bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Dissection of Grain Zinc and Iron Concentration, Protein Content, Test Weight and Thousand Kernel Weight in Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) through Genome Wide Association Study
Authors: D Rathan N , Krishna Hari , Ellur Ranjith Kumar , Sehgal Deepamala , Govindan Velu , Ahlawat Arvind Kumar , Krishnappa Gopalareddy , Jaiswal Jai Prakash , Singh Jang Bahadur , V Saiprasad S , Ambati Divya , Singh Sumit Kumar , Bajpai Kriti , Singh Anju Mahendru
Published: January 2022

Malnutrition due to micronutrients and protein deficiency is recognized among the major global health issues. Genetic biofortification of wheat varieties is both cost-effective and sustainable strategy to contain global micronutrient and protein malnutrition. Genomic regions governing grain zinc concentration (GZnC), grain iron concentration (GFeC), grain protein content (GPC), test weight (TW), and thousand kernel weight (TKW) were investigated in a set of 183 diverse bread wheat genotypes through genome wide association study (GWAS). The RIL population was genotyped using Breeders' 35K Axiom Array and phenotyped in three environments during 2019-2020. A total of 55 marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified, of which four significant MTAs for GFeC on chromosome 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A and two for GZnC on chromosomes 1A and 7B. Further, a stable SNP was detected for TKW and also identified pleiotropic regions controlling GPC and TKW. In silico analysis revealed a few important putative candidate genes viz., F-box-like domain superfamily, Zinc finger CCCH-type proteins, Serine-threonine/tyrosine-protein kinase, Histone deacetylase domain superfamily and SANT/Myb domain superfamily proteins, etc. The identified novel MTAs will be validated to estimate their effects on different genetic backgrounds for subsequent use in marker-assisted selection (MAS).
Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Managing Diabetes Mellitus Among Sudanese Insulin Pump Users, A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Salih Esraa Hassan , Ahmed Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed , Babiker Omer Osman Osman , Mohamed Malaz Tarig Abdalla , Omer Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla , Salih Zeinab Mohammed Amara
Published: January 2022

Background
COVID-19 lockdown has affected diabetes management among the insulin pump users by changing their life style, affected their mental health, limited diabetes and insulin pump supplies and more difficult communication with the healthcare providers
Objectives
The aim of this research is to study the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on managing diabetes mellitus among Sudanese insulin pump users, Sudan (March- September 2020).
Methodology:
This is a descriptive cross-sectional community based study which was done in contact with Shimaa medical CO. LTD. 26 insulin pump users were chosen by total coverage and the data was collected throughout phone call interviews. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 20.
Results
The mean age of 22 participants was 25.3 ± 17.2 years, and the majorities (63.6%) were females. The average duration of diabetes was 6.9 ± 3.9 years, and the average duration of insulin pump use was 3 ± 1 years. Of the 22 patients (90.9%) used glucometer for monitoring blood sugar. 9 (40.9%) were less subjective to depression, 9 (40.9%) had moderate susceptibility to have depression. 8 patients (36.4%) reported weight gain, 12 patients (54.5%) reported no weight changes, while 2 patients (9.1%) reported weight loss. The level of physical activity decreased in 10 patients (45.5%), and the dietary habits remained unchanged in 50%. Moreover, participants who reported a decrease in physical activity levels were more likely to report weight gain (P = 0.004) compared with those who reported an increase in physical activity levels. Most of the patients have unchanged behaviors regarding experiencing hyper and hypoglycemic symptoms 45.5%, 72.7% respectively. Most of the patients have unchanged adherence to the insulin pump behaviors, carb counting (63.6%), bolus wizard during mealtime (68.2%), and bolus wizard for hyperglycemia correction (68.2%), self-monitoring of blood glucose (40.9%). (40.9%) of the patients had scheduled phone call appointments, 5 patients (22.7%) received virtual education (VE) from the insulin pump technician. 12 patients (54.5%) reported difficulty obtaining at least one type of insulin pump supply.
Conclusion
COVID-19 lock down has led to the decrease in physical activity with unchanged dietary habits. Getting the insulin pump supplies was difficult for most of the patient’s, and there was shortage and increase prices for diabetes care supplies. Telemedicine should be considered seriously to ease the communication between the patients and the health care providers.
Nasal Carriage and Associated Factors of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Among Medicine and Health Science Students of Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Authors: Mekuriya Ermiyas , Manilal Aseer , Aklilu Addis , Woldemariam Melat , Hailu Tadios , Wasihun Biresaw
Published: January 2022

