bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengthening Mental Abilities with Relational Training (SMART) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Study Protocol for a Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Moghaddam Nima , Dawson David L , Evangelou Nikos , Turton James , Hawton Annie , Law Graham , Roche Bryan , Rowan Elise , Burge Rupert , Frost Alexandra C , Nair Roshan das
Published: December 2021

Background

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition of the central nervous system, affecting around 1 in every 600 people in the UK, with 130 new diagnoses every week. Cognitive difficulties are common amongst people with MS, with up to 70% experiencing deficits in higher-level brain functions – such as planning and problem-solving, attention, and memory. Cognitive deficits make it difficult for people with MS to complete everyday tasks and limit their abilities to work, socialise, and live independently. There is a clear need – and recognised research priority – for treatments that can improve cognitive functioning in people with MS. The absence of effective cognitive interventions exacerbates burdens on the services accessed by people with MS – requiring these services to manage sequelae of untreated cognitive deficits, including reduced quality of life, greater disability and dependence, and poorer adherence to disease-modifying treatments. Our planned research will fill the evidence gap through developing – and examining the feasibility of trialling – a novel online cognitive rehabilitation programme for people with MS (SMART).
Methods

The primary objective of this study aims to conduct a feasibility study to inform development of a definitive trial of SMART for improving cognitive functioning in people with MS. Secondary objectives include accessing the acceptability to participants of the intervention, delivery format, inclusion/exclusion criteria, baselines and outcome measures, randomisation protocol, and the study procedures. It will further assess the framework for a cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a definitive trial; participant recruitment and retention rates, sample-size needed for a fully powered trial, and signal of efficacy.
Discussion

As a feasibility trial, outcomes are unlikely to immediately effect changes to NHS practice. However, this is a necessary step towards developing a definitive trial – and will give us a signal of efficacy, a prerequisite for progression to a definitive trial. If found to be clinically- and cost-effective, the latter trial could create a step-change in MS cognitive rehabilitation – improving service-delivery and optimising support with limited additional resources.
Trial Registration:

Registration ID: ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT04975685 – registered on July 23rd, 2021
Protocol version:
2.0, 25 November 2021
Genome-wide Analysis of CNVs in Three Populations of Tibetan Sheep using Whole-genome Resequencing
Authors: Hu Linyong , Li Qi , Zhang Liangzhi , Liu Hongjin , Xu Tianwei , Zhao Na , Han Xueping , Xu Shixiao , Zhao Xinquan , Zhang Cunfang
Published: December 2021

Background: Copy number variation (CNV), an important source of genomic structural variation, can disturb genetic structure, dosage, regulation and expression, and is associated with phenotypic diversity and adaptation to local environments in mammals. In the present study, 24 resequencing datasets were used to characterize CNVs in three ecotypic populations of Tibetan sheep and assess CNVs related to domestication and adaptations in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.Results: A total of 87,832 CNV events accounting for 0.3% of the sheep genome were detected in three Tibetan sheep populations. After merging the overlapping CNVs, 2777 CNV regions (CNVRs) were obtained, among which 1098 CNVRs were shared by the three populations. The average length of these CNVRs was more than 3 kb, and duplication events were more frequent than deletions. Functional analysis showed that the shared CNVRs were significantly enriched in 56 GO terms and 18 KEGG pathways that were mainly concerned with ABC transporters, olfactory transduction and oxygen transport. Moreover, 188 CNVRs overlapped with 97 quantitative trait loci (QTLs), such as growth and carcass QTLs, immunoglobulin QTLs, milk yield QTLs and fecal counts QTLs. PCDH15, APP and GRID2 overlapped with body weight QTLs. Furthermore, Vst analysis at each CNVR showed that RUNX1, LOC101104348, LOC105604082 and PAG11 were highly divergent between HTS and VTS, and RUNX1 and LOC101111988 were significantly differentiated between VTS and OTS. Meaningfully, the duplication of RUNX1 may facilitate the hypoxia adaptation of OTS and HTS in QTP, which deserves further research in detail.Conclusions: In this study, we represented the genome-wide distribution characteristics of CNVs in Tibetan sheep and provided a valuable genetic variation resource, which will facilitate the elucidation of the genetic basis underlying the distinct phenotypic traits and local adaptation of Tibetan sheep.
Estimated 24 Hour Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion in a Population of Moroccan Adults
Authors: idrissi Mohamed , Saeid Naima , Mounach Samir , Berri Hicham El , Jawaldah Ayoub Al , Rahhaoui Fadoua , Mouzouni Fatima-Zahra , Rami Anass , Benjeddou Kaoutar , Lahmam Houria , Benkirane Hasnae , Elmzibri Mohammed , Kari Khalid El , Bagri Abdallah , Aguenaou Hassan , Belakhel Latifa
Published: December 2021

