bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of the automatic notification of catheter days on reducing central line-related bloodstream infection
Authors: Bae Sohyun , Kim Yoonjung , Chang Hyun-Ha , Kim Sungjin , Kim Hyun-Ji , Jeon Hyeyoung , Cho Juhee , Lee Juyoung , Chae Hwajin , Han Gyeongmin , Kim Shin-Woo
Published: March 2022

Background
A central venous catheter (CVC) is an important medical device, but it could be preceding infection and the risk of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). CLABSI is a common healthcare-associated infection but results in high cost and mortality; therefore, various efforts to reduce CLABSI have been attempted.
Methods
We reviewed and analysed the data of CLABSI rates and days from the insertion to the removal of the temporary central venous catheter between January 2018 and June 2021 in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a single tertiary care hospital. Sequentially, all patients with the CVC in the ICU underwent the following interventions: maximal barrier precaution, automatic notification of catheter days and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate bathing. An independent sample t-test was used to compare the CLABSI rates, which were shown using time-series design. In the pre-intervention period, the risk factors for CLABSI in patients with short-term CVC were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results
A total of 101342 patient-days, 6378 catheter days and 86 CLABSI cases were reviewed in ICU-hospitalised patients. As additional interventions, the CLABSI rate declined from 3.1 per 1000 CVC days to 1.2 per 1000 CVC days in post-interventions. Of 5275 ICU-hospitalised patients, 2229 in the pre-intervention period had one more short-term CVC. Medical ICU, the number of indwelling CVCs and the indwelling time of the central catheter beyond 10 days were the risk factors for CLABSI in short-term CVC (odds ratio (OR), 2.56 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.32–4.88]; OR, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.07–1.59]; and OR, 8.21 [95% CI, 3.90–18.88], respectively). Of the three interventions, the automatic notification of catheter days was associated with decreased median monthly total central catheter days and duration of CVC days per patient.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that multidisciplinary and evidence-based interventions rather than one effort are associated with a prominent reduction in the CLABSI rates. Moreover, the automatic notification of catheter days of the electronic medical healthcare system has shortened the time of indwelling central catheter.
Microplastic contamination in bathhouses in the middle Amazon region, Itacoatiara, Brazil
Authors: Sant'Anna Bruno , Oliveira Leovando Gama , Hattori Gustavo Yomar
Published: March 2022

The number of investigations has increased worldwide about the abundance and distribution of microplastics in different water bodies and biota. This study investigated microplastic contamination in bathhouses in the Middle Amazon, in Itacoatiara, AM, Brazil. A total of 202 microplastic particles were recorded in the five investigated areas used for recreation. These results indicate no significant difference in the number of microplastic particles between bathhouses (KW = 7.4805; P = 0.1126). The size of the microplastic particles differed significantly between the bathhouses (KW = 40.9582; P = 0.0001). Both blue and red microplastic particles were recorded, with blue particles being the most abundant. The microplastic particles were in the form of fibers and fragments. The number of microplastic particles (U = 7.4686; P = 0.0001) was significantly different between the areas within and adjacent to the bathhouses; however, the size of microplastic particles were not significantly different in the areas within and areas adjacent to the bathhouses (U = 0.6505; P = 0.5154). There was no significant correlation in the bathhouses between their frequency of use and contamination (number of microplastic particles) (rs = 0.4472; P = 0.4502). The results of this study indicate that microplastics are present in the bathhouses of the Middle Amazon and that contamination in areas used for recreation is significantly higher than in areas not used for this purpose.
Weight gain trajectories patterns from pregnancy to early postpartum: identifying women at risk and timing to prevent weight regain
Authors: Muñoz-Manrique Cinthya , Trejo-Valdivia Belem , Hernández-Cordero Sonia , Cantoral Alejandra , Deierlein Andrea L. , Colicino Elena , Niedzwiecki Megan M. , Wright Robert O. , Baccarelli Andrea A. , Téllez-Rojo Martha María
Published: March 2022

Background
Woman's weight changes during pregnancy and postpartum contribute to obesity and health outcomes later in life. This study aimed to identify and characterize weight change trajectories from pregnancy to one year postpartum among adult women.
Methods
We used data from an ongoing cohort of healthy adult women (n = 819) with singleton pregnancies from 2007–2011. Sociodemographic data, pre-pregnancy body weight, and sedentary and breastfeeding practices were collected. We applied a group-based trajectory modeling to distinguish weight change measured in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and at one month, six, and 12 months postpartum. Multinomial regression models were run to characterize each trajectory.
Results
We identified six weight change trajectories with the main difference in the patterns followed after one month of delivery. One in three women (36.7%), classified in some of the three postpartum weight gain trajectories, started to gain weight at the second or third trimester of the first year postpartum. Women who followed some of these trajectories were more likely to have higher age, obesity before pregnancy, < 10 years of schooling, and partner, compared with women (10.7%, n = 87) in a postpartum sustained-fast-lost-weight trajectory (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Women with obesity before pregnancy have a higher odd of regained gestational weight after delivery without reaching their pre-pregnancy weight. The first six months postpartum are key to establishing obesity prevention strategies. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of the interventions that prevent substantial weight gain through reproductive years in high-risk women.
Impact of Differentiated Service Delivery Models on Retention and Viral Load Suppression among Art Clients in Communities in Eastern Uganda
Authors: Brian Jemba , Waiswa Sinani , Balinaine Joseph , Lomuria Rosaria , Nabutanyi Gift Gloria , Ongala Emmanuel , Opus Benjamin , Iramiot Jacob Stanley , Oboth Paul , Olwedo Mary Anwola , Nekaka Rebecca
Published: March 2022

