bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Existências imaginadas: a consciência de si na série televisiva Westworld
Authors: Marques Suzinara Strassburger , Cardoso Rosane Maria
Published: July 2021

No intuito de compreender como se desenvolve o processo de percepção de consciência de si durante os episódios das três temporadas da série televisiva Westworld, este trabalho analisa a constituição das personagens selecionadas, Homem de Preto, Dolores Abernathy, Maeve Millay e Bernard Lowe, além de problematizar os modos de manipulação das narrativas que as constituem. A partir da análise, percebe-se que o processo de reconhecimento da consciência dos androides representados na série é muito semelhante ao processo desenvolvido pelos humanos, com base na comparação entre os discursos das protagonistas com pesquisas científicas, literárias e de caráter filosófico. Porém, não é possível, até este momento, definir se os androides realmente serão capazes de atingir esse nível de independência fora da ficção. Ressalta-se, ainda, a importância de discutir a contribuição das produções cinematográficas para a reflexão acerca da condição humana na contemporaneidade tecnológica.
Sobre diversidades e regionalidades: a ascensão da Quarta Onda da ficção científica brasileira
Authors: Da Silva Alexander Meireles
Published: July 2021

Tema recorrente nos estudos da ficção científica brasileira, o conceito das ondas vem sendo empregado pela área acadêmica como uma forma de entendimento da periodização desta expressão da literatura fantástica desde fins do século 20. Neste contexto, desde o início do século 21, em coexistência com as duas ondas anteriores, acredita-se que a ficção científica nacional está vivenciando sua Terceira Onda. Todavia, como será demonstrado por meio das características dessas ondas, este artigo defende a hipótese de que desde meados da década de 2010, a ficção científica nacional já está apresentando elementos do que pode ser chamada da Quarta Onda. Entre outros pontos, esta Quarta Onda pode ser entendida pela afirmação e celebração das diversidades socioculturais e regionais do Brasil, formalizada pela maior presença na cena literária de escritores e escritoras negras ligadas ao afrofuturismo e a ascensão de movimentos como o amazofuturismo e o sertãopunk.
Salvage Robotic-Assisted Seminal Vesiculectomy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Metastasis
Authors: Alves Luisa Jerónimo , Graça Bruno , Maes Kris
Published: July 2021

A 71-year-old male presented with Merkel cell carcinoma along with inguinal lymph node involvement (stage III). The patient was proposed for systemic treatment followed by inguinal lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. During the follow-up period, recurrences were documented (lymphatic and visceral) and were treated with salvage surgery and radiotherapy. On the fifth year of follow-up the patient was diagnosed with a metastasis in the right seminal vesicle and underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy. Two-years later, tumor recurrence in the right seminal vesicle was managed with salvage robotic assisted seminal vesiculectomy. Advanced stages of Merkel cell carcinoma have a poor outcome and salvage treatments should be tailored to each patient. A multidisciplinary approach was crucial in achieving successful outcomes. The patient is still recurrence free twenty-four months after surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first publication reporting a seminal vesical Merkel cell metastasis.
Gastric Cancer Imaging: Computed Tomographic Pneumogastrography
Authors: Amelina I. D. , Shevkunov L. N. , Karachun A. M. , Muravtseva A. L. , Artemyeva A. S.
Published: July 2021

Objective: to reveal technical nuances for obtaining high-quality images using a computed tomography protocol with pneumogastrography and virtual gastroscopy, which contribute to the detection and assessment of the morphological type of gastric cancer and to the determination of its localization and invasion depth.

Material and methods. The investigation enrolled 250 patients with both early (24.8%) and locally advanced (75.2%) gastric cancer treated in Petrov National Medical Research Center for Oncology from 2015 to 2018. Preoperative chemotherapy was performed in 142 (56.8%) patients and was not done in 108 (43.2%). All the patients underwent preoperative computed tomography with pneumogastrography and virtual gastroscopy. All the patients were radically operated on through subtotal or total gastric resection.

Results. Computed tomography with pneumogastrography and virtual gastroscopy was used to detect gastric cancer in 98.4% of patients; the cases with early T1a and T1b invasion depth cancers were 23.2%. The tumor could not be significantly differentiated in 4 (1.6%) patients. This group consisted of: 3 (1.2%) and 1 (0.4%) patients with pT1a and pT1b invasion depth tumors, respectively. All non-visualized tumors had a superficial morphological type of growth (Type 0–II (3 cases with 0–IIa and 1 case with 0–IIb); their sizes were less than 2 cm. Three tumors were localized in the antral portion of the stomach; one was in its cardiac portion.

