Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients after intravenous thrombolysis treatment
Introduction The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been proven to predict the outcome in cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. We aimed to investigate the relationship between SII and other inflammatory markers and the prognosis in patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Methods Acute ischemic stroke patients treated with IVT were collected retrospectively. SII, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were constructed based on admission blood testing. Favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale of less than or equal to 2 at 90 days. In addition to outcome, cerebral edema was analyzed. The severity of brain edema was graded into three levels according to Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study. Malignant cerebral edema (MCE) was defined as brain edema with midline shift. Results 278 patients were included. 140 (50.4%) achieved favorable outcome, 35 (12.6%) developed MCE. In patients with favorable outcomes, the levels of SII, NLR and PLR were lower compared to those with unfavorable outcomes [422.33 (258.69-624.68) vs 1269.83 (750.82-2497.22), p < 0.001; 2.73 (1.68-4.40) vs 4.76 (2.59-7.72), p < 0.001; 92.98 (62.35-126.24) vs 115.64 (85.51-179.04), p < 0.001]. The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.698 for SII (95% CI = 0.637-0.760, p < 0.001), 0.694 for NLR (95% CI = 0.632-0.756, p < 0.001), 0.643 for PLR (95% CI = 0.579-0.707, p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off values were 652.73 for SII (sensitivity 0.572, specificity 0.786), 3.57 for NLR (sensitivity 0.659, specificity 0.693), 127.01 for PLR (sensitivity 0.457, specificity 0.757). Conclusions An early increase in SII levels was related to 3 months of unfavorable outcomes in AIS patients after IVT. However, it is not associated with malignant edema.
Exploring the effects of paclitaxel-loaded zein nanoparticles on human ovarian carcinoma cells
Genomics yields biological and phenotypic insights into bipolar disorder
High-throughput 96-well plate-based porcine antibody isolation protocol
For decades, scientists have used column chromatography to purify an array of analytes. The same chromatography system has also been deployed for the isolation and purification of antibodies to increase sensitivity and specificity of detection assays such as western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunohistochemistry. However, even with the combination of these modalities the detection of specific antibodies developed in response to treatment, like vaccination, remains difficult due to physiological differences among species, sample types evaluated, and differing physiological states. Therefore, we developed a high-throughput antibody isolation protocol to measure influenza-specific antibodies in pregnant and lactating pigs, because the samples, in particular serum, milk and colostrum, contain components that cause high background. We developed a high-throughput 96-well plate-based method using a modified column chromatography technique to specifically isolate swine immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes. This method utilizes isotype-specific reagents to isolate the IgG and IgA antibody isotypes from various fluids collected at multiple time points from individual animals following immunization. After sample processing and antibody isolation, the results showed a rapid and consistent yield of specific IgG and IgA, with comparable outcomes between single-column chromatography and our 96-well plate system, the latter offering a time-saving advantage. Specifically, the standard single-column chromatography required 2 to 3 hours to isolate 12 samples, whereas our method enabled the isolation of 192 samples in just 8 to 9 hours making this the ideal method for an immunogenicity study utilizing a variety of animal samples from multiple timepoints.
Impact assessment of photovoltaic and wind energy integration on low voltage distribution networks in Tunisia
Methodological considerations for assessing elder mistreatment of older adults with cognitive impairment: A scoping review protocol
Elder mistreatment (EM) of older persons with cognitive impairment is thought to be grossly underestimated in part due to communication barriers experienced by victims and a lack of consistent screening and reporting, which can skew current understandings of this problem. To improve EM risk and prevalence screening in relation to cognitive impairment, it is important to understand specific approaches for implementing assessment tools and interventions for members of this population. Accordingly, this scoping review (OSF registration osf.io/759k3) will identify, summarize, and compare methodological considerations adopted in studies assessing EM risk and occurrence among older persons with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Through mapping out existing strategies and approaches used to develop, test, and implement EM screening tools or interventions, this review will outline previously identified recommendations and challenges pertinent to future EM assessment, reduction, and prevention efforts. We will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and apply the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) scoping review framework. We will identify relevant studies by comprehensively searching electronic databases, including Ovid (Medline), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Trials (CENTRAL), and Elsevier’s Scopus. Reference lists of included studies will also be examined. For article selection, we will use Covidence software to guide a two-step process of title/abstract and full article screening, which will allow us to identify eligible studies based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria that follows the Study Design, Data, Methods, Outcomes (SDMO) framework. A standardized data extraction tool will be used to collect information related to authors, year of publication, research objectives, sample and study design characteristics, measures, analysis, outcomes, limitations, and study conclusions and implications related to cognition. Data will be analyzed using a thematic approach and presented through the reporting of descriptive statistics and summaries.
