Comprehensive Study Research Articles

The Effect of Coronavirus Pandemic on the Treatment of Gynecological and Breast Cancers

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, various groups, including women with cancer, were affected as a high-risk group in terms of disease diagnosis and treatment. Despite the importance of therapeutic changes in cancers, such as breast and gynecological cancer, there is no comprehensive study in this regard that also refers to the coronavirus. The need for a deep understanding of the impact of coronavirus on the treatment plan of this group of patients caused the researcher to design and implement this study that aims to investigate the treatment challenge among cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: To answer the study question, a comprehensive search was carried out in databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus, using keywords, including cancer, gynecologic cancer, breast cancer, treatment, delay, and modification. Full-texted, English language and original articles were included in this study. Results: In total, 27 articles were selected for the study. The findings of this study revealed that COVID-19 greatly affects the treatment of gynecology and breast cancer. These patients experience delay or modification of cancer treatment. Increased time between diagnosis and treatment, delay, change or cancellation of surgery and change in treatment plan are the most important changes in cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various aspects of gynecology and breast cancer care worldwide. In the current pandemic, there has been a significant delay in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological and breast cancer, which, due to its higher morbidity and mortality, has made the condition more difficult for cancer patients and treatment teams.

Bibliometric Analysis to Improve Combined Treatment Strategies for Glioblastoma in America

Introduction: Bibliometric analysis quantitatively examines scientific literature to extract insights. This article has conducted such analysis on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment articles. GBM, a prevalent brain tumor, is typically treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Objectives: The article aimed to bibliometrically analyze articles discussing combined GBM treatment to identify impactful research areas and encourage collaboration. Materials and Methods: The study encompassed a comprehensive search in the Scopus database, spanning articles published from 1974 to 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed research conducted in the Americas, both clinical and experimental. A total of 772 articles were collected and categorized based on their primary focus on combined treatment approaches. Results: Clinical studies constituted 52% of articles, suggesting a slight dominance. The analysis unveiled key research moments, including a 1998 focus shift and a pivotal 2005 study on temozolomide- radiation combination. Top journals, trends, and authors were identified, with the USA leading in contributions. Discussions: Despite high brain tumor incidence, research distribution discrepancy is concerning. Regional epidemiological studies have been endorsed. The dominance of US and German authors in GBM collaboration has raised equity issues due to budget and GDP disparities limiting Latin American representation. Conclusion: GBM research in the region is dominated by the USA, while contributions from Latin American countries remain limited. The absence of comprehensive epidemiological studies on GBM in Latin America is concerning, considering the evident impact of the disease in the region. This underscores the urgent need for increased research participation and collaboration to advance the understanding and treatment of GBM across Latin American nations.

An Updated Review on the Role of Phytoconstituents in Modulating Signalling Pathways to Combat Skin Ageing: Nature’s Own Weapons and Approaches

Abstract: Various geographical areas exhibit varying degrees of prevalence and severity of dermatological issues. The most commonly observed skin issues among adolescents during their growth period on a global scale encompass dry skin, dyspigmentation, wrinkles, fungal infections, as well as benign and malignant tumors. These conditions arise as a consequence of diminished functional capacity and heightened skin susceptibility. The primary manifestation of the whole process of skin ageing is its visual presentation, which encompasses changes in both the structure and function of the skin. The look and function of human skin exhibit particular variations as individuals age, representing a time-dependent phenomenon. This review article primarily examines the discussion surrounding the diverse phytoconstituents and their impact on signalling pathways in cellular metabolism, as well as their interaction with environmental factors and xenobiotic agents that contribute to skin aging. Ultraviolet (UV) light induces the rapid formation and subsequent accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within skin cells, hence accelerating oxidative stress and the ageing process of the skin. One effective approach to addressing age-related skin disorders entails the utilization of exogenous supplementation through the consumption of dietary antioxidants, as well as the application of antioxidant-based lotions to the skin prior to sun exposure. Several plant species include phenolic components, including ascorbic acid, ellagitannins, and carotenoids, which have the ability to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and influence several survival signalling pathways. This comprehensive study elucidated multiple processes by which phytoconstituents exert their effects for intervention purposes. Additionally, it highlighted the ability of these phytoconstituents to modulate the NF-κB signalling pathway, MAPK signalling, Nrf2 signalling, and other pathways, hence demonstrating their potential anti-aging properties.

Are cleft sentence structures more difficult to process?

