bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic epidemiological characteristics of a Hungarian subpopulation of patients with Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Despotov Katalin , Zádori Dénes , Veres Gábor , Jakab Katalin , Gárdián Gabreilla , Tóth Eszter , Kincses Tamás Zsigmond , Vecsei Laszlo , Ajtay Andras , Bereczki Dániel , Klivenyi Peter
Published: January 2021

Background: Recent advances in therapeutic options may prevent deterioration related to Huntington’s disease (HD), even at the pre-symptomatic stage. Be that as it may, a well-characterized patient population is essential for screening and monitoring outcome. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of a Hungarian subpopulation of HD patients and mutation carriers diagnosed at the University of Szeged. Methods: We conducted a search for International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code G10H0 in the local medical database for the period of 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2018. Results: We identified 90 HD cases (male: 45, female: 45) and 34 asymptomatic carriers (male: 15, female: 19). The median age of onset was 45 years (range: 16-79). There were 3 cases of juvenile onset (3.3%), and 7 of late disease onset (7.8%). The median repeat length was 43 (range: 36-70) for the pathological and 19 for the non-pathological alleles (range: 9-35). 17.5% of the pathological alleles were in the decreased penetrance range, while 7% of non-pathological alleles were intermediate. Conclusions: The genetic and clinical features of the population examined in the present study were in line with the previous Hungarian study, as well as with international literature. The exceptions were the higher ratio of reduced penetrance and intermediate alleles.
MSE Minimized Joint Transmission in Coordinated MultiPoint Systems with Sparse Feedback and Constrained Backhaul Requirements
Authors: Nezafati Mohammad Bagher , Taki Mehrdad , Svensson Tommy
Published: January 2021

In a joint transmission coordinated multipoint (JT-CoMP) system, a shared spectrum is utilized by all neighbor cells. In the downlink, a group of base stations (BSs) coordinately transmit the users’ data to avoid serious interference at the users in the boundary of the cells, thus substantially improving area fairness. However, this comes at the cost of high feedback and backhaul load; In a frequency division duplex (FDD) system, all users at the cell boundaries have to collect and send feedback of the downlink channel state information (CSI). In centralized JT-CoMP, although with capabilities for perfect coordination, a central coordination node (CCN) have to send the computed precoding weights and corresponding data to all cells which can overwhelm the backhaul resources. In this paper, we design a JT-CoMP scheme, by which the sum of the mean square error (MSE) at the boundary users is minimized, while feedback and backhaul loads are constrained and the load is balanced between BSs. Our design is based on the singular value decomposition (SVD) of CSI matrix and optimization of a binary link selection matrix to provide sparse feedback -constrained backhaul link. For comparison, we adopt the previously presented schemes for feedback and backhaul reduction in the physical layer. Extensive numerical evaluations show that the proposed scheme can reduce the MSE with at least 25%, compared to the adopted and existing schemes.
Insight of Transcriptional Regulators reveals the Tolerance Mechanism of Carpet-grass (Axonopus compressus) Against Drought
Authors: Nawaz Mohsin , Li Liao , Azeem Farrukh , Shabbir Samina , Zohaib Ali , Ashraf Umair , Yang Hubiao , Wang Zhiyong
Published: January 2021

Background: Carpet grass [Axonopus compressus (L.)] is an important warm-season perennial grass around the world and is known for its adaptability to varied environmental conditions. However, Carpet grass lacks enough data in public data banks, which confined our comprehension of the mechanisms of environmental adaptations, gene discovery, and development of molecular markers. In current study, the DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in Axonopus compressus under drought stress (DS) were identified and compared with CK (control) by RNA-Seq. Results: A total of 263,835 unigenes were identified in Axonopus compressus, and 201,303 (also added to the numbers of the remaining 2 databases) a sequence of unigenes significantly matched in at least one of the seven databases. A total of 153697 (58.25%) unigenes classified to 144 KEGG pathways, and 7,444 unigenes were expressed differentially between DS and CK, of which 4,249 were up-regulated and 3,195 were down-regulated unigenes. Of the 50 significantly enriched GO terms, 18, 6, and 14 items were related to BP, CC, and MF respectively. Analysis of KEGG enrichment revealed 2569 DEGs involved in 143 different pathways, under drought stress. 2,747 DEGs were up-regulated and 2,502 DEGs were down-regulated. Moreover, we identified 352 transcription factors (TFs) in Axonopus compressus, of which 270 were differentially expressed between CK and DS. The qRT-PCR validation experiment also supports the transcriptional response of Axonopus compressus against drought. Accuracy of transcriptome unigenes of Axonopus compressus was assessed with BLAST, which showed 3,300 sequences of Axonopus compressus in the NCBI.Conclusion: The 7,444 unigenes were found to be between DS and CK treatments, which indicate the existence of a strong mechanism of drought tolerance in Axonopus compressus. The current findings provide the first framework for further investigations for the particular roles of these unigenes in Axonopus compressus in response to drought.
Communication of Pharmacogenomic Test Results and Treatment Plans in Pediatric Oncology: Deliberative Stakeholder Consultations with Parents
Authors: Longo Cristina , Rahimzadeh Vasiliki , Bartlett Gillian
Published: January 2021

