bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How rural residence and gender associate with Mental Health: a cross-sectional study among Chinese early adolescents
Authors: She Xinshu , Zhao Deqing , Li Mengying
Published: August 2020

Background: Mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability in youth globally. China has the world’s second largest pediatric population with growing urban-rural inequalities.Objectives: 1) to examine the prevalence and gender differences in drug use, depressive symptoms, social support and externalizing behaviors in adolescents from an underserved rural community; 2) to compare results to a known urban sampleMethods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children 12-14 years-old from rural Guizhou (N=76) using the 2003 Global School-based Student Health Survey. Prevalence and gender differences of 19 mental health outcomes were calculated and compared to those from a public urban Beijing sample (N=1,629). Associations of outcomes with gender and rural residence were assessed using multivariate logistic regression models in a combined analysis.Results: The prevalence of 9 out of the 19 investigated outcomes was significantly higher in the rural sample. In rural Guizhou, female gender was associated only with lower prevalence of physical fights. In the combined analysis, rural residence was associated with higher risks of lifetime troubles due to drinking, loneliness, insomnia, hopelessness, injuries and absenteeism. Girls had lower risks of recent drinking, inebriation, troubles due to drinking, recent smoking, fights, injures and bullying victimization compared to boys. Conclusion: Higher risks of excessive drinking, depressive symptoms, poor social support, and externalizing behaviors were found in rural adolescents compared to their urban peers. Girls had lower risks of drug use, poor peer support and externalizing behaviors. These findings call for targeted interventions informed by contextual and gender specifications.
Care Needs and Preferences from Perspective of COVID-19 Patients: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Moayed Malihe sadat , Heidaranlu Esmail , Parandeh Akram
Published: August 2020

Background: COVID-19 epidemic is one of the major health problems all over the world due to its amazing spreading power and potential damage. Given the increasing prevalence of the disease, identifying the care needs and preferences of patients will play a very important role in providing effective training and caring programs for them. This study aimed to explain the Preferences and needs of care based on the experiences of people with COVID-19.Methods: This qualitative study was carried out over a period of 2 months in medical and recovery units of COVID-19 referral hospitals in Tehran, the capital of Iran in 2020. The Participants consisted of 15 COVID-19 patients selected through purposive sampling.Results: The results were classified into five main categories as “Access to desirable care and comfort services”, “Access to education and information from credible sources”, “Access to specialized care” “Support-social needs” and “Need for deep emotional interactions”.Conclusions: According to the results, identifying priorities and care needs from the perspective of patients with COVID-19 can help improve knowledge, reduce unrealistic patient concerns, and improve emotional interactions between patients and health care providers.
Societal Responses and Household-Level Determinants of Coronavirus Preparedness in Rural Ethiopia
Authors: Addis Yonnas , Abate Dubale , Batista João
Published: August 2020

This study assesses the rural community engagement to respond to the novel coronavirus and challenges faced, and possible factors determining their preparedness and response to the pandemic in rural Ethiopia. A total of 190 sample respondents were interviewed, and then descriptive statistics and a probit model were employed for data analysis. The result revealed that various individual and community groups practiced social work response to coronavirus, but socioeconomic and other institutional factors constrained their effectiveness and performance. The probit model regression analysis indicated that the rural households preparedness to coronavirus has influenced by gender characteristics, age category, educational level (household head & family members), mobile ownership, extension service, participation in social groups, economic status, and income from off/non-farm activities. Thus, much more attention needs to be given by a government and other stakeholders to confront the virus and its possible effect.
The prevalence of lower eyelid epiblepharon and its association with refractive errors in Chinese preschool children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhuo Deyi , Chen Si , Ren Xiaofang , Wang Bingsong , Liu Linbo , Xiao Lin
Published: August 2020

Background: To assess the prevalence and demographics of lower eyelid epiblepharon in Chinese preschool children and to evaluate its association with refractive errors.Methods: In this population-based, cross-sectional study , a total of 3,170 children aged 3 to 6 years from Beijing, China underwent examinations including weight, height, cycloplegic autorefraction and slit-lamp examination of external eyes. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to evaluate. The prevalence of lower eyelid epiblepharon in preschool children and its association with refractive errors were analyzed.Results: The prevalence of lower eyelid epiblepharon was 26.2%, which decreased with age with 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old being 30.6%, 28.0%, 15.0%, and14.3%, respectively. Boys had a higher risk of having epiblepharon than girls with ORs = 1.41 (95%CI, 1.20-1.66) and no significant correlation was detected between BMI and epiblepharon after adjustment of age and sex. Epiblepharon was associated with significantly higher risk of refractive errors including astigmatism (OR = 3.41; 95% CI, (2.68-4.33)), myopia (OR = 3.55; 95%CI, (1.86-6.76)), and hyperopia (OR = 1.53; 95% CI, (1.18-1.99)). Among astigmatic epiblepharon preschoolers, with-the-rule is predominant (80.9%) and epiblepharon severity was associated with astigmatism severity (p = 0.019). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of lower eyelid epiblepharon in Chinese preschool children, particularly among boys and the youngers. Preschoolers with lower eyelid epiblepharon are subject to higher risk of developing astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia, than those without. An increased attention should be paid to this eyelid abnormality in preschool population.
Mental Health Research Among Refugees: A Community-based Study in Turkey
Authors: Caman Ozge Karadag , Kilic Cengiz , Kaya Edip , Uner Sarp
Published: August 2020