Individuals with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonized nasal cavities were at greater risk of developing the infection and can serve as potential reservoirs of transmission. Aim of this study is to determine the extent of nasal carriage and associated factors linked to MRSA in medical and health science students of Arba Minch University (AMU), Ethiopia. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at AMU from 01st August through 30th November, 2020. A systematic sampling technique was used to recruit the participants. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Nasal swabs were collected and S. aureus were identified following standard microbiological methods. Methicillin resistance was tested using cefoxitin disk and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. Biofilm forming ability was phenotypically detected by micro-titer plate assay. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done by Statistical Package for Social Service (SPSS) version 25. Overall prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA were 27.1% (70/258) and 7.4% (19/258) respectively. Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus carriage was higher among medical interns, 16.9% (11/65); isolates were co-resistant to antibiotics, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (63.2%) and tetracycline (48.4%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed among 52.6% (10/19) of the isolates. Besides, 31.4% (6/19) of MRSA were biofilm producers and all of them were MDR. Multivariable analysis showed that students having >2 years of mean exposure to hospital [p= 0.048, AOR: 4.99, 95% CI: 1.01-24.66] and those who share clothing and sports equipment [p=0.017, AOR: 5.43, 95% CI: 1.35-21.83] were statistically significant. The overall prevalence of nasal MRSA among students were comparatively lower than that observed in other studies done in Ethiopia itself. An alarming factor is that, 60% of MDR-MRSA were biofilm producers.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Positive Mental Health (PMH) Scale Using Item Analysis According to the Rasch Model
Authors: Vaganian Lusine , Boecker Maren , Bussmann Sonja , Kusch Michael , Labouvie Hildegard , Margraf Jürgen , Gerlach Alexander L. , Cwik Jan C.
Published: January 2022

Background: The investigation of patient-reported outcomes and psycho-oncological interventions mainly focuses on psychological distress or psychopathology. However, the recognition of the equal importance of positive mental health (PMH) has increased lately. The PMH-scale is a brief questionnaire allowing to assess well-being in individuals in the general population and in patients. Previous studies evaluated the psychometric properties of the PMH-scale using classical test theory (CTT). This study is the first to investigate the PMH-scale in patients with cancer using item analysis according to the Rasch model. Methods: In total, N = 357 cancer patients participated in the study. A Rasch analysis of the PMH-scale was conducted including testing of unidimensionality, local independence, homogeneity and differential item functioning (DIF) with regard to age, gender, type of cancer, the presence of metastases, psycho-oncological support, and duration of disease. Additionally, the ordering of the item thresholds as well as the targeting of the scale were investigated.Results: After excluding one misfitting item and accounting for local dependence by forming superitems, a satisfactory overall fit to the Rasch model was established (χ2 = 30.34, p = 0.21). The new PMH-8 scale proved to be unidimensional, and homogeneity of the scale could be inferred. All items showed ordered thresholds, there was no further item misfit. DIF was found for age, but as the impact of DIF was not substantial, no adjustment related to the age-DIF had to be made. The Person Separation Index (PSI = 0.89) was excellent, indicating excellent discriminatory power between different levels of positive mental health. Overall, the targeting of the PMH-8 was good for the majority of the present sample. However, at both ends of the scale item thresholds are missing as indicated by a slight floor effect (1.4%) and a considerable ceiling effect (9.8%). Conclusion: Overall, the results of the analysis according to the Rasch model support the use of the revised PMH-scale in a psycho-oncological context.
Clinical Validation and Treatment Plan Evaluation Based on Auto-Delineation of the Clinical Target Volume for Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy
Authors: Shen Jing , TAO Yinjie , GUAN Hui , ZHEN Hongnan , HE Lei , DONG Tingting , WANG Shaobin , CHEN Yu , CHEN Qi , LIU Zhikai , ZHANG Fuquan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Clinical target volumes (CTV) and organs at risk (OAR) could be auto-contoured to save workload. The goal of this study was to assess a convolutional neural network (CNN) for totally automatic and accurate CTV and OAR in prostate cancer, while also comparing anticipated treatment plans based on auto-contouring CTV to clinical plans.
Methods

From January 2013 to January 2019, 217 computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer treated at our hospital were collected and analyzed. CTV and OAR were delineated with a deep learning based method, which named CUNet. The performance of this strategy was evaluated using the mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), 95th percentile Hausdorff distance (95HD), and subjective evaluation. Treatment plans were graded using predetermined evaluation criteria, and % errors for clinical doses to the planned target volume (PTV) and organs at risk(OARs) were calculated.
Results

The defined CTVs had mean DSC and 95HD values of 0.84 and 5.04 mm, respectively. For one patient's CT scans, the average delineation time was less than 15 seconds. When CTV outlines from CUNetwere blindly chosen and compared to GT, the overall positive rate in clinicians A and B was 53.15% vs 46.85%, and 54.05% vs 45.95%, respectively (P>0.05), demonstrating that our deep machine learning model performed as good as or better than human demarcation Furthermore, 8 testing patients were chosen at random to design the predicted plan based on the auto-courtoring CTV and OAR, demonstrating acceptable agreement with the clinical plan: average absolute dose differences of D2, D50, D98, Dmean for PTV are within 0.74%, and average absolute volume differences of V45, V50 for OARs are within 3.4%. Without statistical significance (p>0.05), the projected findings are comparable to clinical truth.
Conclusion

The experimental results show that the CTV and OARs defined by CUNet for prostate cancer were quite close to the ground reality.CUNet has the potential to cut radiation oncologists' contouring time in half. When compared to clinical plans, the differences between estimated doses to CTV and OAR based on auto-courtoring were small, with no statistical significance, indicating that treatment planning for prostate cancer based on auto-courtoring has potential.
The Combination of Inflammation and Nutrition Factors Reinforces the Prognostic Prediction for Stage III Colorectal Cancer Patients After Curative Resection
Authors: Kato Shinya , Miyoshi Norikatsu , Fujino Shiki , Minami Soichiro , Matsuda Chu , Yasui Masayoshi , Ohue Masayuki , Sekido Yuki , Hata Tsuyoshi , Ogino Takayuki , Takahashi Hidekazu , Uemura Mamoru , Yamamoto Hirofumi , Doki Yuichiro , Eguchi Hidetoshi
Published: January 2022