Background: Effective communication in support of clinical decision-making is central to the pediatric cancer care experience for families. A new laboratory derived pharmacogenetic test (LDT) that can diagnose difficult-to-treat brain cancers has been developed to stratify children based on their ability to respond to available treatment; however, the potential implementation of the LDT may make effective communication challenging since it can potentially remove the option for curative treatment in those children identified as non-responders, i.e. those with a catastrophic diagnosis. Objective: We solicited the perspectives of parents of children with difficult-to-treat brain cancer on communication preferences surrounding the potential implementation of the LDT in standard care using deliberative stakeholder consultations.Methods: Eight bereaved parents of children who succumbed to difficult-to-treat brain cancer, and four parents of children currently undergoing treatment for similar cancers attended separate small-group deliberative consultations – a stakeholder engagement method that enables the co-creation of recommendations following the consideration of competing arguments and diverse opinions of parents with different experiences. In the small-group consultations (Phase I), parents discussed four questions about potential communication issues that may arise with the LDT in practice. In Phase II, a total of five parents from both stakeholder groups (4 bereaved and 1 in current treatment) attended a consultation, known as the ‘mixed’ consultation, with the purpose of co-developing concrete recommendations for implementation of the LDT.Results: Explaining the risks, benefits, and accuracy of the LDT were considered essential to parents. Once an LDT-based diagnosis/prognosis can be made, parents valued honesty, empathy, and clarity in communication. Parents also requested that all results and treatment options be presented to them in measured doses, and in an unbiased manner over the course of several meetings. This communication strategy allowed sufficient time to understand and accept the diagnosis/prognosis, particularly if it was catastrophic. Continuous access to the appropriate psychological and social support or counselling at and post-diagnosis was also strongly recommended.Conclusions: Deliberants co-created family-centered recommendations surrounding communication issues of the LDT, providing guidance to pediatric oncologists that could implement the test in practice.
An Approach to Exploring Associations between Hospital Structural Measures and Patient Satisfaction by Distance-based Analysis
Authors: Okuda Masumi , Yasuda Akira , Tsumoto Shusaku
Published: January 2021

Background: Patient satisfaction studies have explored domains of patient satisfaction, the determinants of domains, and score differences of domains by patient/hospital structural measures but reports on the structure of patient satisfaction with respect to similarities among domains are scarce. This study is to explore by distance-based analysis whether similarities among patient-satisfaction domains are influenced by hospital structural measures, and to design a model evaluating relationships between the structure of patient satisfaction and hospital structural measures.Methods: The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems 2012 survey scores and their structural measures from the Hospital Compare website reported adjusted percentages of scale for each hospital. Contingency tables of nine measures and their ratings were designed based on hospital structural measures, followed by three different distance-based analyses - clustering, correspondence analysis, and ordinal multidimensional scaling – for robustness to identify homogenous groups with respect to similarities.Results: Of 4,677 hospitals, 3,711 (79.3%) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The measures were divided into three groups plus cleanliness. Certain combinations of these groups were shown to be dependent on hospital structural measures. High value ratings for communication and low value ratings for medication explanation, quietness and staff responsiveness were not influenced by hospital structural measures, but the varied-ratings domain group similarities, including items such as global evaluation and pain management, were affected by hospital structural measures.Conclusions: Distance-based analysis can reveal the hidden structure of patient satisfaction. This study suggests that hospital structural measures including hospital size, the ability to provide acute surgical treatment, and hospital interest in improving medical care quality are factors which may influence the structure of patient satisfaction.
The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium
Authors: Danhieux Katrien , Buffel Veerle , Pairon Anthony , Benkheil Asma , Remmen Roy , Wouters Edwin , Olmen Josefien Van
Published: January 2021

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic affects the processes of routine care for chronic patients. A better understanding helps to increase resilience of the health system and prepare adequately for next waves of the pandemic.Methods. A qualitative study was conducted in 16 primary care practices: 6 solo working, 4 monodisciplinary and 7 multidisciplinary. 21 people (doctors, nurses, dieticians) were interviewed, using semi-structured video interviews. A thematic analysis was done using the domains of the Chronic Care Model (CCM).Results. Three themes emerged: changes in health care organization, risk stratification and self-management support. All participating practices reported drastic changes in organization with a collective shift towards COVID-19 care, and reduction of chronic care activities, less consultations, and staff responsible for self-management support put on hold. A transition to digital support did not occur. Few practitioners had a systematic approach to identify and contact high-risk patients for early follow-up. A practice with a pre-established structured team collaboration managed to continue most chronic care elements. Generally, practitioners expected no effects of the temporary disruption for patients, although they expressed concern about patients already poorly regulated.Conclusion: Our findings show a disruption of the delivery of chronic care in the Belgium prim care context. In such contexts, the establishment of the CCM can facilitate continuity of care in crisis times. Short term actions should be directed to facilitate identifying high-risk patients and to develop a practice organization plan to organize chronic care and use digital channels for support, especially to vulnerable patients, during next waves of the epidemic.
Can the Xpert MRSA/SA BC assay be used as an antimicrobial stewardship tool? A prospective assay validation and descriptive impact assessment study in a South African setting
Authors: Reddy Kessendri , Whitelaw Andrew Christopher
Published: January 2021