Background: Turkey hosts nearly four million refugees and more than 95 percent live in urban areas. Living in urban settings pose different challenges and opportunities than living in camps. This study aimed to assess mental health problems and barriers to accessing mental health care among Syrian refugees in urban areas of Turkey. The study used a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected by a face-to-face survey among 420 Syrian refugees in Ankara, whereas qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews with 10 health care providers and 10 health policy makers.Discussion: In our case, the main challenges in conducting research with refugees were collecting data from a highly traumatized population, difficulties with contacting undocumented asylum seekers including trust issues and the fear of deportation, the risk of secondary traumatization among data collectors, and the bureaucracy during study approval processes. Targeting a representative sample was not feasible, because of the lack of publicly available demographic data on a district level, presence of undocumented asylum seekers and high mobility among the registered refugees. Although respondents with significant psychological symptoms were routinely referred to available mental health services, we were not able to do the same for unregistered refugees with problems in accessing health care. Language/alphabet differences and differing dialects of Arabic posed another challenge in both translation and administration of the scales. Based on cultural characteristics, a gender-balanced team was used and the interviewers were gender-matched whenever needed. Also, the research team had to work after work hours and during weekends to be able to interview male refugees, since most refugee men were at work during working hours and most days of the week. Conclusions: The research team’s experience showed that population characteristics including level of trauma, language, culture, gender, legal status, mobility, availability of publicly available data, and outreach-related barriers increased the challenges and ethical responsibilities of the researchers as well the research costs in terms of time, human resources and finance. Even in a host country with geographical, religious and cultural proximity to the refugees, profound challenges exist in conducting mental health research.
Misdiagnosed mesonephric adenocarcinoma in the cervix: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Gao Rui , Jin Long , Wang Liping
Published: August 2020

Background Mesonephric adenocarcinoma (MNAC) in the female reproductive system is a rare tumour caused by remnants of the mesonephric duct, mainly located in the cervix. Because of the rarity of the disease and few reports to date, no specific clinical features have been identified. Its diagnosis is challenging because MNAC may exhibit multiple morphological patterns, complicating differential diagnosis. Case presentation We report a 57-year-old female with cervical MNAC who was misdiagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma by biopsy. Histological study revealed a solid, glandular and papillary tumour. The pattern of papillary growth exhibited a vascular axis, and the morphology was similar to that of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Based on immunohistochemistry, the tumour cells were negative for CK5/6, P40 and Vimentin; GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3), CD10, AE1/AE3, CK7 and P16 were diffusely positive; calretinin was focally positive; and oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF1) and p53 were negative. The patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy and had no evidence of disease as of 10 months after the operation. The clinical manifestations, pathological features, treatment and prognosis of MNAC were summarized by reviewing the existing literature. Conclusions When tumours with papillary and squamous epithelial growth patterns are detected by biopsy, it is necessary to apply immunohistochemistry analysis to avoid misdiagnosis.
Further Evaluation and Validation of the VETSCAN IMAGYST: In-Clinic Feline and Canine Fecal Parasite Detection System Integrated with a Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Nagamori Yoko , Sedlak Ruth Hall , DeRosa Andrew , Pullins Aleah , Cree Travis , Loenser Michael , Larson Benjamin S. , Smith Richard Boyd , Penn Cory , Goldstein Richard
Published: August 2020

Background: Fecal examinations in pet cats and dogs are key components of routine veterinary practice; however, the accuracy is influenced by diagnostic methodologies and the experience level of personnel performing the tests. The VETSCAN IMAGYST system was developed to provide simpler and easier fecal examinations which are less influenced by examiners’ skills. This system consists of three components: a sample preparation device, an automated microscope scanner, and an analysis software. The objectives of this study were to qualitatively evaluate the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system on feline parasites (Ancylostoma and Toxocara cati) and protozoan parasites (Cystoisospora and Giardia) and to assess and compare the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation method to reference centrifugal and passive flotation methods.Methods: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the scanning and algorithmic components of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system, fecal slides were prepared by the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation technique with pre-screened fecal samples collected from dogs and cats and examined by both an algorithm and parasitologist. To assess the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation technique, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared to conventional flotation techniques.Results: The performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST algorithm closely correlated with evaluations by parasitologists, with sensitivity of 75.8-100% and specificity of 93.1-100% across the targeted parasites. For samples with 50 eggs or less per slide, Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) ranged from 0.84 to 0.97 across the targeted parasites. The VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation method correlated well with the conventional centrifugal flotation method across the targeted parasites: sensitivity of 65.7-100% and specificity of 97.6-100%. Similar results were observed for the conventional passive flotation method compared to the conventional centrifugal flotation method; sensitivity of 56.4-91.7% and specificity of 99.4-100%.Conclusions: The VETSCAN IMAGYST scanning and algorithmic systems with the VETSCAN IMAGYST fecal preparation technique demonstrated a similar qualitative performance to the results of parasitologists’ examinations with conventional fecal flotation techniques. Given the deep learning nature of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system, its performance is expected to improve over time, enabling it to be utilized in veterinary clinics to perform fecal examinations accurately and efficiently.
Hepatic portal vein gas associated with intestinal ischemia and acute gastric dilatation
Authors: PAN YUN
Published: August 2020

