bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Grounded theory in medical education studies: To delay or not the literature review?
Authors: Yazdani Shahram , bayazidi snor , afshari poorandokht 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Introduction: for those who adopt Grounded theory method, the question of how and when to interact with the existing literature often remains problematic. This study was conducted to find the most appropriate time for reviewing texts in educational research based on grounded theory.
Methodology: This was a narrative review. A search was done in the following scientific databases: Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, ERIC, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 88 articles were obtained of which there remained 13 full-text studies, and the findings of the present study were extracted and analyzed based on these 13 studies.
Results: The main figures in grounded theory research is how and when to start the literature review. Glaser suggests reading the literature of different disciplines except the main field of research at the beginning of the research process. Strauss and Corbin support reviewing the literature at the beginning of the study. Charmaz's allows for a primary review of the literature before the study starts. Clarke does not believe in delayed literature review. As far as education is concerned, Robert Thornberg (approach’s called informed grounded theory.), a pioneer in education research, is of the opinion that an updated literature review at the beginning of the research can develop the transferability and reliability of any theory.
Conclusion: Apart from Glaser, other researchers seem to believe in reviewing the literature at the beginning of the research process. By introducing informed grounded theory, educational theorists recommend conducting literature review research-initially.
Analysis of the interaction between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and screen time on psychological symptoms among college students: a cross-sectional survey based on six geographic regions in China
Authors: Deng Guo-feng , Wen Yuan , Cheng Jun , Huang Bo , Liu Ningling 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Declining physical activity and increasing screen time (ST) among adolescents have become major concerns for scholars, while mental health problems are on the rise. Previous studies have confirmed the association between physical activity and screen time and psychological symptoms, but it is unclear how their interaction affects psychological symptoms, especially for Chinese university students who have a high proportion of psychological symptoms, and no research evidence has been found.
Methods
This study investigated physical activity, screen time, and psychological symptoms in 11,173 university students aged 19–22 years in six regions of China. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen time and psychological symptoms. And the generalize linear model (GLM) analysis was used to further analyze the association between MVPA and screen time interaction and psychological symptoms.
Results
The detection rate of psychological symptoms among Chinese university students was 16.3%, with a higher percentage of female students (17.5%) than male students (14.7%). The proportion of male students (8.2%) with MVPA > 60 min/d was higher than that of female students (2.3%), and the proportion of male students (33.8%) and female students (34.5%) with screen time > 2 h/d was basically the same. The generalize linear model (GLM) analysis showed that university students with MVPA < 30 min/d and screen time > 2 h/d (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.10–2.31) had the highest risk of psychological symptoms (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.10–2.31) compared to university students with MVPA > 60 min/d and screen time < 1 h/d as the reference group. The risk of psychological symptoms was the highest among those with MVPA < 30 min/d and screen time > 2 h/d (OR = 1.59,95% CI: 1.10–2.31). In addition, university students with MVPA > 60 min/d and a screen time of 1–2 h/d (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03–0.25) had the lowest risk of psychological symptoms (P < 0.001). The same trend was observed for both male and female students.
Conclusion
Chinese university students have a certain proportion of psychological symptom problems, and there is a significant interaction between MVPA and screen time and psychological symptoms, and the same trend exists for both male and female students. Chinese university students should perform MVPA for not less than 60 minutes a day, and at the same time control the duration of screen time, and screen time should be controlled between 1–2 hours a day, which has a better promotion effect on psychological health.
Differential transcriptional invasion signatures from patient derived organoid models define a functional prognostic tool for head and neck cancer
Authors: Derksen Patrick , Haughton Peter , Prekovic Stefan , Haakma Wisse , Driehuis Else , Clevers Hans , Willems Stefan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Clinical outcome for patients suffering from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains poor. This is mostly due to highly invasive tumors that cause loco-regional relapses after initial therapeutic intervention. The molecular pathways governing the detrimental invasive growth modes in HNSCC remain however understudied. Here, we have established HNSCC patient derived organoid (PDO) models that recapitulate 3-dimensional invasion in vitro. Single cell mRNA sequencing was applied to study the differences between non-invasive and invasive conditions, and in a collective versus single cell invading PDO model. Differential expression analysis under invasive conditions in Collagen gels reveals an overall upregulation of a YAP-centered transcriptional program, irrespective of the invasion mode. However, we find that collectively invading HNSCC PDO cells show elevated levels of YAP transcription targets when compared to single cell invasion. Also, collectively invading cells are characterized by increased nuclear translocation of YAP within the invasive strands, which coincides with Collagen-I matrix alignment at the invasive front. Using gene set enrichment analysis, we identify immune cell-like migratory pathways in the single cell invading HNSCC PDO, while collective invasion is characterized by overt upregulation of adhesion and migratory pathways. Lastly, based on a clinical head and neck cancer cohort, we demonstrate that the identified collective invasion signature provides a candidate prognostic platform for survival in HNSCC. By uncoupling collective and single cell invasive programs, we have established invasion signatures that may guide new therapeutic options.
