bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Radiographic Appearances of Covid-19 Pneumonia and Influenza Pneumonia
Authors: Gitau Samuel Nguku , Nganga Edward C , Kareithi Paul , Shah Jasmit , Adam Rodney
Published: June 2022

Background
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) first discovered in December 2019 has infected over 400 million people worldwide with over 5 million deaths as of February 2022. Differentiation of the imaging appearance of COVID-19 pneumonia and the endemic seasonal influenza pneumonia is clinically important as it may help give direction on patient care. The aim of this study was to evaluate for differences in radiographic appearances of COVID-19 pneumonia and influenza pneumonia.
Methods
This was a cross sectional descriptive study comparing patterns of pneumonia on radiographs and CT examinations of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia and influenza pneumonia. The comparisons included the predominant radiographic pattern of pneumonia (alveolar, interstitial, ground glass or nodular) and the extent of pneumonia (lobar, multi-lobar or diffuse involvement). The radiographic severity of disease was classified as mild, moderate or severe based on extent of lung involvement.
Results
A total of 99 examinations were reviewed, 52 chest x-rays and 47 CT chest examinations. Ground glass opacification had the highest sensitivity (89.5%) and negative predictive value (72.7%) in identification of COVID-19 pneumonia while reticulonodular opacities had the highest sensitivity (53.3%) and negative predictive value (68.2%) for identification of influenza pneumonia. The majority (90.9%) of Influenza pneumonia cases had lower CORADS scores of 2 and 3.
Conclusion
The predominant radiographic pattern in COVID-19 pneumonia was ground glass opacities while that for influenza pneumonia was reticulonodular opacities. This may help differentiate between the two pneumonias which can have similar clinical presentation but often variable severity and outcome.
The Effect of Methylated Lithocholic Acid on Plasma Membrane Properties: The Difference with the Effect of Cholesterol
Authors: Iwasaki Tomoyuki , Endo Nobuyuki , Nakayama Yuta , Kamei Toshiyuki , Nakamura Hidemi , Hayashi Keita
Published: June 2022

Bile acids form micelles that are essential for absorbing dietary lipids. However, excessive amounts of bile acid micelles may disrupt the plasma membrane by removing phospholipids, resulting in cell death. We hypothesized that the bent geometrical structure of the steroid scaffold of bile acids decreases lipid order (similar to unsaturated phospholipids with cis double bonds), disrupting the plasma membrane. Here, lithocholic acid (LCA), a bile acid, was methylated to prevent micellization. Methylated lithocholic acid (Me-LCA) was mixed with a thin phase-separated lipid layer comprising 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), and cholesterol (Chol). Me-LCA was localized not in the gel phase but in the liquid crystalline phase and excess Me-LCA did not affect phase separation. Me-LCA was distributed in the plasma membrane and the organelle membranes. However, the Me-LCA did not affect the membrane properties, membrane fluidity, and hydrophobicity of liposomes composed of DOPC, DPPC and Chol, and it did not affect proliferation. These results suggest that the removal of phospholipids from the plasma membrane by bile acid micelles mainly contributes to cell death.
Plasma derived phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (PGAM5) as a biomarker for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Feng Liang , He Haijun , Xiong Xi , Xia Kai , Qian Shuangjie , Ye Qianqian , Feng Feifei , Zhou Shuoting , Liu Yiming , xie Chenglong
Published: June 2022

Background: Phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (PGAM5) regulates mitochondrial dynamics and programmed cell death, which relates to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study aimed to examine whether plasma PGAM5 was a biomarker for PD diagnosis, and whether which was associated with the severity of motor or nonmotor manifestations of PD.Methods: Our data enrolled 124 patients of PD (PD group) and 50 healthy controls (HC group) , baseline characteristics of both groups were collected. We measured plasma PGAM5 levels with a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique (ELISA). PD group received evaluations at baseline with the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS); Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, Hamilton depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), the Rating Scale of RBDQ-HK and Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL) were finished both PD group and HC group. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of plasma PAMG5 alone and PAMG5 combined with other factors for PD diagnosis.Results: We found plasma PGAM5 levels were significantly higher in the patients with PD than HC groups, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76. In terms of the subgroup analysis, the AUC for the elder subjects (＞60 years old) was 0.78, and for patients without hypertension was 0.79. Of note, when combined with plasma oligomeric α-synuclein (α-syn), AUC was 0.80; while combined with the score of the RBDQ-HK with an AUC of 0.82. Plasma PAMG5 levels were connected to PD independently in a multivariable logistic analysis (odds ratio,1.875 [95% CI 1.206-2.916], p=0.005), but showed no correlation with the severity of motor and other nonmotor manifestations of PD. Conclusions: Plasma PGAM5 was an independent biomarker for PD, aiding to distinguish PD from healthy controls, especially among those elder (＞60 years old) and patients without hypertension. The predictive value of PGAM5 would be elevated when combined with plasma oligomeric α-syn or the Rating Scale of RBDQ-HK.
FAM19A5 is an independent prognostic biomarker in thyroid cancer
Authors: Luan Shoujing , Li Jian , Qin Shanshan , Yuan Haiqing
Published: June 2022

