bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Between empathy and anger: healthcare workers’ perspectives on patient disengagement from antiretroviral treatment in Khayelitsha, South Africa - a qualitative study
Authors: Nhemachena Tsephiso , Späth Carmen , Arendse Kirsten D , Lebelo Keitumetse , Keene Claire M , Zokufa Nompumelelo , Cassidy Tali , Swartz Alison
Published: May 2022

Background & objectivesThe benefits of long-term adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) are countered by interruptions in care or disengagement from care. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play an important role in patient engagement and negative or authoritarian attitudes can drive patients to disengage. However, little is known about HCW perspectives on disengagement. We explored HCWs’ perspectives on ART disengagement in Khayelitsha, a peri-urban area in South Africa with a high HIV burden.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted in English with 30 HCWs in a primary care HIV clinic to explore their perspectives of patients who disengage from ART. Participants included doctors, nurses, counsellors, social workers, data clerks, security guards, and allied health professionals. The interview guide included questions that asked HCWs to give examples of patients who interrupt treatment, their perceptions of people who disengage from care and their feelings when dealing with a patient who is returning to care. All transcripts were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.ResultsMost staff were knowledgeable about the complexities of disengagement and highlighted potential barriers to sustaining adherence on ART, including mental health challenges and non-disclosure to family and partners. Participants expressed empathy for patients who interrupted treatment, particularly when discussing potential barriers to continued engagement in care. However, many also expressed feelings of anger and frustration towards these patients, partly because they reported these patients increase workload. Some staff, mainly those taking chronic medication themselves, perceived that patient who disengage from ART do not take adequate responsibility for their health.ConclusionLifelong engagement with HIV care is influenced by many factors, including HCW interactions. Findings from this study show that staff had contradictory feelings towards disengaged patients, experiencing both empathy and anger. This understanding could contribute to the development of more nuanced interventions to support staff and encourage true person-centred care, to improve patient outcomes.
Contraceptive Utilization And Associated Factors Among Polygamous And Monogamous Women In Worebabo Woreda, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study, Mixed Model
Authors: Adem Yonas Fissha , Asrese Eueail Teferi
Published: May 2022

Background: - Ethiopia is one of the most populated countries in Africa with a high fertility rate. High population growth and unintended pregnancies are posing pressures where the economy is incapable of holding overpopulation. Despite this problem, utilization of modern contraception is low in rural areas of the country where most of the population resides, especially in the areas where polygamy is common. Understanding modern contraceptive use and the unmet need for family planning is important to changes in fertility and improving reproductive health worldwide. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess contraceptive utilization and associated factors among polygamous and monogamous women in worebabo woreda, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. Method: - A community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted on the total sample size of 774 selected married women of the reproductive age group by using a multistage sampling method. A pre-tested interview with a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Determinant factors were analyzed by using bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models. The odds ratio, with a 95% confidence level, was used to declare a statistically significant association. A phenomenological study design and a purposive sampling method were used for the qualitative part of the study. Result: - A total of 703 married women of the reproductive age group were interviewed, among these married women, 352 and 351 were in monogamous and polygamous relationships. The proportion of women who use modern contraceptives was 161 (45.7%) in monogamous relationship, and 151 (43.0%) in polygamous relationships. Overall, utilization of modern contraceptives was significantly associated with the educational status of the respondent, respondent type of religion, desire time for other children, who decides on the number of children, getting clear information by Health care provider, family pressure to use of modern contraceptive, fear of social stigma, and accept myths about contraceptives. Conclusion: - This study identified that utilization of modern contraception is low in the study area. Healthcare programmers at federal, regional, zonal, and woreda levels by collaborating with other partners should initiate new initiatives or interventions that target cultural and social relationships to encourage the utilization of modern contraceptive methods.
What is the color when black is burned? Quantifying (re)burn severity using field and satellite indices
Authors: Saberi Saba Juliet , Harvey Brian J.
Published: May 2022

Background
Trends of accelerating area burned in many regions worldwide are leading to increases in the amount of area experiencing short-interval reburns (i.e., fires occurring two or more times in the same place within 1–3 decades). Field and satellite indices of burn severity are well tested in forests experiencing a single recent fire, but the reliability of these indices in short-interval reburns is poorly understood. We tested how a commonly used field index (the Composite Burn Index, CBI) and satellite index (the Relative differenced Normalized Burn Ratio, RdNBR) compared to eight individual field measures of burn severity in reburns vs. areas burned in a single recent fire. We also tested if relationships in reburns depended on whether the first fire was stand replacing (fire that is lethal to most dominant trees).
Results
The correspondence between both CBI and RdNBR with individual burn severity measures differed in reburns compared to single fires for some metrics of burn severity. Divergence in the relationship between both CBI and RdNBR vs field measures was greatest when reburns occurred following a preceding stand-replacing fire, and measures were more comparable to single fires when the first fire was non-stand replacing (i.e., lower severity). When reburns occurred where a preceding fire was stand-replacing, CBI and RdNBR underestimated burn severity in the 2nd fire for tree-canopy metrics (e.g., canopy cover loss, tree mortality), as post-fire forests in early developmental stages are vulnerable to greater severity in a second fire. Conversely, when reburns followed a preceding fire that was not stand replacing, both CBI and RdNBR overestimated surface burn severity, as past low severity fires leave behind live fire resistant trees and can stimulate resprouting understory vegetation. Finally, neither CBI nor RdNBR were able to accurately detect the amount of deep wood charring that has emerged as an important product in reburns – particularly where both fires are stand-replacing.
Conclusion
Our findings inform interpretability of commonly used indices of burn severity in reburns, which is becoming an increasingly common application as fire activity increases.
Astaxanthin prevents tuberculosis-associated inflammatory injury by inhibiting the Caspase4/11-Gasdermin-pyroptosis pathway
Authors: Li Li , Abudureheman Zulipikaer , Zhong XueMei , Gao Liang , Gong Hui , He ChuanJiang , Yang BoYi , Ren Jie , Alimu Ayiguli , Yilamujiang Subinuer , Yang Fan , Zou XiaoGuang
Published: May 2022

