bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Performances and IOFCC of Broilers Fed the Whole, the Skinless, and the Skin of Leubim Fish Waste Meals Based Partial Replacement Feed of Commercial Diets
Authors: Zulfan Zulfan , Daud Muhammad , Fitri Cut Aida , Munthe Wenny Ultaria , Rasyiqah Siti Zharfa
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the performances of broilers fed the commercial diet CP511 (CCP) partially substituted with leubim fish waste meal (LFW) processed into different parts i.e. whole leubim fish waste meal (LFWW),  skinless leubim fish meal (LFM‒S),  and leubim fish waste skin meal (LFWS), each mixed with yellow corn (YC) and top mix (TM). This research was conducted at the Field Laboratory of Animal Husbandry (LLP), Syiah Kuala University from March 17 to April 21, 2021. This study used 100 DOC broiler chickens strain CP 707 and commercial local fish meal (CFM). The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 5 treatments and 4 replications. The treatment  was CCP= 100% CP511 (control+) and the CCP replaced with: CFM  (control-), LFWW,  LFM‒S, and LFWS with the equal amount of 8% each and the addition of 8% YC + 0.5% TM each. The results showed that although statistically no significant differences (P>0.05),  the inclusion of LFW meals in the form of LFWW,  LFM‒S, or LFWS plus YC + TM each to substitute partially CCP tended to have higher body weight gain (BWG), final body weight (FBW), feed intake, and better feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER), while protein intake (PI) significantly increased (P<0.05). The inclusion of  LFW-based diets reduced feed cost and increased income over feed & chick cost (IOFCC). The LFW‒S diet did not result in better broiler performances than the LFWW diet. In conclusion, LFW meals processed as a whole, without the skin, and the only skin added with yellow corn and top mix as a partial replacement for the commercial diet increased BWG, FBW, PI, FI, and improved FCR, reduced feed cost, and generated better profit. It was suggested not to dispose of the skin out of the waste since the whole leubim fish waste meal carried out more advantages.
Creating Crosswalks for Knee Outcomes After ACL Reconstruction Between the KOOS and the IKDC-SKF
Authors: Johnson Jessica L. , Boulton Aaron J. , Spindler Kurt P. , Huston Laura J. , Spalding Tim , Asplin Laura , Risberg May Arna , Snyder-Mackler Lynn
Published: February 2022

Update

This article was updated on May 16, 2022, because of incorrect URLs for the Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and the appendix on pages 723 and 730, respectively.

An erratum has been published: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2022 Jul 6;104(13):e60.

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) registries do not all use the same patient-reported outcome measures, limiting comparisons and preventing pooling of data for meta-analysis. Our objective was to create a statistical crosswalk to convert cohort and registry mean Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) to International Knee Documentation Committee-Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF) scores and vice versa to allow these comparisons.

Methods:

Data from 3 ACL registries were pooled (n = 14,412) and were separated into a training data set (70% of the sample) or a validation data set (30% of the sample). The KOOS and the IKDC-SKF scores were available prior to the operation and at 1, 2, and 5 or 6 years postoperatively. We used equipercentile equating methods to create crosswalks in the training data set and examined accuracy in the validation data set as well as bootstrapping analyses to assess the impact of sample size on accuracy.

Results:

Preliminary analyses suggested that crosswalks could be attempted: large correlations between scores on the 2 measures (r = 0.84 to 0.94), unidimensionality of scores, and subpopulation invariance were deemed sufficient. When comparing actual scores with crosswalked scores in the validation data set, negligible bias was observed at the group level; however, individual score deviations were variable. The crosswalks are successful for the group level only.

Conclusions:

Our crosswalks successfully convert between the KOOS and the IKDC-SKF scores to allow for a group-level comparison of registry and other cohort data.

Clinical Relevance:

These crosswalks allow comparisons among different national ligament registries as well as other research cohorts and studies; they also allow data from different patient-reported outcome measures to be pooled for meta-analysis. These crosswalks have great potential to improve our understanding of recovery after ACL reconstruction and aid in our ongoing efforts to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction, as well as to allow the continued analysis of historical data.
The effects of magnesium concentration in high-magnesium calcite allochems on dolomitization: Insights from high-temperature dolomite synthesis experiments
Authors: Teoh Chia Pei , Laya Juan Carlos , Rose Katharine , Kaczmarek Stephen
Published: February 2022

