bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate Change Induced Morphological Response Assessment in Estuary: Case Study of Arakawa River Mouth, Niigata, Japan
Authors: Ohizumi Kota , Nakamura Ryota , Ishibashi Kunihiko
Published: April 2022

Morphological responses in estuaries are assumed to change in the future in association with changes in tidal levels, waves, and discharges under climate change. This study proposes a numerical modelling system for morphological changes in local estuaries to simulate hindcast and future scenarios considering futuristic tidal levels, waves, and discharges. The numerical modelling system configuration was based on three models: Weather Research and Forecasting model Hydrological modelling system (WRF-Hydro), Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN), and eXtreme beach behavior (XBeach). SSP5-8.5 and RCP8.5 were selected for constructing global warming environmental fields using the pseudo global warming (PGW) methodology. We conducted a numerical simulation of the morphological changes at the mouth of the Arakawa River during flood season. The hindcast simulation quantitatively reproduced the post-flood event sandbar topography by using boundary conditions of the simulated wave and observed discharge rate. Additionally, sea level rise, decrease in significant wave heights and mean wave periods, and increase in discharges were simulated for future simulations of the Arakawa River under climate change. The results considering future scenarios elucidated that characteristics of morphological responses changed compared with that of the present climate. Particularly, climate change enhanced the erosion effects since overflow due to rise in water level was more likely to occur at the river mouth sandbars. Hence, we suggest that the morphological response of estuaries to complex physical fields is sensitive to external force changes under climate change conditions.
Pembrolizumab as a first line therapy in a patient with extensive Mucoepidermoid salivary gland carcinoma. A complete clinical, radiological and pathological response. A very specific case
Authors: Farhat Raed , Asna Noam , Avraham Yaniv , Khater Ashraf , Asakla Majd , Safia Alaa , Elkhatib Nidal , Merchavy Shlomo
Published: April 2022

Background: Patients with advanced salivary gland malignancies (SGCs) have few therapy options. Although results from newly published trials suggest that checkpoint inhibition may be useful in a subgroup of patients, there are no clear criteria for PD-L1 score in SGCs. Chemotherapy benefits were observed to be limited, with a dismal prognosis in unresectable and high-grade SGC.Immunotherapies have demonstrated extraordinary efficacy in a variety of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer and malignant melanoma. Anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab has been shown to have potent anti-tumor action in a number of clinical trials.Case presentation: We report a unique case of advanced high grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid salivary gland after Pembrolizumab treatment as a first line therapy. The tumor was downstaged as a result of the pembrolizumab treatment, allowing for a successful surgical excision with no facial nerve sacrifice and no major neoadjuvant treatment adverse effects, and the final specimen pathology was tumor-free. In these types of malignancies, a similar technique resulted in a complete response (CR) radiologically and pathologically has never been discussed before.Conclusions: In pretreated patients with high-grade salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma, pembrolizumab showed good anticancer activity and provided a clinically, radiologically, and pathological response with a viable treatment choice. More research is needed to bring Pembrolizumab to the front-line of treatment. The time and duration of medication should be compared to the time required for surgery in these investigations.
Perinatal Care for Women with Refugee Backgrounds from Africa: A Qualitative Study of Intersections with Psychological Wellbeing
Authors: Due Clemence , Walsh Moira , Aldam Isadora , Winter Amelia , Cooper Susan , Sheriff Josephine , Ziersch Anna
Published: April 2022