Background

Hepatic portal vein gas is a rare and alarming radiographic finding for patients especially those who had intestinal ischemia. It often indicates a very serious infection and could result in infectious shock even death in a very short period of time, even though the mortality of hepatic portal vein gas went down with the increased use of computed tomography and ultrasound in the patient which allows early and highly sensitive detection of such severe illnesses.
Case presentation

Here a case was described in which the patient who had hepatic portal vein gas associated with intestinal ischemia and acute gastric dilatation died in a short time.
Conclusions

Attention must be paid closely to the patient who has hepatic portal vein gas associated with intestinal ischemia, and something must be done because it often indicates a life-threatening acute abdomen.
Inhibitory Effects of Camellia Japonica on Cell Inflammation and Acute Rat Reflux Esophagitis
Authors: Nam Hyeon Hwa , Nan Li , Choo Byung Kil
Published: August 2020

Background
Excessive and continuous inflammation may be the main cause of various immune system diseases. Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a common gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is an inflammation of the esophagus caused by the reflux of gastric contents to the esophagus due to the dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter. Camellia japonica has high medicinal value and has long been used as a traditional herbal hemostatic medicine in China and Korea.
Materials and methods
Dried C. japonica buds were extracted with 75% ethanol. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay were evaluated according to previous method. The ROS production and anti-inflammatory effects of C. japonica buds ethanol extract (CJE) were evaluated on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The protective effects of CJE on RE were conducted in a RE induced Sprague Dawley rat model.
Results
CJE eliminated over 50% of DPPH and ABTS radical at concentration of 100 and 200 µg/mL, respectively. CJE alleviated changes in cell morphology, reduced production of ROS, NO and IL-1β. Also, down-regulated expression levels of iNOS, TNF-α, phosphorylated NF-κB, IκBα, and JNK/p38/MAPK. CJE reduced esophageal tissue damage ratio (40.3%) and attenuation of histological changes. In addition, CJE down-regulated the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2 and phosphorylation levels of NF-κB and IκBα in esophageal tissue .
Conclusions
CJE possesses good anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory activity, and can improve RE in rats caused by acid reflux. Therefore, CJE may be a natural medicine source with good anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects, and a candidate phytomedicine source for treating RE
Predictors of Childbearing Willingness in the Center of Iran in 2019: A cross Sectional Study
Authors: Valashani Sahebjan Torkian , Heidari Zahra , Shoushtari-Moghaddam Elaheh , Zamani-Alavijeh Fereshteh
Published: August 2020

Background: Childbearing is an important phenomenon in demographic changes. The current fertility rate does not have the necessary level for proper succession of generations in Iran. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine roles of predictors of childbearing willingness in the center of Iran due to the important of childbearing and its association with fertility.Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 married citizens referred to comprehensive health centers in central Iran and they were selected by convenience sampling. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, and analyzed by SPSS 20. Descriptive and analytical tests of ordinal regression and factor analysis were also performed; and the significance level was considered to be less than 0.05.Results: In the present study, the mean (standard deviation) of participants' marriage age was 21.11 years. Results of the present study indicated that there were relationships between variables, namely family strength motivation, economic self-efficacy, emotional and religious motivation, physical barriers and childbearing tendency (P < 0.05). The chance of childbearing willingness increased by 7% by enhancing family strength motivation scores, 20% by increasing economic self-efficacy, and 6% by increasing emotional and religious motivation, but decreased by reducing physical barriers.Conclusion: Strengthening family strength motivation, economic self-efficacy, religious-emotional motivation, and efforts to remove physical barriers were effective in increasing childbearing.
The Supportive Supervisory Scale: Psychometric Properties in Chinese Health Care Aides Samples
Authors: Tian Li , Li Haixia , Dong Bei , Xie Congyan , Wang Hong , Lin Lu
Published: August 2020