Selective dolomitization of HMC allochems in Neogene carbonates is a common phenomenon. It has been proposed that the higher magnesium concentrations [Mg] in these allochems promotes dolomitization. To directly investigate the effects of [Mg] (reported as mol% MgCO3) in biogenic HMC on dolomitization, high-temperature (200 °C) dolomitization experiments were conducted. Dolomite reaction rate, stoichiometry, and microstructures were tracked during dolomitization for a variety of biogenic HMC reactants, including Goniolithon, Lithothamnion, Lithophyllum, Corallina officinalis, Heterocentrotus mamillatus, and Mellita quinquiesperforata. Solids were characterized using standard powdered X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In general, biogenic HMC reactants are progressively replaced by protodolomite products between 2 and 46 hours. In the experiment using Corallina officinalis, no products were detected by XRD after 46 hours. Initial protodolomite products are subsequently replaced by ordered dolomite as the reactions proceed. Dolomitization rate and protodolomite stoichiometry do not correlate with [Mg] of the biogenic HMC reactants. Dolomitized HMC skeletons reliably retain the original microstructure of the HMC reactants, consistent with the microcrystalline mimetic textures observed in nature. These findings collectively suggest that under the conditions investigated, dolomitization is less affected by the concentration of magnesium in the HMC reactants relative to other known factors, such as temperature, reactant mineralogy, organic content, skeletal texture, and fluid chemistry. These results imply that the observed correlation between coralline red algae abundance and global dolomitization events in the Neogene is not driven by the elevated magnesium concentration of the HMC reactants.
Ecosystem services from coffee agroforestry in Central America:
Estimation using the CAF2021 model
Authors: Oijen Marcel Van , Haggar Jeremy , Barrios Mirna , Büchi Lucie , Cerda Rolando , Cerretelli Stefania , Lopez Erick , Filho Elias de Melo Virginio , Ospina Alejandra
Published: February 2022

The goal of sustainable coffee production requires multiple functions from agroforestry
systems. Many are difficult to quantify and data are lacking, hampering the choice
of shade tree species and agronomic management. Process-based modelling may help quantify
ecosystem services and disservices. We introduce and apply coffee agroforestry model CAF2021
(https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5725277). The model allows for complex systems with up to
three shade tree species. It simulates coffee yield, timber and fruit production by shade trees, soil
loss in erosion, C-sequestration, N-fixation, -emission and -leaching. To calibrate the model, we
used multivariate data from 32 different treatments applied in two long-term coffee agroforestry
experiments in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Without any further calibration, the model was then
applied to agroforestry systems on 89 farms in Costa Rica and 79 in Guatemala where yields
had been reported previously in farmer interviews. Despite wide variation in environmental and
agronomic conditions, the model explained 36% of yield variation in Costa Rica but only 15% in
Guatemala. Model analysis quantified trade-offs between yield and other ecosystem services as a
function of fertilisation and shading.
Concomitant Surgical Transatrial And Transapical Approach For CRT-D Implantation In A Patient With Severe Chest Burn Skin Injury: Case Report
Authors: Riba Adam , Toth Roland , Rashed Aref , Németh Barnabás , Árvai Ferenc , Lupkovics Géza , Gombócz Karoly , Tahin Tamas
Published: February 2022

Introduction: According to the current clinical guidelines, CRT-D implantation is indicated for patients with history of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, symptomatic heart failure, wide QRS or high-degree AV block. Case presentation: A patient with DCM received a CRT-D with the conventional method but 1 month later skin necrosis was diagnosed above the device. We believed, that the 40 years old burn injury was the reason for the necrosis, resulted from the altered microcirculation of the skin. The complete system was extracted from the patient and we utilized negative pressure wound therapy for the treatment of the remaining tissue. We decided to perform surgical reimplantation of the device using mini thoracotomy: right atrial and right ventricular leads were introduced through the right atrial appendage and the left ventricular lead was inserted transapically. The device was implanted under the less scabby abdominal skin. 6 weeks later there was no sign of other complications and the surgical wounds were healed completely.Conclusions: We successfully applied the combination of trans-atrial and trans-apical lead placement, which has not been reported in the literature yet. It serves as an alternative method, if the standard approach is not feasible.
Effect of pelvic floor muscles exercise by extracorporeal magnetic innervations on the bladder neck and urinary symptoms: a research article
Authors: Long Cheng Yu , Chang Chieh Yu , Wu Ching Hu , Lin Kun Ling , Liu Yi Yin , Lu Zi Xi
Published: February 2022

Background: We aim to investigate the changes of the bladder neck (BN) and urinary symptoms before and after passive pelvic floor exercise by extracorporeal magnetic innervations (ExMI) therapy. Methods: We assessed the BN and urinary symptoms of 20 women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) by trans-perineal ultrasound and questionnaires before and after the ExMI therapy from January 2011 to February 2021.Results: The urinary frequency and SUI incidences were significantly decreased following the ExMI therapy (McNemar's test; P <0.01). The therapeutic efficacy of SUI was 75%. A significant decrease was noted in the pad test (paired t-test, P <0.05). Nocturia had been improved in a marginally significance (McNemar’s test, P=0.063). Any difference in the pre- versus post-treatment regarding other urinary symptoms was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference in Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6) (paired t-test, P < 0.001), yet Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) showed marginally significant difference (paired t-test, P = 0.066). Three domains of lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction in the female sexual function index (FSFI) showed significant differences (paired t-test, P <0.05), while other sexual symptoms had no significant difference before and after ExMI. Trans-perineal ultrasound found that bladder neck mobility and Q-tip straining angle were not statistically significant (paired t-test, P > 0.05).Conclusion: The ExMI is effective for SUI by strengthening the pelvic floor muscle with treatment efficacy of 75%. However, it has a limited effect on bladder neck mobility, as evidenced by trans-perineal ultrasonography.
Lymphatic-Preserving Treatment Sequencing with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition Unleashes cDC1-Dependent Antitumor Immunity in HNSCC
Authors: Gutkind J. Silvio , Saddawi-Konefka Robert , O'Farrell Aoife , Faraji Farhoud , Clubb Lauren , Allevato Michael , Anang Nana-Ama , Jensen Shawn , Wang Zhiyong , Wu Victoria , Yung Bryan , Msrai Riyam Al , Pietryga Ida Franiak , Molinolo Alfredo , Mesirov Jill , Simon Aaron , Fox Bernard , Bui Jack , Sharabi Andrew , Cohen Ezra , Califano Joseph
Published: February 2022

