bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Systemic Arterial Hypertension with Laboratory Markers, Body Composition, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Heart Rate Variability in Obese Adults
Authors: Santos Clarcson , Lagares Laura , Santos Sarah , Santos Felipe , Silva Mariana , Macedo Rodrigo , Almeida Luiz , Bomfim Eric
Published: May 2022

Background: Elevated fasting plasma glucose and visceral fat area (VFA) is highly prevalent in obese adults. This study investigated the associations between systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and laboratory, anthropometric, heart rate variability (HRV), and obstructive sleep apnea markers. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 95 obese patients treated at Obesity Treatment and Surgery Center, located in Salvador, BA, Brazil. SAH data were obtained from electronic medical records of patients. To evaluate the association of SAH with the predictor variables, the sample was stratified in Normotense Group (NG) and Hypertensive Group (HG), and laboratory markers, body composition, polysomnography data, and HRV were measured. Results: The average age of the NG was 36.3 ± 10.1 and HG 40.4 ± 10.6 years, 73.7% were women in the NG and 57.9% in HG; 82.4% in HG had insulin resistance. In the multivarious logistics regression model with adjustments age, sex, height, and oxyhemoglobin saturation, SAH was inversely associated with fasting plasma glucose mg/dL (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96; 95% interval confidence [CI] = 0.92 - 0.99) and VFA cm2 (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.97 - 0.99). The area under curve the VFA was 0.728; CI 95% (0.620 - 0.836) and fasting plasma glucose 0.693; CI 95% (0.582 - 0.804). Conclusions: Lower VFA and fasting plasma glucose concentrations were inversely associated with SAH. These results indicate opportunities to improve the outcome in obese patients through counseling and clinical interventions.
Rapid Response of Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Skin Manifestations to Anifrolumab – A Case-Based Review of Clinical Trial Data Suggesting A Domain-Based Therapeutic Approach
Authors: Plüß Marlene , Piantoni Silvia , Wincup Chris , Korsten Peter
Published: May 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically heterogeneous autoimmune disease, and organ manifestations, such as lupus nephritis (LN) or skin disease, may be refractory to standard treatment. Therefore, new agents are required to allow for a more personalized therapeutic approach. Recently, several new therapies have been approved internationally, including voclosporine for LN and anifrolumab for moderately to severely active SLE. Here, we report a case of SLE with a predominant and refractory cutaneous manifestation despite treatment with glucocorticoids, hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate mofetil, and belimumab. Belimumab was switched to anifrolumab, and the patient responded quickly after two infusions (eight weeks) with a reduction of the Cutaneous Lupus Assessment and Severity Index (CLASI) from 17 to 7. In addition, we review the available clinical trial data for anifrolumab with a focus on cutaneous outcomes. Based on phase II and III clinical trials investigating the intravenous administration, a consistent CLASI improvement was observed at 12 weeks. Interestingly, in a phase II trial of subcutaneous anifrolumab application, CLASI response was not different from placebo at 12 weeks but numerically different at 24 and 52 weeks, respectively. Thus, anifrolumab emerges as an attractive new therapeutic option suggesting a possible domain-based approach.
Anesthesia Management for Section Cesarean Delivery in Patient with Severe Mitral Stenosis
Authors: Fanniyah Fanniyah , Isngadi Isngadi
Published: May 2022

Background: Heart defects in pregnancy is one main nonobstetric factor causing morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. Mitral stenosis is common in pregnancy. The choice of anesthetic management has to consider hemodynamics, type of heart disease, and drugs used. Neuraxial anesthesia has been significantly used because it is considered safer than general anesthesia

Case: A 26-year-old woman with gestational age 32-34 weeks with severe mitral stenosis, moderate mitral regurgitation, severe tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension, pericardial effusion, and atrial fibrillation underwent cesarean section with a low dose of spinal anesthesia using 5mg bupivacaine heavy 0.5% and Fentanyl 50 mcg. The sensory and motoric block was achieved in 5 minutes. Hemodynamic was stable during the perioperative phase. There was no heart failure or postoperative hemodynamic deterioration.

Conclusion: Low-dose spinal anesthesia using 5 mg of bupivacaine and fentanyl adjuvant can be used in cesarean section in patients with severe mitral stenosis due to rapid onset, adequate block level, stable hemodynamic, block duration, and healthy born babies.

Keywords: Pregnancy; mitral stenosis; C-section; neuraxial block; low dose
Thermal Modification of the Northwest Indian Shield: As Evidenced by Integrated Geopotential Modelling
Authors: Kumar Niraj , Prakash Om , Singh A. P. , Tiwari V. M.
Published: May 2022

