bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption and Dehydration Reaction of Ethanol to Ethylene on Isomorphous B, Al, and Ga Substitution of H-ZSM-5 Zeolite: An Embedded ONIOM Study
Authors: Maeboonruan Nattida , Boekfa Bundet , Maihom Thana , Treesukol Piti , Kongpatpanich Kanokwan , Namuangruk Supawadee , Probst Michael , Limtrakul Jumras
Published: June 2021

Dehydration reactions are important in the petroleum and petrochemical industries, especially for the feedstock production. In this work, the catalytic activity of zeolites with different acidities for the dehydration of ethanol to ethylene was investigated by calculations on cluster models of three isomorphous B, Al, and Ga substitution of H-ZSM-5 zeolites. Detailed reaction profiles for the dehydration reaction, assuming either a stepwise or a concerted mechanism, were calculated by using the ONIOM(MP2:M06-2X) + SCREEP method. The adsorption energies of ethanol are -21.6, -28.1 and -27.7 kcal/mol on H-[B]-ZSM-5, H-[Al]-ZSM-5, H-[Ga]-ZSM-5 zeolites, respectively. The stepwise mechanism was preferred on all isomorphous zeolites. The activation energies for the ethoxy formation as the rate-determining step are in range of 40.0 to 42.3 kcal/mol. The results indicated that the order of catalytic activity were H-[Al]-ZSM-5 > H-[Ga]-ZSM-5 > H-[B]-ZSM-5 for catalyzing the dehydration of ethanol to ethylene. Besides the acid strength, the zeolite framework affected the reaction by stabilizing the reaction intermediates leading to more stable adsorption complexes and lower activation barriers.
SPP1 is a Prognostic Related Biomarker and Correlated With Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Gao Wen , Yin Sheng , Sun Haiyan , Shao Zhuyan , Shi Peipei , Liu Dongli , Zhu Tao
Published: June 2021

Background: Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) plays a vital role in tumor progression of some cancer types, but little is known whether it is a bystander or an actual player on driving immune infiltration in ovarian cancer.Methods: In this study, the expression of SPP1 was identified by Oncomine, GEPIA and TIMER databases, and SPP1 immumohistochemical staining analysis was assessed by The HPA database. The clinical outcomes between SPP1 expression and ovarian cancer patients were evaluated via Kaplan-Meier Plotter and PrognoScan dataset. Immune infiltration analyses were explored using TIMER and TISIDB dataset. In addition, Functional enrichment analyses were performed with Metascape and GeneMANIA database.Results: SPP1 was found overexpressed in ovarian tumor tissues and high SPP1 expression was correlated with shorter OS and PFS survivals. Particularly, elevated SPP1 expression was significantly associated with stage III ovarian cancer. Notably, SPP1 expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Furthermore, SPP1 expression showed strong correlations with diverse immune hallmark sets in ovarian cancer. Of particular importance, functional enrichment analysis suggested that SPP1 strong related with immune response.Conclusions: These findings imply that SPP1 is correlated with prognosis and immune cell infiltrating, offering a new potential immunotherapeutic target in ovarian cancer.Trial registration: Not applicable.
A Meta-heuristic Density-Based Subspace Clustering Algorithm for High Dimensional Data
Authors: Agarwal Parul , Mehta Shikha , Abraham Ajith
Published: June 2021

Subspace clustering is one of the efficient techniques for determining the clusters in different subsets of dimensions. Ideally, these techniques should find all possible non-redundant clusters in which the data point participates. Unfortunately, existing hard subspace clustering algorithms fail to satisfy this property. Additionally, with the increase in dimensions of data, classical subspace algorithms become inefficient. This work presents a new density-based subspace clustering algorithm (S_FAD) to overcome the drawbacks of classical algorithms. S_FAD is based on a bottom-up approach and finds subspace clusters of varied density using different parameters of the DBSCAN algorithm. The algorithm optimizes parameters of the DBCAN algorithm through a hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm and uses hashing concepts to discover all non-redundant subspace clusters. The efficacy of S_FAD is evaluated against various existing subspace clustering algorithms on artificial and real datasets in terms of F_Score and rand_index. Performance is assessed based on three parameters: average ranking, SRR ranking, and scalability on varied dimensions. Statistical analysis is performed through the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results reveal that S_FAD performs considerably better on the majority of the datasets and scales well up to 6400 dimensions on the actual dataset.
Comparison of 3-Factor Versus 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Emergent Warfarin Reversal: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Margraf David , Brown Sarah J , Blue Heather L , Bezdicek Tamara L , Wolfson Julian , Chapman Scott A
Published: June 2021

