bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles of cardiac glycosides in improving growth and productivity of salt-stressed flax plants
Authors: Khattab Hemmat , Sadak mervat Sh. , Dawood Mona , ElKady Fatma , Helal Nesma 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Secondary metabolites of several plants, including esculin and digitoxin, which are cardiac glycosides, were previously employed for their therapeutic effects. The current study aims to investigate the functions of the main Na+ /K + transport inhibitor digitoxin and the antioxidant esculin for enhancing flax plant growth and production under salinity. Exogenous treatment with digitoxin and esculin with 50 mg L− 1 and 100 mg L− 1 were used for this work. According to results of this work, foliar spraying of esculin or digitoxin increased salinity tolerance of flax plants. The efficiency of esculin and digitoxin to sustain ion homeostasis by inhibiting Na absorption and increasing potassium, calcium, and phosphorus in flax plants may be the reason for their protective actions towards salinity. Esculin and digitoxin in particular counteract oxidative stress via increasing the activity antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase and penyl alanine ammonia lyase and tyrosine ammonia lyase, leadig to a decrease in reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels and electrolyte leakage. As a consequence, esculin and digitoxin increased the amount of photosynthetic pigments consequently photosynthetic osmolytes and yield quantity and quality as shown by increases in all investigated yield criteria that were examined, especially those that improved the desired oil properties. In conclusion, this study concluded that digitoxin, as opposed to esculin, was more effective in inhibiting Na build up and increasing flax salinity tolerance. The exogenous treatment of digitoxin and esculin glycosides is a novel method for enhancing salinity stress tolerance in flax plants.
Influence of Teachers’ Self-Efficacy on ICT Implementation in Kenyan Universities
Authors: Bariu Timothy 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The study was motivated by the need and realization that ICT implementation has become a necessity in university education in the current 21st century. Therefore, this study provides valuable baseline information to stimulate investment in teachers' self-efficacies influencing ICT implementation to streamline university education by enhancing accessibility, quality, and efficiency. Empirical literature identified a substantial technological gap among the teachers' self-efficacy that significantly influences ICT implementation. Through a descriptive survey, the study investigated how teachers' self-efficacy influences ICT implementation and informs teachers' best practices by incorporating the Technological, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) Model lens. Stratified random sampling procedure was used to select 475 teachers/lecturers in Kenyan University. Structured questionnaires method was used to collect data. The data was analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics, Spearman Correlation as well as regression in Statistical Package for Social Science. The study had 86.4 % response rate and data collected passed normality by Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk Tests criteria. Analysis of variance revealed that teachers’ self-efficacies have significant effect on ICT implementation in the sample University with nearly 20 % changes in ICT implementation caused by Teachers’ self-efficacies, therefore the null hypothesis () that Teachers’ self-efficacies have no significant influence on ICT implementation was rejected. The findings from this study suggest that ICT implementation in the University is dependent on Teachers’, self-efficacy, hence the findings would be useful by providing guidelines for university managers and administrators to evaluate teachers' ICT implementation and teachers’ capacity. The research, therefore, provides preliminary evidence of the need to boost teachers' technology confidence through training, accessibility, and consistent use of technology since knowledge and belief impact teachers’ intentions to use technology.
A novel nomogram for predicting the prolonged length of stay in post-anesthesia care unit after selective operation.
Authors: fang fuquan , Liu Tiantian , Li Jun , Yang Yanchang , Hang Wenxin , Yan Dandan , Ye Sujuan , Wu Pin , Hu Yuhan , Hu Zhiyong 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background Prolonged length of stay (PLOS) in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is a combination of risk factors and complications that can compromise quality of care and operating room efficiency. Our study aimed to develop a nomogram to predict PLOS of patients undergoing elective surgery. Methods Data from 24017 patients were collected. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to screen variables. A logistic regression model was built on variables determined by a combined method of forward selection and backward elimination. Nomogram was designed with the model. The nomogram performance was evaluated with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discrimination, calibration plot for consistency between predictions and actuality, and decision curve analysis (DCA) for clinical application value. Results A nomogram was established based on the selected ten variables, including age, BMI < 21 kg/m2, American society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA), surgery type, chill, delirium, pain, naloxone, operation duration and blood transfusion. The C-index value was 0.773 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.765–0.781] in the development set and 0.757 (95% CI = 0.744–0.770) in the validation set. The AUC was > 0.75 for the prediction of PLOS. The calibration curves revealed high consistencies between the predicted and actual probability. The DCA showed that if the threshold probability is over 10%, using the models to predict PLOS and implement intervention adds more benefit. Conclusions This study presented a nomogram to facilitate individualized prediction of PLOS patients undergoing elective surgery.
