bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anxiety and Coping Strategies during the Covid-19 Pandemic among Students at a Multi- Campus University in Uganda
Authors: Ojilong Daniel , Kanyike Andrew Marvin , Nakawuki Ashley Winfred , Lutwama Dinah Maria , Nakanwagi Dorothy , Nekaka Rebecca
Published: March 2022

Background
Uganda has had the longest COVID-19-induced closures of schools world over of over 20 months, according to a recent UNICEF report, which has greatly affected learning and mental health of University students. This study assessed levels of anxiety, challenges and coping strategies of students at a university in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down.
Methods
We conducted an online, descriptive, cross-sectional study between 26th June and 26th July 2021 using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods among students of Busitema University in Eastern Uganda. The survey assessed anxiety levels of students using General Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale, and its associations using the Chi-Square or Fischer’s exact test and multivariate logistic regression. We also explored the challenges and coping strategies employed by students through in-depth interviews.
Results
A total of 338 students participated, 213 (63%) were male with median age of 23 years (21–25), majority from Faculty of health sciences (n = 153, 45%). Overall, 179 (53%) of the students had anxiety which was mostly mild anxiety (n = 127, 38%). Students concerned about inadequate internet facilities to support online learning were twice more likely to have anxiety (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.7; p = 0.021). Among those with anxiety, avoidance coping strategies had higher scores with a median of 8 (3–12) compared to other strategies (p < 0.001). In-depth interviews revealed challenges with online learning, academic progress, and changes to daily routine and fear of contracting COVID-19 and getting vaccinated.
Conclusion
The largest number of students had anxiety especially those from faculty of health sciences and engineering of which most used avoidance strategies to cope up with the anxiety. This highlights areas where the university authorities should gear effort to design appropriate strategies to maintain mental health of students even after the pandemic.
Risk factors of recurrence and pregnancy in patients with borderline ovarian tumors: a retrospective study with 16-year follow-up
Authors: Lu Qi , Deng Yupeng , Zhang Zhiqiang , Liu Chongdong
Published: March 2022

Objective: This study analyzed the risk factors affecting recurrence in patients with borderline ovarian tumors （BOTs） after radical surgery and influencing recurrence and pregnancy in patients after fertility sparing surgery (FSS).Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Data was collected from clinical data of patients in the Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2005 to November 2021. The clinicopathological and surgical variables were analyzed by univariate analyses and survival curves.Results: A total of 169 BOT patients were included in the study. The median age was 45 years. Median follow-up time was 81months. Among these patients, 21 patients relapsed. There were 60 patients with FSS, of the 16 patients attempting to conceive, 13 patients have successfully conceived spontaneously. In univariate analyses, FIGO stage, invasive implantation, and chemotherapy were risk factors for recurrence of BOTs. FIGO stage was the only one risk factor after multivariate analysis. Tumor size and tumor site were risk factors for recurrence of BOTs receiving FSS. We didn’t find any risk factor for pregnancy of BOTs receiving FSS.Conclusion: After univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, we found some risk factors for recurrence after radical surgery or FSS, but they didn’t affect the overall survival rate and pregnancy rate. Laparoscopy procedure is recommended and chemotherapy is not recommended for patients receiving FSS. We suggest that patients who preserve fertility should get pregnant as soon as possible and follow up closely.
Three-Dimensional SAR Imaging with Sparse Linear Array using Tensor Completion in Embedded Space
Authors: Zhang Siqian , Ding Ding , Zhao Chenxi , Zhao Lingjun
Published: March 2022

Due to the huge data storage and transmission pressure, sparse data collection strategy has provided opportunities and challenges for 3-D SAR imaging. However, sparse data brought by the sparse linear array will produce high-level side-lobes, as well as the aliasing and the false-alarm targets. Simultaneously, the vectorizing or matrixing of 3-D data makes high computational complexity and huge memory usage, which is not practicable in real applications. To deal with these problems, tensor completion (TC), as a convex optimization problem, is used to solve the 3-D sparse imaging problem efficiently. Unfortunately, the traditional TC methods are invalid to the incomplete tensor data with missing slices brought by sparse linear arrays. In this paper, a novel 3-D imaging algorithm using TC in embedded space is proposed to produce 3-D images with efficient side-lobes suppression. With the help of sparsity and low-rank property hidden in the 3-D radar signal, the incomplete tensor data is taken as the input and converted into a higher order incomplete Hankel tensor by multiway delay embedding transform (MDT). Then, the Tucker decomposition with incremental rank has been applied for completion. Subsequently, any traditional 3-D imaging methods can be employed to obtain excellent imaging performance for the completed tensor. The proposed method achieves high resolution and low-level sidelobes compared with the traditional TC-based methods. It is verified by several numerical simulations and multiple comparative studies on real data. Results clearly demonstrate that the proposed method can generate 3-D images with small reconstruction error even when the sparse sampling rate or signal to noise ratio is low, which confirms the validity and advantage of the proposed method.
Experimental and Numerical Behavior of Horizontally Loaded Piled Rafts with a Defective Pile
Authors: García Francisco Javier Alva , Cunha Renato Pinto da , de Albuquerque Paulo José Rocha , de Farias Márcio Muniz , Bernardes Heitor Cardoso
Published: March 2022

