bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Anosmia in Hamsters Infected With SARS-CoV-2 Is Correlated With Repair of the Olfactory Epithelium
Authors: Reyna Rachel , Kishimoto-Urata Megumi , Urata Shinji , Makishima Tomoko , Paessler Slobodan , Maruyama Junki
Published: August 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a pandemic affecting millions of people worldwide. Apart from the extreme global economic impact, the pandemic will likely have a lasting impact through long-term sequelae not yet fully understood. Fully understanding the mechanisms driving the various symptoms and sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection will allow for the eventual development of therapeutics to prevent or treat such life-altering symptoms. In this study, we developed a behavioral test of anosmia in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters. We find a moderately strong correlation between the level of anosmia and the score of histological damage within the olfactory epithelium. We also find a moderately strong correlation between the level of anosmia and the thickness of the olfactory epithelium, previously demonstrated to be severely damaged upon infection. Thus, this food-searching behavioral test can act as a simple and effective screening method in a hamster model for various therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2-related anosmia.
Investigation on the Current Situation and Health-Related Quality of Life of Children and adolescents with OI in southwest China
Authors: du fanyan , mo lin
Published: August 2021

Background: Osteogenesis imperfecta（OI）is a chronic, non-infectious disease that accompanies the patient for life. OI will result in reduced bone mass, fractures, thereby leading to bone deformities and reduced patient the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). With the endocrine therapy and surgical orthopedic had been recommended, the disease was effectively controlled. The disease status is discrepancy in different regions. This study aims to assess the diagnosis and treatment status, evaluate the HRQoL of children and adolescents with OI in southwest China, and analyze the influencing factors, so as to provide reference for health care consideration for OI population in southwest China.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using the Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM (PedsQL TM) to assess the HRQoL of children and adolescents with OI. The demographic and clinical data were collected. This study was conducted in Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, the National Children's Regional Medical Centre (SOUTH-WEST) and the National Clinical Research for child health. Healthy children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years lived in southwest China as a reference.Results: A total of 27 children and adolescents with OI were included in this study. The current status of diagnosis and treatment such as the treatment, education, family, BMI, pain, steep walking and friends and so on had been investigated. The PedsQLTM of OI population was lower in all dimensions, and they were significantly different in physiological and social functioning and the total score, compared with 54 healthy children and adolescents. Factors associated with HRQoL of OI patients were the steep walking and fixing a playmate at less.Conclusions: The HRQoL of children and adolescents with OI had been improved with the endocrine therapy and surgical orthopedic. But there was an imbalance around the world for the less effective management. Health care education should be more professional, effectively and continuously. Training patients to gain steep walking ability and peer companionship could be a way to improve the HRQoL of children and adolescents with OI in southwest China. The medical staff also should pay attention to their life and growth after discharge.
Evaluation of the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel for Diagnosis of Infectious Meningitis and Encephalitis
Authors: Lin Min , Chen Chun-Lu , Qi Le-Yao , Shen Cong , Liu Ye-Ling , Long Li-Jun , Sun Jun-Quan , He Sheng-Jie , Luo Yin-Ji , Guo xuguang
Published: August 2021

Background: Infectious Meningitis/Encephalitis (M/E) is caused by pathogens. The FilmArray M/E panel can quickly detect 14 kinds of pathogens and facilitate diagnosis for patients with M/E. This study aimed to perform a evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of the FilmArray M/E panel compared with classic method of diagnosing M/E.Methods: Relevant studies published before August 15, 2021, were identified by searching Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase, using keywords Meningitis, Encephalitis, and FilmArray M/E panel. After the initial screening, EndNoteX9 was used to manage the studies and extract data. The quality of the study was based mainly on the quality evaluation standard of diagnostic tests recommended by Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). Meta-DiSc 1.4 statistical software was used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, 95% confidence interval (CI), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive likelihood ratios (PLR) and negative likelihood ratios (NLR) of each group of data, and summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC). All P values were two sided, and P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 269 studies were retrieved, and 16 full-text studies were identified. The sensitivity of all the full-text studies was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91–0.95) and the specificity 0.98 (95% CI: 0.98–0.98). Conclusions: Compared with the gold standard, the FilmArray M/E panel had a sensitivity of 0.93 and a specificity of 0.98 to 16 pathogens. Further studies are needed to determine whether the FilmArray M/E panel can be used as a clinical standard for the diagnosis of M/E.
The Diagnostic Value of Multi Ultra High-b-value DWI for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Zheng Tianxiu , Chen Qiuyan , Qiu Yanhua , Zhang Deyong , Shi Liwei , Wei Dingtai
Published: August 2021

To evaluate the diagnostic value of multi-ultra high b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (UHBV-DWI) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and to build a regression prediction modelfor AD.90 participants including 30 AD, 30 mild cognitive impairments (MCI) and 30 volunteers without neurological diseases were enrolled to perform with hippocampal volume, white matter hyperintensities volume (WMH volume), periventricular white matter hyperintensity (PVWMH) score, deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) score and UHBV-DWI.We found UHBV-DWI outperformed in the diagnosis of AD (AUC = 0.858), and multiple linear regression model: y = 0.515 + 0.018 *(WMH volume) + 0.221 *(ADCuh value)-0.359 *(left hippocampus volume) were established.So we came to a conclusion: UHBV-DWI is helpful for diagnosing AD, and the combination of WMH volume and left hippocampus volume has a better diagnostic performance.
Analysis and Modelling of Temperature at Lake’s Water – Atmosphere Interface
Authors: Antonopoulos Vassilis Z. , Gianniou Soultana K.
Published: August 2021

