Browse Articles

Scalable preparation of furanosteroidal viridin, β-viridin and viridiol from Trichoderma virens

The choice of adjuvant radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer patients after up-front radical surgery

Background The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer following radical surgery remains a subject of of controversy. This study aimed to more accurately screen pancreatic patients who benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy. Methods Clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with resectable pancreatic cancer were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2004–2015). Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify prognostic factors affecting patient survival. All the patients were divided into two groups, one receiving radiation and the other not. Selection bias were reduced by propensity-score matching (PSM). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) between the two groups. Results Within 7097 patients, 2276 received adjuvant radiotherapy (external beam radiation), and 4821 did not. Multivariate analysis revealed that race, age, median income, sex, year of diagnosis, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T stage, N stage, scope region lymph surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were independent predictors for overall survival of all the patients (all p < 0.05). After PSM, a total of 4304 patients were included. There was no OS and CSS benefit of radiotherapy compared with no-radiotherapy (all p > 0.05). Among patients with N1 stage, the radiotherapy group exhibited a median overall survival (mOS) of 21 months (95% CI, 19.82 to 22.18), while the non-radiotherapy group showed a slightly lower mOS of 18 months (95% CI, 16.88 to 19.12). Similarly, in terms of median cancer-specific survival (mCSS), the radiotherapy group demonstrated a mCSS of 22 months (95% CI, 20.79 to 23.21), whereas the non-radiotherapy group had a slightly shorter mCSS of 19 months (95% CI, 17.81 to 20.19). Radiotherapy reduced the all-cause mortality rate and cancer-specific mortality rate among patients with the N1 stage and T4 stage (all p < 0.05). In contrast, the patients in the radiotherapy group with the N0 stage (mOS, 28 months versus 34 months; mCSS, 30 months versus 41months), or primary focus on the body and tail of the pancreas (mOS, 23 months versus 29 months; mCSS, 25 months versus 32 months), or T1 stage (mOS, 36 months versus 113 months; mCSS, 36 months versus 104 months) exhibited a higher all-cause mortality rate and cancer-specific mortality rate compared to those without radiotherapy (all p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated N1 stage pancreatic cancer patients with T2-4 stage, primary focus on the head of the pancreas, young age of onset, and combination chemotherapy were in favor of the adjuvant radiotherapy group (all p < 0.05). Conclusions Our analysis demonstrates that adjuvant radiotherapy may be beneficial for N1 stage (N+) pancreatic cancer patients who have undergone up-front radical surgery with T2-4 stage, primary focus on the head of the pancreas, young age of onset, and receiving combination chemotherapy. However, radiotherapy needs to be used with caution in patients with T1 stage, N0 stage (N-), or primary focus on the body and tail of the pancreas. These findings may contribute to the development of personalized selection criteria for adjuvant radiotherapy in post-surgical pancreatic cancer patients.

Optimizing healthcare big data performance through regional computing

Correction: Anatomy of the sacroiliac joint with relation to the lumbosacral trunk: Is there sufficient space for a two-hole plate?

Detection of cervical cell based on multi-scale spatial information

Prevalence and associated factors of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery in public hospitals of Awi zone, North West Ethiopia, 2023; a cross-sectional study

Background Anemia is a serious global public health problem, especially in developing nations. Anemia during pregnancy is appropriately recognized, whereas postpartum anemia especially after cesarean delivery in Ethiopia has received very little attention. Due to this it leads to poor quality of life, palpitations, an increase in maternal infections, exhaustion, diminished cognitive function and postpartum depression. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery in public hospitals of Awi zone, North West Ethiopia, 2023. Method A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 395 mothers who gave birth by cesarean delivery from May 1–30, 2023. Data were collected using a pretested checklist. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Then the data were entered into EPI-data version 4.6 and exported to the SPSS version 25 for analysis. A logistic regression model was fitted to assess the association between outcome and explanatory variables. Variables with a p-value of 0.25 or less in bivariable analysis were candidates for multivariable analysis and P-value < 0.05 in multivariable analysis was considered to declare a result as statistically significant in this study. Result The prevalence of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery was 18.9% (95% CI (15.1, 23.1)) with a response rate of 97.97%. Being primipara (AOR = 0.47,95%CI = 0.24,0.92), indication for current C/S (malpresentation) (AOR = 0.29,95%CI = 0.09,0.90), having pre-operation hemoglobin level <11g/dl (AOR = 14.5;95% CI = 4.11,51.16) and having medical complication during current pregnancy (AOR = 5.95,95%CI = 1.88,18.83) were significantly associated with postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery. Conclusion The findings of the study show that the prevalence of postpartum anemia after cesarean delivery is a mild public health problem. Therefore, promoting the benefits of early detection and management of pregnancy complications such as predelivery anemia and medical complications is crucial.