Accumulation and health effects of endocrine disrupting metals in ground and surface water in Lagos and Ogun, Nigeria
Authors: Oluwole Ojo , Adeniyi Adeleke 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Endocrine disrupting metals (EDMs) pose serious health challenges like goiter, diabetes, poor libido/irregular menstrual cycles and abnormal weight distribution. Studies have revealed that pollution of water sources has elevated levels of EDMs. 324 ground and surface water samples were collected from selected urban locations in Lagos and Ogun States. Sampling was done to cover both rain and dry seasons. The instrument used was hazardous effects of metals in water questionnaire (HEMWQ), pH meter and atomic absorption spectrophotometer were the laboratory equipment used. Health risk assessment was done using the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) model. Spatial pattern and seasonal variation affect the concentration of EDMs in the study locations. The values for ground water during the rain and dry season (µg/L) for cadmium and lead ranged from not detected to 2.17 ± 2.22 and 0.33 ± 0.82 to 23.33 ± 36.70. Thus, surface water values (µg/L) are 0.33 ± 0.82 to 16.67 ± 25.82 (cadmium), and 0.50 ± 1.22 to 20.00 ± 31.62 (lead) respectively. The health risk index (HRI) of cadmium and lead in the sample locations for children and adults are less than the threshold value of 1. Continuous monitoring of endocrine disrupting metal to identify pollution sources is recommended.
Hyperuricemia and Intravenous Fat Emulsion are Risk Factors for Gout Flares During Active Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Control Study
Authors: Jiang Yujie , Hong Xuelian , Xia Bingtian , Du Hongwei 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objective
It is well-established that patients with a history of gout are more susceptible to experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding. Gout flare during active gastrointestinal bleeding poses a significant challenge due to the gastrointestinal side effects of anti-inflammatory therapy. This study sought to investigate the risk factors associated with gout flares during episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective observational study involving 94 patients who experienced active gastrointestinal bleeding and had a history of gout. This study was conducted at Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital from January 2019 to October 2022. We collected and recorded demographic information and clinical characteristics.
Results
Among the gout flare patients, hyperuricemia and intravenous fat emulsion therapy were more prevalent compared to those who remained stable (81.6% vs. 57.8% and 46.9% vs. 24.4%, p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both hyperuricemia (odds ratio 2.741, 95% CI 1.014–7.413, p = 0.047) and intravenous fat emulsion therapy (odds ratio 2.645, 95% CI 1.046–6.686, p = 0.040) were independent predictors of gout flares. Furthermore, gout attacks occurred sooner in patients receiving intravenous fat emulsion therapy compared to those not receiving it (median: 4 days (interquartile range: 2) vs. median: 5 days (interquartile range: 2.25), p = 0.049).
Conclusion
Our study revealed a high incidence of gout flares during episodes of active gastrointestinal bleeding, with patients undergoing intravenous fat emulsion therapy and those with hyperuricemia being at increased risk.
Twin Bounded Support Vector Machine with Capped Pinball Loss
Authors: Wang Huiru , Hong Xiaoqing , Zhang Siyuan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In this paper, we propose a novel classifier termed as twin bounded support vector machine with capped pinball loss (CPin-TBSVM), which has the excellent properties of being insensitive to noise. Given that the proposed model is non-convex, we use the convex-concave procedure algorithm (CCCP) to solve a series of two smaller-sized quadratic programming problems to find the optimal solution. In the process of solving the iterative sub-problem, the dual coordinate descent method (DCDM) is used for speeding up solving optimization problems. Moreover, we analyze its theoretical properties, including that the capped pinball loss satisfies Bayes’ rule and CPin-TBSVM has certain noise insensitivity and sparsity. The properties are verified on an artificial dataset as well. The numerical experiment is conducted on 24 UCI datasets and the results are compared with four other models which include SVM, TSVM, Pin-GTSVM and TPin-TSVM. The results show that the proposed CPin-TBSVM has a better classification effect and noise insensitivity.
