bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sialic acid-binding lectin-modified fructose-coated nanoparticles: a promising targeted therapeutic synthetic for breast cancers
Authors: He Lin , Zhang Biyuan , Song Yuhua , Wang Haiji
Published: December 2020

Background: Sialic acid-binding lectin (cSBL) specifically kills tumor cells rather than healthy cells. Glycopolymer-coated nanoparticles are selectively ingested by tumor cells because they can interact with the enriched carbohydrate receptors located on the surface of tumor cells. In this context, we synthesized cSBL-modified fructose-coated nanoparticles (LMFN) and cSBL-modified glucose-coated nanoparticles (LMGN) to investigate their anticancer activity in various molecular subtypes of breast cancer cell lines.Methods: The syntheses of fructose-coated nanoparticles and glucose-coated nanoparticles were based on the chemicals of 1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-fructopyranose and 1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-glucopyranose, respectively. The carbodiimide-based method was employed to synthesize LMFN and LMGN. The antitumor mechanism was explored by cell cycle analysis with flowcytometry and the antitumor activity was assessed by cytotoxicity assay and multiple drug effects analysis.Results: The cytotoxicity assay showed that LMFN had robust antitumor activity against all breast cancer phenotype cell lines whereas LMGN was rarely efficacious to against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive/overexpression (HER2+/overexpression) breast cancer cells. The intrinsic reason for these findings was that the overexpression of fructose transporter, GLUT5, was observed in all breast cancer subtype cell lines but only a paucity of glucose transporter, GLUT1, was expressed in HER2+/overexpression breast cancer cell lines that dampened the uptake of LMGN to these cells. The cell cycle analysis indicated that the anticancer activity of LMFN was achieved by arresting cell cycle in S phase. The multiple drug effects analysis suggested the synergistic effect in the combinations of LMFN and tamoxifen to kill estrogen receptor+ breast cancer cells and LMFN and trastuzumab to kill HER2+/overexpressed breast cancer cells.Conclusion: Our work pinpoints that LMFN may be a new-onset selection for molecularly targeted therapy of breast cancers and paves the way for establishing its clinical application in the future.
How Much Does High-speed Rail Substitute for Air Travel? Implications for Transport, Environmental and Energy Policies
Authors: Zhu Pengyu , Lin Yatang , Guo Yuqing
Published: December 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Identifying Periampullary Regions in MRI Images Using Deep Learning
Authors: Tang Yong , Chen Xinpei , Wang Weijia , Wu Jiali , Zheng Yingjun , Guo Qingxi , Shu Jian , Su Song
Published: December 2020

Background: Development and validation of a deep learning method to automatically segment the peri-ampullary (PA) region in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Methods: A group of patients with or without periampullary carcinoma (PAC) was included. The PA regions were manually annotated in MRI images by experts. Patients were randomly divided into one training set and one validation set. A deep learning method to automatically segment the PA region in MRI images was developed using the training set. The segmentation performance of the method was evaluated in the validation set. Results: The deep learning algorithm achieved optimal accuracies in the segmentation of the PA regions in both T1 and T2 MRI images. The value of the intersection over union (IoU) was 0.67 and 0.68 for T1 and T2 images, respectively. Conclusions: Deep learning algorithm is promising with accuracies of concordance with manual human assessment in segmentation of the PA region in MRI images. This automated non-invasive method helps clinicians to identify and locate the PA region using preoperative MRI scanning.
The Risk of Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Gastric Cancer Conforming to Indications of Endoscopic Resection and Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Wu YanZhang , Wang Zhixiong , Li Guanghua , Wang Zhao , Zhou ZhiHao
Published: December 2020

Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) status is an important prognostic factor that strongly influences the treatment decision of early gastric cancer (EGC). This study aimed to evaluate the pattern and clinical significance of LNM in EGC.Methods: Patients with EGC who underwent radical gastrectomy were enrolled. Their clinicopathological features, pathological reports, and prognostic data were collected and analyzed.Results: Three hundred fifty-four patients with EGC were enrolled. The incidence of LNM in patients with EGC was 18.36% (65/354). The rates of D1 and D2 station metastases were 12.1% (43/354) and 6.214% (22/354), respectively. The rates of LNM in absolute indication of endoscopic resection and expanded indication were 3.27% (2/61) and 28.55% (4/14), respectively. Skip LNM was observed in 3.67% (13/354) of patients. For those with middle-third EGC, the metastasis rate of the No. 5 lymph node was 3.05% (5/164). The independent risk factors for LNM were tumors measuring >30 mm, poorly differentiated tumors, and lymphovascular invasion (all P < 0.05，area under the curve = 0.783). Five-year disease-free survival rates of patients with EGC with and without LNM were 96.26% and 79.17%, respectively (P = 0.011). Tumors measuring >20 mm and LNM were independent predictive factors for poor survival outcome in patients with EGC.Conclusions: Patients with EGC conforming to expanded indications have a relatively high risk of LNM and may not be suitable for endoscopic submucosal dissection. Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for patients with middle-third EGC remains controversial due to the high metastasis rate of the No. 5 lymph node.
Effect of the Timing of Frozen Embryo Transfer on Pregnancy Outcomes in High Ovarian Response Patients Undergoing Freeze-All Strategy
Authors: Zuo Na , Gao Yingzhuo , Zhang Ningning , Li Da , Wang Xiuxia
Published: December 2020

