bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rehabilitation program on knee osteoarthritis pain management in Iranian peri-menopausal women
Authors: Dashtian Masoomeh , Tavafian Sedigheh Sadat , Shirazi Kambiz Karimzade , Yazdanpanah Parviz , Maghbouli Reza , Shojaei Sarallah 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background: Based on prevalent knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in Iran, this study evaluated the effectiveness of a model- based educational intervention in reducing knee pain and symptom in peri menopausal women with knee osteoarthritis in Yasouj, Iran.
Methods: This randomized, parallel-controlled was conducted on 100 peri- menopausal women with KOA who randomly divided to two groups of intervention and control (50 women in each group). The model-based knee protective interventional program was applied just for intervention group. The clinic did allocation sequence procedures blindly to the groups and both participants and investigators were blinded. Data by demographic questionnaire, Western Ontario and Mc. Master Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), rheumatoid arthritis self- efficacy (RASE) and a designed checklist were collected at baseline and 6-monthh follow up and analyzed by SPSS24.
Results: A total of 100 informed peri- monaural women with mean age of 46.02 ± 4.85 years took part in this study. Comparing mean difference of both groups at 6- month follow up showed significant improvement for the intervention group versus control group regarding clinical symptom (13.10 ± 11.42 vs 5.5 ± 10.6 ; P<0.001), joint stiffness (8.99 ± 8.85 vs 1.69 ±8.96 ; P< 0.001), muscle strengths (3.00 ± 8.2 vs 1.00±0.01; P<0.001 ), and daily activities (12.50 ± 8.31 vs 5.06± 4.04 ; P< 0.001) and pain severity (16.50 ± 7.37 vs 2.56 ± 4.08; P<0.001 ).
Conclusion: The program strategies could be effective in promoting protective behaviors and relieving knee pain and symptoms in peri - menopausal women with KOA.
Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials IRCT20220105053636N1
Date of registration on 2022-02-05
Survey on adverse events associated with drug therapy for breast cancer patients
Authors: Hara Fumikata , Nagasaki Reiko , Minami Reiko , Izutani Tadahiro , Yoshida Takahiro , Arai Ayako , Nihei Akiko , Sakurai Naomi , Ohno Shinji 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
In the breast cancer treatment, there may be a gap between patients’ information needs and physicians’ perceptions. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive questionnaire survey aimed to assess the specific information needs of patients regarding the adverse events (AEs) associated with treatment.
Methods
A web-based questionnaire survey (UMIN000049280: Registered on October 31, 2022) was conducted in patients with a history of breast cancer treatment. Responses were obtained regarding AEs experienced, AEs for which remedies were identified, AEs patients sought to prevent, and pre-treatment information on AEs patients desired to have.
Results
Data from 435 breast cancer patients were analyzed. The most common AEs reported included hair loss (93.3%), malaise/fatigue (89.4%), nail changes (83.2%), dysgeusia (69.0%), leukopenia/white blood cell decreased (65.1%), neuropathy (62.3%), and nausea/vomiting (61.4%). Financial anxiety was reported in 35.2% of the participants. AEs for which a minority of patients found effective solutions included neuropathy (20.3%), financial anxiety (21.6%), edema (24.3%), joint pain (26.0%), and malaise/fatigue (26.7%). Patients expressed the greatest desire to avoid hair loss (34.7%), followed by nausea/vomiting (23.7%), interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis (5.5%), malaise/fatigue (5.1%), and dysgeusia (5.1%). The most commonly requested pre-treatment information regarding AEs was their duration, followed by prevention methods, management strategies, time to onset, and the impact on daily life.
Conclusions
This survey highlights the existence of significant unmet medical needs among breast cancer patients, due to the inadequate solutions available for managing AEs associated with various therapeutic agents. In addition, the survey revealed that patients have different information needs regarding different types of AEs.