Objective To sinicize the Supportive Supervisory Scale (SSS) and analyze the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of SSS (SSS-C).Methods The SSS (the original English version) was firstly sinicized and adjusted, then its psychometric properties were examined in 300 health care aides from four long-term care (LTC) facilities. SPSS 22.0 was used to process the data and calculate the reliability and validity. Results The 15-item SSS-C had satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficient=0.852), split half reliability (Spearman-Brown coefficient=0.834) and test-retest reliability (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.784). Three factors were extracted, four items were deleted because their communality was less than 0.4 and the remaining 11 items could explain 55.654% of the total variance. The discriminant validity of the SSS-C varied significantly between sites.Conclusions The Chinese version of SSS can be used to effectively measure the supervisory support of the nurses within the LTC settings.
Fluorescent Polarization Molecularly Imprinted Polymer and Its Application in the Tetection of Naringin
Authors: Zhao Chen , Meng Xiangyan , Lu Wenzong , Li Gun
Published: August 2020

BackgroundA fluorescent magnetic surface molecular imprinting method was used to detect narigin by fluorescence polarization technology.MethodBy using SiO2-coated magnetic particles as substrate and methlacrylic acid and acrylamide as monomers, a surface molecular imprinting polymer with both fluorescence and magnetic characteristics was prepared and loaded with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The binding ability of the prepared polymer was tested by fluorescence polarization and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry.ResultsCompared two other methods, the fluorescence polarization method was more sensitive, and its limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1 mg/L. The recovery of the fluorescence polarization method was higher than 81.3%.ConclusionIt was shown that the fluorescent magnetic surface molecular imprinting technique could be a new method to quickly and efficiently detect naringin in food.
Clinical differences between toric intraocular lens (IOL) and monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation when myopia is determined as target refraction
Authors: Shin Da young , Hwang Ho Sik , Kim Hyun Seung , Kim Man Soo , Kim Eun Chul
Published: August 2020

Background: To analyze and compare the clinical results of toric intraocular lens (IOL) and monofocal IOL implantation when the target refraction value is determined -3 diopter (D) in cataract patients with corneal astigmatism >1.5 diopters (D).Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review for patients with corneal astigmatism >1.5D who underwent cataract surgery and their target refraction is determined -3D. 100 eyes (100 patients; monofocal IOL, 60; toric IOL, 40) were enrolled in the current study. Near and distant uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), corrected VA, spherical equivalent and refractive, corneal astigmatism were evaluated before and after surgery.Results: The near UCVA of the toric IOL group (0.26±0.33) after cataract surgery was significantly better than that of the monofocal IOL group (0.48±0.32) (p=0.030). The distant UCVA of the toric IOL group (0.38 ± 0.14) was also significantly better than that of the monofocal IOL group (0.55 ± 0.22) (p = 0.026). There were no significant intergroup differences in postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (p = 0.710) and mean spherical equivalent (p = 0.465). In the toric IOL group, postoperative refractive astigmatism was -0.80 ± 0.46D and postoperative corneal astigmatism was -1.50 ± 0.62D, whereas the corresponding values in the monofocal IOL group were -1.65 ± 0.77D and -1.45 ± 0.64D; residual refractive astigmatism was significantly lower with toric IOL implantation compared with monofocal IOL implantation (p = 0.001). Conclusions: When myopic refraction such as -3D was determined as the target power in patients with corneal astigmatism, toric IOL implantation led to excellent improvement in both near and distant UCVA.
Colonoscopy Screening for Colon Polyps: May be Useful at an Earlier Age in Prevention of Malignant Transformation?
Authors: Aydin Muhammet Fatih , Aydin Mehmet Akif
Published: August 2020

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate whether colonoscopy screening should be performed at an earlier age than specified in the current guidelines.
Method:

Data of 1882 patients who presented to the gastroenterology clinic of our hospital and underwent colonoscopy were retrospectively evaluated. Polyps detected during colonoscopy were excised and sent to the pathology laboratory for histopathological examination. Patients were divided into two groups as < 45 yo and ≥ 45 yo and the data were compared between the groups.
Results

The most common indications for colonoscopy were found as abdominal pain in 40.6%, rectal bleeding in 18.6%, constipation in 14.2%, anemia in 10.5%, diarrhea in 3.1% and other reasons in 6.8% of the patients. The rate of polyps was statistically significantly higher in ≥ 45 yo patients (43.3%) compared to < 45 yo patients (32.1%). The rate of neoplastic polyps was statistically significantly higher in ≥ 45 yo group compared to < 45 yo group. The most common localizations of polyps were rectum and sigmoid colon in all age groups. Three endoscopists performed the procedures and one of them with more experrience detected more polyps.
Conclusion

Based on our results, we believe that onset age of screening for colon polyps should be 45 years as recommended by the updated guidelines. In addition, colonoscopy screening should be performed in young adults without alarm symptoms who present with abdominal pain. Experience of the endoscopist, bowel cleaning and duration of withdrawing fom the cecum affects the number of detected polyps.
Identification of RASSF1A Promoter Hypermethylation as a Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Gang , Zhou Xiaoxiang , Xing Jiali , Xiao Yao , Jin Bao , Sun Lejia , Yang Huayu , Du Shunda , Xu Haifeng , Mao Yilei
Published: August 2020