This study compares the processing of cleft structures against that of monoclausal sentences using event-related potential (ERP). We aim to understand how syntactic complexity is processed by comparing the neural response to cleft and single-clause sentences with identical verb phrases, controlling for verb bias frequency effects. 60 participants were tested, and we presented 100 cleft and 100 monoclausal sentences, balanced for active and passive verb usage. The P600 component, which is associated with syntactic complexity, was examined to assess the processing load of cleft structures. Results showed that cleft structures incur a greater processing load, as indicated by a P600, compared to monoclausal sentences. This indexed the increased difficulty of processing the additional syntactic operation required to parse cleft sentences. These findings echo the results of behavioral studies of sentence comprehension on clinical populations.

Reading comprehension studies in the last decade: global trends and future direction of Indonesia language researches

Reading comprehension studies in the last decade: global trends and future direction of Indonesia language researches

Sentence comprehension in Malay-speaking adults with aphasia: the role of affix integration

ABSTRACT Background One of the impairments in comprehension mostly reported for aphasia is that in reversible passive sentences, where a systematic asymmetry with reversible active sentences has been attested across languages. In several accounts, this selective impairment has been proposed to be the result of the specific syntax of passive sentences. However, some results particularly from flexible word order languages suggest that a pattern where both active and passive sentences are impaired also exists. Aims In this study, we examined the actives and passives in the comprehension of a flexible word order language, namely standard Malay, in people with aphasia (PWA), aiming to confirm that the predominant pattern in this language is one of generalised impairment across reversible sentences (active and passive), and not an asymmetrical one. The role of fluency in determining the pattern of impairment was also explored. Methods & procedures Fourteen healthy adults and 20 PWA, 14 with fluent aphasia and 6 with non-fluent aphasia, took part in a comprehension study in standard Malay. Standard Malay is a flexible word order language that relies on the parsing of the voice affix on the verb to correctly interpret both active and passive sentences. Participants were tested on a sentence-picture matching task on comprehension of active and passive reversible clauses. Outcomes and results The study revealed that PWA were overall less accurate than healthy speakers in comprehension of reversible active and passive sentences, and non-fluent PWA were less accurate than fluent PWA with no effect of sentence type (active/passive). While not predominant, an asymmetric pattern was present in some participants. We propose that an impairment in thematic role assignment leads to a generalised impairment in comprehension of reversible sentences, while preserved thematic role mapping and impaired syntax lead to an asymmetric impairment. Conclusions The study confirmed that speakers of Malay mostly show a generalised impairment in both active and passive sentences. Given the nature of the language, we propose that this suggests that impairment in Malay is predominantly shown on affix integration, first in mapping of thematic roles, and then in the full syntactic processing.

Fair or Foul? Interrogating the Role of Baseball Knowledge in Studies of Knowledge and Comprehension

AbstractAlthough links between knowledge and reading comprehension have been widely documented for decades, recent translational science publications (e.g., teacher journals, books, and podcasts) have increasingly referred to studies using baseball (a sport popular in the USA) as a proxy for knowledge to explain those links, especially within science of reading conversations. We conducted a systematic review of studies using baseball as a proxy for knowledge necessary for reading comprehension. After a comprehensive literature search, we found 19 “baseball studies” dating from 1978 to 2018, and we note that 13 of the studies used the same two measures of baseball knowledge. When analyzing the measures of baseball knowledge, we find that their measures of knowledge focused heavily on vocabulary and baseball trivia, and we found that the most common baseball comprehension text was deceptively complex. Finally, we analyzed recent research citations of baseball studies and found that even the oldest baseball studies are commonly cited in high‐impact journals even in the last 5 years. Ultimately, we interrogate the role of baseball knowledge studies in the body of research on knowledge and comprehension. We also call for reliance on non‐baseball studies to create a knowledge–comprehension translational science likely to positively impact systematic curricular improvement, move the science of reading conversation forward, and improve all students' reading comprehension at scale.