Critical raw material-free multi-principal alloy design for a net-zero future

Abstract Refractory High-Entropy Alloys (RHEAs), such as NbMoTaW, MoNbTaVW, HfNbTaZr, Re0.1Hf0.25NbTaW0.4, Nb40Ti25Al15V10Ta5Hf3W2, Ti x NbMoTaW (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1), and 3d transition metal HEAs such as Al10.3Co17Cr7.5Fe9Ni48.6Ti5.8Ta0.6Mo0.8W0.4 have demonstrated superior performance compared to traditional superalloys, particularly in high-temperature applications for engine components. However, the development of these alloys often depends on critical raw materials (CRMs) such as Ta, W, Nb, Hf, and others. The reliance on critical raw materials (CRMs) not only generates substantial emissions during recycling processes but also imposes considerable risks across global supply chains, hindering the pursuit of Net-zero ambitions. In this pioneering work, we unveil an inventive approach to inversely predict novel multicomponent alloy compositions, meticulously crafted to eliminate CRMs while achieving hardness levels comparable to those of CRM-containing multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs). A robust machine learning (ML) model was developed using a computational database of 3,608 entries, covering unary and binary materials from the Thermo-Calc 2024a software. Among various ML models, the Extra Trees Regressor (ETR) exhibited superior performance and was integrated with metaheuristic optimization techniques to identify novel MPEA compositions. The Cuckoo Search Optimization (CSO) method produced reduced-CRM MPEAs that closely matched Thermo-Calc predictions, with an error margin below ± 20%. To assess the efficacy of these reduced-CRM MPEAs, we compared the hardness of newly synthesized MPEA with CRM-containing counterparts reported in the literature, particularly those with high-risk critical raw materials like Niobium (Nb) and Tantalum (Ta). For example, the CoCrFeNb0.309Ni alloy, which includes CRMs Nb and Co exhibits a Vickers hardness of 480 HV. In contrast, our proposed composition, Ti0.01111NiFe0.4Cu0.4 achieves a comparable hardness of 488 HV without using a CRM. Our objective was not to develop high hardness alloy but to facilitate the development of reduced-CRM multi-principal element alloys (R-CRM-MPEAs). We validated our computational approach through the experimental synthesis of an FCC-phase alloy, Al6.25Cu18.75Fe25Co25Ni25. Thermo-Calc evaluation and ML model predictions of the Vickers hardness showed excellent agreement with the experimental hardness values, which lends credence to our approach. In conclusion, this study provides a robust framework for accelerating the discovery of novel R-CRM-MPEAs, effectively addressing challenges related to supply chain vulnerabilities, import dependence, and related environmental concerns.

