bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stress-Driven Evolution on Mismatched Ca2Co2O5 Oxide Material: From Geometry to the Electronic States
Authors: Zhang F. P. , Sun Y. , Zhang G. L. , Shi X. Y. , Qin G. Q.
Published: May 2021

The geometrical structures, phase stabilities, electron energy band structures, electron density of states, and atom recombination together with the electron conduction behaviors of the sandwiched Ca2Co2O5 with external stress of 1 GPa are intensively studied by the density functional theory method. The studying results show that the symmetry remains undisturbed; the strain to the stress response is anisotropic. The strain of microarchitecture induced by external stress is also anisotropic. There is stronger covalent binding between Co and O. The binding between Co and O within CdI2 like CoO2 is very much even covalent, and it is weakened under external stress. But the covalent Co-O binding within the rock salt like CaCoO layer is enhanced. The Ca-O binding strength is insensitive to external stress. An energy gap of 0.1 eV below Fermi level for the spin-up electron band disappears, and the two energy gaps are narrowed for the spin-down electron bands. The p orbital electrons form primarily the bands below Fermi level and the d orbital electrons form primarily the bands above Fermi level. The transitions from p orbital electrons to d orbital electrons produce the conduction. The CdI2 like CoO2 layer has been enhanced in terms of participating in the conduction properties with external stress of 1 GPa, and the capability of Co is enhanced while the capability of O is decreased.
Audit of Radiology Request Form for Completion and Usefulness of Clinical History: Teaching Hospital Experience, Ghana
Authors: Jimah Bashiru Babatunde
Published: May 2021

Background. The role of the “traditional” radiologist has shifted from imaging centered to patient focus, which underscores the utmost importance of the clinical radiologist in the multidisciplinary team in patient management. For the clinical radiologist to effectively play this key role, the referring clinician must provide adequate and useful patient information to assist the radiologist in making a diagnosis or provide differential diagnosis. The objectives were to assess the level of completion of the radiology request form and to determine whether the clinical history provided aided in the final impression/diagnosis. Materials and Method. We conducted a prospective review of 500 radiology request forms at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) between September and October 2018. The forms were consecutively sampled and reviewed for each field/area such as patient’s name, age, and clinical history. Data were analyzed descriptively for the level of completeness and usefulness of clinical history entered by the clinician. Results. No request form was completed in full. All the request forms did not have X-ray serial number and previous examination details documented. The proportions of forms with various fields completed were as follows: more than 90% of the forms had patient’s name, investigation required, date of the request, doctor’s name, and clinical history fields filled. The patient’s age, patient’s ward/address, and doctor’s address were filled in 88%, 75%, and 18.4%, respectively. Twenty percent of the request forms were not useful to the radiologist in the final diagnosis. Conclusion. A significant proportion of radiology request forms are incompletely filled and therefore denies the radiologist, the critical information needed to make a diagnosis, or narrow differential diagnosis.
Simulation and Analysis of Extended Spatial Channel Model in Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication Environments
Authors: Chen Xin , Zhu Yaolin , Fang Yong
Published: May 2021

In this paper, an extension spatial channel model (SCM) for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications is proposed. To efficiently illustrate the real-world scenarios and reflect nonstationary properties of V2V channels, all effective scattering objects are subdivided into three categories of clusters according to the relative position of clusters. Besides, a birth-death process is introduced to model the appearance and disappearance of clusters on both the array and time axes. Their impacts on V2V channels are investigated via statistical properties including correlation functions. Additionally, a closed-form expression of channel impulse response (CIR) is derived from an extension SCM and cluster-based models. Furthermore, the spatial and frequency statistical properties of the reference model are thoroughly investigated. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed SCM V2V model is in close agreement with previously reported results, thereby validating the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed model.
Domination of Fuzzy Incidence Graphs with the Algorithm and Application for the Selection of a Medical Lab
Authors: Nazeer Irfan , Rashid Tabasam , Garcia Guirao Juan Luis
Published: May 2021

Fuzzy graphs (FGs), broadly known as fuzzy incidence graphs (FIGs), have been recognized as being an effective tool to tackle real-world problems in which vague data and information are essential. Dominating sets (DSs) have multiple applications in diverse areas of life. In wireless networking, DSs are being used to find efficient routes with ad hoc mobile networks. In this paper, we extend the concept of domination of FGs to the FIGs and show some of their important properties. We propose the idea of order, size, and domination in FIGs. Two types of domination, namely, strong fuzzy incidence domination and weak fuzzy incidence domination, for FIGs are discussed. A relationship between strong fuzzy incidence domination and weak fuzzy incidence domination for complete fuzzy incidence graphs (CFIGs) is also introduced. An algorithm to find a fuzzy incidence dominating set (FIDS) and a fuzzy incidence domination number (FIDN) is discussed. Finally, an application of fuzzy incidence domination (FID) is provided to choose the best medical lab among different labs for the conduction of tests for the coronavirus.
Infâncias imigrantes, silêncios e fronteiras do cuidado em um CAPS infantojuvenil
Authors: Joia Julia Hatakeyama
Published: May 2021

