bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expansion of chronic lesions is linked to disease progression in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Klistorner Samuel , Barnett Michael H , Yiannikas Con , Barton Joshua , Parratt John , You Yuyi , Graham Stuart L , Klistorner Alexander
Published: November 2020

Background:

Slow-burning inflammation is putatively associated with lesion expansion and leads to progressive loss of axons and disability worsening.

Objective:

To investigate the incidence and extent of chronic white matter lesion expansion in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and to evaluate its relationship with biomarkers of disease progression.

Methods:

Pre- and post-gadolinium T1, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion tensor images were acquired from 33 patients. Lesional activity were analysed between baseline and 48 months using custom-designed software.

Results:

A total of 569 lesions were identified as chronic at baseline, of which 261 were expanding, 236 were stable and 72 were shrinking. In addition, 139 new lesions (both confluent and free-standing) were observed. Chronic lesion expansion was associated with patient’s age and accounted for the bulk (67.3%) of total brain lesion volume increase, while only 32.7% was attributable to new lesion formation. Change in chronic lesion volume correlated with the rate of brain atrophy ( r = −0.57, p = 0.001), change of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS; r = 0.38, p = 0.03) and an increase of isotropic diffusivity inside the lesions ( r = 0.75, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Expansion of chronic lesions in RRMS patients is the primary determinant of increased T2 total lesion load. It significantly contributes to disease progression and partially driving axonal loss inside the lesions and brain damage outside of lesional tissue.
Resveratrol alleviates alveolar epithelial cell injury induced by hyperoxia by reducing apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Zhu Xiaodan , Wang Fan , Lei Xiaoping , Dong Wenbin
Published: November 2020

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a severe and long-term pulmonary disease in premature infants. Hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury plays a critical role in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin and a natural agonist of Sirtuin 1. Many studies have shown that resveratrol has a protective effect on hyperoxia-induced lung damage, but its specific protective mechanism is still not clear. Further exploration of the possible protective mechanism of resveratrol was the main goal of this study. In this study, human alveolar epithelial cells were used to establish a hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury cell model, and resveratrol (Res or R), the Sirtuin 1 activator SRT1720 (S) and the Sirtuin 1 inhibitor EX-527 (E) were administered to alveolar epithelial cells, which were then exposed to hyperoxia to investigate the role of Res in mitochondrial function and apoptosis. We divided human alveolar epithelial cells into the following groups: (1) the control group, (2) hyperoxia group, (3) hyperoxia+Res20 group, (4) hyperoxia+Res20+E5 group, (5) hyperoxia+Res20+E10 group, (6) hyperoxia+S2 group, (7) hyperoxia+S2+E5 group, and (8) hyperoxia+S2+E10 group. Hyperoxia-induced cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction were alleviated by Res and SRT1720. Res and SRT1720 upregulated Sirtuin 1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM but decreased the expression of acetyl-p53 in human alveolar epithelial cells that were exposed to hyperoxia. These findings revealed that Res may alleviated hyperoxia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells through the SIRT1/PGC-1a signaling pathway. Thus, Sirtuin 1 upregulation plays an important role in lung protection.
Orthodontic force induces nerve injury-like transcriptomic changes driven by TRPV1-expressing afferents in mouse trigeminal ganglia
Authors: Wang Sheng , Chung Man-Kyo
Published: November 2020

Orthodontic force produces mechanical irritation and localized inflammation in the periodontium, which causes pain in most patients. Nocifensive behaviors resulting from orthodontic force in mice can be substantially attenuated by intraganglionic injection of resiniferatoxin (RTX), a neurotoxin that specifically ablates a subset of neurons expressing transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). In the current study, we determined changes in the transcriptomic profiles in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) following the application of orthodontic force, and assessed the roles of TRPV1-expressing afferents in these transcriptomic changes. RTX or vehicle was injected into the TG of mice a week before the placement of an orthodontic spring exerting 10 g of force. After 2 days, the TG were collected for RNA sequencing. The application of orthodontic force resulted in 1279 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the TG. Gene ontology analysis showed downregulation of gliogenesis and ion channel activities, especially of voltage-gated potassium channels. DEGs produced by orthodontic force correlated more strongly with DEGs resulting from nerve injury than from inflammation. Orthodontic force resulted in the differential expression of multiple genes involved in pain regulation, including upregulation of Atf3, Adcyap1, Bdnf, and Csf1, and downregulation of Scn10a, Kcna2, Kcnj10, and P2ry1. Orthodontic force-induced DEGs correlated with DEGs specific to multiple neuronal and non-neuronal subtypes following nerve injury. These transcriptomic changes were abolished in the mice that received the RTX injection. These results suggest that orthodontic force produces transcriptomic changes resembling nerve injury in the TG and that nociceptive inputs through TRPV1-expressing afferents leads to subsequent changes in gene expression not only in TRPV1-positive neurons, but also in TRPV1-negative neurons and non-neuronal cells throughout the ganglia. Orthodontic force-induced transcriptomic changes might be an active regenerative program of trigeminal ganglia in response to axonal injury following orthodontic force.
Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Platycodon grandiflorum extract and its antipathogenic activity under optimal conditions
Authors: Anbu Periasamy , Gopinath Subash CB , Jayanthi S
Published: November 2020