Background: Patients requiring emergent warfarin reversal (EWR) have been prescribed three-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC3) and four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC4) to reverse the anticoagulant effects of warfarin. There is no existing systematic review and meta-analysis of studies directly comparing PCC3 and PCC4. Methods: The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of achieving study defined target INR goal after PCC3 or PCC4 administration. Secondary objectives were to determine the difference in safety endpoints, thromboembolic events (TE), and survival during the patients’ hospital stay. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR), and heterogeneity associated with the outcomes. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Results: Ten full-text manuscripts and 5 abstracts provided data for the primary and secondary outcomes. Patients requiring emergent warfarin reversal had more than three times the odds of reversal to goal INR when they were given PCC4 compared to PCC3 (OR = 3.61, 95% CI: 1.97-6.60, p < 0.001). There was no meaningful clinical association or statistically significant result between PCC4 and PCC3 groups in TE (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 0.83-2.91, p = 0.17), or survival during hospital stay (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.81-2.23, p = 0.25). Conclusion: PCC4 is more effective than PCC3 in meeting specific predefined INR goals, and has similar safety profiles in patients requiring emergent reversal of the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Adult Patients With Heart Failure in Tertiary Hospitals, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia, 2020.
Authors: Shibeshy Abrhaley Belay , Tilahun Weyzer , Tsegabirhan Hagos , Haftu Mebrahtom , Belay Kiros
Published: June 2021

Background Heart failure is a major public health issue for many countries in Sub-Saharan African which causes enormous public health relevance resulting in significant disability, loss of economic productivity, and poor health-related quality of life. Although there is a dated improvement in heart failure management, the morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high, and a lot of patients are affected by debilitating symptoms which adversely influence their quality of life. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life and associated factors among adult patients with heart failure in tertiary hospitals, Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2020.Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 01-April 30, 2020. A simple random sampling method was used to enroll the 301 participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire-based interview. The health-related quality of life measuring tool was adapted from the medical outcomes study. Data was entered to and cleaned by Epi-Data manager version 4.4.2.1 and exported to a statistical package of social science version 22 for analysis. Binary logistic regression model (Adjusted Odds ratio, 95% Confidence Interval, and P-value < 0.05) was used to determine the factors that influence health-related quality of life.Results This study showed that 142(47.2%) patients had a poor health-related quality of life. The overall mean score of health-related quality of life was 61.7±20.5 among patients. Age above 60 years (AOR; 4.47, 95% CI; 1.87-10.68), no formal education (AOR; 3.45, 95% CI; 1.31-9.12), New-York Heart Association class-ɪᴠ (AOR; 6.50, 95% CI; 2.62-16.13) and the absence of social support (AOR; 2.52, 95% CI; 1.33-4.79) were significantly associated with poor health‐related quality of life.ConclusionsHealth-related quality of life among heart failure patients was poor for almost half of the participants. Patients with older age, no formal education, and higher New York Heart Association class need special attention in each follow-up evaluation. Furthermore, health professionals and governments should inform the benefit of social support to family members and friends who are involved in the care process among heart failure patients.
A Set of Reliable Samples for the Study of Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Konjevod Marcela , Sáiz Jorge , Barbas Coral , Bergareche Alberto , Ardanaz Eva , Huerta José Mª , Vinagre-Aragón Ana , Erro Mª Elena , Chirlaque Mª Dolores , Abilleira Eunate , Ibarluzea Jesús Mª , Amiano Pilar
Published: June 2021

Background: The identification of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) might improve treatment and avoid complications. However, the search of such biomarkers is a real challenge. The main reason for this is that finding samples for that purpose is not an easy task. In this work, we propose a set of reliable samples for the identification of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of PD. In fact, the original source of these samples can be searched for similar purposes when dealing with other diseases.Materials and methods: Case-control study included 12 plasma samples of subjects that subsequently developed PD and 21 plasma samples of matched healthy controls from the Spanish EPIC-Navarra cohort, part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Spain study. All the case samples were provided by healthy volunteers who were followed up for a mean of 15.9 (± 4.1) years and developed PD disease later on. Therefore, these sample are ideal for the search of early biomarkers of PD. We used an analytical multiplatform based on liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry in order to find significant differences in the amounts of previously reported metabolites that are altered when the disease has been established and diagnosed. Results: Out of all 40 analytes that were studied, seven significant metabolites were observed. Benzoic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, myo-inositol, sorbitol and quinolinic acid were significantly changed in subjects that developed PD. These metabolites are closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction, the oxidative stress and the mechanisms of energy production, which might indicate that these mechanisms are already affected before disease onset.Conclusions: We propose the samples from the EPIC study as reliable and priceless samples for the search of early biomarkers of PD, although many other diseases can be also studied as long as the information stored about the participants recorded such details. As a proof of concept, we showed that these samples were useful for the study of metabolites that may be altered before the participants developed PD. This might also be a starting point in the establishment of a well-founded panel of metabolites that can be used for the early detection of this disease.
CircTP63 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Regulating EZH2 Via Sponging miR-217 in Gallbladder Cancer
Authors: Wang Shouhua , Tong Huanjun , Su Tingting , Zhou Di , Shi Weibin , Tang Zhaohui , Quan Zhiwei
Published: June 2021

