bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insecticidal activity of crude extracts of four plants and their Ag Nano liquids against Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
Authors: Mariappan Madasamy , Kitherian Sahayaraj , Sayed Samy M , Kesba Hosny , Prathas Selvaraj , Koilraj Madasamy
Published: March 2022

A good quantity of global agricultural production is being devastated due to insect pests which need serious attention by the agricultural scientists and policy makers. The sole dependence on agrochemicals has increased over the past decades. However, adoption of botanical insecticides is gaining momentum as an ecofriendly alternative to the hazardous chemical pesticides. Applications of bionanoparticles are highly effective and may limit the risk of synthetic pesticide usage. Leaf dip and topical application toxicity bioassay were carried out to investigate the biological effects of aqueous leave extracts of Annona squamosa, Justicia adathoda, Ipomea carnea and Pongamia glabura at different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10%) against first, second, third nymphal instars and adult of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). The result suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of P. glabura (LC50 = 9.673%) showed more impact after 144 hrs of exposure followed by J. adathoda, I.carnea and A. squamosa in leaf dip toxicity bioassay. In the topical application, P. glabura (LC50 = 1.042%) recorded the highest insecticidal activity followed by other three tested plants. The AgNP’s of P. glabura-AgNP’s showed highest impacts (LC50 = 4.750%) than other three tested nanoparticles i.e., I.carnea-AgNP’s, J. adathoda-AgNP’s, A. squamosa-AgNP’s in addition to Vijay neem, respectively. From these experiments, it is evident that the P. glabura-AgNP’s and J.adathoda-AgNP’s possess more insecticidal activity and hence these products could be used for P. solenopsis management.
Long- term outcomes following endocardial and epicardial ablation of atrial fibrillation in a low procedural volume hospital
Authors: Williams Kim M. , Blatchford Patrick J. , Laws Frank A.
Published: March 2022

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) ablation volume and its relation to outcomes posit negatively for low volume centers, the ideal annual hospital volume is 50. Fifty four in-patients have been followed. The primary outcome is the change in an AFib validated outcomes questionnaire that subjects completed pre-procedure, 6 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter. Secondary endpoints included duration of maintaining normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and adverse events. At 6 months, the overall questionnaire score improved by 30 points from the baseline score (95% CI: (16, 43), p < 0.001). The improvement from baseline was also maintained at 1 year, with the 1-year change score of 22 points (95% CI: (14, 30), p < 0.001), additionally significant improvements were observed in each of the subscales. Based on a Kaplan-Meier analysis, 96% of subjects maintained NSR at 6 months, 87% maintained NSR at 1 year, and 78% maintained NSR at 2 years. Epicardial and endocardial ablation for AF care is feasible in a low-volume ablation hospital with careful long-term tracking. Patients can receive quality care closer to home and not incur costs associated with traveling for health care-a determinate of value- based care.
The Effect of Presence of Permeable Media on Natural Convection Flow of MHD Along an Upward Wavy Surface
Authors: Adel Rasha
Published: March 2022

The natural convection flow over the vertical wavy surface in permeable media of viscous incompressible fluid with thermal conductivity has been investigated. The governing boundary layer equations are transformed into a non-dimensional form using a suitable set of dimensionless variables. The resulting nonlinear system of partial differential equations is solved numerically employing the finite difference, known as the fully implicitmethod. The numerical results for velocity u, temperature θ, Nusselt number Nu for different magnitudes of magnetic field parameter M, Prandtl number Pr, inverse Darcy number\(D{a^{ - 1}}\), surface amplitude a, thermal conductivity variation parameter γ, and heat generation parameter Q.
Methodology to Derive Preference for Health Screening Programmes Using Discrete Choice Experiments: A Scoping Review
Authors: Brain David , Jadambaa Amarzaya , Kularatna Sanjeewa
Published: March 2022

Background
While involving users in healthcare decision-making has become increasingly common and important, there is a lack of knowledge about how to best design community-based health screening programs. Reviews of methods that incorporate discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are scarce, particularly for non-cancer illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and liver disease. We provide an overview of currently available applications and methods available by using DCEs in health screening programs, for chronic conditions.
Methods
A scoping review was undertaken, where four electronic databases were searched for key terms to identify eligible DCE studies related to community health screening. We included studies that met a pre-determined criteria, including being published between 2011 and 2021, in English and reported findings on human participants. Data were systematically extracted, tabulated, and summarised in a narrative review.
Results
A total of 27 studies that used a DCE to elicit preferences for cancer (n = 26) and cardiovascular disease screening (n = 1) programmes were included in the final analysis. All studies were assessed for quality, against a list of 13 criteria, with the median score being 9/13 (range 5–12). Across the 27 studies, the majority (80%) had the same overall scores. Two-thirds of included studies reported a sample size calculation, approximately half (13/27) administered the survey completely online and over 75% used the general public as the participating population.
Conclusion
Our review has led to highlighting several areas of current practice that can be improved, particularly greater use of sample size calculations, increased use of qualitative methods, better reporting of how choice sets are generated, a more detailed explanation of the chosen experimental design and methods for analysis.
Association of Longitudinal Patterns of Nighttime Sleep Duration and Daytime Napping Duration with Risk of Multimorbidity
Authors: Guo Jianhui , Li Aina , Chen Mingjun , Wei Donghong , Wu Jieyu , Wang Tinggui , Hu Yuduan , Lin Yawen , Xu Xingyan , Yang Le , Wen Yeyin , Li Huanyuan , Xie Xiaoxu , Wu Siying
Published: March 2022