Gold nanoparticles have many applications in the biomedical field, mainly for drug delivery, cancer therapy, and detection of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, gold nanoparticles synthesized using Platycodon grandiflorum (Balloon flower plant) extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial potential. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized at 20–50°C using different volumes of the leaf extract. Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible spectral absorption at 545 nm by surface plasmon resonance. The morphology and size of the P. grandiflorum gold nanoparticles were further characterized as spherical in shape with an average size of 15 nm in diameter by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis clearly displayed the presence of gold particles. The structural analysis results with face central cubic crystalline nature and elemental composition, including gold, were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. In addition, Fourier transform infrared results identified the functional group in P. grandiflorum that is involved in the reduction of metal ions to gold nanoparticles. The synthesized P. grandiflorum gold nanoparticles exhibited efficient antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (16 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (11 mm). This report confirms the synthesis of gold nanoparticle from balloon flower plant extracts, which can be used as a reducing and stabilizing agent and demonstrates its antibacterial applications.
Disparities of perceived wellness by smoking and professional status among young individuals in Brasov, Brasov County, Romania
Authors: Fan Hao , Gao Xiang , Wang Haiping , Idomir Mihaela , Rogozea Liliana , Cazan Ana-Maria , Bidulescu Aurelian , Badea Mihaela
Published: November 2020

Objective:

We aimed to evaluate the association of risk factors such as smoking and professional status (students vs employed) as determinants of disparities in perceived wellness among Romanian individuals.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study in which 145 participants were enrolled from December 2017 to February 2018, in Brasov, Brasov County, Transylvania, Romania. We used a simplified Perceived Wellness Survey model to measure the holistic individual perceived wellness status by professional and smoking status. Basic descriptive and multivariate analyses of variance were used to assess and contrast participants’ characteristics and wellness score distributions. A factor analysis was used to estimate Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin values and calculate standardized Cronbach’s coefficients.

Results:

The average age of our participants was 27.7 years. Compared with students, more employed participants tended to smoke electronic cigarettes ( p < 0.0001). The association between professional status and perceived wellness was non-significant. Employed participants were nevertheless more likely to regard themselves as more proactive in dealing with emotional ( p < 0.0001), environmental ( p = 0.0042), and spiritual issues ( p = 0.0039). Perceived physical wellness was statistically different by smoking status ( p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Among our study participants, there is an association between smoking and perceived wellness. For emotional, environmental, and spiritual domains, employed participants are more likely to regard themselves as more confident. Our study demonstrates the direct application of the Perceived Wellness Survey model in predicting the disparities of perceived wellness among young individuals. It allows health agencies to target disparity interventions among populations with high risk of low perceived wellness.
Individuals’ Experiences with Religious Hostility, Discrimination, and Violence: Findings from a New National Survey
Authors: Scheitle Christopher P. , Howard Ecklund Elaine
Published: November 2020

While concerns about the consequences of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of religious bias have grown in the past several years, the data available to examine these issues have been limited. This study utilizes new data from a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults featuring oversamples of key religious minority groups and an instrument dedicated to measuring the extent to which individuals experience hostility, discrimination, and violence due to their religion. Findings show that, while a sizable minority of Christian adults report such experiences, a much greater share of Muslim and Jewish adults report experiences with interpersonal hostility, organizational discrimination, and violent victimization due to their religion. Analyses show that these patterns are largely unchanged after accounting for individuals’ race and ethnicity, national origin, and other characteristics, suggesting that experiences with religious hostility are not epiphenomenal to other social locations.
Retinal Detachment and Laser Retinopexy Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Janetos Timothy M. , Hall Andrew N. , Gill Manjot K.
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

At the start of March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic placed an unprecedented burden on the healthcare system. Throughout much of the United States, shelter-in-place orders were imposed to reduce transmission. A consequence of this crisis, risk mitigation orders, and patient fear of exposure may have led to underutilization of emergency services. We aimed to quantify 2 emergent interventions in ophthalmology, specifically acute laser retinopexy procedures and retinal detachment repair, to determine whether these procedures decreased during the start of the pandemic.

Methods:

All retinal detachment surgeries and laser retinopexy procedures were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Rate data during the study period (March 1 through May 31, 2020) was compared to historical data from the year prior (March 2019 through May 2019; epoch 1) as well as the immediate 3 months prior to the study period (December 2019 through February 2020; epoch 2).

Results:

Combined procedures fell by 38.5% ( P = .01) and 36.0% ( P = .02) when compared to epoch 1 and epoch 2, respectively. The rate of laser retinopexy procedures fell by 45.5% ( P = .02) and 33.0% ( P = .14) when compared to epoch 1 and epoch 2, respectively. The rate of retinal detachment repair fell by 29.4% ( P = .24) and 38.0% ( P = .07) when compared to epoch 1 and epoch 2, respectively.

