bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the relationship between the occlusal vertical dimension and temporomandibular joint disorders
Authors: Demir Azize , Röhlig Bilge Gökçen , Keskin Z. Haluk
Published: September 2022

Objectives: This study was devised to assess the relationships between the Turkish population's occlusal vertical dimension and temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the questionnaire forms and clinical examination results of 114 individuals who had applied to the clinic and accepted the inclusion criteria. Diagnostic Criteria/Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) forms were filled up for each patient. Clinical examinations were performed with the help of the DC/TMD Clinical Examination Form and finalized with an extraoral examination. An extensive statistical analysis was conducted, and the results were evaluated as p < 0.05.
Results: This study demonstrated that the occlusal vertical dimension is low in 35.09% of the individuals and high in 18.42% of individuals living in Turkish society. The vertical dimension proved to be significantly related to depression (p = 0.035) and the cause of the movement pain (p = 0.02). However, the relationship between the occlusal vertical dimension and TMD disorders was not statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: In contrast to the typical expectations, there is no relationship between the occlusal vertical dimension and TMD. No statistically significant relationship was found between the vertical dimension and the tooth wear. It appears to be that the dentoalveolar compensation theory can explain this.
Clinical Relevance: Since the tooth wear affects the degeneration of the temporomandibular joints, all clinicians making clinical examinations should be well informed about the relation between tooth wear and TMD.
NCAPD2 Is a Favorable Predictor of Prognostic and Immunotherapeutic Biomarker for Multiple Cancer Types Including Lung Cancer
Authors: Feng Linyuan , Yang Yang , Lin Zhenhua , Cui Minghua , Jin Aihua , Cui Aili
Published: September 2022

Background: Non-SMC condensin I complex subunit D2 (NCAPD2) belongs to the chromosomal structural maintenance family. While the different contribution of NCAPD2 to chromosome in mitosis have been thoroughly investigated, much less is known about the expression of NCAPD2 in pan-cancer. Thus, we used a bioinformatics dataset to conduct a pan-cancer analysis of NCAPD2 to determine its regulatory role in tumors.
Methods: Multiple online databases were analyzed NCAPD2 gene expression, protein level, patient survival and functional enrichment in pan-cancer. Genetic alteration and tumor stemness of NCAPD2 were analyzed using cBioPortal and SangerBox. The GSCA and CellMiner were used to explore the relationship between NCAPD2 and drug sensitivity. The diagnostic value of prognosis was evaluated by ROC curve. Subsequently, the immuneinfiltration level and immune subtype of NCAPD2 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) were analyzed using TIMER1 and TISIDB.
Results: NCAPD2 gene expression was significantly higher in most cancers and associated with clinical stage and poor prognosis. Genomic heterogeneity of NCAPD2 promoted the occurrence and development of tumors. GO enrichment analysis suggested NCAPD2 might be involved in DNA repair and immune response. NCAPD2 was involved in immune infiltration of LUAD and LUSC. ROC curves showed that NCAPD2 has important prognosis diagnostic value in LUAD and LUSC. Moreover, NCAPD2 was drug sensitive to topotecan, which may be an optimize immunotherapy.
Conclusions: It was found that NCAPD2 was overexpressed in pan-cancers, which was associated with poor outcomes. Importantly, NCAPD2 could be a diagnosticmarker and an immune related biomarker for LUAD and LUSC.
Induction of somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in Areca concinna, an endangered palm species
Authors: Veluru Aparna , Mohammed Neema Scientist , Shil Sandip Senior Scientist , Prakash Krishna , Kotian Kavya , KS Muralikrishna , Karun Anitha
Published: September 2022

Areca concinna (Arecaceae) is an endangered plant species endemic to south western Sri Lanka. The palm was listed as endangered plant species by IUCN due to habitat loss; hence a multiplication and conservation strategy needs to be accorded. Here at ICAR CPCRI, a protocol was developed for clonal propagation of A. concinna. The explants, immature inflorescence, immature and mature zygotic embryos were tested for callogenesis and subsequent somatic embryogenesis in M72 basal media supplemented with the auxins 2, 4-D and Picloram. Of the three types of explants inoculated, somatic embryogenesis was observed only from mature zygotic embryos. The auxin 2, 4-D enhanced callus multiplication and somatic embryogenesis when compared to picloram. Somatic embryos grown in Y3 or 1/2 Y3 basal medium supplemented with BAP (1 mg/L), NAA (0.5 mg/L), and IBA (0.25 mg/L) developed into plantlets. This protocol has its application in the rapid multiplication of A. concinna palms thereby enhancing the possibility of conservation of the endangered palm.
Corticotropin stimulated steroid profiles to predict shock development and mortality in sepsis: From the HYPRESS study
Authors: Briegel Josef , Möhnle Patrick , Keh Didier , Lindner Johanna M. , Vetter Anna C. , Bogatsch Holger , Lange Dorothea , Frank Sandra , Hinske Ludwig C. , Annane Djillali , Vogeser Michael
Published: September 2022