The present paper aims to investigate the effects of defective piles in horizontally loaded piled raft foundations. Close to real scale foundation models of defective and intact three-piled systems were submitted to horizontal load tests. The models used bored type piles drilled with 5 m in length and 0.25 m in diameter, connected to a concrete raft founded on a tropical soil profile at the University of Campinas research site. Based on the experimental data, a tridimensional finite element analysis was initially calibrated and consequently used to study the effects of the defective element at the pile load distribution and the horizontal subgrade forces at the pile shaft. The results show that the presence of a defective pile increases the raft tilting, which affects both vertical and horizontal load distributions among the raft and the piles, and among trailing and leading piles.
Ursolic acid-enriched kudingcha extractive enhances the antitumor activity of bacteria-mediated cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Xu Haixia , Piao Linghua , Liu Xiande , Jiang Shengnan
Published: March 2022

Background
Bacteria-mediated cancer immunotherapy (BCI) robustly stimulates the immune system and represses angiogenesis, but tumor recurrence and metastasis commonly occur after BCI. The natural product Ilex kudingcha C.J Tseng enriched with ursolic acid has anti-cancer activity and could potentially augment the therapeutic effects of BCI. The objective of the present study was to determine potential additive effects of these modalities.
Methods
We investigated the anti-cancer activity of KDCE (Kudingcha extractive) combined with S.t△ppGpp in the mice colon cancer models.
Results
In the present study, KDCE combined with S.t△ppGpp BCI improved antitumor therapeutic efficacy compared to S.t△ppGpp or KDCE alone. KDCE did not prolong bacterial tumor-colonizing time, but enhanced the antiangiogenic effect of S.t△ppGpp by downregulatingVEGFR2.
Conclusions
Combination therapy with S.t△ppGpp and KDCE is a potential cancer therapeutic strategy.
C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and modified Glasgow prognostic score are associated with prognosis and infiltration of Foxp3+ or CD3+ lymphocytes in colorectal liver metastasis
Authors: Kanno Hiroki , Hisaka Toru , Akiba Jun , Hashimoto Kazuaki , Fujita Fumihiko , Akagi Yoshito
Published: March 2022

Background: Inflammatory indices and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have prognostic value in many cancers. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of inflammatory indices and evaluate their correlation with survival and the presence of TILs in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).Methods: Medical records of 117 patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM were retrospectively reviewed. We calculated inflammatory indices such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR), and modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) and evaluated their relationship with survival rates and immunohistochemical results of tumor-infiltrating CD3+, CD8+, and Foxp3+ lymphocytes. Results: Patients with low CAR values and low mGPS had significantly better overall survival in the log-rank test (p=0.0246 and p=0.0121, respectively). In multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model, CAR (hazard ratio [HR], 0.5717; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3288–0.9939; p=0.0475) and mGPS (HR, 0.4000; 95% CI, 0.1934–0.8270; p=0.0134) were independent prognostic factors. Additionally, Foxp3+ lymphocytes were more common in samples of patients with low CAR (p=0.0409), and the number of CD3+ TILs was significantly higher in patients with low mGPS (p=0.0152). Conclusions: CAR and mGPS are simple, inexpensive, and objective markers associated with survival of patients with CRLM. Moreover, they can predict the presence of Foxp3+ and CD3+ lymphocytes in the invasive margin of the tumor.
Exploratory behaviour of territorial passerines toward a novel object in different anthropogenic habitats
Authors: Firoozkoohi Sahar , Paterson Adrian , Sullivan Jon
Published: March 2022