Water-Soluble Anthociyanin–Au(III) Nanocomplex and Its Antibacterial Activity, Antioxidant Properties
Authors: ŞENDAL Kaan , DEMİRHAN Nebahat , ÖZGÜR Mahmure ÜSTÜN , YAPAÖZ Melda ALTIKATOĞLU 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Recently, Au(III) complexes are being drafted with greater interest as potential new metal-based medications. Even though Au(I) compounds are widely recognized and utilized in modern medicine, novel Au(III) complexes and ligands with different donor atoms are being prodeced and examined for their biological (antimicrobial, antitumor) activities. The anthocyanin molecule gives preferential coordination reaction with Au(III) ion. Herein, we reported an efficient synthesis and characterization of anthocyanine containing Au(III) nanocomplex. The structure of synthesized water-soluble anthociyanin–Au(III) nanocomplex (AcAuNPs) was characterized using Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (QTOF) Mass Spectrometry (MS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). SEM images proved that the AcAuNPs were in spherical form with sizes ranging from 10 to 13 nm. The result of DLS analysis showed that the average particle size synthesized at reflux temperature was 140 nm in diameter, and at room temperature was 560 nm, and AcAuNPs had monodisperse systems (polydispersity index, 0.478 and 0.301 at reflux and room temperatures, respectively). The anthocyanin ligand forms the Au(III) coordination compound in a bidentate, square planner geometry with two oxygen donor atoms (ligand/metal:1/1). AcAuNPs synthesised at reflux and room temperatures have strong inhibition against both E. coli and S. aureus (respectively 16, 19 and 14,17 mm) bacterial strains. We suggest that AcAuNPs can be used as the antibacterial agent. AcAuNPs had significant ability or react with free radicals to make them stable and could work as natural antioxidants to eliminate harmful free radicals produced by normal cellular functions.
Projected climate change impacts on hydrological droughts in Japan: Dependency on climate and weather patterns
Authors: Ohba Masamichi , Arai Ryosuke , Sato Takahiro , Imamura Masahiro , Toyoda Yasushi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The global community is growing increasingly concerned about the impact of climate change, particularly the expected increase in droughts and associated depletion of water resources in the coming years. However, specific future projections using high-resolution climate simulations focusing on the frequency and intensity of hydrological droughts in Japan are currently lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of climate change on hydrological droughts in central Japan using hydrological model simulations based on climate projections derived from an ensemble of high-resolution downscaling at a 5-km scale. The results indicated a decrease in streamflow during summer as climate change progressed, corresponding to increased drought events. In addition, there was a considerable increase in the number of consecutive hydrological drought days, reaching an unprecedented level. Moreover, the application of self-organizing maps (SOMs) to atmospheric data allowed for the examination of the relationships between summer river discharge and climate/weather patterns under future and present climate simulations. The SOM analysis indicated that the impact of climate change on river discharge varies by climate/weather patterns. Hydrological drought events tend to be stronger in certain future patterns. In particular, future projections indicate an increase in monthly-scale hydrological droughts in climatic backgrounds characterized by southerly and easterly airflows as precipitation decreases and evapotranspiration increases. The results of this study provide valuable insights for considering adaptation strategies concerning dry-season water use in future climate scenarios.
Influence Of Curing Heat Time on Silty Clay Laterite Soil Stabilized with a Metakaolin-Bischofite-Alkalinization; Strength and Microstructural Characterization
Authors: ADANE AYELE , MURTY V. R. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Many researchers have highlighted the significant influence of various parameters, including initial curing conditions, alkaline activator concentration, ingredient composition, and curing temperature duration, on the characteristics and effectiveness of high calcium geopolymer-stabilized soil. However, there is limited research on the effects of different curing temperatures and durations on the stabilized silty clay laterite soil using environmentally friendly low-calcium geopolymers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how the duration of curing temperature affects the strength and microstructural characteristics of subgrade soil stabilized with metakaolin-bischofite-alkalinization, a novel additive. The experiment involved applying curing temperatures ranging from 25°C, 40°C, 600C, and 80°C with curing periods of 1, 2, and 3 days for each temperature treatment to assess the reaction kinetics. Each sample was further cured for 7-, 14-, and 28- days at controlled room temperature before testing. The results indicated that curing temperatures significantly enhanced strength even at lower temperatures, such as 25°C. The UCS and E50 showed the most significant improvement when specimens were cured at 60°C for 3 days, leading to a noticeable enhancement compared to untreated soil conditions. Moreover, FE-SEM, EDS, and TGA findings confirmed a compact soil matrix with the presence of magnesium-silicate-hydrate (M-S-H) and sodium-aluminate-silicate-hydrate (N-A-S-H) cementitious gel phases.