Background: Positive blood cultures showing Gram positive cocci in clusters signifies either Staphylococcus aureus or the less-virulent coagulase-negative staphylococci. Rapid identification and methicillin susceptibility determination with the Xpert MRSA/SA BC assay can improve management of S. aureus bloodstream infection and reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. Methods:We prospectively evaluated the Xpert MRSA/SA BC assay in comparison with culture, on samples referred to our laboratory in the Western Cape, South Africa. We interviewed attending clinicians upon culture result availability, to assess antibiotic choices and estimate potential impact of the assay.Results: Of the 231 samples included, there was 100% concordance between the Xpert MRSA/SA BC assay and culture (methicillin-resistant S. aureus 15/15, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus 42/42, coagulase-negative staphylococci 170/170). Time to final result could be reduced by approximately 30 hours with the assay. Of the 178 patients with adequate antibiotic history, optimisation of antistaphylococcal therapy could have occurred more than one day sooner in 68.9% with S. aureus bloodstream infection (31/45, 95% CI 53.2-81.4%). Six of the 11 patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus bloodstream infection (54.5%) could have received anti-MRSA cover sooner. Fifty-four days of antibiotic therapy could have been spared, equating to 0.3 days (95% CI, 0.2-0.4) saved per patient, driven by broad-spectrum beta-lactams (32 days, in 18.0% of the cohort).Conclusion:This assay has potential as an antimicrobial stewardship tool; costing and impact on clinical outcome in patients with S. aureus bloodstream infection should be assessed.
The effect of cognitive dysfunction on mid- and long-term mortality after vascular surgery
Authors: Szabo Andras , Toth Krisztina , Nagy Adam , Domokos Dominika , Czobor Nikoletta , Eke Csaba , Sandor Agnes , Merkely Bela , Susánszky Éva , Gal Janos , Szekely Andrea
Published: January 2021

Background: In recent decades, previous studies have noted the importance of frailty, which is a frequently used term in perioperative risk evaluations. Psychological and socioeconomical domains were investigated as part of frailty syndrome. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of these factors in mortality after vascular surgery.Methods: In our prospective, observational study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02224222), we examined 164 patients who underwent elective vascular surgery between 2014 and 2017. At the outpatient anaesthesiology clinic, patients completed a questionnaire about cognitive functions, depression and anxiety, social support and self-reported quality of life were assessed using a comprehensive frailty index, in addition to medical variables. Propensity score matching was performed to analyse the difference between patients and controls in a nationwide population cohort. The primary outcome was 4 year mortality. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used for statistical analyses.Results: The patients’ mean age was 67.05 years (SD: 9.49 years). Mini-Mental State Examination scores of less than 27 points were recorded for 41 patients. Overall mortality rates were 22.4% and 47.6% in the control and cognitive impairment groups, respectively (p=0.013). In the univariate Cox regression analysis, cognitive impairment measured using age- and education-adjusted MMSE scores increased the risk of mortality (AHR: 2.842, 95% CI: 1.389-5.815, p=0.004).Conclusion: Even mild cognitive dysfunction measured preoperatively using the MMSE represents a potentially important risk factor for mortality after vascular surgery.
Liver resections for metastasis: surgical outcomes of a single center academic institution.
Authors: Abreu Phillipe , Ferreira Raphaella , Bussyguin Danilo Saavedra , Cás Eduardo Da , Venkatasamy Vighnesh Vetrivel , Tomasich Flávio Daniel Saavedra , Szutan Luiz Arnaldo
Published: January 2021

Background: Hepatic metastasis are frequent and liver resection may be an option for some cases, despite the high complexity of the procedure and the possibility of postoperative complications.Methods: This retrospective comparative descriptive study aims to evaluate a series of 86 consecutive liver resections (LRs) performed for the treatment of metastatic liver tumors, comparing the results between patients undergoing major and minor LR. All patients submitted to LR from October 2010 to July 2015 at the Erasto Gaertner Hospital in Curitiba-PR were included. Quantitative numerical variables were analyzed with the Student t-test. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for numerical variables of non-normal distribution. Categorical variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test with Fisher's correction. The data were analyzed with the SPSS 23.0 and STATA 15 programs, being p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Eighty-six LR were performed, 56 cases by colorectal metastasis. The major LR corresponded to 68 cases, with 13.2% of Clavien-Dindo III-V complications and 2.9% of reoperation rate. Eighteen minor LR were performed and one patient had a postoperative complication requiring reoperation. Conclusion: Preoperative elevation of transaminases and jaundice negatively influence surgical outcomes in patients undergoing LR. Tumors greater than 3 cm presented worse postoperative survival. Major LR did not significantly increase the surgical morbidity rate. Institutional Review Board registration: 1.122.319/2015
Poor health-related physical fitness performance increases the overweight and obesity risk in elderly people from Taiwan
Authors: Ho Chien-Chang , Lee Po-Fu , Chen Hui-Ling , Tseng Ching-Yu , Hsieh Xin-Yu , Chiu Chih Hui
Published: January 2021