Invasion of a new environment brings novel challenges that favour species with adaptive traits. Western European blackbird (Turdus merula merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos) have been introduced into new habitats worldwide. We examined neophobia and neophilia responses toward a novel object in different anthropogenic New Zealand environments, including urban and rural habitats. Urban inhabitants approached a novel object closer and at a higher rate compared to rural dwelling individuals. Blackbirds showed a higher level of individual approach compared to song thrushes, but approach distance among those song thrushes that approached was closer than blackbirds. Birds living in urban habitats may reduce neophobic responses where there is increasing anthropogenic stressors through increased interactions, competition over space, food and mate would be higher than rural habitats.
Feasibility & Preliminary Efficacy of Structured Programming and a Parent Intervention to Mitigate Accelerated Summer BMI Gain: A pilot study
Authors: Weaver R Glenn , Armstrong Bridget , Adams Elizabeth , Beets Michael , White James , Flory Kate , Wilson Dawn , Mclain Alex , Tennie Brianna
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThis study assessed initial feasibility and preliminary efficacy of providing children a free summer day camp and a parent intervention to improve self-regulation and mitigate accelerated summer BMI gain.MethodsThis pilot 2x2 factorial randomized control trial used a mixed methods design to evaluate providing children a free summer day camp (SCV), a parent intervention (PI), and the combination of these two strategies (SCV + PI) to mitigate accelerated summer body mass index (BMI) gain. Feasibility (i.e., recruitment capability, retention, compliance, treatment fidelity, acceptability) was examined using means, standard deviations, and percentages for relevant variables. Changes in BMI were estimated using intent-to-treat and post-hoc dose response analyses via multilevel mixed effects regressions.ResultsA total of 89 families participated, with 24 participants randomized to the PI group, 21 randomized to the SCV group, 23 randomized to the SCV + PI group, and 21 randomized to the control. Parents and children found the summer program acceptable but attendance at the summer program and engagement in the PI were low due to COVID-19 and lack of transportation. Intent-to-treat analyses showed no statistically significant difference between groups in summer BMI gain. Post-hoc dose response analyses showed that for each day (0 to 29) of summer programming children attended they gained − 0.009 (95CI= -0.018, -0.001) less in BMI z-score.ConclusionsEngagement in both the SCV and PI was not ideal and was likely due to COVID-19 and lack of transportation. Providing children with structured summer programming to mitigate accelerated summer BMI gain may be an effective strategy. Thus, a larger trial may be warranted, but more work is needed to ensure children attend the programming.Trial registration: The trial reported herein was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov. Trial #:NCT04608188.
Flood Susceptibility Assessment Using Geospatial Multi-Criteria Framework: A Study in Lower Mahananda Basin, India
Authors: Paul Pranay , Sarkar Rumki
Published: March 2022

Flood is the common natural hazard in the plains of Lower Ganga that causes considerable damage to the society and its infrastructure every year. During the monsoon, Mahananda river carries voluminous discharge and often it overtops the bank and spills out to the surrounding plains, especially in the northern parts of Bihar and West Bengal. Therefore, an attempt has been made to identify and assess the flood risk prone area in the comprised zone of Lower Mahananda basin, India. Seven geospatial parameters have been incorporated to the weighted overlay analysis in GIS environment using multi-criteria based analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The prepared final map is classified into five spatial zones considering their susceptibility to the flood. In this regard, cross-sectional profile of the river at six different sites was made for assessing the water level during the flood. The very high flood susceptible zone comprises about 64.46 km2 area (0.80%) and remains waterlogged for most part of the year. The high flood susceptible zone is consists of 1441.38 km2 of area (17.99%) and widely spread over the populated zone of Malda district when water level in the channels can rise up to 3m from its normal level. The bulk of the area (56.02%) falls in the moderate category and the chances of inundation here only during the major floods. The reliability of the model has been assessed using the AUC, where the accuracy is more than 80%. The overall framework is thus useful for policy implementation and mitigation purposes.
Infection control for COVID-19 in hospital examination room
Authors: Takada Mamoru , Fukushima Taichi , Ozawa Sho , Matsubara Syuma , Suzuki Takeshi , Fukumoto Ichiro , Hanazawa Toyoyuki , Otsuka Masayuki , Tanaka Gaku
Published: March 2022

Healthcare providers are vulnerable to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) because of their close proximity to patients with coronavirus disease 2019. SARS- CoV-2 is mainly transmitted via direct and indirect contact with respiratory droplets, and its airborne transmission has also been identified. However, evidence for environmental factors is scarce, and evidence-based measures to minimize the risk of infection in clinical settings are insufficient. Using computational fluid dynamics, we simulated exhalation of large and small aerosol particles by patients in an otolaryngology examination room, where medical procedures require the removal of a face mask. The effects of coughing were analyzed, as well as those of humidity as a controllable environmental factor and of a suction device as an effective control method. Our results show that a suction device can minimize aerosol exposure of healthcare workers by efficiently removing both large (11.6–98.2%) and small (39.3–99.9%) aerosol particles. However, for coughing patients, the removal efficiency varies inversely with the particle size, and the humidity notably affects the aerosol behavior, indicating the need for countermeasures against smaller aerosols. Overall, these results highlight the potential and limitation of using a suction device to protect against SARS-CoV-2 and future respiratory infections.
Clinical and radiographic assessment of peripheral joints in controlled acromegaly
Authors: Pelsma Iris C.M. , Kroon Herman M. , Trigt Victoria R. , Pereira Alberto M. , Kloppenburg Margreet , Biermasz Nienke R. , Claessen Kim M.J.A.
Published: March 2022