Background
; Although Uganda rolled out Differentiated Service Delivery models in 2017 to improve retention and achieve viral load suppression, these have remained low relative to UNAIDs targets of 95-95-95 by 2030. We determined the impact of facility and community DSD Models on viral load suppression and retention among ART clients in Katakwi district in North Eastern Uganda.
Methods;
A retrospective cohort study of all ART clients in the different approaches of DSD models who were active by 2017, were followed up to 2020. The primary outcomes were retention and viral load suppression of ART clients in different approaches. Eight health facilities providing ART services were purposively sampled and 771 ART clients were sampled out by simple random sampling out of 4742 total population on ART in Katakwi district. We analysed retention, viral load suppression, and their determinants by logistic regression method using STATA.
Results;
A total of 771 participants were sampled of whom 42.7% were male and 57.3% were females, with the mean age being 40 years. While retention rates at 95% CI of participants were 99.35% at 12 months, 94.03 at 24 months, 89.88% at 36months, and 84.57% at 48months. The viral load suppression rates were57.3% at 12 months, 70.3% at 24 months, 70.3% at 36 months, and 69% at 48 months. Retention was higher in the community-based DSD model as compared with the facility-based model. Viral load suppression was higher in the community-based DSD models in which CDDP had the highest achievement (92%) followed by CCLAD (79%) compared to the facility-based DSD models in which FBIM performance (34.3%) was far below the set standard of 95%, followed by FBG (65%) with FTDR having relatively better performance (80.9%).Being 40–59 years, receiving care from the general hospital, being married, having good current adherence, being on the first line of the current regimen, and being a female as other predictors of viral load suppression whereas being 40–59 years of age, having good current adherence, being on the current first-line regimen, and having no comorbidities were predictors of good retention.
Conclusions;
Both facility and community-based DSD models have led to improved retention and viral load suppression however community-based models have shown to be more effective than facility-based models through mitigation of barriers to effective HIV/AIDS care of patients on ART. Viral load suppression remained low below the UNAIDs target of 95% by 2030 albeit it improved over time.
Fumigant toxicity and behavioral inhibition of garlic and its volatile compounds against red imported fire ants (Solenopsis Invicta)
Authors: Song Zixia , Wang Yongqing , Li Chao , Tan Yuting , Wu Jian , Zhang Zhixiang
Published: March 2022

In order to control the Solenopsis invicta (S.invicta) in a safe and ecofriendly manner, this study evaluated the fumigating activity of garlic and the effect of behavior of S. invicta. The volatile compounds and chemical constituents from garlic were collected by solid phase micro-extraction and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the garlic contains 21 compounds, diallyl disulfide (46.51%) and (E) - 1 - Allyl - 2 - (prop - 1 - en - 1 - yl) disulfane (34.68%) were the main ingredients in garlic. In addition, the garlic showed strong fumigate activity and behavioral inhibition against workers. The LC50 of diallyl disulfide and methyl allyl disulfide against S.invicta at 12h is 0.05 and 0.07μl/L, respectively. The grasping and walking abilities of ants were significantly suppressed. Moreover minor workers were more susceptible than major workers. Thus S.invicta can be controlled with garlic and some of its compounds as an eco-friendly approach. Results from the study could provide valuable advances for future fumigant development and possible utility in fumigant use.
Adaptive fixed-time synchronization of Lorenz systems with application in chaotic finance systems
Authors: Ma Ru-ru , Wu Jie , Wu Kexing , Pan Xiaohong
Published: March 2022

This paper concerns the problem of fixed-time synchronization(FxS) of master-slave Lorenz systems. The adaptive control and fixed-time control strategies are successfully integrated so that not only the Lorenz systems can be synchronized within a fixed-time, but also the related controlling gains are not necessary to select beforehand. Distinguished from the conventional fixed-time control schemes, the proposed controller don't contain the signum function anymore, thereby the chattering behavior is avoided owing to its smoothness. The synchronizing condition is deduced according to the theory of fixed-time stability, and the upper bound of settling time is also estimated, which is irrelevant to the initial states of Lorenz systems. Apart from the correctness and effectiveness of theoretical analysis is validated by simulating Lorenz systems, the spirit of adaptive fixed-time control strategy is applied into synchronizing two finance systems finally.
Charlson Comorbidity Index is correlated with readmission within six months in patients with heart failure: A retrospective cohort study in China
Authors: Sheng Song , Xu Feng-qin
Published: March 2022