Conclusions:

Procedures fell during the study period, suggesting underutilization of emergent ophthalmology care. It is necessary for ophthalmologists to emphasize the need to seek care for concerning symptoms.
Epigenetics and pulmonary diseases in the horizon of precision medicine: a review
Authors: Benincasa Giuditta , DeMeo Dawn L. , Glass Kimberly , Silverman Edwin K. , Napoli Claudio
Published: November 2020

Epigenetic mechanisms represent potential molecular routes which could bridge the gap between genetic background and environmental risk factors contributing to the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases. In patients with COPD, asthma and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), there is emerging evidence of aberrant epigenetic marks, mainly including DNA methylation and histone modifications which directly mediate reversible modifications to the DNA without affecting the genomic sequence. Post-translational events and microRNAs can be also regulated epigenetically and potentially participate in disease pathogenesis. Thus, novel pathogenic mechanisms and putative biomarkers may be detectable in peripheral blood, sputum, nasal and buccal swabs or lung tissue. Besides, DNA methylation plays an important role during the early phases of fetal development and may be impacted by environmental exposures, ultimately influencing an individual's susceptibility to COPD, asthma and PAH later in life. With the advances in omics platforms and the application of computational biology tools, modelling the epigenetic variability in a network framework, rather than as single molecular defects, provides insights into the possible molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis of COPD, asthma and PAH. Epigenetic modifications may have clinical applications as noninvasive biomarkers of pulmonary diseases. Moreover, combining molecular assays with network analysis of epigenomic data may aid in clarifying the multistage transition from a “pre-disease” to “disease” state, with the goal of improving primary prevention of lung diseases and its subsequent clinical management.

We describe epigenetic mechanisms known to be associated with pulmonary diseases and discuss how network analysis could improve our understanding of lung diseases.
Amalgam restoration or just a deposit? A riveting incidental finding- a case report
Authors: Sharma Anka , Kasat Vikrant O. , Parate Amit R. , Upmanyu Anirudh , Pagare Jaishri S.
Published: November 2020

Background

Parafunctional oral habits are known to cause deleterious effects on maxillofacial structures. One such effect is traumatic injuries secondary to chewing inanimate objects like pencils. Following trauma, the lead of the pencil has been reported to embed in the soft tissue of the oral cavity, appearing as a grayish pigmentation (graphite tattoo). However, such pigmentation has never been reported in the hard tissue (teeth).

Case presentation

We hereby report an interesting, first of its kind case in a four-year-old female child. She had been misdiagnosed and referred for the management of a carious tooth; which was, in reality, an exogenous deposit.

Conclusions

The authors highlight the impact of comprehensive history taking on arriving at the diagnosis. Counselling of the child and the parents goes a long way in flouting such deleterious habits.
Correction to: Assessment of burnout in veterinary medical students using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educational Survey: a survey during two semesters
Authors: Chigerwe Munashe , Boudreaux Karen A. , Ilkiw Jan E.
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Mix-design and Properties of Mortars from Alkali-activated Fly Ashes Containing High Amounts of Unburned Carbon Matter
Authors: Manzi Stefania , Saccani Andrea , Baldazzi Luca , Lancellotti Isabella
Published: November 2020

Alkali-activated materials are a promising type of binder candidate as a substitute to Portland cement. Fly ashes can be used as binder precursors giving higher environmental benefits. In the present research, fly ashes (Type F) containing different amounts of unburned carbonaceous matter have been used to formulate mortars. Serious problems concerning the workability in the fresh state have been found when high carbon content are reached. An attempt to avoid the preliminary treatments used to eliminate the unburned matter is carried out by exploiting different mix-design receipts obtained by changing the water/binder ratio, the ratio of the alkaline activators and using different types of superplasticizer additives. Data so far collected underline that a high amount of unburned carbonaceous matter can not only compromise the mechanical properties of the materials, but also the rheological ones and underline the necessity to develop ad hoc additives for this type of binders.
Sufentanil sublingual tablet system versus oral oxycodone for management of postoperative pain in enhanced recovery after surgery pathway for total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Noel Emmanuel , Miglionico Luca , Leclercq Mickael , Jennart Harold , Fils Jean-François , Van Rompaey Nicolas
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Effectiveness of sufentanil sublingual tablet system (SSTS) compared to oral oxycodone in the management of postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol.

Methods

This pragmatic, parallel, open label, randomized controlled, trial enrolled 72 adult patients scheduled for TKA under spinal anesthesia following ERAS pathway. In addition to multimodal analgesia, patients received SSTS 15 mcg (SSTS group) or oral oxycodone extended release 10 mg twice daily and oral oxycodone immediate-release 5 mg up to four times daily on demand (Oxy group) to control pain during 48 h postoperatively. The primary endpoint was pain measured using a numeric rating scale at 24 h postoperatively. Time to first mobilization, side effects and patient satisfaction were also recorded.