Rationale: Steroid profiles combined with the corticotropin stimulation test can be used to obtain a more complete picture of adrenocortical function in critically ill patients.
Objectives: Our objective was to investigate whether steroid profiles before and after corticotropin stimulation predict shock development and mortality in human sepsis.
Methods: An exploratory data analysis of a double-blind, randomized trial in sepsis (HYPRESS [Hydrocortisone for the PRevention of Septic Shock]) was performed. The trial included adult patients with sepsis who were not in shock and were randomly assigned to placebo or hydrocortisone treatment (200 mg for 5 days). Corticotropin tests were performed in 206 patients before randomization and in 20 healthy subjects. Samples were analyzed using the multi-analyte stable isotope dilution method (LC-MS/MS) for steroid profiling. Steroid profiles of healthy subjects undergoing corticotropin tests served as controls to determine reference ranges.
Measurements and Main Results: Corticotropin test samples from 180 patients and 20 volunteers were included. Compared to healthy subjects, patients with sepsis had elevated levels of 11-desoxycorticosterone and 11-desoxycortisol, consistent with activation of both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid pathways before stimulation. After stimulation with corticotropin, the cortisol response was subnormal in 12% and the corticosterone response in 50% of sepsis patients. A predominance of glucocorticoids over mineralocorticoids after corticotropin stimulation (cortisol-corticosterone ratio > 32.2) predicted the development of shock within 14 days and death within 90 days in the placebo group.
Conclusions: In this exploratory data analysis, corticotropin stimulated cortisol-to-corticosterone ratio served as a criterion to predict shock development and mortality in sepsis.
Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00670254. Registered 1 May 2008.
ncRNAs-mediated high expression of CDCA7L favors the prognosis of uveal melanoma and is associated with an immune checkpoint PD1
Authors: Wei Xixiang , Yang Hui , Fu Zheng , Yin Xue , Xiong Weiwei
Published: September 2022

Uveal melanoma (UVM) is the most common primary malignant tumor in adults and seriously threatens patients' eyesight and life. More and more evidence shows that the CDCA7L gene plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of several human cancers. However, the specific part and mechanism of CDCA7L in UVM have not been completely determined. In this study, we first analyzed the expression and prognosis of CDCA7L by using the Cancer Genome Map (TCGA) data and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx). We found that the expression of CDCA7L was beneficial to the prognosis of UVM. Subsequently, non-coding RNA related to CDCA7L was identified through computer analyses, including expression analysis, correlation analysis, and survival analysis. Finally, LRRC75A-AS1 and SNHG1/hsa-miR-199a-5p/ CDCA7L axes were identified as the most potential upstream ncRNA-related pathways of UVM CDCA7L. In addition, the level of CDCA7L was negatively correlated with the expression of PD1 in the immune checkpoint. Our findings clarify that the up-regulation of CDCA7L mediated by ncRNAs in UVM benefits tumor prognosis and is related to immune checkpoint PD1.
An architecture for continuous deployment of the Smart Collaborative Learning Service (SCLS) based on a predictive model to build complementary teams
Authors: Akhrif Ouidad , Benfares Chaymae , Idrissi Younès El Bouzekri El , Hmina Nabil
Published: September 2022

In this article, we tried to present a novel opportunity of sharing knowledge between teams of learners based on the completeness of their skills. We then, produced an intelligent collaborative learning service for the prediction of complementary teams that participate in a pedagogical method of sharing and acquiring knowledge within the academic environment. This smart service encapsulates a predictive model that is selected dynamically basing on its higher accuracy to achieve a continuous and high-performance result concerning team’s composition. Precisely, we covered the Smart Collaborative Learning service deployment in a cloud architecture (Amazon Web Service) to provide continuous and on-demand building complementary team service through their REST API interface. This experimentation led us to design a new architecture allowing the continuous deployment of a predictive model in a cloud environment while using streaming and integrated deployment architectures. We proposed a novel cloud architecture for continuously deploying a Smart Collaborative Learning Service that encapsulates a predictive model for building complementary teams of learners. Invocating this smart service in a collaborative learning platform creates a flexible building team of learners, based on the completeness of learner skills required by a collaborative project. This intelligent service meets the intelligence criteria that we cited in our approach to assess its ability to continuously respond to environmental changes and data updates, to effectively predict complementary teams. In the present work, we successfully deployed the intelligent collaborative learning service and make it powerful and on-demand sharing using its REST API. Thanks to the proposed architecture which includes intelligent layers from the semantic representation of the data, heuristic preprocessing, the development of predictive models and the streaming of data updates.
A New Approach to Remove Anionic Dye from Aqueous Solutions: Encapsulation Triggered by Ionotropic Gelation of CMC
Authors: Alver Erol , Doğan Deniz , Mert Humeyra , Metin Ayşegül Ülkü
Published: September 2022