Purpose
Inflammation and nutritional status are known to be associated with the prognosis of several malignancies. Herein, we attempted to develop inflammation–nutrition scores and predict the prognosis of stage III colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods
This retrospective study included 262 patients with stage III CRC who underwent curative surgery and were divided into two groups: a training set (TS) of 162 patients and a validation set (VS) of 100 patients. In the TS, clinicopathological factors were tested using a Cox regression model, and the Kansai prognostic score (KPS) was assessed by 1 point each for <3.5 g/dL albumin level, >450 monocyte counts, and <1.65 × 105 platelet counts, which were associated with disease-free survival (DFS). Using KPS, DFS and overall survival (OS) were validated in VS.
Results
The C-indices of KPS to predict DFS and OS in TS were 0.707 and 0.772. It was validated in VS that the C-indices of KPS to predict DFS and OS were 0.618 and 0.708, respectively. A high KPS was a significant predictor of DFS and OS.
Conclusion
KPS serves as a new model for the prognosis of patients with stage III CRC.
GRAP2 is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated with Immune Infiltration in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Song Shimao , Deng Xinzhou , Wang Jincheng , Han Jiahui , Peng Zhen , Lu Ying , Jiang Shan , Shi Mingliang , Yan Yutao , Luo Zhiguo
Published: January 2022

Background: GRAP2 is an adaptor protein involved in leukocyte-specific protein-tyrosine kinase signaling; however, the prognostic value of GRAP2 and its correlation with immune cell infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain unclear.Methods: All original data were downloaded from the TCGA database and integrated via R 3.2.2. GRAP2 expression was explored with the TCGA and TIMER databases. We evaluated the influence of GRAP2 on clinical prognosis using the Kaplan-Meier plotter, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and GEPIA database. Correlations between GRAP2 and cancer immune characteristics were analyzed via TIMER and TISIDB databases. Finally, we confirmed the expression of GRAP2 in LUAD by immunohistochemistry staining.Results: Transcription levels of GRAP2 were significantly lower in several human cancers, including LUAD, than in adjacent normal tissues. We also found that tumor tissues have lower protein expression levels of GRAP2 compared with adjacent normal tissues in LUAD by immunohistochemistry staining. The down-regulated GRAP2 was associated with poorer overall survival, pathologic stage, T stage, N stage and primary therapy outcome in LUAD. Mechanically, we identified a hub gene that included a total of 91 GRAP2 co-expressed genes, which were tightly associated with immune response in LUAD. GRAP2 expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of B cells, CD8+ T cells, dendritic cells, eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells, Th2 cells, Th1 cells, Th17 cells, NK cells and neutrophils. GRAP2 expression level also affected the cumulative survival time of B cells and dendritic cells. GRAP2 expression is positively correlated with multiple immune markers, chemokines, chemokine receptors and MHC molecules of LUAD.Conclusions: These findings suggest that GRAP2 is a tumor suppressor gene and can be used as a prognostic biomarker for determining prognosis and immune infiltration in LUAD.
Impaired Regulation of PMCA Activity by Defective CFTR Expression Promotes Epithelial Cell Damage in Alcoholic Pancreatitis and Hepatitis
Authors: Madacsy Tamara , Varga Árpád , Papp Noémi , Tél Bálint , Pallagi Petra , Szabó Viktória , Kiss Aletta , Fanczal Júlia , Rakonczay Zoltan , Tiszlavicz László , Rázga Zsolt , Hohwieler Meike , Kleger Alexander , Gray Mike , Hegyi Péter , Maléth József
Published: January 2022

Background and aims. Alcoholic pancreatitis and hepatitis are frequent, potentially lethal diseases with limited treatment options. Our previous study reported that the expression of CFTR Cl- channel is impaired by ethanol in pancreatic ductal cells leading to more severe alcohol-induced pancreatitis. In addition to determining epithelial ion secretion, CFTR has multiple interactions with other proteins, which may influence intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Thus, we aimed to investigate the impact of ethanol-mediated CFTR damage on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in pancreatic ductal epithelial cells and cholangiocytes.Methods. Human and mouse pancreas and liver samples and ex vivo organoids were used to study ion secretion, intracellular signaling and protein expression and interaction. The effect of PMCA4 inhibition was analysed in a mouse model of alcohol-induced pancreatitis.Results. The decreased CFTR expression impaired PMCA function and resulted in sustained intracellular Ca2+ elevation in ethanol-treated and mouse and human pancreatic organoids. Liver samples derived from alcoholic hepatitis patients and ethanol-treated mouse liver organoids showed decreased CFTR expression and function, and impaired PMCA4 activity. PMCA4 co-localizes and physically interacts with CFTR on the apical membrane of polarized epithelial cells, where CFTR-dependent calmodulin recruitment determines PMCA4 activity. The sustained intracellular Ca2+ elevation in the absence of CFTR inhibited mitochondrial function and was accompanied with increased apoptosis in pancreatic epithelial cells and PMCA4 inhibition increased the severity of alcohol-induced AP in mice.Conclusion. Our results suggest that improving Ca2+ extrusion in epithelial cells may be a potential novel therapeutic approach to protect the exocrine pancreatic function in alcoholic pancreatitis and prevent the development of cholestasis in alcoholic hepatitis.
Heterogeneity, Inherent and Acquired Drug Resistance in Patient-Derived Organoids Models of Primary Liver Cancer
Authors: Cao Guang-Wen , Xian Linfeng , Zhao Pei , Chen Xi , Wei Zhimin , Ji Hongxiang , Zhao Jun , Liu Donghong , Li Zishuai , Liu Wenbin , Han Xue , Qian Youwen , Dong Hui , Zhou Xiong , Fan Junyan , Zhu Xiaoqiong , Yin Jianhua , Tan Xiaojie , Jiang Dongming , Yu Hongping
Published: January 2022