Background: Frozen embryo transfer (FET) can greatly improve the pregnancy outcomes for high ovarian response (HOR) population. However, it is not known whether the impaired endometrial receptivity derived from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) can be fully recovered in the first menstrual cycle after oocyte retrieval, and whether the timing of FET is a risk factor on pregnancy outcomes in HOR population undergoing freeze-all strategy.Methods: A retrospective cohort study to compare the pregnancy outcomes of the immediate and delayed FET groups in HOR population undergoing freeze-all strategy. Propensity score matching was used to make the potential risk factors of the immediate and delayed FET groups comparable. Multivariable regression analysis was used to study the effect of the timing of FET on pregnancy outcomes in the entire cohort and propensity score-matched cohort, even in different COH protocol cohorts as subgroup analysis.Results: We showed that the immediate FET group were no worse than delayed FET group in the entire cohort [clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), adjusted odd ratio (OR), 0.942, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.784-1.133; spontaneous abortion rate (SAR), adjusted OR, 1.118, 95% Cl (0.771-1.623); live birth rate (LBR), adjusted OR, 1.060, 95% Cl (0.886-1.267)]. The same results were obtained by χ2 test in the propensity score-matched cohort (CPR, 60.5% versus 63.5%; SAR, 11.6% versus 12.3%; LBR, 48% versus 49.3%) (P > 0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated that pregnancy outcomes of immediate FET were non-inferior to delayed FET in short-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol (P > 0.05). The SAR of the immediate FET group were lower than that of the delayed FET group in GnRH antagonist protocol (adjusted OR, 0.646, 95% CI, 0.432-0.966) and long-acting GnRH-a long protocol (adjusted OR, 0.375, 95% CI, 0.142-0.990) (P < 0.05), no differences were observed in CPR and LBR (P > 0.05).Conclusions: These findings indicate that immediate FET might not affect pregnancy outcomes in HOR patients undergoing freeze-all strategy. Delaying FET could increase the SAR in GnRH-ant and long-acting GnRH-a long protocols.
Factors Associated With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Rural Areas of Limpopo Province: A Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Ntshauba Elelwani Thelma , Maimela Eric , Ntuli Thembelihle Sam
Published: December 2020

Background: Sustainable Developmental Goal (SDG) no 3 of the United Nations Organisation places emphasise on ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being of all people of all age groups. Yet the prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is increasing and this can have an adverse impact on maternal and infant health and well-being. Currently, more studies have been conducted in International countries on prevalence and risk factors of GDM and few in South African Context. The current study sought to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, maternal and infant outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus in Mopani District. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted amongst pregnant women during Antenatal Care Clinic Visits at Nkhensani Hospital, Nkhensani Gateway clinic and Giyani Healthcare Centre. Information from participants was collected using adapted questionnaire from Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Centre DCP 2.0 and data entry form, captured on Microsoft excel spread sheet and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: One hundred and one (101) pregnant women (74%) who were attending antenatal care clinic visits at Nkhensani Hospital, Nkhensani Gateway Clinic and Giyani Healthcare Centre completed the questionnaire. Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Mopani District was 1.9% (2 women). Pregnant women above 30 years with secondary education, employed, obese and at gestational age of 31-35 weeks were more likely to present with GDM. A family history of diabetes was significantly associated with development of GDM. Conclusions: The use of various GDM screening strategies across population and countries resulted in discrepancies in the prevalence rate. Universal GDM screening strategy which will benefit our socioeconomic and clinical context to ensure that the true burden of GDM is determined needs to be adopted.
A Deep Learning Based Method for Forecasting Gold Price with Respect to Pandemics
Authors: Khani Mahtab Mohtasham , Vahidnia Sahand , Abbasi Alireza
Published: December 2020

The spread of COVID-19 in the world had a devastating impact on the world economy, trade relations, and globalization. As the pandemic advances and new potential pandemics are on the horizon, a precise analysis of recent fluctuations of trade becomes necessary for international decisions and controlling the world in a similar crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic made a new pattern of trade in the world and affected how businesses work and trade with each other. It means that every potential pandemic or any unprecedented event in the world can change the market rules. This research develops a novel model to have a proper estimation of the stock market values with respect to the COVID-19 dataset using long short-term memory networks (LSTM).The nature of the features in each pandemic is totally different, thus, prediction results for a pandemic by a specific model cannot be applied to other pandemics. Hence, recognizing and extracting the features which affect the pandemic is the highest priority. In this study, we develop a framework, providing a better understanding of the features and feature selection. This study is based on a preliminary analysis of such features for enhancing forecasting models' performance against fluctuations in the market.Our forecasts are based on the market value data and COVID-19 pandemic daily time-series data (i.e. the number of new cases). In this study, we selected Gold price as a base for our forecasting task which can be replaced by any other markets. We have applied Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) LSTM, Vector Output Sequence LSTM, Bidirectional LSTM, and Encoder-Decoder LSTM on our dataset, and our results achieved an MSE of 6.0e-4, 8.0e-4, and 2.0e-3 on the validation set respectfully for one day, two days, and 30 days predictions in advance which are outperforming other proposed method in the literature.
Is Oral Health All About Tooth Brushing? A Longitudinal Study in Individuals With Brain Injury in A Neurorehabilitation Setting
Authors: Kothari Simple , Nascimento Gustavo , Jakobsen MIlle , Nielsen Jørgen , Kothari Mohit
Published: December 2020