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between health-related physical fitness performance and overweight/obesity risk among Taiwanese healthy older adults.Methods: A secondary dataset from the nationwide survey was applied in this study. Data from a total of 21,630 respondents aged 65-96 years were collected in this study. Demographic characteristics, life habits, perceived health status, anthropometric assessments, and health-related physical fitness measurements from this dataset were analyzed using the chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis.Results: The results indicated that overweight and obesity significantly associated with health-related physical fitness performance in the Taiwanese older adult population. In particular, the upper extremity muscular endurance scores of older adults with poor activity and physical fitness scores revealed obesity as a critical indicator of health-related physical fitness performance.Conclusions: Future studies can use muscle quality or body fat classification to predict obesity in older adults, which could more precisely portray the relationship between obesity and health-related physical fitness performance.
A heat-health watch and warning system with extended season and evolving thresholds.
Authors: Issa Mahamat Abdelkerim , Chebana Fateh , Masselot Pierre , Campagna Celine , Lavigne Éric , Gosselin Pierre , Ouarda Taha B.M.J.
Published: January 2021

Background Many countries have developed heat-health watch and warning systems (HHWWS) or early-warning systems in an attempt to mitigate the health consequences of extreme heat events. HHWWS usually focus on the four hottest months of the year and impose the same threshold over these months. However, according to climate projections, hot season is expected to extend and/or shift. Some studies demonstrated that health impacts of heat waves are more severe when the human body is not acclimatized to heat. In order to adapt those systems to potential heat waves occurring outside the hottest months of the season, this study proposes specific health-based monthly heat indicators and thresholds over an extended season from April to October in the northern hemisphere. Methods The proposed approach, an extension of the HHWWS methodology currently adopted in the province of Quebec, Canada, was developed in the Greater Montreal area (current population 4.3 million) based on historical health and meteorological data over the years. This approach consists of determining excess mortality episodes and then choosing indicators and thresholds that may involve excess mortality.Results We obtain thresholds for the maximum and minimum temperature couple (in °C) that range from (23 and 12, respectively) in April, to (32 and 21) in July and back to (25 and 13) in October. The resulting HHWWS is flexible, with health-related thresholds taking into account the seasonality as well as the monthly variability of temperatures in the threshold definition process for an extended summer season. Conclusions This adaptive system has the potential to prevent, by data-driven health alerts, heat-related mortality outside the typical July-August months of heat waves. The proposed methodology is general and can be applied or adapted to other regions and situations.
Effects of aging on the skin and gill microbiota of farmed seabass and seabream
Authors: Rosado Daniela , Pérez-Losada Marcos , Pereira Ana , Severino Ricardo , Xavier Raquel
Published: January 2021

Background: Important changes in microbial composition related to sexual maturation have been already reported in the gut of several vertebrates including mammals, amphibians and fish. Such changes in fish are linked to reproduction and growth during developmental stages, diet transitions and critical life events. We used amplicon (16S rRNA) high-throughput sequencing to characterize the skin and gill bacterial microbiota of farmed seabass and seabream belonging to three different developmental age groups: early and late juveniles and mature adults. We also assessed the impact of the surrounding estuarine water microbiota in shaping the fish skin and gill microbiota. Results: Microbial diversity, composition and predicted metabolic functions varied across fish maturity stages. Alpha-diversity in the seabass microbiota varied significantly between age groups and was higher in older fish. Conversely, in the seabream, no significant differences were found in alpha-diversity between age groups. Microbial structure varied significantly across age groups; moreover, high structural variation was also observed within groups. Different bacterial metabolic pathways were predicted to be enriched in the microbiota of both species. Finally, we found that the water microbiota was significantly distinct from the fish microbiota across all the studied age groups, although a high percentage of ASVs was shared with the skin and gill microbiotas.Conclusions: We report important microbial differences in composition and potential functionality across different ages of farmed seabass and seabream. These differences may be related to somatic growth and the onset of sexual maturation. Importantly, some of the inferred metabolic pathways could enhance the fish coping mechanisms during stressful conditions. Our results provide new evidence suggesting that growth and sexual maturation have an important role in shaping the microbiota of the fish external mucosae and highlight the importance of considering different life stages in microbiota studies.
PacBio full-length transcriptome of wild apple (Malus sieversii) provides insights into canker disease dynamic response
Authors: Liu Xiaojie , Li Xiaoshuang , Wen Xuejing , Zhang Yan , Ding Yu , Zhang Yiheng , Gao Bei , Zhang Daoyuan
Published: January 2021

