bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding back of individual genomic results in Botswana: mapping opportunities and challenges
Authors: Kasule Mary , Matshaba Mogomotsi , Wonkam Ambroise , de Vries Jantina
Published: May 2022

Purpose: We aimed to explore the views of stakeholders in Botswana involved in developing, implementing and applying ethical standards for return of individual study results from genomic research on feeding back individual genomic research results, thus mapping opportunities for and challenges regarding actionability requirements that could determine whether individual genomic research results should be fed back to participants.Methods: Using in-depth interviews, we explored the views of sixteen (16) stakeholders involved in the conduct or regulation of genomic research in Botswana regarding what they thought were the opportunities for and challenges in feeding back individual genomic research results. We also deliberated on questions regarding whether the feedback of findings was necessary or not, whether only genomic results that have been verified in accredited diagnostic laboratories should be fedback and how important it is that participants who receive results have access to the interventions that would mediate the effects of the genomic findings. Coded data was analyzed through an iterative process of analytic induction to document and interpret themes.Results: Overall, respondents were of the view that feedback of actionable individual genomic results was an important outcome that could benefit participants. However, a number of themes surfaced that pointed to opportunities for and challenges that exist in Botswana regarding requirements for feedback of actionable results that were mapped. Some of the opportunities cited by the respondents included the existence of good governance; democracy and humanitarianism; universal healthcare system; national commitment to science; research and innovation to transform Botswana into a knowledge-based economy; and applicable standard of care which could promote actionability. On the other hand, contextual issues like the prerequisite for return of only genomic research results that have been validated in accredited laboratories, the high cost of validation of genomic results, and linkage to care, as well as lack of experts like genomic scientists and counselors were considered as challenges for return of individual results.Conclusion: We propose that decisions whether and which genomic results to return take into consideration contextual opportunities and challenges for actionability for return of results in a research setting. This is likely to avoid or minimize ethical issues of justice, equity and harm regarding actionability decisions.
Plant regeneration from apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) anther culture-derived embryos
Authors: zhang chunfen , Deng Shu , Cao Qiufen , Komori Sadao , Xiao Rong
Published: May 2022

To improve the adaptation process of the obtained androgenic plants and achieve high acquisition efficiency of plants in anther culture, six cultivars, ‘ASP’, ‘Danxian’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Gala’, ‘SD’, and ‘Senshu’, were used to investigate the effect of sucrose concentration on root formation from embryos in the cold treatment and the effect of plant regulators in the shoot regeneration medium for rooted and nonrooted embryos. The results indicated that cold treatment medium containing 1.5% sucrose showed the highest root formation in the three cultivars ‘ASP’, ‘Senshu’ and ‘SD’. The rooted embryos readily developed into shoots compared to the nonrooted embryos. For rooted embryos, the preferred medium for shoot regeneration was 1/2 MS hormone-free medium containing 1.5% sucrose, whereas the preferred medium for nonrooted embryos was MS or 1/2 MS medium containing BAP and 3% sucrose. The genotype also played an important role in the process of plant regeneration from anther culture-derived embryos in apple. The cultivars ‘ASP’ (14.4%), ‘SD’ (6.2%) and ‘Danxian’ (6.0%) showed the highest rates of embryo induction. The cultivars ‘Danxian’, ‘Gala’, and ‘Senshu’ showed the highest rates of regeneration from embryos to shoots of 33.7%, 26.9% and 21.55%, respectively. Consequently, the total efficiency from anthers to shoots of ‘Danxia’ was 2.33%, followed by ‘Gala’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Senshu’, ‘SD’ and ‘ASP’, which had efficiencies of 0.35%, 0.30%, 0.30%, 0.27% and 0.25%, respectively.
Cervical cancer screening and predictors of screening by diabetes status
Authors: Miller Eric A , Pinsky Paul
Published: May 2022

PurposeWomen with diabetes have lower survival rates after a cervical cancer diagnosis compared to women without diabetes. Pap smears and human papilloma virus (HPV) testing are highly effective screening tests for cervical cancer, therefore, it is important to know the prevalence of guideline-concordant screening among women with diabetes and understand if their predictors of screening differ. The purpose of this analysis was to assess guideline-concordant cervical cancer screening and predictors by diabetes status.MethodsWe used the 2019 National Health Interview Survey data, limited to women aged 21-65 years without a previous diagnosis of cancer, a hysterectomy, or diagnosed with diabetes in the year prior to the survey. We considered the Pap and HPV tests together and concordance as being tested within the past 3 years as part of a routine exam. We calculated weighted, adjusted prevalence and prevalence ratios (PRs) of screening concordance comparing women with diabetes to those without.ResultsThe unadjusted prevalence of concordant screening was 66.5% for women with diabetes compared to 73.3% for women without diabetes (PR=0.91 95%CI 0.84–0.98). In the model adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, marital status, employment, insurance coverage, usual source of healthcare, seeing a doctor in past year, and delaying medical care, the association was slightly attenuated and no longer statistically significant (PR=0.94 95%CI 0.88–1.02).ConclusionsCervical cancer screening concordance was lower in women with diabetes compared to those without overall but most barriers to screening appear to be from risk factors common to both diabetes and cervical cancer.
PICK1 mediates reactive oxygen species release and apoptosis in endotoxin-induced acute lung injury through interacting with PKCα and Ca 2+ /Calmodulin-activated Kinase II (CaMKII)
Authors: Qian Meizi , Zhu Yunrun , Wang Leilei , Mo Yunchang , Zhang Anqi , Yu Qimin , Wu Pinglei , Wang Junlu
Published: May 2022