The knowledge of micrometeorological conditions on water surface of impoundments is crucial for the better modeling of the temperature and water quality parameters distribution in the water body and against the climatic changes. Water temperature distribution is an important factor that affects most physical, chemical and biological processes and reactions occurring in lakes. In this work, different processes of water surface temperature of lake’s estimation based on the energy balance method are considered. The daily meteorological data and the simulation results of energy balance components from an integrated heat transfer model for two complete years as well as the lake’s characteristics for Vegoritis lake in northern Greece were used is this analysis.The simulation results of energy balance components from a heat transfer model are considered as the reference and more accurate procedure to estimate water surface temperature. These results are used to compare the other processes. The examined processes include a) models of heat storage changes in relationship to net radiation (Qt(Rn) values, b) net radiation estimation with different approaches, as the process of Slob’s equation with adjusted coefficients to lake data, and c) ANNs models with different architecture and input variables. The results show that the model of heat balance describes the water surface temperature with high accuracy (r2=0.916, RMSE=2.422oC). The ANN(5,6,1) model in which Tsw(i-1) is incorporated in the input variables was considered the better of all other ANN structures (r2=0.995, RMSE=0.490oC). The use of different approaches for simulating net radiation (Rn) and Qt(Rn) in the equation of water surface temperature gives results with lower accuracy.
Seismic Evaluation of Self-Centering Bi-Rocking Walls via Micro Modeling of Rocking Joints: Locating the Rocking Section
Authors: Broujerdian Vahid , Dehcheshmeh Esmaeil Mohammadi
Published: August 2021

The rocking concrete shear wall is one of the new self-centering seismic systems applied in high-rise buildings. To reduce the effects of higher modes on base-rocking walls, the idea of using multiple rocking walls has been evolved. This paper presents a comparative investigation on the seismic performance of base-rocking and bi-rocking wall systems. To this aim, structures of 4-, 8-, 12-, 16-, and 20- stories have been evaluated subjected to three sets of seismic earthquake records including 22 Far Field (FF), 14 Near Field (NF) with pulse, and 14 Near Field (NF) no-pulse ground motions. The nonlinear time-history analyses were conducted in two directions using OpenSEES software. To determine the appropriate location of rocking section in bi-rocking walls, one-quarter (R2-M1), one-half (R2-M2), and three-quarter (R2-M3) models were examined. The obtained results revealed that R2-M3 model is not efficient in reducing the effects of higher modes. However, R2-M2 model in high-rise buildings under FF and NF-no-pulse records could be effective in decreasing the moment by a maximum of nearly 41% and the shears by a maximum of 25% and 18%, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that bi-rocking walls could not be effective in reducing the influence of higher modes under NF-pulse ground motions. Generally, the residual drifts were negligible in all the rocking systems under study.
Relationship between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients among the Han Chinese
Authors: Cai Shuang , Dong Jing , Cheng Bokai , Zhang Anhang , Sun Jin , Su Yongkang , Bao Qiligeer , Zhu Ping , Wang Shuxia
Published: August 2021

Background

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most common target organs damage in the hypertension patients. The triglycerides to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has been identified as a biomarker of insulin resistance and a predictor for atherosclerosis. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between TG/HDL-C and LVH in hypertensive patients among the Han Chinese.
Methods

The study is a community-based cross-sectional study that included 4552 patients with hypertension and integrated clinical and echocardiographic data. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. LVH was diagnosed by using the criteria of left ventricular mass indexed (LVMI) over 49.2g/m2.7 for men and 46.7g/m2.7 for women. The independent associations between TG/HDL-C ratio quartiles and LVH prevalence was analyzed by using logistic regression models.
Results

The TG/HDL-C was higher in patients with LVH than in those without (1.27 ± 1.26, 1.15 ± 1.07, P = 0.001). The prevalence of LVH in patients with the first quartile of TG/HDL-C (Q1: < 0.61), second (Q2: 0.61 ~ 0.91), the third (Q3: 0.92 ~ 1.41), and the highest quartile (Q4: >1.41) of TG/HDL-C was 36.1%, 42%, 42.6%, 44.9%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis suggested that after adjustment for confounding factors, TG/HDL-C was independently associated with the risk of LVH, and this association was more significant in women. Compared with the first quartile of TG/HDL-C (Q1), the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for LVH in the increasing quartiles (Q2-Q4) were 1.21(1.01–1.45), 1.28(1.07–1.54), and 1.48(1.23–1.78) respectively.
Conclusions

The TG/HDL-C ratio is an independent risk factor for LVH in hypertensive patients among the Han Chinese. However, longitudinal studies are required to demonstrate the predictive value of TG/HDL-C on the onset and progression of LVH over time.
Improved optimum PID controller tuning by minimizing settling time and overshoot
Authors: Turan Abdullah
Published: August 2021

