bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tendencies of Tropical Cloud Clusters Transformation Into Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Kandula Subrahmanyam , Karanam Kishore Kumar , R. Pattanaik D.
Published: February 2022

Tropical cloud clusters (TCC) play a vital role in earth’s climate by not only releasing a large amount of latent heat into the atmosphere but also by forming the basis for development of tropical cyclones (TC). However, not all the TCCs can be developed into cyclones and only a few of them develop into TC, selectively. There are large uncertainties in present understanding on why only certain TCC develops into a TC and others don't? The present study employs the global TCC observations generated by GridSat and IBTrACS datasets from 1980 to 2009 to investigate the TCC distributions over the various Oceanic basins such as North Atlantic (NA), South Atlantic (SA), East-West and South Pacific (EP, WP and SP) and North Indian (NI) and South Indian (SI) basins. The central objective of the present study is to characterize the size spectrum of TCCs and to investigate their potential transformation into TC. The TCCs are identified based on the different IR temperature thresholds in each basin. The present results suggest that overall ~ 5.5% of TCCs were developed into TCs per year across the globe and there is an increasing trend in number of TCCs that were grown into TCs during the study period. The size spectrum of TCCs showed a dominant peak at 100-200 km2. About 48% of TCCs transform into TCs within 24 hr of being identified. Furthermore, 85% of TCCs develop in to TCs within 84 hr of the first identification and only 5% of TCCs develop into TCs after 84 hr. Further, we have also analysed the background environmental conditions such as low-level wind speed, vorticity, divergence, vertical shear, upper level relative humidly and latent heating (LH) for developing and non-developing TCCs over NI basin. It is noted that the relative humidity in the developing composite is around 10-20% higher than that in non-developing TCCs and LH in developing TCCs is 0.15 K/hr larger than that in non-developing TCCs. The significance of the present study lies in investigating the developing TCCs as function of their size and lifetime including their long-term trends and bringing out the favourable environmental conditions for developing TCCs in the NI Ocean.
Validity and Reliability of Event Related Potential in Subacute Stroke
Authors: Yun Dong Hyuk , Sohn Min Kyun , Jee Sungju
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was assess the test-retest reliability of the ERP and resting EEG test in subacute stroke patients. Additionally, we compared the validity of the EEG, ERP test to MMSE (Mini-Mental State Exam) and MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) to use it as an objective tool to evaluate cognitive function. We recruited 20 patients with subacute ischemic stroke who were 19 years of age or older and had an MMSE score of 20 or higher. All participants were tested K-MMSE (Korean Mini Psychostatistics Test) and K-MoCA (Korea-Montreal Cognitive Assessment). The resting-state EEG and P300 wave using an auditory and visual oddball paradigm were measured at baseline and once again in 24 hours. We calculated the brain symmetry index (BSI) and directional BSI (BSIdir) over different frequency bands and delta/alpha ratio (DAR). The intra-rater reliability and validity of the P300 latency, amplitude, BSI, BSIdir and DAR were measured by intra-class correlation (ICC) analysis and by Pearson`s correlation coefficient analysis, respectively. P300 latency showed excellent ICC level (auditory P contralesional, ICC = 0.918, visual P contralesional, ICC = 0.972, visual Pz, ICC = 0.945). In the visual ERP (latency), there was a significant correlation between Cz, C ipsilesional and Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and C ipsilesional and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The P contralesional and Pz latency of visual ERP showed significant reliability, and the Cz and C ipsilesional of visual latency showed effectiveness in reflecting the cognitive function. Thus, these montages could be used as a basis for future studies.
Histone demethylase UTX regulates glioblastoma progression through affecting periostin expression
Authors: Luan Yan , Liu Yingfei , Xue Jingwen , Wang Ke , Ma Kaige , Lu Haixia , Chen Xinlin , Liu Yong , Zhang Zhichao
Published: February 2022

The histone H3K27 demethylase UTX participates in regulating multiple cancer types. However, less is known about the function of UTX in glioblastoma (GBM), let alone in glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). Our study aims to investigate the functional role and regulatory mechanism of UTX on GBM. By summarizing data from the TCGA database, we showed that UTX expression was significantly increased in GBM and inversely correlated with survival. And knockdown UTX inhibited LN-229 cell (a human GBM cell line) proliferation and promoted apoptosis in a mouse xenograft model. Gene expression profile of UTX knockdown LN-229 cells was analyzed by RNA-seq. The results indicated that the altered genes were strongly associated with tumor progression and the extracellular environment. Bioinformatics and STRING database were used to elucidate the mechanism of UTX and the target gene. Protein-protein interaction analysis periostin (POSTN) protein could interact with most of the other UTX-mediated proteins. More importantly, POSTN supplement abolished the effect of UTX knockdown in GBM cells. Furthermore, silencing UTX exhibited a similar antitumor effect in patient-derived GSCs, while UTX functions were partially restored after exposing POSTN. Our findings suggested that knockdown UTX inhibited GBM progression and tumorigenesis by enhancing the levels of H3K27 methylation in the POSTN gene, thereby suppressing the expression of POSTN and lots of extracellular matrix proteins, providing that UTX might be a vigorous therapeutic strategy for GBM treatment.
Clinical- and cost-effectiveness of a technology supported and solution-focused intervention (DIALOG+) in treatment of patients with chronic depression – study protocol for a multi-site, cluster randomised controlled trial [ TACK ]
Authors: McNamee Philip IJ , Matanov Aleksandra Matanov , Jerome Lauren , Walker Neil , Kerry Sally , Feng Yan , Molodynski Andrew , Scott Shonagh , Guruvaiah Latha , Collinson Sue , McCabe Rose , Geddes John , Priebe Stefan , Bird Victoria
Published: February 2022