Introduction Pyroptosis, also known as inflammatory necrosis, is a programmed cell death caused by inflammation. Multiple studies suggest that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection causes tissue pyroptosis. However, there are currently no protective drugs against inflammatory damage caused by pyroptosis. In this study, the anti-pyroptotic effects of the natural compound Astaxanthin (ASTA) in a simulated pulmonary tuberculosis-associated inflammatory environment were explored. Methods In the established LPS-induced apoptosis co-culture system of MEL-12 cells and RAW246.7 macrophages，we detected the expression of key proteins Caspase4, Caspase11 and Gasdermin D in the pyroptosis pathway.Results The results showed that ASTA was able to maintain the stability of MLE-12 lung epithelial cell numbers in the inflammatory environment established by LPS. But the reason is not to promote cell proliferation, but to inhibit LPS-induced pyroptosis. The results showed that ASTA significantly inhibited the expression of key proteins in the Caspase4/11-Gasdermin D pathway and the release of pyroptosis-related inflammatory mediators. Conclusion Therefore, ASTA inhibits inflammation-induced pyroptosis by inhibiting the G pathway, and has the potential to protect lung tissue from tuberculosis-related inflammatory injury. ASTA, a functional food component, is a promising candidate for protection against tuberculosis-associated inflammatory lung injury.
Phylogeny and systematics of the genus Clonostachys
Authors: Wang Yao , Tang De-Xiang , Luo Run , Wang Yuan-Bing , Thanarut Chinnapan , Yu Hong
Published: May 2022

Clonostachys, a group with rich morphological and ecological diversity in Bionectriaceae, has a wide distribution among diverse habitats. In the present study, a phylogenetic framework is reconstructed for the family Bionectriaceae focusing on Clonostachys through increased taxon-sampling using the nrLSU sequence. Through surveying Clonostachys in China, Vietnam, and Thailand over the past 3 years, seven Clonostachys spp. were found and identified. Two new species, C. chuyangsinensis and C. dimorpha, are described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics and molecular data. The phylogenetic positions of the seven species were evaluated based on four genomic loci (ITS, nrLSU, TUB2, and TEF1). Moreover, the genetic divergence comparisons of Clonostachys species for three markers (ITS, TUB2, and TEF1) are also provided. The results indicated that the TEF1 sequence data provided the best resolution for distinguishing species of Clonostachys, followed by sequence data for the TUB2 and ITS regions.
Failing Parametrizations: What can go Wrong when Approximating Spectral Submanifolds
Authors: Stoychev Alexander K. , Römer Ulrich Johannes
Published: May 2022

Invariant manifolds provide useful insights into the behavior of nonlinear dynamical systems. Spectral submanifolds are invariant manifolds that capture the behavior of non-conservative systems near an attractor (or repellor). Approximations of spectral submanifolds can be used to analyze the transient behavior of autonomous systems, but also to study the effect of non-autonomous forcing via forced response curves and backbone curves. Current approaches to computing approximations for spectral submanifolds rely on a parametrization of the manifold and the reduced dynamics on it via truncated power series. While this leads to efficient algorithms for recursively determining the coefficients of this parametrization, the problem itself is ambiguous in that there are fewer equations than unknown coefficients. Although this ambiguity is well known, it is rarely discussed and usually solved by introducing more equations, the effects of which have hardly been studied. We present a benchmark study to analyze the performance of three popular approaches to resolving this ambiguity: the graph style parametrization, the normal form parametrization, and the normal form parametrization for “near resonances”. We show that no parametrization is superior, and discuss how and why poor approximations of specific parametrizations are unexpected for certain benchmark systems. All approximations are limited by the radius of convergence of the truncated power series, which depends substantially on the chosen parametrization and cannot be determined a priori. Although not surprising, the investigations on the benchmark systems show how serious this influence is and what potential for improving the methodology can be found here.
No prostate? No problem. Robotic inguinal hernia repair after prostatectomy
Authors: Lade Caleb , Ford Hunter , Venincasa Kiran , Lewis Samara , Lee Benjamin , Harmon Allison , Choi Preston , Raines Alexander
Published: May 2022

