bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delivering CBT-E In an Online Group Format: A Pilot Study in a Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service
Authors: Hamadi Layla , Hilson Reece , Lunn Amy , Ralph Emily , Rodrigues Evangeline , Sohail Rabeeah
Published: October 2021

Background: The increased prevalence of eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic has placed services for children and adolescents under immense pressure. The high number of people at medical risk has led to longer waiting lists for psychological support for those who are physically stable. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of providing group enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E), in a virtual setting, as a way of increasing the provision of evidence-based treatment during the pandemic.Method: Clinicians in a child and adolescent eating disorder service were invited to refer patients to take part in a six-session course of therapy comprising the CBT-E Stage Three Body Image module. Primary outcomes were acceptance rates, completion rates, qualitative feedback and quantitative data from routine measures of eating disorder psychopathology and psychosocial impairment.Results: From 22 eligible referrals, 12 participants accepted and enrolled in therapy. Eight completed all six sessions. Qualitative feedback was positive. Both the content and group nature of the intervention were described as helpful. There was an improvement in all scores on the psychometric tests. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that online group CBT-E was a feasible method of providing psychological therapy within the service. A larger trial is recommended to robustly test the effectiveness of the intervention compared to one-to-one in-person CBT-E, and to test whether other modules of the CBT-E protocol can be similarly delivered in this population.Trial registration: This study was pre-registered and approved as a clinical service evaluation by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
Tempo and drivers of plant diversification in the European mountain system
Authors: Smycka Jan , Roquet Cristina , Boleda Martí , Alberti Adriana , Boyer Frédéric , Douzet Rolland , Perrier Christophe , Rome Maxime , Valay Jean-Gabriel , Denoeud France , Šemberová Kristýna , Zimmermann Niklaus , Thuiller Wilfried , Wincker Patrick , Alsos Inger , Coissac Eric , Lavergne Sebastien
Published: October 2021

There is still limited consensus on the evolutionary history of the species-rich temperate alpine floras due to a lack of comparable and high-quality phylogenetic data covering multiple plant lineages. Here we reconstructed when and how European alpine plant lineages diversified, i.e., the tempo and drivers of speciation events. We performed full-plastome phylogenomics and used multi-clade comparative models applied to six representative angiosperm lineages that have diversified in the European mountains. The diversification rates remained surprisingly steady for most clades, even during Pleistocene glaciations, with speciation events being mostly driven by geographic divergence and bedrock shifts. Interestingly, we inferred asymmetrical historical migration rates from siliceous to calcareous bedrocks, and from higher to lower elevations, likely due to repeated shrinkage and expansion of high elevation habitats during the Pleistocene. This may have buffered climate-related extinctions, but prevented plant speciation along elevation gradients as are often documented for tropical alpine floras.
Prognostic Value of Critical Laboratory Values in Burn Patients: a Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Lin Jian-Chang , Su Jian-Sheng , Zheng Jian-Jun , Chen Xiao-Dong , Chen Zhao-Hong
Published: October 2021

Background: Information about the relative importance of critical laboratory values in burn patients has not yet been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morbidity of analytes of critical laboratory values and their association with in-hospital mortality in burn patients.Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. The clinical data and critical laboratory values of burn patients admitted to the Fujian Province Burn Center from July 1, 2017, to May 1, 2021, were downloaded from the Big Data Center of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital. The morbidity of analytes of critical laboratory values and the impact of these critical laboratory results on in-hospital mortality were investigated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse the independent association between analytes of critical laboratory values and in-hospital mortality in burn patients.Results: There were 18 common analytes of critical laboratory values in burn patients in a provincial burn centre, and their morbidity was as follows: hypertroponinemia, alkalemia, positive blood culture (PBC), acidaemia, hypocapnia, hypercapnia, hypocalcaemia, hypoxemia, hyperglycaemia, high activated partial thrombin time (APPT), hypokalaemia, hypernatremia, hypofibrinogenemia, hypohemoglobinemia, hyperkalaemia, hypoglycaemia, hypothrombosis and high prothrombin time (PT). Compared with patients without critical laboratory results, patients with critical laboratory results had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate (P < 0.001). The in-hospital mortality of patients with two or more analytes of critical laboratory values was significantly higher than that of patients with one analyte (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the critical results of hyperglycaemia (P = 0.005), hyperkalaemia (P = 0.030), hypofibrinogenemia (P = 0.015), hypertroponinemia (P = 0.023) and hypoxemia (P = 0.008) were all independently associated with in-hospital mortality.Conclusion: In a group of hospitalized burn patients at a provincial burn centre, the morbidity of analytes of critical laboratory values and their association with in-hospital mortality were investigated for the first time. The critical results of hyperglycaemia, hyperkalaemia, hypofibrinogenemia, hypertroponinemia and hypoxemia were all independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in burn patients.
Aging and the risks of all-cause and cause-specific mortality among diabetics: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Li , Zhao Ying , Chen Huimin , Tan Tianqi , Yao Ping , Tang Yuhan
Published: October 2021