PurposeAcromegalic arthropathy is a well-known phenomenon, occurring in most patients regardless of disease status. To date, solely hips, knees, hands, and spinal joints have been radiographically assessed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of joint symptoms and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of new, and established peripheral joint sites in well-controlled acromegaly. MethodsFifty-one acromegaly patients (56% female, mean age 64±12years) in long-term remission for 18.3 years (median, IQR 7.2 – 25.4) were included. Nineteen patients currently received pharmacological treatment. Self-reported joint complaints were assessed using standardized interviews. Self-reported disability of the upper and lower limbs, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Radiographic OA (defined as KL≥2) was scored using (modified) Kellgren&Lawrence (KL) methods. ResultsRadiographic signs of OA were present in 46 patients (90.2%), which occurred in a generalized manner in virtually all patients (N=44; 95.7%). Radiographic MTP1 OA was as prevalent as radiographic knee OA (N=26, 51.0%), and radiographic glenohumeral OA was similarly prevalent as hip OA (N=21 (41.2%) vs N=24 (47.1%)). Risk factors for radiographic glenohumeral OA were higher pre-treatment IGF-1 levels (OR 1.06 (1.01 – 1.12), P=0.021), and current pharmacological treatment (OR 5.01 (1.03 – 24.54), P=0.047), whereas no risk factors for MTP1 joint OA could be identified.ConclusionSimilar to previously-assessed peripheral joints, clinical and radiographic arthropathy of the shoulder and feet were prevalent in controlled acromegaly. Further studies on adequate management strategies of acromegalic arthropathy are needed.
Viral metagenomics reveals a novel human papillomavirus in anogenital wart tissues
Authors: Hu Hui-Min , Ling Yu , Wang Xuan , Wang Hao , Zhu Nian-Nan , Li Yu-Mei , Xu Hui , Zhang Wen
Published: March 2022

Background: Viral metagenomics is widely employed to identify novel virus in biological samples. Recently, although numerous novel HPV strains have been identified in clinical samples including anogenital warts (AGWs), many unknown HPV sequences remain to be discovered. Methods: 110 tissue samples of wart were collected from AGW patients, including 34 female and 76 male. Viral metagenomics was used to detect the viral nucleic acid and obtain the virus genomes from samples. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to infer the evolutionary relationships of novel HPV found here among predicted ORFs on the basis of the closest related HPVs and the most representative strain of α, β and γ genus. Epidemiological survey of novel HPV was performed by using the nested PCR method. Results: A novel HPV designated as HPV-JDFY01 was discovered from a library. The complete genomic sequence of HPV-JDFY01 was a 7,186 bp full-length double-stranded DNA with 7 open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that HPV-JDFY01 shared the highest sequence identity of 74.2% with HPV-mSK_244 (MH777383) and was clustered into the genus Gammapapillomavirus. Epidemiological investigation showed that one positive sample was screened out by specific screening PCR primers among 413 tissue samples from AGWs. Conclusions: This is the first time to report a novel Gammapapillomavirus identified by viral metagenomics from AGW in China. However, functional, biophysical and carcinogenic properties of HPV-JDFY01 are needed in the future research.
Validation and Prognostic Value of EZ-ALBI Score in Patients with Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Trans-Arterial Chemoembolization
Authors: Ananchuensook Prooksa , Sriphoosanap Supachaya , Suksawatamnauy Sirinporn , Siripon Nipaporn , Pincharoen Nutcha , Geratikornsupuk Nopavut , Thanapirom Kessarin , Komolmit Piyawat
Published: March 2022

BackgroundHeterogeneity of liver function and tumor burden in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results in different outcomes after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Easy albumin-bilirubin (EZ-ALBI), a simplified albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, has recently been proposed as a new prognostic score for HCC. This study aimed to validate the EZ-ALBI score and evaluate the impact of dynamic changes in patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing TACE.MethodsAll patients with HCC treated with TACE at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, between January 2015 and December 2019 were prospectively enrolled. Intermediate-stage HCC was defined as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B or unresectable single HCC with size >5 cm in BCLC stage A. EZ-ALBI and ALBI scores were calculated and stratified into three different grades. Overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsAmong 672 patients with HCC treated with TACE, 166 patients with intermediate-stage HCC who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled. The median OS of all patients in the cohort was 21 months. A good correlation between the EZ-ALBI and ALBI scores was observed (correlation coefficient 1.000, p<0.001). The baseline EZ-ALBI grades 1, 2, and 3 were 24.5%, 70%, and 5.5%, respectively. EZ-ALBI grade can stratify patients with significantly different prognoses (p=0.002). Baseline EZ-ALBI grade 2, 3, and serum alpha-fetoprotein >20 ng/ml were significantly associated with OS [hazard ratio (HR) 2.20 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-3.88, p=0.007), 3.26 (95% CI 1.24-8.57, p=0.016), and 1.77 (95% CI 1.10-2.84, p=0.018), respectively). Following TACE, 42 (29.6%) patients had a worsening EZ-ALBI grade. However, the EZ-ALBI grade migration was not significantly correlated with OS. EZ-ALBI and ALBI score provided improved discriminatory ability (Harrell’s concordance index 0.599 and 0.602, respectively) compared with Child-Turcotte-Pugh and Model for End-stage Liver Disease scores.ConclusionsThe baseline EZ-ALBI score demonstrated good predictive performance for survival and a strong correlation with conventional ALBI scores. Both the EZ-ALBI and ALBI scores outperformed other prognostic models in patients with intermediate-stage HCC receiving TACE. However, the dynamic change in the EZ-ALBI grade after TACE was not associated with postprocedural survival.
Putative local adaptive SNPs in the genus Avicennia
Authors: Malekmohammadi Laleh , Sheidai Masoud , Ghahremaninejad Farrokh , Danehkar Afshin , Koohdar Fahimeh
Published: March 2022