Background: RAS association domain family protein 1A (RASSF1A) promoter hypermethylation is suggested to be linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the results remained controversial. Methods: We evaluated how RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation affects HCC risk and its clinicopathological characteristics through meta-analysis. Data on DNA methylation in HCC and relevant clinical data were also collected based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to investigate the prognostic role of RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation in HCC. Results: Forty-four articles involving 4,777 cases were enrolled in the pooled analyses. The RASSF1A promoter methylation rate was notably higher in the HCC cases than the non-tumor cases and healthy individuals, and was significantly related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection-positivity and large tumor size. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that HCC cases with RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation had worse outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curves confirmed that RASSF1A promoter methylation may be a marker of HCC-related prognoses. Conclusions: RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC from tissue and peripheral blood, and is an emerging therapeutic target against HCC.
Associations of blood essential and toxic metal(loid)s with both disease severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective study
Authors: Zeng Hao-Long , Yang Qing , Yuan Peihong , Wang Xu , Cheng Liming
Published: August 2020

Background The variations and dynamics of blood essential and toxic metal(loid)s in patients with COVID-19 still remains unclear.Methods A retrospective study was performed in a cohort of confirmed COVID-19 patients for their whole blood levels of essential and/or toxic metal(loid)s including magnesium, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, thallium and lead according to the disease severity and outcome.Results Compared to the non-severe COVID-19 patients, Whole blood calcium, chromium and copper were higher in the severe patients, while magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, arsenic, thallium and lead were lower. These differences were further found to be consistently existed across the clinical course since the disease onset by longitudinal analysis. Moreover, among the severe patients, chromium and cadmium were higher in the deceased group compared to the recovered group, while arsenic were found to be lower. Whole blood iron, arsenic, and age and sex were determined to be independently factors associated with the disease severity, while chromium, cadmium and the co-morbidity of cardiovascular disease were determined to be independently factors associated with the mortality.Conclusions These results suggest variations of whole blood metal(loid)s as associated factors correlated with the disease severity and mortality for COVID-19.
Metabolic Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for High-Level Production of Gastrodin from Glucose
Authors: Yin Hua , Hu Tian Dong , Zhuang Yi Bin , Liu Tao
Published: August 2020

Background: The natural phenolic glycoside gastrodin is the major bioactive ingredient in the well-known Chinese herb Tianma and is widely used as a neuroprotective medicine in the clinic. Microbial production from sustainable resources is a promising method to replace plant extraction and chemical synthesis which were currently used in industrial gastrodin production. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is considered as an attractive host to produce natural plant products used in the food and pharmaceutical fields. In this work, we intended to explore the potential of S. cerevisiae as the host for high-level production of gastrodin from glucose.Results: Here, we first identified the plant-derived glucosyltransferase AsUGT to convert 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to gastrodin with high catalytic efficiency in yeast. Then, we engineered de novo production of gastrodin by overexpressing codon-optimized AsUGTsyn, the carboxylic acid reductase gene CARsyn from Nocardia species, the phosphopantetheinyl transferase gene PPTcg-1syn from Corynebacterium glutamicum, the chorismate pyruvate-lyase gene UbiCsyn from Escherichia coli, and the mutant ARO4K229L. Finally, we achieved an improved product titer by a chromosomal multiple-copy integration strategy and enhancement of metabolic flux toward the aglycon 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. The best optimized strain produced 2.1 g/L gastrodin in mineral medium with glucose as the sole carbon source by flask fermentation, which was 175 times higher than that of the original gastrodin-producing strain. Conclusions: The de novo high-level production of gastrodin was first achieved. Instead of chemical synthesis or plants extraction, our work provides an alternative strategy for the industrial production of gastrodin by microbial fermentation from a sustainable resource.
Well Perioperative Glycemic Control Improves Outcomes in Neonates With Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis in a Tertiary Referral Center: a Retrospective Study
Authors: Guo Nan , Ji Haiyin , Tong Dongyi , Yao Jiaxin , Zhao Ping
Published: August 2020