Despite the promise of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI), therapeutic responses remain limited. This raises the possibility that standard of care treatments delivered in concert may compromise the tumor response. To address this, we employed tobacco-signature HNSCC murine models in which we mapped tumor-draining lymphatics and developed models for regional lymphablation with surgery or radiation. Remarkably, we found that lymphablation eliminates the tumor ICI response, significantly worsening overall survival and repolarizing the tumor- and peripheral- immune compartments. Mechanistically, within tumor-draining lymphatics, we observed an upregulation of cDC1 cells and IFN-I signaling and show that both are necessary for the ICI response and lost with lymphablation. Ultimately, we provide a mechanistic understanding of how standard oncologic therapies targeting regional lymphatics impact the tumor response to immune- oncology therapy in order to define rational, lymphatic-preserving treatment sequences that mobilize systemic antitumor immunity, achieve optimal tumor responses, control regional metastatic disease, and confer durable antitumor immunity.
Optical Genome Mapping Improves Genetic Diagnosis in Chronic Granulomatous Diseases
Authors: Hui Xiaoying , Yang Jingmin , Wang Wenjie , Zhang Jing , Hou Jia , Ying Wenjing , Sun bijun , Liu Lipin , Liu Danru , Zhou Qinhua , Sun Jinqiao , Wang Xiaochuan
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Chronic granulomatous disease(CGD) is mainly caused by defects in genes encoding subunits of NADPH oxidase complex (CYBB, CYBA, NCF1, NCF2, NCF4), and its chaperone (CYBC1). Next generation sequencing has successfully identified pathogenic variants in 131 clinically confirmed CGD patients in the single center, left 4 cases negative. This study sought to explore new technology to resolve these diagnostic dilemmas at whole genome level. Methods: The clinical data were collected. Optical genome mapping (OGM) was performed to investigate clinically-relevant structural variants greater than 500 bp in size. Targeted long-range PCR followed by next generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing were utilized for confirming breakpoints junctions.Results: OGM find a novel pathogenic copy number variant in NCF2 (1506 bp ~ 1526 bp in length) in P3. The exact downstream breakpoints of this deletion located in a thymine (T) rich region (18 T in reference and 58 T in P3), which remain difficult to detect with current short-read and long-read sequencing. Together with a second pathogenic variant in NCF2 in trans (c.1130_1135del) detected by exome sequencing, P3 was genetically diagnosed. Conclusion: OGM improves genetic diagnostic yield (1/3) in challenging CGD patients. Structural variants in NCF2 and other genes should be considered in undiagnosed CGD disease. Further research in undiagnosed population with OGM is warranted.
Conditional Knockout Of Cdc20 Attenuates Osteogenesis In Craniofacial Bones
Authors: Cheng Yawen , Du Yangge , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Ping , Liu Yunsong
Published: February 2022

Background: Craniofacial bone defects cause significant problems to patients with harmful consequences. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can self-renew and exhibit multilineage differentiation, which could be applied to bone regeneration. However, craniofacial bone tissue MSCs have unique properties, differing in their characteristics to MSCs derived from long bones. Cell division cycle protein 20 (CDC20) promotes osteogenic differentiation in long bones; however, its role in craniofacial bone tissues remains unknown. Results: We successfully constructed Cdc20 conditional knockout mice and confirmed its knockout efficiency in cranial and mandibular bones. In this study, we found that Cdc20 conditional knockout in mice triggered distinctive cranial and mandibular bone loss. Moreover, the osteogenic differentiation potential of cranial suture-derived MSCs and mandibular bone marrow-derived MSCs was impaired in Cdc20 conditional knockout mice. Conclusions: In general, the conditional knockout of Cdc20 impaired osteogenesis in craniofacial bones. Our findings provide new insights into craniofacial bone regeneration and the treatments of craniofacial bone-related diseases.
Heterogeneous Selective Ensemble Learning Model for Mill Load Parameters Forecasting by Using Multi-Scale Mechanical Frequency Spectrum
Authors: liu zhuo , Chai Tianyou , Tang Jian , Yu Wen
Published: February 2022