Objective: To investigate oral health changes and its associated factors during hospitalization in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).Material and Methods: Sixty-one individuals were recruited to evaluate the acute changes in oral health by performing plaque, calculus, bleeding on probing (BOP) and bedside oral examination (BOE) at week 1 and week 5. Individuals’ brushing habits, eating difficulties, onset of pneumonia etc. were retrieved from e-journal. Association between oral-health outcomes to systemic variables were investigated through multilevel regression models.Results: Dental plaque (P=0.01) and total BOE score (P<0.05) decreased over time but not the calculus (P=0.30), BOP (P=0.06) and increase in tooth brushing frequency (P=0.06). Reduction in plaque, and BOE over time were negatively associated with higher score of periodontitis at baseline (coef. -6.8; -1.0, respectively), which in turn were associated with an increased proportion of BOP (coef. ≈ 15.0). Increased proportion of calculus was associated with eating difficulties (coef. 2.3) and onset of pneumonia (coef. 6.2).Conclusions: Nursing care has been fundamental in improving oral health but non-significant improvement in calculus, BOP and brushing frequency indicates a need for development in existing oral care program through academic-clinical partnership keeping eating difficulties and patients’ vegetative and cognitive state in consideration.
Adverse Events in Thyroid Surgery. Observational Study in Three Surgical Units With High Volume/Year.
Authors: Rio Paolo Del , Carcoforo Paolo , Medas Fabio , Bonati Elena , Loderer Tommaso , Radica Margherita Koleva , Calò Piergiorgio
Published: December 2020

Background Thyroid surgery, performed for benign or malignant pathologies, is one of the most frequently performed procedures and its frequency has even been increasing in recent years. Postoperative bleeding, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy, associated to dysphonia, dysphagia, dyspnea, and hypoparathyroidism represent the most fearful and common complications. We conducted a multicenter, observational study of retrospectively collected data in three high-volume referral centers, enrolling all patients undergone to thyroid surgery between January 2016 and December 2017 in Parma University Hospital, Cagliari University Hospital and Ferrara University Hospital.Materials Patients were divided into 5 groups, differentiated thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, non-toxic benign pathology, hyperfunctioning benign pathology and NIFTP (Non-invasive Follicular Thyroid neoplasm with Papillary-like nuclear features). A follow up at 7 and 30 days was executed, evaluating the onset of paresthesia, dysphonia and dysphagia. A six-month follow-up was conducted in cases of early complications.Results Totally, 1252 patients were eligible for the study: 907 female and 345 male, with a female to male ratio of 2.6:1 and an average age of 53.428. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 1022 cases, lobectomy in 230.After 6 months we recorded paresthesia in 0.5%, dysphonia in 1.8% and dysphagia in 0.5%.Conclusion Our study confirms once again that a share of morbidity escapes the possibilities of prediction and control by the operator, depending on patient anamnestic, pathological or anatomical factors.
WITHDRAWN: Electrocatalytic glycerol oxidation with concurrent hydrogen evolution utilizing an efficient MoOx/Pt catalyst
Authors: Johnsson Mats , Yu Xiaowen , Santos Egon Campos dos , White Jai , Salazar-Alvarez German , Pettersson Lars , Cornell Ann
Published: December 2020

Glycerol electrolysis affords a green and energetically favorable route for the production of value-added chemicals at the anode and H2 production in parallel at the cathode. Here, we report a novel and facile method for trapping Pt nanoparticles at oxygen vacancies of molybdenum oxide (MoOx) nanosheets, yielding a high-performance MoOx/Pt composite electrocatalyst for both the glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolytes. Combined electrochemical experiments and theoretical calculations revealed the important role of MoOx nanosheets for the adsorption of glycerol molecules in GOR and the dissociation of water molecules in HER, as well as the strong electronic interaction with Pt. With MoOx/Pt electrodes serving as both cathode and anode, we achieve two-electrode glycerol electrolysis at a cell voltage of 0.70 V to reach a current density of 10 mA cm− 2, which is 0.90 V less than that required for water electrolysis.
Full-Quantitative Analysis of Cementless Stem Hammering Sound Changes During Total Hip Arthroplasty.
Authors: Zhuang Xu , Homma Yasuhiro , Ishii Seiya , Morohashi Itaru , Iwase Hideaki , Baba Tomonori , Tanabe Hiroki , Banno Sammy , Watari Taiji , Sato Taichi , Kaneko Kazuo , Ishijima Muneaki
Published: December 2020

