bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonality of the feeding behavior and condition factor of Anchovia surinamensis in the floodplains of the Madeira River (Rondônia, Brazil)
Authors: SOUSA Raniere Garcez Costa , ALVES Jaine Albino , AMARAL Rodrigo Vieira Alves , LIMA Severino Adriano de Oliveira
Published: May 2022

The Anchovia surinamensis (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) is known in Brazil as "sardinha-do-gatoââ‚¬Â and exists in the floodplains throughout Latin-America. It is highly appreciated by the Amazonian riverine communities as a source of animal protein. In this study, we analyzed the dietary preferences and abiotic parameters that influence the condition factor of A. surinamensis that inhabit Cujubim Lake during periods of drought and flood. A total of 105 specimens were captured using three batteries of monofilament nylon nets (measuring 20 m long, 2.5 m high, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm mesh, measured between opposite knots). The nets were arranged in pre-established positions within the lake and inspected at the times of 18:00, 00:00, 06:00 and 12:00 h. This methodology was utilized to obtain the largest range of fish sizes and to avoid the influence of the nictimeral factor. The results of the analysis of the stomach contents of the individuals confirmed that the species is planktivorous and consumes mainly cladocera and bivalves in the Cujubim Lake, which indicates that there is good food availability in the lake. Our results also demonstrate that, among the physicochemical parameters of the water in Cujubim Lake, pH was the one that most affected the condition factor of A. surinamensis.
Consequences of the catastrophic wildfire in 2020 for the soil cover of the Utrish State Nature Reserve
Authors: Kazeev Kamil , Vilkova Valeria , Shkhapatsev Aslan , Bykhalova Olga , Rudenok Yana , Nizhelskiy Мikhail , Kolesnikov Sergey , Minkina Tatiana , Sushkova Svetlana , Mandzhieva Saglara , Rajput Vishnu D
Published: May 2022

Present work aimed to assess the impact of pyrogenic effect on the flora, and quality and health of soils of the Utrish Reserve. Studies performed on the territory of reserve within a month after the fire revealed that the areas showed varying degrees of damaged characteristics due to catastrophic fire. The entire damage was recorded in a 40-hectare region, while the vegetation on another 26 hectares of the reserve was damaged to a lesser extent. In total, 4,800 trees were eliminated, 73% of them belonged to rare and endangered species, such as Junipers (Juniperus spp.), Mt. Atlas mastic trees (Pistacia mutica), and Pitsunda pines (Pinus brutia var. pityusa). In the areas of severe disturbance, the soil surface was covered with a constant layer of ash two weeks after the fire.  As a result, there was an increase in the pH values, and the chemical composition of brown soil (Cambisol) was determined after the fire. There was also an increase in the organic carbon content and peroxidase activity. Catalase activity, which is sensitive to pyrogenic effects, decreased in all soil samples obtained at post-pyrogenic areas. The effect of fire on the biological state of soils may diminish over time, however, the restoration of the damaged ecosystems may take hundreds of years. The results of this study can be used in assessing the damage to ecosystems after the wildfires, as well as in developing methods to accelerate the restoration of soils after a fire impact.
Yenilenebilir Enerji Tüketimi ve Enerji İthalatının Cari Açık Üzerindeki Etkisi: Enerji İthalatında Lider Ülkeler Örneği
Authors: ALTAY TOPCU Betül
Published: May 2022

Amaç: Bu çalışma enerji ithalatında lider 11 ükede, yenilenebilir enerji tüketimi ve enerji ithalatının, cari işlemler dengesi üzerindeki etkisinin araştırılmasını amaçlamaktadır.
Tasarım/Yöntem: 1995-2015 dönemini kapsayan çalışmada ilk olarak yatay kesit bağımlılık testi ve eğim homojenlik testleri uygulanmıştır. Daha sonra değişkenlerin durağanlık sınaması CADF ve CIPS birim kök testleri ve değişkenler arasında uzun dönemli ilşki Westerlund (2007) ECM eşbütünleşme testi ile incelenmiştir. Ayrıca uzun dönem esneklik katsayıları AMG yöntemi ile tahmin edilmiştir. Son olarak Dumitrescu-Hurlin testi ile nedensellik ilişkisi araştırılmıştır.
Bulgular: Analiz sonuçlarına göre, yenilenebilir enerji tüketiminin cari denge üzerindeki etkisi pozitiftir. Enerji ithalatının cari dengeyi negatif yönde etkilediği bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır. Dumitrescu-Hurlin nedensellik sonuçları yenilenebilir enerji tüketimi ve enerji ithalatı ile cari işlemler dengesi arasında çift yönlü bir nedensellik ilişkisi olduğunu göstermiştir.
Sınırlılıklar: Çalışma en fazla enerji ithal eden ülkeler ve 1995-2015 dönemi ile sınırlandırılmıştır.
Özgünlük/Değer: Literatürde enerji ithalatı ve yenilenebilir enerji tüketiminin cari açık üzerindeki etkisini araştıran çalışma sayısı sınırlıdır. Dolayısıyla bu çalışma mevcut literatürdeki bu boşluğu doldurmak açısından önemlidir. Ayrıca enerji ithalatına bağımlılığı yüksek olan ülkeler için bu etkinin incelenmesi çalışmanın özgünlüğünü oluşturmaktadır.
Role of intraoperative feeding jejunostomy in esophageal cancer surgery
Authors: KIM MIN SOO , Shin Sumin , Kim Hong Kwan , Choi Yong Soo , Zo Jae Il , Shim Young Mog , Cho Jong Ho
Published: May 2022