Background: The pathophysiological mechanism of sepsis-related acute lung injury, which leads to a major cause of mortality in critically ill patients remains ambiguous. Our previous study demonstrated that PICK1 played a pivotal role in regulating antioxidants (Glutathione) synthesis via affecting xCT, however, its effects on oxidants was still unknown. This study aimed to explore whether PICK1 mediates reactive oxygen species release and apoptosis in endotoxin-induced acute lung injury, thereby funding effective treatments for ALI.Methods: In this study, male C57BL/6 mice or PICK1 knock out mice and mouse macrophage cell line, RAW264.7 were treated with LPS to establish endotoxin-induced acute lung injury model in vivo and in vitro. FSC-231 were used to disturb the interaction between PICK1 and PKCα. KN-93 were used to inhibit the activity of CaMKII. The alterations of protein PICK1, PKCα, CaMKII, p-CaMKII, BAX, Bcl-2, Cleaved-Caspase 3 were observed. Meanwhile, PICK1-PKCα complexes, PICK1-p-CaMKII complexes were detected. Cell Viability, ROS release, and cell apoptosis were examed as well. Results: We found that in endotoxin-related ALI, the content of PICK1 and p-CaMKII were augmented, while, PKCα were activated and declined. LPS stimulated the formation of PICK1-PKCα complexes, PICK1-p-CaMKII complexes. Moreover, PICK1 knock out exacerbate ROS release and apoptosis. Either PDZ or BAR domain disruption could mimic the effects of PICK1 knock out. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PICK1 mediates ROS release and apoptosis via interaction with PKCα and CaMKII.
Leaf traits of Cerrado trees vary according to season of leaf production
Authors: Araújo Igor , Vieira Tiffani C. S. , Cruz Wesley J. A. , Gloor Manuel U , Galbraith David R. , Junior Ben Hur Marimon , Marimon Beatriz S.
Published: May 2022

A large number of studies on plant functional traits assume time-invariant species-level mean trait values. Studies examining how leaf functional traits vary according to the season in which leaves were produced are very rare. In this study, we selected four species of trees and evaluated how morphological traits, and mesophyll and stomatal dimensions of leaves produced in the dry season differed from those produced in the wet season in a highly seasonal woodland savanna (cerradão) in the Amazonia-Cerrado transition. We found substantial differences in leaf traits between cohorts of leaves produced in both seasons, with those produced during the wet season characterized by more acquisitive trait values (e.g., high stomatal density, large stomatal pore size and high specific leaf area) than leaves of the same species produced in the dry season which were characterized by water conservative leaf traits. The magnitude of the difference for selected traits was remarkable – e.g., stomatal density of leaves produced in the dry season was on average four times greater than those produced in the wet season. Our results cast strong doubts on the use of mean specific values for syntheses of leaf traits and demonstrate that species in the Amazonia-Cerrado transition exhibit very high intraseasonal variation. Whether this high level of plasticity observed seasonally also applies to response to future climate change remains an open question.
Radioprotective effect of nanoniosome loaded by Mentha Pulegium essential oil on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to ionizing radiation
Authors: Hamzian Nima , Nickfarjam Abolfazl , Shams Ali , Haghiralsadat Fateme , Najmi-Nezhad Moslem
Published: May 2022

Introduction
: Despite the applications and advantages of ionizing radiation; there are many radiation risks to biological systems that are necessary to be reduced as much as possible. The present study aimed to assess the radioprotective effect of nanoniosomes loaded by Mentha Pulegium essential oil (MPEO-N) as a natural antioxidant on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
Materials and methods
MPEO-N nanoparticles were prepared by the lipid thin-film hydration method, and its physicochemical characteristics were analyzed. PBMCs were then irradiated with X-ray using a 6 MV linear accelerator at radiation doses of 25 and 200 cGy in the presence of non-toxic concentrations of MPEO-N nanoparticles (IC10). After 48 and 72 h of incubation, the radioprotective effect was investigated by measuring survival, apoptosis, and necrosis of PBMCs, using MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis.
Results
The hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of nanoniosomes were 106.0 nm and − 15.2 mV, respectively. The mean survival percentage of PBMCs showed a significant increase only at a radiation dose of 200 cGy compared with the control group. The percentages of apoptosis and necrosis of cells in the presence of MPEO-N nanoparticles at both radiation doses and incubation periods (48 and 72 hours) demonstrated a significant reduction compared with the control.
Conclusion
MPEO-N nanoparticles as a natural antioxidant, exhibited a favorable radioprotective effect by a significant reduction in the percentage of apoptosis and necrosis of irradiated PBMCs.
Analyzing the Adverse Events of Palliative Duodenal Stents in the Distal Duodenum: A Retrospective Chart Analysis
Authors: Reddy Srikar , Dailey Zachary , Al-Nakshabandi Ahmad , Chalhoub Walid
Published: May 2022

Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) have demonstrated benefits in the setting of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) by improving oral intake tolerance and reducing gastrointestinal symptoms. Endoscopic advances have enabled more minimally invasive procedures with fewer adverse events and are more cost-effective compared to surgeries. Our survey aimed to explore clinical outcomes in patients with palliative stents placed in the D3 and D4 portions of the duodenum. At a single tertiary care center from 2008 to 2021, there were 17 patients that underwent SEMS placement in the D3 and D4 portions of the duodenum, illustrating how rare this procedure is. There was 1 observed case of intestinal bleeding (hematemesis) within 30 days of stent placement (incidence 5.9%) and 1 observed case of stent migration (incidence of 5.9%). The total adverse event rate for duodenal stents placed in the D3 and D4 portions of the duodenum was found to be 11.7%. Duodenal stents placed in the D3 and D4 portions of the duodenum had comparable adverse event rates compared to stents placed in the D1 and D2 portions of the duodenum.
The effect of Phytosphingosine associated with toothbrushing on color change, surface roughness and microhardness of dental enamel - an in vitro and in situ study
Authors: de Arruda Carolina Noronha Ferraz , Vivanco Rocio Geng , Amorim Ayodele Alves , Ferreira Adriana Cavalcanti , Torrieri Rafaella Tonani , Bikker Floris Jacob , de Souza Fernanda de Carvalho Panzeri Pires
Published: May 2022

Objective. This study evaluated, in vitro and in situ, the effect of phytosphingosine (PHS) associated with toothbrushing regarding color stability, surface roughness, and microhardness. Methods. Sixty-four specimens of bovine teeth (6x6x2 mm) were separated in 8 groups (n=8): S+TB: PHS (spray) + toothbrushing; TB+S: toothbrushing + PHS (spray); I+TB: PHS (immersion) + toothbrushing; TB+I: toothbrushing + PHS (immersion); TB: toothbrushing; S: PHS spray; I: immersion in PHS solution and Saliva: immersion in saliva. Toothbrushing simulation (Mavtec, Brazil) was performed (356 rpm, 3.8 centimeters course by the toothbrush - Soft Tek) for 1, 7, 15, and 30 days. PHS remained in contact with specimens for 15 minutes. The specimens were evaluated before and after toothbrushing for color alteration (Easy Shade, VITA), surface roughness (Model SJ-201P Mitutoyo), and Knoop microhardness (HMV-2, Shimadzu Corporation). For the in situ analyses, 8 participants were recruited and received an intraoral device with 6 fragments of bovine enamel (6x6x2 mm). The properties evaluated were the same as those of the in vitro study. Participants were randomized following best results of in vitro tested protocols, for 15 days: TB; TB+S; I+TB. Data obtained by in vitro (two-way ANOVA, Tukey, p <.05) and in situ (one-way ANOVA, Tukey, p <.05) studies were analyzed. Results. The in vitro study showed a greater color change was found after 30 days. The greatest differences in surface roughness occurred between the initial value and after 1 day. Regarding microhardness, the highest values occurred after 15 and 30 days, which were similar. The in situ study showed greater color changes for the TB and I + TB, and greater surface roughness changes for TB and a similar increase in microhardness for the PHS protocols, which were higher than TB. Conclusions. Phytosphingosine leads to an increase in performance regarding color stability, surface roughness, and microhardness when applied. In general, the application of PHS after brushing showed a positive impact on its performance.Clinical relevance. Phytosphingosine showed to be interesting to compound prevention formulations in the dentistry field.
Evaluation of wound healing effect of curcumin loaded OPL carbon nanospheres embedded Chitosan membranes
Authors: M Roopesh , S Jyothi M , Velmurugan Rajendran , Hegde Gurumurthy , Keri Rangappa S , Soontarapa Khantong
Published: May 2022

Biowaste derived carbon and the biomaterial scaffolds are being used for wound healing are the focus of interest. Carbon nanospheres derived from oil palm leaves without any catalysts via pyrolysis were loaded with a traditional drug curcumin. The wound healing scaffolds were fabricated on the polypropylene non-woven fabric support using chitosan as the biopolymer matrix. Prepared carbon nanospheres and the scaffolds were characterized using ATR-IR and FESEM techniques. The wettability of scaffolds was examined to ensure the feasible moisture absorption ability, in vitro drug release profile and in vitro antibacterial activity against two bacterial. The in vivo wound healing feature of scaffolds was studied by excision wound model for MRSA infected wound. Measured % wound contraction and the bacterial count on wounds at regular time intervals proved that, the scaffold dressed with chitosan and curcumin loaded carbon nanoshperes showed an efficient reconstruction of skin through histopathological investigations.
Performance of serum Quad test in screening for fetal Down syndrome in a large-scale unselected population in a developing country
Authors: Chaipongpun Nitchanut , Tongsong Theera , Wanapirak Chanane , Sirichotiyakul Supatra , Tongprasert Fuanglada , Srisupun Kasemsri , Luewan Suchaya , Traisrisilp Kuntharee , Jatavan Phudit , Sirilert Sirinart
Published: May 2022