A ball mill is a heavy mechanical device and its safe operation affects the entire grinding process. Mill load is a key index in the optimum operation of the grinding process, but it cannot be measured directly. In industrial practice, operational experts normally estimate its value based on their experiences and the mechanical signals produced by the ball mill. In this paper, we proposed a heterogeneous selective ensemble method by using a multi-scale mechanical frequency spectrum. The multicomponent adaptive decomposition algorithm is first used to decompose the original shell vibration and acoustic signals into sub-signals with different time scales. Then, selective ensemble (SEN) kernel projection to latent structure algorithm is used to model the spectral data of these sub-signals. Furthermore, the latent features of multi-scale spectra are extracted to construct SEN models based on fuzzy inference. Finally, the two types of heterogeneous SEN models are fused by using information entropy. The main contribution of this study is that the proposed soft-sensing model has a dual-layer ensemble structure that can fuse multisource information in different mechanical sub-signals with physical meaning. Moreover, the proposed model can simulate the fuzzy cognitive behavior of domain experts in the mineral grinding process. The effectiveness of the method is verified by the shell vibration and acoustical data of a laboratory-scale ball mill.
Predicting the probability of avian reproductive success and its components at a nesting site
Authors: Ghosh Sinchan , Banerjee Arnab , Mukhopadhyay Soumalya , Ray Santanu , Bhattacharya Sabyasachi
Published: February 2022

Avian reproduction has three chronological components: nesting, mating, hatching, and fledging. Predicting the probability of individual components helps to identify the period of reproduction that needs the most aid, increasing the conservation efficiency. This prediction requires identification of biotic, abiotic, and sociological variables of a bird’s environment responsible for these componentwise success probabilities. There is also no standard methodology to estimate these probability values separately. This study estimates the absolute success probability of each component, identifies correlated environmental predictors and gives a modeling framework to accurately predict the success probabilities using Merops Philippines as a test bed. The result using surveyed data and proposed methodology indicates the corridor between nesting and mating is most vulnerable to the environment. Social structure is the key to all reproductive components but nesting. Both biotic and abiotic factors are crucial determinants of nesting success. Mating, hatching, and fledging success depend more on biotic factors than abiotic ones. Linear modeling frameworks are helpful to explore which types of environment are a better determinant of the success of a reproductive component. Artificial neural networking is more useful to predict the successes of a new site. Although developed using Merops philippinus data, the proposed methodology and modeling framework are also applicable for other birds.
Nurses’ informatics competency assessment of health information system usage: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kinnunen Ulla-Mari , Kuusisto Anne , Ahonen Outi , Koponen Samuli , Kaihlanen Anu , Hassinen Tiina , Vehko Tuulikki
Published: February 2022

Background: Nurses’ informatics competencies affect their use of health information systems (HIS). Informatics competencies are professional requirements for registered nurses to guarantee the quality of patient care. In earlier studies, these competencies have been defined rather intensively, although few studies exist relating to the evaluation of nurses’ practical informatics skills and competencies. The purpose of this study was to describe nurses’ perceptions of their informatics competencies regarding HIS usage in daily patient care.Methods: A web-based questionnaire of this national cross-sectional survey was sent to all nurse members including registered nurses, midwives and public health nurses of the Finnish Nursing Association (FNA), the National Association of Health and Welfare Professionals (TEHY), and the National Professional Association for the interests of experts and managers in health care (TAJA) (N= 58 276). Results: 3610 nurses responded to the questionnaire. The items (n = 16) relating to informatics competencies were grouped into three separate dependent variables: ‘Nursing documentation’, ‘Digital environment’ and ‘Ethics and data protection’. Nurses evaluated their overall informatics competencies as good. The ‘Ethics and data protection’ competency score was higher than the scores of ‘Nursing documentation’ or ‘Digital environment’. The competency ‘Digital environment’ was better for recently graduated nurses and for nurses working in outpatient care and virtual hospital, examination, operation, and labour, and in emergency rooms and emergency care. Experience with using a particular HIS at work was associated with the competency ‘Nursing documentation’. The general HIS experience was associated with all competencies. Conclusions: Nurses are highly qualified HIS users. However, the competency requirements generated by rapidly expanding digitalization have challenged nurses. Thus, it is of high importance to increase different educational programs for nurses using digital tools and software programs. Nurses are knowledge workers 24/7. Unified, standardized, terminology-based nursing documentation has been shown to produce high-quality patient data which also affects patient safety. Therefore, nursing directors should be encouraged to implement nursing terminology in those health care organizations which have not yet done so.
Insufficient health care access in American minorities with or at high risk for knee osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Vennu Vishal , Abdulrahman Tariq A. , Alenazi Aqeel M. , Bindawas Saad M.
Published: February 2022

Background: Access to health care (HC) in American minorities with or at high risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA) is indistinct. The current study aims to address this gap. Methods: Data of Americans (n =4,674) aged 45–79 years with or at elevated risk for knee OA were fetched from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Participants were categorized into Caucasians and American minorities based on their racial and ethnic background. Results: American minorities had insufficient access to HC than did Caucasians (9% vs. 2% were uninsured with no health care coverage (HCC), p <.0001, while 6% vs. 9% had only HCC, p <.0001). A multinomial regression analysis shows that less than <50,000 American dollar annual income was more likely associated with insufficient access to HC (odds ratio [OR] = 3.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.25—6.51) in American minorities than Caucasians (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.50—2.48). Conclusion: American minorities had insufficient access to HC than did Caucasians. The less annual income was highly influenced by insufficient access to HC in this population.
Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction After Breast Cancer Surgery: BREAST-Q analysis
Authors: MIRANDA ISABELA , Lichtenfels Martina , Vollbrecht Betina , Barbosa Fernanda , Falcone Ana Beatriz , Malhone Carolina , Costa Bartira E. Pinheiro da , Frasson Antônio Luiz
Published: February 2022