Background: Single measures of self-reported nighttime sleep duration and daytime napping duration are associated with adverse health outcomes; However, the association between longitudinal patterns of self-reported nighttime sleep duration and daytime napping duration and multimorbidity remains unclear. We therefore undertook cox regression analyses to explore linkages between sleep trajectories and multimorbidity.Methods: The current study included 5262 participants from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Self-reported nighttime sleep duration and daytime napping duration were collected from 2011 to 2015. The 4-year sleep duration trajectories were conducted by group-based trajectory modelling. The fourteen medical conditions were diagnosed by self-reported physicians or identified by combining health assessment and medication data. Multimorbidity was diagnosed as Participants with two or more of the 14 chronic diseases after 2015. Associations between sleep trajectories and multimorbidity were assessed by cox regression models.Results: During 6.69 years of follow-up, we observed multimorbidity in 785 participants. Four nighttime sleep duration trajectories and three daytime napping duration trajectories were identified. Participants with persistent short nighttime sleep duration trajectory had the higher risk of multimorbidity (Hazard ratio (HR)=1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.49), compared with those with persistent normal nighttime sleep duration trajectory. We have not found a benefit of daytime napping on the development of multimorbidity. Participants with persistent normal nighttime sleep duration and persistent seldom daytime napping duration had a lower risk of multimorbidity.Conclusions: In this study, persistent short nighttime sleep duration trajectory was associated with subsequent multimorbidity risk. Daytime napping cannot fully compensate for the risk of insufficient night sleep.
Diversity of Escherichia coli isolates from milk obtained along the Nairobi dairy value chain by DNA fingerprint analysis
Authors: Kiambi Stella , Onono Joshua Orungo , Aboge Gabriel , Maina John , Gitahi Nduhiu , Muchira Beatrice , Fèvre Eric M.
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe Nairobi dairy food system is highly complex and involves informal and formal dairy production and marketing channels. The sector comprises numerous small-scale interlinked actors characterized by diverse food handling practices that may affect product safety. This cross-sectional study sought to analyze the diversity of Escherichia coli, which contaminates cow milk, in material obtained from the supply chain serving Nairobi's rapidly urbanizing city in Kenya. The GTG5 fingerprinting method was used to determine the diversity of 107 E. coli isolates obtained from milk. Dendrograms were used to display E. coli genetic diversity patterns within and between farms from different types of samples. These included raw, pasteurized, processed fermented, and home-made fermented milk sourced from various nodes, including farms, milk bars, milk vending machines, roadside milk vendors and shops. ResultsAnalysis of the first dendrogram with 46 E. coli isolates recovered from various milk types from different nodes showed three major clusters based on bacterial banding patterns. A large proportion of the subsequent sub-clusters in these phylogenies revealed a similarity matrix of between 50 – 70 % among isolates from the same location. Dendrograms derived from analysis of E. coli at farm level showed that most isolates from milk samples obtained from the same farms did not cluster together which strongly suggests variation in the recovered E. coli strains and in the populations of E. coli in those farms. These findings indicate distinct bacterial milk contamination sources and not as a result of the clonal spread of certain strains.ConclusionsThese results show that the source of milk contamination is diverse and occurs at several points along the value chain. Therefore, policy on the management of food safety (including control of milk-borne diseases) should not only focus on activities at few nodes but along the entire value chain to ensure milk safety.
Clinical Implication of SNVs in TLR Genes in Pediatric Patients From the Brazilian Amazon With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Xabregas Lilyane Amorim , Hanna Fabíola Silva Alves , Magalhães-Gama Fábio , Souza Gláucia Lima , Pereira Daniele Sá , Lima Amanda Barros , Toro Diana Mota , Santiago Mirian Rodrigues Ribeiro , Passos Leny Nascimento Motta , Tarragô Andréa Monteiro , Malheiro Adriana , Costa Allyson Guimarães
Published: March 2022