Background Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is positively associated with readmission in patients with heart failure (HF) in western countries. However, there is a scarcity of strong scientific evidence supporting the correlation in China. This study aimed at testing this hypothesis among patients with HF in China. Methods We conducted an analysis of 2,003 patients with HF in Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital in China between December 2016 to June 2019. Logistic regression models were used to study the hypotheses, with adjustments for the four regression models. We also explore the linear trend and possible nonlinear relationship between CCI and the endpoints. Additionally, CCI alone was used to predict the readmission within six months and areas under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity and specificity and were reported to evaluate the performance of the predicted model. Results In the adjusted II model, CCI was an independent prognostic factor for readmission within six months in patients with HF (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.26, P = 0.0127). Trend tests revealed that there was a significant linear trend for the association. A nonlinear association was identified between them and the inflection point of CCI was 1. ROC analysis indicated CCI alone were inadequate for prediction with low AUC, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion CCI was independently positively correlated with readmission within six months in patients with HF in Chinese population. However, CCI alone has limited value on predicting readmission within six months in patients with HF.
Evaluation the effect of the temperature and the type of plastic waste feedstock on the thermal pyrolytic oil fuel.
Authors: A.Ali Abd Elhafiz Abd Elhamid , Saad Seddik , rabia Salah
Published: March 2022

Recently, the pyrolysis pops up as an effective and appropriate method to benefit from plastic waste and converting it into fuel, which has been addressed by many scientific studies, in this current practical study, six types of plastic waste (PP, PS, LDPE, PET, HDPE and plastic waste mixture PWM) were used to study the influence of the various temperatures (400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 oC) on the amount of oil was produced from a thermal pyrolysis using a semi batch reactor 2.3 liter capacity, the experiments showed that, When oil is the preferred product of the pyrolysis process, PS type produced the large amount of oil (82.5%) by mass analysis at optimum temperature 450 oC, on the other side PET produced the best amount of gas (85%) at 600 oC therefore PET was the most appropriate choice when the gas form is the preferred product, temperature had a great effect on the pyrolysis products, at low temperature, the char product was the dominant product from pyrolysis, the oil product clearly appear with the temperature gradually rising for almost types of plastic which does not last as the temperature continues to increase, at high temperature the gas percentage increases at the expense of the liquid percentage decreases
The disease burden of migraine patients receiving prophylactic treatments in Korea: A population-based claims database analysis
Authors: Park Seonyoung , Han Sola , Suh Hae Sun
Published: March 2022

Background: Despite guideline recommendations, the limited benefits and failure of prophylactic treatment in patients with migraine have been reported. This study aimed to estimate the incremental burden (i.e., healthcare resource use and cost) of disease in patients who received at least one prophylactic treatment compared to those who did not.Methods: This study analyzed the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, which covers the entire population of Korea from December 2014 to November 2019. We included adult patients with migraine (≥18 years) who had ≥1 claim with migraine diagnosis (G43) or received ≥1 prescription of triptan or ergotamine between December 2015 and November 2018. We defined two groups: (1) migraine patients who received at least one prophylactic treatment (prophylaxis group) and (2) migraine patients who never received prophylactic treatments (non-prophylaxis group). We performed propensity score matching to balance the baseline covariates between the two groups. In a matched cohort, we estimated healthcare resource use and costs in terms of outpatient visits, outpatient visits to neurologists, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations.Results: After matching, 633,709 and 633,709 patients were identified in the prophylaxis and non-prophylaxis groups, respectively. The healthcare resource utilization was significantly higher in the prophylaxis group than in the non-prophylaxis group in terms of the number of outpatient visits (2.34 vs 1.70), outpatient visits to neurologists (2.23 vs 1.61), ED visits (1.07 vs 1.05), and hospitalizations (1.12 vs 1.09) (all P < 0.05). The estimated annual costs per patient were significantly higher in the prophylaxis group than in the non-prophylaxis group for outpatient (102.37 USD vs. 62.46 USD), neurology outpatient (141.80 USD vs. 120.30 USD), and ED visits (550.51 USD vs. 234.14 USD) and hospitalization (817.01 USD vs. 645.97 USD) (all P < 0.001).Conclusions: Migraine patients who received ≥1 prophylactic treatment had a higher burden of disease than migraine patients who received no prophylaxis. This indicates that despite migraine prophylaxis, the migraine-related disease burden remains high, and more efficient migraine prophylaxis strategies are needed.
Lack of a caregiver is associated with shorter survival in myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation
Authors: Gertz Morie A , Warsame Rahma , Muchtar Eli , Buadi Frances , Dispenzieri Angela , Gonsalves Wilson , Dingli David , Hayman Suzanne , Kapoor Prashant , Kourelis Taxiarchis , Kumar Shaji K , Lacy Martha , Hogan William
Published: March 2022

