bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Free Range-of-Motion Upper Limb Exercise Based on Mirror Therapy on Shoulder Function in Patients After Breast Cancer Surgery: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yuan Ru Zhen , Li Kun Peng , Wei Xiao Lin , Zheng Wei , Ye Yi , Wang Ming Yue , Jiang Jie Ting , Wu Caiqin
Published: September 2021

Background Shoulder function complications are common after surgery for breast cancer. Quite a few survivors still reported a limited shoulder range of motion, even though the free range-of-motion upper limb exercise is helpful to restore shoulder function post-operatively. Mirror therapy(MT) is a classical and effective rehabilitation technique to recover motor and sensory function for limbs, in addition, studies have reported that MT has the influence on patients with shoulder functional dysfunction including increasing shoulder range of motion, improving shoulder function scores, and decreasing pain scores. Here we describe a protocol of a randomized controlled trial to explore if the free range-of-motion upper limb exercise based on mirror therapy has efficacy on shoulder function in breast cancer survivors after surgery.Methods/design This is a prospective, single-blind, two-arm randomized controlled trial. An estimated 70 participants will be randomly allocated to 1) MT group or 2) control group. The participants in the control group receive free range-of-motion upper limb exercise, and participants in the MT group will engages in free range-of-motion upper limb exercise based on mirror therapy. The intervention will start from the first day after surgery and will be completde at 8 weeks after surgery. Primary outcomes in this protocol is shoulder range of motion(ROM), while the Constant-Murley Score(CMS), Disability of arm, shoulder, and hand Questionnaire (DASH), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (13-item TSK), Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), grip strength, arm circumference, and lypmphedema are secondary outcomes. Assessment will be conducted before allocation(baseline) and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after surgery.Discussion Based on results that mirror therapy has influence on shoulder function immediately after intervention in patients without nerve injury, this randomized controlled trial is the first study to observe the efficacy of mirror therapy on shoulder function after a long time intervention in breast cancer survivors. We look forward the innovation of this study for both breast cancer rehabilitation and mirror therapy. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR): ChiCTR 2000033080. Registered on 19 May 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchproj.aspx.
Single-cell tumor-immune microenvironment of BRCA1/2 mutated high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Launonen Inga-Maria , Lyytikäinen Nuppu , Casado Julia , Anttila Ella , Szabó Angéla , Haltia Ulla-Maija , Jacobson Connor , Lin Jia-Ren , Maliga Zoltan , Santagata Sandro , Elias Kevin , D'Andrea Alan , Konstantinopoulos Panagiotis , Sorger Peter , Färkkila Anniina
Published: September 2021

The majority of high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSCs) are deficient in homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair, most commonly due to mutations or hypermethylation of the BRCA1/2 genes. We aimed to discover how BRCA1/2 mutations shape the cellular phenotypes and spatial interactions of the tumor microenvironment. Using a highly multiplex immunofluorescence and image analysis we generated spatial proteomic data for 21 markers in 124,623 single cells from 112 tumor cores originating from 31 tumors with BRCA1/2 mutation (BRCA1/2mut), and from 13 tumors without alterations in HR genes (HRwt). We identified a phenotypically distinct tumor microenvironment in the BRCA1/2mut tumors with evidence of increased immunosurveillance. Importantly, we found an opposing prognostic role of a proliferative tumor-cell phenotypic subpopulation in the HR-genotypes, which associated with enhanced spatial tumor-immune interactions by the CD8+ and CD4+T-cells in BRCA1/2mut tumors. The single-cell spatial landscapes indicate distinct patterns of spatial immunosurveillance with the premise to improve immunotherapeutic strategies and patient stratification in HGSC.
Bcl-xL Acts as an Inhibitor of IP3R Channels, Thereby Antagonizing Ca2+-Driven Apoptosis
Authors: Rosa Nicolas , Ivanova Hristina , II Larry Wagner , Kale Justin , Rovere Rita La , Welkenhuyzen Kirsten , Louros Nikolaos , Karamanou Spyridoula , Shabardina Victoria , Lemmens Irma , Vandermarliere Elien , Hamada Kozo , Ando Hideaki , Rousseau Frederic , Schymkowitz Joost , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Economou Anastassios , Tavernier Jan , Andrews David , Parys Jan , Yule David , Bultynck Geert
Published: September 2021

Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-family members not only act at mitochondria but also at the endoplasmic reticulum, where they impact Ca2+ dynamics by controlling IP3 receptor (IP3R) function. Current models propose distinct roles for Bcl-2 vs Bcl-xL, with Bcl-2 inhibiting IP3Rs and preventing pro-apoptotic Ca2+ release and Bcl-xL sensitizing IP3Rs to low [IP3] and promoting pro-survival Ca2+ oscillations. We here demonstrate that Bcl-xL too inhibits IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release by interacting with the same IP3R regions as Bcl-2. Via in silico superposition, we previously found that the residue K87 of Bcl-xL spatially resembled K17 of Bcl-2, a residue critical for Bcl-2’s IP3R-inhibitory properties. Mutagenesis of K87 in Bcl-xL impaired its binding to IP3R and abrogated Bcl-xL’s inhibitory effect on IP3Rs. Single-channel recordings demonstrate that purified Bcl-xL, but not Bcl-xLK87D, suppressed IP3R single-channel openings stimulated by sub-maximal and threshold [IP3]. Moreover, we demonstrate that Bcl-xL-mediated inhibition of IP3Rs contributes to its anti-apoptotic properties against Ca2+-driven apoptosis. Staurosporine (STS) elicits long-lasting Ca2+ elevations in wild-type but not in IP3R-knockout HeLa cells, sensitizing the former to STS treatment. Overexpression of Bcl-xL in wild-type HeLa cells suppressed STS-induced Ca2+ signals and cell death, while Bcl-xLK87D was much less effective in doing so. In the absence of IP3Rs, Bcl-xL and Bcl-xLK87D were equally effective in suppressing STS-induced cell death. Finally, we demonstrate that endogenous Bcl-xL also suppress IP3R activity in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, whereby Bcl-xL knockdown augmented IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release and increased the sensitivity towards STS, without altering the ER Ca2+ content. Hence, this study challenges the current paradigm of divergent functions for Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in Ca2+-signaling modulation and reveals that, similarly to Bcl-2, Bcl-xL inhibits IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release and IP3R-driven cell death. Our work further underpins that IP3R inhibition is an integral part of Bcl-xL’s anti-apoptotic function.
Fusion of the SRDX Motif to OsPIL11 or OsPIL16 Causes Rice Constitutively Photomorphogenic Phenotypes In Darkness
Authors: Li Yaping , Zhang Fang , Zheng Chongke , Zhou Jinjun , Meng Xiangxue , Niu Shulin , Chen Fan , Zhang Hui , Xie Xianzhi
Published: September 2021

Dark-grown seedlings develop skotomorphogenically. Because of the development of rice direct seeding cultivation systems, there is an increasing need for clarifying the molecular mechanism underlying rice skotomorphogenic development. It has been reported that SRDX motif, LDLDLELRLGFA, was able to convert a transcriptional activator into a strong repressor. In the present study, to explore the functions of PILs in rice skotomorphogenesis, we generated OsPIL11-SRDX and OsPIL16-SRDX transgenic lines by fusing the SRDX transcriptional repressor motif to the C-terminal of two members of the phytochrome interacting factor-like (OsPIL) family in rice (OsPIL11 and OsPIL16). The OsPIL11-SRDX and OsPIL16-SRDX seedlings grown in darkness had constitutively photomorphogenic phenotypes with short coleoptiles and open leaf blades. The results of an RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the dark-grown OsPIL11-SRDX and OsPIL16-SRDX lines had gene expression patterns similar to those of wild-type seedlings grown under red light. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the expression levels of genes related to photosynthesis, photosynthesis–antenna proteins, and porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism were up-regulated in the dark-grown OsPIL11-SRDX and OsPIL16-SRDX lines, whereas the expression of genes related to the auxin pathway was down-regulated. In contrast, the expression levels of these photosynthesis-related genes were down-regulated in dark-grown transgenic seedlings overexpressing OsPIL11 or OsPIL16, which had exaggerated skotomorphogenesis. Considered together, our data indicate that OsPIL11 and OsPIL16 primarily function as transcriptional activators, at least in regards to promoting skotomorphogenesis and repressing the expression of photosynthesis-related genes.
Large-scale Climate Variability Footprint in Water Levels of Alluvial Aquifers Across Iran
Authors: Rezaei Abolfazl
Published: September 2021

The ability to predict future variability of groundwater resources in time and space is of critical importance in society’s adaptation to climate variability and change. Periodic control of large scale ocean-atmospheric circulations on groundwater levels proposes a potentially effective source of longer term forecasting capability. In this study, as a first national-scale assessment, we use the continues wavelet transform, global power spectrum, and wavelet coherence analyses to quantify the controls of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) over the representative groundwater levels of the 24 principal aquifers, scattered across different 14 climate zones of Iran. The results demonstrate that aquifer storage variations are partially controlled by annual to interdecadal climate variability and are not solely a function of pumping variations. Moreover, teleconnections are observed to be both frequency and time specific. The significant coherence patterns between the climate indices and groundwater levels are observed at five frequency bands of the annual (~1-yr), interannual (2-4- and 4-6-yr), decadal (8-12-yr), and interdecadal (14-18yr), consistent with the dominant modes of climate indices. AMO’s strong footprint is observed at interdecadal and annual modes of groundwater levels while PDO’s highest imprint is seen in interannual, decadal, and interdecadal modes. The highest controlling influence of ENSO is observed across the decadal and interannual modes whereas the NAO’s footprint is marked at annual and interdecadal frequency bands. Further, it is observed that the groundwater variability being higher modulated by a combination of large-scale atmospheric circulations rather than each individual index. The decadal and interdecadal oscillation modes constitute the dominant modes in Iranian aquifers. Findings also mark the unsaturated zone contribution in damping and lagging of the climate variability modes, particularly for the higher frequency indices of ENSO and NAO where the groundwater variability is observed to be more correlated with lower frequent climate circulations such as PDO and AMO, rather than ENSO and NAO. Finally, it is found that the data length can significantly affect the teleconnections if the time series are not contemporaneous and only one value of coherence/correlation is computed for each particular series instead of separate computations for different frequency bands and different time spans.
Impact of Equatorial Wind Stress on Ekman Transport During the Mature Phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Zhang Linfang , Li Yaokun , Li Jianping
Published: September 2021