O trabalho aborda o cuidado em saúde mental de crianças de famílias bolivianas em um CAPS (Centro de Atenção Psicossocial) Infantojuvenil em São Paulo. Essas crianças apresentam dificuldades na aquisição da fala e na interação social, e são encaminhadas majoritariamente pelas escolas. A apresentação de vinhetas clínicas buscará articular suas histórias ao contexto de imigração, às rupturas nas transmissões familiares, vivências de desamparo e estratégias de enfrentamento de um lugar social desqualificado. Discute-se a tendência à redução de tais impasses ao diagnóstico de autismo, cristalizando uma compreensão reducionista e dificultando a diferenciação e singularização dos casos. O silêncio dessas crianças e de suas famílias é entendido como efeitos dos abalos nas transmissões familiares, mas também como formas de resistência à submissão cultural e identitária.
John the Baptist in Memory, Judaism and Historical Materialism
Authors: Myles Robert J.
Published: May 2021

Joel Marcus’s JBHT argues that John would have seen himself not as forerunner to Jesus but rather that he, and not Jesus, was the proclaimer and inaugurator of God’s apocalyptic kingdom. The historical Baptist, originally part of the Qumran community, broke away from this group due to his belief that he himself was the prophet Elijah and that his own ministry was central to God’s purposes. This article raises three methodological and historiographical questions concerning where Marcus might reconsider and/or expand the results of his study. First, can we really get at John’s self-understanding beyond the subjective memory impressions left in our extant sources? Second, does Marcus’s connection of John to the Qumran community rely on (mis)characterizations of the community as a marginal sect? Third, what social and economic forces prompted John’s ‘individual decision’ to relocate to the wilderness?
A review of the genus Anthocomus Erichson, 1840 (Coleoptera, Cleroidea, Malachiidae) species of Inner Asia
Authors: TSHERNYSHEV SERGEI E.
Published: May 2021

The distribution and species diversity of the genus Anthocomus Erichson, 1840 of Inner Asia are discussed. Nine species, Anthocomus (Celidus) equestris (Fabricius, 1781), Anthocomus (Anthocomus) abdominalis Pic, 1903, A.( A.) coreanus Pic, 1911, A. (A.) cyaneipennis Wittmer, 1940, A. (A.) limbellus (Wittmer, 1953), A. (A.) lineatipennis Wittmer, 1995, A. (A.) mongolicus Wittmer, 1969, A. (A.) similicornis Wittmer, 1999 and A. (A.) testaceoterminalis Wittmer, 1995 known from the region and adjacent territories are reviewed. The placement of four species, ? A. (A.) coreanus Pic, 1911, ? A. (A.) cyaneipennis Wittmer, 1940, ? A. (A.) limbellus (Wittmer, 1953) and ? A. (A.) mongolicus Wittmer, 1969 in the genus Anthocomus Erichson is discussed as doubtful. A new species, Anthocomus (Anthocomus) kovali Tshernyshev, sp. n. from Wexi mountains, Yunnan Province, China is described and illustrated. The new species differs in its monochromous orange-yellow elytra with orange-red apical impressions yellow within, appendages orange-brown, head, pronotum, scutellum and palpi dark brown to black and lacking metallic luster, antennae dark brown.
Three Oriental species of Pseudoaerumnosa Rudzinski (Diptera, Sciaridae)
from China
Authors: CHEN ZULUAN , YANG XUE , MENZEL FRANK , WU HONG , HUANG JUNHAO
Published: May 2021

Three Oriental species of the genus Pseudoaerumnosa Rudzinski, 2006 from China are described and illustrated: P. regularis sp. n., P. tianmushana sp. n. and P. tkoci Vilkamaa, Halenius & Ševčík, 2019. The morphological species concepts were supported by the DNA barcodes of COI sequences. The genetic distances of Pseudoaerumnosa species were analyzed and a neighbor-joining tree was constructed, based on 37 sequences of nine species.
Cyclopamine Reduces the Growth of Endometrial Carcinoma and Hedgehog Pathway Proteins in a Xenograft Mouse Model
Authors: He Zhengxing , Zeng Jing , Xu Yalan
Published: May 2021

Endometrial carcinoma is a frequently occurring malignancy of the female reproductive tract. Previous investigations have implicated the Hedgehog signaling pathway, including the smoothened (Smo) receptor, in tumor progression. Here, we established a nude mouse xenograft model of endometrial
cancer to investigate the effect of the Smo receptor antagonist cyclopamine on the growth of endometrial carcinoma. Mice were randomly sorted into two groups receiving 0.2 mL/mouse every other day of either cyclopamine (20 mg/mL) or solvent (control). The growth of the mice was observed for
18 days. Then, mice were euthanized, tumors were removed and weighed, and tumor volume inhibition rate (VIR) and weight inhibition rate (WIR) were calculated. Smo, Gli1, and Gli2 mRNA expression was measured in tumor tissues by RT-PCR, and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD31
were detected by immunohistochemistry. We found that cyclopamine treatment reduced the tumor growth rate and significantly reduced the volumes and weights of the transplanted tumors compared with those of the controls. Furthermore, the transplanted tumors of cyclopamine-treated mice possessed
lower expression levels of Smo, Gli1, and Gli2, and displayed a lower positive expression of VEGF and CD31. Thus, the Smo receptor antagonist cyclopamine inhibited transplanted tumor growth in nude mice with endometrial carcinoma, which is likely connected with cyclopamine downregulation of
Smo, Gli1, and Gli2 mRNA expression that promote angiogenesis.
The Effect of LncRNA Zinc Finger E-Box-Binding Homeobox 1 Antisense 1 on the Biological Characteristics of Gastric Cancer Cells by Regulating the MiR-200b/Wnt1 Axis
Authors: Shen Minghai , Zhang Weidong , Wang Bei
Published: May 2021

