Browse Articles

Impact assessment of planned and unplanned urbanization on land surface temperature in Afghanistan using machine learning algorithms: a path toward sustainability

Efficacy and safety of creatine phosphate sodium in the treatment of viral myocarditis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of creatine phosphate sodium in the treatment of viral myocarditis, and to provide guidance for its clinical treatment. Methods We conducted a search of The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, and Web of Science databases to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of creatine phosphate sodium (CPS) in the treatment of viral myocarditis. The search was conducted up to April 2024. After screening the literature, extracting data, and evaluating the risk of bias in the included studies, we performed a meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 and Stata17.0 statistical software. Results A total of 104 articles were retrieved, and 9 articles with a combined total of 1,116 patients were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that the overall efficacy rate in the phosphocreatine sodium treatment group was higher than that in the control group [RR = 1.22, 95%CI (1.15, 1.28), P<0.00001]. Furthermore, post-treatment levels of cardiac troponin I [MD = 0.1, 95%CI (0.07, 0.13), P<0.00001] and creatine kinase isoenzyme [MD = 9.43, 95%CI (7.04,11 .82), P<0 .00001] in the phosphocreatine treatment group were lower compared to those in the control group; both differences between groups were statistically significant. Additionally, there was no significant difference observed in adverse reaction incidence between the phosphocreatine sodium treatment group and conventional treatment group [RR = 1 .07, 95% CI (0 .68, 1 .67), P = O .77]. Conclusion Creatine phosphate sodium treatment can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of patients with viral myocarditis, and can reduce the levels of cTnI and CK-MB. Compared with conventional treatment, it has good safety.

Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on physical activity levels in different sub-populations of Iranians: a national survey

White matter lesions and DTI metrics related to various types of dysfunction in cerebral palsy: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Background Assessing various types of dysfunction in cerebral palsy is a key factor in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients. The objective of this study was to use meta-analysis and systematic review to identify the specific white matter lesions and DTI metrics strongly associated with various types of dysfunction in cerebral palsy. Methods We conducted a literature search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases to identify trials published that had evaluated the correlation between DTI metrics in sensorimotor pathways and function scores in cerebral palsy. Correlation coefficient (r) values were extracted for each study, and the extent of r was quantitatively explored. The remaining part of the study was analyzed qualitatively. Results 46 studies involving 1458 children with cerebral palsy, were included. 19 articles for Meta-analysis and 27 articles were descriptively analyzed. DTI metrics such as FA、MD in both sensory and motor pathways significantly correlated with various function ratings. In overall motor dysfunction, compared with the CST and PTR, FA of the PLIC correlated more strongly with GMFCS, and showed no significant heterogeneity (r = -1.28, confidence interval [CI]-1.70 to -0.87,I2 = 38.2%,P = 0.233). In upper limb dysfunction, compared with the AHA and MA2, FA of the CST correlated more strongly with BBT, and showed no significant heterogeneity (r = -0.56, confidence interval [CI]-0.78 to -0.34,I2 = 0.0%,P = 0.511). Lower limb dysfunction and other dysfunctions we used qualitative analysis. The qualitative analysis offered a concise overview of each investigation. Conclusions This study basically identifies the specific white matter lesions corresponding to overall motor dysfunction, upper limb and lower limb motor deficits and other dysfunctions in patients with cerebral palsy, as well as the associated DTI metrics.

Giant pit craters on the modern seafloor above magma-induced hydrothermal vent complexes of Scotia Sea, offshore Antarctica

Abstract Massive injection of 13 C depleted carbon to the ocean and atmosphere coincided with major environmental upheaval multiple times in the geological record. For several events, the source of carbon has been attributed to explosive venting of gas produced when magmatic sills intruded organic-rich sediment. The concept mostly derives from studies of a few ancient sedimentary basins with numerous hydrothermal vent complexes (HTVCs) where craters appear to have formed across large areas of the seafloor at the same time, but good examples remain rare in strata younger than the Early Eocene. We present geophysical data documenting at least 150 large (km-scale) craters on the modern seafloor across ∼148,000 km 2 of Scan Basin in the southern Scotia Sea, a remote region offshore Antarctica. Seismic and bathymetric information reveals the craters relate to vertical fluid pipes extending above dome-shaped forced folds and saucer-shaped igneous sills. Presumably, magmatic intrusions deform overlying sediment and produce thermogenic gas, where buoyant hydrothermal fluids migrate upwards from sill flanks through V-shaped gas chimneys to the seafloor. Fluid expulsion, driven by excess pore pressure, enhances vertical conduits and creates collapse structures on the seafloor. Age estimates for sill emplacement and crater formation come from correlations of seismic reflectors with bore hole data collected on IODP Expedition 382. Sills intruded into sediment at least two times, first about 12–13 Ma (Middle Miocene), which occurred with deep intrusions of stacked composite sills, and once about 0.9 Ma and associated with volcanism along Discovery Bank, which may have reactivated previous fluid venting. Crater reactivation has occurred since 0.9 Ma, although probably episodically. Importantly, at present-day, numerous craters related to sills and fluid pipes populate the seafloor above a young sedimentary basin, and the ocean and atmosphere are receiving massive quantities of 13 C depleted carbon. The two phenomena are unrelated but, with changes in global climate and sedimentation, the craters could be filled simultaneously and give an impression in the rock record of rapid and coeval formation coincident with carbon emission. Interpretations of ancient HTVCs and their significance to global carbon cycling needs revision with consideration of modern seafloor regions with HTVCs, notably Scan Basin.

