bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Patient Health Questionnaire–4: the factor structure, invariance measurement, and the latent profile analysis of anxiety and depressive symptoms in a Polish general community sample
Authors: Larionow Paweł , Mudło-Głagolska Karolina 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
A screening assessment of anxiety and depressive symptoms is of great importance for preventing mental health problems in a general population. The study aims (1) to examine the factor structure and invariance measurement of the Polish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire–4 (PHQ–4) developed for measuring anxiety and depressive symptoms, (2) to estimate the prevalence of these symptoms in different age and gender groups from February to July 2022, (3) to identify latent subpopulations within the general population based on the anxiety and depressive symptom levels. The sample included 2557 Polish adults (1730 females, 811 males, and 16 non-binary) aged 18–78 (M = 27.18, SD = 12.29). The Polish version of the PHQ–4 was used. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis and latent profile analysis (LPA) were applied. The Polish version of the PHQ–4 has a theoretically congruent factor structure and is invariant across age and gender categories. Based on the cut-off scores for the depression and anxiety subscales of ≥ 3, more than half of Poles are screened positively for anxiety and/or depression. We distinguished (by LPA) and described four subpopulations common for both females and males. We identified risk groups for mental disorders (females, non-binary, and younger people in general, as well as unemployed, less educated, and single people). The prevalence of probable anxiety and depressive disorders in the Polish population is extremely high. It is necessary to provide further mental health monitoring and to conduct qualitative research on the psychological reasons for the occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Mental health monitoring is crucial.
A proposed cloud‑based platform for facilitating donation Services in support to needy-students
Authors: Radaideh Moh'd , Mohammad Nadil Iyad , Mukbil Maya Mohammad 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Popularity of needy-students who cannot afford their university fees has become phenomenon in countries like Jordan. Thus, supporting such students through establishing a reliable cloud-based platform for collecting donations from wealthy people is a very noble action. Such donations will enable needy-students to continue their education to upward their development, reduce their poverty, improve their health, scale-up their gender equality, promote peace across their communities, enhance stability in their societies, and enrich the field of cloud-based Services development. This paper proposes a new cloud-based platform that aims at connecting donors with needy-students in a very discreet way that preserves and honors the Privacy and Confidentiality of their information. We claim that our proposed cloud-based platform depicts a unique novelty that can be easily anticipated from the perspectives of its status as an easy-to-use cloud-based Services platform; its comprehensive set of functionalities; its ability to interconnect its users privately and confidentially; and its ability to easily verify the credentials of its users.
Hybrid CPU-GPU Implementation of the Transformed Spatial Domain Channel Estimation Algorithm for mmWave MIMO Systems
Authors: Lloria Diego , Aviles Pablo M. , Belloch Jose A. , Roger Sandra , Botella-Mascarell Carmen , Lindoso Almudena 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Hybrid platforms combining multicore Central Processing Units (CPU) with many-core hardware accelerators such as Graphic Processing Units (GPU) can be smartly exploited to provide efficient parallel implementations of wireless communication algorithms for Fifth Generation (5G) and beyond systems. Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems are a key element of the 5G standard, involving several tens or hundreds of antenna elements for communication. Such a high number of antennas has a direct impact on the computational complexity of some MIMO signal processing algorithms. In this work, we focus on the channel estimation stage. In particular, we develop a parallel implementation of a recently proposed MIMO channel estimation algorithm. Its performance in terms of execution time is evaluated both in a multicore CPU and in a GPU. The results show that some computation blocks of the algorithm are more suitable for multicore implementation, whereas other parts are more efficiently implemented in the GPU, indicating that a hybrid CPU-GPU implementation would achieve the best performance in practical applications based on the tested platform.
Medical education: can a single video-class intervention improve the diagnostic skills for oral ulcers?
