bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Omics in Major Cereals: Applications, Challenges, and Prospects
Authors: Kaur Balwinder , Sandhu Karansher S. , Kamal Roop , Kaur Kawalpreet , Singh Jagmohan , Röder Marion S. , Muqaddasi Quddoos H.
Published: April 2021

Omics technologies, viz., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics, are becoming an integral part of virtually every commercial cereal breeding program because they provide substantial dividends per unit time in both pre-breeding and breeding phases. Continuous advances in cereal-omics promise—in combination with time efficiency—the cost benefits. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the established cereal-omics methods in five major cereals, viz., rice, sorghum, maize, barley, and bread wheat. We cover the evolution of technologies in each omics section independently and concentrate on their use to improve economically important agronomic as well as biotic and abiotic stress-related traits. Advancements in the (1) identification, mapping, and sequencing of molecular/structural variants, (2) high-density transcriptomics data to study gene expression patterns, (3) global and targeted proteome profiling to study protein structure and interaction, (4) metabolomic profiling to quantify organ level small-density metabolites and their composition, and (5) high-resolution high-throughput image-based phenomics approaches are surveyed in this review.
Assessing the Impact of Obesity on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes among Saudi Women
Authors: Adwani Nadia , Fouly Howieda , Omer Tagwa
Published: April 2021

Background: The rising prevalence of obesity has a significant impact on obstetrics practice regarding maternal and perinatal complications includes recurrent miscarriage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and prolonged labor. Objective: To assess the impact of obesity on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among Saudi women. Methods: The study was conducted at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Jeddah. Design: A cross-sectional retrospective design. A total number of 186 participants were recruited from July to Dec.2018 according to eligibility criteria. The data were collected retrospectively by a review of the chart records of the labor and delivery department. Results: The mean (SD) age of participants was 31.94(5.67) years old; two-thirds were in obesity class1. There was a significant association between obesity and pre-existing thyroid disease and induced hypertension class3. However, episiotomy showed that obesity class3 was significantly different from obesity class2. Conclusion: This study concludes obesity affects the outcomes of pregnant Saudi associations between obesity and preeclampsia, perineal tears, and episiotomy variables, and other variables reflect no associations. Recommendations: Further studies are needed to generalize the results. This study endorses the pregnant women start the antenatal follow-up from 1st trimester so, the data will be available on the system for research.
Development of Immune System: Conservation of Species Identity
Authors: Das Anindya
Published: April 2021

Mutual survival among different species of living organisms is quite common in our living world. That mutual survival can produce symbiotic or parasitic relationship among different living organisms. But at the same time, some relationships are harmful to the living organisms creating pathogenic relationships. Why some mutual survivals are beneficial, whereas some relationships are harmful creating different diseases in the living world? That harmful or pathological relationship producing different diseases in both the animal and plant kingdom has been extensively studied by the scientific community several times under the heading of ‘Host-pathogen interaction’ and ‘Disease pathogenesis’. But it is still not clear why some mutual survivals are beneficial or non-harmful, whereas some co-survivals are harmful producing different disease conditions in the living world mainly due to different immune mediated reactions or direct toxic effect of substances produced by an organism. To find the answer to this question, we have to search retrospectively to the evolutionary pattern of our diverse living world. If it is assumed that we have originated from Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) by different cumulative mutations, horizontal gene transfer, mobile genetic elements (MGE), transposition and natural selection, then it would be quite pragmatic to consider that two things were moving side by side in our ancient living world. On one hand it’s purpose was to create the diversification of both unicellular and multi-cellular living world and on the other hand it’s another purpose was to maintain the specific identity of the living organisms. It is the second purpose or the maintenance of specific identity that ultimately led to the development of Immune system.
VERU-111 as an Oral Tubulin Inhibitor Suppressing Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Evaluation of Novel Tubulin Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy
Authors:   ,   University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Deng Shanshan
Published: April 2021

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has aggressive clinical features strongly associated with poorer overall prognosis and higher mortality rates relative to other molecular subtypes. FDA-approved drugs, such as paclitaxel, are effective in treating TNBC. Yet, treatment failure is commonly observed due to the development of acquired chemoresistance, which remains a clinical challenge for TNBC therapy.
Simulation of Foam Enhanced-Oil-Recovery Processes Using Operator-Based Linearization Approach
Authors: Lyu Xiaocong , Voskov Denis , Tang Jinyu , Rossen William R.
Published: April 2021