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Quad test in the detection of fetal Down syndrome (DS) in routine practice among a large-scale population and, also, to compare the effectiveness of Quad test based on the Western reference model (WM) with ethnic correction and that based on Thai reference model (TM)Methods: Quad test was performed on 42,769 singleton pregnancies at 14 to 21 weeks of gestation, as a national policy with free-of-charge. The fetal risk of DS derived from Quad test was automatically computed based on WM and used in evaluating the effectiveness. Also, the fetal risk was calculated based on the TM.Results: Of 39,740 screened women with complete follow-ups, 74 fetuses were affected by DS. With WM, the detection and false positive rates were 81.1% and 7.2%, respectively, whereas the detection and false positive rates with TM were 87.8%, and 6.8%, respectively. According to the ROC curves, the performance of Quad test based on TM was slightly but significantly better than that based on WM (AUC of 0.959 vs 0.940, p=0.001).Conclusion: Quad test is highly effective in-service settings and suitable for developing countries and the effectiveness is even higher when based on ethnicity-specific reference model.
Contribution of Stipa bungeana root exudates to soil organic carbon fractions in the Loess Plateau
Authors: Li Yao , Yang Xuan , Bai Xuejuan , Wang Cong , Huang Yimei , An Shao-shan
Published: May 2022

Purpose Root exudates play an important role in carbon sequestration in grassland, but the contribution of root exudates to different soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions is poorly understood.Methods In this study, Stipa bungeana was used as the research subject and labeled with 13CO2 in an indoor culture experiment.Results After labeling, the content of SOC and 13C-SOC in rhizosphere soil was larger than that in bulk soil. In rhizosphere, the content of 13C-MBC and 13C-HC increase for 95.77% and 46.44% at the first day after labeling. At the 65 days, the content of 13C-SOC increase for 40.76%, but the 13C-DOC and13C-MBC decrease for 71.79% and 55.56% in rhizosphere.Conclusion The influence of root exudates on SOC was mainly in the early stage, and the influence on SOC gradually decreased. Root exudates had a rapid effect on active organic carbon fractions (MBC and DOC), also affect the humus carbon (HC) in the short term. This study reveals the mechanism of root exudates on SOC pool during plant growth.
Risk Analysis and Corrosion Prevention during Industrial Power Failure
Authors: Li Jia Yang , Denkenberger David
Published: May 2022

Modern civilisation depends on many different sectors functioning well and concurrently to run smoothly. This includes the energy sector, the transport sector, and the information technology sector. As such, the consequences can be catastrophic if these sectors were to fail due to some form of power outage or disaster. Possible causes include a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear bomb or a solar storm, a pandemic worse than COVID-19 causing people to be too fearful to work in critical industries, a cyber-attack, or an extreme natural disaster. Some work has been done on what could happen if such sectors are disabled, but virtually none on how to cope or to prepare for the loss. First, estimates of how long such a power outage will last were calculated. Next, scenarios where there is a power loss in industry for at least 5 to 25 years was explored. The consequences of such a scenario with regards to corrosion were considered. Possible strategies for what can be done to prepare for such scenarios were also explored. It was found that considering the design, removing corrosive components, and using coatings and packaging were the cheapest ways to reduce corrosion risks.
Estimation of hereditary fructose intolerance prevalence in Chinese population
Authors: Tang Meiling , Chen Xiang , Ni Qi , Lu Yulan , Wu Bingbing , Wang Huijun , Yin Zhaoqing , Zhou Wenhao , Dong Xinran
Published: May 2022

Background: Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) caused by aldolase B (ALDOB) reduction or deficiency is a rare inherited autosomal recessive (AR) disease that results in fructose metabolism disorder. The disease prevalence in the Chinese population is unknown, which leads to the lack of basis for the formulation of HFI screening and diagnosis strategy. Materials & Methods: From searching local cohort (Chinese Children’s Rare Disease Genetic Testing Clinical Collaboration System, CCGT), public databases (ClinVar and HGMD) and reviewing HFI-related literature (PubMed and Web of Science), we manually curated ALDOB pathogenic or likely-pathogenic (P/LP) variants according to ACMG guidelines. Allele frequency (AF) information from local CCGT, HuaBiao, and gnomAD database for ALDOB P/LP variants were used to estimate and the HFI prevalence in Chinese and other populations by the Bayesian framework. We collected the genotype and clinical characteristics of HFI patients from the CCGT database and published literature to study genotype-phenotype relationships. Result: In total 81 variants from ALDOB were curated as P/LP. The estimated Chinses HFI prevalence is approximately 1/504,678, which is similar to gnomAD-AFR (1/412,335) and SAS (1/465,278) population and much lower than NFE (1/23,147), FlN (1/55,539), AMR (1/132,801) and ASJ (1/263,150) populations. By analyzing the genetic characteristics of ALDOB in Chinese population, two variants (A338V, A338G) had significantly higher AF in Chinese population by comparing to NFE populations from gnomAD (all P-value<0.05). Five variants (A150P, A175D, N335K, R60*, R304Q) had significantly lower AF (all P-value<0.1). The results of genotype-phenotype association showed that patient carrying homozygous variant sites (especially A150P) were more likely to present nausea, and patient carrying two missense variant sites were more likely to present aversion to sweets and fruit (all P-value<0.05). Our research reveals that some gastrointestinal symptoms seem to be associated with genotypes.Conclusion: Chinese population had extremely low prevalence of HFI, with no need to add in current newborn screening project if consider medical costs. Genetic test strategy was suggested for early diagnoses.
Efficacy of immunochemotherapy compared with platinum-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy after tyrosine kinase inhibitor failure in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR mutation
Authors: Hata Tae , Sakaguchi Chikara , Hirano Keita , Kobe Hiroshi , Ishida Masaki , Nakano Takayuki , Tachibana Yusuke , Murai Junji , Enomoto Masamitsu , Tanaka Tomoki , Tamiya Nobuyo , Shiotsu Shinsuke , Takeda Takayuki , Yamada Tadaaki , Yokoyama Toshihide , Tsuchiya Michiko , Nagasaka Yukio
Published: May 2022

