bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychoactive Substance Use and Associated Factors Among Mohammed First University Students, Oujda, Morocco: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Essadi Adil , Aissaoui Hanane , Yeznasni Asmae , Lekfif Asmae , Sebbar Sanae , Atassi Mariam , Abda Naima 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: The use of psychoactive substances, including tobacco, alcohol, and others, remains a major public health problem. However, few studies have been conducted on Moroccan university students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of substance use among students at Mohammed First University, Oujda, Morocco.
Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study with students enrolled at one of the Mohammed First University of Oujda's institutes as part of the 2021–202 academic year. We used a self-administered survey to collect data anonymously. We cleaned the data and then entered it into IBM SPSS Statistics 21 for analysis. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics as well as univariate and multivariate analysis. We considered a P value < 0.05 as the level of significance.
Results: In this study, out of 500 students we asked to complete the survey, 478 responded; the response rate was 95.6%. The average age was 21.1± 3.0, and the M/F sex ratio was 0.97. The prevalence of psychoactive substance use among Oujda University students was 28.7%. The most commonly used substances were tobacco (24.1%), alcohol (15.9%), cannabis (13.4%), sedatives (6.9%), stimulants (5.2%), and cocaine (4.4%).
Male sex, age > 20 years, self-financing, school failure (one year repeated or more), the practice of a leisure activity, the presence of a personal medical or psychiatric history, and the presence of a family medical history were all significantly associated with the use of psychoactive substances.
Conclusion: Our study revealed a significant prevalence of psychoactive substance use among university students in Oujda, highlighting the need for interventions at various levels. Further analytical studies are necessary to better understand the initiation and maintenance of psychoactive substance use and to identify all associated factors to enhance prevention strategies against substance use disorders.
Machine Learning Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles ofPyroptosis-Related Differentially Expressed Genes in IschemicStroke Revealed Potential Targets for Drug Repurposing
Authors: Hei Changchun , Li Xiaowen , Wang Ruochen , Liu Ping , Dong Xialan , Li P. Andy , Zheng Weifan , Niu Jianguo , Yang Xiao 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The relationship between ischemic stroke (IS) and pyroptosis centers on the inflammatory response elicited by cerebral tissue damage during an ischemic stroke event. However, an in-depth mechanistic understanding of their connection remains limited. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the gene expression patterns of pyroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (PRDEGs) by employing integrated IS datasets and machine learning techniques. The primary objective was to develop classification models to identify crucial PRDEGs integral to the IS process. Leveraging three distinct machine learning algorithms (LASSO, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine), models were developed to differentiate between the Control and the IS patient samples. Through this approach, a core set of 10 PRDEGs consistently emerged as significant across all three machine learning models. Subsequent analysis of these genes yielded significant insights into their functional relevance and potential therapeutic approaches. In conclusion, this investigation underscores the pivotal role of pyroptosis pathways in IS and identifies pertinent targets for therapeutic development and drug repurposing.
Meta Generative Image and Text Data Augmentation Optimization
Authors: Zhang Enzhi , Dong Bochen , Wahib Mohamed , Zhong Rui , Munetomo Masaharu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

This paper proposes a method called Meta Generative Data Augmentation Optimization (MGDAO) to overcome limited types of operations for the policy-based automatic data augmentation method. While traditional data augmentation methods have relied on expert intuition to determine effective transformations, recent approaches have attempted to generate data augmentation strategies automatically. However, these automatic methods can still suffer from limited operation sets and difficulty training conditional generative models. To address these issues, MGDAO replaces the limited operations space in the AutoAugment series with a deep-style generator and replaces the discriminator in a generative adversarial model with the validation loss of the target model. These replacements released fixed image operations and made MGDAO useful for sequential data. The generator learns to transform the data from the training domain to the validation data domain. It is further used to generate augmented samples to train the target model and reduce the validation loss. Experiments on classification benchmarks of few-shot image and text-based datasets show that MGDAO achieves competitive results compared to data auto-augmentation methods.