Background: Excessive sodium (Na) intake and low potassium (K) intake are associated with adverse cardiovascular health outcomes. Morocco lacks data on actual Na and K intake in adults. The aim of this study was to estimate the mean intake of Na and K in a Moroccan population of adults using the 24-h urinary excretion and to examine their association with blood pressure (BP). Methods: A total of 371 adults, who participated in the urinary validation sub-study of the STEP-wise Survey-Morocco-2017-2018, have complete data on demographic, anthropometric and blood pressure and have provided a valid 24-h urine collection according to the standard protocol of the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: The mean 24-h urinary sodium excretion was 2794 mg (SD, 1394) and the median was 2550 mg (IQR, 1780-3726). The mean 24-h urinary potassium excretion was 1898 mg (SD, 1044) and the median was 1640 mg (IQR, 1170-2410). Sodium excretion was between 3000 and 5000 mg/day in 31% of participants, < 3000 mg/day in 64%, and > 5000 mg/day in only 5%. No significant association of urinary sodium or potassium with blood pressure was found. Conclusion: Sodium intake in the studied population of Moroccan adults was higher than WHO recommendation and was comparable to levels reported in countries from Eastern Mediterranean Region. The vast majority of participants had a sodium intake < 5000 mg/day, with only 5% were above this level. Potassium intake was in the range of 1000 to 3000 mg/day. Within these ranges, there was no association between sodium or potassium intake and blood pressure. This information is crucial to help implement the national strategy to reduce sodium intake as a cost-effective intervention to prevent chronic disease in Morocco.
Geographical Distribution of Kumadugu-Yobe River Basin Wetlands
Authors: jajere Abubakar Ahmed , Bibi Muhammad , Kibon Ado Usman , Adamu Usman
Published: December 2021

Understanding the availability and distribution of wetlands is key to conservation, exploitation and better management of wetlands resources. The wetlands of Kumadugu-Yobe river basin are widely spread within the sedimentary formation beyond the famous Hadejia Nguru wetlands. This study identified and map out the spatial distribution of KYRB wetlands using field observation information, the basin base map, the topographical map and high resolution Google image and Advance very High Resolution spectroradiometer (AVHRS) NDVI (Normalized Vegetation Differncial Index) data of 2018, in mapping the wetlands spatial distribution pattern. The findings of the study classified the basin wetlands in to flood plain along the river banks, surface depressions ponds and Oasis. The basin wetlands are spread all over the sedimentary geological formation of the basin. The wetlands of the mid and downstream parts of KYRB are largely spread along river Yobe, river Kumadugu-Gana, small tributaries (Alaraba, Damaturu, Budum-Gana among others), famous Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, Oases at the northern parts of the river Yobe and isolated pockets of ponds. The study recommended for effective geo data base for the wetlands.
Asymmetric Cryptosystem Based on Optical Scanning Cryptography and Elliptic Curve Algorithm
Authors: Chang Xiangyu , Li Wei , Yan Aimin , Tsang Peter Wai Ming , Poon Ting-Chung
Published: December 2021

We propose an asymmetric cryptosystem based on optical scanning cryptography (OSC) and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) algorithm. In the encryption stage of OSC, an object is encrypted to cosine and sine holograms by two pupil functions calculated via ECC algorithm from sender’s biometric image, which is sender’s private key. With the ECC algorithm, these holograms are encrypted to ciphertext, which is sent to the receiver. In the stage of decryption, the ciphered holograms can be decrypted by receiver’s biometric private key which is different from the sender’s private key. The approach is an asymmetric cryptosystem which solves the problem of the management and dispatch of keys in OSC and has more security strength than it. The feasibility of the proposed method has been convincingly verified by numerical and experiment results.
Genetic Diversity of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus and Evaluation of Three One-Step Real-Time RT-PCR Assays in Korea
Authors: Shin Go-Eun , Park Ji-Young , Lee Kyoung-Ki , Ko Mi-Kyeong , Ku Bok-Kyung , Park Choi-Kyu , Jeoung Hye-Young
Published: December 2021

Background

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused huge economic losses in the global swine industry. Frequent genetic variations in this virus cause difficulties in controlling and accurately diagnosing PRRSV.
Methods

In this study, we investigated the genetic characteristics of PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 circulating in Korea from January 2018 to September 2021 and evaluated three one-step real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays.
Results

A total of 129 lung samples were collected, consisting of 47 samples for PRRSV-1, 62 samples for PRRSV-2, and 20 PRRSV-negative samples. Nucleotide sequence analysis of open reading frames (ORFs) 5, ORF6, and ORF7 genes from PRRSV samples showed that PRRSV-1 belonged to subgroup A (43/47, 91.49%) and subgroup C (4/47, 8.51%), whereas PRRSV-2 was classified as lineage 1 (25/62, 40.32%), Korean lineage (Kor) C (13/62, 20.97%), Kor B (10/62, 16.13%), lineage 5 (9/62, 14.52%), and Kor A (5/62, 8.06%). Amino acid sequence analysis showed that the neutralizing epitope and T cell epitope of PRRSV-1, and the decoy epitope region and hypervariable regions of PRRSV-2 had evolved under positive selection pressure. In particular, the key amino acid substitutions were found at positions 102 and 104 of glycoprotein 5 (GP5) in some PRRSV-2, and at positions 10 and 70 of membrane protein (M) in most PRRSV-2. In addition, one-step real-time RT-PCR assays, comprising two commercial tests and one test recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), were evaluated.
Conclusion