The genus Avicennia with eight species grow in intertidal zones of tropical and temperate regions, ranging in distribution from West Asia, to Australia, and Latin America. These mangroves have several medicinal applications for mankind. Many genetic and phylogenetic studies have been carried out on mangroves, but none is concerned with geographical adaptation of SNPs. We therefore, used ITS sequences of about 120 Avicennia taxa growing in different parts of the world and undertook computational analyses to identify discriminating SNPs among these species and to study their association with geographical variables. A combination of multivariate and Bayesian approaches such as CCA, RDA, and LFMM were conducted to identify the SNPs with potential adaptation to geographical and ecological variables. Manhattan plot revealed that many of these SNPs are significantly associated with these variables. The genetic changes accompanied by local and geographical adaptation were illustrated by skyline plot. These genetic changes occurred not under a molecular clock model of evolution, and probably under a positive selection pressure imposed in different geographical regions in which these plants grow.
Oceanisphaera pacifica sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of Trichiurus japonicus
Authors: Xue Jian-Heng , Shi Li-Fang , Zhang Bei-Ning , Wu Wen-Jie , Gao Yuan , Zhu Qian , Zhao Li-Hua
Published: March 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated, oxidase- and catalase-positive, rod-shaped marine bacterium, designated strain DM8T, was isolated from the intestine of Trichiurus japonicus in Weihai, China. The strain optimally grew at 25-35℃, with 1.0-4.0% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.0-8.0. Its colonies were circular, slightly yellow, non-transparent, smooth, and approximately 0.8-1.5 mm in diameter, after being cultured for 48h on marine agar 2216. Based on the result of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain DM8T had close relationship with Oceanisphaera profunda SM1222T (96.9%) and the similarity between DM8T and the type strain Oceanisphaera litoralis DSM 15406T was 94.7%. Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 3,109,059 bp and a G+C content of 46.9 mol%. It had Q-8 as the sole respiratory quinone and possessed C16:0, summed features 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c) and summed features 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c) as major fatty acids. The major polar lipid profile was composed of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic characterisations, phylogenetic properties and genome analysis, strain DM8T should represent a novel species of the genus Oceanisphaera, for which the name Oceanisphaera pacifica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DM8T (=KCTC 82764T =MCCC 1K06133T).
Breastmilk feeding of infants at birth among people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy — SET-NET, Five States, March 29, 2020–December 31, 2020
Authors: Lewis Elizabeth L. , Smoots Ashley N. , Woodworth Kate R. , Olsen Emily O’Malley , Roth Nicole M. , Yazdy Mahsa , Shephard Hanna , Sizemore Lindsey , Wingate Heather , Dzimira Paula , Reynolds Bethany , Lush Mamie , Fuchs Erika L. , Ojo Kristen , Siebman Sam , Hall Aron J. , Azziz-Baumgartner Eduardo , Perrine Cria , Hsia Jason , Ellington Sascha , Tong Van T. , Gilboa Suzanne M.
Published: March 2022

Objective
To describe prevalence of breastmilk feeding among people with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and examine associations between breastmilk feeding, timing of maternal infection before delivery, and rooming-in status during delivery hospitalization.
Methods
Retrospective cohort using data from five states reporting initiation of breastmilk feeding of infants at birth among people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy in 2020.
Results
Among 9760 (weighted N) people with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, 86.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 83.3%-88.7%) initiated breastmilk feeding during birth hospitalization. People with infection ≤ 14 days before delivery had significantly lower prevalence of breastmilk feeding (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.97) compared to those with infection > 14 days before delivery. When stratified by rooming-in status, the association between timing of infection and breastmilk feeding remained only among infants who did not room-in with their mother (aPR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.92).
Conclusion
Pregnant and postpartum people with SARS-CoV-2 infection should be advised about the importance of breastmilk feeding, how to safely feed their infants in the same room, and have access to lactation support.
The role of pets in SARS-CoV-2 transmission: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Teixeira Ana Izabel Passarella , de Brito Raíssa Nogueira , Gontijo Carolina Carvalho , Romero Gustavo Adolfo Sierra , Ramalho Walter Massa , Haddad Rodrigo , Noronha Elza Ferreira , de Araújo Wildo Navegantes
Published: March 2022