Foam injection is a promising enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) technology that significantly improves the sweep efficiency of gas injection. Simulation of foam/oil displacement in reservoirs is an expensive process for conventional simulation because of the strongly nonlinear physics, such as multiphase flow and transport with oil/foam interactions. In this work, an operator-based linearization (OBL) approach, combined with the representation of foam by an implicit-texture (IT) model with two flow regimes, is extended for the simulation of the foam EOR process. The OBL approach improves the efficiency of the highly nonlinear foam-simulation problem by transforming the discretized nonlinear conservation equations into a quasilinear form using state-dependent operators. The state-dependent operators are approximated by discrete representation on a uniform mesh in parameter space. The numerical-simulation results are validated by using three-phase fractional-flow theory for foam/oil flow. Starting with an initial guess depending on the fitting of steady-state experimental data with oil, the OBL foam model is regressed to experimental observations using a gradient-optimization technique. A series of numerical validation studies is performed to investigate the accuracy of the proposed approach. The numerical model shows good agreement with analytical solutions at different conditions and with different foam parameters. With finer grids, the resolution of the simulation is better, but at the cost of more expensive computations. The foam-quality scan is accurately fitted to steady-state experimental data, except in the low-quality regime. In this regime, the used IT foam model cannot capture the upward-tilting pressure gradient (or apparent viscosity) contours. 1D and 3D simulation results clearly demonstrate two stages of foam propagation from inlet to outlet, as seen in the computed-tomography (CT) coreflood experiments: weak foam displaces most of the oil, followed by a propagation of stronger foam at lower oil saturation. OBL is a direct method to reduce nonlinearity in complex physical problems, which can significantly improve computational performance. Taking its accuracy and efficiency into account, the data-driven OBL-based approach could serve as a platform for efficient numerical upscaling to field-scale applications.
Iron-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles-triggered elicitation of important phenolic compounds in cell cultures of Fagonia indica.
Authors: Khan Atta Ullah , Khan Tariq , Khan Mubarak Ali , Nadhman Akhtar , Aasim Muhammad , Zaman Nadir , Ali Waqar , Nazir Nausheen , Zahoor Muhammad
Published: April 2021

Fagonia indica is an important medicinal plant species used traditionally against a variety of diseases. In this study, we initiated callus cultures from healthy stem explants. We observed maximum callus induction frequency (88%) on MS media supplemented with Thidiazuron (1.0 mg/mL). We also examined the callus cultures to determine the impact of iron-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Fe-ZnO-NPs) in concentrations (15.62 to 250 µg/mL) on biomass accumulation, secondary metabolism, and antioxidative potential in callus cultures of F. indica. Our results showed that maximum callus biomass (FW = 13.6 g and DW = 0.58 ± 0.01) was produced on day 40 when the media was supplemented with 250 µg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs. Similarly, maximum TPC (268.36 µg GAE/g of DW) was detected in 40 days old callus added with 125 µg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs. Maximum TFC (78.56 µg QE/g of DW) was observed in 20 days old callus grown in 62.5 µg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs containing media. Maximum total antioxidant capacity (390.74 µg AAE/g of DW) was observed in 40 days old callus with 125 µg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs treated cultures, respectively. The antioxidant potential was in correlation with the TPC. These results showed that Fe-ZnO-NPs elicitors can increase the biomass and activate secondary metabolism in F. indica cells.
A Big Leap From Its Normal Distribution, Two Hahn’s Short-Tailed Fruit Bats (Carollia subrufa) Reported in Far Southwestern Costa Rica.
Authors: Rodriguez David A , de Backer Wim , Briggs Lilly
Published: April 2021

Populations of Hahn’s short-tailed fruit bats (Carollia subrufa) are found from northwestern Mexico to the tropical dry forests of northeastern Costa Rica, with but two reports in the Monteverde area and another in Dominical. Here we report two captures registered 310 kilometers south of their normal range in the country; specifically, in San Vito de Coto Brus. Due to the location of San Vito a mere 10 kilometers from the Panamanian border, we suggest the possibility of a new mammal species for that country. Finally, we encourage continued efforts to better understand bat populations in this region of the isthmus.
Evaluation of Possible Changes in Intraocular Pressure and Optical Coherence Tomography Measurements in Severe OSAS Patients After 3 Month Positive Airway Pressure Treatment
Authors: Dikmen Nursel , Cakmak Ayse Idil , Urfalıoğlu Selma
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To identify and compare possible changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after 3 months of positive airway pressure (PAP) in patients with severe OSAS.Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients diagnosed with severe OSAS in the neurology sleep outpatient clinic were included in the study. Ophthalmologic examinations were performed at the time of diagnosis and after 3 months of PAP treatment. Statistical analysis of comparisons of IOP and OCT measurements taken before and after PAP treatment was performed. Before treatment, the correlations between central corneal thickness (CCT), body mass index (BMI), OCT, IOP and sleep parameters were statistically investigated.Results: When comparisons were made for both eyes, after 3 months of PAP treatment, a statistically significant decrease in IOP, thickening of the macula, and thinning of RNFL in the superior nasal sector were found when compared with the measurements previously taken at the time of diagnosis (p <0.05). There was no correlation between pre-treatment IOP, OCT, CCT, BMI and sleep parameters.Discussion: The inflammatory effects of OSAS on the IOP and macula have been shown to be reversible with a 3-month PAP treatment, but the reversibility of the neurodegenerative effects of OSAS on RNFL with this treatment seems controversial. OCT is a promising technique for monitoring disease progression in patients with severe OSAS under PAP treatment.
Early Childhood Caries and Primary Caregiver Oral Health Literacy in Western Australia: a Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: ANDREW Lesley , WALLACE Ruth , WICKENS Nicole , PATEL Jilen
Published: April 2021