Association between “A Body Shape Index” (ABSI) with periodontitis in a hypertension population from the NHANES 2009–2014
Authors: Gu Xuanyan , Luo Shiyi , Sun Jiangling , Jin Fuqian , Song Jukun , Chen Zhu 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objective
A body Shape index (ABSI), defined as waist circumference (WC)/ (body mass index (BMI) 2/3 × height 1/2), is unique in that the ABSI is positively associated with visceral obesity and is independent of BMI. The ABSI has also been shown to be positively and linearly correlated with the amount of visceral adiposity in the general population and with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it is uncertain whether ABSI is associated with periodontitis in hypertensive patients.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of 2,482 hypertensive patients (mean age 65.2 ± 9.1 years) was conducted using the ABSI Z score, periodontitis as a dichotomous variable, the ABSI Z score as a continuous variable, and multiple covariates such as age, gender, and race. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple logistic regression, subgroup analysis with EmpowerStats (version 4.2), and curve transformation plots were generated.
Results
In multivariate logistic regression analysis, ABSI Z score showed a significant positive association with periodontitis in the hypertensive population in all three models. When ABSI Z score was divided into low, medium, and high three groups, we observed that those with the highest ABSI Z score had a 20% increased risk of periodontitis among people with hypertension (OR = 1.2; 95%CI, 1.0-1.5, P = 0.046). We used smooth curve fitting to confirm the results and found that these results were still supported, and additional subgroup analyses showed that the positive association between ABSI Z score and periodontitis in hypertensive population was stable and consistent in the general population.
Conclusion
The present cross-sectional investigation showed a positive association between ABSI Z score and periodontitis in a hypertensive population.
Body composition and metabolic profile during chemotherapy in early-stage breast and cervical cancer patients in Douala, Cameroon: A hospital-based study
Authors: Anaba Dominique , Mboussi Wilfried Steve Ndeme , Bell Ester Dina , Mayeh Anne Marthe Maison , Mananga Jean Charles , Ndom Paul 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Changes in body composition during chemotherapy can negatively influence the prognosis of cancer patients. In order to assess changes in body composition in patients undergoing chemotherapy, a case-control study was conducted in the cobalt therapy departments of the Douala General Hospital. The overall objective of this study was to determine the impact of chemotherapy and stage of disease on changes in body composition in women with breast or cervical cancer followed at the oncology unit of Douala General Hospital. Muscle mass, body fat and body water percentages were measured by the bioimpedancemetry method and blood samples were collected for the measurement of albumin and creatinine concentrations. The results were analysed using SPSS version 16 for Windows (SPSS, IBM, Chicago, IL, USA). The mean age of the patients was 44.62 ± 11.23 years for breast cancer (BC) patients, 50.37 ± 10.78 years for cervical cancer (CC) patients and 46.11 ± 10.43 years for controls. Muscle mass, body fat and body water decreased significantly in cases compared to controls (respectively p = 0.0028, p = 0.004, p = 0.004). According to the stage of the disease when the two clinical groups were taken individually muscle mass decrease significantly between stage 1 to stage 2 in patients with BC (p = 0.001), but not in patient with CC (p = 0.84). Body fat and body water percentages decrease not significantly between stage 1 to stage 2 in the both cancer. Metabolically, creatinine concentrations were significantly elevated in both groups of patients compared with controls (p < 0.001), and albumin concentrations were significantly low (p < 0.001). In terms of disease stage, creatinine concentrations increased but not significantly between stage 1 and stage 2 in breast cancer patients (p = 0.08) and decreased non-significantly in cervical cancer patients (p = 0. 95). Albumin concentrations decreased significantly in cervical cancer patients (p = 0.01) between stage 1 and stage 2 but did not decrease significantly in breast cancer patients (p = 0.55). In conclusion, chemotherapy considerably altered the physical and metabolic body composition of breast and cervical cancer patients included in our study.
