bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zingiber calcicola (Zingiberaceae), a new species from a limestone area in south Yunnan, China
Authors: DING HONG-BO , QUAN DONG-LI , ZENG XIAO-DONG , LI JIAN-WU , TAN YUN-HONG
Published: November 2021

Zingiber calcicola Y.H.Tan & H.B.Ding, sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from a limestone area in south Yunnan, China is described and illustrated here. It belongs to Zingiber sect. Dymczewiczia due to the terminal inflorescence on the leafy shoot. The description, photographs, habitat, distribution, phenology and a comparison with the allied species are also provided.
Assessing two hundred years of taxonomic doubt with the rediscovery and taxonomic establishment of the Amazonian armored catfish Hypostomus pantherinus Kner 1854 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)
Authors: ZAWADZKI CLÁUDIO HENRIQUE , CARVAJAL-VALLEJOS FERNANDO M. , DA SILVA HUGMAR PAINS , LECHNER WALTER , PENIDO IAGO DE SOUZA
Published: November 2021

Hypostomus pantherinus was described by Kner in 1854 based on a single young specimen collected by Natterer with a type-locality just asserted as Guaporé. No robust scientific paper focusing the distribution, taxonomy and ecology of this species has been published since the description. Here, based on the analysis of the holotype, recently collected material, and on an extensive searching on ichthyological fish collections, H. pantherinus Kner 1854 is redescribed and its geographical distribution is established to be in the rio Iténez-Guaporé and the mouth of its Bolivian and Brazilian tributaries. Hypostomus pantherinus is distinguished from congeners mainly by villiform teeth, conspicuous black, sharp and widely spaced spots on head, and dark blotches on trunk and fins, keels along lateral series of plates, sharp crests on supraoccipital and on compound pterotic-supracleithrum, less than 25 spots on compound pterotic-supracleithrum, one blotch per interradial membrane along each row on dorsal fin, and by usually attaining about 160 mm SL in size.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Repairs Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Injury in Mice with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Lin Yijuan , Ding Jian , Huang Xunru , Chen Jintong , Wang Chengdang
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to explore the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on intestinal mucosal barrier injury in mice with ulcerative colitis (UC) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was administered to develop the UC mouse model. Next,
the experiment was divided into a normal control group, a DSS model group, a DSS+5-amino acid salicylic acid (5-ASA) group, and a DSS+FMT group. Hematoxylin–eosin staining was used to detect pathological changes; transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate structural changes
of intestinal mucosa; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELSIA) was used to detect endotoxins; and western blotting was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). In the control group, the intestinal mucosa and microvilli were intact, epithelial cells were closely connected,
and the intercellular space was narrow. By contrast, focal intestinal barrier defects, including shallow ulcer, local inflammatory cell infiltration, hyperplasia of connective tissue, and loss of gland structure were observed in the model group. These abnormal morphological and structural
changes were ameliorated by 5-ASA and FMT. Compared with the control group, the endotoxin content increased significantly, and the ZO-1 protein expression decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05). By contrast, the endotoxin level decreased significantly, and the ZO-1 protein
expression increased significantly in the 5-ASA group and FMT group compared with that of the model group (P < 0.05). FMT ameliorates UC by repairing the intestinal barrier function, which is likely involved in upregulating ZO-1 expression.
Biological and Molecular Evidences for the Antitumor Potential of EGb 761 in Glioma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Sui Xin , Zhou Jia , Xu Yan , Wang Yuchen , Lv Guangfu , Lin He , Huang Xiaowei , Deng Yue
Published: November 2021

EGb 761, the standardized extract from the Ginkgo biloba leaves, has therapeutic effect on many diseases. However, its mechanisms on glioma remain to be fully established. This study aims to investigate the possible effects of EGb 761 on glioma cells, to explore its potential
mechanism. The glioma cells SHG44 and U251 were used as materials, the proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed by the MTT, the scratch-wound and Transwell assays were performed respectively. Levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, Bcl-2, p53, Smad2/3, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and
p-Smad2/3 were determined by western blots. The development and progression of U251 glioma cell were measured in vivo, and the apoptosis was evaluated. The results showed that EGb 761 could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SHG-44 and U251 cells in vitro.
Meanwhile, the expression levels of IGF-1 and Bcl-2, and the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling were inhibited. In contrast, the expression levels of p53, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were increased significantly. In conclusion, this study suggested that EGb 761 could suppress
the growth of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo, possibly by inhibiting the TGF-β signalling pathway and activating the p53 signalling pathway.
Irrigation Regime for Protection on Root Intrusion for Subsurface Drip Irrigation
Authors: Guo Shaolei , Wang Shunsheng
Published: November 2021