Authors: Braun Liliana Wolf , Salvador Sarah Melniski , Herpich Tiago Luis , Wagner Vivian Petersen , Martins Marco Antonio Trevizani , Martins Manoela Domingues , Bandeira Renato Gorga , Knorst Marli , Carrard Vinicius Coelho 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic ability and perception of self-confidence by medical residents and students in relation to oral ulcers and the impact of a distance educational intervention, comparing their performances with those of dental students and residents.
Materials and methods: The sample of this quasi-experimental study with educational intervention consisted of 49 participants from the medical area (Med) and 28 from the dental area (Dent). The diagnostic abilities test comprised a questionnaire containing 20 photos of oral lesions. Their self-confidence was evaluated from a 5-point Likert scale. The educational intervention, applied among the Med, was characterized by video classes about oral ulcers.
Results: The median for diagnostic ability of the Med was 50%, being lower than that of the Dent (students=65 and residents=80, Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn, p<0.01). Approximately 70% of the Med was not confident/not really confident for the diagnosis of oral ulcers, whereas no Dent was perceived in these categories. The perception of self-confidence was higher among Dent than among the Meds (Kruskal Wallis/Dunn, p<0.01). Medical residents scored better in the diagnostic test after educational intervention (Student's t-test, p <0.01).
Conclusion: The knowledge of Med about oral ulcers is limited, but may be improved by distance educational intervention.
Clinical relevance: These findings suggest that educational actions may contribute to mitigate the training gap of medical students and residents in relation to oral ulcers. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to assess the diagnostic abilities and self-confidence of medical students and residents to diagnose oral ulcers.
Geo-epidemiology of malaria incidence in the Vhembe District to guide targeted elimination strategies, South-Africa, 2015-2018: a local resurgence
Authors: Dieng Sokhna , Adebayo-Ojo Temitope Christina , Kruger Taneshka , Riddin Megan , Trehard Helene , Tumelero Serena , Bendiane Marc-Karim , Jager Christiaan , Patrick Sean , Bornman Riana , Gaudart Jean 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
The South African population at risk of malaria represents 10% (i.e., six million inhabitants) of the population in three provinces: Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. In Limpopo Province, Vhembe District is most affected, showing an incidence of 3.8 cases/1000 person-years in 2018. Stratification of malaria intensity level is part of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to accelerate malaria elimination. There are no studies on malaria incidence at locality level, due to difficulty of population availability at this scale. This study aimed to identify and describe malaria incidence patterns at locality level in Vhembe District.
Method
Using the functional data method, a smooth function (functional data or curve) was fitted from the time series of observed malaria incidence for each of the 474 localities in Vhembe District from July 2015 to June 2018, representing three malaria seasons. These 474 smooth functions were classified using hierarchical clustering (Ward's method) with testing several dissimilarity measures. Thereafter, validity indices measured from these classifications were used to determine the number of distinct temporal patterns of malaria incidence.
Results
The observed malaria incidence in the 474 localities in Vhembe District was 4.1 cases/1000 person-years. Four distinct patterns of malaria incidence were identified: high, intermediate, low and very low, including 9, 20, 54 and 391 localities and a cumulative observed malaria incidence of 181.2, 54.1, 16.2 and 2.4 cases/1000 person-years, respectively. Malaria incidence increased sharply in high and intermediate incidence patterns over high transmission periods, and over the last low transmission period 2017/2018. These two high incidence patterns were in the Limpopo River Valley, mostly around farms, and in localities along the Mutale River.
Conclusion
This study showed four malaria incidence patterns in Vhembe District with varying characteristics. Findings show unusual malaria phenomena in Vhembe District, including a high incidence level during a low transmission season and occurrence of a series of resurgences. South Africa has reached the malaria pre-elimination stage, based on development of access to diagnostics, treatment and vector control. However, the recent malaria resurgence in remote areas hinders malaria elimination, highlighting the need for assessing resurgence determinants and developing innovative targeted malaria elimination strategies.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Uracil Derivatives as Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitors
Authors: Mir Manzoor Ahmad 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Aim
To synthesize novel uracil derivatives targeting thymidylate synthase for the treatment of high-grade malignancies such as breast cancer.