BackgroundPatients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated, advanced non-small cell lung cancer have received immunochemotherapy as one of the treatment options after tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) failure. We examined the efficacy of immunochemotherapy in actual clinical practice and investigated subgroups of EGFR-mutant patients suitable for immunochemotherapy.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of EGFR-mutant patients treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab-carboplatin-paclitaxel (ABCP) therapy versus platinum-based chemotherapy (Chemo) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy after EGFR-TKI therapy. Progression-free survival (PFS), according to underlying factors, including programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status, was also analyzed between the ABCP and Chemo groups.ResultsOf the 65 patients, 20, 37, and 8 received ABCP therapy, chemotherapy, and ICI monotherapy, respectively. The median PFS and overall survival periods in the ABCP, Chemo and ICI groups were 5.6 and 20.9 months, 5.4 and 22.1 months, and 1.2 and 9.2 months, respectively (PFS, P = 0.63; OS, P = 0.11). The median PFS periods of PD-L1-positive patients in the ABCP and Chemo groups were 6.9 and 4.7 months, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41–2.17, P = 0.89). The median PFS of PD-L1-negative patients in the Chemo group (8.7 months) was significantly longer than that in the ABCP group (4.6 months) (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12–0.97, P = 0.04).ConclusionsThe effect of ABCP therapy was similar to chemotherapy in EGFR-mutant patients in a real-world setting. Particularly, for PD-L1-negative patients, platinum-based chemotherapy may be recommended over ABCP therapy.
Efficacy and safety of methylene blue in patients with vasodilatory shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Cong-Cong , Zhai Yu-Jia , Hu Zhen-Jie , Huo Yan , Li Zhi-Qiang , Zhu Gui-Jun
Published: May 2022

Background
The role of methylene blue (MB) in patients with vasodilatory shock is unclear. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MB in patients with vasodilatory shock.
Methods
We searched MEDLINE at PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI, CBM and Wanfang Medical databases for all observational and intervention studies comparing the effect of MB and control in vasodilatory shock patients. This study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. There were no language restrictions for inclusion.
Results
A total of 16 studies with 864 patients were included. Pooled data showed that MB as an adjunct to vasopressors significantly reduced mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34 to 0.85, P = 0.008; I2 = 7%). Subgroup analyses found a significant difference in mortality between groups, favoring continuous infusion MB in septic shock patients. Moreover, the vasopressor requirement was significantly reduced in the MB group (mean difference (MD) -0.77, 95%CI -1.26 to -0.28, P = 0.002; I2 = 80%). For hemodynamics, MB increased the mean arterial pressure, heart rate and peripheral vascular resistance. For oxygen metabolism, MB reduced the level of lactate but had no effect on oxygen supply and oxygen consumption. MB had no effect on the other outcomes. No serious side effects were found.
Conclusions
Adjunct administration of MB was associated with lower mortality in patients with vasodilatory shock. This may be due to the ability of MB to decrease vasopressor requirements and the level of lactate and its ability to increase mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and peripheral vascular resistance.
Comparative evidence of years lived with reproductive age morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa (2010-2018)
Authors: Kalindi Audrey , Houle Brian , Canudas-Romo Vladimir
Published: May 2022

BackgroundDespite remarkable progress in reducing maternal mortality over the past three decades, maternal morbidities remain high, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the number of years women spend with maternal morbidities, and how much each maternal complication contributes to unhealthy remaining years in reproductive ages is unknown. We estimate the number of life years that women of reproductive ages spend in poor health due to indirect maternal health morbidities. MethodsWe use Demographic and Health Survey data from 23 SSA countries to estimate age-specific mortality prevalence in reproductive age women, and construct life tables to estimate the survival function and reproductive age life expectancy (RALE) with and without HIV and anemia using the Sullivan method. ResultsThere is a high prevalence of HIV (4.9%) and anemia (34.3%) among SSA women. There is also heterogeneity in prevalence across regions, with higher prevalence of anemia in East (27.9%), Central (36.5%) and West Africa (47.8%), and HIV in Southern Africa (13.0%). These conditions compromise women’s health by an average of 14.3 years [CI 95%, 14.3-14.4], approximately 42% of RALE life years. On average, SSA women spend 11.6 years [11.6-11.7] with anemia, 1.7 years [1.7-1.8] with HIV, and 1.1 years [1.1-1.2] with both conditions. ConclusionsThe high burden of life years with reproductive age morbidities among SSA women highlights that to achieve healthy lives for women and children as part of Sustainable Development Goal 3, morbidity prevention and management measures among women will need to be enhanced over the entire reproductive age span.
Coping strategies for HIV and mental illness comorbidities among adult patients in south-western Uganda
Authors: Katugume Prosper , Namukowa John Bosco , Nankunda Oliver , Muhwezi Trevor James , Namaseruka Ruth , Wakida Edith K , Obua Celestino , Kakongi Nathan
Published: May 2022