Development and psychometric properties of a tool to assess the Occupational Neck Pain Prevention Behaviors
Authors: Moradi Zohre , Tavafian Sedigheh Sadat , Kazemi Seyedeh Somayeh 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: Neck pain is a common problem among teachers. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an instrument for measuring occupational neck pain preventive behaviors among teachers.
Method: In order to develop a neck pain preventive behavior this study was conducted in December 2020 in two phases: qualitative, and quantitative. In qualitative phase a purposeful sample of teachers were interviewed to generate an item pool. Then content validity and face validity were performed to provide a provisional version of the questionnaire. In the next stage, to evaluate the psychometric properties of the questionnaire, a cross sectional study was conducted. In total, 146 teachers participated in this study (with a mean age 36.7; SD 8.92 years). The questionnaire was distributed among a sample of teachers. Exploratory factor analysis was used to obtain the factor structure of the questionnaire. The item-scale correlation matrix was examined to further evaluate the validity of the questionnaire. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was calculated to assess reliability and intra class correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess stability.
Results: Based on analysis of the exploratory factor, 8 factors with 43 substances, that together accounted for 65,25% variances were obtained. Also, the correlation matrix in the case scale to establish the validity of the questionnaire showed satisfactory results. The results of face validity showed that 4 factors were not approved and were removed from the questionnaire. Reliability evaluation with internal consistency method (Cronbach's alpha) showed excellent compatibility (0.87). The intra class correlation reliability assessment showed that the questionnaire has satisfactory stability (ICC) (0.92).
Conclusion: This study provides the reliability and validity of the Occupational Pain Neck Preventive Behaviors Questionnaire. This study provides an instrument for evaluating occupational neck pain prevention behaviors among teachers. The instrument is useful for teachers and staff of administrative units and healthcare settings to implement appropriate interventions.
Trial Registration: IRCT20210301050542N1
ChatGPT's Performance on Iran's Medical Licensing Exams
Authors: Keshtkar Alireza , Hayat Ali-Asghar , Atighi Farnaz , Ayare Nazanin , Keshtkar Mohammadreza , Yazdanpanahi Parsa , Sadeghi Erfan , Deilami Noushin , Reihani Hamid , Karimi Alireza , Mokhtari Hamidreza , Hashempur Mohammad Hashem 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: A 175 billion parameter Transformer architecture is used by OpenAI's ChatGPT language model to perform tasks requiring natural language processing. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and interpretive abilities of ChatGPT on three types of Iranian medical license exams: basic sciences, pre-internship, and pre-residency.
Methods: The study involved administering three different levels of Iran's medical license exams, which included basic sciences, pre-internship, and pre-residency, to Chat GPT 3.5. Two versions of each exam were used, corresponding to the ChatGPT 3.5's internet access time: one during the access time and one after. These exams were input to Chat GPT in Persian and English languages without any justifications. The accuracy and concordance of each question were extracted by two blinded adjudicators.
Results: A total of 2210 questions, including 667 basic sciences, 763 pre-internship, and 780 pre-residency questions, were presented to ChatGPT in both English and Persian languages. Across all tests, the overall accuracy was found to be 48.5%, with an overall concordance of 91%. Notably, English questions exhibited higher accuracy and concordance rates, with 61.4% accuracy and 94.5% concordance, compared to 35.7% accuracy and 88.7% concordance for Persian questions.
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that ChatGPT performs above the required passing score on the three categories of exam questions. Moreover, the model showcases its ability to provide reasoning and contextual information in the majority of responses, owing to its dialogic character when addressing inquiries. These results provide compelling evidence for the potential use of ChatGPT in medical education.
Development of an analytical method based on QuEChERS and GC-ECD for the determination of deltamethrin residue in pine needles and pine nuts
Authors: Bellot Marina , Teixidó Anna , Torrell Antoni , Aletà Neus , Gomez-Canela Cristian 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
In recent years, recurrent droughts have weakened the stone pine (Pinus pinea) forests and favoured the emergence of harmful pests and diseases, including the Leptoglossus occidentalis. The stone pine’s nuts production has declined over the past five years. To control this hemipteran pest, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide called deltamethrin is being tested. However, it is necessary to estimate the residue left by these treatments in forest stands. Therefore, a fast and robust analytical procedure was developed based on QuEChERS clean-up extraction, followed by gas chromatography coupled with an electron capture detector. This optimized method can detect residual concentrations of deltamethrin in pine needles and pine nuts up to a few µg kg− 1. The results showed that two weeks after spraying, the deltamethrin content in the needles of stone pines decreased up to 75%, and after 9 months, its presence was like the nontreated trees.