Background
Cell division is driven by nucleic acid metabolism, and thymidylate synthase (TYMS) catalyses a rate-limiting step in nucleotide synthesis. As a result, TYMS has emerged as a critical target in chemotherapy. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is currently being used to treat a wide range of cancers, including breast, pancreatic, head and neck, colorectal, ovarian, and gastric cancers.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to establish a new methodology for the low-cost, one-pot synthesis of uracil derivatives (UD-1 to UD-5) and to evaluate their therapeutic potential in BC cells.
Methods
One-pot organic synthesis processes using a single solvent were used for the synthesis of drug analogues of Uracil. Integrated bioinformatics using GEPIA2, UALCAN and KM plotter were utilized to study the expression pattern and prognostic significance of TYMS, the key target gene of 5-fluorouracil in breast cancer patients. Cell viability, cell proliferation, and colony formation assays were used as in-vitro methods to validate the in-silico lead obtained.
Results
BC patients showed high levels of TYMS, and high expression of TYMS was found associated with poor prognosis. In silico studies indicated that synthesized uracil derivatives have a high affinity for TYMS. Notably, the uracil derivatives dramatically inhibited the proliferation and colonization potential of BC cells in vitro.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our study identified novel uracil derivatives as promising therapeutic options for breast cancer patients expressing the augmented levels of TYMS.
Mechanism of A549 Cell Apoptosis and Immune Regulating Effect of BRNP on Tumor- bearing Mice
Authors: Taoerdahong Hailiqian , Kadeer Gulimila , Lijie Qiao , Jinsen Kang , Junmin Chang , Abula Ajiranmu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In this study, the immune activity and mechanism of the antitumor activity of Brassica rapa L. polysaccharides were investigated in vitro. BRNP inhibited the growth of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 by changing the cell morphology, reducing the number of cells, promoting apoptosis, and increasing the content of Caspase-3. BRNP enhanced the secretion of immune factors IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α in the serum and spleen of A549 tumor-carrying mice and thus participated in immune regulation. HE staining showed that the pathological state of each dose of BRNP in the turnip group was reduced, and some cells were necrotic compared with the model group. Immunohistochemical results showed that apoptosis was promoted by down-regulating the expression of the Bcl-2 protein and up-regulating the expression of the Bax protein. The assay kit showed that the level of caspase-3 increased in mice, which may be the mechanism of promoting apoptosis.
WITHDRAWN: Ameliorative Effects of Selenium on Kidney Injury via NF-kB and Aquaporin-1 Levels
Authors: CANDAN Busra , KARAKUYU Nasif Fatih , GULLE Kanat , SARMAN Emine , KARATOPUK Dilek ULUSOY 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Systemic inflammation is a fatal condition that affects many tissues or organs. This pathological inflammation process, which can cause acute and chronic kidney damage, plays an important role in the structural and functional damage in various kidney diseases. Selenium (Se) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory trace element. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of Se, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced kidney damage to maintain Aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) levels.
Methods and Results
Four experimental rat groups (n = 8) consisting of the control (1 mL saline), LPS alone (0.1 mg/kg), LPS + Se (0.1 mg/kg + 4 mg/kg) and Se alone (4 mg/kg) were so applied for 7 consecutive days. Upon sacrifice, histopathological results, diagnostic markers of kidney functions, oxidative stress, and inflammation were analyzed. Our results showed that LPS induced mononuclear cell infiltration, cellular residue and protein deposition in the kidney proximal tubules, and also decreased total antioxidant status levels, which is a marker of antioxidant capacity, and increased total antioxidant status and oxidative stress index values, which are indicators of oxidative stress. LPS increased the level of creatinine, which is an indicator of kidney damage, increased the level of Nuclear Factor kappa B, which has an important role in the inflammation process, and decreased the levels of AQP-1 due to the damage it caused. Se has shown its effect by reversing all these situations.