Introduction: There is evidence that lack of a social network is a link to inferior outcomes in cancer patients. Mayo clinic performs all its stem cell transplants for multiple myeloma patients as an outpatient. This requires a full-time chaperone or caregiver for the duration of the transplant. Patients who do not have a caregiver are hospitalized for the duration of the transplant. In this study we compared outcomes between patients hospitalized for the entire transplant and those who have a caregiver and are initially managed as an outpatient.Materials and methods: All patients with multiple myeloma transplanted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2019 were included for analysis. Patient had to have been transplanted within 12 months of the original diagnosis. The definition of inpatient transplantation was hospitalization prior to day 0 of transplantation for conditioning and continued hospitalization until evidence of neutrophil engraftment occurred.Results: There were 41 patients who were considered inpatient transplants and 2103 that were outpatient transplants. The patients were well balanced for age, sex, serum creatinine, and international stage at diagnosis. For inpatient transplants the median days in the hospital was 21 (interquartile range 18 to 28). For outpatient transplants the median number of days in the hospital was 0 (interquartile range 0 to 6). Relapse free survival was not significantly different between the 2 groups, but overall survival was 95 versus 58 months favoring those that had transplantation as an outpatient (p=.0008). Conclusion: There appears to be in association between myeloma patients that lack a caregiver and require inpatient stem cell transplantation and overall survival.
Impact of clinical pharmacist services on physicians' guideline compliance and prognosis of patients for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in ICU
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Yan , Zhang Kanghuai , Li Ping , Qiao Yuan , Wang Haitao , Cai Yan , Wang Na , Liu Chenwei , Fang Yu
Published: March 2022

Purpose Whether the clinical pharmacist services (CPS) improve ICU physicians' compliance with venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis guidelines remains unclear, and its impact on VTE incidence and mortality in ICU patients should also be investigated.Methods ICU patients were assigned to CPS group or control group according to the medical arrangements of the day of patient admission without any intervention. The impact of CPS on guideline compliance, VTE incidence, and mortality was assessed.Results A total of 338 patients were included. With pharmacist intervention, ICU physicians' compliance with VTE prophylaxis guideline was improved by 7%–25% (p < 0.001). The incidences of VTE (9% vs 17%, p = 0.037) and bleeding events (5% vs 11%, p = 0.042) were both lower in the CPS group than in the control group. Multivariate Cox regression model showed that CPS was an independent risk factor for VTE events (HR = 0.438, 95% CI = 0.224–0.857, p = 0.016) and 14-day mortality (HR = 0.416, 95%CI = 0.25–0.692, p = 0.001).Conclusion CPS could significantly improve ICU physician compliance with VTE prophylaxis guidelines and reduce the incidence of VTE events and mortality in ICU patients. Clinical pharmacists should be involved in the daily management of ICU patients as an important member.
Pollution load assessment of agricultural soil samples of some villages from Ludhiana district, Punjab.
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Kaur Jatinder
Published: March 2022

Aims Continuous use of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, wastewater discharge, and leachates causes soil degradation, contamination of potable water and food ultimately leading to soil pollution and ill effects on human health. The current study involves monitoring of soil quality of agricultural soil samples collected from four different agricultural fields in Ludhiana, Punjab (India) near Buddha Nullah, a tributary of the Sutlej river. Methods Physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal content of soil samples were estimated following the standard protocols. The genotoxic potential of soil samples were evaluated by using Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay.Results The agricultural soil samples were found to be slightly basic. Soil nutrients such as nitrate, phosphate and potassium ranged from 0.072 - 0.075 mg/g, 0.029 - 0.070 mg/g and 0.055 - 0.158 mg/g respectively. The contents (mg/kg) of heavy metals cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, and lead analyzed in five of the soil samples were observed to be above the permissible limits. Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay used for genotoxicity studies has shown that Hambran (HBN), induced maximum genotoxic effect, i.e. 46.7% in terms of percent aberrant cells in Allium cepa. Conclusions The statistical analysis evaluated the positive correlation of heavy metals (Cu, Co, Ni) with the percentage chromosomal aberration induced in Allium cepa test. The Pearson correlation indicated that genotoxicity had a significant positive correlation with the content of Cu and Ni at p ≤ 0.05 and with Co at p ≤ 0.01.
Alternations of fecal microbes and lung tissue microbes in Lung Cancer patients is more Identical than that of sputum
Authors: Li Yanze , Kun Huang , Zhang Hao
Published: March 2022

Microbiome in the human body environment is related to the occurrence of a variety of disease phenotypes. In this project, we collected lung tissue, feces and sputum from three Bioprojects of NCBI related to lung cancer (LC). Each project contains LC cases and lung normal (LN) controls. Those three projects contain a total of 339 samples of 16s rRNA sequencing data. By analyzing the composition of microbes in the three environments, and predicting their functions we found that compared with sputum, the ecological environment of fecal microbe is closer to tissue microbes in terms of evolutionary relationship. We used Picrust2 to predict the differential microbe function of lung cancer (LC) and the control (Lung Normal, LN) groups in the three environments, and found that at the microbe genetic level, compared to feces and sputum, sputum and tissues, feces and tissues have more common Differential genes, at the level of differential enzyme genes and differential pathways, feces and tissues have more common differences compared to feces and sputum, sputum and tissues. The results indicated that the activation of marker genus in sputum and feces and significantly changed pathways has an opposite trend, and there are many pathways contributing to glycolysis are correlated with marker genus. Patients with LC has potential to regulate the microbe composition of feces, tissues and sputum by regulating glycolysis metabolism.
Neural network-based prediction of the secret-key rate of quantum key distribution
Authors: Yin Hua-Lei , Zhou Min-Gang , Liu Zhi-Ping , Liu Wen-Bo , Li Chen-Long , Bai Jun-Lin , Xue Yi-Ran , Fu Yao , Chen Zeng-Bing
Published: March 2022