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common biliary tract malignancy and has a poor prognosis in patients with GBC. CircRNA TP63 (circTP63) has been implicated in some tumor proliferation and invasion in some tumors. The study aims to investigate the clinical significance and functional role of circTP63 in GBC.Methods: The expression of circTP63 in GBC was detected by qRT-PCR and the association between circTP63 expression and prognosis of GBC patients was analyzed. CCK8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, transwell assay and in vivo studies were used to evaluated the cell proliferation and invasion after circTP63 knockdown in GBC cells. Luciferase reporter assays and RNA pull-down assay were used to determine the correlation between circTP63 and miR-217. Besides, western blot analysis was also performed.Results: In the present study, we showed that circTP63 expression was upregulated in GBC tissues and cells. Higher circTP63 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis and short overall survival (OS) in patients with GBC. In vitro, knockdown of circTP63 inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion in GBC. Besides, we demonstrated that knockdown of circTP63 inhibited GBC cell EMT process. In vivo, knockdown of circTP63 inhibited tumor growth in GBC. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that circTP63 competitively bind to miR-217 and promoted EZH2 expression and finally facilitated tumor progression.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that circTP63 sponge miR-217 and regulated EZH2 expression and finally facilitates tumor progression. Thus, targeting circTP63 may be a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of GBC.
Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and MicroRNAs in Male Infertility
Authors: Attia Hana , Finocchi Federica , Orciani Monia , Mehdi Meriem , J Ines Zidi , Lazzarini Raffaella , Balercia Giancarlo , Belmonte Monica Mattioli
Published: June 2021

Background: Male infertility is a problem that affects 10-15% of men of reproductive age. In particular, gametogenesis is a complex process in which inflammation may play a central role through the secretion of cytokines and the expression of microRNAs. We assessed the potential role of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1α) and microRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-34a-5p and miR-23a-3p) in the seminal plasma of infertile men compared to controls furthermore, evaluating their correlation with seminal and biochemical parameters.Methods and Results: Expression of cytokines and microRNAs were analyzed by ELISA and q-PCR. Our data show that IL-1α was significantly increased in the azoospermic group compared to controls, TNF-α mRNA was more expressed in the oligozoospermic group than controls. There were no significant differences in miRNAs expression among the three groups. The correlations between sperm parameters and inflammatory markers were evaluated, however no significant difference was highlighted.Conclusions: The determination of each inflammatory marker separately in the seminal plasma of subfertile men, despite some significant differences, does not have a diagnostic value in male infertility even if an assay of selective pro-inflammatory cytokines and microRNAs in the semen may improve the diagnosis of male infertility.
The Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Patients After Metabolic Surgery and Its Preoperative Contributing Factors: A Cohort Study
Authors: Yang Yi , Niu Lijuan , Mu Liqian , Wu Runda , Yang Le , Tong Shan , Mao Zhongqi , Shi Bimin , Yin Jun
Published: June 2021

Background and Objective: Existing data about the contributing factors of operative effect for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are still limited in Chinese patients, especially about preoperative blood routine and biochemical indexes. We evaluated a prospective cohort of T2DM patients in early and middle stage with obesity to assess the post-operative prognosis and investigate its contributing factors.Methods: Adult T2DM participants in early and middle stage with obesity were enrolled and received metabolic surgery. Clinical data such as age, sex, baseline body mass index, percentage excess weight loss, glycemia range and drug consumption were collected and analyzed. Patients were managed by a multi-disciplinary team and followed up for 12 months. Complete remission was defined as HbA1c < 6.0%, fasting glucose < 5.6 mmol/l, without pharmacological intervention for at least 3 months. Results: In this study, a total of 96 T2DM patients with metabolic surgery were included. Among them, 61 (63.54%) patients had complete remission and 85 (88.50%) had post-operative partial remission after a 12-month clinical follow-up. Only 1 patient was reported to have an anastomotic leak; no surgical mortality during the follow-up. According to the complete remission or not, the patients were divided into two groups. There were significant differences on stroke history, fasting blood sugar and white blood cell between them. Furthermore, in multivariable analyses models, preoperative triglyceride (adjusted OR, 0.585; 95%CI, 0.418-0.819; p<0.01) and preoperative lymphocyte count (adjusted OR, 2.647; 95%CI, 1.141-6.142; p < 0.05) was significantly associated with complete remission of T2DM.Conclusion: Our data suggest that T2DM patients with lower triglyceride and higher lymphocyte count tended to achieve post-operative remission. Preoperative evaluation of lipid metabolism and immune function may be helpful for the evaluation of prognosis of metabolic surgery.
The Use of the Artificial Neural Network for the Treatment Outcomes of Single-channel and Tri-channel Applicator Used in Cervical Cancer Based on High Dose Rate Brachytherapy
Authors: Hossain Alamgir , Miah Shahidul , Ray Prodip Kumer , Ghosh Ashim Kumar , Khatun Rawshan Ara , Sarker Julekha , Habib Shafayat , Sarker Shupti
Published: June 2021