Conclusion. Computed tomography with pneumogastrography and virtual gastroscopy is an effective technique to detect gastric cancer, including its early types of category T1, which makes it possible to assess its localization, morphological type, and invasion depth.
Pre-fermentation heat treatment: a multitool technique to keep the pot boiling
Authors: Geffroy Olivier , Feilhès Carole , Favarel Jean-Luc , Lopez Ricardo
Published: July 2021

First industrially developed in the 1970s to process botrytised grapes, the pre-fermentation heat treatment of grapes is becoming more and more popular to produce fruit-driven wines. Several conditions, such as the time and the temperature of heating or the conditions of fermentation itself, have been proposed to modulate the aroma of thermovinified wines and adapt their profile to consumer demand. Based on research results obtained during the last decade, this article provides a short, up-to-date review of the impact of this technique on wine aroma.
The Stumblemeter: Design and Validation of a System that Detects and Classifies Stumbles During Gait
Authors: Hartog Dylan den , Harlaar Jaap , Smit Gerwin
Published: July 2021

Stumbling during gait is commonly encountered in patients who suffer from mild to serious walking problems, e.g. after stroke, in osteoarthritis, or amputees using a lower leg prosthesis. Instead of self-reporting, an objective assessment of the amount of stumbles in daily life would inform clinicians more accurately and enable the evaluation of treatments that aim to achive a safer walking pattern. An easy to use wearable might fullfill this need. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) placed at the shank and machine learning algorithms could be used to detect and classify stumbling events in a dataset comprising of a wide variety of daily movements. Ten healthy test subjects were deliberately tripped by an unexpected and unseen obstacle while walking on a treadmill. The subjects stumbled a total of 276 times, both using an elevating recovery strategy and a lowering recovery strategy. Subjects also performed multiple Activities of Daily Living. During data processing, an event-defined window segmentation technique was used to trace high peaks in acceleration which could potentially be stumbles. In the reduced dataset, time windows were labelled with the aid of video annotation. Subsequently, discriminative features were extracted and fed to train seven different types of machine learning algorithms. Trained machine learning algorithms were validated using leave-one-subject-out cross-validation. Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms were most succesful, and could detect and classify stumbles with 100% sensitivity, 100% specificity and, 96.7% accuracy, in the independent testing dataset. The SVM algorithms were implemented in a user-friendly, freely available, stumble detection app named Stumblemeter. This work shows that stumble detection and classification based on SVMs is accurate and ready to apply in clinical practise.
Bafilomycin A1 Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis and Inhibits Autophagy Flux in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Li Fang , Hu Ying , Hu Yizhou , Zhou Ren , Mao Zhengrong
Published: July 2021

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most frequent type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adulthood, remains challenging clinical issues. Despite enhanced remission rates can be achieved, there are one-third of patients who will not respond to current treatment or will relapse with resistant disease, necessitating ongoing efforts on effective treatment strategies and agents. The vacuole H+-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 is broadly used to block late stage of autophagy flux at high concentration. In this study, we show that, to our surprise, bafilomycin A1 effectively inhibited and killed DLBCL cells at nanomolar concentrations (5nM). Bafilomycin A1 targeted cell cycle regulators cyclin D1 and cyclin E2 to induce cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. Meanwhile, it induced caspase-dependent apoptosis with concomitant cleaved caspase-3 and Parp. Furthermore, we found that bafilomycin A1 inhibited autophagy flux at both early and late stages of the autophagy flux through activating ERK and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, as well as by inhibiting the degradation of autolysosomes. We speculated that bafilomycin A1 as autophagy inhibitor might enhance the effect of DLBCL chemotherapeutic drug rituximab. Accordingly, our results provided evidence that the combination of bafilomycin A1 with rituximab enhanced the inhibition of DLBCL cells notably. Taken together, our data suggest that bafilomycin A1 may be a promising candidate drug in the therapy of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.
DNA Methylation on N6-Adenine Regulates the Hyphal Development During Dimorphism in the Early-Diverging Fungus Mucor lusitanicus
Authors: Osorio-Concepción Macario , Lax Carlos , Navarro Eusebio , Nicolás Francisco E. , Garre Victoriano
Published: July 2021

The epigenetic modifications control the pathogenicity of human pathogenic fungi, which have been poorly studied in Mucorales; causative agents of mucormycosis. This order belongs to a group referred to as early-diverging fungi that are characterized by high levels of N6-methyldeoxyadenine (6mA) in their genome with dense 6mA clusters associated with actively expressed genes. AlkB enzymes can act as demethylases of 6mA in DNA, with the most remarkable eukaryotic examples being mammalian ALKBH1 and Caenorhabditis elegans NMAD-1. Mucor lusitanicus (formerly M. circinelloides f. lusitanicus) genome contains one gene, dmt1, and two genes, dmt2 and dmt3, encoding proteins homologs to C. elegans NMAD-1 and ALKBH1, respectively. The function of the three genes was analyzed by the generation of single and double deletion mutants for each gene. Multiple processes were studied in the mutants, but defects were only found in single and double deletion mutants for dmt1. In contrast to the wild-type strain, dmt1 mutants showed an increase of 6mA levels during the dimorphic transition, suggesting that 6mA regulates dimorphism in M. lusitanicus. Furthermore, the spores of dmt1 mutants challenged with macrophages underwent a reduction of polar growth, suggesting that 6mA also has a role during the spore-macrophage interaction that could be important in the infection process.
Fate of Surgical Patients with Small Nonfunctioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: An International Study Using Multi-Institutional Registries
Authors: Han In Woong , Park Jangho , Park Eun Young , Yoon So Jeong , Jin Gang , Hwang Dae Wook , Jiang Kuirong , Kwon Wooil , Xu Xuefeng , Heo Jin Seok , Fu Delinag , Lee Woo-Jung , Bai Xueli , Yoon Yoo-Seok , Yang Yinmo , Ahn Keun Soo , Yuan Chunhui , Lee Hyeon Kook , Sun Bei , Park Eun Kyu , Lee Seung Eun , Kang Sunghwa , Lou Wen hui , Park Sang-Jae
Published: July 2021

