bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and risk factors for sessile serrated lesions in an average risk colorectal cancer screening population
Authors: Lui Rashid N , Kyaw Moe H , Lam Thomas Y T , Ching Jessica Y L , Chan Victor C W , Wong Martin C S , Sung Joseph J Y
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim

The reported prevalence and risk factors for sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) show significant variation. We aimed to specifically study the prevalence and potential risk factors of SSLs in an average risk colorectal cancer (CRC) screening population of Chinese subjects.

Methods

This is a case–control study of prospectively collected data from a territory‐wide colorectal screening program in Hong Kong. Information on risk factors was obtained from questionnaires completed prior to screening colonoscopy. We compared subjects with SSLs against controls without these lesions to identify potential risk factors using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of 12 039 asymptomatic screening subjects, 6011 subjects received a screening colonoscopy with 2214 subjects (36.8%) having conventional adenomas, 486 subjects (8.1%) having hyperplastic polyps, and 85 subjects (1.4%) having SSLs only. Of these subjects, three had synchronous advanced adenomas and were excluded from the analysis. More than 60% of these lesions were in the proximal colon. We compared these 82 subjects with SSLs only and 3226 controls without any polyps. After multivariable logistic regression, age ≥ 66 years, smoking, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were significant independent risk factors for SSLs.

Conclusion

In this study, we report the prevalence of SSLs to be 1.4%. Age ≥ 66 years, smoking, and DM were independent risk factors for these lesions. Our findings provide relevant new data that should be taken into consideration when designing region‐specific surveillance programs for SSLs with the ultimate goal of reducing the risk of CRC.
Evaluation of partial area under the curve in bioequivalence studies using destructive sampling design
Authors: Martinez Marilyn N. , Gao Shasha
Published: December 2020

Product blood‐level in vivo bioequivalence (BE) studies typically involve complete blood concentration–time profiles generated for each subject. Accordingly, each subject provides the estimates of the rate and extent of drug absorption. However, repeated blood draws are not always feasible for studies using small animals because of handling or blood volume (e.g., fish or in toxicokinetic studies when only single samples can be taken per animal). Although several proposals have been published for comparing the product extent of absorption, the issue of comparative absorption rates remains unresolved. In this paper, we propose to apply the Bailer–Satterthwaite–Fieller confidence interval for estimating the ratio of partial area under the curve in studies that use a destructive sampling design (one blood sample per subject). To characterize the behavior of this alternative approach, we examine the impact of partial area cutoff time, blood sampling schedule, and the number of subjects included at each sampling time. Using simulated situations reflective of the issues encountered with immediate‐release veterinary formulations, we compare BE conclusions resulting from the use of this approach with simulated results that assuming repeated blood draws from each study subject.
Comparison of skin cancer awareness and sun protection behaviours between renal transplant recipients and patients with glomerular disease treated with immunosuppressants
Authors: Thet Zaw , Lam Alfred K. , Ng Shu‐Kay , Aung Soe Yu , Han Thin , Ranganathan Dwarakanathan , Borg Jennifer , Pepito Christine , Khoo Tien K.
Published: December 2020

Background

There is no previous study that compare skin cancer awareness and photoprotective behaviours between renal transplant recipients (RTR) and patients with glomerular disease (GD).

Objectives/Methods

Sixty‐one RTR and 51 patients with GD were given a self‐reported questionnaire to evaluate skin cancer awareness and photoprotective behaviours in this cross‐sectional study. The former group received a formal education on skin cancer and the latter an informal session prior to immunosuppressant use.

Results

Ninety‐three percent (n = 57) of RTRs and 88% (n = 45) of patients with GD responded to the survey. Majority of participants from both groups were aware that ultraviolet radiation could play a role in the occurrence of skin cancers and the awareness increased in participants with higher education (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15‐1.95, P = .003). Ninety‐eight percent vs 71% were aware that immunosuppressants can increase the risk of developing cancer (P < .001) and higher awareness was noted in younger participants (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.87‐0.97, P = .003). Suboptimal photoprotective behaviours (sun avoidance, sunscreen usage and sun‐protective clothing) were noted in both cohorts and slightly lower sun protection rates were reported in RTR when compared with patients having GD. The level of sun protective measures in RTR based on high, moderate and minimal use of photoprotective measures were 21%, 46% and 33%, respectively. In terms of patients with GD, the latter practices were 13%, 50% and 37%, respectively (P = .560). Higher educational status was significantly associated with better sunscreen usage in RTR (P = .017) whereas this finding was not observed in patients with GD.