Traditional teaching suggests that prior pelvic operations, including prostatectomy, is a contraindication to laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Despite the growing use of robotic platforms in inguinal hernia repair, there are few studies describing robotic-assisted inguinal hernia repairs (RIHR) in this patient population. This study aims to demonstrate that RIHR is safe and effective in repairing inguinal hernias in patients who had previously undergone prostatectomy. We retrospectively reviewed RIHR cases performed from March 2017 to October 2021 by a single surgeon at our university-affiliated community hospital. Cases were reviewed for preoperative considerations, operative times and complications, and postoperative outcomes. A total of 30 patients with prior prostatectomy underwent transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) RIHR with mesh. Sixteen of the 30 patients had undergone robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) while 14 patients underwent open resection. Seven of the patients had received post-resection radiation and 12 had previous non-urologic abdominal operations. When compared to all RIHRs performed over the same period, duration of surgery was increased. There were no conversions to open surgery. Postoperatively, one patient developed a repair site seroma which resolved after 1 month. Mean follow-up time was 13.9 months. At follow up, one patient reported experiencing intermittent non-debilitating pain at the repair site and one patient developed an inguinoscrotal abscess of unknown relation to the repair. No patients reported hernia recurrences nor mesh infection. This review suggests that TAPP RIHR can be a safe and effective approach to inguinal hernia repair in patients who have previously undergone prostatectomy, including those who received radiation and those who underwent either open or robotic resections.
Guided anisotropic oxygen transport in vacancy ordered oxides
Authors: Yang Zhenzhong , Wang Le , Bowden Mark , Liu Wen , Zhu Zihua , Wang Chongmin , Chambers Scott , Sushko Peter , Du Yingge
Published: May 2022

Anisotropic and efficient transport of ions under external stimuli governs the operation and failure mechanisms of energy-conversion systems and microelectronics devices. However, fundamental understanding of ion hopping processes is impeded by the lack of atomically precise materials and probes that allow for the monitoring and control at the appropriate time- and length- scales. In this work, using in situ transmission electron microscopy, we directly show that oxygen ion migration in vacancy ordered, semiconducting SrFeO2.5 epitaxial thin films can be guided to proceed through two distinctly different diffusion pathways, each resulting in different polymorphs of SrFeO2.75 with different ground electronic properties before reaching a fully oxidized, metallic SrFeO3 phase. The diffusion steps and reaction intermediates are revealed by means of ab initio calculations. The principles of controlling oxygen diffusion pathways and reaction intermediates demonstrated here can significantly advance the rational design of structurally ordered oxides for tailored applications.
Breeding early maturing, blast resistance water-saving and drought-resistance rice cultivar using marker-assisted selection coupled with rapid generation advance
Authors: Wang Feiming , Liu Yi , Zhang Anning , Kong Deyan , Bi Junguo , Liu Guolan , Yu Xinqiao , Luo Lijun
Published: May 2022

The japonica water-saving and drought-resistance rice (Oryza sativa L.) (WDR) cultivar Huhan 9 harbors genes for resistance to rice blast (Magnaporthe oryzae), including Pi-ta and Pi-b. The early maturing japonica rice cultivar Suhuxiangjing and the high-yield WDR cultivars Huhan 3 and Huhan 11 were used as the parents to conduct single cross breeding and composite hybridization breeding. Strict drought resistance screening was conducted in the segregating generations, and the genotypes were determined using the functional markers of Pi-ta and Pi-b genes. By combining the rapid generation advance of the industrialized breeding system and multi-site shuttle identification, a new WDR cultivar Huhan 106 with early maturity, blast resistance, high yield, and high quality was bred, and it was certified by the Agricultural Crop Variety Certification Commission of Shanghai in 2020. Molecular marker-assisted selection coupled with rapid generation advance and multi-site shuttle identification is a rapid and efficient breeding method for the value-added improvement of varieties.
Characteristics of anti-CLL1 based CAR-T therapy for children with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia: the multi-center efficacy and safety interim analysis
Authors: Luo Min , ZHANG HUI , Bu Chaoke , Peng Zhiyong , Li Guangchao , Zhou Zhao , Ding Wen , Zheng Yongwei , HE YINGYI , HU ZHENGBIN , Pei Kunlin , Li Chunfu
Published: May 2022

C-type lectin like molecule-1 (CLL1) is preferentially expressed on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells and AML blasts, and can be considered as AML-associated antigen. Anti-CLL1-based CAR-T cells exhibited effective tumor killing capacity in vitro and in AML-bearing mouse model. In this report, eight children with relapsed or refractory AML (R/R-AML) were recruited for a phase 1/2 clinical trial of autologous anti-CLL1 CAR-T cell immunotherapy. The objectives of this clinical trial were to evaluate the safety and the anti-AML responses after CLL1-CAR-T cell treatment, with long-term prognosis within those patients who did not receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (allo-HSCT) as an additional aim. These R/R-AML patients received one dose of autologous CLL1-CAR-T cells after lymphodepletion conditioning. Grade 3–4 hematologic adverse events were observed post CAR-T cell infusion. Meanwhile, grade 1–2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed but without any lethal events. 4 out of 8 AML patients achieved incomplete remission (CRi) and minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, 2 patients with CRi but MRD positivity, and 2 patients with decreased AML burden and CLL1 positive AML blast clearance. These results suggested that anti-CLL1-based CAR-T cell immunotherapy can be considered as a well-tolerated and effective option for treating children with R/R-AML.
Transverse thin cell layer (tTCL) technology: a promising tool for micropropagation of Centratherum punctatum Cass
Authors: Aswathi NV. , Thomas Dennis Thuruthiyil , Thomas Dennis
Published: May 2022