To screen for sensitive drugs for recurrent primary liver cancer (PLC) and elucidate the mechanisms underlying inherent and acquired drug resistance, we established a platform of organoids, organoids-derived xenograft (ODX) mouse models, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models of primary liver cancer (PLC). Fifty-two organoids were established from 153 PLC patients. Establishing organoids of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) displayed a trend toward a higher success rate than establishing PDX (29.0% vs. 23.7%) and took a shorter duration (13.0 ± 4.7 vs. 25.1 ± 5.4 days, P=2.28×10−13) than establishing PDX models. Larger tumor, vascular invasion, and advanced stage were significantly associated with successful establishment of organoids and PDX in HCC. Organoids and ODX recapitulated PLC histopathological features but enriched more aggressive cell types. PLC organoids were mostly resistant to lenvatinib in vitro but sensitive in ODX model, indicating innate immunity plays a role. Acquired sorafenib-resistant HCC organoids were generated via 3–5 months of induction. RNA-sequencing indicated that stemness– and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)–related gene sets were upregulated, whereas liver development– and liver specific molecule–related gene sets were downregulated, in acquired sorafenib-resistant organoids. Targeting mTOR signaling pathway was effective in treating acquired sorafenib-resistant HCC, possibly via inducing phosphorylated S6 kinase. Genes upregulated in acquired sorafenib-resistant HCC organoids were often associated with unfavorable prognosis. Conclusively, HCC organoids perform better than PDX for drug selection. Acquired sorafenib resistance in organoids promotes HCC aggressiveness via facilitating the stemness, retrodifferentiation, and EMT. Phosphorylated S6 kinase might be predictive for drug resistance in HCC.
Transformer for Sub-Seasonal Extreme High Temperature Probabilistic Forecasting Over Eastern China
Authors: Jin Wei , Zhang Wei , Hu Jie , Chen Jiazhen , Weng Bin , Gao Jianyun , Huang Tianqiang
Published: January 2022

Sub-seasonal high temperature forecasting is significant for early warning of extreme heat weather. Currently, deep learning methods, especially Transformer, have been successfully applied to the meteorological field. Relying on the excellent global feature extraction capability in natural language processing, Transformer may be useful to improve the ability in extended periods. To explore this, we introduce the Transformer and propose a Transformer-based model, called Transformer to High Temperature (T2T). In the details of the model, we successively discuss the use of the Transformer and the position encoding in T2T to continuously optimize the model structure in an experimental manner. In the dataset, the multi-version data fusion method is proposed to further improve the prediction of the model with reasonable expansion of the dataset. The performance of well-desinged model (T2T) is verified against the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) at each grid of the 100.5°E to 138°E, 21°N to 54°N domain for the April to October of 2016-2019. For case study initiated from 2 June 2018, the results indicated that T2T is significantly better than ECMWF and MLP, with smaller absolute error and more reliable probabilistic forecast for the extreme high event happened during the third week. Over all, the deterministic forecast of T2T is superior to MLP and ECMWF due to ability of utilize spatial information of grids. T2T also provided a better calibrated probability of high temperature and a sharper prediction probability density function than MLP and ECMWF. All in all, T2T can meet the operational requirements for extended period forecasting of extreme high temperature. Furthermore, our research can provide experience on the development of deep learning in this field and achieve the continuous progress of seamless forecasting systems.
Radiotherapy for Postsurgical Vaginal Recurrences of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Analysis of Dosing and Prognosis
Authors: Yan Junfang , Zheng Ziye , Hu Ke , Hou Xiaorong , Yu Lihua , Zhang Fuquan
Published: January 2022

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of salvage radiotherapy for vaginal recurrence of cervical squamous carcinoma in patients who previously underwent surgery and to explore prognostic factors (particularly dose-related) associated with survival post-recurrence.Methods: Ninety-seven patients with histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma-subtype cervical cancer who were treated for vaginal recurrence at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between July 2011 and November 2019 were identified. All patients had previously undergone surgery for the primary tumor and received salvage external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, or both. Factors predictive of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) were investigated, as were adverse effects.Results: The median follow-up time was 42.5 months. The estimated 5-year OS, PFS, and LC rates were 84%, 79%, and 91%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, a tumor size ≤4 cm and an endovaginal recurrence pattern were associated with longer PFS (both P < 0.05); however, only the latter was predictive of a longer LC (P < 0.05). In the 33 patients with recurrences that were paravaginal or invasive of surrounding organs, biologically equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions of ≥70 Gy were independently predictive of longer LC (P < 0.05). Finally, 12.4% of the patients experienced grades ≥2 late complications; only 1 patient who received EBRT alone experienced grade 5 late complications.Conclusions: RT is an effective treatment for post-surgical vaginal recurrence in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma. For patients with extravaginal recurrence, a salvage dose of ≥70 Gy appears to be optimal.
Supervised Learning in image enhance from electron microscopy inversion results
Authors: Stagakis Georgios
Published: January 2022