Conclusion

Patients with GD and RTR should have formal education on the risks of skin cancers before starting immunosuppressants. Follow‐up education and surveillance is required to improve skin protective practices in these patients.
Cuffed endotracheal tubes in neonates and infants of less than 3 kg body weight—A retrospective audit
Authors: Zander Désirée , Grass Beate , Weiss Markus , Buehler Philipp K. , Schmitz Achim
Published: December 2020

Background

Large prospective clinical studies have shown that modern cuffed pediatric tracheal tubes can be used safely, even in children weighing ≥3 kg. There is a growing interest in their use in children weighing <3 kg so that they, too, can benefit from the potential advantages, particularly the high probability of these tubes fitting into and sealing the pediatric airway at the first intubation attempt. This study aimed to find a cut‐off body weight for procedures requiring a cuffed tracheal tube to seal the airway in children weighing <3 kg and to evaluate the frequency and predictive factors for the requirement to place a cuffed instead of an uncuffed tracheal tube.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of 269 children weighing 2000–2999 g, primarily intubated by pediatric anesthetists. Frequency of intubation with uncuffed Sheridan tubes versus cuffed Microcuff® Pediatric Endotracheal Tube (PET) 3.0 mm ID was studied. Predictive variables were assessed by means of logistic regression analysis. The ROC curve for weight at intubation time and Youden index was calculated.

Results

The 149 (55.4%) children were finally intubated with a cuffed tracheal tube. Logistic regression demonstrated that body weight at tracheal intubation and birth weight were the strongest predictors for the appropriateness of cuffed/uncuffed tracheal tubes. The threshold weight at tracheal intubation was 2700 g for a probability >50% of using a cuffed tracheal tube.

Conclusion

Half of the children weighing 2000–2999 g received a Microcuff® PET 3.0 mm ID, especially those with a body weight above 2700 g. Because of the anatomical dimensions in patients with a body weight of 2000–2999 g, cuffed tracheal tubes with smaller outer diameters may be required to better fit their airways.
Loss of Arabidopsis matrix metalloproteinase‐5 affects root development and root bacterial communities during drought stress
Authors: Mishra Laxmi S. , Kim Sung‐Yong , Caddell Daniel F. , Coleman‐Derr Devin , Funk Christiane
Published: December 2020

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc‐dependent endo‐peptidases that in mammals are known to be involved in remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM) in developmental and pathological processes. In this study, we report At5‐MMP of Arabidopsis thaliana to be important for root development and root bacterial communities. At5‐MMP is mainly localized in the root vasculature and lateral root, an At5‐MMP T‐DNA insertion mutant (mmp5 KO) showed reduced root growth and a lower number of root apexes, causing reduced water uptake from the soil. Subsequently, mmp5 KO is sensitive to drought stress. Inhibited auxin transport was accompanied with resistance to indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), 2, 4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4‐D), and 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The content of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) was lower in roots of mmp5 KO than in wild type. Genes responsive to ABA as well as genes encoding enzymes of the proline biosynthesis were expressed to a lower extent in mmp5 KO than in wild type. Moreover, drought stress modulated root‐associated bacterial communities of mmp5 KO: the number of Actinobacteria increased. Therefore, At5‐MMP modulates auxin/ABA signaling rendering the plant sensitive to drought stress and recruiting differential root bacterial communities.
A Conceptual Model of Perceived Motor Skill Competence, Successful Practice Trials, and Motor Skill Performance in Physical Education
Authors: Li Mingda , Li Weidong , Kim Junyoung , Xiang Ping , Xin Fei , Tang Yan
Published: December 2020

Self-efficacy theory assumes that students’ efficacy beliefs affect their performance through process variables, including behavior, cognition, and affection. The purpose of this study was to utilize self-efficacy theory as a theoretical framework to propose a conceptual model of a mediating relationship among perceived motor skill competence, successful practice trials, and motor skill performance in physical education. In addition, the authors reviewed the literature to provide evidence to support the potential mediating relationship by following the steps recommended by Baron and Kenny. This paper is significant because the authors integrated the literature of motor development/learning and physical education pedagogy to propose a conceptual model where successful practice trials would act as a behavioral mediator through which perceived motor skill competence affects students’ motor skill performance. This conceptual model can guide future research to identify students’ behaviors affecting their skill development, thus helping teachers develop pedagogies to improve motor skill performance in physical education.
Absence of Lenacapavir (GS-6207) Phenotypic Resistance in HIV Gag Cleavage Site Mutants and in Isolates with Resistance to Existing Drug Classes
Authors: Margot Nicolas , Ram Renee , Rhee Martin , Callebaut Christian
Published: December 2020

Lenacapavir (LEN; GS-6207) is a potent first-in-class inhibitor of HIV-1 capsid with long-acting properties and the potential for subcutaneous dosing every 3 months or longer. In the clinic, a single subcutaneous LEN injection (20 mg to 750 mg) in people with HIV (PWH) induced a strong antiviral response, with a >2.3 mean log10decrease in HIV-1 RNA at day 10.
Association between low density lipoprotein and all cause and cause specific mortality in Denmark: prospective cohort study
Authors: Johannesen Camilla Ditlev Lindhardt , Langsted Anne , Mortensen Martin Bødtker , Nordestgaard Børge Grønne
Published: December 2020

Objective

To determine the association between levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and all cause mortality, and the concentration of LDL-C associated with the lowest risk of all cause mortality in the general population.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Denmark; the Copenhagen General Population Study recruited in 2003-15 with a median follow-up of 9.4 years.

Participants

Individuals randomly selected from the national Danish Civil Registration System.