Optimization of cold chain logistics distribution path considering traffic condition and replenishment along the way

Road traffic congestion on the cold chain logistics not only increase the cost and time, but also creates certain negative impact on the national carbon emissions. To fully utilize the traffic resources, this study has classified urban road traffic congestion and defined the various vehicle delivery speeds with dynamic congestion levels. Simultaneously, it has developed the cold chain products replenishment strategy by considering delivery route, multi-depot condition and even vehicle types, aiming to minimize the total cost and carbon emissions, and maximizing the cold chain products freshness. To achieve this, this study build up a multi-objective vehicle routing optimization model and designed a hybrid algorithm combining large-scale neighborhood search and NAGA-II. Through computational analysis, this algorithm effectively overcomes the weak local search capability of NAGA-II and efficiently solves multi-objective problems. Moreover, under the simulated random traffic congestion conditions, this model able to demonstrate relatively stable planning results and address complex road traffic situations. Finally, this study able to analyze the impacts of various replenishment strategies, by considering multiple depots and sensitivity coefficients of cold chain products from delivery objectives. The analysis results also provides valuable insights for actual cold chain logistics distribution industry.

Evaluation of treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using plasma D-dimer levels

mGBP2 engages Galectin-9 for immunity against Toxoplasma gondii

Guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are large interferon-inducible GTPases, executing essential host defense activities against Toxoplasma gondii, an invasive intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite of global importance. T. gondii establishes a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) which shields the parasite from the host’s intracellular defense mechanisms. Murine GBPs (mGBPs) recognize T. gondii PVs and assemble into supramolecular mGBP homo- and heterocomplexes that are required for the disruption of the membrane of PVs eventually resulting in the cell-autonomous immune control of vacuole-resident pathogens. We have previously shown that mGBP2 plays an important role in T. gondii immune control. Here, to unravel mGBP2 functions, we report Galectin-9 (Gal9) as a critical mGBP2 interaction partner engaged for immunity to T. gondii. Interestingly, Gal9 also accumulates and colocalizes with mGBP2 at the T. gondii PV. Furthermore, we could prove the requirement of Gal9 for growth control of T. gondii by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing. These discoveries clearly indicate that Gal9 is a crucial factor for the mGBP2-coordinated cell-autonomous host defense mechanism against T. gondii.

Preparation and characterization of SPE column with smart green molecularly imprinted polymers materials for selective determination of S-metolachlor herbicide

Abstract The presence of traces of herbicides in ground and surface waters can have adverse impacts on humans and the environment. Therefore, developing a highly selective and reusable adsorbent for monitoring water quality has become important. This article describes smart green molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as selective sorbents of S-metolachlor herbicide for solid phase extraction (SPE). Combining the MIP-SPE column with HPLC chromatography provided a quick and accurate method for determining the real concentration of S-metolachlor in water samples. The sorption capacity of the MIP-SPE column was almost twice that of the non-imprinted polymer column for SPE extraction. The bed can be regenerated up to three times before it loses its original sorption properties. A method has been developed whereby 6 ml of water can achieve an average recovery rate of 98% for sorbent. During the selectivity study from multicomponent solution, the calculate imprinting factor for MIPs was calculated to be 10, while MIPs sorb S-metolachlor 10 times better than atrazine, 12 times better than fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and 33 times better than glyphosate. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was in good agreement with the experimental values obtained.