Several treatment guidelines for sporadic, nonmetastatic nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (NF-pNETs) have recommended resection, however, tumors ≤ 2 cm do not necessarily need surgery. This study aimed to establish a surgical treatment plan for NF-pNETs ≤ 2 cm. From 2000 to 2017, 483 patients who underwent resection for NF-pNETs ≤ 2cm in 18 institutions from Korea and China were enrolled and their medical records were reviewed. Median age was 56 (range 16- 80) years. The 10-year overall survival rate (10Y-OS) and recurrence-free survival rate (10Y-RFS) were 89.8 and 93.1%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, tumor size (> 1.5cm; p = 0.001) and nodal metastasis (p = 0.013) were independent adverse prognostic factors for OS. Perineural invasion (p = 0.008) and high Ki-67 index (≥3%; p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for poor RFS. NF-pNETs ≤ 2 cm showed unfavorable prognosis after resection when the tumor was larger than 1.5cm, Ki-67 index ≥ 3%, or nodal metastasis was present. NF-pNET patients with tumors ≤ 1.5cm can be observed if the preoperative Ki-67 index is under 3%, and if nodal metastasis is not suspected in preoperative radiologic studies. These findings support the clinical use to make decision about small NF-pNETs.
Online Monitoring of Torpedo Car Shells Based on Equal Angle Scanning
Authors: Tang Yumei , Liu Kefu
Published: July 2021

Infrared sensors are applied more and more widely in industrial production applications. Based on the theory of thermal radiation, this paper discusses the system design principle, temperature calibration method and thermal image analysis method in detail. The system has passed the measurement unit certification, showing that the field of view is 180°, the number of scanning points is 2048, the linear velocity is 10-100Hz, the spatial resolution is 2.5mrad, and the precision is ±1℃. On-line monitoring test has been done in the steelmaking plant of Bao Steel. The results show that the system has strong anti-interference ability, stability and reliability, and meets the application requirements of online monitoring.
Pemodelan Semiparametrik Geographical Weighted Logistic Regression pada Data Kemiskinan di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan Tahun 2017
Authors: Fitriatusakiah Fitriatusakiah , Jaya Andi Kresna , Talangko La Podje
Published: July 2021

The level of poverty in a Regency/city in South Sulawesi in 2017 is different. The grouping of poverty status can be done based on the value of the HeadCount Index (HCI) of South Sulawesi. Factors affecting poverty will differ for each area being observed. The statistical modeling method developed for data analysis by taking into account the location factor is semiparametric Geographical Weighted Logistic Regression (GWLR). The GWLR semiparametric Model consists of parameters that are affected by the location and not affected by the location. The parameter estimator of the GWLR semiparametric model used in this research was obtained using the maximum method likelihood estimation. The result of a semiparametric model of GWLR each district/city in South Sulawesi in 2017 has the value Estimator parameter for global parameters is the same value for each location, namely, a3 = 0.1724, a4 = 0.0204, and a6 = 0.0261 whereas the parameter estimator for local parameters has different values so that GWLR semiparametric model of each district/city.
Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Penyapihan Bayi Umur Kurang Dari 6 Bulan Melalui Studi Cross Section
Authors: Dahniar Dahniar , Nurdiana Nurdiana , Halim Abdul
Published: July 2021

Weaning too early can affect the growth of the baby and the mother often ignores the nutritional needs of the baby. In addition, malnutrition is more common today than during the first 4-6 months of life. This is because many families do not understand the special needs of babies and are unable to provide food with good nutritional value. The type of research used is a survey with a cross-sectional study approach. The population is all mothers who have babies aged 6 months and the sample is all mothers who have babies aged 6 months. The sampling technique was simple random sampling. The results showed that there was a significant effect between mothers who did weaning for less than 6 months with education = 0.006. There is a significant effect between mothers who do weaning for less than 6 months with employment status = 0.008. There is a significant effect between mothers who do weaning less than 6 months with birth spacing = 0.007.
РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЕ ВАРИАНТОВ ВИРУСА SARS-COV-2, ВЫЗЫВАЮЩИХ ОЗАБОЧЕННОСТЬ (VOC) И ИНТЕРЕС (VOI) НА ОСНОВЕ КОЛИЧЕСТВА ИХ ГЕНОМОВ, ДЕПОНИРОВАННЫХ В БАЗУ ДАННЫХ GISAID ЗА НЕДЕЛЮ с 17.07.2021 г. по 23.07.2021 г.
Authors: Чумачкова Елена , Дмитриева Людмила , Краснов Ярослав , Осина Наталья , Сафронов Валентин , Иванова Александра , Карнаухов Игорь , Караваева Татьяна , Щербакова Светлана , Кутырев Владимир
Published: July 2021