In Nondestructive testing there is a variety of applications in Material Science, where the specimen is imaged by an Electron Microscope and then by image inversion, informationis extracted for the material interior. This type of information might contain noise either by the imaging procedure or by the numerical part of the inversion. We present a method that can improve the interior density results of an inversed material from a series of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images. For this method, the material density can contain some discontinuity, such as regions where it is dense and regions where there are voids.The proposed method directly stands on the Bayesian learning framework, adopting Gaussian Stochastic Processes (GSPs). Two test sample cases that contain some discontinuities in the density are tested. We also provide a comparison between two different GSP modelling approaches; one is a typical GSP and the other accounts for discontinuity, by introducing hyperparameters. The GSP method gives reconstructed data in reasonable agreement with the known original density distribution, giving confidence that the method can be applied to experimentally obtained SEM images.
Optimization of Cooperative Offloading Model with Cost Consideration in Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Xu Bin , Deng Tao , Liu Yichuan , Zhao Yunkai , Xu Zipeng , Qi Jin , Wang Sitao , Liu Dan
Published: January 2022

The combination of idle computing resources in mobile devices and the computing capacity of mobile edge servers enables all available devices in an edge network to complete all computing tasks in coordination to effectively improve the computing capacity of the edge network. This is a research hotspot for 5G technology applications. Previous research has focused on the minimum energy consumption and/or delay to determine the formulation of the computational offloading strategy but neglected the cost required for the computation of collaborative devices (mobile devices, mobile edge servers, etc.); therefore, we proposed a cost-based collaborative computation offloading model. In this model, when a task requests these devices' assistance in computing, it needs to pay the corresponding calculation cost; and on this basis, the task is offloaded and computed. In addition, for the model, we propose an adaptive neighborhood search based on simulated annealing algorithm (ANSSA) to jointly optimize the offloading decision and resource allocation with the goal of minimizing the sum of both the energy consumption and calculation cost. The adaptive mechanism enables different operators to update the probability of selection according to historical experience and environmental perception, which makes the individual evolution have certain autonomy. A large number of experiments conducted on different scales of mobile user instances show that the ANSSA can obtain satisfactory time performance with guaranteed solution quality. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the mobile edge computing (MEC) offloading system. It is of great significance to strike a balance between maintaining the life cycle of smart mobile devices and breaking the performance bottleneck of MEC servers.
Enabling global analysis of protein citrullination and homocitrullination via biotin thiol tag-assisted mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Lingjun , Shi Yatao , Li Zihui , Wang Bin , Shi Xudong , Ye Hui , Delafield Daniel , Lv Langlang , Ye Zhengqing , Chen Zhengwei , Ma Fengfei
Published: January 2022

Citrullination and homocitrullination are key post-translational modifications (PTMs) that affect protein structures and functions. Although they have been linked to various biological processes and disease pathogenesis, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood due to a lack of effective tools to enrich, detect, and localize these PTMs. Herein, we report the design and development of a biotin thiol tag that enables derivatization, enrichment, and confident identification of these two PTMs simultaneously via mass spectrometry. We perform global mapping of the citrullination and homocitrullination proteomes of mouse tissues. In total, we identify 691 citrullination sites and 81 homocitrullination sites from 432 and 63 proteins, respectively, representing the largest datasets to date. We discover novel distribution and functions of these two PTMs. We also perform multiplexing quantitative analysis via isotopic labeling techniques. This study depicts a landscape of protein citrullination and homocitrullination and lays the foundation for further deciphering their physiological and pathological roles.
External Validation of Models to Predict Unsuccessful Endometrial Ablation: a Retrospective Study
Authors: Stevens Kelly , Houterman Saskia , Weyers Steven , Muller Iris , Schoot Benedictus C.
Published: January 2022

Study Objective: External validation of our previously presented and locally established prediction models to help counsel patients for failure of endometrial ablation (EA) or surgical re-intervention within 2 years after EA, called ‘Failure model’ and ‘Re-intervention model’ respectively. Design: Retrospective external validation study, minimal follow-up time of 2 years.Setting: Two non-academic teaching hospitals in the Netherlands.Patients: Pre-menopausal women (18+) who had undergone EA for abnormal uterine bleeding problems between January 2010 and November 2012. A total of 329 patients were eligible for analysis.Interventions: Interventions used for EA were Novasure (Hologic, Marlborough, Massachusetts, US) and ThermaChoice III (Ethicon, Sommerville, US). Measurements and Main Results: The Area Under the Receiver Operating characteristics Curve (AUROC) for the outcome parameter of failure within 2 years after EA was 0.59 (95% CI 0.53 – 0.65). Variables in this model were dysmenorrhea, age, parity ≥5 and preoperative menorrhagia. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed no significant difference between the observed and predicted outcome. (Chi-square: 4.62, P-value: .80) The AUROC for the outcome parameter surgical re-intervention within 2 years was 0.62 (95% CI 0.53 – 0.70) Variables in this model were dysmenorrhea, age, menstrual duration> 7 days, parity ≥5 and a previous caesarean section. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed no significant difference between the observed and predicted outcome (Chi-square 11.34, P-value .18).Conclusion: Both the failure model and the re-intervention model can be used to predict unsuccessful endometrial ablation in the general population within two years after the procedure. It can be used prior to surgery to facilitate tailor-made shared decision-making, and help counsel patients with regards to the potential outcome of their treatment with the use of a personally calculated percentage.
Rare Case of Gastric Schwannoma Simulating Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour-A Case Report
Authors: Panduranga Shruthi , Kade Samson , Varwatte Pooja , V Harisha
Published: January 2022