Notch dimerization provides robustness against environmental insults and is required for vascular integrity

The Notch intracellular domain (NICD) regulates gene expression during development and homeostasis in a transcription factor complex that binds DNA either as monomer, or cooperatively as dimers. Mice expressing N otch d imerization- d eficient (NDD) alleles of Notch1 and Notch2 have defects in multiple tissues that are sensitized to environmental insults. Here, we report that cardiac phenotypes and DSS (Dextran Sodium Sulfate) sensitivity in NDD mice can be ameliorated by housing mice under hypo-allergenic conditions (food/bedding). However, compound heterozygote NDD mice (N1 RA/– ; N2 RA/– ) in hypo-allergenic conditions subsequently develop severe hydrocephalus and hemorrhages. Further analysis revealed multiple vascular phenotypes in NDD mice including leakage, malformations of brain vasculature, and vasodilation in kidneys, leading to demise around P21. This mouse model is thus a hypomorphic allele useful to analyze vascular phenotypes and gene-environment interactions. The possibility of a non-canonical Notch signal regulating barrier formation in the gut, skin, and blood systems is discussed.

Identification of core biomarkers for tuberculosis progression through bioinformatics analysis and in vitro research

Machine learning model to predict the adherence of tuberculosis patients experiencing increased levels of liver enzymes in Indonesia

Indonesia is still the second-highest tuberculosis burden country in the world. The antituberculosis adverse drug reaction and adherence may influence the success of treatment. The objective of this study is to define the model for predicting the adherence in tuberculosis patients, based on the increased level of liver enzymes. The longitudinal study using adult tuberculosis patients treated with the first line of antituberculosis was conducted prospectively. The pregnant women and patients with complications such as gout, diabetes mellitus, liver disorder and HIV were excluded. We measured the total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and adherence over the 2nd, 4th, and 6th months of the treatment. We used the ORANGE Data mining as the machine learning to predict the adherence. We recruited 201 patients, whereas the male participants and less than 61 years old as the dominant participants. Around 33%, 35% and 35% tuberculosis patients experienced the increase level of bilirubine, ALT and AST, respectively. There were significant differences in ALT and AST between good and poor adherence groups, especially in the female patients. The Neural Network and Random Forests were the most suitable models to predict tuberculosis patients’ adherence with good Area Under The Curve (AUC).

Composite cardiac computed tomography angiography score for improved risk assessment in chronic coronary syndromes

Respiratory extracellular vesicle isolation optimization through proteomic profiling of equine samples and identification of candidates for cell-of-origin studies

Growing evidence supports the importance of extracellular vesicle (EV) as mediators of communication in pathological processes, including those underlying respiratory disease. However, establishing methods for isolating and characterizing EVs remains challenging, particularly for respiratory samples. This study set out to address this challenge by comparing different EV isolation methods and evaluating their impacts on EV yield, markers of purity, and proteomic signatures, utilizing equine/horse bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Horses can serve as effective translational animal models for respiratory studies due to similarities with human immune responses, shared environmental exposures, and naturally occurring respiratory diseases including asthma. Further, horses are long-lived large animals that allow for longitudinal sample collection, and provide large sample volume and cell yield, which are particularly useful since EV research is commonly limited by low sample yields. Here, EVs were isolated from horse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using four different methods (ultracentrifugation, microcentrifugation, and two sizes of size exclusion chromatography columns) and characterized by measuring particle counts, EV purity, total protein yield, and proteomic cargo, with a specific focus on vesicle surface marker expression potentially informing cell type of origin. We found that size exclusion chromatography yielded the highest particle counts, greatest EV purity markers and elevated vesicle surface marker expression. Overall proteomic profiles differed across isolation methods, with size exclusion chromatography clustering separately from centrifugation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that different isolation methods impact characteristics of EVs, notably that size exclusion chromatography, compared to centrifugation methods, resulted in higher EV purity and better characterized proteomic diversity, including information on EV cell-of-origin. This is the first study to characterize proteomic profiles of EVs following different isolation methods using equine BALF. The results of this study will pave the way for future studies using equine and human samples to characterize respiratory tract EVs.

Neonatal near miss and associated factors among neonates delivered at East Gojjam zone public health hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia

What sustain Chinese adult second language (L2) learners’ engagement in online classes? A sequential mix-methods study on the roles of L2 motivation and enjoyment

Recent research has integrated positive psychology with the Second Language Motivational Self System (L2MMS) to explore how enjoyment, L2 self-guides (including ideal L2 self and ought-to L2 self), and engagement interact among school-aged second-language (L2) learners. However, there is a significant gap in understanding these dynamics among adult learners, particularly those who primarily learn a second language online—a group that has been largely overlooked. To address this gap, our study examined the underlying mechanisms connecting these constructs. We employed a sequential mixed-methods approach with 367 adult L2 learners enrolled in online language courses at three universities in China. Quantitative data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Amos 24, revealing several key findings. Enjoyment was found to directly and positively predict engagement. However, contrary to existing literature, ideal L2 self did not directly predict either enjoyment or engagement. In contrast, ought-to L2 self directly and positively predicted both enjoyment and engagement, and it indirectly influenced engagement through enjoyment. Qualitative data, gathered through semi-structured interviews with five participants and analyzed using MAXQDA 2022, provided deeper insights into these statistical trends. This study concludes by discussing its implications and suggesting directions for future research.