This paper investigates the impact of equatorial wind stress on the equatorial Ekman transport during the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) mature phase. The results show that the equatorial zonal wind stress directly drives the meridional motion of seawater at the upper levels. In normal years, the zonal wind stress south of the equator is easterly and that north of the equator is westerly, which contributes to southward Ekman transport at the upper levels to form the climatological Indian Ocean shallow meridional overturning circulation. During the years of positive IOD events, abnormal easterly winds near the equator bring southward Ekman transport south of the equator while they bring northward Ekman transport north of the equator. This causes the seawater to move away from the equator and hence induces upwelling near the equator, which forms a pair of small circulation cells that are symmetric about the equator at the upper levels (approximately 100 m deep). The abnormal circulation cell south (north) of the equator strengthens (weakens) the southward (southward) motion south (north) of the equator. During years with negative IOD events, the opposite occurs. In addition, during the mature period of IOD, the remote sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) may exert some influence on equatorial wind stress and Ekman transport anomaly but the influence is weak.
Direct-current generators based on conductive polymers for self-powered flexible devices
Authors: Meng Yanfang , Zhang Long , Xu Guangyuan , Wang Heling
Published: September 2021

Direct-current generators, especially those based on the Schottky contacts between conductive polymers and metal electrodes, are efficient in converting mechanical stimuli into electrical energy. In contrast to triboelectric and piezoelectric generators, direct-current generators readily produce direct-current outputs and high currents that are crucial for integrating multiple energy-harvesting units in large scale and driving some types of devices. We are focusing on the relationship between Schottky barrier height and performance, systematically investigating the effects of various conductive polymers and electrodes on the outputs by both theoretical simulation and experiments. Tailoring the Schottky barrier height between conductive polymers and metal electrodes is demonstrated a significant approach to design the new DC generators. The preparation method of electrochemical deposition endows the generators flexibility, the linear relationship of current/voltage output vs. strain applied on the generators, combined with the large outputs offer advantages for the generator to work as flexible sensors. Furthermore, a mechanosensation-active matrix array based on direct-current generator for the strain monitoring demonstrated its promising prospects in flexible electronics. The direct-current generators with improved performance could serve as a stream new blood for versatile sensory systems and human-machine interactive interfaces.
ESD-aid Surgery as a New Treatment Strategy for Duodenal Adenoma
Authors: Okubo Tomotaka , Ogawa Ryo , Ito Sunao , Hayakawa Shunsuke , Sagawa Hiroyuki , Tanaka Tatsuya , Takahashi Hiroki , Matsuo Yoichi , Shimura Takaya , Kataoka Hiromi , Takiguchi Shuji
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe treatment for nonampullary duodenal adenoma remains to have no consensus and established methods. Although endoscopic treatment is minimally invasive, it was reported to cause delayed perforation in more than 20% of cases. MethodsFor adenomas in the duodenum, we have performed ESD-aid surgery, which is a procedure to prophylactically suture the seromuscular structure of the duodenum after ESD. In this procedure, we did not perform Kocher mobilization prior to ESD to facilitate endoscopic resection and full-thickness resection to prevent spread of the tumor and infection to the abdominal cavity. The duodenal wall was reinforced in planes using a suture clip. ResultsOf the 13 cases of duodenal adenoma that underwent ESD-aid surgery at our hospital between April 2018 and December 2020, 1 developed postoperative bleeding, but there was no late perforation. ConclusionsFor duodenal adenomas, ESD-aid surgery was considered a safe and minimally invasive treatment.Trial registrationThis research was approved by the institutional review board of Nagoya City University Hospital, Approval Number: 60-19-0021, Approval Date: 4 June 2019.
Nomogram for Predicting Postoperative Cancer-specific Early Death in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer based on the SEER Database: A Large Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Zhu Liancheng
Published: September 2021

Background: Ovarian cancer is a common gynecological malignant tumor. Poor prognosis is strongly associated with early death, but there is no effective tool to predict this. This study aimed to construct a nomogram for predicting cancer-specific early death in ovarian cancer patients.Methods: Our study used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database of ovarian cancer patients registered from 1988 to 2016. Important independent prognostic factors were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression and LASSO Cox regression. Several risk factors were considered in constructing the nomogram. Nomogram discrimination and calibration were evaluated using C-index, internal validation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results: A total of 4769 patients were included. Patients were assigned to the training set (n = 3340; 70%) and validation set (n = 1429; 30%). Based on the training set, eight variables were shown to be significant factors for early death and were incorporated in the nomogram: AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) stage, residual lesion size, chemotherapy, serum CA125 level, tumor size, number of lymph nodes examined, surgery of primary site, and age. The C-indices and ROC curves showed that the nomogram had better predictive ability than the AJCC staging system and good clinical practicability. Internal validation based on validation set showed good consistency between predicted and observed values for early death. Conclusions: Compared with predictions made using AJCC stage or residual lesion size, the nomogram was able to provide more robust predictions for early death in ovarian cancer patients.
Geomechanical Characteristics And Failure Analysis of The Limestone Slope At Sahastradhara-Chamasari Road Dehradun Uttarakhand India
Authors: Nayak Nirlipta Priyadarshini , Kumar Harinandan , Aggarwal Ashish , M. Muralidhar Singh
Published: September 2021

