unclear how and why LAD1 causes gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

Multiple in vitro and in vivo, functional gains and loss experiments were carried out in the current study to confirm the function of LAD1. Mass spectrometry was used to find the proteins that interact with LAD1. Immunoprecipitation analyses revealed the mechanism of LAD1 involved in promoting aggressiveness.

Results

The results revealed that the LAD1 was overexpressed in GC tissues, and participants with increased LAD1 expression exhibited poorer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Functionally, LAD1 promotes cellular invasion, migration, proliferation, and chemoresistance in vivo and in vitro in the subcutaneous patient-and cell-derived xenograft (PDX and CDX) tumor models. Mechanistically, LAD1 competitively bound to Vimentin, preventing it from interacting with the E3 ubiquitin ligase macrophage erythroblast attacher (MAEA), which led to a reduction in K48-linked ubiquitination of Vimentin and an increase in Vimentin protein levels in GC cells.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the current investigation indicated that LAD1 has been predicted as a possible prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC due to its ability to suppress Vimentin–MAEA interaction.
Epstein–Barr virus-acquired immunodeficiency in myalgic encephalomyelitis—Is it present in long COVID?
Authors: Ruiz-Pablos Manuel , Paiva Bruno , Zabaleta Aintzane
Published: September 2023

Both myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID (LC) are characterized by similar immunological alterations, persistence of chronic viral infection, autoimmunity, chronic inflammatory state, viral reactivation, hypocortisolism, and microclot formation. They also present with similar symptoms such as asthenia, exercise intolerance, sleep disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and neurological and gastrointestinal complaints. In addition, both pathologies present Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, indicating the possibility of this virus being the link between both pathologies. Therefore, we propose that latency and recurrent EBV reactivation could generate an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in three steps: first, an acquired EBV immunodeficiency develops in individuals with “weak” EBV HLA-II haplotypes, which prevents the control of latency I cells. Second, ectopic lymphoid structures with EBV latency form in different tissues (including the CNS), promoting inflammatory responses and further impairment of cell-mediated immunity. Finally, immune exhaustion occurs due to chronic exposure to viral antigens, with consolidation of the disease. In the case of LC, prior to the first step, there is the possibility of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with “weak” HLA-II haplotypes against this virus and/or EBV.
Research of Nano-modified Plain Cement Concrete Mixtures and Cement-Based Concrete
Authors: Yang Shilin , Bieliatynskyi Andrii , Trachevskyi Viacheslav , Shao Meiyu , Ta Mingyang
Published: September 2023

The use of complex modifiers for plain cement concrete mixtures and concrete is becoming increasingly popular in modern materials science. The article presents studies of the influence of a polymer additive structured by carbon nanomaterials on physical and mechanical characteristics of plain cement concrete mixtures. IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetry have shown that the use of carbon nanomaterials significantly altered the structure of plain cement concrete mixtures. As a result of the fact that the high-strength nanomaterial is the center of crystallization of cement rock newly formed structures, a denser reinforced microstructure is formed, which significantly increases the strength properties of plain cement concrete mixtures. The inclusion of a polymer complex additive in plain cement concrete mixtures leads to higher and longer plasticizing, which plays an important role in the production of monolithic products. It was determined that, in the presence of a complex modifier (polymer additive structured by carbon nanotubes), the crystalline structure of calcium hydrosilicates is compacted, which causes high physical and mechanical characteristics of modified plain cement concrete mixtures. It has been experimentally shown that the additive Ethacryl HF (France) from the class of polycarboxylates, chosen for research, acts as an accelerator for setting and curing cement paste, and also increases its strength characteristics. In general, in this study, there is a water-reducing effect from the application of the additive for all plain cement concrete mixtures. Water requirements are reduced by 5 mas. %, while the strength is increased by 19%. The formulation of plain cement concrete mixtures modified by polymer additives, structured by carbon nanotubes, with high performance were developed.
Validation of the French version of the Revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines (DIB-R) for assessing the psychopathology of borderline personality disorder
Authors: Culina Ines , Maillard Pauline , Loosli Janice , Martin-Soelch Chantal , Berney Sylvie , Kolly Stéphane , Kramer Ueli
Published: September 2023