Background: Experiences with healthcare services, including perinatal healthcare services, contribute to psychological wellbeing for refugees post-resettlement. To address the paucity of literature examining the relationship between perinatal healthcare and psychological wellbeing in women with refugee backgrounds from Africa this study aimed to: (1) understand the relationship between psychological wellbeing and perinatal care amongst this population, and; (2) identify areas for improved perinatal healthcare services to ensure positive wellbeing outcomes in this population. Methods: A total of 39 participants were included in the study. Nineteen women from seven African countries participated in interviews – seven both prior to and after having their babies, two only while pregnant and ten only after their baby had been born. In addition, interviews were conducted with 20 service providers. Interviews were thematically analysed. Results: Four key themes were identified, covering continuity of care, cultural sensitivity of care, agency in decision making, and ongoing impacts of perinatal care experiences. Conclusions: The results highlighted the need for changes to perinatal healthcare provision at the systems level, including implementing a continuity of care model, and ensuring women’s access to individualised, trauma-informed perinatal services which attend to the cultural and psychosocial resettlement needs of this population. These findings informed recommendations for improving perinatal healthcare services and better psychological outcomes – and in turn broader health outcomes – for African mothers with refugee backgrounds.
The COVID-19 Omicron wave in the framework of a new mathematical modeling in few European countriesand the right time for lifting restrictions
Authors: Petkov Pavel
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 Omicron wave in Romania, Bulgaria and Germany is considered within a new approach for modeling Epidemics and a short comparison is made of similar applicationto few strongly affected countries in the beginning of 2022: the USA, the UK and France.The present work represents exclusively a mathematical modeling of the Pandemic and does notdeal with any other aspect of health, social or economic character as well with throwing away anypossibility for unexpected developments.Methods:The main novelty of the approach used is the dynamical tracking of successive generations of infected peopleinstead of treating in time the evolution of several large compartments within which the totalpopulation is partitioned (susceptible, infected, recovered,...).Because of the much strongest transmission of Omicron, its wave starts to dominate the Pandemic aftersome moment in time, and then the simplest version of the new model can be employed.Results:The daily observed new infection cases are described over a large time scale in a reasonable way after normalization. Deviations may be associated with country-specific factors. The position of the calculated Pandemic peaks in time in Romania and Bulgaria indicates a transition from the second to to the third generation of infected people. The situation in Germany is more complex. For comparison, in the USA, UK and France the transition is from the third to the fourth generation. The parameters derived by reproducing the data in the three countries considered are consistent with those derived earlier for the USA, the UK and France (i.e. infection and recovery rates).Conclusions:A very large part of the population will be gone through a contact with the virus in a relatively small period of time (3-4 months). This part is comparable to the total number of infections which occurredfor two years, since the beginning of the Pandemic by end of 2019. Therefore, one may hope that some temporary acquired immunity will be reached. Adding the effects of vaccination, one may hope with moderate optimism that it will be possible to control/stop the COVID-19 Pandemic soon. However, lifting restrictions should be done carefully and country specifically, and of course at the right time, as illustrated by the examples of the UK and Germany and to some extent of France.The present work represents exclusively a mathematical modeling of the Pandemic and does not deal with any other aspect of health, social or economic character as well with throwing away any possibility for unexpected developments. Yet we hope that the present results will be of some help.
Impact of psychological stress during COVID 19 pandemic on quality of life of health care workers in mental health hospital in Egypt
Authors: Nagar zeinab El , Hammed Marwa Abdel Meguid , Massoud Yasmine Mahmoud , Hassan Heba Adel , Mohamed Mohamed Youssef , Aufa Ola Mohamad
Published: April 2022

Background: COVID-19 outbreak resulted in negative mental health consequences such as depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among health-care workers. Objective: To evaluate health care worker mental well-being and explore the reasons standing beyond their concerns and fears. Methods: From January to June 2021, we recruited 107 health care workers from psychiatric hospitals. The translated Arabic version COVID stress scale was used to assess their level of stress. The WHO Quality of Life - BREF score was used to assess their level of affection for their quality of life. Results: The majority of our sample (45.8%) was between the ages of 20 and 30. Females made up 37.8% of the group. The majority of them were infected during the first wave. The COVID Stress Scale (CSS) revealed that 21.5% of participants had no signs or symptoms of depression, while 55.1% had mild symptoms. Only 23.4% of our sample had moderate to severe symptoms. When categorised by domains, the mean CSS score was 12.21 ± 5.62 for danger subscale, 6.18 ± 4.07 for socioeconomic subscale, 8.44 ± 4.58 for xenophobia subscale, 7.99 ± 4.18 for contamination subscale, 5.87 ± 4.32 for traumatic subscale, and 11.13 ± 6.15 for compulsive subscale. The mean scores for the WHO QOL-brief score for physical aspect were 91.51 ± 21.5, 75.25 ± 12.84 for psychological aspect, 40.42 ± 8.52 for social aspect, and 96.26 ± 17.76 for environmental aspect. Conclusion: we discovered that health-care workers experienced high levels of stress, particularly during and after COVID -19 pandemic waves.
Requirements and Challenges of Hospital Dashboards: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Rabiei Reza , Almasi Sohrab
Published: April 2022

Background: Today, the use of data in managerial and clinical processes is quite challenging due to the large volume of data, data collection from various sources, and lack of data structure. As a data management tool, dashboards play a critical role in facilitating a timely and efficient representation of data.Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify functional and non- functional requirements, as well as challenges of using dashboards in hospitals.Methods: In this systematic review, four databases, including the Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus, were searched to find relevant articles from 2000 until May 30, 2020. The final search was conducted on May 30, 2020. Data collection was performed using a data extraction form and reviewing the content of relevant studies on the potentials and challenges of dashboard implementation.Results: The functional requirements for dashboards included reporting, reminders, customization, tracking, alert creation, and assessment of performance indicators. On the other hand, the non-functional requirements included the dashboard speed, security, ease of use, installation on different devices (e.g., PCs and laptops), integration with other systems, web-based design, inclusion of a data warehouse, being up-to-data, and use of data visualization elements based on the user’s needs. Moreover, the identified challenges were categorized into four groups: data sources, dashboard content, dashboard design, implementation, and integration in other systems at the hospital level.Conclusion: Dashboards, by providing information in an appropriate manner, can lead to the proper use of information by users. In order for a dashboard to be effective in clinical and managerial processes, particular attention must be paid to its capabilities, and the challenges of its implementation need to be addressed.
Ethnic Minority Experiences of Mental Health Services in the Netherlands; An Exploratory Study
Authors: Ilozumba Onaedo , Koster Tirsah S. , Syurina Elena V , Ebuenyi Ikenna D
Published: April 2022