Results

Median pain score at 24 h at rest was 3 [2–4] for Oxy group vs 2 [1.75–3] for SSTS group (p = 0.272) whereas median pain score on movement was 4 [3–6] vs 3 [2–5] respectively (p = 0.059). No difference in time to first mobilization was found between the two groups. The method of pain control was judged good/excellent for 83.9% of patients in the SSTS group compared with 52.9% in the Oxy group (p = 0.007). The incidence of nausea was 33% in SSTS group and 9% in Oxy group (p = 0.181).

Conclusions

In complement to ERAS multimodal analgesia, sublingual sufentanil 15 mcg tablet system did not show clinically significant pain improvement compared to oral oxycodone after total knee arthroplasty.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials: NCT04448457; retrospectively registered on June 24, 2020. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04448457?cond=sublingual+sufentanil&cntry=BE&draw=2&rank=3
Prescribed psychiatric interventions for children presented to a university psychiatric clinic in Egypt: a descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Ghaly Ahmed Sami , Tobar Salwa Mohamed Salah , El-Hadidy Mohamed Adel , Elwasify Mahmoud
Published: November 2020

Background

The number of children diagnosed with psychiatric disorders has significantly increased over the past two decades. This study examined the pattern of psychiatric interventions prescribed for a sample of children with mental health problems in Egypt. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the pattern of psychotropic drug prescribing and intervention (medication, doses, duration, side effects, and improvement) in children aged 2-12 years old in primary and secondary health settings, presented to Mansoura University Hospitals in Egypt over 1 year. The identified patterns were compared with the Maudsley guidelines to detect any significant deviations.

Results

Among the 272 cases presented to the clinic, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behavior disorders were the most prevalent diagnoses (85.3%) followed by intellectual disability (7.8%) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD; 5.1%). Antipsychotic drugs and ADHD medications (atomoxetine and methylphenidate) represented the most commonly prescribed medications (56.6% and 44.5% respectively), whereas behavioral therapy was among the least chosen (8.5%) treatment options. About 1/3 of the sample received multiple psychotropic medications. The prescribed intervention strategies did not match the Maudsley’s guidelines in 76% of the cases with the absence of psychotherapeutic interventions being the most frequently observed factor (95.7%). Although still inadequate, psychiatrists’ intervention strategies were more likely to follow the Maudsley’s guidelines (38.3%), whereas pediatricians and neurologists were almost oblivious to them.

Conclusions

Current pattern of psychiatric interventions prescribed for a sample of children with mental health problems in Egypt are not in accordance with standard guidelines, such as “Maudsley’s,” rendering it imperative to provide relevant educational programs for health care providers.
Physical activity promotion in the age of climate change
Authors: Abu-Omar Karim , Gelius Peter , Messing Sven
Published: November 2020

The importance of the global climate crisis requires linking physical activity promotion and climate action. This article provides a first overview of interconnections between physical activity promotion and climate action, potential synergies and discrepancies, aiming to stimulate further discussion about this topic. The analysis is based on the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 (GAPPA). The GAPPA covers five perspectives that are of particular relevance with respect to potential links with climate policy: (1) Infrastructures supporting active transport, (2) green spaces and recreational/exercise facilities, (3) exercise programs, (4) mass communication campaigns and mass participation events and (5) training of professionals. Our analysis demonstrates a considerable alignment between strategies for physical activity promotion and efforts for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, in some of the areas, this alignment could still be improved. Additionally, more climate-conscious policies, research and surveillance need to be developed in the field of physical activity promotion.
No evidence for Ago2 translocation from the host erythrocyte into the Plasmodium parasite
Authors: Hentzschel Franziska , Obrova Klara , Marti Matthias
Published: November 2020

Background:Plasmodiumparasites rely on various host factors to grow and replicate within red blood cells (RBC). While many host proteins are known that mediate parasite adhesion and invasion, few examples of host enzymes co-opted by the parasite during intracellular development have been described. Recent studies suggested that the host protein Argonaute 2 (Ago2), which is involved in RNA interference, can translocate into the parasite and affect its development. Here, we investigated this hypothesis.

Methods: We used several different monoclonal antibodies to test for Ago2 localisation in the human malaria parasite,P. falciparumand rodentP. bergheiparasites. In addition, we biochemically fractionated infected red blood cells to localize Ago2. We also quantified parasite growth and sexual commitment in the presence of the Ago2 inhibitor BCI-137.

Results: Ago2 localization by fluorescence microscopy produced inconclusive results across the three different antibodies, suggesting cross-reactivity with parasite targets. Biochemical separation of parasite and RBC cytoplasm detected Ago2 only in the RBC cytoplasm and not in the parasite. Inhibition of Ago2 using BCl-137 did not result in altered parasite development.