The results revealed that two of the real-time RT-PCR assays had high sensitivities and specificities, whereas the real-time RT-PCR assay of the OIE had low sensitivity due to mismatches between nucleotides of Korean PRRSVs and forward primers. In this study, we genetically characterized recent PRRSV occurrences and evaluated three one-step real-time RT-PCR assays used in Korea.
Continuous Maize Cropping Accelerates Loss of Soil Organic Matter in Northern Thailand as Revealed by Natural 13C Abundance
Authors: Fujii Kazumichi , Mitani Risako , Inagaki Yoshiyuki , Hayakawa Chie , Shibata Makoto , Kosaki Takashi , Ueda Miki
Published: December 2021

AimsThe loss of soil organic matter (SOM) has widely been reported in the tropics after changing land use from shifting cultivation to continuous cropping. We tested whether continuous maize cultivation accelerates SOM loss compared to upland rice and forest fallow. Methods: Because litter sources include C4 plants (maize in maize fields and Imperata grass in upland rice fields) in Thailand, C3-derived and C4-derived SOM can be traced using the differences in natural 13C abundance (δ13C) between C3 and C4 plants. We analyzed the effects of land use history (cultivation or forest fallow period) on C stocks in the surface soil. Soil C stocks decreased with the cultivation period in both upland rice and maize fields. ResultsThe rate of soil organic carbon loss was higher in maize fields than in upland rice fields. The decomposition rate constant (first order kinetics) of C3-plant-derived SOM was higher in the maize fields than in the upland rice fields and the C4-plant-derived SOM in the forest fallow. Soil surface exposure and low input of root-derived C in the maize fields are considered to accelerate SOM loss. Soil C stocks increased with the forest fallow period, consistent with the slow decomposition of C4-plant-derived SOM in the forest fallows. ConclusionsContinuous maize cultivation accelerates SOM loss, while forest fallow and upland rice cultivation could mitigate the SOM loss caused by continuous maize cultivation.
Mechanical Ventilation with Dynamic Compliance-Guided Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Laparoscopic Surgery with Trendelenburg Positioning: A Eandomised Controlled Study
Authors: Wang Yun , Wang Huijuan , Wang Xiaoli , Wang Hong , Li Shitong , Chen Lianhua
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND: The intraoperative cardiorespiratory effect of ventilation with individualised positive end-expiratory pressure guided by dynamic compliance (Cdyn) remains undefined. We investigated whether individualised protective ventilation would protect the heart and lung more efficiently than standard protective ventilation during abdominal laparoscopic surgery with Trendelenburg positioning.METHODS: Forty patients undergoing abdominal laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into two groups: Group T (titrimetric PEEP) and Group I (intentional PEEP, 5 cmH2O). Parameters of right ventricular function were measured via transoesophageal echocardiography, including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), early filling-to-late filling ratio of the right ventricle, and right ventricular end-diastolic area/left ventricular end-diastolic area (RVEDA/LVEDA) ratio. Cdyn, driving pressure (∆P), ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT), and partial pressure of arterial oxygen to inspiratory oxygen fraction (PF) ratio were measured during mechanical ventilation.RESULTS: The RVEDA/LVEDA ratio in all patients increased significantly at T2 compared with T0, but there were no significant differences in TAPSE or E/A ratio between groups during the whole procedure (P>0.05). Cdyn, ∆P, and VD/VT ratios in Group T were significantly improved compared to those in Group I at T2 (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the PF ratio between groups (P>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative lung-protective ventilation with Cdyn-guided PEEP improved Cdyn, ∆P, and VD/VT ratio without obvious side effects on right ventricular function compared to standard protective ventilation during laparoscopic surgery with Trendelenburg positioning, which suggests that it is a circulation-friendly way to titrate PEEP for intraoperative lung protective ventilation.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration date: 13/09/2020; Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000038212.
A Prognostic Model of Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure Based On Sarcopenia
Authors: Peng Hong , Zhang Qian , Lei Siyi , Xiong Tingting , Long Li , Xiong Yan , Zhang Liulu , Zheng Jinding , Luo Xinhua
Published: December 2021

Background

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by the development of a syndrome associated with a high risk of short-term death in patients with acute decompensated cirrhosis, and better biomarkers are needed to predict such outcomes. Sarcopenia, a common complication of cirrhosis, is tightly associated with poor prognosis and increased mortality. In this study, the skeletal muscle index of ACLF patients was measured to determine whether sarcopenia combined with clinical parameters helps in identifying those at high risk of progression.
Methods

A total of 314 hospitalized ACLF patients were included and allocated into groups of transplantation-free survival (n = 214) or progression (n = 100) within 90 days. Muscle mass was assessed based on the skeletal muscle index. The optimal cutoff value of the AMPAS1 model (age, MELD score, platelet count, alpha-fetoprotein level, sarcopenia and more than one complication combination) for progressive prediction was identified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Results

Sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for progression in the ACLF population (HR 3.705 95%CI 2.131-6.441, P<0.001). AMPAS1 was a good predictor, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.908, and the cutoff value for poor outcome prediction was 0.21 (sensitivity 93.2%, specificity 71.1%).
Conclusion

We demonstrate that sarcopenia is a simple and objective biomarker for predicting short-term prognosis in patients with ACLF. Moreover, compared to conventional prognostic scores, AMPAS1 is a better model to predict 90-day adverse outcomes in ACLF patients.
An Efficient Method of Pennisetum x Advena ‘Rubrum’ Seedlings Production Using Temporary Immersion Bioreactor and Agar Cultures
Authors: Pożoga Mariusz , Olewnicki Dawid , Wójcik-Gront Elżbieta
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to propose an efficient method of Pennisetum x advena ‘Rubrum’ micropropagation. Agar cultures with MS medium supplemented with BAP in various concentrations (0.5 mg/L-2 mg/L) and a temporary immersion bioreactor system (TIS) with liquid medium MS with an addition of 1 mg/L BAP were used. For rooting ½ MS medium with different auxin combinations (IBA, NAA) and activated charcoal was utilized. The most efficient method turned out to be TIS which produced 36.9 new plants in four weeks. The seedlings were slender in shape, bright green in colour with no signs of hyperhydricity. The most suitable agar medium produced 19.5 new plants in an eight week period. Rooting should be carried on ½ MS supplemented with 0.5 mg/L IBA and 0.5 mg/L NAA with an 84% rooting rate. The addition of activated charcoal inhibited rooting.
Cytogenetic Testing by Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization Is Improved by Plasma Cell Sorting in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ha Jihye , Cho Hyunsoo , Lee Taek Gyu , Shin Saeam , Chung Haerim , Jang Ji Eun , Kim Soo-Jeong , Cheong June-Won , Lee Seung-Tae , Kim Jin Seok , Choi Jong Rak
Published: December 2021

Accurate detection of cytogenetic abnormalities has become more important for improving risk-adapted treatment strategies in multiple myeloma (MM). However, precise cytogenetic testing by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is challenged by the dilution effect of bone marrow specimens and poor growth of plasma cells ex vivo. To address these issues, we compared the performances of three different enrichment modalities for FISH: direct FISH, fluorescence immunophenotyping and interphase cytogenetics as a tool for the investigation of neoplasms (FICTION) technique, and a plasma cell sorting FISH with fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). We examined cytogenetic abnormalities in bone marrow cells of 493 patients with newly diagnosed MM and compared the efficacy of each modality. FISH disclosed cytogenetic abnormalities in 38.0% of samples by direct FISH, 56.3% by FICTION, and 95.5% by FACS-FISH, and the percentage of cells with abnormal signals detected by FISH was higher by FACS-FISH than direct FISH or FICTION. Our results suggest that the efficacy of FISH is dependent on the plasma cell enrichment modalities and reveal that plasma cell sorting FISH with FACS enables better detection of cytogenetic abnormalities in diagnostic MM samples with low plasma cell frequency.
Investigation of Patient Satisfaction with Education in a Biosimilar Multiswitch Scenario - A Comparison Between Rheumatologists and Nurse Specialists
Authors: Gall Sabina , Kiltz Uta , Kobylinski Tanja , Andreica Ioana , Vaupel Kristina , Waldecker Christoph , Baraliakos Xenofon , Braun Jürgen
Published: December 2021

The aim of this project was to understand patients’ knowledge and opinion about biosimilars and to evaluate patient satisfaction with care after education on multiswitching of biosimilars (bsDMARDs) by rheumatologists in comparison to nurse specialists. Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis or psoriatic arthritis who underwent a non-medical switch to the adalimumab biosimilar MSB 11022 were randomized into a group in which information about multiswitching of bsDMARDs was provided by a nurse specialist or a rheumatologist. Validated outcome tools and standardized parameters for assessment of disease activity and function were used at baseline and 12 weeks after switching. Patients’ satisfaction with care was assessed by the Leeds Satisfaction Questionnaire. A structured questionnaire was used to assess patient’s knowledge. A total of 102 patients was randomized, 40 were seen by the rheumatologist (39.2%) and 62 by the nurse (60.8%). Fifty patients (49%) had already undergone one and 52 multiple switches (51%). Less than one third of patients was able to correctly answer questions on manufacturing, effectiveness, clinical trial evidence and cost of bsDMARDs. Patients were generally satisfied with care irrespective of whether the information had been given by the nurse or the rheumatologist. No difference in outcomes was seen.Patient satisfaction and outcomes after education about bsDMARDs and switching by nurses and rheumatologists were similarly good. The number of switches did not have a negative impact on patient satisfaction.
Early Initiation of Breastfeeding up to Six Months and Breastfeeding Experience of Mothers who had Cesarean Section: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ulfa Yunefit , MARUYAMA Naoko , IGARASHI Yumiko , HORIUCHI Shigeko
Published: December 2021