Background

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is frequently subject to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis. As a matter of fact, its evaluation poses several challenges, highlighting the importance of having validated evaluation instruments. The Revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines (DIB-R) is widely used and recognized for its validity when it comes to assessing the psychopathology of BPD, but, as for now, no French version of the interview exists. The aim of the current work is to validate a French version of the DIB-R.

Methods

The sample consists of N = 65 patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and N = 57 treatment seeking patients (non-BPD comparison group). For inter-rater reliability, a subsample of N = 84 interviews will be assessed by two raters, n = 47 for the BPD group and n = 37 for the non-BPD comparison group.

Results

To assess reliability, we conducted analyses of internal consistency and inter-rater reliability. The results were good for the overall interview as well as for the four domains of the DIB-R. To assess validity, we calculated the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, convergent and discriminative validity. The optimal cutoff was found to be 7. Regarding convergent validity, we found strong convergence between the Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23) and the DIB-R total score. Additionally, the two groups statistically differed on all the DIB-R scores, which indicates that the interview discriminates between the two groups.

Conclusions

Our results indicate good psychometric properties of the French version of the DIB-R. This has important implications as the interview is useful both in clinical settings and for research purposes. Additionally, the present paper aims to contribute to the more general effort of demonstrating generalizability and transportability of the scale.
Using knowledge graphs and deep learning algorithms to enhance digital cultural heritage management
Authors: Huang Y. Yuexin , Yu S. Suihuai , Chu J. Jianjie , Fan H. Hao , Du B. Bin
Published: September 2023

Cultural heritage management poses significant challenges for museums due to fragmented data, limited intelligent frameworks, and insufficient applications. In response, a digital cultural heritage management approach based on knowledge graphs and deep learning algorithms is proposed to address the above challenges. A joint entity-relation triple extraction model is proposed to automatically identify entities and relations from fragmented data for knowledge graph construction. Additionally, a knowledge completion model is presented to predict missing information and improve knowledge graph completeness. Comparative simulations have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach for both the knowledge extraction model and the knowledge completion model. The efficacy of the knowledge graph application is corroborated through a case study utilizing ceramic data from the Palace Museum in China. This method may benefit users since it provides automated, interconnected, visually appealing, and easily accessible information about cultural heritage.
Advanced machine learning techniques for cardiovascular disease early detection and diagnosis
Authors: Baghdadi Nadiah A. , Farghaly Abdelaliem Sally Mohammed , Malki Amer , Gad Ibrahim , Ewis Ashraf , Atlam Elsayed
Published: September 2023

The identification and prognosis of the potential for developing Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) in healthy individuals is a vital aspect of disease management. Accessing the comprehensive health data on CVD currently available within hospital databases holds significant potential for the early detection and diagnosis of CVD, thereby positively impacting disease outcomes. Therefore, the incorporation of machine learning methods holds significant promise in the advancement of clinical practice for the management of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). By providing a means to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines and management algorithms, these techniques can eliminate the need for costly and extensive clinical and laboratory investigations, reducing the associated financial burden on patients and the healthcare system. In order to optimize early prediction and intervention for CVDs, this study proposes the development of novel, robust, effective, and efficient machine learning algorithms, specifically designed for the automatic selection of key features and the detection of early-stage heart disease. The proposed Catboost model yields an F1-score of about 92.3% and an average accuracy of 90.94%. Therefore, Compared to many other existing state-of-art approaches, it successfully achieved and maximized classification performance with higher percentages of accuracy and precision.
Prevalence of self-perceived audiovestibular symptoms in Egyptian COVID-19 patients
Authors: Eldeeb Mirhan , Eldeeb Dalia , Elsherif Mayada
Published: September 2023