Main outcome measures

Baseline levels of LDL-C associated with risk of mortality were evaluated on a continuous scale (restricted cubic splines) and by a priori defined centile categories with Cox proportional hazards regression models. Main outcome was all cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were cause specific mortality (cardiovascular, cancer, and other mortality).

Results

Among 108 243 individuals aged 20-100, 11 376 (10.5%) died during the study, at a median age of 81. The association between levels of LDL-C and the risk of all cause mortality was U shaped, with low and high levels associated with an increased risk of all cause mortality. Compared with individuals with concentrations of LDL-C of 3.4-3.9 mmol/L (132-154 mg/dL; 61st-80th centiles), the multivariable adjusted hazard ratio for all cause mortality was 1.25 (95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.36) for individuals with LDL-C concentrations of less than 1.8 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL; 1st-5th centiles) and 1.15 (1.05 to 1.27) for LDL-C concentrations of more than 4.8 mmol/L (>189 mg/dL; 96th-100th centiles). The concentration of LDL-C associated with the lowest risk of all cause mortality was 3.6 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) in the overall population and in individuals not receiving lipid lowering treatment, compared with 2.3 mmol/L (89 mg/dL) in individuals receiving lipid lowering treatment. Similar results were seen in men and women, across age groups, and for cancer and other mortality, but not for cardiovascular mortality. Any increase in LDL-C levels was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

In the general population, low and high levels of LDL-C were associated with an increased risk of all cause mortality, and the lowest risk of all cause mortality was found at an LDL-C concentration of 3.6 mmol/L (140 mg/dL).
Comparison of different mobile health applications for intervention in children and adolescent with overweight: a protocol for systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Perego Paolo , Rashid Rajeeb , Gluud Christian , Jakobsen Janus C , Andreoni Giuseppe , Lissau Inge
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Overweight in children is increasing worldwide. Innovative smartphone health applications (mHealth apps) have either sought to deliver single or multi-component interventions for the management of overweight in children. However, the clinical effects of these apps are poorly explored. The objective of the review will be to compare the benefits and harms of different categories of mHealth apps for intervention of overweight in children.

Methods and analysis

We will include randomised clinical trials irrespective of publication type, year, status or language. Children and adolescents between 0 to 18 years will be referred to as children in the remaining part of the paper. Children with all degrees of overweight included obesity and morbidly obese in the remaining part of the paper will be referred to as overweight. We plan to classify different apps according to type of intervention, measurement device, coaching and reward system. The following databases will be used: Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica database (Embase), PsycINFO, PubMed, IEEE Explore and Web of Science, CINAHL and LILACS. Primary outcomes will be body mass index z-score, quality of life and serious adverse event. Secondary outcomes will be body weight, self-efficacy, anxiety, depression and adverse event not considered serious. Study inclusion, data extraction and bias risk assessment will be conducted independently by at least two authors. We will assess the risk of bias through eight domains and control risks of random errors with Trial Sequential Analysis. The quality of the evidence will be assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Tool (GRADE).

Ethics and dissemination

As the protocol is for a systematic reviews, we have not included any patient data and we do not require ethical approval. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019120266.
Is hard physical work in the early working life associated with back pain later in life? A cross-sectional study among 5700 older workers
Authors: Bláfoss Rúni , Skovlund Sebastian Venge , López‐Bueno Rubén , Calatayud Joaquin , Sundstrup Emil , Andersen Lars L
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Physically demanding work increases the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders during working life, with low back pain (LBP) as the most prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal disorder worldwide. However, a lack of knowledge exists about the role of early working years on musculoskeletal health later in life. This study investigated whether an exposure–response association exists between physical demands in early working life and risk of LBP in later working life.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting, participants and outcome measure

In the SeniorWorkingLife study, 5909 wage earners aged ≥50 years with currently sedentary work replied to a questionnaire survey in 2018 about physical work demands during their first working years (exposure) and current LBP (outcome). Associations between physical work demands in the early working years and current LBP were modelled using general linear models controlling for various confounders, combined with model-assisted weights based on national registers.

Results

Hard physical work during early working life was associated with more intense LBP later in life among senior workers with currently sedentary jobs. In the fully adjusted model, workers with ‘standing/walking work with lifting/carrying’ and ‘heavy or fast work that is physically strenuous’ during the first years of working life reported higher LBP intensity than those with sedentary work during their first working years (0.2 (95% CI, 0.0 to 0.4) and 0.6 (95% CI, 0.4 to 0.9), respectively).

Conclusion

Work involving lifting/carrying or work that is physically strenuous in early life is associated with higher intensity of LBP among older workers with currently sedentary employment. These findings suggest that early working life may have an impact on later working years and underscore the necessity for careful introduction and instruction to the working environment for retaining musculoskeletal health and prolonging working life.