Background: Breastfeeding is a gold nutritional feeding for the infant for optimal growth and development. Early initiation of breastfeeding is an important initial step for successful continuing breastfeeding. Cesarean section (C-section) has been reported to have negative effects on early initiation of breastfeeding. However, no current literature summarized the breastfeeding rate after C-section and vaginal delivery globally. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to systematically collect, assess, and map the existing literature regarding the rate and experience of breastfeeding of mothers after C-section.Design: We conducted a scoping review in accordance with the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) statement.Methods: We performed an electronic database search on Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PsychINFO on March 16, 2021. The inclusion criteria were (a) research, experiential, and case reports; (b) reports on the rate of breastfeeding after C-section and vaginal delivery; (c) qualitative studies on the experience of breastfeeding after C-section.Results: The search identified 4635 potentially relevant articles. After screening, 27 articles (24 quantitative and three qualitative studies) were included in the scoping review from 1990 to 2020. Most studies reported a higher breastfeeding rate in mothers who had vaginal delivery than in mothers who had C-Section at breastfeeding initiation, hospital discharge, one month, three months, and six months postoperatively. A large difference in breastfeeding rate was found at early breastfeeding initiation between the vaginal delivery and C-section groups. Most studies showed a breastfeeding rate of more than 30% at late breastfeeding initiation, one month, and three months after C-section. A mother’s physical discomfort, low self-efficacy, and lack of knowledge, and the insufficient support from healthcare providers were identified as breastfeeding barriers after C-section.Conclusions: The rate of breastfeeding after C-section has remained low to date. Lack of breastfeeding knowledge and insufficient healthcare provider support after C-section are the common underlying issues. Approaches to enhance breastfeeding must be developed and consistently implemented.
A Model for Simulating Emergent Patterns of Cities and Roads on Real-world Landscapes
Authors: Aoki Takaaki , Fujiwara Naoya , Fricker Mark , Nakagaki Toshiyuki
Published: December 2021

Emergence of cities and road networks have characterised human activity and movement over millennia. However, this anthropogenic infrastructure does not develop in isolation, but is deeply embedded in the natural landscape, which strongly influences the resultant spatial patterns. Nevertheless, the precise impact that landscape has on the location, size and connectivity of cities is a long-standing, unresolved problem. To address this issue, we incorporate high-resolution topographic maps into a Turing-like pattern forming system, in which local reinforcement rules result in co-evolving centres of population and transport networks. Using Italy as a case study, we show that the model constrained solely by topography results in an emergent spatial pattern that is consistent with Zipf’s Law and comparable to the census data. Thus, we infer the natural landscape may play a dominant role in establishing the baseline macro-scale population pattern, that is then modified by higher-level historical, socio-economic or cultural factors.
Numerical Simulation of Crack Propagation of Architecture Glass Under Explosion and Impact Load
Authors: Wang Mufei , Li Zhiqiang
Published: December 2021

Crack initiation and propagation is a long-standing difficulty in solid mechanics, especially for elastic-brittle material. To explore the damage and crack propagation behavior of architectural glass under different type of loads, the element deletion (ED), discontinuous Galerkin peridynamics (DG-PD) and meshless peridynamics (M-PD) methods are studied. Taking the architecture glass as an example, the crack propagation behavior under the bullet impact and explosion load are studied. The JH-2 material model is used in the ED method, and the maximum principal stress and maximum principal strain failure criteria are applied at the same time. In the DG-PD method, it conducts a node separation operation and imposes the criterion of the critical energy release rate. The M-PD method adopts a self-programmed particle discretization method and imposes a criterion of critical elongation. Three methods can simulate the crack growth behavior of glass material, but the PD method has great advantages in detail, such as crack bifurcation and penetration. For low-velocity bullets, the failure behavior of glass all shows cross-shaped cracks in different methods. The splashing of elements or particles appears in the two PD methods, but the particle splashing of the M-PD method is more obvious, and the DG-PD method captures the crack bifurcation effect better. For the failure behavior of glass under explosive loading, the PD method is obviously better than the ED method in terms of modal appearance. However, in the mechanical behavior of specific elements, the two methods have a high degree of agreement.
Indication of Social Buffering in Disbudded Calves
Authors: Bučková Katarína , Moravcsíková Ágnes , Šárová Radka , Rajmon Radko , Špinka Marek
Published: December 2021