Root intrusion into emitters poses a threat to the service lives of subsurface drip irrigation systems. In an attempt to address this problem, an experiment was conducted on spring wheat grown in soil columns installed in a greenhouse to study the effects of irrigation regimes in protecting
against root intrusion into emitters. Spring wheat was planted in soil columns. The specifications of the soil column were 15-cm width, 60-cm length and 100-cm depth. Drip tapes were buried manually in the center of the soil columns at a -40-cm depth. The soil matrix potential at a 20-cm depth
immediately over the drip emitters was used to schedule the subsurface drip irrigation regime. Five different irrigation arrangements, with targeted soil matrix potentials of -10, -20, -30, -40 and -50 kPa, were maintained. The soil matrix potential influenced the spring wheat root distribution,
emitter flow rate, root intrusion, and spring wheat yield and quality. The total root dry weight increased as the soil matrix potential decreased. Root length density at 35-45-cm increased as the soil matrix potential increased. The decrease in the emitter flow rate increased along with the
soil matrix potential. All the treatments had root intrusion, but its severity was correlated with the soil matrix potential. Root intrusion first decreased as the soil matrix potential decreased but then increased as the soil matrix potential continued to decrease. The lowest root intrusion
rate (22.22%), as well as the greatest relative yield and relative thousand-grain weight values, were achieved with a soil matrix potential of -40 kPa.
Optimization Strategies for Improved Performance of Nano-Hybrid Wood/Polymer Composites Through Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Wang Yong , He Xia , Zhang Xi , Wang Dong , Li Xianjun
Published: November 2021

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the preparation conditions of nano-hybrid wood/polymer composites with montmorillonite (MMT) and furfuryl alcohol (FA). The effects of MMT amount, impregnation pressure and impregnation time on weigh percent gain (WPG) of treated samples were evaluated with Box-Behnken design (BBD) of a 3-level-3-factor from RSM. The predictive model for the response was extremely significant (p < 0.01). The determination coefficient (√R2) and the adjusted determination coefficient (VR2) of this model were 0.9651 and 0.9203, respectively. The optimal preparation conditions obtained by RSM design with the assistance of Design Expert were determined as follows: 4 wt% MMT amount, 0.8 MPa impregnation pressure, and 80 min impregnation time. It could be concluded from the SEM images that MMT and FA coated the cell walls and filled cell lumens. Moreover, the thermal stability was also investigated. The effects of preparation conditions were further validated by analyzing the water uptake ratio (WU), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of the pristine samples and the treated samples prepared under optimized conditions.
Quantitative Analysis of Multiple Food Additives in Wheat Flour by Raman Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Wang Xiaobin
Published: November 2021

Raman hyperspectral imaging can obtain both the internal Raman signals and the external image information of the sample simultaneously. This study investigated the quantitatively analysis of multiple food additives in wheat flour by using this technology. Raman hyperspectral images
of wheat flour containing the three additives, L-ascorbate acid (LAA), azodicarbonamide (ADC) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO), were collected. Raman signals in Raman hyperspectral images were preprocessed by smoothing and baseline correction methods to obtain the corrected image. Chemical images
were created to visually identify additive pixels by selecting single-band image corresponding to Raman characteristic peaks of each additive from the corrected image and combining with the threshold segmentation method. The results showed that the chemical image can identify the above three
additives in wheat flour. The identified additive pixels have a significant linear relationship with their concentration, and the coefficients of determination of LAA, ADC and BPO in the quantitative model were 0.9858, 0.9868 and 0.9830, respectively. This study indicated that the Raman characteristic
peaks and threshold segmentation provide a non-destructive method for quantitative analysis of multiple wheat flour additives in Raman hyperspectral images.
Microbial Diversity in Tobacco Rhizosphere Soil at Different Growth Stages
Authors: Ruan Yanan , Xu Shengguang , Tang Zuoxin , Liu Xiaolin , Zhang Qirui , Chen Zebin
Published: November 2021

Rhizosphere microorganisms are the main participants of material transformation and energy cycle in soil. To further explore its composition and variation, the tobacco rhizosphere soil were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq, the microbial community at different growth stages were analyzed
and compared. The analysis of Alpha diversity showed that, the Chao1 index, Shannon index of bacteria and Chao1 index of fungi in rhizosphere soil were the highest in tobacco budding stage, while the peak of Shannon index of fungi appeared in tobacco material stage. Principal component analysis
(PCA) further showed that at different growth stages, Proteobacteria was the dominant, followed by Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes for bacterials; Ascomycota was the dominant, followed by Zygomycota and Basidiomycota for fungi. Under field conditions, the microbial abundance
changed with the growth of tobacco, and the microbial diversity reached the peak at budding stage. The bacterial community and abundance between budding and mature stages was highly similar, while the bacterial community in vigorous growth stage is quite different. The similarity of fungal
community in budding stage was very low, compared with the other stages; while in other stages was high. This study provides a theoretical basis for further understanding the relationship between tobacco rhizosphere soil microbial diversity and variation, tobacco growth and soil diseases.
Study on Multi-Dimensional Optimization of Detailed Laboratory Analysis Method for Ship Ballast Water
Authors: Lu Zheng , Wang Yinhao , Zhang Shun , Zhang Kun , Shi Yue
Published: November 2021

