bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole Genome Sequencing and Expression Analysis of ToxA in Bipolaris Sorokiniana Provides Discernment of Pathogenicity Causing Spot Blotch of Wheat
Authors: Aggarwal Rashmi , Agarwal Shweta , Sharma Sapna , Gurjar Malkhan Singh , Bashyal Bishnu Maya , Rao Atmakuri Ramakrishna , Sahu Sarika , Jain Prachi , Saharan Mahender Singh
Published: August 2021

Background: Spot blotch disease of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana Boerma (Sacc.) is an emerging problem in South Asian countries. In this study, whole genome of highly virulent isolate of Bipolaris sorokiniana (BS112) was sequenced, pathogenicity related gene(s) were identified and role of ToxA gene in spot blotch disease development was established.Results: Bipolaris sorokiniana isolate BS112 infecting wheat was sequenced using hybrid assembly approach. The assembly size of the genome was 35.64Mb (GenBank accession number RCTM00000000) with GC content of 50.2%, providing coverage of 97.6% on reference ND90Pr genome. Average gene density predicted was 250-300 genes/Mb. A total of 235 scaffolds were obtained using pyScaf assembler with N50 of 16,54,800 bp. In addition, 152 transcription factors involved in various biological processes were identified and a total of 682 secretory proteins were predicted using secretome analysis. ToxA gene (535bp) was analyzed and identified in the genome of B. sorokiniana which revealed 100% homology with ToxA gene of Pyrenophora tritici repentis. Further, ToxA gene was amplified, sequenced and validated in the 39 isolates of B. sorokiniana which confirmed the presence of ToxA gene in all the isolates of B. sorokiniana. All these ToxA sequences were submitted in NCBI database (MN601358-MN601396). As ToxA gene interacts with Tsn1 gene of host, 13 wheat genotypes were evaluated for the Tsn1 gene and five genotypes (38.4%) were found to be Tsn1 positive with more severe necrotic lesions compared to Tsn1 negative wheat genotypes. In vitro expression analysis of ToxA gene in B. sorokiniana isolate (BS112) using qPCR revealed maximum upregulation (14.67 fold) at 1st day after inoculation (DAI). Further, in planta expression analysis of ToxA gene in Tsn1 positive and Tsn1 negative genotypes, Agra local and Chiriya 7 respectively was also conducted. Results revealed maximum expression (7.89 fold) of ToxA gene in Tsn1 positive genotype, Agra local at 5th DAI compared to Tsn1 negative genotype Chiriya 7 which showed minimum expression (0.048 fold) at 5th DAI. Conclusions: Full genome of B. sorokiniana was sequenced; secreted proteins and virulence genes were identified in the genome. ToxA gene was validated in thirty nine isolates of B. sorokiniana. In planta ToxA-Tsn1 interaction studies established that spot blotch disease is more severe in Tsn1 positive genotypes. This genomic resource will provide a new insight into better understanding and management of spot blotch disease and B. sorokiniana of wheat.
Male involvement in family planning use and its determinants in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Anbesu Etsay Woldu , Aychiluhm Setognal Birara , Kahsay Znabu Hadush
Published: August 2021

Background
The need to include males that required joint spousal decision is critical in achieving key reproductive health indicators. Low involvement of males in family planning use is one of the contributing factors for low contraceptive use in Ethiopia. Despite this, there are inconsistent findings on the prevalence and determinates of males involvement in family planning use in Ethiopia. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of mal involvement in family planning use and its determinants in Ethiopia.
Methods
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline will be used to develop the protocol. Online databases PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and unpublished grey literature will be searched to retrieve available articles from April 10-August 11/2021. The two authors will conduct selection of studies, data extraction, and quality assessment. The quality of the studies will be assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Chi-squared test and I-squared statistic will be used to examine heterogeneity among studies. Sources of heterogeneity will be investigated using subgroup analyses and meta-regression based on regions and residence (urban and rural). Publication bias will be examined by observation using funnel plots and statistically by Begg’s and Egger’s tests. A random-effect model will be used to estimate the pooled prevalence and its determinants of male involvement in family planning use.
Discussion
The role of the male in family planning and participation in contraceptive use improves women’s uptake and continuity of family planning use. Though there are studies on male involvement in family planning use, there is no synthesis research findings on the pooled prevalence of male involvement in family planning use and its determinants in Ethiopia. Therefore, the finding from this systematic review and meta-analysis will help the national health sector transformational plane to emphasize the pooled prevalence and its determinants that drive low male involvement in family planning use in Ethiopia.
Succession and Catabolic Properties of Fungal Community During Composting of Fruit Waste at Sub-Tropical Environment
Authors: Danish Syeda Abeer , Haq Tooba , Liaqat Irum , Rubab Saima , Qureshi Mohammad , Zafar Urooj
Published: August 2021