Numerical methods are widely used to calculate the secure key rate of many quantum key distribution protocols in practice, but they consumes many computing resources and are too time-consuming. In this work, we take the homodyne detection discrete-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) as an example, and construct a neural network that can quickly predict the secure key rate based on the experimental parameters and experimental results. Compared to traditional numerical methods, the speed of the neural network is improved by several orders of magnitude. Importantly, the predicted key rates are not only highly accurate but also highly likely to be secure. This allows the secure key rate of discrete-modulated CV-QKD to be extracted in real time on a low-power platform. Furthermore, our method is versatile and can be extended to quickly calculate the complex secure key rates of various other unstructured quantum key distribution protocols.
A Variety of Surface Techniques, Several Denture Base Repair Properties Were Investigated
Authors: Alfahdawi Ibrahim
Published: March 2022

Heat-cure acrylic resin is used, and six sets of specimens were cut in guiding mode with a conventional positioning clamp. To evaluate impact strength, silicon sheets with diameters of (50×5×4) mm were created. On an alternative bending fatigue machine, specimens with a diameter of (70× 10 ×2.5) mm were evaluated. The monomer solvent's impact bond strength was found to be higher than that of the thinner solvent and the acetone solvent. Thiner solvents and monomer solvents have a lower fatigue bond strength than acetone.
Non-cystic macular thickening on optical coherence tomography as an alternative to fluorescein angiography for predicting retinal vascular leakage in early stages of uveitis
Authors: Ebrahimiadib Nazanin , Kianzad Zahra , Zarei Mohammad , Davoudi Samaneh , Riazi-Esfahani Hamid , Bazvand Fatemeh , Mahdizad Zahra , Modjtahedi Bobeck S
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between non-cystic thickening of the macula on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinal vascular leakage on fluorescein angiogram (FA) in patients with uveitis.Method: A cross-sectional study of patients seen at the uveitis clinic was conducted. The correlation between OCT features and the degree of anterior chamber and anterior vitreous cell, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and FA findings were examined. Results: A total of 100 exam data met inclusion criteria. There was a significant relationship between macular volume as well as central macular thickness (CMT) and the mean 3mm and 6mm perifoveal macular thickness with angiographic scores (all P values<0.0001). Regarding the colors in thickness map, colors of red and orange which is indicative of thickening were more frequently observed in the area between 1 and 3mm ring. Conclusion: Non-cystic thickening of the macula on OCT, especially in perifoveal area, is a reliable predictor of the presence of retinal vascular leakage in patients with uveitis.
Spring-Dashpot Vibrational Model for the Investigation of Viscoelasticity in Gelatinous Abrasive Media and Subsequent Control of Parameters for the Blast Polishing of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy
Authors: de Jongh Quintin Oliver , Kuppuswamy Ramesh , Titus Matthew
Published: March 2022

Blast polishing offers an operator-friendly solution to many of the previously encountered polishing difficulties. However, the process lacks studies into the control of key parameters, one of which is viscoelasticity (particularly present in biological based abrasive medias). Together with analytical-empirical models, a vibrational spring-dashpot model is presented, which attempts to characterize the impact force, contact time and damping ratio/coefficient of polishing media upon impact; as well as the effects of damping on contact parameters (stress, deformation, and area of contact). Impact force is shown to decrease dramatically with increasing hydration but increases linearly with an increase in kinetic energy. Contact time results show an exponential increase as hydration is increased and show a logarithmic decrease (to a limit) as kinetic energy is increased. Findings show that higher hydration levels result in lower damping ratios (with all results showing that underdamping is present). Higher kinetic energies show a decrease in damping ratio. Similarly, media damping coefficients decrease with both hydration increases and kinetic energy increases. Results show that contact stress is reduced at higher hydration levels (due to higher contact areas and lower forces) and that hydration acts to prevent brittle failure from occurring on the workpiece surface. The findings stipulated provide a base on which to further characterize the process and will help in development and further optimization of the blast polishing process.
Blood donor biobank and HLA imputation as a resource of HLA homozygous cells for therapeutic and research use
Authors: Clancy Jonna , Hyvärinen Kati , Ritari Jarmo , Wahlfors Tiina , Partanen Jukka , Koskela Satu
Published: March 2022