Objective
Despite considerable spending on mental health in the Netherlands, access to mental health remains suboptimal, particularly for migrants and ethnic minorities. Addressing the growing mental health service needs requires an understanding of the experiences of all stakeholders, specifically minority populations. In this exploratory study, we sought to understand the perspectives and experience of mental health services by migrants and their provider. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with 10 participants, five of whom were mental health service providers and the other five were clients who had utilized or currently utilized MHS in the Netherlands.
Results
We identified three themes that explained the experiences of clients and providers of MHS in the Netherlands i) Perceptions of mental health service utilization ii) Mismatch between providers iii) Availability of services. The most significant factor that influenced participants experience was a service provider of a different cultural background. Minority populations accessing mental health services have multiple needs, including an expressed need for cultural understanding. Their experiences of mental health services could be improved for minority populations by addressing the diversity of health providers
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Smokers with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Six Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yang Chaoqun , Guo Kangle , Li Jieyun , Shang Xue , Fenfen E , Wang Yan , Wang Shizhong , Yang Kehu , Zhang Xiaohui , Li Xiuxia
Published: April 2022

Aims
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on smokers with schizophrenia.
Methods
Only Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) with rTMS on smokers with schizophrenia were included. The risk of bias of the included studies were assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Outcome indicators include changes in smoking behavior, psychiatric symptoms, and depressive symptoms. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to evaluate the quality of the evidence.
Findings
Six RCTs involving 571 smokers were included. The methodological quality results showed that two RCTs were assessed as high risk of bias, three were low, and seven were unclear. The meta-analysis showed that, comparing with sham rTMS, active rTMS significantly decreased the average daily number of cigarettes smoked (6 trials, MD = -8.50, 95% CI [-11.93, -5.06], very low quality) and the FTND score (4 trials, MD= -2.71, 95% CI [-3.22, -2.21], high quality). Meanwhile, rTMS improved the general psychiatric symptoms score (4 trials, MD= -1.89, 95%CI [-3.32, -0.47], moderate quality), and did not relieve the depressive symptoms score (2 trials, MD=-2.90, 95% CI [-8.72, 2.93], P = 0.33, very low quality).
Conclusions
rTMS might provide effective support for smokers with schizophrenia. It could reduce the craving for tobacco and might improve psychological symptoms. However, this conclusion needs more research and high evidence to support.
Where To Spend Meagre Resources In BOP Markets: Visual Enhancement Or Customer Care?
Authors: Pasha Fahad Mansoor
Published: April 2022

Presenting products in a visually pleasing manner is important for business. However, the current research on presenting products in a visually pleasing manner is limited to the use of product displays, shelf layouts, or point-of-purchase (POP) displays. We investigate displaying products in a visually pleasing manner through changes in the physical market’s layout, such as when cluttered and chaotic marketplaces are transformed into well-planned marketplaces that allow displaying products in a visually pleasing manner. We hypothesize that, contrary to expectations, marketplaces that allow displaying products in a visually pleasing manner do not increase sales prices, since new buyers enter the market and increase the bargaining power of buyers, countervailing the advantage that sellers have of displaying products in a visually pleasing manner. We confirm our hypothesis by comparing electronic data from two cattle markets in a densely-populated country. We suggest that Marketing Managers should invest meager resources in creating ease for new customers that enter a market rather than investing resources on displaying products in a visually pleasing manner.
Impact of Genetic Diagnosis on the Outcome of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders
Authors: Forlanini Federica , Chan Alice , Dara Jasmeen , Dvorak Christopher C. , Cowan Morton J. , Puck Jennifer M. , Dorsey Morna J.
Published: April 2022

To evaluate the relationship between knowledge of genetic diagnosis before HSCT and outcome, we reviewed all HSCTs for primary immune deficiencies (PID) performed at UCSF from 2007 through 2018. SCID, a distinct entity identified since 2010 in California by newborn screening and treated early, was considered separately. The underlying genetic condition was known at the time of HSCT in 85% of cases. Graft failure was less frequent in patients with a genetic diagnosis (19% with a genetic diagnosis versus 47% without, p=0.020). Furthermore, event-free survival and overall survival (OS) at 5 years were better for those with a genetic diagnosis (78% with versus 44% without, p=0.006; and 93% versus 60% without, p=0.0002, respectively). OS at 5 years was superior for known-genotype patients with both SCID (p=0.010) and non-SCID PID (p=0.010). There was no difference in OS between HSCT done in 2007-2010 compared to more recently (p=0.19). These data suggest that outcomes of HSCT for PID with known genotype may reflect specific experience and literature, or that a substantial proportion of patients with PID of undetermined genotype may have had underlying conditions for which HSCT may carry greater risk. The higher rate of graft failure in PID with unknown genotype may be in part explained by insufficient conditioning, which in turn could be dictated by compromised organ function in patients undergoing HSCT late in the course. Widespread availability of PID gene sequencing as standard care can provide genetic diagnoses for most patients with PID prior to HSCT, permitting optimization of transplant approach.
Expression and prognostic value of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA-IX) in bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Xiang An-Ping , Chen Xiao-Nong , Xu Peng-Fei , Shao Si-Hai , Shen Yue-Fan
Published: April 2022