Purpose
There is evidence that humans can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to cats and dogs. However, there is no evidence that they can transmit it back to humans or play any role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Here, we present an exploratory analysis on that matter.
Methods
We conducted a case control study with participants with flu-like symptoms seeking care at a primary healthcare unit to be tested for COVID-19. They were asked if they owned pet cats and/or dogs in their residences, and this variable was evaluated as exposure.
Results
The odds ratio of “having dogs and/or cats in the residence” was 1.29 (95%CI 1.08–1.54) of “having only dogs and no cats” was 1.26 (1.05–1.52), and “no dogs and only cats” was 1.29 (0.95–1.75).
Conclusion
Having a cat/dog in the house can affect the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2.
In Vitro Immature Embryo Culture of Paeonia ostii ‘Feng Dan’
Authors: Xu Li , Cheng Fangyun , Zhong Yuan
Published: March 2022

Paeonia ostii ‘Feng Dan’ is an economically important, multipurpose woody plant in terms of its medical, ornamental, and oil values; however, there is a noticeable contradiction between the increasing demands and the lack of excellent germplasm resources because of traditional breeding and propagation approaches. In vitro embryo culture is an attractive option for this issue. This study presents a protocol for in vitro immature embryo culture in P. ostii ‘Feng Dan’, which involves two steps: 1) immature seeds at 30 days after anthesis (DAA) (cellularization stage of endosperm, proembryo stage) or after being cultured in vitro for cotyledon embryo formation (upward micropyle with placenta was the best inoculation method with the highest ratio of seed with cotyledon embryo of 66.67%); and 2) seedling establishment was realized within 7 months via embryo (at 40 DAA or after) germination, shoot induction, rooting, and acclimatization. The multiplication potential was increased with embryo maturity. This protocol provides an available reference for embryo rescue and propagation of tree peony and will be beneficial to shortening the breeding cycle.
Contributions of Local Festivals in the Context of Sustainable Tourism
Authors: Güneş Erkan
Published: March 2022

The study was prepared with document analysis technique, which is one of the qualitative research methods in order to evaluate the contribution of local festivals within the framework of sustainable tourism. This is intended, about the topic books, articles, magazines, statistics, reports, newspapers, news examined and evaluated. Local festivals, sustainability, and the effects of local festivals were discussed utilizing secondary data sources and a general assessment of the sustainability and contributions of local festivals was made using the obtained information. According to the information obtained, the festivals affect the region where they take place economic, social and cultural positive or negative. However, in festivals where commercial concerns are pursued, it is seen that positive economic effects are prioritized and negative effects are ignored. In this context, suggestions for sustainability and increasing positive contributions of local festivals have been made in the study
Testing the Moderating Effect of Tourism Revenue and Globalization on the Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Mediterranean Countries
Authors: İmamoğlu Hatice , Günay Tuğrul , Çağlar Dilber
Published: March 2022

Globalization is a multifaceted phenomenon that creates the conditions for the expansion and development of tourism activities around the world. This study uses an augmented Solow growth model to experimentally evaluate the impact of globalization and tourism on economic growth from 2009 to 2018. This study also investigates the impact of globalization in regulating economic growth as a moderating factor. In this study, two separate models were used for this consideration: (1) the main effects model and (2) the interaction effects model. For the Mediterranean countries, dynamic panel regression models are used to examine this impact. The influence of tourism revenues on economic growth is determined to be highly substantial and favourable; nevertheless, a negative and significant direct effect on economic growth can be detected due to globalization. On the other hand, the current study found that globalization has a considerable moderating influence on the impact of tourism revenue on economic growth in Mediterranean Countries.
Kahvenin ve Kahve Dükkânlarının Değişen Tüketim Algısı: Üçüncü Dalga Kahve Tüketicileri Üzerine Fenomenolojik Bir Araştırma (The Changing Consumption Values of Coffee and Coffee Shops: A Phenomological Research on Third Wave Coffee Consumers)
Authors: Şeker Gizem , Özata F. Zeynep
Published: March 2022

Kahve ve kahvehaneler geçmişten günümüze farklı alanlarda bilimsel çalışmalara konu olmuştur. Son yıllarda hızla yaygınlaşan üçüncü dalga kahve ve kahve dükkânları da farklı bilim alanlarınca son dönemde sıklıkla ele alınan konu başlıklarından birisi olmuştur. Bu çalışma konuya tüketim açısından yaklaşmayı ve üçüncü dalga kahve ve kahve dükkanlarına yönelik tüketim değerlerini ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda fenomenolojik bir yaklaşım ile üçüncü dalga kahve ve kahve dükkânlarını tercih eden 14 tüketici ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yapılan görüşmeler literatürle birlikte incelendiğinde, tüketicilerin üçüncü dalga kahve ve kahve dükkânlarına atfettikleri değerler işlevsel, deneyimsel ve sembolik olmak üzere üç ana tema altında sınıflandırılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular üçüncü dalga kahve ve kahve dükkanlarının tercih edilmesinde yüksek kalite, artisan üretim, tat, atmosfer, üçüncü yer, benliğin genişletilmesi ve farklı olma arayışı gibi tüketim değerlerinin ön plana çıktığını göstermektedir. Çalışma, tüketim değerleri literatürü çerçevesinde bir model sunması açısından literatüre katkı sağlamaktadır.
Retrospective analysis of vitreoretinal surgery outcomes in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Goydin A. P.
Published: March 2022