BackgroundAllogeneic therapeutic cells may be rejected if they express HLA alleles not found in the recipient. As finding cell donors with a full HLA match to a recipient requires vast donor pools, use of HLA homozygous cells has been suggested as an alternative. HLA homozygous cells should be well tolerated by those who carry at least one copy of donor HLA alleles. HLA-A-B homozygotes could be valuable for HLA-matched thrombocyte products. We evaluated the feasibility of blood donor biobank and HLA imputation for identification of potential cell donors homozygous for HLA alleles.MethodsWe imputed HLA-A, - B, -C, -DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, and -DPB1 alleles from genotypes of 20,737 Finnish blood donors in the Blood Service Biobank. We confirmed homozygosity by sequencing HLA alleles in 30 samples and by examining 36,161 MHC-located polymorphic DNA markers. Results317 individuals (1.5%), representing 41 different haplotypes, were found to be homozygous for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 alleles. Ten most frequent haplotypes homozygous for HLA-A to -DQB1 were HLA-compatible to 49.5% and three most frequent homozygotes to 30.4% of the Finnish population. Ten most frequent HLA-A-B homozygotes were compatible to 75.3% and three most frequent haplotypes to 42.6% of the Finnish population. HLA homozygotes had a low level of heterozygosity in MHC-located DNA markers, in particular in HLA haplotypes enriched in Finland.ConclusionsThe present study shows that HLA imputation in a blood donor biobank of reasonable size can be used to identify HLA homozygous blood donors suitable for cell therapy, HLA-typed thrombocytes and research. The homozygotes were HLA-compatible to a large fraction of the Finnish population. Regular blood donors reported to have positive attitude to research donation appear a good option for these purposes. Differences in population frequencies of HLA haplotypes emphasize the need for population specific collections of HLA homozygous samples.
Characterization of the first Rubus yellow net virus genome from blackberry
Authors: Vakic Misaela , Stainton Daisy , Delic Duska , Tzanetakis Ioannis E.
Published: March 2022

Rubus yellow net virus (RYNV) is a badnavirus that infects Rubus spp. In mixed infections with black raspberry necrosis and raspberry leaf mottle they cause raspberry mosaic, a disease that leads to significant losses and even plant death. RYNV has been reported in several European countries and the Americas yet there is substantial lack of knowledge; especially when it comes to virus diversity and the evolutionary forces that affect virus fitness outside its primary host, raspberry. Herein we report the first RYNV episomal genome isolated from blackberry and this is the first report of the virus in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The isolate has five ORFs and when compared with other fully sequenced counterparts showed 82-97% nucleotide pairwise identity. This communication adds to our limited knowledge on RYNV and addresses some of the knowledge gaps in RYNV genetics.
Coupling characteristics of creep fracture of rock foundation on wind turbine under wind induced vibration
Authors: wang jun , nie zhipeng , cao ping
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the elastoplastic creep fracture characteristics and bearing stability of rock foundation for wind turbine based on the influence of wind load. Combined with the superstructure-concrete foundation-rock foundation lay load and boundary conditions, the wind load standard value and wind turbine system composition were obtained under normal wind condition, and then the forced vibration model of viscous damping two-degree-of-freedom system was established. Furthermore, the mode characteristics, frequency characteristic equations and the relations of the first and second order natural frequencies were obtained. According to the plastic yield characteristics of power hard rock base material, the analytical expressions of displacement, plastic zone and plastic state of I-II composite crack were obtained by coupling Mohr-Coulomb plastic yield condition and creep fracture characteristics. Simultaneously, the improved nonlinear creep model equation and accelerated creep fracture time were also obtained based on improved Kelvin nonlinear accelerated creep model. Combined with the example, it is verified that the accelerated creep displacement and crack propagation of rock foundation are obvious, considering the wind bracing and creep characteristics of rock foundation. Final, the failure modes of rock-foundation are compressive shear, local shear and bending-shear.It is necessary to timely reinforce the interface of foundation rock foundation.
Enlarged unilateral posterior vertebral column resection for spinal kyphosis accompanied with compressive vertebral fracture: short term clinical outcome with one-year follow-up
Authors: Guo Lei , Li Jiaqi , Zhang Fei , Zhang Peng , Sun Yapeng , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of a modified surgical technique, enlarged unilateral posterior vertebral column resection (EU-PVCR), for treatment of spinal kyphosis accompanied with compressive vertebral fracture.Material and Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2020, data of 13 patients who underwent EU-PVCR were retrospectively collected. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. Clinical outcome was evaluated by kyphotic Cobb’s angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI). The operation time, blood loss and complications were also recorded.Results: All patients received this operation successfully. The average time of follow up was 12.3±2.1 months. At pre-operation, 1 week post-operation and 12 months post-operation, the Cobb angle were 45.5±6.1, 7.9±1.3, 8.6±1.4 (P<0.05). SVA was 3.2±0.8cm at pre-operation, and changed to 1.9±0.9cm at post-operation, and 2.1±1.1cm at the last follow up. At pre-operation, 1 weeks post-operation and 12 months post-operation, VAS were 6.1±1.3, 2.5±0.5, 1.3±0.5 (P<0.05).ODI was 28.0±2.7 before operation, and improved to 8.9±1.9 at most recent follow-up (P<0.05). No permanent neurological complication was observed during follow up.Conclusion: EU-PVCR technique is an effective surgical method for the treatment of spinal kyphosis accompanied by compressive vertebral fracture in adults, while the long-term clinical outcome remains further investigated.
Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma promotes healing of excisional skin wounds in caloric restricted rats
Authors: Lima Anadhelly Cristina Silva , Alves Naiara , Hummel Lucas Henrique , Lopes Bruno Bellotti , Bittencourt João Vitor Silvano , Casagrande Laura Roch , Silveira Paulo Cesar Lock , Amaral Maria Esméria Corezola , Aro Andrea Aparecida , Andrade Thiago Antônio Moretti
Published: March 2022