Objective: To investigate the expression intensity of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA-IX) in bladder urothelial carcinoma and its predictive value for the recurrence after transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of 194 specimens who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors in our hospital from January 2014 to January 2016 and completed follow-up. The expression intensity of CA-IX and the clinical data of the patients were analyzed, and the subjects were divided into positive group and negative group according to the expression intensity of CA-IX. The age, gender, T stage, degree of differentiation, tumor number, tumor diameter, recurrence of each group was analyzed. Logistic univariate and multivariate analysis was used successively to find independent influencing factors for predicting the recurrence of bladder urothelial carcinoma after resection. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn according to the relationship between CA-IX expression intensity and postoperative recurrence. Results: The positive expression rates of CA-IX in bladder urothelial carcinomas were 68.1% (132/194). The positive expression of CA-IX had no statistical significance with age, gender and tumor diameter (P>0.05), while the positive expression of CA-IX had statistical significancewith tumor T stage, tumor differentiation, tumor number and recurrence (P<0.05); Logistic regression analysis showed that clinical T stage, tumor differentiation, tumor number, and CA-IX expression intensities were independent risk factors for predicting recurrence of bladder urothelial carcinoma after resection (P<0.05); There were 59 cases of recurrence in the positive expression of CA-IX group, with a recurrence rate of 44.69% (59/132), and 17 cases of recurrence in the negative expression group, with a recurrence rate of 27.41% (17/62). The mean recurrence time of CA-IX positive group was 29.93±9.86 (months), and the mean recurrence time of CA-IX negative group was 34.02±12.44 (months). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the recurrence rate and recurrence time of patients with positive expression of CA-IX in bladder urothelial carcinomas were significantly higher than those of patients with negative expression of CA-IX. Conclusion: CA-IX is highly expressed in bladder urothelial carcinoma, is a good tumor marker, and can be used as a good indicator for predicting the recurrence of bladder urothelial carcinoma after transurethral resection of bladder tumor.
Psychological attachment orientation and long-term post-traumatic stress symptoms among family members of intensive care unit patients
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Knies Andrea K. , Pach Jolanta , Kimbrough Tara , Martinez Aida , Juthani Prerak , Tu Stephanie , Monin Joan K. , Vranceanu Ana-Maria , Hwang David Y
Published: April 2022

Background: Rates of PTSD symptoms are high amongst families of ICU patients following hospital discharge. Adult attachment theory describes how people respond when separated from loved ones, those who have an “anxious” attachment orientation are preoccupied with being psychologically close with their partners. There is growing evidence that a person’s attachment orientation correlates with development of PTSD in multiple populations, however, this has not yet been investigated among ICU families. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether anxious psychological attachment orientation among family members of ICU patients predicts long-term PTSD symptoms among families following ICU discharge. Methods: We enrolled a consecutive sample of family members of patients admitted to a single academic neuroscience ICU from November 2017 to September 2020. Near time of ICU discharge, in addition to collecting demographics, we identified each participant’s attachment orientation via a standardized Relationship Questionnaire. Six months after discharge or death, each participant completed the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) to measure PTSD symptoms, with a score of > 24 indicative of clinically significant symptoms. We conducted a univariate analysis and an adjusted multivariate analysis to determine if anxious attachment orientation predicts 6-month PTSD.Results: Among 162 total participants, 10/27 (37.0%) participants with an anxious attachment orientation reported 6-month PTSD symptoms, compared to 24/135 (17.8%) of non-anxious participants (RR 2.08, 95% CI 1.13-3.84, p=0.02, RD 19.2%). In a subsequent univariate analysis of participant and patient covariates, anxious attachment orientation, participant Hispanic ethnicity, prior experience as a care partner of a patient with a disability, and participation in 3 or more formal ICU family meetings were all associated with 6-month PTSD symptoms. In a multiple logistic regression, anxious attachment remained an independent predictor of 6-month PTSD symptoms (OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.35-9.77, p=0.01), as did Hispanic ethnicity and participation in 3 or more ICU family meetings. Conclusions: An anxious psychological attachment orientation is associated with double the risk of long-term PTSD symptoms among family members of ICU patients. Future interventions designed to decrease rates of adverse psychological outcomes among ICU families may be higher yield if attention is paid to this high-risk subgroup.
Nanocell COVID-19 vaccine elicits iNKT-licensed dendritic cells to produce high affinity antibodies neutralizing Variants of Concern
Authors: Gao Steven , Amaro-Mugridge Nancy , Madrid-Weiss Jocelyn , Petkovic Nikolina , Vanegas Natasha , Visvanathan Kumar , Ganju Vinod , Marx Gavin , Williams Bryan , MacDiarmid Jennifer , Brahmbhatt Himanshu
Published: April 2022