In recent decades, most gastric cancer patients are diagnosed in the advanced disease stage with poor prognosis, and more than half of the advanced-stage patients will relapse. This research explores lncRNA ZEB1-AS1’s effect on gastric cancer cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis
via regulating the miR-200b/Wnt1 molecular axis. ZEB1-AS1 and miR-200b expressions in BGC-803, SGC-7901, MKN-45, and AGS cells were measured by qRT-PCR. ZEB1-AS1 siRNA, miR-200b mimics, and miR-200b mimics + pcDNA3.1-ZEB1-AS1 were transfected into BGC-803 cells to study their respective effect
on cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis using CCK-8 and Transwell assays and flow cytometry, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay is used to detect the luciferase activity of ZEB1-AS1 WT or MUT and Wnt1 WT or MUT after co-transfecting with miR-200b mimics. The expression of
miR-200b in BGC-803 cells with knocked down or overexpressed ZEB1-AS1 was quantified with qRT-PCR. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein level of Wnt1 in BGC-803 cells with upregulated or downregulated miR-200b expression. Data showed that ZEB1-AS1 expression was significantly
raised when miR-200b expression was reduced (P < 0.05). BGC-803 cells were selected for follow-up experiments. ZEB1-AS1, Wnt1, and miR-200b were found to have a targeted regulatory relationship. The knockdown of ZEB1-AS1 and upregulation of miR-200b can hinder BGC-803 cell proliferation
and invasion and expedite apoptosis. ZEB1-AS1 and miR-200b overexpression can reverse the effect of miR-200b upregulation on BGC-803 cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. Therefore, lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 could impede gastric cancer cell proliferation and invasion and accelerate apoptosis
via the regulation of the miR-200b/Wnt1 molecular axis.
Regulatory Effects of Andrographolide on Lung Tissue Inflammation and Th17/Treg in Rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Induced by Smoking and Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Li Hong , Song Shuang , Kong Zhibin , Zhu Zhen , Liu Yi , Zuo Sheng , Yin Shaojun
Published: May 2021

The pathogenesis of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is complex, and lung tissue inflammation and Th17/Treg imbalance are the key factors causing lung dysfunction. We constructed a rat COPD model induced by smoking and lipopolysaccharide to explore andrographolide’s
regulation on lung inflammation and Th17/Treg in COPD rats. By contrast, the study found that normal rats, COPD rats forced expiratory volume of 0.3 seconds (FEV0.3), FEV0.3/forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) levels decreased. In addition,
the levels of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-6 in alveolar lavage fluid increased, and the level of IL-10 decreased. Concurrently, the total number of white blood cells, monocytes and macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes increased. Meanwhile, the contents of CD25, CD4, and Foxp3 in
lung tissue all increased, and the protein levels of HMGB1, TLR4, and p65 increased. After treatment with andrographolide, the levels of FEV0.3, FEV0.3/FVC, and PEF increased, proving the increase was positively correlated with the concentration of andrographolide. The
levels of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-6 in rat alveolar lavage fluid decreased, and the level of IL-10 sequentially. The total number of white blood cells, the number of monocytes and macrophages, the number of lymphocytes, and the neutral Granulocytes decreased significantly. And the
contents of CD25, CD4, and Foxp3 in lung tissue significantly decreased, and the protein levels of HMGB1, TLR4, and p65 significantly decreased. The above results indicate that andrographolide might be a potential COPD treatment approach. Andrographolide improves the lung function of rats
with COPD, reduces lung inflammation, regulates Th17/Treg balance, and its mechanism may be related to HMGB1/TLR4/NF-кB signaling.
The Downregulation of Long Noncoding RNA Metastasis Associated with Colon Cancer 1 (lncRNA MACC1-AS1) Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhang Caidi , Zou Xinzhong
Published: May 2021

To explore the effects of lncRNA MACC1-AS1 on the invasion and migration of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), PCR was used to detect and compare lncRNA MACC1-AS1 expression in NSCLC cells to normal lung epithelial cells and assess the knockdown effect of lncRNA MACC1-AS1 in A549 and
H1299 cell lines. The Transwell system was employed to compare the invasiveness of the lncRNA MACC1-AS1 knockdown cells to the control cells. The migratory ability of the lncRNA MACC1-AS1 knockdown cells was compared to the control cells via in vitro scratch assay. Western blot was
used to detect the E-cadherin/N-cadherin expression. Balb/c mouse model was used to verify the metastasis ability in vivo between the control and lncRNA MACC1-AS1 knockdown groups. The level of lncRNA MACC1-AS1 was markedly higher in lung cancer cells than normal lung epithelial cells.
The knockdown of lncRNA MACC1-AS1 reduced the invasiveness and migratory capacity of A549 and H1299 cells. Downregulating lncRNA MACC1-AS1 upregulated E-cadherin but down-regulated N-cadherin in A549 and H1299 cells. Besides, the silencing of lncRNA MACC1-AS1 reduced the A549 cells’
ability to metastasize in vivo. LncRNA MACC1-AS1 can enhance the invasiveness and migratory capability of NSCLC.
MicroRNA-501-5p Targets PINX1 Gene to Regulate the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Prostatic Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Zhao Yueguang , Zhang Xiaohua , Ye Hao , Yu Zhixian , Zhu Junhua , Wang Qing
Published: May 2021