The study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of single-channel and tri-channel applicators for cervical cancer patients based on high dose rate brachytherapy using an artificial neural network. An artificial neural network (ANNs) model is proposed to predict the treatment outcomes for the single-channel applicator and tri-channel applicator in cervical cancer for high dose rate brachytherapy. Fifty-four patients of cervical cancer who were receiving external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) of 40-50 cGy, with chemotherapy, were selected in this study from 37 patients with cervical cancer being used to train and 17 for testing in this model. A model was developed for intracavitary brachytherapy to estimate the comparison of　treatment outcomes for the single-channel applicator and tri-channel applicators, demonstrating the sensitivity 100% and specificity 100 % and accuracy 100% for training and 87.5%, 77.8%, and 82.4% for testing, respectively, including AUC= 0.961. The survival rate was 85% and 95% for single-channel and tri-channel applicators at 2 years, respectively. A model approach for artificial neural networks based on gynecological brachytherapy is a promising method for patient's treatment, resulting in the dosimetry output of applicators; medical physicists can be decided the appropriate applicator for cervical cancer. The proposed model has the potential accuracy in judging the treatment outcomes for the single-channel applicator and tri-channel applicator in cervical cancer based on survival analysis.
Extracts of Sida Cordifolia Contain Polysaccharides Possessing Immunomodulatory Activity and Rosmarinic Acid Compounds With Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Iqbal Haroon , Wright Claire L , Jones Sue , Silva Goncalo Rosas da , McKillen John , Gilmore Brendan F , Kavanagh Owen , Green Brian
Published: June 2021

Background:The overuse of antibiotics has led to increased antimicrobial resistance, but plant-derived biological response modifiers represent a potential alternative to these drugs. This investigation examined the immunomodulatory and antibacterial activities of Sida cordifolia (used in ethnomedicinal systems to treat infectious disease). Methods:Successive extractions were performed from the roots of these plants in hexane, chloroform, methanol and water. Immunomodulatory activity was determined in a series of experiments measuring the responses of splenocytes, macrophages and an in vivo model of innate immunity (Galleria mellonella). Antibacterial activity was assessed by determining minimum inhibitory/bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBCs) for various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Results: Immunomodulatory activity was confined to the aqueous extract, and further fractionation and biochemical analysis yielded a highly potent polysaccharide-enriched fraction (SCAF5). SCAF5 is a complex mixture of different polysaccharides with multiple immunomodulatory effects including immune cell proliferation, antibody secretion, phagocytosis, nitric oxide production, and increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, Galleria mellonella pre-treated with SCAF5 produced more haemocytes and were more resistant (P<0.001) to infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with a 98% reduction in bacterial load in pre-treated larvae compared to the negative control. The antibacterial activity of Sida cordifolia was confined to the methanolic fraction. Extensive fractionation identified two compounds, rosmarinic acid and its 4-O-β-d-glucoside derivative, which had potent activity against Gram-positive antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA. Conclusions:Sida cordifolia counters bacterial infections through a dual mechanism, and immunomodulatory polysaccharides from this plant should be isolated and characterised to realise their potential as anti-infective agents. Such properties could be developed as an antibiotic alternative (1) in the clinic and (2) alternative growth promoter for the agri-food industry.
Outcomes of Open Side to End Antegrade Colorectal Single Stapler Anastomosis Versus Open End to End Retrograde Trans-anal Colorectal Single Stapler Anastomosis in Non-emergent Sigmoid and Rectal Cancers. Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Habeeb Tamer.A A.M. , Osman Gamal , Ibrahim Amr , Metwalli Abd-Elrahman M. , Mansour Mohamed Ibrahim , Mohamed Ahmed Shafik , Negm Said Mohamed , Wasefy Tamer , Baghdadi Muhammad Ali , Sieda Bassem , Elsayed Ashraf Abdelmonem , Amin Mohamed Farouk , Abdalla Wael M , Elaidy Mostafa. M. , Mawla Walid A. , Mohammad Hatem , Habib Fady Mehaney , Abdelhamid Mohamed. I.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Cancer rectum and sigmoid is increasing nowadays. Resection is done by open and laparoscopic approaches. Laparoscopic approach is not available in many sites worldwide. Aim of this study: To analyze the outcomes of open side to end (antegrade) colorectal single stapling anastomosis versus open end to end (retrograde) Trans-anal colorectal stapling anastomosis in non-emergent sigmoid and rectal cancers open surgery in adults.Patients and Methods: Randomized controlled trial was performed on patients with sigmoid and rectal cancers between September 2016 and September 2018. Results: The majority of studied group were between 50-70 years with mean of 62.58±12.3 years and 61.03±13.98 years in group A and group B respectively. Intraoperative data showed no significant difference was founded between studied group except at operative time and mean anastomotic time as group A was significantly shorter. Univariate analysis showed that perioperative blood loss, length of stay, reoperation, inpatient death, infection and bleeding were significantly associated with leakage. Multivariate analysis of anastomotic leak showed that infection is the only independent predictors for anastomotic leak. There is statistically significant change as regard range of bowel frequency in end to end group only (p=0.04) and there is statistically significant difference as regard incontinence for Flatus in side to end group only (p=0.00) .There is statistically significant change in both group regard Incontinence for liquid stools(p=0.00) and Clustering of stool(p=0.00 and p=0.043).The quality of life in Antegrade group significantly drop at 6 months and return to baseline after that as regard PWB, FWB and CCS with no difference as regard SWB & EWB while in retrograde group, the same change happened only as regard PWB & FWB but SWB and CCS percentage didn’t return to baselineConclusion: The side-to-end anastomoses approach is a safe approach of anastomosis and may be used as alternative to retrograde approach.
A Method for Small-Area Estimation of Population Mortality in Settings Affected by Crises
Authors: Checchi Francesco , Testa Adrienne , Gimma Amy , Koum-Besson Emilie , Warsame Abdihamid
Published: June 2021