Ballast water can bring aquatic organisms into foreign ecosystems and cause the risk of biological invasion. Therefore, it needs to be treated before discharge, and the treated water needs to be analyzed to determine whether it meets the specified standard. At present, there is no unified method for the detection of plankton worldwide, and there are some problems in the existing methods, such as unreasonable and inaccurate. In this study, neutral red (NR), 5-chloromethyfluorescein diacetate (CMFDA) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) were used to dye the 10-50µmplankton of three common phyla in ballast water, and were determined by fluorescence microscope. The results showed that for 10-50µmplankton, the staining effect of double fluorescence staining was obvious, while the fluorescent dyes could only stain part of marine diatoms, and the sample could not be fixed. The optimal dyeing concentration of neutral red was 1/5000, the dyeing time was 20 min, and the overall dyeing efficiency was above 99%. Fixing agent was used after neutral red staining, when fixing with Lugol’s solution, the lower the temperature, the better the preservation effect. At -4 °C, the storage time of the sample could be increased to 12 h, and the proportion of plankton was more than 96%. In conclusion, neutral red staining can be used as a supplement to fluorescence staining, and the the storage time of samples can be prolong by pretreatment and fixation the samples.
Anaerobic Fermentation of Combined Chicken Manure and Straw on a Sequencing Batch Reactor: Analysis of Stability and Numerical Modeling
Authors: Feng Lei , Gu Huisong , Zhen Xiaofei
Published: November 2021

Anaerobic fermentation experiments were performed using combinations of chicken manure and straw at a temperature of 37±0.5 °C for 70 d. In this investigation, system stability and methane production were analyzed using the Logistic model. According to our results, the highest
cumulative methane yield was 292.87 mL/g VS at a straw ratio of 3%. This value was 17.43% higher than the one obtained using pure chicken manure. In addition, a positive correlation between ammonia concentration and content of chicken manure was observed. At the end of the reaction, pH values
in the four groups were between 7.0 and 8.0. However, pH in the M2 group was significantly higher than that observed in the rest of the groups. Data also indicated that hydrolase activities were positively correlated with SCOD concentrations. In this context, cellulase activity reached the
highest value on day 40. Proteinase activity presented two peaks on days 20 and 40. In the case of lipase, activities and amylase initially increased and later decreased, but the change is small. According to the results of the Logistic model, the highest methane production potential was of
404.41 mL/g VS, at a straw proportion of 3%. In addition, the highest daily methane yield was 6.13 mL/g VS.
Thermal Radiation and Magnetohydrodynamics Effect on Unsteady Squeezing Non-Newtonian Nanofluids with Heat and Mass Transfer
Authors: Jamal Syeda Nazia , Khan Shahaz Ahmad , Muhammad Sher , Ishaq Mohammad , Khan Hamid , Khan Adnan , Khan Tahir Saeed , Shah Syed Inayat Ali , Hussain Syed Asif , Ullah Ubaid
Published: November 2021

The research article primarily deals with non-Newtonian squeezing nanofluid flow between parallel plates by taking into account different phenomena in the modeled problem. The thermal radiation and magneto hydrodynamics impact in fluid flow model is mainly focused in this analysis.
The proposed nanofluid model also encompasses thermophoresis and the Brownian movement effects. The basic equations of nanofluids model such as velocity, heat and concentration equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations with the help of appropriate similarity transformations.
As a tool, the semi numerical scheme is used for solving the proposed problem with the greatest possible accuracy for the purpose of illustration and analysis. The basic physical parameters involved in velocity, heat and concentration profiles in the nanofluids flow are discussed in detail.
The variation of skin friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number along with their impacts on the velocity, heat and concentration are determined. It is also focused to show the influence of different physical parameters graphically as well as in tabulated form. Excellent agreement between
the results of semi analytical method and already published work is obtained, indicating the validity of the semi analytical approach. The study presented herein fills the gap in the literature, and will have a broad impact in industrial and biomedical fields.
Validation and Utility of Satellite Retrievals of Atmospheric Profiles in Detecting and Monitoring Significant Weather Events
Authors: Kalluri S. , Barnet C. , Divakarla M. , Esmaili R. , Nalli N. , Pryor K. , Reale T. , Smith N. , Tan C. , Wang T. , Warner J. , Wilson M. , Zhou L. , Zhu T.
Published: November 2021

Infrared and microwave sounder measurements from polar-orbiting satellites are used to retrieve profiles of temperature, water vapor, and trace gases utilizing a suite of algorithms called the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS). Meteorologists operationally use the retrievals similar to radiosonde measurements to assess atmospheric stability and aid them in issuing forecasts and severe weather warnings. Measurements of trace gases by NUCAPS enable detection, tracking, and monitoring of greenhouse gases and emissions from fires that impact air quality. During the polar winters, when ultraviolet measurements of ozone are not possible, absorption features in the infrared spectrum of the sounders enable the assessment of ozone concentration in the stratosphere. These retrievals are used as inputs to monitor the ozone hole over Antarctica. This article illustrates the utility of NUCAPS atmospheric profile retrievals in assessing meteorological events using several examples of severe thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, fires, and ozone maps.
Equilibration of Baroclinic Instability in Westward Flows
Authors: Radko Timour , McWilliams James C. , Sutyrin Georgi G.
Published: November 2021