Background: Feeding jejunostomy was routinely placed during esophagectomy to ensure postoperative enteral feeding. Improved anastomosis technique and early oral feeding strategy after esophagectomy has led to question the need for the routine placement of feeding jejunostomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate role of feeding jejunostomy during Ivor Lewis operation.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 414 patients who underwent the Ivor Lewis operations from January 2015 to December 2018. Results: 61 patients (14.7%) received jejunostomy insertion. The most common indication for jejunostomy was neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). 48 patients (79%) had jejunostomy removed within 60 days after the surgery and the longest duration of jejunostomy inserted state was 121 days. About two-third of the patients with jejunostomy had never prescribed with an enteral feeding product. Among 353 patients without intraoperative feeding jejunostomy, 11(3.1%) received delayed jejunostomy insertion. Graft-related problems (6 patients), cancer progression (3 patients), acute lung injury (1 patient), and swallowing difficulty (1 patient) were reasons for delayed feeding jejunostomy insertion. Complication rate was relatively high as 24 patients (33.3%) out of 72 patients with jejunostomy insertion had complications and 7 patients (9.7%) visited ER more than twice with jejunostomy-related complications.Conclusion: Only 3.6% patients who underwent the Ivor Lewis operation during 4-year span had anastomosis leakage. Although one-third of the patients with jejunostomy were benefited with alternative method of feeding after discharge, high complication rate regarding jejunostomy should be also considered. We believe feeding jejunostomy should be applied to very selected patients with high risk factors.
The Incidences of EBV, HSV, CMV and Parvovirus B19 in the Patients with Lenfopenia Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy
Authors: KILIÇ Adil Furkan , TEKİN Salim Başol
Published: May 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Flame retardant hybrid composite manufacturing through reinforcing lignocellulosic and carbon fibers reinforced with epoxy resin (F@LC)
Authors: Hasan K M Faridul , Horváth Péter György , Bak Miklós , Bejó László , Alpár Tibor
Published: May 2022

Novel flame retardant hybrid composites were developed from lignocellulosic and carbon fibers reinforced with epoxy resin using hot pressing technology. The size of the lignocellulosic fibers was within 0.045 to 0.8 mm and carbon fibers ranged from 5 mm to 8 mm. The nominal thickness of the composites was 10 mm, whereas the nominal density was 730 kg/m3. Composite dimensions were 400 mm × 400 mm. The developed panels were tested for internal bonding strength and flexural properties to investigate their mechanical performance. Furthermore, SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) test was conducted to examine the morphologies of the products before and after fracture and found substantial quantities of both types of fiber in the composite system. The EDX (Energy disruptive X-ray) analysis also displayed the chemical elements present in the developed products. Moreover, an FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) study showed strong chemical interactions among the lignocellulosic and carbon fibers with the thermosetting epoxy polymers. The flame retardancy tests of the composite materials also showed significant thermal stability, especially after loading carbon fibers in the composite system. Moreover, dimensional stability showed an improving trend with the increase of carbon fibers as the reinforcement. Overall, the composite materials developed using lignocellulosic and carbon fibers with epoxy resin is showing a novel route to develop composites with high mechanical performance and considerable flame retardancy.
Fatal systemic disorder caused by biallelic variants in FARSA
Authors: Kim Soo Yeon , Ko Saebom , Kang Hyunook , Kim Man Jin , Moon Jangsup , Lim Byung Chan , Kim Ki Joong , Choi Murim , Choi Hee-Jung , Chae Jong-Hee
Published: May 2022

Background: Aminoacyl tRNA transferases play an essential role in protein biosynthesis, and variants of these enzymes result in various human diseases. FARSA, which encodes the α subunit of cytosolic phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, was recently reported as a suspected causal gene for multiorgan disorder. This study aimed to validate the pathogenicity of variants in the FARSA geneResults: Whole exome sequencing revealed novel compound heterozygous variants in FARSA, P347L and R475Q, from a patient who initially presented neonatal-onset failure to thrive, liver dysfunction, and frequent respiratory infections. His developmental milestones were nearly arrested, and the patient died at 28 months of age as a result of progressive hepatic and respiratory failure. The P347L variant was predicted to disrupt heterodimer interaction and fail to form a functional heterotetramer by structural and biochemical analyses. R475 is located at a highly conserved site and is reported to be involved in phenylalanine activation and transfer to tRNA. The variant showed an approximately 36% reduction in activity in our assay relative to the wild-type protein. Additional validations on variants from previous reports (N410K, F256L, R404C, and E418D) were conducted. The R404C variant from a patient waiting for organ transplantation also failed to form tetramers but yielded a milder phenotype when combined with the mild functional effect of E418D compared with R475Q. The N410K and F256L variants from a case with mildest phenotype did not affect tetramer formation.Conclusions: Our data demonstrated the pathogenicity of biallelic variants in FARSA and suggested the implication of hypomorphic variants in severe phenotypes.
Development and validation of a machine learning model to predict venous thromboembolism among hospitalized cancer patients
Authors: Meng Lingqi , Li Xuying , Huang Xinjuan , Wei Tao , Fan Rongrong , Su Haoze , Liu Jiahui , Wang Lijie , Qi Yi
Published: May 2022