Surgical Site Infection after Craniotomy in Neuro-Oncology (SINO): A protocol for an international prospective multicentre service evaluation across the United Kingdom and Ireland

Introduction Given its proximity to the central nervous system, surgical site infections (SSIs) after craniotomy (SSI-CRAN) represent a serious adverse event. SSI-CRAN are associated with substantial patient morbidity and mortality. Despite the recognition of SSI in other surgical fields, there is a paucity of evidence in the neurosurgical literature devoted to skin closure, specifically in patients with brain tumors. The primary objective of this service evaluation is to ascertain the incidence and the risk factors associated with SSI-CRAN. The secondary objectives would be a) to ascertain the incidence of SSI-CRAN in sutured versus stapled wounds, after accounting for patient, surgical and hospital confounders of SSI-CRAN and b) to determine the percentage of patients with gliomas that begin adjuvant oncological treatment in patients with infection versus those without infection. Methods Surgical Site Infection after Craniotomy in Neuro-Oncology (SINO) is a international prospective multicentre service evaluation that will include patients with an intracranial neoplasm, both primary and secondary neoplasms, treated with cranial surgery (including biopsy). Consecutive paediatric (<18 years) and adult (≥18 years) patients diagnosed with a brain tumour, undergoing cranial surgery between 1st October 2024 and 1st December 2024 will be included. Prospective data will be collected with a follow-up of 90 days.

l-Histidine-functionalized KIT-6 with embedded palladium nanoparticles as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of sulfide to sulfoxide and amination of aryl halides

Peaceful dying among Canada’s elderly: An analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Introduction Death is universal, yet relatively little is known about how Canadians experience their death. Using novel decedent interview data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging we describe the prevalence and characteristics of peace with dying among older Canadians. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of decedent interview data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Proxies of deceased Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging participants reported on participants’ end-of-life experiences between January 2012 to March 2022. We examined end-of-life characteristics and their association with proxy reports of experiencing peace with dying. We conducted regression analysis to explore the association between demographic and end-of-life characteristics and experiencing peace with dying. Results Of 3,672 deceased participants, 1,287 (35.0%) had a completed decedent questionnaire and were included in the analysis. Respondents reported that two-thirds (66.0%) of the deceased experienced peace with dying and 17% did not experience peace with dying. The unadjusted odds of experiencing peace with dying were higher for those with an appointed power of attorney (OR 1.80; CI 1.39–2.33), those who died of cancer (OR 1.71; CI 1.27–2.30), those in hospice/receiving palliative care (OR 1.67; CI 1.19–2.37), individuals older than 75 years (OR 1.55; CI 1.04–2.30), or widowed (OR 1.53; CI 1.12–2.10). Widowhood (OR 1.51; CI 1.01–2.29), having an end-of-life SDM (OR 1.58; CI 1.14–2.17), and dying of cancer (OR 1.67; CI 1.19–2.23) increased the adjusted odds of dying with peace. Conclusions Close to 1 in 5 older Canadians may not experience peace with dying, which supports greater focus on improving the end-of-life care. Our findings suggest that advanced planning may enhance the experience of a peaceful death in Canada.

Identifying time patterns in Huntington’s disease trajectories using dynamic time warping-based clustering on multi-modal data

Physical activity and metabolic syndrome in primary care patients in Spain

Purpose To determine the relationship between self-reported physical activity and the components of premorbid metabolic syndrome in patients treated in primary care according to sex. Methods Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on a sample of 2,359 patients without cardiovascular disease or diabetes, included in the cohort of the IBERICAN study. Using ANOVA models and adjusting for age, economic status, employment situation, level of education, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, tobacco use and alcohol consumption, we estimated the association of the variables blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood glucose and waist circumference with the self-reported level of physical activity (sedentary, moderate, high, very high). The analyses were performed stratifying by sex. Results A total of 854 men and 1,505 women with no identified diseases were included. Women were more sedentary than men (p<0.004; OR = 1,35; IC95% = 1,10–1,65) and presented lower values in all the components of the metabolic syndrome, except for HDL-cholesterol, which was higher (p<0.001). The adjusted ANOVA model shows that diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and waist circumference were significantly lower the higher the level of physical activity in both men and women (p<0.05). Conclusions Patients served in primary care clinics without diabetes or cardiovascular disease and with high levels of physical activity showed better metabolic syndrome profiles. Given that women are more sedentary, gender approaches are needed in the promotion of physical activity to prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

SED-YOLO based multi-scale attention for small object detection in remote sensing

Correction: Global trade of South Korea in competitive products and their impact on regional dependence