We explore the dynamics of baroclinic instability in westward flows using an asymptotic weakly nonlinear model. The proposed theory is based on the multilayer quasigeostrophic framework, which is reduced to a system governed by a single nonlinear prognostic equation for the upper layer. The dynamics of deeper layers are represented by linear diagnostic relations. A major role in the statistical equilibration of baroclinic instability is played by the latent zonally elongated modes. These structures form spontaneously in baroclinically unstable systems and effectively suppress the amplification of primary unstable modes. Special attention is given to the effects of bottom friction, which is shown to control both linear and nonlinear properties of baroclinic instability. The reduced-dynamics model is validated by a series of numerical simulations.
The isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 is a potential prognostic indicator for non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Xintong , Ma Shang , Chen Yan , Yin Yanjun , Bai Wanqiu , Tan Jinjing , Shi Guangli
Published: November 2021

Background

The serum isocitrate dehydrogenase 1(IDH1) level is significantly elevated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has important clinical value as a marker for early diagnosis. This study examined the dynamic changes of serum IDH1 levels of patients with NSCLC undergoing surgery or medical treatment, to evaluate its potential prognostic value.

Methods

The study cohort included 83 NSCLC patients who underwent surgery, 37 NSCLC patients who underwent medical treatment, 50 healthy controls, and 52 disease controls. Serum levels of IDH1 were assayed by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Tumor biomarkers including carcinoembryonic antigen, squamous cell carcinoma, neuron-specific enolase, CYFRA21-1, and pro-gastrin-releasing peptide—which are currently used in clinical practice—were measured by automatic immunoanalyzers.

Results

Serum IDH1 was significantly higher in patients with NSCLC compared with healthy people or patients with benign lung diseases ( p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for diagnosis and differential diagnosis were 0.897 and 0.879, respectively, which were superior to the five tumor markers. Serum IDH1 levels decreased in most patients after surgery, with the most dramatic changes in patients with stage I tumors compared with stage II and III. Analyses of changes in the serum IDH1 level of patients after receiving chemotherapy or targeted therapy revealed that for patients with progressive disease, serum IDH1 increased significantly after treatment; for patients with partial response or stable disease, it decreased steadily.

Conclusion

IDH1 has potential prognostic value and may be used as a marker for the monitoring of treatment efficacy.
Understanding Hydropower Impacts on Amazonian Wildlife is Limited by a Lack of Robust Evidence: Results From a Systematic Review
Authors: Rodrigues dos Santos Eduardo , Michalski Fernanda , Norris Darren
Published: November 2021

Background and Research Aims: Although hydropower provides energy to fuel economic development across Amazonia, strategies to minimize or mitigate impacts in highly biodiverse Amazonian environments remain unclear. The growing number of operational and planned hydroelectrics requires robust scientific evidence to evaluate impacts of these projects on Amazonian vertebrates. Here, we investigated the existing scientific knowledge base documenting impacts of hydropower developments on vertebrates across Brazilian Amazonia. Methods: We reviewed the scientific literature from 1945 to 2020 published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to assess the temporal and spatial patterns in publications and the types of study design adopted as well as scientific evidence presented. Results: A total of 25 published articles documented impacts on fish ( n = 20), mammals ( n = 3), and reptiles ( n = 2). Most study designs (88%) lacked appropriate controls, and only three studies adopted more robust Before-After-Control-Impact designs. The published evidence did not generally support causal inference with only two studies (8%) including appropriate controls and/or confounding variables. Conclusion: Decades of published assessments (60% of which were funded by hydropower developers or their subsidiaries) do not appear to have established robust evidence of impacts of hydropower dams on Amazonian vertebrates. This lack of robust evidence could limit the development of effective minimization and mitigation actions for the conservation of diverse vertebrate groups impacted by hydropower dams across Brazilian Amazonia. Implications for Conservation: To avoid misleading inferences, there is a need to integrate more robust study designs into impact assessments of hydropower developments in the Brazilian Amazon.
The association of six‐minute walk work and other clinical measures to cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters in pulmonary vascular disease
Authors: C. Robertson Lucy , E. Oates Katrina , J. Fletcher Andrew , P. Sylvester Karl
Published: November 2021

Introduction

In pulmonary vascular disease exercise, abnormalities can include reduced exercise capacity, reduced oxygen pulse and elevated VE/VCO2. The association of clinical measures such as six‐minute walk work, haemodynamics, lung function and echocardiogram to peak VO2, O2 pulse and VE/VCO2 has not been fully investigated in pulmonary vascular disease.

Aims

To determine the relationship of six‐minute walk work and other clinical measures to peak VO2, peak O2 pulse and VE/VCO2. Additionally, to investigate the ability to predict peak VO2 from six‐minute walk work and other clinical parameters.

Methods

Clinical data was retrospectively analysed from 63 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and 54 chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) patients. Six‐minute walk test measures, haemodynamics, lung function and echocardiographic measures were correlated with peak VO2, peak O2 pulse and VE/VCO2. Predictive equations were developed to predict peak V̇O2 in both CTEPH and CTED cohorts and subsequently validated.