Enfortumab-Vedotin for Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma Refractory to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Single Institution Experience
Authors: Endo Yuki , Akatsuka Jun , Kimura Go , Takeda Hayato , Hasegawa Hiroya , Yanagi Masato , Toyama Yuka , Mikami Hikaru , Shibasaki Mikio , Taniuchi Mami , Kondo Yukihiro 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background:
The efficacy of enfortumab-vedotin as a third-line therapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy and immune-checkpoint inhibitors was demonstrated in an enfortumab-vedotin -301 trial. Our study presents the analysis of enfortumab-vedotin treatment at our institution.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who were treated with enfortumab-vedotin between January 2021 and April 2023. enfortumab-vedotin was administered at a dose of 1.25 mg/kg on days 1, 8, and 15 in a 28-day cycle. Whole-body CT scans were performed every two–three months to assess the treatment response. Patient characteristics, treatment histories, response rates, progression-free survival, and adverse events were evaluated. Response rates were determined using RECIST version 1.1, and adverse events were recorded based on CTCAE version 4.03.
Results:
Among the 20 patients, 70% were male and 60% had bladder tumors. Most patients had lung (55%) or lymph node (50%) metastases. The median follow-up was 7.8 months, with 25% of the patients succumbing to the disease. The overall response rate was 45%. The median progression-free survival was 6.5 months. Severe adverse events occurred in 30% of patients.
Conclusions:
In this real-world study, enfortumab-vedotin demonstrated promising efficacy and manageable safety profiles in Japanese patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The overall response rate and disease control rate were consistent with those of previous clinical trials, although a longer follow-up period was required. Our findings support enfortumab-vedotin use as a treatment option for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who exhibit disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy and immune-checkpoint inhibitors therapy.
Dendritic Cell Vaccination in Conjunction with a TLR Agonist Polarizes Interferon Immune Responses in Malignant Glioma Patients
Authors: Prins Robert , Everson Richard , Hugo Willy , Sun Lu , Antonios Joseph , Lee Alexander , Ding Lizhong , Bu Melissa , Khattab Sara , Chavez Carolina , Billingslea-Yoon Emma , Salazar Andres , Ellingson Benjamin , Cloughesy Timothy , Liau Linda 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Autologous tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell (ATL-DC) vaccination is a promising immunotherapy for patients with high grade gliomas, but responses have not been demonstrated in all patients. To determine the most effective combination of autologous tumor lysate-pulsed DC vaccination, with or without the adjuvant toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists poly-ICLC or resiquimod, we conducted a Phase 2 clinical trial in 23 patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent WHO Grade III-IV malignant gliomas. We then performed deep, high-dimensional immune profiling of these patients to better understand how TLR agonists may influence the systemic immune responses induced by ATL-DC vaccination. Bulk RNAseq data demonstrated highly significant upregulation of type 1 and type 2 interferon gene expression selectively in patients who received adjuvant a TLR agonist together with ATL-DC. CyTOF analysis of patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showed increased expression of PD-1 on CD4+ T-cells, decreases in CD38 and CD39 on CD8+ T cells and elevated proportion of monocytes after ATL-DC + TLR agonist administration. In addition, scRNA-seq demonstrated a higher expression fold change of IFN-induced genes with poly-ICLC treatment in both peripheral blood monocytes and T lymphocytes. Patients who had higher expression of interferon response genes lived significantly longer and had longer time to progression compared to those with lower expression. The results suggest that ATL-DC in conjunction with adjuvant poly-ICLC induces a polarized interferon response in circulating monocytes and specific activation of a CD8+ T cell population, which may represent an important blood biomarker for immunotherapy in this patient population.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01204684
Development of an Artificial Intelligence Diagnostic Model for Thyroid Nodules Based on Ultrasound Images and Videos
Authors: Jing Chen , Wu Linghu , Li Guoqiu , Liu Xiaowen , Tang Shuzhen , Zhou Yuli , Su Youhuan , Huang Sijin , Lai Xiaosu , Bai Song , xu Jinfeng , dong Fajin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose:
Thyroid nodules are a common occurrence in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic model for thyroid nodules based on ultrasound images and videos, and to compare its diagnostic effectiveness with that of an ultrasonographer.
Methods:
Ultrasound images and videos of thyroid nodules were analyzed using deep learning (DL). An expert sonographer, who was unaware of the AI data, evaluated the ultrasound images and videos of the lesions according to the ACR-TIRADS criteria, using the pathology results as a reference.