Centratherum punctatum Cass. is an important medicinal herb used for various purposes. The present study describes an efficient protocol for the micropropagation of C. punctatum through transverse Thin Cell Layers (tTCLs). The effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs), thickness of tTCLs and source of tTCLs, were evaluated. The tTCLs of varying thickness (0.5-5.0 mm) were excised from 10-day-old leaf, 45-day-old node and internode and cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of PGRs (BAP, TDZ, KN; 0.1-2.0 mg/l) alone or in combination with NAA (0.1-1.0 mg/l) for shoot induction. For callus induction 2, 4-D (0.5-2.0 mg/l) was employed. The leaf and node tTCLs showed direct shoot regeneration and internodal tTCLs resulted in calli which successfully regenerated to shoots on subculture. A significant effect of thickness/width on shoot induction was observed. For leaf, 1.0 mm width and for node and internode 2.0 mm thick tTCLs showed maximum response. MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l TDZ, 0.5 mg/l TDZ and 1.0 mg/l BAP in combination with 0.2 mg/l NAA were found optimum for shoot induction from tTCLs of leaf (96% response with 41.5 shoots per explant), internode (64% response with 22.9 shoots per explant) and node (87% response with 11.9 shoots per explant) respectively. Rhizogenesis was obtained when micropropagated shoots were transferred to half strength MS medium supplemented with various concentrations (0.25-2.0 mg/l) of IBA. The rooted plantlets were eventually acclimatized and transferred to soil. The procedure described here is a promising tool for micropropagation of C. punctatum as it produces high frequency healthy shoots from minimum explant source.
Rapid Qualitative Analysis Approach to Stakeholder and Client Interviews to Inform Mobile-Based HIV Testing in the U.S. Deep South
Authors: Pratt Madeline C. , Isehunwa Oluwaseyi O. , Bassett Ingrid V. , Kempf Mirjam-Colette , Gordon Bretia , Matthews Lynn T.
Published: May 2022

Background: The severity of the HIV epidemic in the United States’ rural South highlights geographic, socioeconomic, and racial disparities that disproportionately affect poor Black Americans. Approximately 16% of Alabamians living with HIV remain undiagnosed and just 37% of rural Alabamians have ever been tested for HIV. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 22 key stakeholders involved in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, or community health initiatives, and 10 adults living in rural communities across Alabama to explore HIV testing challenges and opportunities. We utilized a rapid qualitative analysis approach and engaged community partners for feedback and discussion. This analysis will inform the implementation of a mobile HIV testing service in rural Alabama.Results: The following themes were identified: (1) Cultural norms, racism, poverty, and rurality impair access to healthcare. (2) Lack of sex education, low knowledge of HIV and perception of risk reinforce stigmas. (3) Messaging about “Undetectable = Untransmissible” (U=U) is not well understood in communities. (4) Community involvement may promote communication and trust between communities and testing advocates. (5) Novel testing strategies are acceptable and may diminish barriers.Conclusions: Working with community “gatekeepers” may be a key strategy to understand and promote acceptability of interventions new to rural Alabama and ameliorate stigma within communities. The implementation of new HIV testing strategies requires building and maintaining relationships with advocates, especially faith-based leaders, who engage people across many demographics.
Knowledge, attitude and practices of HIV/AIDS prevention among trainee nurses in north-eastern corridor, Ghana: A cross- sectional survey
Authors: Mutaru Abdul-Manaf , Ibrahim Aminu , Osuman Abdul-Nuru Wumpini , Agana Timothy Atanga , Alhassan Ahmad Sukerazu
Published: May 2022

Background
HIV/AIDS remains a modern-day global burden, killing almost 39 million people with over 36 million living with the disease, and two million new cases annually. The risk of infection in clinical practice among health workers has been noted to be high, compared to the general population. The study therefore seeks to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of HIV/AIDS prevention among nursing students along the north-eastern corridor of Ghana.
Methods
A cross-sectional descriptive design with a quantitative approach was employed. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select 373 trainee nurses. A Pearson’s chi-square analysis was performed at 0.20 precision level. Determinants of knowledge, attitude, and practice was established with a multivariate logistic regression at 95% confidence level.
Results
Majority of participants had satisfactory knowledge (88.0%), good attitude (87.9%), and good practices (57.6%) towards HIV/AIDS prevention. Students in their final year of the study were 2.3 times more likely to demonstrate good attitudes towards HIV/AIDS prevention than first years (aOR: 2.28; CI: 1.10–4.72). Those with sufficient knowledge on HIV/AIDS were 3.5 times more likely to have good attitudes towards its prevention than those with insufficient knowledge levels (aOR: 3.46; 1.76–6.77).
Conclusion
There are satisfactory knowledge, attitude, and practices among trainee nurses regarding HIV/AIDS prevention in the study setting. Increase access to knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS can improve attitudes towards its prevention. However, there is a need for appraisal of the clinical placement programs of trainee nurses to ensure improved practice. Further studies are needed to ascertain the role of knowledge and attitudes in enhancing practices on HIV/AIDS prevention.
Design, Synthesis, Characterization and Anticancer properties of Novel derivatives of 2-(4-t-butyl)-5-(5-Aryl substituted-1, 3, 4-oxadiazol-2-yl) pyridine
Authors: Adimule Vinayak , Batakurki Sheetal , Yallur Basappa C , Keri Rangappa
Published: May 2022