Trial registration number

NCT03634410.
Adults’ experiences of living with pulmonary hypertension: a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies
Authors: Rawlings Gregg Harry , Beail Nigel , Armstrong Iain , Condliffe Robin , Kiely David G , Sabroe Ian , Thompson Andrew R
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Pulmonary hypertension is a life-shortening disease that has a considerable impact on quality of life. Improving our understanding of how individuals are affected and cope with the disease will help to improve services and outcomes. This review synthesises the published qualitative research that has listened to adults discuss their experiences of living with the disease.

Design

A comprehensive systematic search of four databases was conducted in May 2020: Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library. Suitable studies were evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills programme. Findings from the studies were extracted and subjected to a thematic synthesis.

Results

Nineteen articles were identified reflecting the experiences of over 1900 individuals impacted by pulmonary hypertension from Europe, North and South America and Asia. Ten studies did not report participant’s WHO functional class of pulmonary hypertension, which resulted in comparing experiences between different severity difficult. All studies met the majority of the quality assessment items. Six descriptive themes emerged discussing participant’s experiences of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, healthcare professionals, impact and coping with pulmonary hypertension. Four higher order analytical themes were developed from the descriptive themes, reflecting: (i) uncertainties and anxiety that participants encountered related to pulmonary hypertension; (ii) lack of recognition of the impact of the condition; (iii) frustration at the paucity of awareness of pulmonary hypertension in society and healthcare settings and (iv) participant’s accounts of transitioning through different stages of living with the disease.

Conclusions

These findings form the first synthesis of experiences of life in individuals impacted by pulmonary hypertension and illustrate the multifaceted impact of the condition. The voices of numerous groups are missing from the literature highlighting the need for additional research. The results have implications for clinical practice emphasising the role of educational and psychological therapies to support those with the disease.
Association between person-centred care and healthcare providers’ job satisfaction and work-related health: a scoping review
Authors: van Diepen Cornelia , Fors Andreas , Ekman Inger , Hensing Gunnel
Published: December 2020

Objective

This scoping review aimed to explore and describe the research on associations between person-centred care (PCC) and healthcare provider outcomes, for example, job satisfaction and work-related health.

Design

Scoping review.

Eligibility criteria

Studies were included if they were empirical studies that analysed associations between PCC measurement tools and healthcare providers outcomes.

Search strategy

Searches in PubMed, CINAHL, Psychinfo and SCOPUS databases were conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2001 and 2019. Two authors independently screened studies for inclusion.

Results

Eighteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twelve studies were cross-sectional, four quasi-experimental, one longitudinal and one randomised controlled trial. The studies were carried out in Sweden, The Netherlands, the USA, Australia, Norway and Germany in residential care, nursing homes, safety net clinics, a hospital and community care. The healthcare provider outcomes consisted of job satisfaction, burnout, stress of conscience, psychosocial work environment, job strain and intent to leave. The cross-sectional studies found significant associations, whereas the longitudinal studies revealed no significant effects of PCC on healthcare provider outcomes over time.

Conclusion

Most studies established a positive association between PCC and healthcare provider outcomes. However, due to the methodological variation, a robust conclusion could not be generated. Further research is required to establish the viability of implementing PCC for the improvement of job satisfaction and work-related health outcomes through rigorous and consistent research.
Reduced antibiotic use in extremely preterm infants with an antimicrobial stewardship intervention
Authors: Gustavsson Lars , Lindquist Simon , Elfvin Anders , Hentz Elisabet , Studahl Marie
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Excessive administration of antibiotics to preterm infants is associated with increased rates of complications. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of an antimicrobial stewardship intervention on antibiotic use in extremely preterm infants.

Design, setting, patients and intervention

A before and after study of infants born at ≤28 weeks’ gestational age was performed in the neonatal intensive care unit of Queen Silvia’s Children’s Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Retrospective analysis of the baseline period (January–December 2014) guided the development of a limited antimicrobial stewardship intervention. The intervention consisted of updated local guidelines with a focus on shortened and standardised treatment duration plus increased access to infectious disease consultant advice. It was fully implemented during the intervention period (October 2017–September 2018).

Objective

Primary aim was to compare antibiotic use, defined as antibiotic treatment days per 1000 patient-days, between the two periods, and the secondary aim was to evaluate the number of days with meropenem-based regimens before and after the intervention.

Results

We included 145 infants with a median birth weight of 870 g and median gestational age of 26 weeks. The baseline period comprised 82 infants and 3478 patient-days, the intervention period comprised 63 infants and 2753 patient-days. Overall antibiotic use (treatment and prophylaxis) was 534 versus 466 days per 1000 patient-days during the baseline and intervention periods, respectively. Antibiotic treatment days decreased from 287 to 197 days per 1000 patient-days. The proportion of meropenem-based regimens was 69% versus 44%, respectively. No increases in mortality or reinitiation of antibiotics were seen.

Conclusions

Implementation of a limited antimicrobial stewardship intervention anchored in analysis of previous prescription patterns can contribute to safe decreases in antibiotic use in extremely preterm infants.
Long-term safety of prenatal and neonatal exposure to paracetamol: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Samiee-Zafarghandy Samira , Sushko Katelyn , Van Den Anker John
Published: December 2020

Introduction

A surge in the use of paracetamol in neonates has resulted in growing concerns about its potential long-term adverse events. In this study, we conduct a systematic review of the long-term safety of prenatal and neonatal exposure to paracetamol in newborn infants.