Background: Many with an acute depressive disorder go on to develop chronic depression, despite ongoing care. There are few specifically designed interventions to treat chronic depression. DIALOG+, a technology-assisted intervention based on the principles of solution-focused therapy, may be beneficial. It has been shown to be effective as a treatment for patients with psychotic disorders, especially in regards to increasing quality of life. DIALOG+ was designed to be flexibly applied and not diagnosis-specific, aiming to structure communication and generate a personallytailored care plan. This cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) is part of a programme of research to adapt and test DIALOG+ for patients with chronic depression. Methods: Patients will be eligible for the trial, if they have exhibited symptoms of depression or non-psychotic low mood for at least 2 years, have regular contact with a clinician and have a low subjective quality of life, and moderate depressive symptoms. Clinicians, who routinely see eligible patients, will be recruited from a number of sites across NHS England. Clusters will have between 1 and 6 patients per clinician and will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention (DIALOG+) or active control group (treatment as usual + DIALOG scale). Clinicians in the intervention group are trained and asked to deliver the intervention regularly for 12 months. Active control participants receive treatment as usual and are asked to rate their satisfaction with areas of life and treatment on the DIALOG scale at the end of the clinical session. Approximately 112 clinician clusters will be recruited to reach a total patient sample size of 376. Clinical and social outcomes including costs are assessed at baseline and 3-, 6- and 12-months post randomisation. The primary outcome will be subjective quality of life at 12 months. Discussion: This definitive multi-site, cluster RCT aims to evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of DIALOG+ for people with chronic depression. If shown to be effective for this patient population it could be used to improve outcomes of mental health care on a larger scale, ensuring that patients with complex and co-morbid diagnoses can benefit.
Dihydroartemisinin Inhibits Angiogenesis in Breast Cancer via Suppressing NF-κB/MMP-2/-9 Pathway
Authors: RAO QI , Yu He , Li Ruochan , He Bin , Wang Yuxue , Guo Xiaohong , Zhao Gang , Wu Fenghua
Published: February 2022

Purpose
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of artemisinin that is well-known as an antimalarial drug, has been reported to have anti-tumor and anti-angiogenesis effects. However, whether and how it inhibits angiogenesis in breast cancer is poorly understood. In this study, we detected the anti-angiogenesis effect of DHA on breast cancer.
Methods
Firstly, we detect the anti-angiogenesis effect of DHA on breast cancer in a chick chorioallantois membrane model. Then, we collected the conditioned medium of MDA-MB-231cells used in aortic ring angiogenesis assay, and HUVECs migration and tube formation assay. Finally, we used gelatin zymography, cellular immunofluorescence assay and western blot analysis to study signaling modulators regulated by DHA in MDA-MB-231 cells.
Results
The results showed that angiogenesis induced by MDA-MB-231 cells was attenuated by DHA. Vessel sprout and tube-formation of vascular endothelial cells were also depressed when cultured with CM from MDA-MB-231 pretreated with DHA. What’s more, the expression, and activities of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP-2/-9) in MDA-MB-231 cells were downregulated by DHA. Further studies showed that DHA downregulated the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-ERK, and p-NF-κB proteins in tumor cells.
Conclusion
DHA was highly efficacious in inhibiting angiogenesis induced by breast cancer cells. The downregulating of MMP-2/9 through inhibiting phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, and ERK in tumor cells may be the key factors in the inhibitory effect of DHA on angiogenesis.
Evaluating the Therapeutic Viability of Bacterially Expressed Human TLK1B-Kinase Domain for Cancer Drug Design
Authors: Johnson Delna , Hussain Javeena , Bhoir Siddhant , Sahsrawat Parul , Hans Tanya , Vaishali C , Thiruvenkatam Vijay , Kirubakaran Sivapriya
Published: February 2022

The role of protein kinases is vital in diverse cellular functions. The alterations in the expression patterns of protein kinases often implicate human cancer initiation and progression. Human Tousled-like kinases (TLKs) are evolutionary kinases found in the cell signalling pathway and are involved in DNA repair, replication and chromosomal integrity. The direct association of TLKs to cancer; amplification of both TLK1/1B and TLK2 has made them viable molecular targets for anticancer therapy. Several reports demonstrate numerous functions of TLKs in development of disease via different interacting partners. However, a detailed understanding of its substrates and regulation has yet remained elusive. In this report, through preliminary biophysical and biochemical characterization, we investigate and determine the usability of the recombinant Human Tousled-like Kinase 1B-Kinase Domain (hTLK1B-KD) purified from Escherichia coli for structural and functional studies. By illustrating hTLK1B-KD as an example, our attempts to generate a stable, homogenously dephosphorylated, and catalytically active hTLK1B-KD in high yields is utilizing a bacteriophage λ protein phosphatase (LPP) coexpression system represents a fundamental step towards the structure-based design of TLK-specific inhibitors.
Patterns Of Multimorbidity Of Patients In Geriatric Care – A Register-Based Cohort Study In Sweden
Authors: Carlsson Lennart , Lindqvist Rikard , Willers Carl , Fors Stefan , Rydwik Elisabeth , Nilsson Gunnar H
Published: February 2022