The expression of PINX1 is decreased in prostate cancer, and the high level of miRNA-501-5p promotes the proliferation of liver cancer cells. However, there is no relevant research on miRNA-501-5p in prostate cancer. miRNA-501-5p can target the 3’UTR of PINX1 mRNA; however,
it is unclear whether they affect the migration, invasion, and proliferation of prostate cancer cells. In this paper, PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of miRNA-501-5p and PINX1 in prostate cancer cells PC3, LNCaP, and DU145, and normal prostate epithelial cells RWPE-1.
Compared to the normal prostate epithelial cells, miRNA-501-5p expression in prostate cancer cells was increased, and the expression of PINX1 was decreased. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to detect the migration, proliferation, and invasion of prostate cancer DU145 cells.
It was found that suppressing the expression of miRNA-501-5p or overexpressing PINX1 could inhibit the proliferation and other biological behaviors of DU145 cells; at the same time, the level of Cyclin D1, MMP-2, and MMP-14 protein was decreased, and the protein level of P21 was increased.
Moreover, inhibition of PINX1 expression could partially reverse miRNA-501-5p’s inhibitory effect on the migration, invasion, and proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Therefore, miRNA-501-5p targeted PINX1 for down-regulation to promote prostate cancer cell migration, invasion, and
proliferation.
Adaptive fault-tolerant flutter control considering related failure
Authors: Gao Mingzhou
Published: May 2021

This article proposes a novel adaptive fault-tolerant control method for suppressing flutter and compensating for related failure in a flutter system. Considering cubic nonlinearity, external disturbances, and related failure, the flutter dynamic model was established firstly. Then, an adaptive fault-tolerant control law was proposed on basis of this model to compensate for related failure and suppress flutter. By Lyapunov stability analysis, the stability of proposed control law was proved in detail. On the last, simulation results further proved the effectiveness of the control law which can not only suppress flutter and compensate for related failure successfully but also has good robustness for external disturbances and system perturbation.
Nickel–Cobalt Hydroxides with Tunable Thin-Layer Nanosheets for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrode
Authors: Zhang Luomeng , Xia Hui , Liu Shaobo , Zhou Yishan , Zhao Yuefeng , Xie Wenke
Published: May 2021

Layered double hydroxides as typical supercapacitor electrode materials can exhibit superior energy storage performance if their structures are well regulated. In this work, a simple one-step hydrothermal method is used to prepare diverse nickel–cobalt layered double hydroxides (NiCo-LDHs), in which the different contents of urea are used to regulate the different nanostructures of NiCo-LDHs. The results show that the decrease in urea content can effectively improve the dispersibility, adjust the thickness and optimize the internal pore structures of NiCo-LDHs, thereby enhancing their capacitance performance. When the content of urea is reduced from 0.03 to 0.0075 g under a fixed precursor materials mass ratio of nickel (0.06 g) to cobalt (0.02 g) of 3:1, the prepared sample NiCo-LDH-1 exhibits the thickness of 1.62 nm, and the clear thin-layer nanosheet structures and a large number of surface pores are formed, which is beneficial to the transmission of ions into the electrode material. After being prepared as a supercapacitor electrode, the NiCo-LDH-1 displays an ultra-high specific capacitance of 3982.5 F g−1 under the current density of 1 A g−1 and high capacitance retention above 93.6% after 1000 cycles of charging and discharging at a high current density of 10 A g−1. The excellent electrochemical performance of NiCo-LDH-1 is proved by assembling two-electrode asymmetric supercapacitor with carbon spheres, displaying the specific capacitance of 95 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 with the capacitance retention of 78% over 1000 cycles. The current work offers a facile way to control the nanostructure of NiCo-LDHs, confirms the important affection of urea on enhancing capacitive performance for supercapacitor electrode and provides the high possibility for the development of high-performance supercapacitors.
PlncRNA-HDeep: plant long noncoding RNA prediction using hybrid deep learning based on two encoding styles
Authors: Meng Jun , Kang Qiang , Chang Zheng , Luan Yushi
Published: May 2021

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in regulating biological activities and their prediction is significant for exploring biological processes. Long short-term memory (LSTM) and convolutional neural network (CNN) can automatically extract and learn the abstract information from the encoded RNA sequences to avoid complex feature engineering. An ensemble model learns the information from multiple perspectives and shows better performance than a single model. It is feasible and interesting that the RNA sequence is considered as sentence and image to train LSTM and CNN respectively, and then the trained models are hybridized to predict lncRNAs. Up to present, there are various predictors for lncRNAs, but few of them are proposed for plant. A reliable and powerful predictor for plant lncRNAs is necessary.