Aim: In this study, we aim to explore whether FAM19A5 could be a new target for diagnosis and prognostic of patients with thyroid cancer.Method: We obtained and analysis data from TCGA database by using R software (version 3.5.1). The boxplot was used to analyze the pattern of FAM19A5 expression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to evaluate diagnostic value of FAM19A5 expression in thyroid cancer. Fisher’s exact and chi-squared tests were used to analyze relationship between FAM19A5 expression and clinical pathological characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression analysis were used to explore the prognostic role of FAM19A5 in thyroid cancer.Results: We observed that FAM19A5 was upregulated in thyroid cancer and was associated with patients’. ROC curve showed that FAM19A5 expression had good clinical diagnostic value. Our results also revealed that FAM19A5 expression was associated with histological type, stage, T classification, M classification, and vital status. High FAM19A5 patients have poor prognosis in term of OS and DSS. FAM19A5 was an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with thyroid cancer.Conclusion: FAM19A5 could serves as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of thyroid cancer
Endoscopic and histopathological hints on infections in patients of common variable immunodeficiency disorder with gastrointestinal symptoms
Authors: Chen Yang , You Yan , Li Ji , Yang Aiming , Zhou Weixun , Li Xiaoqing
Published: June 2022

Purpose Common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID) patients could have gastrointestinal (GI) involvement and suffer from infections yet remain poorly understood. The study aims were to assess the clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological features of CVID patients with GI symptoms and their relationship with infections. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of 22 CVID patients with GI symptoms and endoscopic examinations at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2000 and 2020. Clinical features, infections, endoscopic and histopathological images were reassessed Results Chronic diarrhea was the commonest GI symptom occurred in 21/22(95.5%) patients in our CVID cohort. Over 80% patients had low body weight and malabsorption. Accordingly, small bowel villous atrophy was observed in 90.9% patients under endoscopy and mostly confirmed by histopathology. GI infections were found in 10 (45.5%) patients. 7 patients with diffuse and obvious nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) of small bowel under endoscopy had significantly higher infection rate (85.7% vs 26.7%, p<0.05), especially with giardia and bacteria. Small bowel biopsies showed 90.5% patients lacked plasma cells and 57.1% patients had increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), but not significantly different between GI infectious and non-infectious group. After intravenous immunoglobulin and anti-infection therapy most patients got better except one died of EBV ulcers massive bleeding. Conclusions CVID could involve GI tract especially the small bowel. Obvious NLH under endoscopy could be a hint for GI infection. Comprehensive endoscopic and histopathological evaluations might help to recognize CVID diagnosis and the possibility of co-infection leading to more proper treatment.
Numerical Investigation on P-Y Method of Group Piles under Static and Dynamic Loads
Authors: Timurağaoğlu Mehmet ömer , Fahjan Yasin , Doğangün Adem
Published: June 2022

The present study aims at scrutinizing the static and dynamic behavior of pile-soil interaction in the context of p-y method using finite element analysis. For this purpose, a series of static and dynamic analyses are carried out for single pile, 2x2 and 3x3 group piles in homogeneous clayey soil. In the analysis, the nonlinear behavior of soil is taken into account using a kinematic hardening model, while piles are modeled as elastic. The soil model parameters are calibrated using experimental modulus degradation and damping curves. The pile-soil interface is modeled considering normal and shear behavior to account for separation and sliding between soil and pile elements. In the static analyses, variation of pile moments and displacements with depth and the back-calculated p-y curves are evaluated. The soil resistance is directly obtained by extracting the shear and normal forces of the nodes in a pile at any depth. The p-multipliers for 2x2 and 3x3 group piles are calculated and compared with that of the experiments. The variation of p-multipliers with depth and lateral displacement is also evaluated. In dynamic analyses, first, site response analyses are carried out and validated against one-dimensional results under different loading frequencies. Infinite elements are applied at the boundaries to provide non-reflective boundaries. Later, single, 2x2 and 3x3 group pile analyses are executed. The influence of loading amplitude and frequency on the response are investigated using moment-depth and displacement-depth relationships. Dynamic p-y curves are back-calculated and the results are deeply assessed by comparing with static curves.
Insights into the mechanism of inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1) by the secreted frizzled related protein Sizzled
Authors: Sharma Urvashi , Goff Sandrine Vadon-Le , Harlos Karl , Zhao Yuguang , Mariano Natacha , Bijakowski Cecile , Bourhis Jean-Marie , Moali Catherine , Hulmes David J.S. , AGHAJARI NUSHIN BANU
Published: June 2022