Background: Patients in geriatric care display a high degree of multimorbidity. We aimed to explore and visualise various patterns of multimorbidity in a person-oriented way. We used a register-based closed cohort (n=8104) of patients admitted to geriatric care in Region Stockholm, Sweden, from the year 2016.Methods: Patients were grouped by their degree of multimorbidity according to the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups® system. Exploration was made using the Expanded Diagnosis Groups, embedded in the system. Statistical analysis was conducted in “R” and results were visualised in Excel.Results: For half of all patients in the cohort, there were at least twelve diagnoses and at least thirteen active ingredients per patient. The quartile of patients with the highest level of multimorbidity were younger than the quartile of those with the lowest level. Patients with combinations of clusters of diagnoses showed various degrees of multimorbidity. Clusters of diagnoses with administrative character and cardiovascular diseases were present among nearly 80% each of all patients, followed by clusters of neurologic and musculoskeletal disorders with about 70% each. Comparisons between patients’ main diagnosis and all their diagnoses showed a shift to more of musculoskeletal disorders and less of cardiologic clusters when using main diagnoses. The morbidity status of patients measured by registered diagnoses was completed by including data on drugs, and revealed depression, persistent asthma and disorders of lipid metabolism.Conclusions: Grouping patients by their degree of multimorbidity, based on all their registered concurrent diagnoses and drugs, could illustrate various patterns of mixed multimorbidity, which in turn might lead to a better understanding of the essence of multimorbidity from a patient’s perspective.
Serum ferritin as an independent predictor of non-alcohol fatty liver disease in general adults: the TCLSIH cohort study
Authors: Gu Yeqing , Meng Ge , Chen Xiaowei , Wang Jinhan , Zhang Qing , Liu Li , Wu Hongmei , Zhang Shunming , Zhang Tingjing , Wang Xuena , Zhang Juanjuan , Sun Shaomei , Wang Xing , Jia Qiyu , Song Kun , Liu Qiang , Niu Kaijun
Published: February 2022

Background
Serum ferritin is an important iron storage protein in the human body, which indicates iron storage and the body’s nutritional status, and is associated with a variety of chronic diseases. Few prospective studies have assessed the association between serum ferritin levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This prospective cohort study aimed to explore whether serum ferritin levels were associated with the incidence of NAFLD in a large-scale adult population.
Methods
A total of 15,748 participants without baseline NAFLD were enrolled in the cohort study (1-9 years follow-up periods, median: 4.5 years). Serum ferritin levels were determined by protein chip-chemiluminescence method, and NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association between baseline serum ferritin levels and the risk of NAFLD.
Results
During the follow-up period, 3,374 new NAFLD cases were observed, and the incidence rate of NAFLD was 83.4 per 1000 person-years. In the fully adjusted model, the hazards ratios (95% confidence interval) for incident NAFLD across serum ferritin levels quartiles were 1.06 (0.94-1.19), 1.25 (1.11-1.41), and 1.52 (1.28-1.79) (P for trend <0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the optimal cut-off values were 55.9 mg/dl for serum ferritin levels (Area under the ROC curve (AUC)=0.61)
Conclusion
Increased serum ferritin level was independently associated with a higher risk of incident NAFLD in a large-scale general population. It is suggested that serum ferritin levels can be useful for the early detection of subjects at high risk of developing NAFLD.
Molecular detection and diversity of spotted fever group Rickettsia isolated from ticks in Iran
Authors: Afzalkhani Aliakbar , shayegh jalal , Jamali Vahab , Malekzadeh Parmida , Spotin Adel
Published: February 2022

Background: This study aimed to identify Rickettsia spp. and their circulation in ticks collected from sheep in the Khuzestan province, Southwest Iran. Methods: Four hundred and forty adult hard ticks were collected from the parasite-infected sheep from nine cities of Khuzestan province. DNA samples were extracted and subjected to the single-round polymerase chain reaction amplification of citrate synthase gene (gltA). Results: The tick species were identified as Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma schulzei, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Rhipicephalus turanicus. The presence of Rickettsia spp. was observed in half of the collected ticks (50%). For a definitive identification of Rickettsia spp., the amplicons (n: 10) were directly sequenced. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed the definitive presence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii (60%), Rickettsia massiliae (30%), and Rickettsia conorii (10%) in the infected ticks. Conclusions: The results indicated a significant incidence of tick-borne Rickettsia spp. and their unequivocal circulation in Southwest Iran. Hence, the prevalence of spotted fever group Rickettsia should be detected in suspected humans and domestic animals in wider areas of Iran.
Counterfactual Generation Through Multi-objective Constrained Optimisation
Authors: Monteiro Wellington Rodrigo , Reynoso-Meza Gilberto
Published: February 2022

Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques are often adopted to provide transparent feedback to decision-makers evaluating the results of trained machine learning (ML) models. One of these techniques covers the generation of counterfactuals -- slightly modified instances based on a given input that can change its predicted outcome. These counterfactuals enable decision-makers to know what actions they could do to modify an outcome and improve the trust and transparency of a trained ML model. This research aims to develop and apply a novel constrained multi-objective optimisation design (MOOD) to generate counterfactuals in classification and regression problems. The MOOD is composed of three steps: the definition of a constrained multi-objective problem (MOP); the multi-objective optimisation (MOO) using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA); and the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) with a domination filter and the TOPSIS ranking technique. This MOOD generated large numbers of valid counterfactuals and selected and ranked only the most relevant to the decision-maker. Furthermore, the results show that the proposed MOOD outperformed other architectures available for production use in at least one of the objectives measured for all datasets analysed in both regression and classification problems.
Comparison of indicators for severe maternal morbidity among South Korean women who delivered from 2003 to 2018: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Nam Jin Young
Published: February 2022

Background: Previous studies of the relationship between severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and risk factors used only a single indicator for SMM and did not compare the various SMM indicators and the incidence differences with each. This study aimed to identify risk factors for SMM by reviewing four international SMM indicators and ascertaining the differences in SMM incidence in South Korea with each indicator.Methods: This study used the National Health Insurance delivery cohort in South Korea from 2003 to 2018. SMM was estimated using four indicators: the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) SMM algorithm, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) gold standard guidelines, Zwart et al.’s indicators for the Netherlands, and the European Network on Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity (EURONET-SAMM) index. Generalized estimating equations models were used to identify the relationships between SMM indicators and risk factors.Results: The SMM incidence rates in 6,421,091 deliveries, were 2.36%, 3.12%, 0.31%, and 1.36% using the US-CDC, ACOG, Zwart et al.’s, and EURONET SAMM indicators, respectively. In sub indicators, hemorrhage-related codes constituted the highest proportion of all SMM indicators. Advanced maternal age was related to high risk in all four SMM indicators (US-CDC: 40-44 years, RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.63-1.71; ACOG’s guidelines: 40-44 years, RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.49-1.56; Zwart’s indicators: RR 2.72, 95% CI 2.55-2.90; EURONET-SAMM: RR 2.04, 95% CI 1.97-2.11) compared to those aged 25-29 years. In residential area, women who lived in rural area had approximately 1.2- to 1.5-fold higher risk of SMM compared to those who lived in Seoul. Additionally, inadequate prenatal care was associated with a 1.1- to 1.4-fold higher risk of SMM compared to adequate prenatal care. Conclusions: SMM was associated with maternal age, socioeconomic status, and adverse obstetric factors using various international SMM indicators. Further studies are needed to further determine risk and preventable factors for SMM and to identify more specific causes associated with the frequent sub-indicators of SMM.
NSG-70, a new glioblastoma cell line with mixed proneural-mesenchymal features associates NOTCH1-WNT5A signaling with stem cell maintenance and angiogenesis
Authors: Singh Divya Kumari , Shivalingappa Pavan Kumar Mysuru , Sharma Aman , Mondal Abir , Muzumdar Dattatraya , Shiras Anjali , Bapat Sharmila A
Published: February 2022

BackgroundGlioblastoma initiation and progression is believed to be driven by Glioma stem cells (GSCs). Activation of NOTCH1 and WNT, and more recently, non-canonical WNT5A signaling, has been demonstrated to regulate self-renewal and differentiation of the GSCs crucially. High expression levels of NOTCH1 and WNT in GBM tumors contribute to the sustenance of GSCs and mediate characteristic phenotypic plasticity, which is reflected by the different subtypes and tremendous intra-tumor heterogeneity. However, the coregulation of NOTCH1 and WNT5A is not well understood. Here, we studied the role of these molecules in regulating the characteristics of different GSC subtypes. MethodsWe established a novel GSC-enriched cell model, referred to as NSG-70, from a patient with recurrent GBM. NSG-70 cells harbor a unique cytogenetic feature, viz. isochromosome 9q. At the same time, its expression profiles indicate it to represent a mixed lineage comprising of proneural and mesenchymal subtypes. We examined the relevance of NOTCH1 and WNT5A signaling and their coordinated action in GBM using these cells and other patient-derived models representing different GSC subtypes. ResultsOur data revealed that the downregulation of NOTCH1 resulted in the suppression of stem cell and mesenchymal markers and significantly reduced the levels of WNT5A. NOTCH1 knockdown also led to a notable reduction in the vasculogenic mimicry of GSCs. Interestingly, knockdown of WNT5A exhibited similar effects and drove quiescent GSC towards proliferation. In a complementary manner, ectopic expression of WNT5A or rhWNT5A treatment rescued the effects of NOTCH1 knockdown. ConclusionsGiven the resistance of GSCs towards conventional therapies in part due to subtype, interconversion demands therapies targeting specific GSC subtype. Our study suggests the need for a combinatorial approach that could effectively target the NOTCH1-WNT5A signaling axis towards eliminating GSCs.
Lung Ultrasound Score has Better Diagnostic Ability Than NT-PROBNP to Predict Moderate–Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Alonso-Ojembarrena Almudena , Mendez-Abad Paula , Alonso-Quintela Paula , Zafra-Rodriguez Pamela , Oulego-Erroz Ignacio , Lubián-López Simón Pedro
Published: February 2022