A Comprehensive Study on the Impact of COVID-19 on Secondary Education in Uganda

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global education has been profound, especially in Uganda. Secondary school students in Uganda have encountered numerous challenges as a result of this crisis. This paper offers a thorough examination of the specific obstacles faced by these students, encompassing impacts on academic achievements, mental well-being, and their overall educational path. The closure of schools has disrupted the educational advancement of secondary students in Uganda, and the transition to online learning has exacerbated the digital divide due to limited access to the internet and technology resources. This scenario has led to educational disparities for students from underprivileged backgrounds. The pandemic’s socioeconomic repercussions have also imposed financial burdens on students’ families, compelling some students to seek employment or care for unwell relatives, thereby restricting their study time. School closures have affected students’ social interactions, resulting in feelings of seclusion. The absence of peer and teacher interactions can have adverse effects on students’ mental health, escalating feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, the discontinuation of essential services such as school meals and healthcare support has impacted students’ well-being. School meals are crucial for many students, and their unavailability due to school closures has deprived students of essential nutrition. It is imperative for the Ugandan government and educational stakeholders to enact the comprehensive strategies delineated in this research paper in pre and post-pandemic era. These will prioritize equitable access to education by supplying technology and internet connectivity to marginalized communities and ensuring that mental health support services are easily accessible to students. Finally, the various challenges faced by secondary students in Uganda during the COVID-19 crisis necessitate a collective effort from all sectors. By effectively addressing these concerns, students can receive the necessary assistance to pursue their education and excel in a post-pandemic era. Keywords: COVID-19, Student, Uganda, online learning, Academic achievement, Pandemic

Homophily-Enhanced Self-Supervision for Graph Structure Learning: Insights and Directions.

Graph neural networks (GNNs) have recently achieved remarkable success on a variety of graph-related tasks, while such success relies heavily on a given graph structure that may not always be available in real-world applications. To address this problem, graph structure learning (GSL) is emerging as a promising research topic where task-specific graph structure and GNN parameters are jointly learned in an end-to-end unified framework. Despite their great progress, existing approaches mostly focus on the design of similarity metrics or graph construction, but directly default to adopting downstream objectives as supervision, which lacks deep insight into the power of supervision signals. More importantly, these approaches struggle to explain how GSL helps GNNs, and when and why this help fails. In this article, we conduct a systematic experimental evaluation to reveal that GSL and GNNs enjoy consistent optimization goals in terms of improving the graph homophily. Furthermore, we demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that task-specific downstream supervision may be insufficient to support the learning of both graph structure and GNN parameters, especially when the labeled data are extremely limited. Therefore, as a complement to downstream supervision, we propose homophily-enhanced self-supervision for GSL (HES-GSL), a method that provides more supervision for learning an underlying graph structure. A comprehensive experimental study demonstrates that HES-GSL scales well to various datasets and outperforms other leading methods. Our code will be available in https://github.com/LirongWu/Homophily-Enhanced-Self-supervision.

Insight into the Various Approaches Undertaken for the Synthesis of Quinoline Hybrids Imparting Diverse Therapeutic Activities

Abstract: Quinoline is one of the promising and prominent biologically active N-based heterocyclic compounds. This review paper aims to discuss the synthetic approaches, summarized from various research articles on the preparation of quinoline derivatives intended for different therapeutic activities like antifungal activity, anticancer activity, anticonvulsant activity, antitubercular activity, antimalarial activity, anti-Alzheimer activity and so on. The comprehensive study complies with all related publications and trademark publications demonstrating the synthesis and biological aspects of quinoline derivatives. Various types of quinoline hybrids were synthesized and treated for therapeutic activity, including anticancer, antitubercular, anti-Alzheimer, antioxidant, and antifungal activity, which have been analyzed. Quinoline is a planner hetero-aromatic compound with the chemical formula C9H7N. Several wellknown synthetic routes to the quinoline skeleton include Friedlander synthesis, Knorr quinoline synthesis, and Skraup reaction. Researchers may use other techniques or alter current strategies to reach their objectives, depending on what exact structure and therapeutic action they are investigating. The availability of starting materials, reaction conditions, scalability, desired regioselectivity, and functionalization of the quinoline core all have a role in the choice of synthetic method. This review covers the latest literature and knowledge on the synthetic procedures for numerous quinoline and its derivatives and their biological and pharmacological application.

Dynamic Data Placement Strategy with Network Security Issues in Distributed Cloud Environment for Medical Issues: An Overview

: The rapid integration of distributed cloud systems in the healthcare industry has profoundly impacted the management of valuable medical data. While this advancement has significantly improved data handling, protecting sensitive healthcare information in such a complex environment remains daunting. This comprehensive study explores the crucial intersection between dynamic data placement strategies and network security concerns in distributed cloud environments, particularly healthcare. After establishing the significance and context of this research, the survey delves into the growing need to safeguard medical data within the everevolving landscape of cloud-based healthcare systems. It lays out fundamental concepts, such as dynamic data placement and network security, highlighting their unique implications in the medical domain. Ultimately, this survey sheds light on the most effective approaches for balancing dynamic data placement and network security in the healthcare sector. This research delves into examining many tactics, evaluating their effectiveness in handling delicate medical information, and presenting tangible use cases. A key focus of this investigation is the fusion of data organization and network safety within the healthcare industry. It investigates the adaptability of dynamic data positioning techniques in fortifying network security and safeguarding against potential threats unique to the healthcare sector. Case studies of the successful implementation of these strategies in healthcare establishments are also included.