Background

According to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), UK, common audiovestibular symptoms of COVID-19 include dizziness, tinnitus, and otalgia. The pathogenesis of otologic disorders ranges from direct damage to the inner ear structures to immune-mediated damage. Since the start of the pandemic, the prevalence of audiovestibular symptoms linked to COVID-19 has not been thoroughly investigated in Egypt. Our objective is to study and analyze the prevalence of the audiovestibular symptoms in the Egyptian population with history of COVID-19 infection.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among Egyptian adults on the presence and nature of the audiovestibular manifestations in COVID-19 patients. An online questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was developed using Google Form. It was disseminated to the target population through social platforms from October 2021 till February 2022.

Results

Data from 245 respondents were collected through online assessment of a convenient sample. The following de novo audiovestibular symptoms were experienced by the participants: Vertigo 20.8%, hearing loss 13.9%, tinnitus 12.7% and ear fullness 11.4%. No correlation was found between the investigations done (D-Dimer, CT chest) and the audiovestibular symptoms.

Conclusion

Audiovestibular symptoms are fairly common among COVID-19 patients, with higher prevalence, particularly of vertigo, in our study sample compared to the literature. It is recommended that patients with audiovestibular symptoms undergo early testing so that prompt interventions can be taken.
Smartphone addiction and its relation to social phobia in female university students
Authors: Mohamed Zainab Khaled , ElNahas Gihan Medhat , Hatata Hesham Abdel-Mageed , El-Serafi Doha Mostafa , Mahmoud Dalia Abdel-Moneim
Published: September 2023

Background

The problematic smartphone use has emerged with negative mental health consequences. The current study aims to assess the rate of occurrence of smartphone addiction and the relationship between smartphone addiction and social phobia and its severity in a sample of female university students.

Results

Out of 540 female students, 28.7% have severe smartphone addiction with higher number in students of academic faculties; also, 71.86% of the whole sample have social phobia with 22.78%, 21.85%, 16.3%, and 10.93% reported mild, moderate, severe, and very severe social phobia scores respectively. The number of students reporting very severe social phobia in the academic group is higher than that in the practical group; also, the study shows a significant relation between smartphone addiction and social phobia.

Conclusion and implications

There is a high rate of distribution of social phobia in young adult females, which is accompanied with increased in a high rate of occurrence of smartphone addiction; so, there is a need for raising the public awareness regarding hazards of problematic smartphone use in students and the importance of screening of different psychiatric disorders, as social phobia in such population.
Design and evaluation of antifungal vaginal suppository using coconut oil as base for vulvovaginal candidiasis
Authors: Mustapha Ayomide D. , Oyedepo Folusho M. , Akin-Ajani Olufunke D. , Odeku Oluwatoyin A.
Published: September 2023

Background

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance to antifungals has made vulvovaginal candidiasis a concern. Coconut oil has antimycotic properties that could have a synergistic effect when combined with antifungals. Thus, clotrimazole suppositories were prepared using coconut oil as a base to improve its use and delivery in antimycotic treatment and the suppositories were evaluated for their physicochemical, mechanical, and drug release properties, and the antimycotic effect of clotrimazole and coconut oil was examined singly and in combination, as well as their formulations using the agar-well diffusion method in comparison with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and cocoa butter bases. Using the fusion method, coconut oil was solidified with beeswax (20–50%) to prepare 100 mg clotrimazole suppositories. Surfactants (4% w/w); Tween 20®, Span 20®, sodium lauryl sulphate, and their combinations (3% w/w ratio 1:1 of Tween 20® and Span 20®) were used to improve the rate of drug release from the suppository.