Background
Populations affected by crises (armed conflict, food insecurity, natural disaster) are poorly covered by demographic surveillance. As such, crisis-wide estimation of population mortality is extremely challenging, resulting in a lack of evidence to inform humanitarian response and conflict resolution.
Methods
We describe here a ‘small-area estimation’ method to circumvent these data gaps and quantify both total and excess (i.e. crisis-attributable) death rates and tolls, both overall and for granular geographic (e.g. district) and time (e.g. month) strata. The method is based on analysis of data previously collected by national and humanitarian actors, including ground survey observations of mortality, displacement-adjusted population denominators and datasets of variables that may predict the death rate. We describe the six sequential steps required for the method’s implementation and illustrate its recent application in Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria, based on a generic set of analysis scripts.
Results
Descriptive analysis of ground survey data reveals informative patterns, e.g. concerning the contribution of injuries to overall mortality, or household net migration. Despite some data sparsity, for each crisis we have used the method in thus far, available predictor data allow the specification of reasonably predictive mixed effects models of crude and under 5 years death rate, validated using cross-validation. Assumptions about values of the predictors in the absence of a crisis provide counterfactual and excess mortality estimates.
Conclusions
The method enables retrospective estimation of crisis-attributable mortality with considerable geographic and period stratification, and can therefore contribute to better understanding and historical memorialisation of the public health effects of crises. We discuss key limitations and areas for further development.
Patient-reported Outcome Measures After Hospitalization During the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Survey Among COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Patients.
Authors: Elkan Matan , Dvir Ayana , Zaidenstein Ronit , Keller Maly , Kagansky Dana , Hochman Chen , Koren Ronit
Published: June 2021

Background: Many people recovering from COVID-19 suffer from long-term sequelae. The objective of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in COVID-19 patients a few months after discharge. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional case-control study on COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonia patients admitted to Shamir Medical Center, Israel (03-07/2020). In the months following discharge, patients were invited to participate in a survey and fill the RAND-36 questionnaire. Patient's characteristics and comorbidities were extracted from electronic charts. Results: Among 66 COVID-19 participants, the median age was 58.5 (IQR 49.8-68.3), 56.1% were female, and more than a third were obese (36.4%). The median length of stay was 7 days (IQR 4-10). Patient-reported outcome measures were reported at a median follow-up of 9-months (IQR 6-9). Pain, general health, vitality, and health change had the lowest scores (67.5, 60, 57.5, and 25 respectively). Matching to patients hospitalized with pneumonia due to other pathogens was performed on 42 of the COVID-19 patients. Non-COVID-19 patients were more frequently current or past smokers (50% vs 11.9%, p<0.01) and suffered more often from chronic lung disease (38.1% vs 9.5%, p=0.01). The score for health change was significantly lower in the COVID-19 group (25 vs 50, p<0.01). Conclusions: Post COVID-19 patients continue to suffer from an assortment of symptoms and perceive a deterioration in their health many months after hospitalization. This emphasizes the importance of prolonged medical follow-up in this population, and the need for additional research to better understand this novel's disease long-term effects.
Eradication of Helicobacter Pylori May Be Associated With the Incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease in Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Ou Yu-Lun , Huang Shu-Heng , Wu Deng-Chyang , Hsieh Hui-Min , Lee Min-Sheng , Lin Chih-Hao , Lin Kun-Der
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) could affect the incidence and progression of many diseases; however, there are limited studies of the association between H. pylori eradication and AD outcome. We utilized the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan to determine the relationship between H. pylori eradication and AD in a diabetes mellitus (DM) population.Methods: We collected data from the NHIRD and the Diabetes Mellitus Health Database in Taiwan of patients without a prior diagnosis of AD. We specified three cohorts: patients with (1) peptic ulcer disease (PUD) but no H. pylori treatment, without DM (PUD-HPRx in GP); (2) PUD and DM, but no H. pylori eradication therapy (PUD-HPRx in DM); (3) PUD and DM, with H. pylori eradication therapy (PUD+HPRx in DM). All cohorts were matched according to age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and comorbidities.Results: Data were collected from 2000 to 2010, and 157,231 patients were enrolled in total. We compared the effects of treatment for H. pylori infection on the incidence and mortality of AD. The patients with DM who received H. pylori eradication therapy had a higher incidence of AD than the general population (adjusted hazard ratio of incidence [aHR], 1.088). Subgroup analysis showed that the risk of AD was higher in the younger patients who received H. pylori eradication therapy as compared with those who did not (aHR for younger than 45 years, 1.071; aHR of age 45-54 years, 1.089; aHR of age 55-64 years, 1.079) However, a lower mortality rate was observed in the PUD+HPRx in DM group (aHR, 0.945, compared with PUD-HPRx in DM; P < 0.001).Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that DM patients who underwent treatment for eradication of H. pylori had a higher incidence of AD, especially younger patients. Nevertheless, there was a lower mortality rate in patients who received H. pylori treatment. Further study is needed to clarify the interrelated roles of AD and eradication therapy for H. pylori.
Effect of Bearing Structure on Oil-air Flow and Temperature of High Speed Ball Bearing by Combining Nonlinear Dynamic and CFD Model
Authors: Deng Song , Zhao Guiqiang , Qian Dongsheng , Lin Hua
Published: June 2021