In this paper, a simple design method is presented to adjust the parameters of a proportional-integral derivative PID controller to be applied to different systems. In this method, PID controller is designed based on setting the optimal proportional gain according to the desired performance (settling time, overshoot). Determining the other parameters of the PID controller by adjusting the optimum ratio gain (k p ) in a stable loop that minimizes the settling time (t s ) and the error rate of the overshoot (M p ) constitutes the basis of the method. The Routh Rurwitz criterion is used to guarantee stability. The performance of the controller designed with the proposed method has been evaluated on three different transfer functions. With this method, the PID controller works successfully without destroying parameters and without complex mathematical formulation. It has been observed that the proposed method provides better closed loop performance compared to the methods reported recently.
Different impact of suspended Al2O3 nanoparticles on microbial communities: formation of 2D-networks (without humic acids) or 3D-colonies (with humic acids)
Authors: Sartori Damián Rodríguez , Miñán Alejandro , Gonzalez Mónica , de Mele Mónica Fernández Lorenzo
Published: August 2021

The use of metal-based and, particularly, Al2O3 nanoparticles (Al2O3−NP) for diverse purposes is exponentially growing. However, the growth of such promissory market is not accompanied by a parallel extensive investigation related to the impact of this pollution on groundwater and biological systems. Pseudomonas species, ubiquitous, environmentally critical microbes, frequently respond to stress conditions with diverse strategies that generally include extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) formation. The aim of this study is to report that changes in the aqueous environment, particularly, the addition of Al2O3-NP without and with humic acids, induce different adaptive strategies of P. aeruginosa early biofilms. To this purpose, early biofilms were incubated in diluted culture media without (control) and with Al2O3-NP, and with humic acids (HA-control, HA-Al2O3-NP) for 24h. 3D colonies with EPS strings and isolated bacteria in their surroundings were detected in the control biofilms. Unlikely, an unusual adaptive behaviour was developed in presence of Al2O3-NP. Bacteria opt to disassemble the 3D arrangements, and to implement a 2D network promoting morphological and size changes of bacterial cells (small coccoid shapes). Remarkably, this strategy allows their temporarily non-EPS-depending survival without decreasing the number of cells. This behaviour was not observed with ZnO-NP, HA-Al2O3-NP, or HA-ZnO-NP. Physicochemical analysis revealed that HA were adsorbed on Al2O3-NP and promoted the Al(III) ions complexation. This supports the hypothesis that the reduction of toxicity of Al ions and the 3D colony formation in presence of HA-Al2O3-NP is promoted by the complexation of the metal ions with HA components.
An Attention-Based Meta Learning Network via Prior Meta-training Strategy for Intelligent Fault Detection of Shipboard Antenna under Small Samples Prerequisite
Authors: Chang Yuanhong , Chen Jinglong , He Shuilong , Zhang Kaiyu , Pan Tongyang
Published: August 2021

Fault detection of shipboard antenna is of great significance to ensure the safe operation and smooth completion of astronautic measurement ship. With the development of data-oriented technology, intelligent fault detection is desiderated to improve self-management of entire shipboard antenna system. However, insufficient fault data results in intelligent algorithms stagnation. In this paper, a meta-learning network is specially designed for fault identification of shipboard antenna under small samples prerequisite, which is named affiliation network (AN). The AN consists of a random sampler, a feature extractor, an auxiliary classifier and a discriminator. The former three are utilized to extract and concatenate the features from training and testing samples, while the latter trains an adaptive pseudo-distance to evaluate the affiliation degree between concatenation features for identifying unknown data. Besides, a prior sufficient meta-training strategy is specially designed to realize metric-based knowledge transfer for acquiring the more generic AN, thus avoiding reiterative training of the AN in different application scenarios. Effectiveness of proposed method are validated by three experimental cases. Results indicate that, comparing with conventional intelligent models, the prior trained AN only utilized few samples to effectively identify failure categories of shipboard antenna even with complex operating conditions.
Correlation Between Drug Sensitivity Profiles of Ex Vivo Expanded Circulating Tumor Cells and Clinical Treatment Response in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients
Authors: Wu Yuan-Hung , Hung Yi-Ping , Chiu Nai-Chi , Lee Rheun-Chuan , Li Chung-Pin , Chao Yee , Shyr Yi-Ming , Wang Shin-E , Chen Shih-Chin , Lin Sheng-Hsuan , Chen Yi-Hsuan , Kang Yu-Mei , Hsu Shih-Ming , Yen Sang-Hue , Wu Jeng-You , Lee Kuan-Der , Tseng Huey-En , Tsai Jia-Ruey , Tang Ruey-Hsiang , Chiou Jeng-Fong , Burnouf Thierry , Chen Yin-Ju , Wang Peng-Yuan , Lu Long-Sheng
Published: August 2021

BackgroundPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly aggressive and has poor prognosis. There are few biomarkers to inform treatment decisions, and collecting tumor samples for genomic or drug sensitivity testing is challenging.MethodsCirculating tumor cells (CTCs) were prepared from the liquid biopsies of PDAC patients. These cells were subsequently expanded ex vivo to form CTC-derived organoid cultures, using a laboratory-developed biomimetic cell culture system. The CTC-derived organoids were tested for sensitivity to a PDAC panel of nine drugs, with tests conducted in triplicate, and a weighted cytotoxicity score (CTS) was calculated from the results. Clinical response to treatment in patients was evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 criteria at the time of blood sampling and 3 months later. CTS was then correlated with clinical response, and analyzed using 2 × 2 contingency tables.ResultsA total of 41 liquid biopsies were collected from 31 patients, with 87.8% of liquid biopsies from patients with Stage 4 disease. CTC-derived organoid expansion was achieved in 3 weeks, with 87.8% culture efficiency. CTC-derived organoid cultures were positive for EpCAM staining and negative for CD45 staining in surface marker analysis. All patients had received a median of two lines of treatment prior to enrollment, and prospective utility analysis indicated significant correlation of CTS with clinical treatment response. Two representative case studies are also presented to illustrate the relevant clinical contexts.ConclusionsIn this study, CTCs were expanded from the liquid biopsies of PDAC patients with a high success rate. Drug sensitivity profiles from CTC-derived organoid cultures correlated meaningfully with treatment response. Further studies are warranted to validate the predictive potential for this approach.Trial RegistrationTaipei Medical University Hospital Protocol Record N201803020, registered on July 10, 2018; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04972461, retrospectively registered on July 22, 2021.
Hyperoxia and mortality in Conventional versus Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Authors: Stoll Sandra Emily , Paul Eldho , Pilcher David , Udy Andrew , Burrell Aidan
Published: August 2021

BackgroundHyperoxia has been associated with adverse outcomes in post cardiac arrest (CA) patients. However, little data are available from mixed cohorts, where extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) and conventional CPR (CCPR) were utilised. The independence of effect of hyperoxia in this setting is not clear. Study-objective was to examine the association between hyperoxia and 30-day mortality in a mixed cohort of ECPR and CCPR patients.Methods and designThis was a retrospective cohort study of CA patients admitted to a tertiary level cardiac arrest centre in Australia from 1st January 2013 to 31st August 2018. Mean arterial oxygen levels (PaO2) and episodes of extreme hyperoxia (PaO2 ≥ 300mmHg) were analysed over the first 8 days. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality.ResultsA total of 169 post CA patients were assessed over a 6.5-year time period: 79 patients undergoing ECPR vs 90 patients undergoing CCPR. The mean age of the cohort was 54 (± 17) years; 126/169 (74%) were male and 119/169 (70%) were treated for out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Compared to CCPR, ECPR patients were younger, had a longer low flow time and higher illness severity scores on admission. Mean PaO2-levels were higher in patients in the ECPR vs CCPR group (211mmHg ± 58.4 vs 119mmHg ± 18.1; p < 0.0001) as was the proportion with at least one episode of extreme hyperoxia (58/79 (73%) vs 36/90 (40%), p < 0.01). ECPR patients presented with a higher mortality (54.4%) vs CCPR patients (34.4%). After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, highest lactate pre-treatment, use of ECMO, low flow time, pulse pressure on admission day, and severity of illness (APACHE III score), any episode of extreme hyperoxia was independently associated with a 2.57-fold increased risk of 30-day mortality (OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.09–6.06; p = 0.031) irrespective of the CPR-mode.ConclusionWe found extreme hyperoxia (PaO2-level ≥ 300mmHg) was more common in ECPR patients in the first 8 days post CA and was independently associated with higher 30-day mortality, irrespective of whether ECPR was employed. Prospective studies that compare different oxygen targets are needed to see if a strategy of lower oxygen exposure improves outcomes.
Capability of Airline Jets as an Observation Platform for Noctilucent Clouds at Middle Latitudes
Authors: Suzuki Hidehiko , Matsumoto Ayako , Dalin Peter , Nakamura Yuriko , Ishii Satoshi , Sakanoi Kazuyo , Sakaguchi Kaori , Takada Taku , Tsuda Takuo , Hozumi Yuta
Published: August 2021

The exact occurrence frequency of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) in middle latitudes is significant information because it is thought to be sensitive to long-term atmospheric change. We conducted NLC observation from airline jets in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer 2019 to evaluate the effectiveness of NLC observation from airborne platforms. By cooperating with the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA), imaging observations of NLCs were conducted on 13 flights from Jun 8 to Jul 12. As a result of careful analysis, 8 of these 13 flights were found to successfully detect NLCs from middle latitudes (lower than 55°N) during their cruising phase. Based on the results of these test observations, it is shown that an airline jet is a powerful tool to continuously monitor the occurrence frequency of NLCs at midlatitudes which is generally difficult with a polar orbiting satellite due to sparse sampling in both temporal and spatial domain. The advantages and merits of NLC observation from jets over satellite observation from a point of view of imaging geometry is also presented.
E-learning in medical education during COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences of a research course at Kenya Medical Training College
Authors: Gachanja Francis , Mwangi Nyawira , Gicheru Wagaki
Published: August 2021