Background: Cytospora canker is a serious disease in the stem of Malus sieversii, caused by Cytospora mali. However, little is known about the global response mechanism in M. sieversii to C. mali infection. Results: Phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) profiles and transcriptome analysis were used to elaborate on the dynamic response mechanism. We determined that the JA was initially produced to respond to the necrotrophic pathogen C. mali infection at the early response stage, then get synergistically transduced with SA to respond at the late response stage. Furthermore, we adopted Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) full-length sequencing to identify differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) during the canker response stage. We obtained 52,538 full-length transcripts, of which 8,139 were DETs. Total 1,336 lncRNAs, 23,737 alternative polyadenylation (APA) sites and 3,780 putative transcription factors (TFs) were identified. Additionally, functional annotation analysis of DETs indicated that the wild apple response to the infection of C. mali involves plant-pathogen interaction, plant hormone signal transduction, flavonoid biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The co-expression network of the differentially expressed TFs revealed 264 candidate TF transcripts. Among these candidates, the WRKY family was the most abundant. The MsWRKY7 and MsWRKY33 were highly correlated at the early response stage, and MsWRKY6, MsWRKY7, MsWRKY19, MsWRKY33, MsWRKY40, MsWRKY45, MsWRKY51, MsWRKY61, MsWRKY75 were highly correlated at the late stage. Conclusions: The full-length transcriptomic analysis revealed a series of immune responsive events in M. sieversii in response to C. mali infection. The phytohormone signal pathway regulatory played an important role in the response stage. Additionally, the enriched disease resistance pathways and differentially expressed TFs dynamics collectively contributed to the immune response. This study provides valuable insights into a dynamic response in M. sieversii upon the necrotrophic pathogen C. mali infection, facilitates understanding of response mechanisms to canker disease for apple, and provides supports in the identification of potential resistance genes in M. sieversii.
The Mitigating Toxic Stress Study Design: Approaches to Developmental Evaluation of Pediatric Health Care Innovations addressing Social Determinants of Health and Toxic Stress
Authors: McCrae Julie S. , Robinson JoAnn L , Spain Angeline K , Byers Kaela , Axelrod Jennifer L
Published: January 2021

Background. Health care administrators must establish and promote effective partnerships with community agencies to address social determinants of health, including reducing exposure of infants and young children to chronic stress. Because infants’ experiences are inextricably tied to their caregivers, an important target for mitigating “toxic” stress exposure in early childhood is through reducing parents’ experiences of chronic stress in addition to protecting children from direct experiences of harm such as physical or sexual abuse. Conducting screening to identify when children are exposed to early life adversity is a first step; connecting families to needed support services is an essential component to addressing identified challenges. This paper presents the methodology of a three-year study of health care systems innovations designed to engage and support parents of infants to prevent and mitigate children’s toxic stress exposures. Methods. Key study features included: 1) multi-component study in five U.S. communities and nine pediatric health care clinics and the families they serve, 2) a developmental evaluation approach to describe how innovations are experienced over time at three levels—community systems, pediatric providers, and families, and 3) rapid cycle feedback conducted with communities, clinics and families to co-interpret data and findings. Data sources included: 1) focus groups and interviews with community stakeholders, clinic staff, and families, 2) electronic health record and Medicaid services data extracted to assess health care quality, utilization, and financial impact, and 3) clinic-recruitment of 908 parents of infants in a longitudinal survey. Results. The sample is briefly characterized based on responses to the enrollment phase of the parent survey. Conclusions. We discuss the study design elements’ contribution to generating evidence needed by innovators, communities, and clinics to modify and sustain investments in these innovations to prevent or mitigate the effects of exposure to toxic stress on young children.
LacminCC: Lightweight Anonymous Communication Model In Cloud Computing
Authors: Li Fengyin , Wang Yanli , Ju Hongwei , Yu Xinying , Wang Zhaojie , Zhou Huiyu
Published: January 2021

With increasing application of cloud computing and big data technologies, a large amount of personal information is stored on the Internet, which raises the issue of privacy leakage.To protect people's data privacy, this paper firstly presents a new anonymous Identify-Based Encryption (IBE) scheme and gives the proof of its security under the Bilinear Diffie-Hellman Security Assumption. Then, by introducing the anonymous IBE scheme into anonymous communication fields, this paper introduces a new lightweight anonymous communication model for cloud computing, which guarantees the anonymity of system users and the security of messages in small groups. Our analysis shows that, the proposed communication model cannot only reduce memory consumption and improve message transmission efficiency, but also effectively resist traffic-analysis attacks, node eavesdropping, and finally achieve secure anonymous communication in cloud computing.
Comprehensive analysis of allergen-specific IgE in COPD: Mite-specific IgE specifically related to the diagnosis of asthma-COPD overlap
Authors: Toyota Hikaru , Sugimoto Naoya , Kobayashi Konomi , Suzuki Yuki , Takeshita Yuri , Ito Ayaka , Ujino Mariko , Tomyo Fuminori , Sakasegawa Hirokazu , Koizumi Yuta , Kuramochi Michio , Yamaguchi Masao , Nagase Hiroyuki
Published: January 2021