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common hematologic malignancy and the leading cause of childhood mortality. Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in key molecules of the immune system, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and CD14 molecule, are associated with the development of several diseases. However, their role in ALL is unknown. A case-control study was performed with 152 ALL patients and 187 healthy individuals to investigate the role of SNVs in TLRs and the CD14 gene in ALL. In this study, TLR6 C > T rs5743810 [95% CI: 3.20, OR: 1.11–9.17, p = 0.003) and TRL9 C/T rs187084 (95% CI: 2.29, OR: 1.23–4.26, p = 0.000) seems to be a risk for development of ALL. In addition, the TLR4 A > G rs4986791 polymorphism was associated with protection from infectious comorbidities (IC 95%adj: 0.18, ORadj:0.02–1.50, p = 0.058) and the TRL1 T > G rs5743618 and TRL6 C > T rs5743810 polymorphisms with protection against death (95% IC: 0.17, OR: 0.04–0.79, p = 0.008; 95% IC: 0.48, OR: 0.24–0.94, p = 0.031, respectively). Our results show that SNVs in TLR genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of ALL and may influence clinical prognosis; however, further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of TLR1, TLR4, TLR5, TLR9 and CD14 polymorphisms in this disease.
The efficacy of metal nanocomposite (Fe 3 O 4 /CuO/ZnO) to ameliorate the toxic effects of ochratoxin in broilers
Authors: Shap Nagla F. Al , El-Sherbeny Eman M. , Masry Dalia M.A. El
Published: March 2022

Background: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of different doses of metal nanocomposite (MNc) (Fe3O4/CuO/ZnO) sub its cytotoxic level in order to overcome or minimize the ochratoxin (OTA) adverse effects in broilers fed on contaminated ration. The study conducted on 120 one - day old chicks which were divided into equal 6 groups; G1: negative control, G2: positive control (fed on OTA 17 ppb), G3 & G4 (fed MNc only with low and high doses respectively). The rest two groups G5 & G6 (treatment groups) were fed on both OTA post induced ochratoxification with low and high doses respectively. Results: Body weight gain and heamatecellular elements in both treated groups increased significantly than control. Serum phagocytic levels were increased-significantly in both treated groups than control groups. Prothrombin time (PT) decreased significantly (P<0.05) in both treated groups than intoxicated control group (G2) but still higher than non-intoxicated control group (G1). Total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and phosphorus increased significantly in both treated groups than intoxicated control group. Kidney function test showed non significantly improvement in both treated groups than intoxicated control group. Antioxidant study revealed that malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly in treated groups than intoxicated control group. Ochratoxin-residue decreased significantly in treated groups. OTA residues in tested liver and muscle of treated groups showed no-significant difference with control group at the experiment’s end. In conclusion, feeding either low or high doses of MNc to broilers were significantly counteracting the negative impacts of OTA or its resided and increase their body weight gain.
Biophysical and genetic cues regulating the structural remodeling of adipose tissue upon caloric excess
Authors: Zhou Weinan , Bandara Sarith , Leal Cecilia , Anakk Sayeepriyadarshini
Published: March 2022

Obesity is an alarmingly common and serious disease. Adipose tissue stores excess calories as triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesteryl ester in lipid droplets (LDs). How fat packing is regulated in the different adipose depots (white versus brown) and how diet composition alters this packing remain poorly understood. Using small-angle X-ray scattering, we show that LDs are liquid-crystalline, packing TAG in a disordered core with a multilamellar crystalline shell. Western diet increases the number of TAG lamellae in both the depots, while high fat diet alters only the white adipose. Consistently, collagen packs randomly in white fat, forming a permissive environment for LD expansion but is highly oriented in brown fat. During obesity, decrease in chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), the endogenous bile acid ligand of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is noted. Moreover, FXR deletion leads to enlarged adipocytes, whereas addition of CDCA promotes LD breakdown. These findings uncover that BAs, diet, and tissue niche dictate LD structural remodeling.
Risk of establishment and potential impacts of transient populations of Spodoptera frugiperda in Europe
Authors: Gilioli Gianni , Sperandio Giorgio , Simonetto Anna , Ciampitti Mariangela , Gervasio Paola
Published: March 2022

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is an invasive pest threatening crop production and food security worldwide. High concerns are linked to the potential establishment of the species in Europe. The high migratory capacity of S. frugiperda cause concerns about the potential impacts of transient populations invading new areas from suitable hotspots. In the present work, we developed and used a physiologically-based demographic model to quantitatively assess the risks of S. frugiperda in Europe. The risks were assessed considering a best-, a median-, and a worst-case scenario. The Mediterranean coastal areas of Southern Europe resulted suitable for the establishment of the species, with suitable areas reaching even higher latitudes, in the worst-case scenario. In Europe, up to 4 generations per year were predicted. The predicted average yearly adult population was 5 (± 4), 17 (± 5), and 139 (± 22) in the best, median-, and worst-case assessment scenario, respectively. Model results showed that Southern and Central Europe might be exposed to the risk of transient populations, at least up to the 48th parallel north, in the worst-case scenario. Depending on the latitude and on the period of arrival of the propagule, transient populations might be able to originate 1 or more generations per year. The model can be used to define strategies reducing the risks of establishment of the pest at the country level. Predictions on the dynamics and phenology of the pest can also be used to support its management at the local level.
Ion-dynamic Capacitance Enables Multimode Transistors and Multimode Neural Networks
Authors: Liang Xiaoci , Luo Yiyang , pei yanli , Wang Mengye , Liu Chuan
Published: March 2022