Sizzled (Szl) is both a secreted frizzled related protein (sFRP) and a naturally occurring inhibitor of the zinc metalloproteinase bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1), a key regulator of extracellular matrix assembly and growth factor activation. Here we present a new crystal structure for Szl which differs from that previously reported by a large scale (90°) hinge rotation between its cysteine-rich and netrin-like domains. We also present results of a molecular docking analysis showing interactions likely to be involved in the inhibition of BMP-1 activity by Szl. When compared with known structures of BMP-1 in complex with small molecule inhibitors, this reveals features that may be helpful in the design of new inhibitors to prevent the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix that is the hallmark of fibrotic diseases.
Novel green sulfated-PWA supported on MCM-41 coated NiFe 2 O 4 MNPs for xanthene and coumarin synthesis
Authors: El-Yazeed W. S. Abo , Hayes O. R. , Ahmed Awad I.
Published: June 2022

From an environmental and economic point of view, we focused on the preparation of simple catalysts with many advantages such as simple isolation, easy preparation, high stability, and well catalytic activity. Here, we prepared MCM-41 coated NiFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles and modified their surface with phosphotungestic acid (PWA) and then sulfate. We tested the catalysts' efficiency and reuse towards the formation of xanthene and coumarin derivatives. They can be easily recovered by a simple magnet from the reaction mixture and reused up to several runs without a high decrease in the catalytic activity. The samples have been characterized by SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XRD, VSM, and XPS. XPS indicated the presence of the inverse-cubic spinel phase of NiFe2O4 and the contribution of Fe(III) − O and Ni(II) − O bonds in tetrahedral (Th) and octahedral (Oh) sites. The results indicated the good dispersion of sulfate and PWA nanoparticles on the surface and inside NF-MCM-41 which play an important role in increasing the acidity and activity of the catalyst towards the synthesis of xanthene and coumarin derivatives. The catalyst 20S-W/NF-MCM-41-II reveals the highest acidity (Ei=586.3 mV) and yields 93.92% 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a, j]xanthene and 78.32% 7-hydroxy-4-methyl coumarin.
16S rRNA Survey Reveals the Potential of Tongue Coating Microbiota in Distinguishing Patients with Chronic Heart Failure from Healthy Controls
Authors: Yuan Tianhui , Ye Xing , Jiang Xiaotao , Li Zhifang , Wang Yan , Yang Zhongqi , Fang Hongcheng , Xian Shaoxiang
Published: June 2022

Background: Tongue diagnosis, as a practical diagnostic approach of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), reflects physiological functions and pathological conditions in human body. Different features are observed in tongue images including tongue coating and tongue color between chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and healthy controls (HCs), which probably results from different dominant tongue coating microbiota. In this study, we aim to investigate the differences of tongue coating microbiota between CHF patients and HCs, hoping to discover valuable novel biomarkers for CHF. In this study, altogether 60 CHF patients and 30 HCs were enrolled. Oral swabs collected tongue coating samples, then the 16S rRNA survey was conducted to analyze tongue coating microbiota.Results: In total, 42 CHF patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-IV and 28 HCs were recruited. The alpha diversity was higher in HCs, while beta diversity was higher in CHF patients. At phylum level, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher in CHF patients (P<0.05) while TM7 was higher in HCs (P<0.05). At family level, in CHF patients, Neisseriaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, Aerococcaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroidales_incertae_sedis, Comamonadaceae and Lactobacillaceae were more abundant whereas the abundance of Actinomycetaceae, Clostridiales_Incertae_Sedis_XIII, Erysipelotrichaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Peptococcaceae_1, Peptostreptococcaceae, Prevotellaceae and TM7_family_incertae_sedis were lower. Compared with HCs, eight microbes with higher abundance in CHF patients including Abiotrophia, Anaeroglobus, Bacteroides, Butyrivibrio, Capnocytophaga, Lactobacillus, Neisseria and Phocaeicola. The other 11 microbes were less abundant in CHF patients comprised of Anaerovorax, Eubacterium, Kingella, Mogibacterium, Murdochiella, Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Simonsiella, Solobacterium and TM7_genus_incertae_sedis. Notably, 14 genera of microbes could distinguish CHF patients from HCs, and the AUC of their combined diagnosis was 98.13% (95% confidential interval as 95.77%-100.00%). In accordance to Spearman’s correlation, Eubacterium, Solobacterium and Rhizobium were core genera and the abundance of Eubacterium and Solobacterium exhibited downward trends as NYHA class increases.Conclusion: This study preliminary revealed the microbiota dysbiosis of the tongue coating in CHF patients and identified potential biomarkers for CHF diagnosis and management.
Identification of a Novel ceRNA Network Related to Prognosis and Immunity in HNSCC Based on Integrated Bioinformatic Investigation
Authors: Liu Hongbo , Hei Guoli , Zhang Lu , Jiang Yanxia , Lu Haijun
Published: June 2022