The architecture of the continental lithospheric mantle is vital for understanding the wide-ranging processes that govern the creation of Earth’s continents. The present investigation delineates the crustal and lithospheric boundaries underneath northwest India, which provides essential constraints as an imprint of tectonomagmatic events under the distinct tectonic setting. This study integrates three data sets (gravity, geoid, and topography data) and thermal parameters in a three-dimensional inversion algorithm to northwest India. Inversion results are constrained by available passive seismic crustal thickness, which we are using as a priori information. Our modelling results show crust down to a depth of 33 to 39 km in the Saurashtra and Kachchh region, which increases gradually to about 40 km beneath the Jaisalmer region. The deepest Moho at about 42-45 km is found under the Aravalli-Delhi fold belt and Indo-Gangetic plain. A comparable crustal thickness of 41-44 km is observed beneath the Bundelkhand craton. The mean crustal density varies laterally between 2850 and 2890 kg/m-3 in the study area. The lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) is 115-145 km deep under Saurashtra and Kachchh regions, which remains comparable under the Barmer-Pokharan region (130-160 km). A moderate LAB depth under the Aravalli-Delhi fold belt (140-180 km) and relatively deeper under the Bundelkhand craton (175 to 185 km) reaches over 200 km below the Indo-Gangetic plain. The thinned lithosphere beneath the Kachchh, Saurashtra, and Barmer-Pokhran regions, crisscrossed by two different rift systems, together with the dominance of the volcanic centres of two major magmatic episodes, and the possible presence of a low-velocity zone in the subcrustal upper mantle region suggest a genetic link between the evolution and the multistage thermal modification of the mantle lithosphere of this region.
Alternativas diagnósticas y de tratamiento para la corrección de asimetrías faciales: Revisión bibliográfica.
Authors: Rojas Reyna Braulio Rafael , Ramírez Prado María Isabel , Orozco Orozco Norma Idalia , Rodríguez Pérez Luis Renán , Simg Alor Ana Alicia , Quirarte Echavarría Víctor Manuel
Published: May 2022

La simetría facial hace referencia a una coincidencia completa de cada componente facial sobre el plano sagital, mientras que la asimetría se refiere a la diferencia bilateral entre dichos componentes. La presencia de una simetría bilateral perfecta casi nunca se presenta en el cuerpo humano, es decir no se encuentra con facilidad, por lo que es más común que en los individuos predomine la asimetría facial. Sin embargo, en ocasiones, una asimetría facial significativa da como resultado no solo a problemas funcionales, sino también estéticos. Mediante esta investigación se busca determinar las alternativas, el diagnóstico y plan de tratamiento ideal para la corrección de cada tipo de asimetría facial de la mano de la cirugía ortognática. Para ello, se realizó la revisión de artículos los cuales fueran publicados entre los años 2015 hasta la fecha. Seleccionando aquellos que estuvieran enfocados en describir o evaluar la simetría y asimetría tanto facial como dentofacial, tipo de diagnóstico o plan de tratamiento, incluyendo casos clínicos. Se utilizó el buscador de Google, SciELO y bases de datos de interés médico, como PubMed, PMC y Medigraphic. De acuerdo a las investigaciones y tratamientos realizados durante los últimos años dentro de la clínica dental, queda comprobado que el tratamiento ortognático acompañado de una planificación previa, es la mejor opción para el manejo de las asimetrías faciales esqueletales.
Chronic Hepatitis B Viral Activity as a Prognostic Factor for Survival in Malignant Lymphoma
Authors: Seo Kwang Il , Jo Jae-Cheol , Kim Da Jung , Jeong Jee-Yeong , Lee Sangjin , Lee Ho Sup
Published: May 2022

Background
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection carries a risk of liver cancer and extrahepatic malignancy. However, the incidence trend and clinical course of malignant lymphoma (ML) in HBV patients are not well known.
Methods
Data about ML newly diagnosed in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients from 2003 to 2016 were collected from National Health Insurance Service claims.
Results
A total of 13,942 CHB patients were newly diagnosed with ML from 2003 to 2016. The number of patients increased 3.8 times, from 442 in 2003 to 1,711 in 2016. The 2-year survival rate of all patients was 76.8%, and the 5-year survival rate was 69.8%. The survival rate of patients taking antivirals due to high viral activity before their diagnosis with ML was significantly lower than that of patients with lower viral activity without antivirals (1 year-77.3%, 3 year-64.5%, and 5 year-58.3% vs. 1 year-84.0%, 3 year-73.4%, and 5 year-68.0%, respectively). The survival rate of patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) at baseline was significantly lower than that of those without LC. Cirrhotic patients taking antivirals before ML diagnosis had a worse prognosis than who did not.
Conclusions
High viral activity in CHB patients with ML is useful in predicting the prognosis for survival.
Summary
The crude incidence of malignant lymphoma with chronic hepatitis B virus has increased steadily. High viral activity in chronic hepatitis B patients with malignant lymphoma is useful in predicting the prognosis for survival.
Substance use and substance abuse among street children in the city of Yaounde, Cameroon
Authors: Mabouopda Varela , Toguem Michael Guy , Noche Christelle Domngang , Eyoum Christian , Djemo Jean-Baptiste Fotso
Published: May 2022