Background
HIV and mental illness comorbidity remain one of the healthcare challenges with limited information and medical care attention. The co-existence of the two, result in poor coping thereby increasing vulnerability and poor health-related wellbeing. A number of strategies for coping with HIV and mental illness have been reported for individual states of HIV and mental illness but there is limited data on comorbidity states. In this study, we aimed at exploring coping strategies for HIV and Mental illness comorbidity among adult patients in southwestern Uganda and potential points of intervention that can mitigate challenges they encounter.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study design was used. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 26 adult (≥ 18 years) patients attending health care services at one hospital and one health Centre IV in Sheema and Isingiro district respectively, in southwestern Uganda. Data was collected using in-depth interviews, was audio recorded, transcribed verbatim from the local language and translated into English. Data was managed and analyzed using ATLAS.Ti software.
Results
A wide range of coping strategies categorized as individual centered, family support, healthcare and social support were reported. Avoidance of emotional stressors like quarrels, worries and annoyance was the most common. Other strategies were; seeking medical care, abstinence from sex, attending educational trainings, health status disclosure and caring for self. In coping with the comorbidity, several challenges were encountered, but various points of intervention including financial aid and scaling up training or educating masses on the causes, dangers and preventive measures of these diseases were suggested to improve the quality of life and also to prevent new infections.
Conclusions
We found variability in coping strategies categorized as individual centered, family support, healthcare support and social support. Avoidance of emotion stressors was a common coping strategy among the respondents. Several challenges are encountered in coping but potential points of interventions to mitigate the challenges were identified. Scaling up healthcare education for all, and tailored trainings to promote coping with HIV and mental illness comorbidity, together with adopting financial aid programs directed towards poverty alleviation among these patients were recommended.
Temporal and Spatial Changes of Land Use in the Yellow River Basin Based on Geo- Information Tupu method
Authors: Tang Xiaoying , Zhu Xicun , Li Wei , Zhang Jie , Yu Xinyang , Wang Ling
Published: May 2022

[Objective] The land use of the Yellow River Basin(YRB) has a significant impact on the ecology and economy of the basin. It is extremely important to study the temporal and spatial change of land use in the YRB for the sustainable development of the basin. [Methods]Taking the YRB as the study area, the land use types in the basin were classified and evaluated based on remote sensing monitoring data of five years of land use. The temporal and spatial characteristics of land use in four time series units from 2000 to 2005, 2005 to 2010, 2010 to 2015, and 2015 to 2020 were analyzed by using geo-information Tupu method, and the internal factors of land use change were analyzed from the perspective of increase and decrease. [Results] The results show that from 2000 to 2020, the land type of the YRB is dominated by grassland, the growth trend of woodland is higher than that of grassland, the growth trend of built-up land is higher than that of water area, and the cultivated land and unused land show a decreasing trend; different time series units show similar land changes, with the strongest in 2000-2005. The Tupu units of "cultivated land →grassland", "grassland→cultivated land", "grassland→ unused land" and "unused land→ grassland" are the main changes in the four time series units ;In the rising trend Tupu, grassland is converted from a large number of cultivated land, and the increase of grassland has a tendency to occupy cultivated land. In the falling trend Tupu, a large number of grassland have been converted into cultivated land, and the increase of cultivated land is inclined to occupy grassland. All of them have the most obvious changes in Gansu, the southern part of Ningxia and the northern part of Shaanxi. From the perspective of spatial location, the two may be transformed into each other, and the distribution is relatively concentrated in the pilot areas of the policy of returning farmland to forests.[Conclusion] The analysis of temporal and spatial changes of land use in the YRB in the past 20 years provides a realistic case for the feedback role of land policy in society and environment, and lays a foundation for the harmonious development of human and ecology.
Medical students experience of different forms of discrimination at one Swedish medical school
Authors: Kisiel Marta A. , Rask-Andersen Anna , Kuhner Sofia , Zhou Xing Wu , Wohlin Martin , Järhult Susann J. , Janson Christer
Published: May 2022

Introduction
The aim was to study discrimination in medical students at Uppsala University in Sweden.
Methods
All registered medical students in the spring semester of 2020 were sent a survey by e-mail. Data were compared with two previous studies. Questions about gender and sexual harassment were the same as in the study conducted in 2002 and 2013. In addition, the survey 2020 included a question about other grounds of discrimination.
Results
Forty percent, 453 of 1130 medical students, participated. The proportion of students reporting gender-based discrimination at the preclinical semesters was similar in women and men. During clinical semesters, significantly more women than men reported gender discrimination (41% vs 21.5%, p = 0.005) and sexual harassment (22% vs 5%, p = 0.001). Physicians were the most commonly reported perpetrator. Reports about not being respected had increased from 2.2–20.0% between 2013 and 2020 among female clinical students. The prevalence of experiencing several sexual harassing behaviors increased in female and male clinical students and female preclinical students. Receiving an unwelcomed touch increased from 1.3–6.8% in female clinical students. Discrimination due to ethnicity was reported by 36% of students with non-Swedish ethnicity compared to 3% of those with Swedish ethnicity.
Conclusion
Our findings confirm that experiences of different forms of discrimination exist in this medical school, and females and minorities are particularly affected.
Vanadium impairs neuronal infrastructure of the hippocampal trisynaptic loop in the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse).
Authors: MUSTAPHA OLUWASEUN AHMED , Awala-Ajakaiye Micheal , Taiwo Boluwatife , Bello Stephen Temitayo , Olude Matthew Ayokunle , Olopade James Olukayode
Published: May 2022