Low handgrip strength is associated with worse functional outcomes in long-Covid
Authors: AMARAL Camila Miriam Suemi Sato Barros do Amaral , GOULART Cássia da Luz Goulart , SILVA Bernardo Maia da Silva , VALENTE Jefferson Valente , REZENDE Anna Gabriela Rezende , FERNANDES Eduardo Fernandes , CUBAS-VEGA Nadia Cubas-Vega , BORBA Mayla Gabriela Silva Borba , SAMPAIO Vanderson Sampaio , MONTEIRO Wuelton Monteiro , MELO Gisely Cardoso de Melo , LACERDA Marcus Lacerda , ARÊAS Guilherme Peixoto Tinoco Arêas , Almeida-Val Fernando Almeida-Val 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The diagnosis of long-Covid is troublesome, even when functional limitations are present. Dynapenia is a decrease in muscle strength and power production and may explain in part these limitations. This study aimed to identify the distribution and possible association of dynapenia with functional assessment in patients with long-Covid. A total of 113 inpatients with COVID-19 were evaluated by functional assessment 120 days post-acute severe disease. Body composition, respiratory muscle strength, spirometry, six-minute walk test (6MWT) and hand-grip strength (HGS) were assessed. Dynapenia was defined as HGS < 30kg/f (men), and < 20kg/f (women). Twenty-five (22%) participants were dynapenic, presenting lower muscle mass (p < 0.001), worse forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (p = 0.0001), lower forced vital capacity (p < 0.001), and inspiratory (p = 0.007) and expiratory (p = 0.002) peek pressures, as well as worse 6MWT performance (p < 0.001). Dynapenia was associated with worse FEV1, MEP, and 6MWT, independent of age (p < 0.001). Patients with dynapenia had higher ICU admission rates (p = 0.01) and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (p = 0.007) during hospitalization. The HGS is a simple, reliable, and low-cost measurement that can be performed in outpatient clinics in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, HGS may be used as a proxy indicator of functional impairment in this population.
Bendamustine, prednisone and bortezomib (BPV) induction therapy prior autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in 135 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: comparison between patients with normal and impaired renal function
Authors: Fricke Susann , Wang Song-Yau , Holzhey Tanja , Zehrfeld Thomas , Hammerschmidt Doreen , Neumann Dominik , Becker Cornelia , Hoffmann Franz-Albert , Schwarzer Andreas , Reifenrath Kolja , Fenchel Klaus , Edelmann Thomas , Braunert Leanthe , Holzvogt Madlen , Andrea Marc , Vucinic Vladan , Franke Georg-Nikolaus , Heyn Simone , Weibl Saskia , Jentzsch Madlen , Scholz Markus , Platzbecker Uwe , Merz Maximilian , Pönisch Wolfram 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Introduction:
Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard first line treatment for younger patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Bortezomib and bendamustine have both been identified as rapidly acting and well-tolerated drugs for patients with MM-induced renal failure. In this retrospective study we analyzed the efficacy of induction therapy with a combination bendamustine, prednisone and bortezomib (BPV) prior to ASCT in newly diagnosed MM-patients (NDMM) depending on severity of renal impairment.
Methods
135 patients with NDMM were treated with BPV-induction.
Results
The majority of patients (n = 117; 87%) responded after BPV-induction with 9 sCR, 3 CR, 12 nCR, 39 VGPR, and 54 PR. After first ASCT ORR increased to 99% with 33 sCR, 10 CR, 32 nCR, 41 VGPR and 17 PR. Median PFS was 47 months and OS at 60 months was 67%. Patients were divided into four groups depending on severity of renal impairment: A (n = 13) with eGFR < 15mL/min, B (n = 15) 15–29mL/min, C (n = 19) 30-59mL/min and D (n = 88) ≥ 60mL/min. We observed no significant difference in PFS between patients with normal/mild, moderate, severe renal dysfunction and renal failure/dialysis (50 vs 47 vs 34 vs 24 months, p = 0.05) and in 60 months OS (69 vs 72 vs 58 vs 70%, p = 0.23). The renal response rate improved from 61% after BPV to 74% following ASCT.