Background: Substance use is known to be more common among street children. Sometimes responsible for the runaway and repeated run-away behavior. To be able to reinsert these children, the reasons why there joined the streets, why they use substance and their pattern of substance use need to be understood.Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in February 2021 in the streets of Yaounde. We did a semi-structured interview of 159 street children using a sociodemographic questionnaire made of open questions and, the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test, version 3.0. The data were analyzed using R 4.1.0 for Windows.Results: All street children were male. The most common reason for joining the streets was, questing for money, reported by one-quarter of the children. Since their arrival in the streets, 60% of them ever used a substance, of which half used a substance because of peer pressure. The most commonly used substance was cannabis (36.48%), followed by Tobacco (35.85%). 14.47% and 11.32% were high risktobacco and cannabis users respectively. Conclusion: Substance use and risky substance use suggestive of substance use disorders are highly common among street children of Yaounde. This needs to be addressed to facilitate their reinsertion as shown in other studies. The mechanisms that lead to the absences of girls in the streets should also be explored to see if they can be applied to boys.
Minimal Catalytic Assemblies Can Oscillate Utilizing Feedback Loops
Authors: Reja Antara , Pal Sumit , Bal Subhajit , Das Dibyendu
Published: May 2022

The light-dark cycles created from Earth’s rotation helped in the emergence of extant cellular life that integrates evolved oscillatory networks to control circadian rhythms, cell division, metabolism and so forth. Out of equilibrium networks of organic chemical reactions with dynamic self-assembled structures that emerged from Darwin’s nutrient-rich warm pond played crucial roles in spawning the protolife under a fluctuating environmental condition. Dynamic chemical networks with simple chemicals that can display emergent network dynamics can contribute to our understanding of complex behaviours from simple organic reactions. Here we have designed a single amino acid-based system that could self-assemble and oscillate under non-equilibrium conditions, importantly in the absence of evolved biocatalysts. The two-component based building block exploits pH driven non-covalent assembly and time-delayed accelerated catalysis from self-assembled state to install orthogonal feedback loops with a single batch of reactants. Modifications of these autonomous systems from purely synthetic molecules can enable the design of exceptional life-like materials and evolving systems with acute spatiotemporal control of properties.
Intermediate Risk of Choledocholithiasis: Are we on the right path?
Authors: Giron Felipe , Rodriguez Lina M , Conde Danny , Rey Carlos , Vanegas Marco , Venegas David , Gutierrez Fernando , Nassar Ricardo M , Jimenez Daniel , Rojas Susana
Published: May 2022

BackgroundRisk of choledocholithiasis should be assessed in every patient who must undergo cholecystectomy to define the next step. American Society for Gastrointestinal endoscopy (ASGE) proposed a stratified predictor scale of choledocholithiasis. MethodsTo describe our experience managing patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis according to the ASGE guidelines and actual presence of bile duct stones in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. A retrospective observational study with a prospective database was conducted. Analysis included socio demographic data, laboratory values ​​and imaging. Bivariate, multivariate and ROC analysis was performed. Results 327 patients had intermediate risk for choledocholithiasis. Half the patients were at least 65 years old. 24.8% were diagnosed with choledocholithiasis. Bile duct dilation was documented in only 3.06% of cases. Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is associated with age OR: 1.87 (p 0.02), alkaline phosphatase OR: 2.44 (p 0.02) and bile duct dilation > 6 mm OR: 14.65 (p 0.00). ConclusionsHigh variability in accuracy of imaging techniques results in a large number of patients classified as intermediate risk without choledocholithiasis in cholangio-resonance. Therefore, enhancing the criteria to define intermediate risk for patients in order to optimize resources is of paramount importance.
The application of endoscopic technique in high cervical anterior approach to the craniovertebral junction
Authors: Wang Kaixuan , Li Pengfei , Ji Hongming , Zhang Gangli , Chen Shengli , Zhao Jianwei , Zhang Shiyuan , Liu Jiangtao , Li Ming , Zhao Yu , Li Hang , Hu Changchen
Published: May 2022

Background
Surgery on the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) presents particular challenges owing to the close proximity of critical neurovascular structures and the brainstem. It is difficult for classic approaches to obtain the extra exposure of neurovascular structures of the CVJ in practice.The surgical approach to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) offers specific challenges. We explored the feasibility of an endoscope-assisted high anterior cervical approach to the CVJ.
Methods
We quantitatively assessed the surgical corridor to, and extent of exposure of, the CVJ in six cadaveric specimens, using 0° and 30° endoscopes.
Results
The endoscope provided sufficient exposure of neurovascular structures and the brainstem in the CVJ. Resection of the anterior arch of C1 was avoided in minimal anterior clivectomy. After removing the odontoid, greater exposure of the CVJ was obtained.
Conclusion
An endoscope-assisted high anterior cervical approach to the CVJ preserves cervical spine stability while minimizing the risk of neurovascular injury within the surgical corridor.
Home Care for COVID-19 positive cases: Suitability of the Residential Setting and ability of cases to adhere to the required preventive measures
Authors: Youssef Dalal , Berry Atika , Naja Abir Abou , Farhat Suzan , Abou-Abbas Linda , Youssef Janet , Hassan Hamad
Published: May 2022