Background: Although the relationship between allergic sensitization and increased respiratory symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been suggested, which allergen has a significant effect on COPD pathology is unclear. This study aimed to identify the specific IgE related to clinical features of COPD and the diagnosis of asthma-COPD overlap (ACO).Methods: We recruited 76 patients with COPD and analyzed 39 IgE using panel IgE test (View Allergy 39®). ACO was diagnosed according to the Japanese Respiratory Society Guidelines.Results: As for perennial aeroallergens, the positivity for moth (31.5%), Candida (23.7%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (22.4%) and house dust (22.4%), and concerning pollen, Japanese cedar (35.5%) and Japanese cypress (22.2%) exceeded 20%. Only the positivity of IgE for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and house dust was significantly higher in ACO compared with that in non-ACO COPD. Moreover, it contributed to the diagnosis of ACO in an IgE class-dependent manner. Patients with cockroach IgE exhibited higher residual volume, whereas those with Japanese cedar IgE exhibited better diffusion capacity than negative patients. The contribution for ACO diagnosis by the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was comparable among total IgE (cutoff value: 158 IU/mL), blood eosinophil count (234/μl), and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (31.0 ppb).Conclusions: The prominent role of mite-specific IgE in the diagnosis and pathology of ACO and the potentially detrimental effect of cockroach sensitization on air trapping in COPD were suggested. The finding highlights the future development of a treatment targeting IgE as a treatable trait in COPD.
An integer programming model to assign patients based on mental health impact for tele-psychotherapy intervention during the Covid–19 emergency
Authors: Miniguano-Trujillo Andrés , Salazar Fernanda , Torres Ramiro , Arias Patricio , Sotomayor Koraima
Published: January 2021

The Covid–19 pandemic challenges health-care systems worldwide while severely impacting mental health. As a result, the rising demand for psychological assistance during crisis times requires early and effective intervention. This contributes to the well-being of the public and front-line workers and prevents men-tal health disorders. Many countries are offering di-verse and accessible services of tele-psychological inter-vention; Ecuador is not the exception. The present study combines statistical analyses and discrete optimization techniques to solve the problem of assigning patients to therapists for crisis intervention with a single tele-psychotherapy session. The statistical analyses showed that professionals and healthcare workers in contact with Covid–19 patients or with a confirmed diagnosis had a significant relationship with suicide risk, sadness, experiential avoidance, and perception of severity. Moreover, some Covid–19-related variables were found to be predictors of sadness and suicide risk as unveiled via path analysis. This allowed categorizing patients according to their screening and grouping therapists according to their qualifications. With this stratification, a multi-periodic optimization model and a heuristic are proposed to find an adequate assignment of patients to therapists over time. The integer programming model was validated with real-world data, and its results were applied in a volunteer program in Ecuador.
Development and characterization of thirteen novel microsatellite markers for use in Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus), with cross-amplification in Pacific sleeper sharks (Somniosus pacificus)
Authors: Swintek Meaghan A , Walter Ryan P
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objectives of this work are to isolate, develop, and characterize polymorphic microsatellite markers for use in Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus). Results: Thirteen microsatellite loci were successfully amplified and yielded multi-locus genotypes for 36 S. microcephalus individuals from Grise Fjord (n = 16) and Svalbard (n = 20). Each locus yielded between 2 to 9 alleles and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.11 to 0.70 when estimated across both sites. One locus and three loci deviated from HWE following Bonferroni correction, for individuals sampled from Grise Fjord and Svalbard, respectively. Cross-amplification was successful at every locus for five of the ten S. pacificus individuals.
Evaluation of malaria preventive measures among adult patients attending the Bamendjou and Foumbot District hospitals of the West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Nlinwe Nfor Omarine , Singong Yengong Clinton , Florentine Tenkam Makamdoum Ruth
Published: January 2021

Background: Although a significant decrease in entomological and epidemiological indicators was reported in Cameroon since the introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria prevalence remains high also in some parts of the West Region of Cameroon. Therefore this study was designed to evaluate malaria preventive measures among patients attending the Bamendjou and Foumbot District hospitals of the West Region of Cameroon.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out within a period of three months, from January to March 2020. Data was obtained using a structured questionnaire and laboratory analysis. The CareStart™ Malaria HRP2 (Pf) qualitative rapid diagnostic test was used for malaria diagnosis. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics, and the use of malaria preventive measures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and Chi-square (and Fisher’s exact) test.Results: A total of 170 study participants were recruited in Foumbot and 197 in Bamendjou. Malaria was significantly (P < 0.0001) more prevalent in Foumbot (47.06%) than in Bamendjou (19.8%). In Foumbot, nonuse of insect repellent spray (P = 0.0214), insect repellent body cream (P = 0.0009), mosquito spray (P = 0.0001) and not draining stagnant water (P = 0.0004) predisposed to higher risk of malaria. But in Bamendjou, nonuse of insect repellent spray (P = 0.0012), long-lasting insecticidal bed nets (P = 0.0001), window and door nets (P = 0.0286), predisposed to a higher risk of malaria.Conclusions: Malaria prevalence was high among the study participants especially in Foumbot. An adequate follow-up to ensure effective execution of the recently launched third phase of LLINs distribution campaign in Cameroon is recommended. Additionally, integrated Vector Management is required to ensure effective control of malaria transmission in Foumbot and Bamendjou.
Visualizations of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes on Genomic Index Maps
Authors: Zheng Jeffrey , Zhu Minghan , Qiao Mu , Zhou Yang
Published: January 2021