Environmental pollution with vanadium may pose neurotoxicity threats to known unique neural attributes (cognition and olfaction) of the African giant rat (AGR). This rodent lives within the same ecological zones with the human populace thus, experimental investigations on the effect of vanadium on this rodent may mirror latent epidemiological scenario on the human populace. This work was designed to evaluate the neurotoxic effect of vanadium on the hippocampal neuronal infrastructure and circuitry, and provide cellular correlates to its notable pathologies in the AGR. Adult male AGRs were dosed daily with 3mg/kg body sodium metavanadate for 14days and harvested brains were processed for histology Using Nissl and Golgi staining techniques with stereological analysis. we demonstrated the effect of vanadium on AGR neuronal architecture of the hippocampal trisynaptic loop as a probable cellular mechanism of vanadium-induced memory deficits. Specifically, the most notable pathologies were seen in the dentate gyrus and CA3 with significant decrease in neuronal density, disruption of the cytoarchitecture, and loss of dendritic arborizations and axonal extensions. while hippocampal subfields CA2 and CA4 show region-specific resistance to the vanadium-induced neurotoxicity. The selective vulnerability to the vanadium-induced neurotoxicity is adduced. Given the unique neural attributes of the AGR and their translational benefits, as sniff rats it then becomes expedient to note the impact of environmental pollution (in this case vanadium) on their performance index. It is also proposed that this indigenous rodent may be a suitable model for evaluating memory pathologies in ecological studies of neurotoxicities.
Safety and Efficacy Outcomes after Intranasal administration of Neural Stem Cells in Cerebral Palsy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lv Zhongyue , Li Ying , Wang Yachen , Cong Fengyu , Li Xiaoyan , Cui Wanming , Han Chao , Wei Yushan , Hong Xiaojun , Liu Yong , Ma Luyi , Jiao Yang , Zhang Chi , Li Huanjie , Jin Mingyan , Wang Liang , Ni Shiwei , Liu Jing
Published: May 2022

Background: Neural stem cells (NSCs) are believed to have the most therapeutic potential for neurological disorders because they can differentiate into various neurons and glial cells. This research evaluated the safety and efficacy of intranasal administration of NSCs in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The functional brain network (FBN) analysis based on electroencephalogram (EEG) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis based on T1-weighted images were performed to evaluate functional and structural changes in the brain.Methods: 25 CP patients aged 3-12 years old were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n=15), which received intranasal infusion of NSCs loaded by nasal patches and rehabilitation therapy, or the control group (n=10), which received rehabilitation therapy only. The primary endpoints were the safety (assessed by the incidence of adverse events (AEs), laboratory and imaging examinations) and the changes in the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), and some adapted scales. The secondary endpoints were the FBN and VBM analysis.Results: There were only 4 AEs happened during the 24 months follow-up period. No significant difference in the laboratory examinations before and after treatment, and the magnetic resonance imaging showed no abnormal nasal and intracranial masses. Compared to the control group, patients in the treatment group showed apparent improvements in GMFM-88 and ADL 24 months after treatment. Compared with the baseline, the scale scores of the Fine Motor Function, Sociability, Life Adaptability, Expressive Ability, GMFM-88, and ADL increased significantly in the treatment group 24 months after treatment, while the SDSC score decreased considerably. Compared with baseline, the FBN analysis showed a substantial decrease in brain network energy, and the VBM analysis showed a significant increase in gray matter volume in the treatment group after NSCs treatment.Conclusions: Our results showed that intranasal administration of NSCs was well tolerated and potentially beneficial in children with CP.Trial registration: The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03005249, registered 29 December 2016, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03005249) and the Medical Research Registration Information System (CMR-20161129-1003).
Concomitant pharmacologic medications influence the clinical outcomes of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in patients with ulcerative colitis: A multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ueno Nobuhiro , Sugiyama Yuya , Kobayashi Yu , Murakami Yuki , Iwama Takuya , Sasaki Takahiro , Kunogi Takehito , Sakatani Aki , Takahashi Keitaro , Tanaka Kazuyuki , Serikawa Shinya , Ando Katsuyoshi , Kashima Shin , Muto Momotaro , Inaba Yuhei , Moriichi Kentaro , Tanabe Hiroki , Okumura Toshikatsu , Fujiya Mikihiro
Published: May 2022