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by an immunosuppressive environment and necessitates the development of new immunotherapy response predictors. The study aimed to build a prognosis-related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network based on immune-related genes (IRGs) and analyze its immunological signatures. Differentially expressed IRGs were identified by bioinformatics analysis with Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and ImmPort databases. Finally, via upstream prognosis-related microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) prediction and co-expression analysis, we built an immune-related ceRNA network (LINC00052/hsa-miR-148a-3p/PLAU) related to HNSCC patient prognosis. CIBERSORT analysis demonstrated that there were substantial differences in 11 infiltrating immune cells in HNSCC, and PLAU was closely correlated with 10 type cells, including T cells CD8+ (R = − 0.329), T cells follicular helper (R = -0.342) and macrophage M0 (R = 0.278). Methylation and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) analyses revealed that PLAU upregulation was most likely caused by hypomethylation and that high PLAU expression may be associated with tumor immune evasion in HNSCC.
Risk Factors for Early Neurological Deterioration in Acute Isolated Pontine Infarction Without Any Causative Artery Stenosis
Authors: Liu Yinglin , Peng Hongmei , Wang Jian , He Lanying , Xu Jinghan , Zheng Min , Xu Yao , Xu Fan
Published: June 2022

Background
This study aimed to investigate the risk predictors for early neurological deterioration (END) in isolated acute pontine infarction (API) without any causative artery stenosis.
Methods
In this retrospective study, patients with isolated API within 72 h of symptom onset were enrolled between October 2017 and December 2021. END was defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥ 2 points within the first week postadmission. Patients were divided into the END and the non-END groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independent predictors of END in patients with isolated API.
Results
A total of 153 patients were included in the final study (62 females; mean age, 67.27 ± 11.35 years), of whom 28.7% (47 of 153) experienced END. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that infarct volume (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.003; 95% CI, 1.001–1.005; P = 0.002) and basilar artery branch disease (BABD) (aOR, 3.388; 95% CI, 1.102–10.417; P = 0.033) were associated with END. The combined ROC analysis of the infarct volume and BABD for predicting END showed that the sensitivity and specificity were 80.9% and 72.6%, respectively.
Conclusion
BABD and infarct volume were associated with END in acute isolated pontine infarction and may be useful prognostic factors for neurological progression.
Cerebellum and mental state recognition: a transcranial direct current stimulation study in healthy subjects
Authors: Clausi Silvia , Lupo Michela , Funghi Giulia , Mammone Alessia , Leggio Maria
Published: June 2022

Increasing evidence from neuroimaging and clinical studies demonstrated cerebellar involvement in social cognition components, including the mentalizing process. The aim of this study was to apply transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate cerebellar excitability to investigate the role the cerebellum plays in mental state recognition. Forty-eight healthy subjects were randomly assigned to different groups in which anodal, cathodal, or sham tDCS (2 mA for 20 min) was delivered centring the electrode on the vermis to stimulate the posterior portion of the cerebellum. The ability to attribute mental states to others was tested before and after tDCS using a digital version of the 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes test', which includes visual perceptive and motor stimuli as control conditions. Correct response and reaction times (RT) were recorded. Results revealed a significant reduction in RTs between the baseline and post-stimulation sessions after the cerebellar anodal tDCS only for mental state stimuli, whereas no significant effect was found in the cathodal or sham conditions or for visual perceptive and motor stimuli. Overall, our study suggests that cerebellar anodal tDCS might selectively improve mental state recognition and constitute an effective strategy to positively modulate the mentalizing process.
Impact of Nosema ceranae infection on sucrose solution consumption, midgut epithelial cell structure, and lifespan of Apis cerana cerana workers
Authors: Long Qi , Sun Minghui , Fan Xiaoxue , Zhang Wende , Zhou Dingding , Hu Ying , Wang Zixin , Zhang Kaiyao , Zhao Haodong , Song Yuemei , Fu Zhongmin , Chen Dafu , Guo Rui
Published: June 2022

Apis cerana is the original host for N. ceranae, and the impact of Nosema ceranae infection on A. cerana is largely unknown. In this study, workers of Apis cerana cerana were inoculated with N. ceranae spores. and the effects on the microsporidian spore load, host sucrose solution consumption, midgut epithelial cell structure, and lifespan were investigated. Spore counting suggested that the spore load in the host midguts decreased from 1 to 2 days post inoculation (dpi), while it increased from 2 to 13 dpi. No statistically significant difference in workers’ sucrose solution consumption was detected between N. ceranae-inoculated and un-inoculated groups. Microscopic observation showed darkly stained microsporidia in the midgut epithelial cells of N. ceranae-inoculated workers from 7 to 10 dpi. Additionally, the boundary of N. ceranae-inoculated host epithelial cells was blurred, the nucleus had almost disappeared, and the nucleic acid substance was diffused, whereas the boundary of un-inoculated midgut epithelial cells remained intact and the darkly stained nucleus was clear. The survival rates of workers in both N. ceranae-inoculated groups and un-inoculated groups started to decrease at 5 dpi. Additionally, the survival rate of workers in N. ceranae-inoculated groups was nearly always lower than that in un-inoculated groups, and there was a significant difference between these two groups from 11 to 20 dpi. These results demonstrate that the spore load of N. ceranae continuously elevated with microsporidian proliferation, causing damage to the midgut epithelial cell structure and shortening the host’s lifespan. Our findings offer a solid basis for exploring the molecular mechanism underlying N. ceranae infection and N. ceranae–A. cerana interaction.
Evaluation of the thermal performance of traditional courtyard houses in a warm humid climate: Colima, Mexico
Authors: Toris-Guitron M. Gabriela , Esparza-López Carlos J. , Luna-León Aníbal , Pozo Carlos Escobar-del
Published: June 2022