Full-quantitative characterization has not been performed to analyze changes in the hammering sound in cementless hip arthroplasty. We analyzed the frequency spectrum of the hammering sound during stem insertion for 20 cases of uncomplicated cementless total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis using a proximal-coated stem. The absolute sound pressure (Pa) and normalized sound pressure of each frequency bands in early and late stage of femoral stem insertion were determined by the Fast Fourier Transform analysis. The absolute sound pressures (Pa) of a majority of frequency bands was significantly higher in the late-stage stem insertion than in the early stage The 1.0–1.5-kHz frequency band showed a significant change in normalized sound pressure in all cases between the early and late stages of stem insertion (p=0.000). The femoral morphology and canal fill ratio were correlated with late stage normalized sound pressure in specific frequency bands. In the 5.0–5.5 kHz band, the Dorr A femoral morphology was significantly higher normalized sound pressure than those in the Dorr B (p=0.004). This study revealed the hammering sound frequency with full-quantitative value altered during cementless stem insertion. Frequency bands of 1.0–1.5 kHz, 5.0–5.5 kHz were the key bands for predicting stem fixation.
The Effect of Covid 19 on the Performance of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Gürkan Elif Hatice
Published: December 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Mycoremediation of an Agricultural Salty Soil Contaminated With Endosulfan by Penicillium Crustosum 
Authors: Landa Anbu , Vázquez Refugio Rodríguez , Carillo Teresa Guadalupe Roldán
Published: December 2020

This is the first report about the application of Penicillium crustosum isolated from Citrus sinensis peel for endosulfan biodegradation and improvement of soil characteristics of a salty agricultural soil contamined with endosulfan; getting a degradation of 93 ± 4.7%, after one month of treatment. Metabolites production was also evaluated, finding that sulphate endosulfan and mono alcohol endosulfan were the main compounds produced for that reason an oxidative pathway is suggest. Degradation was enhanced by the biological surface active agent produced by the fungus during soil mycoremediation, where a DST up to 17 ± 0.58 mN m-1, was determined, being the first time that the in situ production for this kind of application was studies. Additionally, an improvement in soil quality (reduction of clay and salinity, and an increase of soluble phosphorus, carbon content and organic matter) was observed during the mycoremediation process. The phytotoxicity of the pesticide on Phaseolus leptostachyus crop was evaluated; in the soil without the fungus the pesticide translocated into the crop, presenting a negative effect in germination index, root length and weight, aerial weight and proline content. This contrasted with the crop develop in the soil treated with P. crustosum, which had better agronomic characteristics. In general, was possible appreciated that the addition of P. crustosum, present a lot of benefits for agricultural applications.
First Report of Theileria Annulata in Nigeria: Findings from Cattle Ticks in Zamfara and Sokoto States
Authors: Mamman Adamu Haruna , Lorusso Vincenzo , Adam Babagana Mohammed , Dogo Abraham Goni , Bown Kevin , Birtles Richard
Published: December 2020

Background Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) represent a significant economic burden to cattle farming in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. However, in the northern part of this country, where the largest livestock population reside, little is known about the contemporary diversity of ticks and TBPs. This area is particularly vulnerable to climate change, undergoing marked transformation of habitat and associated flora and fauna that is also likely to include ticks. This study aimed to document the occurrence of tick species and Apicomplexan TBPs in cattle from North-Western Nigeria. Methods In 2017, ticks were collected from cattle in Zamfara and Sokoto States and identified morphologically. Additionally, a subset of ticks were screened molecularly for the detection of Apicomplexan DNA. Results A total of 494 adult ticks were collected from 80 cattle in Zamfara and 65 cattle in Sokoto State. Nine tick species were encountered, including seven Hyalomma spp. (i.e. Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma impressum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum and Hyalomma turanicum), Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus. All species were present in Zamfara, whereas only five species were found in Sokoto. Hyalomma rufipes was the most prevalent tick infesting cattle in Zamfara State (76.2%), while H. dromedarii was the most prevalent in Sokoto State (43.7%), confirming the widespread transfer of this species from camels onto livestock and its adaptation to cattle in the region. Of 159 ticks screened, 2 out of 54 (3.7%) from Zamfara State and 29 out of 105 (27.6%) from Sokoto State harboured DNA of Theileria annulata, the agent of tropical theileriosis.Conclusions This study confirms the presence of a broad diversity of tick species in cattle from North-Western Nigeria, providing the first locality records for Zamfara State. The occurrence of H. turanicum, recorded for the first time in Nigeria, indicates a distribution of this tick beyond Northern Africa. This study provides the first report for T. annulata in Nigeria. Given its enormous burden on livestock farming in North Africa and across Asia, further investigations are needed to better understand its epidemiology, vector transmission and potential clinical significance in cattle from Northern Nigeria and neighbouring Sahelian countries.
Single-cell RNA-Seq Reveals Transcriptional Landscape and Intra-tumor Heterogenicity in Gallbladder Cancer Liver Metastasis Microenvironment
Authors: You Wenhua , Li Xiangyu , Wang Peng , Sha Bowen , Liang Yuan , Qiu Jiannan , Zhou Jinren , Hu Haoran , Cheng Feng , Lu Ling
Published: December 2020