Background

Early childhood caries disproportionately affects vulnerable groups and remains a leading cause of preventable hospital admissions for Western Australian children. The Western Australia State Oral Health Plan seeks to improve child oral health through universal and targeted health promotion initiatives with primary caregivers. These initiatives require evidence of primary caregiver health literacy and baseline data on Early childhood caries. The objective of this systematic scoping review is to understand current oral health literacy of primary caregivers of children aged 0 to 4 years, identify influential socioecological determinants, and identify data on Early childhood caries in the Western Australian context.
Methods

A systematic scoping review framework identified articles published between 1980 and 2021, using Scopus, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, selected article reference lists, and oral health websites. Articles were screened via author consensus, with eight selected.
Results

Data on early childhood caries in Western Australia is limited; the suggested prevalence of 2.9% based on data over 15 years old, however national data suggests an Early childhood caries prevalence of 3.4–8% of children aged 18 months rising sharply by 36 months of age. Fewer than half the primary caregivers reported following evidence-based oral health recommendations for their young children. Engagement with dentists tended to be reactive. Knowledge of dietary and oral hygiene practices were inconsistent and awareness of the Child Dental Benefit Schedule low. Young children’s oral health status was clearly associated with socioecological factors including socioeconomic status.
Conclusions

Early childhood caries data and primary care-givers’ oral health literacy evidence are unavailable in Western Australia. To realise the Western Australia State Oral Health Plan, research is required to address this knowledge gap.
An Experimental Study on Characteristics of Impact Compression of Freeze-Thawed Granite Samples Under Four Different States Considering Moisture Content and Temperature Difference
Authors: Zhang Chunyang , Ke Bo , Liu Chuanju , Ding Linmin , Wang Yixian , Lin Hang
Published: April 2021

The mechanics of rock masses in cold regions have attracted the attention of researchers from all over the world, and the concern here is that the mechanical properties of rock masses are inevitably weakened under freeze-thaw cycles. In this paper, firstly, granite samples were subjected to different freeze-thaw cycles, after that, we dealt with the freeze-thawed samples considering four different states, such as saturated and frozen states, saturated and normal temperature states, dry and frozen states as well as dry and normal temperature states. The impact compression test was carried out by using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) device. Results show that the impact strength of granite samples deteriorates with the increase of freeze-thaw cycles in the same state, for samples in different states, although the number of freeze-thaw cycles is equal, the degree of deterioration of the impact strength is different. For freeze-thawed granite samples in the same state, the dynamic elastic modulus decreases with the increase of freeze-thaw cycles, and its degree of decrease is different for different states. Under the same freeze-thaw cycles, the deterioration of mechanical properties of granite samples is different in four different weather states, for example, the dynamic elastic modulus from large to small is generally as follows: saturated and frozen states, saturated and normal temperature states, dry and frozen states as well as dry and normal temperature states. Finally, the freeze-thaw influence factor is proposed to describe the damage of granite samples. All in all, it can be concluded that water and low temperature strengthen the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on the dynamic mechanical properties of granite samples.
A mixed methods evaluation of the large-scale implementation of a school- and community-based parenting program to reduce violence against children in Tanzania: A study protocol
Authors: Martin Mackenzie , Lachman Jamie , Wamoyi Joyce , Shenderovich Yulia , Wambura Mwita , Mgunga Samwel , Ndyetabura Esther , Ally Amal , Barankena Asheri , Exavery Amon , Manjengenja Nyasha
Published: April 2021