With the recent need to decrease the use of energy and promote indoor thermal comfort in overheating conditions, attention has been drowned on the passive cooling function of courtyards. This paper aims to determine the effect of proportions and orientations of courtyards on the indoor thermal performance of traditional houses in a warm, humid region so that this could guide further improvement and reinterpretation of this building type. The results of this parametric study were obtained through computer simulations of different cases. Rather than promote passive cooling in the building, the findings suggest that the courtyard greatly increases solar heat gain, raising the temperature during the day. Higher solar heat gains and ventilation rates were observed in the courtyard cases with greater width and length. Nevertheless, this does not cause important differences in the average operative temperature of the entire building between the cases. As for orientation, lower heat gains were obtained in courtyards with the long axis-oriented east to west. Regardless of the cases, the study finally emphasizes the importance of the inhabitants controlling the opening of windows in the enclosed rooms since this could decrease the temperature by 1.1ºC from night to the early morning (23.00 hrs to 11.00hrs) and thus influence its thermal comfort. Conversely, opening the windows outside that time-lapse could cause an increase in temperature and more hours above the upper comfort limit.
Pediatric Open-globe Injuries: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Repair in a Tertiary Center in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Kabakcı Aslı Kırmacı , Atik Burcu Kemer , Livan Elif Hazal , Ocak Serap Yurttaşer , Elçioğlu Mustafa Nuri
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE: Open-globe injury is defined as trauma causing a full-thickness defect of the eyewall, with reported ratios of 28.9-49.7% occurring in the pediatric age group of all the injuries. Eye injuries account for 8-14% of all injuries in pediatric patients. Our purpose in this retrospective study was to evaluate the epidemiology, etiology, and outcomes of pediatric open-glob injury patients diagnosed and treated at a tertiary medical center in Istanbul, Turkey; with an aim of making contribution to the data in order to establish specific preventative guidelines for ocular trauma within the pediatric population.METHODS: The medical records of 56 patients ≤18 years old who underwent primary open-globe injury repair at Prof.Dr.Cemil Tascioglu State Hospital from January 2016 to January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The majority of the injuries took place at home (35 cases, 62.5%).The most common traumatizing object was knife in 10.7% of the cases, followed by fork in 8.9%.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the visual acuity at presentation and the presence of lens injury are prognostic factors for open-globe injuries in pediatric age group.These findings can be useful in terms of predicting the prognosis and managing the expectation of the children with open-globe injury and their parents. However, we believe that adoption of appropriate protective measures in order to avoid unnecessary injuries are far more effective in terms of preventing visual impairment than advancements in any kind of treatment or management strategies after the injury.
Changes in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Referral Trends from a non-Western Country during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Omercioglu Emel , Yesil Ayse Mete , Avcı Hanife , Ozmert Elif N.
Published: June 2022

Objectives
The global spread of COVID-19 and associated policies have caused negative factors at the level of children, families, and services, resulting in physical, mental, and developmental issues in children, as well as limited access to healthcare. We evaluated the referral numbers, sources, and trends of a developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) department in Turkey as a Eurasian country, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on referral variables.
Methods
This longitudinal observational research examined patient referral data to Hacettepe University Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Department (HUDPD) between 2014 and 2021. We analyzed the changes in the number of referrals over time in 3-month intervals using negative binomial regression models (NBR). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on referral reasons was evaluated.
Results
The overall number of referrals increased by 1.040-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.015–1.067] per year. There was a 1.070 (95% CI: 1.033–1.110)-fold increase per year before the pandemic, and a 1.077 (95% CI: 0.933–1.24)-fold increase afterward. Referrals for perinatal-neonatal risks were 1.359 (95% CI: 1.269–1.456) times higher than in the pre-pandemic period, and those for suspected autism were 1.209 (95% CI: 0.987–1.478) times higher.
Conclusion
Although it is encouraging that our referral trends have improved in the 1.5 years since the COVID-19 pandemic, it is thought that health service constraints caused a considerable increase in prenatal risk and suspicion of autism referrals following the pandemic. Improvement and innovation in healthcare systems to prevent the long-term detrimental impacts of periodic interruptions in healthcare on children's development and behavior is needed.
Single and joined behaviour of circulating biomarkers in high-fit and low-fit healthy females
Authors: Janssen Joëlle J.E. , Lagerwaard Bart , Nieuwenhuizen Arie G. , Escoté Xavier , Canela Núria , Bas Josep M. del , de Boer Vincent C.J. , Keijer Jaap
Published: June 2022