В обзоре представлен анализ геновариантов вируса SARS-CoV-2, вызывающих оза-боченность (VOC) и интерес (VOI) на основе их геномов в базе GISAID за неделю с 17.07.2021 г. по 23.07.2021 г.
Disseminated Nocardiosis Masquerading as Soft-Tissue Malignancy
Authors: Wuthrich Zachary , Freeman Tyler , Lencioni Alex , Lindeque Bennie
Published: July 2021

Case:

A 59-year-old man, immunosuppressed after renal transplant, presented with a painful posterior thigh mass concerning for malignancy, as well as pulmonary and posterior chest wall nodules. Cultures and mass spectrometry identified Nocardia paucivorans. The patient underwent operative irrigation and debridement of the posterior thigh and chest wall, with 12 months of antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion:

A 2-week delay in appropriate treatment was due to low suspicion for infectious etiology. Since cultures generally take weeks for positive diagnosis, advanced molecular or biochemical methods should be used. This case demonstrates importance in maintaining a high index of suspicion for nocardiosis in immunocompromised patients with soft-tissue masses.
Malignant Psoas Syndrome
Authors: Weis Jamie L.
Published: July 2021

The patient in this case presented with a malignant psoas syndrome secondary to a primary psoas muscle sarcoma. A malignant psoas syndrome is characterized by the presence of lumbar plexopathy, ipsilateral hip flexion, and severe pain with attempted hip extension. The presence of severe, atraumatic joint pain with fevers and other associated systemic symptoms should raise the clinical index of suspicion for a diagnosis requiring urgent attention including infection and malignancy.
Mental Health in Patients Undergoing Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Sharma Abhinav K. , Elbuluk Ameer M. , Gkiatas Ioannis , Kim Julia M. , Sculco Peter K. , Vigdorchik Jonathan M.
Published: July 2021

» Mental health and psychosocial factors play a critical role in clinical outcomes in orthopaedic surgery.

» The biopsychosocial model of disease defines health as a product of physiology, psychology, and social factors and, traditionally, has not been as emphasized in the care of musculoskeletal disease.

» Improvement in postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction is incumbent upon the screening, recognition, assessment, and possible referral of patients with high-risk psychosocial factors both before and after the surgical procedure.
Tightening the Net: Net zero climate targets – implications for land and food equity
Authors: Sen Aditi , Dabi Nafkote
Published: July 2021

Many governments and companies are adopting net zero climate targets as they recognize the urgency of the climate crisis. Without clear definition, however, these targets risk being reliant on using vast swathes of land in low-income countries to capture carbon emissions, allowing the biggest emitters to avoid making significant cuts in their own emissions. ‘Net zero’ could end up being a dangerous distraction that could delay the rapid reductions in emissions that high-emitting countries and companies need to make if we are to avoid catastrophic climate breakdown. It could also lead to an explosion in demand for land which, if not subject to careful safeguards, might risk increasing hunger and fuelling land inequality. Net zero should be a pathway to real and transformative climate action and not greenwash. Carbon emissions need to be reduced now, and land-based climate solutions must centre ‘food-first’ approaches that help achieve both zero emissions and zero hunger.
Early Versus Late Use of Dexamethasone in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: A Multicenter, Cohort Study
Authors: Sulaiman Khalid Al , Juhani Ohoud Al , Korayem Ghazwa B. , Eljaaly Khalid , Alhubaishi Alaa , Harbi Omar Al , Badreldin Hisham A. , Yousif Ghada Al , Vishwakarma Ramesh , Altebainawi Ali F. , Albelwi Shorouq , Almutairi Rahaf , Almousa Maha , Alghamdi Razan , Alharbi Aisha , Algarni Rahmah , Akhani Nada , Harthi Abdullah Al , Alissa Abdulrahman , Homaid Sarah Al , Qahtani Khawla Al , Atassi Abdulaleam Al , Ghamdi Ghassan Al
Published: July 2021

Rationale: It is unclear whether the timing of dexamethasone initiation is associated with positive outcomes. Objectives: To evaluate the appropriate timing of systemic dexamethasone initiation in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Methods: A multicenter, non-interventional cohort study including adults with COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) received systemic dexamethasone between March 2020 and January 2021. Patients were divided into two groups based on the timing for dexamethasone use (early vs. late). Early use is defined as the new initiation of dexamethasone within 24 hours of ICU admission. Propensity score matching was used based on the patient’s SOFA score, MV within 24 hours of ICU admission, proning status, and tocilizumab use during ICU stay. Results: A total of 480 patients were included in the study; dexamethasone was initiated early within 24 hours of ICU admission in 367 patients. Among 202 patients matched using propensity score, 101 had received dexamethasone after 24 hours of ICU admission (1:1 ratio). The 30-day mortality (OR [95%CI]: 1.82[1.04, 3.19], P=0.04) and in-hospital mortality (OR [95%CI]: 1.80[1.03, 3.15], P=0.04). Among the non-mechanically ventilated patients, late use of dexamethasone was associated with higher odds of developing respiratory failure that required MV (OR [95%CI]: 3.8 [1.41, 10.3], P=0.008) Conclusion: Early use of dexamethasone within 24 hours of ICU admission in critically ill patients with COVID-19 was associated with mortality benefits. Moreover, dexamethasone's early use might be considered a proactive measure in non-mechanically ventilated critically ill patients with COVID-19, to prevent further complications.
Comparative Effectiveness of Two Behavioral Change Intervention Packages for Tobacco Cessation Initiated in the Tertiary Care Setting of North India-Protocol for a Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Dhawan Priyanka , Goel Sonu , Aggarwal Ashutosh , Ghosh Abhishek , Vijayvergiya Rajesh , Khurana Dheeraj , Medhi Bikash , Verma Roshan
Published: July 2021