Conclusions
These results indicate that BPV-induction followed by ASCT is feasible, effective and well tolerated in patients with MM-induced renal failure. Furthermore, we showed that pretreatment with short-term bendamustine had no negative impact on stem cell mobilization.
Correlation between Hospital Management Factors with Cancer Death Rates: An Example from G7 Countries
Authors: Caglar Yezdan , Ozdal Macide Artac 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Objectives Cancer, which is characterized by the abnormal, uncontrolled growth and spread of cells in the body, is one of the most imminent diseases of our era. Cancer can occur anywhere, regardless of geographic boundaries, and it is a problem and health issue both for developed and developing countries that any person from any country in any age group may be affected. The main aim is to identify the relation between the cancer death rates and hospital management over two decades.Methods Within the scope of this study, the correlation between the cancer death rates in G7 countries (Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Japan and Canada) and nurse, doctor, hospital stay, hospital discharge and hospital bed rates were statistically analysed for the period between 2000 and 2020.Results High levels of health in developed countries and associated managerial improvement of hospitals reduce the cancer death rates. The study findings were interpreted through Eviews statistics software, which is developed by the company called Quantitative Micro Software (QMS). Eviews is a very common program for econometric analysis allowing performance of time series, panel data and horizontal sectional data analysis. For this study, this analytical tool was used due to its time series generation feature for data breakdown. For the analysis of sufficient number of studies and estimation of any unknown regression parameter, the test panel was tested with pedroni cointegration in addition to the ordinary least squares test.Conclusions The test results concluded a long term (20-year) correlation between the variables.
Impact of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis on the recurrence and long-term survival of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatectomy
Authors: Hao Xiangyong , Xu Liangliang , Lan Xiang , Li Bo , Cai Hui 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: Underlying liver disease is correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the impact of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis on the patients’ prognoses remains unclear.
Methods: The clinicopathological data of 638 HBV-infected patients with early-stage HCC between 2017 and 2019 were prospectively collected. Hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated by experienced pathologists using the Scheuer score system. Survival analysis was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier analysis.
Results: Application of the Scheuer scoring system revealed that 50 (7.9%), 274 (42.9%), and 314 (49.2%) patients had minor, intermediate, and severe hepatic inflammation, respectively, and 125 (15.6%), 150 (23.5%), and 363 (56.9%) patients had minor fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis, respectively. Patients with severe hepatitis tended to have a higher rate of HBeAg positivity, higher HBV-DNA load, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and a lower proportion of capsule invasion (all p <0.05). There were no significant differences in the recurrence-free and overall survival among the three groups (p =0.52 and p=0.66, respectively). Patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis had a higher proportion of HBeAg positivity and thrombocytopenia, higher FIB-4, and larger tumor size compared to those with minor fibrosis (all p <0.05). Patients with minor, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis had similar prognoses after hepatectomy (p=0.48 and p=0.70). The multivariate analysis results indicated that neither hepatic inflammation nor fibrosis was an independent predictor associated with prognosis.
Conclusions: For HBV-related HCC patients receiving antiviral therapy, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis had little impact on the post-hepatectomy prognosis.
“If it all goes digital we’ll have to learn”: Facilitators and barriers to uptake of digital health in British South Asians with cardiometabolic disease
Authors: Ramasawmy Mel , Sunkersing David , Persson Dan Roland , Poole Lydia , Patel Kiran , Modha Shivali , Sajid Madiha , Gill Paramjit , Stevenson Fiona , Khan Nushrat , Banerjee Amitava 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: Although availability and utilisation of digital health interventions (DHIs) for management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (“cardiometabolic disease”) have increased, they may exacerbate health inequalities. South Asians have increased cardiometabolic risk, but their experiences of DHIs are poorly investigated and characterised.