Background
Biomarkers are important in the assessment of health and disease but are poorly studied in healthy individuals. Especially responses of biomarkers in the systemic circulation to longer-term and short-term lifestyle interventions are incompletely understood, neither is their relative response to each other. This study investigated how single biomarkers, functional biomarker categories and total biomarker profiles respond to a difference in longer-term physical activity and recent exercise in healthy individuals.
Methods
A total of 102 biomarkers were analysed in serum or plasma samples from 30 young, healthy, female adults divided into a high-fit (V̇O2peak ≥ 47 mL/kg/min, N = 15) and low-fit (V̇O2peak ≤ 37 mL/kg/min, N = 15) group, at baseline and overnight after a single bout of exercise (60 min, 70% V̇O2peak).
Results
Total biomarker profiles were similar between high-fit and low-fit females, with only significantly lower leptin levels in high-fit females (adj.Pgroup = 0.076). Recent exercise significantly affected several single biomarkers related to inflammation and lipid metabolism, and adiponectin (all adj.Pexercise < 0.01). Furthermore, functional biomarker categories corresponded to biomarker clusters generated via hierarchical clustering models.
Conclusion
This study provides insight in the single and joined behaviour of circulating biomarkers in healthy females and identified functional biomarker categories that may be used for characterization of human health physiology.
Trial registration:
Registered in the Dutch trial register (ref.no. NL7891) on 2019-07-23.
A new approach for monitoring crops using remote sensing
Authors: Baradaran Amir Abbas , Tavazoei Mohammad Saleh
Published: June 2022

Due to different climatic conditions and the high cost of devices, monitoring plant growth is complex and costly. Remote sensing of agricultural lands, especially on a large scale, using satellite imagery, is more appropriate than hardware equipment such as sensors. One of the main challenges in plant growth is the rate of plant evapotranspiration discussed in the FAO-56 paper. The rate of plant evapotranspiration in the initial, development, and late growth stages is an important issue. Factors such as irrigation method, surface albedo, height above sea level, aerodynamic conditions, leaf and stomata characteristics between plants, and soil texture, have made it difficult to study plant growth from placement to harvest. In this research using Landsat 8 satellite imagery and vegetation indices, we present an approach in which exist several important indicators for sensing plant growth, determining soil texture and moisture, land slope, and improving cloud effects in remote sensing. The water required by the plant at different stages of its growth and the equations in FAO-56 paper can be estimated and improved using the indices. We have used cubic spline interpolation, Pearson correlation coefficient, explanation coefficient (R2), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD), and the Mean Standard Error (MSE) to evaluate and compare the accuracy of each index. Finally, the correlation equation of each index is calculated with its actual values. We have also used hypothesis and regression analysis testing to prove efficiency and predict crop behavior.
NF-kappa B expression in resected specimen of colonic cancer is higher compared to its expression in inflammatory bowel diseases and polyps
Authors: Berkovich Liron , Gerber Mirit , Katzav Aviva , Kidron Debora , Avital Shmuel
Published: June 2022

NF-Kappa B has a significant role in inflammatory processes as well as in colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of NF-kappa B in colonic adenocarcinoma specimen, colonic adenomas and inflammatory colonic tissues. Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), colonic adenomas and inflammatory processes undergoing surgery were recruited. Following a routine pathological evaluation tissue samples were stained using anti NF-κB monoclonal antibodies. Expression of NF-κB was quantified using IMAGEJ program for immunohistochemistry staining. Samples were also stained and quantified for CEA expression.Fifty-six patients were included. 30 cancers, 6 polyps and 20 inflammatory processes. Expression of NF-κB was similar between polypoid and inflammation etiologies. However, it was significantly higher in CRC compared to both (p<0.05). In cancer patients, NF-κB expression in the resection margins was correlated with positive node status. CEA expression was higher in the cancer group, less in the IBD group and the lowest in the colonic non diseased margins. Our results provide a supportive evidence that NF-κB pathway is strongly involved in colon cancer development and metastasis. Interestingly, expression of NF-κB in benign polypoid lesions was as high as in inflammatory etiologies. This support the role of NF-κB early in the adenoma to carcinoma sequence. Further research is needed to evaluate the exact role of NF-κB in tumor progression in order to look for diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.
Exploring heat and cold wave susceptible areas of India using consistency and frequency coupled novel approach
Authors: Sarda Rajesh , Halder Doli , Das Priyanka , Pal Swades
Published: June 2022