Purpose Conceptions of quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction are important to improve quality of care in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to compare QoL and patient satisfaction using the BREAST-Q among patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) for breast cancer treatment.Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using a database of patients who underwent BCS (n=75) or NSM (n=70), operated by the same surgeon, between January 2017 and December 2017. Clinical-pathological data were assessed from the medical record. All patients filled out the BREAST-Q questionary. A difference of 0.5 standard deviation between groups was considered clinically relevant. Effect size was estimated for each domain of BREAST-Q in both groups.Results Patients in the NSM group were younger at the time of surgery than those in the BCS group, 45.4 vs. 55.7 years, respectively (p<0,05). There was no global difference in QoL and Patient Satisfaction among the groups. Patients in BCS group presented significantly higher scores related to ‘physical well-being’ compared to the NSM group, 83.2 vs. 70.5 (p<0.05), as well as the ‘satisfaction with their breasts’, scoring 81.2 vs. 73.1 (p<0.05). Satisfaction with care was high and not statistically different between groups.Conclusion Our study shows no difference in global QoL and patients’ satisfaction among women who underwent BCS and NSM for breast cancer treatment. Satisfaction with care was extremely high, reassuring the importance of the support offered by the team, and patient's involvement in decision-making process.
Skin Cancer Diagnosis Using CNN Features with Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization Methods
Authors: BAŞARAN Erdal , ÇELİK Yüksel
Published: February 2022

If skin cancer is not treated early, it also affects the diseased area under the skin and this threatens the treatment of the disease. In recent years many diseases have been rapidly detected with high accuracy with artificial intelligence methods and the treatment process has accelerated. Convolutional neural networks one of the artificial intelligence methods provide very detailed information about images and extremely successful results are obtained in classifying images. In this study firstly the data set was trained with the EfficientNetB0 model which is one of the convolutional neural networks models. Then, with the fully connected layer of this model, deep features of the images were obtained. These deep features were obtained by selecting with PSO and GA optimization algorithms, and different feature combinations were created. Each of these selected feature sets were classified by the SVM method and the best performance results were tried to be obtained. As a result, the success of the proposed model has been proven by obtaining an accuracy rate of 89,17%.
Over-Expression of TTC21A Correlates Poor Prognosis of Liver Cancer
Authors: Li Mingyi , Yan Wen
Published: February 2022

Background: Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is one of the most severe malignant tumors worldwide. Method: RNA sequencing data is obtained from TCGA database to analyze the expression of TTC21A and differentially expressed genes (DEG). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network is used to screen out the related genes of TTC21A. A single-sample GSEA is used to analyze the relationship between TTC21A and immune cell infiltration. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) values are applied to evaluate the value of TTC21A as a binary classifier. Finally, Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and nomogram plot are used to determine the prognosis value of TTC21A for LIHC. Results:Compared to normal tissues, the expression of TTC21A in liver cell carcinoma is significantly higher (P<0.05). The expression of TTC21AmRNA is different from T, M clinical stage, pathological grade, and histological grade (P<0.001). High expression of TTC21A in liver cancer is correlated to T staging. PPI detected its potential co-expressed gene network. IHC staining suggested that TTC21A is expressed higher in tumor tissues than in normal tissues, significantly correlating with the immune cell infiltration, including macrophages and T cells. ROC curve displayed that TTC21A has a robust diagnostic ability for hepatocellular carcinoma (AUC=0.778). Kaplan-Meier analysis displayed that the prognosis of patients with high TTC21A expression is poor (HR=1.81, P=0.001).Conclusion: Our results suggest that over-expression of TTC21A is closely related to the poor prognosis of patients with liver cancer, indicating that TTA21A could possess an excellent diagnostic value in patients with LIHC.
The Natural Growth Rate of Growing Malignant Pulmonary Nodules with Ground-Glass Opacity and Association of Clinic Features With It
Authors: Xue Wenfei , Duan Guochen , Zhang Xiaopeng , Xin Zhifei , Liu Shicheng , He Jie , Zhang Hua
Published: February 2022

Objective
The objective of the study was to investigate the volume (VDT) and mass doubling time (MDT) of growing malignant ground-glass opacity(GGO) and explore the relationships between doubling times and clinical-pathological features.
Methods
We collected 37 GGO cases (18 male & 19 female with age between 43- and 82-year-old) between 2016 and 2020 and all of these cases were along with growing malignant pulmonary nodules. The duration of follow-up and the variation in GGOs volume and mass were recorded. The morphologic changes and three-dimensional segmentation of GGO nodules were used to calculate the VDT and MDT based on a modified Schwartz model. The independent sample t-test was used to investigate the relationship between doubling times and their features. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk factors of growing malignant GGOs.
Results
The median follow-up time was 725 days (31-1507 days). The averaged VDT and MDT of the GGOs were 973 days and 671 days, respectively. Both VDT and MDT were significantly different among the three different groups of solid components of GGO(p<0.05). The vacuole sign and lepidic-predominant lung adenocarcinoma (LPA) also made an important role in changing the VDTs and MDTs (p<0.05). In addition, the growth of malignant pulmonary nodules was significantly associated with air bronchus sign (OR 6.667; 95% CI of 1.126-39.470; p=0.037). Multivariate analysis showed that LPA declined the GGOs growth (odds ratio 0.093, 95% CI of 0.011-0.765, p = 0.027).
Conclusions
The solid component of GGOs and vacuole sign were closely associated with the growth rate of GGOs. The GGOs with air bronchus sign was more dangerous in terms of growth rate than other GGO cases. However, the appearance of LPA could inhibit GGO growth. Further studies are still required to verify the obtained results.
Characterization and Wear Behaviours of Aluminium Alloy/ Reinfored With Agricultural Wastes Particulates at Different Loads
Authors: Mohammed Abdullahi Tanko , Ogheneme Ogheneblorhie Clifford , Lasisi Shaibu , Aliyu Isah , Guruza Abdullahi , Olagunju Suraj Jare , Sani Habeeb Muhammed , Suleiman Idawu Yakubu
Published: February 2022