Results

A number of clinical parameters correlated to peak VO2, peak O2 pulse and VE/VCO2. Six‐minute walk work and transfer factor for carbon monoxide demonstrated the strongest correlation to peak VO2 and peak O2 pulse. The validation of the predictive equations showed a variable level of agreement between measured peak VO2 and calculated peak VO2 from the predictive equations.

Conclusion

Six‐minute walk work and additionally a number of clinical test parameters were associated to peak VO2, peak O2 pulse and VE/VCO2. Six‐minute walk work and transfer factor for carbon monoxide were particularly highly correlated to peak VO2 and similarly to peak oxygen pulse. The validation of the predictive equations showed a variable level of agreement and therefore may have limited clinical applicability.
Different clinical symptom patterns in patients with reflux micro-aspiration
Authors: Khoma Oleksandr , Park Jin-soo , Lee Felix Michael , Van der Wall Hans , Falk Gregory L.
Published: November 2021

Background

Pulmonary manifestation of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a well-recognised entity; however, little primary reported data exists on presenting symptoms of patients in whom reflux micro-aspiration is confirmed. The aim of this study is to report symptoms and presenting patterns of a large group of patients with confirmed reflux micro-aspiration.

Patients and methods

Data was extracted from a prospectively populated database of patients referred to a tertiary specialist centre with severe, refractory or atypical reflux. Patients with reflux micro-aspiration on scintigraphy were included in this study. A separate group included patients with evidence of proximal reflux to the level of pharynx when supine and/or upright.

Results

Inclusion criteria were met by 243 patients with confirmed reflux micro-aspiration (33% males; mean age 59). Most common symptoms amongst patients with micro-aspiration were regurgitation (72%), cough (67%), heartburn (66%), throat clearing (65%) and dysphonia (53%). The most common two-symptom combinations were heartburn/regurgitation, cough/throat clearing, regurgitation/throat clearing, cough/regurgitation and dysphonia/throat clearing. The most common three-symptom combinations were cough/heartburn/regurgitation, cough/regurgitation/throat clearing and dysphonia/regurgitation/throat clearing. Cluster analysis demonstrated two main symptom groupings, one suggestive of proximal volume reflux symptoms and the other with motility/inflammatory bowel syndrome-like symptoms (bloat, constipation).

Conclusion

The combination of typical symptoms of GORD such as heartburn or regurgitation and a respiratory or upper aero-digestive complaint such as cough, throat clearing or voice change should prompt consideration of reflux micro-aspiration.
Perceived determinants of implementation success of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana: a qualitative study among programme officers
Authors: Otoo Desmond Dzidzornu , Appiah-Agyekum Nana Nimo , Adzei Francis Anderson
Published: November 2021

Background

The importance of health policy implementation cannot be overemphasized in contemporary public health. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have negatively impacted society, affect quality of life and make the poor societies poorer. Several policies and strategies have been put in place across the world including the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Though chalked many successes, the programme continues to lag behind in the full attainment of various objectives. Several factors exist that determine how effective a programme is implemented. Identification of these factors on every programme is essential to determine where more programme resources need to be channelled. This study assessed the determinants of successful implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana.

Methods

A qualitative approach with the case study design was employed. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify key programme officers at the national, regional and district levels of programme implementation. Eighteen (18) Key informant interviews were conducted at all the three levels of the Ghana Health Service NTDs programme. Data were thematically analysed and presented.

Results

Findings from the study revealed that determinants that influenced the successful implementation of the NTDs programme include donor support, education and training, partnerships, reliability of the health structure, integrative nature of the programme and management commitment. These determining factors cut across the inner settings of the implementing agency and the external environment.

Conclusion

Neglected tropical diseases continuously affect Ghanaians, especially the poor. It is important for both policy makers and implementers to identify the factors that ensure the success of the programme in the Ghanaian context. Though the factors are independently sufficient, they synergistically lead to improved programme implementation. Empowering all units involved (local to national level) and maximizing the enabling factors identified to would improve upon implementation and ensure sustainability.
Association of multidimensional poverty and tuberculosis in India
Authors: Pathak Dimpal , Vasishtha Guru , Mohanty Sanjay K.
Published: November 2021

Background

Reduction of multidimensional poverty and tuberculosis are priority development agenda worldwide. The SDGs aims to eradicate poverty in all forms (SDG 1.2) and to end tuberculosis (SDG 3.3.2) by 2030. While poverty is increasingly being measured across multiple domains, reduction of tuberculosis has been an integral part of public health programmes. Though literature suggests a higher prevalence of tuberculosis among the economically poor, no attempt has been made to understand the association between multidimensional poverty and tuberculosis in India. The objective of this paper is to examine the association of multidimensional poverty and tuberculosis in India.

Methods

The unit data from the National Family Health Survey-4, conducted in 2015–16 covering 628,900 households and 2,869,043 individuals across 36 states and union territories of India was used in the analysis. The survey collected information on the self-reported tuberculosis infection of each member of a sample household at the time of the survey. Multidimensional poverty was measured in the domains of education, health, and standard of living, with a set of 10 indicators. The prevalence of tuberculosis was estimated among the multidimensional poor and non-poor populations across the states of India. A binary logistic regression model was used to understand the association of tuberculosis and multidimensional poverty.