Transistors attractive for neuromorphic computing should offer tunable plasticity, ultrahigh apparent mobility, steep subthreshold swing for low power consumption, or memristive conductance for in-memory computation. However, current transistor structures only offer one or two of the above characteristics. Here, we derive a concise model to describe the complex transient ion-dynamic capacitance in transistors and reveal that the aforementioned characteristics could all be achieved at different operational modes on demand in a single transistor. We experimentally verified such multimode transistors with tens of nanometer thin films. The multimode transistor enables an unprecedented neural network that can switch as needed between conventional artificial neural network (ANN), reservoir neural network (RNN) and spike neural network (SNN) for image recognition in near-sensor computing. The study unambiguously unveils ion-dynamic capacitance can be the universal origin for various attractive transistors, and significantly expands the programmability of transistors to realize new analogue computing concepts.
Modeling the Impact of Indoor Relative Humidity on the Infection Risk of Five Respiratory Airborne Viruses
Authors: Aganovic Amar , Bi Yang , Cao Guangyu , Kurnitski Jarek , Wargocki Pawel
Published: March 2022

With a modified version of the Wells-Riley model, we simulated the size distribution and dynamics of five airborne viruses (measles, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, human rhinovirus, and adenovirus) emitted from a speaking person in a typical residential setting over a relative humidity (RH) range of 20 to 80 % and air temperature of 20-25 °C. Besides the size transformation of virus-containing droplets due to evaporation, respiratory absorption and then removal by gravitational settling, the modified model also considered the removal mechanism by ventilation. The trend and magnitude of RH impact depended on the respiratory virus. For rhinovirus and adenovirus humidifying the indoor air from 20/30 % to 50 % will be increasing the relative infection risk, however, this relative infection risk increase will be negligible for rhinovirus and weak for adenovirus. Humidification will have a potential benefit in decreasing the infection risk only for influenza when there is a large infection risk decrease for humidifying from 20 % to 50 %. Regardless of the dry solution composition, humidification will overall increase the infection risk via long-range airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.Compared to humidification at a constant ventilation rate, increasing the ventilation rate to moderate levels 0.5 → 2.0 h−1 will have a more beneficial to infection risk decrease for all viruses except for influenza. Increasing the ventilation rate from low values of 0.5 h−1 to higher levels of 6 h−1 will have the dominating effect on reducing the infection risk regardless of virus type.
Midlife Body Mass Index, Central Adiposity and Neuropsychological Performance Over 10 Years in Women with and Without HIV Infection
Authors: Vásquez Elizabeth , Kuniholm Mark H. , Appleton Allison A. , Rubin Leah H. , Adimora Ada A. , Fischl Margaret A. , Fox Ervin , Moran Caitlin A. , Plankey Michael W. , Sharma Anjali , Tien Phyllis C. , Weber Kathleen M. , Gustafson Deborah
Published: March 2022

Background and Objective Overweight and obesity influence cognitive health, and measured during midlife, may be associated with declining neuropsychological performance (NP) and late-onset dementia in older adults. Few studies have considered these associations in women living with HIV (WLWH). We examined associations cross-sectionally and up to 10 years longitudinally between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and NP in middle-aged WLWH and women without HIV (HIV-).Methods.BMI and WC were measured in 432 virologically-suppressed WLWH and 367 HIV- women, >40 years, who participated in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) and with NP assessments every two years from 2009-2019. Demographically-adjusted T-scores were calculated for six NP domains: learning, memory, executive function, processing speed, attention and working memory, and motor function. Multivariable linear regression models stratified by HIV serostatus were used to examine cross-sectional associations of BMI and WC with each NP domain; repeated measures analyses assessed baseline BMI and WC in association with longitudinal change in NP. Results were outputted as beta-coefficients (b) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI). Covariates included sociodemographic, behavioral, and HIV-related characteristics.ResultsAt baseline, obese WLWH (BMI>30.0 kg/m2) had poorer executive function (β=-2.27, 95%CI [-4.46, -0.07], p=0.043) compared to normal (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2). Longitudinally over ~8 years follow-up, obese versus overweight WLWH improved on learning (β=1.88, 95%CI [0.24, 3.51], p=0.025).Among HIV- women, an overweight versus normal BMI was associated with declining memory (β=-3.13, 95%CI [-5.75, -0.51], p=0.019); however, obese versus overweight HIV- women improved on memory (β=2.47, 95%CI [0.47, 4.46], p=0.015). Among HIV- women, increasing WC was associated with decreasing executive (β=-0.07, 95%CI [-0.11, -0.02], p=0.058), processing speed (β=-0.05, 95%CI [-0.10, -0.01], p=0.044), and motor (β=-0.05, 95%CI [-0.10, -0.01], p=0.033) performance during follow-up.ConclusionsCross-sectional and longitudinal associations of BMI and central adiposity and NP were mixed among WLWH and HIV- women during midlife. However, HIV- women may experience greater NP decline in association with higher adiposity compared to WLWH.
Measurement of radon concentration in water within Ojo axis of Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Mostafa Mostafa , Olaoye M A , Ademola A K , Jegede O A , Saka A A , Khalaf Hyam
Published: March 2022