Conclusions
This data suggests that Se can be used as an additive to mitigate LPS-induced toxicity in the kidney.
Ultrasound Allied Laser Sono-photobiomodulation Activated Nano-curcumin: Up-and-Coming Selective Cancer Cell Killing Modality
Authors: El-Kaream Samir Ali Abd , Mohamed Hoda Abdelrahman , El-Kholey Sohier Mahmoud , Rakhey Mahmoud Matar Mohammad Abu , ELkallaf Amin M Said , Soliman Amal Saleh Mohamed , Khodary Marwa Ahmed 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of activated nano-curcumin as a cancer-targeted therapy. Six groups of albino mice with cancer implants were used for this study. Sono- (ultrasound) and photo- (blue laser) were used as energy sources. The outcomes showed that nano-curcumin is an effective photo-sono sensitizer for the treatment of cancer. Upon activation with blue laser and/or ultrasound, nano-curcumin plays a crucial part in inhibiting tumor development and promoting cancer cell death. Our findings showed that activated nano-curcumin might be used as a natural nanosensitizer for cancer targeted sono-photobiomodulation therapy (SPBMT).
The Role of Non-R&amp;D Expenditures in Promoting Innovation in Europe
Authors: Leogrande Angelo , Costantiello Alberto , Laureti Lucio 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

In this article we estimate the value of “Non-R&D Innovation Expenditures” in Europe. We use data from the European Innovation Scoreboard-EIS of the European Commission from the period 2010-2019. We test data with the following econometric models i.e.: Pooled OLS, Dynamic Panel, Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Panel Data with Random Effects, WLS. We found that “Non-R&D Innovation Expenditures” is positively associated among others to “Innovation Index” and “Firm Investments” and negatively associated among others to “Human Resources” and “Government Procurement of Advanced Technology Products”. We use the k-Means algorithm with either the Silhouette Coefficient and the Elbow Method in a confrontation with the network analysis optimized with the Distance of Manhattan and we find that the optimal number of clusters is four. Furthermore, we propose a confrontation among eight machine learning algorithms to predict the level of “Non-R&D Innovation Expenditures” either with Original Data-OD either with Augmented Data-AD. We found that Gradient Boost Trees Regression is the best predictor for OD while Tree Ensemble Regression is the best Predictor for AD. Finally, we verify that the prediction with AD is more efficient of that with OD with a reduction in the average value of statistical errors equal to 40,50%.
Expression and Prognostic Significance of EDIL3 in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Ke Bin , Liang Zheng-Kai , Li Bin , Wang Xue-Jun , Liu Ning , Liang Han , Zhang Ru-Peng 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Epidermal Growth Factor-like repeats and Discoidin I-Like Domains 3 (EDIL3) is a secretory protein that play important roles in embryonic development and various illnesses such as cancer. However, the biological function of EDIL3 in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. The objective of this research was to explore the role and potential mechanism of EDIL3 in GC.
Methods
EDIL3 expression was analyzed using the GEPIA and HPA databases. The prognostic significance of EDIL3 was assessed via the Kaplan–Meier Plotter database. These results were proved by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and Immunohistochemical in our collected GC tissues. To test the function of EDIL3 in GC, shRNA was used to knockdown the EDIL3 expression in two GC lines and several functional experiments were performed. Genetic alterations and DNA methylation were investigated via the cBioPortal, COSMIC, MethSurv, and SMART databases. Upstream regulators of EDIL3 were predicted using RegNetwork. The STRING and GeneMANIA databases were used to analyze the interactive networks for EDIL3. Differential genes correlated with EDIL3 in GC were obtained using LinkedOmics. The relationship between EDIL3 and immune features was analyzed using TIMER, TIMER2.0, and TISIDB databases. The relationship between EDIL3 and drug response was assessed by RNAactDrug database.