Conclusion: Ago2 localization in infected RBCs by microscopy is confounded by non-specific binding of antibodies. Complementary results using biochemical fractionation and Ago2 detection by western blot did not detect the protein in the parasite cytosol, and growth assays using a specific inhibitor demonstrated that its catalytical activity is not required for parasite development. We therefore conclude that previous data localising Ago2 to parasite ring stages are due to antibody cross reactivity, and that Ago2 is not required for intracellularPlasmodiumdevelopment.
Tracking Excess Deaths (TRACKED) – an interactive online tool to monitor excess deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
Authors: Poon Michael T. C. , Brennan Paul M. , Jin Kai , Figueroa Jonine D. , Sudlow Cathie L. M.
Published: November 2020

Background: We aimed to describe trends of excess mortality in the United Kingdom (UK) stratified by nation and cause of death, and to develop an online tool for reporting the most up to date data on excess mortality

Methods: Population statistics agencies in the UK including the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Records of Scotland (NRS), and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) publish weekly mortality data. We used mortality data up to 22nd May in the ONS and the NISRA and 24th May in the NRS. The main outcome measures were crude mortality for non-COVID deaths (where there is no mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate) calculated, and excess mortality defined as difference between observed mortality and expected average of mortality from previous 5 years.

Results: There were 56,961 excess deaths, of which 8,986 were non-COVID excess deaths. England had the highest number of excess deaths per 100,000 population (85) and Northern Ireland the lowest (34). Non-COVID mortality increased from 23rd March and returned to the 5-year average on 10th May. In Scotland, where underlying cause mortality data besides COVID-related deaths was available, the percentage excess over the 8-week period when COVID-related mortality peaked was: dementia 49%, other causes 21%, circulatory diseases 10%, and cancer 5%. We developed an online tool (TRACKing Excess Deaths - TRACKED) to allow dynamic exploration and visualisation of the latest mortality trends.

Conclusions: Continuous monitoring of excess mortality trends and further integration of age- and gender-stratified and underlying cause of death data beyond COVID-19 will allow dynamic assessment of the impacts of indirect and direct mortality of the COVID-19 pandemic.
APLIKASI TEKNOLOGI PLTMH TURBIN PROPELLER OPEN FLUME SEBAGAI PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK DESA
Authors: Suryadi Aris , Faisal Mochamad , Munthe Berayan , Eriyadi Mindit , Burhan Junaidy
Published: November 2020

Berecek Village, located in Sukatani District, Purwakarta Regency, West Java Province, has a river that has not been used optimally. This community service aims to utilize the available water energy so that it can produce Micro Hydro power plants. The manufacture of a micro-hydro power plant starts from measuring water potential, designing turbines and generators, then observing the work system and estimating the electrical power that will be generated. From the survey results, it is known that the water discharge is 0.0059 m3 / s and has a fall height of 4 m. This data is used to select the type of turbine, reservoir selection, quick pipe, and generator design. The results of the manufacture of micro power plants obtained by designing using an open flume propeller turbine with a turbine rotation speed of 2063 rpm, this PLTMH is able to produce turbine power of 1346 watts with a water discharge of 45 liters / second so that the power obtained is 1076 watts.
Stem borer insects on Hopea odorata in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: HANEDA NOOR FARIKHAH , Furqon Mulia , Suheri Muhammad
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Haneda NF, Furqan M, Suheri M. 2020. Stem borer insects on Hopea odorata in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5308-5316. Hopea odorata Roxb. locally known as “merawan”, is a dipterocarp species that has the potentials to be developed for plantation forestry. Nonetheless, anecdotal evidence in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, suggested that the trees suffered serious attacks caused by stem borer insects, causing defoliation of the crown and leading to stunted growth and death. This phenomenon suggests a more systematic investigation. The objectives of this research were: (i) to identify the species of stem borer which attacked H. odorata; (ii) to investigate the types and forms of the damage of H. odorata tree due to stem borer attack; and (iii) to study the effects of stem borer attack on the tree and wood of H. odorata. The results showed that all species of stem borer insects belong to Coleoptera, namely as Xyleborus perforans (Scolytidae), Xyleborinus perexiguus (Scolytidae), Platypus parallelus (Platypodidae), Belionota prasina (Buprestidae), Curculionid beetle, and Tenebrionid beetle. The number of boring holes on a single tree was 1932 holes, of which 98.6% caused by ambrosia beetles: Xyleborus perforans (1426 holes, 73.8%), Xyleborinus perexiguus (457 holes, 23.7%), and Platypus parallelus (21 holes, 1.1%). The length of boring tunnel at cross-section ranged between 2-35 cm and at longitudinal section ranged between 4-6 cm. The number of boring holes decreased along with the increasing height of tree stem. The patterns of boring tunnel at stem cross-section were branching (X. perforans, P. parallelus); encircled (X. perforans), black stains along their wall (X. perexiguus, X. perforans, P. parallelus).
Reconceptualisation Movement in Argentina: theoretical, political and cultural influences
Authors: Moljo Carina Berta , da Silva José Fernando Siqueira , Zampani Roberto Orlando , Pagaza Margarita Rozas
Published: November 2020