To achieve effective cooling for high speed ball bearings, an investigation on the effect of bearing structure on oil-air flow and temperature inside bearing chamber is necessary. However, accurately defining boundary conditions of CFD model for high speed ball bearings has not been addressed completely. Adopting an improved dynamic model of bearings to calculate movements of balls and power loss to set the movement boundary and heat source of CFD model at high-low speeds and light-heavy loads. Then, rotational speed of cage and temperature of outer ring at various loads are tested to validate this proposed method. At high speeds, enlarging sealing degree of outlet not only reduces the temperature rise of bearings and improves the uniformity of temperature distribution, but also promotes the formation of oil-film on balls’ surfaces without increasing power loss. Yet it can reduce the temperature rise but can’t markedly improve the formation of oil-film at low and ultra-high speeds. Moreover, half birfield cage facing nozzle plays an important role in improving oil volume fraction inside the bearing cavity to reduce the temperature rise of bearings, and the next is birfield cage, they are again corrugated cage and half birfield cage back towards nozzle. These research results provide theoretical guidance for the improvement of bearing structure.
Application of Nitrogenated Holey Graphene for Detection of Volatile Organic Biomarkers in Exhaled Breath of Humans With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Majidi Roya , Nadafan Marzieh
Published: June 2021

The possibility of using nitrogenated holey graphene (NHG) sheet to detect volatile organic biomarkers in exhaled breath of humans with kidney disease is investigated. Heptanal, hexanal, pentanal, and isoperene are known as the prominent biomarkers of chronic kidney disease. Adsorption of these molecules on NHG sheet is studied using density functional theory. All the molecules are weakly physisorbed on NHG sheet, which predicts easy desorption and the possibility of using NHG sheet as a reusable sensor. The NHG sheet acts as a semiconductor with a direct band gap. Adsorption of the considered molecules causes n-type semiconducting properties in the sheet. Increasing the concentration of the adsorbed molecules decreased the energy band gaps and consequently increased the electric conductivity of NHG sheet. Hence, the electronic properties of NHG sheet are sensitive to the presence and concentration of heptanal, hexanal, pentanal, and isoperene molecules. Our results open a new opportunity to design a new sensor to diagnose chronic kidney disease using exhaled breath analysis.
Genetic Analysis of the pX Region in Bovine Leukemia Virus genotype 1 in Holstein Friesian Cattle with Different Stages of Infection
Authors: Machuca Neli Montero , Pérez Jorge Luis Tórtora , Méndez Ana Silvia González , García-Camacho Lucia Angelica , Flamand Ernesto Marín , Álvarez Hugo Ramírez
Published: June 2021

The pX genetic region of the Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) includes four genes with overlapping reading frames that code for the Tax, Rex, R3 and G4 proteins. These proteins are involved in the regulation of transcriptional and post-transcriptional viral expression, as well as having oncogenic potential. Our goal was to determine the pathogenic role associated with BLV genotype 1 pX region genetics in terms of lymphocytosis, lymphomas and proviral load. We screened 724 serological samples from mixed-age Holstein Friesian cattle from six states in Mexico. Once peripheral blood leukocytes were isolated from whole blood with anticoagulant, we extracted genomic DNA using a commercial kit. Then, we designed in silico primers that hybridize in conserved regions of the BLV pX region, which allowed for PCR standardization to detect proviral DNA in infected cells. Positive amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger method, obtaining 1156 nucleotide-long final sequences that included the four pX region genes. The 30 heads of cattle that formed the genetic study population included 12 with lymphocytosis, 12 without lymphocytosis and six with lymphoma. Lymphoma presence was determined in six bovine tumor tissues using histopathology, and we identified BLV presence with in situ hybridization.Phylogenetic analysis determined that the 30 sequences were associated with genotype 1, and genetic distance between the sequences ranged from 0.2% - 2.09%. We identified two sequences in the G4 gene, one with a three-nucleotide deletion (AGU_7488L, in a cow with lymphocytosis), and one with a nine nucleotide deletion (AGU_18A, in a cow without lymphocytosis). PX region analysis identified positive selection in the G4, rex and R3 genes, and we found no difference in proviral load between the studied groups. It was not possible to establish an association between pX region variability and the development of lymphocytosis, lymphoma, asymptomatic status and proviral load in BLV-infected cattle.
Characteristic Odor Emanating From Skin During Emotional Tension
Authors: Katsuyama Masako , Narita Tomomi , Nakashima Masaya , Kusaba Kentaro , Ochiai Masatoshi , Kunizawa Naomi , Kawaraya Akihiro , Kuwahara Yukari
Published: June 2021