Methods and analysis

We will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statements to conduct and report this review. We will conduct a systematic search of Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Google Scholar for studies with data on long-term adverse events in neonates that were exposed to paracetamol in the prenatal and/or neonatal period. We will not apply language or design limitations. We will use standardised risk of bias assessment tools to perform a quality assessment of each included article.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review will only involve access to publicly available data, and therefore ethical approval will not be required. The results of this study will be communicated to the target audience through peer-reviewed publication as well as other knowledge exchange platforms, such as conferences, congresses or symposia.

Trial registration

The protocol for this systematic review is submitted for registration to international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews (PROSPERO, awaiting registration number).
Trends in wildfire burn severity across Canada, 1985 to 2015
Authors: Guindon Luc , Gauthier Sylvie , Manka Francis , Parisien Marc-André , Whitman Ellen , Bernier Pierre , Beaudoin André , Villemaire Philippe , Skakun Rob
Published: December 2020

Burn severity is an important component of the fire regime that has not yet been fully characterized for the forests of Canada. The objectives of this study were to (i) create a Canada-wide geospatial database of burn severity for wildland fires across forested regions of Canada from 1985 to 2015, and (ii) use this database to evaluate seasonal and annual trends in burn severity across Canada and regionally using two different regional units (ecozones and Homogeneous Fire Regime zones). We developed the 30 m resolution geospatial Canadian Landsat Burn Severity (CanLaBS) product from Landsat imagery, using values of pre-fire to post-fire differences in normalized burn ratios (dNBRs) for nearly 60 Mha of area burned across Canada’s forests from 1985 to 2015, complemented with estimates of pre-fire forest composition, crown closure, and biomass. Our results suggest that burn severity is generally lower in spring fires than in summer ones nationally and in almost every regional unit. We found no consistent relationship between burn severity and annual area burned across ecozones. Finally, we observed a small but significant decrease in burn severity from 1985 to 2015 across Canada, although this is regionally variable. The CanLaBS database is publicly available at https://doi.org/10.23687/b1f61b7e-4ba6-4244-bc79-c1174f2f92cd .
Effects of physical exercise on baroreflex sensitivity and renal sympathetic nerve activity in chronic nicotine-treated rats
Authors: Rodríguez-Núñez Iván , Pontes Roberto B. , Romero Fernando , Campos Ruy R.
Published: December 2020

Chronic nicotine exposure may increase cardiovascular risk by impairing the cardiac autonomic function. Besides, physical exercise (PE) has shown to improve cardiovascular health. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of PE on baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability (HRV), and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in chronically nicotine-exposed rats. Male Wistar rats were assigned to four independent groups: Control (treated with saline solution), Control+Ex (treated with saline and submitted to treadmill training), Nicotine (treated with Nicotine), and Nicotine+Ex (treated with nicotine and submitted to treadmill training). Nicotine (1 mg·kg−1) was administered daily for 28 consecutive days. PE consisted of running exercise (60%–70% of maximal aerobic capacity) for 45 min, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. At the end of the protocol, cardiac BRS, HRV, renal SNA (rSNA), and renal BRS were assessed. Nicotine treatment decreased absolute values of HRV indexes, increased low frequency/high frequency ratio of HRV, reduced the bradycardic and sympatho-inhibitory baroreceptor reflex responses, and reduced the rSNA. PE effectively restored time-domain HRV indexes, the bradycardic and sympatho-inhibitory reflex responses, and the rSNA in chronic nicotine-treated rats. PE was effective in preventing the deterioration of time-domain parameters of HRV, arterial baroreceptor dysfunction, and the rSNA after nicotine treatment.
Ethanol consumption increases renal dysfunction and mortality in a mice model of sub-lethal sepsis
Authors: do Valle Gabriel Tavares , Ricci Sthefany Teodoro , Silva Alessandra Oliveira , Tirapelli Carlos Renato , Ceron Carla Speroni
Published: December 2020

Chronic ethanol consumption and sepsis cause oxidative stress and renal dysfunction. This study aimed to examine whether chronic ethanol consumption sensitizes the mouse kidney to sub-lethal cecal ligation and puncture (SL-CLP) sepsis, leading to impairment of renal function by tissue oxidative and inflammatory damage. Male C57BL/6J mice were treated for 9 weeks with ethanol (20%, v/v) before SL-CLP was induced. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), survival rate, creatinine plasma, oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cytokines, and metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) levels were evaluated. Chronic ethanol consumption increased SBP, plasma creatinine, O2.−, H2O2, lipid peroxidation, catalase activity, Nox4, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio. SL-CLP decreased SBP, increased creatinine, lipid peroxidation, IL-6, TNF-α, nitrate/nitrite (NOx), and iNOS levels, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio, and decreased catalase activity. SL-CLP mice previously treated with ethanol showed a similar decrease in SBP but higher mortality and creatinine levels than SL-CLP alone. These responses were mediated by increased O2−, lipid peroxidation, IL-6, TNF-α, NOx, iNOS, MMP-2, and MMP-9 levels, and MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios. Our findings demonstrated that previous oxidative stress and inflammatory damage caused by ethanol consumption sensitizes the kidney to SL-CLP injury, resulting in impaired kidney function and sepsis prognosis.
Adoption barriers for precision agriculture technologies in Canadian crop production
Authors: Mitchell Sean , Weersink Alfons , Bannon Nicholas
Published: December 2020