Fall recognition using a three stream spatio temporal GCN model with adaptive feature aggregation
A crucial role for the cortical amygdala in shaping social encounters
Assessing concentration in the monoclonal antibody innovation market: A patent-based study
BACKGROUND Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are revolutionizing healthcare treatments due to their high efficacy and relative safety, despite their cost. Since they first appeared in the late 1980s, a rapidly growing market has developed. OBJECTIVE This study aims to analyze concentration levels in the market for mAb innovations through a quantitative patent analysis. Data were analyzed using traditional concentration indicators such as the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index and Concentration Ratio, as well as linear regression and kernel density graphs to evaluate innovation and global technology dissemination strategies. The starting point was patents associated with mAbs registered by the FDA and identified in the IQVIA database up until 2019, and supplemented by data from The Antibody Society, Purple Book, Orange Book, and FDA. RESULTS Our findings indicate that the market for mAb innovations is moderately concentrated for general patents and unconcentrated for priority patents. However, it is significantly more concentrated than the market for chemical drug innovations. The mAb patent families tend to generate more progeny patents, although they are deposited in fewer countries. Chemical drug patents spread faster. Some companies seem to be central to the development of mAbs worldwide, including Roche, PDL, City of Hope, and Celltech. Other important players in the mAb innovation market are AbbVie, Amgen, Novartis, GSK, Biogen, BMS, Regeneron, J&J, and AstraZeneca. The most relevant patents in the analysis are associated with methods and procedures to obtain mAbs, not with molecules themselves. CONCLUSION The concentration in the mAb innovation market is higher than the concentration in the market for chemical drugs innovations. Our findings also indicate that expertise in mAbs development and production is concentrated in a few countries. Additionally, our study identified that a few key players from high-income countries are driving innovation in the mAb market.
Conserved marseilleviruses harboring diverse antibiotic resistance genes isolated from the Yangtze river Delta and the Pearl river delta, China
Correction: Transforming landscapes: Decoding the impact of universities on urbanization using advanced modeling and perception analysis
Construction and evaluation of a diagnostic model for Alzheimer’s disease based on mitophagy-related genes
Exploratory analysis of poultry workers’ knowledge and practices Regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza in Guinea
Background In 2022-2023, Guinea experienced a major avian influenza epizootic, leading to significant economic losses and increasing the risk of transmission to humans. Raising awareness and promoting protective behaviour among the general population, particularly high-risk groups, could help strengthen prevention and control measures for this zoonosis. This study aimed to assess knowledge and practices related to avian influenza among poultry workers in Guinea. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2023 on poultry farms in Coyah and Forecariah, Guinea prefectures. A survey was administered to all poultry farms in these two prefectures. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which included the following variables: socio-demographic and professional profile of respondents, avian influenza information, sources of information, and a series of questions to assess their knowledge and practices. Knowledge and practice scores were then calculated. The cumulative local effects method was used to assess the influence and contribution of each co-variate to changes in the probability of knowledge and practice levels among poultry farm staff. Results A total of 326 poultry workers participated in the survey, including poulterers (62.3%), managers (17.5%), and poultry technicians (13.8%). More than half of these workers (54.9%) had heard of influenza avian. Their primary sources of information were health workers (27.9%), friends and fellow farmers (23.3%) and employees (22.7%). Overall, the knowledge of avian influenza was relatively low among poultry workers (42.9%), and the majority (68.4%) demonstrated poor practices on poultry farms. Analysis using the ALE model reveals that age, education and type of occupation are significantly associated with knowledge. At the same time, the number of farms managed, the number of hours worked, and gender are associated considerably with practices among these workers. Conclusion The study revealed a low level of knowledge and poor practices among poultry farm workers despite an avian flu epizootic. These findings suggest the need for a targeted strategy to prevent the risk of virus transmission to humans, including awareness-raising, training, and providing personal protective equipment.