Background: To reduce the global burden of tobacco, clinical guidelines support behavioral and pharmacotherapy as preferred intervention for tobacco cessation. While behavioral intervention such as advice from health care provider with brief or intensive intensity has consistently shown to be impactful compared to no intervention. The current study aims to investigate efficacy of a behavioral intervention package on patients attending tertiary care setting for change in tobacco cessation behavior.Methods/Design: A two arm randomized controlled trial shall be performed to ascertain the differential impact of various behavioral change approaches on the tobacco use status of patients in hospital settings. 574 patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria shall be included for the intervention of 3 months duration and shall be followed for a period of 12 months. To validate the self-reported tobacco abstinence urinary cotinine assessment will be performed. Discussion: As no strong evidence exists about the effectiveness of tobacco cessation intervention in tertiary settings, thus the feasibility of its implementation by health professionals in these settings is a matter of concern. Therefore, the current study will build evidence about the feasibility of interventions in such settings. Trial Registration: CTRI/2019/09/021406
Sexuality and Quality of Life in Eastern Taiwan People With Schizophrenia
Authors: Chung Mei Hua , Chao Jian Kang , Ma Mi Chia , Lin Ru Wei
Published: July 2021

Background: A proper sexual functioning and a satisfying intimate relationship is one of the components for a high quality of life (QoL). However, sexuality among the chronically and/or those who suffer from mental illnesses are not a widely researched or discussed topic. The aim of the study is to explore the association among brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), QoL, Taiwanese depression questionnaire (TDQ), sexual desire (SD) in people with schizophrenia (PwS).Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with 277 psychiatric inpatients. A descriptive analysis, difference analysis and logistic regression model were presented to identify relevant variables that may affect the probability of good QoL. Finally, we used structure equation model to explore the association of BPRS, TDQ, SD and QoL. Results: The mean age of the sample was 43.82±8.43 years old. Quality of life has no significant difference in the obesity and gender of PwS, but male PwS had higher scores of SD than female PwS. For participants with smoking, early illness onset age, shorter illness duration there was a significant higher SD. The logistic regression analysis showed BPRS, depression and SD significantly affected the probability of QoL. By SEM, SD would be positivity correlated with mental status and that SD would indirectly influence QoL. Conclusions: Our results showed that the QoL and SD of the PwS are often associated with interaction between psychological and sociological factors. This study also supports the idea of a close relationship between SD, depression and BPRS. Besides, these factors may predict the probability of good life quality for the PwS.
Procalcitonin Predicts Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality in Patients With A COVID-19 Infection in The Emergency Department
Authors: Tong-Minh Kirby , Does Yuri van der , Engelen Susanna , de Jong Evelien , Ramakers Christian , Gommers Diederik , Gorp Eric van , Endeman Henrik
Published: July 2021

IntroductionPatients with a severe COVID-19 infection often require admission at an intensive care unit (ICU) when they develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Hyperinflammation plays an important role in the development of ARDS in COVID-19. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker which may be a predictor of hyperinflammation. When patients with COVID-19 are in the emergency department (ED), PCT could be a predictor of severe COVID-19 infection. The goal of this study is to investigate the predictive value of PCT on severe COVID-19 infections in the ED. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study including patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection who visited the ED of Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, between March and December 2020. The primary endpoint was a severe COVID-19 infection, which was defined as patients who required ICU admission, in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality after hospital discharge. PCT levels were measured during the ED visit. We used logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of PCT on a severe COVID-19 infection, adjusting for bacterial coinfections, age, gender and comorbidities. ResultsA total of 332 patients were included in the final analysis of this study, of which 105 patients reached the composite endpoint of a severe COVID-19 infection. PCT showed an unadjusted OR of 4.19 (CI: 2.52-7.69) on a severe COVID-19 infection. Corrected for bacterial coinfection, the OR of PCT was 4.05 (2.45 – 7.41). Adjusted for gender, bacterial coinfection, age and comorbidities, PCT was still an independent predictor of severe COVID-19 infection with an adjusted OR of 3.82 (CI: 2.26-7.48).ConclusionPCT is a predictor of severe COVID-19 infections in patients with a COVID-19 infection in the ED. The routine measurement of PCT in patients with a COVID-19 infection in the ED may assist physicians in the clinical decision making process regarding ICU disposition when PCT levels are elevated.
Disaster Preparedness and Resilience at Household Level in Yangon, Myanmar
Authors: Heinkel Sophie-Bo , Thiebes Benni , Than Zin Mar , Aung Toe , Kyi Tin Tin , Mar Win Lei , Oo Saw Sandar , Miller Christian , Willkomm Marlene , Maung Win , Myint Zin Nwe , Soe Khin Khin , Spohner Regine , Kraas Frauke
Published: July 2021