Most dairy calves are housed individually in their early ontogeny but there is an increasing interest in housing calves socially. Social housing has many positive effects on calf welfare including an advantage of social buffering, i.e., when negative effects of stress are mitigated through social support of familiar conspecific. So far, social buffering has not been tested in relation to stress after disbudding, a painful husbandry procedure performed in young calves. Therefore, the effect of pair versus individual housing on calves’ reaction to disbudding was investigated. In total 50 female calves housed either individually (n= 14) or in pairs (n= 36, 18 focal) were used. Calves were hot-iron disbudded with a local anesthetic and their behavior in home pens was recorded 24 h pre- and post-disbudding. Feeding, ruminating, resting, exploration, play, self-grooming, and pain-related behaviors were quantified during eight 20 min intervals during the 24 h periods pre- and post-disbudding. In pair-housed (PAIR) calves social resting, active and passive allo-grooming were additionally recorded. Concentrate intake was measured 24 h pre- and post-disbudding. The changes of pre- and post- disbudding behaviors as well as differences between individually housed (INDI) and PAIR calves were tested by general linear models. The differences in pre- and post-disbudding behaviors of PAIR calves were tested by paired t-test. We found that head rubbing (t=-5.14, P<0.0001) and head shaking (t=-3.33, P=0.004) increased after disbudding. Feeding increased only in PAIR calves (t=-2.95, P=0.016) which also resulted in a difference between treatments with PAIR calves fed more than INDI calves (F1,18=12.27, P=0.003). We did not find any other significant differences. Our results provide the first evidence that housing treatment affects calves' reactions to disbudding, with possible indication of social buffering.
Long-Term Outcomes of Conventional And Novel Steroid Replacement Therapy On Bone Health In Primary Adrenal Insufficiency
Authors: Guarnotta Valentina , Stefano Claudia Di , Giordano Carla
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To compare dual-release hydrocortisone (DR-HC) and conventional glucocorticoids (GCs) on bone metabolism in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI).Methods: Thirty-five patients with PAI maintained conventional GCs (group A), while other 35 were switched to DR-HC (group B). At baseline and after 18, 36 and 60 months of conventional GCs and DR-HC treatment, the clinical and bone metabolic parameters were evaluated. Results: After 60 months of follow-up, patients in group A had a significant increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) (p=0.004) and Waist Circumference (WC) (p=0.026) and a significant decrease in osteocalcin (p=0.002), bone alkaline phosphatase (p=0.029), lumbar spine bone mass density (BMD) T and Z scores (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) than baseline. By contrast, patients in group B had a significant decrease in WC (p=0.047) and increase in bone alkaline phosphatase (p=0.019), lumbar spine BMD T score (p=0.032), femoral neck BMD T and Z scores (p=0.023 and p=0.036, respectively) than baseline. Conclusions: Long-term conventional steroid replacement therapy is associated with a decrease in BMD, notably at lumbar spine, and an increase in vertebral fractures rate. By contrast, DR-HC treatment is associated with improvement of BMD.
Image Life Trails Based On Contrast Reduction Models For Face Counter-Spoofing
Authors: Katika Balaji Rao , Karthik Kannan
Published: December 2021

Natural face images are both content and context-rich, in the sense that they carry significant immersive information via depth cues embedded in the form of self-shadows or a space varying blur. Images of planar face prints, on the other hand, tend to have lower contrast and also suppressed depth cues. In this work, a solution is proposed, to detect planar print spoofing by enhancing self-shadow patterns present in face images. This process is facilitated and siphoned via the application of a non-linear iterative functional map, which is used to produce a contrast reductionist image sequence, termed as an image life trail. Subsequent images in this trail tend to have lower contrast in relation to the previous iteration. Differences taken across this image sequence help in bringing out the self-shadows already present in the original image. On a client specific mode, when the subjects and faces are registered, secondary statistics which capture the prominence of self-shadow information, indicate that planar print-images tend to have highly suppressed self-shadows when compared with natural face images. An elaborate tuning procedure, based on a reduced set of training images was developed to first identify the optimal parameter set and then adapt the feature-vectors so that the error-rates were minimized for a specific dataset. Overall mean error rate for the calibration-set (reduced CASIA dataset) was found to be 0.267% and the error rates for other datasets such OULU-NPU and CASIA-SURF were 0.17% and 0.73% respectively
Minimizing uncertainty in complete automation of Douglas-Peucker Algorithm for geospatial mapping
Authors: Wang Rong , Shafeeque Muhammad , Yan Haowen , Xiaoming Lu
Published: December 2021

It is qualitatively evident that the greater the map scale change, the greater the optimal distance threshold of the Douglas-Peucker Algorithm, which is used in polyline simplification. However, no specific quantitative relationships between them are known by far, causing uncertainties in complete automation of the algorithm. To fill this gap, the current paper constructs quantitative relationships based on the spatial similarity theories of polylines. A quantitative spatial similarity relationship model was proposed and evaluated by setting two groups of control experiments and taking  as coordinates. In order to realize the automatic generalization of the polyline, we verified whether these quantitative relationships could be fitted using the same function with the same coefficients. The experiments revealed that the unary quadratic function is the best, whether the polylines were derived from different or the same geographical feature area(s). The results also show that using the same optimal distance threshold is unreasonable to simplify all polylines from different geographical feature areas. On the other hand, the same geographical feature area polylines could be simplified using the same optimal distance threshold. The uncertainties were assessed by evaluating the automated generalization results for position and geometric accuracy perspectives using polylines from the same geographic feature areas. It is demonstrated that in addition to maintaining the geographical features, the proposed model maintains the shape characteristics of polylines. Limiting the uncertainties would support the realization of completely automatic generalization of polylines and the construction of vector map geodatabases.
Predicting Diameter Increase Using a Quadriceps Tendon Augmentation for Undersized Hamstring Grafts in ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Bourgeault-Gagnon Yoan , Leang Keith Alexandre , Balg Frédéric , Bédard Sonia , Lebel Karina , Vézina François
Published: December 2021