Humans frequently experience the transmission of the psychological state of people around them. Gas emanating from human skin is known to vary depending on body condition and/or food intake. This characteristic is gaining substantial scholarly attention because skin gas can be an effective non-invasive biomarker to know body condition. The study focuses on the relationship between psychological status and skin gas, which remains unclear to date. It demonstrates that an identifiable odor containing allyl mercaptan and dimethyl trisulfide is released from human skin during psychological stress and tension. An interview confirms a possible scenario where such a characteristic odor reproducibly appears. Undoubtedly, the scene is extreme. Furthermore, the study found that individuals who perceive this tension-stress model odor experience psychological tension, confusion, and fatigue (Profile of Mood States scale). The result indicates the possibility of human non-verbal communication through odor, which could enhance understanding of human interaction.
Isolation, Characterization and Mode of Action of a Plant-Derived Antifungal Peptide, Cc-AFP1 Against Aspergillus Fumigatus
Authors: Seyedjavadi Sima Sadat , Khani Soghra , Goudarzi Mehdi , Zare-Zardini Hadi , Shams-Ghahfarokhi Masoomeh , Jamzivar Fatemehsadat , Razzaghi-Abyaneh Mehdi
Published: June 2021

Among novel molecules with therapeutic efficacy, antifungal peptides (AFPs) have recently been attracted due to their unique ability to evade fungal pathogens. In this study, a novel AFP, Cc-AFP1 (MW ~ 3.759 kDa) isolated from Carum carvi L. was purified by precipitation and chromatography techniques. Sequence analysis by Edman degradation revealed a fragment of 36 amino acid residues as RVCFRPVATYLGVCGVSGACRDHCVKLGSCVYKGPG. The tertiary structure prediction using the I-TASSER showed α-helix and random coil structure. Cc-AFP1 had a net charge of +4 and hydrophobicity ratio of 44%. The antifungal activity of Cc-AFP1 was confirmed against Aspergillus species with MIC values in the range of 8-16 µg/mL. Cc-AFP1 had less than 5% hemolytic activity at 8-16 µg/mL on human red blood cells, while it was nontoxic for HEK293 cell lines. Stability analysis showed that Cc-AFP1 activity was maintained at different temperatures (20 to 80ºC) and pH (8 to 10). The results of a propidium iodide uptake and transmission electron microscopy showed that the antifungal activity of Cc-AFP1 could be attributed to altering the fungal cell membrane permeability. Taken together, these results indicate that Cc-AFP1 may be an attractive molecule to develop as a novel antifungal agent combating fungal infections cause by Aspergillus species.
How to Choose Diseases for Newborn Screening by Tandem Mass Spectrometry Under the Nationally Recommended Program in Shenzhen, China Evidence From a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Yu Mingren , Xu Juan , Song Xiaohong , Du Jiayue
Published: June 2021

Background: Newborn screening (NBS) can prevent inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), which may cause long-term disability and even death in newborns. However, in China, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) screening has just started. This study is to determine the cost-effectiveness of NBS using MS/MS in Shenzhen under the nationally recommended program, and determine IEMs for detection.Methods: A Markov model was built to estimate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of different screening programs. The current screening program and nationally recommended program were compared and we also compared the programs detecting different numbers of IEMs, which are chosen from the national program. A sensitivity analysis and budget impact analysis (BIA) were performed.Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of detecting all 12 IEMs in the national program is 277,823 RMB per QALY, below three times per capita GDP in Shenzhen. MS/MS screening in Shenzhen can be cost-effective only if at least three diseases (PKU, PCD and MMA) are covered and when the screening program covers five diseases (PKU, PCD, MMA, MSUD, IVA), the ICER closely approaches its critical value. The BIA indicated the implementation cost of the national program to be around 580 million RMB over 10 years and showed no difference in budget between programs detecting different numbers of IEMs. Conclusions: We conclude that the newborn screening using MS/MS in Shenzhen is cost-effective, and the budget affordable for the Shenzhen government. Two concepts for selecting the IEMs to be detected, which we label the “ICER maximization idea” and the “ICER validation idea” are also presented.
Investigating Teachers’ Perceptions and Instructional Practices Regarding Form- Focused Instruction of Speech Acts in Iranian EFL Context
Authors: Shahi Melahat Amir Jahansouz , Gharagozloo Neda , Raissi Reza
Published: June 2021