Gastric schwannoma (GS) is a rare, benign, slow-growing neoplasm representing 0.2% of all gastric tumors. We report a rare case of Gastric schwannoma in a 56 year old woman who presented with abdominal discomfort and vomiting since few years. Contrast enhanced Computed Tomography showed a well-defined homogeneously attenuating lesion with homogenous enhancement. Wedge gastrectomy was done with a possible diagnosis of Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, but was confirmed to have Gastric schwannoma on histopathology showing spindle cells with peripheral cuff of lymphoid aggregates and S-100 protein positivity on immunohistochemistry. Gastric schwannoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a gastric intramural or exophytic mass when Computed Tomography shows a well-defined homogeneously attenuating lesion with progressively increasing homogenous enhancement without hemorrhage, necrosis, and degeneration.
Evaluation of the Kano State Lassa Fever Surveillance System, 2015-2018 – Nigeria
Authors: Umar Usman yahya , Abubakar Mikha'il Abdu , Bello Imam Wada , Balogun Muhammad Shakir , Tahir Sadiq , Umeokonkwo Chukwuma David
Published: January 2022

BackgroundLassa fever (LF) is one of the priority diseases under surveillance through the integrated disease surveillance and response system (IDSR). We evaluated the LF surveillance system against its set objectives and assessed its attributes. MethodsWe used cross-sectional study design. Forty-seven stakeholders involved in the surveillance system were interviewed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems. The LF surveillance data from January 2015 to December 2018 were also analyzed. The attribute and objectives of the system were evaluated. ResultsOut of the 76 suspected cases recorded in kano state during the study period, only 54 samples were laboratory tested, 11 of them were confirmed positive with 9 deaths (case fatality rate of 82%). Confirmed cases were predominantly in Tudun Wada LGA (63.6%), while the age-group 20-39 years constituted 55% of the confirmed cases. There was male preponderance of cases (73%). The predictive value positive (PVP) was 14.5%. The surveillance system was however meeting its objectives of determining LF burden and detecting and characterizing cases and outbreak.ConclusionLF surveillance system in Kano was simple, flexible, stable, acceptable and timely. However, data was not representative. We recommended improved reporting from private and tertiary facilities and more personnel training and support to improve the system.
A STRUCTURALIST APPROACH TO HAROLD PINTER’S "THE DUMB WAITER"
Authors: ALKAN Halit
Published: January 2022

Structuralism is an approach that seeks to decode the encoded whole consisting of a system to explore a textual work’s deep structure from the surface structure. This study analyses Harold Pinter’s “The Dumb Waiter” (1960) according to the structuralist approach. The harmony of the play’s deep structure performs on binary opposition between Ben and Gus who repeat mechanical behaviours and conversations since they are imprisoned for a while in a narrow space. Concrete mechanical elements such as the lavatory and the dumb waiter also repeat the same activities. Although the play is over, the melody continues since Ben and Gus are given no role other than being hitmen and victims. As for the deep meaning, individuals who appear as a functional part of the mechanism show the possibility that the oppressive mechanism may become inoperable as a result of questioning the mechanism.
Развитие студенческой науки на кафедре социальной работы и безопасности жизнедеятельности Курского государственного медицинского университета
Authors: Кузьмин В.П.
Published: January 2022

В статье рассматривается развитие студенческой науки на кафедре социальной работы и безопасности жизнедеятельности Курского государственного медицинского университета. Показываются три эта- па научной работы со студентами. Анализируется опыт работы сту- денческого научного кружка кафедры социальной работы и безопас- ности жизнедеятельности с 1992 года по настоящее время.
Impact of advertisements towards the contribution of diabetes in children
Authors:   Kursk State Medical Unversity, Filippovich Yulia S. , Bin Raziman Muhammad Haiqal ,   Kursk State Medical Unversity
Published: January 2022

Children’s eating habits and their food consumption have direct relations with obesity, diabetes, cancers, hypertension and coronary heart disease. Advertisements directly affect a child’s eating habits and their food consumption. This literature review was conducted in order to examine advertisements and children’s food consumption while watching online entertainment such as YouTube videos and their desire to purchase foods that they see advertised to them while watching their preferred online entertainment.
Анализ систем оценки качества инклюзивного образования за рубежом
Authors: Елисеев В.К. , Коробова М.В. , Кузьмин Н.Н.
Published: January 2022

В статье представлен анализ систем оценки качества реализации инклюзивного образова-ния за рубежом. Обобщены варианты оценки качества инклюзивного образования в евро-пейских странах, США, Индии и др.
Diversity and distribution patterns of antennal sensilla in Hydropsychidae (Insecta, Trichoptera)
Authors: Abu Diiak Kseniia , Valuyskiy Mikhail , Melnitsky Stanislav , Ivanov Vladimir
Published: January 2022