Although precision agriculture is touted to enhance both farm returns and environmental quality, its perceived uptake is not as widespread as would be expected. The objective of this paper was to update and compare the adoption rates for precision agriculture technologies in Ontario. Geographic service technologies were the most adopted technology and showed an increase in adoption between 2017 and 2019. The survey was extended to include crop input suppliers across the country. Increasing adoption rates for precision agriculture technologies requires overcoming barriers, specifically reducing the cost and providing demonstrated value.
Black-Hole evaporation and quantum-depletion in Bose–Einstein condensates
Authors: Arraut Ivan
Published: December 2020

We study the analogy between the Hawking radiation in Black-Holes and the quantum depletion process of a Bose–Einstein condensate by using the Bogoliubov transformations method. We find that the relation between the Bogoliubov coefficients is similar in both cases (in the appropriate regimes). We then connect the condensate variables with those associated to the Black-Hole, demonstrating then that the zero temperature regime of the condensate is equivalent to the existence of an event horizon in gravity.
Coexistence of Rarita–Schwinger–Weyl fermion and spin-1 excitation in Bi4Ni6S4
Authors: Hu Jing-Nan , Ma Tian-Chi , Shao Lei , Chen Yuan , Deng Jian-Bo , Hu Xian-Ru
Published: December 2020

In addition to Dirac and Weyl fermions, exotic massless fermions with non-zero Berry curvature fluxes may exist in condensed matter systems under the protection of crystal symmetry, for example, spin-1 excitations with threefold degeneracy and spin-3/2 Rarita–Schwinger–Weyl fermions with fourfold degeneracy. More recently, the theory of topological quantum chemistry has provided us with a convenient way to find the existence of these quasi-particles. Herein, we have found a space group (No. 199) that may have both spin-1 excitations and spin-3/2 Rarita–Schwinger–Weyl fermions near the Fermi level. By using the ab initio density functional theory, we show that these unconventional quasi-particles mentioned above coexist in Bi4Ni6S4 in space group [Formula: see text] (No. 199), when spin-orbit coupling is considered. Their non-trivial topology results in a series of Fermi arcs connecting the projection of these excitations on (001) surface.
A NEW AUTO-SCORING ALGORITHM FOR BALANCE ASSESSMENT WITH WEARABLE IMU DEVICE BASED ON NONLINEAR MODEL
Authors: KIM YEON WOOK , CHO WOO HYEONG , JOA KYUNG LIM , JUNG HAN YOUNG , LEE SANGMIN
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a new auto-scoring algorithm that automatically evaluates the Berg balance scale (BBS) tasks is proposed. The BBS can be used as an indicator for patients to analyze their rehabilitation status by themselves. In the proposed method, the patient must use a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor, and the result of the patient’s BBS task execution would be scored automatically by the evaluation algorithm. The proposed evaluation algorithm involves only few computations and has high scoring accuracy. Nonlinear kernel principal component analysis and a small number of linear features were combined to reduce the features from each sensor, and the algorithm model was implemented using a support vector machine (SVM), a machine learning technique with low computational complexity. The effectiveness of the algorithm was evaluated through clinical evaluation of 53 subjects with up to eight IMU sensors. The average accuracy of the proposed algorithm using eight sensors was 93.2%, and that using five sensors was 91.5%. There was a 12.6% and 10.9% increase in accuracy, respectively, compared to a previous study. The training and testing times of the proposed SVM model were over 38 times faster than the multi-layer perceptron model used in a previous study.
REFINED TAYLOR SERIES EXPANSION-BASED PREDICTION OF THE OVERALL SURVIVAL FOR NONSMALL CELL LUNG CANCER PATIENTS OF CLINICAL STAGE IIIA-N2 AFTER VARIOUS TREATMENTS: TAIWAN POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF 2655 CASES FROM 2010 TO 2017
Authors: HSIAO KAI-YU , YANG DENG-HO , CHIU SHAO-WEN , PAN LUNG-FA , PAN LUNG-KWANG
Published: December 2020