In this paper, comprehensive cases are visualized by {C1, C2, C3, C4} four modules of the MAS. Four sets of SARS-CoV-2 genomes with 20, 128, 381 and 1337 cases were processed to be represented as a series of genomic index maps in four entropies: combinatorial, integrated, mean and topological entropies, respectively. Typical samples and explanations are described. Multiple levels of hierarchical representations are illustrated.
Just like fireworks in my brain – a Swedish interview study on experiences of emotions in female patients with eating disorders
Authors: Petersson Suzanne , Gullbing Lydia , Perseius Kent-Inge
Published: January 2021

Background: Patients with eating disorders have reported poorer emotional awareness, more emotional suppression, less use of adaptive emotional regulation strategies, and more use of maladaptive emotional regulation strategies compared to people in healthy control groups.Aim: To explore experiences of emotions by a transdiagnostic sample of patients with eating disorders.Method: Nine patients with different eating disorder diagnoses at an eating disorder outpatient clinic in Sweden were interviewed for their thoughts on emotions. The interviews were analyzed with Thematic Analysis.Result: Four themes were constructed: "Not knowing what one feels", "Switch off, run away, or hide behind a mask", "Emotions in a lifelong perspective", and "Using eating behaviours to regulate emotions". The patients described uncertainty regarding whether they experienced emotions correctly. They described how they tried to avoid difficult emotions through suppressive strategies and eating disorder behaviour. All described strategies were inefficient and all emotions were experienced as problematic, even joy. Since joy was used as a mask, the real experience of happiness was lost and mourned.Conclusion: All kinds of emotions were considered problematic to experience, but shame, fear, and sadness were considered worst. It is difficult to know if the emotional difficulties preceded an eating disorder, however such difficulties may have increased as a result of the eating disorder.
Visual Variations between Pairs of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes on Integrated Density Matrix
Authors: Zhu Minghan , Zheng Jeffrey
Published: January 2021

This paper is the B2 module of the MAS. The quantification matrix is formed according to the four-base arrangement in the genome sequence. The differences in new coronavirus genome sequencing sequences in different samples were demonstrated by using the most concise methods. Using 4 primitive variable value measures, changes in the virus genome sequence base order conditions were deter-mined. When two relatively large genomic sequences are slightly different, the integrated distribution of the difference calculation is subtly similar to the Bose-einstein distribution, while the sum calculation shows a powerful distribution complexity. It can be formed under the macroscopic angle and can distinguish 16 combinations of supersymmetric structures. In view of the abundant transformation structure in this kind of transformation system, the detailed exploration remains to be followed by the systematic expansion of theory and medical application.
Comparative Study of Pathogenic Viruses Carried on Pairs of Species
Authors: Zhang Xin , Pan Zhaoyu , Zheng Jeffrey
Published: January 2021

The new coronavirus was checked on December 12, 2019, and spread rapidly over time. It has become a public health event spreading around the world. Until this time, the source of the virus remains controversial. In this paper, a series of SARS-CoV-2 genomes were collected using the A1 module of the MAS for visualization. Pairs of genomes are compared under similarity relationships between SARS-CoV-2 and other deadly viruses carried by different species. Through the proposed method of variant construction, it provides important information to understand similarity properties among genomes. The comparison mechanism provides an efficient and fast similarity mode to compare with a whole genome at multiple levels of hierarchical measurements to provide variation information on internal correlation to a certain extent. Sample results are intuitively expressed through a list of 1D visual line charts for various distributions.
Solid-state NMR Spectroscopic Analysis of Sweet Cherry Leaves under Different Cultivation Patterns
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Yan Hongguang , Lu Cuixiang , Lin Hui , Li Quan
Published: January 2021

Solid-state 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy were used to investigate the chemical components of sweet cherry tree leaves under rain-shelter cultivation (RS) and open-field cultivation (CK). The 1H-NMR spectral chemical shifts of RS and CK showed differences in height and integral value. The δ 1–3, δ 3–4, δ 4–6, and δ 6–10 regions were attributed to the hydrogen signals of aliphatic compounds, unsaturated carbohydrate compounds, and aromatic compounds, respectively. Among the four regions, the percentage of signal strength and the integral value of hydrogen signals of RS and CK were 34.25% and 28.34%, 11.64% and 12.26%, 26.71% and 31.06%, 27.4% and 28.34%, respectively. The 13C-NMR results showed that the CK sample had slightly stronger spectral lines and contained slightly more carbon atoms than the RS sample. Sweet cherry leaves contain aromatic and carboxyl carbons, mainly from carboxylic acids, esters, and amides. The alkyl carbons exhibited the lowest ratio, whereas the alkyl and alkoxy carbons were mainly derived from carbohydrates (cellulose, polysaccharides).
Express method for assessing proteolysis in cheese and aromatic addi- tives with cheese flavor
Authors: Myagkonosov D. S. , Abramov D. V. , Ovchinnikova E. G. , Krayushkina V. N.
Published: January 2021

The method based on the determination of the amount of active amino groups using o-Phthaldialdehyde (OPA method) can be applied in practice to assess accurately the degree of proteolysis in cheeses. The work establishes that the OPA method gives results that strictly correlate (R2 > 0.80, p < 0.01) with the results of assessing the degree of proteolysis by the Kjeldahl method. The results of the OPA method, expressed in the absorption intensity of the colored sample at a wavelength of 340 nm (OD340), can be converted to the content of soluble nitrogenous substances in cheese (WSN), using the calibration relationship between these indicators.