The research investigates the morphology and wear behaviours of Al-Mg-Si alloy reinforced with palm kernel shell powder (PKSP) for developing composites. PKSP of particle size of 100 μm was prepared for the studies at different weight percentages of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 PKSP to developed composites for the investigations. The PKSP was characterized by X-ray fluorescent (XRF). The morphology of the alloy and composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The XRF revealed elements such as carbon (C), oxygen (O2) with other elements as traces. The PKSP as reinforcer had improved the morphology and wear rate behaviours positively. Morphologies revealed that the composites produced showed no voids and discontinuities of PKSP particulates in the composites. The wear resistance of the matrix and composites increase with increase in load and decrease with increase in the weight percentage of PKSP. The minimum wear rate was obtained at the load of 10N while highest at applied load of 30N. The wear rate of the alloy lost under load of 10N was 1.31 times greater than that of alloy reinforced with 15 wt. % PKSP with minimum wear rate. The composites could be used as brake rotors, pistons and connecting rods in the automobile industries.
A Multivariable Mendelian Randomization Analysis Disentangling The Causal Relations Between Abdominal Obesity, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cardiometabolic Diseases
Authors: Gagnon Eloi , Pelletier William , Gobeil Émilie , Bourgault Jérôme , Manikpurage Hasanga , Maltais-Payette Ina , Abner Erik , Taba Nele , Esko Tonu , Mitchell Patricia , Ghodsian Nooshin , Després Jean-Pierre , Vohl Marie-Claude , Tchernof André , Thériault Sébastien , Arsenault Benoit
Published: February 2022

Background: Observational studies have linked obesity and especially abdominal obesity to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These traits are also associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary artery disease (CAD) but the causal factor(s) underlying these associations remain unexplored. Multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) is a method that uses multiple genetic variants associated with traits of interest to simultaneously estimate the causal effect of each of these traits on outcomes of interest. Methods: We used a MVMR study design to determine whether obesity (defined using body mass index [BMI]) and abdominal obesity (defined using waist circumference) were causally associated with NAFLD using publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics of the UK Biobank (n>450,000) and a GWAS meta-analysis of NAFLD (8434 cases and 770,180 control). A MVMR study design was also used to determine the respective causal contributions of waist circumference and NAFLD to T2D and CAD using GWAS summary statistics of the DIAGRAM (74,124 cases and 824,006 controls) and CARDIoGRAMplusC4D (122,733 cases and 424,528 controls) consortia.Results: In univariable Mendelian randomization analyses, both BMI and waist circumference were associated with NAFLD. NAFLD was not associated with obesity or abdominal obesity. In MVMR analyses, waist circumference was associated with NAFLD when accounting for BMI (OR per 1-standard deviation increase = 2.35 95% CI=1.31-4.22, p=4.1e-03) and BMI was not associated with NAFLD when accounting for waist circumference (0.87 95% CI=0.54-1.38, p=5.5e-01). In MVMR analyses accounting for NAFLD, waist circumference remained strongly associated with both T2D (2.65 95% CI=2.32-3.04, p=5.7e-45) and CAD (1.49 95% CI=1.37-1.62, p=8.3e-21).Conclusions: These results identified abdominal obesity as a strong, independent and causal contributor to NAFLD, T2D and CAD, thereby highlighting the importance of assessing body fat distribution for the prediction and prevention of cardiometabolic diseases.
Mitochondrial metabolism drives hypercholesterolemia-induced breast cancer cell migration
Authors: Nobrega-Pereira Sandrina , Serafim Teresa , Lopes Ana Patrícia , Santos Miguel , Carvalho Filipa , de Jesus Bruno Bernardes , Morais Vanessa , Dias Sérgio
Published: February 2022