The overall survival (OS) prediction for nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients of clinical IIIA-N2 stage undergone various treatments was investigated through a refined Taylor series expansion algorithm. The model was created according to a population-based study in Taiwan. The proposed prediction algorithm is based on the well-known hit and target model adopted for analyzing the cell death from the microscopic viewpoint. It also implies the application of the Taylor series expansion to the population-based survey dataset. In the proposed algorithm, the basic degradation of a patient’s health is represented via a specific function comprising a single exponential term exp([Formula: see text]). The refined algorithm successfully predicted NSCLC IIIA-N2 patients’ OS rate. A total of 127,301 patients were collected from 2010 to 2017. Then, 2655 patients were recognized as effective events and classified into eight classes according to various medical treatments, namely surgical operation, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. For each class of patients, the average life was evaluated, according to Taylor’s expansion algorithm, and the average derived life range spread from 3.51 to 7.81 years. An index of life gain with specific treatment was defined according to the Taguchi optimization analysis. The life gains provided by the surgical operation, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were 2.74, 1.18, and 0.48 years. The surgical operation was the most beneficial treatment, which is in concert with recommendations of European experts. A similar finding was also reflected in four out of eight classes, which included the surgical operation in the treatment plans of most Taiwanese hospitals.
A SIX-PARAMETER SEMI-QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF 251 PATIENTS FOR THE ENHANCED TRIGGERED TIMING OF HEAD AND NECK CT ANGIOGRAPHY SCANNING VIA THE INVERSE PROBLEM ALGORITHM
Authors: LIN CHIH-SHENG , CHEN YUNG-FU , DENG JIE , YANG DENG-HO , PAN LUNG-FA , PAN LUNG-KWANG
Published: December 2020

In this study, the correlation between triggered timing for head and neck CT angiography (TT CTA) scanning and the average of CT values of both left and right arterial to upper sinuses (LRA/US) reaching a maximal ratio was surveyed and explored using the inverse problem algorithm according to a six-factor semi-quantitative analysis of 251 patients. Six risk factors, namely TT CTA, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), contrast media solution (CMS), given pressure (Pre), and body surface area (BSA) were used to identify a nonlinear first-order regression correlation between projected and actual LRA/US values. The respective 22 terms were derived via the STATISTICA program. In doing so, a customized loss function ([Formula: see text]) was defined according to the total fluctuation between theoretically projected and actual LRA/US values for all 216 patients. Thus, [Formula: see text] individual data points were included in the algorithm to optimize the compromised solution array [[Formula: see text]] of LRA/US values. The results exhibited a close correlation with loss function [Formula: see text], correlation coefficient [Formula: see text], and a 93.13% variance. Another group of 35 patients with similar symptoms was selected to verify the prediction accuracy and exhibited a high coincidence, although the reverse calculation-based correlation between CC CTA and LRA/US was still controversial from a clinical viewpoint. The proposed algorithm is considered quite instrumental in predicting the LRA/US with ischemic stroke symptoms in the CTA examination.
A review of present-day deformation of active volcanoes in China between 1970 and 2013
Authors: Ji Lingyun , Xu Jiandong , Liu Lei , Zhang Wenting
Published: December 2020

China has numerous active volcanoes, and more than 10 erupted in the Quaternary. Although a modern eruption event has not occurred in China, the potential risk from volcanic hazards should be noted. With the development of geodetic technologies including the Global Positioning System (GPS), levelling and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), volcanologists can now detect the present-day deformation state of China's active volcanoes. In this paper, we summarize the present-day deformation patterns, magma sources and magma plumbing systems of China's active volcanoes between 1970 and 2013. The results show that the most active volcano in China is the Changbaishan volcano; it showed significant inflation from 2002–03, with the deformation becoming gradually weaker after 2003, indicating that it had been experiencing a magma process during 2000–10. A point source at a depth of
c.
10 km was responsible for the observed deformation. The Leiqiong volcanic field showed a trough pattern deformation during 2007–10, which was interpreted as a dyke intrusion model. Fluctuant deformation patterns were shown in the Tengchong volcanic field. The Longgang volcanic field had experienced a volcano-wide uplift during the 1970s and 1990s. Deformation was observed in the Tatun volcanic field from 2006–13, and two shallow sources account for the observed deformation. These volcanoes merit further monitoring given possible evidence of deformation. No obvious deformation related to volcanic activity was observed at the Ashikule volcanic field from 2003–11. The results provide a basic introduction to the deformation state of China's active volcanoes, and may be helpful for evaluating the activity levels of China's volcanoes and mitigating the risks of future volcanic hazards.
MOVPE Growth of Mg-doped GaAs Films
Authors: Xiejia
Published: December 2020

The short research of optimization of the growth method to obtain p-type GaAs (001) layers using Si as the dopant was reported in this work. Atomic force microscopy was used to analyze the surface morphology and low-temperature photoluminescence also used to confirm the p-type of the layers.
Antilipoxygenase and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Streblus asper Leaf Extract on Xylene-Induced Ear Edema in Mice
Authors: Singsai Kanathip , Charoongchit Pimchanok , Chaikaew Waritsara , Boonma Nirut , Fhanjaksai Pitsinee , Chaisatan Karitta
Published: December 2020