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most common and devastating diseases that occurs in neonates, and often requires surgical intervention. Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia can easily occur in newborns, due to their metabolic immaturity. It remains unknown how factors associated with anesthesia especially perioperative glucose level affect the surgical outcomes of neonates with NEC. In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the risk factors associated with prolonged hospitalization among neonates who received surgical treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis.Methods: From January 2016 to October 2019, a total of 204 infants with a gestational age of 28 weeks to 40 weeks underwent open surgery for NEC at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. Among those infants, 111 patients were assigned to the well glycemic control group and 93 patients were assigned to the poor glycemic control group. The primary study outcome was the length of postoperative hospital stay. Risk factors that may affect surgical outcomes were collected and analyzed via multivariate logistic regression to determine their association with postoperative hospital stay.Results: A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high preoperative weight (OR=0.995, 95%CI=0.992-0.997, p<0.001) and well glycemic control (OR=0.129, 95%CI=0.031-0.535, p=0.005) were independent protective factors for prolonged hospital stay, whereas long duration of endotracheal intubation in NICU(OR=1.239, 95%CI=1.016-1.512 , p=0.035) and long days of antibiotics use (OR=1.421, 95%CI=1.233-1.637, p<0.001) were independent risk factors for prolonged hospital stay. Patients with perioperative blood glucose control within the prespecified range(47-150mg/dL) had shorter postoperative hospital stays than those with perioperative blood glucose measurements outside those limits (22 [18,26] vs 29 [24.5,36.5] days, p <0.001).Conclusions: Glucose levels outside a pre-specified range were an independent risk factor for a prolonged hospital stay in a population of neonates who underwent surgical repair for NEC.
A Machine Learning based approach to unleash the impact of COVID-19 on Indian Stock Market
Authors: Rouf Nusrat , Malik Majid Bashir , Arif Tasleem
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Advancement in information technology, be it hardware, software or communication technology, over few decades has rapidly impacted almost every field of study. Machine learning tools and techniques are nowadays applied to every field. It has opened the ways for interdisciplinary research by promising effective analyzation and decision-making strategies. COVID-19 has badly affected more than 200 countries within a short span of time. It has drastically affected both daily activities as well as economic activities. Herd behavior of investors has triggered panic selling. As a result, stock markets around the world have plunged down.Methods: In this paper, we analyze the impact of COVID-19 on NSE (National Stock Exchange) index Nifty50. We employ Pearson Correlation and investigate the impact of total confirmed cases and daily cases on Nifty50 closing price. We use various machine learning regression models for predictive analysis viz, linear regression with polynomial terms (quadratic, cubic), Decision Tree Regression and Random Forest Regression. Model performance is measured using MSE (Mean Square Error), RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) and R2 (R Squared) evaluators. Results: Correlation analysis reveals that total confirmed cases and daily cases in both India and the World have negative correlation with Nifty50 closing prices. Moreover, Nifty50 closing prices are more negatively correlated with total confirmed and daily cases in India. Predictive analysis shows that the Random Forest Regression model outperforms all other models. Conclusion: We analyze and predict the impact of COVID-19 on closing price of Nifty50 index. We employ Pearson Correlation and investigate the impact of COVID-19 on Nifty50 closing prices. We use various machine learning regression models to predict the closing price of Nifty50 index. Results reveal that the market volatility is directly proportional to increase in number of COVID-19 cases. Random Forest Regression model has comparatively shown better RMSE and R2 values.
Readiness of in-service Teachers Towards Blended Learning Approach as a Learning Pedagogy Post COVID-19 Era
Authors: Saboowala Rabiya , Manghirmalani-Mishra Pooja
Published: August 2020

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has traumatized the entire world. All educational institutions have been declared closed by most of the countries throughout the globe, as a consequence of which, learners inclusive of teachers have undergone tremendous loss. Nevertheless, COVID-19 has prompted experts to rethink about the suitable pedagogies of teaching-learning that will prove to be sustainable with the global health crises going on. Blended learning is one of the models proposed by various educationalists and research scholars that appears to be a viable and best fit solution for educational institutes for at least a period of a few months post-pandemic. The approach aims to provide meaningful opportunities for teachers to embed the use of technology for the teaching -learning process. During this time, teachers from various types of educational institutions are also getting an opportunity of being learners. This role is fulfilled by their outstanding participation in various seminars (commonly called as webinars), workshops, faculty development programs, etc which are exclusively conducted for them in order to enhance their learning experiences during this time. This study investigates the readiness of in-service teachers considering them as learners towards blended learning and its six dimensions viz. learning flexibility, online learning, study management, technology, classroom learning and online interaction. The study also sought to find out the readiness of in-service teachers towards blended learning when related to gender and whether they have attended/conducted webinars/lectures/Faculty Development Programs online. Total respondents consisted of 313 teachers from India that were selected by simple random technique of sampling. Analysis for testing research hypotheses consisted of descriptive analysis, t-test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (correlation matrix) using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS-26). The results indicated that there existed a correlation among six dimensions of blended learning while considering the readiness of in-service teachers towards blended learning. Also, the results indicated that both male and female teachers and teachers who have and have not attended /conducted webinars/ lectures/ Faculty Development Programs online have had no difference in their readiness towards blended learning.
Effects of COVID-19 on the Gut and the Liver - A Case Series of 711 Patients in New York City
Authors: Baig Sher Nazir , Abaleka Fuad , Herrera Stephanie , Daniel Mina , Nigusse  , Vu Thu M , Gemechu Tigist , Abdelsayed
Published: August 2020