In this study, the rock slope failure analysis was carried out to predict the stability of the limestone rock in the Sahastradhara-Chamasari Road Dehradun Uttarakhand, India. The limestone rock samples were collected from the study area for testing purposes. The geomechanical parameters like compressive strength, axial strain, young’s modulus, cohesive strength, angle of internal friction, etc., were experimentally determined to study their application in the simulation of slope failure analysis. A 2D model of the study area was developed using the field data for modelling and simulation purposes. Slope failure analysis was carried out using the Finite element method (FEM). Results indicated maximum compressive strength of the core sample as 85.14 MPa while axial strain and elastic modulus were 0.02197 and 842.45 MPa, respectively. The cohesive strength and the angle of internal friction of the core sample were evaluated as 38.59 kPa and 12.96 degree. The slope failure analysis was carried out to determine the factor of safety (FOS) of the slope at variable loading conditions. A decreasing trend of the FOS was observed with loading. The lesser value of FOS at higher loading conditions required the supporting system at the foot level of the slope for the slope stability in the study area.
Research on Services Decision-Making in Closed-Loop Supply Chain Dominated by a Logistics Provider
Authors: Li Wei , Chen Fei , Deng Liurui , Zhao Yiwen
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we assume that a closed-loop supply chain consists of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) producing new products from raw materials, a remanufacturer producing re-manufactured products from used items directly collected from customers and a logistics provider which sells and distributes two products as a monopolist in the given market. By constructing game model in which logistics provider is a leader, OEM and remanufacturer are the equal status followers, we solve chain members’ optimal services decision-making. Finally, we analyze influence of service elasticities and intensities of service competition of two manufacturers on members’ equilibrium decision-making.
Multifactor Effects on the N2O Emissions and Yield of Potato Fields Based on the DNDC Model
Authors: Wang Liwei , Zhang Kai , Guo Kangjun , Liu Limin , Zhang Tao , Xu Mingjie , Yan Xuefei , Gao Xining
Published: September 2021

Maintaining or increasing grain yields while also reducing the emissions of field agricultural greenhouse gases is an important objective. To explore the multifactor effects of nitrogen fertilizer on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and the yield of potato fields and to verify the applicability of the DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model when used to project the N2O emission load and yield, this research chooses a potato field in Shenyang northeast China from 2017~2019 as the experiment site. The experiment includes four nitrogen levels observed the emission of N2O by static chamber/gas chromatograph techniques. The results of this study are as follows: (1) DNDC has a good performance regarding the projection of N2O emissions and yields. The model efficiency index EFs were 0.45~0.88 for N2O emissions and 0.91, 0.85 and 0.85 for yields from 2017~2019. (2) The annual precipitation, soil organic carbon and soil bulk density had the most significant influence on the accumulated N2O emissions during the growth period of potato. The annual precipitation, annual average temperature and CO2 mass concentration had the most significant influences on yield. (3) Under the premise of a normal water supply, sowing potatoes within 5 days after the 5-day sliding average temperature in this area exceeds 10 °C can ensure the temperature required for the normal growth of potatoes and achieve the purpose of maintaining and increasing yield. (4) The application of 94.5 kg·hm-2 nitrogen and 15 mm irrigation represented the best results for reducing N2O emissions while also maintaining the yield in potato fields.
Analysis of Stability of Silica Nano-Particle-Laden Microbubble Dispersion
Authors: Gupta Rashi , Saini Roshan , Parmar Rajeev
Published: September 2021

Microbubbles are small gas filled bubbles which has wide application in various industries. Stability of microbubble dispersion is of primary concern for the application of microbubbles in these fields. In this research, the stability of microbubble dispersion generated using CTAB surfactant is analysed by drainage mechanism. The stability is studied on the basis of half-life of microbubble dispersion. Microbubble dispersion gas fraction and rise velocity of microbubble is also calculated and the size of microbubble is estimated from the rise velocity of microbubble. Further, Silica nanoparticles are added in the surfactants to study their effect on the stability of microbubble dispersion. The observed results clearly indicates that the stability of microbubble dispersion is significantly affected by the surfactant concentration and the weight of silica nanoparticle in the liquid. Similar results were observed for rise velocity and bubble size. The present work may be beneficial for the application of microbubble in various chemical and biochemical industries and scientific community.
Modeling of Carbon Dioxide Fixation Rate by Micro Algae Using Hybrid Artificial Intelligence and Fuzzy Logic Methods and Optimization by Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Kushwaha Omkar Singh , Uthayakumar Haripriyan , Kumaresan Karthigaiselvan
Published: September 2021