Results

To boost the performance of predicting lncRNAs, this paper proposes a hybrid deep learning model based on two encoding styles (PlncRNA-HDeep), which does not require prior knowledge and only uses RNA sequences to train the models for predicting plant lncRNAs. It not only learns the diversified information from RNA sequences encoded by p-nucleotide and one-hot encodings, but also takes advantages of lncRNA-LSTM proposed in our previous study and CNN. The parameters are adjusted and three hybrid strategies are tested to maximize its performance. Experiment results show that PlncRNA-HDeep is more effective than lncRNA-LSTM and CNN and obtains 97.9% sensitivity, 95.1% precision, 96.5% accuracy and 96.5% F1 score on Zea mays dataset which are better than those of several shallow machine learning methods (support vector machine, random forest, k-nearest neighbor, decision tree, naive Bayes and logistic regression) and some existing tools (CNCI, PLEK, CPC2, LncADeep and lncRNAnet).

Conclusions

PlncRNA-HDeep is feasible and obtains the credible predictive results. It may also provide valuable references for other related research.
CancerSiamese: one-shot learning for predicting primary and metastatic tumor types unseen during model training
Authors: Mostavi Milad , Chiu Yu-Chiao , Chen Yidong , Huang Yufei
Published: May 2021

Background

The state-of-the-art deep learning based cancer type prediction can only predict cancer types whose samples are available during the training where the sample size is commonly large. In this paper, we consider how to utilize the existing training samples to predict cancer types unseen during the training. We hypothesize the existence of a set of type-agnostic expression representations that define the similarity/dissimilarity between samples of the same/different types and propose a novel one-shot learning model called CancerSiamese to learn this common representation. CancerSiamese accepts a pair of query and support samples (gene expression profiles) and learns the representation of similar or dissimilar cancer types through two parallel convolutional neural networks joined by a similarity function.

Results

We trained CancerSiamese for cancer type prediction for primary and metastatic tumors using samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and MET500. Network transfer learning was utilized to facilitate the training of the CancerSiamese models. CancerSiamese was tested for different N-way predictions and yielded an average accuracy improvement of 8% and 4% over the benchmark 1-Nearest Neighbor (1-NN) classifier for primary and metastatic tumors, respectively. Moreover, we applied the guided gradient saliency map and feature selection to CancerSiamese to examine 100 and 200 top marker-gene candidates for the prediction of primary and metastatic cancers, respectively. Functional analysis of these marker genes revealed several cancer related functions between primary and metastatic tumors.

Conclusion

This work demonstrated, for the first time, the feasibility of predicting unseen cancer types whose samples are limited. Thus, it could inspire new and ingenious applications of one-shot and few-shot learning solutions for improving cancer diagnosis, prognostic, and our understanding of cancer.
Feasibility of point-of-care cardiac ultrasound performed by clinicians at health centers in Tanzania
Authors: Kimambo Delilah , Kennedy Samuel , Kifai Engerasiya , Kailembo Neema , Eichberg Christie , Markosky Sarah , Shah Ishan , Powers Eric , Zwerner Peter , Dorman Susan E. , Janabi Mohamed , Bayer Richard
Published: May 2021

Background

Point-of-care cardiac ultrasound (cardiac POCUS) has potential to become a useful tool for improving cardiovascular care in Tanzania. We conducted a pilot program to train clinicians at peripheral health centers to obtain and interpret focused cardiac POCUS examinations using a hand-held portable device.

Methods

Over a 5-day period, didactic and experiential methods were used to train clinicians to conduct a pre-specified scanning protocol and recognize key pathologies. Pre- and post-training knowledge and post-training image acquisition competency were assessed. In their usual clinical practices, trainees then scanned patients with cardiovascular signs/symptoms, recorded a pre-specified set of images for each scan, and documented their interpretation as to presence or absence of key pathologies on a case report form. A cardiologist subsequently reviewed all images, graded them for image quality, and then documented their interpretation of key pathologies in a blinded fashion; the cardiologist interpretation was considered the gold standard.

Results

8 trainees (6 Clinical Officers, 1 Assistant Medical Officer, and 1 Medical Doctor) initiated and completed the training. Trainees subsequently performed a total of 429 cardiac POCUS examinations in their clinical practices over a 9 week period. Stratified by trainee, the median percent of images that were of sufficient quality to be interpretable was 76.7% (range 18.0–94.2%). For five of eight trainees, 75% or more of images were interpretable. For detection of pre-specified key pathologies, kappa statistics for agreement between trainee and cardiologist ranged from − 0.03 (no agreement) for detection of pericardial effusion to 0.42 (moderate agreement) for detection of tricuspid valve regurgitation. Mean kappa values across the key pathologies varied by trainee from 0 (no agreement) to 0.32 (fair agreement).