Background
E-learning has been widely adopted as a teaching and learning approach in medical education internationally but its adoption in low- and middle-income countries is still at an infantile stage. The use of e-learning may help to overcome some of the barriers to access to quality education and provide flexible, low-cost, user-centred, and easily updated learning. Research can inform improvement in health care, but strategies to develop research skills among health practitioners are complex and require well-designed training. To address the need for research education, we developed and implemented an e-learning course on patient safety research for students enrolled for higher diploma courses at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). In this paper, we report our experience teaching the online research course in resource-constrained settings to enable other medical educators, students and institutions in similar settings to understand approaches to incorporating e-learning interventions.
Methods
The eLearning research course is hosted on the Colleges’ Moodle Learning Management System (LMS). All higher diploma students admitted to the college in the 2020/21 academic year were enrolled on the course. The research course was delivered over 60 hours, but the course materials (text, videos, images, discussion forums, downloadable content) remain accessible to students throughout the academic year. A pretest, posttest, peer-graded assessment and course evaluation were administered on the e-learning platform. The students were expected to conduct individual research projects after the training.
Results
A total of 933 students undertaking 44 higher diploma courses in 11 campuses of KMTC were enrolled in the course. There was a significant increase in the mean knowledge level of students: scores for pretest (Mean = 56.5%, SD = 14.3) and posttest (Mean = 67.8%, SD = 8.9); t (122) = 7.85, p < .001. Student and faculty experience was generally positive. The challenges included infrastructure and technological skills. The standardization of material and team-teaching improved efficiency, effectiveness and inter-faculty discourse on inter-professional collaboration in research.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that e-learning can be used to teach research but there is a need for technological investment and institutional e-readiness.
Critical care staffing ratio and outcome of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care unit admission during the first pandemic wave: a retrospective analysis across Switzerland from the RISC-19-ICU observational cohort
Authors: Jeitziner Marie-Madlen , Moser André , Wendel-Garcia Pedro D , Exl Matthias Thomas , Keiser Stefanie , Schüpbach Reto A , Sigg Anne-Aylin , Pietsch Urs , Cereghetti Sara , Boroli Filippo , Marrel Julien , Ksouri Hatem , Schott Peter , Dullenkopf Alexander , Fleisch Isabelle , Heise Antje , Laurent Jean-Christophe , Jakob Stephan M. , Hilty Matthias P , Que Yok-Ai
Published: August 2021

Background

The modifications to the standard intensive care unit (ICU) organization that had to be urgently implemented worldwide to overcome the surge of ICU admissions due to patients with a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have resulted in increased workload and patients-to-nurse ratio. The aim of this study was to investigate whether level of critical care staffing could be associated with an increased risk of ICU mortality (primary endpoint), length of stay, mechanical ventilation and the evolution of disease (secondary study endpoints) in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Methods

Retrospective multicenter analysis of the international Risk Stratification in COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (RISC-19-ICU) registry that prospectively enrolls patients developing critical illness due to COVID-19 in several countries worldwide. The analysis was limited to the period between March 1st, 2020 and May 31st, 2020, to ICUs in Switzerland that have collected additional data on nurse and physician staffing. Hierarchical regression models were used to investigate crude and adjusted effects of critical care staffing ratio on study endpoints. We adjusted for diseases severity and weekly caseload.
Results

Among the 38 Swiss participating ICUs, 17 recorded critical care staffing information. The study population included 437 patients and 2342 daily assessments of patient-to-nurse/physician ratio. Median of daily patient-to-nurse ratio started at 1.0 ([IQR] 0.5–1.5; calendar week 9) and peaked at 2.4 (IQR 0.4-2.0; calendar week 16), while the median of daily patient-to-physician ratio started at 4.0 (IQR 2.1-5.0; calendar week 9) and peaked at 6.8 (IQR 6.3–7.3; calendar week 19). Neither the patient-to-nurse ratio [adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85–1.94; doubling of ratio] nor the patient-to-physician ratio [adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.87–1.32; doubling of ratio] was associated with ICU mortality. We found no association of critical care staffing on the investigated secondary study endpoints in adjusted models.
COnclusion

The Swiss health care system successfully overcame the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with regards to the unprecedented demand for ICU treatments. The reduced availability of critical care staffing resources per critically ill patient in Swiss ICUs did not translate in an overall increased risk of mortality.
PTEN Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Require ATM to Suppress Pro-Apoptotic Signalling and Evade Radiotherapy
Authors: Fischer Thomas , Hartmann Oliver , Reissland Michaela , Prieto-Garcia Cristian , Klann Kevin , Schulein-Volk Christina , Baluapuri Apoorva , Polat Buelent , Gerhard-Hartmann Elena , Rosenfeldt Mathias , Muench Christian , Flentje Michael , Diefenbacher Markus Elmar
Published: August 2021

BackgroundDespite advances in treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, carriers of certain genetic alterations are prone to failure. One such factor frequently mutated, is the tumor suppressor PTEN. These tumors are supposed to be more resistant to radiation, chemo- and immunotherapy.ResultsWe demonstrate that loss of PTEN led to altered expression of transcriptional programs which directly regulate therapy resistance, resulting in establishment of radiation resistance. While PTEN-deficient tumor cells were not dependent on DNA‑PK for IR resistance nor activated ATR during IR, they showed a significant dependence for the DNA damage kinase ATM. Pharmacologic inhibition of ATM, via KU-60019 and AZD1390 at non-toxic doses, restored and even synergized with IR in PTEN-deficient human and murine NSCLC cells as well in a multicellular organotypic ex vivo tumor model.ConclusionPTEN tumors are addicted to ATM to detect and repair radiation induced DNA damage. This creates an exploitable bottleneck. At least in cellulo and ex vivo we show that low concentration of ATM inhibitor is able to synergise with IR to treat PTEN-deficient tumors in genetically well-defined IR resistant lung cancer models.
A Novel Swarm Urochordate Algorithm for Defensive Resource Assignment Problems
Authors: Yadav Kusum , Dhiman Gaurav
Published: August 2021