In this study we are reporting a prediction model for the estimation of carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation based on the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) hybrid approach. The experimental parameters such as temperature and pH conditions of the micro-algae-based carbon dioxide uptake process were taken as the input variables and the CO2 fixation rate was taken as the output variable. The optimization of ANFIS parameters and formation of the model structure were performed by genetic algorithm (GA) algorithm in order to achieve optimum prediction capability and industrial applicability. The best-fitting model was figured out using statistical analysis parameters such as RMSE, R2 and AARD. According to the analysis, GA-ANFIS model depicted a superior prediction capability over ANFIS optimized model. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2) and AARD for GA-ANFIS were determined as 0.000431, 0.97865 and 0.044354 in the training phase and 0.00056, 0.98457 and 0.032156 in the testing phase, respectively for the GA-ANFIS Model. As a result, it can be concluded that the proposed GA-ANFIS model is an efficient technique having very high potential to accurately calculate CO2 fixation rate and the exploration of the industrial scale-up process for commercial activities.
Exposing Structural Variations in SARS-CoV-2 Evolution
Authors: Yang Jiaan , Zhang Peng , Cheng Wen Xiang , Lu Youyong , Gang Wu , Ren Gang
Published: September 2021

The mutation of SARS-CoV-2 influences viral function as residue replacements affect both physiochemical properties and folding conformations. Although a large amount of data on SARS-CoV-2 is available, the investigation of how viral functions change in response to mutations is hampered by a lack of effective structural analysis. Here, we exploit advances in protein structure fingerprint technology to study the folding conformational changes induced by mutations. With the integration of both protein sequences and folding conformations and alignments of SARS-CoV to SARS-CoV-2, the UK variant and India variant, we found that structural variations in the spike protein at the binding interface interacting with ACE2 play a critical role in coronavirus entry into human cells. Additionally, the structural variations impact vaccine effectiveness and drug function over the course of SARS-CoV-2 evolution. The analysis of structural variations revealed how the coronavirus has gradually evolved in both structure and function and how the SARS-CoV-2 variants have contributed to more severe acute disease worldwide.
Office Workers' Perspectives on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Landais Lorraine L. , Jelsma Judith G.M. , Dotinga Idske R. , Timmermans Danielle R.M. , Verhagen Evert A.L.M. , Damman Olga C.
Published: September 2021

BackgroundOffice workers spend a significant part of their workday in a sedentary position. Interventions that aim to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity insufficiently take into account individual perspectives – including beliefs and values – that influence behavioural choices. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of office workers' perspectives on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.MethodsSixteen Dutch office workers (50% female) from different professions consented to participate in semi-structured face-to-face interviews in March 2019. To facilitate the interviews, participants received a sensitizing booklet one week before the scheduled interview. The booklet aimed to trigger them to reflect on their physical activity and sedentary behaviour and on their values in life. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and coded following codebook thematic analysis.ResultsSix themes were identified: 1) beliefs about health effects are specific regarding physical activity, but superficial regarding sedentary behaviour; 2) in addition to health, social- and work-related values are also given priority; 3) motivations are related to the value 'health' and the valence and time frame of outcomes; 4) attitudes are diverse and depend on previous experiences, underlying values, and the situation; 5) perceived barriers depend on internal and external factors; 6) supporting factors are related to the social-, physical- and information environments.Conclusions Office workers' perspectives on physical activity and sedentary behaviour are related to beliefs about health effects, the prioritization of personal values, short- and long-term motivations, attitudes, perceived barriers, and supporting factors. Together, these factors seem to play a role in office workers' behavioural choices. Interventions that aim to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity among office workers could be improved by emphasizing short-term positive effects – including mental health effects – of physical activity, providing information about long-term health effects of sedentary behaviour, framing physical activity as congruent with values, and supporting value-congruent choices.
Abstract Near-Focus Versus Normal-Focus Narrow Band Imaging Colonoscopy in Diagnosis of ColorectalPolyps Based on Combined NICE and WASP Classification in Routine Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Netinatsunton Nisa , Cheewasereechon Natcha , Pattarapuntakul Tanawat , Sottisuporn Jaksin , Kanjanapradit Kanet , Ovartlarnporn Bancha
Published: September 2021