Unilateral Retinal Telangiectasia with Peripheral Vascular Sheathing: A Case Report
Authors: Low Chien Xue , Mohamed Shelina Oli , Zahari Mimiwati 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Idiopathic retinal telangiectasia refers to ectatic changes in retinal blood vessels without identifiable causes. This includes a range of diseases such as Coats’ disease, Leber’s miliary aneurysms, and macular telangiectasia. Visual acuity can be severely affected when there is severe exudation or if the macula is involved. However, retinal telangiectasia can also be a sequelae to a primary ocular or systemic disorder, also known as ‘’Coats’-like reaction”. As a result, clinical presentations can overlap, making diagnosis a challenge. We present a case of unilateral retinal telangiectasia in a young adult male with atypical features of peripheral vascular sheathing and distal non-perfusion in the absence of clinically visible exudation and discuss its diagnostic challenges.
Methods
Case report.
Results
A 25-year-old male presented with painless blurring of vision in the right eye for two months.
Best-corrected Snellen visual acuity was 3/60 in the affected eye, with relative afferent pupillary defect observed, and 6/9 contralaterally. Anterior segment examination was unremarkable. Right eye fundoscopy showed aneurysmal telangiectasia at the macula, 360 degrees perivascular sheathing and telangiectasia of peripheral retinal vessels. There was no exudation, neovascularization, tractional membranes, vitritis, retinitis and choroiditis. Left eye fundus was unremarkable. Optical coherence tomograph of the macula revealed disorganization and thinning of the inner retinal layers with minimal intraretinal fluid. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed leakage from the aneurysms, extensive peripheral capillary fallout and enlarged foveolar avascular zone. Blood investigations ruled out metabolic, infective, hematological and autoimmune causes. Carotid Doppler showed no stenosis and CT angiography of the brain did not show any vascular abnormalities. In view that no causes was identified, a diagnosis of idiopathic peripheral telangiectasia, possibly stage 1 Coats’ disease, was made. Treatment consisted of FFA-guided laser photocoagulation to the areas of non-perfusion. Intavitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor was not done in view of poor visual prognosis. The condition and visual acuity remained stable during 18 months of follow-up.
Conclusion
This case highlights the overlapping spectrum of retinal telangiectasia and its diagnostic challenges. Although stage 1 Coats’ disease could be a possibility, some features were atypical for this diagnosis. An inflammatory vasculitis with a secondary “Coats-like reaction” is postulated, but the exact etiology is still unknown.
Dual effects of Pepstatin A on Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood-stage and early gametocyte development
Authors: Niramolyanun Gamolthip , Praikongkatham Chonnipa , Jenwithisuk Rachaneeporn , Roobsoong Wanlapa , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Pankao Viriya , Kangwanrangsan Niwat 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Plasmodium falciparum is the most important species of malaria parasites, capable of causing severe illness and mortality, especially in pregnant women and children under the age of 5. In the patient's blood, the asexual stage and gametocyte cause harmful manifestations, impacting the patients and contributing to the spread of the disease in the community, respectively. Unfortunately, most recent drugs targeting the asexual blood-stage do not affect the gametocyte. The discovery of a new drug with dual effects on both stages would be a cost-effective way to combat malaria. Within a human host, the parasite possesses many activities for its survival, such as invasion, egress, hemoglobin degradation, and protein trafficking, many of which are related to aspartyl protease.
Methods
Pepstatin A, the representative of the board-spectrum aspartyl protease inhibitor, was utilized to investigate its inhibitory effects on parasite development. The experiments were separately performed in vitro for four different developmental stages of parasites, including the asexual blood-stage, early developmental stage of gametocytes, late developmental stage of gametocytes, and gamete formation. To demonstrate the effect of pepstatin A, the number of intact parasites and their stage distribution were counted under the microscope and calculated as a percentage of inhibition compared to the control. Moreover, morphological changes in pepstatin A-treated parasites were illustrated to observe alterations in parasite development.