Background: Hospitalized cancer patients suffer a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Guidelines suggested performing a personalized thromboprophylaxis guided by VTE risk assessment tools. Machine learning (ML) has advantages in data processing and model development. The study aimed to develop predictive models using four different ML methods and to compare their predictive performance.Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted from October 1, 2021 to February 30, 2022 in Hunan Cancer Hospital. A total of 1,100 hospitalized cancer patients were included. The outcome variable was the occurrence of VTE during hospitalization. Input variables, including patient, tumor, treatment and laboratory indicators characteristics, were trained for four ML models: Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Features rankings were achieved according to the permutation scores of selected features in the optimal model.Results: A total of 1,100 patients (mean [SD] age, 54.75[11.08] years; 485[44.09%] male) were included in the study. There were 340 patients in the VTE group and 760 patients in the non-VTE group. XGBoost model showed the best predictive performance among four models, with AUROC value of 0.818 (95%CI: 0.762, 0.870). Performance of other three models were lower with the following AUROCs in the testing set: Logistic Regression, 0.757（95%CI: 0.689,0.816）; Support Vector Machine, 0.759（95%CI: 0.697,0.818）; and Random Forest, 0.743（95%CI: 0.678,0.808）. The most five significant features in XGBoost model were D-dimer, diabetes, hypertension, pleural metastasis and hematological malignancies. Conclusion: Four predictive models were developed using ML algorithms. XGBoost model was the optimal predictive model compared to other three ML models (Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, and Random Forest). This study indicates that ML may play an important role in VTE risk estimation among hospitalized cancer patients and provide reference for thromboprophylaxis.
UTI assessment tool for Intermittent Catheter users: INCLUDING user perspectives to improve the standard of care
Authors: Lauridsen* Susanne Vahr , Averbeck Márcio Augusto , Krassioukov Andrei , Vaabengaard Rikke , Athanasiadou Sotiria
Published: May 2022

Background: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are among the most severe complications for users of intermittent catheterisation (IC), with numerous risk factors contributing to their occurrence. The aim of this project was to develop a tool to assess UTI risk factors among IC users in a systematic way that considers the perspective of the individual user. Methods: The UTI Risk Factors model by Kennelly et al. was used as a basis for the development of this tool. Insights on the appropriate content and format were collected via the Coloplast Nurse Advisory Boards and by conducting a literature review on user perspectives and practices in relation to UTIs. These insights were subsequently utilised to develop an appropriate format via the Design Thinking Process. Results: The literature search identified a total of 3,544 articles, out of which 22 met the inclusion criteria. Additionally, three rounds of meetings were conducted with approximately 90 nurses from the Coloplast Advisory Boards across Europe. The literature review showed that users describe their UTI symptoms in different terms and that personal needs and priorities impact their adherence and catheter selection. Furthermore, some users lack relevant and updated knowledge about IC and UTIs. The nurses described that correct UTI diagnosis is essential. They pointed that they would assess the user’s general condition, adherence, technique, and catheter type as potential areas of risk factors and emphasised the importance of adequate support for users. The work resulted in the development of the UTI assessment tool for intermittent catheter users, which comprises three elements: a guide for healthcare professionals, a dialogue board, and a notepad. The tool starts with a confirmation of the UTI incidence, and then assesses risk factors via questions on health, adherence, technique, and catheter, and concludes with a support section. Conclusions: The UTI assessment tool for intermittent catheter users is designed to help healthcare professionals assess UTI risk factors in a systematic way, while engaging users and taking their perspective into account. By identifying the relevant risk factors, the use of this tool has the potential to reduce the occurrence of UTIs for the individual IC user.
CDC50A might be a novel biomarker of epithelial ovarian cancer-initiating cells
Authors: Yin Jie , Wen Yiping , Zeng Jing , Zhang Yanyan , Chen Jiayu , Zhang Yanmei , Han Tiantian , Li Xiaoying , Huang Hong , Cai Yan , Jin Ying , Li Yan , Guo Wei , Pan Lingya
Published: May 2022

Background: The aim of this work was to screen and validate biomarkers of ovarian cancer-initiating cells to detect the mechanisms of recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: Stably labelled the amino acid in side population (SP) cells of epithelial ovarian cancer which were rich in cancer-initiating cells and non-SP cells with isotope in culture and differentially expressed cellular membrane proteins in SP cells were identified through proteomics technology. The new candidate biomarker was screened and validated through RT-PCR and western blot. Both in cell lines and primary EOC, cancer-initiating biofunctions of CDC50A positive cells were validated. Moreover, the characteristics of mesenchymal transition (EMT) was also detected and the correlation between the biomarker and clinical prognosis was observed. Results: Through proteomics technology, candidate protein CDC50A was screened, and its significantly differential expression in SP cells was validated. CDC50A-positive cells from cell lines and primary ovarian cancer tissues were validated to show characteristics of cancer-initiating cells both in vitro and in vivo, including sphere-forming, self-renewal, differentiation, tumor metastasis and tumorigenicity in mice. The relationship between CDC50A-positive cells from primary tissues and tumor metastasis was confirmed based on their mesenchymal transition characteristics. Among 16 high-grade ovarian serous cancer patients, a high ratio of CDC50A-positive cells in primary tumours was correlated with a shorter platinum-free interval (p=0.031, RR 0.260, 95% CI 0.77~0.885). Conclusion: CDC50A might be a novel cell surface biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer-initiating cells and could be a new target to resolve tumour development in EOC patients.
Centrosomal Protein 55 increases chromosomal instability in ovarian cancer cells by controlling microtubule dynamics
Authors: Muhs Stefanie , Joosse Simon A. , Paraschiakos Themistoklis , Schäfer Paula , Windhorst Sabine
Published: May 2022