A comprehensive profile of structural and functional dynamics of fungal community during fruit waste composting was investigated. For this purpose, fruit waste was composted in a windrow setup. Representative samples were collected at varied range of incubation temperatures during composting period and employed to physicochemical and microbiological culture dependent and independent analysis. Time-series data revealed that variation in fungal load is temperature dependent that influenced morphotypes’ shifts during different stages of composting. Shifts in abiotic factors, availability of accessible nutrients, water loss, pH and electrical conductivity participated in the transition of community and compost maturity. Culture-based analysis showed rich microbial compost community, dominant with Aspergillus, Mucor, Rhizopus and Penicillium. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses demonstrated the prevalence of diverse community in compost with detectable bands corresponding to Penicillium at mesophilic temperature while undetectable bands corresponding for Aspergillus. Succession in microbial community was observed during composting as with temperature variations. Illumina Miseq revealed fungal diversity including Mortierella sp from phylum Zygomycota as the most dominant fungi and Coprinopsis sp as second dominant from Basidiomycota, mainly associated with lignocellulosic degradation. Moreover, Aspergillus fumigatus (ADIF1) was found as the most promising cellulase and pectinase producers at higher temperature showing its potential for efficient environmental management utilization. Current findings suggest that transformation of fruit waste into seed germination friendly compost that can be used as an efficient organic fertilizer and incorporation of sensitive molecular technique suggests the transition of microbial community and improvement in microbial diversity.
Assessment of Diagnostic Value of Serum Ceruloplasmin for Wilson’s Disease in Children
Authors: Lu Xinshuo , Li Simin , Zhang Wen , Lin Yunting , Lu Zhikun , Cai Yanna , Su Xueying , Shao Yongxian , Liu Zongcai , Sheng Huiying , Huang Yonglan , Liu Li , Zeng Chunhua
Published: August 2021

Background:
Serum ceruloplasmin is one of the major diagnostic parameters for Wilson’s disease (WD). Age and gender difference of serum ceruloplasmin remain controversy. This study aims to assess diagnostic value of serum ceruloplasmin for WD in children.
Methods:
Serum ceruloplasmin were measured in 317 WD patients, 21 heterozygotes, 372 healthy control children and 154 non-WD patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the diagnostic accuracy of serum ceruloplasmin for WD in children.
Results:
Among healthy controls, serum ceruloplasmin was mildly low in the infants younger than 6 months, and then presented around 26–33 mg/dl from 6 months to 15 years. Few (8.1%) of healthy children had serum ceruloplasmin < 20 mg/dL. Serum ceruloplasmin was 5.7 ± 4.7 mg/dl in WD patients, 25.6 ± 5.9 mg/dl in heterozygous carriers. Only 1.9% of WD patients had serum ceruloplasmin > 20 mg/dL. Serum ceruloplasmin had gender difference, higher in healthy boys than healthy girls, and also higher in asymptomatic WD boys than asymptomatic WD girls (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Serum ceruloplasmin presented genotypic difference. WD patients with R778L homozygotes exhibited lower level of serum ceruloplasmin than WD patients without R778L (p < 0.05). The ROC curve revealed that serum ceruloplasmin, at a cutoff value of 16.8 mg/dL, had the highest AUC value (0.990) with a sensitivity of 95.9% and a specificity of 93.6%.
Conclusions:
Serum ceruloplasmin is a reliable diagnostic criteria for WD in children. Gender and genotypic difference of serum ceruloplasmin should be considered. The cutoff value of serum ceruloplasmin < 16.8 mg/dL may provide the highest accuracy for diagnosis of WD in children.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Upregulated Secondary Metabolite Pathways in Micropropagated Lawsonia Inermis L.
Authors: Samanta Dipu , Das Debapriya , Ganguli Sayak , Roy Debleena
Published: August 2021

Humans are dependent on plants for medicines, food and raw materials. Among the many plants used, Henna plant (Lawsonia inermis) have been found to be useful, medicinally and commercially. The pigment lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-nathaquinone) derived from the plant is the source of Mehendi, used for dying. The plant has a vast repertoire of secondary metabolites, giving the plant medicinal properties like anticarcinogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory and many more. This creates a huge demand pressure for the plant, which can’t be met by traditional farming. There have been reports of low propagation rate from stem cuttings and seed. So, micropropagation remains the only tool, for the large scale vegetative propagation, without exposing the plant to stress, saving the plant from overexploitation. The plant was established in vitro, with hormonal manipulation. The study shows BAP 4 mg/L and combination hormone of BAP 2 mg/L + Kn 2 mg/L to have best results for shoot bud multiplication. Rooting was seen to be significant in MS medium, highlighting the low cost of maintenance of the plant. Karyotype analysis was performed between in vivo and in vitro plant sets, followed by transcriptome analysis. Karyotype analysis, performed to validate the homogeneity between in vivo and in vitro plants, showed a chromosome number of 30. Transcriptome analysis through the TRAPID platform showed significant difference between in vivo and in vitro plant’s transcript sets. Pathway analysis revealed enriched secondary metabolite pathways of commercial and economic importance in the in vitro generated plantlets as compared to the wild type control.
The Outcomes of Intravitreal C3F8 Gas Tamponade Combined with Laser Photocoagulation Treatment for Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy
Authors: Mirza Deniz , Mirza Enver , Satirtav Gunhal , Kerimoglu Hurkan
Published: August 2021