For COVID-19 vaccines, high-affinity antigen-specific antibody, CD8+ T cell and memory B cell responses are essential to maximize protection against Variants of Concern (VOC). We report results in vitro, in mice and human volunteers immunized with bacterially-derived, non-living nanocells (EDVTM) packaged with bacterial plasmid expressing spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and IFNγ stimulating adjuvant α-galactosylceramide (EDV-COVID-αGC). EDV-COVID-αGC is shown to elicit iNKT-licensed dendritic cell activation/maturation, follicular helper T cell cognate help to B cells to undergo germinal center based somatic hypermutation and production of high affinity antibodies able to neutralize Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron VOC including a memory B cell response. Type I and Type II interferon stimulation and S-specific CD8+ T cells was also achieved. EDV-COVID-αGC are lyophilized, stored and transported at room temperature.
Interleukin 20 receptor subunit beta（IL20RB） predicts poor prognosis and regulates immune cell infiltration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Haoxun , Liu Yiewen , Wang Bowen , Wang Chunyang
Published: April 2022

Background and objectiveEmerging evidence has proven the robust role of tumor mutation burden (TMB) and immune cell infiltration (ICI) in cancer immunotherapy. However, the precise effect of TMB and ICI on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains elusive and merits further investigation. Therefore, we aimed to identify the TMB-related genes in predicting prognosis and to explore the potential mechanisms of the identified Interleukin 20 receptor subunit beta (IL20RB) in ICI in ccRCC.MethodThe relative information of patients with ccRCC was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA). Immune-related genes were downloaded from the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal database. Cox regression analysis was used to identify prognosis-related immune genes for ccRCC. The relationship of IL20RB expression levels with clinicopathological parameters was analyzed using the “limma” and “survival” packages. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases were used as external validation. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blots were used to validate the expression levels of IL20RB in tumor cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to examine the effect of IL20RB on the viability of ccRCC cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was introduced for the analysis of IL20RB-related signaling pathways. Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Tumor and Immune System Interaction Database (TISIDB) were utilized to determine the correlation of IL20RB expression levels with tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs). ResultsIL20RB was significantly overexpressed in different ccRCC tissues and cells. High IL20RB expression in ccRCC patients was associated with short overall survival, high tumor grade, and advanced TNM stage. After knockdown of IL20RB with small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, ccRCC cells’ proliferation was significantly attenuated. Moreover, overexpression of IL20RB could increase the infiltration level of several immune cells, especially T follicular helper cells (Tfh), and overexpressed Tfh cells were correlated with poor prognosis in ccRCC.ConclusionsIL20RB may function as an immune-associated therapeutic target for it determines cancer progression and regulates immune cell infiltration in ccRCC.
Live Birth Outcomes for PCOS Patients Under Depot Agonist Protocol or Antagonist Protocol - a retrospective Chinese cohort
Authors: Hao Guimin , Zhai Jiajia , Zhang Junyan , He Jingfang , Lv Minzhi , Zhang Bozheng , Du Yuanjie
Published: April 2022

Research question：When polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients undergo in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) and embryo transfer (ET), popular protocols include gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol, GnRH antagonist protocol, and depot GnRH agonist protocol. There is no consensus regarding which protocol is the most optimal for PCOS patients, so we sought to evaluate depot GnRH agonist protocol versus GnRH antagonist protocol in terms of IVF outcome for PCOS patients in a single fertility center.Design：In this retrospective cohort, we included 533 PCOS patients who were undergoing their first IVF cycle. Among them, 470 were in the depot agonist group and 63 in the antagonist group. Fresh live birth rate (LBR) was the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was cumulative live birth rate (CLBR).Results：Women in the depot GnRH agonist group had a higher LBR (49.79%) than those in the antagonist group (34.92%), p=0.027. Multi-variable logistic regression showed that women in the depot GnRH agonist group had a higher LBR than those in the antagonist group (OR=1.83, p=0.032, 95% CI 1.05~3.18). After propensity score matching (PSM), the LBR in the depot GnRH agonist group was higher (50.32%) than that of the antagonist group (35.48%), p=0.033. Multi-variable logistic regression showed that women in the depot GnRH agonist group had a higher CLBR than those in the antagonist group (OR=1.77, p=0.038, 95% CI 1.03, 3.04). After PSM, CLBR in the depot GnRH agonist group was higher (60.00%) than that of the antagonist group (46.77%), p=0.054. Six patients (9.52%) in the antagonist group and 35 patients (7.45%) in the depot GnRH agonist group had ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS).Conclusions：In our experience, depot GnRH agonist can provide higher LBR and CLBR than the antagonist protocol can. Meanwhile, OHSS can be controlled at a satisfactory level for safe participation in both protocols.
Correction to: The Melnikov Method for detecting chaotic dynamics in a Planar Hybrid Piecewise-Smooth System with a Switching Manifold
Authors: Li Shuangbao , Gong Xiaojun , Zhang Wei , Hao Yuxin
Published: April 2022