Background As the COVID-19 epidemic is wreaking havoc with a staggering number of infections and fatalities worldwide, digestive symptoms are increasingly coming to the limelight. However, the data on the extent of gut and liver involvement has been variable and somewhat conflicting.Methods We identified 711 adults who had tested positive for COVID-19 at Richmond University Medical Center in New York between March 13 and May 13, 2020. We analyzed their clinical and laboratory data from electronic medical records.Results The average age of the patients was 60.5 years; 55% were men. 27.1% reported a gastrointestinal (GI) symptom and 56.9% had at least one abnormal liver enzyme. The most common was diarrhea with a frequency of 17.3% followed by nausea 16.2% and vomiting/anorexia 13.7%. Abdominal pain 5.6%, dysgeusia 3.2%, and GI bleeding 2.2% was the least common. Symptoms were mostly mild and lasted 3-5 days. The liver function was deranged in more than half of the patients. AST alone was elevated in 16.6%, both AST/ALT 15.7%, alkaline phosphatase 23%, and bilirubin 10%. Potential confounders were rare but included preexisting liver disease and hepatotoxic medications. Prothrombin time (PT) was mildly elevated in 13.4%. The lipase was elevated in 2.4% without upper abdominal pain. In 75%-90% of cases, liver test abnormalities were mild (1.5-3 x normal). Overall, 86.6% of patients were admitted primarily with respiratory failure and 28.5% died of their illness.Conclusions 27% of COVID-19 patients experienced a digestive disturbance and >55% showed a predominantly mild degree of liver dysfunction and cholestasis.
The Detection of sAMY1α in Ovarian Cancer Ascites During First-Line Chemotherapy Predict the Response of Patients to Treatment
Authors: Kong Dan , Liu Yu , Li Junyi , Liu Duanyang , Liu Miao , Qiao Cong , Tang Jing , Zhao Shuang , Lv Haixu , Xing Yanling , Jin Shi , Zhang Lei , Jin Xiaoming
Published: August 2020

Background: Ovarian cancer ascites are a clinical conundrum in the process of diagnosis and treatment, and chemotherapy is the main treatment. The efficacy and prognostic assessment of chemotherapy has been the subject of continuous exploration. Methods: Affymetrix HTA2.0 microarray analysis of ovarian cancer ascites without and with chemotherapy, as well as metabolomics techniques, showed that AMY1A gene expression in the chemotherapy was significantly higher than that without chemotherapy.Results: The analysis of ovarian cancer tissues, ascitic precipitated cells and supernatants, showed that the high expression of sAMY-1α was negatively correlated with HE4 (p<0.01), and was also negatively correlated with the expression of the Beclin1 and LC3 (p<0.05, p<0.001) in group with chemotherapy. The results of ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR3 and A2780, which were treated with autophagic inhibitor (3MA), inducer (rapamycin) or cisplatin (CDDP), were consistent with it. The results of 3MA group showed that as the drug concentration increased, there were decreased in the levels of Beclin1 and LC3II, and sAMY1α levels increased. There was opposite result in rapamycin group. CDDP group revealed significantly decreased levels of LC3II, Beclin1, and increased levels of sAMY1α; when rapamycin was added, autophagy inhibition was alleviated, and slightly reduced levels of sAMY1α. The results indicated that chemotherapy induced autophagic death of tumor cells, and the expression of sAMY1α in ascites of chemotherapy reflected the degree of autophagic death of tumor cells. Conclusions: During the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer ascites, the expression level of sAMY1α was detected at any time, compared with the levels of HE4, Beclin1 and LC3 in the ascites with chemotherapy, and compared with the serum level of CA125 in the patients, so that the recurrence of ascites could be predicted. Therefore, the adjustment of treatment regimen has important guiding significance.
The enrolment gap: who is not enrolling with primary health organizations in Aotearoa New Zealand and what are the implications? An exploration of 2015-2019 administrative data
Authors: Irurzun-Lopez Maite , Jeffreys Mona , Cumming Jacqueline
Published: August 2020

Background - Primary Health Care (PHC) is the entry point to accessing health services in many countries. Having a high proportion of the population enrolled with a PHC provider is key to ensuring PHC fulfils this role and that it contributes to achieving better equity in health. We aimed to understand the extent to which people in Aotearoa New Zealand are enrolling with Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), how enrolment rates have evolved over time, variations across District Health Boards (DHBs), and socio-demographic groups.Methods - We analysed administrative data on the proportion of people enrolled in PHOs and breakdowns across DHBs, and by age, ethnicity and deprivation, for the years 2015-2019.Results - About 6% of the population was not enrolled in 2019. There are persistent differences across socio-demographic groups as well as geographically. Māori have lower enrolment rates than New Zealand European/Other groups. Young people (15-24 years) are the least likely to be enrolled. The most affluent areas have the highest enrolment rates. Auckland DHB shows the lowest enrolment rates.Conclusions - Enrolments remain below full population coverage and inequities exist between socio-demographic and geographic groups. Potential reasons explaining these trends include methodological limitations as well as real issues in accessing services. We recommend (a) work towards minimising data issues in relation to this indicator to improve its accuracy and value in signalling trends in access to PHC services, and (b) investigating the reasons for the potential widening of the inequities identified, in particular issues preventing Māori and younger people from enrolling. This study deepens our understanding of the enrolment system and its potential pitfalls specially in relation to equity. Other countries can learn from the Aotearoa New Zealand case to draw lessons for improving equity in health care.
WITHDRAWN: Effect of Li2O on Structure and Properties of Glass-Ceramic Bonds
Authors: Guo Zichen , He Feng , Li Zuhao , Yan Dongyang , Zhang Bing , Xie Junlin
Published: August 2020