Objective: To explore facilitators and barriers to DHI uptake and use in South Asian individuals in the UK with cardiometabolic disease.
Methods: Mixed-methods approach encompassing online/face-to-face/individual interviews (n=45) and survey (n=100). After informed consent, transcription and coding, we conducted a thematic analysis informed by a framework for inequalities in DHIs to examine perceptions at the individual, healthcare professional, societal and intervention level.
Results: Participants described an intersection of factors resulting in varied digital skills and confidence within the community, including individual characteristics, awareness, and support. COVID-19 restrictions acted as both a positive (use of online shopping and social media increasing digital confidence) and negative (lack of access to health services) drivers to DHI uptake. Participants made recommendations for improving DHI uptake in the health service and policy area, such as promotion and upskilling through culturally and language-appropriate avenues such as community organisations and outlets. Participants suggested DHI design improvements should focus on literacy, numeracy, accessibility, and cultural appropriateness.
Conclusions: DHIs have the potential to support South Asian populations in the UK to prevent and manage cardiometabolic disease. In order to improve their uptake, approaches to their implementation should consider community diversity to provide appropriate promotion, education, and support.
Research on safety path planning for ship navigation based on EGA2CO algorithm
Authors: wang peiliang , Zhang Ting , wang Zhiming 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

For solving the problem that only the path length is considered in the traditional ship navigation path planning,the EGA2CO algorithm is proposed with the rasterize map as simulation background.Firstly, to solve the problems of "oblique wall penetration" and inconsistent time steps, a hexagonal raster is used to draw the simulation map; then, the scale and parameters of the GA algorithm are determined by setting the evolution rate based on the elite genetic algorithm (EGA); secondly, the heuristic function and pheromone update strategy adapting the raster map are designed to construct the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm; finally, the EGA2CO algorithm is constructed using the optimal fusion point strategy, and the evaluation functions comprised of path economy and safety are designed.The simulation results show that when EGA2CO is used for path planning, its search speed and convergence speed are significantly improved, and the obtained paths can effectively avoid obstacles, which can effectively improve the safety of the navigation path on the basis of ensuring the economy of the ship's navigation path.
Analytical study of EPB shield spewing discrimination in auxiliary air pressure mode
Authors: Zheng Jingfan , Yu Jun , Li Dongkai , He Zhen , Zhang Zhizhong , Yang Feng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Considering the effect of auxiliary air pressure on the shield seepage field, the spewing problem is analyzed by using an analytical method. Soil conditioning is currently the main method that can be used to prevent and control the occurrence of shield spewing, but there is a lack of research on how low the soil permeability coefficient should be conditioned. To further study the mechanism of the occurrence of spewing, this paper uses the variable separation method and the superposition principle to derive an analytical solution of the two-dimensional seepage field of the shield under the auxiliary air pressure mode, and calculates the critical permeability coefficient of spewing based on a previous study. The accuracy of the analytical solution is verified by comparison with numerical simulations. Parametric analyses show that when the auxiliary air pressure fluctuates at the lower design limit, it slightly helps to avoid spewing, but as the auxiliary air pressure becomes greater than the water pressure at the bottom of the cutter face, the risk of spewing will be greater than that of the closed mode. After the water pressure at the bottom of the cutter face is greater than 28m, the critical permeability coefficient of a typical size shield will be less than 10-4cm/s, and the empirical way of controlling the permeability coefficient to 10-4~10-3cm/s has a risk of spewing. By comparison with the spewing example, the prediction of the critical permeability coefficient of spewing by the analytical solution is proven to be effective.
Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential of Dl-3-n-butylphthalide in Migraine: Activating the Nrf2 Pathway to Alleviate Oxidative Stress and Neuronflammation
Authors: Liu Yingyuan , Gong Zihua , Zhai Deqi , Yang Chunxiao , Lu Guangshuang , Wang Shuqing , Xiao Shaobo , Li Chenhao , Chen Ludan , Lin Xiaoxue , Zhang Shuhua , Yu Shengyuan , Dong Zhao 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: Migraine stands as a prevalent primary headache disorder, with prior research highlighting the significant involvement of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways in its pathogenesis and chronicity. Existing evidence indicates the capacity of Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby conferring neuroprotective benefits in many central nervous system diseases. However, the specific therapeutic implications of NBP in the context of migraine remain to be elucidated. Methods: We established a C57BL/6 mouse model of chronic migraine (CM) using recurrent intraperitoneal injections of nitroglycerin (NTG, 10mg/kg), and prophylactic treatment was simulated by administering NBP (30mg/kg, 60mg/kg, 120mg/kg) by gavage prior to each NTG injection. Mechanical threshold was assessed using von Frey fibres, and photophobia and anxious behaviours were assessed using a light/dark box and elevated plus maze. Expression of c-Fos, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), Nucleus factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and related pathway proteins in the trigeminal nucleus candis (TNC) were detected by Western blotting (WB) or immunofluorescence (IF). The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in TNC and CGRP in plasma were detected by ELISA. A reactive oxygen species (ROS) probe was used to detect the expression of ROS in the TNC. Results: At the end of the modelling period, chronic migraine mice showed significantly reduced mechanical nociceptive thresholds, as well as photophobic and anxious behaviours. Pretreatment with NBP attenuated nociceptive sensitization, photophobia, and anxiety in the model mice, reduced expression levels of c-Fos and CGRP in the TNC and activated Nrf2 and its downstream proteins HO-1 and NQO-1. By measuring the associated cytokines, we also found that NBP reduced levels of oxidative stress and inflammation. Most importantly, the therapeutic effect of NBP was significantly reduced after the administration of ML385 to inhibit Nrf2. Conclusions: Our data suggest that NBP may alleviate migraine by activating the Nrf2 pathway to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in migraine mouse models, confirming that it may be a potential drug for the treatment of migraine. Graphical Abstract
Investigation of modern leakage based on numerical and geochemical modeling near a municipal well field in Memphis, Tennessee.
Authors: Hasan Khairul , Waldron Brian , Larsen Daniel , Schoefernacker Scott 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Local leakage processes and potential migration pathways of modern water (< 60 years) from the shallow aquifer, into the underlying semiconfined Memphis aquifer, were evaluated to assess the vulnerability of groundwater in Memphis Light, Gas and Water’s (MLGW) Sheahan well field. To identify the source(s) and pathways of modern water, integrated hydrostratigraphic analysis, numerical modeling, hydrologic tracers, and geochemical modeling were utilized. The percentage of modern water present in Memphis aquifer production wells is estimated using inverse geochemical modeling, lumped parameter modeling, and solute transport modeling with Modular Transport, 3-Dimensional, Multi-Species model (MT3DMS). The mixing percentages determined from lumped parameter modeling and MT3DMS are generally in agreement except well 87A, estimating up to 14.3% and 15.3%, respectively. The significant mixing fraction difference at 87A might account for the missing hydrogeologic connection in the groundwater model on the eastern part of the well field. Estimates for the apparent age of the modern water derived from MT3DMS fall within the age range obtained from environmental tracer data (3H/3He). However, the age distributions from the MT3DMS model are limited to 60 years or less, resulting in a younger mean age than the tracer-based apparent ages. Thus, the MT3DMS model, calibrated with long-term tracer data could simulate the mean age and mixing percentage of modern water while emphasizing the importance of accurate hydrogeologic conceptualizations at the Sheahan well field. As a result, tracer data and solute transport modeling can identify vulnerabilities and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Sheahan well field.