The weapon target assignment (WTA) problem is an important task to tactical arrangements in military commitment operations. It describes the optimal method to allocate defenses in opposition to threats in fighting situations. It is an NP-complete issue in which no accurate outcome for all conceivable situations is known. The time performance of created algorithms is a major challenge in modeling the WTA problem, which has only been lately considered in related papers. This article introduces a new algorithm called Swarm Urochordate Algorithm (SUA) which is inspired nature by tunicates to solve the WTA problem. The suggested method is compared to nine metaheuristic approaches recently established for 30 well-known testing benchmarks. Convergence and computer complexity are also examined. The experimental findings show that the method presented works better than previous competing metaheuristic approaches.
CD36 regulates β cell differentiation and influences type 2 diabetic sepsis
Authors: Liu Huogen , Gu Ling , Shi Yundi , Shu Hailin , Huang Fengming , Wan Xin , Liu Ying , Lei Zuchen
Published: August 2021

Background

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic function of CD36 in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) sepsis complications (T2DSC) and its effect on β-cell differentiation.
Methods

First, Age - and sex-matched T2DM patients, T2DSC patients and healthy people (50 cases each) were included. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure CD36, FOXO1, PDX1, MAFA, insulin, SOX9, Neurog3 and NANOG expression in blood samples. Second, cultured human β-cell line EndoC-βH1 and the interference and overexpression of CD36. Cell clone, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine, oxidative stress and β-cell differentiation related proteins were also analysed. Third, examined the role of CD36 in high glucose, LPS-induced β-cell.
Results

CD36 mRNA, and endocrine progenitor β-cell biomarkers SOX9, Neurog3 and NANOG were significantly increased in T2DM than control group, whereas the β-cell maturation biomarkers FOXO1, PDX1, MAFA and insulin were significantly decreased. Compared with the T2DM group, CD36 and FOXO1 were significantly increased in T2DSC, but PDX1, insulin, MAFA, SOX9, Neurog3 and NANOG were significantly decreased. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that CD36 was useful for distinguishing T2MD and T2DSC from the control group. Furthermore, CD36 overexpression increased β-cell apoptosis and the secretion of IL-1β, IL-8 TNF-α, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species. CD36 induced cell defferentiation. Lastly, CD36 knockdown could inhibit the high glucose and LPS-induced cell apoptosis, inflammatory, oxidative stress and cell defferentiation.
Conclusion

Significant increase in CD36 can be used as a biomarker for T2MD and T2DSC. CD36 promotes T2MD or T2DSC development by inducing β-cell inflammatory and oxidative stress and defferentiation.
True Mycotic Aneurysms: A Report of Three Patients with Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm and Mucormycosis, and Literature Review
Authors: Rostamihosseinkhani Mahtab , Hooshmandi Etrat , Janipour Masoud , Fadakar Nima , Ostovan Vahid Reza , Bazrafshan Hanieh , Bahrami Zahra , Izadi Sadegh , Rahimi-Jaberi Abbas , Poursadeghfard Maryam , Nazeri Masoumeh , Petramfar Peyman , Shafaei Razieh , KianiAra Fatemeh , Basir Marzieh , Estakhr Mehrdad , Ghotbi Zahra , Khademi Behzad , Kohandel-Shirazi Mahsa , Salehi Mohammad Saied , Kouhi Pariya , Safari Anahid , Rudgari Amir , Ashjazadeh Nahid , Khademi Bijan , Ashraf Mohammad Javad , Eilami Owrang , Moghaddami Mohsen , Zomorodian Kamiar , Esperson Carlos Garcia , Spratt Neil , Levi Christopher , Borhani-Haghighi Afshin
Published: August 2021

Background

Aneurysm formation of internal carotid arteries (ICA) in patients with mucormycosis is a scarce phenomenon. However, the prevalence of rhino-cerebral mucormycosis has been reported to increase after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Methods

Three patients with stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage due to ICA aneurysm after the involvement of adjacent paranasal sinuses with mucormycosis were presented. All patients were recruited from Namazi and Khalili hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran from April 2021 to May 2021.
Results

They had a history of diabetes and corticosteroid use. Also, one of them was treated with imatinib. Two out of three patients were infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection before developing mucormycosis. Two patients had diagnostic angiography before endovascular intervention. One patient did not undergo any therapeutic intervention due to total artery occlusion, whereas the other patient experienced a successful parent artery occlusion by coiling, and only this patient survived. Although all patients received antifungal treatment and surgical debridement, two of them died.
Conclusions