In the present study, encapsulation was used as an efficient
and rapid removal method for RB-250 from aqueous solutions. This
technique involves the simultaneous formation of CMC particles and
the entrapment of the anionic dye RB-250 within these particles.
TEM and Zeta analyses of dye encapsulated CMC particles showed
needle type agglomeration of particles. Various parameters were
investigated to optimize the RB-250 removal efficiency of CMC by
encapsulation. These studies revealed that temperature, pH, time
and stirring rate have negligible effect on the encapsulation of
RB-250. It is quite remarkable that pH, which is a parameter that
significantly affects the removal efficiency in the removal of
charged dyes, has a negligible effect in the proposed technique.
RB-250 encapsulation capacity of CMC nanoparticles was determined
as 2809 mg RB-250/g CMC.
4D Interpretation of time-lapse electrical resistivity monitoring data to identify preferential flow paths in an uncontrolled landfill, South Korea
Authors: Song Seo Young , Kim Bitnarae , Jeong Juyeon , Park Samgyu , Nam Myung Jin
Published: September 2022

Monitoring leakage of leachate from a landfill is critical in preventing possible contamination into the surrounding area. Among geophysical surveys, time-lapse (TL) electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has been performed along eleven survey lines at four different time points in a landfill in Korea. The TL data sets were interpreted using an in-house 4D inversion algorithm. Changes in 4D inversion results were analyzed in order to detect leachate-contaminant region. Since a rainy season started during obtaining TL ERT data sets, effects of precipitation on TL ERT data are also analyzed. Changes in electrical resistivity (ER) showed that precipitation increases ER of contaminant zones. As hydrogeochemical data are helpful to interpret ERT inversion, we also classified soil textures from particle size analysis on soil samples obtained from observation wells in the survey site. The information of soil structure as well as the results of 4D inversion offered appropriate interpretation of preferential flow path.
A Sustainable Synthesis of functionalized Carbon Quantum Dots from Hair for the applications of Cytotoxicity study and In vitro bioimaging
Authors: Kamble Pranoti Anil , Gambhir Rutuja Prashant , Vibhute Anuja Arvind , Parkhe Vishakha Suryakant , Tiwari Arpita Pandey
Published: September 2022

A simple and low-cost approach for the sustainable synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were developed by using hair as carbon source without using any chemicals. Interestingly, not only the carbon source of CQDs, the whole synthesis procedure is environmentally friendly, and the synthesized sustainable functionalized CQDs have shown many beneficial properties such as high fluorescence intensity, excellent photostability, and good water solubility. Sustainable functionalized CQDs which were firstly synthesized from hair by a microwave method. The functionalization agent used in sustainable functionalized CQDs synthesis was poly l-lysine (PLL) and characterized using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)technique. The synthesized sustainable functionalized CQDs emit blue fluorescence under UV light (at 365nm). A microwave oven (350 watts) was used to prepare sustainable CQDs within 5–7 second. As a bioimaging probe, the potential application of the prepared sustainable functionalized CQD was assessed by treating MCF7 Cells and L929 cell. The biological activity of as-prepared sustainable functionalized CQDs has been tested with respect to its inherent cytotoxicity, where the sustainable functionalized CQDs exhibited significant anti-cancer property against breast cancer cell lines in vitro application.
Spirometric profile among detergents factory workers in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Rahhal Belal , Nazzal Zaher , Jamal Abrar , quqa Ola , makharze Tasneem , Aqel Noora
Published: September 2022

The exposure to chemicals in cleaning factories and companies, as some studies have shown negatively affect the health of their respiratory system. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of chemical substances on lung function of the factories' workers. Spirometry parameters were compared between chemical factories workers and non-workers.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study of employees of chemical cleaning materials companies and factories, including male's category. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to record workers' characteristics, and the data entered to the spirometry device. The spirometry test was performed to assess workers' lung functions; we recorded the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75%), and lung age.
Results: A total of 94 apparently participants (28 workers and 66 nonworkers) were included in the study. Chemical factories workers showed significant decreasing in the values of FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, FEF25-75%, and lung age compared to non-workers group (P < 0.05 to P <0.001).
Conclusion: Exposure of workers to chemicals is associated with reduced spirometry parameters of the lung function in healthy adults with relatively limited working years.
Assessment of microbial indicators of water resources in the KooheHava and TangeKhoor Free Area in Iran
Authors: Alizadeh Abolhasan , Nowzari Haniyeh
Published: September 2022