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly aggressive biliary epithelial malignancy. Tumor invasion and metastasis contributed to the high mortality of GBC patients. However, molecular mechanisms involved in GBC metastases are still little known. Methods: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on GBC liver metastasis tissue and analyzed the data based on different cell types.Results: In this study, 8 cell types, including T cells, B cells, malignant cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and mast cells were identified. Malignant cells displayed a high degree of intra-tumor heterogenicity and neutrophils could promote GBC progression in vitro. Besides, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells became exhausted and CD4+ Tregs presented immunosuppressive characteristics. Macrophages played an important role in the tumor microenvironment. We identified three distinct macrophage subsets and emerged M2 polarization. We also found that cancer-associated fibroblasts exhibited heterogeneity and promoted GBC metastasis. Conclusions: In conclusion, our work provided a landscape view at the single-cell level and may clear the way for the therapy of GBC metastases.
Reduced Levels of Hsa-mir-342-5p in Plasma Are Associated With Worse Cognitive Evolution in Patients With Mild Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Dakterzada Farida , Benítez Iván David , Targa Adriano , Lladó Albert , Torres Gerard , Romero Leila , Gonzalo-Calvo David de , Moncusí-Moix Anna , Tort-Merino Adria , Huerto Raquel , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Manuel , Barbé Ferran , Piñol-Ripoll Gerard
Published: December 2020

Background: Progressive cognitive decline is the most relevant clinical symptom of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the rate of cognitive decline is highly variable between patients. Synaptic deficits are the neuropathological event most correlated with cognitive impairment in AD. Considering the important role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating synaptic plasticity, our objective was to identify the plasma miRNAs associated with the rate of cognitive decline in patients with mild AD.Methods: To discover the miRNAs related to the rate of cognitive impairment, we analysed 754 plasma miRNAs from 19 women diagnosed with mild AD using TaqMan low-density array cards. The patients were grouped based on the rate of decline in the MMSE score after two years (<4 points (N=11) and ≥ 4 points (N=8)). The differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups were validated in an independent cohort of men and women (N=53) with mild AD using RT-qPCR.Results: In the discovery cohort, 17 miRNAs were differentially expressed according to the fold change between patients with faster declines in cognition and those with slower declines. miR-342-5p demonstrated differential expression between the groups and a good correlation with the rate of cognitive decline in the validation cohort (r=-0.28; p=0.026). This miRNA had a lower expression level in patients who suffered from more severe decline than in those who were cognitively more stable after two years (p=0.049).Conclusion: Lower levels of miR-342-5p in plasma were associated with faster cognitive decline in patients with mild AD after two years of follow-up.
SPP1 Might Be A Novel Prognostic Biomarker For Patients With Malignancy: A Meta-Analysis And Sequential Verification Based on Bioinformatic Analysis
Authors: Zheng Haoran , Jiang Ai-Min , Liu Na , Ding Qian-Qian , Zhao Fu-Mei , Fu Xiao , Liang Xuan , Tian Tao , Ruan Zhi-Ping , Yao Yu
Published: December 2020

Background: Several studies have investigated the relationship between secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) expression level and prognosis of various tumors, but the results are far from conclusive. Therefore, we performed the present meta-analysis to investigate the prognostic value of SPP1 in pan-cancer. Furthermore, a followed confirmation based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was also performed to verify our results.Methods: We performed a systematic search from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases and 19 articles, including 3403 patients and 9 types of tumors, were pooled in our meta-analysis. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), which correlated with SPP1 expression, were considered as the primary outcome. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were used to investigate heterogeneity and reliability of the results. Furthermore, we also explored the relationship between SPP1 expression and clinical parameters of tumor patients. Finally, the results were verified with TCGA database and we further explored the relationship between SPP1 expression and tumor immuno-microenvironment (TIME), DNA methylation, and enriched gene pathway.Results: Our meta-analysis showed that high-expressed SPP1 was significantly related to poor OS and DFS in various cancers, especially in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). Furthermore, we also identified that the high expression level of SPP1 was significantly correlated with tumor grade. The expression level of SPP1 in the majority of tumor types were much higher than the corresponding normal tissues analyzed from databases. Besides, we also observed that high-expressed SPP1 was related to poor OS and DFS in LIHC, which supported the conclusion of meta-analysis. In addition, high-expressed SPP1 is related to 6 immune cells in TIME and DNA methylation regulatory genes. Ultimately, the results of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) suggested that tumor-related gene sets, such as hypoxia and lipid metabolism, were significantly enriched in high-expressed SPP1 group.Conclusions: SPP1 is high-expressed in various tumor tissues and correlated with poor prognosis. SPP1 might promote cancer invasion and metastasis by affecting tumor grade, TIME, DNA methylation, hypoxia, and lipid metabolism. SPP1 is expected to become a new clinical indicator for tumor detection and prognosis, and provide a new idea for tumor targeted therapy.
Evaluation of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance system, Kebbi State, Nigeria, 2013-2018
Authors: Bala Hashim Abdulmumin , Mohammed Yahaya , Barau Nyampa , Surajudeen Lukman , Ori Polycarp Uche
Published: December 2020