Centrosomal Protein 55 (CEP55) exhibits different oncogenic activities; it regulates the PI3K-Akt-pathway, cellular abscission and chromosomal instability (CIN) in cancer cells. While the mechanism of CEP55-controlled PI3K-Akt signaling and cellular abscission are well-understood, its role in CIN has not been elucidated yet. Thus, the focus of this study was to address this issue. Depletion of CEP55 in ovarian cancer cells decreased the CIN rate, increased spindle microtubule-dynamics and decreased spindle microtubule-stability. In addition, recombinant CEP55 accelerated microtubule-polymerization and attenuated cold-induced microtubule-depolymerization. To analyze a potential relationship between CEP55 controlled CIN and its impact on microtubule-dynamics, the CEP55 microtubule-binding peptides were identified and a mutant with deficient microtubule-binding activity re-expressed in CEP55 depleted cells. This mutant did not restore decreased CIN in CEP55 depleted cells, indicating that CEP55 controls CIN by binding MTs. This knowledge now provides the possibility to selectively interfere with CEP55 controlled CIN in cancer cells.
Experimental study of abrasive water jet shot peening on TC4 titanium alloy of 3D printing
Authors: Hou Rongguo , zhang miaomiao , Wang Yizhen , Lv Zhe
Published: May 2022

The abrasive water jet peening is used to strengthen the surfaces of 3D Printed TC4 titanium alloy. The key factors of the process such as the impact force and residual stress field are analyzed with an aim to study the mechanism of the abrasive water jet peening. And the influence of process parameters on surface properties of 3D Printed TC4 is studied.The experiment results indicate that the surface hardness is increasing, while the surface roughness is decreasing with the increase of the pressure. The surface residual stress is the compressive stress with a maximum value of -895.2Mpa.The characteristics of the surface micro morphological are investigated. The result indicates that the martensite is produced and refined, the grain boundary dislocation forms a deformed layer with a thickness about 10µm.
Fully Automatic Reconstruction of Prostate High Dose Rate Brachytherapy Interstitial Needles by Using Two Phases Deep Learning Based Segmentation and Object Tracking Algorithms
Authors: Moradi Mohammad Mahdi , Siavashpour Zahra , Takhtardeshir Soheib , Showkatian Eman , Shiri Isaac , Jeberi Ramin , Ghaderi Reza
Published: May 2022

The essential step of successful brachytherapy would be precise applicator/needles trajectory detection, which is an open problem yet. This study proposes a two-phase deep learning-based method to automate the localization of high-dose-rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy catheters through the patient's CT images. The whole process is divided into two phases using two different deep neural networks. First, brachytherapy needles segmentation is accomplished through a pix2pix Generative Adversarial Neural Network (pix2pix GAN). Second, a generic Object Tracking Using Regression Networks (GOTURN) was used to predict the needle trajectories. These models were trained and tested on a clinical prostate brachytherapy dataset. Among the total 25 patients, 5 patients that consisted of 592 slices was dedicated to testing sets, and the rest were used as train/validation set. The total number of needles in these slices of CT images was 8764, of which the employed pix2pix network is able to segment 98.72% (8652 of total). Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and IoU (Intersection over Union) between the network output and the ground truth were 0.95 and 0.90, respectively. Moreover, the F1-score, Recall, and Precision results were 0.95, 0.93, and 0.97, respectively. Regarding the location of the shafts, the proposed model has an error of 0.41 mm. The current study proposed a novel methodology to automatically localize and reconstruct the prostate HDR brachytherapy interstitial needles through the 3D CT images. The presented method can be utilized as a computer-aided module in clinical applications to automatically detect and delineate the multi-catheters, potentially enhancing the treatment quality.
Molecular screening of the landraces from Turkey and modern bread wheat cultivars for HMW-GS, wbm, waxy genes and Lr34 gene
Authors: Sönmez Mesut Ersin , Güleç Tuğba , Demir Bedrettin , Bayraç Ceren , Çakmak Mustafa , Aydın Nevzat
Published: May 2022