Results

Results suggest that about 29.3% population of India was multidimensional poor and that the multidimensional poverty index was 0.128. The prevalence of tuberculosis among the multidimensional poor was 480 (95% CI: 464–496) per 100,000 population compared to 250 (95% CI: 238–262) among the multidimensional non-poor. The prevalence of tuberculosis among the multidimensional poor was the highest in the state of Kerala (1590) and the lowest in the state of Himachal Pradesh (220). Our findings suggest a significantly higher prevalence of tuberculosis among the multidimensional poor compared to the multidimensional non-poor in most of the states in India. The odds of having tuberculosis among the multidimensional poor were 1.82 times higher (95% CI, 1.73–1.90) compared to the non-poor. Age, sex, smoking, crowded living conditions, caste, religion, and place of residence are significant socio-demographic risk factors of tuberculosis.

Conclusion

The prevalence of tuberculosis is significantly higher among the multidimensional poor compared to the multidimensional non-poor in India.
LncRNA GAS5 participates in childhood pneumonia by inhibiting cell apoptosis and promoting SHIP-1 expression via downregulating miR-155
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Guo Ping , Tian Jiahui , Li Jie , Yan Na , Zhao Xin , Ma Yue
Published: November 2021

Background

LncRNA GAS5 and miR-155 are reported to play opposite roles in lung inflammatory responses. Lung inflammation participates in childhood pneumonia, indicating the involvement of GAS5 and miR-155 in pneumonia. The study aimed to analyze the potential interaction between GAS5 and miR-155 in childhood pneumonia.

Methods

GAS5 and miR-155 levels in plasma samples from pneumonia patients and controls were detected using RT-qPCR. The role of GAS5 in miR-155 RNA gene methylation in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs) was analyzed by methylation analysis. Flow cytometry and RT-qPCR were applied to analyze cell apoptosis and SHIP-1 expression, respectively.

Results

GAS5 was downregulated in pneumonia, and miR-155 was upregulated in pneumonia. GAS5 and miR-155 were inversely correlated. GAS5 overexpression decreased miR-155 expression in HBEpCs, while miR-155 overexpression showed no significant effects on GAS5 expression. In addition, GAS5 suppressed LPS-induced HBEpC apoptosis, promoted SHIP-1 expression, and reduced the enhancing effect of miR-155 on cell apoptosis and SHIP-1 expression.

Conclusions

GAS5 may participate in childhood pneumonia by inhibiting cell apoptosis and promoting SHIP-1 expression via downregulating miR-155.
Adapting the patient and physician versions of the 9-item shared decision making questionnaire for other healthcare providers in Japan
Authors: Goto Yuko , Yamaguchi Yasuhiro , Onishi Joji , Arai Hidenori , Härter Martin , Scholl Isabelle , Kriston Levente , Miura Hisayuki
Published: November 2021

Background

In Japan, the number of older people with various health problems and difficulties in living is increasing. In order to practice patient-centered care for them, not only medical professionals but also multidisciplinary teams including care professionals and patients need to practice shared decision making (SDM) in the context of long-term care. For this reason, a measure of SDM in consultations with healthcare professionals (HCPs) other than physicians is needed. Therefore, this study aimed at adapting the patient and physician versions of the 9-item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9, SDM-Q-Doc) for consultations with HCPs other than physicians in Japan.

Methods

A pair of SDM measures that can be used by HCPs other than physicians, “Care SDM-Questionnaire for care receivers (SDM-C-patient)” and “Care SDM-Questionnaire for care providers (SDM-C-provider)” were prepared based on the Japanese versions of the SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc. The internal consistency and conceptual structure of these measures were tested by secondary analysis of data from 496 participants from a workshop on SDM for different HCPs. Measurement invariance were tested by multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the patient (SDM-C-patient and SDM-Q-9) and provider (SDM-C-provider vs. SDM-Q-Doc) versions.

Results

Both the Japanese SDM-C-patient and SDM-C-provider demonstrated high internal consistencies (Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.90 and McDonald’s ω coefficient was 0.90 for both measures). CFA showed one-factor structures for both measures and original measures for physicians. Moreover, multigroup CFA showed configural and metric invariance between the novel care measures and original physician’s measures.

Conclusions

Thus, the novel SDM measures for care providers in Japan as well as the original physician’s measures could be used in training setting. As these measures were tested only in a training setting, their reliability and validity as new measures for care should be tested in a clinical setting in future.
Polyamine metabolism links gut microbiota and testicular dysfunction
Authors: Zhao Qi , Huang Jian-Feng , Cheng Yan , Dai Man-Yun , Zhu Wei-Feng , Yang Xiu-Wei , Gonzalez Frank J. , Li Fei
Published: November 2021

Background

Male fertility impaired by exogenous toxins is a serious worldwide issue threatening the health of the new-born and causing infertility. However, the metabolic connection between toxic exposures and testicular dysfunction remains unclear.