Correction to: Nonlinear Dyn(2017)89: 937-953 DOI 10.1007/s11071-017-3493-2.
Effects of inspiratory muscle training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after stratification by the degree of static hyperinflation
Authors: Sillen Maurice J.H. , Vaes Anouk W. , Groenen Miriam T.J. , Franssen Frits M.E. , Spruit Martijn A.
Published: April 2022

Background: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is a training method in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to improve inspiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity and health status. It is unclear whether patients with different baseline degrees of static hyperinflation respond differentially to IMT as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program. Therefore, the aim was to study the effects of IMT as an add-on on PR after stratification for baseline degrees of static hyperinflation.
Methods: In this single center retrospective study data were extracted between June 2013 and October 2020 of COPD patients. IMT was performed twice daily as part of a PR program. The primary outcome measure was maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (MIP). Secondary outcomes were endurance cycling and functional exercise capacity and disease-specific health status.
Results: After screening for eligibility and exclusion because of multiple reasons, 426 COPD patients were categorized into RV categories 50%-130%, 131%-165%, 166%-197%, 198%-234% and 235%-349%. In the whole sample, MIP, endurance exercise capacity and health status improved significantly. The change in 6MWD was higher in the lowest baseline degree of static hyperinflation (+39 (9-92) m) compared with the baseline highest degree of static hyperinflation (+11 (-18-54) m) (p<0.05).
Conclusions: IMT as part of a PR program in patients with COPD with different baseline degrees improved MIP irrespective of the degree of static lung hyperinflation. Improvement in functional exercise capacity was significantly higher in the group with the lowest degree of static hyperinflation compared with the patients with the highest degree of static hyperinflation.
Effect of arsenate on erythropoietin production and autophagy induction in HepG2 cells
Authors: Nishimura Kazuhiko , Kiriyama Naotake , Ogawa Kazuya , Inoue Reo , Haque Md. Anamul , Nakagawa Hiroshi
Published: April 2022

Arsenic is abundant in the environment and takes the form of trivalent and pentavalent arsenic compounds. Arsenite has been reported to both promote and suppress erythropoietin (EPO) production and autophagy induction. EPO production is involved in hematopoiesis and autophagy induction is involved in cytoprotection, both of which are thought to be cellular responses to arsenic stress. While there are reports that show the effects of EPO on autophagy induction, the relationship between EPO production and autophagy induction is unclear. Therefore, this study analyzed the effect of the pentavalent inorganic arsenic compound arsenate on EPO production and EPO-induced autophagy in HepG2 cells. Exposure of HepG2 cells to low-concentration arsenate was observed to increase EPO production and induced autophagy. Moreover, arsenate-induced ROS production was required to induce elevated EPO mRNA levels and autophagy. Both EPO production and autophagy induction contributed to protection from arsenate-induced cytotoxic stress. HepG2 cells expressed the EPO receptor and production of EPO by HepG2 cells acted in an autoregulatory manner to suppress autophagy induction. These results suggested that low-concentration arsenate promotes EPO production and autophagy induction in HepG2 cells, and the resultant EPO production contributes to cytoprotection of cultured cells via EPO receptor activation.
Feasibility of recruiting mother-infant dyads with mild-moderate depression to an art therapy painting group.
Authors: Moriarty Yvonne , O'Neill Claire , Robling Michael , Arroyo Carl , Owen Orion
Published: April 2022