Resilience has become important in disaster preparedness and response. Unfortunately, little is known about resilience at the household level. This study presents the results of a survey into individual and household level preparedness to disaster events in Yangon, Myanmar, which is prone to natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, flooding, and earthquakes. The study aimed to understand societal resilience and to provide information that could be used to develop a holistic framework. In four different Yangon townships, 440 households were interviewed. The results of the survey indicate how risk preparedness could be improved by specific measures related to the following five factors: 1) increasing the general public’s knowledge of first-aid and its role in preparedness; 2) improving mobile phone infrastructure so that it can be used for communication during disasters, along with building up a redundant communication structure; 3) better use and organisation of volunteer potential; 4) more specific involvement of religious and public buildings for disaster response; and 5) developing specific measures for improving preparedness in urban areas, where the population often has reduced capacities for coping with food supply insufficiencies due to the high and immediate availability of food, shops and goods in regular times. The findings of this survey have led to specific recommendations for Yangon. The identified measures represent a first step in developing a more general framework. Future research could investigate the transferability of these measures to other areas and thus their suitability as a basis for a framework.
Rokitansky diverticulum with esophageo-spinal fistula leading to infective spondylodisciitis – A case report and review of literature
Authors: Kukreja Ashish , Thirugnanam Balamurugan , Janardhan Seema , Sreeniv D , Kishen Thomas J
Published: July 2021

Background- Infective thoracic spondylodiscitis secondary to spontaneous perforation of the esophageal diverticulum is a rare condition. Case Report- A 56-year-old lady with cystic lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension of nine years duration and progressive dysphagia for two years was diagnosed with mid-esophageal diverticulum five months prior to presentation. The lady presented with infrascapular chest wall pain of one month’s duration and dyspnoea and wheezing of 15 days duration. Imaging showed a mid-esophageal diverticulum at T4-T5 level with a sinus tract extending to the T2-T3 disc, reduced T2-T3 disc height with endplate irregularities, and contrast enhancement of T2-T5 vertebral bodies suggestive of spondylodiscitis. Although a percutaneous vertebral biopsy was inconclusive, the blood culture grew Streptococcus Pseudoporcinus. The esophageal diverticulum was managed with an endoluminal stent and the infective spondylodisciitis was managed with an extended course of antibiotics led to the healing of both lesions. Conclusions- A Rokitansky mid-esophageal diverticulum with esophageo-spinal fistula causing infective spondylodisciitis is a rare condition. A combined management of the leaking esophageal diverticulum using an esophageal endoluminal metallic stent and an extended course of antibiotics to treat the infective spondylodisciitis led to a good outcome.
Effects of Precipitation, Temperature and Wind in Alpine Areas on Backcountry Avalanche Accidents Reported in the Western Part of Austria within 1987-2009
Authors: Pfeifer Christian , Höller Peter
Published: July 2021

In this article, we are going to investigate the effects of snow, rain, temperature and wind on the number of backcountry and off-piste avalanche accidents. The data base of our survey is restricted on the western part of Austria (federal states Tyrol and Vorarlberg) within the winter periods 1987/88--2008/09. We are able to stratify the daily data for municipalities in Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Employing spatial kriging and hurdle models, we found a positive significant effect of the snow water equivalent measurement on avalanche accident counts (if we consider the running average over the past 3 days). The variables rain and temperature 1800 meter above sea level showed negative effects on the number of accident counts. In the case of the variable wind - ERA5 global reanalysis data turned out not to be reliable -- we had a focus on the 3 avalanche accident hot spots of Austria St. Anton am Arlberg, Lech and Sölden observing wind data of the weather stations Galzig, Warth and Obergurgl. At least in the case of St. Anton and Lech, we found significant positive effects (daily velocity totals and west wind component) on the number of avalanche counts. Calculating the daily mean wind load showed a positive effect only in the case of St. Anton am Arlberg.Finally, we tried to find conclusions in connection with `avalanche problems' such as used by several avalanche information services only finding (beside `new snow') some evidence for a `spring scenario'.
Functional Modules Analysis and Hub Gene Prognostic Values Evaluation Based on Co-Expression Network in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Yujia , Hu Xiaoping , Pan Zongfu , Jiang Yuchen , Guo Dandan , Xu Tong , Sun Jiao , Huang Ping , Zhang Yiwen
Published: July 2021