Structure and distribution of antennal sensilla were studied in males of 19 species of the caddisfly family Hydropsychidae by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eleven types of sensilla were found: long trichoid, chaetoid, thick chaetoid, curved trichoid, coronary, basiconic, styloconic and four types of pseudoplacoid sensilla (mushroom-like, auricillic, ribbed, and T-shaped). Thick chaetoid, ribbed pseudoplacoid, and T-shaped pseudoplacoid sensilla were found only in Macronematinae. The great diversity of pseudoplacoid sensilla originated from a mushroom-like type, which also has a variable structure. Basal flagellomeres in the majority of studied species are equipped with ventrally positioned sensory fields of curved trichoid sensilla. In contrast to Arctopsychinae and Hydropsychinae, the increased number of these sensilla in the fields was noted for Diplectroninae and Smicrideinae. Most Macronematinae show a reduction of sensory fields and a strongly decreased average number of curved trichoid sensilla on distal segments. The great differences found in the studied family probably indicate a rapid function-related evolution of the antennal sensory surface structures in the caddisfly family Hydropsychidae.
TRYB I GRANICE ZMIANY KONSTYTUCJI GHANY Z 1992 R.
Authors: Smoleń Rafał
Published: January 2022

Celem opracowania jest przybliżenie problematyki formalnych i materialnych ograniczeń zmiany obecnie obowiązującej, uchwalonej prawie 30 lat temu, Konstytucji Ghany, będących interesującym wyrazem transformacji z autorytaryzmu do demokracji. Ponieważ Ghana to państwo, które w zachodnich rankingach stanu demokracji, praworządności i przestrzegania praw człowieka od lat sytuuje się w ścisłej czołówce afrykańskiej – a w najnowszych osiąga wyniki bardzo podobne do Polski – warto tym bardziej przyjrzeć się jej bliżej. Na artykuł składają się: krótka charakterystyka historii ustroju Ghany, jej Konstytucji i systemu politycznego; szczegółowe omówienie zagadnienia wewnętrznej hierarchii postanowień konstytucyjnych oraz kolejnych etapów – w znacznej mierze oryginalnej – procedury ich zmiany; próba identyfikacji granic zmiany Konstytucji, w tym analiza będących wyrazem sprawiedliwości tranzytywnej niezmienialnych postanowień amnestyjno-indemnizacyjnych; przedstawienie i ocena toczącej się w ubiegłej dekadzie debaty nad zmianą Konstytucji, obejmującej również problematykę zasad i granic jej zmiany. Tekst kończą wnioski dotyczące sztywności tej Konstytucji, wynikającej z czynników zarówno prawnych, jak i pozaprawnych.
UDZIAŁ JEDNOSTEK SAMORZĄDU TERYTORIALNEGO W PROCESIE FINANSOWANIA OCHRONY ZDROWIA
Authors: Mikos-Sitek Agnieszka
Published: January 2022

Problematyka organizacji oraz finansowania systemów ochrony zdrowia stanowi jeden z istotnych aspektów funkcjonowania współczesnych państw. Poświęca się jej wiele uwagi, co znajduje swoje odzwierciedlenie również w systemach prawnych, które w coraz szerszym zakresie odnoszą się do poszczególnych aspektów ochrony zdrowia. Istotnym elementem definiującym system ochrony zdrowia danego państwa jest przyjęty model jego organizacji oraz finansowania. Determinuje on oczywiście w znacznej mierze kształt przyjmowanych w państwie rozwiązań organizacyjnych oraz zasad finansowania świadczeń opieki zdrowotnej. Pozostaje jednocześnie w związku z realizacją prawa do ochrony zdrowia, a w tym zakresie z zapewnieniem dostępu do świadczeń opieki zdrowotnej finansowanych ze środków publicznych. W niniejszym opracowaniu analizie poddano strukturę źródeł finansowania systemów ochrony zdrowia – ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem środków publicznych przeznaczonych na ten cel przez jednostki samorządu terytorialnego.
DOPUSZCZALNOŚĆ SĄDOWEJ KONTROLI OCENY OKRESOWEJ ORAZ ROZWIĄZANIE UMOWY O PRACĘ Z PRACOWNIKIEM SAMORZĄDOWYM JAKO KONSEKWENCJA OCENY OKRESOWEJ
Authors: Reda-Ciszewska Anna
Published: January 2022

Artykuł dotyczy kontroli okresowej pracownika samorządowego, której negatywny wynik może prowadzić do rozwiązania z nim umowy o pracę. Natomiast ustawa o pracownikach samorządowych nie przewiduje odwołania od negatywnej oceny okresowej do sądu pracy. Możliwe będzie to jedynie w razie rozwiązania z nim umowy o pracę. W artykule omówiono dotychczasowe orzecznictwo sądowe w tym zakresie oraz poglądy przedstawicieli doktryny.
O wadze „szczegółów”. Recenzja książki Marcelego Hermana, „Działalność żandarmerii Wojskowej Sił Zbrojnych Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej w systemie bezpieczeństwa państwa w latach 1999-2018”, wyd. 1, wyd. „Sztafeta”, Kraków-Stalowa Wola 2018, ss. 205
Authors: Jastrzębski Wińczysław
Published: January 2022

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Wallop of Symptoms and Co-morbidities on COVID-19 Outcome
Authors: Abo ElNaga Heba H. , AbdelHalim Hesham A. , Abdellatif Mohamed , BG Haroun , Elnagdy Basem , Ashraf Taghreed , ElNaggar Bahaa , S. Eldin Passant , TA Ismail , Mosaad Beshoy , Ismail Tasbeeha , Boules Rasmy , Methuselah Shawky , Rafaat Paula
Published: January 2022

Background:

Fever, cough, fatigue, and myalgia are usually the original clinical picture of the COVID-19 pandemic, which appears non-specific and not exclusive.