Introduction:
With the upsurge of COVID-19 cases, Lebanese hospitals are overburdened and hospital care was prioritized for COVID-19 patients with the highest probability of poor outcomes. This paper aimed to assess the suitability of residential settings for home isolation and to explore the patient’s ability to adhere to the required precautions measures.
Methods:
All COVID-19 cases reported between February, 21 and the end of June 2020 and who had mild or moderate symptoms, were contacted via phone calls by a healthcare professional to fill out a standardized questionnaire developed to assess the suitability of the residential setting for home care. Inpatient cases were required, before their discharge from the hospitals, to sign consent related to their adherence to the mandatory precautionary measures. They were also asked to complete, on daily basis, the symptoms monitoring log form. A referral system to health facilities was established to manage cases with worsening health status. A collaborative framework to address violations of home isolation rules was also put in place.
Results:
Of the 600 cases assessed, 44.7% of them were isolated in a living building apartment (67.2%) with one entrance (85.5%) including four to eight rooms (71%). Around one-quarter of patients have children (< 5 years) and 75% of them were living with elderly people. Most of the patients confirmed the availability of a well-ventilated single room (96.2%) and a separate bathroom (80.17%). As for infrastructure, more than 90% of patients confirmed the availability of drinking and tank water, heating facilities, electricity, and safe trash elimination. Similarly, more than 90% of them had access to personal hygiene items, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment. The bulk of homes care were rated as easily reachable. As for awareness and ability to self-serving, 94.5% of patients were knowledgeable about the required preventive measures, able to serve themselves and to adhere to the isolation requirements as well. Only 51.8% of them had access to psychological support.
Conclusion:
Proper assessment of the residential setting for home care of COVID-19 cases combined with close monitoring of the adherence of patients to the required precaution measures are highly needed for limiting the spread of infection within the household and the community.
Calibrating the Performance Assessment Mechanism in Virtual Laboratories with Machine Learning: Using a Non-Hierarchical and a Hierarchical Variation
Authors: Zafeiropoulos Vasilis , Kalles Dimitris
Published: May 2022

Science universities are constantly confronted with the challenge of offering efficient lab training to their students while securing their safety and protecting the lab equipment from damages; hence the needs for the development of distance learnings tool for students to be trained virtually and safely in using the various lab instruments and performing experiments. Furthermore, as the students are evaluated for their laboratory performance at the on-site labs, the need for their assessment at the virtual labs is also present; hence the need for an incorporated assessment mechanism in the virtual lab in charge of the evaluation of the user’s performance. For the assessment mechanism to be reliable though and devoid of the designer’s bias, it may need calibration with machine learning. Hellenic Open University has developed its own virtual biology laboratory, Onlabs, which simulates its on-site one for its students to be trained and evaluated at. Considering the evaluation of the user’s performance in Onlabs, it is made with respect to particular experiments and is based on an embedded scoring algorithm. The latter has also been optimized with the use of two separate machine learning methods, particularly a genetic algorithm and an artificial neural network. Moreover, within the context of the experimental procedure of microscoping, the scoring algorithm was redesigned in a hierarchical fashion in order to incorporate background knowledge about the procedure. In this paper, we present the two machine learning methods used for the optimization of the assessment mechanism in a non-hierarchical and a hierarchical variation and compare the results within a particular variation as well as within a particular method.
Review on phenotype traits analysis of Rice plants by using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Patel Bharti , Sharaff Aakanksha
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Rice crops are one of the main source of food for human being. According to data, population of the world increasing over the past decades. Due to continuous increase in population,need of rice is also increases. Rice plant diseases is one of the important factor in the production of rice. As the rice plant disease increase in the paddy, the production of rice decreases.Rice plant diseases are considered as a raising factor behind the agricultural, economic and communal loss in the upcoming development of the agricultural field. Problem :In order to increase the production of rice, we have to keep each rice plant in the paddy healthy. In order to do diagnosis of rice plant diseases, there are various traditional methods but this method need experts and continuous observation. Hence the traditional methods are very costly and time consuming. Finding: To solve the above problem(Problem of diagnosis of rice plant disease) many researcher used the image processing,machine learning,deep learning,Internet of thing techniques. In this paper, we have considered the brief review on the image processing,machine learning,deep learning,Internet of thing techniques which are useful for the diagnosis of rice plant disease.
Circulating redox status in sheep infected with dermatophytes: a field study
Authors: Saleh Mostafa Ahamad , Rateb M. H. , Abd-Allah Elham A. , Mohamed Ghada A.E.
Published: May 2022

Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic mycotic infection of the skin caused by dermatophytes. The present study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress (OS) and redox status in blood of sheep clinically infected with the dermatophyte, Trichophyton verrucosum. According to clinical and mycological investigations, 48 juvenile male Balady sheep were selected in their natural habitat and divided into four groups depending on lesions size: mild (MID), moderate (MOD), severe (SEV) T. verrucosum infection and healthy control groups. Compared to the controls, plasma superoxide anion increased (P < 0.05) in both MOD and SEV but total peroxides (TPx) gradually increased (P < 0.05) in MID followed by MOD and SEV. Superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were higher (P < 0.05) in MID and lower (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV than in controls, but SEV showed lower TAC than MOD. Malondialdehyde (MDA, a lipid peroxide marker) increased (P < 0.05) in SEV than in controls but protein carbonyl (PC, a protein peroxidation marker) was augmented (P < 0.05) as lesions progressed from mild to severe. oxidative stress index (TPx/TAC ratio) progressively increased (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV. The correlation of PC was positive with TPx and negative with TAC (P < 0.01). In conclusion, sheep infection with T. verrucosum is characterized by increased TPx and decreased TAC in plasma depending on the lesion area. The redox status is shifted towards the oxidizing state especially in MOD and SEV cases resulting in a condition of OS, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.
Influencing factors and improvement paths of green water use efficiency in the Yellow River Basin: a new perspective based on ecogeographical division
Authors: Yue Li , CAO Yu-Xuan , Lv Rong fang
Published: May 2022