Conclusions

The 5-day training program was sufficient to train most clinicians to obtain basic cardiac images but not to accurately interpret them. Proficiency in image interpretation may require a more intensive training program.
Effect of short-term smoking & L-arginine on coronary endothelial function assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance cold pressor testing: a pilot study
Authors: Weng Andreas M. , Köstler Herbert , Bley Thorsten A. , Ritter Christian O.
Published: May 2021

Background

The effect of smoking on coronary vasomotion has been investigated in the past with various imaging techniques in both short- and long-term smokers. Additionally, coronary vasomotion has been shown to be normalized in long-term smokers by L-Arginine acting as a substrate for NO synthase, revealing the coronary endothelium as the major site of abnormal vasomotor response. Aim of the prospective cohort study was to investigate coronary vasomotion of young healthy short-term smokers via magnetic resonance cold pressor test with and without the administration of L-Arginine and compare obtained results with the ones from nonsmokers.

Methods

Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was quantified with first-pass perfusion MRI on a 1.5 T scanner in healthy short-term smokers (N = 10, age: 25.0 ± 2.8 years, 5.0 ± 2.9 pack years) and nonsmokers (N = 10, age: 34.3 ± 13.6) both at rest and during cold pressor test (CPT). Smokers underwent an additional examination after administration of L-Arginine within a median of 7 days of the naïve examination.

Results

MBF at rest turned out to be 0.77 ± 0.30 (smokers with no L-Arginine; mean ± standard deviation), 0.66 ± 0.21 (smokers L-Arginine) and 0.84 ± 0.08 (nonsmokers). Values under CPT were 1.21 ± 0.42 (smokers no L-Arginine), 1.09 ± 0.35 (smokers L-Arginine) and 1.63 ± 0.33 (nonsmokers). In all groups, MBF was significantly increased under CPT compared to the corresponding rest examination (p < 0.05 in all cases). Additionally, MBF under CPT was significantly different between the smokers and the nonsmokers (p = 0.002). MBF at rest was significantly different between the smokers when L-Arginine was given and the nonsmokers (p = 0.035).

Conclusion

Short-term smokers showed a reduced response to cold both with and without the administration of L-Arginine. However, absolute MBF values under CPT were lower compared to nonsmokers independently of L-Arginine administration.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and severity of acute appendicitis: a comparison between 2019 and 2020
Authors:   the SCOUT Collaboarative Study group, Scheijmans Jochem C. G. , Borgstein Alexander B. J. , Puylaert Carl A. J. , Bom Wouter J. , Bachiri Said , van Bodegraven Eduard A. , Brandsma Amarins T. A. , ter Brugge Floor M. , de Castro Steve M. M. , Couvreur Roy , Franken Lotte C. , Gaspersz Marcia P. , de Graaff Michelle R. , Groenen Hannah , Kleipool Suzanne C. , Kuypers Toon J. L. , Martens Milou H. , Mens David M. , Orsini Ricardo G. , Reneerkens Nando J. M. M. , Schok Thomas , Sedee Wouter J. A. , Tavakoli Rad Shahzad , Volders José H. , Weeder Pepijn D. , Prins Jan M. , Gietema Hester A. , Stoker Jaap , Gisbertz Suzanne S. , Besselink Marc G. H. , Boermeester Marja A.
Published: May 2021

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in the number of patients presenting with acute appendicitis was observed. It is unclear whether this caused a shift towards more complicated cases of acute appendicitis. We compared a cohort of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic with a 2019 control cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively included consecutive adult patients in 21 hospitals presenting with acute appendicitis in a COVID-19 pandemic cohort (March 15 – April 30, 2020) and a control cohort (March 15 – April 30, 2019). Primary outcome was the proportion of complicated appendicitis. Secondary outcomes included prehospital delay, appendicitis severity, and postoperative complication rates.

Results

The COVID-19 pandemic cohort comprised 607 patients vs. 642 patients in the control cohort. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher proportion of complicated appendicitis was seen (46.9% vs. 38.5%; p = 0.003). More patients had symptoms exceeding 24 h (61.1% vs. 56.2%, respectively, p = 0.048). After correction for prehospital delay, presentation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was still associated with a higher rate of complicated appendicitis. Patients presenting > 24 h after onset of symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic were older (median 45 vs. 37 years; p = 0.001) and had more postoperative complications (15.3% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Although the incidence of acute appendicitis was slightly lower during the first wave of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, more patients presented with a delay and with complicated appendicitis than in a corresponding period in 2019. Spontaneous resolution of mild appendicitis may have contributed to the increased proportion of patients with complicated appendicitis. Late presenting patients were older and experienced more postoperative complications compared to the control cohort.
BRAFnon-V600E more frequently co-occurs with IDH1/2 mutations in adult patients with gliomas than in patients harboring BRAFV600E but without a survival advantage
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Maode , Jiang Haitao , Wang Tuo , Da Rong
Published: May 2021

Background

The effects of BRAFnon-V600E and BRAFV600E on the outcomes and the molecular characteristics of adult glioma patients are unknown and need to be explored, although BRAFV600E has been extensively studied in pediatric glioma.

Methods

Co-occurring mutations and copy number alterations of associated genes in the MAPK and p53 pathways were investigated using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) public database retrieved by cBioPortal. The prognosis of available adult glioma cohorts with BRAFV600E and BRAFnon-V600E mutations were also investigated.