Objectives:

To illustrate the clinical picture pattern and assess the prevalence of underlying co-morbidities and their correlation with the severity of COVID-19 infected patients.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey included 580 participants who were either suspected or confirmed with COVID-19 infection.

Results:

The severity of the disease significantly correlates with both age (p=.01) and the time lag of the diagnosis of COVID-19 (p=.03). Hypertension (p=.015) and diabetes mellitus (p<.01) were significantly associated with the duration of symptoms. A wide range of ages (21-60 years) seemed to be the only risk factor for the severity. When symptoms were tested, dyspnea appeared to be the most prevalent symptom, predicting a more severe disease (OR= .066, 95% CI: .022- .200), followed by diarrhea (OR= .285, 95% CI: .122-.663), then fever (OR= .339, 95% CI: .139-.824). During the examination of co-morbidities influences on the severity, the only major co-morbidity that predicted a more severe disease was IHD (OR= .218, 95% CI: .073- .648), p= .006.

Conclusion:

Special consideration is required for patients with COVID-19 with an associated longer gap between symptoms and diagnosis and associated co-morbidities including hypertension, diabetes, and established chronic kidney disease (CKD), for which this study proved its profound influence on the severity of the illness and duration of symptoms.
DDH Diagnosis: What do we Know so Far?
Authors: Al-Naser Saeed , Altamimi Anas A.R.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a common disease worldwide. The success of treatment depends on making an early and accurate diagnosis using clinical examination and imaging. Diagnosis of DDH patients is challenging and controversial, and many cases still present late. There is still a lack of consensus among health care providers regarding the diagnostic methods in terms of interpretation, accuracy and appropriate timing. The clinical practice seems to widely vary between healthcare providers in different parts of the world.

Aims:

We aim to provide a clear pathway to help healthcare professionals from different disciplines in diagnosing DDH at the earliest age possible in order to start an effective treatment and avoid complex procedures and unnecessary complications. We also aim to provide an extensive review that will provide a standardized reference detailing the whole diagnostic process in order to improve the clinical outcome and save resources.

Methods:

We reviewed the relevant literature using Pubmed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane library and looked into the references lists of all of these papers to gather all the available evidence. All papers were carefully critiqued to use the most rigorous in the conclusions of this review. We included articles discussing clinical examination and radiological diagnosis. Papers discussing the most used clinical examination tests and the timing of clinical evaluation were reviewed. Also, we looked into papers discussing radiological diagnosis using ultrasound scanning and standard radiographs in terms of sensitivity, specificity and reliability and their relation to patient’s age and other variables.

Results:

DDH diagnosis must start at a very young age by repeated examination using specific clinical tests looking mainly for signs of major instability. Ultrasound scanning is the investigation of choice in screening and early diagnosis, and the Graf method seems to be the most reliable method. X-rays are not reliable in early diagnosis, especially in the first four months of life, and can lead to over-diagnosis, particularly when using the Acetabular Index as the sole measurement tool.

Conclusion:

DDH diagnosis has many controversies, and the practice is still widely variable. This review provides an evidence-based, updated pathway for early DDH diagnosis in order to improve the clinical outcome, avoid complications, reduce the need for surgical treatment and save public resources. It highlights some malpractices that are still used in the diagnostic process. The review provides a standardized reference to doctors from different specialties and with different experience levels who are tasked with assessing children for DDH.
Refugiados do Holocausto em Portugal: representações da “vida nua” no corpo social português
Authors: Marques Karina
Published: January 2022

This article deals with the representations of the passage of Holocaust refugees through Portuguese soil in the trilogy O cavalo espantado (1960) by Alves Redol, Sob céus estranhos (1962) by Ilse Losa and Sob céus estranhos: uma história de exílio (2007) by Daniel Blaufuks. Under three distinct narrative perspectives - that of “Just among the Nations”, that of the refugee himself and that of the “post-memory’s” heir (Hirsch 1992-1993) - these authors portray 1997) in the Portuguese social body. In his condition as an outlaw, the refugee becomes a privileged figure to question the “fiction originating from sovereignty” (Agamben 2002: 32). We also intend to analyze how the figure of the refugee raises reflections on the Portuguese identity, through two types of images: the “ideological” and the “utopian” (Moura 1998).
Robert Menasse, The Capital. A satirical novel on the European Union
Authors: Oliveira Teresa Martins de
Published: January 2022

After a short introduction to Menasse´s ideas about the European Union presented in different theoretical texts, the paper will concentrate on the novel The Capital, published in 2016. It will focus on the idea the reader will react with strangeness to the diminished narrative space taken in the text by topics like migrations, terrorism and islamofobia, which are generally accepted as the main issues affecting the EU today (Griffen 2019). Nonetheless, a more detailed analysis of three moments of the novel that critics tend to consider as subsidiary according to their place in the textual economy will show the importance of the aforementioned topics and their (possible) recognition as the new challenges that mark the EU.