Purpose: N-terminal end of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and lung ultrasound (LUS) score have been proven to be adequate early biomarkers of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. Our aim was to study if the predictive capacity of each one is increased by analyzing them together.Methods: We included infants born before 32 weeks, with NT-proBNP and LUS score on the first day of life (DOL), 3rd, 7th and 14th DOL, and compare the diagnostic ability for moderate-severe BPD (msBPD) of each biomarker and in combination. We also compared them with a multivariate model of msBPD using only clinical variables.Results: The sample size was 133 patients, and twenty seven (20%) developed msBPD. LUS score on 7th DOL had better performance, compared to NT-proBNP at the same moment: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.83 (0.75-0.89) versus 0.66 (0.56-0.75), p=0.003, without differences in the rest of times studied. This values did not increase using the combination of both. A multivariate regression model that included birth weight and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) at 7th DOL predicted msBPD with the same AUC-ROC than NT-proBNP, LUS score or both. Neither the addition of any of these biomarkers, nor together, increase the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical model.Conclusion: LUS score is better predictor of msBPD on 7th DOL than NT-proBNP in preterm infants born before 32 weeks, although they have similar diagnostic accuracy on 14th DOL. Neither of them, nor together, have better AUC for msBPD than a clinical model with birthweight and the need of IMV at 7th DOL.
Environmental toxicology of arsenic: current understanding of toxicity, detection, and remedial strategies
Authors: Kumari Bibha , Bharti Vijay K.
Published: February 2022

Arsenic toxicity is an important worldwide health problem of humans and animals due to environmental and occupational exposure through arsenic polluted water, air, soil and food items. It has a multifaceted health impact on animals, human beings, and the environment. Therefore, various experimental and clinical studies were undertaken and had been undergoing to understand its pathogenesis, identify the key biomarkers, medical and economic impact on the affected populations, timely detection and amelioration. However, despite these long-investigated studies, no conclusive information is available for prevention and control of arsenic toxicity, mainly due to complex epidemiology, scattered approach, and repetitive work. Hence, there is a need for literature that exclusively brings information on epidemiology, pathogenesis, and ameliorative measures of arsenic toxicity, which can help researchers and policymakers for effective future planning research and community control programs. In the above view, this article presents an extensive review on the current understanding of arsenic toxicity, detection methodologies, epidemiology, and remedial measures for the benefits of researchers, academicians, and policy makers in controlling arsenic eco-toxicology and direction for direction futuristic research.
Individual and community-level determinants of cervical cancer screening in Zimbabwe: a multilevel analysis of a nationwide survey
Authors: Alone Isabirye , Charlestine Elwange Bob , De Allegri Manuela
Published: February 2022

Cervical cancer screening that has proven to reduce the burden of cervical cancer elsewhere, but remains low in Zimbabwe, a country with the highest disease burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. The ministry of health’s 2018-target was to screen 25% of the women aged 25–59 years though cross-sectional district-based studies have indicated sub-optimal screening. The main objective of the study was to establish the determinants of cervical cancer screening in Zimbabwe using multi-level modelling to take into account individual, household, and community factors simultaneously. We used data from the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey including 9955 women aged 15–49 years nested within 400 communities. We used two-step multi-level multivariable regression analyses. Few (13.44%) women had ever screened for cervical cancer. We observed higher odds of ever been screened among women; aged 31–49 years (OR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.72–2.34), working (OR = 1.35; 95% CI 1.17–1.55), with health insurance (OR = 1.95; 95% CI 1.63–2.34 ), who ever used modern contraceptives (OR = 1.51 ; 95% CI 1.22–1.86), with exposure to multiple media (OR = 1.27; 95% CI 1.03–1.58), and residing in communities with high proportion of women with; favorable attitude towards wife beating (OR = 1.21; 95% CI1.04-1.41), and with a non-poor wealth index distribution (OR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.14–2.05). The study findings point at the co-existence of individual and community factors in shaping decision to screen and call for policies that address inequities in access to resources as well as disempowering cultural attitudes.
High Fat Diet Activates Splenic NOD1 and Enhances Neutrophil Recruitment and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Release in the Spleen of ApoE-Deficient Mice
Authors: Fernández-García Victoria , González-Ramos Silvia , Avendaño-Ortiz José , Martín-Sanz Paloma , Gómez-Coronado Diego , Delgado Carmen , Castrillo Antonio , Bosca Lisardo
Published: February 2022