Background The failure rate for ACL reconstruction varies between 5 to 25% depending on the population. Recent studies found a higher failure rate with grafts of 8 millimeters in diameter or less. Various options are described when the graft’s diameter is inferior to the target value, but little literature helps us predict the final diameter during surgeries. Therefore, this study’s goal is to describe a new technique supplementing a hamstring graft folded in half with a quadricipital tendon band of partial width and thickness (4S+Q), and to predict the final diameter. Methods Thirty-three cadaveric knees were dissected in order to harvest semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (4S) along with a 6mm wide tendon band from the rectus femoris. Harvesting was done according to the usual surgical technique. Measures of length and diameter in 4S and 4S+Q configurations were performed separately by three evaluators. Results The threshold diameter of 8,5 mm was attained in only 30% of 4S grafts within our population in comparison with 88% when augmented with a quadriceps band. The average diameter increase with the 4S+Q configuration was 1,49 mm. A threshold of 7,5 mm was established for the applicability of this augmentation technique considering that 93% of the grafts measuring 7,5 mm or more reached the 8,5mm target. Conclusions The 4S+Q configuration offers a salvage option worth adding to one’s arsenal, significantly increasing the graft’s diameter. The width of the quadricipital tendon sample can be adjusted and will need further study.
Multi-Omics Analysis of Oral Bacterial Biofilm on Titanium Oxide Nanostructure Modified Implant Surface: in Vivo Sequencing-Based Pilot Study in Beagle Dogs
Authors: Sun Hanyu , Chan Yuki , Li Xuan , Xu Ruogu , Zhang Zhengchuan , Deng Feilong , Yu Xiaolin
Published: December 2021

Background and aimsSurface modifications of titanium implants play essential role in facilitating osteointegration and enhancing their antimicrobial properties, while the latter is critical for preventing infectious diseases caused by the biofilm. However, it remains unknown about how the surface modifications could affect the composition and functional gene expression of oral microbiota deposited on the titanium implants. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of different nanostructured surfaces on the biofilm in vivo.ResultsNanophase calcium phosphate were successfully deposited into or between the TiO2 nanotubes with a diameter of 70–90 nm. NT and NTN surfaces showed increased roughness than the MP surface. XPS spectra showed that the O 1s was mainly divided into two bands in MP and NT samples, including Ti-O and -OH, while the surface modification of TiO2 nanotube in NT accounted for the increased intensity of Ti-O with the reference to that in MP samples. After the deposition of calcium phosphate, two new elemental peaks of Ca and P can be identified from the XPS survey spectrum of NTN. Moreover, the O 1s of NTN sample could be differentiated into three peaks, while the new one represented the -PO band. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that NT and NTN had minimal impact on the diversity and community structure of oral microbiota. Metatranscriptomic sequencing revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) mostly differed in the terms of the biological process and cellular component on different surfaces. Gene Ontology (GO) terms enrichment indicated that NTN down-regulate the genes associated in localization and locomotion. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were associated with microbial metabolism, protein synthesis and bacterial invasion of epithelial cells.ConclusionTiO2 nanotube and calcium phosphate-coated TiO2 nanotube despite improving the antimicrobial properties of implant surfaces, had unexpectedly minimal impact on the microbiome composition and diversity. Notably, nanostructured titanium surfaces could inhibit the bacterial migration and colonization, down-regulate the pathogen invasion pathways, and further destruct bacterial cellular membrane, all in all, conferred the bactericidal properties.
Platelet Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles Carry microRNA inhibitor Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Zhou Tingting , Xu Mingming , Yang Xuechao , He Shuai , Wang Shuo , Wu Anqi , Zhang Mingyang , Zhou You Lang , Shi Jiahai
Published: December 2021

Background

The incidence of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) is increasing year by year, and there is an urgent need to develop new treatment methods. Nrf2 is believed to play a protective role during MIRI and is regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). Platelets are physiologically targeted to MIRI injury sites. The focus of this study is on platelet membranes, also called platelet membrane vesicles (PMVs), camouflaged PLGA nanoparticles, carrying microRNA inhibitors to regulate Nrf2, and play a therapeutic role during MIRI.
Results

First, we characterized the high transfection efficiency and low toxicity of PLGA in vitro, as well as the good targeting of PMVs in vivo; then, we found a microRNA (microRNA-155-5p) that effectively regulates Nrf2 in vitro, and confirmed its effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis during MIRI; finally, PMVs camouflaged PLGA-miRNA complexes (PMVs@PLGA-miRNA complexes) were prepared and applied to MIRI treatment, and it was found that it can significantly alleviate the myocardial damage caused by MIRI in vivo and exert effective therapeutic effects.
Conclusions

This research has developed a PMVs camouflaged PLGA nanoparticles, which can carry microRNA inhibitors (PMVs@PLGA-miRNA complexes), which can be targeted and efficiently transfected into cardiomyocytes, and play an important role in the treatment of MIRI. Our results suggest a novel biological delivery system that targets M​​IRI.
Calling Situated: A Survey Among Medical Students Supplemented by a Qualitative Study
Authors: Bonvin Sandra , Stiefel Friedrich , Gholam Mehdi , Bourquin Celine
Published: December 2021