Streblus asper (SA) belonging to the Moraceae family is well known as a folk medicinal plant in Asian countries. This study aimed to investigate the antilipoxygenase activity and the anti-inflammatory effects of the SA leaf extract. An in vitro antilipoxygenase study was performed using a lipoxygenase assay, and the oxidation of linoleic acid into 13-hydroperoxy linoleic acid (HPODE) was detected with a UV spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 234 nm. In the animal study, twenty-five male ICR mice were induced as ear edema by topical xylene, and the ear thickness of the mice was measured. The lipoxygenase assay results showed that the IC50 values of diclofenac sodium and SA were 0.0015 and 37.96 μg/mL, respectively. In the animal study, mice that received diclofenac sodium exhibited significantly reduced ear edema induced by xylene from 30 min onward, while mice that received 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg SA exhibited significantly reduced ear edema compared with the control group 45 min after induction with xylene. These results suggested that the SA leaf extract had anti-inflammatory activity. However, further studies are required to evaluate these effects and the additional potential of the plant that might be beneficial for the development of pharmaceutical products that prevent and treat inflammation.
Cryptococcus neoformans Secretes Small Molecules That Inhibit IL-1β Inflammasome-Dependent Secretion
Authors: Bürgel Pedro Henrique , Marina Clara Luna , Saavedra Pedro H. V. , Albuquerque Patrícia , de Oliveira Stephan Alberto Machado , Veloso Janior Paulo Henrique de Holanda , Castro Raffael Araújo de , Heyman Heino M. , Coelho Carolina , Cordero Radames J. B. , Casadevall Arturo , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Nakayasu Ernesto S. , May Robin C. , Tavares Aldo Henrique , Bocca Anamelia Lorenzetti
Published: December 2020

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that causes disease mainly in immunosuppressed hosts. It is considered a facultative intracellular pathogen because of its capacity to survive and replicate inside phagocytes, especially macrophages. This ability is heavily dependent on various virulence factors, particularly the glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) component of the polysaccharide capsule. Inflammasome activation in phagocytes is usually protective against fungal infections, including cryptococcosis. Nevertheless, recognition of C. neoformans by inflammasome receptors requires specific changes in morphology or the opsonization of the yeast, impairing proper inflammasome function. In this context, we analyzed the impact of molecules secreted by C. neoformans B3501 strain and its acapsular mutant Δcap67 in inflammasome activation in an in vitro model. Our results showed that conditioned media derived from B3501 was capable of inhibiting inflammasome-dependent events (i.e., IL-1β secretion and LDH release via pyroptosis) more strongly than conditioned media from Δcap67, regardless of GXM presence. We also demonstrated that macrophages treated with conditioned media were less responsive against infection with the virulent strain H99, exhibiting lower rates of phagocytosis, increased fungal burdens, and enhanced vomocytosis. Moreover, we showed that the aromatic metabolite DL-Indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) and DL-p-Hydroxyphenyllactic acid (HPLA) were present in B3501’s conditioned media and that ILA alone or with HPLA is involved in the regulation of inflammasome activation by C. neoformans. These results were confirmed by in vivo experiments, where exposure to conditioned media led to higher fungal burdens in Acanthamoeba castellanii culture as well as in higher fungal loads in the lungs of infected mice. Overall, the results presented show that conditioned media from a wild-type strain can inhibit a vital recognition pathway and subsequent fungicidal functions of macrophages, contributing to fungal survival in vitro and in vivo and suggesting that secretion of aromatic metabolites, such as ILA, during cryptococcal infections fundamentally impacts pathogenesis.
The Search of miRNA Related to Invasive Growth of Nonfunctioning Gonadotropic Pituitary Tumors
Authors: Boresowicz Joanna , Kober Paulina , Rusetska Natalia , Maksymowicz Maria , Paziewska Agnieszka , Dąbrowska Michalina , Zeber-Lubecka Natalia , Kunicki Jacek , Bonicki Wiesław , Ostrowski Jerzy , Siedlecki Janusz A. , Bujko Mateusz
Published: December 2020

Purpose. Nonfunctioning gonadotropic pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are among the most frequent neoplasms of pituitary gland. Although PitNETs are commonly considered benign, a notable part of patients suffer from tumor recurrence after treatment. Invasive growth of pituitary tumor is among the most important prognostic factors. Since molecular features of invasiveness are of potential clinical usefulness, this study was aimed to verify whether invasive and noninvasive nonfunctioning gonadotropic PitNETs differ in the miRNA expression profile and whether the differences could provide a possible molecular classifier. Methods. miRNA profiles were determined in 20 patients (11 invasive and 9 noninvasive tumors) using next-generation sequencing. The expression of selected miRNAs was assessed in the independent cohort of 80 patients with qRT-PCR. Results. When miRNA profiles of invasive and noninvasive tumors were compared, 29 miRNAs were found differentially expressed. Hsa-miR-184, hsa-miR-181a-2-3p, hsa-miR-93-3p, hsa-miR-574-5p, hsa-miR-185-5p, and hsa-miR-3200-5p showed a potential clinical value according to ROC curve analysis. Unfortunately, differential expression of only hsa-miR-185-5p was confirmed in the validation cohort, with AUG at 0.654. Conclusion. Differences in miRNAs expression profiles in invasive and noninvasive gonadotropic PitNETs are slight and the level of miRNA expression seems not to be applicable as useful classifier of tumor invasiveness.