Characterizing safety, toxicity, and breast cancer risk reduction using a long-term fulvestrant eluting implant

Abstract For individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer, interventions to mitigate this risk include surgical removal of their breasts and ovaries or five years treatment with the anti-estrogen tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. We hypothesized that a silicone based anti-estrogen-eluting implant placed within the breast would provide the risk reduction benefit of hormonal therapy, but without the adverse effects that limit compliance. To this end, we demonstrate that when placed adjacent to mammary tissue in the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced rat breast cancer model a fulvestrant-eluting implant delays breast cancer with minimal systemic exposure. Using adult female sheep, surgical placement of fulvestrant-eluting implants was safe and did not elicit significant breast tissue pathology when placed at the base of the udder for directed elution into the mammary tissue. At 30 days of elution, fulvestrant was found to penetrate mammary tissue forming a concentration gradient beyond 15 mm from the implant. Consistent with the small animal rat study, minimal systemic fulvestrant biodistribution was found. Together, these studies provide the proof of principle that a breast indwelling fulvestrant-eluting implant can reduce the risk of breast cancer and limit systemic exposure, while penetrating and distributing through breast tissue.

Physical demands and physiological response of soccer referees in high-level matches: A systematic review

Background The match physical demands placed on soccer referees are intrinsically connected to their capacity to make accurate judgments, becoming the second most studied theme in associate soccer refereeing. Objective This study aims to review the external and internal load performed by soccer referees in high-level competitions, to identify changes in these indicators over different periods as the competition progresses, and to analyze the standards for dividing speed zones and heart rate zones. Methods Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost were thoroughly searched. Grey literature sources and Google Scholar were also consulted, with a focus on analysing and comparing the physical demands of soccer referees at different phases of high-level matches. Results A total of 14 manuscripts were included in this review. Studies revealed that the total distance (TD) covered by referees during a full match ranged from 9 to 12 km. High-intensity running (HIR) constituted 2.0–18.7% of TD, accounting for approximately 38% of total time (TT). Referees reached 80–100% of their maximal heart rate during matches. The standards for dividing speed zones and heart rate zones varied among the selected studies. Discussion This systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of referees’ physical demands (e.g., TD, HIR, and HR) to offer practitioners valuable biological data for training and competition preparation. The lack of uniform criteria for dividing speed and heart rate zones limits data collection, thereby affecting the reporting of distances covered at different exercise intensities.

Analysis of postmarketing neuropsychiatric adverse events of avapritinib based on the FDA adverse event reporting system

Healthcare resource utilization and costs in immunodeficient patients receiving subcutaneous Ig: Real-world evidence from France

Background Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) replacement therapy is indicated for patients with hypogammaglobulinemia caused by primary (PID) and secondary immunodeficiencies (SID). Objective To compare healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and related direct medical costs of patients in France treated with weekly conventional SCIg (cSCIg) vs monthly hyaluronidase-facilitated SCIg (fSCIg). Methods This retrospective study of Ig-naïve patients with PID or SID newly receiving a SCIg between 2016 and 2018, extracted from the French National Healthcare reimbursement database (SNDS), analyzed the SCIg-related HCRU and reimbursed costs generated from in-hospital (hospitalizations and SCIg doses) or at-home (nurse visits [NV] and pump provider visits [PPV], drug doses) SCIg administration. Results Overall, 2,012 patients (PID:534; SID:1,478) were analyzed. The follow-up duration varied between 7.5 and 8.7 months according to sub-groups. Compared with fSCIg-treated patients, monthly mean rates of NV and PPV were respectively 2.5 and 3.1 times higher in PID, and 1.6 and 3.1 times higher in SID cSCIg-treated patients. Monthly mean rates for SCIg administration-related hospitalizations were lower overall, while their costs were 1.6 and 1.8 times higher for cSCIg than fSCIg subgroups, in PIDs and SIDs respectively; these results are due to more frequent hospitalizations with fSCIg being mainly shorter, without stayover. Total HCRU costs from the French NHI’s perspective were estimated to be lower with fSCIg vs cSCIg, in PIDs and SIDs. Conclusion This study provides real-world evidence of SCIg administration in a large French population. Patients with PID or SID treated with fSCIg had fewer at-home HCRU and lower overall costs for in-hospital or at-home SCIg administration compared with cSCIg-treated patients.