In our present study author has synthesized novel derivatives of 1, 3, 4-oxadiazoles by linear synthetic method and characterized the compounds by LCMS, 1H-NMR and 13C spectral analysis. In this research work 2-(4-t-butyl-phenyl)-5-(5-aryl substituted-[1, 3, 4] oxadiazol-2-yl)-pyridine have been synthesized by the oxidative cyclization reaction and purified by column-chromatography. The 6-(4-t-butyl-phenyl)-nicotinic acid hydrazide which upon reacted with aldehydes (a-f) and got the Schiff base derivatives. The compounds 7a-7f were screened for MTT assay against HeLa, MCF7and Caco-2 Cell lines. A graph was plotted against percentage viability and concentration of the compounds and obtained the IC50 values. Among the synthesized novel derivatives of 1, 3, 4-oxdiazoles two compounds 7b and 7d exhibited good cytotoxicity on MCF7 cell lines having an IC50 of 6.74µM and 3.69 µM respectively. On Caco-2 cell lines the compounds 7c, 7d and 7f have showed moderate cytotoxicity having IC50 of 24.6µM, 55.5µM and 24.8µM respectively.
Intraoperative Cefuroxime in Penicillin allergy during cataract surgery
Authors: Eke Oluwaniyi V. , Arain Umair R. , Nestel Achim R.
Published: May 2022

Purpose
To establish the incidence of anaphylactic reaction to intraoperative cefuroxime in patients with a self-reported penicillin allergy during cataract surgery.
Methods
A retrospective study carried out in clinical practice in North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple, United Kingdom. It included patients who underwent cataract surgery between March 2009 and March 2020. The details of their demography, procedure carried out, record of allergies, intra-op medication were extracted from the EMR. The main outcome measures were post op allergic reaction; urticarial or anaphylactic. The data was analyzed on Microsoft Excel
Results
Overall 15764 eyes had cataract surgery between March 2009 and March 2020. 1764 [11%] of these were reported to be allergic to penicillin and 1652 [93.6%] still received intraoperative cefuroxime (intracameral +/- subconjunctival) despite their history of penicillin allergy. None of these 1652 patients developed any anaphylactic reaction.
Conclusion
Intra-operative cefuroxime during cataract surgery was well tolerated in patients with self-reported penicillin allergy in this large patient cohort. No post-operative anaphylaxis was observed.
Keyworsd:
cataract surgery, penicillin allergy, intracameral cefuroxime, cross reactivity, antibiotics, anaphylaxis.
ANTIPSEUDOBASE: Database of Antimicrobial Peptides and Essential Oils against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Zouhir Abdelmajid , Souiai Oussama , Harigua Emna , Cherif Ammar , Chaalia Aymen Ben , Sebei Khaled
Published: May 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common pathogens. The antimicrobial peptides and essential oils display narrow-or broad-spectrum activity against bacteria including this strain. The assembly of such information of these molecules in one central resource such as a database would therefore be of great benefit to the exploitation of these bioactive molecules in the present context of increasing antibiotic resistance and natural bio- preservation needs. The database ANTIPSEUDOBASE is created to facilitate access to important information on antimicrobial peptides and essential oils against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Now, the database contains calculated or predicted physicochemical properties of 560 sequences of antimicrobial peptides produced by diverse organisms, and general data of 111 essential oils. It permits a quick and easy search of peptides based on their activity as well as their general, physicochemical properties and literature data. These data are very useful to perform further bioinformatic or chemometric analysis and would certainly be useful for the development of new drugs and medical use. The ANTIPSEUDOBASE database is freely available at: (http://bims.pasteur.tn:3838/APP/).
Complete genome sequence of a novel polerovirus infecting chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Chiquito-Almanza Elizabeth , Gallegos Jorge Alberto Acosta , Anaya-López Jose Luis
Published: May 2022