Background

calling within the medical context receives growing academic attention and empirical research has started to demonstrate its beneficial effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate what motivates students to enter medical school and what role calling may play (i), to evaluate if calling influences their perception of the learning context (ii) and to compare medical students’ experience of calling with those of physicians.
Methods

A questionnaire survey was distributed among medical students (N = 1048; response rate above 60%) of Lausanne University, Switzerland, supplemented by a group discussion between bachelor medical students (N = 8) and senior physicians (N = 4), focusing on different facets of calling. An existing data set of a survey among physicians, addressing calling with the same items, was used to compare students’ and physicians’ attitudes towards calling. Survey data were analyzed with the habitual statistical procedures for categorical and continuous variables. The group discussion was analyzed by means of thematic analysis.
Results

the survey showed that experiencing calling is a motivational factor for study choice and influences positively choice consistency. Students experiencing calling differed from those who did not : they attributed different definitions to calling, indicated more often prosocial motivational factors for entering medical school and perceived the learning context as less burdensome. The analysis of the group discussion revealed that calling is polysemous, fluid, conceived as having the characteristics of a double-edged sword and originating from within or outside or from a dialectic interplay between the inner and outer world. Finally, calling is experienced less often by physicians than by medical students, who experience calling in a decreasing prevalence with increasing immersion in the clinical years of the study of medicine.
Conclusions

calling plays an important role in study choice and consistency of medical students. Given its relevance for medical students and its ramifications with the learning context, calling should become a topic of the reflexive parts of the medical curriculum. We critically discuss the role played by calling for medical students and provide some perspectives on how calling could be integrated in the reflection and teaching on physician-hood.
Comparison of Fragmentation and Dusting Laser Modes for Laser Ureteroscopy Lithotripsy of Ureteral Stones at a Single Center
Authors: Chen Bo-Han , Lin Tsu-Feng , Chen Marcelo , Chiu Allen W.
Published: December 2021

Background Laser ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) is an efficacious treatment for ureteral stones. There have been few previous studies compared the different energy and frequency settings for URSL in a single center. The fragmentation and dusting laser mode were simultaneously used in our medical center. We compared the efficacy and outcomes of these two laser modalities for the treatment of ureteral stones.Methods Patients who underwent fragmentation or dusting laser URSL for ureteral stones were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic data, stone parameters, perioperative data and stone-free rates were analyzed between the two groups.Results There were a total of 421 patients with ureteral stones who met the study criteria. More patients in the dusting group had multiple ureteral stones and pyuria than in the fragmentation group. The fragmentation group had a better stone free rate and a lower push back rate compared with the dusting group. (82% vs. 71%; 10% vs. 20% respectively, both p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that stone basket use (odds ratio [OR] = 3.026; p<0.001) significantly improved the stone free rate, whereas multiple stones (OR=0.322; p <0.001), upper ureteral stone location (OR=0.098; p=0.002) and pyuria (OR=0.428; p=0.001) significantly decreased the stone free rate. The laser mode used was not significantly related to the stone free rate in the multivariate analysis.Conclusions Both laser modes were effective and safe for ureteral lithotripsy. Risk factors associated with a lower stone free rate were multiple stones, pyuria, upper ureteral stone location and an operation without the use of a stone basket.
Screening for Odorant Receptor Genes Expressed in Aedes Aegypti Involved in Blood-Feeding and Oviposition Behaviors
Authors: Ni Meng , Zhao Teng , Lv Hui-xin , Li Man-jin , Xing Dan , Zhao Tong-yan , Li Chun-xiao
Published: December 2021

Background: Aedes aegypti is one of the most important vector worldwide, and its survival and reproductive processes depend heavily on the olfactory system. In this study, the expression levels of all odorant receptor (OR) genes of Ae. aegypti were explored in different physiological periods to identify olfactory genes that may be associated with mosquito blood sucking and searching for oviposition sites.Methods: Four groups, consisting of Ae. aegypti males (M), pre-blood-feeding females (F), post-blood-feeding females (B) and post-oviposition females (O), were established. A total of 114 pairs of primer targeting all OR genes were designed based on the whole genome of Ae. aegypti. The expression of OR genes was evaluated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR for relative quantification and the comparison of differences between groups.Results: A total of 53 differentially expressed OR genes were identified between males and females in Ae. aegypti antennae. And 8, 5 and 13 differentially expressed OR genes were identified before versus after blood feeding, before versus after oviposition and post-blood-feeding versus post-oviposition, respectively. Meanwhile, 16 OR genes were significantly differentially expressed in multiple physiological periods of mosquitoes.Conclusions: A large number of ORs with significant intergroup differences and high expression levels were screened in this study, including OR75, OR88, OR110 and OR115 and so on. Some of these genes are reported for the first time, providing possible targets for the development of mosquito control pathways based on the olfactory system.