Results

Ninety patients with BRAFV600E or BRAFnon-V600E were enrolled in this study, and data from 52 nonredundant patients were investigated. Glioblastoma multiform was the most common cancer type, with BRAFnon-V600E and BRAFV600E. TP53 (56.00% vs. 7.41%), IDH1/2 (36.00% vs. 3.70%), and ATRX (32.00% vs. 7.41%) exhibited more mutations in BRAFnon-V600E than in BRAFV600E, and TP53 was an independent risk factor (56.00% vs. 7.41%). Both BRAFnon-V600E and BRAFV600E frequently overlapped with CDKN2A/2B homozygous deletions (HDs), but there was no significant difference. Survival analysis showed no difference between the BRAFnon-V600E and BRAFV600E cohorts, even after excluding the survival benefit of IDH1/2 mutations and considering the BRAFnon-V600E mutations in the glycine-rich loop (G-loop) and in the activation segment. The estimated mean survival of patients with BRAFnon-V600E & IDH1/2WT with mutations in the G-loop groups was the shortest.

Conclusions

BRAFnon-V600E exhibited a stronger association with IDH1/2 mutations than BRAFV600E, but no survival advantage was found.
The association between cognitive impairment and breast and colorectal cancer screening utilization
Authors: Yang Shuang , Bian Jiang , George Thomas J. , Daily Karen , Zhang Dongyu , Braithwaite Dejana , Guo Yi
Published: May 2021

Background

Undergoing cancer screening is a debatable topic in patients with cognitive impairment. In this study, we aimed to examine the utilization and predictors of breast and colorectal cancer screening among screening eligible, cognitively impaired individuals.

Methods

We analyzed the 2018 and 2019 National Health Interview Survey data (n = 12,965 and 24,782, respectively) on individuals eligible for breast or colorectal cancer screening. We calculated the percentage of cancer screening eligible individuals who received mammogram or colonoscopy by cognitive impairment status. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine whether having a recent mammogram or colonoscopy differed by cognitive impairment status, adjusting for covariates.

Results

We observed a significantly lower percentage of mammogram use in the screening eligible, cognitively impaired (mild or severe) versus unimpaired women. Adjusting for the covariates, the cognitively impaired women, mild (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85; p = 0.015) or severe (OR = 0.54; p <  0.001), were less likely to have had a recent mammogram compared to the cognitively unimpaired women. Although statistically non-significant, the percentage of colonoscopy use in the screening eligible, cognitively impaired individuals were slightly higher than that in the cognitively unimpaired individuals. In the regression analysis, we found the cognitively impaired men, mild (OR = 0.79; p <  0.001) or severe (OR = 0.69; p = 0.038), were less likely to have had a recent colonoscopy compared to the cognitively unimpaired men. More studies are needed to examine the multilevel factors that underpin the difference in cancer screening utilization in this vulnerable population.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the need for additional research to address utilization and effectiveness of cancer screening in individuals with cognitive impairment.
Knowledge, attitudes and uptake related to influenza vaccine among healthcare workers during the 2018–2019 influenza season in Tunisia
Authors: Cherif Ines , Kharroubi Ghassen , Bouabid Leila , Gharbi Adel , Boukthir Aicha , Ben Alaya Nissaf , Ben Salah Afif , Bettaieb Jihene
Published: May 2021

Background

The influenza vaccine (IV) is considered the most effective strategy to prevent seasonal influenza infection and annual vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended by the World Health Organization given their high mixing with patients. We assessed IV uptake among HCWs in the 2018–2019 season and explored their knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza immunization.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 representative Tunisian health facilities from March to May 2019. We recruited 1231 HCWs with direct patient contact using self-weighted multistage sampling. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses permitted to assess the factors associated with IV uptake in the 2018–2019 influenza season.

Results

Among 1231 health professionals enrolled in this study, less than half (36.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.9–39.4) received the IV at least once in their lives and only 15.3% (CI: 13.3–17.4) were vaccinated against influenza in the 2018–2019 influenza season. High confidence regarding IV efficacy, belief about the mandatory character of influenza vaccination for HCWs, and IV uptake in the 4 years preceding the 2018–2019 influenza season were independently associated with higher IV uptake by multivariate analysis. However, participants with high educational level were less likely to receive the IV than those with the lowest educational level.

Conclusions

Our study revealed a low vaccination rate among Tunisian HCWs confirming the importance of tailored education programs targeting this population.
How combining different caries lesions characteristics may be helpful in short-term caries progression prediction: model development on occlusal surfaces of primary teeth
Authors: Floriano Isabela , Souza Rocha Elizabeth , Matos Ronilza , Mattos-Silveira Juliana , Ekstrand Kim Rud , Mendes Fausto Medeiros , Braga Mariana Minatel
Published: May 2021

Background

Few studies have addressed the clinical parameters' predictive power related to caries lesion associated with their progression. This study assessed the predictive validity and proposed simplified models to predict short-term caries progression using clinical parameters related to caries lesion activity status.