It is very important for the protection and utilization of water resources in the Yellow River Basin to explore the influencing factors and improvement paths of green water use efficiency based on different regions. The dynamic evolution characteristics, regional differences and internal inefficiencies of green water use efficiency for 48 cities in the Yellow River Basin from 2008 to 2018 are analyzed, based on their ecological geographical divisions, with the use of a DEA-SBM model, GML index decomposition and kernel density estimation. We further use the panel Tobit model to analyze the external influencing factors of green water use efficiency and propose ways to improve the utilization of water resources in different regions from both internal and external perspectives. The results are as follows: (1) During the study period, the green water use efficiency fluctuated between 0.58–0.67 and showed a trend of improving in arid areas and falling in ones. (2) Exploring the sources of inefficiency from the inside reveals that labor, capital, and wastewater redundancy in the semihumid area is higher, the energy redundancy in the semiarid area is higher, and the economic output in the arid area is insufficient. (3) From the GML point of view, the absolute difference in the green water efficiency of the cities in the Yellow River Basin is expanding. In terms of EC(technical efficiency index), the technical efficiency of the semiarid area has a convergence effect. In terms of TC(technical progress index), the gap in the arid area has been widening, and technology in the semihumid and semiarid areas is converging backward. (4) There are significant differences in the external factors affecting green water use efficiency in different ecogeographical regions. This study helps the government to consider eco-geographical factors when formulating water resources-related policies, and provides a scientific reference for how to better utilize water resources in different regions of the Yellow River Basin from both internal and external aspects.
X-linked recessive ichthyosis in 8 Tunisian patients: awareness of misdiagnosis due to the technical trap of the STS pseudogene
Authors: CHOUK Hamza , SAAD Sarra , DIMASSI Sarra , FETOUI Nadia GHARIANI , BENNOUR Ayda , GAMMOUDI Rima , ELMABROUK Haifa , SAAD Ali , DENGUEZLI Mohamed , H’MIDA Dorra
Published: May 2022

Introduction: X-linked recessive ichthyosis (XLI) is a genodermatosis, caused by a deficiency of the steroid sulphatase enzyme encoded by the STS gene (OMIM # 300747). Adopted XLI molecular diagnosis approaches differ from one laboratory to another depending on available technical facilities. Our work aims to figure out a sound diagnostic strategy for XLI.Patients and Methods: We collected 8 patients with XLI, all males, from 3 unrelated Tunisian families from central Tunisia. Genetic diagnosis was conducted through a large panel of genetic techniques including: Sanger Sequencing, haplotype analysis of STR markers, MLPA analysis, FISH and array CGH.Results: Direct Sanger sequencing of the STS gene showed the same deletion of 13 base pairs within the exon 4 in all patients resulting in a premature stop codon. However, all patients’ mothers were not carriers of this variant and no common haplotype flanking STS gene was shared between affected patients. Sequence alignment with reference human genome revealed an unprocessed pseudogene of the STS gene located on the Y chromosome, on which the 13 bp deletion was actually located. STS MLPA analysis identified a deletion of the entire STS gene on X chromosome for all affected patients. This deletion was confirmed by FISH and delineated by array CGH.Conclusion: All our patients shared a deletion of the entire STS gene revealed by MLPA, confirmed by FISH and delineated by array CGH. Geneticists must be aware of the presence of pseudogenes that can lead to XLI misdiagnosis.
Globulin, albumin to globulin ratio, and plasma fibrinogen may be potential diagnostic biomarkers for tibial infected nonunion
Authors: Mao Haijun , Wang Zhen , Xu Guangyue
Published: May 2022

The accurate preoperative diagnosis of infected nonunion remains challenging. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic potential of novel biomarkers for tibial infected nonunion. A single-center retrospective study was conducted on 155 patients divided into two groups: 59 with tibial infected nonunion (Group A) and 96 with tibial aseptic nonunion (Group B). Preoperatively analyzed clinical parameters included plasma D-dimer, plasma fibrinogen, albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) count. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity, and specificity were utilized to compare the diagnostic potential of these biomarkers. The WBC, ESR, CRP, plasma D-dimer, plasma fibrinogen, and GLB levels of Group A were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in Group B. The ALB and AGR levels of Group A were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in Group B. The area under the curve (AUC) of ESR, plasma fibrinogen, and AGR were greater than 0.8. An analysis of a combination of ESR, plasma fibrinogen, GLB, and AGR had the highest AUC. In patients with comorbidities, the diagnostic accuracy of ESR, plasma fibrinogen, GLB, and AGR also performed well. Higher levels of WBC, CRP, and ESR were detected in patients who had recently used antibiotics (P < 0.05). GLB, AGR, and plasma fibrinogen are promising biomarkers for improving the diagnosis of tibial infected nonunion. The integrated analysis of ESR, plasma fibrinogen, GLB, and AGR provided more accurate and more specific diagnosis than the four biomarkers individually.
Evolution of work ability, quality of life and self-rated health in a police department after remodelling shift schedule
Authors: Velasco-Garrido Marcial , Herold Robert , Rohwer Elisabeth , Mache Stefanie , Terschüren Claudia , Preisser Alexandra M. , Harth Volker
Published: May 2022