Most cancer related deaths are due to metastases. Systemic factors, such as lipid-enriched environments (particularly LDL-cholesterol), favor breast cancer (including triple negative breast cancer, TNBC) metastasis formation. Mitochondria metabolism impacts TNBC invasive behavior but its involvement in a lipid-enriched setting is undisclosed. Here we show that LDL-cholesterol induces CD36, increases lipid droplets and augments TNBC cells migration and invasion in vivo and in vitro. LDL increases mitochondrial mass and mitochondria spread in migrating cells, and energetic analyses revealed that LDL renders TNBC dependent on fatty acids for mitochondrial respiration. Indeed, engagement of fatty acid oxidation, but not glycolysis, is required for LDL-induced migration and mitochondrial remodeling. Moreover, LDL induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by TNBC cells. Importantly, CD36 or ROS blockade abolished LDL-induced cell migration and mitochondria metabolic adaptations. Our data suggest that LDL induces TNBC cells migration by reprogramming mitochondrial metabolism, revealing a new vulnerability in metastatic breast cancer.
Paraoxonase 1 Activity Could Be A Potential Biomarker For Liver Damage
Authors: Araoud Manel , Mhenni Hamida , Neffati Fadoua , Hellara Olfa , Douki Wahiba , Saffar Hammouda , Najjar Mohamed Fadhel
Published: February 2022

Variations of PON1 activity (PON1) were studied according to the type of liver injury, to assess the interest of this parameter in the diagnosis of liver diseases. The study was performed in population of patients with different liver damages. The liver diseases adopted during our investigation were grouped into different syndromes and pathologies. The classification by pathology, according to the clinical, biological and radiological context, made it possible to distinguish five types of hepatic impairment. The determination of the activity of PON1 was carried out on Konélab, and the assay the other enzymes as well as of the biochemical parameters were carried out on the Cobas 6000 system.The PON1 activity was lower in patients compared to control group (p<0.007). The risk to have PON1 activity decreased was doubled in patients suffering from liver diseases (OR=2.201; IC à 95%:1.074-4.512; p=0.030). This risk was more important in cirrhotic patients (OR=4.44, 95% CI:1.78 to 11.05, p=0.001). A positive correlation between PON1 and albumin (r=0.349, p<0.001), or HDL-c (r=0.370, p<0.001) was found in total population of patients. However, PON1 was inversely correlated with AST (r=- 0.338, p<0.001), PAL (r =-0.205, p=0.038) and total bilirubin (r=-0.293, p=0.003). PON1 was significantly lower in patient groups that have three perturbed lipid parameters (p=0.034). The PON1 activity could be a reliable biomarker of the degree of liver injury and could be integrated into the hepatic exploration tests, to better highlight the suffering liver and contribute to the diagnosis of liver damage.
Eating Disorders and Intimate Partner Violence: The Influence of Fear of Loneliness and Social Withdrawal
Authors: Momeñe Janire , Macía Patricia , Estévez Ana , Griffiths Mark D. , Olave Leticia , Iruarrizaga Itziar
Published: February 2022

Eating disorders are vulnerability factors that increase the likelihood of intimate partner violence. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. Although eating disorders have been associated with increased perception and fear of loneliness, they have also been associated with increased social withdrawal resulting from decreased enjoyment of social situations and poorer social functioning. The purpose of the present study was to examine the mediating role of fear of loneliness in the relationship between the behavioural characteristics of eating disorders and intimate partner violence, as well as to explore the moderating role of social withdrawal in the relationship between fear of loneliness and intimate partner violence. The sample comprised 683 participants (78% female and 22% male) with a mean age of 21.14 years (SD = 2.72). The hypothesized model was tested by path analysis using maximum likelihood. The path analysis of the hypothesized model showed that inefficacy, fear of maturity, and impulsivity were the behavioural characteristics of eating disorders predominantly related to fear of loneliness. Fear of loneliness had no direct significant effect on any of the received violence variables. However, interaction effects indicated that there was a moderately significant effect of fear of loneliness on physical, psychological, and social violence received as a function of levels of social withdrawal. These findings show the need to take into account and work on fear of loneliness and social withdrawal among individuals with an eating disorder to decrease the likelihood of establishing violent intimate partner relationships. Improving interpersonal functioning and social support is key to recovery from eating disorders.
Saliva as Alternative to Naso-Oropharyngeal Swab for SARS-CoV-2 Detection by RT-qPCR: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Diagnostic Validation Study
Authors: Tee Michael L. , Abrilla Aedrian A. , Tee Cherica A. , Dalmacio Leslie Michelle M. , Villaflor Vivencio Jose P. , Abubakar Al-Zamzam A. , Tagayuna Pedrito Y. , Aquino Sheldon Steven C. , VI Vicente Aaron L. Bernardo , Matias Ronald R.
Published: February 2022

Saliva has been demonstrated as feasible alternative to naso-oropharyngeal swab (NOS) for SARS-CoV-2 detection through reverse transcription quantitative/real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). This study compared the diagnostic agreement of conventional NOS, saliva with RNA extraction (SE) and saliva direct without RNA extraction (SalivaDirect) processing for RT-qPCR in identifying SARS-CoV-2. All techniques were also compared as separate index tests to a composite reference standard (CRS) where positive and negative defined as SARS-CoV-2 detection in either one and no sample, respectively. Of 518 paired samples, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 150 (28.96%) NOS and 151 (29.15%) saliva specimens. The saliva-based tests were noted to have a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (95% confidence interval) of 92.67% (87.26%, 96.28%), 97.55% (95.41%, 98.88%) and 96.14% (94.10%, 97.63%), respectively, for SE RT-qPCR and 90.67% (84.84%, 94.80%), 98.91% (97.24%, 99.70%) and 96.53% (94.56%, 97.93%), respectively, for SalivaDirect RT-qPCR compared to NOS RT-qPCR. Compared to CRS, all tests demonstrated diagnostic performance that is statistically similar to each other. These suggest that both conventional and streamlined saliva RT-qPCR are non-inferior to conventional NOS RT-qPCR in detecting SARS-CoV-2.
Oryza nivara allele of a major effect QTL qFLA1.1 increases flag leaf area in rice
Authors: Guttikonda Haritha , Chandu Gowthami , Munnam Suchandranath Babu , Beerelli Kavitha , Balakrishnan Divya , Ragimasalawada Madhusudhana , Sarla N
Published: February 2022