Background: Depression in postnatal period is estimated to affect 10-20% of mothers and risks the long-term wellbeing of their infants. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a novel dyadic mother-infant painting group for mothers with mild-moderate depression.Methods: Mothers (+infants) suffering with mild-moderate depression (measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II) were recruited from two socioeconomically deprived urban areas in a UK city to join one of two 12-week painting groups in Autumn/Winter 2014. Groups were co-delivered by an art therapist, a specially trained health visitor and a nursery nurse. Data collection included: pre- and post-intervention interviews with mothers, session observations and focus groups with intervention staff and health visitor managers.Results: 11 mothers were approached and screened, six were referred for recruitment of which four consented and completed the pre-intervention interview. Two mothers attended almost every session and completed the post-intervention interview. Two mothers attended no sessions. One painting group was cancelled due to poor attendance. Health visitors found it difficult to determine participant eligibility and did not fully understand wider study aims, limiting recruitment. However, they identified as the appropriate professionals to approach mothers and suggested that more briefing and training sessions would be helpful. Delivering the groups in the intended non-directional approach challenged the interventionist health visitors’ normal nurturing approach. While initially apprehensive, attending mothers reported positive benefits including a sense of achievement. Relationship building with interventionists and other mothers was a key element to successful delivery. Some questions about the venue’s suitability were raised regarding the group size and babies’ age range should the group run at maximum capacity. Conclusions: Despite poor recruitment mothers benefited from session attendance and the intervention model showed some promise. However, further work is required to assess new recruitment methods for this population to enable further evaluation of the intervention model.Trial registration: N/A
Magnitude and factors associated with utilization of labor analgesia among obstetric caregivers at public hospitals in Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Alelgn Yitateku , kassa Andargachew , Abeje Abebaw , Tsegaye Brhan Tsegaye , Andargachew Andargachew Kassa , Belay Belay Amare , Abebaw Abebaw Abeje , Siyoum Melese Siyoum
Published: April 2022

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess utilization of labor analgesia and associated factors among obstetric caregivers working at public hospitals of Sidama region.Result: Among 346 respondents 143 (41.3%) 95%CI (36.1-46.2) were utilize labor analgesic, out of them 82(23.7%) were provide non-pharmacological labor analgesia, 60 (17.3%) were provide both pharmacological & non-pharmacological methods. Statically significant factors for utilization of labor analgesia were adequate knowledge [AOR =2.42, 95% CI (1.4-4.5)], higher qualification [AOR=3.9, 95%, CI (1.8-8.5)], availability of drugs [AOR=3.8, 95%CI (1.5-9.9)] and training on labor analgesia [AOR=3.3, 95%CI (1.8-6)]. The overall practice of labor analgesia was low. Adequate knowledge, high qualification, availability of drugs, and training on labor pain managements were factors significantly associated with the current utilization of labor analgesia in the study area.
Evidence for Psychometric Assessment of Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and its role in Predicting Aggression among Iranian Athletic Adolescent Girls
Authors: Nooripour Roghieh , Hoseinian Simin , Vakili Yaghoob , Ghanbari Nikzad , Matacotta Joshua J. , Mozaffari Nazir , Ilanloo Hossein , Lavie Carl
Published: April 2022

The sport presents an opportunity for young people to experience the joys of success and cope with setbacks to develop resilient behaviors. However, there is a lack of clarity about how sport can cultivate resilience, particularly among adolescent girls. This study investigated the validation of the Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and its role in predicting aggression in Iranian athletic adolescent girls. The method of the present study was cross-sectional. The population of this study was Iranian athletic adolescent girls, and 475 Iranian athletic adolescent girls were selected through the convenience sampling method. The participants completed the Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Quality of Mindfulness, General Self-efficacy (GSE), Alexithymia, and Aggression Scale. The CD-RISC's psychometric properties were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), while reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. Discriminant validity was measured by examining the relationship with alexithymia, and convergent validity was assessed with the quality of mindfulness and GSE. In addition, multiple regression analysis was conducted on the prediction of aggression by the CD-RISC subscales. The five-factor structure provided a good fit for the data. CD-RISC had significant negative associations with alexithymia, and there was a significant positive correlation between CD-RISC and Quality of Mindfulness, GSE. The results indicate that CD-RISC significantly predicts aggression in athletic adolescent girls. The CD-RISC has good validity for athletic adolescent girls in Iran and can be used in psychological evaluations in the Iranian context.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Amide derivatives of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-isoxazol-pyridine-benzimidazole as Anticancer Agents.
Authors: Devi Eeduri Ramya , Sreenivas Reddymasu , Malladi Sireesha , Nadh Ratnakaram Venkata , Rao Mandava Venkata Basaveswara , Rao Koya Prabhakara
Published: April 2022

We have designed and synthesized a series of novel amide derivatives of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-isoxazol-pyridine-benzimidazole (10a-j), and their structures are characterized by 1HNMR, 13CNMR and mass spectral data. The preliminary anticancer applications of these compounds are screened towards four types of human cancer cell lines including PC3 (prostate), A549 (lung), MCF-7 (breast) and DU-145 (prostate). The assay results revealed that many of the target compounds displayed remarkable anticancer activity. Among them, the compounds 10f, 10g, 10h and 10j are found to be more potent than rest of the compounds. In particularly, one compound 10f displayed most promising anticancer activity.
Assessment of Water Quality Trends in Umiam Lake, Meghalaya, India
Authors: Roy Ritabrata , Majumder Mrinmoy
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Experiences of Eating Difficulties in Siblings of People with Anorexia Nervosa: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis
Authors: Scutt Eleanor , Langdon-Daly Jasmin , Smithson Janet
Published: April 2022