In the patients with rhino-cerebral mucormycosis evolving of aneurysm should be promptly and meticulously investigated by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). As this type of aneurysms was very fast-growing, as soon as the involvement of sphenoid sinus was detected, the possibility of ICA aneurysm formation should always be kept in mind. If the patient developed an aneurysm, prompt intensive antifungal therapy and therapeutic endovascular interventions such as stenting, coiling, or sacrificing should be considered as soon as possible to optimize outcomes.
Changes in oral microbiota after the initiation of chemotherapy in patients with hematopoietic tumors
Authors: Omori Michi , Nahoko Kato-kogoe , Sakaguchi Shoichi , Komori Eri , Inoue Kazuya , Yamamoto Kayoko , Ochi Ayako , Hayase Tomoyoshi , Tano Tomoyuki , Nakamura Shota , Nakano Takashi , Une Hidenori , Ueno Takaaki
Published: August 2021

Background
Recently, the gut microbiota has been shown to play an important role in the response and resistance to chemotherapy. Although there is much knowledge about chemotherapy-induced changes in the gut microbiota, chemotherapy-associated changes in the oral microbiota remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the changes in oral microbiota associated with the initiation of chemotherapy in patients with malignant hematopoietic tumors.
Methods
Oral samples were collected before and 8–20 days after the start of chemotherapy from 50 patients with malignant hematopoietic tumors who were starting chemotherapy for the first time. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of bacterial DNA extracted from oral samples was performed to compare the oral microbiota before and after the initiation of chemotherapy.
Results
The richness or evenness of diversity in the ‘after start of chemotherapy’ group decreased significantly, compared with the ‘before start of chemotherapy’ group (alpha-diversity; observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) index, p < 0.001; and Shannon’s index, p < 0.001). The overall salivary microbiota structure between the pre- and post-chemotherapy groups differed significantly (beta-diversity; unweighted UniFrac distances, p = 0.001; and weighted UniFrac distances, p = 0.003). Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis demonstrated an increased abundance of species of certain genera, such as Staphylococcus, and decreased abundance of species of some genera, such as Streptococcus and Neisseria, in the ‘after-chemotherapy’ group, compared with those in the ‘before-chemotherapy’ group. The amounts and trends of change in the oral microbiota before and after the start of chemotherapy differed among the subjects. Of the 25 bacterial genera whose prevalence changed significantly before and after the start of chemotherapy, the proportion of oral commensals such as Streptococcus and Neisseria decreased in many subjects. In contrast, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were detected only in a few subjects, but their relative abundance increased significantly after the start of chemotherapy.
Conclusions
The oral microbiota of patients with hematopoietic tumors changed markedly after the initiation of chemotherapy. Our findings are expected to aid the elucidation of the pathogenesis of oral mucositis, which is an adverse event of chemotherapy, and the development of treatment methods for this condition.
Effects of Working Memory Load on Frontal Connectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: an fNIRS study
Authors: Han Yvonne M.Y. , Chan Ming-Chung , Chan Melody M.Y. , Chan Agnes S , Yeung Michael K
Published: August 2021

BackgroundIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perform poorly in working memory (WM) tasks, with some literature suggesting that their impaired performance is modulated by WM load. While some neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies have reported altered functional connectivity during WM processing in these individuals, it remains largely unclear whether such alterations are moderated by WM load. The present study aimed to examine the effect of WM load on functional connectivity within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in ASD using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).MethodTwenty-two children with high-functioning ASD aged 8–12 years and 24 age-, intelligent quotient (IQ)-, sex- and handedness-matched typically developing (TD) children performed a number n-back task with three WM loads (0-back, 1-back, and 2-back). Hemodynamic changes in the bilateral lateral and medial PFC during task performance were monitored using a multichannel NIRS device.ResultsChildren with ASD demonstrated slower reaction times, specifically during the “low load” condition, than TD children. In addition, the ASD and TD groups exhibited differential load-dependent functional connectivity changes in the lateral and medial PFC of the right but not the left hemisphere.ConclusionThese findings indicate that WM impairment in high-functioning ASD is paralleled by load-dependent alterations in right, but not left, intrahemispheric connectivity during WM processing in children with ASD. A disruption of functional neural connections that support different cognitive processes may underlie poor performance in WM tasks in ASD.
Bokashi leachate as a biopriming on Basella rubra L. seed germination and root development
Authors: Lin Phooi Chooi , Azman Elisa Azura , Ismail Roslan
Published: August 2021

Basella rubra L. is a type of spinach, which is edible with high nutrient composition. It is also known to be an antioxidant. However, initial germination and root growth remain an issue due to hard exterior seed coating. Thus, some may germinate within 10 to 21 days, and some may not work at all. Inhibited growth may lead to vegetative propagation and micropropagation, which fundamentally reduce the growth and yield. Basella seed treated with Bokashi leachate was found to improve seed germination and root growth. A study was conducted using food waste EM Bokashi leachate (0:1, 1:1500, 1:1000, 1:500) with biopriming duration (6 and 12 hours). The experiment was conducted in a completely random design (CRD) with 3 replications of 100 seeds, with 24 experimental units. Based on the results, a short biopriming duration (6 hours) significantly enhanced the mean germination rate, germination speed accumulated, and coefficient of germination velocity. However, germination percentage had no significant improvement by leachate. Long priming duration significantly reduced the root development due to the seed may loss of desiccation tolerance. The concentration of leachate and priming duration had no significant interaction. In order to improve the germination and root growth performance, 6 hours of seeds priming duration or 1:500 (0.2%) of food waste Bokashi leachate was recommended to soak the Basella rubra seeds.
Systemic COVID-19 vaccination also enhances the humoral immune response after SARS CoV-2 infection. An approach to criteria for COVID-19 re-immunization is needed. Do we need a third dose?
Authors: Kosiorek Piotr , Kazberuk Dorota , Hryniewicz Anna , Milewski Robert , Stróż Samuel , Stasiak-Barmuta Anna
Published: August 2021

Systemic vaccination of the BNT162b2 mRNA stimulates humoral response. The aim of our study was to compare the intensity of humoral immune response, measured by SARS CoV-2 IgG, SARS CoV-2 IgM, and neutralization S-RBD IgG antibodies level, post COVID-19 vaccination versus post SARS COV-2 infection. We analysed 1060 people in the following groups: convalescents, healthy vaccinated, vaccinated with COMIRNATY, AstraZeneka, Moderna, Johnson&Johnson and vaccinated SARS CoV-2 convalescents. A concentration of SARS CoV-2 IgG, SARS CoV-2 IgM, and neutralizing S-RBD IgG was estimated in Bialystok Oncology Center laboratory by chemiluminescent immunoassay- CLIA, MAGLUMI. Results: 1. We observed a raise of antibodies response in both, convalescent SARS CoV-2 and COVID-19 vaccinated groups 2. The level of all antibodies’ concentrations in vaccinated COVID-19 convalescents was significantly higher. 3. We differentiated an asymptomatic SARS CoV-2 convalescents from control group. Based on our analysis we suggest that it is important to monitor SARS CoV-2 antibodies concentrations as an indicator of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, and as an equivalent of effectiveness of humoral response in convalescents and vaccinated people. Taking into consideration the time-limited nature of the effects of post infection SARS CoV-2 recovery or vaccination, among others physiological half-life, we suggested monitoring IgG antibodies level as a criterium for next vaccination.
REDEFINING PROSTHODONTICS WITH 3D PRINTING
Authors:   Post Graduate Student, Department of Prosthodontics, Manav Rachna Dental College., Grover Chetna , Dhawan Pankaj ,   Professor and Head of Department of Prosthodontics, Manav Rachna Dental College., Singh Tomar Shivam ,   Reader, Department of Prosthodontics, Manav Rachna Dental College.
Published: August 2021

Dentistry is amidst a digital revolution and patients are the definitive recipients of these innovative technological advancements. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is no more considered the future, but isthe reality for daily clinical practice. The term 3D printing, additionally referred as rapid prototyping, is commonly used to depict an additive manufacturing method which adds numerous layers under computerized control in order to create a three-dimensional object. Using this procedure, 3-Dimensional printed restorations, crowns, bridges, surgical guides and implants can be manufactured rapidly with extreme accuracy and precision. The benefits of this innovative technique exceed its drawbacks. 3D printing has prompted a change in digital dentistry with its broad learning, penetrating opportunities and a wide scope of applications. This article will facilitate an understanding of the digital workflow, methods and current uses of 3D printing in prosthetic dentistry.
EFFECT OF HOT CORROSION AND OXIDATION ON COBALT - BASE SUPERALLOYS COATED BY ALUMINUM WITH PRESENCE OF THERMAL BARRIER ZRO2 AND MIXTURE OF (NACL) AND (NA2SO4) STEAMSALTSAT HIGH TEMPERATURES
Authors:   Department of Physics College of Science University of Mosul., A. Saleh Khudhur , A. Hamood Mahmood ,   Department of Physics College of Science University of Mosul., Y. Jahmeel Nawfal ,   Department of Physics College of Science University of Mosul.
Published: August 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate the Mechanisms properties of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) to enhance of performance evaluation characteristics and develop TBCs.Cobalt Ã¢Â€Â“base superalloy has been used as a substrate and zirconium stabilized Aluminum as ceramic topcoat , in addition the study include degradation behavior of system during thermal cycling (3hr per cycle in furnace) the failure of the aluminized was due to thermally grown oxide (TGO) interface. The fractures propagatethrough the interface and produce a deformation of the bond coating . the effect of cycle will result a spallation failure of the TBCsand this is also corresponding to a slightdegradation .The steam of salt (Nacl)and(Na2So4) mixture will affecton the coating lifetimes .The high temperature have a strong effect thermally grown oxide (TGO) which consistent with a first order growth of scale failer variation.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERVICE QUALITY, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY IN SELECTED RESTAURANTS IN DAVAO CITY
Authors: Y. Chan Jenner , A. Castro Jovelyn
Published: August 2021

To sustain a business, one must assess the service quality that it provides to the customers and investigate its impact on both customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.To examine the relationship among these variables, a descriptive correlational design was used.There are 400 respondents who participated in this study.The results showed that the level of service quality experienced by customers is high the level of customer satisfaction experienced by the customers is high the level of customer loyalty manifested is also high. Furthermore, the relationship between service quality and customer loyalty is significant. The relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction is significant and the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty is also significant. The study also found out that customer satisfaction acting as a mediator on the relationship between service quality and customer loyalty in selected restaurants in Davao City is significant and resulted in a partial mediation.