BackgroundAging is an important driver for age-related diseases and death, but the evidence regarding the effects of aging on diabetics is limited. This study aims to evaluate the associations of aging with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among diabetics.MethodsA total of 5,278 diabetics from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2014 were included. The aging status was measured from different perspectives, including Phenotypic Age, Biological Age, telomere length, and Klotho concentration. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the relationships between aging and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality. Mediation analysis was performed to elucidate the role of aging in associations of metformin with mortality.Results Over median follow-up for 7.3 years, 1,355 diabetics died. There was a positive and linear association of mortality with Phenotypic Age (hazard ratio (HR)all-cause 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.06; HRCVD 1.05, 95%CI 1.04-1.07; HRcancer 1.05, 95%CI 1.04-1.07; all P<0.001) and Biological Age (HRall-cause 1.07, 95%CI 1.05-1.08; HRCVD 1.08, 95%CI 1.05-1.10; HRcancer 1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08; all P<0.001). Telomere length was inversely associated with all-cause mortality (tertile (T)3 vs. T1: HR 0.67, 95%CI 0.45-0.98; Ptrend=0.036). The concentration of Klotho had a U-shaped relationship with mortality (T2 vs. T1: HRall-cause 0.62, 95%CI 0.43-0.88; HRCVD 0.48, 95%CI 0.26-0.86; HRcancer 0.47 95%CI 0.25-0.88). Additionally, metformin users had a lower HR for mortality compared to those without use (HRall-cause 0.64, 95%CI 0.56-0.73; HRCVD 0.51, 95%CI 0.37-0.70; HRcancer 0.65, 95%CI 0.44-0.95; all P<0.001), which was partly mediated by Phenotypic Age and Biological Age. ConclusionsThese findings suggested aging was a noteworthy risk factor of mortality for diabetics and therapies targeting anti-aging could be encouraged to halt the progression of diabetes.
Interferenceless Coded Aperture Correlation Holography with Point Spread Holograms of Isolated Chaotic Islands for 3D Imaging
Authors: Dubey Nitin , Rosen Joseph
Published: October 2021

Interferenceless coded aperture correlation holography (I-COACH) is an incoherent digital holographic technique with lateral and axial resolution similar to a regular lens-based imaging system. The properties of I-COACH are dictated by the shape of the system’s point response termed point spread hologram (PSH). As previously shown, chaotic PSHs which are continuous over some area on the image sensor enable the system to perform three-dimensional (3D) holographic imaging. We also showed that a PSH of an ensemble of sparse dots improves the system’s signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) but reduces the dimensionality of the imaging from three to two dimensions. In this study, we test the midway shape of PSH, an ensemble of sparse islands distributed over the sensor plane. A PSH of isolated chaotic islands improves the SNR of the system compared to continuous chaotic PSH without losing the capability to perform 3D imaging. Reconstructed images of this new system are compared with images of continuous PSH, dot-based PSH, and direct images of a lens-based system. Visibility, SNR, and the product of visibility with SNR are the parameters used in the study. We also demonstrate the imaging capability of a system with partial annular apertures. The reconstruction results have better SNR and visibility than lens-based imaging systems with the same annular apertures.
Catestatin Selects for the Colonization of Antimicrobial-Resistant Gut Bacterial Communities
Authors: González-Dávila Pamela , Schwalbe Markus , Danewalia Arpit , Dalila Boushra , Verbeke Kristin , Mahata Sushil , Aidy Sahar El
Published: October 2021

The gut microbiota is in continuous interaction with the innermost layer of the gut, namely the epithelium. Among the various functions of the gut epithelium, is to keep the microbes at bay to avoid overstimulation of the underlying mucosa immune cells. To do so, the gut epithelia secrete a variety of antimicrobial peptides, such as catestatin (CST). As a defense mechanism, gut microbes have evolved antimicrobial resistance mechanisms to counteract the killing effect of the secreted peptides. To this end, we treated wild-type mice and mice with a knockout in the CST coding region of the chromogranin-A gene (CST-KO) with CST for 15 consecutive days. CST treatment was associated with a shift in the diversity and composition of the microbiota in the CST-KO mice. This effect was less prominent in WT mice. Levels of the microbiota-produced short-chain fatty acids, in particular, butyrate and acetate were significantly increased in CST-treated CST-KO mice but not the WT group. Remarkably, both CST-treated CST-KO and WT mice showed a significant increase in microbiota-harboring phosphoethanolamine transferase-encoding genes, which facilitate their antimicrobial resistance. Finally, we show that CST was degraded by Escherichia coli via an omptin-protease and that the abundance of this gene was significantly higher in metagenomic datasets collected from patients with Crohn’s disease but not with ulcerative colitis. Overall, this study illustrates how the endogenous antimicrobial peptide, CST, shapes the microbiota composition in the gut and primes further research to uncover the role of bacterial resistance to CST in disease states such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Research On Water-Immersion Softening Mechanism of Coal Rock Mass Based on Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar Experiment
Authors: Liu Zhiyuan , Wang Gang , Li Jinzhou , Li Huaixing , Zhao Haifeng , Shi Hongwei , Lan Jianli
Published: October 2021