A good many studies identified year-specific heat wave (HW) and cold wave (CW) using a percentile approach, the present study tried to identify and grade consecutive two and five days HW and CW spells using consistency and frequency coupled approach using the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) endorsed gridded data across India since 1961 to 2021. The entire period was split into dry (1961–1990) and wet (1991–2021) phases to explore the long-term average of extreme temperature patterns and HW and CW change. The study revealed that wider parts of north western and central India were prone to statistically significant 30 years, 7 years, and 1-year average extreme temperature hot spot, and J & K and parts of north western India were prone to cold-spot (at 95 and 99% levels). The hot-spot and cold-spot dominated areas were again spotted as highly consistent and high-intensity HW and CW. About 60–65% area of north-western and central India was found consistent HW covering north western and central India. However, frequency and consistency coupled with HW intensity were recognized at five patches of the same area. Rajasthan and Delhi regions were found as the most intense HW zone. The average phase-wise change of HW was not very clear, however, some grids of this region recorded an increasing frequency of HW. CW intensity was increased by 13–26% in the northwestern tract over the phases. HW and CW matrix exhibited the co-existence of high intensity of HW and CW in the Rajasthan and Delhi region indicating high socio-ecological susceptibility. The findings of this study would be instrumental for regional priority planning and building adaptive capacity for combating the situation.
A Non-Repetitive Semantic Approach for Truth Discovery Over the Web
Authors: Sryh Said , AbouTrab Mohammad Saeed
Published: June 2022

As the number of web pages on the internet grows, so do the conflicts between data gathered by search engines from different sources, primarily websites. Search engines require a conflict-resolving system that can quantify the truth of obtained data and assess the reliability of the information offered by sources. This paper presents a non-repetitive semantic approach for resolving data conflicts on search engines by including correctness elements into indexed data and estimating the trustwor-thiness of websites from which data are retrieved. Using the same dataset, our approach is validated in comparison with another approach based on several factors such as execution speed, information veracity efficiency and the error rate of sources’ trust. The approach shows promising results and outperforming the other approach. The execution time to process the dataset is about half an hour for our approach against four hours for the other one. The F1 measure of information truth calculations and the area under the ROC curve are around 88 and 94 percent, respectively. The source trustworthiness error is around 0.09 for our approach where is about 0.17 for the other one.
Functional non-invasive detection of glycolytic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Heid Irina , Münch Corinna , Karakaya Sinan , Lueong Smiths S. , Winkelkotte Alina M. , Liffers Sven T. , Godfrey Laura , Cheung Phyllis FY , Savvatakis Konstatinos , Topping Geoffrey J. , Englert Florian , Kritzner Lukas , Grashei Martin , Tannapfel Andrea , Viebahn Richard , Wolters Heiner , Uhl Waldemar , Vangala Deepak , Smeets Esther M.M. , Aarntzen Erik H.J.G. , Rauh Daniel , Weichert Wilko , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Hahn Stephan A. , Schilling Franz , Braren Rickmer , Trajkovic-Arsic Marija , Siveke Jens T.
Published: June 2022

Background: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) lacks effective treatment options beyond chemotherapy. Although molecular subtypes such as classical and QM (quasi-mesenchymal)/basal-like with transcriptome-based distinct signatures have been identified, deduced therapeutic strategies and targets remain elusive. Gene expression data show enrichment of glycolytic genes in the more aggressive and therapy resistant QM subtype. However, whether the glycolytic transcripts are translated into functional glycolysis that could further be explored for metabolic targeting in QM subtype is still not known. Methods: We used different patient-derived PDAC model systems (conventional and primary patient derived cells, patient derived xenografts (PDX) and patient FFPE samples) and performed transcriptional and functional metabolic analysis. These included: RNAseq and Illumina HT12 bead array, in vitro Seahorse metabolic flux assays and metabolic drug targeting, and in vivo hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate and [1-13C]lactate magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HP-MRS) in PDAC xenografts. Results: We found that glycolytic metabolic dependencies are not unambiguously functionally exposed in all QM PDACs. Metabolic analysis demonstrated functional metabolic heterogeneity in patient-derived primary cells and less so in conventional cell lines independent of molecular subtype. Importantly, we observed that the glycolytic product lactate is actively imported in the PDAC cells and used in mitochondrial oxidation in both classical and QM PDAC cells, although more actively in the QM cell lines. By using hyperpolarized 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HP-MRS), we were able to non-invasively identify highly glycolytic PDAC xenografts by detecting the last glycolytic enzymatic step and prominent intra-tumoral [1‑13C]pyruvate and [1-13C]lactate interconversion in vivo.Conclusion: Our study adds functional metabolic phenotyping to transcriptome-based analysis and proposes a functional approach to identify highly glycolytic PDACs as candidates for anti-metabolic therapeutic avenues.
Diagnostic Delay in Adult Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cross Eleanor , Saunders Benjamin , Farmer Adam D. , Prior James A.
Published: June 2022