The complete genome sequence of a novel polerovirus identified in chickpea (C. arietinum L.) is presented. Its sequence was assembled using small RNA sequencing and assembly, confirmed by RT-PCR, 5’ and 3’ RACE, and sequenced with the dideoxy-terminal method. According to the current ICTV taxonomic criterion, based on the differences in amino acid (aa) sequence identity greater than 10% in all gene products with other poleroviruses, the identified polerovirus corresponds to a new species, for which we propose the name Chickpea leafroll virus (CpLRV). The genome of CpLRV is 5,770 nucleotides (nt) long and it is organized into seven open reading frames (ORFs) designated as ORF0, ORF1, ORF2, ORF3a, ORF3, ORF4, and ORF5 that code for putative P0, P1, P1-P2, P3a, P3, P4, and P3-P5 proteins, respectively. The 5′ UTR consists of 27 nt starting with the conserved sequence 5′-ACAAAA-3′ typical of Polerovirus, while the 3′ UTR consisted of 229 nt. Phylogenetic analysis using the aa sequences of P0, P1, P1-P2, P3, P4, and P3-P5 show that CpLRV clustered with members of the genus Polerovirus and is closely related to Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV) and Faba bean polerovirus 1 (FBPV1). Recombination analysis supports that CpLRV is a recombinant from two unknown viruses that share the closest nucleotide identity with FBPV1 (72.3%) and Suakwa aphid-borne yellows virus (SAbYV) (53.4%), respectively. The putative recombination event was identified in the 5’ region of CpLRV, the region that encodes proteins P0, P1, and P1-P2. This is the first report of a polerovirus infecting chickpea in México.
Matrin-3 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating cell cycle
Authors: He Hengjing , Zeng Xingruo , Lei Yufei , Xiao Di , Wei Zimeng , Jamal Muhammad , Zhang Chengjie , Zhang Xiaoyu , Ding Qianshan , Tan Haiyan , Zhang Qiuping
Published: May 2022

PurposeThe overexpression of Matrin-3 (MATR3) is associated with tumor progression in several human tumors. However, the role of MATR3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression of MATR3 in HCC and elucidated the potential functions of MATR3 in HCC cells.MethodsThe differential expression of MATR3 and its association with HCC were analyzed using the UALCAN database, Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database, GSE datasets and gene expression profiling interaction analysis2 (GEPIA2) database. Furthermore, we performed the CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays and flow cytometry analysis in HCC cell lines after knocking down MATR3. The MATR3-interacting proteins were identified by co‐immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry (Co-IP/MS). ResultsOverexpression of MATR3 protein and mRNA were observed in HCC. High MATR3 expression showed a prominent diagnostic value in HCC patients and significant correlations with clinical stages, tumor grades, nodal metastasis, TP53 mutant, poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Moreover, downregulation of MATR3 inhibited proliferation and arrested cell cycle of HCC cells. Enrichment analysis results of MATR3-interacting proteins demonstrated that MATR3 might regulate cell cycle by interacting with DNA primase large subunit (PRIM2), chromobox protein homolog 5 (CBX5), and protein SEC13 homolog (SEC13).ConclusionMATR3 could be a diagnostic and prognostic marker in HCC patients. Furthermore, MATR3 enhanced tumor progression by regulating the cell cycle of HCC and could be a promising candidate for targeted therapy.
Prevalence of Surra Disease Among Two Varieties of Camelus Dromedarius I.e Riverine Camel and Mountain Camel in District Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtukhwa Province, Pakistan
Authors: Rehman Faiz Ur , Ahmad Tariq
Published: May 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Biomechanical study of a new cannulated screw for Pauwels type III femoral neck fractures
Authors: Chen Zhigang , Chen Feiyang , Xu Xinbao , Zhang Wen , Jiang Dong , Zhang Feixiang , Chen Yinbing , Zhou Shiran , Lyu Shujun
Published: May 2022

Background
A new cannulated screw for the treatment of Pauwels type III femoral neck fracture (FNF) was developed and its biomechanical stability was analyzed by finite element analysis and mechanical tests to provide a new approach for the clinical treatment of Pauwels type III FNF.
Methods
A Pauwels III femoral neck fracture model with an angle of 70° was constructed using medical engineering software such as Mimics, Geomagic, and Hypermesh. Two parallel inverted triangular cannulated screw finite element models were established to simulate surgical fixation: three conventional cannulated screw models(CCS), and two upper cannulated screw + one new cannulated screw models(NCS). The biomechanical properties of the 2 fixation methods were compared and analyzed under the same loading and constraint conditions. An unstable femoral neck fracture model was made using a composite femur (Sawbone) at a Pauwels 70° angle. Reduction and fixation models of Pauwels III FNF were made according to CCS and NCS fixation methods. and the compression displacement of the femur was tested, then the load-displacement curve was used to calculate the stiffness and compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two internal fixation methods.
Results
In the computer-simulated reconstruction of the inverted triangular cannulated screw fixation model for Pauwels type III FNFs, the NCS model outperformed the CCS model in terms of strain and stress distribution. And the peak stress of the 2 groups appeared in the middle section of the screw closest to the femoral spur, close to the fracture line. In the experimental mechanical model of Pauwels type III FNF, under the same loading condition, the NCS group has smaller distance of femoral deformation and fracture end displacement than the CCS group, and from the perspective of stiffness, the former group had greater stiffness and smaller compression distance under the same vertical load.
Conclusions
The new cannulated screws provide good biomechanical stability for the treatment of Pauwels type III FNFs, which provides a new choice for the treatment of young patients with vertical fracture of femoral neck.
Transgenerational herbivory effects on performance of clonal offspring of the invasive plant Alternanthera philoxeroides
Authors: Fu Qiu-Yue , Yu Cheng-Ling , Dong Ran , Shi Juan , Luo Fang-Li , Gao Jun-Qin , Dong Bi-Cheng , Yu Fei-Hai
Published: May 2022