Background: Radon (Radon-222) in water is one of the daily health hazard problems. Therefore, continue check of radon contamination in different types of water is essential.in the present work, sixteen groundwater and surface-water samples (wells, boreholes, and sachets) were collected from six different locations within Ojo Local Government area in Nigeria. The water samples collected were stored in 75 cl bottles which were already sterilized with distilled water to avoid contamination. Water samples were then taken to the laboratory for analysis of radon using RAD-7, an active electronic device produced by the Durridge Company in the USA. Results: The radon level in water is higher than the safer limits of 11 Bq/l as per EPA regulations except one site of the six under study. The total annual effective doses from ingestion and inhalation for drinking and ground water is upper than the safe limit of 0.1mSv y-1 recommended by WHO and EU council. Conclusions: The obtained results promote the development and/or the update of databases of radon levels in drinking and ground water in Ojo Local Government area in Nigeria.
Elemental characterization of tar by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence of the three most consumed cigarettes brands in Peru
Authors: Rivera V. A. G. , Cheme Carlos Giovanni Molinari , C. Diego A. Flores
Published: March 2022

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),85% of deaths from lung cancer were attributable to tobacco use in 2018 (WHO, 2020). However, this data is from the European region and there is a lack of studies related in developing countries such as Peru. In this frame, we employed the nuclear technique of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) in order to analyzed 3 of the most consumed brands of cigarettes in Peru were analyzed. To do so, an artificial experiment array was carried out to simulate the human lungs of not only an active but a passive smoker as well. With these results, this research was able to find the elemental chemical composition of the tar that it is impregnated to the lungs of the consumer for each brand and give a glance about the presence of the most harmful of elements.
Acceptability of an Alcohol-Based Handrub Gel with Superfatting Agents Among Healthcare Workers: A Randomized Crossover Controlled Study
Authors: Peters Alexandra , Carry Jennifer , Cave Charlotte , Sauser Julien , Pittet Didier
Published: March 2022

Introduction:
Healthcare workers often experience skin dryness and irritation from performing hand hygiene frequently. Low acceptability and tolerability of a formulation are barriers to hand hygiene compliance, though little research has been conducted on what specific types of formulation have higher acceptability than others.
Objective
To compare the acceptability and tolerability of an ethanol-based ABHR gel with superfatting agents to the isopropanol-based formulations (a rub and a gel formulation) currently used by healthcare workers at the University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
Methods
Forty-two participants were randomized to two sequences, testing the isopropanol-based formulation that they are using currently (Hopirub® or Hopigel®), and the ethanol-based formulation containing superfatting agents (Saniswiss Sanitizer Hands H1). Participants tested each of the formulations over 7–10 day work shifts, after which skin condition was assessed and feedback was collected.
Results
H1 scored significantly better than the control formulations for skin dryness (P = 0.0209), and participants felt less discomfort in their hands when using that formulation (P = 0.0448). H1 caused less skin dryness than Hopirub®/Hopigel® (P = 0.021. Though overall preference was quite polarized, 21 participants preferred H1 intervention formulation and 17 preferred the Hopirub®/Hopigel® formulation that they normally used in their care activities.
Conclusion
We observed a difference in acceptability and strongly polarized preferences among the participants' reactions to the formulations tested. These results indicate that giving healthcare workers a choice between different high-quality products is important to ensure maximum acceptability.
Enhanced Anxiolytic and Analgesic Effectiveness and/or a Better Safety Profile of Morphine and Tramadol Combination in Cholestatic and Addicted Mice
Authors: Khakpai Fatemeh , Issazadeh Yasaman , Rezaei Niloofar , Zarrindast Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2022

The involvement of the opioidergic system on anxiolytic and anti-nociceptive responses induced by cholestasis was investigated in cholestatic and addicted mice. Elevated plus-maze and tail-flick devices were used to assess anxiety and pain levels, respectively. The data indicated that induction of cholestasis and injection of opioid drugs including morphine and tramadol enhanced %OAT and %OAE but naloxone reduced %OAT and %OAE in the sham-operated and bile duct ligated (BDL) mice. Induction of cholestasis and addiction to morphine and tramadol prolonged tail-flick latency which was reversed by naloxone. Co-administration of morphine and tramadol enhanced anxiolytic and analgesic effects in the sham-operated and BDL mice. It seems (i) cholestasis and addiction affect anxiety and pain behaviors, (ii) µ-opioid receptors play a key role in anxiolytic and analgesic effects induced by cholestasis, (iii) co-treatment with morphine and tramadol augmented the effectiveness of them for induction of anxiolytic and analgesic effects both in cholestatic and addicted mice.
Effects of carboxylated nanodiamonds on macrophages during and after differentiation
Authors: Hani Maisoun Bani , Beebe Stephen , Stacey Michael , Osgood Christopher
Published: March 2022