A stable back cross introgression line IL65 (IET22161) (Swarna/O. nivara-BC2F6) of rice was used to map flag leaf related traits in F2 and F3. A total of 12 QTLs were mapped for flag leaf related traits on two chromosomes with each QTL explaining 3 to 21% phenotypic variance (PV). Interestingly, a novel 12Mb QTL cluster (RM8094 - RM9) that controls 7 traits was identified on long arm of chromosome 1 where QTLs qSPAD1.2, qSPAD1.3 for SPAD, qFLL1.1, qFLL1.2 for flag leaf length, qFLW1.1, qFLW1.2 for flag leaf width, qFLA1.1, qFLA1.2 for flag leaf area, qPH1.1, qPH1.2 for plant height, qDTF1.2, qDTF1.3 for days to flowering and qHI1.2, qHI1.3 for harvest index were co-located. Among these, one major effect QTL qFLA1.1 for flag leaf area was identified in a 9Mb region between RM8094 and RM5638. There was an adjacent minor effect QTL qFLA1.2 in a 3Mb region between RM5638 and RM9. Together these two QTLs and with leaf area increasing QTL allele from O. nivara explained 19.7% PV. The QTL for flag leaf related traits can be fine mapped and considered for breeding rice varieties with higher flag leaf area, photosynthetic rate and grain yield.
A Refined Injury and Modular Dietary Design for Studying Atherogenesis in Rabbits: The Next Level in Deciphering the Interplay of Risk Factors
Authors: Almer Gunter , Opriessnig Peter , Wolinski Heimo , Sommer Gerhard , Diwoky Clemens , Lechleitner Margarete , Kolb Dagmar , Bubalo Vladimir , Brunner Markus , Schwarz Andreas , Leitinger Gerd , Schoiswohl Garbriele , Marsche Gunther , Niedrist Tobias , Schauer Silvia , Oswald Wolfgang , Groselj-Strele Andrea , Paar Marget , Cvirn Gerhard , Hoefler Gerald , Rechberger Gerald , Herrmann Markus , Frank Sasa , Holzapfel Gerhard , Kratky Dagmar , Mangge Harald , Hörl Gerd , Tehlivets Oksana
Published: February 2022

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide. Lack of reproducible and controlled induction of atherosclerotic lesions in preclinical animal models limits atherosclerosis research. Here, we developed the first automated system for vessel wall injury that leads to more homogenous damage and more pronounced atherosclerotic plaque development at low balloon pressure in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis, and used this system to investigate the risk factor interplay. Elevated plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and is strongly linked to cardiovascular mortality. Already in the absence of hypercholesterolemia, deficiency in vitamins and choline required for homocysteine metabolization results in atherogenic transformation of the aorta i.e. impairment of its biomechanical properties, alteration of collagen organization as well as macrophage and lipid accumulation, and aggravation of atherosclerosis including significantly altered water diffusion and impaired vascular reactivity in its presence.
In-Resin CLEM of Epon-Embedded Cells Using Proximity Labeling
Authors: Sanada Takahito , Yamaguchi Junji , Furuta Yoko , Kakuta Soichiro , Tanida Isei , Uchiyama Yasuo
Published: February 2022

Biotin ligases have been developed as proximity biotinylation enzymes for analyses of the interactome. However, there has been no report on the application of proximity labeling using biotin ligase for in-resin correlative light-electron microscopy of Epon-embedded cells. In this study, we established a proximity-labeled in-resin CLEM of Epon-embedded cells using miniTurbo, a biotin ligase. Biotinylation by miniTurbo was observed in cells within 10 mins following the addition of biotin to the medium. Using fluorophore-conjugated streptavidin, intracellular biotinylated proteins were labeled after fixation of cells with a mixture of paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. Fluorescence of these proteins was resistant to osmium tetroxide staining and was detected in 100-nm ultrathin sections of Epon-embedded cells. Ultrastructures of organelles including mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were preserved well in the same sections. Fluorescence in sections was about 14-fold brighter than that in the sections of Epon-embedded cells expressing mCherry2 and was detectable for 14 days. When mitochondria-localized miniTurbo was expressed in the cells, mitochondria-like fluorescent signals were detected in the ultrathin sections, and ultrastructures of mitochondria were observed as fluorescence-positive structures in the same sections by scanning electron microscopy. These results indicated that in-resin correlative light-electron microscopy of Epon-embedded cells using proximity labeling was achieved.