Near-focus versus Normal-focus Narrow Band Imaging Colonoscopy in Diagnosis of Colorectal Polyps based on Combined NICE and WASP Classification in routine colonoscopy: a Randomized Controlled TrialNisa Netinatsunton1, Natcha Cheewasereechon1Tanawat Pattarapuntakul1, Jaksin Sottisuporn1, Kanet Kanjanapradit2, Bancha Ovartlarnporn1Background: NICE (NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic) and WASP (Workgroup on Serrated Polyps and Polyposis) classification were developed for optical diagnosis of adenoma and sessile serrated polyps, respectively. Near focus NBI with NICE combined with WASP criteria for optical diagnosis of colonic polyps has not been assessed formerly. Aims: To compare the accuracy of near focus NBI (group A) with normal focus NBI (group B) in real time optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps using combined NICE and WASP criteria.Methods: 118 out of 362 patients with 227 polyps were recruited. 62 patients with 130 polyps (3 lost polyps) were assigned to group A and 56 patients with 106 polyps (6 lost polyps) were assigned to group B. Optical diagnoses were compared with pathological reports.Results: The performance of optical diagnosis of neoplastic polyps in group A compared with group B in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) was not significantly difference (76%, 72%, 81%, 86%, 64%, in group A, and 71%, 66%, 83%, 90%, 51%, in group B, respectively). Combined NICE and WASP criteria provided all false positive diagnosis of sessile polyps as serrated polyps in 31 (15.9%).Conclusions: Near-focus NBI was not superior to normal-focus NBI in in optical diagnostic of neoplastic polyps using NICE criteria. Combined NICE and WASP classification yielded all false positive in the diagnosis SSAPs in our study. Routine real life optical diagnosis of polyps is still not recommended.Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov, NCT 04831814, was retrospectively registered on 04/01/2021.
The Development of a Community-based COVID-19 Public Health Intervention in Rural Ghana
Authors: Frimpong Shadrack Osei , Seidu Moro , Hilton Sam Kris , Ransome Yusuf , Paintsil Elijah , Talbert-Slagle Kristina , Dorcoo-Attipoe Sharon , Brayne Carol
Published: September 2021

Background: The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework was utilized to design an evidence-based practice, Cocoa360’s COVID Preparedness & Outbreak Prevention Plan (CoCoPOPP), for rural communities in Ghana. Through participatory academic-community team discussion, interactive dissemination, systematic review of evidence about community-based interventions during Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and Influenza outbreaks and effective engagement with local and national stakeholders, CoCoPOPP was developed to be consistent with the PARIHS framework. Methods: Applying the three core elements of the PARIHS framework (evidence, context, and facilitation), the designers developed orientation, logistic needs and planning, and social mobilization. Components of CoCoPOPP also included participant recruitment and training, communication, research, monitoring & evaluation plan, execution, technical assistance, and facilitation. Results: This intervention achieved three (3) main aims: (1) meet a pressing health need during the COVID-19 pandemic in local underserved settings, (2) ensure that the strategy is informed by high-quality evidence from similar interventions in past outbreaks, and (3) evaluate and learn from research on interventions to garner data. Beyond the impact on health outcomes and healthcare services utilization, CoCoPOPP sought to garner data for organizational use and to share insights on pandemic management and control with the Ghanaian government and the broader global health community. Conclusion: The use of evidence-based public health framework, PARIHS, renders CoCoPOPP a replicable community-based model that can be implemented in other rural communities in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African counties with similar cultural settings.
Adsorption of Estrogenic Hormones in Aqueous Solution Using Electrospun Nanofibers From Waste Cigarette Butts: Kinetics, Mechanism, and Reusability
Authors: Yasir Muhammad , Šopík Tomáš , Patwa Rahul , Kimmer Dušan , Sedlařík Vladimír
Published: September 2021

This study emphasizes rapid and simultaneous adsorptive removal of estrogenic hormones (EHs): estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estriol (E3) from wastewater using recycled waste cigarette electrospun nanofibers (WCENFs). The nanofibers exhibited a small diameter (196±65 nm) and large surface area (18.05 m 2 /g), along with a strong affinity towards all EHs by adsorption due to abundant hydrogen bonding interactions. A one-step high-performance liquid chromatography technique was developed to detect each EH present in the solution simultaneously. The adsorption kinetics helps select optimum conditions for the large-scale removal process, so experimental data using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intra-particle diffusion, Elovich, and fractional power models were fitted. It was found that E1, E2, and EE2 followed pseudo-second-order kinetics while E3 followed pseudo-first-order kinetic models. The total adsorption capacity on WCENFs was determined to be 2.14 mg/g, whereas the individual adsorption capacities of E1, E2, EE2, and E3 were found to be 0.551, 0.532, 0.687, and 0.369 mg/g, respectively. The percentage efficiency of WCENFs was highest with EE2 ~64.3% and least with E3 ~34.6%. Adsorption-desorption studies revealed that WCENFs could repeatedly be used four times. The reported results indicate a significant potential of WCENFs to be an effective sorbent and portable filter for simultaneous estrogenic hormone removal. WCENFs filter is a suitable alternative to commercial Cellulose acetate filters.
Is Decision-Making For Health Care Related To Health Facility Delivery Among Married Women In Uganda? Analysis From DHS 2016
Authors: Akello Harriet
Published: September 2021