Purpose: To share the anatomical results and visual outcomes of intravitreal gas tamponade combined with laser photocoagulation treatment for optic disc pit maculopathy (ODPM). Methods: Intravitreal gas tamponade combined with laser photocoagulation treatmentwas performed on six consecutive patients with ODPM. A 0.3-mL of 100% octafluoropropane (C3F8) gas was injected intravitreally. The patients were then asked to maintain prone position until the C3F8 gas disappeared. Laser photocoagulation was performed the day after the procedure. The outcomes were determined by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results: In the present study, visual improvement and reduction in serous macular detachment was observed in 83% of the ODPM patients. Complete retinal reattachment was achieved in 66% of the ODPM patients. In one patient, no regression was observed after the repeated treatment and pars plana vitrectomy was performed. The final BCVA improved in five eyes and unchanged in one eye. No postoperative complications were observed during the follow-up period in any patient. Conclusions: Intravitreal C3F8 gas tamponade combined with laser photocoagulation procedure is an effective, minimally invasive, and cost-effective treatment method for ODPM.
Risk of Thrombotic Events and Other Complications in Anticoagulant Users Infected With SARS-CoV-2: An Observational Cohort Study in Primary Health Care in SIDIAP (Catalonia, Spain)
Authors: Giner-Soriano Maria , Gomez-Lumbreras Ainhoa , Vedia Cristina , Ouchi Dan , Morros Rosa
Published: August 2021

Background The risk of thromboembolic events and COVID-19 complications in anticoagulated patients once hospitalized has been widely analyzed. We aim to assess these outcomes in primary health care (PHC) patients chronically treated with oral anticoagulants (OAC) in comparison with non-treated. Methods Cohort study including adults with COVID-19 diagnosis in the PHC records in Catalonia, Spain; from March to June 2020. Patients were matched between exposed and non-exposed to OAC based on age and gender in a 1:2 design. Data source is the Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP). ResultsWe included 11,828 (33.3%) patients previously exposed to OAC, who were matched by age and sex to 23,656 (66.7%) non-exposed to OAC. Their mean age was 79.3 and 51% were women. Anticoagulated patients had a higher risk of hospital admission (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.22-1.38), and of stroke and pulmonary embolism than non-anticoagulated (OR 2.5, 95% CI 2.04-3.06). The risk of pneumonia was not different between groups (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.95-1.26). We found a lower risk of death in patients exposed to OAC (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.93). ConclusionsOAC users in our study had more comorbidities and were older than non-users, well known risks for hospitalization being confirmed with our results. We also found in our study that OAC exposure was not associated to an increased risk in the mortality rate, although we cannot assess the effect of the interventions applied during hospital admission on the COVID-19 outcomes, as our database is a PHC database. EUPAS register: EUPAS37205
Analysis of matched primary and recurrent BRCA1/2 mutation-associated tumors identifies recurrence-specific drivers
Authors: Shah Jennifer , Pueschl Dana , Wubbenhorst Bradley , Pluta John , D.Andrea Kurt , Hubert Anna , Shilan Jake , Zhou Wenting , Kraya Adam , Llop-Guevara Alba , Ruan Catherine , Serra Violeta , Balmaña Judith , Feldman Michael , Nayak Anupma , Maxwell Kara , Domchek Susan , Nathanson Katherine
Published: August 2021

Recurrence is a major cause of death among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with breast (BrCa) and ovarian cancers (OvCa). We performed multi-omic sequencing on 67 paired primary and recurrent BrCa and OvCa from 27 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers to identify potential recurrence-specific drivers. PARP1 amplifications were identified in recurrences (FDR q = 0.05), and PARP1 was significantly overexpressed across primary BrCa and recurrent BrCa and OvCa, independent of amplification status. RNA-seq analysis found two BRCA2 isoforms, BRCA2-201/Long and BRCA2-001/Short, predicted sensitive and insensitive to nonsense-mediated decay, respectively. BRCA2-001/Short was expressed more frequently in recurrences and associated with reduced overall survival in breast cancer (87 vs. 121 months; HR = 2.5 [1.18–5.5]). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) status was discordant in 25% of patient’s primary and recurrent tumors, with switching between both LOH and lack of LOH found. Our study revealed multiple potential drivers of recurrent disease in BRCA1/2 mutation-associated cancer, improving our understanding of tumor evolution and suggesting potential biomarkers.
Uncertainty Estimator-Based Sliding Mode Control For a Novel Spherical Robot With Cable Transmission Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Lufeng , Ren Xuemei , Zheng Dongdong
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a new spherical robot with a cable transmission mechanism. Cable transmission mechanism replaces conventional gear train to eliminate the influence of gear backlash, lower the costs on mechanical customization, and can be arranged flexibly. By projection method, the 3D robot dynamic model with structural asymmetry is decoupled into balance subsystem and velocity subsystem, and the kinetics equations are established based on Newton-Euler's law. To estimate the unknown structural dynamics in the balance subsystem and external disturbance in the velocity subsystem, adaptive law containing both control and estimation error information is proposed for the uncertainty estimator (UE) design. Then, an uncertainty estimator-based sliding mode controller (UESMC) is introduced for balance and velocity control, leading to enhanced disturbance rejection capability and a reduced steady-state error. Simulations and experiments on a real spherical robot are conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control strategies.
Comparing The Impact On The Prognosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction Critical Patients of Using Midazolam, Propofol, and Dexmedetomidine for Sedation
Authors: Jiang Xiaowei , Yan Min
Published: August 2021