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the most common fatal disease worldwide, but its mechanism and therapeutic targets are still unclear. In this study, we have analyzed the differences in gene modules and key pathways in gastric cancer patients, then elaborated the mechanism and effective treatment of gastric cancer with microarray data from the gene expression omnibus(GEO) database. Methods: GEO2R tools were used to identify differential expression genes (DEGs), String database was employed to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. We imported the PPI network into the Cytoscape software to find key nodes, and employed statistical approach of MCODE to cluster genes. After that the ClueGO was used to enrich and annotate the pathways of key modules. To investigate the relationship between the upstream regulator and hub genes, the transcriptional regulatory network was built based on TFCAT database. Results: 63 characteristic genes of gastric cancer are involved in regulation of ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion and protein digestion and absorption. SPARC, FN1, BGN and COL1A2 are four key nodes relating to tumor proliferation and metastasis, and their expression were strongly associated with poor survival (p<0.05). 13 transcription factors including PRRX1 have remarkable changes in gastric cancer, which may play a key role in hub gene regulation. Conclusions: The present study defined the gene expression characteristics and transcriptional regulatory network that promote our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of gastric cancer, and might provide new insights into targeted therapy and prognostic markers for the personalized treatment of gastric cancer.
The Spatial Variations of Water Quality and Effects of Water Landscape in Baiyangdian Lake, North China
Authors: Li Liqing , Chen Xinghong , Zhang Meiyi , Zhang Weijun , Wang Dongsheng , Wang Hongjie
Published: July 2021

Baiyangdian Lake (BYD), a large shallow lake in North China, has complex water landscape patterns that are underlies spatial variations in water quality. In this study, we collected 61 water samples from three water landscapes (reed littoral zones, fish ponds and open water) and analyzed them for water quality parameters, such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). Water landscape distribution (determined using remote sensing imagery) was then used to assess correlations between water quality parameters and water landscape proportion in differently scaled buffer zones. There was substantial variation across all subareas, with TN and TP concentrations ranging from 0.90–4.10 mg/L and 0.06–0.18 mg/L, respectively. Spatial variations in water quality were mainly caused by water landscape distribution and external nutrient inputs. There were negative correlations between DOC, TN, and TP concentrations and the area proportion of reed littoral zones in the 300 and 500 m buffers. In contrast, DOC, TN and TP concentrations were significantly positively correlated with the area proportion of fish ponds in the 100 m buffer. Furthermore, compared with reed littoral zones, a lower nitrogen to phosphorus ratio and a higher proportion of dissolved organic nitrogen and tyrosine-like proteins were found in fish ponds. These effects were mainly attributed to development of internal sediment loadings due to nutrient exchange between sediment and overlying water. Therefore, dredging-based sediment removal from fish ponds should be considered to suppress internal phosphorus loading and accelerate recovery of the BYD ecosystem.
An Efficient Chaotic Salp Swarm Optimization Approach Based on Ensemble Algorithm for Solving Class Imbalance Problem
Authors: G Rekha , V Krishna Reddy , jatoth chandrashekar , Fiore Ugo
Published: July 2021

Class imbalance problems have attracted the research community but a few works have focused on feature selection with imbalanced datasets. To handle class imbalance problems, we developed a novel fitness function for feature selection using the chaotic salp swarm optimization algorithm, an efficient meta-heuristic optimization algorithm that has been successfully used in a wide range of optimization problems. This paper proposes an Adaboost algorithm with chaotic salp swarm optimization. The most discriminating features are selected using salp swarm optimization and Adaboost classifiers are thereafter trained on the features selected. Experiments show the ability of the proposed technique to find the optimal features with performance maximization of Adaboost.
A Successful Case of Endovascular Therapy for Severely Calcified Plaque Removed by Biopsy Forceps at the Superficial Femoral Artery
Authors: Hirano Shojiro , Funatsu Atsushi , Nakamura Shigeru , Ikeda Takanori
Published: July 2021

BackgroundCurrently, the success rate of EVT for treating CTO of the SFA is high; however, EVT is still found to be insufficient in treating CTOs with severely calcified lesions. Even if the guidewire crosses the lesion, the calcifications may still cause difficulties during stent expansion.Main textA 78-year-old male had been reported to have intermittent claudication with chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the right superficial femoral artery (SFA). Angiography revealed severely calcified plaque at the ostium of the SFA. Stenting posed a risk of underexpansion, causing the plaque to shift to the deep femoral artery. we decided to remove the calcified plaque using biopsy forceps. After removing the extended calcified plaque, the guidewire could cross easily, and the self-expandable stent was well dilated without causing the plaque to shift to the DFA. ConclusionBiopsy forceps may be used in some endovascular cases to remove severely calcified lesions.To ensure the safety of the patient, the physician must be adept at performing this technique before attempting it.
Ant Lion Optimizer for Suppression of Ambipolar Conduction in Schottky Barrier Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Kumar Gagnesh , Agrawal Sunil
Published: July 2021

A mathematical model and experimental analysis of the effect of oxide thickness on ambient conduction is provided in the Schottky Barrier Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) Field Effect Transistor (SB-CNTFET). To develop them as the future of IC (integrated circuit) technology, the suppression of ambipolar behaviour in SB-CNTFET is imperative. The ambipolar nature of SB-CNTFET contributes to a high amount of leakage current. tox ≈ 49.91mm uses a dielectric of gate oxide with a thickness to inhibit the ambipolar behaviour. In an SB-CNTFET, the conductance is regulated by the electrical field at the source/drain contacts and the band bending length at the contacts is determined by tox. Therefore, the prime parameter tox that affects the Schottky barrier width and the subthreshold area. The suppression of ambipolar property is presented through experimental analysis. The SB-CNTFET is produced using high-k dielectrics such as Zirconium dioxide. This work discusses the suppression of ambipolar activity in SB-CNTFETs without reducing the Ion current using an appropriate dielectric with optimum thickness.
The Inhibition Efficiency of Blue Light And Light Intensity On The Growth Rate of Microcystis Aeruginosa
Authors: Watanabe Shunsuke , Matsunami Naoki , Ookuma Ikki , Podiapen Tannen Naythen , Fujibayashi Megumu , Iseri Yasushi , Hao Aimin , Kuba Takahiro
Published: July 2021