Interactions between alien plants and the newly emerging enemies in introduced ranges may determine plant invasion success. However, little is known about whether herbivory-induced responses are transmitted across vegetative generations of plants, and whether epigenetic changes are involved during this process. In a greenhouse experiment, we examined the effects of current, parental and/or grand-parental herbivory by the generalist herbivore Spodoptera litura on the growth, physiology, and biomass allocation, and the status of DNA methylation of the first-, second- and/or third-generation clonal offspring of the invasive plant Alternanthera philoxeroides, which were derived from two types of root fragments with different branching orders (i.e., the primary- or secondary-root fragments of taproots). Parental herbivory promoted the growth of the second-generation plants sprouted from the secondary-root fragments, but had a neutral or negative effect on the growth of the second-generation plants from the primary-root fragments. The growth of the third-generation plants was significantly reduced by current herbivory, but not affected by grand-parental herbivory. The first-generation plants exhibited a higher level of DNA methylation when they were grazed by herbivores than when they were not, while neither the second-generation nor the third-generation plants showed the herbivory-mediated changes in DNA methylation. Overall, the herbivory-induced growth response within one generation may represent rapid acclimatization of A. philoxeroides to the unpredictable generalist herbivores in the introduced ranges. Herbivory-induced trans-generational effects may be transient for clonal offspring of A. philoxeroides, which can be influenced by the branching order of taproots, but be less characterized by DNA methylation.
Cropland Displacement Drives Carbon Emission of Grain Transport in China
Authors: Zuo Chengchao , Wen Cheng , Clarke Graham , Turner Andy , You Liangzhi , Ke Xinli , Tang Lanping
Published: May 2022

Rapid urbanization has driven a greater need for grain transportation as more grain is consumed in the urban area by the increasing urban population, and croplands have been displaced and are in general further from urban areas due to the urban expansion. The increased transport of grain and other food, which is expected to continue alongside urbanization throughout the world, lead to higher energy consumption and higher carbon emissions associated with that transport. Here we show a model-based approach to estimate the carbon emissions associated with the changing grain transport in China between 1990 and 2015. We found that carbon emission associated with grain transport in China more than doubled from 4.46 million-ton in 1990 to 10.73 million-ton in 2015. The cropland displacement contributed more than 60% of the increase in carbon emission of grain transport between 1990 and 2015, and the change of dietary structure and population growth contributed 31.7% and 16.6%, respectively. We also found that the development of transport infrastructures, such as newly built highways and railways in western China, helped offset 0.54 million-ton of carbon emissions associated with grain transport. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the life cycle environmental impact within the food supply chain. The methodology proposed in this study could be applicable to a wide range of other food products that involve trans-regional production and consumption, both in China and other countries.
Exploring behavioral barriers and interventions in retirement savings: Findings from online focus groups among university students
Authors: Horák Martin , Kukučková Soňa , Dobeš Kamil
Published: May 2022

In a number of countries around the world, population ageing raises concerns about the sustainability of pension systems. A younger generation has conventionally been least likely to save for retirement even if there is a need to take individual responsibility and start saving for their retirement as soon as possible. In this context, the aim of the paper is to identify behavioral barriers and interventions towards retirement savings ceiling to this part of the productive population. For this purpose, three online focus groups were deployed among 16 university students aged 23-24 years. Using the coding process, common categories, related codes and frequencies of responses were determined from the transcribed material. The results pointed at two crucial barriers related to retirement savings: behavioral (present bias, status quo bias, loss aversion, limited attention) and institutional (education, pension policy and trustworthiness of the state institutions). Additionally, three main categories of behavioral interventions were detected to overcome these barriers: simplification of decision-making (easy calculation of pension, default options), use of salience effects (information campaigns, visualization tools, personalized content) and minimizing feelings of loss (framing of messages, financial incentives, products with different types of liquidity). Based on findings, recommendations were formulated for three groups of stakeholders: government, industry (financial providers and pension funds) and employers. The results bring valuable insights to relevant stakeholders regarding behaviors and attitudes of the young generation on retirement savings issues.
AcknowledgmentsThis contribution was written with the support of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, project number TL03000737 titled as “Behavioral economics as a population activation targeted tool within use of financial security banking products.”
Air plethysmography characteristic of the pathological segmental hypervolemia of the calf in patients with CVD clinical classes (CEAP)
Authors: Sannikov A. B. , Shaydakov E. V.
Published: May 2022

Introduction. The involvement of pathological segmental venous hypervolemia of the lower leg in patients with varicose veins in the formation of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is an established fact, however, objective criteria for this pathohemodynamic phenomenon have not been definitively determined today.

The purpose of the study. Determination by air plethysmography (APG) of the degree of functional disorders in the limb and establishment of significant criteria characterizing pathological segmental hypervolemia of the lower leg in patients with CVD of various clinical classes according to CEAP.