Background
The extent of diagnostic delay in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is incompletely understood. We aimed to understand the extent of diagnostic delay of IBD in adults and identify associations between patient or healthcare characteristics and length of delay.
Methods
Articles were sourced from EMBASE, Medline and CINAHL from inception to April 2021. Inclusion criteria were adult cohorts (18 ≥ years old) reporting median time-periods between onset of symptoms for Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) or IBD (i.e., CD and UC together) and a final diagnosis (diagnostic delay). Narrative synthesis was used to examine the extent of diagnostic delay and characteristics associated with delay. Sensitivity analysis was applied by the removal of outliers.
Results
Thirty-one articles reporting median diagnostic delay for IBD, CD or UC were included. After sensitivity analysis, the majority of IBD studies (7 of 8) reported a median delay of between 2-5.3 months. From the studies examining median delay in UC, three quarters (11 of 16) reported a delay between 2–6 months. In contrast, three quarters of the studies (17 of 23) including CD samples, reported a delay of between 2–12 months. No characteristic had been examined enough to understand their role in diagnostic delay in these populations.
Conclusions
This systematic review provides robust insight into the extent of diagnostic delay in IBD, particularly in CD, and suggests further intervention is needed to reduce delay. Furthermore, our findings provide a benchmark value range, which such future work can be measured against.
Multiscale spatially explicit modelling of livestock depredation by reintroduced tiger (Panthera tigris) to predict conflict risk probability
Authors: Malviya Manjari , Krishnamurthy Ramesh
Published: June 2022

Context: Spatial modelling of human-carnivore conflict has recently gained traction, and predictive maps have become a great tool to understand the distribution of present and future conflict risk. However, very few such studies consider scale and use appropriate spatial modelling tools. Objectives: We aimed to understand the ecological predictors of human-tiger (Panthera tigris) conflict and predict livestock predation risk by reintroduced tigers in Panna Tiger Reserve, Central India. By modelling livestock kill as a function of various tiger relevant ecological variables at multiple scales employing spatially explicit statistical tools. Methods: We used geostatistical modelling to create raster layers of covariates (prey, cover, human activities), following which we did univariate scaling. We then modelled livestock loss by tiger using spatial Generalized Additive Model (geoGAM), predicted and mapped conflict risk probability. Results: We found that prey and shrub cover, both selected at a fine scale, were key ecological determinants of human-tiger conflict. Prey showed an inverse relationship with livestock predation and shrub nonlinear; livestock predation increasing with an increase in shrub cover but decreasing beyond a certain point. Thus, in habitats where optimum ambush cover is available but prey presence is low at fine-scale, carnivores are more likely to depredate domestic livestock since livestock have lost most of their anti-predator behaviours. Conclusions: Livestock kill by tiger is a culmination of predator choice and foraging tactics, and prey vulnerability and defence mechanism. The spatially explicit predation risk map produced in this study can guide adequate human-tiger conflict prevention measures.
Association between serum zinc levels and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Namikawa Tsutomu , Utsunomiya Masato , Yokota Keiichiro , Munekage Masaya , Uemura Sunao , Maeda Hiromichi , Kitagawa Hiroyuki , KOBAYASHI Michiya , Hanazaki Kazuhiro
Published: June 2022

Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the association between clinicopathologic features and serum zinc levels in preoperative patients with gastric cancer.
Methods
The study enrolled 83 patients scheduled for gastric cancer surgery at the Kochi Medical School. Clinical data were obtained to investigate associations between clinicopathological features, including nutritional indicators and serum zinc levels. Serum zinc deficiency was defined as serum zinc level < 80 µg/dL.
Results
The median zinc level of the 83 patients was 73 µg/dL (range, 20–152 µg/dL), and serum zinc deficiency was present in 66.3% of patients. Albumin was significantly lower in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (3.9 g/dL vs. 4.4 g/dL, P < 0.001), and the median serum zinc level was significantly lower in the albumin < 4.1 g/dL group than in the albumin ≥ 4.1 g/dL group (69 µg/dL vs. 82 µg/dL, P < 0.001). Lymphocyte count was significantly lower in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (1500 vs. 1810 years, P = 0.041). The median serum zinc level was significantly lower in the age ≥ 74 group than in the age < 74 (71 µg/dL vs. 76 µg/dL, P = 0.002). Serum zinc levels showed a significant positive correlation with serum albumin (r = 0.637, P = 0.009).
Conclusions
Serum zinc deficiency was found in 66.3% of preoperative patients with gastric cancer, which was highly correlated with serum albumin.
Relationships between acute rejection，hemoglobin levels and BK virus infection among renal transplant recipients in China
Authors: He Qitian , Wu Xiaoning , Li Limin , Qin Weijuan , Liang Zhengyi , Xie Li
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to explore the risk factors for BK virus （BKV） infection in renal transplant recipients（RTR） routinely treated with tacrolimus. Among the 93 RTRs enrolled in the study, 42 cases had BKV infections and 51 patients did not have BKV infections. A positive BKV result was detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for the first time after renal transplantation. Eighty-seven healthy individuals and 77 patients undergoing dialysis were randomly included as controls during the study period. A logistic regression model was used to analyse potential variables in order to evaluate factors related to BKV infection in the RTRs. The results of a multivariate regression analysis indicated that a history of acute rejection (OR = 4.157; p = 0.031) and low hemoglobin were risk factors for BKV infection. Compared with the BKV-negative RTRs, the hemoglobin levels in the BKV-positive RTRs were significantly lower. Thus, the results of our study suggest that a history of acute rejection and low hemoglobin are risk factors for BKV infection after renal transplantation.