SiO2-B2O3-Al2O3-CaO vitrified bonds are widely used in the diamond abrasive tools preparation. The effect of Li2O on structure and properties of the glass-ceramic bonds was investigated. The structure of the glass-ceramic bonds was analyzed by XRD and FTIR. The bending strength, the sintering properties of different glass-ceramic bonds and the thermal expansion coefficient were tested at meantime. The sintering and interfacial bonding state between L-4 glass-ceramic bonds and diamond grains were observed by SEM. The results showed that with the increasing of Li2O, the sintering temperature of the glass-ceramic bonds was impactful reducing. When the content of Li2O was 4 wt%, the sintering temperature corresponding to the optimal bending strength was 630 °C, which had a certain reduction compared with other studies. The main crystal phase precipitated in the glass-ceramic bonds was LixAlxSi3−xO6. With the increase of Li2O, the number of crystals in the glass-ceramic bonds gradually increased. The highest bending strength could attain about 136 MPa. Meanwhile, the bending strength performed regular change as the rising of temperature accompanied by the linear shrinkage rate. The L-4 glass-ceramic bonds and diamond grains were found to have very good wetting property and the interfacial bonding strength was insured enhance. The average bending strength of the composite sinter of the glass-ceramic bonds and diamond was up to 87.8 MPa.
Elovanoid-N32 or RvD6-isomer decrease ACE2 and binding of S protein RBD after injury or INFγ in the eye
Authors: Pham Thang L. , He Jiucheng , Kakazu Azucena H. , Calandria Jorgelina , Do Khanh V. , Nshimiyimana Robert , Petasis Nicos A. , Bazan Haydee E.P. , Bazan Nicolas G.
Published: August 2020

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a pandemic affecting the most vulnerable in society, triggering a public health crisis and economic tall around the world. Effective treatments to mitigate this virus infection are needed. Since the eye is a route of virus entrance, we use an in vivo rat model of corneal inflammation as well as human corneal epithelial cells in culture challenged with IFNγ to study this issue. We explore ways to block the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Elovanoid (ELV)-N32 or Resolvin D6-isomer (RvD6i), among the lipid mediators studied, consistently decreased the expression of the ACE2 receptor, furin, and integrins in damaged corneas or IFNγ stimulated human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC). There was also a concomitant decrease in the binding of spike RBD with the lipid treatments. Concurrently, we uncovered that the lipid mediators also attenuated the expression of cytokines that participate in the cytokine storm, hyper-inflammation and senescence programming. Thus, the bioactivity of these lipid mediators will contribute to opening therapeutic avenues for COVID-19 by counteracting virus attachment and entrance to the eye and other cells and the ensuing disruptions of homeostasis.
Investigation of Quality Assessment for Different Grades of Velvet Antler: a Strategy Combined Microscopic Observation, Delayed Luminescence and Chemical Analysis
Authors: Fan Shasha , Zhu Jianxun , He Min , Wang Nan , Xu Xiaoru , Pang Jingxiang , Yan Yu , Li Li , Yang Jiale , Chang Wen-Te , Chang Tung-Ti , Han Jinxiang , Sun Mengmeng
Published: August 2020

Background

As a famous animal-derived herbal medicine, the pharmacological functions of velvet antler are widely recognized in the world. However, there are still great limitations on quality standard and control system of velvet antler.
Methods

In this research, microscopic observation, delayed luminescence (DL) and chemical analysis were used to evaluate the four grades of velvet antler slices obtained from Cervus nippon Temminck and Cervus elaphus Linnaeu. In addition, those three measurement platforms have been used to compared the two of the four grades among Cervus nippon Temminck, Cervus elaphus Linnaeu and Rangifer tarandus.
Results

We assessed the quality grades of velvet antler slices by using microscopic observation, delayed luminescence and chemical analysis. These techniques are able to indicate the difference of different grades of velvet antler slices to a certain extent, and has their own advantages, respectively.
Conclusion

As a new, rapid and systemic tool, DL provides a technique for studying the overall property of different grades of velvet antler slices, and the integrated assessment by measuring microscopic observation, DL and chemical components may provide a novel means to measure animal-derived herbal quality control.