Pullout performance of innovative polymer vertical anchor plates in layered soils
Maximum vertical height during wing flapping of laying hens captured with a depth camera
Cage-free housing systems for laying hens, and their accompanying guidelines, legislation, and audits, are becoming more common around the world. Cage-free regulations often specify requirements for floor space and cage height, but the availability of three-dimensional space can vary depending on system configurations. Little research has looked at how much vertical space a hen occupies while flapping her wings, which is arguably her most space-intensive behavior. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use a depth sensing camera to measure the maximum vertical height hens reach when wing flapping without physical obstructions. Twenty-eight individually caged Hy-line W36 hens at 45 weeks of age were evaluated. A ceiling-mounted depth camera was centered above a test pen and calibrated prior to collecting data. During testing, one hen at a time was placed in the test pen and recorded flapping her wings. From depth footage, the minimum distance between pixels was obtained for each frame, and we computed the maximum vertical height reached by each hen. Results for vertical space used during a wing flapping event showed that hens reached a maximum height of 51.0 ± 4.7 cm. No physical measures taken from hens correlated with maximum height obtained from the depth camera (P > 0.05). Hens in this study were from a single strain, were old enough to have keel damage, and were cage-reared and housed, preventing us from generalizing the results too far. However, depth cameras provide a useful approach to measure how much space laying hens of varying strains, ages, and rearing/housing methods need to perform dynamic behaviors.
Wearing a surgical mask during chemotherapy session is safe
Abstract Surgical masks(SM) have become essential to our daily lives with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is recommended as the cheapest, most effective preventive method. The effects of SM on patients receiving chemotherapy are unknown. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of SM on oxygenation and CO2 retention in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and to examine its possible clinical consequences. Patients diagnosed with cancer and receiving chemotherapy were included in the study. Venous blood gas, SO2 by pulse oximeter, and vital signs were recorded before and after treatment. Acute toxicities encountered during treatment were recorded. One hundred twenty-six patients with a median age of 60 (33–85) were evaluated in the study. The comparison of pre-post treatment parameters showed statistically significant changes in Ph (7.37 vs. 7.35, p < 0.01), pCO2 (44.2 vs. 45.8, p = 0.049), HCO3 (25.7 vs. 25.3, p = 0.003), SpO2 (97.0 vs. 96.0, p = 0.08), fever (36.4 vs. 36.3, p = 0.023). All the changes were clinically insignificant and in normal ranges. Chemotherapy-related acute toxicity was noted in 4 (3.2%) of the patients. Lung morbidity, cancer type, lung metastasis status, treatment applied, duration of therapy, and acute toxicity do not affect the current parameters. In our study, it was shown that constantly wearing a SM in patients receiving chemotherapy caused CO2 retention and a tendency to hypoxemia. However, the current changes were clinically insignificant and within the normal range. Surgical masks can be used safely in cancer patients receiving systemic treatment.
Correction: Phonetic differences between affirmative and feedback head nods in German Sign Language (DGS): A pose estimation study
Relationship between metabolic syndrome and dietary diversity in the Rafsanjan cohort study
Genome-wide characterization of FAD gene family in Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge and germplasm assessment
Fatty acid desaturases (FADs) play a pivotal role in the accumulation of oils in plant seeds. To elucidate the role of FADs in oil accumulation in the seeds of Xanthoceras sorbifolium, this study employed bioinformatics analysis methods to identify and analyze the FAD gene family. A total of 25 XsFAD genes were unevenly distributed across 11 chromosomes. Systematic phylogenetic analysis revealed that the XsFAD gene family is divided into three branches, with each branch exhibiting similar gene structures. The regulatory elements within the XsFAD gene promoter indicate that XsFAD genes are regulated by multiple factors. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validation revealed a positive correlation between the expression levels of XsFAD genes and the oil content of X. sorbifolium. By conducting phenotypic measurements of the X. sorbifolium fruit and seeds, as well as quantitative analysis of the XsFAD gene expression, it has been preliminarily identified that the Liudong-5 variety may poseess the potential to be developed into a high-yield oil-producing variety, which may be related to the habitat of the X. sorbifolium germplasm and requires further investagation. In summary, this study provides a foundational understanding of the FAD gene family of X. sorbifolium, and the research outcomes will contribute to the theoretical basis for the selection of high-yielding oil varieties of X. sorbifolium in the Xinjiang region, as well as further genetic breeding and cultivation system studies.