Background: There are less studies focusing on the sedative therapy of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) critical patients. This study aim to compare the impact on the prognosis of AMI critical patients of using midazolam, propofol and dexmedetomidine. Methods: We collected clinical data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC III) database. Data on 427 AMI patients with sedatives using were recruited from in Coronary Heart Disease Intensive Care unit (CCU) . Results: There were 143 patients in midazolam using, 272 in propofol using and 28 in dexmedetomidine using. The rate of 28-days mortality was 23.9% in overall patients. Through logistic regression analysis, midazolam using was significant association with increased 28-days mortality when compared with non-midazolam using group (propofol or dexmedetomidine using). In the subgroup analysis of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), white blood cell (WBC), beta-block, and revascularization, the association between midazolam using and increased 28-days mortality remained significantly. Through propensity score matching, 140 patients using midazolam groups and 192 using non-midazolam on the sedation were successfully matched, the midazolam using group presented with higher rate of CCU mortality, hospital mortality and 28-days mortality, longer of mechanical ventilation time and CCU duration.Conclusion: Propofol or dexmedetomidine is prefer to be used in AMI critical patients for sedative therapy.
Female Homicides and Femicides in Ecuador: A Nationwide Ecological Analysis From 2001-2017
Authors: Ortiz-Prado Esteban , Villagran Paola , Abarca Ana M , Henriquez Aquiles R , Simbaña-Rivera Katherine , Gómez-Barreno Lenin , Diaz Ana M. , Moyano Carla E , Arcos-Valle Vanessa , Miño Maria Dolores , Morgan Sara
Published: August 2021

Background: Gender-based violence is a major public health concern arising from the structural discrimination of women and girls. In 2014, Ecuador criminalized acts of femicide in response to a growing crisis across the region. As no epidemiological studies on the state of female homicides have been published, we estimated trends occurring between 2001 and 2017. Methods: Using data from the National Institute of Census and Statistics we estimated the annual mortality rates, cumulative incidence and incidence risks differences for female homicides, from 2001 – 2017. The impact of aggressions, assaults and violence on years of life lost due to premature mortality was estimated using the Human Capital method. Results: Over the period, at least 3,236 cases of female homicides were reported. The highest murder rate occurred in the province of Sucumbíos (6·5 per 100,000) and in the Putumayo canton (12·5 per 100,000). The most common way to murder their victims was using firearms (38%). The highest incidence risk was estimated for women aged between 25-29, at 4·5 (3·9 – 5·1), of primary school attainment at 17·2 (14·6 - 20·3) and of Afro-Ecuadoran descent 18·1 (10·5- 30·9). Femicide-related costs reached, on average, $35 million per year and more than $500 million lost from 2001 to 2017. Conclusions: The high rates, distribution and cost indicate that investments are urgently needed to address the structural causes and reduce the impact of femicides in Ecuador; thereby protecting the livelihood and well-being of their women and girls.
How Accurate Geomagnetic Regional Modeling Using Ordinary Kriging For Clustered Distributed Data?: New Insight From Indonesian Archipelago
Authors: Syirojudin Muhamad , Haryono Eko , Ahadi Suaidi
Published: August 2021

Indonesia relies only on the limited number of repeat station networks due to the archipelago setting with the extensive sea with the clustery distributed pattern. This paper explored geostatistical modeling to overcome that typical data characteristic. The modeling used repeat station data from the 1985 to 2015 epoch. The research used ordinary kriging (OK) compared to the Spherical Cap Harmonic Analysis (SCHA) and Polynomial. The results show that the root means square error (RMSE) of each declination, inclination, and total intensity vary among epochs. OK method for declination component produces smaller average RMSE (7.67 minutes) than SCHA (9.26 minutes) and Polynomial (7.97minutes). For the inclination component, OK has an average RMSE of 9.55 minutes, smaller than SCHA (10.05) but slightly higher than Polynomial (9.36 minutes). For the total intensity component, OK produce an average RMSE of 63.58 nT, smaller than SCHA (82.24 nT) and Polynomial (68.97 nT). The finding shows that the kriging method can be a promising method to model the regional geomagnetic field, especially in the area of limited available data and clustered distributed data.
Intrinsic Signal Processed Non-Linearity Tolerant Novel 2-Tier Star Constellation
Authors: khaki zahid , Qazi Gausia
Published: August 2021

In coherent optical systems, optical fiber non-linearity is a consistent limiting factor towards the effective signal-to-noise ratio though being mitigated by various digital signal processing based approaches. In this paper, an intrinsic method of signal processing based on the shape of the input constellation is employed to yield a novel non-linearity tolerant geometric constellation. 16-QAM back-to-back coherent system is optimized for minimum value of non-linear interference, and a novel 2-tier star constellation using sequential quadratic programming algorithm is proposed. The values of second and fourth order moments of input obtained for the optimized 2-tier star constellation are 1.19 and 1.70 respectively, resulting in an overall reduction of non-linear interference.
Endemicity And Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis Delta Virus Among Pygmies In Cameroon, Central Africa.
Authors: Foupouapouognigni Yacouba , Toumansie Jacques Delors Mfonkou , Boyomo Onana , Gessain Antoine , Njouom Richard
Published: August 2021