This article addresses Argentine social work from the 1960s to the 1980s. In this analysis, it prioritises the Reconceptualisation process in Argentina and its dilemmas in the Latin American Reconceptualisation Movement as a whole, debating it in the context of capitalist-monopoly globalisation and its expressions in Latin America.
Design and implementation of a high-performance panoramic annular lens
Authors: Zhou Qing , Tian Yuhan , Wang Junhua , Xu Min
Published: November 2020

In this work, a high-performance panoramic annular lens system designed with a point-by-point method and variable parameter optimization strategies is proposed. Due to the optimization and design, the system maintains a balance among characteristic parameters and can achieve a

360

∘

×
(

40

∘

−

95

∘

)

field of view with a 4.34 mm focal length, an

f

-number of 4.5, and an

F

−

θ

distortion of less than 0.5%. Experimental results verify the parameters and demonstrate that the distortion is less than 0.8%, except in some areas with mechanical damage on the ogive surface.
Correction of circumferential and longitudinal motion distortion in high-speed catheter/endoscope-based optical coherence tomography
Authors: Nguyen Tan Huu , Ahsen Osman Oguz , Liang Kaicheng , Zhang Jason , Mashimo Hiroshi , Fujimoto James G.
Published: November 2020

Catheter/endoscope-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful modality that visualizes structural information in luminal organs. Increases in OCT speed have reduced motion artifacts by enabling acquisition faster than or comparable to the time scales of physiological motion. However motion distortion remains a challenge because catheter/endoscope OCT imaging involves both circumferential and longitudinal scanning of tissue. This paper presents a novel image processing method to estimate and correct motion distortion in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions using a single en face image from a volumetric data set. The circumferential motion distortion is estimated and corrected using the en face image. Then longitudinal motion distortion is estimated and corrected using diversity of image features along the catheter pullback direction. Finally, the OCT volume is resampled and motion corrected. Results are presented on synthetic images and clinical OCT images of the human esophagus.
Eye motion correction algorithm for OCT-based corneal topography
Authors: Pavlatos Elias , Huang David , Li Yan
Published: November 2020

With its sequential image acquisition, OCT-based corneal topography is often susceptible to measurement errors due to eye motion. We have developed a novel algorithm to detect eye motion and minimize its impact on OCT topography maps. We applied the eye motion correction algorithm to corneal topographic scans acquired using a 70 kHz spectral-domain OCT device. OCT corneal topographic measurements were compared to those from a rotating Scheimpflug camera topographer. The motion correction algorithm provided a 2-4 fold improvement in the repeatability of OCT topography and its agreement with the standard Scheimpflug topographer. The repeatability of OCT Zernike-based corneal mean power, cardinal astigmatism, and oblique astigmatism after motion detection was 0.14 D, 0.28 D, and 0.24 D, respectively. The average differences between the two devices were 0.19 D for simulated keratometry-based corneal mean power, 0.23 D for cardinal astigmatism, and 0.25 D for oblique astigmatism. Our eye motion detection method can be applied to any OCT device, and it therefore represents a powerful tool for improving OCT topography.
Wafer-scale silver nanoislands with ∼5 nm interstitial gaps for surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Li Hefu , Zhao Nan , Wang Yangzhi , Zou Ruibin , Yang Zhenshan , Zhu Changqing , Wang Minghong , Yu Huishan
Published: November 2020

Nanogap-rich silver nanoislands with fascinating optical properties are desirable substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Here, we propose a simple and high-throughput approach through the laser molecular beam epitaxy (LMBE) technique for preparing silver nanoislands containing large numbers of intra-nanogaps on a silicon wafer (6×6 cm2). By optimizing the deposition time, the enlarged silver nanoislands with ∼5 nm interstitial gaps of abundance and homogeneity were formed. Remarkably, the optimized SERS substrate with high-density hotspots demonstrated a high analytical enhancement factor (AEF) as large as 1.17×105, excellent reproducibility with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 7.76% over the entire substrate, and good stability after storage for 21 days. The electromagnetic field distribution of the optimized SERS substrate was simulated using the software COMSOL Multiphysics based on the actual SEM image of the fabricated sample, and the calculated enhancement factor (EF) is as high as 109. Furthermore, it can enable sensitive and quantitative detection of malachite green at concentrations as low as 10−8 M. This simple fabrication of silver nanoislands with homogeneous ∼5 nm interstitial gaps provides a practical solution for wafer-scale, sensitive, and reproducible SERS substrates.
EventEpi—A natural language processing framework for event-based surveillance
Authors: Abbood Auss , Ullrich Alexander , Busche Rüdiger , Ghozzi Stéphane
Published: November 2020