Results
Pepstatin A (100 µM) inhibited the asexual stage and early-stage gametocyte development by 47% and 73%, respectively. Besides, the parasite also exhibited morphological defects, including vacuolization and hemozoin clumping in both asexual blood-stage and early-stage gametocyte. However, it could not influence the late-stage gametocyte development and gamete formation.
Conclusions
Pepstatin A exhibited a dual effect by inhibiting both asexual blood-stage and early-stage gametocyte development, suggesting its potential for reducing the severity of the disease and minimizing transmission. However, for its practical application in treatment, further research and development are required, with a focus on identifying drug targets and modifying the drug to be more sensitive and effective.
Graphical abstract
Multiple machine learning algorithms identified SLC6A8 as a diagnostic biomarker of the late stage of Hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Song Linlin , Zhang Hongli , Yang Wang 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a chronic liver disease characterized by persistent tumor growth, contributing significantly to mortality rates worldwide and presenting a growing global health concern. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop effective diagnostic and treatment strategies for HCC. This study aims to identify crucial genes for early HCC diagnosis to mitigate disease progression and to investigate differences in immune cell infiltration between early-stage and late-stage HCC. We integrated two published datasets for a comprehensive analysis, identifying 575 DEGs subjected to GSEA to reveal pathways distinguishing early-stage from late-stage HCC. Notably, the gene SLC6A8 emerged as a potential diagnostic biomarker for late-stage HCC through LASSO, SVM-RFE and RF-Boruta analyses. ROC curves for SLC6A8 were utilized to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. The ImmuCellAI algorithm assessed immune cell composition differences between early and late-stage HCC, revealing that SLC6A8 expression positively correlates with resting Tfh cells and Th2, while negatively correlating with B cells, indicating its association with immune cell infiltration patterns. To strengthen our results, we further analyzed SLC6A8 expression using single-cell transcriptome data, confirming significant upregulation in late-stage HCC, particularly in key liver cell types such as Hepatocyte cells. Overall, our study identifies SLC6A8 as a potential marker gene that enhances understanding of HCC diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.
The feasibility, safety and short-term clinical efficacy of laparoscopic resection rectopexy with natural orifice specimen extraction surgery for the treatment of complete rectal prolapse
Authors: Chen Shihan , Liang Yanyang , Tang Ruixue , Zhang Jixin , Yuan Shouxin , Xie Shuang , Wang Quanhui , Zhang Chunxu 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Purpose There have been few reports that have focused on the combination of the laparoscopic approach and natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) surgery for complete rectal prolapse (CRP). The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility, safety and short-term clinical efficacy of NOSE surgery with those of conventional laparoscopic resection rectopexy in the treatment of CRP.Methods In a group of 45 patients selected between January 2019 and October 2023, 28 patients underwent conventional laparoscopic resection rectopexy (LRR), and 17 patients underwent transanal NOSE laparoscopic resection rectopexy (NOSE-LRR). Preoperative and postoperative clinical variables of the two groups of patients were compared and analyzed.Results The mean operation time was longer in the NOSE-LRR group than in the LRR group (150.29 min versus 134.18 min, p < 0.001). The NOSE-LRR group had less postoperative pain than did the LRR group (median VAS score of 4 versus 5 on the first day after surgery, p = 0.004; median VAS score of 2 versus 3 on the third day after surgery, p = 0.003). The median length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the NOSE-LRR group (7 days versus 9 days, p < 0.001). A significant reduction in the incontinence score and constipation score was observed in both groups after surgery (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the postoperative constipation score or incontinence score between the two groups.Conclusion LRR combined with the NOSE technique leads to a shorter length of hospital stay and less postoperative pain in patients with CRP than in patients who undergo traditional LRR but with a longer operation time. The novel NOSE method is feasible and safe for use in patients with CRP.