A single study conducted two decades ago on hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infections among Baka Pygmies in Cameroon reported a very high antibody prevalence of 46%, but HDV genetic diversity has not yet been studied in this remote population. In the present study, we investigated the HDV seroprevalence and the genotype diversity in the three main Cameroonian Pygmy populations with chronic HBV infection. An unusually high (69.2%) level of HDV infection was found among HBsAg-positive Pygmies in Cameroon. Phylogenetic analyses showed the co-circulation of highly diverse HDV genotypes HDV-1 and HDV-7 in this population. These results highlighted the endemicity of HDV infection in Central Africa and suggest an african origin of HDV.
Comparison of The Peritoneal Dialysis and Continuous Veno-Venous Hemodiafiltration in 16 Neonates With Maple Syrup Urine Disease
Authors: DEGER Ibrahim , Çelik Muhittin , Taş Ibrahim , Samancı Serhat
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is a well-known treatment modality for patients with acute renal failure and has been increasingly used for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) in recent years. Herein, we aimed to discuss our experience in 16 newborn patients with MSUD who were treated with urgent renal replacement therapy (RRT).Materials and Method: The data of patients who presented with an acute metabolic crisis due to Maple syrup urine disease and who were treated with RRT at Neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) between November 2016 and March 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients underwent continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) as renal replacement therapy.Results: The study enrolled a total of 16 patients, of which 8 were male and 8 were female. Eleven (68.75%) patients underwent CVVHDF and five (31.25%) underwent peritoneal dialysis. The median post-treatment leucine level was 198(20-721) μmol/L in the CVVHDF group and 1050(303-1653) μmol/L in the PD group; the median leucine reduction rate per hour was 2.56% (1.75-7.6) in the CVVHDF group and 0.78% (0.54-1.83) in the PD group. There was a significant difference between both groups regarding both parameters (p= 0.08, p=0.001, respectively). Complications such as hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, and filter obstruction occurred in the CVVHDF group while catheter revision was needed due to catheter obstruction in one patient in the PD group.Conclusion: This study showed that CVVHDF is more effective than PD for rapidly eliminating elevated Leucine levels caused by MSUD in the newborn and it is not associated with increased complication rates.
Digital Droplet PCR (ddPCR) for Detection and Quantitation of Hepatitis Delt Virus
Authors: Xu Ling , Zhang Xiangying , Cao Yaling , Fan Zihao , Tian Yuan , Zou Huaibin , Duan Zhongping , Ren Feng
Published: August 2021

Background & Aims

The prevalence of hepatitis delt virus (HDV) far exceeds our expected level, there remains a lack of reliable quantitative assays for HDV RNA detection. We sought to develop a new method based on digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) for HDV RNA quantitative detection.
Methods

With plasmid (pMD19T) containing HDV full-genome, we determined the method for ddPCR-based HDV RNA quantification. To compare various assays for HDV detection, 30 cases diagnosed hepatitis D and 14 controls were examined by ELISA, RT-PCR and ddPCR. 728 HBV-related patients including 182 chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 182 liver cirrhosis (LC), 182 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 182 liver failure (LF) were screened for HDV infection.
Results

The limit of detection of ddPCR for HDV is significantly low, which lower limit of detection (LLoD) and lower limit of quantitation (LLoQ) to be 5.51 copies/reaction (95% CI: 1.15–6.4*105) and 0.18 copies/reaction (95% CI: 0.0012151- 0.76436), respectively. Among the 44 samples, ELISA detected 30 cases positive for anti-HDV, ddPCR reported 24 samples and RT-PCR reported 10 samples positive for HDV RNA. Moreover, the positive rates of anti-HDV IgG were 1.1%, 3.3%, 2.7% and 7.1% in patients with CHB, LC, HCC, and LF; the detection rates of RT-PCR in HDV RNA were 0%, 16.67%, 15.4% and 20%, however, the detection rates of ddPCR were 0%, 33.33%, 30.77% and 60%.
Conclusion

We establish a high sensitivity and high specificity quantitative HDV RNA detection method based on ddPCR compared to RT-PCR. HBV-related end-stage liver disease, especially liver failure, are associated with a remarkably high rate of HDV infection.
Can Cardiac Biomarkers (Troponin-I and CK-MB) Indicate Disease Severity and Predict Mortality in Septic Newborns?
Authors: Orman Ayşen , Altun Mustafa Maksut , Benli Samet , Çağlar Atika , Taşkın Erdal , Hakan Nilay , Aydin Mustafa
Published: August 2021

Aim: Sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality for newborn babies. Cardiac involvement plays an important role in the pathophysiology of sepsis and has a significant effect on prognosis. In this study, the relationship between cardiac biomarkers, such as troponin-I (cTnI) and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) levels, and prognosis in neonatal sepsis were investigated.Methods: A total of 87 patients with culture positive sepsis (Group I, n = 26) or clinical sepsis (Group II, n =61) were included in the study. The control group (Group III) consisted of 42 non-septic otherwise healthy newborns. The demographic data of the cases (gestational age, postnatal age, gender, age at diagnosis) and laboratory examination results (complete blood count, C-reactive protein, cTnI, CK-MB, blood gases and lactate and culture-antibiogram results) were recorded in the previously prepared study forms. In addition, the outcome (survival or death), and short- and long-term prognosis of the cases (epilepsy, neuromotor disability, vision-hearing problems, etc.) were also recorded.Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of gender, gestational age and birth weight. CK-MB level was high in 77%, 74%, and 71% of cases for Group I, Group II and Group III, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the rates of CK-MB levels in the patients who died and survived (15.8% and 11.8%, respectively) (p > 0.05). The cTnI cut-off value for the newborns included in the study was found to be 0.13 ng/ml (sensitivity 89.5%, specificity 90.9%). It was observed that a 0.001 unit increase in cTnI value (p =0.012) increased the risk of death 1.4 times.Conclusion: There is a relationship between cTnI test abnormality and mortality in septic newborns. However, multi-center studies involving more cases are needed to determine the relationship between cTnI test abnormality and long-term prognosis of patients.
Direct Repair of Extensor Mechanism Disruption After Total Knee Arthroplasty “A Case Series of 31 Patients”
Authors: Li Tie-jian , Sun Jing-yang , Du Yin-qiao , Shen Jun-min , Zhang Bo-han , Zhou Yonggang
Published: August 2021

Background

Extensor mechanism disruption following total knee arthroplasty is a destructive complication with poor outcomes. Presently, limited data exists regarding the direct repair therapy and long-term outcomes. This study was to evaluate the clinical results and complications of direct repair therapy, and compare it with similar studies to determine whether there is a better treatment.
Methods

During the period of 2008 to 2020, 31 patients underwent direct repair for an extensor mechanism disruption after total knee arthroplasty (15 patellar fractures, 9 patellar tendon disruptions, and 7 quadriceps tendon disruptions). Mean follow-up was 4.9 years. Demographic, operative, and clinical data were collected. The following statistical methods will be employed to analyze the data: descriptive statistics, paired t test, and the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results

For all 31 patients underwent direct repair for extensor mechanism disruption, 6 patients failed : 2 knees (6%) of infections and 4 knees (13%) of re-rupture. ROM was 94.1° ± 15.7° preoperatively to 73° ±52° postoperatively, average extensor lag reduced from 45° to 20.2° at follow-up, and the WOMAC and HSS averaged 65 and 72 points. The Kaplan-Meier estimated survivorship with failure for complications as the end point was 81% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 42.7% to73.3%) at 12 years.
Conclusion

Direct repair of the extensor mechanism disruption is not an ideal therapy, it’s actually ineffective for the recovery of knee joint function in patients, and will remain severe knee extension lag. No matter which part of the extensor mechanism disruption, direct repair should not be the preferred treatment
Application of a Novel Artificial Neural Network Model in Flood Forecasting
Authors: Wang Guangsheng , Yang Jianqing , Hu Yuzhong , Li Jingbing , Yin Zhjie
Published: August 2021

In this paper, a novel ANN flood forecasting model is proposed. The ANN model is combined with traditional hydrological concepts and methods, takes the initial Antecedent Precipitation Index (API), rainfall, upstream inflow and initial flow at the forecast river section as input of model. The distributed rainfall is realized as the input of the model. The simulation is processed by dividing the watershed into several rainfall-runoff processing units. Two hidden layers are used in the ANN, and the topology of ANN is optimized by connecting the hidden layer neurons only with the input which has physical conceptual causes. Topological structure of the proposed ANN model and its information transmission process are more consistent with the physical conception of rainfall-runoff, and the weight parameters of the model are reduced. The arithmetic moving-average algorithm is added to the output of the model to simulate the pondage action of the watershed. Satisfactory results have been achieved in the upstream of Second Songhua river in Songhua basin from the Baishan reservoir to Fengman reservoir sections, and the Mozitan and Xianghongdian reservoirs in the upper reaches of Pi river in Huaihe Basin in China.
Variation of Aulacoseira Granulata As An Eco-Pollution Indicator In Sub-Tropical Large River Ganga In India: A Multivariate Analytical Approach
Authors: Mohanty Trupti Rani , Tiwari Nitish Kumar , Kumari Suman , Ray Archisman , Manna Ranjan Kumar , Bayen Supriti , Roy Shreya , Gupta Subhadeep Das , Ramteke Mitesh Hiradas , Swain Himanshu Sekhar , Bhor Manisha , Das Basanta Kumar
Published: August 2021

Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg) Simonsen 1979 is one of the major ecological indicators of the water quality of lotic as well as lentic aquatic ecosystems. To assess major environmental factors contributor to A.granulata bloom in the riverine system, a study was carried out from 2018 to 2019 comprising four different seasons at 11 sampling sites of river Ganga in the middle and lower stretch of river Ganga comprising freshwater and estuarine zones. For the analysis, different univariate, as well as multivariate analytical tools such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Water pollution Index (WPI), were used. In the finding, it was observed that the average abundance of Aulacoseira granulata was found maximum during the winter season. Among all the studied sites, the maximum average abundance was at Balagarh (71576 cell l-1) and minimum at Diamond Harbour (68 cell l-1). The environmental factors such as dissolved oxygen, depth, and altitude showed a positive and water temperature negatively influencing the growth rate of A. granulate. WPI showed a significantly negative correlation with cell length. Finally, the study concludes that the blooming of Aulacoseira granulata is highly influenced by varied environmental conditions along the river Ganga suggesting possible eutrophication. Therefore, a certain minimum flow and depth especially during the lean season have to be maintained for the sustenance of planktonic biota in the river Ganga.
Slug and Vimentin Downregulation at the Metastatic Site is Associated with Skip-N2 Metastasis of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Saygideger Yasemin , AVCI Alper , BAGIR Emine , Demir Burcu Saygıdeğer , SEZAN Aycan , EKICI Mucahit , BAYDAR Oya , ERKIN Özgür Cem
Published: August 2021

Objective: Lung cancer displays heterogeneity both in the tumor itself and in its metastatic regions. One interesting behavior of the tumor is known as Skip N2 metastasis, which N2 lymph nodes contain tumor cells while N1 are clean. In this study, mRNA levels of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) related genes in skip N2 and normal N2 involvements of non-small cell lung cancer tissues were investigated to evaluate the possible molecular background that may contribute to the pathogenesis of Skip N2 metastasis. Materials and Methods: Eighty-three surgically resected and paraffin embedded lymph node samples of lung cancer patients were analyzed in this study, which 40 of them were Skip N2. N2 tissues were sampled from 50% tumor containing areas and total RNA was extracted. mRNA levels for 18S, E-cadherin, Vimentin, ZEB1 and SLUG were analyzed via qPCR and E-cadherin and vimentin protein levels via immunohistochemistry (IHC). Bioinformatic analysis were adopted using online datasets to evaluate significantly co-expressed genes with SLUG in lung cancer tissue samples.Results: Skip-N2 patients who had adenocarcinoma subtype had better survival rates. Comparative analysis of PCR results indicated that Skip N2 tumor tissues had increased E-Cadherin/Vimentin ratio and ZEB1 mRNA expression, and significantly decreased levels of SLUG. E-cadherin IHC staining were higher in Skip N2 and Vimentin were in Non-Skip N2. TP63 had a strong correlation with SLUG expression in the bioinformatics analyses.Conclusion: The results indicate that, at molecular level, Skip N2 pathogenesis has different molecular background and regulation of SLUG expression may orchestrate the process.
The Association Between Falls and Physical and Psychological Conditions in Physically Disabled Elderly People: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Zhengquan , Mao Lin , Li Yanyan , Chen Nan , Du Qing
Published: August 2021

Background

Falling in physically disabled people is a worldwide social issue and associated with declined physical and psychological health. This study aimed to clarify the physical and psychological conditions in physically disabled people and to explore whether those conditions are the risk factors of falls.
Methods

One hundred and forty-six physically disabled people were recruited (age 64.2 ± 5.7, ranging from 43 to 77). Their demographic information, psychological status, musculoskeletal conditions, and history of falls in the past year were collected, and mobility was evaluated. A logistic regression analysis was used to clarify the risk factors of falls with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve exploring the effectiveness of the regression model on fall diagnosis via area under the curve (AUC). A subgroup analysis was done between the disabled participants with and without poliomyelitis (polio).
Results

The cause of disability (polio or no-polio), gender, disability grade, and functional gait assessment were significantly associated with falls (all p < 0.05, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.320), and ROC curve indicated that AUC of this model was 0.805 (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.735–0.876, Youden Index = 0.502). The subgroup analysis showed that the polio group (75 of the 146 participants) had a longer history of disability (t = 12.360, p < 0.001) than the no-polio disabled group while there were no significant differences in the other demographic information (all p > 0.05). The proportion of moderate anxiety in the no-polio participants was significantly higher than that in the polio group (p < 0.001) but the polio group had more musculoskeletal conditions. In the mobility test, the polio participants walked slower in the timed-up-and-go test (t = 2.050, p = 0.042) and had a higher rate of recurrent falls (χ2 = 14.916, p < 0.001) than the no-polio disabled group.
Conclusions

The disabled people with a high risk of falling can be identified through a 10-minute screening (cause of disability, gender, disability grade, and gait stability testing). The physical conditions of the polio disabled people were relatively more affected.
Prevalence of Significant and Advanced Hepatic Fibrosis in Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)
Authors: Kim Mimi , Yoon Eileen Laurel , Cho Seon , Lee Chul-min , Kang Bo Kyeong , Jun Dae Won , Nah Eun-Hee
Published: August 2021

Background: There are several reports on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in the general population. But the fibrosis burden of MAFLD in general population is largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of significant and advanced fibrosis associated with MAFLD in a health check-up cohort.Materials and methods: Participants who underwent magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) at nationwide thirteen health check-up centers were included in this cross-sectional study. Fatty liver was evaluated using ultrasonography. Significant (≥F2) and advanced (≥F3) hepatic fibrosis were defined by MRE thresholds of 3.0 kPa (range: 2.99–3.65 kPa) and 3.6 kPa (range: 3.4–3.9 kPa), respectively. The sex- and age-standardized prevalence of MAFLD and hepatic fibrosis were estimated.Results: Total 6,775 health check-up adults included analysis. The sex- and age-standardized prevalence of MAFLD was 33.9%. Prevalence of MAFLD was higher in males than in females, and increased with age. The prevalence of diabetes in MAFLD was 13.3%, and 73.6% of subjects with diabetes had MAFLD. The sex- and age-standardized prevalence of significant (≥F2) and advanced hepatic fibrosis (≥F3) was 9.7% (range: 3.0–9.8%) and 3.0% (range: 2.6–4.6%), respectively, in MAFLD subjects. The prevalence of advanced hepatic fibrosis in diabetic with MAFLD 9.5% (range: 7.5–12.7%).Conclusion: The sex- and age-standardized prevalence of advanced fibrosis was 3.0% (range: 2.6–4.6%) in subjects with MAFLD, respectively.
Higher Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio is Association with an Increased Risk of Fatal Stroke Occurrence in Older Chinese
Authors: Hu Zhi-bing , Lu Ze-xiong , Zhu Feng
Published: August 2021

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has linked to a mortality risk of coronary heart disease. However, it is unclear whether the NLR is related to the risk of fatal stroke in a relatively healthy elderly population.Aims: To evaluate the association between the NLR and the risk of fatal stroke in elderly populations.Methods: In total, 27811 participants without a stroke history at baseline were included and followed up for a mean of 11.5 (standard deviation=2.3) years. After review of available records, 503 stroke deaths (ischaemic 227, haemorrhagic 172 and unclassified 104) were recorded. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the relationship between the NLR and future risk of fatal stroke, fatal ischaemic stroke or fatal haemorrhagic stroke.Results: (1) Compared with those in the 1st quartile and after adjustments for a series of factors, those in the highest neutrophil (NEUT) quartile had a 45% and a 65% increased risk of fatal stroke (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.89, P=0.008) and fatal ischaemic stroke (aHR=1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.47, P=0.02), respectively; while no significant relationship was obtained between the lymphocyte (LYM) and the risk of fatal stroke. (2) The restricted cubic splines showed an increased trend of relationship between the NLR and the risk of fatal stroke occurrence. Compared with those in the lowest quartile (≤ 1.39), the participants with the highest NLR (≥ 2.24) had a 76% and a 115% increased risk of fatal stroke (aHR=1.76, 95% CI 1.33-2.32) and fatal ischaemic stroke (aHR=2.15, 95% CI 1.41-3.28), respectively; Similar associations for stroke and ischaemic stroke were obtained after further adjustment for C-reactive protein. (3) Compared with those in NLR ≤ 1.75, the participants in NLR > 1.75 had a 57% and a 91% increased risk of fatal stroke (aHR=1.57, 95%CI 1.20-2.06) and fatal ischaemic stroke (aHR=1.91, 95%CI 1.27-2.88), respectively. (3) As a continuous variable, the NLR presented an increased risk of fatal stroke (aHR=1.11 95%CI 1.06-1.17) and fatal ischaemic stroke (aHR=1.15 95%CI 1.09-1.21), respectively.Conclusions: Higher NLR was associated with an increased risk of fatal stroke and fatal ischaemic stroke occurrence in a relatively healthy elderly population.The clinicians should pay more attention to asymptomatic inflammatory characteristics in relatively healthy older population.
Does Disability Increase Households’ Health Financial Risk: Evidence From The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: GUETS Wilfried , Behera Deepak Kumar Kumar
Published: August 2021

Background: In the last few years, there has been a worldwide commitment to protect the vulnerable individuals from higher financial risk through out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure and provide a platform for universal access to healthcare through a pre-payment insurance mechanism. In a developing country like Uganda, OOP spending represents a significant component of health expenditure. Financial risk protection strategy for the vulnerable is always a debatable issue in these economies. Therefore, this study examines the influence of disability and socio-demographic factors on households’ health financial risks in Uganda.Methods: We used cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) collected in 2016 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in Uganda. We measured Financial risk (households’ health expenditure) by money paid for health care services. We estimated the “probit” model to investigate the effect of disability on health financial risk.Results: A total of 19,305 households were included in this study. Almost 33% of households paid money for health care services access, among which 32% paid through out-of-pocket. Almost 41% of household heads were affected by disability. The majority (73%) of families went to the public sector for health care services. The mean age was 45 years (SD±15). We find that disability significantly increases the probability of household financial risk (p < 0.01). The private sector’s choice for health care services is likely to increase the financial risk compared to the public sector (p < 0.01). The wealthier the household was, the more money paid for health service was (p < 0.01).Conclusion: Our results indicated that disability and household socio-demographic characteristics were associated with health financial risk in Uganda. Identifying families with disability and experiencing difficult living conditions constitute an entry point for health authorities to enhance health coverage progress in low – middle-income countries.JEL Classification: J14; I14; J1; I32; J71; C83
Construction of Full-length Infectious cDNA Clones of Two Korean Isolates of Turnip Mosaic Virus Breaking Resistance in Brassica Napus
Authors: Song Zheng-Xing , Seo Eun-Young , Hu Wen-Xing , Jeong Jong-Hyeon , Moon Jae Sun , Kim Kang-Hee , Eom Won-Seob , Cho In-Sook , Hammond John , Lim Hyoun-Sub
Published: August 2021

In this work, two new Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) strains (Canola-12 and Canola-14) overcoming resistance in canola (Brassica napus) were isolated from a B. napus sample which showed typical TuMV-like symptoms and was collected from Gimcheon city, South Korea in 2020. Complete genomes and infectious clones of each isolate were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strains isolated from canola belonged to the World-B group. Both infectious clones which were driven by 35S and T7 promoters induced systemic symptoms on Nicotiana benthamiana and B. napus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TuMV infecting B. napus in South Korea.