Background: Nanodiamonds (ND) have attracted significant interest for use in several biomedical applications. These applications can be very useful if safety and compatibility of ND have been proved. Results: We assessed the effects of ND (100 nm, Carboxylated) on primary macrophages and a macrophage-like cell line and found that these particles are not toxic to these cells at the lower concentrations, but they may interfere with cell’s functions and differentiation. Internalization of ND by these cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner were mostly via phagocytosis and clathrin-dependent endocytosis and localized to the cytoplasm but not into the nucleus. No significant induction of inflammatory cytokines and no reduction in the ability of these cells to respond to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were noted. However, the endocytic activity of these cells was significantly reduced. In addition, ND exposure reduced the ability of differentiating bone marrow cells to express macrophage surface markers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ND are not cytotoxic to macrophages at the tested concentrations, but they can interfere with macrophage functions and differentiation.
Adolescent Motherhood and Negative Birth Outcomes, Stunting and Social Determinants: Secondary Analysis of Turkish National Data 2018
Authors: Akpinar Ceren Varer , Teneler Asli Ata
Published: March 2022

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the frequency of the negative birth outcomes and the stunting under the age of five in children of adolescent and non-adolescent mothers, also to determine the relation of sociodemographic factors based on the national data of the Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). Methods: This cross-sectional study includes secondary analysis of the TDHS 2018. The logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the differences in term low birthweight and stunting rates of children based on adolescent motherhood and sociodemographic factors. Analysis was carried out on a sample of 2755 women aged 15-49 years who gave a live birth in 5 years. In this context, 2,638 women with child birthweight and birth week data and 2,102 women with child height data were included. Results: Adolescent ratio of the mothers in the study group is 6.8%. Term low birth as a negative birth outcome and stunting as an indicator of chronic malnutrition were significantly higher in children of adolescent mothers compared to children of non-adolescent mothers (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, it was found that being an uneducated mother (AOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.22, 2.50), being very poor/poor (AOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.44, 3.02) and living in the east (AOR 1.39 95% CI 1.44, 3.02) increase the risk of delivering a term low birthweight baby. The risk of being stunted is 2.22 times more (95% CI 1.47, 3.50) in the very poor/poor welfare status, 2.86 times more (95% CI 1.90, 4.30) in child born with low birthweight. Conclusions: Utilizing a large sample from TDHS, our findings emphasize the necessity of planning of maternal and child health service by considering the education levels of women, income inequalities and even regional inequalities while defining the risk factors related to adolescent pregnancy. These results further support the idea of the macro environmental factors have a remarkable impact on the mother and child health.
Brain functional connectivity alterations associated with neuropsychological post-COVID syndrome
Authors: Voruz Philippe , Cionca Alexandre , Jacot Isabele , Nuber-Champier Anthony , Allali Gilles , Benzakour Lamyae , Lalive Patrice , Lövblad Karl-Olof , Braillard Olivia , Nehme Mayssam , Coen Matteo , Serratrice Jacques , Reny Jean-Luc , Pugin Jérôme , Guessous Idris , Ptak Radek , Landis Basile , Adler Dan , Griffa Alessandra , De Ville Dimitri Van , Assal Frederic , Péron Julie
Published: March 2022

Neuropsychological deficits and brain damage following SARS-CoV-2 infection are not well understood.
110 patients, with either severe, moderate or mild disease in the acute phase underwent neuropsychological and olfactory tests, as well as completed psychiatric and respiratory questionnaires at 223 ± 42 days post-infection. Additionally, a subgroup of 50 patients underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Patients in the severe group displayed poorer verbal episodic memory performances, and moderate patients had reduced mental flexibility. Neuroimaging revealed patterns of hypo and hyper functional connectivity in severe patients, while only hyperconnectivity patterns were observed for moderate. The default mode, somatosensory, dorsal attention and cerebellar networks were implicated. Partial least squares correlations analysis confirmed specific association between memory performances and brain functional connectivity.
The severity of the infection in the acute phase is a predictor of neuropsychological post-COVID syndrome. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes long-term memory and executive dysfunctions, related to largescale functional brain connectivity alterations.
Anthelmintic Efficacy of Mango Seed Extract on Porcine Gastrointestinal Nematodes
Authors: Reyno Sentina Rhea Tolentino , Gonzaga Loveille Jun Amarille , Gonzaga Elsa Amarille
Published: March 2022

Objective: The usual control for gastrointestinal parasites is the use of commercial anthelmintics. However, parasites are becoming more resistant due to the frequent and inappropriate use of these anthelmintics. As a result, alternatives for these anthelmintics are becoming increasingly widespread for deworming livestock, particularly those that come from natural sources. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mango seed extract in reducing the egg per gram counts of common gastrointestinal nematodes in pigs and compare the efficacy with that of levamisole. Results: Naturally-infected pigs served as experimental animals and were given a single dose of the mango seed extract at concentrations of 600, 700, and 800 mg per kg bodyweight. The extracts, regardless of concentration, was able to decrease the epg counts. Within 14 days post-treatment, there was no significant difference in the efficacies in the administration of 800 mg extract per kg bodyweight and levamisole. This comparable efficacies was sustained until 28 days post-treatment. This significant in vivo anthelmintic activity may be attributed to the tannins and flavonoids present in the extract. These results indicate that the mango seed extract is effective in controlling and reducing the gastrointestinal nematodes in pigs and may have the potential to be further developed as an anthelmintic.
Lake Evaporation Mitigation Using Self-Assembled Films: Case Study Of Chitgar Lake
Authors: Nejatian Amir , Mohammadi Mohammadreza , Doulabi Malihe , zad Azam Iraji , Tajrishy Massoud
Published: March 2022