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation provides characterization of neurological status in individuals with tetraplegia
Authors: Oh Jeonghoon , Scheffler Michelle S. , Martin Catherine A. , Dinh Jenny , Sheynin Jony , Steele Alexander G. , Sayenko Dimitry G. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is emerging as a valuable tool for electrophysiological and clinical assessment. This study had the objective of examining the recruitment patterns of upper limb (UL) motor pools through the delivery of TSS above and below a spinal lesion. It also aimed to explore the connection between the recruitment pattern of UL motor pools and the neurological and functional status following spinal cord injury (SCI). In eight participants with tetraplegia due to cervical SCI, TSS was delivered to the cervical spinal cord between the spinous processes of C3-C4 and C7-T1 vertebrae, and spinally evoked motor potentials in UL muscles were characterized. We found that responses observed in UL muscles innervated by motor pools below the level of injury demonstrated relatively reduced sensitivity to TSS compared to those above the lesion, were asymmetrical in the majority of muscles, and were dependent on the level, extent, and side of SCI. Overall, our findings indicate that electrophysiological data acquired through TSS can offer insights into the extent of UL functional asymmetry, disruptions in neural pathways, and changes in motor control following SCI. This study suggests that such electrophysiological data can supplement clinical and functional assessment and provide further insight regarding residual motor function in individuals with SCI.
Blocking the MIF-CD74 axis augments radiotherapy efficacy for brain metastasis in NSCLC via synergistically promoting microglia M1 polarization
Authors: liu lichao , Wang Jian , Wang Ying , Chen Lingjuan , Peng Ling , Bin Yawen , Ding Peng , Zhang Ruiguang , Tong Fan , Dong Xiaorong 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Brain metastasis is one of the main causes of recurrence and death in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although radiotherapy is the main local therapy for brain metastasis, it is inevitable that some cancer cells become resistant to radiation. Microglia, as macrophages colonized in the brain, play an important role in the tumor microenvironment. Our previous study demonstrated that radiotherapy activate microglia to polarize into both the M1 and M2 phenotypes. Therefore, searching for crosstalk molecules within the microenvironment that can specifically regulate the polarization of microglia is a potential strategy for improving radiation resistance.
Methods
We screened genes related to NSCLC brain metastasis through transcriptome analysis. We analyzed the effects of targeted blockade of the MIF/CD74 axis on the polarization and function of microglia during radiotherapy using flow cytometry. The mouse model of brain metastasis was used to assess the effect of targeted blockade of MIF/CD74 axis on the growth of brain metastasis.
Result
Our findings reveals that the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was identified to be a highly expressed gene in the patients with brain metastasis and further found to be associated with shorter survival time. Mechanistically, we demonstrated CD74 inhibition reversed radiation-induced AKT phosphorylation in microglia and promoted the M1 polarization in combination of radiation. Additionally, blocking the MIF-CD74 interaction between NSCLC and microglia promoted M1 polarization. Furthermore, radiation improved tumor hypoxia to decrease HIF-1α dependent MIF secretion by NSCLC. MIF inhibition enhanced radiosensitivity for brain metastasis via synergistically promoting microglial M1 polarization in vivo.
Conclusions
Our study revealed that targeting the MIF-CD74 axis promoted microglia M1 polarization and synergized with radiotherapy for brain metastasis in NSCLC. Understanding the impact of MIF/CD74 axis on microglia during radiotherapy provides important insights into the dynamic changes and related relationships of microenvironment during tumor treatment. These insights may provide potential strategies for improving radiation resistance
The lncRNA LINC01605 promotes the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by activating the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Zhu Yu-Heng , Jia Qin-Yuan , Yao Hong-Fei , Duan Zong-Hao , Ma Xue-Shi-Yu , Zheng Jia-Hao , Yin Yi-Fan , Liu Wei , Zhang Jun-Feng , Hua Rong , Ma Ding , Sun Yong-Wei , Yang Jian-Yu , Liu De-Jun , Huo Yan-Miao 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
This study investigated the molecular mechanism of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1605 (LINC01605) in the process of tumor growth and liver metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Methods
LINC01605 was filtered out with specificity through TCGA datasets (related to DFS) and our RNA-sequencing data of PDAC tissue samples from Renji Hospital. The expression level and clinical relevance of LINC01605 were then verified in clinical cohorts and samples by immunohistochemical staining assay and survival analysis. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed to estimate the regulatory effects of LINC01605 in vitro. RNA-seq of LINC01605-knockdown PDAC cells and subsequent inhibitor-based cellular function, western blotting, immunofluorescence and rescue experiments were conducted to explore the mechanisms by which LINC01605 regulates the behaviors of PDAC tumor cells. Subcutaneous xenograft models and intrasplenic liver metastasis models were employed to study its role in PDAC tumor growth and liver metastasis in vivo.
Results
LINC01605 expression is upregulated in both PDAC primary tumor and liver metastasis tissues and correlates with poor clinical prognosis. Loss and gain of function experiments in cells demonstrated that LINC01605 promotes the proliferation and migration of PDAC cells in vitro. In subsequent verification experiments, we found that LINC01605 contributes to PDAC progression through cholesterol metabolism regulation in a LIN28B-interacting manner by activating the mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, the animal models showed that LINC01605 facilitates the proliferation and metastatic invasion of PDAC cells in vivo.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that the upregulated lncRNA LINC01605 promotes PDAC tumor cell proliferation and migration by regulating cholesterol metabolism via activation of the mTOR signaling pathway in a LIN28B-interacting manner. These findings provide new insight into the role of LINC01605 in PDAC tumor growth and liver metastasis as well as its value for clinical approaches as a metabolic therapeutic target in PDAC.