In the wildlife management, maintaining water quality and quantity, especially in areas that are faced with relative constraints of water resouces, are considered as one of the planning pillars. Natural springs and artificial troughs in the Kooh Hava and Tange Khoor Free Area are the only sources of water suppliers for wildlife of the area. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial indices of water resources used by wildlife in this areas and to compare them with the Iranian national standard limit. In this study, 12 water sources including ten springs and two troughs were selected and sampling was carried out in two seasons of summer and autumn of 2020 and three samples from each water resources and a total of 72 samples were collected throughout the study period. Finally, the samples were transferred to lab in the glass sterile containers, and the parameters of total coliform, fecal coliform, temperature, turbidity and pH were extracted. The results showed that the means of total coliform were higher than the standard limit in the all water resources with the exception of no. 4 and 12 springs (Kaftari and Mokhi springs) and the means of fecal coliform were higher than the standard limit in the all water resource with the exception of no. 2, 4, 8, 10, 11 and 12 water resources (Palangi, Kaftari, Tehran and Mokhi springs and Harar and Biro troughts) both during summer and autumn. In summer, with increasing evaporation, the amount of pollution load of water resources was higher, however in autumn, the number of polluted water resources was higher which was due to the transmission of microbial contaminations caused by human and animal feces via rain. The results of correlation showed decrease or increase of turbidity, temperature or pH did not affect the amount of coliforms because despite the strong correlation between total coliform and fecal coliform, no correlation was found between them and physicochemical factors of water. Therefore, considering the temporal and spatial variability of fecal coliforms and their effect on disease, death and reduction of wildlife populations, optimizing and disinfection of water resources with chlorine and dredging them are recommended.
Determination of subpicogram levels of airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for personal exposure monitoring assessment
Authors: Drooge Barend L. , Prats Raimon M. , Flo Clara Jaén , Grimalt Joan O.
Published: September 2022

A method based on the use of GC coupled to Q-exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry (GC-Orbitrap-MS) has been developed for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at sub-picogram levels. Outdoor ambient air particulate matter (PM2.5) and standard reference materials (SRM2260a) were analyzed in full scan mode showing low instrumental uncertainties (1% - 22%) and high linearity over a wide concentration range (0.5 pg and 500 pg/µL). Good reproducibility was obtained compared to the use of conventional single quadrupole GC-MS of PM samples. The quantification limit of the GC-Orbitrap-MS method for full scan analysis of PAHs in outdoor ambient air PM samples was 0.5 pg/µL. This low limit allowed the analysis of PAHs in samples collected with low volumes (<0.5 m3), such as punch samples from whole filters or filter strips from personal exposure monitoring equipment. PAHs were successfully analyzed in filter strips from real-time Aethalometer AE51 equivalent black carbon (eBC) analyzers used in urban and rural sites, and in personal exposure monitors of firefighters during prescribed burns. The correlations between PAHs and eBC in these analyses were very strong (r2 ≥ 0.93). However, the equations obtained reflected the dominance of different emission sources, such as traffic in urban areas, wood burning for domestic heating, or wildfires. The method reported here affords the analyses of PAHs in high precision studies of atmospheric PM samples, e.g., high frequency sampling of low volumes, affording personal exposure monitoring assessments.
Lymph node metastasis in muscle-invasive bladder cancer risk factors and the construction of a predictive model
Authors: xiong Dongwen , Wang Qinzhang
Published: September 2022

Background
Muscle invasive bladder cancer is a fatal malignancy, and the main reason for the current controversy over its surgical options is the inability to accurately know whether lymph node metastases are present, so it is crucial to clarify the preoperative lymph node status. The aim of this study was to construct a validated lymph node metastasis prediction model from patients' preoperative clinical data
Material and Methods
Clinicopathological data of 3789 patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the SEER database from 2010 to 2015 and 367 patients with GDC-BLCA in the TCGA database were collected and divided into training cohorts and validation cohorts. Independent risk factors for LNM in muscle-invasive bladder cancer were screened using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and a nomogram model was produced. ROC curves, and calibration curves were used to assess the predictive accuracy and discriminatory power of the nomogram model, decision curve analysis to assess the clinical application value of the model, and internal validation of the model using 1000 bootstrap replicates.
Results
A total of 3789 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer were included in this study, of whom 807 had LNM. Multifactorial logistic analysis showed that race, age, T-stage and the presence of primary tumor were independent risk factors for predicting LNM in muscle-invasive bladder .The nomogram prediction model was constructed based on the above four indicators, and its consistency index was 0.725 (95% CI: 0.705–0.745) and 0.710 (95% CI: 0.657–0.762) for the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The calibration curves showed a good agreement between the predicted and actual probabilities. The clinical decision curve analysis showed that the column line graph had good clinical application value.
Conclusion
The nomogram of the risk of LNM in muscle-invasive bladder cancer constructed based on the SEER database has good predictive ability and helps clinicians make appropriate clinical decisions for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Numerical and experimental determination of the interference coefficient of two side-by-side cylinders with a smooth and rough surface
Authors: Padewska-Jurczak Agnieszka , Szczepaniak Piotr , Walentyński Ryszard , Wiśniowski Maciej , Cornik Dawid
Published: September 2022