Results
The EDIL3 was highly expressed in GC and associated with adverse clinical features. In vitro assays revealed that EDIL3 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. 2.7% of patients harbored EDIL3 mutations and the missense substitution was the most common type. Five CpG sites of EDIL3 were positively related to prognosis in GC. The functions of EDIL3 and co-expression genes were significantly associated with extracellular structure organization and extracellular matrix receptor interaction. EDIL3 expression was positively associated with numerous tumour-infiltrating immune cells and their biomarkers. EDIL3 expression was associated with sensitivity of some GC chemotherapy and targeted drugs.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that EDIL3 might function as an oncogene and is associated with immune infiltration in GC. EDIL3 could be used as a potential therapeutic target for GC.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression, Prognosis, and Biological Significance of FSCN family in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Ru , Jiang Ming , Hu Bing , Zheng Ping 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
FSCN (Fascin) is an actin-binding protein that plays a critical role in cell migration and invasion, contributing to tumor metastasis. However, there is little known about the function of FSCN family in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)
Methods
We utilized the UALCAN, GEPIA, Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, cBioPortal, STRING, and TIMER databases to investigate the transcription level, genetic alteration and biological function of FSCNs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients, and their association with the prognosis value and immune cell infiltration in patients with ccRCC.
Results
Results showed that the expression of FSCN1 and FSCN3 was markedly upregulated in patients with ccRCC, while the expression of FSCN2 displayed an opposite trend, which were the same as the experiments. Furthermore, the expression levels of FSCNs were associated with pathological stage, molecular subtypes and tumor grade. We noticed that the expressions of FSCNs were statistically correlated with the immune cell infiltration in ccRCC. Higher expression levels of FSCN1 and FSCN3 were associated with worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free interval (PFI) of patients bearing ccRCC. Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that FSCN2 was an independent risk factor for OS time in ccRCC. Furthermore, mutations in FSCNs were significantly associated with poor OS and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with ccRCC. The FSCNs were involved in pathways including focal adhesion, endocytosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, regulation of actin cytoskeleton.
Conclusion
Our results indicated that FSCN2 might serve as an independent prognostic factor for OS of ccRCC and the FSCN1 and FSCN2 can be used as favorable biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes in ccRCC.
Cardiac valvular involvement of Behçet’s disease
Authors: Fu Jiarong , Liu Jinfeng , Li Xiaoming , Tang Lili , Wu Shan , Yu Huimei , Zhang Chun 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The main objectives of the current study are to investigate valvular abnormality of Behçet’s disease (BD) patients with valvular involvement and find out the risk factors of valvular involvement in BD. We retrospectively assessed the clinical and echocardiographic data in the medical records of 121 patients with BD admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2015 to January 2022. We evaluated the valvular structure and function mainly by echocardiography. A total of 77 BD patients (77/121, 63.64%) had cardiac valvular involvement. Valvular lesions occurred more frequently in males (p = 0.022). Aortic regurgitation (AR) (62/77, 80.52%) was the most common finding and severe AR occupied 80.65% (50/62). The most common manifestations of BD patients with severe AR was aortic valve prolapse (25/50, 50%), followed by echo-free spaces within the aortic annulus (11/50, 22%), vegetation-like lesions (10/50, 20%), and aortic root aneurysm (10/50, 20%). The incidence of paravalvular leaks (PVL) in BD patients was 14.29% (7/49). The maximal diameter of the sinus of Valsalva and proximal ascending aorta, and total cholesterol (TCHO) were the independent risk factors of moderate-severe aortic valvular regurgitation (p < 0.01). Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were significantly associated with moderate-severe mitral valvular regurgitation (p < 0.01). The most common valvular abnormality in BD is AR. Echocardiography has great value in the comprehensive evaluation and accurate diagnosis of valvular involvement in BD patients.