Optimal Design of Armored Vehicle Protective Components under Blast Impact
Authors: Li Mingxing , Fu Tiaoqi , Wang Xianhui , Qin Weiwei , He Jiahao , Yao Tuzao , Sun Xiaowang , Peng Bing , Wu Mengyang 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Traditional protective structure optimization design processes do not often consider uncertainty factors, such as material properties and structural dimensions. This causes the optimization results to be near the constraint boundaries and leads to insufficient reliability and robustness of the design. In this study, an accurate finite element model was obtained for armored vehicle protective component design through a physical explosion test and a simulation of the whole vehicle. Subsequently, uncertainty optimization, reliability optimization, and robustness optimization were introduced into the optimization process, and the uncertainty optimization results were analyzed and compared for different constraint degrees. The results show that the reliability of the results obtained from traditional deterministic optimization was low. Introducing the reliability optimization and robustness optimization design methods into the protective component design significantly improved the reliability of the protective component results.
PFAS exposure exert negative effects on oocyte yield, fertilization and high-quality embryo in women undergoing IVF
Authors: Shen Juan , Mao Yuchan , Zhang Hongyan , Kang Quanmin , Wang Qijing , Le Fang , Lou Hangying , Zhang Ling , Xiang Xiaomiao , Jin Fan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Could some existing sustainable strategies of Spain's “Paradores Nacionales” be successfully transferred to the UAE's historical buildings?
Authors: Phala Benchaphan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The carried research questioned the feasibility of transferring to UAE historical buildings some of the sustainable strategies pursued by the Spanish Hospitality Organisation named Paradores de Turismo de España, (SMESA), on those areas distinguished by been differentiated and sustainable in operations, financially, socially, historically and environmentally. The objective was to find some available global initiatives, evaluate them holistically as elements of a potential model, for thus confirming that in the UAE a similar hospitality concept could be successful, as well as identifying new ideas to lead the way forward. The data collected was secondary, related to global developments in overall sustainability and particularly in those available research documents related to sustainability within tourism & hospitality industry. This research kept present “Paradores”, (as this organisation is usually named), particularities and existing model. The Spanish company leadership, embedded in their mission, vision and values, creative and sustainable initiatives in environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and governance. “Paradores” is recognised for the recovery and maintenance of heritage buildings together with the environmental preservation of their surroundings. The research found that several global initiatives are creating competitive advantages in the hospitality industry. Also, that the hospitality research on sustainability is not sufficient and require for corporate transparency to be effective. Sustainability must reach beyond cost saving initiates and so practice social and environmentally friendly operations. Resources efficiency, responsible industry, new policies, business innovations and life cycle thinking are a must to transform UAE hospitality and make it more sustainable.
Copper-tin nanocomposites-loaded exosomes persuaded skin carcinoma cell apoptosis and arrested cell cycle
Authors: Abd-Rabou Ahmed A. , Kishta Mohamed S. , Yakout Saad M. , Youssef Ahmed M. , Abdallah Ahmed N. , Ahmed Hanaa H. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent ailments in men that may be provoked by sun exposure. The chemotherapeutic potential of copper (Cu)- and tin (Sn)-based substances against a range of cancers has been studied. Based on the differences in how normal and tumour cells responded, they were utilized as targeted anticancer drugs. In the current study, nanotechnology has revolutionized cancer therapy by introducing Cu and Sn nanocomposites to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy in terms of effectiveness and adverse effects due to uneven distribution and cytotoxicity. CuS/SnS nanocomposites (S1, S2, S3) were synthesized and characterized, then encapsulated into exosomes (Exo) isolated from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and characterized once again. S1-Exo, S2-Exo, and S3-Exo were investigated biologically using cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays. The The X-ray diffractions analysis of CuS/SnS nanonanocomposites were indexed to hexagonal CuS structure and orthorhombic α-SnS phase. The TEM images of S1 and S3 nanocomposites showed the presence of nanorods particles with average length of 80 nm and diameter of 16 nm. S1-Exo showed superior cytotoxic effect against A431 skin cancerous cells than the free nano-form S1. It was intriguingly that S1-Exo recorded 1.109 times more than DOX in its anticancer activity. Flow cytometry showed that S1-Exo recorded 40.2% early apoptosis and 22.1% late apoptosis. In conclusion, the CuS/SnS nanocomposites loaded into exosomes could be of great potential as anti-skin cancer candidate through induction of cell death-mediated apoptosis