This study aims to investigate Iranian EFL teachers’ perception and instructional practices towards form-focused instruction of speech acts specifically request, apology and invitation. To this aim, through sequential explanatory mixed methods design the researchers used criterion sampling and 30 English language instructors in Islamic Azad University (IAU) of North Tehran Branch served as the subjects. To attain general perception and teaching practices of instructors towards form-focused instruction of speech acts, they were asked to answer a pragmatic questionnaire. Besides, in order to achieve an enhanced awareness concerning instructors’ perceptions and practices regarding form-focused instruction a semi-structured interview was conducted for the same 30 English language instructors. Finally, six classes were observed by the investigators through convenience sampling. Likewise, through the triangulation approach, the investigators studied and merged the required data. The statistical results of the quantitative and qualitative data analysis revealed that form-focused instruction of speech acts is mostly focused by the Iranian EFL instructors. Most of them agreed with the use of explicit strategies for instructing request, apology and invitation speech acts rather than implicit strategies. Additionally, the explicit strategies were used by most of the instructors in EFL classes. The results of the current study are beneficial for syllabus directors and scholastic administrators to have a different outlook towards the curricula and textbooks' content, particularly for EFL settings.
Testing Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) on Dhaka Stock Exchange
Authors: Chowdhury Ataur Rahman
Published: June 2021

The study focuses on finding the validity of the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on both individual securities and portfolio levels. Using 102 securities data with the monthly stock prices for preceding five years, the outcome suggests that CAPM does not hold true for DSE, both on an individual company level and portfolio level. The securities market of Bangladesh (DSE in this case) proved inefficient as unsystematic risk premium become significant and beta cannot measure the risk component of securities investment.
Synthesis of Zeolite-Supported Magnesia-magnetite Nanoparticles and Its Efficient Application in Ultrasound-Assisted Adsorption of Dairy Wastewater: Optimization and Modeling of Process by RSM and ANN
Authors: Mehrizad Ali
Published: June 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Intelligent Localization and Quantitative Evaluation of Anterior Talofibular Ligament Injury using Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Ankle
Authors: Yan Wen , Meng Xianghong , Sun Jinglai , Yu Hui , Wang Zhi
Published: June 2021

Background: There is a high incidence of injury to the lateral ligament of the ankle in daily living and sports activities. The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the most frequent types of ankle injuries. It is of great clinical significance to achieve intelligent localization and injury evaluation of ATFL due to its vulnerability.Methods: According to the specific characteristics of bones in different slices, the key slice was extracted by image segmentation and characteristic analysis. Then, the talus and fibula in the key slice were segmented by distance regularized level set evolution (DRLSE), and the curvature of their contour pixels was calculated to find useful feature points including the neck of talus, the inner edge of fibula, and the outer edge of fibula. ATFL area can be located using these feature points so as to quantify its first-order gray features and second-order texture features. Support vector machine (SVM) was performed for evaluation of ATFL injury.Results: Data were collected retrospectively from 158 patients who underwent MRI, and were divided into normal (68) and tear (90) group. The positioning accuracy and Dice coefficient were used to measure the performance of ATFL localization, and the mean values are 87.7% and 77.1%, respectively, which is helpful for the following feature extraction. SVM gave a good prediction ability with accuracy of 93.8%, sensitivity of 88.9%, specificity of 100%, precision of 100%, and F1 score of 94.2% in the test set.Conclusion: Experimental results indicate that the proposed method is reliable in diagnosing ATFL injury. This study may provide a potentially viable method for aided clinical diagnoses of some ligament injury.
Tumor Location and Type Affect Local Recurrence and Joint Damage in Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor: A Multi-center Study
Authors: Ota Takehiro , Nishida Yoshihiro , Ikuta Kunihiro , Tsukushi Satoshi , Yamada Kenji , Kozawa Eiji , Urakawa Hiroshi , Imagama Shiro
Published: June 2021

Purpose: Osteochondral destruction and high recurrence rate after surgery are major concerns during the treatment course of tenosynovial giant cell tumor. The aims of this study were to elucidate rates of local recurrence and osteochondral destruction, and demographic factors correlated with osteochondral destruction and recurrence rate after surgery. Methods: Eighty surgically treated patients (knee: 49, ankle and foot: 12, hip: 10, others: 9) were included in this study. Factors including age, disease type (diffuse/localized), location, existence of osteochondral destruction were analyzed to be correlated with local recurrence or development/progression of osteochondral destruction. Results: The 5-year local recurrence free survival rate was 71.4 %. Diffuse type (n=59, localized: n=21) (P=0.023) and knee location (P=0.002) were independent risk factors for local recurrence. Diffuse type (P=0. 009) was a significant risk factor, and knee location (P=0. 001) was a negative factor for osteochondral destruction at the initial examination. Progression of osteochondral destruction was observed more often in cases with local recurrence (P=0.040) and findings of osteochondral destruction at the initial examination (P=0.029).Conclusions: Diffuse type is a factor that should be noted for both local recurrence and osteochondral destruction, and local recurrence occurs but osteochondral destruction is less observed for knee location.