BackgroundSiblings of people with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) have been found to experience strong emotions, changing family roles and poorer wellbeing as a consequence of witnessing the illness. These factors, combined with genetic influences, may put siblings at an increased risk of developing eating disorder psychopathology. This research aims to explore the experiences of siblings of people with AN who have had eating difficulties themselves and investigate issues that may be important to the development and prevention of eating difficulties in this population.MethodsThis qualitative study used a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Ten adults who had witnessed a sibling with AN and experienced eating difficulties themselves participated in semi-structured interviews. AnalysisParticipants’ own eating difficulties were affected by the specific experience of witnessing a sibling with AN through mealtimes becoming emotionally charged, an increased focus on body size and diet, and comparisons with their sibling. Difficult experiences, such as marital discord amongst parents were common, as was a difficulty in managing emotions. Changing family roles following their sibling’s illness could have influenced the development of eating difficulties, and limited participants’ ability to access support for their own difficulties. Systemic beliefs regarding the value of thinness were prevalent and influential. Possible protective factors, such as not wanting to become as unwell as a sibling with AN and an understanding of the negative consequences of AN, aided recovery.ConclusionsEating difficulties in siblings of people with AN may be influenced by competition for slimness, increased focus on diet and body size, and a need to manage difficult emotions. The disruption to social connections and a difficulty finding emotional support that may be experienced by people when a sibling develops AN may further influence susceptibility to eating difficulties. Further research is needed into the best ways to support siblings of people with AN.
Bubble velocimetry using the conventional and CNN-based optical flow algorithms
Authors: Park Hyungmin , Choi Daehyun , Kim Hyunseok
Published: April 2022

In the present study, we introduce new bubble velocimetry methods based on the optical flow, which were validated (compared) with the conventional particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) for various gas-liquid two-phase flows. For the optical flow algorithms, the convolutional neural network (CNN)-based models as well as the original schemes like the Lucas-Kanade and Farnebäck methods are considered. In particular, the CNN-based method was retrained (fine-tuned) using the synthetic bubble images produced by varying the density, diameter, and velocity distribution. While all models accurately measured the unsteady velocities of a single bubble rising with a lateral oscillation, the pre-trained CNN-based method showed the discrepancy in the averaged velocities in both directions for the dilute bubble plume. In terms of the fluctuating velocity components, the fine-tuned CNN-based model produced the closest results to that from PTV, while the conventional optical flow methods under-or overestimated them owing to the intensity assumption. When the void fraction increases much higher (e.g., over 10%) in the bubble plume, the PTV failed to evaluate the bubble velocities because of the overlapped bubble images and significant bubble deformation, which is clearly overcome by the optical flow bubble velocimetry. This is quite encouraging in experimentally investigating the gas-liquid two-phase flows of a high void fraction. Furthermore, the fine-tuned CNN-based model captures the individual motion of overlapped bubbles most faithfully while saving the computing time, compared to the Farnebäck method.
Subsidization of Renal Replacement Therapy in Ghana: Far more overdue
Authors: Okyere Perditer , Okyere Isaac , Essuman Grace , Attakora Joseph , Serwaa Dorcas , Donkoh Irene Esi , Ephraim Richard K.D.
Published: April 2022

Background: The incidence of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) seems to be increasing in Ghana as with the rest of the world. This study compared the sociodemographic features, diagnostic characteristics (clinical, biochemical and imaging) and clinical outcomes of ESKD patients who chose either renal replacement therapy (RRT) or conservative therapy as well as the factors that influenced their choice. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study of 382 ESKD patient records at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) nephrology clinic during the period of 2006 to 2018. Sociodemographic, diagnostic (clinical, biochemical and imaging) and therapeutic data were obtained, organized and analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).Results: Of the 382 patients, 321 had conservative therapy whiles 61 had renal replacement therapy. The mean age of participants was 47.71±16.10 years. Major clinical features were bipedal swelling (60), fatigue (37) and facial swelling (32). Chronic glomerulonephritis (31.4%), hypertension (30.3%) and diabetes mellitus nephropathy (28.2%) were the majority predisposing conditions. The RRT patients were more on NifecardXL (82.0) Bisoprolol (32.8%) Aspirin (19.7%) Ranitidine (26.2%), Metformin (13.1%) and Lasix (78.7%) than their conservative therapy counterparts. Whereas conservative therapy patients were more on Irbesartan/Lisinopril (57.9%) and NaHCO3 (52.0%) than their RRT counterparts. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.047), uremic gastritis (p=0.007), anaemia, uraemia, haematuria and hyperkalaemia (p < 0.001) were higher in conservative therapy patients than RRT patients with RRT patients showing better corticomedullary differentiation (38.1% vs. 27.7%, p < 0.001) and normal echotexture (15.0% vs. 11.6%, p=0.005). Variables significantly associated with the decision to opt for conservative therapy were age, gender, occupation and duration of illness. Duration of illness was an independent variable.Conclusion: Conservative therapy is associated with worse clinical features and biochemical derangements than RRT in our participants. Early referrals to nephrologist as well as subsidized RRT should be targeted.