In the course of atherogenesis, the spleen plays an important role in the regulation of extramedullary hematopoiesis and in the control of circulating immune cells, which contributes to plaque progression. Here, we have investigated the role of splenic nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) in the recruitment of circulating immune cells as well as the involvement of this immune organ in extramedullary hematopoiesis in mice fed a high-fat high-cholesterol diet (HFD). Under HFD conditions, the absence of NOD1 enhances the mobilization of immune cells, mainly neutrophils, from the bone marrow to the blood. To determine the effect of NOD1-dependent mobilization of immune cells under pro-atherogenic conditions, Apoe -/- and Apoe -/- Nod1 -/- mice fed HFD for 4 weeks were used. Splenic NOD1 from Apoe -/- mice was activated after feeding HFD as inferred by the phosphorylation of the NOD1 downstream targets RIPK2 and TAK1. Moreover, this activation was accompanied by the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), as determined by the increase in the expression of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4, and the identification of citrullinated histone H3 in this organ. This formation of NETs was significantly reduced in Apoe -/- Nod1 -/- mice. Indeed, the presence of Ly6G + cells and the lipidic content in the spleen of mice deficient in Apoe and Nod1 was reduced when compared to the Apoe -/- counterparts, which suggests that the mobilization and activation of circulating immune cells is altered in the absence of NOD1. Furthermore, confirming previous studies, Apoe -/- Nod1 -/- mice showed a reduced atherogenic disease and a diminished recruitment of neutrophils in the spleen, compared to Apoe -/- mice. However, splenic artery-ligation reduced the atherogenic burden in Apoe -/- mice an effect that, unexpectedly was lost in Apoe -/- Nod1 -/- mice. Together, these results suggest that neutrophil accumulation and activity in the spleen is driven in part by NOD1 activation in mice fed HFD, contributing in this way to regulate atherogenic progression.
Surrogate biomarkers of outcome for wake-up ischemic stroke
Authors: Hervella Pablo , Alonso-Alonso María Luz , Pérez-Mato María , Rodríguez-Yáñez Manuel , Arias-Rivas Susana , López-Dequidt Iria , Pumar José M , Sobrino Tomás , Campos Francisco , Castillo José , Iglesias-Rey Ramón
Published: February 2022

Background: Wake-up ischemic stroke (IS) has been usually excluded from acute stroke therapy options for being outside of the safe treatment window. We identified risk factors, and clinical or molecular biomarkers that could be therapeutic targets for wake-up stroke prevention, thus hopefully leading to a decrease in its mortality and disability in medium to long-term outcome. Methods: 4,251 ischemic stroke (IS) patients from a prospectively registered database were recruited; 3,838 (90.3%) had known onset-symptom time, and 413 (9.7%) were wake-up strokes. The main endpoint was to analyze the association between different serum biomarkers with wake-up IS episodes and their progression. Leukocytes count, serum levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and vitamin D were analyzed as inflammation biomarkers; N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic-Peptide and microalbuminuria, used as atrial/endothelial dysfunction biomarkers; finally, glutamate levels as excitotoxicity biomarker. Results: Wake-up IS showed a poorer outcome at 3-months than in patients with known on-set-symptom time (59.1% vs. 48.1%; p<0.0001). Patients with wake-up IS had higher levels of inflammation biomarkers; IL-6 levels at admission (51.5±15.1 vs. 27.8±18.6 pg/ml; p<0.0001), and low vitamin D levels at 24 h (5.6±5.8 vs. 19.2±9.4 ng/ml; p<0.0001) are worthy of attention. In a logistic regression model adjusted for vitamin D, OR was 15.1; CI 95%: 8.6 - 26.3, p<0.0001. Conclusions: Inflammatory biomarkers are the main factors that are strongly associated with wake-up IS episodes. Wake-up IS is associated with lower vitamin D levels. These data indicate that vitamin D deficiency could become a therapeutic target to reduce wake-up IS events.
Sharing of nitrogen between connected ramets of Alternanthera philoxeroides in homogeneous environments
Authors: Dong Bi-Cheng , Wang Pu , Luo Fang-Li
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe benefits of clonal integration have been widely documented in clonal species, but quantitative tests of the movement of resources between connected ramets (e.g., transport rate and partitioning pattern of nitrogen) are still scarce. MethodsWe conducted a control experiment with the clonal species Alternanthera philoxeroides, and used 15N isotope to quantify the transport rate of nitrogen (N) in two opposite directions (i.e., either from younger to older ramets or from older to younger ramets) within one clone, and the partitioning proportion of N in recipient ramets. Results The amount of 15N transported toward the apical part was markedly reduced at the higher external N level, whereas the amount of 15N transported toward the basal part was unrelated to the external N levels. The rate of 15N acropetal transport basically averaged 20.9%, and the rate of 15N basipetal transport generally ranged between 0.2% and 6.3%, both being negatively dependent of DPNC (i.e., the difference in plant N concentration [PNC] between apical and basal parts). The proportion of 15N in stems and in leaves averaged 74.7% and 18.1%, respectively; the proportion of root 15N in the apical part significantly decreased from 7.6 % to 0.4% when acropetal transport occurred. ConclusionThese results suggest that N sharing between connected ramets tended to be acropetal in A. philoxeroides and the partitioning pattern of N is organ-specific, which potentially contributes to the early development of young ramets, and also to the spread and abundance of A. philoxeroides in limited N conditions.
Organ At Risk (OAR) Data on Clinical Toxicity in The Treatment of Bulky Adrenal Metastases With Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)
Authors: Berber Tanju , Gürsel Özge Kandemir , Yıldırım Berna Akkuş , Erken Aysun Arslantaş , Dinçer Selvi Tabak , Gürdal Necla
Published: February 2022