The accuracy of the calibration relationship between WSN and OD340 can be increased (R2 > 0.91, p< 0.01) when using the OPA method in relation to a homogeneous group of cheeses produced by the same technology using the same type of milk clotting enzyme and lactic acid starter culture and having a similar shape of the molecular mass distribution of proteolysis products.

The OPA method can be used to assess the content of proteolysis products, which form cheese flavor, in EMС. The results of assessing the degree of proteolysis by the OPA method (OD340) are proportional to both the total content of soluble nitrogen and the proportion of nitrogenous substances in it with a mass of less than 0.5 kDa, which make the greatest contribution to the formation of cheese flavor.

The advantage of using the OPA method for assessing proteolysis in cheeses and EMC instead of the Kjeldahl method is a simpler measurement procedure and the possibility of studying more samples in less time.
AN EFFECT OF POSTURAL DRAINAGE ON MANAGEMENT OF PNEUMONIA
Authors:   Assistant Prof., Fatima Tahzeeb , Tahir Minhaj ,   Assistant Prof., Trivedi Devendra ,   HOD [Dept. of Physiotherapy]Rama University, Kanpur.
Published: January 2021

Objective:To compare the patients with pneumonia with and without postural drainage and to measure the amount of sputum produced before and after physiotherapy treatment. Material and Method:This study was carried out at Lilamani Hospital, Kanpur. Total 7 patients was placed into two groups i.e. Group A and Group B. Group A included 4 patients, 3 females and 1 male with the age group is between 25-60. While Group B having 3 patients, 1 female and 2 males with the age group is between 26-62 years. Group A was received chest mobilization techniques, two times a day.While Group B received postural drainage in different positions with chest mobilisation twice a day. The amount of sputum before and after the physiotherapy techniques, the p-value was calculated for both groups by t-test and data was analysed through SPSS. Results: In this study, amount of sputum was significantly reduced in Group B as comparison to Group A. Conclusion: Postural drainage techniques with chest mobilisation are much effective. It also helps in reducing the amount of sputum in pneumonia patients.
CEMAL ŞAKAR’IN DENEMELERİ
Authors: TURNA Murat
Published: January 2021

Cemal Şakar, 1980 sonrası Türk hikâyeciliğinde isminden söz edilen bir sanatçıdır. Şakar her ne kadar hikâyeleri ile tanınmış olsa da deneme türünde de eserler vermiştir. Bu makalede Cemal Şakar’ın denemeleri üzerinden yol almak suretiyle onun sanat anlayışı ve ideolojik tarafı hakkında bilgi sunulduğu gibi sahip olduğu entelektüel müktesebatın edebî kamuya ve daha genel biçimde kendisinin de içinde olduğu “İslâmcı sanatçı” çevresine ne gibi katkılar sağlayabildiği üzerinde durulmaktadır. Varılan sonuçlar, sanatı kendi ideolojik düzlemiyle yorumladığı ve fikirleri ile ortaya koyduğu sanat arasında uyum arayışı içinde olduğudur. Ayrıca modern sanatın açmazlarına dikkat çeker. Müslüman aydın ve sanatçıları, modern sanatın rahatsızlık verdiğini düşündüğü konularda, kendi aradığı çözüme ortak olmaya davet eder. Cemal Şakar’ın denemeleri kültür, sanat ve özellikle edebiyatla ilgilenen kesimi modernizm, edebiyat ve ideoloji üçgeninde düşündürmeye çalışır.
Taisīr Ta‘līm Mahārat al-Kalām
Authors: Ubaidillah Ubaidillah
Published: January 2021

Speech is the most important means of social communication in humans, and therefore is the most important part in the practice and use of language and the most dangerous skill of the four skills, which makes the teaching of speech, conversation, and oral communication is essential should be paid attention within the curriculum of language teaching, in order to enable learners to acquire the skills of speech and speech Constructive discussion and the ability to express and display information and the possibility of introducing himself and his intellectual activity to colleagues, family and teachers and express himself when he communicates with others and others. Given the importance of this skill and the seriousness of its place in the framework of language teaching on the one hand, and poor care in the reality of teaching Arabic language, especially Indonesia, on the other hand, this little research seeks to introduce the idea in facilitating the teaching of speech skill and its introductory attempts, which include theoretical and practical aspects to achieve this goal, By evaluating the reality of speech skill in the methods of language teaching and the attention it receives from all these methods and bring the steps of teaching this skill in an appropriate manner taking into account the communicative applications in its education and address the weakness of learners.