Results

The suppositories had a pH of 4.1–6.0 and crushing strengths of 0.53 ± 0.07–32.56 ± 5.42 N. Suppositories containing surfactants and those prepared from PEG had significantly (p < 0.05) lower disintegration times ranging from 35 to 90 min than those without surfactants ranging from 305 to 388 min. Drug release (t80) was the fastest from the suppositories containing 40% coconut oil, Tween 20, and PEG. Using the Korsmeyer–Peppas’ model, suppositories made from PEG had a non-Fickian diffusion, while those containing 40% coconut oil, and Tween 20 had a super case II transport mechanism. The combination of clotrimazole and coconut oil gave higher zones of inhibition against Candida species compared to either clotrimazole or coconut oil alone. The formulations had higher antimycotic activities against Candida albicans than Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis.

Conclusion

The optimized formulation with the desired physicochemical and drug release properties was obtained with coconut oil (40% w/w) solidified with beeswax (50% w/w) as a base. Coconut oil appeared to possess a synergistic antimycotic effect on clotrimazole. Thus, clotrimazole vaginal suppositories with coconut oil as a base in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis showed potential against C. albicans and other Candida species.

Graphical abstract
Aerococcus urinae infective endocarditis in a healthy young man: a case report
Authors: Sugaya Akira , Muraoka Arata , Doi Masayuki , Kawahito Koji
Published: September 2023

Background

Aerococcus urinae infection is a rare clinical condition that causes urinary tract infections in older individuals. Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by A. urinae in healthy young men is extremely rare; however, the mortality rates of IE caused by A.urinae are high if appropriate surgical treatment is not performed.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old healthy man was admitted to our hospital with complaints of fever, cough, and dyspnea. Blood cultures revealed gram-positive cocci, and echocardiography revealed a 20 × 12-mm vegetation on the aortic valve and perforation of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. He was diagnosed with IE and underwent aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair after removal of the infective focus. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify A. urinae. The patient was discharged in good health after 6 weeks of ampicillin/sulbactam therapy.

Conclusion

Prompt diagnosis and surgical removal of infectious foci with optimal antibacterial therapy are critical to protect patients from rare and potentially fatal IE caused by A. urinae.
Social Discourse in the Savoy Theatre's Productions of The Nautch Girl (1891) and Utopia Limited (1893): Exoticism and Victorian Self-Reflection
Authors:   , Hicks William L.
Published: September 2023

As a consequence to Gilbert and Sullivan's famed Carpet Quarrel, two operettas with decidedly "exotic" themes, The Nautch Girl; or, The Rajah of Chutneypore, and Utopia Limited; or, The Flowers of Progress were presented to London audiences. Neither has been accepted as part of the larger Savoy canon. This thesis considers the conspicuous business atmosphere of their originally performed contexts to understand why this situation arose. Critical social theory makes it possible to read the two documents as overt reflections on British imperialism. Examined more closely, however, the operettas reveal a great deal more about the highly introverted nature of exotic representation and the ambiguous dialogue between race and class hierarchies in late nineteenth-century British society.
An Examination of the Adoption of Preservation Metadata in Cultural Heritage Institutions: An Exploratory Study Using Diffusion of Innovations Theory
Authors:   , Alemneh Daniel Gelaw
Published: September 2023

Digital preservation is a significant challenge for cultural heritage institutions and other repositories of digital information resources. Recognizing the critical role of metadata in any successful digital preservation strategy, the Preservation Metadata Implementation Strategies (PREMIS) has been extremely influential on providing a "core" set of preservation metadata elements that support the digital preservation process. However, there is no evidence, in the form of previous research, as to what factors explain and predict the level of adoption of PREMIS. This research focused on identifying factors that affect the adoption of PREMIS in cultural heritage institutions. This study employed a web-based survey to collect data from 123 participants in 20 country as well as a semi-structured, follow-up telephone interview with a smaller sample of the survey respondents. Roger's diffusion of innovation theory was used as a theoretical framework. The main constructs considered for the study were relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, and institution readiness. The study yielded both qualitative and quantitative data, and analysis showed that all six factors influence the adoption of PREMIS in varying degrees. Results of a regression analysis of adoption level on the six factors showed a statistically significant relationship. The R2 value for the model was .528, which means that 52.8% of the variance in PREMIS adoption was explained by a combination of the six factors. Considering the complexity of issue, this study has important implications for future research on preservation metadata and provides recommendations for researchers and stakeholders engaged in metadata standards development efforts.
Not Asking for Help/Feeling Dumb: Preservice Elementary Teachers Reflect on Math Classes
Authors: Latterell Carmen M. , Wilson Janelle L.
Published: September 2023