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 60% of all outbreaks are detected using informal sources. In many public health institutes, including the WHO and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), dedicated groups of public health agents sift through numerous articles and newsletters to detect relevant events. This media screening is one important part of event-based surveillance (EBS). Reading the articles, discussing their relevance, and putting key information into a database is a time-consuming process. To support EBS, but also to gain insights into what makes an article and the event it describes relevant, we developed a natural language processing framework for automated information extraction and relevance scoring. First, we scraped relevant sources for EBS as done at the RKI (WHO Disease Outbreak News and ProMED) and automatically extracted the articles’ key data:disease,country,date, andconfirmed-case count. For this, we performed named entity recognition in two steps: EpiTator, an open-source epidemiological annotation tool, suggested many different possibilities for each. We extracted the key country and disease using a heuristic with good results. We trained a naive Bayes classifier to find the key date and confirmed-case count, using the RKI’s EBS database as labels which performed modestly. Then, for relevance scoring, we defined two classes to which any article might belong: The article isrelevantif it is in the EBS database andirrelevantotherwise. We compared the performance of different classifiers, using bag-of-words, document and word embeddings. The best classifier, a logistic regression, achieved a sensitivity of 0.82 and an index balanced accuracy of 0.61. Finally, we integrated these functionalities into a web application calledEventEpiwhere relevant sources are automatically analyzed and put into a database. The user can also provide any URL or text, that will be analyzed in the same way and added to the database. Each of these steps could be improved, in particular with larger labeled datasets and fine-tuning of the learning algorithms. The overall framework, however, works already well and can be used in production, promising improvements in EBS. The source code and data are publicly available under open licenses.
Increasing the willingness to participate in organ donation through humorous health communication: (Quasi-) experimental evidence
Authors: Betsch Cornelia , Schmid-Küpke Nora K. , Otten Leonie , von Hirschhausen Eckart
Published: November 2020

Increasing people’s willingness to donate organs after their death requires effective communication strategies. In two preregistered studies, we assessed whether humorous entertainment education formats on organ donation elicit positive effects on knowledge, fears, attitudes, and behavioral intentions–both immediately after the treatment and four weeks later. We test whether perceived funniness mediates expected effects on attitudes and intentions. Study 1 is a quasi-experiment which uses a live medical comedy show (N = 3,964) as an entertainment education format, which either contained or did not contain information about organ donation. Study 2, a lab experiment, tests humor’s causal effect in a pre-post design with a control group (N = 144) in which the same content was provided in either a humorous or non-humorous way in an audio podcast. Results showed that humorous interventions per se were not more effective than neutral information, but that informing people about organ donation in general increased donation intentions, attitudes, and knowledge. However, humorous interventions were especially effective in reducing fears related to organ donation. The findings are discussed regarding the opportunities for sensitive health communication through entertainment education formats, psychological processes that humor triggers, and humor’s role in health communication formats.
Accuracy of intraocular lens calculation formulas in cataract patients with steep corneal curvature
Authors: Zhang Chenguang , Dai Guangzheng , Pazo Emmanuel Eric , Xu Ling , Wu Xianwei , Zhang Hongda , Lin Tiezhu , He Wei
Published: November 2020

Objective

To compare the accuracy of five kinds of intraocular lens calculation formulas (SRK/T, Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay and Barrett Universal Ⅱ) in cataract patients with steep curvature cornea ≥ 46.0 diopters.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of cataract phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation in patients with steep curvature cornea (corneal curvature ≥ 46D). The refractive prediction errors of IOL power calculation formulas (SRK/T, Haigis, Holladay, Hoffer Q, and Barrett Universal II) using User Group for Laser Interference Biometry (ULIB) constants were evaluated and compared. Objective refraction results were assessed at one month postoperatively. According to axial length (AL), all patients were divided into three groups: short AL group (<22mm), normal AL group (>22 to ≤24.5mm) and long AL group (>24.5mm). Calculate the refractive error and absolute refractive error (AE) between the actual postoperative refractive power and the predicted postoperative refractive power. The covariance analysis was used for the comparison of five formulas in each group. The correlation between the absolute refractive error and AL from every formula were analyzed by Pearson correlation test, respectively.

Result

Total 112 eyes of 83 cataract patients with steep curvature cornea were collected. The anterior chamber depth (ACD) was a covariate in the short AL group in the covariance analysis of absolute refractive error (P<0.001). The SRK/T and Holladay formula had the lowest mean absolute error (MAE) (0.47D), there were statistically significant differences in MAE between the five formulas for short AL group (P = 0.024). The anterior chamber depth had no significant correlation in the five calculation formulas in the normal AL group and long AL group (P = 0.521, P = 0.609 respectively). In the normal AL group, there was no significant difference in MAE between the five calculation formulas (P = 0.609). In the long AL group, Barrett Universal II formula had the lowest MAE (0.35), and there were statistically significant differences in MAE between the five formulas (P = 0.012). Over the entire AL range, the Barrett Universal II formula had the lowest MAE and the highest percentage of eyes within ± 0.50 D, ± 1.00 D, and ± 1.50 D (69.6%, 93.8%, and 98.2% respectively).