BackgroundDespite the rapid dissemination of parenting programs aiming to reduce and prevent violence against children (VAC) worldwide, there is limited knowledge about and evidence of the implementation of these programs at scale. This study addresses this gap by assessing the quality of delivery and impact of an evidence-based parenting program for parents/caregivers and their adolescent girls aged 9 to 14 – Parenting for Lifelong Health Teens (PLH-Teens), known locally as Furaha Teens – on reducing VAC at scale in Tanzania. The study will explore participating family and staff perspectives on program implementation and examine factors associated with implementation and how implementation quality are associated with intervention outcomes when the program is delivered to approximately 50,000 parent-child dyads (N=100,000) in schools and community centers across eight districts of Tanzania.MethodsThis mixed-methods study will answer the following research questions: (1) what is the implementation quality and fidelity of PLH-Teens at scale in Tanzania; (2) what factors are associated with the quality of delivery and implementation fidelity of PLH-Teens; (3) how are implementation quality and fidelity associated with intervention outcomes; (4) what are participant and implementing staff perspectives on the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, benefits, and challenges of delivering PLH-Teens in their schools and communities; (5) what is the impact of PLH-Teens on VAC and participant well-being; and (6) how much does it cost to deliver PLH-Teens at scale? Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected directly from implementers, parents/caregivers, and adolescents using pre-post questionnaires, observational assessments, cost surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Qualitative data will be analyzed thematically with the aid of NVIVO software. Quantitative data will be cleaned and analyzed using methods such as correlation, regression, and structural equation models using Stata and R. COREQ and TREND guidelines will be used, where appropriate.DiscussionFindings will provide vital insights into some of the factors related to quality implementation at scale. Lessons learned regarding the implementation of PLH-Teens at scale will be applied in Tanzania, and also in the delivery of PLH parenting programs globally.
Development of the Chronic Subdural Hematoma Grading System to Predict Postoperative Recurrence
Authors: Han Shuai , Feng Yan , Xu Na Chuan , Li Zhen Xue , Zhang Yun Chun , Zhu Lei Fu , Li An Ze , Bie Li
Published: April 2021

Objective Assessing the risk of postoperative recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a clinical focus. To screen the main factors associated with the perioperative hematoma recurrence. We also propose a new prognostic grading system and compare it with previous grading systems to deliver a quick and effective system.Methods We included 242 unilateral patients with CSDH as the training group for modeling. Factors predicting postoperative recurrence requiring reoperation (RrR) were determined using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The cut-off value for the brain re-expansion rate was determined through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Based on these, we developed a new prognostic scoring system and conducted preliminary verification. A verification group including 119 patients with unilateral CSDH was used to verify the predictive performance of the new and other grading systems.Results The key factors for predicting unilateral CSDH recurrence were cerebral re-expansion rate (≤ 40%) at postoperative days 7 – 9 and the preoperative computed tomography density classification (isodense or hyperdense, or separated or laminar types). Cerebral atrophy played a key role in brain re-expansion. The CSDH prognostic grading system ranged from 0 to 3. An increased score was associated with a more accurate progressive increase in the RrR rate. Our grading system demonstrated the best predictive performance compared with other systems (area under the curve = 0.856).Conclusions Our prognostic grading system could quickly and effectively screen high-risk RrR patients with unilateral CSDH. However, increased attention should be paid to brain re-expansion rate after surgery in patients with CSDH.
Petrophysical Investigation of Hydrocarbon Generation Potential of Coal from Raniganj Basin, India
Authors: Panwar Deepak Singh , Chaurasia Ram Chandra , Saxena V K , Singh A K , . Akanksha
Published: April 2021

Methane content in a coal seam is a necessary parameter for evaluating coal bed gas, and it is a threat to underground coal mining activities from environmental aspects. Keeping in pace with comprehensive studies of coal bed gas, the authors had selected 12 coal samples from the Sitarampur block of Raniganj Coalfield. The Petrographic examination illustrated that significant values of reactive macerals present in samples demonstrate that organic matter is dominated by kerogen Type III, making it suitable for hydrocarbon generation. “A” factor (aliphatic/aromatic bands) and “C” factor (carbonyl/carboxyl bands) value concluded that the sample has the lowest aromaticity and the highest hydrocarbon-generating potential, which also validated by the cross plot between atomic H/C and O/C. The plots between the H/C and O/C ratio in the Van Krevelen diagram indicate that the coal samples lie in the type III kerogen, and bituminous coal (gas prone zone) is present in the block, which confirmed by the cross plot between desorbed and total gas (cc/g). The in-situ gas content values are high enough to produce methane from coal beds. The overall study concludes that the Sitarampur block from Raniganj Coalfield is suitable for hydrocarbon generation and extraction.
High dose and hepatobiliary dysfunction are associated with hand-foot syndrome in patients with lymphoma using pegylated liposomal doxorubicin : a retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Yanfang , Su Wenjia , Zhang Qingyuan , Liang Guohua Liang , Shan Xiaoyu , Ma Weiwei , Tang Dabei , Li Liru , Niu Xingjian , Zhao Shu , zhao Wenhui
Published: April 2021