Purpose. To analyze the clinical and functional results of vitreoretinal operations in patients with type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy (DR).Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of vitreoretinal surgery outcomes in DR was performed in 421 patients (421 eyes), with type II diabetes mellitus and DR, with no previous history of retinal laser coagulation. The follow-up period was at least 4 years. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the postoperative course of the disease. Group I included 338 patients (338 eyes) with a single vitreoretinal intervention followed by stabilization of the pathological changes over the whole follow-up period. Group II consisted of 83 patients (83 eyes), ca. 20 % of the cohort, with repeated vitreoretinal operations required by DR progression. In addition, the groups were analyzed according to the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).Results. The initial BCVA of less than 0.1 was noted in 69 % of cases in Group I with a single surgery while that in Group II claimed 80.7 % of cases. By the 6th month, BCVA values revealed an average increase from 0.05 to 0.20 in Group I and an average increase from 0.05 to 0.08 in group II. In Group I, at the end of the follow-up the mean BCVA remained stable and was higher than before the operation, while in Group II it dropped and remained significantly lower than in Group I. Also, by the end of the follow-up the patients given a single vitreoretinal intervention whose BCVA was below 0.1 showed an increase in the mean BCVA value, whilst those with initial BCVA of 0.4–0.6 showed BCVA stabilization. Patients with repeated operations and initial BCVA below 0.1 showed no noticeable BCVA changes but those with BCVA 0.1–0.6 revealed a drop.Conclusions. Modern technologies of vitreoretinal surgery of severe DR stages ensure a stable anatomical outcome following a single surgery in 80 % of cases, a stable functional result in 59 % of cases. In 20 % of cases, relapses and the need for repeated operations are associated with the initially more pronounced diabetic alterations of the retina, probably due to the patients’ late referral. Timely detection of DR and referral of such patients to a specialized ophthalmology center is a necessary task.
Intraocular pressure, eye pain and hemodialysis
Authors: Kozina E. V. , Balashova P. M. , Ivliev S. V.
Published: March 2022

The review presents data on the effect of program hemodialysis on the state of intraocular pressure in patients with terminal chronic renal failure. Treatment with hemodialysis is accompanied by various effects: from intraocular pressure drop to the development of ophthalmic hypertension with pain syndrome. The state of the iris-corneal angle, neovascularization of the structures of the eye drainage system and the presence of glaucoma are significant, but not indisputable, risk factors for pain-related dialysis ophthalmic hypertension. Their combination with the effect on the osmolar balance of dialysis therapy increases the possibility of the formation of ocular hypertension syndrome formation. The need to eliminate dialysis eye pains and the chance of glaucoma progression due to dialysis-affected fluctuations of intraocular pressure remains relevant.
Functional and structural features of the retina, fixation characteristics and their correlations with visual acuity in nystagmus and amblyopia of various origins
Authors: Neroev V. V. , Tarutta E. P. , Khubieva R. R. , Apaev A. V.
Published: March 2022

Purpose. To study the parameters of visual fixation, photosensitivity of the retina in the macular region, thickness of the central region of the retina and the choroid and their relationship with the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refraction in nystagmus and various types of amblyopia.Material and methods. 65 patients aged 5 to 44 (mean age 12.61 ± 7.12 years) were divided into 6 groups depending on the type of amblyopia and associated conditions. The control group was composed of subjects of the same age range without eye pathologies. The retinal photosensitivity and fixation parameters were studied using an MP-3 Nidek microperimeter (Japan). Chorioretinal parameters were evaluated using an RS-3000 Advance 2 spectral optical coherence tomograph (Nidek, Japan).Results. Retinal photosensitivity was lower in the groups with nystagmus and relative amblyopia in congenital myopia compared with the control group. The indices of density and stability of fixation were the lowest in nystagmus and dysbinocular amblyopia. In all groups with nystagmus, a smoother profile of the foveal region was revealed as compared to the control group. The grossest violations of the differentiation of the central fossa were found in nystagmus in combination with congenital myopia. In nystagmus, refractive and dysbinocular amblyopia, a significant correlation was found between the indicators of BCVA and the density of fixation. In the groups associated with congenital myopia, a relationship was found between BCVA, refraction, and foveal photosensitivity.Conclusion. With nystagmus, violations of both fixation and photosensitivity are revealed. With relative amblyopia due to congenital myopia, the fixation is normal while photosensitivity is impaired. With dysbinocular and refractive amblyopia, the photosensitivity of the retina remains within the normal range, and the fixation parameters are slightly reduced.
The issue of juvenile myopia from the parents’ point of view
Authors: Pokrebysheva Zh. N. , Myagkov A. V.
Published: March 2022