Therapeutic strategies to accelerate healing remain crucial, particularly during caloric restriction (CR), as nutritional deficiency can delay healing. Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (AP) has been highlighted as appropriate therapy for tissue healing, showing pioneering results associated with 30% CR. Herein, 40 male Wistar rats with 30% CR and excisional lesions, created using 1.5 cm diameter dermatological punch, were divided into sham (lesions treated with the equipment turned off) and AP (topical and daily treatment with AP for 60s) groups. Animals were euthanized on 2nd, 7th, 14th and 21st days post-injury, and skin/lesion/scar samples were harvested for analyses: histomorphometric (inflammatory infiltrate, blood vessels, fibroblasts, collagen and hair follicles), biochemical [(myeloperoxidase–neutrophil, N-acetylglucosaminidase–macrophage), oxidative stress (nitric oxide, dichlorofluorescein, carbonyl, sulfhydryl, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione)], molecular (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-10, transforming growth factor [TGF]-β1, vascular epithelial growth factor [VEGF], collagen III and I), and re-epithelialization (wound healing rate). The AP group showed better results than the sham group, with elevated levels of inflammatory infiltrate, IL-1β, and IL-10. AP treatment modulated oxidative stress and enhanced TGF-β1 and VEGF levels, presenting increased hair follicles, fibroblasts, and collagen I and III, promoting wound re-epithelialization. Therefore, AP could be a promising therapy for wound healing, even during 30% CR.
A Novel multifunctional 5,6-dimethoxy-indanone-chalcone-carbamate hybrids alleviates cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease by dual inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and inflammation
Authors: Liu Chan , Sang Zhipei , Pan Hong , Wu Qin , Qiu Yu , Shi Jingshan
Published: March 2022

Backgrounds: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease. The treatment of AD through multiple pathological targets may generate therapeutic efficacy better. The multifunctional molecules that simultaneously hit several pathological targets have been of great interest in intervention of AD. Methods: Here we combined the chalcone scaffold with carbamate moiety and 5,6-dimethoxy-indanone moiety to generate a novel multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) molecule(E)-3-((5,6-dimethoxy-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-inden-2-ylidene)-methyl)phenylethyl(methyl) carbamate (named AP5). In silico approaches were used to virtually predict the binding interaction of AP5 with AChE, the drug-likeness and BBB penetrance, and later validated by evaluation of pharmacokinetics (PK) in vivo by LC-MS/MS. Moreover, studies were conducted to examine the potential of AP5 for inhibiting AChE and AChE-induced amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation, attenuating neuroinflammation and providing neuroprotection in the APP/PS1 model of AD. Results: We found that AP5 can simultaneously bind to the peripheral and catalytic sites of AChE by molecular docking. AP5 exhibited desirable pharmacokinetics (PK) characteristics including oral bioavailability (67.2%), > 10% brain penetrance and favorable drug-likeness. AP5 inhibited AChE activity and AChE-induced Aβ aggregation in vivo and in vitro. Further, AP5 lowered Aβ plaque deposition and insoluable Aβ levels in APP/PS1 mice. Moreover, AP5 exerted anti-inflammatory responses by switching microglia to a disease-associated microglia (DAM) phenotype and preventing A1 astrocytes formation. The phagocytic activity of microglial cells to Aβ was recovered upon AP5 treatment. Importantly, chronic AP5 treatment significantly prevented neuronal and synaptic damage and memory deficits in AD mice. Conclusion: Together, our work demonstrated that AP5 inhibited the AChE activity, decreased Aβ plaque deposition by interfering Aβ aggregation and promoting microglial Aβ phagocytosis, and suppressed inflammation, thereby rescuing neuronal and synaptic damage and relieving cognitive decline. Thus, AP5 can be a new promising candidate for the treatment of AD
Identification of Novel Major Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Selenium and Zinc Accumulation in Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Chen Hong , Liu Tao , Zhou Rangrang , Ning Shunzong , Zhang Lianquan , Zhang Bo
Published: March 2022

Background and aims Wheat is the major nutrient source for numerous people. Aegilops tauschii Coss. (DD), the D genome donor of common wheat (BBAADD), exhibits abundant genetic variations in selenium and zinc concentrations. Ae. tauschii accession AS2407 exhibited prominent Se and Zn accumulation ability. The objectives of this study were to map Se and Zn accumulation-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and to identify candidate genes controlling Se and Zn accumulation in Ae. tauschii. Methods In this study, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was carried out for selenium and zinc accumulation in the aerial parts of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from two subspecies, AS2407 (Ae. tauschii. ssp. strangulate) and AS65 (Ae. tauschii. ssp. tauchii), and candidate genes were screened. Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) markers, which are closely linked to QTLs, were developed, and their distributions were detected in a natural population of Ae. tauschii. Results QTLs controlling selenium and zinc content were identified on chromosomes 1D and 2D, named QSe-1D and QZn-2D, respectively, which could explain 11.94% and 13.49% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Five selenium-related candidate genes and three zinc-related candidate genes were screened. KASP markers (KASP_Chr1_22217614 and KASP_Chr2_57200260) were developed. QSe-1D and QZn-2D are the first mapped QTLs controlling selenium and zinc accumulation in the aerial part of Ae. tauschii. Conclusions These QTLs and KASP markers will be useful for quality improvement of wheat high nutrition and valuable for understanding the biological basis of Se and Zn intake in Ae. tauschii.
High neutrophils and triglycerides lead to critical illness in COVID-19 and reveal CDK6 inhibitors as potential treatment
Authors: Schmidt Marco F. , Baukmann Hannes A. , Cope Justin L. , Ravarani Charles N. J. , Bannard Colin , Lamparter Margaretha R. J. , Schwinges Alexander R. E. C. , Klinger Joern E.
Published: March 2022