Longitudinal associations of cardiovascular health and vascular events with incident dementia

IntroductionEvidence supporting cardiovascular diseases could increase the risk of dementia remains fragmented. A comprehensive study to illuminate the distinctive associations across different dementia types is still lacking. This study is...

A Review and Comprehensive Study on DC-DC Converters

Background: DC-DC converters are used in various applications based on their required voltage capabilities ranging from milli volts to thousands of volts. Methods: This review paper discusses various voltage boosting techniques, such as buck-boost, switched inductor, switched capacitors, isolated converters, etc., and provides a detailed evaluation of the literature and comparison of different DC-DC converters. Results: This study reports a number of storage elements included, such as inductors and capacitors as well as switches and diodes. Their features along with methodologies, merits, complexity, efficiency, and voltage gain have been tabulated. A comprehensive study, converter classification based on the characteristics, and a detailed analysis of isolated and non-isolated DC-DC converters have also been provided. Conclusion: As this study provides a comparison of each isolated and non-isolated converter's comprehensive gain, this research may help in future topology optimization for the choice of the ideal converter for applications. In addition, the examination of each isolated and non-isolated converter's comprehensive gain comparison has also been presented in this paper.

Tarsals from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site (Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain).

Here, we provide a complete, updated, and illustrated inventory, as well as a comprehensive study, of the tarsals (rearfoot) recovered from the Middle Pleistocene site of Sima de los Huesos (SH, Atapuerca, Spain) in comparison to other Homo comparative samples, both extant and fossil. The minimum number of individuals (MNI) estimated from the tarsals has been established as 15, which represents 51.7% of the 29 dental individuals identified within the SH sample. Within the SH hominin foot sample, an exclusive combination of primitive or plesiomorphic and derived or autapomorphic traits can be observed when compared with other Homo individuals/populations. Other characters are shared among SH hominins and Neandertals that might represent shared derived or autapomorphic traits for this evolutionary line, and most are likely related to robusticity (e.g., rectangular-like trochlea of the talus, broad calcanei, broad naviculars, and short lateral cuneiforms). Additionally, we observed some exclusive autapomorphic traits in the SH tarsal sample (e.g., narrow head of the talus and short intermediate cuneiforms). A few exclusive traits in SH tarsal remains are even more robust than in Neandertals (e.g., broad lateral malleolar facet in talus, more projected sustentaculum tali, and broad medial cuneiform). These traits could suggest a slightly higher level of gracilization in the tarsal bones of Neandertals compared to the SH sample that is also supported by other anatomical postcranial skeleton elements. Additionally, some paleobiological inferences are made in relation to body size (stature and body mass) and some associations are proposed within the SH sample. In conclusion, the morphology of the SH tarsi confirms an evolutionary relationship of sister groups between this population and Neandertals, probably representing a morphotype similar to the Neandertal ancestors.

Revisiting Recent Tissue Engineering Technologies in Alveolar Cleft Reconstruction.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have received significant attention in treating degenerative disorders and presented unique opportunities for researchers. The latest research on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to reconstruct the alveolar cleft has been reviewed in this study. Three approaches have been used to reconstruct alveolar cleft: Studies that used only stem cells or biomaterials and studies that reconstructed alveolar defects by tissue engineering using a combination of stem cells and biomaterials. Stem cells, biomaterials, and tissue-engineered constructs have shown promising results in the reconstruction of alveolar defects. However, some contrary issues, including stem cell durability and scaffold stability, were also observed. It seems that more prospective and comprehensive studies should be conducted to fully clarify the exact dimensions of the stem cells and tissue engineering reconstruction method in the therapy of alveolar cleft.

A low-activity cortical network selectively encodes syntax.

Syntax, the abstract structure of language, is a hallmark of human cognition. Despite its importance, its neural underpinnings remain obscured by inherent limitations of non-invasive brain measures and a near total focus on comprehension paradigms. Here, we address these limitations with high-resolution neurosurgical recordings (electrocorticography) and a controlled sentence production experiment. We uncover three syntactic networks that are broadly distributed across traditional language regions, but with focal concentrations in middle and inferior frontal gyri. In contrast to previous findings from comprehension studies, these networks process syntax mostly to the exclusion of words and meaning, supporting a cognitive architecture with a distinct syntactic system. Most strikingly, our data reveal an unexpected property of syntax: it is encoded independent of neural activity levels. We propose that this "low-activity coding" scheme represents a novel mechanism for encoding information, reserved for higher-order cognition more broadly.