Breather, lump and other wave profiles for the nonlinear Rosenau equation arising in physical systems

Understanding emotional and health indicators underlying the burnout risk of healthcare workers

Burnout of healthcare workers is of increasing concern as workload pressures mount. Burnout is usually conceptualised as resulting from external pressures rather than internal resilience and although is not a diagnosable condition, it is related to help seeking for its psychological sequelae. To understand how staff support services can intervene with staff heading for burnout, it is important to understand what other intrapsychic factors are related to it. A diary tool was used by staff in a region of England to self-monitor their wellbeing over time. The tool explores many areas of mental health and wellbeing and enabled regression analysis to predict which of the various factors provided the strongest indicators of burnout. Using a multiple linear regression model, burnout was found to be most associated with depression , receptiveness , mental wellbeing , and connectedness (p<0.05). It was also shown that 71% of the variance present in the response variable, i.e. burnout, explained by independent variables. Both the Spearman Rank Correlation and the Variance Inflation Factor methods found no evidence for multicollinearity in our regression models. We showed how burnout can be explained using a handful of factors including emotional and mental health indicators. The findings suggest a simple set of indicators can predict burnout and could be used for screening. The data suggests attention to four factors around social safeness, grounding and care in the self, hope and meaning, and having sufficient energy could form the basis of wellbeing programs.

Morphological and functional analysis of colorectal cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D culture models

Efficacy of videoconferencing-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy to reduce anxiety disorder severity in LGBTQ+ people: An exploratory trial protocol

Objective Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a well-established treatment for anxiety disorders in the general population. However, the efficacy of CBT for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and otherwise non-heterosexual or non-cisgender (LGBTQ+) people with anxiety disorders is still emerging in the literature. This protocol proposes an exploratory, two-group, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of CBT for anxiety disorders against a waitlist control group. Methods The trial will recruit 52 LGBTQ+ adults with a primary anxiety disorder diagnosis. The treatment will consist of videoconferencing-delivered CBT using the Unified Protocol (UP). The treatment will be provided in eight weekly individual sessions. Following treatment completion, the waitlist control participants will receive an LGBTQ+ adapted CBT intervention delivered via videoconferencing. The control group will receive the LGBTQ+ adapted UP in weekly sessions for eight weeks. Diagnostic status and symptom severity will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. Post-treatment qualitative exit interviews will collect participant perspectives on treatment acceptability. Results Outcome measures will be compared across groups and benchmarked with existing literature to assess efficacy and feasibility, while qualitative analysis will explore intervention acceptability. Conclusion The results are anticipated to inform best-practice remote transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety disorders in LGBTQ+ people.

A paper-based HPV E7 oncoprotein assay for cervical precancer detection at the point of care

Preliminary screening of new biomarkers for sepsis using bioinformatics and experimental validation

Background The morbidity and mortality of sepsis remain high, and so far specific diagnostic and therapeutic means are lacking. Objective To screen novel biomarkers for sepsis. Methods Raw sepsis data were downloaded from the Chinese National Genebank (CNGBdb) and screened for differentially expressed RNAs. Key genes with predictive value were identified through weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and meta-analysis and survival analysis using multiple public databases. Core genes were analyzed for functional enrichment using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA). The core genes were localized using single-cell sequencing. qPCR was used to validate the core genes. Results Differential analysis yielded a total of 5125 mRNA. WGCNA identified 5 modules and screened 3 core genes (S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2). The prognosis of sepsis patients was strongly linked to S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2 based on meta-analysis and survival analysis(P < 0.05).GSEA analysis showed that S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2 were significantly enriched in ribosome-related pathways. S100A11 and QPCT were widely distributed in all immune cells, and QPCT was mainly localized in the macrophage cell lineage. In the sepsis group, the qPCR results showed that S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2 expression levels were significantly higher in the sepsis group(P < 0.05). Conclusion In this study, S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2 were screened as new potential biomarkers for sepsis. Validated by bioinformatics analysis and qPCR, these genes are closely associated with the prognosis of sepsis patients and have potential as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.