Purpose In clinical practice, the risk factors for pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-related hand-foot syndrome remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with hand-foot syndrome in patients with lymphoma using pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.Methods This retrospective descriptive analysis included patients with lymphoma who received PLD treatment (≥ 2 cycles of chemotherapy) at our cancer centre and had complete follow-up data from January 2016 to February 2020. Clinical, laboratory data, as well as the occurrence of hand-foot syndrome (incidence, location, severity, impact on follow-up chemotherapy) were obtained. The primary end point was the incidence of hand-foot syndrome, which was classified according to the "Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events" (Version 4.0). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for hand-foot syndrome in patients with lymphoma using doxorubicin liposomes. Findings A total of 167 patients met the inclusion criteria. 58 developed HFS, of which 45 occurred after the second course of chemotherapy. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a dose increase of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and hepatobiliary dysfunction were significantly associated with an increased risk for hand-foot syndrome(dose intensity, OR= 6.479; 95% CI, 1.431-29.331 [P =0.015]; history of gallstones, OR = 14.144, 95% CI, 1.512-132.346 [P =0.020]; alanine aminotransferase, OR = 1.194, 95% CI, 1.056-1.350 [P =0.005]; alanine aminotransferase, OR = 1.162, 95% CI, 1.010-1.336 [P =0.035]; and glutamine transpeptidase, OR = 1.092, 95% CI, 1.016-1.174 [P =0.018]).Implications These findings contribute to the risk assessment of patients with lymphoma before using pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. For patients with the above risk factors, preventive measures should be taken in advance to reduce the incidence of HFS.
Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Myocardial Amyloid Degeneration: a Case Report
Authors: Yan Lu , Zeng Qixian , Xiong Changming , Zhao Zhihui , Zhao Qing , Zhang Yi , Li Xin , Duan Anqi , Luo Qin , Liu Zhihong
Published: April 2021

Background: There is very little literature on Pulmonary hypertension associated with myocardial amyloid degeneration. At present, only 10 cases pulmonary hypertension cased by amyloid protein deposits in the pulmonary blood vessels have been reported by Eder et al. We reported a case that the patient was pulmonary artery hypertension combined with myocardial amyloid change. It’s aim to claims that pulmonary hypertension is most likely caused by amyloid fibrin deposition in pulmonary blood vessels.Case presentation: We report a case of a 65-year-old male patient with with AL and ATTR combined type amyloidosis who developed right heart failure because of severe pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension due to deposition of amyloid in the pulmonary vasculature is an uncommon finding; however, it should be considered in cases of unexplained pulmonary hypertension in patients with amyloidosis.Conclusion: we present a men with amyloidosis who developed dyspnea and right heart failure and was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, most probably secondary to pulmonary vascular involvement by amyloid fibrils.
Challenges and Solutions of China's Medical Service Pricing
Authors: SU LINGRAN
Published: April 2021

Objective: China's new round of medical system reform has been carried out for 12 years. The goal of this reform is to solve the problems of "difficult to see a doctor" and "expensive to see a doctor". Medical service pricing plays a guiding role in the allocation of medical service resources. The focus of this study is to analyze the existing problems of China's medical service pricing mechanism, and explore the reform direction of China's medical service pricing mechanism in the future.Methods: This study analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of three common medical service pricing methods in China at the present stage, and analyzes the realization of core demands of subjects such as medical insurance bureau, public medical institutions, medical staff, patients and so on under the framework of stakeholder theory。 Findings: China's current medical service pricing mechanism makes pricing and service value deviate significantly, patients' demands are lack of expression channels, the scale expansion of public hospitals still exists, and the use efficiency of medical insurance funds still has room to improve.Conclusion: The future reform of China's medical service pricing mechanism should strike a balance between reform and stability, pay attention to the coordination of different reform contents, improve the discourse power of the Medical Insurance Bureau, build a platform for patients' interest expression, and explore a pricing mechanism close to the value of medical services, so as to give full play to the positive guiding role of price in resource allocation and promote the achievement of the goal of medical system reform.
Smoking Behavior Among Students: Using HBM and ZIOP Model
Authors: Ghanbarnejad Amin , Homayuni Atefeh , Hosseini Zahra , Madani Abdolhossain
Published: April 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to explore the predictors of smoking among high school students using health belief model (HBM).
Methods

In this cross-sectional study, participants were 425 boys (mean age was 16.7 ± 0.85 and ranged from 15 to 19 years) among high school students in Bandar-Abbas city. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire consisted of two main sections: Socio-demographic characteristics and HBM constructs. The zero-inflated ordered probit (ZIOP) model was used for investigating the association between health belief model constructs and smoking behavior.
Results

Results indicated that 82% of participants never smoked cigarette at all. The results of ZIOP model showed that knowledge, susceptibility, severity, benefits and cues to action had significant effect (P < 0.05) on smoking cigarette after adjusting for other covariates (i.e age, parents’ education, losing one of the parents). Moreover, having a smoker friend was an inflation factor (P < 0.001). Adolescents with smoking friends are 44% less likely not to smoke at all.
Conclusion