Landraces are significant genetic resources for wheat breeding as they can adapt to their regions of origin. However, for this genetic resource to be used effectively in wheat breeding, it should be screened molecularly for some functional genes. The study used 123 landraces and modern bread wheat varieties grown in Turkey. We screened the genetic materials for the wbm , waxy genes, High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunits (HMW-GS), and the Lr34 gene, which provides adult plant resistance to rust disease. There were three different alleles for the Glu-A1 locus, six different alleles for the Glu-B1 locus, and five different alleles for the Glu-D1 locus. For the Glu-A1 locus, a null subunit was found in 73 genotypes (59.3%) and that is the most common subunit. 7+8 subunit is the most common alleles (65.8%) in the Glu-B1 locus. In the Glu-D1 locus, 2+12 is the most common (63.4%) subunit associated with poor gluten quality, and 78 genotypes contain this subunit. When the three loci were evaluated, 23 combinations were found among all the genotypes screened. The two combinations include two new subunits (2+12ˈ and 2+12*) whose effects on bread quality have not yet been evaluated. Halbert and Gülümbür-Makas wheat cultivars contain the wbm gene, while six cultivars contain the Lr-34 gene. Six genotypes have only Wx-A1 and Wx-D1 alleles for waxy alleles. The results revealed that the landraces did not contain the genes screened within the scope of the study in terms of functional genes used in wheat breeding. The results indicated that we should use modern cultivars containing target genes in breeding programs when these landraces are used as the parent.
Evaluating an intervention to improve the quality and use of sub-national routine immunization data for improved immunization decision-making in Nigeria: a qualitative implementation research
Authors: Ogbuabor Daniel Chukwuemeka , Ghasi Nwanneka Chidinma , Okenwa Uchechukwu Joel , Nwangwu Chukwunweike Nnanna , Ezenwaka Uchenna , Onwujekwe Obinna
Published: May 2022

Background: Studies evaluating data quality are needed to better identify what interventions might improve the quality of routine immunization (RI) data and use in decision-making. This study evaluated the outcomes of interventions that were implemented to improve the quality and use of RI data for decision-making in Enugu state, Nigeria.Methods: The study was conducted in six local government areas (LGAs) of Enugu State, Nigeria using a cross-sectional, qualitative design. Data was collected through semi-structured in-depth phenomenological interviews. Twenty-one interviews were conducted with purposively selected RI stakeholders including: State-level programme managers (n=3), primary healthcare coordinators (n=6), LGA RI officers (n=6) and facility RI focal persons (n=6). Acceptability, adoption, and feasibility dimensions of the Proctor et al framework was used to assess the interventions, which were 1). data review meetings; and 2). data-focused supervision. The self-selected changes in data management practices including ‘tally as you vaccinate’, ‘adherence to reporting timeline’, ‘use of demographic information to set target’, ‘use of local alternatives to archive paper records’, ‘updating monitoring chart’, and ‘data use in health facilities’ were also evaluated. Data were coded and analysed thematically using NVivo software version 11. Findings: Most participants accepted and adopted the interventions and self-selected data management practices. However, their feasibility depended on context-specific issues. Unpredictable funding undermined the feasibility of implementing the interventions. Resistance among health workers constrained ‘tally as you vaccinate’ due to staff shortage, long waiting time and staff unwillingness to use Open Data Kit mobile data application. Adherence to reporting timeline was constrained by irregular funding, inadequate staffing, and lack of computers. Use of inappropriate denominators constrained target setting by health facilities. Health workers used baskets in place of cupboards and shelves to archive paper-based records. Delayed supplies limited updating monitoring of charts, while mentoring enhanced it. Self-reported use of data for decision-making was facilitated by demand by health facility committees but constrained by inadequate staffing and lack of funds.Conclusion: The intervention improved acceptability and adoption of self-selected changes in immunisation data management practices. Nevertheless, the feasibility of sustaining the practices required decision-makers to address contextual limitations identified in this study.
Quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls as constitutive androstane receptor agonists
Authors: Akinola Lukman Kehinde , Uzairu Adamu , Shallangwa Gideon Adamu , Abechi Stephen Eyije
Published: May 2022

Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs), a series of toxic chemical compounds produced via biotic and abiotic transformation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are known to cause endocrine disruption by interacting inappropriately with human nuclear receptors. Due to occurrence of high numbers of inactive OH-PCB congeners recorded in many experimental toxicity studies, it is pertinent to develop rapid and inexpensive QSAR models that can reliably predict the activities of OH-PCB congeners prior to experimental testing. Using a combination of genetic function approximation and multiple linear regression methods, a local QSAR model, consisting of six 2D descriptors (MATS1s, VE3_DzZ, VE1_Dzp, SpMin8_Bhv, SpMax5_Bhi, topoRadius) and two 3D descriptors (RDF95u, RDF45m), was developed from a training set of 44 OH-PCBs. Statistical parameters for fitting (\({R}^{2}\) = 0.8902, \({R}_{adj}^{2}\) = 0.8651, s = 0.2840), cross-validation (\({Q}_{LOO}^{2}\) = 0.8201, \({RMSE}_{CV}\) = 0.3242) and Y-randomization (\({cR}_{p}^{2}\) = 0.8019) obtained for the developed QSAR model indicate that the model is reliable, robust and provides good fit to the data in the training set. The results of external validation carried out on 20 OH-PCBs in the test set also indicate that the developed QSAR model possessed good external predictivity and can be used to predict the agonistic activities of untested OH-PCB congeners to constitutive androstane receptor.
Altered dynamic brain functional connectivity in patients with white matter hyperintensities: a prospective case-control study
Authors: Liu yuanyuan , Cao Shanshan , Du Baogen , Zhang Jun , Chen Chen , Hu Panpan , Tian Yanghua , Wang Kai , Ji Gong-Jun , Wei Qiang
Published: May 2022