The study cohort comprised 500 thyroid nodules with an average age of 45 ± 10 years. The diagnostic performance of the AI model and the sonographer were compared using metrics such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. The AI model exhibited the highest diagnostic accuracy for ultrasound longitudinal videos (AUC: 0.88 (0.85-0.91)). Additionally, the AI model demonstrated a high correlation with the ACR-TIRADS grading by ultrasonographers for thyroid nodules (R=0.85).
Conclusion:
The AI model performed well in grading benign and malignant thyroid nodules. It has the potential to be employed in clinical practice to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary biopsies of thyroid lesions.
Reappraisal of a renovated cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (KM-CART) for malignant ascites
Authors: Kim Yongsik , Ajiki Tetsuo , Ueda Yasuhiro , Yoshida Yuko , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Fukuyama Hitoshi , Fukuyama Tsuyoshi , Hori Yuichi 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Renovated cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (KM-CART) has become widely practiced, but the actual clinical efficacy has been reported rarely. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of KM-CART for malignant ascites.
Methods
We performed 226 KM-CART procedures in 104 patients with malignant ascites in three hospitals from August 2013 to September 2018. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for ascites data, related complications, symptoms before and after each CART and prognosis after the first CART. We reviewed the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) before every procedure, as an indicator of nutritional status.
Results
Pancreatic cancer was the most common indication for the CART procedure, followed by gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma (five major diseases). The 50% survival times of these five major diseases after the first procedure were 25, 39, 31, 49, and 33 days, respectively. The mean survival time for all patients was 73.5 days, and 75.6 days for those with the five major diseases. All patients experienced symptomatic relief, and complications were rare. Repeated KM-CART was performed in 47.1% of the patients, most often in those with ovarian cancer (66.7%). As for the mGPS at the first CART procedure, 89% of patients were in the group with the poorest nutritional status. The mGPS score improved in only two patients during treatment and was not related to prognosis.
Conclusions
KM-CART gives the benefit of improved ascites-related symptoms and general condition, even in a short time and with a poor nutritional status.
Nonlinear operator extensions of Korovkin's theorems
Authors: Gal Sorin Gheorghe , Niculescu Constantin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
In this paper we extend Korovkin's theorem to the context of sequences of weakly nonlinear and monotone operators defined on certain Banach function spaces. Several examples illustrating the theory are included.
Date: August 29, 2023.
2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. 41A35, 41A36, 41A63.
Bladder Xanthoma: Clinical Analysis of 22 Cases from Multiple Centers
Authors: Li Song , Zhao Xiaolei , Zhang Jianhua , Liu Ruoxuan , Liu Xiaoqiang 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Objective This study aims to describe the clinical and pathological features of bladder xanthoma, along with its diagnostic and treatment methods. Methods We gathered literature about bladder xanthoma published over the past 60 years from databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Medline. We also collected clinical data from a single case of bladder xanthoma treated at our hospital. Patient details such as age, gender, symptoms, tumor size, related neoplasms, imaging results, and pathological findings were noted. Tumors were removed through surgery, followed by examining the removed tissues pathologically. After surgery, patients underwent cystoscopy follow-up after 3 months. Results Out of the 22 identified cases of bladder xanthoma, 15 were isolated (including both single and multiple lesions), while 7 were connected with urinary tract epithelial tumors. There were 6 male patients and 1 female patient with concurrent urinary tract epithelial carcinoma. Males had an average onset age of 56.0 years, with an average tumor diameter of 21.57 mm. Females had an average onset age of 63.00 years, with an average tumor diameter of 20.86 mm. The onset age for females was notably lower than that for males, and their tumor diameter was significantly smaller than that of males (P < 0.05). Among the 9 patients with lipid metabolism disorders, 7 were males and 2 were females, showing a significant male predominance. No instances of recurrence or malignant transformation were noted during follow-up. In this study, we treated a 65-year-old female patient who, during cystoscopy, showed a round, hanging lesion measuring about 2.5 x 1 x 1 cm on the left side of the ureteral opening in the bladder trigone. After surgery, pathological examination revealed bladder xanthoma with multiple groups of foam cells. Immunohistochemistry findings were as follows: CD68 (+), CD163 (+), Vimentin (+), CK (-), Desmin (-). A follow-up cystoscopy after 3 months did not uncover any tumor recurrence. Conclusion Bladder xanthoma is a rare non-cancerous condition that mainly affects older males. It often appears on the side walls and trigone region of the bladder and could be associated with lipid metabolism disorders. Around 50% of patients have simultaneous urinary tract epithelial tumors, and diagnosis mainly depends on examining tissues under a microscope. Prolonged follow-up after surgery is not necessary.