Background Most maternal and neonatal deaths occur in low and middle incomes, and more than half takes place within the first day of birth. These deaths could be prevented if delivery was attended to by skilled health professionals in the health facilities. Empirical studies have reported several factors associated with low facility-based delivery. Limited literature is available on the relationship between women autonomy and health facility delivery in Uganda. This study aims to establish the relationship between decision-making for health care and health facility delivery among married women in Uganda. Method: The data used for the cross-sectional study was from the Uganda Demographic Health Survey 2016. The study used a sample of 1541 women who gave birth within five years before the survey. Proportions, odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to estimate the health facility delivery for each independent variable using the level of significance of p < 0.05. Binary logistics regression was used to calculate the odds ratio for the different variables. Results: 49% of the women could decide by themselves to seek care. Although 94% of the women attended ANC during the last pregnancy, only 75% of the married women delivered their most recent child in the hospital/health facility. There was regional variation for facility-based delivery (Western AOR 0.441, CI 0.285-0.684; Eastern 0.568, CI 0.395-0.816; Central 0.587, CI 0.361-0.952). Older women are less likely to deliver in a health facility compared to younger ones (25-29years AOR 0.559, CI 0.356-0.877; 30-34years AOR 0.530, CI 0.342-0.823, 35-39years AOR 0.406, CI 0.252-0.652; 40-44year AOR 0 .569, CI 0.345-0.938; 45-49years AOR 0.485, CI 0.288-0.814). Women who were aged 20-29years were more likely to deliver in a health facility (AOR 1.55 CI 1.141-2.109). Women in the middle, richer and richest wealth index have higher odds of delivering in the hospital compared to women in the poorest wealth index (Middle AOR 1.544, CI 1.053-2.264; richer AOR 1.863, CI 1.211-2.866; Richest AOR 4.104, CI 2.051-8.213). Women who do not have problems with transport are more likely to deliver in the hospital (AOR 1.503, CI 1.168-1.935). Conclusion: Decision-making for health has no association with health facility delivery. The factors associated with health facility delivery among married women were the current age of the woman, age of the woman at the birth of the first child, distance to the facility, wealth, region and place of residence. The government needed to develop strategies that will improve health facility distribution per capita, invest in infrastructure that will reduce the distance to the health facility, invest in projects that will improve wealth index and carry out health promotion targeting older women and considers geographical variations.
Stochastic Stability of a Fractional Viscoelastic Plate Driven by Non-Gaussian Colored Noise
Authors: Hu Dongliang , Huang Yong
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the moment Lyapunov exponent and stochastic stability of a fractional viscoelastic plate driven by non-Gaussian colored noise is investigated. Firstly, the stochastic dynamic equations with two degrees of freedom are established by piston theory and Galerkin approximate method. The fractional Kelvin–Voigt constitutive relation is used to describe the material properties of the viscoelastic plate, which leads to that the fractional derivation term is introduced into the stochastic dynamic equations. And the noise is simplified into an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process by utilizing the path-integral method. Then, via the singular perturbation method, the approximate expansions of the moment Lyapunov exponent are obtained, which agree well with the results obtained by the Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, the effects of the noise, viscoelastic parameters and system parameters on the stochastic dynamics of the viscoelastic plate are discussed.
Potential Roles of Cornichon Family AMPA Receptor Auxiliary Protein 4 (CNIH4) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Yixue , Liu Hengrui , Han Yue
Published: September 2021

Background The diagnosis and prognosis of neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is a challenge for clinical HNSC management, thus, the investigation of molecular biomarkers of HNSC is urgent. We hypothesized that Cornichon Family AMPA Receptor Auxiliary Protein 4 (CNIH4) is a biomarker for HNSC.Methods We analyzed mRNA seq data, protein staining data, and single-cell expression data of HNSC from open databases and evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of CNIH4, and investigated the association of CNIH4 to HNSC cancer biology and immunity.Results CNIH4 was expressed higher and have higher copy number in HNSC compared to normal tissues. CNIH4 was associated with worse overall survival of HNSC patients. A survival nomogram was constructed. 2012 and 421genes were identified as positively and negatively associated with CNIH4 respectively, and they were enriched in “Cell cycle”, “DNA replicate”, “Cytokine−cytokine receptor interaction”, etc. CNIH4 was positively correlated with “stemness”, “cell cycle”, and “DNA repair” in single-cell data. CNIH4 was potentially associated with changes in multiple immune cell infiltration and cancer immune escape. Conclusion CNIH4 is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HNSC patients and can potentially affect the cancer stemness and tumor immune microenvironment of HNSC cells.
RETRACTED: Identification of a New Microalgal Strain From Chromite Mine Wastes for Detoxification of Hexavalent Chromium for Sustainable Crop Growth
Authors: Majhi Pritikrishna , Rout Gyana Ranjan , Samantaray Saubhagya Manjari
Published: September 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Exploring Protein Composition in Stickwater From Tuna by-products Processing as a Preliminary Approach for the Recovery of a Low Molecular Weight Fraction With Potential Algicidal Activity
Authors: Moreno Ofmara Maria Ponce , Lugo-Sanchez Maria Elena , Ramírez-Suarez Juan Carlos , Band-Schmidt Christine Johanna , Salazar-Leyva Jesús Aarón , Sotelo-Mundo Rogerio , Pacheco-Aguilar Ramón
Published: September 2021