Despite the recent development of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, treating critically ill COVID-19 patients still remains a top goal. In principle, drug repurposing -- the use of an already existing drug for a new indication -- could provide a shortcut to a treatment. However, drug repurposing is often very speculative due to lack of clinical evidence. We report here on a methodology to find and test drug target candidates for drug repurposing. Using UK Biobank data, we screened for significant differences in 33 blood cell types, 30 blood biochemistries, and body mass index between an infectious disease phenotype and healthy controls. We then matched critically ill COVID-19 cases with controls that exhibited mild or no symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using data from the UK Biobank, we describe a workflow to find evidence for high neutrophil cell count and high concentrations of blood triglycerides as predictors of the immune overreaction in critical illness due to COVID-19. Based on these findings, we identified the enzyme CDK6 as a potential drug target to prevent in high risk individuals with high neutrophil cell count the immune overreaction in critical illness due to COVID-19. Three existing CDK4/6 inhibitors -- abemaciclib, ribociclib, and palbociclib -- have been approved for the treatment of breast cancer. Clinical evidence for CDK4/6 inhibitors in treating critically ill COVID-19 patients has been reported. Further clinical investigations are ongoing.
Associations between low-dose aspirin and bone mineral density in older adults
Authors: Liu Hongzhan , Shi Qiaojing , Tang Xianzhe , tian Yun , Xiao Xungang
Published: March 2022

Background: The utilization rate of low-dose aspirin in the elderly is increasing, and osteoporosis in the elderly is getting more and more attention. Aspirin has been shown in numerous studies to affect bone metabolism. However, there is no clear link between low-dose aspirin use and bone mineral density (BMD). This study examined differences in bone mineral density between low-dose aspirin users and non-aspirin users in adults aged 50-80 years.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4987 participants aged 50–80 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-March 2020. We performed multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate the associations between low-dose aspirin use and femoral neck BMD.Results: A total of 1143 adults were included in this study. Higher femoral neck BMD was observed in the low-dose aspirin use group compared with the non-aspirin use group (β=0.023, 95%CI 0.007-0.039). On subgroup analyses stratified by gender, this positive association existed in both gender after adjusting for confounders (males: β=0.020, 95%CI: -0.001-0.042; females: β=0.025, 95%CI: 0.001-0.050 P for interaction = 0.739). On subgroup analyses stratified by age, this positive association existed in three different age groups after adjusting for confounders (50-60 years: β=0.034, 95%CI: 0.004-0.065; 60-70 years: β=0.016, 95%CI: -0.011-0.043; 70-80 years: β=0.026, 95%CI: -0.003-0.055 P for interaction = 0.633).Conclusion: These findings from a human study looking into the correlation between low-dose aspirin use and femoral neck BMD suggest that taking regular low-dose aspirin may be associated with a higher femoral neck BMD. The effect of low-dose aspirin on femoral neck bone mineral density was not significant across age groups and genders.
STING promotes proliferation and induces drug resistance in colorectal cancer by regulating the AMPK-mTOR pathway
Authors: Yao Huihui , Wang Suo , Zhou Xin , Zhou Guoqiang , Zhou Diyuan , Chen Guoliang , Shi Xinyu , Chen Junjie , Wu Guanting , Sun Liang , Yao Yizhou , Gu Wen , Wan Daiwei , He Songbing
Published: March 2022

Background: Despite a rapidly growing body of pertinent literature, what role the protein stimulator of interferon genes (STING) plays in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. We are committed to exploring whether STING can be adopted as an effective target and biomarker for CRC. Methods: STING expression was examined by immunohistochemistry to evaluate its association with clinicopathological factors. In addition, the effects of STING on various biological characteristics of CRC cells, such as proliferation, migration, invasiveness and drug resistance, were also studied. Gene set enrichment analysis was an indispensable tool to study the downstream mechanism of STING. Meanwhile, we explored the effect of STING on glucose uptake. Results: Our study suggested that the expression of STING was not only up-regulated in CRC, but also correlated with TNM stage and poor prognosis. Moreover, STING regulates cell migration, proliferation, invasiveness and drug resistance via mediating AMPK-mTOR pathway. Finally, we confirmed that STING regulates energy metabolism in CRC cells. Conclusions: STING may be a promising biomarker and a target for chemosensitization and inhibition of CRC progression.