Background
White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are commonly observed in older adults and are associated with cognitive impairment. Although resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have explored the mechanisms of cognitive impairment in patients with WMHs, knowledge about the role of dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) is limited in such patients. Our aim is to explore whether the dFC consists in such patients and associates with cognitive impairment.
Methods
We included 36 healthy controls (HCs) and 104 patients with mild (n = 39), moderate n = 37), and severe (n = 28) WMHs. Comprehensive neuropsychological scales were used to assess the cognitive functions. The sliding window approach was used to generate dFC matrices, and graph theory methods were applied to calculate the variability of the network topological properties. Relationships between cognitive functions and abnormal dFC were evaluated by Pearson’s correlation.
Results
Patients with WMHs and HCs showed no significant difference in small-world properties. However, there were significant differences in variability of nodal properties between the four groups, which were located within the default mode network (DMN) and cognitive control network (CCN). Correlation analysis revealed that, as the temporal variability of the nodal cluster coefficient increased in the left SMG, the TMT-A time and the AVLT-study score decreased in patients with WMHs. Moreover, as the nodal efficiency of the left Rolandic operculum increased, the MoCA score, the TMT-A and the TMT-B time increased in patients with WMHs.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that dynamic functional connectivity consists in patients with WMHs and associate with executive and memory function.
Activation of SIRT1 promotes membrane resealing via cortactin
Authors: Iwahara Naotoshi , Azekami Kuya , Hosoda Ryusuke , Nojima Iyori , Hisahara Shin , Kuno Atsushi
Published: May 2022

Muscular dystrophies are inherited myopathic disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Recently, several gene therapies have been developed; however, the treatment options are still limited. Resveratrol, an activator of SIRT1, ameliorates muscular function in muscular dystrophy patients and dystrophin-deficient mdx mice, although its mechanism is still not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on membrane resealing. We found that resveratrol promoted membrane repair in C2C12 cells via the activation of SIRT1. To elucidate the mechanism by which resveratrol promotes membrane resealing, we focused on the reorganization of the cytoskeleton, which occurs in the early phase of membrane repair. Treatment with resveratrol promoted actin accumulation at the injured site. We also examined the role of cortactin in membrane resealing. Cortactin accumulated at the injury site, and cortactin knockdown suppressed membrane resealing and reorganization of the cytoskeleton. Additionally, SIRT1 deacetylated cortactin and promoted the interaction between cortactin and F-actin, thus possibly enhancing the accumulation of cortactin at the injury site. Finally, we performed a membrane repair assay using single fiber myotubes from control and resveratrol-fed mice, where the oral treatment with resveratrol promoted membrane repair ex vivo. These findings suggest that resveratrol promotes membrane repair via the SIRT1/cortactin axis.
Empirical antibiotics of non-carbapenems for ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae bacteremia in children : a retrospective medical record review
Authors: Park Saera , So HyeJin , Kim Mi-Na , Lee Jina
Published: May 2022

Background: The efficacy of non-carbapenems as an empirical antibiotic for extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia in children remains controversial. We compared clinical and microbial outcomes according to the types of empirical antibiotics for treating pediatric patients with ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae bacteremia.Methods: Data from pediatric patients aged ≤18 years who were hospitalized with monomicrobial ESBL-producing E. coli or K. pneumoniae bacteremia between January 2014 and May 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The impact of empirical therapy was assessed as 30-day all-cause mortality and 2-day microbiological outcomes evaluated by sterility of blood cultures collected on day 2 after empirical antibiotic administration. Logistic regression analysis was used to control for the effects of confounding variables.Results: A total of 53 patients with bacteremia caused by ESBL-producing E. coli (n=29) and K. pneumoniae (n=24) were included in this study; the median age was 3.6 years, and all had underlying comorbidities. As empirical antibiotics, 27 patients were treated with meropenem, and non-carbapenem agents were administered to 26 patients; 84.6% (22/26) were converted to carbapenem antibiotics as the definitive antibiotic by day 2 after empirical antibiotic administration. Overall, the 30-day all-cause mortality of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae bacteremia was 17.0% (9/53). After adjustment, there was no statistically significant association of use of a non-carbapenem agent as an empirical antibiotic with microbiological failure at day 2 and 30-day all-cause mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22–4.88, and adjusted OR, 0.1; 95% Cl, 0.01–1.56].Conclusions: The empirical use of non-carbapenems might not be a risk factor for mortality and early microbiological outcomes in pediatric patients with ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae BSI if early transition to appropriate antimicrobial therapy was possible.
Evaluation of Quality Of Life in Endometriosis Patients Before and After Surgical Treatment Using the EHP30 Questionnaire
Authors: Tiringer Denise , Pedrini Alexandra , Gstöttner Manuela , Husslein Heinrich , Küssel Lorenz , Perricos Alexandra , Wenzl René
Published: May 2022