Kein subjects are hard: Exploring German-speaking children’s behavior with negative indefinites

ABSTRACT In this article, we present converging results from three studies investigating children’s production or comprehension of the negative indefinite kein in German. An elicited production study found that 3- to 6-year-old children and adults exhibit different patterns with respect to the production of kein: children, but not adults, exhibit an asymmetry with respect to the position where they produce negative indefinites, in that they use negative indefinites more frequently in object position than in subject position. A corpus study investigating spontaneous speech replicated this asymmetry for children but this time found it also present for adults. Finally, the asymmetry is corroborated by a comprehension study indicating a processing cost for negative indefinite subjects relative to negative indefinite objects. We argue that these patterns are most straightforwardly captured by an explanation that assumes the decomposition approach to the German negative indefinite kein: rather than a single semantic unit (i.e. negative quantifier), kein is decomposed into a negative part and an indefinite part.

Media use and attitudes towards screens in children aged 36-72 months; a cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Introduction: The age at which children are introduced to media devices is becoming increasingly earlier. Studies regarding the media habits of young children have gained importance. The aim of the study was to describe the screen media habits (age of introduction media, time spend with screen, popular choices) of preschool children and to explore their relationship with household characteristics. Population and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study; the parents of children aged 36-72 months who attended childcare centers in Kayseri, a central Anatolian city in Türkiye, completed a questionnaire on media habits of families and children. Results: There were 858 questionaires included. The proportion of children using screen media more than 2 h/day was 28%; 36% of children were introduced to media devices before the age of two. The most frequently used media tool was television (95%) and the program watched was cartoons for TV (86.7%). Children of highly educated parents had shorter TV, computer and smartphone screen time (p = 0.012, p = 0.007, p <0.01 for mother and p = 0.049, p = 0.032, p = 0.04 for father respectively). Introducing books in the first 6 months was associated with shorter daily screen time (p = 0.011, p = 0.009, p = 0.002 for TV, computer and smartphone ,respectively). Parent's time spent on TV was positively correlated with children's time spent on TV (p <0.05, r = 0.354). Conclusion: Parents' education levels, parents' screen time and introducing book in early age was related to children's media habits. Comprehensive studies are needed to explain this relationship more clearly.

Comprehensive Study on the Impacts of Gender Disparities Over Life and Work Balance in IT Sector in Bangalore

This study is focusing on, especially in the workforce of the information technology sectors, to look into the work and family life balance of the employees in the IT sectors, mainly in Bangalore City. The objective of this study is to learn the relation of gender and employees’ personal and professional life balance in the IT sector of Bangalore and how marital status affects work and personal life balance in the IT sector of Bangalore. The aim of this study is to identify how organizational support, policies, management, and leadership can help employees balance their personal and work lives in the organization. Work-life balance is to find time for family and family functions, neighbourhood participation, friends and relatives’ functions, enriching self-care, and personal and spiritual growth by attending sessions, other personal activities. Basically, it is to understand the need and how to adjust time and fulfil additional demands of the workplace. The method has been used with the collection of responses from different IT companies in Bangalore, and the chi square tool has been used for analysis.

SCAC: A Semi-Supervised Learning Approach for Cervical Abnormal Cell Detection.

Cervical abnormal cell detection plays a crucial role in the early screening of cervical cancer. In recent years, some deep learning-based methods have been proposed. However, these methods rely heavily on large amounts of annotated images, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive to acquire, thus limiting the detection performance. In this paper, we present a novel Semi-supervised Cervical Abnormal Cell detector (SCAC), which effectively utilizes the abundant unlabeled data. We utilize Transformer as the backbone of SCAC to capture long-range dependencies to mimic the diagnostic process of pathologists. In addition, in SCAC, we design a Unified Strong and Weak Augment strategy (USWA) that unifies two data augmentation pipelines, implementing consistent regularization in semi-supervised learning and enhancing the diversity of the training data. We also develop a Global Attention Feature Pyramid Network (GAFPN), which utilizes the attention mechanism to better extract multi-scale features from cervical cytology images. Notably, we have created an unlabeled cervical cytology image dataset, which can be leveraged by semi-supervised learning to enhance detection accuracy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first publicly available large unlabeled cervical cytology image dataset. By combining this dataset with two publicly available annotated datasets, we demonstrate that SCAC outperforms other existing methods, achieving state-of-the-art performance. Additionally, comprehensive ablation studies are conducted to validate the effectiveness of USWA and GAFPN. These promising results highlight the capability of SCAC to achieve high diagnostic accuracy and extensive clinical applications.