The use of by-products for fishmeal production is constantly rising. During this process, stickwater is generated, an effluent that contains organic matter in soluble, colloidal or particulate form. It has been shown that stickwater contains an important amount of protein and that its characterization is the first step into achieving its full valorization. Tuna canning by-product´s stickwater was centrifuged and fractionated by ultrafiltration to bring awareness to its protein quality. Stickwater had a net protein content of 61.4%, centrifuged stickwater maintained a similar protein content meanwhile the protein content in ultrafiltered fractions decreased as their molecular weight range decreased as well. Stickwater, centrifuged stickwater and the fraction R10 presented gel-like characteristics that could position this effluent as a potential source of gelatin. The electrophoretic profile of stickwater, centrifuged stickwater and centrifuged solids demonstrated that a high amount of protein in stickwater was soluble. This first glance at protein/peptides from tuna canning by-products is part of the ongoing effort to propose their recovery an alternative and sustainable use of a fish processing effluent with potential application as a source of peptides with algicidal bioactivity against harmful algal blooms (HABs).
Early Implementation of a Patient-centered Medical Home in Singapore: a Qualitative Study Using Theories on Diffusion of Innovations
Authors: Lim Zoe Zon Be , Kadir Mumtaz Mohamed , Ginting Mimaika Luluina , Vrijhoef Hubertus Johannes Maria , Yoong Joanne , Wong Chek Hooi
Published: September 2021

Background: Primary care (PC) reform is imperative to meet the demands of a rising number of chronically ill patients with complex needs. Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a new care model that was found to improve care for complex needs patients in some countries but has not yet been widely adopted in Singapore. Guided by the PCMH principles, “ComSA-PCMH” was developed to proactively deliver integrated PC to a specific population with complex needs. This study explored the change strategies, initial experience and perception, and lessons learnt during its early implementation.Methods: A grounded theory approach was employed. In-depth interviews were conducted for twenty-two key informants from three groups: the implementers, their implementation partners and other PC providers. The theoretical framework on diffusion of innovations by Greenhalgh and colleagues (2015) was used to determine theoretical saturation, reorganize data, and provide insights to the emerging themes.Results: “Diffusion of innovation” emerged as an overarching theory to contextualize ComSA-PCMH and its early implementation. ComSA-PCMH was differentiated from usual PC through three innovations: i) team-based and integrated care; ii) empanelment; and iii) shared care with private general practitioners. Their corresponding change strategies were: i) repurposing pre-existing services and infrastructure; ii) partnership to create supporting infrastructure and pathways in the delivery system; and iii) targeted outreach. Initial experience of the implementers was characterized by “assimilation”, which was a cyclical process of experimentation, negotiations, and adaptations. Initial perception of the implementation partners was characterized by “adoption”, which was affected by perceived value of ComSA-PCMH and perceived burden in implementation. Initial perception of the private general practitioners was also characterized by adoption, which was affected by a lack of awareness and understanding of ComSA-PCMH. Lessons were learnt about ways to work with the complexity and novelty of the innovations.Conclusions: ComSA-PCMH employed creative and pragmatic strategies to overcome country-specific contextual challenges and the inherent complexities of the care model. Assimilation and adoption were identified as the challenging steps, as they involve complex processes participated by multiple players who might exhibit less predictable, self-organizing behaviors.Trial Registration: This study was retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Protocol ID: NCT04594967).
Synthaser: A CD-search Enabled Python Toolkit for Analysing Domain Architecture of Fungal Secondary Metabolite Megasynth(Et)ases and Beyond
Authors: Gilchrist Cameron LM , Chooi Yit Heng
Published: September 2021

Background: Fungi are prolific producers of secondary metabolites (SMs), which are bioactive small molecules with important applications in medicine, agriculture and other industries. The backbones of a large proportion of fungal SMs are generated through the action of large, multi-domain megasynth(et)ases such as polyketide synthases (PKSs) and nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs). The structure of these backbones is determined by the domain architecture of the corresponding megasynth(et)ase, and thus accurate annotation and classification of these architectures is an important step in linking SMs to their biosynthetic origins in the genome. Results: Here we report synthaser, a Python package leveraging the NCBI's conserved domain search tool for remote prediction and classification of fungal megasynth(et)ase domain architectures. synthaser is capable of batch sequence analysis, and produces rich textual output and interactive visualisations which allow for quick assessment of the megasynth(et)ase diversity of a fungal genome. synthaser uses a hierarchical rule-based classification system, which can be extensively customised by the user through a web application (http://gamcil.github.io/synthaser). We show that synthaser provides more accurate domain architecture predictions than comparable tools which rely on curated profile hidden Markov model (pHMM)-based approaches; the utilisation of the NCBI conserved domain database also allows for significantly greater flexibility compared to pHMM approaches. In addition, we demonstrate how synthaser can be applied to large scale genome mining pipelines through the construction of an Aspergillus PKS similarity network. Conclusions: synthaser is an easy to use tool that represents a significant upgrade to previous domain architecture analysis tools. synthaser is freely available under a MIT license from PyPI (https://pypi.org/project/synthaser) and GitHub (https://github.com/gamcil/synthaser). Keywords: secondary metabolism, domain architecture, polyketide synthase, nonribosomal peptide synthetase, bioinformatics, software