Background: Since 1988, the incidence of polio has reduced by more than 99 percent, worldwide, according to the WHO. Each year, more than 350,000 children were paralyzed, in more than 125 endemic countries. Today, only two countries are still having transmission of polio: Pakistan and Afghanistan. No wild poliovirus has been reported anywhere in Africa since 2016. A good and effective Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance system is necessary to detect any suspected case of polio to interrupt the transmission of polio within any country. We evaluated the AFP surveillance system to identify gaps in its operations.Methods: We used the updated CDC guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems and the WHO performance standards to assess the system. We also interviewed stakeholders using an adapted questionnaire, and a key informant interview. We also reviewed AFP surveillance data from 2013-2018. We summarized data using means, frequencies, and proportion. Results: A total of 49 respondents were interviewed. Of these, 47 (98%) reported case definitions as being easy to use, and case investigation forms as being easy to fill, 46 (97%) reported data tools could easily accommodate changes, and all the surveillance officers understand the case definition of AFP. All respondents were willing to continue with the system. The non-polio AFP rate (24.6-55.2), stool adequacy (95-99.7%), timeliness, and completeness of reporting were found to be consistently above the WHO minimum standard.Conclusion: The AFP surveillance system in Kebbi State was found to be useful, simple, flexible, acceptable, sensitive, representative, timely, and stable, though donor-driven. The absence of data on 60-day follow up and feedback from the laboratory was a major problem with the system.
Middle-aged Lebanese women interpretation of sexual difficulties: A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Azar Mathilde , Bradbury-Jones Caroline , Kroll Thilo
Published: December 2020

Background: The study explores women's perception and experience of sexual difficulties. The need to address the subject was triggered by the scarcity of research that reflects on women's subjective views on sexual difficulties. This is particularly crucial for middle-aged women who frequently experience hormonal and psychosocial changes that may affect their sexual life.Methods: Using in-depth individual and focus groups interviews, 52 Lebanese women aged 40-55 years discussed their thoughts, feelings and behaviours concerning sexual difficulties. Women were recruited purposefully from clinical and non-clinical settings to get maximum sampling variation that provided rich information and deep understanding of the subject. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed about the framework analysis. Many strategies were adopted to ensure rigour.Results: Women's narratives led to four themes: women's inability to communicate sexual desires and concerns; male sexual difficulties; marital conflicts; and sexual difficulties as context-bound. Women's sexual difficulties are driven by double standards and inhibiting sexual socialisation. Once married, many women had very challenging sexual experiences. They were obliged to silently bear their husbands' poor sexual performance to protect their masculinity and thus their social image and identity. Women's narratives also showed that marital conflicts, daily life problems as well as physical and psychological burdens further challenged their sexual wellbeing and contributed to their sexual difficulties. Conclusion: The study makes a unique contribution to voicing women's views and concerns as sexuality is insufficiently researched and reported in Lebanon. It emphasises the multidimensional nature of female sexual difficulties, particularly the gender-based norms that inhibit their sexual selves and profoundly affect their sexual wellbeing and capacity to claim their sexual likes and dislikes. Findings have implications on research and practice to help women prevent and overcome their sexual difficulties.
The effect of self-management on the health-related quality of life in hypertensive patients in Xiamen, China
Authors: Zeng Yanbing , Lin Chenxi , Chen Fan , Fang Ya
Published: December 2020

Background: A low HRQOL can be a risk factor for future cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. Therefore, HRQOL should receive attention and be improved in the treatment of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the association between treatment groups and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of hypertension mediated by self-management, and to determine which factors of hypertension self-management influenced HRQOL. Methods: Hypertensive patients were selected by multi-stage stratified samping from “1+1+N” Physicians intervention (PI) group and the conventional management (CM) group in 5 communities of Xiamen, China. Patients were cross-sectionally assessed by validated self-reports using self-management Behavior Rating Scale and Quality of Life Instruments for Hypertension. A structural equation modeling (SEM) and a path analytic model were used to assess if the association between treatment groups and HRQOL was mediated by self-management. Results: A total of 1207 patients were included, of whom 48.55% were in the PI group. The average score of the HRQOL scale was 86.68, and the average score of the PI group was higher than the CM group (87.35 vs 86.04, respectively). Similar findings were observed for the self-management scale, in which the average score of the PI group was higher than the CM group (76.32 vs 72.00, respectively). Patients in the PI group had higher levels of self-management compared to the CM group except for management of emotion. SEM showed that the association between treatment groups and HRQOL was significantly mediated by self-management (a*b, 95% confidence intervals CI: 0.02,0.07) and that the single mediator (self-management) model explained 76.67% of the intervention effect. In the multivariable mediation model, the association between treatment groups and HRQOL was significantly mediated by management of medication adherence, sport and diet.Conclusions: The findings presented good evidence supporting that treatment groups are linked to HRQOL of hypertension via self-management. Specifically, management of medication adherence, sport, diet, and emotion are important for improving HRQOL.
The Association Between Major Dietary Patterns and Severe Mental Disorders Among a Large Sample of Adults Living in Central Iran: Baseline Data of YaHS-TAMYZ Cohort Study
Authors: Shams-Rad Shamim , Bidaki Reza , Nadjarzadeh Azadeh , Mirzaei Masoud , Salehi-Abargouei Amin
Published: December 2020