The aim of the work is to perform numerical and experimental analyses of the wind flow around two structures with a circular cross-section placed side by side. These structures can have a smooth and a rough surface. In that case, the values of interference coefficient presented in Eurocode differ from those obtained from the author's numerical analyses, concerning very large Reynolds numbers Re. The aerodynamic drag force of the cylinder systems is determined on the basis of numerical Finite Volume Method analyses using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) module. Velocity and pressure fields are also presented. In order to verify the results, experimental tests were carried out in a wind tunnel. The results obtained at all stages (numerical models with a large number of Re; experimental studies of models with a lower Re number; numerical models with a lower Re number) were compared with each other. Each of the flow ranges (turbulent, transitional, laminar) is characterized by a different behavior and therefore, the aim of the work is also the correct creation of numerical models. Thus it is necessary to adjust the parameters of the numerical model. These analyses are used for testing the possibility of estimating wind load acting on a fragment of a structure of more complex, curved shape (e.g., water slide) using simplified models (e.g., helices, toruses, and cylinders). Eurocode EN 1991-1-4 does not cover complex structures based on circular cylinders.
Study of physicochemical, flammability, and acoustic properties of Hookeri raphia natural from Cameroon
Authors: Mveh Jean de Dieu Briand Minsongui , Ligabue Rosane Angélica , Einloft Sandra Mara Oliveira , De Lima Jeane Estela Ayres
Published: September 2022

The development of new materials is ultimately associated with requirements such as strength, lightness, low production cost, and raw materials from renewable sources, seeking to meet the needs, research, and development of new technologies, which value the qualification of materials from vegetable sources as natural fibers. In this context, this study aimed to characterize the main physicochemical properties of the natural raffia fiber and its flammability and thermo-acoustic characteristics. These characterizations were performed using a combination of several techniques such as chemical composition analysis, density, moisture adsorption, SEM-EDS, FTIR, and TGA/DTG. The results showed that the morphology of the raffia fiber presents a similar shape to the beehive. The Elemental analysis of the natural fiber of raffia shows that carbon and oxygen contents are predominant representing a proportion of more than 90%. The results suggest that the fiber is composed of lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, tannin, and extractives, with cellulose in a proportion of 80%. TGA presents a profile similar to that of large parts of untreated vegetable fibers. The acoustic test showed very good sound absorption coefficient (α) values at high frequencies, while the flammability test showed that natural raffia fiber is a good flame retardant.
Rps14 upregulation promotes inner ear progenitor proliferation and hair cell regeneration in the neonatal mouse cochlea
Authors: Hu Xiaojie , Zhang Liyan , Xu Changling , Sun Qiuhan , Li Nianci , Chen Xin , Jiang lulu , Shi Yi , Chai Renjie , Qi Jieyu
Published: September 2022

Sensorineural hearing loss a result from hair cell damage, which is irreversible in mammals owing to the lack of hair cell regeneration, but recent researches have shown that Lgr5+ supporting cells are progenitors capable of regenerating hair cells. RPS14 (ribosomal protein S14) is a 40S ribosomal subunit component and is associated with erythrocyte differentiation, and in this study, we used a novel AAV-ie system to upregulate Rps14 expression in cultured hair cell progenitors and observed their ability to proliferate and differentiate into hair cells. Similarly, Rps14 overexpression in vivo could promote supporting cells proliferation by activating the Wnt signaling pathway. In addition, over-expressing Rps14 induced hair cells regeneration in the organ of Corti, and lineage tracing revealed showed that the neo- hair cells had transformed from Lgr5+ hair cell progenitors. Combined with RNA sequence analysis, signals regulated by Rps14 include cell cycle-related factors during supporting cell proliferation and Notch/TGF-β signaling during hair cell reprogramming. In conclusion, our analysis reveals the potential role of Rps14 in driving hair cell regeneration in mammalian.
Hypocalcemia is associated with adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19
Authors: Minasi Alessandro , Andreadi Aikaterini , Maiorino Alessio , Giudice Luca , De Taddeo Sofia , D’Ippolito Ilenia , de Guido Ilaria , Laitano Rossella , Romano Maria , Ruotolo Valeria , Magrini Andrea , Daniele Nicola Di , Rogliani Paola , Bellia Alfonso , Lauro Davide
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Calcium ions are involved in the regulation of several cellular processes and may also influence viral replication. Hypocalcemia has been frequently reported during infectious diseases and in critically ill patients, significantly related with the pro-inflammatory state and mortality. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of hypocalcemia at admission in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) and to evaluate association of hypocalcemia with in-hospital COVID-19 outcomes.
Methods
Retrospective analysis on 118 consecutive patients, hospitalized for COVID-19 between March and May 2020. Clinical characteristics, inflammation markers, biochemical routine and mineral metabolism parameters at admission were collected. Hypocalcemia was defined as total serum calcium < 2.2 mmol/L. Population was stratified by tertiles of total serum calcium. Primary outcome was the composite of in-hospital death or admission to intensive care unit (ICU). Secondary outcomes included in-hospital death, admission to ICU and need for non-invasive ventilation as separate events. Associations were tested by logistic regression and Cox-regression analysis with survival curves.
Results
Overall prevalence of hypocalcemia was 76.6%, with just 6.7% of patients reporting levels of 25-(OH)-vitamin D > 30 ng/ml. Total serum calcium was inversely related with selected inflammatory biomarkers (p < 0.05) and poorer outcome of COVID-19 during hospitalization. Lower tertile of total calcium (≤ 2.02 mmol/L) had increased risk of in-hospital mortality (HR 2.77; 1.28–6.03, p = 0.01) compared with other groups.
Conclusion
Total serum calcium detected on admission is inversely related with proinflammatory biomarkers of severe COVID-19 and may be useful to better define risk stratification for adverse in-hospital outcome.
Positive periodic solutions to a generalized Ermakov-Pinney equation with indefinite weights
Authors: Cheng Zhibo , Song Juan
Published: September 2022