Backround: Endometriosis is one of the most common gynaecological illnesses causing extensive psychological, physical and social impact on patient´s life and exerts negative effects on health-related quality of Life (HRQoL). However, the effects of surgery on the postoperative HRQoL in the different endometriosis subgroups have not been fully evaluated.Methods: We performed a comparative retrospective study between 2014 and 2018 at the Medical University of Vienna, including all patients with surgically confirmed endometriosis who had completed the standardized Endometriosis Health Profile - 30 (EHP-30) questionnaire one day after surgery (the questions refer to the four weeks preoperatively) and six to ten weeks postoperatively. Results: Compared to preoperative values, we found significant benefits, regarding postoperative conditions, in our study group (n=115) in all five categories, “pain” (HR 0.78, p<0.001); “self-determination” (HR 0,92, p<0.001); “emotional health” (HR 0,83, p<0.001);” social environment” (HR 0,67, p<0.001); and “self-image” (HR 0,47, p<0,001). Patients with only peritoneal endometriosis had the lowest preoperative clinical symptoms and there were no significant changes in any of the categories. In the subgroups deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and DIE + ovarian endometrioma, surgical intervention results in a significantly greater improvement in all categories of EHP 30 compared to ovarian endometrioma without DIE or peritoneal endometriosis.Conclusion: Our study shows, that especially women with DIE - with or without ovarian endometrioma - demonstrate a more pronounced benefit from surgical therapy compared to patients with peritoneal endometriosis or endometrioma without DIE.
Probability distribution characteristics of summer extreme precipitation in Xinjiang, China during 1970-2021
Authors: Aihaiti Ailiyaer , Yu Wang , Mamtimin Ali , Lianhua Zhu , Junjian Liu , Hailiang Zhang , Jiacheng Gao , Cong Wen , Meiqi Song
Published: May 2022

Based on the daily precipitation data of 96 stations in Xinjiang from 1970 to 2021, the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) model was used to investigate the fitting effect of stationary and non-stationary GEV models on summer extreme precipitation series in Xinjiang. The time trend of extreme precipitation in summer and the difference of probability distribution of extreme precipitation in South and North Xinjiang were analyzed. The results show that: (1) In North and South Xinjiang, the averaged PRCPTOT (The summer total precipitation) at most stations were between 20–50 mm and exceeded 50 mm in the past 50 years, respectively. The RX1day (maximum 1-days precipitation) and RX5day ( maximum 5-days precipitation) at most stations in Xinjiang showed a an increasing trend, while the summer CDD (consecutive dry day) at most stations in Xinjiang showed a decreasing trend. (2) The increase of return period, the confidence interval (uncertainty) of the return level of each extreme precipitation induces increases. The average intensity of RX1day and RX5day at stations in North Xinjiang are greater than at stations in South Xinjiang. The average intensity and inter-annual variability of CDD at stations in South Xinjiang are greater than at stations in North Xinjiang. (3) The RL20 (20-year return level) of RX1day and RX5day at most stations are 25 ~ 40 mm and 30 ~ 60 mm respectively except central region of Xinjiang. However, the RL20 of CDD at most stations in South Xinjiang exceeded 40 days, and experienced 30 ~ 50 days in North Xinjiang.
Epstein-Barr virus infection and toll-like receptor 9 gene variants affect the susceptibility of Iranian individuals to rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Shamohammadi Fatemeh Nezhad , Daryabor Gholamreza , Ataollahi Mohammad Reza , Shams Keivan , Eklund Kari K , Kalantar Kurosh
Published: May 2022

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with an unknown etiology. Both genetic and environmental factors play important roles. This study aimed to investigate the possible associations between toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of RA or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, as well as the probable link between EBV infection, TLR9 gene variants, and risk of RA among Iranians.Method: 213 RA patients and 235 healthy individuals participated in this study. TLR9 SNPs rs187084 and rs352140 were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) while EBV DNA was determined by real-time PCR.Results: The frequency of rs352140 CT and TT+CT genotypes was significantly higher in healthy individuals compared with RA patients (p=0.01 and p=0.02 respectively). Furthermore, TC/TC haplotype combination was more frequently seen in RA patients (p= 0.01). EBV infection was more frequently detected in RA patients compared to the controls (p=0.04). Moreover, a significantly higher frequency of the rs187084 C allele was observed in EBVneg infected healthy subjects, in particular in females (p=0.05 and p=0.04 respectively).Conclusion: EBV infection and TC/TC haplotype combination might act as a susceptibility factor for RA while rs352140 CT genotype and rs352140 CT+TT genotype combination might be protective. In addition, the rs187084 C allele might protect EBVneg infected subjects from developing RA.
A six-year retrospective clinical review of iatrogenic injuries repaired in a resource- deprived setting
Authors: Ali Mahamudu Ayamba , Maalman Raymond Saa-Eru , Oyortey Mawuenyo , Donkor Yaw Otchere , Adanu Kekele , Tampouri John , Kyei Mathew Yamoah
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Ureteric injuries resulting from iatrogenic causes is over 70% with about 75% of these cases diagnosed in the post-operative period with complications that increase morbidity and treatment cost.Objective: The purpose of the study is to identify risk factors for iatrogenic ureteric injuries(IUI) from open surgical procedures and the clinical outcome of interventions. Patients and methods: Clinical records of patients with IUI between 2015-2021 who were repaired at the urology units, MMCH and HTH were retrieved. Important data extracted included patients' demographics, clinical presentation, primary surgery details, time from surgery to injury types of ureteric injury, complications, and interventional outcomes data were extracted and analysed using the Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS version 24). Results: Twelve patients with 19-injuries aged between 24 - 54 years were treated. Injuries resulting from hysterectomy 83.3%, Caesarean section, and hernia repairs resulted in other 16.7%. Most were post-operative diagnoses after 48-hours(7/12). Bilateral injuries occurred in 7 cases(14/19 injuries) performed entirely by non-surgeon clinicians. Intra-operative recognition was related to unilateral damage and surgeries performed by surgeons. Ureteroneocystostomy(14/19), uretero-ureterostomy(1/19), and open suture release were the proceduresDiscussion: Open hysterectomy(83.7%) was the single surgery with many IUI. Outcome indicators related to major presenting complications, frequency, bilateral and late recognition of injuries, were those performed by general physicians on mostly elective cases. This pattern is a pre-operative predictive factor of the worst IUI occurrence.Conclusion:Mishaps during hysterectomies by none-surgeon clinicians are the single dangerous risk factor for complicated open surgery IUIs in the Volta region.
Prevalence of child restraint system use and parental knowledge of such systems in Mianyang, China
Authors: Wan Li , Wen Dan , Wan Xinli , Reng Yinghong , Jia Chao , Yang Xiuru , He Mei
Published: May 2022