Background: The role of diet in developing psychological disorders has been considered by researchers in recent years. Objective: To examine the association between major dietary patterns and severe mental disorders in a large sample of adults living in Yazd city, central Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study used the baseline data of a population-based cohort study (Yazd Health study: YaHS). Dietary intakes were assessed by a multiple-choice semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in the Yazd Nutrition survey (TAMYZ). Psychological assessments were also done by using depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire. Major dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis (PCA). Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between dietary patterns' scores and mental disorders.Results: A total of 7574 participants were included in the current analysis. Four major dietary patterns were identified: "Sugar and Fats”, “Red meat and Fish”, "Fruits" and “Vegetables”. After adjustment for all confounding variables, participants in the fifth quintile of “Fruits” dietary pattern which was correlated with dried fruits, canned fruits, fruit juice, olive, hydrogenated fats and fruits had a lower odds of severe depression (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.45–0.81, P trend=0.008), anxiety (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.50–0.80, P trend=0.001), and stress, (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.30–0.68, P trend=0.001). Conclusions: The intake of a dietary pattern high in dried fruits, canned fruits, fruit juice, olive, hydrogenated fats and fruits might be inversely associated with depression, anxiety and stress. Future prospective studies are needed to warrant this finding.
Geochemical characteristics of the trace elements and heavy metals in the sequences in Gachsaran Formation, West of Iran
Authors: Sakhavati Behnam , Yousefirad Mostsfa , Yaghotipoor Anita
Published: December 2020

In the present study, the geochemical characteristics of sequences of the Gachsaran Formation, located in the west of Kermanshah province, Iran - Iraq border zones, were studied. In order to determine the concentration of the elements, the XRF and ICP-mass techniques were employed, and the XRD technique was used to identify the mineralogical composition and finally, the evaluation of the level of pollution caused by these elements were carried out using statistical and pollution index software.The results illuminated that the concentrations of CaO, MgO, TiO2, and concentrations of two elements, i.e., Cd and Sb were higher than their mean values in the earth’s crust. Based on the CF pollution index, the elements of Cd and Sb with the values of 1.52 and 2 show the moderate contamination. Enrichment factor (EF) revealed moderate contamination for Cs (2.46), Ga (3.86), Rb (2) and Ti (2.35). This index showed the high pollution and anthropogenic origin for Ti (8), Cd (10.41), U (11.26) and Sb (13.43). The results of the correlation between the elements indicated the presence of positive and significant correlation between Cs, Hf, La, Nb, Nd, Rb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, Tl, W, Y, Yb, and Zr. There was no positive and significant correlation between U and none of the elements. Three elements of Sb, U, and Cd showed a negative correlation with most of the studied elements. According to the results of cluster analysis, three separate groups were obtained so that each of Ti and Fe was classified as separate groups and Fe showed the highest difference in comparison with other elements. Based on the results of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the highest effect was related to the elements of Cs, Hf, La, Nb, Rb, Sc, Sm, Tb, Th, Tl, W, Y, Yb, Zr, Fe in the first Component, Sb, Cd in second component and U in the third component.
A systematic $1/c$-expansion of form factor sums for dynamical correlations in the Lieb-Liniger model
Authors: Granet Etienne , Essler Fabian
Published: December 2020

We introduce a framework for calculating dynamical correlations in
the Lieb-Liniger model in arbitrary energy eigenstates and for all space
and time, that combines a Lehmann representation with a
1/c1/c
expansion. The n^\mathrm{th}nth
term of the expansion is of order 1/c^n1/cn
and takes into account all \lfloor \tfrac{n}{2}\rfloor+1⌊n2⌋+1
particle-hole excitations over the averaging eigenstate. Importantly, in
contrast to a "bare" 1/c1/c
expansion it is uniform in space and time. The framework is based on a
method for taking the thermodynamic limit of sums of form factors that
exhibit non integrable singularities. We expect our framework to be
applicable to any local operator. We determine the first three terms of
this expansion and obtain an explicit expression for the density-density
dynamical correlations and the dynamical structure factor at order
1/c^21/c2.
We apply these to finite-temperature equilibrium states and
non-equilibrium steady states after quantum quenches. We recover
predictions of (nonlinear) Luttinger liquid theory and generalized
hydrodynamics in the appropriate limits, and are able to compute
sub-leading corrections to these.
Climate Change in India: A Wakeup Call from Bollywood
Authors:   Research Scholar(English, National Institute of Technology, Uttarakhand, Sharma Manvi , Chaubey Ajay K.
Published: December 2020

Amidst Bollywood’s romanticized landscapes and grandeur settings, depiction of the flora and fauna, roaring rivers and drought prone lands, is difficult to locate. But the new millennium has witnessed some new generation filmmakers, sensitized towards the ecological concerns, thus marking a shift from the illustration of idealised landscapes to the representation of nature’s wrath. Since, cinema in India, has a deep-rooted impact on the masses, these creators employ films as tools to sensitize the population towards the climate change threat which though as perilous as the COVID-19 crisis, is often ignored by a significant amount of population. Dawning upon themselves the responsibility of environmental awakening, Nila Madhab Panda and Abhishek Kapoor highlight in their movies, Kadvi Hawa(2017) and Kedarnath(2018), respectively, the horrors of human callousness, leading to drastic change in Climatic condition in India. Panda’s Kadavi Hawa, dealing with non-repayment of loans followed by suicides, portrays the heart-wrenching imagery of environmental degradation and Climate change that has rendered the Village of Mahua, arid and infertile. Kapoor’s Kedarnath on the other hand, appeals for action through horrifying imagery of the catastrophic floods that disrupted the holy town of Kedarnath, in 2013. Through a detailed analysis of the aforementioned visual portrayals, this article aims to emphasise as to how Films can play an important role in effectively addressing dealing with the issues related to Climate. Further, the rationale of this paper is to underscore the possibility of more such storylines, as a tool towards effective engagement and levitation of conscience.
The Way of the Firang: Illustrating European Social Life and Customs in Mughal Miniatures (1580 CE -1628 CE)
Authors:   Assistant Professor of History of Art, Government College of Art and Craft Calcutta, West Bengal, India., Das Soujit , Gupta Ila ,   Retired Senior Professor, Department of Architecture and Planning & Joint Faculty, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
Published: December 2020

During the sixteenth century, along with the rise of the Mughal Empire, the social landscape of India changed drastically with the advent of the European colonial powers. In 1580 CE, following the First Jesuit Mission to the Court of Emperor Akbar, a new cross-cultural dialogue was initiated that not only impacted the socio-economic and political fabric but also the artistic productions of the time. The growing presence of the European traders, ambassadors, soldiers, and missionaries in the Mughal world also lead to several curious narratives that were widely circulated. These tales also gave birth to cultural misconceptions as the Europeans on several occasions were seen as social evils. They were often collectively addressed as Firang/Farang or ‘Franks’ and were perceived as ‘strange and wonderful people’ or ‘ajaib-o-ghara’ib’. It was during the Mughal reign when for the first time in Indian visual culture, a conscious attempt was made to document the life and customs of the European people. This paper attempts to understand how the processes of cultural alienation and Occidentalism had influenced the representation of Europeans in Mughal miniatures. It also argues how Mughal artists innovate new iconographic schemes to represent and perpetuate a sense of the ‘other’. How artists used these identity markers to establish notions of morality as well as of Islamic cultural superiority. The select illustrations also attempt to elucidate how these representations of Europeans were culturally appropriated and contributed to the Mughal ‘fantasy excursions’.
Understanding colonial masculinity and native bodies: Rereading the discourse of homoeopathy as a feminist form of medicine
Authors: Menon Anjana
Published: December 2020

A body can also be read as a site for the production and maintenance of social power. In colonial India, western biomedicine often acted to reinforce the reason/nature split and made manifestations in dualistic divisions between mind/body, and men/women. With the advent of the ‘masculine’ western biomedicine, the indigenous population lost the authority and autonomy over their self-knowledge and social power of their bodies. Thus, Homoeopathy found a space in the spiritual discourse of Indian nationalism as a ‘feminine’ element. This paper is an attempt to analyse how the rhetoric on homoeopathy was effectively employed to redress the grievances of masculinity in health care unleashed by the British state. The study lays stress on power imbalance within the practitioner/patient relationship, the exclusion of social concerns from the biomedical model, and the trivialisation of knowledge within the clinical encounters.
Podmiot w paradygmacie relacji ekosystemowej
Authors: Najder-Stefaniak Krysytna
Published: December 2020

The paper presents the notion of human subjects. The author emphasizes the fact, that the thinking in ecological paradigm demand of own notion of the subject so as to substantiate the notion of responsibility and creative possibility of man. Autor state that in thinking the metaphor of an ecosystem is indispensable the notion of subjectivity fits in with the nation of man.
Ekologiczne aspekty katolickiej teologii moralnej
Authors: Ciszek Mariusz
Published: December 2020

The ecological aspect of catholic moral theology should not evoke astonishment, as it is not a strange hybrid created by means of artificial manipulations aiming at bestowing authority of Christian tradition on ecology. Popes' statements concerning natural environment conservation seem to testify against such claims and only show the importance and need of implementing responsible and moderate using the Earth's resources into Christian awareness. Practical ethical problems in the ecological aspect I started to present from the natural law, which determines divine moral order in the world, also in the ecological dimension. Then I undertook the problem of an ecological conscience, which is a kind of a "watchman" of our morality, also as far as human actions in the natural environment are concerned, and it tries to protect the human being from committing an ecological sin, which is one of the forms of disobedience to God. These ecological aspects of moral theology will remain just hot air if we do not spread them by means of ecological education. It is also very important to shape proper and fixed attitudes towards other people and nature that can be described in terms of love, prudence, and moderation as aretology (field of science concerning virtues) teach us. At the end of this paragraph, I put Ecological Decalogue, whose rules Christians should obey in everyday life.