Based on these findings, having a smoker friend, knowledge, susceptibility, severity, benefits and cues to action have a key role in predicting smoking and should be considered in designing educational programs aiming at reducing smoking initiation among adolescents.
One Year of Laboratory Based COVID-19 Surveillance System in Belgium: Main Indicators and Performance of the Laboratories
Authors: Meurisse Marjan , Lajot Adrien , Dupont Yves , Lesenfants Marie , Klamer Sofieke , Rebolledo Javiera , Lernout Tinne , Leroy Mathias , Capron Arnaud , Bussel Johan Van , Quoilin Sophie , Andre Emmanuel , Coppens Astrid , Waumans Luc , Vanacker Jos , Vandenberg Olivier , Wijngaert Sigi Van den , Verdonck Ann , Cuypers Lize , Cauteren Dieter Van
Published: April 2021

Background: With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an existing national laboratory based surveillance system was adapted to daily monitor the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 in the Belgium by following the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections, the number of performed tests and the positivity ratio. We present these main indicators of the surveillance over a one-year period as well as the impact of the performance of the laboratories, regarding speed of processing the samples and reporting results, for surveillance.Methods: We describe the evolution of test capacity, testing strategy and the data collection methods during the first year of the epidemic in Belgium.Results: Between the 1th of March 2020 and the 28th of February 2021, 9,487,470 tests and 773,078 COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases were reported. Two epidemic waves occurred, with a peak in April and October 2020. The capacity and performance of the laboratories improved continuously during 2020 resulting in a high level performance. Since the end of November 2020 90 to 95% of test results are reported at the latest the day after sampling was performed.Conclusions: Thanks to the effort of all laboratories a performant exhaustive national laboratory based surveillance system to monitor the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 was set up in Belgium in 2020. On top of expanding the number of laboratories performing diagnostics and significantly increasing the test capacity in Belgium, turnaround times between sampling and testing as well as reporting were optimized over the first year of this pandemic.
Interventions to Mitigate Vaping Misinformation: Protocol for a Scoping Review
Authors: Kumar Navin , Hampsher Sam , Walter Nathan , Nyhan Kate , Ding Qinglan , Tracy Kathlene , Jones-Jang S Mo , Nyhan Brendan J , Choudhury Munmun De , Forastiere Laura
Published: April 2021

Background: The impact of misinformation about vapes’ relative harms compared with smoking may lead to increased tobacco-related burden of disease. To date, no systematic efforts have been made to chart interventions that mitigate vaping-related misinformation. We plan to conduct a scoping review that seeks to fill gaps in the current knowledge of interventions that mitigate vaping-related misinformation.Methods: A scoping review focusing on interventions that mitigate vaping-related misinformation will be conducted. We will search (no date restrictions) MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, Global Health, ERIC and Sociological Abstracts. Grey literature will be identified using Disaster Lit, Google Scholar, Open Science Framework, governmental websites and preprint servers (e.g. EuropePMC, PsyArXiv, MedRxiv, JMIR Preprints). Study selection will conform to Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual 2020 Methodology for JBI Scoping Reviews. Only English language, original studies will be considered for inclusion. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. A narrative summary of findings will be conducted. Data analysis will involve quantitative (e.g. frequencies) and qualitative (e.g. content and thematic analysis) methods.Discussion: Original research is urgently needed to design interventions to mitigate vaping-related misinformation. The planned scoping review will help to address this gap.Systematic Review registrations: Systematic Review Registration: Open Science Framework (osf/io/hy3tk).
Identification of the First C1 Subgenotype of Enterovirus 71 in Mainland of China in a Retrospective Study
Authors: Fenfen SI , Dongyan WANG , Tianjiao JI , Yong ZHANG , Dongmei YAN , Shuangli ZHU , Junhan LI , Wenbo XU
Published: April 2021

The C4 subgenotype of EV71 is identified as the most dominant subgenotype circulating in Chinese mainland since 1998, while the circulation situation of EV71 before 1998 is not well established due to insufficient experimental data. The C1 subgenotype of EV71 has not been reported in Chinese mainland by now. Based on AFP surveillance system of the mainland of China, this study performed a retrospective study of AFP cases for 1985-1999：A strain of EV-A71 C1 subgenotype was found. To our knowledge, this strain (SD92-41) is the first C1 subgenotype reported in Chinese mainland. This study proves that the C1 gene subtype appeared in Chinese mainland, but it is not clear whether it is an imported or a local epidemic strain. With sufficient information from retrospective studies, the source of the SD92-41 strain will be identified, and the prevalence of EV-A71 in Chinese mainland before 1998 will be clearer.
Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Sepsis in Post-Craniotomy Critical Ill Patients
Authors: Zhou Jianfang , Luo Xu-Ying , Chen Guang-Qiang , Li Hong-Liang , Zhang Linlin , Xu Ming , Liu Shuai , Yang Yan-Lin , Shi Guangzhi , Zhou Jian-Xin
Published: April 2021