The coal mining process is affected by multiple sources of water such as groundwater and coal seam water injection. Understanding the dynamic mechanical parameters of water-immersed coal is helpful to the safe production of coal mines. The impact compression tests were performed on coal with different moisture contents by using the ϕ50 mm Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) experimental system, and the dynamic characteristics and energy loss laws of water-immersed coal with different compositions and water contents were analyzed. Through analysis and discussion, it is found that: (1) When the moisture content of the coal sample is 0%, 30%, 60%, the stress, strain rate and energy first increase and then decrease with time; (2) When the moisture content of the coal sample increases from 30% to 60%, the stress "plateau" of the coal sample disappears, resulting in an increase in the interval of the compressive stress and a decrease in the interval of the expansion stress. (3) The increase of the moisture content of the coal sample will affect its impact deformation and failure mode. When the moisture content is 60%, the incident rod end and the transmission rod end of the coal sample will have obvious compression failure, and the middle part of the coal sample will also experience expansion and deformation. (4) The coal composition ratio suitable for the impact experiment of coal immersion softening is optimized.
An intra-cytoplasmic route for SARS-CoV-2 transmission unveiled by Helium-ion microscopy
Authors: Merolli Antonio , Kasaei Leila , Ramsamy Santhamani , Kolloli Afsal , Kumar Ranjeet , Subbian Selvakumar , Feldman Leonard
Published: October 2021

SARS-CoV-2 virions enter the host cells by docking their spike glycoproteins to the membrane-bound Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2. After intracellular assembly, the newly formed virions are released from the infected cells to propagate the infection, using the extra-cytoplasmic ACE2 docking mechanism. However, the molecular events underpinning SARS-CoV-2 transmission between host cells are not fully understood. Here, we report the findings of a scanning Helium-ion microscopy study performed on Vero E6 cells infected with mNeonGreen-expressing SARS-CoV-2. Our data reveal, with unprecedented resolution, the presence of: 1)-long tunneling nanotubes that connect two or more host cells over submillimeter distances; 2)-large scale multiple cell fusion events (syncytia); and 3)-abundant extracellular vesicles of various sizes. Taken together, these ultrastructural features describe a novel intra-cytoplasmic connection among SARS-CoV-2 infected cells that may act as an alternative route of viral transmission, disengaged from the well-known extra-cytoplasmic ACE2 docking mechanism. Our findings may explain the elusiveness of SARS-CoV-2 to survive from the immune surveillance of the infected host.
The Stay Strong App as a Self-Management Tool for First Nations People with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Nagel Tricia , Dingwall Kylie M. , Sweet Michelle , Kavanagh David , Majoni Sandawana W. , Sajiv Cherian , Cass Alan
Published: October 2021

Background: The high burden of chronic kidney disease and its substantial impact on quality of life demands innovative patient care strategies. Improved outcomes are linked with patient centred interventions which address psychosocial as well as physical needs. Given the high incidence of kidney disease among First Nations people, culturally responsive approaches are also needed. The Stay Strong app is a holistic wellbeing tool designed with Northern Territory First Nations people. This study explores the suitability of the Stay Strong app as a patient-centred self-management tool as shown by the readiness of participants to engage in goal setting. Data were collected during a clinical trial which showed efficacy of the tool in improving wellbeing for people with both End Stage Kidney Disease and symptoms of distress and depression. Methods: First Nations (i.e., Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) participants receiving haemodialysis in the Northern Territory (n = 156) entered a three-arm, waitlist, single-blind randomised controlled trial which provided collaborative goal setting using the Stay Strong app at baseline or at 3 months. Qualitative data gathered during delivery of the intervention were examined using both content and thematic analysis. Results: Almost all participants (147, 94%) received a Stay Strong session: of these, 135 (92%) attended at least two sessions, and 83 (56%) set more than one wellbeing goal. Using a deductive approach to manifest content, 13 categories of goals were identified. The three most common were to: ‘connect with family or other people’, ‘go bush/be outdoors’ and ‘go home/be on country’. Analysis of latent content identified three themes throughout the goals: ‘social and emotional wellbeing’, ‘physical health’ and ‘cultural connection’. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the suitability of the Stay Strong app for use as a chronic condition self-management tool for First Nations people. Participants set goals that addressed physical as well as social and emotional wellbeing needs. The goal setting intervention aligns directly with self-management approaches that are holistic and prioritise individual empowerment. While biomedical models focus on the mechanics of illness, the findings share a strong message that healing also comes through family, country, and cultural identity. Implementation of self-management strategies into routine care remains a key challenge and further research is needed to establish drivers of success.
A Soil-Borne Mn(II)-Oxidizing Bacterium of Providencia sp. Exploits a Strategy of Superoxide Production Coupled To Hydrogen Peroxide Consumption To Generate Mn Oxides
Authors: Chen Sha , Ding Zhexu , Chen Jinyuan , Luo Jun , Ruan Xiaofang , Li Zongpei , Liao Fengfeng , He Jing , Li Ding
Published: October 2021