Conclusion

Compared to SRK/T, Haigis, Hoffer Q, and Holladay, Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula is more accurate in predicting the IOL power in the cataract patients with steep curvature cornea ≥ 46.0 diopters.
Performance of serum apolipoprotein-A1 as a sentinel of Covid-19
Authors: Poynard Thierry , Deckmyn Olivier , Rudler Marika , Peta Valentina , Ngo Yen , Vautier Mathieu , Akhavan Sepideh , Calvez Vincent , Franc Clemence , Castille Jean Marie , Drane Fabienne , Sakka Mehdi , Bonnefont-Rousselot Dominique , Lacorte Jean Marc , Saadoun David , Allenbach Yves , Benveniste Olivier , Gandjbakhch Frederique , Mayaux Julien , Lucidarme Olivier , Fautrel Bruno , Ratziu Vlad , Housset Chantal , Thabut Dominique , Cacoub Patrice
Published: November 2020

Background

Since 1920, a decrease in serum cholesterol has been identified as a marker of severe pneumonia. We have assessed the performance of serum apolipoprotein-A1, the main transporter of HDL-cholesterol, to identify the early spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the general population and its diagnostic performance for the Covid-19.

Methods

We compared the daily mean serum apolipoprotein-A1 during the first 34 weeks of 2020 in a population that is routinely followed for a risk of liver fibrosis risk in the USA (212,297 serum) and in France (20,652 serum) in relation to a local increase in confirmed cases, and in comparison to the same period in 2019 (266,976 and 28,452 serum, respectively). We prospectively assessed the sensitivity of this marker in an observational study of 136 consecutive hospitalized cases and retrospectively evaluated its specificity in 7,481 controls representing the general population.

Results

The mean serum apolipoprotein-A1 levels in the survey populations began decreasing in January 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. This decrease was highly correlated with the daily increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases in the following 34 weeks, both in France and USA, including the June and mid-July recovery periods in France. Apolipoprotein-A1 at the 1.25 g/L cutoff had a sensitivity of 90.6% (95%CI84.2–95.1) and a specificity of 96.1% (95.7–96.6%) for the diagnosis of Covid-19. The area under the characteristics curve was 0.978 (0.957–0.988), and outperformed haptoglobin and liver function tests. The adjusted risk ratio of apolipoprotein-A1 for survival without transfer to intensive care unit was 5.61 (95%CI 1.02–31.0; P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Apolipoprotein-A1 could be a sentinel of the pandemic in existing routine surveillance of the general population. NCT01927133, CER-2020-14.
A data driven methodology for social science research with left-behind children as a case study
Authors: Wu Chao , Wang Guolong , Hu Simon , Liu Yue , Mi Hong , Zhou Ye , Guo Yi-ke , Song Tongtong
Published: November 2020

For decades, traditional correlation analysis and regression models have been used in social science research. However, the development of machine learning algorithms makes it possible to apply machine learning techniques for social science research and social issues, which may outperform standard regression methods in some cases. Under the circumstances, this article proposes a methodological workflow for data analysis by machine learning techniques that have the possibility to be widely applied in social issues. Specifically, the workflow tries to uncover the natural mechanisms behind the social issues through a data-driven perspective from feature selection to model building. The advantage of data-driven techniques in feature selection is that the workflow can be built without so much restriction of related knowledge and theory in social science. The advantage of using machine learning techniques in modelling is to uncover non-linear and complex relationships behind social issues. The main purpose of our methodological workflow is to find important fields relevant to the target and provide appropriate predictions. However, to explain the result still needs theory and knowledge from social science. In this paper, we trained a methodological workflow with left-behind children as the social issue case, and all steps and full results are included.
Nursery teachers in preschool institutions facing burnout: Are personality traits attributing to its development?
Authors: Tasic Radica , Rajovic Nina , Pavlovic Vedrana , Djikanovic Bosiljka , Masic Srdjan , Velickovic Igor , Mostic Danka , Cumic Jelena , Milcanovic Petar , Janicijevic Valerija , Stanisavljevic Dejana , Milic Natasa
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of burnout syndrome among nursery teachers in Belgrade's preschool institutions, and to assess the role of personality traits in its development.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in all Belgrade’s preschool institutions. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to obtain a representative sample. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory- General Survey (MBI-GS). The MBI-GS adaptation was based on an internationally accepted methodology for translation and cultural adaptation. Psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the MBI-GS were analyzed through the examination of factorial structure and internal consistency. A shortened version of Big Five Plus Two questionnaire was used to measure Personality traits.

Results

Three hundred two health care professionals were enrolled. The mean age was 38±9.2 years and all were female. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the three-factor structure of the questionnaire (exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy). Overall, 251 (83.1%) respondents were found to have moderate burnout. In multiple regression analysis, positive valence and conscientiousness were significantly associated with professional efficacy. Aggressiveness, neuroticism, openness, and age, were significantly associated with exhaustion. Aggressiveness, neuroticism and additional jobs showed association with cynicism.

Conclusion

Present study provided the evidence for the appropriate metric properties of the Serbian version of MBI-GS. Most nurses demonstrated moderate burnout level. Personality traits are characteristics that affect presence of burnout syndrome in healthcare professionals working in preschool institutions.