We consider a generalized Ermakov-Pinney equation with indefinite weights
x" + α(t)x = h(t)/xρ,
where ρ is a real constant and ρ > 0, α, h ∈ L1(R/TZ). Using the positivity of Green'sfunction andKrasnoselskiĭ's-Guo fixed point theorem, we give sufficient conditionsguaranteeing the existence of at least one positive periodicsolution for Ermakov-Pinney equation with indefinite weights. Theresults are applicable to weak as well as strong singularities.
The Ratio of Monocytes to Lymphocytes Multiplying Platelet Predicts Incidence of Pulmonary Infection-Related Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Shen Bo , Zou Zhouping , Li Yang , Jia Ping , Xie Yeqing , Gong Shaomin , Teng Jie , Xu Jiarui , Yang Cheng , Ding Xiaoqiang
Published: September 2022

Background: Inflammation is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis and development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Macrophages, as an important innate immune cell, regulate immune response and play a pathophysiological role in AKI. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive capacity of peripheral blood monocytes for the incidence of pulmonary infection-related AKI.
Methods: We recruited 1,038 hospitalized patients with pulmonary infections from January 1 to December 31, 2019 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Patients were divided into derivation and validation cohorts. Data on demographic characteristics, disease history, and biochemical indexes were retrieved from the electronic medical system. The composite inflammatory indexes were calculated as monocyte / (lymphocyte × platelet ratio) (MLPR). We applied dose-response relationship analyses to delineate the non-linear odds ratio (OR) in different MLPR levels and integrated it into logistic model to predict the risk of AKI.
Results: The incidence of hospital-acquired AKI was 18.8% in the derivation cohort. Compared to non-AKI, the MLPR levels were significantly higher in AKI patients. Dose-response curve revealed that the increase of AKI risk was faster in the first half of MLPR and then tended to flatten. After classifying the MLPR levels into six groups, the AKI incidence increased from 4.5% to 55.3% with a peaking OR of 24.38. The AUC values of AKI model only included MLPR were 0.740, and after gradually integrating other covariates, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) value reached 0.867, which was significantly higher than the AUC of full models without MLPR (0.827). Moreover, the better prediction ability of AKI was observed in the external validation, with an AUC of 0.899.
Conclusion: MLPR has good predictive efficiency in AKI, which can be used as a simple and easy clinical composite index to effectively predict early pulmonary infection-related AKI.
Hyperphosphatemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Authors: kim jihyun
Published: September 2022

Background: Hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease have low glomerular filtration rates, and hyperphosphatemia develops due to difficulty reducing the phosphate load. Hyperphosphatemia can cause renal osteodystrophy, cardiovascular calcification, and secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Methods: This is a descriptive research study designed to identify factors influencing the development of hyperphosphatemia in patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. A convenience sample of 150 patients receiving hemodialysis was selected. Data were collected directly by the researchers from January to March 2022.
Results : The regression model was found to be significant (χ2 = 137.24, p<.001). Regression analysis among the general characteristics found that BMI was a predictive factor. The risk of hyperphosphatemia was 11.53 times (95% CI, 1.25-108.52) higher for a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 than for a BMI <18.5 kg/m2and 1.03 times (95% CI, 0.97-1.09) higher for a high BUN.
Conclusions: Results showed that high BMI and BUN levels were associated with a high risk of developing hyperphosphatemia. Therefore, to prevent and manage the development of hyperphosphatemia, it is necessary to regular monitoring for dietary and nutritional status as the disease progresses, individual dietary education should be provided based on each patient's clinical symptoms, biochemical parameters, and nutritional status. And it is necessary to improve self-care compliance by providing accurate information about the disease and providing systematic education.
Electrical resistivity tomography to detect ground loosened zone near excavation region in an urban site of ground subsidence, South Korea
Authors: Song Seo Young , Kim Bitnarae , Cho Ahyun , Jeong Juyeon , Lee Dongkweon , Nam Myung Jin
Published: September 2022

Ground subsidence in urban environment due to excessive development and deteriorated underground urban facilities is serious social problem. Geophysical surveys were applied to estimate distribution and scale of cavities and subsidence. In this study, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was performed near the subsidence occurred on road in urban area. The subsidence arose due to leak of groundwater and soil into neighboring excavation region. The survey line was located between the major subsidence area and excavation region. Since ERT data are affected by rapid topographic change or surrounding structure, influences of the excavation to data were analyzed through field-scale numerical modeling. The effect of excavation should be considered to interpret ERT data, as it can be estimated wrong anomaly. In 2D interpretation, a method of performing inversion after correcting the resistivity data including the effect of excavation was proposed. This method was proved first using the field-scale numerical model including excavation region and subsurface anomaly assuming loosened zone and then applied to field data. In addition, the ERT data were interpreted by using existing a 3D in-house algorithm, which can deal with excavation region. Both of inversion results demonstrated that conductive anomalies of loosen zone appeared stronger in more specific area compared to before considering the excavation effect.
Evaluation of hs-CRP is Associated with lower 2-year MACCEs Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Non-diabetic Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Zhang Lisha , Zhang Yan , Deng Fuxue , Chu Chao , Yuan Zuyi , Zhang Mingjuan
Published: September 2022