Results

In the present study, the metabolic disorder of testicular dysfunction was investigated using triptolide-induced testicular injury in mice. We found that triptolide induced spermine deficiency resulting from disruption of polyamine biosynthesis and uptake in testis, and perturbation of the gut microbiota. Supplementation with exogenous spermine reversed triptolide-induced testicular dysfunction through increasing the expression of genes related to early and late spermatogenic events, as well as increasing the reduced number of offspring. Loss of gut microbiota by antibiotic treatment resulted in depletion of spermine levels in the intestine and potentiation of testicular injury. Testicular dysfunction in triptolide-treated mice was reversed by gut microbial transplantation from untreated mice and supplementation with polyamine-producing Parabacteroides distasonis. The protective effect of spermine during testicular injury was largely dependent on upregulation of heat shock protein 70s (HSP70s) both in vivo and in vitro.

Conclusions

The present study linked alterations in the gut microbiota to testicular dysfunction through disruption of polyamine metabolism. The diversity and dynamics of the gut microbiota may be considered as a therapeutic option to prevent male infertility.
A combination of invasive and non-invasive techniques for the study of the palette and painting structure of a copy of Raphael's Transfiguration of Christ
Authors: Manzano Eloísa , Blanc Rosario , Martin-Ramos J. Daniel , Chiari Giacomo , Sarrazin P. , Vilchez Jose Luis
Published: November 2021

The main objective of this study is to establish an appropriate method for the characterization of the pigments, materials and structure of the paint layers in a copy of the painting the Transfiguration of Christ by Raffaello Sanzio. A multi-technique approach that combines elemental, molecular and structural analyses and involves optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), μ-Attenuated Total Reflection–Fourier Transform InfraRed (µATR-FTIR), μ-Raman spectrometry (µRS) and non-invasive portable diffractometer (pXRD) was used. Our results revealed that this copy of the Transfiguration was executed with a palette, which includes white lead (cerussite and hydrocerussite), lazurite from lapis lazuli pigment, red and yellow earths (goethite, hematite and lepidocrocite), lead tin yellow, cinnabar, red lake, smalt and bone black, and fillers such as calcite, baryte (an impurity associated to some pigments), and traces of colorless powdered glass. A secondary objective of this research was the application of non-invasive in situ pXRD measurements, which do not require painting sampling and helped to confirm some inconclusive results obtained with other techniques regarding the artist's palette. The results showed the crystalline nature of all the pigments identified, which were known from ancient times and available during the 16th and 17th. Lastly, the used of 14C accelerator mass spectrometry determined that the canvas date was 1451–1633 AD (with a 95% confidence level). Although the main focus of the work was to improve the analytical methodology to better understand the artist’s palette, our results will further help us to explore the authorship of the copy or the school that executed it.

Graphical Abstract
Predicting students’ flow experience through behavior data in gamified educational systems
Authors: Oliveira Wilk , Tenório Kamilla , Hamari Juho , Pastushenko Olena , Isotani Seiji
Published: November 2021

The flow experience (i.e., challenge-skill balance, action-awareness merging, clear goals, unambiguous feedback, concentration, sense of control, loss of self-consciousness, transformation of time, and autotelic experience) is an experience highly related to the learning experience. One of the current challenges is to identify whether students are managing to achieve this experience in educational systems. The methods currently used to identify students’ flow experience are based on self-reports or equipment (e.g., eye trackers or electroencephalograms). The main problem with these methods is the high cost of the equipment and the impossibility of applying them massively. To address this challenge, we used behavior data logs produced by students during the use of a gamified educational system to predict the students’ flow experience. Through a data-driven study (N = 23) using structural equation modeling, we identified possibilities to predict the students’ flow experience through the speed of students’ actions. With this initial study, we advance the literature, especially contributing to the field of student experience analysis, by bringing insights showing how to step towards automatic students’ flow experience identification in gamified educational systems.
Correction to: Very preterm infants engage in an intervention to train their control of attention: results from the feasibility study of the attention control training (ACT) randomised trial
Authors: Perra Oliver , Wass Sam , McNulty Alison , Sweet David , Papageorgiou Kostas A. , Johnston Matthew , Bilello Delfina , Patterson Aaron , Alderdice Fiona
Published: November 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Diagnostic Performance of Artificial Intelligence-Centred Systems in the Diagnosis and Postoperative Surveillance of Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancies Using Computed Tomography Imaging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy
Authors: Chidambaram Swathikan , Sounderajah Viknesh , Maynard Nick , Markar Sheraz R.
Published: November 2021

Background

Upper gastrointestinal cancers are aggressive malignancies with poor prognosis, even following multimodality therapy. As such, they require timely and accurate diagnostic and surveillance strategies; however, such radiological workflows necessitate considerable expertise and resource to maintain. In order to lessen the workload upon already stretched health systems, there has been increasing focus on the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI)-centred diagnostic systems. This systematic review summarizes the clinical applicability and diagnostic performance of AI-centred systems in the diagnosis and surveillance of esophagogastric cancers.

Methods

A systematic review was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Review, and Scopus databases. Articles on the use of AI and radiomics for the diagnosis and surveillance of patients with esophageal cancer were evaluated, and quality assessment of studies was performed using the QUADAS-2 tool. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of sequencing methodologies.

Results

Thirty-six studies that described the use of AI were included in the qualitative synthesis and six studies involving 1352 patients were included in the quantitative analysis. Of these six studies, four studies assessed the utility of AI in gastric cancer diagnosis, one study assessed its utility for diagnosing esophageal cancer, and one study assessed its utility for surveillance. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 73.4% (64.6–80.7) and 89.7% (82.7–94.1), respectively.

Conclusions

AI systems have shown promise in diagnosing and monitoring esophageal and gastric cancer, particularly when combined with existing diagnostic methods. Further work is needed to further develop systems of greater accuracy and greater consideration of the clinical workflows that they aim to integrate within.
Swiss cheese interventricular septum presenting with catastrophic stroke: the potential role of ECG-gated CTA
Authors: Fu Weibo , Gates Lauren , Issa Mohamed , Bates William B. , Carr J. Jeff , Aljaroudi Wael , Sorrell Vincent , Winkler Michael A.
Published: November 2021

Ventricular septal defect is a common congenital cardiac condition that presents in a variety of morphologies. Less commonly, when an individual patient is found to have multiple ventricular septal defects, the term “Swiss cheese ventricular septal defect” is applied. Although not routinely utilized in clinical practice, electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has been shown to provide utility in detecting intracardiac shunts, demonstrating promise in preventing acute strokes secondary to a paradoxical embolus from occurring; this is especially important when atypical cardiac septa are suspected. This case seeks to illustrate how usage of ECG-gated CTA can assist in early detection and prevention of adverse outcomes resulting from an atypical presentation of a ventricular septal defect.
Multi-class deep learning segmentation and automated measurements in periodontal sonograms of a porcine model
Authors: Pan Ying-Chun , Chan Hsun-Liang , Kong Xiangbo , Hadjiiski Lubomir M. , Kripfgans Oliver D.
Published: November 2021

Objectives:

Ultrasound emerges as a complement to cone-beam computed tomography in dentistry, but struggles with artifacts like reverberation and shadowing. This study seeks to help novice users recognize soft tissue, bone, and crown of a dental sonogram, and automate soft tissue height (STH) measurement using deep learning.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, 627 frames from 111 independent cine loops of mandibular and maxillary premolar and incisors collected from our porcine model (N = 8) were labeled by a reader. 274 premolar sonograms, including data augmentation, were used to train a multi class segmentation model. The model was evaluated against several test sets, including premolar of the same breed (n = 74, Yucatan) and premolar of a different breed (n = 120, Sinclair). We further proposed a rule-based algorithm to automate STH measurements using predicted segmentation masks.

Results:

The model reached a Dice similarity coefficient of 90.7±4.39%, 89.4±4.63%, and 83.7±10.5% for soft tissue, bone, and crown segmentation, respectively on the first test set (n = 74), and 90.0±7.16%, 78.6±13.2%, and 62.6±17.7% on the second test set (n = 120). The automated STH measurements have a mean difference (95% confidence interval) of −0.22 mm (−1.4, 0.95), a limit of agreement of 1.2 mm, and a minimum ICC of 0.915 (0.857, 0.948) when compared to expert annotation.

Conclusion:

This work demonstrates the potential use of deep learning in identifying periodontal structures on sonograms and obtaining diagnostic periodontal dimensions.
Αναπαραστάσεις του γυναικείου φύλου σε εφημερίδες της πόλης του Αγρινίου κατά την περίοδο 1950-1985
Authors: Κονταξή Κασσιανή-Μαρία
Published: November 2021

Η παρούσα εργασία, επιχειρεί να παρουσιάσει τους τρόπους με τους οποίους αναπαριστάνεται το γυναικείο φύλο σε εφημερίδες της πόλης του Αγρινίου. Οι αναπαραστάσεις αυτές προκύπτουν στο πλαίσιο κινήσεων και δράσεων των γυναικών μεταξύ ιδιωτικού και δημόσιου χώρου. Γίνεται μια προσπάθεια να παρακολουθήσουμε την ιστορική, κοινωνική και πολιτισμική διαδρομή αυτής της πόλης και να παρατηρήσουμε πώς αποτυπώνονται οι αλλαγές στους ρόλους των δύο φύλων σε μία εξελισσόμενη εμπορικά, οικονομικά και πληθυσμιακά, επαρχιακή πόλη, όπως το Αγρίνιο. Η επιλογή του χρονικού πλαισίου μελέτης της παρούσας εργασίας συνδέεται με τις ανακατατάξεις που λαμβάνουν χώρα στην ελληνική επικράτεια από το 1955 έως το 1985. Η μέθοδος που χρησιμοποιήθηκε αναφορικά με την επεξεργασία του υλικού, είναι ένας γενικότερος τύπος της μεθόδου «Ανάλυσης περιεχομένου» και του εργαλείου της ποιοτικής έρευνας ενώ για την επεξεργασία και ερμηνεία των αποτελεσμάτων χρησιμοποιήθηκε η τεχνική της categorical analysis του υλικού.Η εργασία διαρθρώνεται σε οχτώ κεφάλαια. Ακολουθεί το Παράρτημα με συνεντεύξεις και φωτογραφικό υλικό και η Βιβλιογραφία.