Aim: In this study, the effectiveness of the treatment was investigated in terms of treatment responses and side effects with OAR in oligometastatic patients whose adrenal metastases were treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy. Methods: Medically inoperable patients who underwent radiosurgery for adrenal gland metastasis in our clinic between 2013 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively withfor the patient, tumor, treatment characteristics, survival outcomes, and dosimetric parameters with toxicity.Results: Of the 22 patients in our study, 17 were male and 5 were female, with the median age of 63 (RangeRange (R): 41-81) years. PrimaryThe primary tumor site was the lung in 20 (90.9%) of 22 patients, while ten (45.5%) of the patients had isolated adrenal metastasis. The median dose was 30 Gy (R: 18-50) with a median fraction of five (R: 3-10). MedianThe median PTV volume was 55 cc. (IQR(interquartile range): 44-120cc).Conformity120 cc). The conformity index (CI) was 1.15 (R: 0.94-1.55), the homogeneity index (HI) was 1.27 (R: 0.7-1.47), and the coverage was 97.87% (33.33-99.04). From the first diagnosis to adrenal gland radiotherapy, the median time was 6.9 (IQR: 0.5-14) months. The median follow-up was 7 months (R: 2-48), and the median survival was 9.5 months (R: 2-48). The local control rate was 72.7% in the 6th month, 63.6% in the 1st year, and 59.0% in the 2nd year, and overall survival was 72.7%, 50%, and 31.8%, respectively. The median overall survival was 9.5 months for all patients (p= 0.049) and 6.5 months in the presence of diffuse disease. Deaths of patients due to distant progression were also found to be significant (p = 0.03, which was significant). Patients with isolated adrenal metastasis survived for 14.4 months after the treatment; while extra-adrenal metastasis lived for a median of 6.6 months (P = 0.01). Patients without distant progression survived for 16.7 months, and those with distant progression survived for a median of 8.7 months. Treatment-related toxicity grade 3-4 developed in 2 patient patients in which this toxicity was related to the gastrointestinal system. No grade 3 toxicity was detected in the kidney.Conclusion: Maintaining the local control of the adrenal gland metastasis in patients with oligometastatic disease not only provides symptom control, but may also provide prolonged survival with minimal toxicity.
Long non-coding RNA L13Rik promotes high glucose-induced mesangial cell hypertrophy and matrix protein expression by regulating miR-2861/CDKN1B axis
Authors: Sun Linlin , Ding Miao , Chen Fuhua , Zhu Dingyu , Xie Xinmiao , Wang Xiaoxia
Published: February 2022

Glomerular mesangial cell hypertrophy is one of the earliest pathological abnormalities of diabetic nephropathy (DN). A growing literature suggests that lncRNA is involved in the development of DN. However, the function of lncRNA in mesangial cell hypertrophy is still unclear. In the current study, we identified that lncRNA L13Rik was upregulated in DN patients, diabetic rat model and high glucose (HG)-induced mesangial cell. CCK8, Tunel, and western-blot assay were performed to verify the function of silenced L13Rik on the cell growth, apoptosis, and cell hypertrophy in HG-induced mesangial cells. L13Rik knockdown inhibited HG-induced cell proliferation and hypertrophy, while accelerating HG-induced cell apoptosis. Mechanismly, L13Rik regulated mesangial cell hypertrophy by sponging miR-2861. The effect of L13Rik on mesangial hypertrophy was blocked by miR-2861. In addition, L13Rik/miR-2861 promoted mesangial cell hypertrophy by regulating Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) expression. Taken together, our data showed that L13Rik,as a sponge for miR-2861,regulated protein translation of CDKN1B and led to the hypertrophy of mesangial cell.
Preoperative clinical-radiomics nomogram for microvascular invasion prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma using 18 F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Fu Randi , Wang Yutao , Luo Shuying , Jin Gehui , Yu Zhongfei , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To develop a clinical-radiomics nomogram by incorporating radiomics score and clinical predictors for preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: A total of 97 HCC patients were retrospectively enrolled from Shanghai Universal Medical Imaging Diagnostic Center and Changhai Hospital Affiliated to the Second Military Medical University. 909 CT and 909 PET slicers from 97 HCC patients were divided into a training cohort (N =637) and a validation cohort (N = 272). Radiomics features were extracted from each CT or PET slicer, and features selection was performed with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and radiomics score was also generated. The clinical-radiomics nomogram was established by integrating radiomics score and clinical predictors, and the performance of the models were evaluated from its discrimination ability, calibration ability, and clinical usefulness. Results: The radiomics score consisted of 45 selected features, and age, the ratio of maximum to minimum tumor diameter, and 18 F-FDG uptake status were independent predictors of microvascular invasion. The clinical-radiomics nomogram showed better performance for MVI detection (0.890[0.854,0.927]) than the clinical nomogram (0.849[0.804, 0.893]) (p<0.05). Both nomograms showed good calibration and the clinical-radiomics nomogram’s clinical practicability outperformed the clinical nomogram. Conclusions: With the combination of radiomics score and clinical predictors, the clinical-radiomics nomogram can significantly improve the predictive efficacy of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (p<0.05) compared with clinical nomogram.
Assessment of Health Impacts of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) on the Vulnerable Groups in the Central part of Bangladesh
Authors: Hassan Md. Shareful , Islam Md. Tariqul , Bhuiyan Mohammad Amir Hossain
Published: February 2022

Particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the critical sources for outdoor air pollution and poses the most significant public health threat. In Bangladesh, particularly in the major urban cities, PM2.5 has been identified as a significant public health hazard. This research aims to perform a spatiotemporal mapping of PM2.5 from 2002–2019 to identify the hotspots in central Bangladesh and to estimate the health impacts on pregnant women and population aged 60+. A time-series of remotely sensed PM2.5 is used in hotspot analysis, applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS). To explore the health impacts due to PM2.5, a questionnaire survey is conducted on pregnant women and population aged 60 + in both high- and low-spots zones. A Mann-Whitney U test of non-parametric statistical analysis is conducted to understand the mean impacts. The findings of this research reveal that the annual concentration of PM2.5 is increased by 47% during 2002–2019. Most of the high hotspot zones are identified in the middle of the study areas; the core urban areas of Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur Districts. The traffic vehicles, urbanization, construction and brickfield activities, and industrial emissions are the main controlling factors for increasing PM2.5. Further, the health impacts of both pregnant and population 60+ are higher in the high-spot zone than in the low-spot area. Note that pregnant women have less PM2.5 related information than 60+ population in both high- and low-spot zones. On the policy applications, the relevant departments may utilize these findings for health hazard risk reduction and local and regional air pollution mitigation.
Magnitude Of Early Postoperative Hypoxemia And Its Associated Factors Among Adult Patients Who Undergo Emergency Surgery Under General Anesthesia At Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021. A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Berhanu Mitiku , Dadi Negashu , Mengistu Berhanu , Muluken Zemenu , Tolossa Ashenafi , Tageza Tajera , Kelbessa Megersa , Tesfaye Gezahegn , Zewdie Belay
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Emergency Surgical procedures involve considerable risks. Among those, early postoperative hypoxemia (EPH) is a frequent anesthetic complication in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU). There is a great concern for EPH among health professionals; specifically, those providing emergency surgery during the nighttime. This raised anesthesia ended time-related risk of EPH question. Thus, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of EPH and its associated factors among adult patients who undergo emergency surgery under general anesthesia. Methods: A prospective observational study through a consecutive sampling technique was conducted. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated risk factors. All variables that were found statistically significant on bivariable analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Result: Of 352 patients who undergone emergency surgery 149(42.3%) patients were developed EPH. Factors significantly associated with EPH were anesthesia ended during night time (AOR= 1.76, 95%CI[1.01,3.05], p=0.045), ASA III (AOR=12.35, 95%CI:[4.5, 34.02], p= <0.001), age greater than 55(AOR= 3.2, 95%CI:[1.7,5.91], p= <0.001), surgery duration greater than two hour (AOR= 2.012, 95%CI:[1.2,3.51], p= 0.014), hypotension(AOR= 10.3, 95%CI: [2.4,44.16],p= 0.002),muscular strength score zero(AOR= 2.944,95%CI:[1.8,4.82], p=<0.001) and preoperative oxygen saturation less than 95% (AOR= 2.371, 95%CI:[1.35,4.16], p= 0.003).Conclusion: The magnitude of EPH among patients who have undergone emergency surgery was high and thus recommended that oxygen should be provided timely to decrease it. Identified risk factors were night time ended anesthesia, ASA III, age greater than 55, surgery duration greater than two hours, hypotension, muscular strength score zero and preoperative oxygen saturation less than 95%. This study found anesthesia ended during early morning favors early morning early postoperative hypoxemia (EMEPH). To avert EMEPH Anesthetist should avoid factors that favor the circadian rhythm of the lung based early morning anesthesia augmented EPH.
Decline in High Economic Value Fish in the Mediterranean and European Seas
Authors: Lamine Emna Ben , Schickele Alexandre , Goberville Eric , Beaugrand Gregory , Allemand Denis , Raybaud Virginie
Published: February 2022

Fisheries and aquaculture are facing many challenges worldwide, especially adaptation to climate change. Investigating future distributional changes of largely harvested species has become an extensive research topic, aiming at providing realistic ecological scenarios on which to build management measures, to help fisheries and aquaculture adapt to future climate-driven changes. Here, we use an ensemble modelling approach to estimate the contemporary and future distributional range of eight fish Species of High Economic Value (SHEV) in the Mediterranean Sea. We identify a cardinal influence of (i) temperature on SHEVs distributions, all being shaped by yearly mean and seasonality in sea bottom temperature, and (ii) the primary production. By assessing the effects of changes in future climate conditions under three Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) scenarios over three periods of the 21st century, we project a contraction of the distributional range of the eight SHEVs in the Mediterranean Sea, with a general biogeographical displacement towards the North European coasts. This will help anticipating changes in future catch potential in a warmer world, which is expected to have substantial economic consequences for Mediterranean fisheries.