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) plays a pivotal role in acute coronary syndrome(ACS) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Few data from non-diabetic ACS populations on the association of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) and long-term prognosis are available. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline hs-CRP and the 2-year major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events (MACCEs) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of non-diabetic patients with ACS.
Methods: We divided participants (n=419)into two groups according to baseline hs-CRP level to compare baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes. Cox regression and survival analysis of MACCE was performed at a median follow-up of 32.43 months. We also plot the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves of hs-CRP in predicting 2-year MACCEs.
Results: The incidence of MACCEsin the lower-hs-CRP (L-CRP) (12.4%) group was higher than that in the higher-hs-CRP (H-CRP) (5.6%) group (P = 0.020). In COX regression analysis, the H-CRP (HR 0.975, 95% CI 0.637-0.992, P= 0.043) group was associated with lower MACCEs compared with the L-CRP group after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusion: Elevated baseline hs-CRP levels may be a protector maker in predicting a lower incidence of MACCEs following PCI in ACS patients without glucose metabolism disorder.
Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for brucellosis and leptospirosis in swine raised in small-scale farms from rural communities of Tandil county (Buenos Aires province, Argentina)
Authors: Silva Julia A. , Scialfa Exequiel A. , Gutiérrez Silvina E. , Tisnés Adela , Rodríguez Marcelo G. , Estein Silvia M. , Rivero Mariana A.
Published: September 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Factors Associated with Peritoneal Recurrence in Patients with Colorectal Cancer having Minimal Serosal Involvement: A Pooled Analysis of Randomized Comparative Study
Authors: Ahmed Ihab S. , Soliman Hany , Maamoun Sherif Ismail , Abdelkader Khadiga Amr , Khaled Islam
Published: September 2022

Background: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is an uncommon recurrence pattern, which accounts for 3%–6% of local colon cancer and 25% of colorectal cancer recurrences. This study aimed to determine the incidence of PC and investigate its related risk factors after a colectomy.
Methods: This prospective, interventional, randomized, comparative, single-center study recruited adult patients who are scheduled to undergo colectomy. Here, we pooled the data of all patients to assess the risk factors for PC recurrence for 18 months of follow-up.
Results: The median peritoneal recurrence-free survival (PRFS) was 16 months, and the cumulative 1-year and 18-month PRFS was 52.4% and 30.6%, respectively. No statistically significant associations were found between the PRFS and any of the preoperative characteristics of patients. The nodal stage had a statistically significant effect on developing peritoneal recurrence. The higher the tumor nodal burden, the higher the risk for developing future PC compared to lower nodal stages (p = 0.039). Additionally, elevated tumor markers during the follow-up period were highly predictive of peritoneal recurrence (p = 0.002). The cumulative 18-month PRFS was 50% for patients who underwent hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy compared to 12.1% in the standard treatment arm group (p= 0.250).
Conclusions: This study revealed a high incidence of recurrent PC in high-risk patients after colectomy and the association of lymph node involvement with a higher risk of recurrent PC. However, further studies are required to investigate the prognostic risk factors in a larger sample and different patient groups.
Recurrence intervals for M > 7 Miyagi-ken-Oki earthquakes during an M ~ 9 earthquake cycle
Authors: Nakata Ryoko , Uchida Naoki , Hori Takane , Hino Ryota
Published: September 2022

The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake made it difficult to evaluate the long-term probability of seismic activity along the Japan Trench because the impact of the unprecedentedly large slip is unknown. This study aims to evaluate the long-term probability of an M > 7 earthquake off the Miyagi Prefecture, in the middle segment of the Japan Trench. We conducted numerical simulations of earthquake generation cycles based on the rate- and state-dependent friction law that represents the process of stress accumulation and release on the plate interface. To validate the simulation results, we examined observation data, including time intervals and afterslip distributions, for previous Miyagi-ken-Oki earthquakes. We then compared the simulation results with repeating-earthquake-derived interplate slip observations before and after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the spatial and temporal characteristics of aseismic slips on the plate interface near the M > 7 Miyagi-ken-Oki source were qualitatively reproduced. These simulation results revealed that the recurrence interval of M > 7 Miyagi-ken-Oki earthquakes varied throughout an M ~ 9 earthquake cycle along the Japan Trench. The time interval between the first M > 7 earthquake following the M ~ 9 earthquake was shorter than the average recurrence interval of M > 7 earthquakes during the latter stage in the cycle. Following years- to decades-long quiescent period after an M ~ 9 earthquake, an M > 7 earthquake occurred at the downdip edge of the coseismic slip area of the M ~ 9 earthquake. The longest period of quiescence occurred prior to the subsequent M > 7 earthquake. Recurrence intervals of M > 7 earthquakes were typically inconsistent in the early stage than in the latter stage of the M ~ 9 earthquake cycle. These characteristics were caused by the extent of the locked and afterslip areas in and around the source. Hence, for long-term evaluation, it is necessary to observe aseismic slips in and around the source area during the preparation process for earthquakes occurring in the downdip area off the Miyagi Prefecture. Furthermore, earthquake cycle simulation combined with earthquake and slow slip monitoring can provide meaningful insights regarding the evolution of earthquake cycles for great interplate earthquakes.
Protracted Course of SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia in Severely Immunocompromised Patients
Authors: Lee Jeongjae , Kim A Reum , Kang Sung Woon , Chang Euijin , Bae Seongman , Jung Jiwon , Kim Min Jae , Chong Yong Pil , Lee Sang-Oh , Choi Sang-Ho , Kim Yang Soo , Kim Sung-Han
Published: September 2022