Evaporation is a significant outflow in water bodies and is the only outflow in man-made Chitgar Lake. It is estimated to be more than 2 million cubic meters annually. In order to mitigate this outflow, we investigated different kinds of self-assembled thickness films. They consist of six different combinations of stearyl and cetyl alcohols with additives including jojoba oil, stearic acid, and calcium hydroxide. The study has been done from July to August with two pairs of class A evaporation pans; one pair semi-floated on Chitgar lake water and another one located on the shore. The experimental results showed that a monolayer contained 3:1 stearyl to cetyl alcohols with 60% weight of calcium hydroxide had the best performance and could reduce evaporation up to 50% during its 3 days’ lifetime. The study indicated that the films had no significant side effects on lake water pH, turbidity, and total suspended solids except slight increase in water surface temperature.
Log-Linear model and Multistate Model to Assess the Rate of Fibrosis in NAFLD Patients
Authors: Attia Iman M.
Published: March 2022

In the present paper, the deleterious effects of obesity, type 2diabetes and insulin resistance, systolic and diastolic hypertension on the rate of progression of fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients are illustrated using a new approach utilizing the Poisson regression to model the transition rate matrix. The observed counts in the transition counts matrix are used as response variables and the covariates are the risk factors for fatty liver. Then the estimated counts from running the Poisson regression are used to estimate the transition rates using the continuous time Markov chains (CTMCs) followed by exponentiation of the estimated rate matrix to obtain the transition probability matrix at specific time points. A depicted, hypothetical, observational, prospective longitudinal study of 150 participants followed up every year for a total of 28 years recording their demographic characteristics and their timeline follow up are demonstrated. The findings revealed that insulin resistance expressed by MOMA-IR 2 had the most deleterious effects among other factors for increasing the rate of forward progression of patients from state 1 to state 2 as well as from state 2 to state 3 and from state 3 to state 4. The higher the level of HOMA-IR is, the more rapid the rate of progression is. This analysis helps the health policy makers and medical insurance managers to allocate the financial and human resources for investigating and treating high risk patients for NAFLD. In addition, this analysis can be used by pharmaceutical companies to conduct longitudinal studies to assess the effectiveness of the newly emerging anti-fibrotic drugs.
Creating Research-Ready Partnerships: The Initial Development of Seven Implementation Laboratories to Advance Cancer Control
Authors: Kruse Gina R , Hale Erica , Bekelman Justin E. , DeVoe Jennifer E. , Gold Rachel , Hannon Peggy A. , Houston Thomas K. , James Aimee S. , Johnson Ashley , Klesges Lisa M. , Nederveld Andrea L.
Published: March 2022

Background
Implementation laboratories include partnerships between scientists and stakeholders in ‘real-world’ settings working to implement evidence-based interventions. In 2019–2020, with National Cancer Institute funding, seven implementation laboratories (I-Labs) were developed within the Implementation Science Centers in Cancer Control (ISC3) consortium. An ISC3 working group was formed with representation from each of these seven centers to share learnings from the I-Labs. Our objective is to describe the initial development and variations across these I-Labs.
Methods
In April-June 2021, members of the ISC3 Implementation Laboratories workgroup interviewed laboratory key informants. The cross-sectional study used semi-structured interviews with each I-Lab to describe their membership, engagement methods, data sources, and dissemination tools. Interview notes were analyzed by generating descriptions of each I-Lab covering common themes and important variations.
Results
All seven laboratories purposefully included settings serving and partnering with communities of color, diverse ethnicities, rural populations, individuals without health insurance, living in poverty, facing adverse social determinants of health, disparate digital access, and/or structural bias. Laboratories most commonly engaged their members in identification of research priorities, study planning, and results dissemination. I-Labs in which members used common electronic health records (EHRs) leveraged these as a data source. I-Labs without a shared EHR among partners relied on other sources for research or surveillance, most commonly qualitative data, surveys, and public health data systems in their respective areas. All seven I-Labs used advisory boards to engage with members and six used stakeholder interviews and regular communications. Most engagement tools (70.0%) were pre-existing. Think tanks, which two I-Labs reported developing, represented novel engagement tools. To disseminate laboratory findings, all centers used web-based products and most (n = 6) used publications, learning collaboratives, and community forums. Important variation emerged in the I-Lab’s approaches to health equity, ranging from partnering with members serving underserved populations to the development of novel methods.
Conclusions
The development of the ISC3 implementation laboratories offers the opportunity to advance understanding of how research partnerships are built to effectively engage stakeholders throughout the cancer control research lifecycle. In future years, we will be able to share lessons learned for the development and sustainment of implementation laboratories.
Mentee-mentor Satisfaction among Junior Doctors and Senior Medical Staff at Two Australian hospitals: A Longitudinal Study of a Mentoring Program.
Authors: David Michael C.
Published: March 2022

BackgroundMentoring is a unique educational workplace relationship that can support the skill, knowledge, social and emotional needs of both the mentee and mentor. This study aimed to assess the level of participant satisfaction in achieving these aims for a mentoring program implemented at two hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. MethodsUsing a quantitative approach, survey data were collected from 22 junior doctors (the mentees) and 21 senior medical staff (the mentors) at pre-, mid-and post-program. Between group differences were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fishers’ exact test, while temporal trend was assessed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Results Though no temporal trends or mentee-mentor differences reached statistical significance, junior doctors were found to initiate mentee-mentor meetings more frequently, at both mid-program (50% vs 30%) and post-program (50% vs 19). In addition mentees displayed higher levels of program satisfaction when compared to their mentors at mid-program (100% vs 85%) and post-gram (94% vs 75%). ConclusionsMentoring, if implemented correctly and well-timed, undoubtedly has the necessary properties to enhance each participating party’s professional and personal lives, be they doctors or not.
Endogenous oxytocin levels in extracted saliva elevates during breastfeeding correlated with lower postpartum anxiety in primiparous mothers
Authors: Nagahashi-Araki Miyuki , Tasaka Makoto , Takamura Tsunehiko , Eto Hiromi , Sasaki Noriko , Fujita Wakako , Miyazaki Asuka , Morifuji Kanako , Honda Naoko , Miyamura Tunetake , Shota Nishitani
Published: March 2022

Background
Breastfeeding in the early postpartum period is expected to have mental benefits for mothers; however, the underlying psychobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Previously, we hypothesized that the release of oxytocin in response to the suckling stimuli during breastfeeding would mediate a calming effect on primiparous mothers, and we examined salivary oxytocin measurements in primiparous mothers at postpartum day 4 using saliva samples without extraction, which was erroneous. Thus, further confirmation of this hypothesis with a precise methodology was needed.
Methods
We collected saliva samples at three time points to measure oxytocin in 24 primiparous mothers on postpartum day 2 (PD2) and 4 (PD4) across the breastfeeding cycle (before, during, and after breastfeeding). Salivary oxytocin levels using both extracted and unextracted method were measured and compared to show the qualitative differences. State and trait anxiety and clinical demographics were evaluated to determine their association with oxytocin changes.
Results
Breastfeeding elevated salivary oxytocin levels at PD2; however, there was no significant increase at PD4 in the extracted method. We found a weak but significant positive correlation between extracted and unextracted oxytocin levels during breastfeeding; there were no other significant positive correlations. Therefore, we used the extracted measurement index for subsequent analysis. We showed that the greater the increase in oxytocin during breastfeeding, the lower the state anxiety, but not trait anxiety. Mothers who exclusively breastfed at the 1-month follow-up had a slightly higher oxytocin change at PD2 compared to those who did not.
Conclusions
Breastfeeding in early postpartum days could be accompanied by frequent release of oxytocin and lower state anxiety, potentially contributing to exclusive breastfeeding.
Glans diameter and meatus localization are the sole predictors of primary distal hypospadias surgery complications: A multivariate analysis of single surgeon series.
Authors: Akova Fatih , Bilgili Zeynep , Aydın Emrah , Salabas Emre
Published: March 2022

Purpose
Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) surgery is among most successful techniques for distal hypospadias. Our objective was the investigation of complication rates and their predictors.
Methods
Between 2010–2021, 150 patients with distal hypospadias were operated consecutively by a single surgeon using TIPU technique. The primary outcome was the complication rates including fistula, meatal stenosis, glans dehiscence. Secondary outcomes were predictor factors of complications.
Results
Glans diameter average was 13.9 + 0.10 mm and 57.0% of the patients had a glans diameter greater than 14 mm. Single-layer and double-layer urethroplasty were used in 55.3%(n = 83) and 44.7%(n = 67) of patients respectively. Overall complication rate was 23.3%(n = 35) which included fistula (3.3%,n = 5), glans dehiscence (12.7%, n = 19) and meatal stenosis (8.6%,n = 13). Glandular meatus localization (OR 58.8, p = 0.001) and smaller glans diameter (OR 0.39,p = 0.001) were significant predictors in multivariate analysis of overall complications. For fistula complication, only short operation time (OR 0.83, p = 0.03) was found as a significant predictor. Glans width (< 14 mm) was the only significant predictor of both glans dehiscence (OR 3.4,p = 0.03) and stenosis (OR 5.67,p = 0.013) complication.
Conclusion
TIPU technique for distal hypospadias has notable success and acceptable complication rates. Dartos augmented single layer urethral closure seems adequate for complication prevention. Preoperative assessment of glans width, meatus-site is advised to predict complication rates.