Materials and methods. For the period from 2002 to 2019, 380 healthy individuals with no symptoms of chronic venous diseases and 896 patients with CVD were examined with the use of APG, with their distribution in accordance with the CEAR international classification as follows: C0–C1, C2–C3, C4–C6 clinical classes. To assess the intensity of venous blood flow, the following values were calculated: the maximum capacity of the leg veins (Venous Capacity – VC), the volume of their evacuation (Evacuation Volume – EV) for a set time, the maximum venous outflow (Maximum Venous Outflow – MVO), the ratio of these values on both limbs (Venous Capacity Index – VC1, Evacuation Volume Index – EVI, Maximum Venous Outflow Index – MVOI).

Results. The most statistically significant and conjugate correlation data were obtained (expectation, mean square deviation, standard error of expectation, median and coefficient of variation) during the analysis in groups according to the characteristic VCI.

Discussion. The obtained results allowed us to assert that APG is an informative functional method for diagnosing hemodynamic disorders in patients with lower limb CVD.

Conclusion. The established criteria of the venous capacity index will allow in practice to give an objective characterization of the degree of change in hemodynamic disorders in patients with CVD before and after the treatment undertaken.
Some features of compression therapy for varicose veins of the lower extremities of clinical class C2 according to CEAP
Authors: Bogachev V. Yu. , Boldin B. V. , Turkin P. Yu. , Klyuchevskaya M. N.
Published: May 2022

Introduction.The main method of varicose vein disease treatment is surgical intervention. At the same time, there is a rather large group of patients who postpone surgical treatment indefinitely. In this situation, conservative measures come to the fore, the key one among which is compression therapy.

Aim.Study of the immediate effect of compression therapy on venous outflow from the lower extremities in patients with varicose veins and the medium-term results of medical knitwear classes 1 and 2.

Materials and methods.The study enrolled 64 patients (mean age 28.3 ± 2.2 years, mean BMI 25.3 ± 4.1) with large saphenous vein reflux to the upper third of the tibia. Blood flow return time and pump force were measured while walking without and with zero, class 1, and class 2 compression knitted garments on.

Results and discussion.On photoplethysmography return times without and with zero compression were 18.4 ± 2.2 s and 18.9 ± 1.4 s (p = 0.62), tibial venous pump strength was 3.6 ± 0.3% and 3.4 ± 0.2% (p = 0.57). Wearing a class 1 knitwear significantly increased return time and lower leg muscle venous pump strength to 21.6 ± 1.9 sec and 6.2 ± 1.8% (p < 0.001). Grade 2 knitwear increased return blood-flow time and tibia musculo-venous pump strength to 28.2 ± 2.6 sec and 12.3 ± 1.6%, which was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Global quality of life index according to CIVIQ-14 at baseline and follow-up was 44.3 ± 4.6 and 17.8 ± 3.6 points respectively (p < 0.001) in the class 1 group. Compression Class II had a mean value of 45.1 ± 3.9 and 18.1 ± 4.3 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion.In summary, the RAL class 2 standard compression knitted fabric shows better immediate correction of lower leg muscle venous pump function in patients with primary varicose veins compared to the class 1 compression knitted fabric. In the mid-term followup there were no differences in the elimination of initial venous specific symptoms and in the improvement of the global quality of life index between class I and class II knitwear.
About the current situation with regard to the risks and prevention of venous thromboembolic complications after varicose vein surgery
Authors: Bogachev V. Yu. , Lobastov K. V. , Fokin A. A. , Shaydakov E. V. , Burleva E. P. , Krylov A. Yu. , Barinov V. E. , Belentsov S. M. , Soroka V. V. , Bredikhin R. A. , Rosukhovski D. A. , Borsuk D. A. , Gabay P. G.
Published: May 2022

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Сlinical case of treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis (unique in its originality)
Authors: Sannikov A. B.
Published: May 2022

Among patients with varicose veins, superficial vein thrombophlebitis occurs in 4–59% of patients. Unfortunately, despite the large number of published official sources with recommendations for the treatment of vein thrombophlebitis in our daily clinical practice, we continue to meet not just with casuistic cases, but because of their absurdity, which are beyond reasonable understanding (the appointment of leeches, c auterization of veins with celandine, alcohol compresses and lotions with dimexide). This clinical case report describes the case of a 65-year-old patient who initially sought medical help from a local therapist due to the appearance of a single seal and hyperemia in the upper third of the lower leg. For two weeks, the patient tried to independently stop the inflammation with alcohol compresses. Due to the lack of a positive effect, the district therapist prescribed antibiotics and warming compresses with combined nonivamide/nicoboxil ointment. Two weeks later, with the progression of inflammation and multiple purulent wounds on the background of necrosis foci throughout the inner surface of the entire lower limb, the patient turned to our medical center. As a result, it took us more than two months to stop the inflammation and heal extensive purulent wounds with secondary tension. Treatment of vein thrombophlebitis in varicose veins has been developed in detail for a long time and in detail. The tactics of using conservative means and operational benefits depend on the localization, prevalence, acute or chronic course of the disease. The purpose of this publication is to focus the attention of specialists of a wide profile on a specific example from practice on the choice of methods of treatment of vein thrombophlebitis.