Purpose: There have been few studies comparing the clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in individuals with and without severely immunocompromised conditions.
Methods: We reviewed adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who had radiologic evidence of pneumonia at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea from February 2020 to April 2022. Severely immunocompromised status was defined as solid organ transplantation (SOT) or hematologic malignancy. The time to pneumonia development was defined as the time from symptom onset to the time when radiologic evidence of pneumonia was obtained. Viral clearance was defined as a Ct value >30. COVID-19-related death was defined as 90-day death following imaging-confirmed pneumonia without any other plausible cause of death.
Results: A total of 467 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were analyzed. Of these, 86 (25%) were severely immunocompromised, with 29 (34%) SOT and 57 (66%) hematologic malignancy, and 381 (75%) were not severely immunocompromised. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) time to pneumonia development was significantly longer in the severely immunocompromised patients (10 [7-15] days) than the comparator (6 [3-8] days), p < 0.001), as was the median (IQR) time to viral clearance (19 [13-25] days versus 11 [9-15] days, p < 0.001). Severely immunocompromised status (adjusted odds ratio, 5.70; 95% confidence interval, 2.09-15.56; p < 0.001) was independently associated with COVID-19-related death.
Conclusion: Patients who receive SOT or have hematologic malignancies are likely to experience a more protracted course of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and a worse outcome than those without these conditions.
Extra-virgin Avocado (Persea americana Mill.,Laucaceae) Oil Improves Cognitive Impairment in D-galactose-induced Alzheimer’s Disease Model on Ovariectomized Wistar Rat
Authors: Ndé Christelle Massop Wamba , Djiogue Sefirin , Awounfack Charline Florence , Gamo Franklin Zemo , Tedjo Florette Motoum , Tadah Rudig Nikanor Djikem , Njamen Dieudonné
Published: September 2022

Background: Avocado is a tree’s fruit (Persea AmericanaMill.) of the Laucaceae family. It was reported that consumption of avocado improved cognitive performance. No study has yet been carried out regarding the properties of avocado oil supplementation on the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of extra-virgin avocado oil on a model of D-galactose-induced Alzheimer's disease in ovariectomized Wistar rats.
Methods: To accomplish this, 54 female rats were used, of which 42 were ovariectomized (OVX) and 12 underwent white surgery (SHAM). Fourteen days after surgery, the animals were divided into 9 groups of 6 animals each: SHAM+Veh and OVX+Veh groups receiving the vehicle; SHAM + D-gal and OVX+D-gal groups receiving D-galactose and vehicle; OVX+D-gal+E2V and OVX+D-gal+DNPZ groups receiving D-galactose and reference drugs (estradiol valerate and donepezil respectively) and 3 test groups (OVX+D-gal+AO1; OVX+D-gal+AO2 and OVX+D-gal+AO3) receiving D-galactose each and extra-virgin avocado oil at the doses of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mL/kg respectively. The treatment was carried out during 70 days during which memory disorders were evaluated using the Object Recognition, Y-Maze and MWM tests. Some biochemical parameters regarding memory function were evaluated on hippocampus homogenate 10%. Isolated brain was fixed in 10% formalin for histological analysis.
Results: As results, compared to SHAM+Veh group, deterioration of both non-spatial and spatial memory (short- and long-term) was observed in OVX animals threated with D-galactose. In addition, a significant decrease in relative hippocampal weight (p < 0.001), Ach (p < 0.001), Glu (p < 0.001), GSH (p < 0.001), CAT (p < 0.05), and SOD (p < 0.001) activities, and a significant (p < 0.001) increase in Methylglyoxal, MDA, and NO2-. was noted in OVX+D-gal group. Compared to OVX+D-gal group, the treatment with extra-virgin avocado oil at all tested doses reversed or prevented the negative effects induced by ovariectomy and/or by D-galactose on biochemical and oxidative stress biomarkers. The analysis of hippocampus microarchitecture shows that the extra-virgin avocado oil induced a significant decrease (p < 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.001) of neuronal loss in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal region.
Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggest that avocado oil possesses neuroprotective properties and can be consumed or supplemented to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease.