bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease: how one crisis worsens the other
Authors: Xia Xiaohuan , Wang Yi , Zheng Jialin
Published: May 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has emerged as a key comorbidity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 are elevated in AD due to multiple pathological changes in AD patients such as the excessive expression of viral receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 and pro-inflammatory molecules, various AD complications including diabetes, lifestyle alterations in AD, and drug-drug interactions. Meanwhile, COVID-19 has also been reported to cause various neurologic symptoms including cognitive impairment that may ultimately result in AD, probably through the invasion of SARS-CoV-2 into the central nervous system, COVID-19-induced inflammation, long-term hospitalization and delirium, and post-COVID-19 syndrome. In addition, the COVID-19 crisis also worsens behavioral symptoms in uninfected AD patients and poses new challenges for AD prevention. In this review, we first introduce the symptoms and pathogenesis of COVID-19 and AD. Next, we provide a comprehensive discussion on the aggravating effects of AD on COVID-19 and the underlying mechanisms from molecular to social levels. We also highlight the influence of COVID-19 on cognitive function, and propose possible routes of viral invasion into the brain and potential mechanisms underlying the COVID-19-induced cognitive impairment. Last, we summarize the negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on uninfected AD patients and dementia prevention.
Comprehensive analysis of coding and non-coding RNA transcriptomes related to hypoxic adaptation in Tibetan chickens
Authors: Zhang Ying , Su Woyu , Zhang Bo , Ling Yao , Kim Woo Kyun , Zhang Hao
Published: May 2021

Background

Tibetan chickens, a unique native breed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China, possess a suite of adaptive features that enable them to tolerate the high-altitude hypoxic environment. Increasing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play roles in the hypoxic adaptation of high-altitude animals, although their exact involvement remains unclear.

Results

This study aimed to elucidate the global landscape of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs using transcriptome sequencing to construct a regulatory network of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and thus provide insights into the hypoxic adaptation of Tibetan chicken embryos. In total, 354 differentially expressed genes (DE genes), 389 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs), and 73 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs) were identified between Tibetan chickens (TC) and control Chahua chickens (CH). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that several important DE miRNAs and their target DE lncRNAs and DE genes are involved in angiogenesis (including blood vessel development and blood circulation) and energy metabolism (including glucose, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism). The ceRNA network was then constructed with the predicted DE gene-DE miRNA-DE lncRNA interactions, which further revealed the regulatory roles of these differentially expressed RNAs during hypoxic adaptation of Tibetan chickens.

Conclusions

Analysis of transcriptomic data revealed several key candidate ceRNAs that may play high-priority roles in the hypoxic adaptation of Tibetan chickens by regulating angiogenesis and energy metabolism. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of hypoxic adaptation regulatory networks from the perspective of coding and non-coding RNAs.
Impact of modification to DSM-5 criterion A for hypomania/mania in newly diagnosed bipolar patients: findings from the prospective BIO study
Authors: Fredskild Mette U. , Stanislaus Sharleny , Coello Klara , Melbye Sigurd A. , Kjærstad Hanne Lie , Sletved Kimie Stefanie Ormstrup , Suppes Trisha , Vinberg Maj , Kessing Lars Vedel
Published: May 2021

Background

DSM-IV states that criterion A for diagnosing hypomania/mania is mood change. The revised DSM-5 now states that increased energy or activity must be present alongside mood changes to diagnose hypomania/mania, thus raising energy/activity to criterion A. We set out to investigate how the change in criterion A affects the diagnosis of hypomanic/manic visits in patients with a newly diagnosed bipolar disorder.

Results

In this prospective cohort study, 373 patients were included (median age = 32; IQR, 27–40). Women constituted 66% (n = 245) of the cohort and 68% of the cohort (n = 253) met criteria for bipolar type II, the remaining patients were diagnosed bipolar type I. Median number of contributed visits was 2 per subject (IQR, 1–3) and median follow-up time was 3 years (IQR, 2–4). During follow-up, 127 patients had at least one visit with fulfilled DSM-IV criterion A. Applying DSM-5 criterion A reduced the number of patients experiencing a hypomanic/manic visit by 62% at baseline and by 50% during longitudinal follow-up, compared with DSM-IV criterion A. Fulfilling DSM-5 criterion A during follow-up was associated with higher modified young mania rating scale score (OR = 1.51, CL [1.34, 1.71], p < 0.0001) and increased number of visits contributed (OR = 1.86, CL [1.52, 2.29], p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Applying the stricter DSM-5 criterion A in a cohort of newly diagnosed bipolar patients reduced the number of patients experiencing a hypomanic/manic visit substantially, and was associated with higher overall young mania rating scale scores, compared with DSM-IV criterion A. Consequently, fewer hypomanic/manic visits may be detected in newly diagnosed bipolar patients with applied DSM-5 criterion A, and the upcoming ICD-11, which may possibly result in longer diagnostic delay of BD as compared with the DSM-IV.
The effective interplay of (non-) selective NSAIDs with neostigmine in animal models of analgesia and inflammation
Authors: Gowayed Mennatallah A , Abdel-Bary Amany , El-Tahan Rasha A
Published: May 2021

Background

Surgical procedures cause perioperative immunosuppression and neuroendocrine stress, exerted by activation of the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (ACHEI); neostigmine, is known clinically for its analgesic effect in the perioperative phases proving high efficacy; besides possessing anti-inflammatory properties controlling immune cells and cytokine level. Hence, this study evaluated and compared the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the combination of selective Cox-2 inhibitor; celecoxib, with neostigmine versus a combination of the non-selective Cox inhibitor; diclofenac, with neostigmine; in different experimental models of analgesia and inflammation in rats.

Methods

Analgesic activity of neostigmine with/without diclofenac or celecoxib was assessed in female Sprague-Dawely rats using the tail clip model and acetic acid induced writhing. Serum level of β-endorphin was assessed after the tail clip test. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using acute and sub-chronic formalin induced paw edema. At the end of the sub-chronic formalin test, blood samples were collected for analysis of anti-inflammatory, liver and kidney function markers. Livers, kidneys and hind paws were also examined histopathologically.

Results

Addition of neostigmine to selective or non-selective NSAIDs (celecoxib or diclofenac) causes an increased level of analgesia of NSAIDs with rapid onset of action and short duration, while causing potentiation of the anti-inflammatory effect of neostigmine as seen in the tail clip, writhing, formalin test, Cox-1 and Cox-2 activities, serum β-endorphin, TNF-α, NF-кB and HS-CRP. All combinations of this study disturb some kidney and liver functions, however with normal histopathological appearances, while hind paws reveal improved inflammatory infiltration in all treated groups.

Conclusions

Selective and non-selective NSAIDs examined in this study could be good adjunct options to general anesthetic agents and neostigmine in perioperative stages, an outcome that needs further clinical investigations.
Therapeutic targeting of Lyn kinase to treat chorea-acanthocytosis
Authors: Peikert Kevin , Federti Enrica , Matte Alessandro , Constantin Gabriela , Pietronigro Enrica Caterina , Fabene Paolo Francesco , Defilippi Paola , Turco Emilia , Del Gallo Federico , Pucci Pietro , Amoresano Angela , Illiano Anna , Cozzolino Flora , Monti Maria , Garello Francesca , Terreno Enzo , Alper Seth Leo , Glaß Hannes , Pelzl Lisann , Akgün Katja , Ziemssen Tjalf , Ordemann Rainer , Lang Florian , Brunati Anna Maria , Tibaldi Elena , Andolfo Immacolata , Iolascon Achille , Bertini Giuseppe , Buffelli Mario , Zancanaro Carlo , Lorenzetto Erika , Siciliano Angela , Bonifacio Massimiliano , Danek Adrian , Walker Ruth Helen , Hermann Andreas , De Franceschi Lucia
Published: May 2021

Chorea-Acanthocytosis (ChAc) is a devastating, little understood, and currently untreatable neurodegenerative disease caused by VPS13A mutations. Based on our recent demonstration that accumulation of activated Lyn tyrosine kinase is a key pathophysiological event in human ChAc cells, we took advantage of Vps13a−/− mice, which phenocopied human ChAc. Using proteomic approach, we found accumulation of active Lyn, γ-synuclein and phospho-tau proteins in Vps13a−/− basal ganglia secondary to impaired autophagy leading to neuroinflammation. Mice double knockout Vps13a−/− Lyn−/− showed normalization of red cell morphology and improvement of autophagy in basal ganglia. We then in vivo tested pharmacologic inhibitors of Lyn: dasatinib and nilotinib. Dasatinib failed to cross the mouse brain blood barrier (BBB), but the more specific Lyn kinase inhibitor nilotinib, crosses the BBB. Nilotinib ameliorates both Vps13a−/− hematological and neurological phenotypes, improving autophagy and preventing neuroinflammation. Our data support the proposal to repurpose nilotinib as new therapeutic option for ChAc patients.
Green synthesized plant-based silver nanoparticles: therapeutic prospective for anticancer and antiviral activity
Authors: Jain Nancy , Jain Priyanshu , Rajput Devyani , Patil Umesh Kumar
Published: May 2021

Nanotechnology holds an emerging domain of medical science as it can be utilized virtually in all areas. Phyto-constituents are valuable and encouraging candidates for synthesizing green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which possess great potentials toward chronic diseases. This review gives an overview of the Green approach of AgNPs synthesis and its characterization. The present review further explores the potentials of Phyto-based AgNPs toward anticancer and antiviral activity including its probable mechanism of action. Green synthesized AgNPs prepared by numerous medicinal plants extract are critically reviewed for cancer and viral infection. Thus, this article mainly highlights green synthesized Phyto-based AgNPs with their potential applications for cancer and viral infection including mechanism of action and therapeutic future prospective in a single window.
Mössbauer study of iron gall inks on historical documents
Authors: Lerf A. , Wagner F. E. , Dreher M. , Espejo T. , Pérez-Rodríguez J.-L.
Published: May 2021

Iron gall ink was used in the Western world as a permanent writing material already in late Roman times and throughout the Middle Ages, until it became obsolete in the twentieth century. There is much interest in experimental methods to determine the state of the ink and its degradation products on historical documents. Mössbauer spectroscopy with 57Fe is such a method, and it has the particular advantage to be sensitive to the chemical bonding of iron, but this method has only rarely been applied to historical documents. In this paper we present Mössbauer data for two damaged documents from a Library in Granada and a handwritten German book from the eighteenth century. In addition to the inked parts of the manuscripts, ink-free parts were studied to determine the amount and chemical state of the iron in the papers. These new results are discussed in the context of previously published Mössbauer data. In one of the investigated documents Fe(II)-oxalate, FeC2O4·2H2O, was observed. The assignment of the various Fe3+ sites in the different documents is rather difficult and often there is a superposition of various species. Known forms of iron gallate are definitely not present on the inked papers. The observed ferric species can be remains of Fe3+ polyphenol complexes of the ink, complexes of Fe3+ with degradation products of the cellulose of the paper or gum arabic, or very small iron oxide or hydroxide nanoparticles.
Adequacy of alcohol-based handrub solution production practice in response to COVID-19 in public hospitals found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a multicentered cross-sectional study
Authors: Selam Muluken Nigatu , Bayisa Regasa , Ababu Andualem , Abdella Mahdi , Diriba Edessa , Wale Minychel , Baye Assefa Mulu
Published: May 2021

Background

Proper hand hygiene using alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) is an effective preventive approach for the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and other infections. World Health Organization recommends local production of ABHR solution in healthcare settings which provides a feasible alternative to the use of relatively expensive commercially produced hand sanitizers. The aim of this study was to explore the adequacy of ABHR solution production practice in response to COVID-19 in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was applied using assessment checklist for evaluation of the adequacy of ABHR production practice in compounding units of public hospitals. The evaluation was done with regard to the standard requirements as per the checklist. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data entry and analysis. Descriptive statistics was employed for analyses of data and categorical variables were described by frequencies and percentages.

Results

Out of the 13 public hospitals observed in the study, 11 facilities had dedicated premises for compounding of ABHR solution. Seven facilities determined the concentration of ethanol in ABHR solution using alcoholmeters. Only one health facility had a titration kit and performed a strength test for the hydrogen peroxide raw material. Thermal and chemical disinfection processes were practiced for cleaning of recycled dispensing bottles only in 3 and 2 hospitals, respectively. Most of the hospitals (11 facilities) had standard operating procedures (SOPs) for production, but the majority lack SOPs for beyond-use-date assignment (11 facilities), premise and equipment cleaning (12 facilities), and disinfection of recycled bottles (12 facilities).

Conclusion

Most hospitals have fulfilled the majority requirements of premises required for compounding of ABHR solution in their facilities. Five hospitals did not verify the concentration of ethanol in the ABHR solution which might affect the effectiveness of the product. Generally, lower compliance of the majority studied hospitals to good compounding practice was observed during ABHR solution production especially for product preparation, quality control, and documentation.
Interleukin-9 promotes intestinal barrier injury of sepsis: a translational research
Authors: Sun Jia-Kui , Zhou Jing , Sun Xin-Pei , Shen Xiao , Zhu Dong-Mei , Wang Xiang , Zhou Su-Ming , Mu Xin-Wei
Published: May 2021

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Intestinal mucosal barrier injury is one of the important manifestations of sepsis. Interleukin-9 (IL-9) and IL-9-producing CD4(+) T cells were emerging pro-inflammatory mediators with development of intestinal injury. However, it is unclear whether IL-9 is related to the intestinal barrier injury of sepsis.

Methods

To investigate the roles of IL-9-producing CD4(+) T cells and IL-9 in the process of barrier injury in sepsis, serum IL-9-producing CD4(+) T cell percentages, IL-9, and D-lactate levels were measured in septic patients and controls. The markers of barrier function in serum and intestinal tissue were also collected in septic rats. Moreover, the barrier injury degree and survival rate of septic rats were also investigated after increasing or interfering with IL-9 expression.

Results

The serum IL-9-producing CD4(+) T cell percentages, IL-9, and D-lactate levels were significantly higher in septic patients or rats than those in controls. IL-9-producing CD4(+) T cells and IL-9 levels were positively correlated with D-lactate levels and had a high predictive value of 28-day mortality in septic patients. The non-survivors had significantly higher serum T cell percentages, IL-9, and D-lactate levels compared with survivors. In septic rats, IL-9 increased the expression levels of D-lactate, whereas that decreased the expression levels of zonula occludens 1. Moreover, the barrier injury was aggravated or alleviated by increasing or interfering with IL-9 expression, respectively. Survival rate analysis also showed that IL-9 decreased the 14-day survival rate of septic rats.

Conclusion

IL-9 is closely related to intestinal mucosal barrier injury and mortality in sepsis. IL-9 blockade has the potential to improve the barrier injury in sepsis.

Trial registration

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03791866, Date: December 2018).
Functional relationship between photosynthetic leaf gas exchange in response to silicon application and water stress mitigation in sugarcane
Authors: Verma Krishan K. , Song Xiu-Peng , Verma Chhedi Lal , Chen Zhong-Liang , Rajput Vishnu D. , Wu Kai-Chao , Liao Fen , Chen Gan-Lin , Li Yang-Rui
Published: May 2021

Background

Water stress is one of the serious abiotic stresses that negatively influences the growth, development and production of sugarcane in arid and semi-arid regions. However, silicon (Si) has been applied as an alleviation strategy subjected to environmental stresses.

Methods

In this experiment, Si was applied as soil irrigation in sugarcane plants to understand the mitigation effect of Si against harmful impact of water stress on photosynthetic leaf gas exchange.

Results

In the present study we primarily revealed the consequences of low soil moisture content, which affect overall plant performance of sugarcane significantly. Silicon application reduced the adverse effects of water stress by improving the net photosynthetic assimilation rate (Anet) 1.35–18.75%, stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) 3.26–21.57% and rate of transpiration (E) 1.16–17.83%. The mathematical models developed from the proposed hypothesis explained the functional relationships between photosynthetic responses of Si application and water stress mitigation.

Conclusions

Silicon application showed high ameliorative effects on photosynthetic responses of sugarcane to water stress and could be used for mitigating environmental stresses in other crops, too, in future.
Long term results of accelerated 9 mW corneal crosslinking for early progressive keratoconus: the Siena Eye-Cross Study 2
Authors: Mazzotta Cosimo , Raiskup Frederik , Hafezi Farhad , Torres-Netto Emilio A , Armia Balamoun Ashraf , Giannaccare Giuseppe , Bagaglia Simone Alex
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To assess clinical results of the 9 mW/5.4 J/cm2 accelerated crosslinking (ACXL) in the treatment of progressive keratoconus (KC) over a span of 5 years.

Methods

The prospective open non-randomized interventional study (Siena Eye-Cross Study 2) included 156 eyes of 112 patients with early progressive KC undergoing the Epi-Off 9 mW/5.4 J/cm2 ACXL at the Siena Crosslinking Centre, Italy. The mean age was 18.05 ± 5.6 years. The 20-min treatments were performed using the New KXL I (Avedro, Waltham, USA), 10 min of 0.1% HPMC Riboflavin soaking (VibeX Rapid, Avedro, Waltham, USA) and 10 min of continuous-light UV-A irradiation. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), Kmax, coma, minimum corneal thickness (MCT), surface asymmetry index (SAI), endothelial cell count (ECC) were measured, and corneal OCT performed.

Results

UDVA and CDVA improved significantly at the 3rd (P = 0.028), Δ + 0.17 Snellen lines and 6th postoperative month, respectively (P < 0.001), Δ + 0.23 Snellen lines. Kmax improved at the 6th postoperative month (P = 0.03), Δ − 1.49 diopters from the baseline value. Also, coma aberration value improved significantly (P = 0.004). A mild temporary haze was recorded in 14.77% of patients without affecting visual acuity and without persistent complications. Corneal OCT revealed a mean demarcation line depth at 332.6 ± 33.6 μm.

Conclusion

The 5-year results of Epi-Off 9 mW/5.4 J/cm2 ACXL demonstrated statistically significant improvements in UCVA and CDVA, corneal curvature and corneal higher-order aberrations which confers a long-term stability for progressive ectasia. Based on the results of the Siena Eye-Cross Study 2, the 9 mW/5.4 J/cm2 ACXL is a candidate to be  the natural evolution of Epi-Off CXL treatment for the management of early progressive corneal ectasia, and thus optimize clinic workflow.
Glycine receptor antibodies and coeliac disease-related neurological dysfunction
Authors: Kass-Iliyya Lewis , Sarrigiannis Ptolemaios G. , Sanders David S. , Hadjivassiliou Marios
Published: May 2021

Gluten sensitivity can manifest with a spectrum of neurological dysfunction including ataxia, encephalopathy and neuropathy with or without associated coeliac disease (CD). Gluten sensitivity can also present with central nervous system (CNS) hyperexcitability and cortical myoclonus which is often accompanied with refractory CD. CNS hyperexcitability can also be associated with Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies or much less commonly with Glycine Receptor Antibodies (GlyR-Abs) but the direct pathogenic roles of these antibodies remain debatable. We have previously reported a link between gluten sensitivity and anti-GAD associated ataxia which improves with the adoption of gluten-free diet. It is unclear if a similar link exists between gluten driven CNS hyperexcitability and the presence of GlyR-Abs. We report two cases of CD presenting with CNS hyperexcitability and associated GlyR-Abs. Apart from ataxia and cortical myoclonus, one patient had refractory CD and died from enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. The other patient not only improved with strict gluten-free diet but also showed serological elimination of circulating GlyR-Abs. We conclude that there is an interaction between gluten sensitivity and GlyR-Abs-associated CNS hyperexcitability and in such patients gluten-free diet is an important therapeutic intervention. The elimination of GlyR-Abs by the adoption of gluten free diet suggests that these antibodies may represent an epiphenomenon rather than being directly implicated in the pathogenesis.
Archaeal and bacterial communities assembly and co-occurrence networks in subtropical mangrove sediments under Spartina alterniflora invasion
Authors: Chen Weidong , Wen Donghui
Published: May 2021

Background

Mangrove ecosystems are vulnerable due to the exoticSpartina alterniflora(S. alterniflora) invasion in China. However, little is known about mangrove sediment microbial community assembly processes and interactions underS. alterniflorainvasion. Here, we investigated the assembly processes and co-occurrence networks of the archaeal and bacterial communities underS. alterniflorainvasion along the coastlines of Fujian province, southeast China.

Results

Assembly of overall archaeal and bacterial communities was driven predominantly by stochastic processes, and the relative role of stochasticity was stronger for bacteria than archaea. Co-occurrence network analyses showed that the network structure of bacteria was more complex than that of the archaea. The keystone taxa often had low relative abundances (conditionally rare taxa), suggesting low abundance taxa may significantly contribute to network stability. Moreover,S. alterniflorainvasion increased bacterial and archaeal drift process (part of stochastic processes), and improved archaeal network complexity and stability, but decreased the network complexity and stability of bacteria. This could be attributed toS. alterniflorainvasion influenced microbial communities diversity and dispersal ability, as well as soil environmental conditions.

Conclusions

This study fills a gap in the community assembly and co-occurrence patterns of both archaea and bacteria in mangrove ecosystem underS. alterniflorainvasion. Thereby provides new insights of the plant invasion on mangrove microbial biogeographic distribution and co-occurrence network patterns.
Body coloration as a dynamic signal during intrasexual communication in a cichlid fish
Authors: John Leonie , Rick Ingolf P. , Vitt Simon , Thünken Timo
Published: May 2021

Background

Intrasexual competition over access to resources can lead to aggression between individuals. Because overt aggression, i.e. fights, can be costly for contestants, the communication of aggressive motivation prior to engagement in a physical fight is often mediated by conventional signals. Animals of various taxa, including fishes, display visual signals such as body coloration that can dynamically be adjusted depending on the individual’s motivation. Male individuals of the West African cichlidPelvicachromis taeniatusexpress a yellow body coloration displayed during courtship but also in an intrasexual competition context.

Results

Within-individual variation in male yellow body coloration, as quantified with standardized digital photography and representation in a CIELab color space, was examined in a mating context by exposing males to a female and in a competitive intrasexual context, i.e. in a dyadic contest. Additionally, spectrometric reflectance measurements were taken to obtain color representations in a physiological color space based on spectral sensitivities of our model species. Exposure to females did not significantly affect male color expression. However, analysis of body coloration revealed a change in within-individual color intensity and colored area after interaction with a male competitor. In dominant males, extension of coloration was positively correlated with restrained aggression, i.e. displays, which in turn explained dominance established between the two contestants.

Conclusion

Body coloration in maleP. taeniatusis a dynamic signal that is used in concert with display behavior in communication during intrasexual competition.
Quality improvement of nursing on patients with complex cerebral arteriovenous malformation undergoing hybrid surgery: a prospective single-center study
Authors: Zhao Dong-Hong , Xue Rui , Sun Xiao-Rong
Published: May 2021

Background

We sought to explore an optimal clinical nursing mode following a hybrid surgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformation.

Methods

Patients with complex cerebral arteriovenous malformations seen in our neurosurgery department from January 2016 to December 2017 were prospectively enrolled. The hybrid surgery protocol included “angiographic diagnosis, surgical resection, and intraoperative angiographic evaluation” and “angiographic diagnosis and embolization, surgical resection, and intraoperative angiographic evaluation”. The patients were randomly stratified into intensive care group and routine care group. After surgery, intensive or routine care was provided, and the prognosis of patients was evaluated, with a subsequent comparative analysis.

Results

A total of 109 cases were divided into the routine nursing group (n = 54 cases) and intensive nursing group (n = 55 cases). There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline data before surgery. Postoperative lung infection in the intensive nursing group was significantly less frequent than those in the routine nursing group (5.5% vs. 18.5%, P=0.039) with pulmonary infection and lower extremity venous thrombosis (5.5% vs. 24.1%, P=0.006). The average hospital stay in the intensive nursing group was 14.4 ± 5.78 days, which was significantly lower than that in the routine nursing group (19.3 ± 6.38 days, P=0.013). At 3 months’ follow-up after surgery, the Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) dimension score and GQOLI-74 total score in the enhanced group were significantly better than those in the routine nursing group (P=0.017 and 0.023, respectively).

Conclusions

Intensive postoperative nursing can improve the safety of patients after hybrid surgery, reduce the postoperative complications and the average length of hospital stay, and improve the quality of life of patients.
Explaining variance in perceived research misbehavior: results from a survey among academic researchers in Amsterdam
Authors: Haven Tamarinde , Tijdink Joeri , Martinson Brian , Bouter Lex , Oort Frans
Published: May 2021

Background

Concerns about research misbehavior in academic science have sparked interest in the factors that may explain research misbehavior. Often three clusters of factors are distinguished: individual factors, climate factors and publication factors. Our research question was: to what extent can individual, climate and publication factors explain the variance in frequently perceived research misbehaviors?

Methods

From May 2017 until July 2017, we conducted a survey study among academic researchers in Amsterdam. The survey included three measurement instruments that we previously reported individual results of and here we integrate these findings.

Results

One thousand two hundred ninety-eight researchers completed the survey (response rate: 17%). Results showed that individual, climate and publication factors combined explained 34% of variance in perceived frequency of research misbehavior. Individual factors explained 7%, climate factors explained 22% and publication factors 16%.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the perceptions of the research climate play a substantial role in explaining variance in research misbehavior. This suggests that efforts to improve departmental norms might have a salutary effect on behavior.
Usability testing to evaluate user experience on cyclers for automated peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Reitz Thore , Schwenke Stephanie , Hölzle Sebastian , Gauly Adelheid
Published: May 2021

Background

In the development of medical devices usability is an important aspect standing alongside performance and safety. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be provided by use of automated PD (APD), assisted by a cycler performing the solution exchanges. The present study has been executed to simulate training on APD cyclers to evaluate learnability and usability through established questionnaires.

Methods

Usability of two APD cyclers (sleep•safe harmony, Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany and HomeChoice Pro, Baxter International Inc., Deerfield (IL), USA) were evaluated with the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), the NASA TLX Questionnaire, and the System Usability Scale (SUS), both after training and after experience sessions.

Results

Lay persons (n = 10) and health care personnel (HCPs, n = 11) participated in the study. The respondents consistently gave positive ratings in the UEQ after training and experience session. The ratings from the NASA TLX Questionnaire were mostly below 50 points indicating a low workload. Lay users and HCPs gave high ratings in the SUS evaluation both after the training and experience sessions confirming a good learnability and usability of the devices.

Conclusions

The usability study to assess learnability and use-related safety revealed consistent results with all applied instruments, which demonstrated good learnability and ease-of-use of the studied APD cyclers.
Effects of different day length and wind conditions to the seedling growth performance of Phragmites australis
Authors: Hong Mun Gi , Nam Bo Eun , Kim Jae Geun
Published: May 2021

Background

To understand shade and wind effects on seedling traits of common reed (Phragmites australis), we conducted a mesocosm experiment manipulating day length (10 h daytime a day as open canopy conditions or 6 h daytime a day as partially closed canopy conditions) and wind speed (0 m/s as windless conditions or 4 m/s as windy conditions).

Results

Most values of functional traits of leaf blades, culms, and biomass production of P. australis were higher under long day length. In particular, we found sole positive effects of long day length in several functional traits such as internode and leaf blade lengths and the values of above-ground dry weight (DW), rhizome DW, and total DW. Wind-induced effects on functional traits were different depending on functional traits. Wind contributed to relatively low values of chlorophyll contents, angles between leaf blades, mean culm height, and maximum culm height. In contrast, wind contributed to relatively high values of culm density and below-ground DW.

Conclusions

Although wind appeared to inhibit the vertical growth of P. australis through physiological and morphological changes in leaf blades, it seemed that P. australis might compensate the inhibited vertical growth with increased horizontal growth such as more numerous culms, indicating a highly adaptive characteristic of P. australis in terms of phenotypic plasticity under windy environments.
Reported disability in relation to observed activity limitation, grip strength and physical function in women and men with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bala Sidona-Valentina , Andersson Maria L. E. , Forslind Kristina , Svensson Björn , Hafström Ingiäld
Published: May 2021

Background

The self-reported Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is specifically designed to assess disability in arthritic patients. In many studies women report higher functional disability than men. The reasons for this difference are suggested to be multifactorial. We therefore evaluated functional disability assessed by HAQ in women and men with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to observed disability, grip force and physical function.

Methods

Patients with RA, 51 women and 49 men, completed the HAQ on three occasions, some weeks apart. Between HAQ1 and HAQ2, all patients performed 17 of the 20 activities (7 domains) included in the HAQ under observation in a specially designed environment, the observed HAQ. During the same day, grip force, measured by GRIPPIT and physical function assessed by the SOFI (Signals of Functional Impairment) index were evaluated. Differences between groups were studied by the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Sign Rank test. Correlations were analysed by Spearman rank correlation. Comparisons between repeated measures were performed using Friedman’s test.

Results

Median (IQR) total HAQ1 score was 0.50 (0.88) for women and 0.25 (0.84) for men,p = 0.038, and the observed HAQ score (7 domains) 0.57 (0.9) for women and 0.43 (0.96) for men,p = 0.292. The correlations between reported HAQ1 score (7 domains) and observed HAQ score were strong,r = 0.860,p < 0.001 in women, andr = 0.820,p < 0.001 in men. For some activities the patients, both women and men, reported lower difficulty than that observed. Women had lower grip force than men, median (IQR), right and left 126 (84) Newton, versus 238 (146),p < 0.001, and there was a negative correlation between grip force and most of the separate activities in HAQ in both genders. SOFI index was similar in women and men, median (IQR) 0 (3.0) versus 0 (2.0),p = 0.277, with a moderate correlation to HAQ.

Conclusions

The results indicate that in well-treated patients with RA the correlations between reported and observed HAQ scores were strong, similarly in women and men. We found no evidence that the patient’s opinion was dependent on unawareness of her/his own ability.
Efficiency of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) on the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) under controlled conditions
Authors: Yağci Mürşide , Özdem Ayşe , Erdoğuş F. Dolunay , Ayan Erdoğan
Published: May 2021

Background

The codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L). (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an important pest of apple in Turkey and other apple producing countries in the world. Several control methods are available for reducing the pest populations. Entomopathogenic nematode (EPNs), for example, can be used as a potential alternative to chemical insecticides to control codling moth larvae in the soil as eco-friendly management their hosts that can actively find them in cryptic locations.

Results

Efficacy of 4 EPN isolates, Steinernema carpocapsae (Bakışlı), S. feltiae (ES-3), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (TOK-20) and H. bacteriophora (11-KG) for controlling the 1st instar larvae of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Codling moth was susceptible to different rates to all the 4 EPN isolates. All nematode trials were more effective than the control (water). The overall mortality caused by S. carpocapsae (Bakışlı 05) was significantly higher than the other EPN species. S. carpocapsae was the most effective with the highest tested concentration (100 IJs/larva), killing 82.63% of codling moth larvae, followed by S. feltilae (ES-3), with a mortality rate of 71.5%. H. bacteriophora (TOK-20) exhibited the least mortality at 25 IJs/larva concentration in all experiments.

Conclusion

The study proved that these nematodes were very efficient and could be used to control codling moth in biological control programs.
Aspergillus flavus as a surprise space occupying lesion in an immunocompetent pediatric patient
Authors: Sajid Mir Ibrahim , Malik Noor , Balouch Samira S. , Bari Ehsan
Published: May 2021

Background

Fungal infections of the CNS are almost always a clinical surprise. Aspergillus species although ubiquitous are more frequently observed in immuno-compromised individuals upon inhalation of conidia. Most of the fungal infections which happen in humans are opportunistic, mostly due to immunocompromised host.

Case description

We present the case of a 14-year-old boy who presented to the Emergency Department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, with complaints of right-sided weakness of the body. This was a rapid-onset condition which was associated with gait disturbances and multiple episodes of vomiting. MRI head showed encapsulated Space Occupying Lesion with puss in the left frontal lobe with surrounding edema. The patient was planned for a craniotomy to remove an intracerebral abscess. Histopathology report revealed the presence of chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis and numerous septate hyphae. A fungus culture was run which confirmed the presence of heavy colonies of Aspergillus flavus.

Conclusion

Fungal infections of the central nervous system are almost always a clinical surprise, have a subtle presentation and mistaken often as meningitis, brain abscess, or tumor. Any suspected lesion once removed should be sent for biopsy to rule out the presence of any fungal infection.
Data and knowledge-driven named entity recognition for cyber security
Authors: Gao Chen , Zhang Xuan , Liu Hui
Published: May 2021

Named Entity Recognition (NER) for cyber security aims to identify and classify cyber security terms from a large number of heterogeneous multisource cyber security texts. In the field of machine learning, deep neural networks automatically learn text features from a large number of datasets, but this data-driven method usually lacks the ability to deal with rare entities. Gasmi et al. proposed a deep learning method for named entity recognition in the field of cyber security, and achieved good results, reaching an F1 value of 82.8%. But it is difficult to accurately identify rare entities and complex words in the text.To cope with this challenge, this paper proposes a new model that combines data-driven deep learning methods with knowledge-driven dictionary methods to build dictionary features to assist in rare entity recognition. In addition, based on the data-driven deep learning model, an attention mechanism is adopted to enrich the local features of the text, better models the context, and improves the recognition effect of complex entities. Experimental results show that our method is better than the baseline model. Our model is more effective in identifying cyber security entities. The Precision, Recall and F1 value reached 90.19%, 86.60% and 88.36% respectively.
TKCA: a timely keystroke-based continuous user authentication with short keystroke sequence in uncontrolled settings
Authors: Yang Lulu , Li Chen , You Ruibang , Tu Bibo , Li Linghui
Published: May 2021

Keystroke-based behavioral biometrics have been proven effective for continuous user authentication. Current state-of-the-art algorithms have achieved outstanding results in long text or short text collected by doing some tasks. It remains a considerable challenge to authenticate users continuously and accurately with short keystroke inputs collected in uncontrolled settings. In this work, we propose a Timely Keystroke-based method for Continuous user Authentication, named TKCA. It integrates the key name and two kinds of timing features through an embedding mechanism. And it captures the relationship between context keystrokes by the Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) network. We conduct a series of experiments to validate it on a public dataset - the Clarkson II dataset collected in a completely uncontrolled and natural setting. Experiment results show that the proposed TKCA achieves state-of-the-art performance with 8.28% of EER when using only 30 keystrokes and 2.78% of EER when using 190 keystrokes.
Bioactivities and ACE-inhibitory peptides releasing potential of lactic acid bacteria in fermented soy milk
Authors: Undhad Trupti J. , Das Sujit , Solanki Divyang , Kinariwala Dhvany , Hati Subrota
Published: May 2021

This study was designed to evaluate the bioactivities such as β-glucosidase activity, α-galactosidase activity, and the growth behavior of the Lactobacillus cultures in soy milk medium. Ten Lactobacillus cultures were considered in this study. L. fermentum (M2) and L. casei (NK9) were selected due to their better α-galactosidase, β-glucosidase activity and growth behavior in soy milk medium during fermentation. Further, soy milk fermented with M2 showed higher proteolytic activity (0.67 OD) and ACE-inhibitory (48.44%) than NK9 (proteolytic activity: 0.48 OD and ACE-inhibitory activity: 41.33%). Bioactive peptides produced during the fermentation of soy milk using the selected Lactobacillus cultures were also identified with potent ACE-inhibitory activity by MALDI-TOF spectrometry, and the identified ACE inhibitory peptide sequences from fermented soy milk were characterized using Biopep database.

Graphical abstract
Measuring the long-term effects of informal science education experiences: challenges and potential solutions
Authors: Staus Nancy L. , Falk John H. , Price Aaron , Tai Robert H. , Dierking Lynn D.
Published: May 2021

Despite the fact that most science learning takes place outside of school, little is known about how engagement in informal science learning (ISL) experiences affects learners’ knowledge, skill development, interest, or identities over long periods of time. Although substantial ISL research has documented short-term outcomes such as the learning that takes place during a science center visit, research suggests that the genuine benefits of informal experiences are long-term transformations in learners as they pursue a “cascade” of experiences subsequent to the initial educational event. However, a number of major methodological challenges have limited longitudinal research projects investigating the long-term effects of ISL experiences. In this paper we identify and address four key issues surrounding the critical but challenging area of how to study and measure the long-term effects or impacts of ISL experiences: attribution, attrition, data collection, and analytic approaches. Our objective is to provide guidance to ISL researchers wishing to engage in long-term investigations of learner outcomes and to begin a dialogue about how best to address the numerous challenges involved in this work.
HOTAIR expression and prognostic impact in acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Saad Rawda Ahmed Alaaeldin Ahmed Mohamed , Osman Amany Ahmed , Hassan Mona Fathey Abdel Fattah , Ibrahim Shereen Abdel Monem , El-Sakhawy Yasmin Nabil
Published: May 2021

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disorder characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms attributable to bone marrow failure due to clonal proliferation of primitive hematopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells. Epigenetic abnormalities play an important role in the development and progression of acute leukemia. Long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) plays an important role in epigenetic regulation. Homeobox (Hox) transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is a lncRNA which has been determined to be a negative prognostic indicator in various solid-tumor patients. However, its role in hematopoietic tumors as AML is to be assessed. This study aimed at measuring lncRNA HOTAIR expression level on bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells in newly diagnosed AML patients and correlating its expression with their outcome and different prognostic variables. This provides new prospective for a novel marker involved in development and progression of AML which can be used as a diagnostic marker and a target of therapy. The current study included 65 subjects divided into 35 newly diagnosed AML adult patients (before initiation of chemotherapy) and 30 non-leukemic adult patients who are candidates for BM aspiration for causes other than hematological malignancies as immune thrombocytopenic purpura and hypersplenism as controls. HOTAIR expression was measured on BM mononuclear cells by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

HOTAIR expression was found to be significantly upregulated in AML patients (probability (p) value = 0.000) and it can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of AML as confirmed by a significant difference between cases and controls using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. However, it was not significantly correlated with event free survival (EFS) or prognostic variables.

Conclusion

This study showed that the expression of HOTAIR is upregulated in de novo AML patients and can be used as a diagnostic marker. However, highly expressed HOTAIR is not associated with poor prognosis.
Infertility: knowledge and attitudes of Moroccan young people—gender approach
Authors: El Adlani Sana , Benksim Abdelhafid , Kaddour Yassir Ait Ben , Soummani Abderraouf , Cherkaoui Mohamed
Published: May 2021

Background

The knowledge and the beliefs of people could affect the fertility of women and men all over the society. According to gender, the aim of this study was to describe knowledge level and attitude of Moroccan young people about infertility in Marrakesh-Safi region in Morocco.

Results

We selected 355 Moroccan young people by a simple random sampling method, during 2019 and using a previously validate questionnaire. Both of female and male had a low level knowledge about the meaning, causes, and treatment of infertility (only 20, 8% of female and 25, 6% of male were aware). Almost, half of them (41, 6% of female versus 51, 9% of male) had reported that it is easier to conceive if the couples had already their first baby. However, 92% of female and 86% of male had confirmed that the lifestyle is a factor that may affect the infertility. The results showed that there was a difference between male and female attitude if the fertility treatment fails, the percentage of male who had proposed the polygamy as solution was higher than female (22.5% versus 6.6%). Besides, the minority had accepted divorce as alternative. The adoption was another solution proposed and accepted by both male and female.

Conclusion

The result of our study reflects the fact that it is important to investigate on education and a public awareness about fertility in order to upgrade the level of knowledge and attitudes of Moroccan young people.