The success of preventing the development and progression of myopia in children depends on establishing compliance between the doctor and the patient (parents).Purpose: to study the attitude of parents of myopic children towards the issue of myopia and methods of its control.Materials and methods. 106 doctors from 53 regions of Russia and 2931 parents of myopic children took part in a prospective multicenter epidemiological observational study in the form of a questionnaire.Results. As preferable interventions to control myopia, parents mention single vision glasses (67.9 %), glasses with perifocal lenses (16.3 %), bifocal or progressive glasses (3.4 %), other types of glasses (1.6 %), soft contact lenses (11.5 %), orthokeratology lenses (5.8 %), while 13.8 % of myopic children do not use any of those. The average time that children spend on visual work amounts to 10 hours a day, while their light-time daily outdoor activities last for 2.12 ± 1.39 hours. Only 27.1 % of the parents surveyed follow all recommendations of the eye doctor. The reasons for not following are lack of time (45.1 %), complexity of implementation (7.3 %), high cost of treatment (8.5 %), other reasons (39.1 %). Parents consider that the most effective interventions to control myopia are eye drops instillation courses (53.4 %), device-assisted therapy (59.6 %), home visual gymnastics (52.4 %), orthokeratology lenses (13.7 %), bifocal soft contact lenses (4.6 %), specialty glasses (22.7 %), vitamins intake (44.4 %), while 10.6 % believe opinion that no effective myopia control methods exist.Conclusion. Parents choose single vision glasses as the main optical interventi on method. Near visual work significantly reduces physical activity in the children’s daily routine. Parents’ failure to comply with the medical advice is mostly due to lack of time. The most effective methods of myopia control are considered to be pharmacological treatment, device-assisted therapy and home visual gymnastics.
Impact of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship on the Spatial Development of Russia
Authors: Vilenskiy A. V.
Published: March 2022

The relevance of the topic is due to the pronounced weakness of the influence of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on the spatial development of the country. The purpose of the article is to advance in the systematization of the functions of SMEs in the spatial development of our country, to systematize the causes of weakness in the implementation of these functions. The most important of the reasons is due to the fact that the system of SME support created in Russia is inadequate to the needs of this sphere. This is confirmed by the fact that in a number of Russian regions, and in the country as a whole, since 2017, there has been a decrease in the number of people employed both in small (the main group of SME employment) and in medium-sized businesses. The decline is taking place against the background of a significant increase in financial volumes and an expansion of the organizational diversity of support for SMEs. The novelty of the article is the advancement in the systematization of assessments of the implementation of the potential functions of SMEs in the spatial development of Russia; assessment of the spatial dynamics of small and medium-sized businesses in recent years in terms of employment parameters from the point of view of the ability of SMEs to really influence the development of territories; assessment of the state and effectiveness of state support for SMEs at the federal and regional levels; analysis of the relationship between the real possibilities of SMEs and the structure of the Russian economy. As the reasons for the weak influence of SMEs on the development of regions, it was noted that large monopolistic enterprises do not need cooperation with SMEs. In the process of choosing measures and directions of support for SMEs, the position of officials-actors, often irrational, dominates. In the current Russian system of fiscal federalism, regional authorities have little interest in promoting the development of SMEs on their territory.
Security Strategies and the Development of Federal Relations in Russia
Authors: Bukhvald E. M.
Published: March 2022

The adoption in 2021 of the updated version of the National security strategy of the Russian Federation gives grounds to assess how the problems of Russian federalism have been reflected in a series of documents of this kind over the past quarter of a century, primarily in the context of the development of its legal and economic foundations. The article argues that the constant improvement of these foundations is of great importance for the formation of prerequisites for the sustainable and safe development of the country’s economy and the Russian statehood as a whole. Both economic and non-economic factors closely interact in this component of national security. Here, the adequacy of the legal and institutional framework of the state policy in the field of security is fully manifested. Moreover, as it’s shown in the article, the economic and legal mechanism of federal relations is not only an object of security provision policy, but also acts as an instrument of this policy by ensuring the coordinated participation in it of all levels of public power – state federal and regional administration, as well as the system of local self-government. The main purpose of the article is to show that the updated version of the National security strategy has not yet found enough space for the systematic reflection of the relationship between the sustainable, secure development of the country with constant work, aimed to improve federal relations, where risks for the effective functioning of the state and municipal management system are really possible.
Recent Advances in Utilizing Omics Approach to Identify the Bioactive
Peptides and Ripening Metabolism in Plant-based Food
Authors: Ee Kah Yaw , Lam Ming Quan , Chong Chun Shiong
Published: March 2022

Bioactive peptides with potential health benefits and metabolic functionality have been
identified from plant-based food. The aim of this perspective is to report the recent progress in the
research of plant-derived bioactive peptides using the combination of omics technologies and
bioinformatics tools. Studies examining bioactive peptides with identified amino acid sequences and
well-characterized biological functionalities are highlighted. Various software, webtools and
workflows for analyzing and interpreting the biological data acquired from different omics
approaches are discussed. The emerging evidence from the integration of proteomics and
metabolomics data with advanced laboratory analytical methods supports more potential
applications in the envisioned development of nutraceutical and therapeutic products.
Notwithstanding, much works are mandatory to resolve those lied-ahead challenges before realizing
the proposed applications of plant peptides.