Background
This study investigated the prevalence of restraint system use for children passengers in cars, and it assessed parental knowledge and attitudes about such restraint systems in Mianyang, China.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2021 and January 2022. Hospitals and kindergartens in Mianyang were randomly selected for inclusion and parents with cars were surveyed about whether they owned and used child restraint systems and about their knowledge and attitudes towards such systems. Factors associated with CRS use were explored using binary logistic regression.
Results
A total of 4,764 questionnaires were distributed to families with children 0–6 years old. Among the 4,455 responses received, 50.8% of families owned child restraint systems, most of which were front-facing child seats (42.0%). Just under half of families (44.4%) reported using a child restraint system at least sometimes, but only 19.6% used one all the time. Possession and use of a child restraint system varied significantly with parental education level, age of the child, place of residence, number of children, family income, travel frequency, and travel distance. Logistic regression showed that frequency of car travel with a child and monthly family income significantly affected CRS use. Most parents (85.2%) wrongly believed that adult seat belts in cars are effective at protecting their children in the event of a crash. The most frequent reason that parents cited for not using a child restraint system was that it would lead children to travel in the car less often.
Conclusions
Although approximately half the parents in our sample owned a child restraint system, most used them rarely, if at all. Educating parents about the safe ways for children to ride in a car and about safety restraint systems and safety belts may promote the use of restraint systems.
The long-term Impact of The Earthquake on Substance Use
Authors: Amiri Hadis , Riyahifar Sevda , Nakhaee Nouzar , Nekoei-Moghadam Mahmoud
Published: May 2022

Earthquake is associated with several health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and cardiovascular disease. However, the association between earthquake and substance use has been less studied to date. We conducted a historical cohort study 17 years after the Bam earthquake by enrolling 818 households using multi-stage cluster sampling. The sample consisted of earthquake-exposed and non-exposed citizens. ASSIST Screening Test was used to determine substance use. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of variables of interest with substance use. Nearly 60% of the study subjects were female and the mean ± SD age of the sample was 46.6±11.5 years. The prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs use in exposed group was 19.5%, 24.9%, and 21.6%, respectively. The corresponding figures in the non-exposed group were 15.6%, 19.3%, and 20.1%, respectively (P>0.05). The logistic regression model found no association between the history of earthquake exposure and risk of any current drug use. Our results showed those 17 years after the Bam earthquake, there was no relationship between earthquake exposure and substance use.
Magnitude and Associated Factors of Low Birth Weight among Term Newborns Delivered in Addis Ababa Public Hospitals, Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Tadesse Teklay , Abebe Mesfin , Molla Wondwosen , Ahmed Abbas , Mebratu Andualem , Mesfin Robel
Published: May 2022

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) accounts for 60% to 80% of all neonatal deaths each year. In developing countries like Ethiopia, low birth weight is a major public health concern. Almost half of the world's infants are not weighed at birth, a figure that is especially high in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Only 14% of births had information on birth weight were available at the time of birth in Ethiopia. So previous studies underestimate the magnitude and associated factors of low birth weight. As a result, the goal of this study is to fill those gaps in the previous studies by assessing the magnitude and associated factors of low birth weight in Addis Ababa.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed. Systematic sampling was used to select 351 study participants. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered, cleaned, and edited using Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 software packages for analysis. Both bivariate and multiple logistic regression were used to identify associated factors. A p-value of <0.05 was declared as a statistically significant association.Results: The magnitude of low birth weight in this study was 13.06%. History of chronic medical illness [AOR=3; CI :.( 1.02, 9.17)], haemoglobin level during pregnancy [AOR=0.23; CI :( 0.10, 0.50)], iron/folic acid supplementation [AOR=0.27; CI :( 0.10, 0.72)], and extra meal during pregnancy [AOR=3.2; CI :( 1.52, 7.00)] were significantly associated with low birth weight.Conclusions: The prevalence of low birth weight in this study was comparable to the EDHS report from 2016. Significant factors of low birth weight were found to be a history of chronic medical illness, hemoglobin level, iron/folic acid supplementation, and extra meal during pregnancy. It is important to encourage women to take iron with folic acid and extra meals during pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of low birth weight.