Background
There exists a great diversity of schedules concerning the way shift work is organized and implemented with ample agreement regarding recommendable features of a shift system. In order to adapt the shift schedule of a metropolitan police department to current recommendations, a remodelled shift schedule was introduced in 2015. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential associations between the remodelled shift schedule and work ability, quality of life and self-rated health after one and five years.
Methods
A controlled before-and- after study were conducted during the piloting phase (2015–2016) as well as a 5-year follow-up using paper questionnaires. Outcome parameters included work ability, quality of life and self-rated health.
Results
Work ability, quality of life and self-rated health improved after the first year of the newly implemented shift schedule among police officers working in the piloting police stations compared to those working according to the former schedule. In 5-year follow-up differences between indicators diminished.
Conclusions
The implementation of a remodelled shift schedule including more 12-hours shifts accompanied by more days off and a coherent weekend off duty was not associated with detrimental effects to work ability, quality of life or self-reported health among police officers.
The elusive sixth sense – lipid perception in Drosophila
Authors: Brankatschk Marko , Trautenberg Laura , Hollopp Isa , Jeschke Gina , Poetsch Anna R
Published: May 2022

Sense of taste is instructive for food perception and is encoded by five principle sensory inputs: sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami. However, there is mounting evidence that dietary fat is also palatable, and that many species including humans are able to discriminate the quality of free fatty acids in dedicated experimental environments. Multiple lipid-taste receptors are suggested to be capable of binding subsets of fatty acids and initiating cellular signals in specific sensory cells. Nevertheless, the structure and composition of dietary lipids is complex by nature and food consists of many other tasty macronutrients. To date, it remains an open question if or how dietary lipids induce taste sensation instructive for the feeding behavior of animals.
We recorded the feeding behavior of adult Drosophila melanogaster utilizing different established feeding assays. Using lipid defined diets and the yeast strain BY4741, we found that flies are able to detect the fungal sterol ergosterol and specific saturated fatty acid species, the latter bound in more complex nutritional lipids. Moreover, we show that the neuronal expression of the CD36-member SNMP1 together with the neuronal insulin signaling activity are essential to define the perception of one selected tasty lipid. We provide evidence that the sugar and protein content in the food is instrumental to modulate insulin signaling, and propose that the sugar:protein ratio is one determining factor instructive for the feeding response of fruit flies to given dietary lipid profiles.
A new meta-heuristic optimization algorithm based MPPT control technique for PV System under diverse partial shading conditions
Authors: Dokala Janandra Krishna Kishore , Mohamed Mohd Rusllim , Kumarasamy Sudhakar , Kurukuri Peddakapu
Published: May 2022

At present, a photovoltaic (PV) system takes responsibility to reduce the risk of global warming and generate electricity. However, the PV system faces numerous problems to track global maximum peak power (GMPP) owing to the nonlinear nature of the environment especially due to partial shading conditions (PSC). To solve these difficulties, previous researchers have utilized various conventional methods for investigations. Nevertheless, these methods have oscillations around the GMPP. Hence, a new metaheuristic method such as an opposition based equilibrium optimizer (OBEO) algorithm is used in this work for mitigating the oscillations around GMPP. To find the effectiveness of the proposed method, it can be evaluated with other methods such as SSA, GWO, and P&O. As per the simulation outcome the proposed OBEO method provides maximum efficiency against all other methods. The efficiency for the proposed method under dynamic PSC is 95.09% in 0.16 seconds similarly, 96.17% for uniform PSC and 86.25% for complex PSC.
Study of Nonlinear Optical Responses of Phytochemicals of Clitoria ternatea by Quantum Mechanical Approach and Investigation of their anti-Alzheimer activity with In-Silico Approach
Authors: Lakhera Shradha , Devlal Kamal , Rana Meenakshi , Celik Ismail
Published: May 2022

Clitoria ternatea is a flowering plant with promising medicinal plants with a wide variety of active phytochemicals. The present study aimed at the computational investigation of the nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of the active phytochemicals of the Clitoria ternatea. The computational investigation of the NLO features was done by using the density functional theory (DFT) by B3LYP/6-311G ++ (d, p) basis set. The structural parameters, mulliken charge distribution, and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface clearly show the intramolecular charge transfer within Clitorin. The NLO properties were identified by computing the polarizability parameters. As the plant has high medicinal characteristics, the inhibiting properties of its phytochemicals were also investigated to combat Alzheimer disease (AD). The systematic in-silico study identifies Clitorin as the most active and inhibiting phytochemicals of the plant. The results obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulation tell the stability of the complex and make it a fair selection as a drug-like molecule against AD. The cardio-toxicity analysis done for the Clitorin molecule verifies that it is harmless for the heart.
Evaluation of heavy metal contamination and their distribution in waters around Oil and Natural gas drilling sites
Authors: Mallesh Dasari Babu , Krishna Keshav , Dasaram B D
Published: May 2022