Preservice elementary teachers have had a variety of experiences in their math classes which influence their willingness to engage in math as well as their confidence in doing so. This study examined the responses of two sets of preservice elementary teachers, in 2017 and in 2022, to questions about their "best" and "worst" experiences in math classes. Previous research has seldom asked preservice elementary teachers to examine what they do as students to create a better math experience and research is only now beginning on how COVID-19 may have affected student behavior. Inductive analysis revealed that the emotional intelligence of teachers greatly affected preservice elementary teachers' willingness to meaningfully engage in math. For example, a recurring theme in the data was a strong sense of not wanting to appear dumb, which prevented the students from asking questions or seeking help when needed. This study demonstrates that the classroom environment plays a significant role in preservice elementary teachers' success in math, confidence and comfort level with the subject, and, undoubtedly, how they will eventually teach math to their future students.
Undergraduate Students' Attitudes and Mathematical Reasoning During the Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Metacognitive Awareness
Authors: Chan Choon Tak , Leong Kwan Eu , Zulnaidi Hutkemri
Published: September 2023

During the Covid-19 pandemic, this study investigated the role of metacognitive awareness as a mediator in the correlation between attitude and mathematical reasoning among undergraduates who are first year university students. These studies distribute mathematical reasoning assessments, metacognitive awareness questionnaires, and attitude surveys as research data. One hundred eighty-four undergraduate students from one public institution in Malaysia's Klang Valley area participated in the research. The impact of metacognitive awareness on attitude and mathematical reasoning was studied using Version 25 of the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences. The findings indicated that undergraduate mathematics and science education students excelled in non-mathematics and science education students in mathematical reasoning capacity. According to the findings, undergraduate mathematics and science education students had good metacognitive understanding and used more approaches in mathematical reasoning assessment. Further study implies that more research should be conducted to assess different demographics, such as institute training teachers' metacognitive awareness and attitude towards mathematical reasoning.
Switching from Knowledge to Competence-Based Teachings: Biology Teachers’ Attitudes and Instructional Practices
Authors: Bizimana Emmanuel , Mutangana Dieudonné , Mwesigye Adrian
Published: September 2023

The study investigated the attitudes of Biology teachers towards the Biology Competence-Based Curriculum (BCBC) and their instructional practices at the lower secondary school level in Nyamagabe district, Rwanda. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Also, a purposive sampling technique was used to select 26 (16 male and 10 female) teachers of Biology. Data were collected using a questionnaire addressed to Biology teachers in selected schools and analyzed and presented in terms of frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. A one-way ANOVA was employed in the hypothesis testing. The findings indicated that these teachers had positive attitudes towards the implementation of BCBC. As for female ones, they had more positive attitudes towards BCBC implementation than the male ones. Considering those from boarding schools, they had a more positive attitude than the ones from day schools. Additionally, teachers with less teaching experience had more favorable attitudes than those with long experience. Teachers' age did not have any effect on their attitudes. The study also revealed that teachers of Biology rarely applied competence-based approaches in their teaching and assessment processes of students’ learning. It was inferred that the usage of CBC approaches differed significantly among teachers from boarding and day schools. The usage of CBC assessment methods did not differ significantly among teachers. From the findings, it was concluded that CBC seems not to be effectively implemented in the lower secondary schools under the study. Consequently, a recommendation was made to facilitate Biology teachers in schools with in-service training for professional development.