Lake eutrophication is associated with the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms which have a negative effect on other organisms. Several studies demonstrated that blue LED irradiation inhibits the growth rate of cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa, while the efficiency varies from study to study. In this paper, the focus was on the effects of light intensity on the growth of M. aeruginosa because the light intensity used in the precious studies varied from 12 to 45 μmol photons m-2 s-1. Growth experiment of M. aeruginosa was conducted with 32 μmol photons m-2 s-1 blue light and fluorescent light, and the results were compared with the findings of previous reports. Furthermore, co-culture of M. aeruginosa and diatom Nitzschia palea was also prepared. The growth rate of M. aeruginosa was 0.33 day-1 and 0.11 day-1 under fluorescent light and blue light, respectively. The blue light dropped the growth rate by 67%. Compared with previous studies, the inhibition efficiency seemed to be the best at 20 μmol photons m-2 s-1. The growth rate of N. palea was 0.62 day-1 and 0.36 day-1 under fluorescent light and blue light, respectively. Since the efficiency of N. palea by blue light (42%) was smaller than that of M. aeruginosa, blue light is considered to be a countermeasure to cyanobacterial blooms.
Metabolic Syndrome Related Gene Signature Predicts the Prognosis of Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma. A Novel Link Between Metabolic Dysregulation and Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma.
Authors: Cai Weiyang , Bao Wenming , Chen Shengwei , Yang Yan , Li Yan-yan
Published: July 2021

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. In recent years, specific metabolic activities, which involves the development of tumor, caused wide public concern. In this study, we wish to explore the correlation between metabolism and progression of tumor.Methods: A retrospective analysis including 95 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and PDAC patients from TCGA, ICGA, and GEO database were involved in our study. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to construct the prognosis model. The potential connection between metabolism and immunity of PDAC was investigated through WGCNA. 22 types of TIICs between high-risk and low-risk groups were estimated through CIBERSORT. Moreover, the potential immune-related signaling pathways between high-risk and low-risk groups were explored through the GSEA. The role of key gene GMPS in developing pancreatic tumor was further investigated through CCK-8, colony-information, and Transwell. Results: The prognostic value of the MetS factors was analyzed using the Cox regression model, and a clinical MetS-based nomogram was established. Then, we established a metabolism-related signature to predict the prognosis of PDAC patients based on the TCGA databases and was validated in the ICGC database and the GEO database to find the distinct molecular mechanism of MetS genes in PDAC. The result of WGCNA showed that the blue module was associated with risk score, and genes in the blue module were found to be enriched in the immune-related signaling pathway. Furthermore, the result of CIBERSORT demonstrated that proportions of T cells CD8, T cells Regulatory, Tregs NK cells Activated, Dendritic cells Activated, and Mast cells Resting were different between high-risk and low-risk groups. These differences are potential causes of different prognoses of PDAC patients. GSEA and the protein–protein interaction network (PPI) further revealed that our metabolism-related signature was significantly enriched in immune‐related biological processes. Moreover, knockdown of GMPS in PDAC cells suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells, whereas overexpression of GMPS performed oppositely.Conclusion: The results shine light on fundamental mechanisms of metabolic genes on PDAC and establish a reliable and referable signature to evaluate the prognosis of PDAC. GMPS was identified as a potential candidate oncogene with in PDAC, which can be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for PDAC treatment.
Structural Analysis And Molecular Characteristics of SARSCoV-2 Spike Protein Following S494P Point Mutation: Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Janlou Mehr Ali Mahmood , sahebjamee Hassan , Shokravi Shademan
Published: July 2021

The emergence of some mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) can increase the spread and pathogenicity due to the conformational changes and increase the stability of Spike protein. Due to the formation of different strains of SARS-CoV-2 by mutations, and their catastrophic effect on public health, the study of the effect of mutations by scientists and researchers around the world is inevitable. According to available evidence, the S494P variant is observed in several SARS-CoV-2 strains from Michigan, USA. To investigate how the S494P natural mutation alters receptor binding affinity in RBD, we performed structural analysis of wild-type and mutant spike proteins using some bioinformatics and computational tools. The results show that S494P mutation increases the spike protein stability. Also, applying docking by HADDOCK displayed higher binding affinity to hACE2 for mutant spike than wild type possibly due to the increased β-strand and Turn secondary structures which increases surface accessibly surface area (SASA) and chance of interaction. The analysis of S494P as a critical RBD mutation may provide the continuing surveillance of spike mutations to aid in the development of COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.