Methods

The occlusal surfaces of primary molars, presenting no frank cavitation, were examined according to the following clinical predictors: colour, luster, cavitation, texture, and clinical depth. After one year, children were re-evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System to assess caries lesion progression. Progression was set as the outcome to be predicted. Univariate multilevel Poisson models were fitted to test each of the independent variables (clinical features) as predictors of short-term caries progression. The multimodel inference was made based on the Akaike Information Criteria and C statistic. Afterwards, plausible interactions among some of the variables were tested in the models to evaluate the benefit of combining these variables when assessing caries lesions.

Results

205 children (750 surfaces) presented no frank cavitations at the baseline. After one year, 147 children were reassessed (70%). Finally, 128 children (733 surfaces) presented complete baseline data and had included primary teeth to be reassessed. Approximately 9% of the reassessed surfaces showed caries progression. Among the univariate models created with each one of these variables, the model containing the surface integrity as a predictor had the lowest AIC (364.5). Univariate predictive models tended to present better goodness-of-fit (AICs < 388) and discrimination (C:0.959–0.966) than those combining parameters (AIC:365–393, C:0.958–0.961). When only non-cavitated surfaces were considered, roughness compounded the model that better predicted the lesions' progression (AIC = 217.7, C:0.91).

Conclusions

Univariate model fitted considering the presence of cavitation show the best predictive goodness-of-fit and discrimination. For non-cavitated lesions, the simplest way to predict those lesions that tend to progress is by assessing enamel roughness. In general, the evaluation of other conjoint parameters seems unnecessary for all non-frankly cavitated lesions.
The inhibitory effect of silencing CDCA3 on migration and proliferation in bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Shen Dexin , Fang Yayun , Zhou Fenfang , Deng Zhao , Qian Kaiyu , Wang Gang , Xiao Yu , Ju Lingao , Wang Xinghuan
Published: May 2021

Background

CDCA3 is an important component of the E3 ligase complex with SKP1 and CUL1, which could regulate the progress of cell mitosis. CDCA3 has been widely identified as a proto-oncogene in multiple human cancers, however, its role in promoting human bladder urothelial carcinoma has not been fully elucidated.

Methods

Bioinformatic methods were used to analyze the expression level of CDCA3 in human bladder urothelial carcinoma tissues and the relationship between its expression level and key clinical characteristics. In vitro studies were performed to validate the specific functions of CDCA3 in regulating cell proliferation, cell migration and cell cycle process. Alterations of related proteins was investigated by western blot assays. In vivo studies were constructed to validate whether silencing CDCA3 could inhibit the proliferation rate in mice model.

Results

Bioinformatic analysis revealed that CDCA3 was significantly up-regulated in bladder urothelial carcinoma samples and was related to key clinical characteristics, such as tumor grade and metastasis. Moreover, patients who had higher expression level of CDCA3 tend to show a shorter life span. In vitro studies revealed that silencing CDCA3 could impair the migration ability of tumor cells via down-regulating EMT-related proteins such as MMP9 and Vimentin and inhibit tumor cell growth via arresting cells in the G1 cell cycle phase through regulating cell cycle related proteins like p21. In vivo study confirmed that silencing CDCA3 could inhibit the proliferation of bladder urothelial carcinoma cells.

Conclusions

CDCA3 is an important oncogene that could strengthen the migration ability of bladder urothelial carcinoma cells and accelerate tumor cell growth via regulating cell cycle progress and is a potential biomarker of bladder urothelial carcinoma.
High prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infection in Bandafassi, South-East Senegal
Authors: Badiane Aida Sadikh , Ndiaye Tolla , Thiaw Alphonse Birane , Binta Deme Awa , Diallo Mamadou Alpha , Seck Mame Cheikh , Diongue Khadim , Garba Mamane Nassirou , Ndiaye Mouhamadou , Ndiaye Daouda
Published: May 2021

Background

Malaria control and elimination strategies are based on levels of transmission that are usually determined by data collected from health facilities. In endemic areas, asymptomatic Plasmodium infection is thought to represent the majority of infections, though they are not diagnosed nor treated. Therefore, there might be an underestimation of the malaria reservoir, resulting in inadequate control strategies. In addition, these untreated asymptomatic Plasmodium infections maintain transmission, making it difficult or impossible to reach malaria elimination goals. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infections in southeastern Senegal.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted among asymptomatic individuals (N = 122) living in the village of Andiel located in Bandafassi, Kédougou, which consisted of about 200 inhabitants during the malaria transmission season in late October 2019. For each individual without malaria-related symptoms and who consented to participate, a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was performed in the field. Results were confirmed in the laboratory with photo-induced electron transfer (PET-PCR).

Results

Malaria prevalence was 70.3% by PET-PCR and 41.8% by RDT. During the same period, the health post of the area reported 49. 1% test positivity rate by RDT. The majority of the infected study population, 92.9%, was infected with a single species and 7.1% had two or three species of Plasmodium. Plasmodium falciparum was predominant and represented 90.2% of the infections, while 6.5% were due to Plasmodium ovale and 3.3% to Plasmodium malariae. 59.4% of children targeted for SMC (zero to ten years old) were infected.

Conclusion

In southeastern Senegal, where the transmission is the highest, malaria control strategies should address asymptomatic Plasmodium infections at the community level. The results suggest that this area could be eligible for mass drug administration. Moreover, non-falciparum species could be more common and its prevalence should be determined countrywide.