Background: Data about the epidemiology of sepsis in post-craniotomy critical ill patients are scarce. This study aims to assess the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of sepsis in this population.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Patients admitted to ICU after intracranial operations and meeting the inclusion criteria were screened daily for the presence of infection and sepsis. We also collected demographics, primary diagnosis, chronic comorbidities, information about surgery, infection, and patients’ outcomes. Results: Of the 900 included patients, 509 (56.6%) were with infection, and 300 developed sepsis. The cumulative incidence of sepsis was 33.3% [95% CI, 30.2%-36.4%]. Male sex, older in age, supratentorial surgery, the sellar region tumors, postoperative hydrocephalus, higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were independent risk factors of sepsis. Sepsis was associated with a higher hospital mortality rate (13.7% vs. 8.3%, p =0.012), lower Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge (3 vs. 4, p<0.001), longer ICU length of stay (LOS) (14 vs. 4 days, p<0.001), longer hospital LOS (31 vs. 19 days, p<0.001), and higher total medical costs (RMB 138,394 vs 75,918 Yuan, p<0.001). Conclusions: Sepsis is a frequent complication in post-craniotomy critical ill patients, and is associated with increased hospital mortality rate, increased hospital costs, prolonged ICU LOS, and hospital LOS.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT03803813
Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Serum Triglycerides and High-Density Lipoproteins Cholesterol for Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ma Cong , Wang Xiaoyan , Guo Jingjing , Liu Ping
Published: April 2021

Background: Abnormalities in serum lipids and lipoproteins have been documented to be associated with the risk of various cancers in recent years, but its prognostic value for cancer is not known. This study retrospectively evaluated the prognostic significance of preoperative serum lipids and lipoproteins for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 551 patients with NSCLC. A receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to determine the optimal cut-off value and area under the ROC curve. Kaplan-Meier curves and a Cox proportional hazards model were used to perform survival analysis.Results: Serum lipids and lipoproteins had significant difference between NSCLC patients and healthy controls. Moreover, with a median follow-up of 42 months, the NSCLC patients in high triglycerides (TG) group and low High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) group exhibited shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In multivariable analysis, preoperative TG and HDL-C can be identified as independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS in patients with NSCLC. Conclusion: Abnormalities of serum lipids and lipoproteins metabolism were associated with the survival outcomes of NSCLC. Preoperative serum TG and HDL-C may be promising biomarkers to predict prognosis for NSCLC patients.
Correlates of Hypertension among Persons with HIV at Livingstone Central Hospital: CHAP study
Authors: Munsaka Sody Mweetwa , Kirabo Annet , Hamooya Benson M. , Sinkala Musalula , Koethe John R. , Pilic Leta , Heimburger Douglas C. , Masenga Sepiso Kenias
Published: April 2021

Background: Persons with HIV (PWH) are more likely to develop hypertension and cardiovascular disease than the HIV-negative population. The new hypertension guidelines by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) lowered the definition of hypertension from a systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) of ≥140/90mmHg to ≥130/80, respectively. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with hypertension in PWH using the new hypertension diagnostic criteria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We recruited 226 antiretroviral treated PWH attending routine visits. Socio-demographic, health, and clinical data including BP readings were collected. Interviewer-structured questionnaires adapted from the World Health Organization Stepwise approach to Surveillance (WHO STEPs) and the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) were used to collect data. Statistical evaluations were employed to elucidate relationships between hypertension and all response variables.Results: The prevalence of hypertension using the old and new guidelines was 16% and 42%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with increased and reduced odds for developing hypertension after adjustments in multivariate logistic regression were age, body mass index (BMI), employment status, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and table salt consumption, respectively (p<0.05 for all). Using the new AHA/ACC criteria for hypertension shifted the prevalence from 16% (old criteria) to 42%.Conclusion: The major risk factors associated with hypertension in PWH were increasing age, BMI and FBS. We recommend inclusion of FBS in routine measurements in PWH. The AHA/ACC new guidelines should be re-enforced in low-cost settings to increase the treatment of hypertension among PWH.
Individual-Level and Neighborhood-Level Factors Associated with Longitudinal Changes in Cardiometabolic Measures in Participants of a Care Coordination Program
Authors: Patil Sonal J. , Golzy Mojgan , Johnson Angela , Wang Yan , Parker Jerry C , Haire-Joshu Debra , Mehr David R , Foraker Randi E , Kruse Robin L
Published: April 2021

Background: Identifying clinical, sociodemographic, and neighborhood-level risk factors associated with less improvement or worsening cardiometabolic measures despite access to a clinic-based care coordination program may help identify candidates that need additional disease management support outside clinic walls. Methods: Secondary data analysis of data from care coordination program cohort, Leveraging Information Technology to Guide High Tech, High Touch Care (LIGHT2). Setting/Participants: Medicare, Medicaid, dual-eligible adults from ten Midwestern primary care clinics in the US. Intervention: Two-year nurse-led care coordination program. Outcome Measures: Hemoglobin A1C, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and blood pressure. Multivariable generalized linear regression models assessed each patient's clinical, sociodemographic, and neighborhood-level factors associated with change in outcome measures from before to after completion of LIGHT2 program. Results: 6378 participants had pre-and post-intervention levels reported for at least one outcome measure (61.6% women, 86.3% White, non-Hispanic ethnicity, mean age 62.7 [SD, 18.5] years). In adjusted models, higher pre-intervention measures were associated with worsening of all cardiometabolic measures (LDL-cholesterol β 0.56, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.60, p < 0.001; HbA1C β 0.51, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.59, p < 0.001; Systolic blood pressure β 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.08, p < 0.001). Women had worsening LDL- cholesterol compared to men (β 7.76, 95% CI 5.21 to 10.32, p <0.001). Women with pre-intervention HbA1C > 6.8% and systolic blood pressure >131 mm of Hg had worse post-intervention HbA1C (main effect β -1.29, 95% CI -1.95 to -0.62, p < 0.001; interaction effect β 0.19, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.28, p < 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (main effect β -7.86, 95% CI -15.55 to -0.17 p = 0.04; interaction effect β 0.06, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.12, p = 0.043) compared to men. Adding individual’s neighborhood-level risks or sensitivity analysis for clustering by clinics and census tracts did not change effect sizes significantly.Conclusions: Higher baseline cardiometabolic measures and women with high baseline cardiometabolic measures (compared to men) were associated with worsening of cardiometabolic outcomes in participants of a solely clinic-based care coordination program. Understanding the contextual causes for these associations may aid in tailoring disease management support outside clinic walls.
Throughput of Distributed Queueing Based LoRa for Long-Distance Communication
Authors: Wu Wei , Wang Wennai , Wang Bin , Song Rongfang
Published: April 2021

LoRa, due to its advantage of long-range communication capability, is promising for Internet of Things (IoT) and space-air-ground communications. However, the conventional MAC protocol used with LoRa is classified as an Aloha-based algorithm, which leads to drastic decrease in throughput when a huge amount of end-devices try to access the network. To achieve stable and high throughput of LoRa, we propose a design to combine the distributed queueing (DQ) and in-band-full-duplex (IBFD) technologies. The usage of DQ mechanism is benefit for fast collision resolution, while the IBFD-enabled gateway helps to reduce the heavy-control-overhead of DQ. The designs of access procedure and frame structure are discussed in detail. The outage probability and average throughput are evaluated under imperfect self-interference cancellation. Also, a mathematical programming method is developed to optimize the spreading-factor and code-rate. Numerical results show that our proposal gains an extra enhancement of 1.83-fold in throughput.
Rare-earth element distribution features in natural-technogenic complexes of some polymetallic deposits of Eastern Transbaikalia
Authors:   Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tsyrenov Т.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the study is to investigate rare-earth elements distribution features in all components of the natural-technogenic complexes of Akatuevsky, Blagodatsky and Novo-Shirokinsky polymetallic deposits of Eastern Transbaikalia. Due to increasing demand for rare-earth elements (REE) in various fields of industry, identification of features of REE distribution in natural-technogenic complexes of polymetallic deposits of Eastern Transbaikalia is relevant. The chemical elements of the REE group include 15 elements, yttrium (Y) and the lanthanoid group consisting of 14 elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu). Determination of the elemental composition of samples was carried out by X-ray fluorescence method in the Geological Institute of the Geological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ulan-Ude) and by ICP- MS method in the laboratory of SGS Vostok Limited (Chita). In the process of investigations REE concentrations in all components of natural-technogenic complexes of Akatuevsky, Blagodatsky and Novo-Shirokinsky polymetallic deposits (lead-zinc ores, technozems, soils) were determined. Their regular decrease of REE concentrations in the order: soils→technozems→lead-zinc ores was established. In the most of studied samples there is a decrease of heavy lanthanides content relative to light ones, as well as negative europium anomaly, in some samples of lead-zinc ores positive europium anomaly is observed. Europium anomaly magnitude (Eu/Eu*) is an indicator of the degree of differentiation of magmatic melts, determined by plagioclase fractionation processes. It is known that feldspars serve as the main controller of the Europium anomaly. The phenomenon of a negative europium anomaly is observed if plagioclase remains in the source after fractional crystallization or partial melting. Positive europium anomaly in sulphide ores is caused by the presence of barite, as well as by the accumulation of plagioclase in the liquid phase due to the fractionation process. REE is known to have adverse effects on the environment due to its high biological and biochemical activity. Modern methods of remediation of the potential damage to the environment have been proposed