Oil and natural gas production has been an important economic booster in the recent past. However, unconventional methods have risen environmental health concerns. This study presents preliminary results of heavy metal concentrations in water (surface and groundwater) samples around oil and natural gas drilling sites in East-West Godavari districts of A.P, India. A total of 36 samples, 24 surface water (SW) and 12 groundwater (GW) were collected to evaluate the distribution of pH, EC, TDS, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn, and radiogenic elements (U, Th). Results acquired were treated with principal component analysis (PCA)/factor analysis (FA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and regression coefficient analysis to identify a collective contamination source. Mean concentrations obtained for surface and groundwater were 7.60 and 7.34 for pH; 4048 and 2964 mg/L for TDS; 8.50 and 5.91 µs/cm for EC; 11.5 and 10.7 μg/L for As; 14.6 and 10.8 μg/L for Cr; 0.60 and 0.70 μg/L for Cd; 18.6 and 29.1 μg/L for Cu; 3.00 and 4.20 μg/L for Mo; 19.9 and 24.8 for Ni; 15.2 and 13.4 μg/L for Pb; 4.60 and 3.10 μg/L for Th; 1.00 and 8.30 μg/L for U; 187 and 348 μg/L for Zn respectively. FA recognized four factors accountable for data structure elucidating 86.23 % of the total variance in SW, four factors in GW explaining 91.6%, and permitted to assemble particular parameters based on collective features. As, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, and U were linked and well-ordered by diverse origin with related influence from anthropogenic and geogenic sources. This study describes the importance and efficacy of multivariate statistical methods for evaluation and understanding the data to get better evidence about the water quality and project some mitigation methods to avert the contamination affected by harmful heavy metals in the future.
Thermal stability, flame rethardancy and combustion behavior of cotton fabric treated by imidazole-based phosphoramides
Authors: Gholivand Khodayar , Barzegari Azam , Faraghi Mohammad , Fallah Nasrin
Published: May 2022

In this work, two imidazole-containing phosphoramides with the formulas of (C6H5)2P(O)[C6H10N3] (MIP) and (C6H5)P(O)[C6H10N3]2 (DIP) were synthesised and characterised using 1HNMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, IR, and MASS spectroscopies. MIP and DIP were treated on cotton fabric (CF) to promote thermal stability and flame retardancy of CF. IR spectroscopy and SEM-EDS analyses were utilized to indicate treatment of MIP and DIP on CF. TGA-DTG and SEM-EDS analyses were applied to investigate thermal stability of phosphoramides treated cotton fabrics (CF-MIP and CF-DIP). VFT, LOI, and cone calorimeter analyses were applied to evaluate MIP and DIP flame retardancy on CF. The characteristic key data of cone caloriometer test such as TTI, tPHRR, PHRR, THR, ACO2Y, FGI and FPI confirmed these compounds are efficient flame retardant on CF. All results indicated that thermal stability and flame retardancy of CF-MIP and CF-DIP had been promoted in comparison to CF, and DIP are better than MIP.
Sequencing and analysis of full-length transcriptome functional genes for dormancy release of Eucommia ulmoides axillary buds
Authors: Li Dewen , University/n WenLiZhou Northeast Forestry , Du Dandan , Liu Ying , Yu Xueying , Wei Hongling , Tian Xucheng , Xie Shennan , Tang Zhonghua , Zhao Yusen
Published: May 2022

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv contains many kinds of active and nutritional components, which have important medicinal and nutritional value. In order to reveal the cultivation technology of Eucommia ulmoides and molecular regulation mechanism of axillary bud development, illumina hiseq high-throughput sequencing technology was used to extract mRNA from the top and basal dormant buds, and axillary buds of the plant after stubble, then the transcriptome sequencing analysis was conducted. The results showed that 29353 UniGenes were annotated, and the annotation rate was 30.04%, the remaining 68367 UniGenes were not annotated, which may be new genes; The number of genes differentially expressed (DEGs) in Eucommia ulmoides axillary bud was the highest after stubble treatment, a total of 5384 genes were detected, which 3137 genes were up-regulated and 2247 genes were down regulated. The number of differentially expressed genes was the least in the top and basal dormant buds. The functional analysis of COG, GO and KEGG genes showed that axillary bud differential genes were enriched in the biological processes and metabolic pathways related to primary metabolism, secondary metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction pathway. The key genes of flavonoid and phenylpropane synthesis and the expression level of abscisic acid (ABA) regulating the dormancy of axillary buds were down-regulated, which promoted the release of the dormancy of axillary buds. At the same time, auxin response genes such as AUX / IAA, GH3, ARF and SAUR and primary cytokinin response genes such as AHP and A-ARR were up-regulated, which promoted the synthesis of auxin and cytokinin in axillary buds, marking the beginning of axillary bud development. The gene expression patterns of the two dormant buds were consistent, mainly concentrated in photosynthesis related pathways. Real time PCR showed that the expression profile of DEGs was consistent with that of RNA sequencing. This study provides basic data for the cultivation and molecular breeding of Eucommia ulmoides.
Molecular investigations on outbreaks of ovine theileriosis among sheep and goats in Haryana, India
Authors: Kumar Ramesh , Moudgil Pallavi , Gupta Renu , Jhandai Punit , Sharma Manish , Jindal Naresh
Published: May 2022