Background: Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) with Adacolumn has been widely used as a remission induction therapy for patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC). However, an appropriate GMA treatment strategy related to concomitant medication in patients with active UC has not been established. Herein, we investigated the influence of concomitant medications in the remission induction of GMA in patients with active UC.Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients with UC who underwent GMA in five independent institutions in Japan from January 2011 to July 2021. Clinical factors associated with clinical remission (CR) were analyzed statistically.Result: A total of 133 patients with active UC who underwent GMA were included. Seventy-four patients achieved a CR after GMA. The overall CR rate was 55.6%. The multivariable analysis revealed that concomitant medication with 5-aminosalicylic acid, Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES), and concomitant medication with immunosuppressors (IMs) remained as predictors of CR after GMA (p = 0.027, odds ratio [OR] 0.157; p = 0.017, OR 2.983; and p = 0.008, OR 3.361, respectively). In the subgroup analysis in patients with MES 2, concomitant medication with IMs was demonstrated as a significant negative factor of CR after GMA (p = 0.042, OR 2.823). Seventy-four patients who achieved CR after GMA were followed up for 52 weeks. CR was sustained in 24 of 74 patients (32%), and the median remission time was 30 weeks. In the multivariable analysis, the maintenance therapy with IMs was demonstrated as a significant positive factor of sustained CR up to 52 weeks (p = 0.038, OR 2.214). The rate of sustained CR in patients with 5-ASA and IMs was not different when compared with that in patients with 5-ASA only (p = 0.248). On the other hands, the rate of sustained CR in patients with biologics and IMs was significantly higher than that in patients with biologics only (p = 0.002).Conclusion: GMA was more effective for patients with active UC that relapsed under treatment without IM. Furthermore, the addition of IMs should be considered in patients on maintenance therapy with biologics after GMA.
Malaysia Seismic Provision Design Standard Approach for Bridge Design Based on Ranau Earthquake
Authors: Kassem Moustafa Moufid , Nazri Fadzli Mohamed , Adnan Azlan , Alel Mohd Nur Asmawisham
Published: May 2022

A lack of seismic consideration in the practice calculation design of BS 5400 was already known by engineers and specialists, but it is ignored since the authorities thought Malaysia was outside the seismic activity zone. Most bridge engineers in Malaysia have acquired their tertiary education from European nations like the United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand (NZ), and others who adhere to the British Standard 5400 code of conduct. It's a pity some officials haven't remembered that Malaysia is just a few miles away from Indonesia and the Philippines, both of which are regarded seismically active. This study proposes to extract a pier structural geometrical shape to be assessed under Ranau seismic event using non-linear time history analysis. Indeed, the purpose of this paper is to build up a Malaysian National Annex Standard for bridge seismic design based on Eurocode 8 Part-2 provisions, so that Malaysia can set its own criteria in terms of longitudinal reinforcement ratio and amount of confinement at various degrees of PGA intensity (30%g, 12%g, 9%g, 6%g, and 3%g). The results shows that the structural to withstand seismic loading against Ranau historical event, it needs 3.33% reinforcement ratio with minimum amount of confinement at 12%g intensity level is corresponded to Malaysia seismic hazard zonation map.
Anticoagulant Activity Analysis and Origin Identification of Panax notoginseng Using HPLC Chromatography and ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Cui Zhiying , Liu Chunlu , Li Dandan , Wang Yuanzhong , Xu Furong
Published: May 2022

At present, the correlation between saponins and anticoagulant activities analyzed from different origins and identification of the origins has been rarely reported. Here, the High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), pharmacological experiments and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics were employed to analysis the correlation and origin identification of Panax notoginseng. The HPLC and pharmacological experiments showed that P. notoginseng saponin (PNS) of main roots was not significantly different, but the Wenshan Prefecture was the highest at 9.86%. The prolonged coagulation time was done for the best effect with 1.92s, and the anticoagulant activity was positively correlated with the contents of the three saponins and PNS with correlation coefficients of 0.298, 0.636**, 0.507**, and 0.597**, respectively. Therein, the content of ginsenoside Rg1 had the greatest influence on the anticoagulant effect. Therefore, it is necessary to identify its origins. On the base, the variable selection was performed on ATR-FTIR spectra by applying manual selection, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and variable importance (VIP) in projection. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) classification algorithm was applied to identify the origin of P. notoginseng. The results show that the variable selection method could extract a small number of variables containing valid information, improve the performance of the model, and the VIP has the best ability to identify the origins of P. notoginseng. It could thus be a powerful analytical tool for the identification of other Chinese medicinal materials.
Can weed composition and diversity support chickpea yield? A case study on dryland fields from western Iran
Authors: Sohrabi Naser , Bagheri Alireza , Nosratti Iraj , Mondani Farzad
Published: May 2022

To evaluate the impacts of weed communities on chickpea yield (Cicer arietinum L.), an on-farm survey was conducted with a sampling from 85 dryland chickpea fields in a rural district, western Iran. The results showed that chickpea yield tended to decrease with increasing weed density and canopy cover as indicated by a polynomial response. Increasing weed density from 0 to 50 plant m-2 reduced the chickpea yield by 36.73% at the four to seven-leaf stage of chickpea. In addition, increases canopy cover from 0 to 55% caused chickpea yield loses by 41.70 g m-2 at the early podding stage of chickpea. Weed diversity and evenness had a positive effect on chickpea yield. Wild safflower (Carthamus oxyacantha M. Bieb.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) were the most predominant weeds with a significant negative correlation with chickpea yield, weed evenness and diversity. Some weeds, such as licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) had a negative correlation with chicory and wild safflower and a positive correlation with weed diversity and evenness. In addition, there was a positive relationship between density and canopy cover of licorice and chickpea yield, weed diversity and evenness.