Bacterial non-enzymatic Mn(II) oxidation involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) (i.e. indirect oxidation), initially discovered from a marine alpha-proteobacterium, is believed to be of importance in controlling biogeochemical cycles. For soil-borne bacteria, however, evidence of indirect Mn(II) oxidation remains unclear. In this study, the indirect Mn(II) oxidation was evidenced in a soil-borne bacterium, Providencia sp. LLDRA6. First, with and without 50 mM of Mn(II) exposure for LLDRA6, 300 differentially expressed genes were found to be linked to Mn(II) exposure via transcriptome sequencing. Among them, an operon, responsible for phenylacetic acid catabolism, was sharply upregulated in transcription, drawing us a special attention since its transcriptional upregulation has recently shown to be important for withstanding ROS. Next, a fluorometric probe, 2′,7′-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA), was used to qualitatively detect ROS from cells, showing a distinct increase in fluorescence intensities of ROS during Mn(II) exposure. Further, concentrations of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide from cells were detected respectively with and without Mn(II) exposure, exhibiting that when Mn(II) oxidation occurred, superoxide concentration significantly increased but hydrogen peroxide concentration significantly decreased. Particularly, superoxide produced by LLDRA6 was proven to be the oxidant for Mn(II) in the formation of Mn oxides. Finally, we predicted links between phenylacetic acid metabolism pathway and ROS during Mn(II) exposure, proposing that the excessive ROS, generated in response to Mn(II) exposure, transcriptionally activate phenylacetic acid catabolism presumably by increasing concentrations of highly reactive oxepins.
GABAB Receptors Constrain Glutamate Presynaptic Release and Postsynaptic Actions in Substantia Gelatinosa of Rat Spinal Cord
Authors: Zhao Mingwei , Dong Jiaxue , Shao Caifeng , Chen Qian , Ma Rui , Jiang Ping , Zhang Wei-Ning , Yang Kun
Published: October 2021

The substantia gelatinosa (SG, lamina II of spinal cord gray matter) is pivotal for modulating nociceptive information from the peripheral to the central. γ-Aminobutyric acid type B receptors (GABABRs), the metabotropic GABA receptor subtype, are widely expressed in pre- and postsynaptic structures of the SG neurons. Activation of GABABRs by exogeneous agonists induces both pre- and postsynaptic inhibitions. However, the actions of endogenous GABA via presynaptic GABABRs on glutamatergic synapses, and the postsynaptic GABABRs interaction with glutamate, remain elusive. In the present study, first, using in vitro whole cell recordings and taking minimal stimulation strategies, we found that in rat spinal cord glutamatergic synapses, blockade of presynaptic GABABRs switched “silent” synapses into active ones and increased the probability of glutamate release onto SG neurons; increasing ambient GABA concentration mimicked GABABRs activation on glutamatergic terminals. Next, using holographic photostimulation to uncage glutamate on postsynaptic SG neurons, we found that postsynaptic GABABRs modified glutamate-induced postsynaptic potentials. Taken together, our data identify that endogenous GABA heterosynaptically constrains glutamate release via persistently activating presynaptic GABABRs; and postsynaptically, GABABRs modulate glutamate responses. The results give new clues for endogenous GABA in modulating nociception circuit in spinal dorsal horn and shed fresh light on postsynaptic interaction of glutamate and GABA.
Microbiota of The Digestive Glands and Extrapallial Fluids of Clams Evolve Differently Over Time Depending On the Intertidal Position
Authors: Offret Clément , Gauthier Olivier , Despréaux Garance , Bidault Adeline , Corporeau Charlotte , Miner Philippe , Petton Bruno , Pernet Fabrice , Fabioux Caroline , Paillard Christine , Blay Gwenaelle Le
Published: October 2021

The Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) is the second most exploited bivalve in the world but remains threatened by diseases and global changes. Their associated microbiota play a key role in their fitness and acclimation capacities. This study aimed at better understanding the behavior of clam digestive glands and extrapallial fluids microbiota at small, but contrasting spatial and temporal scales. Results showed that environmental variations impacted clam microbiota differently according to the considered tissue. Each clam tissue presented its own microbiota, and showed different dynamics according to the intertidal position and sampling period. Extrapallial fluids microbiota was modified more rapidly than digestive glands microbiota, for clams placed on the upper and lower intertidal position, respectively. Clam tissues could be considered as different microhabitats for bacteria as they presented different responses to small-scale temporal and spatial variabilities in natural conditions. These differences underlined a more stringent environmental filter capacity of the digestive glands.
Genotyping and Drug Resistance Profile of Clinical Isolates of Candida Albicans From Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in The Eastern China
Authors: Hong Nan , Lei Yan , Chen Huan , Chen Xiaofei , Tsui Kin Ming , Hu Danyang , Liao Wanqing , Yan Liang , Zhang Hong , Zhao Rongfen , Wu Gang , Yu Nong , Deng Shuwen
Published: October 2021

A total of 244 Candida albicans isolates recovered from VVC patients in Suzhou, Eastern China, were investigated. According to CLSI documents M27-A4 and M59-3ed / M60-2ed, the geometric mean MICs of nine antifungals in increasing order were micafungin(0.048mg/L), anidulafungin (0.132mg/L), caspofungin (0.19mg/L), itraconazole(0.23mg/L), posaconazole(0.25mg/L), voriconazole(0.28mg/L), 5-flucytosine (0.44mg/L), amphotericin B (0.49mg/L) and fluconazole (2.01 mg/L) respectively. Of note, 6.5% (16/244) C. albicans isolates showed resistance mainly to anidulafungin (mono-echinocandin resistance), while voriconazole had the lowest susceptibility rate of 34.8% (85/244), followed by fluconazole 59.4% (145/244), respectively. All isolates were genotyped by allelic combination of 3 microsatellite markers (CEF3, CAIII and LOC4). A total of 129 different allelic genotypes were identified, in which seven different clades were recognized with a discriminatory power of 0.96. Genotype A-D were present in 35% of the isolates. In conclusion, decrease of antifungal drug susceptibility to C. albicans isolates from VVC is alarming. Our findings revealed the genetic diversity of C. albicans isolates among VVC patients and provided insights into the molecular epidemiology of Candida infections in China.
Expression and Clinical Significance of IL-33 and its Receptor ST2 in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Liu Li , Han Fei , Zhao Linsheng , Du Juan , Zeng Huasong , Hu Jian
Published: October 2021

Background

To detect the expression of interleukin-33 (IL-33) and its receptor ST2 in adenoids of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) as well as to explore the significance of IL-33/ST2 in the disorder.
Methods

40 children undergoing adenoidectomy due to OSAS in the Otolaryngology of Tianjin Children’s Hospital were selected as the study subjects. The number of IL-33 and ST2 positive cells in adenoids was detected by immunohistochemical SP method.
Results

IL-33 positive cells were mainly distributed in the submucosa epithelium and vascular endothelium, and expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm. While ST2 positive cells were primarily observed in the mucosa and expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm, a little expression of intercellular substance. There was a positive correlation between the proportion of adenoids in the posterior nostril diameter and the number of IL-33 positive cells. The expression of IL-33 in adenoids was positively correlated with the level of ST2 (r = 0.809, P = 0.000). The expression of IL-33 in adenoids was positively correlated with the level of eosinophil granulocyte (r = 0.859, P = 0.000). Moreover, the expression of ST2 in adenoids was positively correlated with the level of eosinophil granulocyte (r = 0.814, P = 0.000). The number of IL-33 positive cells was significantly higher in moderate hypoxemia group than that in mild hypoxemia group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of ST2 positive cells between moderate hypoxemia group and mild hypoxemia group (P > 0.05).
Conclusions

Both IL-33 and its receptor ST2 were expressed in adenoids of OSAS children. The severity of airway obstruction caused by adenoid hypertrophy was positively correlated with the expression of IL-33.
Integrated Model for COVID-19 Diagnosis Based on Computed Tomography AI, and Clinical Features: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Kataoka Yuki , Kimura Yuya , Ikenoue Tatsuyoshi , Matsuoka Yoshinori , Kumasawa Junji , Tochitatni Kentaro , Funakoshi Hiraku , Hosoda Tomohiro , Kugimiya Aiko , Shirano Michinori , Hamabe Fumiko , Iwata Sachiyo , Fukuma Shingo ,   Japan COVID-19 AI team
Published: October 2021

Background

We developed and validated a machine learning diagnostic model for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, integrating artificial-intelligence-based computed tomography (CT) imaging and clinical features.
Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in 11 Japanese tertiary care facilities that treated COVID-19 patients. Participants were tested using both real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and chest CT between January 1 and May 30, 2020. We chronologically split the dataset in each hospital into training and test sets, containing patients in a 7:3 ratio. Light Gradient Boosting Machine model was used for analysis.
Results

A total of 703 patients were included with two models — the full model and the A-blood model — developed for their diagnosis. The A-blood model included eight variables (the Ali-M3 confidence, along with seven clinical features of blood counts and biochemistry markers). The areas under the receiver-operator curve of both models (0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86 to 0.95 for the full model and 0.90, 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.94 for the A-blood model) were better than that of the Ali-M3 confidence (0.78, 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.83) in the test set.
Conclusions

The A-blood model, a COVID-19 diagnostic model developed in this study, combines machine-learning and CT evaluation with blood test data and is better than the Ali-M3 framework existing for this purpose. This would significantly aid physicians in making a quicker diagnosis of COVID-19.
Top-Down Projections of the Prefrontal Cortex to the Ventral Tegmental Area, Laterodorsal Tegmental Nucleus, and Median Raphe Nucleus
Authors: Souza Rudieri , Bueno Debora , Lima Leandro B. , Gonçalves Luciano , Donato Jose , Shammah-Lagnado Sara J. , Metzger Martin
Published: October 2021

Anatomical and functional evidence suggests that the PFC is fairly unique among all cortical regions, as it not only receives input from, but also robustly projects back to mesopontine monoaminergic and cholinergic cell groups. Thus the PFC is in a position to exert a powerful top-down control over several state setting modulatory transmitter systems that are critically involved in the domains of arousal, motivation, reward/aversion, working memory, mood regulation, and stress processing. Regarding this scenario, the origin of cortical afferents to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDTg), and median raphe nucleus (MnR) was here compared, by using the retrograde tracer cholera toxin subunit b (CTb). CTb injections into VTA, LDTg, or MnR produced retrograde labeling in the cortical mantle, which was mostly confined to medial, orbital, and lateral PFC subdivisions, along with rostral and mid-cingulate areas. Remarkably, in all of the three groups, retrograde labeling was densest in layer V pyramidal neurons of the infralimbic, prelimbic, medial orbital and frontal polar cortex. Moreover, a conspicuous lambda-shaped region around the apex of the rostral pole of the nucleus accumbens stood consistently out as heavily labeled. At almost all rostrocaudal levels through the PFC analyzed, retrograde labeling was strongest following injections into MnR and weakest following injections into VTA. Altogether, our findings reveal a broadly similar set of prefrontal afferents to VTA, LDTg, and MnR, further supporting an eminent functional role of the PFC as a controller of all major state setting mesopontine modulatory transmitter systems.
Factors Associated with Anxiety-Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents during COVID-19 in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Shekaili Muna Al , Huseini Salim Al , Al-Kalbani Yahya , Mirza Hassan , Chan Moon Fai , Hassan Waleed , Al-Sulimani Fatma , Ghafri Ghaniya Saif Al , Al-Sumri Hanan Saif , Amer Ahmed Bait , Ganesh Aishwarya , Saadoon Muna Al , Al-Adawi Samir
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND: Reports from different parts of the world suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown and social distancing measures have heralded unprecedented mental health challenges among children and adolescents. To date, there is a dearth of studies emerging from the Arabian Gulf, where the majority of its population are children and adolescents. The study aims to examine the prevalence of anxiety-related disorders and their covariates among children and adolescents in an Arabian Gulf country, Oman.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analytic study carried out over two weeks (1st to 15th of August 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic across Oman. Parents were asked to complete the online survey, which consisted of the parent version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED-41) scale and questions regarding basic socio-demographic information. Logistic regression was used to identify the contributing variables associated with anxiety-related disorders.

RESULTS: A total of 790 children, 33.3% (n=263) fulfilled the criteria for anxiety-related disorders. Logistic regression analysis suggested that anxiety-related disorders in children were significantly associated with three demographic variables. The model shows that children with divorced or separated parents were 1.9 times more likely to have anxiety-related disorders than children of married couples (OR=1.93, p=0.035). Children living in families with an income below USD 1,000/month, were 1.8 times more likely to have anxiety-related disorders than a family with an income of USD 4,000/month (OR=1.833, p=0.018). Children in grades 3-6 were 1.8 times more likely to have anxiety-related disorders than those in grades 1-2 (OR=1.79, p=0.024).

CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety-related disorders are common among Arabic-speaking Omani children and adolescents. They are more likely to be reported in middle scholastic grade levels and children from families with marital discord and low socioeconomic status. It is not clear whether the presently observed rates of anxiety exceed the prevalence that would have been observed pre-COVID-19 era. More studies are therefore warranted using children and adolescents' self-reported scales.
Wild boar (Sus scrofa) as reservoir of zoonotic yeasts: bioindicator of environmental quality
Authors: Rhimi Wafa , Sgroi Giovanni , Aneke Chioma Inyang , Annoscia Giada , Latrofa Maria Stefania , Mosca Adriana , Veneziano Vincenzo , Otranto Domenico , Alastruey-Izquierdo Ana , Cafarchia Claudia
Published: October 2021

Wildlife animals are recognized as reservoirs for zoonotic fungi and their faeces might play an important role in introducing pathogens into the environment. Thought wild boar (Sus scrofa) population has dramatically increased across Europe, information about their possible role in dissemination of zoonotic pathogenic yeasts in the environment is scant. Therefore, fecal samples (n=124) from wild boars from Campania region (Southern Italy) were collected and yeasts identified biochemically and molecularly by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and their phylogenetical relationship assessed. The antifungal susceptibility profiles of yeasts were also investigated using AFST-EUCAST method. Yeasts were isolated from 50.1% of the samples with the highest occurrence in samples from the province of Salerno (61.1%). A total of 368 Candida strains belonging to nine species were identified, with Candida albicans (45.7%), followed by Candida krusei (15.2 %), Candida slooffiae (9.8%) and Candida parapsilosis (7.6%) as the most prevalent identified species. Among C. albicans four sequence types (i.e., ST1-ST4) were identified with an intraspecific nucleotide difference up to 0.21%. The ML tree grouped all representative sequence types as paraphyletic clades with those of the references yeast species, respectively and supported by high bootstrap values. Fluconazole was the less active drug whereas, posaconazole, voriconazole, and isavuconazole the most active one. No resistance phenomena were observed for C. albicans and high MICs values for 5FC, azoles and echinocandines were registered in non-albicans Candida spp. This study showed, for the first time, the important role of wild boars in dissemination of pathogenic fungi in the environment. The absence of resistance phenomena in the Candida spp. might reflect environmental free from residues of azoles antifungals pollution or chemicals and suggests the role of wild boar as bio indicators of environment quality.
Network pharmacology-based strategy to investigate the molecular target and mechanism of Jiawei Linggui Zhugan decoction in the treatment of obesity
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Hongda , Ye Zhiyu , Cao Nan , Mo Binyan , Qin Jian , Tan Li
Published: October 2021

Background: Jiawei Ling Gui Zhu Gan Decoction (JW-LZD) is based on Linggui Zhugan Decoction (LZD) and adds eight traditional Chinese medicines: Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, Yam, Epimedium, Morinda officinalis, Tangerine Peel, Pinellia ternata and Coix Seed, which can be used for the treatment of obesity in the clinical. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of JW-LZD remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we determined the molecular targets and mechanismsinvolved in obesity treatment through network pharmacological analysis, andmolecular docking technology. Related compounds were obtained from the TCMSP.Oral bioavailability and drug-likeness were screened using pharmacokinetic criteria.Molecular targets were identified in the drug-bank database and compared withobesity disease differential genes with P < 0.05 and ∣ log2FC > 0.5 obtained in theGEO-database to obtain cross genes and construct the TCM compound diseaseregulation network. After constructing PPI, Go, and KEGG analyses, the key activecomponents and target genes were selected. Molecular docking was carried out usingAutoDock, and the best binding target was selected to select the best binding targetfor molecular docking.Results: A total of 248 potential compounds and 30 strongly associated JW-LZDtargets were identified. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that putative JW-LZDtargets mostly participated in adenylate cyclase-activating adrenergic receptorsignaling, adrenergic receptor signaling, regulation of signal receptor activity,coagulation, and other metabolic related biological processes. The molecular dockingresults showed that the key JW-LZD components have good potential to combine withthe target genes ADRB2, ADRA2A, ADRA2C, CHEK1, CHEK2, and DGAT2.Conclusion: JW-LZD could prevent obesity through the molecular mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology, providing a way to develop new combination medicines for obesity.
RNIC-A Retrospect Network for image captioning
Authors: YI XIU LONG , FU YOU , ZHENG DU LEI , LIU XIAO PENG , HUA RONG
Published: October 2021

As cross-domain research combining computer vision and natural language processing, the current image captioning research mainly considers how to improve the visual features, less attention has been paid to utilizing the inherent properties of language to boost captioning performance. Facing this challenge, we proposed a textual attention mechanism, which can obtain semantic relevance between words by scanning all generated words. The Retrospect Network for image captioning(RNIC) proposed in this paper aims to improve input and prediction process by using textual attention. Concretely, the textual attention mechanism is applied to the model simultaneously with the visual attention mechanism to provide the input of the model with the maximum information required for generating captions. In this way, our model can learn to collaboratively attend on both visual and textual features. Moreover, the semantic relevance between words obtained by retrospect is used as the basis for prediction, so that the decoder can simulate the human language system and better make predictions based on the already generated contents. We evaluate the effectiveness of our model on the COCO image captioning datasets and achieve superior performance overthe previous methods.extraction function to extract the hidden unit information of multiple time steps for prediction, to solve the problem of insufficient LSTM prediction information. Experiments have shown that both model significantly improved the various evaluation indicators in the AI CHALLENGER test set.
Strategies deemed important by frontline healthcare providers for their mental wellbeing during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Alabdulla Majid , wadoo ovais , Iqbal Yousaf , Chandrappa Nirvana Swamy Kudlur , Chandra Prem , Masoodi Naseer Ahmed , Al-Maslamani Muna A Rahman S , Latoo Javed
Published: October 2021

We conducted a content analysis of free-text comments of a web-based survey during the first wave of Coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic. The objective was to understand participants’ emotional experiences and identify their valued aspects of support to inform potential mitigation strategies. This study was part of a larger project; a cross-sectional, web-based survey of healthcare workers managing suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in Qatar. A total of 779 staff members were invited to participate in this study and 286 (36.7 %) responded. Extracts and phrases were used to identify potential themes, with relevant ‘quotes’ gathered within identified themes in keeping with best practice qualitative methodology. The results indicate that strategies around infection control practice, personal protective equipment, SARS-CoV-2 testing, workload, financial compensation, religion, psychological support and engaged leadership are deemed important by frontline healthcare workers to maintain their mental wellbeing.
Characterization of Nanog Gene Involved in the Gonadal Development in Pearlscale Angelfish (Centropyge Vrolikii)
Authors: Zhong Zhao-wei , Xu Yan , Feng Yan , Ao Lu-lu , Jiang Yonghua
Published: October 2021

The homeodomain transcription factor Nanog plays crucial roles in the embryonic/gonadal development and maintenance of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), interacting with transcription factors such as Oct4 and Sox2 in mammals. Nevertheless, knowledge of its exact pathways to molecular mechanism remains weak in teleosts, and unexploited in Pearlscale angelfish Centropyge vrolikii. The role of Nanog in the gonadal development and sex reversal of C. vrolikii is worth focusing. In this study, we isolated and characterized a Nanog homolog in C. vrolikii named as Cv-Nanog to understand the expression pattern of the gonadal development. The full-length cDNA sequence of Cv-Nanog was 2,136 bp in length and encodes a homeodomain protein of 436 amino acid residues. The analysis of phylogeny, the gene structure and western blot provided the evidence that Cv-Nanog was homologous to Nanog gene of mammalian. The protein sequence comparison demonstrated that Cv-Nanog shared the high similarity with orthologs of other vertebrates in the conserved homeodomain. The analysis of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot showed that Cv-Nanog was maternally expressed detectable merely in gonads, and the expression was significantly high in ovaries than in testis. In situ hybridization revealed that the transcripts were located in the cytoplasm and membrane of the oocytes in ovaries, and in the testis, Cv-Nanog mRNA expression was weakly expressed in sertoli cells, but highly expressed in germ cells. After overexpression of Cv-Nanog, the expression levels of pluripotent factors Sox2 and Oct4 increased significantly with 21.5-fold and 12.2-fold, respectively. At the same time, the TGF-beta signaling pathway was activated, and the gonadal cells’ growth was promoted, and the expression of ovary-bias genes Cyp19a and Foxl2 was up-regulated, the expression of testis-bias genes Sox9 and Dmrt1 was down-regulated, and finally the ovarian development was promoted. These results implied that Nanog gene may play a crucial role in the process of gonadal development and sexual reversion in C. vrolikii. This study is helpful to further understand the molecular regulatory mechanism of Nanog, also provides important clues for the future studies in gonadal development.
GIS and remote Sensing based impacts of urban sprawl on the Livelihood of Farming community in Peri-urban areas of Dessie town
Authors: Tefera Jemal
Published: October 2021

The high rate of urbanization coupled with population growth and migration has brought about adjustments in land use and land cover in Ethiopia. consequently, understanding and quantifying the spatio- temporal dynamics of urban land use and land cover changes and its using elements requires lu/lc map integrated with socio economic records. consequently, the objective of this study turned into to assess the effect of urban sprawl on farming communities over the ultimate 30 years of Dessie town. This examines used remote Sensing and Geographic information system for quantifying urban land use and land cover change dynamics. Socio-economic information changed into used to analyze the influences and elements of urban sprawl on prei- urban farming communities. Three dates of Land sat image information of the 1989, 2005 and 2019 had been used to supply land cover map in general and concrete enlargement map particularly. Digitization, image differencing and post-class assessment exchange detection techniques had been employed. Similarly to this, socio-economic facts had been used in explaining the drivers of urban expansion inside the examine location. The consequences showed that over the last 30 years, built-up area increased from 1088.19ha in 1989 to 3826.5hain 2005 and 6091.12 ha inside the yr 2019.the annual rate of built-up area cover exchange among 1988 and 2005 turned into 182.52ha/yr. The socio-economic factors like population growth, rural-urban migration, and reclassification of land is the main using forces for the determined built-up area increment. consequently, with a view to reduce the problem national and regional government policies in terms of urban growth and different responsible body need to get vast interest for city making plans to reduce the charge of the ones factors. Like that of improving vertical expansion in preference to horizontal.
Causes of Death After Rectal Cancer Diagnosis: A population-based study
Authors: Jin Yanyan , Tan GuiRong , Xia Yifan , Wu Lijun
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

The focus on non-rectal cancer causes of death in patients with rectal cancer remains superficial. The purpose of the current study was to review the causes of death in rectal cancer survivors.
METHODS

We used the population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data to evaluate the causes of death in rectal cancer patients. We summarized characteristics of patients after diagnosis and survival outcomes, using Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis for survival analysis.
RESULTS

The study included 121742 patients who were diagnosed with rectal cancer, of whom 72,007 (59.1%) died during follow-up. Most deaths occurred from rectal cancer (n =31,505, 43.80%), and the number of rectal cancer deaths decreased as more years passed after diagnosis. >10 years after diagnosis, the most common causes of death were heart disease followed by rectal cancer. The 5-year overall survival rate, rectal cancer-specific survival rate, and non-rectal cancer-specific survival rate were 32.0%, 17.3% and 56.6%, respectively. And the 10-year overall survival rate, rectal cancer-specific survival rate and non-rectal cancer-specific survival rate were 14.6%, 4.4% and 31.8%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with heart disease-specific survival among rectal cancer survivors include white race, female, married, grade I, earlier stages, surgery and chemotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS

Rectal cancer is the most common cause of death after diagnosis, however, the proportion of non-rectal cancer causes increases with longer survival. Routine follow-up care for rectal cancer survivors should be given more attention than ever.