During February 2020 – October 2020, four outbreaks of theileriosis in small ruminants were recorded with overall morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates of 27.95 %, 17.46 % and 62.5 % respectively. The disease was characterized by high fever (up to 106°F), superficial lymphadenopathy, anaemia, anorexia, lethargy, respiratory distress and death. The presence of pleomorphic intra-erythrocytic piroplasms of Theileria species in Giemsa’s stained blood smears was a common finding in all the episodes. Significant haematological alterations including high total leucocyte count, and low haemoglobin and packed cell volume were characteristic. Necropsy findings of the icteric liver, enlarged spleen, pulmonary oedema and abomasal ulcerations were observed in two flocks. Theileria spp in all four episodes was detected in smear-positive cases by PCR using genus-specific 18S rRNA primers that yielded a 1098 bp product. Further Theileria species was confirmed by using specific primer sets for T. lestoquardi, T. luwenshuni, T. uilenbergi and T. ovis. T. lestoquardi was detected in all four flocks while there was co-infection of T. ovis in two flocks. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that T. ovis and T. lestoquardi identified in this study had 100 % and ~99.86 % homology, respectively with the published sequences used for comparison. This is the first confirmed report of outbreaks of malignant ovine theileriosis in the Haryana state of India which caused high morbidity, mortality and case fatality among sheep and goats. Further studies on theileriosis in small ruminants are required to understand epidemiology better.
External validation of CRASH prognostic model in an urban tertiary care public university hospital
Authors: Mulla Asif , Bavishi Devi , Khajanchi Monty , Wärnberg Martin Gerdin
Published: May 2022

IntroductionRoad traffic injury is the 7th most common cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Amongst road traffic injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are the major cause of mortality and morbidity. The multicentre randomized controlled trial CRASH published a prediction model to estimate prognosis in traumatic brain injury patients. This prediction model was derived based on data from High Income and Low and Middle-Income Countries. The external validity of this prediction model was not assessed in Low and Middle-Income Countries. To fill this gap, we aim to external validate the CRASH prediction model in TBI patients in India, a lower-middle income country.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study at the General Surgery Department of an urban tertiary care public university hospital in India. We collected data on the 14-day mortality and 6-month unfavourable outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Calibration and discrimination of the CRASH models (Basic and Computed Tomography model) comparing the observed and predicted outcomes using logistic regression and area under the curve (AUC) was analysed to validate the model.ResultsIn this study, 417 patients with the median age of 40 and age range of 18-95 years were evaluated. There was no significant difference between the calibration of the models in prediction of 14-day mortality (basic p = 0.082, CT p = 0.067) and 6-month unfavourable outcome (Basic p = 0.688, CT p = 0.204). The area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve) in basic and CT models in prediction of 14-day mortality were 0.885 and 0.885 respectively. In addition, area under the ROC curve in basic and CT models in prediction of 6-month unfavourable outcome were 0.901 and 0.896, respectively. ConclusionThe results of this study showed that the CRASH basic and CT model both accurately predict 14-day mortality and 6-month unfavourable outcomes of TBI patients in an urban tertiary care public university hospital in India.
Antitumor Immunity and Therapeutic Properties of Marine Seaweeds-derived Extracts in The Treatment of Cancer
Authors: El-Sheekh Mostafa M. , Nassef Mohamed , Bases Eman , Shafay Shimaa El , Elshenoudy Rania
Published: May 2022

Marine seaweeds are important sources of drugs with several pharmacological characteristics.The present study aims to evaluate the antitumor and antitumor immunological potentials of the extracts from Padina pavonia and Jania rubens inhibiting the Egyptian marine coasts. Hep-G2 cell lines used for assessment of the antitumor efficacy of Padina pavonia and Jania rubens extracts in vitro, while Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells were applied to gain more antitumor immunity and antitumor insights of P. pavonia and J.rubens extracts in vivo. In vitro antitumor potentials of P. pavonia and J. rubens extracts were analyzed against human liver cancer Hep-G2 cells by MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. In vivo antitumor immunological potentials of P. pavonia and J. rubens extracts at low, high, and prophylactic doses were analyzed by blood counting and flow cytometry in mice challenged with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. In vitro results revealed that P. pavonia and J. rubens extracts caused significant decreases in the number and viability of Hep-G2 cells in a dose-dependent manner as compared to untreated Hep-G2 cells or Cisplatin®-treated Hep-G2 cells. In vivo findings showed that P. pavonia and J. rubens extracts at low, high, and prophylactic doses significantly reduced the number and viability of EAC tumor cells accompanied by increases in EAC apoptosis compared to naïve EAC mouse. Additionally, P. pavonia and J. rubens extracts at low and prophylactic doses remarkably increased both the total WBC count and the relative numbers of lymphocytes and decreased the relative numbers of neutrophils and monocytes. Flow cytometric analysis showed that P. pavonia and J. rubens extracts at the treatment and the prophylactic doses resulted in a significant increase in the phenotypic expressions of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and CD335 cells compared to naïve EAC mouse. Overall, both extracts P. pavonia and J. rubens possess potential antitumor and antitumor immunological effects with less toxicity, opening new approaches for further studies of the chemical and biological mechanisms behind these effects.